I know I will regret this..................

[@}-}rebecca----]

Sounds like a great trip! I do hope y'all get to do it!

Fury

Me to Miss Fury ,

Thing is I will know many of the people we may travel with and they are talking about doing wet landings in zodiacs and dog sled rides covered in furs. I never thought I would do something like this but if the promise made holds true how could I possibly refuse. I don't want to watch National Geographic some times I want to live National Geographic.Its always so much more than I could imagine each time. Dammit I can't let everyone else have all the fun all can I .......laughs.....In fact I consider it my 'duty' ....sighsmiles. Plus its waaaaaaaaay cool for my son and I to share the experience while he still tolerates me .

love

@}-}rebecca----

 

[bridgeburner]

Okay Bridgeburner so I can count on your barbarian self to report back here please if and when you should visit the Ossuary in Sedlec.......smiles.

Most definitely! If I ever get there I will bring pictures and reports. I'm not a great photographer but I take a decent trip photo every once in awhile. Sedlac puts me in mind of Roslynn Chapel in Scotland although the only thing they appear to have in common is perhaps their age and the ornateness of their decor. That would be another interesting thing to discover.

I think you make a point about 'magic in our world'. Something I am always trying to remember to recognise in my life with varying degrees of success.

I think its 'there' I don't think one needs to be delusional find it , I know it takes insight and perception to embrace it. I have been most fortunate , for without it I would perish.

I can be very odd about magic. I suppose the fact that I even talk about it is odd since I'm an atheist. Truly. My perception of things isn't in terms of deities but more in terms of quantum physics. I believe in the "super"natural to the extent that there are things we don't comprehend and may never comprehend because we're not capable, but to my mind there is no such thing as "outside" of nature. If something exists, it is natural and part of the natural order whether or not we can understand it and codify it and reproduce it. Our lack of understanding is our failing, not some trait of the subject under study.

For lack of a better term I'm happy with magic or mysticism or spirituality. When I was at Glastonbury our tour guide directed my friend and me around back of the kitchens to check out an Omthala Stone. (I've no idea how to spell omthala). According to the guide there are only 8 of them in the world and they are sacred to one mother goddess or another and this one ended up at Glastonbury. When the Christians first took over they were generally more in favor of subsuming and converting pagan symbols rather than destroying them so they chipped a hole in the center of the Stone and planted a big wooden cross in it.

I can't remember why the cross was eventually taken out or if it fell out or what but at some point in time there was no longer a cross in the Stone and no one made plans to replace it and even though the Stone was a pagan symbol apparently no one was truly comfortable getting rid of it so they dragged it off behind the kitchens and left it there.

How anyone could tell it was a pagan symbol I don't know. It looks like a big stone egg. Seriously. It's about the size of, hell, I guess it's maybe half again as big as a medicine ball, but there aren't any carvings or markings on it at all. If it were found in or near a river you might even think it was a natural rock.

Anyway, off we go to look at the stone. Soon as we find it, I kid you not, we plop ourselves down in front of this big stone egg and spend the next 20 minutes petting the damn thing. We just wanted to touch it. It buzzed under our hands like when your arm has just started to fall asleep. Except in the spot where they'd chipped out for the cross and that felt kind of unpleasant. Not nasty or bad, just cold and sort of....I don't know, but not like the rest of the stone.

We felt damn goofy, I'll tell you that, but it didn't stop us.

What was it? Was there some earth-mother power in the stone that our guide recognized would call to us? Did we look suggestible and feel what we thought we ought to feel? Was it just some kind of ley-line energy and the difference in temperature between the sun-warmed surface of the rock and the exposed guts?

I don't know. I don't believe in deities. I got to experience some really cool stuff later on in the day walking in and around stone circles and I have no problem at all chalking that up to energy and magnetism and powerlines in the earth or whatever. I don't consider that "godly" however magical it is. I don't even really care if it was a joke on the part of the tour guide.

It was fun. At the same time I was ready to puke after the first 20 minutes of listening to the conversations of half the other people on the tour talking about blessed be and goddess this and goddess that. Without exception they were suburban American women with too much time and money on their hands running off and investing what little gray matter they had in made-up history and outright lies.

I was irritated because there was actual, truly amazing stuff going on all day and some of these women were faking it because they were more enamoured of the idea of being witchy and playing up their Stevie Nicks wardrobes than they were interested in anything real.

So I'm very open to magic and wonder in the world but I'm also a cynic and a hardass about people who are willing to buy any old magic bean that comes along.

Mostly I'm just contrary as hell. ;->

 

[bridgeburner]

and leading your thread waaaaay off topic.

Sorry!

 

[alice_underneath]

How anyone could tell it was a pagan symbol I don't know. It looks like a big stone egg. Seriously. It's about the size of, hell, I guess it's maybe half again as big as a medicine ball, but there aren't any carvings or markings on it at all. If it were found in or near a river you might even think it was a natural rock.

Anyway, off we go to look at the stone. Soon as we find it, I kid you not, we plop ourselves down in front of this big stone egg and spend the next 20 minutes petting the damn thing. We just wanted to touch it. It buzzed under our hands like when your arm has just started to fall asleep. Except in the spot where they'd chipped out for the cross and that felt kind of unpleasant. Not nasty or bad, just cold and sort of....I don't know, but not like the rest of the stone.

We felt damn goofy, I'll tell you that, but it didn't stop us.

Great story, B. I assume you are referring to the Omphalos Stone at Glastonbury Abbey:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/omphalosstone.jpg

Is that right?

 

[bridgeburner]

Yes!!! Oh my god, that's exactly it!!

Now I've got a great big smile on my face just because I saw a picture of it. It was a really great day.

-B

 

[Shankara20]

Great story, B. I assume you are referring to the Omphalos Stone at Glastonbury Abbey:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/omphalosstone.jpg

Is that right?

Darn, I missed that whole thing when I visited Glastonbury back in '96. I guess I was not ment to touch it.

Glastonbury was cool. Stonehinge was smaller than I expected.

Oh well.

 

[alice_underneath]

Yes!!! Oh my god, that's exactly it!!

Now I've got a great big smile on my face just because I saw a picture of it.

Glad it made you smile, B. Your story made me smile.... so we're even for the day.

Darn, I missed that whole thing when I visited Glastonbury back in '96. I guess I was not ment to touch it.

Glastonbury was cool. Stonehinge was smaller than I expected.

I was Glastonbury in '85, and missed B's stone too. At the time, I just didn't know it was there. I loved the Abbey, however. The ruins are gorgeous.

As for Stonehenge.... ughhhh. When I was there, it was surrounded by a huge, ugly chain link fence, and they would not let the public get anywhere near the stones. It was very disappointing.

Alice

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

Most definitely! If I ever get there I will bring pictures and reports. I'm not a great photographer but I take a decent trip photo every once in awhile. Sedlac puts me in mind of Roslynn Chapel in Scotland although the only thing they appear to have in common is perhaps their age and the ornateness of their decor. That would be another interesting thing to discover.

Oh then I will hope one day perhaps to hear this first hand account. I wonder how things sound in there. Footsteps on cobbled floors perhaps, what the acoustics are like. Is the air cool . I wonder how they maintain the Ossuary , not a dusting task I would relish I am sure. How is it lit ? Ohh ( goes back to chandelier photo for a closer look). Hmmn candles.....smiles. Those large windows as well on the background. I hope the Church or the state takes reasonable care in preserving as it is without denying man a genuine first hand opportunity to view the place. I have so many questions you will be busy ......smiles. Honestly just really hope you make it if indeed I never do.

I can be very odd about magic. I suppose the fact that I even talk about it is odd since I'm an atheist. Truly. My perception of things isn't in terms of deities but more in terms of quantum physics. I believe in the "super"natural to the extent that there are things we don't comprehend and may never comprehend because we're not capable, but to my mind there is no such thing as "outside" of nature. If something exists, it is natural and part of the natural order whether or not we can understand it and codify it and reproduce it. Our lack of understanding is our failing, not some trait of the subject under study.

For lack of a better term I'm happy with magic or mysticism or spirituality. When I was at Glastonbury our tour guide directed my friend and me around back of the kitchens to check out an Omthala Stone. (I've no idea how to spell omthala). According to the guide there are only 8 of them in the world and they are sacred to one mother goddess or another and this one ended up at Glastonbury. When the Christians first took over they were generally more in favor of subsuming and converting pagan symbols rather than destroying them so they chipped a hole in the center of the Stone and planted a big wooden cross in it.

I can't remember why the cross was eventually taken out or if it fell out or what but at some point in time there was no longer a cross in the Stone and no one made plans to replace it and even though the Stone was a pagan symbol apparently no one was truly comfortable getting rid of it so they dragged it off behind the kitchens and left it there.

How anyone could tell it was a pagan symbol I don't know. It looks like a big stone egg. Seriously. It's about the size of, hell, I guess it's maybe half again as big as a medicine ball, but there aren't any carvings or markings on it at all. If it were found in or near a river you might even think it was a natural rock.

Anyway, off we go to look at the stone. Soon as we find it, I kid you not, we plop ourselves down in front of this big stone egg and spend the next 20 minutes petting the damn thing. We just wanted to touch it. It buzzed under our hands like when your arm has just started to fall asleep. Except in the spot where they'd chipped out for the cross and that felt kind of unpleasant. Not nasty or bad, just cold and sort of....I don't know, but not like the rest of the stone.

We felt damn goofy, I'll tell you that, but it didn't stop us.

What was it? Was there some earth-mother power in the stone that our guide recognized would call to us? Did we look suggestible and feel what we thought we ought to feel? Was it just some kind of ley-line energy and the difference in temperature between the sun-warmed surface of the rock and the exposed guts?

I don't know. I don't believe in deities. I got to experience some really cool stuff later on in the day walking in and around stone circles and I have no problem at all chalking that up to energy and magnetism and powerlines in the earth or whatever. I don't consider that "godly" however magical it is. I don't even really care if it was a joke on the part of the tour guide.

It was fun. At the same time I was ready to puke after the first 20 minutes of listening to the conversations of half the other people on the tour talking about blessed be and goddess this and goddess that. Without exception they were suburban American women with too much time and money on their hands running off and investing what little gray matter they had in made-up history and outright lies.

I was irritated because there was actual, truly amazing stuff going on all day and some of these women were faking it because they were more enamoured of the idea of being witchy and playing up their Stevie Nicks wardrobes than they were interested in anything real.

So I'm very open to magic and wonder in the world but I'm also a cynic and a hardass about people who are willing to buy any old magic bean that comes along.

Mostly I'm just contrary as hell. ;->

Hmmn ......smiles . Thank you for sharing the story Bridge Burner. I almost 'felt' I was there in reading it. That in itself is a form of 'magic' to me. Alot of words on a page different people , different times and I 'see' color as I read.

I have my own series of 'goofy' stories in the telling they can be considered one of two things. Either I lost the plot some while ago or I am an outright liar........lol. I think the real answers in magic as I see it is having a heightened perception to stop in the moment sometimes and purely focus , drinking in what ever was the catalyst that made us stop there and then.

Though a trade off to be had I think for this perception . A thing I call the 'price'. Though in conversations over the years few will agree with me on this topic. I never take for granted the things that elevate my awareness and experiences above my usual perceptions. So when real tragedy greets me as it does from time to time I say its 'the price'. Its not religion based or 'taught' its mine own. So when the pain in life is so severe you feel it will engulf you , go back to the 'magic' and know its fair trade and is as should be.

Oh my.........now look what you made me do /write.......smiles.

On a seperate note ALL countries have their travellers from Hell that make us cringe. Australians do it just as readily and have at times brought the 'snob' out in me. A certain ship , a certain elegance and calls of 'show us your tits' to which several of the drunk (alcohol was free so drunk for some was de rigeour) Australian woman oblidged an entire dining room *shudders*

 

[Shankara20]

On a seperate note ALL countries have their travellers from Hell that make us cringe. Australians do it just as readily and have at times brought the 'snob' out in me. A certain ship , a certain elegance and calls of 'show us your tits' to which several of the drunk (alcohol was free so drunk for some was de rigeour) Australian woman oblidged an entire dining room *shudders*

I wonder why I have never heard "show us your cocks" shouted out. Sigh.
Two year long cruses on board U.S. Navy war ships must not have been the right place. Sure did a bunch of drinking and it got me to Sydney in the Land Down Under way back in ’68-‘69. Oh well.

 

[Shankara20]

As for Stonehenge.... ughhhh. When I was there, it was surrounded by a huge, ugly chain link fence, and they would not let the public get anywhere near the stones. It was very disappointing.

Alice

same way for me - it just looked so much smaller than I expected

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

I wonder why I have never heard"show us your cocks" shouted out. Sigh.
Two year long cruses on board U.S. Navy war ships must not have been the right place. Sure did a bunch of drinking and it got me to Sydney in the Land Down Under way back in ’68-‘69. Oh well.

You know Shankara Dude its not polite to make me laugh bordering on the point of being ill before 7am

for You

oh and before I forget

Shankara ONLY click me ~ I see you , STOP ... your not supposed to .....​

 

[bridgeburner]

To the best of my knowledge the Omphalos Stone isn't in any of the official literature at Glastonbury Abbey. We were lucky to have a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about the legends but also about history and I never got the impression that he was trying to ham anything up for the sake of the tour. He just said "Go look behind the kitchens, you'll find it." Anyway, if you're going to go and you want info about the day tour we took PM me and I'll give you the info.

Stonehenge IS smaller than expected and you can't go among the stones anymore except by special arrangement. There are lots of stone circles that you can walk within and if you have the chance I highly recommend the town of Avebury. The entire town is built within a massive stone circle --- I believe it's the biggest in the world.


-B

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

and leading your thread waaaaay off topic.

Sorry!

This Thread has a topic

 

[Shankara20]

To the best of my knowledge the Omphalos Stone isn't in any of the official literature at Glastonbury Abbey. We were lucky to have a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about the legends but also about history and I never got the impression that he was trying to ham anything up for the sake of the tour. He just said "Go look behind the kitchens, you'll find it." Anyway, if you're going to go and you want info about the day tour we took PM me and I'll give you the info.

Stonehenge IS smaller than expected and you can't go among the stones anymore except by special arrangement. There are lots of stone circles that you can walk within and if you have the chance I highly recommend the town of Avebury. The entire town is built within a massive stone circle --- I believe it's the biggest in the world.


-B

I'd like to go back sometime and spend more time looking 'round that part of England.

PS - that "IS smaller than expected" is what I heard when I changed my AV to the one I'm using now.

 

[bridgeburner]

Hmmn ......smiles . Thank you for sharing the story Bridge Burner. I almost 'felt' I was there in reading it. That in itself is a form of 'magic' to me. Alot of words on a page different people , different times and I 'see' color as I read.

Quite welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I tend to get carried away because they're such great memories. I'm happy if I could share even a little bit of what I experienced.

On a seperate note ALL countries have their travellers from Hell that make us cringe. Australians do it just as readily and have at times brought the 'snob' out in me. A certain ship , a certain elegance and calls of 'show us your tits' to which several of the drunk (alcohol was free so drunk for some was de rigeour) Australian woman oblidged an entire dining room *shudders*

True, I think I'm especially conscious of it in recent years because of the current administration. This trip was prior to any hostilities-- I think Clinton was still in office so I didn't regularly allow people to assume I was Canadian like I did the last time I traveled out of the country. ;->

 

[bridgeburner]

PS - that "IS smaller than expected" is what I heard when I changed my AV to the one I'm using now.

snerk!

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/OFFICIALM-sFlag.jpg

Drifting around online this afternoon Sydney time waiting for a few things to finalise here at home I found the Flag above.

The information that followed was that this is the flag that represents the Master/slave lifestyle and it was officially unveiled at the Master/slave Conference on July 29 last year in Washington DC.

Descriptives are as follows

"This symbol is offered as a representation of the Dominant/submissive or Master/slave Lifestyle. This simplistic design was created by combining established ideogrammic symbols. The vertical stripe is a universal symbol meaning power or dominance. The set of three horizontal stripes is a universal symbol meaning passive or submissive. The flag is a basic black with a white border. The Dom/sub symbols are in red and in the center. The intent was to create a symbol that represents the foundation of the Master/slave dynamic which is Dominance and submissiveness.

"The Master/slave Community has its roots in the Leather Community, and it can be said that many in the M/s community are content identifying with only the Leather Flag. There is no intent to denounce our roots, and the Leather Flag will continue to fly proudly in the hearts of those in the Master/slave community. However, the time has come for this community to have its own universal symbol of pride and unity. With the community's acceptance, it is hoped that this proposed design will be adopted as that symbol."

I am familiar with the Triskelion symbol in its standard and adapted forms also the BDSM cross which I have always liked purely for its 'elegance'. I was wondering who else may have viewed this flag above or seen other examples of BDSM symbolism or side lined more specific Master/slave or D/s. If so could you post them here . Do you like the flag above ? Any Designers out there brave enough to present 'alternatives' just for the Forumn here ? I would even attempt a Brat Flag for my own amusement though to those who know me it won't be an entire stretch.......smiles.​

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

okay so these are the basics that I have. I do not proport them to be 'official' .

Groovy Gif Version of Triskelion symbol (the most widely 'accepted' I imagine)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/anibdsm.gif

Rose and Thorns version of the Triskelion
I am certain this one is used as a 'ladies' tattoo

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/floralbdsm.jpg

My personal favorite the BDSM Cross.
I have NO idea where this one emulates from I just find it visually appealing

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/bdsmcross.jpg

Leather Pride Flag

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/lthrflag.gif

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/sscani.gif​

 

[alice_underneath]

I was wondering who else may have viewed this flag above or seen other examples of BDSM symbolism or side lined more specific Master/slave or D/s. If so could you post them here .

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/bdsmflag1.gif​

The BDSM Pride Flag is a symbol for the BDSM community which is a marriage between the "Leather Pride Flag" by artist Tony DeBlase and the "BDSM Symbol" by Quagmyr. This flag encompasses those who are into BDSM, leather, Levi's, sado-masochism, bondage and domination, uniform, cowboys, rubber, and other fetishes. The rainbow heart shows the bond between the gay and straight bdsm community. The logo at the heart's core, has a wide range of meanings, and it's placement, on the flag, is significant of the unity between all sexualities.

The three divisions represent the varying threesomes of BDSM. First of all, the three divisions of BDSM itself: B&D, D&S, and S&M. Next, the BDSM creed of behavior: Safe, Sane, and Consensual. Third, the divisions of our community: Tops, Bottoms, and Switches.

http://www.cufsnorth.org/Old/bdsmflag.htm

 

[alice_underneath]

Groovy Gif Version of Triskelion symbol (the most widely 'accepted' I imagine)

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/anibdsm.gif​

I found some very interesting information on the origin of that symbol (which most people probably know already, but was news to me )....


"The emblem emerged in the 1990s from the discussion arenas of America Online and Usenet, and is gaining some currency, particularly in the mixed online community.

The design is by Steve Quagmyr, who explains: 'We wanted something that BDSMers could wear discreetly to recognize each other, but which would look like nothing more than an interesting pin to outsiders. It had to be something that hadn't been, and wasn't likely to be, coopted by teens, bikers, or heavy metal fans, that was subtle and discreet enough so that it could be worn in a vanilla environment without raising eyebrows or questions, but was distinctive enough to be recognized by those in the know. It was inspired by, but different from, the symbol described in The Story of O [Réage 1966]. The resemblence to a sort of three-part version of the Yin & Yang symbol struck us as a plus; it is also a variation on the Chaos Wheel.'

The tripartite design can be interpreted as the division and mutual interdependence of BD, DS and SM; Safe, Sane and Consensual; and Tops, Bottoms and Switches.

The curved lines could suggest a whip in motion, and the circular shape oneness and the protection of the community. The colours may vary but the circle and the dividing curves are supposed to be metallic.

Quagmyr retains copyright on the design, though encourages community and not-for-profit groups to use it freely."

http://public.diversity.org.uk/deviant/sscodes.htm

 

[alice_underneath]

My personal favorite the BDSM Cross.
I have NO idea where this one emulates from I just find it visually appealing

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/rebecca000/bdsmcross.jpg​

The only time I have seen that image is on your former sig line, Rebecca. Where did you find it?

I googled 'BDSM Cross', but only found images of the object which (out of respect for Scotland's patron saint) I simply refer to as the "big wooden x thingy".

As for this image, it reminds me of a caduceus:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/caduceus.jpg​

Beyond that, I have no idea!

Alice

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

The only time I have seen that image is on your former sig line, Rebecca. Where did you find it?

No idea Alice.......as is evident with the amount of imagery I use in my posts I am a collector of most anything that visually catches my attention and rarely for any specific purpose. Thank you for contributing the extra information posted above its always good to have extra reference material.

 

[alice_underneath]

Thank you for contributing the extra information posted above its always good to have extra reference material.

You are quite welcome. Here are some more flags for your collection.......

BDSM Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_BDSM_Pride_Flag.gif​

slave Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_slave_Pride_Flag.gif​

boy Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_boy_Pride_Flag.gif​

Bondage Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_Bondage_Pride_Flag.gif​

Doggy Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_Doggy_Pride_Flag.gif​

Puppy Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_Puppy_Pride_Flag.gif​

Bear Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_Bear_Pride_Flag.gif​

Uniform Pride flag -

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/alice_emerging/a_Uniform_Pride_Flag.gif​

Source: http://www.masterslaveflag.com/html/flags.html

 

[alice_underneath]

I would even attempt a Brat Flag for my own amusement though to those who know me it won't be an entire stretch.......smiles.

I wasn't sure if 'brat' was a reference to a smart-ass masochist or to some sort of age play. I googled "BDSM brat" and found the following description (which seems to be sort of a combination of the two possibilities I had been pondering). This is an excerpt from an essay entitled, "Topping Tolerance":

Brat Play:

While some find it extremely distasteful and disrespectful, others revel in the joy and satisfaction they find within its expanded boundaries. The submissive, having met the conditions of safety, sanity, and the consent of their partners, find untold freedom in acting out as a brat or tapping in to their inner child, who might very well be demanding, self-centered, whiney, or mouthy. For the lifestylers who find no such need in their agenda of BDSM play, this is sometimes difficult to understand, accept, and most of all, tolerate. But like any other part of S/M, B/D, or role-playing activities, there are bound to be some things that we will find unappealing or beyond our personal limits.

http://www.bcwsd.com/backroom/smack/smack031.html


I searched for a Brat Pride flag, but couldn't find one. Sooooo.... go for it, Rebecca!

 

[@}-}rebecca----]

I searched for a Brat Pride flag, but couldn't find one. Sooooo.... go for it, Rebecca!

I may not be qualified but hey........I'll give it a shot....................