The Norns

Norns are female deities in Norse Mythology. They govern fate. There are three Norns, their names are: Urd (what has been), Verdandi (what is),  and Skuld (what is to come). They spin threads and weave the tapestry of fate and each person’s life is a thread in their loom. The length of the thread represents the person’s life span. Even the Gods have their own threads and therefore are not immortal; but the threads belonging to the Gods are hidden. There is no luck, no randomness, everything is predetermined by destiny.

Scorpions



Species.

There are many species of the Scorpion, but there are four more commonly known Scorpions: the Common Yellow, the Red Scorpion, Black Scorpion and the Giant Scorpion.

·         The Yellow Scorpion (Common Scorpion):

This Scorpion is seen the most living througout the dry regions of both the Ráhaz-Dáth Desert and the Continent of Aeruillin as well as many warmer parts of Santharia. The Common Scorpion is probably what people picture when they think of Scorpions. It has a dark yellow/brown on its body and a paler yellow on its legs and tail, it is also quite transparent. The Common Yellow is a medium sized Scorpion, between 2 to 10 nailsbreadths. This Scorpion is quite poisonous, but its sting will not usually result in death for humans.

·         The Red Scorpion:

The Red Scorpion is also quite common in fact, but is generally not often seen. It is mainly found in the Lands of Pain within the Ráhaz-Dáth Desert, but is also scattered throughout Aeruillin mostly in the Nytheranian Dunes. Its body is an orangey red and its legs are a transparent red. The Red Scorpion is one of the smaller species of Scorpion, between 0.5 and 3 nailsbreadths long. It is highly advised to stay clear of the Red Scorpion, as it has a very high potency of poison and can kill a human if stung.

·         The Black Scorpion:

The Black Scorpion is only found near the Norong'Sorno Volcano and in the region around Thalambath in the Ráhaz-Dáth Desert, this is possibly because of the black volcanic stones that cover the area. This Scorpion is all black, with no transparent parts. It is slightly larger than the Common Scorpion, ranging between 3 and 15 nailsbreadths. The Black Scorpion has the potential to kill a human in its earlier years, but will slowly lose its potency as it ages.

·         The Giant Scorpion:

The Giant Scorpion lives mainly in the deserts of Aeruillin, found mostly throughout the Sveltash Desert and the Desert of Ysthalinth but also scattered through many other areas. They are not, however found anywhere near or in the Desert of Light, nor are any other Scorpion species, this is thought to be due to the Giant Bloodworms inhabiting this desert.

The Giant Scorpion is thought to be a larger form of the Common Yellow Scorpion, because it also shares the same colorings. This Scorpion, however, is not poisonous to humans. Its size ranges from 1 to 2 fores long, giving it quite a frightening appearance. Because its sting is only minorly poisonous, it also doesn't hurt as much as a poisonous Scorpion's sting. The Giant Scorpion's sting feels more like being stabbed with a stick, still some pain but not enough to really hurt you.

Habitat/Behavior.
Scorpions are nocturnal creatures, preferring to hunt in the dark of night. During the day Scorpions sleep in burrows under the ground or under the desert rocks. It is rare that you will see a Scorpion out in the light of day, unless it has been roused from its burrow, awakened by the noise of larger predators. It is not recommended that you go looking for Scorpions as they will sting if threatened or provoked in any way.

Diet.
Scorpions hunt for their food, using their long stinging tails to kill or immobilize their prey. The Scorpion feeds on various invertebrates, particularly insects, during the mild hours of the warm night. Depending upon the size of the Scorpion, they can eat lizards of medium and small sizes, small snakes, rodents and even other Scorpions.

Mating.
Scorpions have their own special mating ritual in which the male will use his pinchers to grab the female's pinchers and pull her along in what can only be classified as a "courtship dance". In some species the male will even sting the female, however, this does not cause her any harm. During this "dance" the male will drag the female along the ground until he has found a good spot to lay his seeds (usually on a twig or rock). After the male has lain his seeds, he will then drag the female through them and she will secrete them into her body through an opening in her abdomen.

Special Abilities.
The Scorpion's tail is its deadliest and most powerful weapon. It can kill smaller prey in seconds and prey such as lizards, birds and rodents in minutes.
The smaller a Scorpion is, the more potent its venom will be. As Scorpions grow, their venom gets more diluted by the water they pick up throughout the years. Also, the smaller the Scorpion, the more painful the sting it produces, because of its poison potency. A man once compared the sting of a Scorpion with the punch of a full grown man giving it all he had.
It is very important that a Scorpion sting be treated within an hour of occurrence. If stung and untreated, a human will last up to 12 hours before death sets in. In these 12 hours, the victim will suffer immense pain from the area of the sting which will then travel throughout the body. In the last hours, fever sets in and violent muscle spasms begin, then in a fit of seizures the human will die (times may vary considerably at other races).

We Love You D - Semper Fidelis

The Marine Corps Prayer.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me the wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

MARINE CORPS FLAG

BANNER OF THE FEW, THE PROUD

Marines have carried several different flags since the American Revolution, but today’s scarlet standard has been flown during Marine Corps missions and ceremonies since January 1939.

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem is rendered in gray and gold over the scarlet background. The motto ribbon flows from the eagle’s beak, bearing “Semper Fidelis,” and the flowing scroll below bears “United States Marine Corps.”

Scarlet and gold were established as the official colors of the Corps as early as 1925, and the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem has appeared as part of Marine Corps iconography since 1868.

In addition to being flown at ceremonies and installations, the Marine Corps flag hangs in the offices of the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

THE EAGLE, GLOBE AND ANCHOR

SYMBOLE OF THE CORPS

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem has been part of the uniform since 1868 and became the official emblem on the Marine Corps in 1955.

The eagle with spread wings represents our proud nation. The glove points to worldwide presence. The anchor stands for naval tradition. Together, they represent a dedication to service in the air, on land and at sea.

The Eagle Globe and Anchor emblem is presented to recruits at the end of Recruit Training, symbolizing that they have earned the title “United States Marine.”

THE SWORD

MORE THAN A WEAPON – A HERITAGE

The swords Marines carry signify the Marine Corps’ heritage as America’s original protectors. They are the oldest weapons still in service by United States Armed Forces.

Officers carry the Mameluke sword, which was originally given to Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon in 1805 by a Mameluke chieftain in North Africa desert to rid the “shores of Tripoli” of pirates. By 1825, all Marine Corps Officers carried the Mameluke sword.

Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) and Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) carry the 1858 Cavalry sword. This sword was bestowed upon them by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in recognitions of their leadership in combat, their virtue and tradition. Only the Marine Corps awards such recognition to Noncommissioned Officers.

DRESS BLUES

THE MOST DISTINCTIVE UNIFORM IN THE MILITARY

Every detail of the dress blues uniform reflects the proud legacy of Marines who have served for more than two centuries:

The buttons featuring the eagle and anchor have been on the uniform since 1804, making them the oldest military insignia in continues use.

The “blood stripe” runs down each pant leg of the dress blues worn by noncommissioned officers, staff noncommissioned officers and officers. The solid red stripe became part of the uniform in 1849. Today, it serves to honor the memory of fallen comrades.

The collar of today’s dress blues reflects the original Marine uniform of the American Revolution, which had a high leather neck to help protect Marines from sword blows.

Because it embodies Marine Corps history, rigorous standards apply to wearing this uniform and every Marine upholds those standards with pride.

Dream Catchers

While dream catchers originated in the Ojibwa Nation, during the Pan-Indian Movement of the 1960s and 1970s they were adopted by Native Americans of a number of different nations. Some consider the dream catcher a symbol of unity among the various Indian Nations, and a general symbol of identification with Native American cultures. However, other Native Americans have come to see dream catchers as over-commercialized. Non-Indians have also used the dream catcher for their own purposes, sometimes New Age in nature.

Traditionally, the Ojibwa construct dream catchers by tying sinew strands in a web around a small round or tear-shaped frame of willow (in a way roughly similar to their method for making snowshoe webbing). The resulting "dream-catcher", hung above the bed, is used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares. As dream catchers are made of willow and sinew, they are not meant to last forever but are intended to dry out and collapse as the child enters the age of wonderment.

The Ojibwa believe that a dream catcher changes a person's dreams. Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through . . . Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day. Good dreams would pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper.

7 Deadly Sins

Pride: excessive beliefs in one’s own abilities,

that interferes with the individual’s recognition

of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from

 which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.

 

       

                                 

          

  Envy: is the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situation.

Gluttony: is an inordinate desire to consume

 more than that which one requires. 

 Lust: is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.

                                  

                                                                                   

Anger: is manifested in the individual

who spurns love and opts instead for fury.

It is also known as Wrath.                                

                                                                          

        

                                       

 Greed: is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.

Sloth: is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

             

 

Hermes

Hermes was the god of:

• Travel
• Hospitality
• Heralds
• Diplomacy
• Trade
• Thievery
• Language
• Writing
• Persuasion
• Cunning Wiles
• Athletic Contests
• Astronomy
• Astrology

He was also the personal agent & herald for Zeus.

Hermes Attributes are:

• The Heralds Wand (Caduceus)
• Winged Boots (Talaria)
• Winged Traveller's Cap (Petasus)
• Chlamy's Cloak

Guardian Angels

              A Guardian Angel is an angel assigned to protect and guide a particular person or group. Belief in bothe the East and the West is that Guardian Angels serve to protect whichever person God assigns them to, and present prayer to God on that person's behalf/ The Belief was common in Acient Greek Philosophy. The idea also appears in the Old Testament.



                                                 Guardian Angel Prayer (Protection Prayer)
                                                        "Angel of God, My Guardian Dear
                                                      to whom God's love commits me here.
                                                             Ever this day be at my side
                                                      to light and guard and rule and guide.
                                                                             -Amen."