At the Giza Plateau during the year of 1913 in Egypt, Lord George Renley explored under The Great Sphinx enters a dark chamber with an unusual carving on a door. The legendary Hall of Records is believed to be located at this location. Is it legend or fact? Soon after, Hazim, his Arab guide, started bleeding from his nose. Lord Renley became dizzy and collapsed. The only reminder of the event was a notebook that a young Arab boy stole from the dying hands of Hazim.

Alyssa is not your typical 17-year-old girl. She spends her time working with her father, Kade, who is an archaeologist. Her education is working as one of his assistants. Currently, she is left in charge of a dig in Peru while her father is on a dream assignment in Egypt, exploring a room under The Great Sphinx and is only allowed this privilege for 24-hours. Leaving Alyssa in charge in Peru, is a great responsibility for someone so young. She feels honored, but also deprived. Why can’t she be on this once-in-a lifetime dig with her father?

Her father, Kade follows the steps of Lord George Renley in searching for The Hall of Records. Just like his predecessor, he also became ill. Nothing seems to help him, every day leads him one step closer to death. No one seems to be able to medically help him. Will he die?

Alyssa decides to immediately travel to Egypt to be with her father. Unfortunately, that is not easy for a seventeen-year-old. Will she ever see her father alive?

Heir of Ra is fast paced adventure of life with Alyssa. She does not have the safest career choice. Since her mother died a few years ago, her attachment to her father is precious, even though she calls him by his first name, Kade.

The intended audience is young adults, especially girls; and anyone who enjoys a fast-paced story which winds up all the multiple strands of the story at the end. Heir of Ra is the first book in the Blood of Ra series featuring Alyssa.

The author, M. Sasinowski is a Polish-born American who fashioned the main character, Alyssa after his own 15-year-old daughter. According to his daughter, he also possesses a PhD in physics as well as an MD. For fun, he enjoys building computer, music jam-sessions, science debates, martial arts, Star Wars and Star Trek as well as archaeology.

Heir of Ra is a thrilling adventure for explorers of all ages.

Whom should the United States support when it comes to Egypt’s new beginning? Should we take sides? Can we live with the choices we make today? Should the US support integration of the Muslim Brotherhood back into the political process? What about the Arab League, Israel, EU, UN, and others? Do we dare pick sides? If we demand or strongly suggest a meeting of the minds in the politics of Egypt’s very different thinking groups, will that actually serve the will of the people?

Who will it serve? What about our own value system, do we dare project our ideals upon an Egyptian population? If so, to what avail? If the Muslim Brotherhood does not join in the political process in the future, and really why should they after the military took over and threw their butts back onto the street, after they were duly elected, all within one-year of that election, then will their differences be worked out. If they don’t join in the politics, will they instead resort to violence? If so, who loses, who might they attack, and how does this serve the United States interests in the region.

If you have as many questions as I do, then perhaps before you give your mind to the mainstream media propaganda or political correctness in all this – there is an interesting book I’d like to add to your reading pile, in fact, it might be wise to put it on top, the name of the book is:

“The Brotherhood: America’s Next Great Enemy” by Erick Stakelbeck, Regnery Publishing, New York, NY, 2013, 256 pages, ISBN: 978-1621570332.

In his book summary he’s put on Amazon, he states;

“The Muslim Brotherhood, or Ikhwan, has engaged in terrorism, assassinations, and anti-Western, anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence for almost a century-yet few Americans realize how powerful they really are. While we focus on al Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah, it’s actually the Muslim Brotherhood, the world’s oldest, most influential, and most anti-American Islamist group, that has become the preeminent voice and power in the Muslim world.”

What most people fail to comprehend is that what the Muslim Brotherhood says and does are often diametrically opposed, and we do have associated organizations of this group here in the US, not all of which should be considered friends to a Western way of living, or to the things we hold so dear – freedom, liberty, the pursuits of happiness, or the incredible diversity we have garnered through much hardship over the years.

Indeed, I ask that you please consider all this and think on it next time you watch the news and are led astray towards a different decision on whom you’d like to support in the Egyptian turmoil in the present period.

There’s actually proof linking back straight to Imhotep, so basically Hypnosis has roots older than 5000 years in the past. But who is this Imhotep guy? Well, Imhotep is the builder of the pyramids. He was actually a priest and had the reputation of a magician. Perceived to be the go to guy in regards to science and magic (they were intertwined back then) the pharaoh gave Imhotep the task of building the greatest pyramids in the world, and so he did. Imhotep knew his stuff. Can’t argue with that, the guy had some leadership and knowledge in that elongated skull of his!

Hypnosis and the Pyramids

Egyptians used healing sanctuaries to heal people, mental illnesses, what we would class today as psychological problems. Those healing places were called “Sleep Temples.” Imhotep owned multiple such sleep temples, in which he performed hypnosis. They didn’t call it that back then, but nevertheless, that’s what is was. You see, the subconscious mind has always existed, even though we only discovered it recently and some will have you believe that it doesn’t exist. In these temples, the sick person was induces into a sleep like trance; priests then tried to make sense of the person’s dreams in order to find out more about the illnesses and to find a potential cure for it.

Must of be a heck of a sight to see “patients” coming into these temples, these catacombs, and being introduced to, what was perceived back then, magic. That’s what the normal folks thought of hypnosis, that’s why only priests and priestesses knew the secrets.

These hypnosis secrets were handed down and taught only to the selected disciples, which had to go through years of apprenticeship to become practitioners, or priests as it were. Then these selected few could attend and help the main priest with the induction.

Egyptians relied heavily on scents and perfumes for their induction techniques. They would do these hypnotic inductions in isolated rooms, with no windows, so the scents didn’t escape the room and the “patient” had to sniff up everything.

Once the person was ready, usually 3-5 minutes, the chanting and humming would begin, creating a religious feeling inside the chamber, which mixed with the scent and the figure of authority (the priest) would cause the subject to fall into a deep trance. With their eyes closed, people would then listen to the voice of the priest and follow his instructions, which usually were commands to narrate the dreams that particular person had.

Granite is a commonly occurring igneous rock with a medium to coarse grained texture. It is available in pink and grey tones. Generally, the stone is hard, tough and lacks internal structures, making it useful as a material in construction throughout history. Granite has a wide range of uses, including:

• The Pyramids: Granite has been used since antiquity, most noticeably in the Red Pyramid of Egypt, Menkaure’s Pyramid and the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was used in Ancient Egypt to build sarcophagi and columns as well as domestic structures such as lintels, jambs, sills and flooring. It is not known for sure how the Ancient Egyptians worked the granite into the huge forms, although they may have used emery to file the granite into shape.
• Modern Buildings: Granite is still used today as the primary material in some construction projects. In many cases, the blocks are left roughly textured on the external sides for a rustic appearance. The granite blocks can also be honed to a smooth finish on internal sides for easy construction, strong joins and better building integrity.
• Sculpture and Monuments: Granite’s mottled and varied appearance has made it a popular material for all sorts of sculptures, statues and monuments. It is cheaper than marble but can be polished to a very high shine, making it an economical choice for public monuments and headstones. Granite is scratch resistant and durable, making it perfect for permanent monuments and memorial stones.
• Rock climbing: Granite is not only used in refined states for construction, but also greatly appreciated in its most natural form. The stone occurs naturally in large tors and massifs. These geological outcrops are commonly steep but stable, with well established crack systems, making them perfect for the sport of rock climbing. Granite outcrops are the most popular spots for rock climbers the world over, with the most popular spots being Yosemite in California, the Mont Blanc Massif in the Western Alps, Corsica in France and parts of the Karakoram mountain range that spans the borders between Pakistan, India and China.
• Tiling and Paving: Granite can be cut and honed to a high polish, producing a very attractive tile for bathrooms, kitchens, or anywhere in the home. The finished tiles can be used for flooring and for wall facings. Granite is also popularly used in less refined forms as pavers in gardens, patios and driveways. Granite pavers have a beautiful natural and varied appearance and are strong enough to withstand regular traffic.

At what period in history did people start to gamble? The exact period is unknown but believe it or not, pairs of dice have been found in Egyptian tombs over 4,000 years old! Also, gambling games were played in ancient China, where Poker is thought to have originated. In 1492 during the Columbus landing, Native Americans were sports betting on the outcome of a game resembling LaCross. So when did it all start in America? Read on.

Early America

Gambling in America started with the first English settlers in the 1600’s. Their traditions included card games that were part of the aristocratic lifestyle. However, when Puritans colonized in Massachusetts Bay they had the freedom to create their own culture which included hostility towards gambling. They outlawed the possession of dice, cards, and gambling table games in their communities. Nevertheless, gambling prevailed in other localities. Many English colonists considered gambling to be a suitable form of entertainment.

The Revolution

The colony of Virginia was the first to realize that lotteries could raise capital for local governments. Eventually all 13 colonies were raising lottery revenue. Proceeds helped build Universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Lotteries also funded churches and libraries. Founding Fathers George Washington, Ben Franklin, and John Hancock were promoters of specific lotteries for public works projects. When the Revolutionary War started, the Continental Congress voted for a $10 million lottery to finance the war.

Westward Ho

During the early 1800’s the taverns and road houses allowed dice and card games, creating the first version of casinos. As America’s population began to increase, casinos became more lavish. The Mississippi River was a major trade route where merchants and entrepreneurs brought their cash. Gambling on riverboats became a favorite pastime and New Orleans became the gambling capitol of America. In 1849 gambling followed the pioneers to California during the gold rush. Gambling establishments began to flourish there and west of the Mississippi, including Nevada. In the late 1800’s Roulette was adopted from France and the Slot Machine was invented.

Much of the public viewed gambling as a social ill because it was linked to alcoholism and prostitution. Reformers convinced jurisdictions to shut down the Dens of Iniquity. Most states discontinued lotteries as well. Riverboat gambling dried up with the advent of the railroad. By the end of the century only Nevada allowed gambling.

20th Century

In 1910 Nevada finally shut the door on gambling, which left horse race wagering the only legal entity in America. In 1912 Arizona and New Mexico were granted statehood under the condition that gambling remain outlawed. During the 1920’s prohibition era, the public’s thirst for gambling matched that of alcohol. Casinos went underground along with the speakeasys. In 1931 Nevada legalized gambling again and remained the only state to do so until the latter half of the century. Gambling flourished underground as organized crime made heavy investments in Nevada, and prospered by controlling off track betting and the numbers lottery.

During the 1950’s the U.S. Senate investigated organized crime’s link to illegal gambling. Eventually the mob departed Las Vegas. States put bookies out of business by legalizing off track betting and numbers games. Atlantic City approved gambling in 1976, the Indian Gaming Act was approved by congress in the late 1980’s. Dockside riverboat gambling made a comeback, racetracks installed slot machines while Las Vegas reinvented itself by building mega resorts during the 1990’s.

Century 21

The American Gaming Association reported that there are 832,988 slot machines spread out over 1,151 casinos and racetracks across 44 states with more on the way. It appears that the American culture’s thirst for gambling matches that of the Egyptian Pharaohs! America has embraced gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment.

For 3,000 years statues of the Pharaohs depicted them holding two rods. The Pharaohs used the rods to promote personal power, vitality, and spiritual development (to attune themselves to Cosmic Forces). They also understood the flow of energies in the human body and the importance of balancing these Yin and Yang (female and male) energies. Accordingly, a different type of rod was made for each hand.

Only the Pharaohs and their High Priests were ever allowed to touch what we now know are incredible healing devices. When the Egyptian dynasties ended, knowledge of the purpose and use of the rods was known only to a few secret mystical societies who kept their existence hidden until a European nobleman revealed them to the world.

In the early 1990’s, Russian medical doctors, physicists, astro-psychologists, and scientists jumped at the chance to learn more about these ancient tools. Through years of scientific studies and research they “reinvented” the rods used by Egyptian Pharaohs.

A copper rod (signifying the Sun and Masculine Energy) was created to use in the right hand. A zinc rod (signifying the Moon and Feminine Energy) was developed for the left hand. Different materials, including quartz crystal, are inserted into the rods, depending upon the intended effect, such as physical healing or spiritual development. Russian cosmonauts, athletes, medical doctors, scientists, and others use the rods on a regular basis to restore balance, increase health and performance, and tap their inner powers.

When carrying out a number of targeting experiments,Dr. M.A. Blank, specialist of the Oncological Center in Pesochny, discovered that the influence of the rods creates a special condition in the organism making it more efficient at self-healing. Dr. Blank suggests that the rods be recommended as a preventive remedy for people with transcontinental syndrome, whose business is connected with flights from one time zone to another (pilots, sportsmen, tourists, long-distance drivers, etc.) and when asynchronous modes of internal and external organism work causes headache and weakness.

When held properly, the rods create an electrical conduit that moves through the body along the meridians used in acupuncture, both increasing energy flow and improving the functioning of the central nervous system.

Kirlian photography, which shows the energy flow in the body, reveals that seven minutes of holding the rods has the same effect as 30 minutes of acupuncture. The rods actually “cleanse” the meridian system which allows energy to move more freely through the body. They balance the body and strengthen the immune response system so the body can heal itself.

The rods have been used to help reduce the symptoms of insomnia, stress, fatigue, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, gastric distress, cancerous tumors, and many other illnesses.

The research, carried out in June 2000 by Polish bio-energetic doctors, under the leadership of Marek Stavisky, showed that: “A surface of the zinc rod radiates the ultraviolet spectrum. I use this spectrum for splitting the structures of malignant tumors and for freezing their activity. Another spectrum, that appears on the butt-end of the zinc rod, is used for radiating the malignant tumors before operating.” His studies show that the radiation provided only by the single zinc Rod can be successfully used for treating cancer. A set of the more powerful rods used as a pair provides the radiation.

Egyptian Healing Rods stimulate the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems; harmonize energies of couples when shared; relieve pain; help balance the chakras or energy centers of the body; and stimulate the body as a whole organism, thus promoting healing.

Dr. M.A. Nikulin,a senior research worker at the Dzhanelidze First Aid Scientific Research Institute in St. Petersburg, concluded the following after some medical investigations of the Egyptian’s Rods influence on the human organism were carried out: “When any pathologies within a human body are detected we observe a thermal asymmetry between the ill and healthy parts of the body. Held in hands, the rods equalize this thermal asymmetry, thus showing their therapeutic effect.”

They create a powerful Bio-field around the body shielding it from negative energies. Researching the rods at the International Shaping Federation, Professor E. Ziminof Shaping College provides the following conclusion: “The investigation of different types of the rods did show, that the rods, when contacting the human hands, causes a flow of high frequency energy, affecting a person’s bio-field. As a result of this influence, a bio-field purification from foreign field inclusions takes place, as well as purification of energy channels. The efficiency of chakras’ functioning, size of the person’s bio-field and energy of human’s physical body increase also.

All of us are exposed to negative energy every day. These harmful influences can come from the attitudes of people we encounter, world events, environmental pollution, and the stress of everyday living. Daily exposure to these negative influences can simply wear you down and leave you open to fatigue, depression, anger and disease.

The Egyptian Healing Rods can restore your energy and reduce the harmful effects of stress and negative energy by helping to return your body to its natural balance. The rods can help you feel more calm and centered. With your mind clear, you will find it easier to focus and accomplish more with less stress.

If you work as a healer, counselor or body worker, you know how working closely with many people each day can deplete you. Using the healing rods between sessions can restore your energy and clear your mind so that you can give each client or patient your best.

The views of specialists in Tsigun, Yoga and other Bio-Energetic Practices:… are nearly the same. The influence of the rods increases the movement of “Chi” (“prana”) in the energy meridians or canals. Due to increased movement of Chi, canals “furred up” by disorders are actively cleansed and a healthy energy balance between the organs is restored. This increased movement of Chi causes a pricking sensation or numbness in the tips of the fingers and a pulsation in the center of the palms and soles. The process of clearing blockages may also cause a fairly wide range of sensations. Most commonly occurring are: a vibration, pressure or bursting in certain parts of the body to the point of a tolerable and rapidly passing pain, a ringing in the ears and a slight dizziness. As the energy balance is restored these sensations disappear. Regular use of the Egyptian Rods, while observing a number of rules in daily life, strengthens and reinforces one’s energetic potential. Enabling one to establish contact with higher forms of intelligence and to manifest other superior capabilities associated with a healthy and morally pure human being.

Regular use of the rods deepens meditation and enhances mental and psychic abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and connection with the Flow of Life Force. They are powerful tools for manifesting and co creating!

The view of Astro-psychologists:”… even the rods’ influence of short duration (about 5 minutes) on human’s psycho-physical fields and energetic structure stimulates the concentration of attention on inner images created by it, enforcinga trance and meditative effect. While a hypnotist may require months of trainings to reach the necessary concentration of attention, using the rods the training time decreases greatly, and the effect realized is much higher than that one reached by ordinary methods. Moreover, it is a rule of thumb, that using the rods both cerebral hemispheres become synchronized, and the potentials of the left and right hemispheres’ cortex equalize.

The Egyptian Healing Rods are energetically conditioned in a 72 foot tall pyramid outside of St. Petersburg, Russia.

It’s important to know some of the research results of the Russian National Academy of Sciences relative to pyramids:

1. As a result of building a pyramid complex in an oil field in Southern Russia (Bashkiria), the oil became lighter (less viscous) by 30% and the yield of the oil wells increased as confirmed by (Gubkin) Moscow Academy of Oil and Gas.

2. Areas near the pyramids seem to have diminished seismic activity. Instead of one large powerful earthquake occurring, there are hundreds of tiny ones. Also violent weather seems to decrease in the area of the pyramids.

3. Newborns were given solutions that had been placed in the pyramid and their health indexes increased greatly.

4. Agricultural seeds placed in the pyramid for 1 to 5 days showed a 30-100% increase in yield.

5. The immune systems of organisms increased upon exposure in the pyramid (leukocyte composition of the blood increased and there was an increased regeneration of tissues).

6. Experiments with about 5,000 people in Russian jails showed that in a few months most crimes almost disappeared and behavior was much improved as a result of adding salt and pepper conditioned in the pyramid to the inmates food.

7. The potency of pharmaceuticals increased with decreasing side effects.

8. When radioactive waste is placed inside the pyramids, there is a decrease in their level of radioactivity.

9. There are changes in superconductivity temperature thresholds and properties of semiconductors and carbon materials.

10. Ordinary water does not freeze even at 40 degrees below zero and retains its properties for years.

11. Synthesized diamonds turn out harder and purer.

12. There is an increase in survival of cellular tissue infected by viruses and bacteria and the pyramids decrease the strength of various viruses and bacteria.

13. When the cap was being placed on the 22 meter Lake Seliger pyramid, Russian Military radar spotted an energy column rising several miles high in the sky and scrambled fighter jets. Several months after this pyramid was built, the Ozone layer improved in the Russian atmosphere.

14. Over 40% of the mice injected with a toxin lethal to mice survived when the toxin was conditioned in a pyramid.

The rods and the energy of the pyramid, based upon Sacred Geometry, become synergized, making them powerful healing and transformational tools. They represent cutting edge technology rediscovered from ancient Egypt which allow us to greatly improve our mental and physical abilities in a very short period of time.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in luxury and fine living. One of the simplest ways to experience upscale living is to upgrade your bedding, towels and bath robes to Egyptian cotton. But, before you invest in expensive linens, there are some facts you should know.

What is Egyptian Cotton?

Egyptian cotton is a species of the cotton plant family that is cultivated in the Nile Valley in Egypt. The area surrounding Giza has the ideal climate for growing cotton plants with very fine, extra-long fibers, also known as staples. Egyptian cotton is classified as ELS, Extra-Long Staple. Pima cotton, which is native to the American Southwest, is also ELS cotton. Egypt supplies roughly 55% of ELS cotton to the world. Because of the long fiber length, ELS cotton can be spun into very fine yarn that is soft and luxurious as well as very strong, durable and super absorbent.

Egyptian cotton is hand-picked by local growers and it is combed to preserve the integrity of the fiber. Hand picking, as opposed to large-scale mechanical picking, does not add extra stress to the cotton fibers, but leaves them straight and intact.

When you’re selecting Egyptian cotton linens and bedding, be sure to look for pure cotton products, which are more expensive than products manufactured with mixed fibers. The Egyptian government created a logo that is used to distinguish 100% Egyptian cotton products from other cottons. The logo consists of a white cotton plant inside a dark triangle. Always choose Egyptian cotton products with this official seal of authenticity.

What is Thread Count?

Another indicator of the quality of cotton bedding is thread count. Thread count is the measure of the number of fiber strands in one square inch of fabric, measured both lengthwise and widthwise. In a broad sense, the higher the thread count, the better the quality. However, buyer beware; some marketing advertisements will overstate the thread count by counting individual threads in multiple ply strands. This practice makes it more difficult for consumers to use thread count as a comparison factor to evaluate one manufacturer’s product against another’s. But thread count is still a valuable measurement when used with other deciding factors, such as fabric purity.

By definition, luxury linens begin with a thread count of 300. If you like cooler, lighter sheets then shop in the 300 to 600 range. Higher thread counts on sheets means that the fibers of cotton are woven closer together. It also means that the sheets are both softer and more durable than the lower thread count sheets.

Weave: percale vs. sateen

Weaving is the method of material production where threads crisscross over each other to form the fabric. The weave of the fabric will determine the level of softness, crispness, breathability and durability.

Percale is a tight basket weave in which the fabric is woven one thread over one thread. Percale weave produces a strong and durable fabric, but limits the achievable thread count to 400. Percale sheets are breathable and have a crisp feel that will soften with repeated washings

Sateen is a weave designed to reflect light, giving sheets a glossy, satiny feel. Threads are woven four over one, so that most of the threads are on the surface of the fabric. Using this method, higher thread counts can be achieved. If you’re looking for the ultimate in bedding softness, opt for a sateen weave.

How do I care for my Egyptian cotton linens?

Egyptian cotton sheets are easy to care for. Simply wash them separately or with like colors in cold water using a mild laundry detergent on the gentle cycle. Do not use bleach, chlorine or phosphates, since these products can damage the cotton fibers. Tumble dry on low heat, or hang to dry. You may find your Egyptian cotton linens a little stiff at first, but the more you wash them the softer they will become. A warm iron may help soften the feel as well.

100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets provide year-round comfort. They are cool in the summer and hold a layer of warm air under the covers during cold weather. Egyptian cotton is also unparalleled in its ability to absorb moisture. This quality makes very absorbent products like bath towels and bath robes, which are also very soft.

Egyptian cat tattoos have a long history and can be found throughout history for thousands of years. In this article, I’m going to cover some of the historical significance of Egyptian cat tattoos and also provide information you need in order to help you choose the right Egyptian cacti to free you.

Over 5000 years ago, the Egyptians began to worship cats as powerful “totem animals”, or spiritual protectors. Over time, they began to represent many different aspects of life for the ancient Egyptians. The cat was a symbol of the feminine principle, as well as fertility and motherhood. Also, they consider that the cat was a powerful symbol for the moon.

In the Book Of The Dead, cats are mentioned as a protector against evil gods and spirits. Following this, you often find statues of cats wearing jewellry, or even mummified cats buried in tombs alongside their owners.

So revered was the cats in ancient Egypt that the exporting of cats outside the country was strictly forbidden, and killing a cat would result in an instant death penalty.

It is arguable that the Egyptians took this too far. During a war with the Persians, the Persians kidnapped and hostage thousands of cats, demanding immediate surrender in return the lives of the kitties. Rather than tempt punishment from the gods, the Egyptians immediately capitulated and surrendered their lands to the Persians.

After thousands of years of unending adoration, the fortune of the cat changed in 400 BC, when the population was forbidden from worshipping cats. Since then, cats returned to their status as domesticated animals in Egypt.

However, the air of mystique and spirituality has never left the cat and even today, cats are considered mystical, magical animals.

An Egyptian cat tattoo is a great way of showing your individuality, as well as letting the world know that you have a spiritual mystical side. They also look very exotic, and while they are very traditional they also have a real new-age luck to them.

Because this is not a very highly common design, you should spend some time looking around in the large databases of tattoo designs to choose one you like before you go to the tattoo parlour. Otherwise, you’ll have a very limited selection to choose from when you go there.

Check out the link below to see which side I recommend you visit.

Body piercings have seen a resurgence of interest in the last ten to twenty years and are becoming more and more a part of the mainstream Western culture. Take a look at any fashion or entertainment magazine and you’ll see plenty of well-known celebrities with body piercings like navel rings or a labret. You might be surprised to find out that piercing is actually an ancient form of expression that most cultures have practiced at some time or other for thousands of years. Egyptian body piercings reflected status and love of beauty The earliest known mummified remains of a human that was pierced is over 5,000 years old. This worthy gentleman had his ears pierced with larger-gauge plugs in his ears, so plugs may be one of the oldest forms of body modification there is! We also know that the Egyptians loved to adorn themselves elaborately, and even restricted certain types of body piercings to the royal family. In fact, only pharaoh himself could have his navel pierced. Any one else who tried to get a belly button ring could be executed. (Tell that to Britney Spears!) Almost every well-to-do Egyptian wore earrings, though, to display their wealth and accent their beauty. Elaborate enameled and gold earrings frequently portrayed items in nature such as lotus blossoms. Body piercings are also mentioned in the Bible. In the Old Testament it’s obvious that body jewelry is considered a mark of beauty and wealth, especially for Bedouin and nomadic tribes. In many cases, body jewelry was given as a bridal gift or as part of a dowry. It is clear that piercing was a sign of status and attractiveness in Biblical times. Romans were practical piercers Romans were very practical people, and for them piercing almost always served a purpose. Roman centurions pierced their nipples not because they liked the way it looked, but to signify their strength and virility. It was a badge of honor that demonstrated the centurion’s dedication to the Roman Empire. As a symbol, it was important and served a specific function, unifying and bonding the army. Even Julius Caesar pierced his nipples to show his strength and his identification with his men. Genital piercing through the head of the penis was performed on gladiators, who were almost always slaves, for two reasons. A ring through the head of the penis could be used to tie the organ back to the testicles with a length of leather. In gladiatorial combat, this prevented serious injury. With a large enough ring or bar, it also prevented the slave from having sex without the owner’s consent. Since the gladiator was “property,” a stud fee could be charged to another slave owner for the highly prized opportunity to raise the next generation of great fighter. Making love or war, piercing makes it better Going across the ocean at around the same time, the Aztecs, Maya and some American Indians practiced tongue piercing as part of their religious rituals. It was thought to bring them closer to their gods and was a type of ritual blood-letting. The Aztec and Maya were warrior tribes, and also practiced septum piercing in order to appear fiercer to their enemies. Nothing looks quite as frightening as an opponent sporting a huge boar tusk thrust through his nose!

This practice was also common among tribes in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Some of the materials commonly used were bone, tusks and feathers. Hundreds of years later, French fur trappers in Washington State discovered American Indian tribes who wore bones through their septum and called them the Nez Perce, meaning “Pierced Noses” in French. It’s interesting that civilizations separated by thousands of miles and even centuries often developed a love for the same kind of body piercings to enhance certain features, isn’t it?

In Central and South America, lip labrets were popular for purely aesthetic reasons – women with pierced lips were considered more attractive. In fact, the holes were often stretched to incredible size as progressively larger wooden plates were inserted to emphasize the lips as much as possible. (Kind of like collagen today). The Aztecs and Maya also sported lip labrets of gold and jade, many of them elaborately carved into mythical or religious figures or sporting gemstones. These were seen as highly attractive and to enhance sexuality. As the world moved into the dark ages, interest in piercing died down somewhat and the medieval church began to condemn it as sinful. For a few hundred years, Western civilization abandoned the practice. As the Renaissance went into full swing, however, interest in piercing began to pick up again. A new era and a new interest in body piercings Sailors became convinced that piercing one ear would improve their long-distance site, and so the site of a sailor with a gold or brass ring became common. Word also spread that should a sailor be washed ashore after a shipwreck, the finder should keep the gold ring in exchange for providing a proper Christian burial. Sailors were both religious and superstitious, so they generally spent a lot for a large gold earring to hedge their bets. Men became much more fashion-conscious during the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras, and almost any male member of the nobility would have at least one earring, if not more. Large pearl drops and enormous diamond studs were a great way to advertise your wealth and standing in the community. It could also designate royal favor if your earring was a gift from a member of the royal family. Women, not wanting to be outshone by the men in all their finery, began to wear plunging necklines, with the Queen of Bavaria introducing the most outrageous, which consisted of not much at all above the waist. In order to adorn themselves, women began piercing their nipples to show off their jewelry. Soon they began wearing chains and even strands of pearls draped between the two.

Men and women both discovered that these nipple piercings were also delightful playthings in bed, adding sensitivity to the breasts and giving the men both visual and tactile stimulation. Men began getting pierced purely for pleasure as well. While not entirely mainstream, piercing of the nipples and, occasionally, the genitals, continued to hold interest for members of the upper crust of society in Europe on and off for the next few hundred years. The next resurgence of interest was, surprisingly, during the Victorian age, which is usually seen as very repressed. Prince Albert, future husband of Queen Victoria, is said to have gotten the penis piercing that is named after him in order wear the tight-fitting trousers so popular at the time. The ring could then be attached to a hook on the inside of one pant leg, tucked safely away between the legs for a neat, trim look. Although we have no record of Victoria’s response to the piercing itself, there is ample evidence she was wildly in love with her husband and almost never left his side after their marriage! Soon, Victorian men were getting Prince Albert’s, frenums and a variety of other piercings purely for the pleasurable sexual effects, and women were doing the same. By the 1890’s, it was almost expected that a woman would have her nipples pierced. In fact, some doctors at the time suggested it improved conditions for breastfeeding, although not all agreed. It was an interesting double standard — plenty of people were doing it, but no one was talking about it. Modern-day body piercings In the last hundred years or so, body piercings in the Western world have mostly been limited to the ears, a standard hold-over from the fact that both men and women wore earrings during Elizabethan times. The Puritan movement did away with men wearing earrings, however, and it didn’t really regain popularity until recently. Nose rings found new interest when young people (they were called hippies then) from the U.S. began traveling in India extensively looking for enlightenment in the 1960’s. They noticed the nostril rings that most women had been wearing there since the sixteenth century. In India, this was a form of traditional, accepted adornment and was often linked to an earring by a chain. For rebellious teens from America, it was a great form of rebellion. After bringing nose piercings back to the U.S., the interest in body piercings of all kinds quickly caught on during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Celebrities, sports stars and singers all began sporting a variety of piercings. Soon, high school students and even stay-at-home moms were flashing new body piercings. And the rest, as they say, is history! This article on the “History of Body Piercings” reprinted with permission.
Copyright 2004 Evaluseek Publishing.

It is said that the ancient Egyptians, upon death, were asked two questions before entering heaven:

Did you have joy while you were on earth?

Did you bring joy to others?

Although, I don’t believe this is what we’ll be asked before entering heaven, they are good questions to consider.

But, another question to ask is if we really believe that God wants us to have joy. It seems that the common Christian believes that this life is similar to hell and the only thing that we have to enjoy is the mere thought that we will someday be in heaven, rather than having joy that God has offered us.

Of course, joy is quite different than happiness, but many of us equate the two. Joy can be a constant, while happiness is entirely dependent upon what happens.

It would also be hard to have one and not the other. You can’t bring joy to others if you don’t have any joy yourself. You can’t give away what you don’t have.

But, alas, let’s return to the questions. Consider them over the next week. Do you have joy in your life? Have you ever? And, do you bring joy to others? Are these daily things, every once in a while, only when you feel like

I believe if we try to make it possible in our lives that we can answer these questions with a “yes”, then we would all be much better off. How would you answer the two questions? Leave your answers below.