Predicting Atlantis

I was watching a show on The History Channel last night about prophets, prophecies, and how we interpret what their readings/writings mean. We're all familiar with Nostradamus and the Mayan calendar. But, what drew me into the show was the focus on a 2oth century prophet named Edgar Cayce. I've never heard of him before last night, and his story intrigued me more than any other.

This man had the ability to put himself into a trance, from which he would predict things to come, or expain events from the ancient past. When he came out of his trance, he remembered nothing about his reading. Incredible.

People would come to him to ask a question pertaining to a wide variety of subjects. They were allowed one question, and in the moments before he slipped into a trance, the question would be asked, and an answer would follow.

Cayce's incredible accuracy continues to baffle scientists and scholars today.

And the catch? He knew next to nothing about the intricacies of the scientific world, the medical world or pharmaceuticals. Still, he gave pin-point accurate solutions to medical problems (while in his trance), defied medical diagnoses with his own treatments, and saved lives that would have been otherwise forfeited. He predicted WWI and WWII, the assassinations/deaths of presidents, and the Depression, among many other events.

Okay, I have a weak spot for mythology, so what really really really caught my attention was the references he made to Atlantis. Although he predicted that Atlantis would rise between 1968-69, there were no discoveries made, which discounted his prediction.

Unless you believe Bimini Road in the Bahamas is, in fact, linked to Atlantis. The road was discovered during his predicted times. Interesting, huh?

Expanding on prophecies and Atlantis, I'd be lying if I said it doesn't get me all excited. Atlantis has been elusive, dodging discovery no matter how hard it's sought after. Every time a possible discovery is made, something, whether it be tests or just a geological dispute, discounts the existence of Atlantis. I, for one, am a believer. There is still so much we don't know, don't understand, about our world and the unseen happenings around us for a hasty conclusion to be made that it's myth.

One of my all-time favorite authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon, embraces mythology in her Dark Hunter series, and Atlantis becomes a focal point in the DH novel Acheron. It really made me think about the "What ifs" in life. What if Atlantis existed and it was home to an entirely different world? What if Atlantis wasn't just a ruined continent, but something more powerful and magical and sustaining? What if...?

Leave it to me to let my imagination take flight. But then again, that's the world of fantasy, right? Filling in the blanks to the "What ifs"? Building the blocks and breathing life into something otherwise thought to be non-existent?

There is so much beyond what we see, feel, live. So much we have yet to touch upon, perhaps never will. Edgar Cayce believed that every person has the ability to do what he did. We can all reach that higher thought process and open doors to revelations we now interpret from others. Skeptics exist. Believers exist. We hold the map to our own individual journeys. We make our own decisions as to which paths we travel. In essence, we create our own limitations.

I leave you with this: We all want to embrace something spectacular. What if that item could only be reached by defying logic and opening yourself to the unknown? Unleash belief and let it carry you beyond your comfort zone. You never know what might be waiting to be discovered.

Happy thoughts.

Kara

Here's the link to The History Channel's show. It's roughly about 45 minutes, but if the topic interests you, it's worth the time. Enjoy!: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/history-channel-decoding-the-past-the-other-nostradamus/1745360105

For more information on Edgar Cayce, visit: http://www.dreamscape.com/morgana/phoebe.htm

For more about Sherrilyn Kenyon, visit her website: www.sherrilynkenyon.com

Vamped up

What is it about vampires we all find so alluring? Is it their immortality? Their strength? Their wealth?



How about their looks? Their clothes? Or maybe their fangs?



For me, it's a complex tonic of things. Traditional vampires-those from way back when coffins were beds, sunlight meant you would be sweeping more dust than usual, and unless you wanted to die, it was human blood all the way-have evolved into hot alpha heroes with a bad temper and a tendency to make your toes curl and your blood sizzle.

My ideal vampire would be one who has a sturdy sense of right and wrong, an unwavering passion for life, and emotional flaws that would deem him imperfect. He would be a male who fought like the universe depended on him, protected the innocent, and had a weakness for his woman.

Oh yeah, and this is the twenty-first century. Who says they can't roam the malls in daylight and have a hot fudge sundae? How about having your own personal fashion consultant tucked in that dressing room with you as you model your newest pre-purchased red dress?

An immortal that has a sentimental human side but isn't afraid to display his power and strength is delicious. If I can't connect with a vamp because he's all brawn and cement barriers, well hell. Guess I'll be aiming that wrecking ball myself! Bye bye vampy. Take flight.

Now, gimme a guy in a nice pair of dark jeans that fit just right where it matters, a soft shirt that accentuates rather than looks like the seams are going to have a serious hissy under their strain, and polished boots or leather shoes-and a nice leather jacket doesn't hurt-and I'm putty.

As for figure and features, we all have our own opinion. I love sharp, rugged features. I love longer hair and piercing eyes. I love an air of power.

I need my fan.

How about you? Are you all vamped up and ready to go?

Are they human?

For those of you who do not know me, I'm an author for Siren-Bookstrand and Pink Petal Books. I love writing paranormal/fantasy romance novels that are spicy and steamy. Definitely window-foggers.

Growing up, I had a wild imagination. I'd be lying if I told you my mother never yelled at me because of it. I passionately believed that unicorns were real and dragons flew in the sky, next to Santa of course. I wished upon a star every night. I dreamed of faeries and lush lands and sparkling rivers.

As I got older, and I mean in my teens, vampires played a huge role in my imaginative world. I also had a great amount of classmates that probably believed I tread the thin plank between sanity (which often translated into popularity in high school) and the snake pit (umm, you're totally weird). There was no better time for "Buffy" the series to hit television. Call me crazy, but I learned the meaning of individuality through that show, and became better for it. Really, who thinks writing stories when you could be hanging out with friends is cool when you're a teenager? *Waving both hands high over my head and screaming "ME!"* And it was common for me to pass up "chill time" to write.

I also penned my first vampire series during these years. A five-book embarrassment that I was completely proud of back then. It will never see outside my filing cabinet again. At least not in the presence of anyone else :)

Then I turned to a story involving witches. Again, a piece I was proud of then, but will collect dust until the paper disintegrates, lol!

I wrote many, many books over the course of a decade. I dreamed of publishing, but the business world intimidated me to no end. Then I was nudged to pitch, and I did, earning me my first contract for a series I based around my own breed of faery.

The Talaenian world was released to the public.

As I've stated all over this blog, I love anything paranormal/fantasy based. I love wicked. I love sensual. I love sweet. I love love and the mystical situations surrounding characters that fight for that love. Passion in writing is a breath-catcher for me. I want to feel the world around me, embrace the characters, believe in the story. I want it to be real. Some of my favorite authors (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Karen Marie Moning, Heather Graham, Kresley Cole, Christine Feehan, and many more), pulled my into the world of dark paranormal/fantasy romance, provided a looking glass into historical romance, and induced a fastinating sense of wonder with their talent.

There are times I'll go out and look at those around me. A tiny voice in the back of my head will whisper, "Are they truly human? Or do my eyes continue to deceive me, blinded by a mortal world with mortal limits?" Is there more to our surroundings than what we see? Can other worlds truly exist, but we have limits preventing us from discovering them?

Is mythology history, recapping what may be existing elsewhere?

This is for each and every one of you to decide for yourself.

Next time you have that warm sensation along the back of your neck, or your skin rises as the energy in the air around you becomes electric, ask yourself this.

Am I truly alone?

Happy thoughts!

Kara