Teh emailz, we gets dem too!
Ok, so I'm in bed trying to sleep and failing miserably and I suddenly get the compulsion to check, firstly, how many potential guests I've e-mailed about Microcon so far and, secondly, the tolksoc e-mail account (which I haven't checked for a while, which I probably should, being secretary 'n' all). Since I came to the conclusion it'd bug me to hell and back if I didn't, I proceeded to check these things. I won't bore people with Microcon stuff yet, firstly 'cause mostly of you know it to various degrees but, mostly importantly, because there isn't actually a whole lot to tell yet. The reason I'm writing this post is because of one of the two new e-mails in the tolksoc e-mail account. I hasten to point out that this is the reason I don't check it very often. Nobody e-mails it! I haven't checked it in at least two months and there were only two new e-mails, one of which was about T-Shirt printing. Anyway, that's not the e-mail I wish to speak about. I want to talk about the other one.
While I did forward this to our wonderful president, faenel, for her to giggle at, I couldn't resist the chance for something different to blog about. The relevant e-mail is given below.
-----------------------------------------------------
Dear Exeter University Tolkien Society Committee,
My name is [name] and I have written a book about Professor Tolkien, which reveals a hitherto unknown facet to the great man.
My book is called "The Children of Odin - The Secret World of J.R.R. Tolkien", and it reveals hidden information, which to my knowledge no one else in the world has discovered. I believe the literary group The Inklings was a front for something much deeper and profound, and that they were keepers of ancient hidden knowledge, which Professor Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others of the group encoded in their work. I believe that my book is unique and the secrets it reveals shows that there was an esoteric and mystical side to J.R.R. Tolkien's incredible work.
At this moment I have a London agent who is negotiating with publishers regarding my book.
If you want to find out more about my researches please have a look at my website, where there is a comprehensive Power Point presentation and also software which reveals the amazing rotating Arch of Moria in all its animated glory as a representation of a living Tree of Life.
My website address is: link
I am available to talk about my work, and am prepared to meet with you or others when convenient.
Yours sincerely,
[name].
-----------------------------------------------------
My first thought when reading this e-mail, with it's talk of a "...hitherto unknown facet..." and "...hidden information, which ... no one else ... has discovered.", was that it was very 'bible code'-esque. I was thinking that maybe he'd found the time and date of the end of the world in the Hobbit or some-such, a slightly pointless exercise since all of us who read Pharyngula know that the end of the world is 7 years from today (Sept 21st), the day of the rapture (lol :P).
It got even better when I read on and saw that "The Inklings was a front..." (the what/who?) and "... they were keepers of ancient hidden knowledge ...", and I started to wonder if this is some weird ploy/advertising stunt for a new Dan Brown novel, since this all sounds very 'Da Vinci Code'.
Anyway, not to reject the fellow out of hand, I decide to look upon his website to see if the e-mail was, somehow, misrepresenting him. Good thing I did too because it caused my opinion of him to completely and utterly ... stay exactly as it is. The welcoming statement on the home page says everything you need to know really. Quote first, then pull apart.
-----------------------------------------------------
After recounting the circumstances surrounding the author's life-changing past-life regression, The Children of Odin - The Secret World of J.R.R Tolkien sets out to prove that reincarnation is real. It spans time, from the earliest written records in ancient Sumeria and Egypt, the beginnings of Christianity, through the destruction of the Cathars and Knights Templar, up to the modern day. It explores some of the Mystery Schools, Freemasonry and Secret Societies, and the symbolism used by them, revealing a hidden language that carries the same unique and very important message as is concealed within J.R.R. Tolkien's work.
Most importantly Adrian was sure that, at last, he had found the reason why J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" had fascinated him when he had first read the books thirty years before. This feeling of 'importance' that he had attached to 'The Lord of the Rings', made its presence felt very strongly when he watched the first film of the trilogy, "The Fellowship of the Ring". It was the scene where the Fellowship found Balin's tomb in the Mines of Moria. When the author saw the runes etched in the tomb cover he suddenly felt an unannounced and tremendous surge of healing energy run through him. This gave him the impression that it was important and he had better pay attention. From then on the pace and intensity of the search for answers accelerated. He had the overpowering feeling that someone was pulling his strings, and strange ideas came into his head. He had to make transparencies of Tolkien's drawings of Balin's tomb cover and the Arch of Moria, whereupon he positioned one transparency over the top of the other, and incredible images appeared.
The Arch of Moria was especially important, not only was it very similar to 'The Royal Arch of Freemasonry', but it was also a representation of The Tree of Life, and when using the double transparency technique, rotating one above the other it became a living tree, full of incredible and profound information. The author believes this information has Global implications for humankind, it harkens back to the dawn of recorded history. It is about the Lost Sacred Feminine, and the separation of the three great religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, which all came from a common source. The author believes that the Arch illustrates how the church has manipulated and lied to us from its early days and especially since the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, when the Divinity of Jesus Christ was decided.
The Arch also reveals, for those with the eyes to see, the true meaning of the Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant, and also the picture of a mysterious bearded man. These same images Adrian has also found in other works, some going back hundreds of years. This message covers a wide spectrum, from children's books, television and films, to adult fiction and non-fiction. Secret societies and alchemy are also involved. The bearded man, although hidden, is a common theme, and the author believes represents 'The Second Coming of Christ' or Christ Consciousness to the planet. He doesn't see this information as a Christian or even a religious message, but something deeply spiritual and much older which goes back to the dawn of time.
Are you ready to discover who you really are, where you came from, and where you are going? And, when we get there, will there be cake?
[emphasis, and cake, added - Neo_Venator]
-----------------------------------------------------
Most of what was said speaks for itself ("prove that reincarnation is real", for example) but there are a few things that I'd like to sink my teeth into. I see that the freemasons are involved once again, which I guess is to be expected from this kinda thing. All he needs is the Illuminati and he's got the full, conspiracy theory, set.
I highlighted 'healing energy' because it sounds very new-age like. Granted, it could be just poetic license, like the way I'd use the word 'soul' but, given the rest, it wouldn't surprise me if he thinks it is an actual energy of some kind. To further support this idea, I give you the penultimate line of the 'about me' section,
"His continuing spiritual enlightenment has led to an active interest in healing."
Granted, it's not *exactly* saying what I think it means, but it sounds close enough to me.
You maybe wondering why I highlighted the phrase "... positioned one transparency over the top of the other, and incredible images appeared." Well, it just reminded me of someone I've mentioned before. Guess who!
The third and fourth paragraphs have some interesting religious references in them, although I find him referencing "The Tree of Life" rather confusing. Is he referring to the tree in the evolutionary biology sense, or in the biblical sense (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22)? I'm guessing it's the evo-bio sense, but I can't say for sure so I'll leave it there.
The phrase "for those with the eyes to see" stood out at me as an interesting turn of phrase. It's reminiscent of a religious or spiritual individual or, indeed, a conspiracy theorist, saying that to see the truth (whatever that maybe), you must be 'open-minded' and, if you reject their claim, then you're clearly not 'open-minded' enough. Incidentally, here's a nice YouTube video addressing that point by YouTube user 'QualiaSoup'.
The last few lines of paragraph four confused me a little. He refers to something representing "The Second Coming of Christ" and, in the next sentence says "He doesn't see this information as a Christian or even a religious message ..." Now, I personally find these two statements to be in conflict, at least partially. The return of the Christ is a part Christianity and Islam, so I fail to see how a 'spiritual' message, in which the author believes (to his credit, he does say that it's his belief) that something represents the second coming of Christ can be anything other than a religious message. Maybe I'm just too close minded ...
Laterz
Incidentally, the title of this post is a reference to this blog post by Russell Glasser of the Atheist Experience crew.
While I did forward this to our wonderful president, faenel, for her to giggle at, I couldn't resist the chance for something different to blog about. The relevant e-mail is given below.
-----------------------------------------------------
Dear Exeter University Tolkien Society Committee,
My name is [name] and I have written a book about Professor Tolkien, which reveals a hitherto unknown facet to the great man.
My book is called "The Children of Odin - The Secret World of J.R.R. Tolkien", and it reveals hidden information, which to my knowledge no one else in the world has discovered. I believe the literary group The Inklings was a front for something much deeper and profound, and that they were keepers of ancient hidden knowledge, which Professor Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others of the group encoded in their work. I believe that my book is unique and the secrets it reveals shows that there was an esoteric and mystical side to J.R.R. Tolkien's incredible work.
At this moment I have a London agent who is negotiating with publishers regarding my book.
If you want to find out more about my researches please have a look at my website, where there is a comprehensive Power Point presentation and also software which reveals the amazing rotating Arch of Moria in all its animated glory as a representation of a living Tree of Life.
My website address is: link
I am available to talk about my work, and am prepared to meet with you or others when convenient.
Yours sincerely,
[name].
-----------------------------------------------------
My first thought when reading this e-mail, with it's talk of a "...hitherto unknown facet..." and "...hidden information, which ... no one else ... has discovered.", was that it was very 'bible code'-esque. I was thinking that maybe he'd found the time and date of the end of the world in the Hobbit or some-such, a slightly pointless exercise since all of us who read Pharyngula know that the end of the world is 7 years from today (Sept 21st), the day of the rapture (lol :P).
It got even better when I read on and saw that "The Inklings was a front..." (the what/who?) and "... they were keepers of ancient hidden knowledge ...", and I started to wonder if this is some weird ploy/advertising stunt for a new Dan Brown novel, since this all sounds very 'Da Vinci Code'.
Anyway, not to reject the fellow out of hand, I decide to look upon his website to see if the e-mail was, somehow, misrepresenting him. Good thing I did too because it caused my opinion of him to completely and utterly ... stay exactly as it is. The welcoming statement on the home page says everything you need to know really. Quote first, then pull apart.
-----------------------------------------------------
After recounting the circumstances surrounding the author's life-changing past-life regression, The Children of Odin - The Secret World of J.R.R Tolkien sets out to prove that reincarnation is real. It spans time, from the earliest written records in ancient Sumeria and Egypt, the beginnings of Christianity, through the destruction of the Cathars and Knights Templar, up to the modern day. It explores some of the Mystery Schools, Freemasonry and Secret Societies, and the symbolism used by them, revealing a hidden language that carries the same unique and very important message as is concealed within J.R.R. Tolkien's work.
Most importantly Adrian was sure that, at last, he had found the reason why J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" had fascinated him when he had first read the books thirty years before. This feeling of 'importance' that he had attached to 'The Lord of the Rings', made its presence felt very strongly when he watched the first film of the trilogy, "The Fellowship of the Ring". It was the scene where the Fellowship found Balin's tomb in the Mines of Moria. When the author saw the runes etched in the tomb cover he suddenly felt an unannounced and tremendous surge of healing energy run through him. This gave him the impression that it was important and he had better pay attention. From then on the pace and intensity of the search for answers accelerated. He had the overpowering feeling that someone was pulling his strings, and strange ideas came into his head. He had to make transparencies of Tolkien's drawings of Balin's tomb cover and the Arch of Moria, whereupon he positioned one transparency over the top of the other, and incredible images appeared.
The Arch of Moria was especially important, not only was it very similar to 'The Royal Arch of Freemasonry', but it was also a representation of The Tree of Life, and when using the double transparency technique, rotating one above the other it became a living tree, full of incredible and profound information. The author believes this information has Global implications for humankind, it harkens back to the dawn of recorded history. It is about the Lost Sacred Feminine, and the separation of the three great religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, which all came from a common source. The author believes that the Arch illustrates how the church has manipulated and lied to us from its early days and especially since the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, when the Divinity of Jesus Christ was decided.
The Arch also reveals, for those with the eyes to see, the true meaning of the Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant, and also the picture of a mysterious bearded man. These same images Adrian has also found in other works, some going back hundreds of years. This message covers a wide spectrum, from children's books, television and films, to adult fiction and non-fiction. Secret societies and alchemy are also involved. The bearded man, although hidden, is a common theme, and the author believes represents 'The Second Coming of Christ' or Christ Consciousness to the planet. He doesn't see this information as a Christian or even a religious message, but something deeply spiritual and much older which goes back to the dawn of time.
Are you ready to discover who you really are, where you came from, and where you are going? And, when we get there, will there be cake?
[emphasis, and cake, added - Neo_Venator]
-----------------------------------------------------
Most of what was said speaks for itself ("prove that reincarnation is real", for example) but there are a few things that I'd like to sink my teeth into. I see that the freemasons are involved once again, which I guess is to be expected from this kinda thing. All he needs is the Illuminati and he's got the full, conspiracy theory, set.
I highlighted 'healing energy' because it sounds very new-age like. Granted, it could be just poetic license, like the way I'd use the word 'soul' but, given the rest, it wouldn't surprise me if he thinks it is an actual energy of some kind. To further support this idea, I give you the penultimate line of the 'about me' section,
"His continuing spiritual enlightenment has led to an active interest in healing."
Granted, it's not *exactly* saying what I think it means, but it sounds close enough to me.
You maybe wondering why I highlighted the phrase "... positioned one transparency over the top of the other, and incredible images appeared." Well, it just reminded me of someone I've mentioned before. Guess who!
The third and fourth paragraphs have some interesting religious references in them, although I find him referencing "The Tree of Life" rather confusing. Is he referring to the tree in the evolutionary biology sense, or in the biblical sense (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22)? I'm guessing it's the evo-bio sense, but I can't say for sure so I'll leave it there.
The phrase "for those with the eyes to see" stood out at me as an interesting turn of phrase. It's reminiscent of a religious or spiritual individual or, indeed, a conspiracy theorist, saying that to see the truth (whatever that maybe), you must be 'open-minded' and, if you reject their claim, then you're clearly not 'open-minded' enough. Incidentally, here's a nice YouTube video addressing that point by YouTube user 'QualiaSoup'.
Click to viewThe last few lines of paragraph four confused me a little. He refers to something representing "The Second Coming of Christ" and, in the next sentence says "He doesn't see this information as a Christian or even a religious message ..." Now, I personally find these two statements to be in conflict, at least partially. The return of the Christ is a part Christianity and Islam, so I fail to see how a 'spiritual' message, in which the author believes (to his credit, he does say that it's his belief) that something represents the second coming of Christ can be anything other than a religious message. Maybe I'm just too close minded ...
Laterz
Incidentally, the title of this post is a reference to this blog post by Russell Glasser of the Atheist Experience crew.