Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval

More information on the History Channel’s two hour premiere about Nostradamus and his prediction for 2012. The tagline for this show is “20/20 is hindsight and 2012 is foresight”. It premieres on the History Channel on Jan 4, 2009 at 9pm/8c. (wow, 2009 already, we are certainly hurtling toward something- Will)

Here is  the official press release (Pretty darn chilling):

“In 2012, a rare and possibly Earth-shattering astrological alignment is due to occur that will precipitate a cataclysmic event. Whatever is in store — a massive cosmic collision, a global environmental disaster, an Armageddon-like religious showdown, or a more subtle transformation — there have been multiple predictions from different times and cultures that December 21, 2012 will mark a major shift in the history of our planet. 

NOSTRADAMUS: 2012 takes a detailed investigation of this chilling prophecy. This explosive two-hour sequel picks up where The Lost Book of Nostradamus left off. NOSTRADAMUS: 2012 seeks answers to key critical questions that may loom in just four years: Is there any modern scientific proof that such an alignment will indeed happen? Is any other compelling evidence throughout history that 2012 will be a year of unprecedented, even deadly, upheaval? 

There is no disputing that we are a planet in crisis, and that there is a growing public obsession with 2012.  But there is no cogent distinction between the sobering facts and hysterical fiction. What, if any, is the scientific ballast that substantiates the fears? NOSTRADAMUS: 2012 will look for the parallels between the nightmarish daily headlines and the 2012 prophecies from Nostradamus and others. 

From the mystical realms of the Guatemalan jungles to the high-tech corridors of NASA; from the Hopi elders and Mayan shaman to the most respected thinkers of the modern age; from the symbology of the ancient pyramids in Mexico and Egypt to that of the gothic cathedrals and monuments of Europe — the 2012 doomsday warning will be cast in a frighteningly modern context.  December 21, 2012 is bearing down on us with alarming speed - and whether or not we are able to collectively heed the warnings and affect a course to avert disaster may be the defining moment of the modern age. “ 

Okay stick with me here because I am going to give you even more stuff about 2012.

The press release talks about the predictions across cultures and times all around the world. Let’s take a look at that.

The Mayan Calendar: Really does stop at December 21st, 2012. There is a lot of speculation about why. Some say that it is because it will be the end of the current era and the beginning of a new era. Others say it has something to do with the sun and sun cycles. Still others say that any calendar has to stop at some point. Heres a link to more on this There is a lot of speculation on this and nothing is really concrete.

Hopi Predictions: I can’t find anything that pins the Hopi predictions exactly to 2012 but I have found some interesting stuff about the series of events they predict that lead up to the end of this cycle and the beginning of the next. Here is a good link to the actual prophecies There are predictions like:

There are nine signs and most of them have been fulfilled.

“The land shall be criss-crossed by a giant spider’s web” -Sounds like electrical and telephone wires to me.

“The land will be crossed by snakes of iron” - Trains obviously

“The land shall be criss-crossed with rivers of stone that make pictures in the sun” - Highways?

The next prophecy that hasn’t occured yet is:

“You will hear of the sea turning black, and many living things dying because of it.” This could be oil spills and already fulfilled?

Now for some scientific fact:

Does our solar system exactly line up with the plane of the galaxy on Dec 21, 2012. Beats me. I have done some research on this and have discovered that its practically impossible to determine where exactly the central plane of the galaxy actually is. All they can really do is guess at it.

Now to ground out all of that stuff I am going to take the contrary view and point you toward a book written over a hundred years ago. It debunks all kinds of popular myths and manias. Its Called Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds and is available for free at the Gutenberg.org site right here

Back to the History Channel Special

We are just going to have to wait and see what they say. And the History Channel is a very credible source that does its homework. And the special they did on the lost book of Nostradamus was great. I have some posts about this here: The lost book of Nostradamus

The internet is slowly changing as far as the sales of Mead goes and there are some great small Meaderies that are making their products available to online customers. Selling across the US can be difficult because each state has its own liquor laws and requirements. But things are improving and the meadery I talk about in this blogpost currently ships online to about 13 states. You can see a list of these states on their website (Hidden Valley Winery). It is too late to get some mead for Christmas but you may be able to get some for the new years celebration.

Anyway, about this meadery. They are located in Montana, which in my opinion is a very good place for a meadery to be located because the most important thing about mead making is the quality of ingredients you use and you know out in Montana they are just simply going to have the best honey, elderberries, huckleberry and more.

What they Make:

six different meads and a dandelion wine.

• Pure Honey Mead
  Hidden Legend Pure Honey Mead is a tastefully contemporary version of man’s oldest wine. Crafted in the style of a semi-dry table wine….
• Dark Mead A direct descendant of our most popular mead, this robust yet semi-dry wine is made from a darkened honey that produces rich tones and clearly defined layers of flavor….
• Wild Elderberry Mead
  This delicious elderberry mead has the mouth feel and texture of a red wine, together with the taste of honey….
• Spiced Mead has a special place in the history of many cultures…..
• Huckleberry Mead
  Purely seasonal, purely dependent on good berry years, and purely delightful….
• Chokecherry Mead
  Chokecherry mead is a true Montana wine and the winner of our first gold medal…..

If you never tried mead before and are curious about it I recommend you start with their Pure Honey Mead. It will give you a great first taste into the world of mead. They also have variety packs (at a discount) if you want to do some sampling.

About their bottles of Mead

I simply love their mascot (The Viking seen above) and their bottles are beautifully designed. These are the kinds of bottles that you either save when done or remove the labels from to add to your label collection.

Here is a sample of a label:

Resources to More Mead stuff:

• Hidden Legend Winery Direct link to their website
• More information about Hidden Legend on my Mead website
• Lots more Mead information and mead making tutorials on my website here: The Joy of Mead

 There is no doubt that you have heard about the date December 21, 2012. There is a lot of buzz about it and I have talked about it in earlier blog posts, particularly concerning Nostradamus I have a few different posts including the lost book of Nostradamus here

The History Channel has produced a new show that focuses on Nostradamus and his predictions about 2012. You have got to watch this show and here is a video about it.  Here is a hair raising quote from the video:

“Thousands of people
Thousands of miles away
Thousands of years apart
All predict a cataclysmic event
Taking place on earth
On the exact same day
Can that really be a coincidence?”

That raises the hair on the back of my neck far worse than any horror movie I have ever seen. The show will premiere January 4th on the History Channel at 9pm 8 Central. I have lots more information about this show coming so stay tuned! Here is the video about the show:

Christmas, and the end of the year are just around the corner and it has me looking for gifts, stocking stuffers and some things for myself. I have been going through the fantasy calendars on Amazon.com trying to find one for myself and I thought I would put up a bunch of them for you to look at.  There are lots of great ones including of course a new Boris & Julie, Tolkien, Luis Royo, Medieval castles, Dragons and more. 

The selections I have made include a first ever calendar from the George R.R. Martin Song of Ice and Fire Series and other calendars based on fantasy books such as The Wheel of Time.

Here is the link to the page I created on my site of 2009 Fantasy and Medieval Calendars

Wow, I got an email from somebody who came across a 38 year old bottle of mead. I am astonished and excited about this. I asked him to fill me in on the details and to send me some pictures and he has!! If you are a mead fan you have got to check this out. HEre is one picture but I have put more pictures on my website here: A rare bottle of mead If you know anything about this mead, the meadery or can offer any insight into this bottle It would be greatly appreciated. You can send me an email or post a comment. I, and the owner of the bottle are also interested in knowing whether or not it is of any value to collectors. You can see by the picture that this is a special mead and it has a beautiful aged color.

Some specifics:

It was made by Lindisfarme, created in 1970, casked for 6 years then bottled in 1976.

 Here is what the Bottle label says: ( I can’t quite read it all so there are some spaces)

This special reserve mead will probably never be repeated as it was produced from the fermentation of 100% pure honey. Holy Island Water and herbs.Mead fermentation was allowed to continue for 2 years producing a natural strength of 24.2 % proof spirit. The mead was laid down in casks in 1970 and remained therein until bottle in 1976. … be the finest naturally produced apertif in existence. Because of the rarity value of this product …..because of the rarity value of this products …. only produced each bottle is individually numbered and bears the signature of the maker. - The Lindisfarne Liqueur Company Holy Island Northumberland

If you can shed any light on this spectacular bottle of mead it would be appreciated.