Predictions for 2004 based on the Mayan Calendar. This article by Ian Lungold, based on new revelations pertaining to the Mayan calendar, seems to fit in well with other predictions for the coming year. If this year is truly part of an accelerating galactic cycle to pay off karmic debts, we may see quite a few earth-shaking events taking place worldwide, in every sense of the word, politically as well as geophysically. There could be tightening of controls, even as hidden closets begin to get cleaned out. With increasing solar flares and tectonic plate activity, there could also be increased earthquake and volcanic activity worldwide.

The period from December 10 2003 through December 4 2004 will be the greatest test that humanity has ever faced. It is at this time that the Law of Karma goes extinct. That is to say that all Karmic debts shall be paid in full during this Galactic cycle.

Read more here: » Mayan Calendar: 2004 - The Third Night by Ian Xel Lungold

In the Jagannath Puri festival the king works as a sweeper, cleaning the pathway ahead of the chariot, denoting that no labour is insignificant if done for a higher cause. People from all communities get together to draw the chariots with great enthusiasm, upholding the spirit of celebration and exalting the concept of dignity of labour.

(See also: Puri festival , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Puri festival: Lord of the Universe - Puri Jagannath - about Puri festival  

Onam, the festival of flowers, an annual celebration of the spirit of Mahabali's reign of justice, will continue to inspire us to strive for that Golden Mean - when the entire world will be completely free of conflict and any kind of inequality. It would be peaceful. But we also have to hone our ability to deal with the inner kingdom so that there is no discrepancy in the way we perceive the external and internal world. Otherwise, like Mahabali, we might get carried away by our sense of self-importance.

(See also: Onam , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Onam: Are We Ready for Another Mahabali?  

Pongal is also known as Tamizhar Thirunal or The Festival of Tamils among the Tamil people. The Tamil language saying Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum (தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்) -- literally meaning, the birth of the month of Thai will pave way for new opportunities -- is often quoted with reference to the Pongal festival. Usually the festival falls in the middle of the month of January in the Western calendar. The festival is celebrated for four days from the la ...

See also:

Pongal, Pongal - Celebration, Pongal - Astronomical significance

Read more here: » Pongal: Encyclopedia II - Pongal - Celebration

When a Jewish child reaches the age of maturity (12 or 13 years for girls, 13 years for boys) that child becomes responsible for him/herself under Jewish law. At this point a boy is said to become Bar Mitzvah (בר מצוה, "son of the commandment"); a girl is said to become Bat Mitzvah (בת מצוה, "daughter of the commandment"). In Biblical Hebrew, the word "ben" or "bat" could also mean "subject to," e.g., a particular tax, penalty, or obligation; therefore a more accurate translation of the term may actually be "subject ...

Including:

• B'nai Mitzvah - Jewish boys
• B'nai Mitzvah - Jewish girls
• B'nai Mitzvah - Jewish adult responsibilities
• B'nai Mitzvah - Humanist Judaism's procedures
• B'nai Mitzvah - B'nai Mitzvah gifts

Read more here: » B'nai Mitzvah: Encyclopedia - B'nai Mitzvah

Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish, Vappu in Finnish, Volbriöö in Estonian, Valpurģu nakts or Valpurģi in Latvian, Walpurgisnacht in German) is a holiday celebrated on April 30 or May 1, in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Germany. Walpurgis Night - Origins. The festival is named after Saint Walburga (known in Scandinavia as "Valborg"; alternative forms are "Walpurgis", "Wealdburg", or "Valderburger"), born in Wessex in 710 a niece of Saint Boni ...

Including:

• Walpurgis Night - Origins
• Walpurgis Night - Germany
• Walpurgis Night - Sweden and Finland
• Walpurgis Night - References in modern culture

Read more here: » Walpurgis Night: Encyclopedia - Walpurgis Night

Stuyvesant High School is named after Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch governor of New Netherland before the ownership of the colony was transferred to England in 1664. The school was established in 1904 as a manual training school for boys, hosting 155 students and 12 faculty. In 1907, it moved from its original location at 225 East 23rd Street to 345 East 15th Street, where it remained for the following 85 years. Its reputation for excellence in math and science continued to grow, and the school had to be put on a double session in ...

See also:

Stuyvesant High School, Stuyvesant High School - Enrollment, Stuyvesant High School - History, Stuyvesant High School - School facilities, Stuyvesant High School - Centennial celebration, Stuyvesant High School - Academics, Stuyvesant High School - Extracurricular activities, Stuyvesant High School - Student body, Stuyvesant High School - September 11 and Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant High School - Notable alumni, Stuyvesant High School - Feeder patterns and admissions, Stuyvesant High School - Faculty scholarship, Stuyvesant High School - In pop culture

Read more here: » Stuyvesant High School: Encyclopedia II - Stuyvesant High School - History

New Year season lasts fifteen days. The first week is the most important and most often celebrated with visits to friends and family as well as greetings of good luck. The celebrations end on the important and colourful Lantern Festival on the evening of the 15th day of the month. However, Chinese believe that on the third day (年初三) of the Chinese New Year it is not appropriate to visit family and friends, and call the day "chec hao" ...

See also:

Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year - New Year dates, Chinese New Year - Festivities, Chinese New Year - Days before the new year, Chinese New Year - Reunion dinner, Chinese New Year - First day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Second day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Third day and fourth of the new year, Chinese New Year - Fifth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Sixth day through the tenth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Seventh day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Eighth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Ninth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Tenth day through twelfth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Thirteenth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Fourteenth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Fifteenth day of the new year, Chinese New Year - Traditions, Chinese New Year - Greetings

Read more here: » Chinese New Year: Encyclopedia II - Chinese New Year - Festivities

Serbs - Contribution to humanity. Serbs have played a significant role in the development of the arts and sciences. Prominent individuals include the scientists Nikola Tesla, Mihajlo Pupin, Ruđer Bošković, Jovan Cvijić, Milutin Milanković and Mileva Marić; the renowned mathematicians Jovan Karamata, Mihailo Petrović, and Đuro Kurepa; the famous composers Stevan Mokranjac and Josif Runjanin; the celebrated authors Dositej Obradović, Miloš Crnjanski, and Ivo Andrić; the prolific inventor Ogneslav Kostovi ...

See also:

Serbs, Serbs - Population, Serbs - Culture, Serbs - Contribution to humanity, Serbs - Language, Serbs - Surnames, Serbs - Religion, Serbs - Symbols, Serbs - Customs, Serbs - Name, Serbs - History, Serbs - Subgroups, Serbs - Cognate peoples

Read more here: » Serbs: Encyclopedia II - Serbs - Culture

Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and is also administered in some Protestant Churches. Anglicans are divided on the issue, as many consider it a sacrament, but the rest agree that it is at least a sacramental. Apart from the use of one or other of the synonyms "anointing" and "unction", the sacrament, in which a priest anoints a seriously sick person with oil blessed specifically for that purpose, has also been known as ...

Including:

• Anointing of the Sick - Form

Read more here: » Anointing of the Sick: Encyclopedia - Anointing of the Sick

The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis or Via Dolorosa) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the Catholic devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition also exists liturgically in confessional Lutheranism but is only done on Good Friday. The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes: Christ is condemned to death The cross is laid upon him His fir ...

Including:

• Stations of the Cross - External link

Read more here: » Stations of the Cross: Encyclopedia - Stations of the Cross

The ultimate solution to all problems - ecological, social and personal - lies within you. However, when you embark on that spiritual journey to go within, you will find that the solution is not sitting there, waiting to be discovered.

It is hidden away, made almost inaccessible, under the many-layered maya or illusion, that keeps you mired in ignorance. The spirit, obscured by this many-layered veil, is unable to reflect and know the nature of its true self.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Peace on Earth: Getting In Touch With Yourself

There are a variety of genres that writers, producers and directors can employ in theatre to suit a variety of tastes: Musical theatre: A theatrical genre in which the primary means of performance is through singing and music. Rock opera: Same style as opera, except that the musical form is rock music. Comedy: Comes from the Greek word komos which means celebration, revel or merrymaking. It does not necessarily mean funny, but more focuses on a problem that leads to some form of cat ...

See also:

Theatre, Theatre - Overview of theatre, Theatre - Styles of theatre, Theatre - Theatre or Theater?, Theatre - Theatre venues and styles, Theatre - Awards in theatre, Theatre - Theatre Conventions

Read more here: » Theatre: Encyclopedia II - Theatre - Styles of theatre

All of us need to believe that we are loved and are lovable. We begin life secure in our mother's love, swaddled in our innocence. Love was never in question, but over time, we become increasingly unsure...

In The Path to Love , Deepak Chopra says that by bringing spirituality back into our relationships, we can discover a world of depth and meaning. He says: "You were created to be completely loved and to be completely lovable for your whole life".

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Love and Happiness: Unconditional Love Brings Joy to All

The Brahmakumaris practise Raja Yoga, particularly the trataka form of meditation in order to achieve union with God. It involves keeping your eyes open and fixing your gaze on a tiny red spot with total attention. Raja Yoga gives knowledge of self and enables one to attain peace, purity and harmony.

Dawn is preceded by the darkest hour of the night. The Brahmakumaris consider the present time as the most critical period. This will be followed by a new age - the dawn in the great cycle of time. The agent of transition may be the person possessing knowledge of the true self, of a positive soul. One who reaches the highest stage of this knowledge becomes Brahma. The supreme divine being is Shiva, who is an embodiment of knowledge, peace, purity and harmony.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Peace on Earth: Darkness Before Dawn In Cycle of Yugas

Menudo - Beginning. Started in 1977 by Edgardo Diaz, it initially included two sets of brothers: Diaz's cousins Ricky Melendez, Carlos Melendez and Oscar Melendez, and Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry. In the next few years, Menudo toured Puerto Rico from shopping mall to shopping mall, from fiesta patronal (a citywide yearly celebration) to fiesta patronal. During this time, they scored a hit with "Los Fantasmas" and they were able to get a regular TV show on Telemundo canal 2 every Saturday night.

Menudo, Menudo - History, Menudo - Beginning, Menudo - 1980s, Menudo - 1990s, Menudo - 2000s, Menudo - Discography

Read more here: » Menudo: Encyclopedia II - Menudo - History

Jesse and Mattea are two typical Indigo Children. Jesse, the older of the two, was born in 1987. He was "a ruler on another planet," but an accident caused him to fall into the womb of his mother Renee Weddle and thus he was born on Earth. Jesse prefers the name he was called in his previous life, Thomas, and is frequently in communication with people from that planet where he used to live. He is very sensitive to what other people are feeling, "sometimes to the point where it causes him anxiety" and can read their thoughts. Jesse's younger sister Mattea was born in 1990. Mattea remembers choosing Renee to be her mother so she could teach her "how to be goofy and silly." Mattea, too was probably royalty in a previous life. In this life she speaks with fairies and with gnomes and experiences unusual voices and lights. Jesse and Mattea both are often frustrated by their parents' inability to answer all of their spiritual questions. Sometimes, in fact, it seems that they have the wisdom to be teachers more than their parents do.

(See also: Indigo Children, What is Indigo Children, Parenting Indigo Children, Adult Indigo, Indigo Children Channeling)

Read more here: » Indigo Children: The Wisdom of Indigo Children - An Emphatic Restatement of the Value of American Children  

Kiara Windrider is a therapist, poet, astrologer, healer, explorer of mystic and shamanic paths and the author of the award-winning book Doorway to Eternity: A Guide to Planetary Ascension. A primary focus for Kiara Windrider has currently been to work with inner technologies for planetary healing, and joining with others in a Chrysalis Network to seed new possibilities for an awakening planet.

Read more here: » Spiritual Awakening: Two Streams of Future Probability

The Ancient Olympic Games were an athletic and religious celebration held in the Greek town of Olympia from (historically) as early as 776 BC to 393 AD. Ancient Olympic Games - Origin. The historical origins of the Ancient Olympic Games are lost in the fog of time, but several legends and myths survive. One of these involved Pelops, king of Olympia and eponymous hero of the Peloponnesus, to whom offerings were made during the games. The Christian Clement of Alexandria asserted that "[The] Olympian games are ...

Including:

• Ancient Olympic Games - Origin
• Ancient Olympic Games - History
• Ancient Olympic Games - Events
• Ancient Olympic Games - Famous athletes

Read more here: » Ancient Olympic Games: Encyclopedia - Ancient Olympic Games

California Baptist University - 1950s. Founded in 1950 as California Baptist College in El Monte, California, the new college enrolled 120 students during its first year under the leadership of the first president P. Boyd Smith. In 1953, the college moved under the wing of the Southern Baptist Convention, the same year that the first edition of the Angeleos, the college yearbook, was published. In 1954, the college earned its charter from the state of California. Soon, though the college outgrew its facilities and in 19 ...

See also:

California Baptist University, California Baptist University - Mission statement, California Baptist University - History, California Baptist University - 1950s, California Baptist University - 1960s and 1970s, California Baptist University - 1980s and 1990s, California Baptist University - 2000s, California Baptist University - School Architecture, California Baptist University - Traditions, California Baptist University - Schools, California Baptist University - Degrees, California Baptist University - Bachelors, California Baptist University - Graduate Programs, California Baptist University - Teacher credential programs, California Baptist University - Sports, California Baptist University - Notable alumni

Read more here: » California Baptist University: Encyclopedia II - California Baptist University - History

Krishna Janmaashtami, also known as "Krishnaashtami", "Gokulaashtami", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmaashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. Krishna Janmaashtami - Date. Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu ca ...

Including:

• Krishna Janmaashtami - Date
• Krishna Janmaashtami - Rituals

Read more here: » Krishna Janmaashtami: Encyclopedia - Krishna Janmaashtami

Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, "Land of the Tamils") is a state at the southern tip of India. The bordering states/territories are Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The island nation of Sri Lanka, which has a significant Tamil minority, lies off the southeast coast. Tamil Nadu is the second most industrialized state in India. Unlike most other parts of the country, Tamil Nadu gets its rainfall largely from the "North-East monsoon" in the months of October-December. There is a long standing dispute wi ...

Including:

• Tamil Nadu - History
• Tamil Nadu - 1st to 9th centuries
• Tamil Nadu - 9th to 13th centuries
• Tamil Nadu - 14th century
• Tamil Nadu - 17th century
• Tamil Nadu - 20th century
• Tamil Nadu - Politics
• Tamil Nadu - Population
• Tamil Nadu - Culture
• Tamil Nadu - Economy
• Tamil Nadu - Textiles
• Tamil Nadu - Industry & Manufacturing
• Tamil Nadu - Agriculture
• Tamil Nadu - Biotechnology
• Tamil Nadu - Software
• Tamil Nadu - E-Governance
• Tamil Nadu - Social development
• Tamil Nadu - Districts
• Tamil Nadu - Tourism
• Tamil Nadu - Famous Tamilians of Modern era

Read more here: » Tamil Nadu: Encyclopedia - Tamil Nadu