Revelation 13:1
1 It had been almost ten years since I wrote about Julie Beloved [n17:1] and, in order to keep in line with the theme, albeit one might wonder what it has to do with the rest of the book? I've opted to mention something about my good friend Rhea at work.
2 As I said in chapter 17 [n37], I gave Julie a copy of chapters 1-10 of the book on April 20th, 1999, which happened to be hAdolf Hitler's birthday and, the day the Columbine Massacre occurred. While at the time, it seemed like an ominous sign—indeed—but now I no longer see it this way. The fact that it happened on this day, however, is the whole point, for it would seem like a good place to start, if something else happened along these lines—in the quest for Ariadne.
3 It all started when somebody brought up the date January 11th, 2009 on my web page, and said something ominous was supposed to happen that day, despite the fact that it didn't. It was the day I got sick with a nasty cold or the flu, however. While I said it would be 24 years to the day that everything fell apart back in 1985, as I explain in chapter 11 at my 7th residence [11:149]. Hmm. . . "This will be the day that I die?" It's funny, but the song, American Pie, by Don McLean, started randomly playing on my computer, and these words came up right at the moment I was writing this. Well, it was the day that I died back then anyway [n1:20].
4 And yet, as I mention in my 7th residence, after the boyfriend shows up [n11:179], it was the beginning of something entirely new. In fact, the whole book is contingent upon the fact that this happened. And here, the number 24 signifies the completion of one cycle, or time-frame, like the 24-hour period on a clock. This is what I realized when I brought it up, meaning the previous cycle was now over, and a new cycle had just begun [n6:56].
5 I also said I was working with the number 24 just prior to what happened on April 20th, 1999. It was actually the numbers 24 and 31, after the lollipop incident in chapter 17 [n18]: the number 24 signifying the woman, who descends to assume her position as the bride (23), and the number 31 signifying the man, who ascends to assume his position as the bridegroom (32). Which, once it occurs, and the two are joined, 32 (+) 23, you get, 343 or, 7 x 7 x 7, which signifies the holy marriage (7) [n3:11; n4:80; n6:135]. While throughout the book I mention the 7th church which, signifies the Marriage of Heaven and Earth, and is supposed to occur in the year 2010 or, 23 years after the advent of the 6th church in 1987 [n1:46; n2:19]. Although the focus remains on the number 24, in accord with the bride to be, because the marriage has yet to occur, at the time I wrote this.
6 While come to find out, with their close affinity to each other, the rites of Dionysus were held in honor of his grandmother Rhea, who was also known as Cybele [n4:46]. Any wonder why Dionysus was her favorite grandson? Hence it seems fitting that the 7th church be instituted in accord with Rhea which, is what I'm suggesting. While sure enough, this girl Rhea, who practically fell into my lap at work one day, with shades of Princess Thianna all over again [n15:1], turned 23 on April 20th, 2009. Meaning she'll turn 24 in the year 2010, in accord with the holy marriage. And, although she was still 23 at the time, she was actually living in her 24th year, and her status was automatically maintained, as the bride, in accord with her 24th birthday. Yet this was already received or, implicitly known, on her 23rd birthday; though like I say in Princess Thinanna [n15:2], it was mostly representative.
7 In fact this is what happened. And when she called the week before, and invited me to her birthday party on Saturday, April 18th, two days early, I wasn't sure about going, but decided to go the night before. This is when I opted to write this chapter, which I handed her a copy of the following day. And, because she expressed an interest in the Greek myths, or mythology in general, much like May in Princess Thianna, I gave her a copy of the DVD, The Power of Myth, with Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. I figured she would at least appreciate this, if she didn't get anything out of what I wrote here or, in the rest of the book. Oh well, she invited me. . .
8 Rhea and I got along famously from the get-go. We were a riot together! And, with her infectious personality, she's one of the most orgiastic persons I've ever known, regarding worship of the goddess Rhea, that is. Neither does that imply anything vulgar, as it has more to do with the rites of spring and blossoming of nature or, even being wild and crazy; though sexual connotations also applied. She was more of a tease, in her youthful exuberance, though intent on remaining faithful to her boyfriend. We met in early April, 2008.
9 We discussed her affinity to Rhea early on, and I said both she and Rhea represented my grandmother and, that Dionysus was Rhea's favorite grandson. She didn't particularly care for this, for it implied she was more ancient than I, and said she wished her mother named her something else. But I said, Hey, Rhea signified Mother Nature and, although she might be ancient, it was nothing to scoff about. I also gave her a copy of chapter 5 to read, and an earlier copy of this book shortly after her 23rd birthday. She was pretty impressed, and started calling me Dionysus at work, although I don't think she fully understood what she was saying. I think it had more to do with trying to get my attention when I was trying to ignore her which, was not easy to do.
10 I should also note that in The Power of Myth intro, after the moon walk and Martin Luther King's speech, the first myth Joseph Campbell recalls is the labyrinth, while referring to the Hero's Adventure. This is also the title of chapter V in the book, based on the program, where he repeats the same thing. It's funny, because of all the myths he studied and knew intimately, this is the one he chose to begin with: which, as I mention in An Account of Theseus [n12:31], is integral to the Dionysus/Ariadne myth. And yet, throughout the rest of the series, if I recall correctly, he doesn't once mention Dionysus, Ariadne, Theseus, King Minos, or the Minotaur, which were all central to the labyrinth theme.
11 I thought it was fitting, whether it was done wittingly or not, because it falls in line with my reasons for giving it to Rhea: again, the quest for Ariadne. Much as Joseph refers to the thread which, was Ariadne's contrivance: that allowed Theseus to escape the labyrinth after slaying the Minotaur. This is what I noticed, or recalled, when preparing the DVD's for Rhea. Though the idea was already pertinent. This just topped it off and put everything into perspective.
12 So, perhaps you can see why I would bring it up? And, while this may be the end of it, there may be more. I don't know? Anyway, it would seem a fitting prelude, in dedication to Rhea, both the goddess and person, to what lay ahead in the year 2010.
13 Yet here I am rewriting the book in early 2021, after 2010 has come and gone, and nothing ever stood out in terms of the actual marriage, except for one the incident with Kari Byron that occurred on September 18th, as detailed in chapter 20 [n10]. I don't recall any sort of reconciliation with Russia either [n1:47; n10:22], except we've had to put up with Vladimir Putin all these years! I admit I don't follow politics all that closely, however. The incident with Kari Byron seemed to cement the idea in my mind at least [n21:1-2].
14 Beyond that, it just now occurred to me, on April 1st, 2021, if Hitler's 110th birthday occurred on April 20th, 1999, as I mention in Julie Beloved [n17:32,37], his 121st anniversary would have been on April 20th, 2010 which, in relation to the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11:11, is 11 x 11 or, 110 + 011—which, as a sign of conception or fertility [n4:102], there may be something here? Speaking of April 1st, this is the 34th anniversary of the dream I had where the Devil was cast out of heaven in 1987, which I refer to in chapters 5 and 17 [n5:17-18; n17:31].
15 Thus where 121 (divided by 10) corresponds to Revelation 12:1, it signifies the advent of the New Church in 2010 [n4:109], which gives birth to the man child in verse 5 (signifying the birth of new doctrine). Of course everyone, including Great Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union, fought against the Nazis in World War II [n10:22].
16 What the heck? I just finished writing about this and proofreading it, when the PBS program, Rick Steves' Europe, immediately aired on TV, which spoke of this very thing, the rise of Adolf Hitler and fascism in Europe, while giving all the details! Whoa! [n1:20]. Normally Rick Steves doesn't talk about these things, at length at least—it was season 11, episode 4, called, Germany's Fascist Story—and was actually quite good. Definitely worth watching!
17 Speaking of Uncle (Nimrod) Hitler, and all his charisma—or, Lucifer?—which Rick Steves warns against in the program, I actually had a dream about this, sometime between 1987 and 1988 I believe:
18 I dreamt I was a small boy, and recall sitting (or lying) in the back of an old vintage style airplane, with no doors on the side, as it flew over the mountains, as I looked at all the fields and crops below with their various patchwork of colors. It was actually quite lush and scenic. Then, after what seemed like 20 minutes, I arrived at Hitler's chateau. And, without noticing the transition from being in the plane, here I was sitting on the patio—and, in steps Uncle Adolf from outside!
19 He then proceeded to lecture me, thinking I'd make an ideal candidate for the Nazi youth party or, whatever, and went on and on about the merits thereof. Basically I just sat there and looked at him without agreeing with him (I didn't say much), though he seemed rather pleased with himself and, charming. And, after what seemed like over an hour, I finally said, "Oh, alright!" And he immediately turned into this gray, stiff wiry poodle dog, shaking and trembling, which I began to pet. And I awoke! Such is the ill-nature of poodles I guess? But yeah, it was pretty funny.
20 This occurred after I parked along the coast in Northern California, near Crescent City, and fell asleep on the front seat of my pickup truck. It was a very vivid dream. There's also a prison facility called Pelican Bay in Crescent City, named for Pelican Bay just off the coast, which it seems I was thinking about before falling asleep. What, again? [n5:6]. And when I awoke I thought, "What the heck was that all about?" Anything to do with Roy Masters and the FHU possibly? [n6:85-87,95-96; n13:1-7].
21 Thus being the 34th anniversary where the Devil is cast out of heaven on April 1st above [n14], it was the 34th anniversary of my rebirth experience on March 4th [n5:1-12], where the number 34, including the date itself (3/4), signifies the point at which the cross or, the Axis Mundi, is grounded [na:1; n14:37; n23:1-7]. In relation to Kansas the 34th state and, the Wizard of Oz, brought on by the whirlwind of hysteria prior to World War II? [n23:23-25]. Indeed! This was the actual date I was shooting for to finish the update, which seemed feasible at first but, due to a host of formatting issues, I had to postpone it [nf:13; n24:5].
22 Does that mean I'm calling Roy Masters a fascist? Well, regarding his views on sexuality at least and, his attitude towards women in general [n4:64; n9:17-24; n13:8].
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1