Navigating Deep Time (3 of 4)
Preparation is the key to traveling safely in “deep time”. By studying a geologic period, you can prepare for the animals that you will encounter. For example, the early Paleogene epoch (65 - 56 mya) saw the rise of temperate and rain forests. It was the “Age of Birds,” when Gastornis and Diatryma (“Terror Birds”) ruled the forests. According to “Prehistoric Life,” these apex predators hunted mammals and reptiles.
Knowing something about paleoclimates will also assist the magickal person in planning her trip. During the Paleogene Period (65-23 mya) (which was the time after the demise of the dinosaurs), the Earth went through dramatic climate changes. The Ice Ages came when the Earth changed her orbit. However in the years before the Ice Ages, during the early Paleocene (65-56 mya), temperatures shot up creating a “greenhouse” Earth.
Since landscapes change overtime, there will be few direct correspondences between modern and ancient features. Other hazards concerning “deep time” travel include finding yourself in a raging volcano or unexpectedly adrift in the vast ocean. According to Dr. Richard Little (University of Connecticut, Geology), continents drift across the Earth’s surface, colliding and pulling apart. Meanwhile, the ocean floor rises and falls, while new mountains emerge and erode.
Kaldera points out that many people often end up visiting “Disneyland” and interact with the “puppets” there. Designed for tourists, this artificial world is safe to explore. Kaldera thinks that starting at “Disneyland” will teach the novice how to navigate other unfamiliar worlds. But in the future, the beginner should not mistake it for the real thing.
In his journeying, Kaldera stresses preparation beyond grounding and shielding. He suggests using divination before and while traveling. For him, divination is the key to uncovering which world the traveling magickal person actually went to --both in their initial and home journeys. Furthermore, do a divination before going to uncover any problems that may arise. Kaldera also counsels seeking help from experienced magickal people before going on a journey.
To go back in time, choose a period that interests you. My favorite period is the early Permian when the ancient ancestors of mammals lived. By going to the early Permian (about 275 mya), I could witness the emergence of land ecosystems. Dimetrodon, the iconic sail-backed predator, ruled the land at that time. Since this animal is deterred by excrement, I can escape by throwing fresh poop at it.
One place where a slice of the early Permian is found is the Texas Red Beds (Seymour, Texas, U.S.). The noted paleontologist, Dr. Robert T. Bakker wrote an extensive blog about his dig there from 2007 to 2008. He describes the Texas Red Beds as being full of bones from the Cambrian (583 mya) to the Permian periods. Dr. Bakker writes of the location as it exists today, “Now, as in Cope's era, the Red Beds are a harsh environment- unfailingly hot and dry, with ground water in the summer that's a nasty brew of alkali and pink mud, heated to the temperature of afternoon tea.” (Note 2) However during the early Permian, the Texas Red Beds was a swampy lake, in a sultry humid environment.
At the “Library of Paleogeology” site, maps of Ron Blakely, noted geologist, are featured. (Note 3) The map for the middle Permian shows the land at that time with modern boundaries superimposed on it. Once you have this map, carefully examine the landscape for outstanding landmarks. Put each landmark on your magickal travel map as a GPS signal. The time portal for this period will probably be the (former) swampy lake bed. While you are exploring this lost world, you should note how far you are from the gateway. Animal guides for this period could be Shark or Diplocaulus, an amphibian with a boomerang-shaped head, which lived in the Permian.
With Dr. Bakker’s blog, you find the areas around the Red Beds where the fossils are. As you explore, you add his observations to your map. Like the ancient explorers, you combine Dr. Bakker’s information with your own, thereby increasing the pool of knowledge for other magickal explorers. As you go back in time, be mindful and note everything you see. Upon returning, you should do a standard cleansing of your magickal and physical bodies.
When the magickal person goes into “deep time,” she is best prepared by pouring over the writings of paleontologists. By reading their observations about the period she wants to explore, the magickal person will be able to have a meaningful journey. Listening to more experienced travelers will ensure that her journey will be safe. Finally, having a map to record her journey will make her experience more wondrous.
Knowing something about paleoclimates will also assist the magickal person in planning her trip. During the Paleogene Period (65-23 mya) (which was the time after the demise of the dinosaurs), the Earth went through dramatic climate changes. The Ice Ages came when the Earth changed her orbit. However in the years before the Ice Ages, during the early Paleocene (65-56 mya), temperatures shot up creating a “greenhouse” Earth.
Since landscapes change overtime, there will be few direct correspondences between modern and ancient features. Other hazards concerning “deep time” travel include finding yourself in a raging volcano or unexpectedly adrift in the vast ocean. According to Dr. Richard Little (University of Connecticut, Geology), continents drift across the Earth’s surface, colliding and pulling apart. Meanwhile, the ocean floor rises and falls, while new mountains emerge and erode.
Kaldera points out that many people often end up visiting “Disneyland” and interact with the “puppets” there. Designed for tourists, this artificial world is safe to explore. Kaldera thinks that starting at “Disneyland” will teach the novice how to navigate other unfamiliar worlds. But in the future, the beginner should not mistake it for the real thing.
In his journeying, Kaldera stresses preparation beyond grounding and shielding. He suggests using divination before and while traveling. For him, divination is the key to uncovering which world the traveling magickal person actually went to --both in their initial and home journeys. Furthermore, do a divination before going to uncover any problems that may arise. Kaldera also counsels seeking help from experienced magickal people before going on a journey.
To go back in time, choose a period that interests you. My favorite period is the early Permian when the ancient ancestors of mammals lived. By going to the early Permian (about 275 mya), I could witness the emergence of land ecosystems. Dimetrodon, the iconic sail-backed predator, ruled the land at that time. Since this animal is deterred by excrement, I can escape by throwing fresh poop at it.
One place where a slice of the early Permian is found is the Texas Red Beds (Seymour, Texas, U.S.). The noted paleontologist, Dr. Robert T. Bakker wrote an extensive blog about his dig there from 2007 to 2008. He describes the Texas Red Beds as being full of bones from the Cambrian (583 mya) to the Permian periods. Dr. Bakker writes of the location as it exists today, “Now, as in Cope's era, the Red Beds are a harsh environment- unfailingly hot and dry, with ground water in the summer that's a nasty brew of alkali and pink mud, heated to the temperature of afternoon tea.” (Note 2) However during the early Permian, the Texas Red Beds was a swampy lake, in a sultry humid environment.
At the “Library of Paleogeology” site, maps of Ron Blakely, noted geologist, are featured. (Note 3) The map for the middle Permian shows the land at that time with modern boundaries superimposed on it. Once you have this map, carefully examine the landscape for outstanding landmarks. Put each landmark on your magickal travel map as a GPS signal. The time portal for this period will probably be the (former) swampy lake bed. While you are exploring this lost world, you should note how far you are from the gateway. Animal guides for this period could be Shark or Diplocaulus, an amphibian with a boomerang-shaped head, which lived in the Permian.
With Dr. Bakker’s blog, you find the areas around the Red Beds where the fossils are. As you explore, you add his observations to your map. Like the ancient explorers, you combine Dr. Bakker’s information with your own, thereby increasing the pool of knowledge for other magickal explorers. As you go back in time, be mindful and note everything you see. Upon returning, you should do a standard cleansing of your magickal and physical bodies.
When the magickal person goes into “deep time,” she is best prepared by pouring over the writings of paleontologists. By reading their observations about the period she wants to explore, the magickal person will be able to have a meaningful journey. Listening to more experienced travelers will ensure that her journey will be safe. Finally, having a map to record her journey will make her experience more wondrous.