1st Prize Watercolour - BHP Billiton Port Hedland Art Awards W.A.
1st Prize Watercolour - Kimberley Art Prize, W.A.
1st Prize Watercolour - Beverley Art Prize, W.A.
1st Prize Overall - Kimberley Art Prize, Derby, W.A.
2nd Prize Watercolour - Shinju Art Competition, Broome, W.A.
1st Prize Watercolour - Katanning Art Prize, W.A.
1st Prize Watercolour - Tresillian Art Prize, Perth, W.A.
1st Prize Watercolour - Northam Art Prize, Beverley, W.A.
2nd Prize Watercolour - Tresillian Art Prize, W.A.
Art Purchase Award - Melville Civic Centre, W.A.
2nd Prize Watercolour - Broome Arts Festival, W.A.
Highly Commended Watercolour - Broome Shinju Matsuri Art Prize, W.A.
1st Prize Watercolour - Dallwallinu Arts Festival, W.A.
'DOING TIME' The Old Broome Lock Up Broome, W.A.
'DESERT DWELLERS' , Judy Prosser Art Studio, The Old Broome Lock Up , Broome, W.A.
'GOING BUSH' Judy Prosser Art Studio, The Old Broome Lock Up , Broome, W.A.
'NORTHERN EXPOSURE' ,Pilbara Fine Art Gallery, Karratha, W.A.
'TRAVELLING THE RED DIRT ROAD', Tony Gill Galleries, Montville, Qld.
Pearls of Broome – Claremont, W.A.
Reflections of the Kimberley Gallery, Derby, W.A.
Sheba Lane - Kreations Gallery, Broome, W.A.
Broome Art Gallery, Broome, W.A.
Tresillian Community Centre, Nedlands, W.A.
Print Gallery, Fremantle Art Centre, W.A.
1981 Print Gallery, Fremantle Art Centre, W.A.
The Art of Investment –Pilbara Fine Art Gallery, Karratha, W.A.
Joint Exhibition with Ingrid Windram – Kreations Art Gallery, W.A.
Direct Sun – Invitation Exhibition, Noosa Regional Gallery, Qld.
Broome Time – Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney, NSW.
Birds of the Kimberley – Durack Gallery, Broome, W.A.
Kimberley Fine Diamonds, Kununurra, W.A.
Palm Court Gallery, Cairns. Qld.
Fourteen Windows on the West – Williams Curtis Gallery, Perth W.A.
1984 Landscape in Watercolour – W.A. Arts council in association with the Fremantle Arts Centre, Touring Exhibition of the Pilbara and Goldfields.
Guangzhou, The Peoples Republic of China.
Festival of Perth, Invitation Drawing Award – Fremantle Arts Centre.
Contemporary West Australian Artists – Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney.
New Works – 30 Western Australian Artists, Fremantle Art Centre, W.A.
Painters' Papers - Fremantle Art Centre, W.A.
Foundation Exhibition of Former Students of Claremont School of Art, W.A.
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Exhibition, W.A.
Association for the Blind Annual Exhibition, Perth Concert Hall, W.A.
Chrysalis – Graduating Fine Art Students, Claremont School of Art, W.A.
Japan – studied Japanese painting at the Kyoto City University of Fine Arts, Kyoto, Japan.
Represented in the collection - 30 paintings - 1987, of Lord McApline, House of Lords, London.
Represented in the Westpac collection, W.A.
Letters from the North, a Book of Poetry by Caroline Caddy, Published by Fremantle Arts Centre Press, W.A.
Dust Jacket Illustration for "Australian Short Stories", issue No. 44, Published by Pascoe Publishing Pty. Ltd., Apollo Bay, Victoria.
Joboy's Walkabout, a children's Book by Tom Beckers Illustrated by Judy Prosser.


text:
Q: Matplotlib overlaying multiple images with different colors I have a list (image_list) with images in the forms of numpy arrays. I want to overlay all of these images into 1 single image, and I want each image to have its own color.
Attached is a screenshot showing some of the individual images; i want each of the "curves" (gray stuff) to be a different color, not the actual background itself. This way when I overlay all the images the colors will help me identify each specific image.  individual images
Attached is a screenshot of what I tried. Additionally, to clarify, by "overlay" I mean I want all the images in ONE single image, not multiple plots. Thus, I don't think changing cmap will work because that also changes the background color; I only want the color of the actual "data"/image to change.
Any help would be appreciated. what i tried

A: If your images are just binary data (zeros and ones) then you could change the data in each subsequent image by one count. Then you plot them all in the same image and matplotlib will take care of the coloring. You could also merge them into a single array first with the same result
1st image: zeros and ones
2nd image: zeros and 2s
3rd image: zeros and 3s
....
in pseudo code:
new_image_list = []
for idx, img in enumerate(img_list):
    img = np.where(img > threshold, 1, 0)
    img *= (idx+1)
    new_image_list.append(img)
for img in new_image_list:
    plt.imshow(img)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In October of 2016 we took a vacation deep in the heart of Texas, ending at the state's capitol.
Though I've now spent 80% of my life in Louisiana, I made my entrance into this world at a Methodist hospital in Fort Worth, TX. We moved shortly thereafter, but my early childhood (the years leading up to the ripe age of 5) were spent in west Texas. Rock Springs to be exact. My memories are probably a little skewed… and sometimes the things we hold onto years after are for unfortunate reasons–like my recollection of cacti, camouflaged scorpions, and stinging caterpillars. BUT there are others I recall more fondly.
Like those involving cute animals. 1 – I babysat a baby calf once in our back yard. 2 – We rescued the best dog (Ashley)any girl could ever ask for from the pound (a full blood Keeshond.) She could sense when you were down and needed extra puppy love. 🖤 3 – Then a few months after said puppy adoption, mom and I found a little black kitten on our afternoon stroll. I was in my tricycle that had a front basket which was the perfect size for carrying her home, where she was dubbed Midnight and took up permanent residence. They were the sweetest.
More great memories include making tie-dye shirts, testing a battery with my tongue (at my dad's insistence… which was not a good idea), driving an hour to the nearest Wal-Mart every few weeks (and trying to get out of it), attempting to climb a tree, making an ice fort during the freeze, requesting a Snow White birthday cake, learning by inhaling lots of water that the shallow end of Dr. Todd's pool was still over my head (contrary to my dad's insistence… trend?), having two bedrooms to myself, jumping on a friend's indoor trampoline, and hearing I'd have a baby brother.


Nikon D40 SLR camera review : Entry-level DSLR models are very interesting for manufacturers. They can reach high volumes, there is a much greater group who can afford these cameras and you can bind new users to your own system. There's a reason why the competition in this segment is so fierce. Nikon's newest weapon is the D40, and Nikon is using it to raise the stakes. The Nikon D40 DSLR is primarily meant for consumers who want more than a compact camera. In the profile of the target group, Nikon sees a family person between 30 and 70 years old. The typical user of the Nikon D40 is looking for a camera that stimulates creative qualities and reacts quicker than a compact camera.
Temperley camera case for Nikon S9 : For a limited-time offer this holiday season, Nikon has partnered with Alice Temperley to create a stunning new accessory for the tech-savvy and style-conscious consumer. From November 26, 2006, consumers purchasing the Coolpix S9 digital camera will receive an exclusive, Temperley for Nikon camera case while supplies last. A national retailer will have extremely limited quantities of this special accessory incorporating one of Temperley's signature prints and promise to go quickly. Consumers are encouraged to scan their holiday circulars to determine which local retail chain will be carrying this item. "Partnering with a world-renowned designer like Alice Temperley is a very exciting venture for Nikon as we are constantly looking for new ways to integrate style and fashion into our brand," said Lisa Baxt, senior communications manager, Nikon Inc.
Nikon C1 microscope with controlled light exposure : Nikon, a leader in the development of advanced optical technology, announced an exclusive new component for the Nikon C1 Confocal Microscope system that allows Controlled Light Exposure Microscopy (CLEM). The control unit uses ultra-fast electronics to reduce specimen photo bleaching and photo toxicity while expanding the confocal unit's range. "Nikon's CLEM system extends cell life so researchers have more time to observe and record their experiments," said Stan Schwartz, vice president, Nikon Instruments. "When combined with the C1 confocal microscope, users have a single instrument which can be used for the widest possible range of live cell imaging applications."
Nikon AZ100 multizoom microscope : Nikon Instruments Inc., announced a new solution for macro imaging applications for biomedical and industrial markets. The Nikon AZ100 microscope is a macro/micro high performance microscope system that provides capabilities that don't currently exist with stereo zoom microscopes and compound high magnification microscopes. Key features of the AZ100 Multizoom include a wide field of view, long working distances and a high resolution capability. A broad range of observation techniques are supported and include EPI/DIA-DIC, DIA-BF & Oblique, EPI-FL, EPI-RL EPI/DIA-Simple POL. The AZ100 has a wide magnification range from 5 to 500x and a unique zooming magnification optical system with a ratio of 8:1.
Nikon Eclipse E100 microscope : Nikon Instruments Inc., a leader in the development of advanced optical technology, announced the new Eclipse E100 Educational Microscope. The Eclipse E100 is an infinity corrected microscope with a small footprint to fit within tight storage cabinet space. The Eclipse E100 is an upright microscope with outstanding optical performance combined with elegant ergonomic touches. Ideal for education and routine laboratory use, the Eclipse E100 incorporates Nikon's revolutionary CFI optical system with advanced optical specifications. Nikon's CFI objectives excel at correcting both chromatic aberration and curvature of the field of view, plus feature longer working distances and higher numerical apertures.
Nikon D40 : Nikon Corporation announced the Nikon D40, a new interchangeable-lens digital SLR that combines the brilliant performance of world-famous Nikkor interchangeable lenses and the practicality of a remarkably small and light camera body. The entry level Nikon D40 SLR has been designed with handling and performance advantages that do away with the frustrations often associated with compact digital cameras, making it ideal for anyone who wants to capture spectacular digital pictures without complications. Thanks to Nikon's leading digital and optical technologies, the D40 SLR makes it amazingly simple to capture beautiful pictures in almost any situation.
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens : Nikon has designed a new ultra-compact AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens as the ideal companion for use with its DX format digital SLRs. The lens, using the popular 18-55mm focal length range, has been specially developed to provide a compact DX zoom equipped with Nikon's compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and will be included as standard with the latest Nikon D40 digital SLR outfits. Incorporating cutting-edge Nikon optical technologies such as ED glass and aspherical lens elements, Nikon D40 customers will enjoy superior image quality made possible by legendary Nikkor optics. The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II will be launched from December 2006.
Nikon Speedlight SB-400 : The Nikon Speedlight SB-400 is an intelligent and versatile external flash unit that provides i-TTL flash operation in a super-compact and ultra-lightweight body at an affordable price. With its powerful guide number of 21m (ISO 100, at 18mm zoom-head position, 20°C/68°F), the Nikon SB-400 is an ideal flash unit for beginners in digital SLR photography, but it is also useful for hobbyists and professionals looking for a handy i-TTL flash unit offering an effortless bounce flash function. The Nikon Speedlight SB-400 has been specifically developed to provide photographers with an entry-level external flash unit which is compatible with i-TTL flash operation.
Nikon limited edition CoolPix camera accessory : Nikon is at the intersection of high fashion and high-technology this fall with a new partnership to provide a stunning look for style conscious and tech savvy digital camera users. Nikon and Zac Posen, House of Z, LLC, announce the creation of an Exclusive Limited Edition Zac Posen CoolPix Camera Accessory. Nikon CoolPix users can now carry their digital camera in a fashionable yet functional camera accessory. "As a style-focused brand, we are constantly looking for new ways to accommodate the image-savvy consumer. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Zac Posen, a celebrated and talented designer," said Lisa Baxt, senior communications manager, for Nikon, Inc.
Nikon Capture NX eBook : The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX is a new eBook by photographer Jason P. Odell. At over 180 pages, this comprehensive guide is a must-have companion for Nikon digital users who wish to use the latest version of Nikon Capture software, Capture NX software. The Capture NX software eBook, a fully illustrated, bookmarked and indexed PDF document, is now available from Luminescence of Nature Photography at the luminescent photo website and includes a suite of Capture NX settings files and the actual RAW files from the book. With Nikon's recent release of their full-featured raw processor and image editor, Nikon Capture NX, Nikon DSLR owners gained an exciting new workflow option.
Nikon booth at Photokina : The Nikon stand at Photokina could hardly be missed. In striking colours, yellow and deep black, Nikon presented itself to the host of visitors who wanted to see the new Nikon range with their own eyes. The star of the show was the new Nikon D80, Nikon's newest digital reflex camera. The Nikon D80 could anticipate a great deal of interest and large numbers of them were on show, so that the visitors flocking to the stand could hold the camera and try it out themselves. De Nikon D80 has a ten Megapixel image sensor and many high quality techniques taken straight from Nikon's professional SLR line. Personally, I think there is a good chance that the Nikon D80 will grab a very large share of the market.
Nikon D200 eBook : DigitalSecrets announces the release of the most elaborate eBook in the DSLR series. The eBook, DSLR: Nikon D200 by Peter iNova and Uwe Steinmueller tackles the 10MP Nikon D200 camera, revealing its many secrets and disclosing the numerous cutting edge features of the camera in a way professionals and advanced enthusiast photographers will appreciate. The Nikon D200 title is in a new screen-filling horizontal format with a great number of interactive images that emphasize, animate, compare and illustrate the science, technology and art of digital photography. Embedded in the pages of the PDF eBook are movies that illustrate sequential operations, complex menu choices and time-lapse scenes shot with the camera.
Nikon Small World competition winning images exhibit : Nikon Instruments and the National Academy of Sciences today announced that the 32nd exhibition of Nikon's Small World winning images will be featured at the National Academies Keck Center in Washington. The exhibition will be celebrated with a reception on November 16 at the Keck Center. After its initial showing in the National Academies' Keck Center, the exhibit will move to the National Academy of Sciences, where it will be on view from Jan. 15 to May 1, 2007. Founded in 1975 to recognize excellence in photography through the microscope, Nikon's Small World competition is the leading forum for celebrating the beauty and complexity of objects seen through the light microscope.
Nikon Spotting Scopes RAIII 65 WP and RAIII 82 WP : Nikon is pleased to announce two exciting new spotting scopes, the RAIII 65 WP series and the RAIII 82 WP series. The new spotting scopes build on the success of the Nikon Spotting Scope RAII (60/60A) and 80/80, a series which have won wide acceptance in the bird watching market due to their high cost-to-performance value. Thanks to the 65mm and 82mm objectives, both models produce clear, crisp, bright images, perfect for a range of activities. The light, compact design makes for easy portability and the added benefit of being waterproof makes them suitable (up to 2m for 5 minutes) for all conditions. The RA III 65 WP series and the RAIII 82 WP series boast Target Sight.
Nikon Monarch Binoculars : Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of five new binoculars, including the 8.5x56DCF, 10x56DCF and 12x56DCF models and 8x36DCF and 10x36DCF models, adding to the highly regarded Monarch series. Boasting large 56mm diameters, the 8.5x56DCF, 10x56DCF and 12x56DCF models deliver high performance. The generous diameter means they are ideal for use in low lighting conditions, making these new models a perfect option for birders early in the morning or late at night. The 8x36DCF and 10x36DCF feature 36mm diameters to combine excellent performance with portability. All the models are waterproof up to 1m/3.3 ft for 5 minutes. The binoculars are durable for use in all conditions.
Nikon Capture NX software : Nikon Inc., Melville, N.Y., USA, has begun shipping the new Capture NX software to Nikon authorized retailers across the nation. Capture NX is designed specifically for photographers, providing a unique and easy-to-understand interface with tools that photographers need, but without the level of complexity and clutter of other image-editing applications, says the company. The software can be used with JPEG- and TIFF-format images from any source. Its newly patented U Point technology offers photographers a simplified way to edit their pictures by enabling them to enhance specific areas of a picture selectively, without the use of masks, selections, or blayers.
Nikon Sport Optics used for TV show : Mark Freedman, President of Surge Licensing, says Nikon Sport Optics agreed for Tred Barta, star of the hit OLN outdoor TV show, "The Best & Worst of Tred Barta," to promote binoculars and other optics products. Surge Licensing announced it has entered into a agreement with Nikon Sport Optics, for Tred Barta, star of the hit OLN outdoor TV show, "The Best & Worst of Tred Barta," to promote Nikon's outstanding array of binoculars and other products. Nikon Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Nikon sport and recreational optics, world-renowned Nikon 35mm cameras, digital cameras, speedlights and accessories, Nikkor lenses and electronic imaging products. Nikon Sport Optics is a division of Nikon Inc.
Nikon Coolpix S10 : Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the Nikon Coolpix S10. Packing powerful imaging performance, 10x zoom capability and a stylish swivel design into compact dimensions, the Nikon S10 makes it easy to take great-looking shots from more imaginative angles. With a distinctive wave-surface design and a high-quality finish, the Nikon Coolpix S10 is as attractive as the images it achieves. But even more impressively, the Nikon Coolpix S10 digital camera features 6.0 effective Megapixel image resolution as well as a built-in 38-380mm (35mm equivalent) 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens, making it easy to compose everything from close portraits to wide-open scenery with fine detail and vivid color.


I just got in trouble with TripAdvisor for mentioning something on their website [July 2013]. Sorry about that, but someone wanted to know how much difference there would be between the third and fourth editions of this guidebook, and I offered to send the person an autographed copy of the fourth edition from those copies I already have and told him or her another option would be to buy it from our website. My message must have lasted less than half an hour on there!
Here is what we have put out describing how the 2013 edition differs from the previous one: Covering everything there is to know about the world's first and most diverse national park, the fourth edition of this bestselling guide to Yellowstone boasts more facts, anecdotes, history, and travel tips than ever before. Mile-by-mile road logs document every approach to the park and every interior road. Through easy-to-understand explanations and diagrams, readers will learn of Yellowstone's campgrounds and facilities, geyser basins and the frequency of the geysers, out-of-the-way hikes, and flora and fauna.
Updates to this edition include tinted tabs to indicate the six different regions of the park and their approach roads, in addition to the tabs in previous editions for the geological, historical, and natural history sections; up-to-date scientific information to reflect recent research, including two new geological diagrams; highlighted historic items in the road logs; a dozen new pictures; and fully revised maps to show recent road changes and other details. A four-page glossary and a twenty-page index round out this indispensable addition to any travel library.
My offer stands to my blog post readers. For as long as my supply lasts, as author and publisher I can send you an autographed copy of Yellowstone Treasures for your use this summer, but I can only accept personal checks and money orders. You can reach me for details at: janet@yellowstonetreasures.com.


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Tatiana Huezo on 'Tempestad,' Her Poetic Doc About a Childhood Friend's Wrongful Imprisonment
By Manuel Betancourt | 3 years ago
Tatiana Huezo's masterful documentary Tempestad is both lyrical and political. Focused on the violence and impunity that afflicts Mexico, the film is driven by the voices of two women, Miriam and Adela. As we listen to their stories, Huezo offers us images of the cross-country journey that Miriam took after being released from a cartel-run prison, where she'd been held for her alleged involvement in human trafficking. After no evidence of her participation in trafficking was found, Miriam was eventually let go, becoming instead a public scapegoat for an increasingly common problem in Mexico.
Interwoven with the harrowing tale of Miriam's stay in this torturous environment is the story of Adela, a circus clown, who's been searching for her abducted daughter who went missing over 10 years ago. By focusing on these women's stories in voiceover, Tempestad forces you to look closely at the seemingly unrelated imagery that flashes before you. Accompanied by a haunting score by Leonardo Heiblum and Jacobo Lieberman (Maria Full of Grace, A Monster with a Thousand Heads) the documentary speaks to the increased sense of insecurity and fear that permeates rural roads in Mexico. Evocative of Terrence Malick, but infused with a staunchly political message, Tempestad has one of the most indelible final shots of the year, the first and only moment where you see Miriam in the film.
The film, which screened in Mexico as part of the Festival de Cine Ambulante and later got a short theatrical run, was shown in New York as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Afterwards Huezo sat down (along with a translator) to discuss her powerful film. Find some highlights below.
On Her Relationship With Miriam and Adela
Well, Miriam is one of my oldest and dearest friends. I met her when I was 17 years old, over 20 years ago. We both wanted to get into filmmaking. Many years later—four years ago—I ran into her after not having seen her for a long time. And that was a year after she'd been released from jail. It was very difficult for both of us to meet given the circumstances. She was very wounded, both physically and psychologically. Something that struck me about that encounter was that a friend of mine, who I'd known for so long, couldn't look me in the eye. A bit later, as if wanting to explain what had happened, she sent me a handful of writings she'd done in prison, a series of poems. She'd always loved writing and she writes very beautifully. And in her words, scribbled over these dirty pieces of paper, was the heart of this film. The poems didn't make it to the final cut of the film but they were the origin of Tempestad, the inspiration behind the film. Afterward we sat down and I asked her if she'd be comfortable and ready to speak about what happened. She agreed and that's when we started working on the film.
It took close to six months to find Adela. I wanted to find a second voice who could balance out the other story, one which could function as a mirror, an echo. I wanted a mother looking for a disappeared son or daughter. Right now there are thousands of parents looking for their children. When I learnt about Adela, and later when I met her, I found her to be an extremely strong and articulate woman. She's very thoughtful in a very special way even as she'd suffered over ten years of struggle, of living all those years with that uncertainty of what happened to her daughter. That's the most difficult thing that these families go through, the uncertainty of not knowing. So that's how both of these women came into the film.
'Tempestad' Courtesy of CLAUDIA TOMASINNI
On The Dangers Involved In Making The Film
All of us in Mexico are a bit paralyzed by this fear that's been instilled in us.
I live in Mexico. And we were afraid while we were making the film. We had to have a very specific strategy while shooting, and once we finished it we had to evaluate the risks involved. We're living in a time when journalists are being killed for doing their work. Perhaps the fear was the hardest challenge of making this film. I had to decide at some point if I was going to be paralyzed by this fear or if I'd go ahead with the story. All of us in Mexico are a bit paralyzed by this fear that's been instilled in us, that's now part of our unconscious, that's deep-rooted. This film is about breaking the silence, and the challenge was to fight against that fear and forge ahead to tell these stories.
On The Film's Structure
I tend to work a lot on a film's structure. I don't know how to shoot a film without it. When I started to imagine how to tell this story, I had the journey in mind. I had this idea that the film could begin with Miriam leaving the prison. Doing my research I did the trip that she'd done. To me it was very clear that I had to follow this journey, from North to South. So I thought I'd thread this trip with the accounts of what had taken place in the prison and then I had in mind this changing landscape that you'd get to see. By chance, when I was doing research, it happened to be the rainy season so I spent a lot of time witnessing these storms, these darkened skies. And that just seemed so appropriate to me to represent the emotional turmoil of these characters.
On Miriam's Current Plight
Miriam doesn't know exactly, by name, who sent her to jail. Or, maybe she's too scared to share the name. But she knows they're very powerful people. They're people from the Instituto Nacional de Imigración, which is where she used to work at as an immigration agent. They were the ones who accused her and led to her incarceration. Now she's decided that she's going to fight this and has begun to ask for help. And a lawyer has shown some interest in her case. She's now suing the state. The problem is that she has no money—in Mexico, in order to have access to justice, you need money. She hasn't worked for six years and her name is listed as a human trafficker. But she's going to fight to scrub that and she's very emboldened to do so.
On The Film's Symbolism
I wanted to represent that her life, her home had become this abyss.
Yes, the film's ending is totally symbolic. It works on a couple of different levels, and some of them do speak to this Mayan underworld. But my intention for those final shots was to depict Miriam's homecoming. She was medicated for many months. She couldn't get out of bed. She really couldn't be in the world. I wanted to represent that her life, her home had become this abyss. And I did it by shooting in this cenote [a sinkhole that contains groundwater], where at the bottom you see this hollow, clouded forest floating. I had this image in my mind even before I began working in earnest on the film. I knew what this final image was going to be. And so I went to some lakes and tried out to see whether that worked. I went to the Caribbean and had this diver take a camera and shoot there and it wasn't really working. This diver then told me, you have to go to a cenote called El Pit which is over 100 meters deep. And we did, and we tested it out and it was perfect. The water was crystal clear and we got the silhouette that I wanted. It was the most expensive shot in the film and it took a lot of work to convince my producer to get this shot. But it was worth it, as he soon found out.
This Q&A has been translated from Spanish by the author.
Documentary, Tatiana Huezo, Tempestad. Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2:04 PM EDT by Manuel Betancourt
This Documentary Shines a Light on the All-Male Drag Ballet Company With a Cult Following
Thalía's Short Docs on Quinceañeras Shatter Stereotypes by Focusing on a Latina Boxer, Rodeo Riders, and a Trans Teen
This Director Smuggled Himself Into a Panamanian Jail for His True Crime Documentary 'Operation Odessa'
This Powerful Doc Chronicles Undocumented Immigrants' Struggle to Find Affordable Health Care
This Doc Is a Real-Life Political Thriller on the Months Leading Up to Colombia's Contentious Peace Deal
This Powerful Short Doc Chronicles the Transformation of a Former MS-13 Gang Member into an Activist
Latinas Have the Highest Suicide Rate Among Teens. This Documentary Wants to Change That
This Doc Tells the Story of Victor Rios, a Gang Member-Turned-Professor Helping Latinos Stay in School
UP NEXT: This Documentary Shines a Light on the All-Male Drag Ballet Company With a Cult ...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Magnesium Health Topic
Magnesium is important for the transport of ions across cell membranes, enabling nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and normal hearth rhythm. Magnesium is an important co-factor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body. Magnesium is also involved in the synthesis of protein, as well as in regulating mitochondrial respiration, a process in which oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is given off. Proper muscle function requires both calcium and magnesium working together in tandem, with calcium contracting the muscles, while magnesium helps them to relax. Magnesium can be used to suppress elevated calcium levels. Too much calcium in relation to magnesium may cause heart spasm, hypertension, kidney stones and other health problems. High doses of intravenous magnesium is used to reduce the risk of eclampsia in women with pre-eclampsia. Those who suffer from recurrent migraine headaches or who have diabetes mellitus have been found to have lower intracellular magnesium levels. Magnesium is the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissues.
Dietary Sources of Magnesium:
Spinach, swiss chard, black beans, quinoa, Brazil nuts, beet greens brown rice, cashews, mackeral, and pumpkin seeds.
Note: Essense-of-Life.com encourages personal research and a balanced view of health and nutrition topics. The links below provide a broad overview of various research findings and hypothesis on the role of nutrition in health. This information is not intended to promote any particular product. Unless noted, the articles below do not include any scientific references.
Learn More About Magnesium
Magnesium: Linus Pauling Institute
Magnesium is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions. Magnesium is required by the ATP-synthesizing protein in mitochondria. ATP, the molecule that provides energy for almost all metabolic processes, exists primarily as a complex with magnesium. Magnesium is required for the active transport of ions like potassium and calcium across cell membranes. Through its role in ion transport systems, magnesium affects the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm. Inadequate serum magnesium levels are known to result in low serum calcium levels, resistance to parathyroid hormone action, and resistance to some of the effects of vitamin D, all of which can lead to increased bone loss. Individuals who suffer from recurrent migraine headaches have lower intracellular magnesium levels. Magnesium depletion is also commonly associated with diabetes mellitus. High-dose intravenous magnesium sulfate has been the treatment of choice for preventing eclamptic seizures. Intravenous magnesium infusion is also an efficacious treatment for severe, acute asthma.
Calcium-Magnesium Cellular Nutrition
Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of protein, and it is an important co-factor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body, many of which contribute to the production of energy, and with cardiovascular functions. While calcium affects muscle contractions, magnesium balances that effect and relaxes muscles. Magnesium is the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue.
Magnesium: The Nutrient That Could Change Your Life
An electrolyte is an element whose atoms contain an electric charge that is either positive or negative. The magnesium cation with its positive charge is an active electrolyte that is constantly moving back and forth across cell membranes to maintain the proper balance. Mitochondria are considered the cells chief source of energy because they contain the enzymes that burn glucose to release energy. Magnesium, recognized to be an activator for many enzymes, plays an important role in this regard. Magnesium is specifically involved in regulating mitochondrial respiration, a process in which oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is given off.
Magnesium: A Key to Calcium Absorption
When calcium is elevated in the blood it stimulates the secretion of a hormone called calcitonin and suppresses the secretion of parathyroid hormone. These hormones regulate the levels of calcium in our bones and soft tissues. Parathyroid hormone draws calcium out of the bones and deposits it in the soft tissues, while calcitonin increases calcium in our bones and keeps it from being absorbed in our soft tissues. Magnesium suppresses parathyroid hormone and stimulates calcitonin. Sugar and alcohol increase magnesium excretion through the urine.
Magnesium: The Mineral That Could Have Saved 4 Million Women
In one study, intravenous magnesium reduced the risks of eclampsia among women with pre-eclampsia. Calcium and magnesium must be maintained in a proper ratio to maintain proper muscle tone and prevent convulsive muscle spasms. Furthermore, estrogen and progesterone levels, which increase as a pregnancy advances, elevate the body's demand for magnesium.
Minimum Magnesium Standard for Drinking and Bottled Water Would Save 150,000 Lives Annually
National Academy of Sciences recommendation that the addition of magnesium to bottled and municipal drinking water may prevent up to 150,000 deaths from heart attacks per year. Magnesium is a natural calcium-controller. Too much calcium in relation to magnesium may cause heart spasm, hypertension, kidney stones and other health problems.
Magnesium and Cancer: A Dangerous Liason
There is general agreement about the inverse correlation between the risk of cancer and the regular consumption of fruit, cereals and vegetables, rich sources of many beneficial micronutrients, vitamins and minerals. Magnesium is predominantly obtained by eating unprocessed grains and green leafy vegetables. The occidental diet is relatively deficient in magnesium because of the processing of many food items and the preference for calorie-rich, micronutrient-poor foods. A review of the literature reveals the relationship between magnesium and cancer – most of the results available point to low magnesium as a factor contributing to tumorigenesis.
Magnesium Intake May Be Beneficial in Preventing Pancreatic Cancer
Indiana University researchers have found that magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer. Previous studies have found that magnesium is inversely associated with the risk of diabetes, which is a risk factor of pancreatic cancer. But few studies have explored the direct association of magnesium with pancreatic cancer. The study found that every 100-milligrams-per-day DECREASE in magnesium intake was associated with a 24 percent INCREASE in the occurrence of pancreatic cancer.
CONTAINS REFERENCES
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Party! Like it's your Birthday!
This little lady came to the studio to celebrate her first birthday!!! And oh how she celebrated 🙂 The cake smash was awesome and face first! What an adorable little girl with lots of personality! Happy Birthday Brinkley!


As soon as you're tired of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, escaping the city and heading towards Northern Thailand is not a bad idea. Located around 700kms up North is a town called Chiang Mai. Known as a big cultural hub where tourists, locals, digital nomads meet. Given its popularity, there's a variety of ways on how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
If you are thinking of taking an International flight directly to Chiang Mai, expect a short layover in Bangkok as most flights regularly stop there before flying to the North. Sometimes, even if you're traveling on a budget, it pays to spend a few minutes checking flights as often, they're almost the same price or just a little bit more than a train ticket.
We recommend installing the Skyscanner App to help you compare and find cheap flight deals. We often use this to book last-minute flights for super cheap!
Insider Tip: Before you book anything, make sure that you double check your baggage allowance. A lot of the budget carriers have baggage restrictions so double check before booking your flight.
Cost: The prices varies from $28-41 depending if you book a sleeper train or not.
The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is actually one of the most popular travel routes in the country. You have two options if you are traveling by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You can either take a day train which is somewhat cheaper, or you can opt to take the night train. Either way, traveling by train gives you a real feel of Thailand.
It's a great way to interact with locals while seeing the countryside. The day train can get a little bit boring which is why we recommend doing the night train. Not only do you make the most out of your day, you also get to save money on accommodations that night. While it's not a huge deal, saving a few bucks here and there only means more pad thai and khao soi's when you get to Chiang Mai!
Top Tip: To save you time, you can check train schedules and book tickets ahead of time through 12go. Use the search widget below or click on the button below to find out the train schedules ahead of time.
If you do the sleeper train, get out of your bunk and go to watch the sunrise from the other carts-the view of the countryside is pretty beautiful. You have different options on the sleeper train, with seats varying from 3rd class wooden seats all the way to 1st class with air-conditioned bunks.
The choice is really yours! They sell food and drinks on the train but you might want to bring some snacks yourself as the food they sell on board is pricier than usual. There are about six trains that leave from Bangkok to Chiang Mai running from around 8.30am till 10.00pm. Likewise, there are at least six trains daily from Chiang Mai to Bangkok from 6.30am till 9.00pm.
Nowadays, all long-distance express trains require a reservation, which can be made on the day of travel or up to 60 days in advance. Reservations are now computerized, and the booking office at any main station can reserve seats or berths for any journey in Thailand.
Please take note that a passport is now needed to book any train journey. It is also useful to know that they have a special ticket office in the Hualamphon Station just for foreigners. They have staff who speak English and they also accept credit cards! Combo tickets to the islands are also available from here. You can also reserve a ticket via phone but you need to pick it up within 24 hours. However, if you don't want to go through all this hassle, you can also book using the recommended website below.
Cost: Price varies from 200-600 baht $13-$21 depending if it is a fan or an air-conditioned bus and where it drops you off.
Overall, the buses are fairly safe, punctual, and very affordable. You can book these bus trips from almost any tour agency in Bangkok. If you are staying anywhere near Khao San Road, you won't run out of options.
The prices between all the agencies vary so best to walk and canvas around. You need to book at least a day in advance to avoid any inconveniences. If you don't want to take the bus from Khao San Road, you can also take a Deluxe bus from Mo Chit Terminal. These buses often have a bus stewardess that will give you a snack and a bottle of water for your journey. A lot of tour agencies try to upsell you to get the VIP or deluxe bus-but really, they just put you on a regular one.
Insider Tip: Always keep your valuables with you at all times. There is a lot of theft that goes on in the buses (some bus attendants climb in and take your valuables while the bus is moving). To avoid this, make sure that you have your valuables close to you and that you take the time to lock your bags. A few padlocks and extra precautions will definitely turn off thieves as it often takes too much effort to try to open it.
Reminder: If you want to compare the prices of both flights, busses, we recommend checking either Bookaway or 12go to get a full comparison. We use these two sites to book transport tickets all over Asia. Check out these two websites as they also have full reviews for each bus company!
So, whether you're flying, taking a bus, or taking the train, do make time to head up to Chiang Mai because it is awesome. There are lots to do, things to see, and food to eat! If you're looking for a different experience, you can also try getting a Sak Yant in Chiang Mai which is a traditional tattoo done by monks. So what are you waiting for?
If you're wondering how much money we're talking about, check out this guide on Chiang Mai travel costs to get a better idea of how much you'll need.
I hope to come back to Thailand as well. These are some invaluable tips for transportation and expenses and I appreciate it. I want to experience their trains and buses since I missed out on them before!
The trains are fun….but long. I recommend trains over buses.
Thanks for sharing these tips! I am excited to head to Thailand someday–hopefully soon! I think I'd pick the train if we had time for it–we always love traveling by train, and the price is right in the middle of the other too, which is nice. Plus, watching the sunrise out the window on an overnight train would be pretty amazing!
I'd really love to do that train journey and watch the sun rise! Which did you prefer, the train or the bus? Beautiful first photo as well!
Definitely the train journey. More room to move around!!
Never been to Chiang Mai so this post comes handy for tips. Most probably we'll try air or bus.
I personally prefer the train over the bus as it is a lot more comfortable! Great views too.
Great overview! We took the day train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and enjoyed it a lot. It took a long time but it was great to watch the landscape and for us more comfortable than a bus. More space to walk around and have a stretch.
Thanks! We are planning on heading back to Thailand next year and will probably fly into BKK. Is the train ride scenic at all? We love the cheap flights within Asia, but love train rides, too!
The day train is pretty scenic…the night train does boast of awesome sunrise views the next day.
I flew Air Asia from Bangkok to Chiang Mai for less than $50. It's no frills, but clean and on-time. Everything is a la carte so be prepared to pay extra even for a water, but for such a short a flight it was by far the best option for me and the amount of time I had for travel.
YES! Some even go as low as $39!
We've done this journey both by flying and bus. The flights with Nok Air are the best – they really take care of you. Air Asia on the other hand…..!!! The buses are incredible – ours were cheap and had massages on the seats. Didn't try the train – so that's one for next time we're there.


A member in Florida, United States	 ORIGINAL OWNER. 169,000 MILES.
A member in Maryland, United States	 Front end of the under transmission'ed 303hp ls4 monster.
shsteeves	 Chatfield State Park - Colorado: 207K miles and still drives like new and goes anywhere!


The U.S Food and Administration altered the old labeling system present on the prescription of the drugs.
The present labeling method which was formed in 1970 was pretty difficult to understand. Generally, drug manufactures use alphabets such as X to represent the dangers of the medicine.
For instance, a few drugs are listed in the middle category but graded as C. It confuses the women as it denotes that dangers of this drug can only affect animals not human beings.
Jacques Moritz, director of gynecology at Mount Sinai St. Luke stated that the old ABC method labeling was extremely useless. Majority of the drugs was categorized as C without any special warning for pregnant women.
However, the new labeling method will evidently display the side effects of the medicine for pregnant and best feeding woman. It will make it easier for customers and doctors to understand the dangers of the drug. The authorities intend to remove the older alphabetical grading version with simple information till the month of June of 2015.
As per the latest reports of FDA, around 6 million of women get pregnant annually in the United States. Throughout the nine month of their pregnancy they take usually three to five prescriptions of medicine. All these prescriptions are related to diseases such as asthma, morning sickness, depression and epilepsy. Hence, these ailments could get worse if they avert medicines merely because of the drug cancers.
Normally, it is very difficult for pregnant women to decide whether a pain killer is harmful for her baby or not. They are unaware whether they should increase their dosage due to pregnancy or not.


Mamukas life revolves around his horses and hunting in Nikortsminda where he lives..
Mamuka has bad memories from the wars.
MAMUKA HAS FOUGHT for the Russians during the communist era in Ngorno Karabach and Dagestan. And against Basajevs separatists and Russian SPETZNAS in break-out republic Abkhazia for Georgia in the early nineties. Mamuka is an engineer, but now he spends his life in Nikortsminda taking care of his horses and his small farm. He is a sincere and much respected man. One you instantly know you can trust.
One horse stolen, another one shot.
The day we arrived Nikortsminda, Mamuka came to our dacha very upset. Someone had stolen his little horse and shot the big one. It had happened just that moment, half an hour ago. The little horse was gone, and he reckoned that the big one was shot because it tried to protect the little one.It survived, but the bullet was still in the leg. That's a big problem because there is no professional veterinaries around Nikortsminda that could do a job like this. Mamuka couldn't afford one anyway, so he was very much afraid of what's going to happen with the injured horse. Horses are his life, and to lose one is as bad as losing ten for him. When I visited him later, I saw the horse, and noticed no exit wound in the leg. That means a slow death, or that he just has to put it down.
He has no enemies as he know of. The last ones are dead. They robbed him and his friends one night in his home at point blank; masked. They even stole his kalashnikov. He know who did it, but never managed to get his revenge. They all got killed in different episodes before he reached them. The little horse was going to be a gift to a friend who had helped Mamuka a lot. So maybe the thieves wanted to hurt his friend, he wonders. Everyone in the district knew that the horse was for his friend.
He would fight the Russians any time.
Mamuka was really glad to hear that Basajev had been killed this summer. His eyes are angry: "Basajev was nothing but a simple murderer. But opposed to what people has been lead to believe, Basajev and the rebellions was supported by the Russians. At the same time the Russians had a peace keeping mission in the rebel republic with mandate from the UN. But I know who we fought against. I saw the uniforms and ID-cards on the dead soldiers: It was Russian SPETZNAS-forces". Mamuka has been angry for many years after Abkhazia. During communism he was enrolled in the Russian army and had to fight in Dagestan and Ngorno Karabach. This has marked him. "Now we have South Ossetia and the separatist problems there where Russians supply them with weapons. I would gladly fight the Russians again, make no mistake about that!"
Last time we spoke, Mamuka promised me to take me hunting. That's one of his passions. Hunting wild hogs is maybe what he likes the most. It is demanding and very exiting. But also hunting rabbits can be fun.
When I left Nikortsminda some days after it was not clear what was going to happen, but the horse survived, and Mamuka, somewhat unexpected married a woman and moved to Rustavi in early 2008. I didn't meet him this summer in Nikortsminda.
On the way to cut grass for the cows and horses.
One day he helped us butcher a calf.


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UFODigest.com » Aliens and UFOs » Ancient Astronauts » Shamash, Ishtar and Igigi – Floater structures in ancient Mesopotamia
August 5, 2012 16:54 EDT
In Western culture, the phenomenon of eye floaters (or muscae volitantes) is primarily understood in line with modern ophthalmology as "vitreous opacities". However, the review of mythical and spiritual visual arts from former and non-Western cultures discloses abstract symbols that resemble the typical structures of shining structure floaters (cf. Tausin 2012a). This suggests that floaters have been widely interpreted as a mythical or spiritual phenomenon; and that there might be a perceptual dimension of floaters that is hardly known to modern man. This article provides a trip to the visual worlds of Mesopotamia and suggests that floaters have found their way into the art and imagination of this ancient civilization.
10'000 years ago, Neolithic man gradually went over from nomadic lifestyles to sedentary farming. In doing so, they laid the basis for the first known civilizations in history. Among the earliest civilized areas was the "land between the rivers" (Ancient Greek: Mesopotamia) in modern Iraq. From the 4th millennium BC to 500 BC, this land between and around the rivers Euphrates and Tigris was a melting pot of peoples with different cultures – Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, Hurrians and other peoples. They cultivated plants on irrigated fields, did trading and craft, sacrificed to the gods, founded cities and dynasties, and built empires through conquering expeditions. The remains of their buildings, steles, clay tables, cylinder seals, paintings, ceramics and metalwork of bronze and iron witness a moving history – and sometimes contain shapes and symbols that resemble entoptic phenomena. Could parts of the Mesopotamian cultures be influenced by entoptics like shining structure floaters?
Shamans in Mesopotamia?
The perception of geometric entoptic phenomena is intensified and deepened by consciousness altering techniques of ecstasy (Tausin 2012b/2011). Such techniques may exist since Upper Paleolithic times (from 40'000 BC), as geometric rock painting in Stone Age caves and rock shelters suggests (Dowson/Lewis-Williams 1988; Clottes/Lewis-Williams 1997). In Mesopotamian religions, there is little evidence of mind-altering practices. As in ancient Egypt (Tausin 2012c), religion consisted of the priestly and individual ritual worship of gods. They were represented in cult images and statues in the temples and were part of myths and legends. The relationship of man to the gods was distant; the gods were approached with feelings of awe and humility. By the means of divination and the discovery of omens in nature, Mesopotamians learned the intentions of the gods regarding the fate of particular human beings or the state (Hrouda 1997; Ringgren 1979). All of this does not fit the character of shamanic practices for knowledge and healing. However, some of the magical acts, mythical accounts and depictions in Mesopotamian art could testify to an ancient oriental shamanism which also influenced Central Asian and Siberian shamanism (Eliade 1957; cf. Walter/Fridman 2004). For example, the underworld journeys of some mythical figures like goddess Inanna or the wild Enkidu; the performance of healing rituals including drum rhythms and whirling dance; and the ritual and medical significance of consciousness altering plants like cannabis, incense, mandrake, deadly nightshade and henbane, possibly mirrored in the "herb of immortality", which was searched by king Gilgamesh in the famous epic of Gilgamesh – all of this indicates kinds of shamanic practices in Mesopotamia (Hrouda 1997; Walter/Fridman 2004; Rätsch 2004; Ringgren 1979; cf. Lawson 2004; Bryce 2002).
Floaters as cosmic pillar and tree of life
Shamanic ideas of the center of the world (axis mundi) – a cosmic mountain, pillar or tree linking the three cosmic spheres of heaven, earth and underworld – are widespread in many cultures and probably stem from prehistoric times (Eliade 1957; cf. Mahlstedt 2010). There are abstract symbols in architecture and visual arts of Mesopotamia that may relate not only to these shamanic notions, but – because of their representation – also to floaters. For example, freestanding columns, pillars, posts or poles are repeatedly depicted on reliefs and cylinder seals. Their tops consist of spearheads, heads of animals, but also circular symbols. While all of these types of pillars represent gods (cf. Handcock 1912), those with spheres or circles are associated with astral gods (cf. Cochrane N/A a, N/A b) (see figures 1-3):
Figure 1: A distinctive feature of the columns flanking entrances of cities or temples are the concentric circular disks attached to them in pairs (Sitchin 1999).
Figure 2: A believer stands between two gods. Pillars with spearheads, crescent moon and spheres are erected behind the gods. The spheres seem to be connected to the gods who are themselves performing acts with objects of strings and spheres. Unknown origin, ca. 8th century BC (Uehlinger 2000).
Figure 3: Syro-Hittite cylinder seal: The Canaanite gods of dusk and dawn, Shahar and Shalim, stand around a cosmic column consisting mainly of spheres (Du Mesnil du Buisson 1973).
The Mesopotamian tree of life (kishkanu) is described as having roots that reach down to the underworld, its trunk symbolizes the earth, while the crown extends to the heavenly sphere (cf. Baum, heiliger, in: RIA; cf. Stutley 2003; Eliade 1957). The tree as a whole represents the seat of god, the guardian of the temple of the sun, or the tree of life whose fruits contain the liquor of immortality (Perrot 1937). Some of the images of the tree show similar structures as the pillars (figure 4):
Figure 4: Cosmic tree as an abstract network of strings and spheres (cf. Parpola 1993), flanked by kings and gryphon-like guardian spirits (Uehlinger 2002).
Generally, both the cosmic pillar and the cosmic tree are concepts associated with shamanism and consciousness altering practices. The pictures shown here suggest that the pillar and the tree are not only imagined figuratively, but also as networks of strings and spheres. These strings and spheres convey meaning of their own: they are associated with, or represent, celestial bodies, deities and immortality. Seeing and experiencing shining structure floaters (cf. Tausin 2009) opens the way to an entoptic explanation of such associations: Floaters are threads filled with isolated or complete rows of spheres. Most are curved like branches; a few are straight like a pillar or a trunk. They are "celestial bodies" or deities insofar as they can be seen as bright lights at the sky. Finally, they appear or intensify in the shamans' or seers' central visual field during energetic states of consciousness, i.e. states of awe and wonder which contribute to the feeling of "sacredness" vis-à-vis the perceived. It is reasonable, then, to consider that the tree and the pillar have been inspired by floaters which were experienced as "sacred" and as the "world's center" by those seeing them.
Floater structures in Mesopotamian notions of the cosmos and the world
A closer look at the Mesopotamian notions of the organization of the world and the cosmos reveals patterns similar to the concentric circles of floaters. Like other ancient and shamanic cultures (Eliade 1957), the people of Mesopotamia imagined a cosmos that is divided into three parts: Heavenly spheres, earth and underworld (figure 5):
Figure 5: The three-part Mesopotamian cosmos: 1) The heavenly spheres (H-1,2,3). 2) The earth known to the Mesopotamian people, including the central mountain house (Ekur) (E-1), the ocean (O), the dam wall (D), and the mountains of sunrise (M) and sunset (A). 3) The spheres of the underworld (E2-3), including the bottom of the mundane ocean (G) and the city of the death protected by seven walls (TR). The cosmos swims in the heavenly ocean (HO) (BHH; cf. Trenkwalder 2005, Bryce 2002, Haas 1986).
Seen from above, the earth disk consists – like a floater sphere – of a core (Mesopotamia including the mountain house), a surround (the ocean) and the border of the surround (the dam). A similar, but more complex picture is provided by a Neo-Babylonian map. The known lands appear as transparent rectangular shapes and as designated or dotted circles which remind again of shining structure floaters (figure 6):
Figure 6: The Mesopotamian world with Babylon as central rectangular, surrounded by other places like Elam and Assyria, depicted as circles. An ocean ring separates the known world and the islands of distant countries in the triangles (Somervill 2010; cf. Contenau 1951).
An interesting detail about the sun and the circadian rhythm, already indicated in figure 5, is described in the epic "Gilgamesh": In the morning, the sun rises from a cave-like tunnel in the mountains of sunrise. It crosses the sky during the day and finally sets in another tunnel in the mountains of sunset. King Gilgamesh has to pass through these pitch-dark tunnels in order to reach the land of light on the other side where he hopes to speak to the sage Utnapishtim about the secret of death and life. This image of a tunnel through which a shining sphere or sun periodically traverses (cf. Cochrane n/a a), may be inspired by entoptic phenomena – e.g. the shining structure floaters with strings containing bright spheres, or the "blue field entoptic phenomenon", i.e. luminous corpuscles or starlets rapidly moving in tracks (cf. Tausin 2012a).
Astral religion
The male and female deities of Mesopotamia were not only associated with plants, animals or mythic accounts of agriculture and craft, but also with stars. In the Akkadian creation myth called Enuma Elisch, god Marduk paints the stars as the "images" (tamshilu) of the gods. Some of the gods are explicitly astral deities, e.g. Inanna / Ishtar, the goddess of Venus and the morning and evening star; sun god Utu / Shamash; as well as the moon god Nanna / Sin. The general symbol for "heaven" and "god" is the prominent cuneiform sign "An" that figuratively depicts a star with eight rays (Trenkwalder 2005; Ringgren 1979).
It is reasonable, then, to interpret the many circular signs on the reliefs, cylinder seals and paintings as representations of stars and planets, as well as their associated deities. However, if we take the concentric forms seriously, then either these "stars" are depicted not in a realistic, but stylized way. Or they do not represent stars at all, but other celestial phenomena that are a better visual match. Fact is that the early Mesopotamian astronomers, in their search of omens for predicting the future, attentively observed and catalogued the sky at day and night. But they hardly differentiated between the stars and meteorological events: both were understood as phenomena of the "lower heaven" (Beck 2007; Rochberg 2004; Lawson 2004; Ferngren 2000). Thus, it is conceivable that entoptic images too have been incorporated into the canon of Mesopotamian "celestial phenomena". For example, concentric or dotted circles which represent "light" since Neolithic times or earlier (cf. Cochrane N/A a) are frequently associated with the mundane sun. Such "sun" symbols are wide spread in Mesopotamian art: Most prominent is the winged sun disk on reliefs and seals. This protective symbol and representation of the sky and the sun god is spread throughout the Near East in manifold designs (cf. Tausin 2012c; Bryce 2002; Uehlinger 2000; Parpola 1993) "Sun" symbols also decorate clothes, kingly insignia (cf. Handcock 1912), amulets, jewelry, and even board games (see figures 7-10).
Figure 7: An Assyrian praying to the god Assur (Ashur). On the top, a winged sun disk between the star of Ishtar and the crescent moon (BHH).
Figure 8: Marduk the Babylonian city god, creator god and king of gods. He wears a feather crown decorated with concentric circles (BHH).
Figure 9: Headdress of a wealthy Sumerian woman. Part of the headdress are the round pendants made of Lapis lazuli set in golden metal (Somervill 2010).
Figure 10: Board game found at the royal cemetery of Ur, around 2600 BC (Somervill 2010).
Groups of circles or disks are thought to represent the stars of the night sky. If their number is seven, they may also represent the planets (see figures 11-13). According to Handcock (1912), a group of spheres might be the representation of the Igigi, a collective of anonymous male and female heavenly gods. In the myths, their number varies from seven to six hundred. The Akkadian myth Atrahasis characterizes the Igigi as lower gods who have to perform works of creation for the high gods Anu, Enlil and Enki. In the creation myth Enuma Elish, the Igigi are said to reside in the two uppermost heavenly spheres (Nardo 2007; Trenkwalder 2005; McIntosh 2005; Snell 2005; Rochberg 2004). Following this idea, groups of entoptic circles or spheres – like the shining structure floaters – might have been understood as the epiphany, or divine appearance, of Igigi dwelling in the highest heavenly spheres. If so, then this correlation of entoptic phenomena, heavenly visions and mundane scenes that is shown in much of Mesopotamian art, may be well understood in terms of shamanic visual experiences during altered states of consciousness.
Figure 11: Cylinder seal impression of the Akkadian period: While king Etana of Kish ascends to the heaven on an eagle's back (left), a bearded figure flies to, and interacts with, a number of heavenly circles (McIntosh 2005).
Figure 12: Possibly the naked goddess Ishtar strangling the bulls that represent the heat of the day. The goddess is surrounded by dotted spheres (Du Mesnil du Buisson 1973).
Figure 13: Assyrian cylinder seal: The worshiper standing in front of the table presents offerings to the bearded god sitting on the throne. Behind: a star-emanating goddes. Seven circles float in the sky. The offering table and the god's seat seem to be made out of such circles linked by lines – a possible hint to the creative power of Igigi? (Handcock 1912).
The concentric circles representing astral deities and stars or planets also appear as more complex forms, e.g. rosettes and wheels (figure 14). This may allow for the fact that the visual perception of light sources reveals radiating rays in certain circumstances – be it external light sources seen through the eye lashes, or entoptic lights radiating energy fields, as in the entoptic phenomenon of form constants (cf. Tausin 2012a). In addition to different (entoptic) perceptions, also artistic freedom and conventions might have contributed to the abstract representation of astral deities (cf. Cochrane n/a a; Campbell 1960).
Figure 14: Abstract representations of the Akkadian sun god Shamash (left) and the sky goddess Inanna / Ishtar (middle, right) (Cochrane, N/A a).
A recurrent motif of the Mesopotamian visual arts are the circles, concentric, dotted or plain, isolated or in groups, free floating or in rows or empty tubes. I have argued that these circles may be inspired by the entoptical phenomenon of shining structure floaters. The thesis is based on the neuropsychological approach to geometric figures in Stone Age rock art, on the seers' teaching on shining structure floaters, as well as on my own visual experiences. I have related the Mesopotamian circles and the floaters on the basis of their common visual features, as well as their common association with cosmic and divine forces and processes. The latter might be the result of experiences of intense states of consciousness, linking entoptics and shamanism. However, even if shamanic rituals were performed regularly in Mesopotamia, and shamanic visions inspired the art, it is equally possible that much of the depiction of mythic entities is shaped by artistic convention. This convention – which may reach back to Neolithic and older times – could, in turn, be the result of shamanic visionary experiences (Tausin 2010).
BHH – Biblisch-historisches Handwörterbuch, cf. Reicke/Rost (2003)
RIA – Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie, cf. Meissner (1932-2011)
Beck, Roger (2007): A Brief History of Ancient Astrology. Blackwell
Bryce, Trevor (2002): Life and Soceity in the Hittite World. Oxford University Press
Campbell, Joseph (1960): The Masks of God: Primitive Mythology. London: Secker & Warburg
Cochrane, Ev (N/A a): Suns and Planets in Neolithic Rock Art. http://www.maverickscience.com/arch-sun-planets.htm (23.2.11)
Cochrane, Ev (N/A b): "Mesopotamian man lived in a concrete world that he experienced directly". http://www.maverickscience.com/arch-history.pdf (23.2.11)
Clottes, Jean; Lewis-Williams, David. (1997). Schamanen. Trance und Magie in der Höhlenkunst der Steinzeit. Jan Thorbecke Verlag
Contenau, G. (1951): La Civilisation d'Assur et de Babylone. Payot: Paris
Dowson, T. A.; Lewis-Williams, J. D. (1988). "The Signs of All Times". Current Anthropology 29, no. 2: 201-245
Du Mesnil du Buisson, Robert (1973): Nouvelles Études sur les Dieux et les Mythes de Canaan. Leiden: Brill
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