Sol et Luna post Deum, omnium viventium vita sunt.(Stefano Protonotaro da Messina, fl. 1261)
Having spent the past two months in Europe, and with just a few days before the onset of my teaching responsibilities (18 units), it seemed like a good idea to me to start this "blog" and with it the process of transmitting a body of ideas that has been taking shape for 30 years or more.
My interests are eclectic and diverse. I am currently preparing a Ph.D dissertation pertaining to 17th and 18th century Georgian Astrological Manuscripts. This research has required that I spend much time in the Caucasus--a region whose history, languages, and ancient cultural traditions have fascinated me since I was a teenager.
I have a great deal of material to "post" or publish. This material falls into several general categories, including Astrology, History, Anthropology, Classical Philology, Mathematics, and Mnemonics.
I am a teacher (by nature and by profession). My approach to any subject involves not only an attempt to master it myself, but also the development of a means of communicating the same knowledge to others.
My interest in these pursuits arises (to some extent) from their obscurity. I am happiest when elucidating topics which are highly complex but seldom studied. It is my hope that these postings will be interesting and entertaining to those who read them! OTTAVIO BELTRANO
Greetings, Signor Beltrano!
ReplyDeleteSo good to see that you got this project up and running! We can now expand upon some of those old nocturnal discussions in a more public forum. Very good. And now perhaps you would be willing to elucidate that very tantalizing quotation: "Sol et Luna, post Deum, omnium viventium vita sunt."
And here's another quotation for you (a bit less erudite):
"Give me silver, blue and gold, the color of the sky I'm told. My rainbow is overdue." (Bad Company, 1976, remember?)
M. B. (The Lesser Fortune)
Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency? For what reason have you insisted on left justification? I insist you employ full justification. I demand an explanation.
ReplyDeleteI see my comment on the auspice does not appear. What is the person holding on the telly?
ReplyDeleteMary Bliss! What a surprise--still burning after all these years!
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon's posting will make you happy, I hope.
Your Bad Company lyric is more to the point than you suppose.
OTTAVIO BELTRANO
Sir, I know nothing whatever about your comment on the auspice. I look forward to reading what you have to say, but fear something may have been lost in transmission.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a razor-blade, don't it? In fact it is a digital camera. The picture thus embodies a number of the principles of the Mirror.
OTTAVIO BELTRANO
Thou hast confirmed my suspicions, that thou didst place an inference to reflections and imaginary points within the goings out, as a symbol to the goings in. Confirm for me, I pray thee, whither thou hast placed this inference by chance, or by intent, that the auspice may be interpreted by all, and that the thoughts and intents of thy heart mayest be discerned......now is set an indestructible link between you, and it, and me...whether thou goest, I shall go.....
ReplyDeleteYes, Marcion, there are several reasons why I chose that picture. This picture will repay careful study f you continue to examine it in detail. It contains allusions to a number of our longterm concerns. My only regret is that it contains no reference to Budgie!
ReplyDeleteAs to thy question, I was incapable of intentionality when that picture was taken (my wife took it in late December 2007, right after we returned from Tbilisi). All that it contains arose entirely by chance, and it was only weeks later that I began to notice the details.
Not all, of course, have the capacity to interpret the auspices. As to the thoughts and intents of my heart, they are unknown even to me but will finally be revealed on THAT GREAT DAY.
I fear thee, I know not who thou art. But I welcome thy company as a fellow-traveler on that "Sad Road to the Sea." (nota bene!)
OTTAVIO BELTRANO