King Henry is famed for holding the record for the largest number of acknowledged illegitimate children born to any English king, with the number being around 20 or 25. He had many mistresses, and identifying which mistress is the mother of which child is difficult. His illegitimate offspring for whom there is documentation are: Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. His mother was probably a member of the Gai family. Maud FitzRoy, married Conan III, Duke of Brittany Constance FitzRoy, married Roscelin de BeaumontSee also:

Henry I of England, Henry I of England - Early life, Henry I of England - Seizing the throne of England, Henry I of England - First marriage, Henry I of England - Conquest of Normandy, Henry I of England - Activities as a King, Henry I of England - Legitimate children, Henry I of England - Second marriage, Henry I of England - Death and legacy, Henry I of England - Illegitimate Children, Henry I of England - With Edith, Henry I of England - With Ansfride, Henry I of England - With Sibyl Corbet, Henry I of England - With Edith FitzForne, Henry I of England - With Princess Nest, Henry I of England - With Isabel de Beaumont

Read more here: » Henry I of England: Encyclopedia II - Henry I of England - Illegitimate Children

Western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. This was the last year the following names were used. The first storm of 1995 was named Chuck and the final one was named Dan. Angela 29W Brian 30W Colleen 31W Dan 35W Elsie Forrest Gay Hunt Irma

He continued to perform feats such as slaying a lion that was preying on the local flocks and defending Thebes against a neighbouring army. For the latter he was awarded the King of Thebes' (Creon) daughter, Megara. Heracles - The Twelve Labours. Main Article: The Twelve Labours In a fit of madness, induced by Hera, Heracles slew his children and brother's children and as penance as told to him by the Delphic Sibyl, he was required to carry out ten tasks set by his arch-enemy, Eurystheus (who ...

See also:

Heracles, Heracles - Birth and childhood, Heracles - Adulthood, Heracles - The Twelve Labours, Heracles - Omphale, Heracles - Hylas, Heracles - Iole, Heracles - Killing various giants, Heracles - Laomedon/Tros, Heracles - Other adventures, Heracles - Marriage affairs and death, Heracles - Acca Larentia, Heracles - Heracles' male lovers, Heracles - Modern and ancient interpretations, Heracles - Spoken-word myths – audio files

Read more here: » Heracles: Encyclopedia II - Heracles - Adulthood

Aside from Christians, certain religious groups also have been observed to practice some form of theopneustic glossolalia. Glossolalia is evident in the renowned ancient Oracle of Delphi, whereby a priestess of the god Apollo (called a sibyl) speaks in strange utterances, supposedly through the spirit of Apollo in her, but possibly related to high levels of natural gas present in spring waters beneath the temple. Certain Gnostic magical texts from the Roman period have written on them nonsense syllables like "t t t t t t t t n n n n n n n n n d d d d d d d..." etc. It is believed that these may be transli ...

See also:

Glossolalia, Glossolalia - Linguistic view, Glossolalia - Psychological view, Glossolalia - Christian view of speaking in tongues, Glossolalia - Non-Christian glossolalia, Glossolalia - Biblical references to speaking in tongues

Read more here: » Glossolalia: Encyclopedia II - Glossolalia - Non-Christian glossolalia

The inlaid marble mosaic floor is one of the most ornate of its kind in Italy, covering the whole floor of the cathedral. This undertaking went on for two centuries (14th-16th c.) and about forty artists made their contribution. The floor consists of 56 panels in different sizes. Most have a rectangular shape, but the later ones in the transept are hexagons or rhombuses. They represent the sibyls, scenes from the Old Testament, allegories and virtues. Most are still in their original state. The earliest scenes were made by a graffito techniq ...

See also:

Duomo di Siena, Duomo di Siena - Early history, Duomo di Siena - Facade, Duomo di Siena - Interior, Duomo di Siena - Pulpit, Duomo di Siena - Mosaic floor, Duomo di Siena - Works of art, Duomo di Siena - Chapel of Saint John the Baptist, Duomo di Siena - The Chigi Chapel, Duomo di Siena - Piccolomini Library, Duomo di Siena - Baptistry

Read more here: » Duomo di Siena: Encyclopedia II - Duomo di Siena - Mosaic floor

Philip K. Dick - Short stories. The short stories of Philip K. Dick have recently been republished in five omnibus volumes, as follows: The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford and Other Stories, ISBN 0806511532 We Can Remember It for You Wholesale and Other Stories, ISBN 0806512091 Second Variety and Other Stories, ISBN 0806512261 The Minority Report and Other Stories, ISBN 0806512768 The Eye of the Sibyl and Other Stories, ISBN ...

See also:

Philip K. Dick, Philip K. Dick - Early life, Philip K. Dick - Dick and his visions, Philip K. Dick - VALIS, Philip K. Dick - Exegesis, Philip K. Dick - Marriages and children, Philip K. Dick - Death, Philip K. Dick - Dick's influence, Philip K. Dick - Bibliography, Philip K. Dick - Best-known novels, Philip K. Dick - Novels by year, Philip K. Dick - Short stories, Philip K. Dick - Film adaptations of Philip K. Dick's works, Philip K. Dick - Awards, Philip K. Dick - Biographies, Philip K. Dick - Interviews

Read more here: » Philip K. Dick: Encyclopedia II - Philip K. Dick - Novels by year

Philip K. Dick - Short stories. The short stories of Philip K. Dick have recently been republished in five omnibus volumes, as follows: The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford and Other Stories, ISBN 0806511532 We Can Remember It for You Wholesale and Other Stories, ISBN 0806512091 Second Variety and Other Stories, ISBN 0806512261 The Minority Report and Other Stories, ISBN 0806512768 The Eye of the Sibyl and Other Stories, ISBN ...

See also:

Philip K. Dick, Philip K. Dick - Early life, Philip K. Dick - Dick and his visions, Philip K. Dick - VALIS, Philip K. Dick - Exegesis, Philip K. Dick - Marriages and children, Philip K. Dick - Death, Philip K. Dick - Dick's influence, Philip K. Dick - Influence for the story Pre-Persons, Philip K. Dick - Bibliography, Philip K. Dick - Best-known novels, Philip K. Dick - Novels by year, Philip K. Dick - Short stories, Philip K. Dick - Film adaptations of Philip K. Dick's works, Philip K. Dick - Awards, Philip K. Dick - Biographies, Philip K. Dick - Interviews

Read more here: » Philip K. Dick: Encyclopedia II - Philip K. Dick - Novels by year

Sibyl [from Greek sibylla probably from sios bylla Doric for dios boule she that tells the will of Zeus]

Often confused with the Greek Pythia, Sibyls are reputed to have been possessed of occult knowledge, the power of prophecy and divination, and the inner sight. Practically nothing is known about their occult life, though in many cases they seem to have been initiates. Greek and Latin writers name ten, of whom the most famous is the Sibyl of the Cave of Cumae whom Aeneas consulted just before going down to Avernus (Aen 4:10) -- a veiled record of one stage in the initiation journey. Others were the Delphian, Babylonian, Libyan, Cimmerian, Erythraean, Samian, Hellespontine, Phrygian, and Tiburtine Sibyls.

The Emperor Augustus consulted in the time of stress not only the Sibylline Books, but also a certain sibyl who dwelt in seclusion near Rome; as Numa, the second of the so-called legendary kings, consulted his consort Egeria, a wise woman who dwelt in seclusion in a forest, on all affairs of state. She is no more legendary than he, and it is upon the institutions he founded and the calendar he placed in order that the religious and civic institutions and the calendar of later Rome were built.

Such wise women or initiates are known in the Orient and also among ancient Germanic tribes with their amazing priestesses, without whose counsel and consent war could not be declared, who received deputations, at times dictated alliances and treaties, and were consulted as oracles in matters of state and religion both -- Albruna, Ganna, Aurima, Veleda, and others. Such oracular or prophetic power is limited to no people and to no time, or to either sex, for what the sibyls and their Sibylline Oracles were in Greece and Rome the prophets and oracular priests and priestesses were to other countries. As far as Greece is concerned the Pythia or Prophetess of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi was a sibyl, but of a somewhat different type, her functions being officially recognized by the Greek States and her responses received in accordance with traditional methods of interpretation.

See also SIBYLLINE BOOKS; SIBYLLINE ORACLES

(See also: Sibyl, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Sybil.

See SIBYL

(See also: Sybil, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Voluspa (Icelandic) [from volva, vala sibyl + spa see clairvoyantly]

The foremost lay of the poetic or Elder Edda, sung by the "wise sibyl" in response to Odin's quest for knowledge. The vala represents the indelible record of the past, which here is consulted by the god Odin. Odin Allfather is the central character in Norse myths, and represents evolving consciousness, whether human, solar, planetary, or cosmic. Odin questions the vala and she responds with an account of creation and foretells the future destiny of conscious beings. From this record of the past history of the world, Odin learns about our planet's destiny and of nine former worlds that preceded the present one. The entire process of cosmic evolution is here comprised in a thumbnail sketch, which is all but incomprehensible unless amplified by the other lays of the Elder Edda.

The Wagner opera cycle "The Ring of the Nibelungen" is based on the Volsupa, which relates the beginning and end of the world, and the fresh, new creation to follow. The sibyl speaks of Ragnarok, when the gods retreat from existence into their own celestial spheres, presenting a grim and fearsome prospect, but the narrative ends with a note of hope for a serene future world to follow.

(See also: Voluspa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Vala, Volva (Swedish, Icelandic) [possibly cognate with Greek sibylla]

In Norse mythology, the wise sibyl who instructs Allfather Odin in "the origin, life, and end of worlds." She represents the record of all the cosmic past, which is consulted by Odin, the divine consciousness-energy, as told in Voluspa, the principal lay of the poetic or elder Edda.

(See also: Vala, Volva, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Sibylline Oracles Early Christian ecclesiastical literature written in imitation of the archaic Sibylline Books, containing apparently no small amount of material derived from pagan sources.

They mostly belong, as far as is now known, to the 2nd and 3rd centuries and are strongly colored by Jewish and Christian ideas; what is called Book IV of these is a virtual attack on the integrity of the archaic heathen sibyls, the records of which the writers of the Christian Sibylline Oracles nevertheless so closely imitated in many respects.

(See also: Sibylline Oracles, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Ymir (Icelandic, Scandinavian) In the Norse creation tale, the primeval frostgiant from whose substance the worlds are formed by the aesir (gods) at the beginning of time. According to the Voluspa (sibyl's prophecy) in the Edda, Ymir was "slain" -- transformed -- by the creative deities Odin Allfather (spirit), Vile (will), and Vi or Ve (awe, sanctity) into the substances that form the worlds in space.

One version relates that sparks from Muspellsheim (realm of fire) fell among the droplets of water vapor in Niflheim (realm of mists or nebulae) creating vapor in Ginnungagap (the yawning void). From this arose the likeness of a man, Ymir, who was nourished by the four streams of milk flowing from the udder of the cow Audhumla -- symbol of fertility. Ymer represents the frozen immobility of non-existence when the universe is not.

The Vala (sibyl) relates in Voluspa that the frostgiant's two feet mated with each other and that from them arose all the matter-giants from which all physical creation was formed. She describes poetically how the blood of Ymir became the oceans of water, his bones became mountains, his skull the heavenly vault, but "from his brain were surely all dark skies created." Midgard (central court), the earth, is surrounded and protected by his eyebrows and each quarter of space is governed by one of the four ruling powers, named for the four cardinal points, North, South, East, and West.

(See also: Ymir, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Amaltheia, Amalthea (Greek) In Greek mythology a nymph who cared for the infant Zeus when his mother Rhea concealed him in a cave in Crete to keep him from being devoured by his father Kronos. Another legend credits the nymphs Ida and Adrastea with his care, but names the goat which suckled him Amaltheia.

Amaltheia is associated with the cornucopis, the broken-off horn of the goat. As the horn of Amaltheia it became a symbol of inexhaustible abundance and was adopted as a favored attribute by various divinities, among them Hermes, Demeter, Gaia, Pluto, and Cybele.

In Roman legend, Amalthea is the Sibyl, the Cumaean, who offered the Sibylline Books to Tarquin.

(See also: Amaltheia, Amalthea, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Oracle

A person through which otherworldly entities speak, similar to channeling. Classically the oracle goes into a trance. The word also refers to the message received.

People often see oracles to ask questions or to be given insights to their future. In ancient Greece, the voices or mediums of the oracles were sybils, women priests, who lived in caves regarded as the shrines of deities.

The most famous Roman oracles were at Dodua, where Zeus was thought to give answers through the rustling of the oak leaves, and at Delphi, where Apollo supposedly spoke through a priestess. In both cases, oracular responses came in such ambiguous ways that it was difficult to prove them wrong. A famous Roman oracle was at Cumae, where the sibyl was said to have drawn inspiration from Apollo.

Oracles may also be dreams and visions. The Urim and Thummim is called an oracle.

(See also: Oracle, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Oracle

A person through which otherworldly entities speak, similar to channeling. Classically the oracle goes into a trance. The word also refers to the message received.

People often see oracles to ask questions or to be given insights to their future. In ancient Greece, the voices or mediums of the oracles were sybils, women priests, who lived in caves regarded as the shrines of deities.

The most famous Roman oracles were at Dodua, where Zeus was thought to give answers through the rustling of the oak leaves, and at Delphi, where Apollo supposedly spoke through a priestess. In both cases, oracular responses came in such ambiguous ways that it was difficult to prove them wrong. A famous Roman oracle was at Cumae, where the sibyl was said to have drawn inspiration from Apollo.

Oracles may also be dreams and visions. The Urim and Thummim is called an oracle.

(See also: Oracle, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Gimli (Icelandic) (from gimill, himill, himin heaven)

In Norse mythology, a heavenly abode, where "gentle gods of the chosen" shall abide in serenity after the destruction of the present world system (Ragnarok). Not to be confused with Valhalla, where Odin's heroes rest between battles on the Plain of Consecration (Vigridsslatten).

In Gimli a golden palace will shine brighter than the sun. It will surpass in splendor the heavens named Audlang (from aud empty, desolate + lang vast, spacious) and Vidblain (from vid wide, spacious + bla blue) and will be the future home of the gods when they return after Ragnarok.

"These are the three gradually ascending planets of our 'Chain.' There the gods were enthroned, as they used to be. . . . From Gimil's heights (the seventh plane or globe, the highest and the purest), they looked down upon the happy descendants of LIF and LIFTHRASIR (the coming Adam and Eve of purified humanity), and signed to them to CLIMB up higher, to rise in knowledge and wisdom, step by step, from one 'heaven to another,' until they were at last fit to be united to the Gods in the house of All-Father" (SD 2:100).

This is foretold by the sibyl in Voluspa.

(See also: Gimli, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Divination (from Latin divination a soothsayer from divus spiritual being, god)

The art of obtaining hidden knowledge by the aid of spiritual or ethereal beings. It is divisible into two main kinds: the inducing of seership or clairvoyance, and the interpretation of signs. Under the former come the oracular responses of the Pythian priestess, of the Cumaean Sibyl, and many similar instances, including all cases where the diviner induces trance or clairvoyance, whether in himself by natural power or by incantations, drugs, or other preparations; or in a subject, as when ink is poured into the palm of a child, who sees visions in it, or by some kind of hypnotism.

Under the second head come geomancy, augury, the reading of the marks on the liver of a slaughtered animal, reading cards, Chinese throwing-sticks, predictive astrology, palmistry, numerology, and a great variety of other forms. Between the two classes are ranged such practices as gazing into crystal or water, where external means and interior vision both play a part in the result. Often it is a means of utilizing one's own inner faculties, whether by natural or induced clairvoyance, or by employing the agencies which regulate events apparently casual such as the fall of the cards, the marks in the sand, the drawing of lots; and this last is related to the subject of omens.

The universal correspondences in nature, the interrelation of all things, imply that the most apparently casual and trivial events have of necessity connection with other events, so that the one can be interpreted by means of the other, provided only that the diviner knows the rules and has the insight and skill. Thus, in cartmancy, one deals the cards with a mind concentrated on the knowledge desired, and their fall is determined by these unseen and little understood influences. It is evident, however, that the condition and capacities of the diviner play an essential part in the success of the operation; hence the instructions as to fasting, continence, and the like, so often laid down as preliminaries.

The art of divining is and always has been universally diffused. Today this art, in common with many other items of ancient lore, has fallen into disrepute on account of the great abuse to which it has been subjected, as in the case of the abuses of black magic and sorcery. The same remarks would apply as are made in the case of psychism, seances, etc. -- that a large proportion of humanity is neither wise enough nor well-balanced enough to meddle with such methods; and there is too much tendency to use the methods for the gratification of mere personal desires or curiosity. We do far better to attend to the cultivation of our spiritual faculties, incomparably more powerful and effective, such as intuition.

It may be added that such practices as the slaughter of animals in order to read the entrails can scarcely be regarded, in any age, as pertaining to divine or white magic.

(See also: Divination, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Nostradamus, (December 14, 1503 – July 1, 1566) born Michel de Nostredame, is one of the world's most famous authors of prophecies. He is most famous for his book Les Propheties, which consists of rhymed quatrains (4‑line poems) grouped into sets of 100, called Centuries. Nostradamus - Biography. Born in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the south of France in December 1503, Michel de Nostredame was the son of a grain dealer who was also a prosperous home-grown notary. His family wa ...

Including:

• Nostradamus - Biography
• Nostradamus - Preparation and methods of prophecy
• Nostradamus - His works
• Nostradamus - Skepticism
• Nostradamus - Misquotes and hoaxes
• Nostradamus - Nostradamus in popular culture
• Nostradamus - Television
• Nostradamus - Film
• Nostradamus - Music
• Nostradamus - Comics
• Nostradamus - Sources

Read more here: » Nostradamus: Encyclopedia - Nostradamus

Dies Iræ ("Day of Wrath") is a famous Latin hymn written by Thomas of Celano. It is often judged to be the best medieval Latin poem, differing from classical Latin by its accentual (non-quantitative) stress, and its rhymed lines. The meter is trochaic. The poem describes the day of judgment, the last trumpet summoning souls before the throne of God, where the good will be delivered and the evil will be cast into eternal flames. It is used in the Sequentia of the Requiem mass. Dies Irae - The poem itself. Including:

• Dies Irae - The poem itself
• Dies Irae - Other versions
• Dies Irae - Manuscript sources
• Dies Irae - Musical settings
• Dies Irae - Liturgical use

Read more here: » Dies Irae: Encyclopedia - Dies Irae

Apocalypse (Greek: αποκαλυψις, disclosure), is a term applied to the disclosure to certain privileged persons of something hidden from the mass of humankind. The Greek root corresponds in the Septuagint to the Hebrew galah, to reveal. The last book of the New Testament bears in Greek the title Αποκαλυψις Ιωαννου, and is frequently referred to as the Apocalypse of John, but in the English Bible it appears as the Revelation of St John the Divine, or the Book of Revelation (of Jesus Christ, the Messiah). ...

Including:

• Apocalypse - Characteristic features
• Apocalypse - Revelation of mysteries
• Apocalypse - Disclosure through a dream or vision
• Apocalypse - Angels bear revelation
• Apocalypse - Deals with the future
• Apocalypse - The mysterious or fantastic
• Apocalypse - Mystical symbolism
• Apocalypse - The end of the world

Read more here: » Apocalypse: Encyclopedia - Apocalypse

Arabic poetry is poetry composed and written down in the Arabic language either by Arab people or non-Arabs. Knowledge of poetry in Arabic dates from the 6th century but oral poetry is believed to predate that. The amount of Arabic poetry composed has, at times, been greatly reduced with Persian poetry and Poetry of the Ottoman Empire becoming dominant in the region. While there has been a resurgence of the language for literature, particularly in the 20th century, the poets are usually classified into separate national literatures as ...

Including:

• Arabic poetry - Pre-Islamic poetry
• Arabic poetry - Poetry under Islam
• Arabic poetry - Court poets
• Arabic poetry - Modern poetry
• Arabic poetry - Poetic forms
• Arabic poetry - Mu'rabbah: literary Arabic
• Arabic poetry - Malhunah: informal poetry
• Arabic poetry - Poetic themes
• Arabic poetry - Selected poets & anthologists

Read more here: » Arabic poetry: Encyclopedia - Arabic poetry