Alien World?

'Alien World?' photo by Ivar Marthinusen 

'Alien World?' is my name for this magnificent photograph . This strangely beautiful flat alien landscape looks like a lake of steaming gas which tumbles into a misty void with rainbow columns and a second sun. Is this a planet near Betelgeuse? Maybe it's in a 2 dimensional universe somewhere other? Or perhaps this is Tolkien's Middle Earth floating, hovering in between? What to you see?

It's actually on Earth. The photo was taken at a ski resort in Åre, Sweden by Ivar Marthinusen on Jan. 27, 2009. A view of the world from above atop a mountain... with sun, clouds, mist, snow, ice halo and a subsun. Thank you, thank you, thank you beloved Creator for this otherworldly, amazing, magnificent creation. WOW, I'm in awe!

Space Weather featured one of Ivar's photos on their home page February 1. The photo above was on a page with others taken on the same day. They say of the photos...

"Skiing photographer Ivar Matheson did everything right on Jan. 27th when he took the picture above. "I was at the Ãre ski resort in Sweden. It was a sunny day and the air was filled with ice crystals. This gave rise to an impressive display of luminous sun halos, sundogs, sub-sundogs, subsuns, upper and lower sun pillars and tangent arcs." The complete collection is a must-see."

~Bonnee

Light Beam in Aspen

'Light beam' photo by Thomas O'Brien

'Light beam' is my name for these amazing photographs. A second sun floats just above the tree tops beaming Light to earth. It looks like a being of light floating above and behind the trees. An amazing gift and wonderful display. Images taken in Aspen, Colorado January 3, 2009 by Thomas O'Brien.

Thomas says about the images, 

'I had been seeing small sun reflections in the ground all day when riding the lifts last Sunday so i decided to hike around on the backside of the mountain to see if i could find a brighter one. it was incredibly hard to photograph, it was like i was shooting directly into 2 suns at once. getting a shot without lens flare was nearly impossible. I had seen much dimmer ones before but this one was incredible. '

Atmospheric Optics expert Les Cowley reports, "It is exactly like shooting into two suns at once because it is a subsun, a direct reflection of the sun by millions of ice crystals acting as mirrors. The crystals are flat plates drifting in the cold air. Subsuns can be blindingly bright, look for them while skiing or when flying."

Photo was featured on SpaceWeather.com January 11, 2009.

~Bonnee

Sun orb?

On January 16, 2009 MacGyver took this interesting photo  of sundogs in Chicago, IL. What is that pink ball and arc near the sun? It looks 3 dimensional. Is it a camera flare? Some other mechanical anomaly? Or maybe it's an energy orb?  WOW! You can see a larger version at Weather.com.

 

So many wonderful gifts from Creator. Space Weather has photos of diamond dust ice halos and/or sundogs from 6 different photographers today (January 17, 2009). Plus the Weather Channel featured one on it's home page. Baby it's cold outside!

Chris Haws from Faribault, MN captured another Creator's Wheel (ice halo and sundogs) January 13, 2009. He says, "It was a very cold morning, -20 degrees F, with a fine mist of ice crystals floating in the air," he says. "The sundogs were magnificent, truly almost false suns." Awesome!

Mark D. Marquette from Boones Creek, TN took the photo left of 'Frozen Flora' on January 13, 2009. He says, "A Tuesday morning fog and 21 degree temperatures caused some of the atmosphere to freeze out, as water vapor took icy form in East Tennessee. The Sun burned off the beautiful scene by 11 am--and I sure am grateful I can set my own work hours! I enjoyed capturing this rare sight in Dixie." How beautiful! I've never seen frozen fog before.

~Bonnee

Fire and Ice

'Fire and Ice' photo by Ryan Ridge

'Fire and Ice' is my name for this magnificent photograph taken in Homer, Alaska. Another magical display... unbelievable beauty and majesty. Thank you beloved Creator... I remain in awe! Beautiful capture Ryan.

 

Fire and Ice

Cold black grays

with colorless colors

the night fades

to in between.

Bursting light

pierces clouds

and sweeping rays

brush waters bright.

Dark turns light

with fire and ice

and golden dawn

sets sky alight.

Morning comes

with glory bright

Creator's gift

is our delight.

~Inspired by the beautiful image above.

 

Photo originally called 'Morning Glory' uploaded to flickr October 2008. You can read about Ryan's life in the big woods of Alaska on his blog or see more of his amazing photos at flickr.com.

~Bonnee

12/27 Ding Dong Merrily On High

'Ding Dong Merrily On High' performed by Celtic Woman

Happy, joyous and celebratory. A wonderful rendition with a Celtic feel. Glorious!

Celtic Woman, Song: Ding Dong Merrily On High, Album: A Christmas Celebration (2006), Label: Manhattan Records. Performed live at A Christmas Celebration 2007 in Helix Center in Dublin, Ireland aired on PBS. Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1848-1934, Music: Brane de l'Official, from Thoinot Arbeau's Orchesographie, (1588).

Today at 7:23 am EST is New Moon

Ding Dong Merrily On High was originally a dance tune that evolved to a carol. The the sixteenth century music was found in Piae Cantiones  a collection of Finnish tunes. Woodward rehabilitated the tune with 'Victorian era' words in Latin and English. You can read more at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

The photo above right I call 'God's Holiday Decorations'.

The cold night sky, dotted with stars... snow covered evergreen... illuminated.

Majestic. Thank you again beloved Creator for your beauty...  de-light-full. The photograph was taken by Ragnar & Einar Johnskås. You can see more of their great work at auroraborealis.vika.no.

 Have a delightful Holiday. May you ring in the New Year with Joy, Peace and Wonder. 

 

Celtic Woman was created by David Downes and Dave Kavanagh in 2004 and is composed of vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. Since their formation the group has enjoyed overwhelming success. They have released 4 albums to date, toured worldwide and done numerous TV specials. Their CD  'A New Journey' was number 1 on the world Music Charts for 95 consecutive weeks. You can read more about them at their official website celticwoman.com.

~Bonnee

12/20 Let it Snow, Emilie-Claire Barlow

'Let it Snow' performed by Emilie-Claire Barlow

Jazzy, swinging and fun. Wonderful! Found this jewel yesterday on Youtube. Right now many places are covered in snow, ice or cold rain... the weather outside is indeed frightful. So let's stay inside... happy, warm and dry. Make some hot chocolate or mulled cider, wrap up in a blanket, surrounded by family and friends or alone with a wonderful book. Or even better, in quiet communion with God... giving thanks for all the blessings showered upon us in every moment. Thank you beloved Creator for your blessing of snow. It's sooooo beautiful!!!!!

Emilie-Claire Barlow, song: Let it Snow, Album: Winter Wonderland (2006), Label: Empress Music Group Inc, Video: Clip from Canada AM (CTV).

'Let it Snow' also known as 'Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!' was written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne in 1945. It is one of the most popular songs of all-time . Was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1946 and went to number one the following year.

12/17/08 Let it Snow... in Las Vegas, Nevada? The Luxor is covered with snow in a rare storm which blanketed the city with 3.6". Photo by Ethan Miller/ Getty Images North America. You can see more photos of the Vegas snow by Ethan at zimbo.com. A lovely gift for the Holidays.

Have a warm, dry, happy day and a Blessed Holiday!

 

Emilie-Claire Barlow born June 6, 1976 in Canada is a jazz singer and actress. She began singing at age seven, spent 5 years at Etobicoke School of the Arts, then continued her studies at Humber College. While at Humber she formed a jazz quartet and performed around Toronto. In 1998 she released her first CD: Emilie-Claire Barlow - SINGS. You can read her blog or learn more at emilieclairebarlow.com or myspace emilieclairebarlow.

~Bonnee

12/14 Orion Moonbow

'Orion Moonbow' photograph by Jimmy Westlake

Was looking at pictures of the full moon at SpaceWeather.com and came across an image of a moon halo taken 12/11/08 by Jimmy Westlake, Stagecoach, Colorado. As I was gazing at it I noticed not only a beautiful rainbow halo and Orion, but also a faint red cross. How cool! Wanted to see what was there so saturated it in Photoshop. The image above is the result. Wow, wow, wow! Thank you beloved Creator for your beauty and magnificence. I am humbly in awe.

The night this photo was shot was the beginning of the celebration of the Mother, Virgin Guadalupe in Mexico.

A message... all is perfect, balanced and complete. Divine Union is now... embrace... oneness. A cycle has ended, renewal begun. Goddess and God embrace, merge. Love pours forth with great abundance. Open heart and receive.

As I write Raven called 3 times 3, flying by the window. Raven is the sacred bringer of magic who ushers in consciousness change. 9 is completion. Has been a day of much communication.

Jimmy Westlake says about his photo,

"Wow! This was one of the most vivid lunar halos I've ever seen! Seeing Orion with a colorful rainbow arching through him was surreal."

Surreal indeed! You can see the original photo and a couple more at SpaceWeather.com.

The scientific explanation from Curious About Astronomy:

Halos are caused by the light of the sun or moon passing through a very thin layer of cirruform (ice-crystal) clouds in the upper atmosphere. The ice crystals refract the light of the moon, similar to the way water droplets in the lower atmosphere can refract sunlight to produce a rainbow. Just like a rainbow, strong halos can have bands of color in them, due to slightly different refractive properties of the ice crystals for different colors. Essentially, halos ARE rainbows caused by primary refraction in ice crystals.

Symbolism contained in the photo - (from An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper):

• A circle with a dot - in the center depicts a complete cycle and cyclic perfection. The resolution of all possibilities in existence. In Astrology it portrays the sun. In Alchemy it is the sun and gold. It is also a symbol of all sun gods. In Taoism A circle with a point at the center represents the supreme power, the Tao.
• A circle enclosing a cross - is the Cosmic Solar Wheel 'the vivifying principle that animates the universe'. The solar wheel is always a symbol of good fortune and of change. Cross in a circle - Solar mobility, the wheel of change. The wheel of fortune.
• Equal arm cross - a universal symbol, the cosmic symbol par excellence. It is a world center and therefor a point of communication between heaven and earth, a cosmic axis. It is dualism in nature and the union of opposites. It represents Spiritual Union and the integration of man's soul in all aspects necessary to full life.
• Color - Symbolizes the differentiated, the manifest. Diversity. The affirmation of Light. Light and dark colors used in contrast symbolize the materialization of light. God, as light, is the source of color. Color Red - The zenith of color. Represents the sun and all war gods. It is the masculine, active principle, fire, the sun, royalty, love, joy festivity, passion, energy, health, strength. Red denotes supernatural powers, sacredness or solar power. Rainbow - Transfiguration. Heavenly glory. Different states of consciousness. The meeting of Heaven and Earth. Paradise. 
• Moon - Usually represents the feminine power, the Mother Goddess, Queen of Heaven. Symbolic of the rhythm of cyclic time, universal becoming. Full moon is enlightenment. Light in darkness. Inner Knowledge. The moon is the abode of  Archangel Gabriel.

Hope your day is amazing and awe filled. Happy Holidays!

 

Jimmy Westlake, M.S. Astronomy, Louisiana State University; B.S., Astronomy and Physics, Valdosta State University; BS, Psychology, University of Alaska Anchorage; 15 years instructor and director of Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College; award winning astro-photographer.You can see more of J.R. Westlake's Astrophotos at jrwestlake.com.

~Bonnee

12/1 Kissed by Snow

Kissed by Snow (Sedona, Arizona, 2000) photo by Light

Kissed by Snow is a moment of magnificent Creation seen through the eyes of Light Traveler. Majestic red rocks, caressed by clouds and kissed by snow with dancing light and soft dark shadows. Sedona is a beautiful pallet, a visual feast and an energetic hotspot. Wonderland....

Lovely photos of Sedona and festive trimmings by Light to begin December's Holiday Season.

Everyday throughout December I will post a new inspirational blog dedicated to Spirit and the Holidays... music, art, photos, videos and customs from many traditions.

Come by for a visit everyday if you like and fill your cup with some Holiday Cheer.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

Light Traveler (August 1946 - July 2003)  photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. He filled my life with awe and wonder. Here's to you Light!!! You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler's gallery.

~Bonnee