Never Ask For Whom The Bell Tolls

No man is an Iland intire of itselfe;
every man is a piece of the Continent;
a part of the maine;
if a Clod bee washed away by the sea,
Europe is the lesse,
as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if
a Manner of thy friends or of thine owne were;
any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in Mankinde:
And therefore
never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.

John Donne
1572-1631
Photo: Church tower bell at Rye, England

Her Husband Chimed The Clock From Beyond The Grave

Before World War II Mrs.Sands from Kent in England wandered into an auction room where, for some inexplicable reason, she bought a clock she didn't even want. A man offered to buy this from her but her new husband refused the offer.

The clock wasn't in good health and it took a few months to have repaired. It then ticked away happily all through the war and survived her house being bombed. Her husband loved the clock.

Many, many years later Mrs.Sands husband retired but the clock continued ticking away. Finally, however, it gave up the ghost and ground to a halt. She told her husband to dump the clock and presumed he had.

A while later her husband died and she was heartbroken, having lost her soul mate. Her small West Highland terrier kept her company.

Mrs.Sands explains what happened next: "My friend and I were talking about him (her husband), when we heard a strange noise. My little Westie ran upstairs to a closet and behind clothes and a pile of old shoes we found the clock - chiming! Now I'm a down-to-earth woman and racked my brains. But I hadn't been in the closet for months and it hadn't worked for years."

But there is more to this story, "That night I cried myself to sleep, only to be woken by my little dog barking and growling, her hackles up. I followed her gaze - and saw a white mist rising and a blurred figure emerging from it. I put out my hand but it slowly faded."

The clock is now with Mrs.Sands' daughter and she hopes that her husband knows how much it is still loved. She commented, "When I finally fall off the perch, I hope that ghostly figure will come for me and we will walk hand-in-hand into the proverbial sunset."

The story of the clock is true and, as for the white mist, she says that, "It might just have been a figment of a grieving widow's imagination." I personally prefer to believe that this was her husband making contact.

Further Reading:
The Ghost Who Chased A Thief
Death Is Nothing At All
12 Ghostly Ghost Story Experiences

The Secret Teachings Of Karma And Sickness

Stories about ancient mystical manuscripts are numerous but, like the Dead Sea Scrolls, this one is believed to be true.

The story goes way back to the mid 1750s when a representative of the English Earl of Derby was travelling in China and came across, what he described as, 'the large country of Tibet, called by some Barantola.'

He discovered in Lhasa the Grand Lama (now known as the Dalai Lama) 'who is reverenced, and even adored as a god.' At the temple, hidden away, were 'writings of antiquity.' Following authorisation of the Emperor of China these manuscripts were allowed to be translated.

The writings were said by the Chinese to be attributed to Confucius but the Rosicrucian opinion is somewhat different: '... there is every indication ... that most was written by Amenhotep IV, Pharaoh of Egypt, during 1360 to 1350 BC.' If correct this would mean the manuscripts are now nearly 3,400 years old.

The followers of Amenhotep were the founders of sects such as the Essenes, which later evolved into a fraternity called the Brethren of the Rose Cross, later known as Rosicrucian. There is an opinion that Jesus belonged to the Essenes.

I have the translations of the manuscripts in a book format, which I obtained from the Rosicrucian organisation while a member.

It's too long to reprint here but I have picked out a small section which comes under the heading of the Manifestations of Karma as a flavour of what it contains. This is what is said under the heading of Pain and Sickness, which I find interesting. The language and punctuation is of the time of the translation.

"The sickness of the body affecteth even the spirit; the one cannot be in health without the other.

Pain is of all ills that which is most felt; and it is that which from nature hath the fewest remedies.

When thy constancy faileth thee, call to thy reason; when thy patience quitteth thee, call in thy hope.

To suffer, is a necessity entailed upon thy nature, wouldst thou that miracles should protect thee from its lessons? or shalt thou repine, because it happeneth unto thee, when lo! it happeneth to all? Suffering is the golden cross upon which the rose of the Soul unfoldeth.

It is injustice to expect exemption from that thou wert born to learn; submit with modesty to the laws of thy condition.

Wouldst thou say to the seasons, "Pass not on, lest I grow old?" is it not better to suffer well that which thou canst not avoid?

Pain that endureth long, is moderate; blush therefore to complain of it: that which is violent, is short: behold thou seest the end of it.

The body was created to be subservient to the Soul; while thou afflictest the Soul for the body's pain, behold thou settest the body above it.

As the wise afflicteth not himself, because of a thorn teareth his garment, so the patient grieveth not his Soul because that which covered it is injured."

This is probably not to all tastes but when we look at such old manuscripts there is a often a similarity of themes, many of which have been adapted into the Bible.

Other recent posts:
The Ancient Egyptians And Their World Of Dreams
How Ancient Egyptians Sent Letters To The Dead
The Indians Of Haiti As Observed By Christopher Columbus

A Proud Dad Thanks To A Coincidence

A 67 Not Out reader's coincidence story today. My thanks to Patrick.

"Four years ago I was in a relationship with a very attractive girl who was a model. I'll call her Alice. We were living in Southampton but she craved attention, from other men. She had one affair for which I forgave her but I couldn't do this again when it happened a second time. She did everything to persuade me otherwise but I decided to move back to my home town of Ealing, London.

I knew if I stayed she would hurt me. I handed in my notice at the office where I worked but I met up with Alice once more to say goodbye. She asked for my home phone number (I was initially going to stay with my parents), which I gave her.

I started a new life in Ealing, or maybe went back to my old one in childhood. I was still living with my parents after a year.

They went away on holiday. One night I was feeling lonely and downed a few glasses of whisky. I was thinking about Alice and the good times, there were lots of them, and decided I would call her. Her number was engaged. Seconds later my parent's phone rang and it was Alice!

After about a year we had both decided to phone each other at exactly the same time. This sobered me up considerably. She asked if I would like to meet up and foolishly I agreed.

The next day I drove down to Southampton and we got on well, so much so I stayed the night and the next day. The second evening we went to a pub and she was soon flirting away with other blokes. I realised then it would never work out with Alice so I left the pub without saying anything.

You might think the coincidence was Alice and I phoning each other at the same time but there was one more. As I left the pub I bumped into a girl who I used to work with while in Southampton. She was on her own and to keep the story short we got on famously. So much so that three years later we are still together and have a six month old son. We are getting married in September.

Without the coincidence of Alice and I phoning each other I would never have got together, by another coincidence, with my future wife and now be a proud dad."

Other 67 Not Out Readers Coincidence Stories
The Purple Car Coincidence
67 Not Out Readers Coincidence Stories - 16
67 Not Out Readers Coincidence Stories - 11

Secret Magic From A Magician's Handbook

Nothing too serious today but a spell from The Grimorium Verum, which is an ancient secret magician's handbook. This was supposedly created by Alibeck the Egyptian at Memphis in 1517 - but I doubt that it is really of such an age.

The ceremony I picked out at random is to "To Make Three Girls Or Three Gentlemen Appear In Your Room." Well, you never know, it may come in useful one day! Anyway, let's begin:

"It is necessary to be three days chaste, and you will be elevated.

(1) Preparation
On the fourth day, as soon as it is morning clean and prepare your room, as soon as you have dressed. You must be fasting at this time. Make sure that your room will not be disturbed for the whole ensuing day. Note that there shall be nothing hanging, neither anything crosswise to anything else, no tapestries or clothes hanging, and no hats or cages of birds, or curtains of the bed and so on. Above all, make sure that everything is clean in every way.

(2) Ceremony
After you have supped, go secretly to your room, which has been cleaned as already described. Upon the table there is now set a white cloth, and three chairs at the table. In front of each place set a wheaten roll and a glass of clear and fresh water. Now place a chair at the side of the bed, and retire, while saying the following.

(3) Conjuration
'Besticitum consolatio veni ad me vertat Creon, Creon, Creon, cantor laudem omnipotensis et non commentur. Stat superior carta bient laudem omviestra principiem da montem et inimicos meos o prostantis vobis et mihi dantes que passium fieri sincisibus.'

The three people, having arrived, will sit by the fire, eating and drinking, and will thank the person who has entertained them. If you are a gentleman, three girls will come; but if you are a lady, three young men will be invoked.

Then the three will draw lots as to whom is to stay with you. If the operator is a man, the girl who wins will sit in the chair which you have placed by the bed, and she will stay with you until midnight. At this time she will leave, with her companions, without having been dismissed.

The two others will stay by the fire, while the first entertains you.

While she is with you, you may ask her any question, about art or science, or upon any subject at all, and she will give you a definite reply. You can ask the whereabouts of hidden treasure, and she will tell you where it is, and how and when to remove it. If the treasure is under the guardianship of infernal spirits, she will come herself, with her companions, and defend you against these fiends.

When she leaves she will give you a ring. If you wear this on your finger, you will be fortunate at gambling. If you place it on the finger of any woman or girl, you will be able to obtain your will of her. Note: The window is to be left open. You can do this experiment as often as you please."

So, there you go: if you ever need someone to discuss art and science with or are in need of some treasure you know what to do ... please report back how you get on!

Further Reading:
The Oldest Magical Paintings Ever Found
Seed Money Brings A Tenfold Return
The Magic Of Our Ancestors Can Bring Us Success

The Mystery Of Jesus Visiting Cornwall In England

Cornwall in England, where I live, is full of mystery and legends. One of the stories is that Jesus visited the county and walked on the land where the St. Just In Roseland Church is now situated - photo above.

The legend is that his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, brought Jesus ashore here. The church is a very special place in a wonderful waterside, almost semi-tropical setting and it has a great feeling of peace and tranquility.

There have been many claims that Jesus visited England. This was partly popularised by the poet William Blake and his words for the hymn Jerusalem: "And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's mountains green ..."

It is quite plausible that Jesus did visit England. The Romans did so quite easily at around the same time, so why not Jesus. A large chunk of his early life is missing from the age of 12.

He may have come to England to exchange ideas and beliefs with the Druids and Celts.

Jesus, as well as visiting Cornwall, may have also stayed at Glastonbury.

St. Augustine is said to have written to the then Pope saying he had discovered a church in Glastonbury built by followers of Jesus at about 37 AD. A 6th Century cleric, St.Gildas, however, went one step further and said it was built by Jesus himself.

Going back to the St. Just In Roseland Church. This was built in the 13th century but has a Celtic heritage stretching back beyond the 6th century. I love the setting, on a sunshine day it's perfection.

See also: Why Jesus Visited Cornwall In England

Other Cornwall Posts
The Mystery Of The Cornish Roche Rock And Hermitage
The Cornish Mystery Of The Trevethy Quoit Stones
The Holy Well Of St Sampson At Golant In Cornwall

The Guest House And The Girl In A Bikini Coincidence

Seaton Tramway
My wife reminded me of this coincidence or synchronicity from one of our weekend trips away.

We had driven to the seaside town of Seaton, parked our car in a side road and went off to see what the town was all about. After lunch we thought we had better find a Bed & Breakfast Guest House for three nights so we continued walking, but away from the coast.

We came across lots of B&Bs, but which one to choose? In this particular road it seemed that nearly every other house had rooms to let.

Karin pointed out a B&B that looked okay to her but I pointed to a different one. "Why?" she asked.

"The landlady is prettier," I answered.

Obviously I had no idea if this was true but we knocked on the door I had chosen. It was a while before someone answered. An attractive young woman of about 28 answered the door wearing a brief bikini top and some sort of thin, loose skirt type material. She had been sunbathing when we knocked.

She said her mother, who ran the Guest House, was out but she would show us a room. We followed her upstairs - which was an interesting experience!

The room was fine so we said we'd like to book it for three nights. She immediately gave us a key for the front door and one for our room - even though we hadn't paid her or had our car with us. We could have been anyone off the street.

Anyway, we went off to fetch our car and Karin said jokingly, "Trust you to pick that Guest House!"

We parked on the Guest House forecourt and let ourselves inside. The mother of the girl we had seen came out and I introduced ourselves. She was very friendly and told us that she was also called Perry and what's more she had a relation called Michael Perry - the same as me.

"Must be a different family though," she said, "as we all come from London."

We had told her we had travelled up from Cornwall. I went on to tell her that I was born in west London and my dad was a real cockney, born within the sound of Bow Bells.

We didn't really take the Perry connection any further.

That evening we went out for a meal and got back to the Guest House at about 10.30pm. The mother and daughter were about and we got talking. Karin to the mother and me to the daughter (she was by now fully dressed!).

She told me a lot about herself, as if we were friends, and how she had just split from her boyfriend and was sad about this. We then went off into the realms of positive thinking and spirituality. It seemed like she wanted someone to listen to her woes and I tried to keep the conversation positive.

We talked for ages and eventually Karin and I made our way up to our room.

The next day we saw the daughter in town and she was laughing and joking with a young man and they looked really happy together. She didn't notice us, she was so engrossed.

We had a lovely three days, the sun shone for us and that really is the end of the story.

We had the coincidence of me picking the Guest House, with the pretty girl, their surname being Perry and knowing a Michael Perry. They like me were originally from the London area. So it all fitted together nicely.

But coincidences and synchronicity isn't always just about us. In this case, for me, they confirmed we had picked the right Guest House. But perhaps we also chose that one as we had a role to play.

Synchronicity also comes about so that we can help others. I've no idea if what I said to the daughter was of any use to her or not. Maybe it was about Karin saying something or other to the mother. We never know who we help / hinder or influence by what we say or do.

Coincidences allow us to play our part, often without us realising.

The mother told us, as we were leaving, that the daughter had reunited with her boyfriend.

Other Coincidence Or Synchronicity Examples
The Dress For The Aged Coincidence
The Mystery Of The Rosetta Stone Coincidence
The Coincidence Of The Triplet Babies