Aztecs & Elements of Existence

4-Elements by J.C. Vintner

An ancient Aztec mythology, The Five Suns, follows along the same concept of four cardinal elements and four cardinal directions, though the directions in this case refer to the outcome of world eras. The first era under the Jaguar Sun, Nahui Ocelotl, animals on the planet were giants and devoured by jaguars. Interestingly, well known historical record tells us giant animals did once roam the planet as dinosaurs. Did Jaguars kill them? As in the Jaguar sense as Quetzalcoatl, who then became worshiped and revered by man for being saved?

During the era of the Wind Sun, Nahui Ehecatl, people became monkeys as the world was destroyed by hurricanes and tropical storms; This may be referring to a drastic change at the end of an ice age as global temperatures warm to create unstable violent weather patterns. In the era of the Rain Sun, Nahui Quiahuitl, life on Earth was destroyed by raining fire and all those who survived were birds, or became birds in order to survive. Perhaps the Rain sun could be translated as Fiery Sun, by the sounds of a super volcano eruption, or asteroid impact fire and brimstone fallout reaching the ends of the Earth. During the Water Sun, Nahui Atl, life on Earth became fish as the world perished in a great flood; As with legends in Sumerian texts and the Bible. The fifth sun, or Earthquake Sun, Nahui Ollin, is the current era in a time believed to be destroyed by earthquakes; This remains to be witnessed.

In ancient Aztec codices, Ometeotl is believed by some scholars as the supreme creator of Aztecs through translation, as a god of duality both male and female commonly known as Tonacatecuhtli and Tonacacihuatl, born out of the nothingness of space to create the universe. From Ometeotl, the four cardinal directions were established, each with a god to keep watch over. In the North, Tezcatlipoca, god of judgment, night, and sorcery, represented by the color Black. To the east, Xipe Totec, god of gold, farming, and spring, represented by the color Red. To the south, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, represented by the color Blue. To the west, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, mercy, and wind, represented by the color White. In Nahuatl language, Tletl the Fire, Ehekatl the Wind or Air, Atl the Water, and Tlalli the Earth represent Tiahuizlampa to the East, Mictlampa  to the North, Huitzlampa to the South, and Cihuatlampa to the West respectively.

Tletl, element of Fire	Tletl is an element of power, the seeds of creation, and the direction of light and illumination. In nature, life grows from the aftermath of fire's destruction, fire creates and shapes existence. Fusion inside the sun converts Hydrogen to Helium nuclei which provides heat and light in the form of radiation bombarding Earth's atmosphere continuously. Mankind's evolution is by in part a result of the giant fiery sphere warming our planet. Egyptians undoubtedly recognized the importance of fire. A bringer of life as Seth, or Set. This is also evident in the channeling of RA, proclaiming the beginning of a grand cycle of life as fire and wind affect Earth and water in the First Density, to bring forth a Second Density as creation of all animals and plants. Fire is the Navel Chakra, Manipura in Buddhism and in Hinduism, Agni. In astrology, Fire is associated with Mars, and in the Zodiac with Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Ehekatl, element of Air	Ehekatl is an element of freedom in the direction of elders, ancestors, and the spirit world. Wind resides as a place of rest, transformation, wisdom, reflection and communication. It is the great element of Mobility, capable of destruction, but also a bringer of life. Wind helps distribute seeds and pollen, allowing plants to reproduce, while providing necessary gas for animals, plants, and humans to breathe. Earth's atmosphere is a blanket of air protecting life from harsh radiation emitted from the cosmos. Ancient ancestors, elders, and occupants of the spirit world are able to travel through air and take on the form of wind; This might be a plausible explanation of why ghosts and spirits are believed to have air-like qualities and abilities. Air or Wind is known as Heru or Horus in Egyptian, the Heart Chakra, Anahata in Buddhism and in Hinduism, Marut. In the Zodiac, Air is associated with Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Atl, element of Water	Atl is an element of change in the direction of youth, renewal, cleansing, and perseverance. Water is the great element of Fluidity and a vital resource for the existence of life. In many cultures, water is part of a sacred process of purification by which the body is cleansed. It is a source of nourishment for all living beings, capable of revitalizing the spirit, wakening consciousness, and reflecting the soul by meditative scrying in divination. Many scholars agree it is mankind's ability to control water flow through aqueduct, cistern, irrigation, and sewage systems that set the foundation for great technological advances in human history. Water is known as Ausar or Osiris in Egyptian, the Sacral Chakra, Svadhisthana in Buddhism, and in Hinduism, Jala. In the Zodiac, Water is associated with Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Tlalli, element of Earth	Tlalli is an element of substance in the direction of intuitiveness, materialization, and mystery. It is the great element of Solidity, representing fertility of female energy, nurturing all of life, known as Mother Earth. Life is a combination of the four cardinal elements. Humans live upon it, transforming rock into materials for survival and a further understanding of their existence. Plants and animals find nourishment from minerals in soil; mankind utilizes the ground to cultivate food; It is a stable foundation from which life is built. The planet is perplexing under certain light, only then compounded by mankind's ability to construct marvelously mysterious monuments out of it. Physical creation is born of Earth and returned to it; Though, spiritual energy may pass through or with other elements in the cosmos. Earth is known as Auset or Isis in Egyptian, the Root Chakra, Muladhara in Buddhism, and in Hinduism, Kshiti. In the Zodiac, Earth is associated with Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

To the Heavens by Pyramid

Teotihuacan Step Pyramids

Reasons to build gigantic pyramid structures in ancient times might have a completely alternative and much more simplified explanation, and quite possibly a concept overlooked for thousands of years. In a time history books designate as long before air travel, perhaps with the exception of ancient animal-skin balloons, could it be that pyramids were designed specifically with the intent of reaching into the heavens? 

There is an idea circulating which suggests pyramid builders aligned the large stone structures with celestial bodies in the heavens as attempts to unlock multidimensional doorways to places where the sun, moon, stars, and comets reside - the first hint of human efforts to prove an existence other than on place called Earth.

Furthermore, building upwards may have spiritual significance from a religious perspectives, considering very tall structures bring one closer to the heavens physically, where we could offer the soul a pathway to follow into the afterlife. One might look at the pyramids in this way and think, what if the true purpose of a pyramid was not only to offer the soul a channel of passage, but what if literally they're a stairway to the heavens? 

During a time science understands people were not flying as a regular form of travel or with intention. One of the greatest curiosities in ancient life without airplanes had to be discovering what resides in the space above Earth. Perhaps building the first pyramid was not enough to reach the edge, so another was built just a little taller without much luck, so then another is built and on. 

While standing on the ground, it is reasonably deceptive to try to measure the height of the sky while lacking the correct instruments and knowledge. It really is a great motivation to thousands upon thousands of pyramid builders around the world, to say they are helping to build a pathway into the heavens, in attempt to have people touch the sun and the moon. Yet it is difficult to truly comprehend there are 248.514 miles between the Earth's surface and space alone that can fit into the height of an outreached hand covering the horizon with a squint of the eye.

Imagine the Great Pyramid of Giza, as the monument of monuments, measures close to 0.0863706 miles tall. If the Egyptians wanted to reach into outer space, they would need to build a structure 2,877 times the size of Giza. Provided this act did not imbalance the planet and cause an awful wobble launching people and materials into space due to the sheer size of such an object, what would it be like to reach into a vacuum from Earth? 

Maybe structures around the world were possibly intended with primitive attempts to travel into the heavens. Without flight capability, this sounds quite plausible. As places of worship, pyramid structures may have aided in safe travel of souls to the heavens or as part of rituals to build a closer relationship with the gods. Perhaps in time we may discover an alternate means for traversing the universe directly from Earth's surface, and pyramids could help with the launch.

Number Meanings, the Significance of Three and Seven

Many written works and documentaries have thoughtfully examined the magic of numbers in relation to human superstition, premonition, and influence on daily life; be it consciously or subconsciously. One example is the number three, which often repeats throughout history as part of significant events and historical arrangements. A commonality across multiple ancient belief systems, is how the number three is not only respected among cultures, but it also portrays an understanding that its meaning may help us to unlock some of the greatest mysteries known to mankind through a third eye of perception.

Concepts of the number three and its meaning to ancient people are reminiscent of an earlier research effort conducted several years ago involving the number seven and its relationship to spirituality. The thought-provoking questions presented by ancient alien theorists have rekindled number prominence and suggest the idea of an even deeper understanding. These two numbers meet up on several mysterious levels when exploring scientific and religious realms of our history.

A question proposed in ancient theorists asks in relation to the number three, why it is the three Biblical Magi wise-men, who chose to bring Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh as gifts to baby Jesus, followed the Star of Bethlehem as a guiding light from the heavens to find him? Coincidentally, the Star of Bethlehem is known as The Great Conjunction, where Saturn and Jupiter are closest together, which could also involve the moon's presence for a three-point connection.

A note here: Arrival of the Magi is still celebrated today by some Western Christians, on Three Kings' Day, the Epiphany, or the Twelfth Day as it's believed the event occurred 12 days after Christmas. Eastern traditions claim there were actually 12 Magi, instead of three who visited Jesus. In either case, twelve days or twelve Magi using numerology may be written as 1+2, or again, three. At the same point, modern day sky watchers continue to observe the conjunction on Dec 21, close to every 21 years, both multiples of three and seven.

Mentioning of the star is important from a spiritual perspective, but it also helps pin-point the exact birth of Jesus according to Biblical scholar, Simo Parpola. By his astronomical calculations, Parpola is able to show the triple conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, occurred three times in the year 7 BC, as Saturn and Jupiter were in the constellation Pisces in close conjunction during the time of December 23, recorded on a Babylonian clay tablet.

Parpola's research primarily focuses on the actual date of Jesus' birth by means of archaeological evidence and astronomical data, reasoning the triple conjunction as the only possible explanation of the Star of Bethlehem from an astrological standpoint. The same triple conjunction alignment was observed twice since 7 BC, as Parpola explains, occurring every 800 years; marking 2,383 as the next year it may be witnessed.

Another note:  Pisces is the twelfth (1+2 = 3) sign of the Zodiac and is represented also using 3 lines, 1 straight and 2 curved. 

Perhaps the most intriguing relationship between the number 3 and the number 7 is presented to us when examining at least 3 written languages, Greek Γ, and Arabic ٣, and Urdu ٣. Written forms of the digit 3 appear graphically similar as a reversed number 7, which all are believed to stem from Gimel, the third letter in ancient Phoenician and Aramaic writing systems. Asking ourselves how the number 3 could unlock unexplained mysteries in mankind's distant past is a question met with certain difficulties; especially considering how closely numbers factor into our everyday lives.

Glory, Light and the Divine Halo

Floating discs often depicted behind or above the face of a divine being in a bursting golden color are commonly believed to represent light, glory, and dawning in religious context. Yet a halo at first glance with no prior knowledge, seems to simply resemble the shining sun, similar to the solar disc Egyptian god Ra is usually shown with. Ra combines all aspects as that of the sun to science, as a necessity for life, bringer of warmth and growth.

Upon closer inspection, the solar disc is not just imagery of the sun, as it is also wrapped with a serpent coil called a Kundalini; This is representative of potential energy rising to open the Chakras, on the path to rebirth; As the sun does each day. The halo in Egyptian reliefs depicts a life-giving sun, and appears to signify this more than designations to Ra as glorious or divine as those aspects are implied as part of the nature of Ra, the god of the sun. Religions other than Egyptian tend to utilize this iconography to identify individual glory, the light, and divinity.

In Buddhism, a colorful circular disc emanates from the body of Buddha after achieving enlightenment. A halo's color of light symbolizes the level of spiritual elevation, similar to the rising and setting sun, as the sun  appears to change the sky's color throughout the day. Sunlight in its purest form is white, containing a full spectrum of colors, of which only certain wavelengths are visible depending on the current atmospheric conditions. Enlightenment is a gentle awakening of conscious energy, a way of connecting to the universal mind, becoming whole with nature and the divine. This idea of self-realization frees an individual from bounds of  consciousness when awakened, opening the mind to a new world.

To many people, prominence of the halo is most recognized from Christian artworks dating back as far as the 4th century to designate the divine. Essentially this element commonly found in religious artwork was an interpretation of light and glory emanating outward. The halo often appears like the sun is located directly behind the head, mimicking its power and life-giving nature. Even-though light travels on a dimensional plane, artworks tend to depict the halo as a flat disc. Like Buddhism, these icons represent a level of divinity, imbued with the energy of God. The bible refers to the halo growing in size during Christ's transfigurations in prophet revelations, another key aspect to reaching enlightenment. 

Modern ancient alien theories about the halo point in a different direction, contending the circular disc of light is actually representative of an ancient astronaut helmet in a simplistic sense, like looking at a bubble over someone's head face-on. Perhaps this means our ancestors were ancient astronauts themselves yet...

Somehow alien astronaut theory neglects the related stories, legends, and modern enlightenment practices still thriving today in this sense; The foundation of why our ancestors encircled heads of the divine with an all powerful light similar to the sun. This points to a greater likeliness, as in the case of ancient aliens, Earth was once visited by beings from another world who were capable of emanating light outward from their heads, and mankind interpreted this in representation as those beings as divine from the heavens, since they indeed descended from up above.

Face in the Mayan Calendar

Time has passed since the huge controversial hype over the Mayan calendar's supposed prediction of world annihilation on 2012's winter solstice event, and the calendar as well as the Mayans have received very little media attention since. The press wants a huge story from an old rock, and when the day passed without much of a sneeze, calendar mention went by the wayside. Multiple theories and speculations flew around social media and television channels, yet nothing we know in this physical realm changed.  One thing for certain is, many millions of people wanted to see a spectacular natural event take place in their lifetime, and that dream likely did not die off overnight for true believers.

Think of this: Let's say with some level of technology or psychic intuition we were able to predict a future event which possibly could destroy the face of our planet - Would we leave a comparable artifact for future generations to discover? An interesting thing about this concept is, it can be said almost without a doubt, no way José.

The reason is because we currently know of a theoretical destructive time  billions of years in the future, when the sun reaches the end of its life-cycle and grows large enough to eat the Earth whole. If we know this, why do we not leave a stone artifact to warn future generations of the event? Can we really expect an ancient civilization to have done this?

What's more, there is a face (Tonatiuh) in the middle of the Mayan calendar. To the Aztecs, Tonatiuh is a symbol of the 5th world, a sun god, and leader of heaven - To us, a reason the calendar is also known as the Sunstone. There is a new twist on Sunstone concepts, however, suggesting the 2012 date was either miscalculated or counted from the wrong starting point. What if instead of destruction, the calendar pointed to an entirely different date, say around 1844, when Joseph Smith, (José!), created multiple sun-stones in the Nauvoo temple, Illinois only to see them fall in the face of persecution.

At the time Mormonism wasn't well liked by other, more established religions, and many of his celestial inspired creations were destroyed. Could the Aztec calendar and Nauvoo temple event somehow be linked together? Does the face in the center represent a messiah, literally the Son, and not the physical sun Earth orbits around? In an actual photo of the calendar, the face does look a little like renditions of Jesus over the years. There are certainly some characteristics it has in common, a sort of crown, locks of hair, facial expression, eye shape.  Maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but for some reason the calendar gives an entirely different meaning if Tonatiuh represents the messiah.

 

Aztalan Effigy Mounds

The mysterious ancient Indian settlement located in Aztalan Wisconsin, dating to around 1,300 CE reminds archaeology of how complex and strange history can be. Some researchers believe a Mississippian culture once lived here before abandoning the site due to lack of resources, by examining artifacts discovered on site. However, no written language or legends of Aztalan have been passed down throughout the ages to give us a better understanding of who they really were. According to local history, farmers plowed over the land for years before its discovery.

One of the most striking facts about visiting Aztalan is how much the effigy mounds resemble step pyramid construction, though it's important to note stone steps seen in the image were later added during site restoration. Even the site's discoverer, Timothy Johnson mistook the site for having an Aztec influence. These flat top mounds are said to be part of ceremonial practices, possibly even to house a sacred fire at each end of the settlement. Located on the Crawfish river bank, Aztalan once was a heavily fortified area with what appeared to be wood stockade walls and several watchtowers surrounding the area. The stockades appear to be related to a Mississippian site near St. Louis, called Cahokia. In the early 1950's survey work helped establish the stockade path which was later rebuilt using discarded telephone poles.

Several effigy and burial mounds are located this general area of Wisconsin, ranging in size and shape, dotting the kettle moraine. One of these mounds stands apart from the rest and is considered to be possibly the strangest mystery of the Aztalan fort. Deemed the Princess Burial, human remains were discovered with nearly 2,000 clam shell beads, some of which came from as far away as the Gulf Coast. It gets stranger, though. In the same area, not far from the main fortification, remains with distinct characteristics of an ancient Woodland Culture were discovered near Lake Delavan and Lake Mills. The skeletons here appear to be giant-like humans with some reported as tall as 10 feet with equally proportionate bone girth.  Some believe these skeletons are proof of giants described by ancient cultures and in the Bible, though conclusive proof has yet to be placed on the table. Anthropologists argue the remains may have appeared to be giants due to soil shifting and settling which causes the bones to spread apart slowly over time.

The Ultimate Question

Contemplation of the day: 

Eventually we may ask ourselves the question, why? It's inevitable for a single, three letter word to help us discover more information about past events. The seed festering inside our subconscious patiently waiting to blossom through our curiosities, forever twisting and rooting deeply until an acceptable answer is found. It truly becomes the driving factor, we want to know why for everything, it's engraved in our DNA.

Modern science tends to compare life of today to our past for explanation, after all, we're a living example of what we once were. Then by that rule, our ancestors must have followed similar paths, constantly asking why. Just as we are fixated on the heavens today, so were our distant relatives, believing in an hierarchy beginning from gods and beings not of Earth. Why is the ultimate question a hash? The term attempts to encompass every possible answer, every possible possibility. Asking the question why might very well be mankind's original attempt at basic quantum physics, for there is a multitude of answers to one question, a hash of explanation.

This sometimes faces the ultimate retort, why not? Turning a primitive question of exploration into a psychological battle of understanding our existence beyond that of any conscious awareness. We may ask why is it our ancestors chose gods to believe in above other people. Were they really visited by extraterrestrials deserving of appropriate placement in the heavens, or did they believe certain individuals in ancient societies possessed ultimate abilities worthy of god-like status? Actually, it's not that uncommon in present time as some people worship and idolize celebrities - This is one explanation in the hash, but we know it's not the only one. Perhaps understanding the answer to why is understanding the answer of what we choose to believe.

Ancient Mayan Fort of Tulum

Zama, a prominent Mayan establishment rests boldly on the far eastern edge of Mexico's Yucatán peninsula with many secrets waiting to be unlocked. The ancient fort is perched on the cliffs of the Caribbean Sea, an optimal place for trading resources between the sea and inland. A smaller Castillo, when compared to Chichen Itza, step pyramid dominates the majority of structures found on site and is believed by some to actually be an ancient lighthouse.

Motifs and decorations throughout the ancient fortification suggest this area was once a significant place of worship to pay respects to the Feathered Serpent, Kukulcan. The fortified city presents several mysteries upon further examination, such as resemblance to Biblical accounts and curious artifacts found nearby which date to a period long before the fort's initial construction. Photographs from a visit have been kindly donated to help research efforts and are available with the full article: Mayan Fortification of Tulum

Figures of Sitio Barriles

Barriles female breastfeeding.

There is an unspoken code amongst ancient mysteries researchers in the pursuit of truth of mankind's past. It's one of honor and respect, to be open to new ideas and concepts, to be accepting of the fact history books may need to be rewritten. An incredible wealth of general research is performed around the world on a daily basis which lends to us the suggestion of something more, something beyond anything history has taught civilizations throughout the ages. Archaeology and studies of human history only recently found shape within the last couple hundred years; Is it possible we perceive gaps in our history simply because these fields of research are new in the timeline due to the fact we just haven't yet found the correct knowledge to fill them in?

Eagle head, serpent, frog, or alien?

Recently found locations such as Sitio Barriles  (the site of barrels BU-24) in Panama are great examples of ancient civilizations modern archaeology knows very little of. Carbon dating suggests the site to be anywhere from 2,600 to 600 years old and hints of who inhabited the area have been discovered. The area was first studied in the 1940's although findings of the time were not published conclusively. Artifacts found here are suggested by some archaeologists to depict deities with an eagle head, but upon further examination they appear to be something more.

Figurines and pottery found embedded into rock-sides suggest the site was used for ceremonial purposes due to ash remains found in vessels believed to be used for cremation. Characteristics of Barriles pottery and figures show a distinct Central American influence, it's sometimes thought the culture(s) who inhabited the area descended from the Maya or Inca. After many years of study, whomever lived at Sitio Barriles hundreds of years ago remains a mystery.

It's interesting to note several glyph-type carvings found throughout the area which appear to be primitive in nature, theoretically act as a type of road map to help whoever once lived there find their way around the area. The drawings take on serpent-like forms, some say to show twisting, winding paths throughout the site. When simply looking at these findings one can't help but notice the 'eagle' headed figures look more lizard, amphibian, or serpent in nature which coincides with navigation rock paintings scattered around the site. These deities definitely take on a strange  alien-like appearance. Sitio Barriles is another example of a mysterious location we know little about yet it features artifacts that tell us another, unknown ancient culture believed in hybrid deities, enough to depict them throughout the majority of remains discovered at the site.

Legendary Cryptids

Delve into a mysterious realm of legendary creatures, mythological beasts, and ghostly apparitions fueling the curiosity of society for thousands of years. Explore ancient oral traditions focused on unexplained spirits once held in high regard, revered and feared to a point of affecting the daily lives of our past relatives.

Discover how our ancestors transferred knowledge from generation to generation inadvertently influencing an array of sensationalized cryptids - Through works of thoughtful analytical articles by J.C. Vintner, understand how Cryptozoology and the world’s population is searching for the truth; For a discovery capable of forever altering the course of human history. Legendary Cryptids is a glimpse into this search, a means of personal exploration and interpretation of unknown creatures some believe to be roaming darker areas of the world we know.

Articles featured in J.C Vintner's book, Legendary Cryptids, have been added with permission to category on the MysteryPile website under a heading of Cryptids. This research covers Cryptozoology mysteries, with some famous legends and others lesser known to mainstream communities. Vintner explores possible solutions with innovative concepts for evidence and sightings of creatures science has been unable to explain to this day.

Astrobiology's Search for Extraterrestrial Life

As mankind begins to explore more of the universe, Astrobiologists will be in demand to help establish settlements on other planets and work to plan our future in space.  From General Sciences to human Philosophy, the study of Astrobiology encompasses a large spectrum of scientific disciplines free from sensationalism commonly attributed to today's space topics.

University of Edinburgh's Charles Cockell is generously offering a free course about Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life starting today on Coursera. Here you can sign up and enjoy these very informative video lectures delving into the search for extraterrestrial life.  For those interested, participation in the course discussions as well as completing homework assignments can also earn a certificate of accomplishment.

Whether it's participating in online courses or performing your own research, the search for new life throughout the cosmos is at the frontier of human exploration. The principal here is to stay educated and updated on the latest advances our scientific community is working diligently to uncover. Understanding the basics of Astrobiology is key knowledge from studies on the cutting edge of science. Evidence in the historical record tends to indicate there is something more our ancestors knew about the universe which modern study has yet to grasp. Perhaps one day we will be able to unlock this lost knowledge with enough research and like-minded individuals examining the evidence.

El Dorado Questions

Recently we received an email from two students who were researching El Dorado for a Social Studies project. They wanted to know if we had any further information based on our article published on the Ancient Earth Mysteries website. El Dorado is a fun topic to explore because research leads to an important part of Central America and South American history, when the Spanish invaded.  Despite the benefits to the inquisition, the invasion was detrimental to the Aztecs, Inca, and Mayans. A great deal of knowledge and understanding of these cultures was lost to the destruction of Spanish Conquistadors.

Orellano and Pizarro

El Dorado itself is a difficult subject to find information on considering the very nature of how the legend originated, as part of the Spanish Inquisition and their conquest on the Inca Empire. Some researchers believe the legend of a Lost City of Gold might have been a tactic of the Inca (and Mayans) to distract Spanish invaders from destroying their cities. The conquistadors were in search of great wealth to bring back to Spain, as this was a major motive for exploring new worlds and funding future expeditions.

We do know by historical record the Inca and Mayans accumulated vast amounts of gold and theoretically not all of it was pillaged during Spanish invasions, and much was thrown to the bottom of a lake as offerings to the gods. This concept leads new age explorers to believe a large gold cache still resides somewhere, the Lost City of Gold, where the Inca hid their wealth to prevent the inquisition from stealing it. Many people have spent their entire lives searching for this legendary city in hopes to discover a treasure of a lifetime, but unfortunately these expeditions often end in frustration.

Orb Photography

In response to questions received about orb photography, and how likely or not the masses shown are legitimate, we have prepared an analysis of what to rule out before considering photographed orbs as genuine. There are several authentic photographs of orb phenomena which cannot be explained by any conventional means, but there are many many more results from accidental or intentional photographing techniques.

As long term photographers, we understand it's important to know how light affects a subject as well as how camera equipment affects the final image. Taking pictures under low light conditions is not always an easy task. Quality night shots with a digital SLR can be touch and go at times; They're subjected to blurring when slowing the shutter or while opening the aperture to allow more light in. Often enough, high quality night photographs take a tripod, maybe a remote trigger, and the patience to get manual settings just right. These factors, however, make night photography a great opportunity to express creativity through light manipulation techniques. Understand that many compact point and shoot cameras are designed to automatically flip up a flash the moment scenery lighting is too low for the camera's settings to handle. Identifying a built-in flash in photographs is not too difficult because of extreme contrasts, the hard-points, where light from the flash concentrates the most. Natural lighting generally doesn't have these areas (unless intentional) and using speed lights (with a DSLR), can be compensated for with manual settings to ensure a proper exposure.

Built-in camera flashes are generally at the root of many orb photographs as it's their reflections being sent back to the camera lens to create spots, flares, and other types of camera artifacts sometimes misinterpreted as unidentified objects or spirit entities. Before arriving at the conclusion a photograph truly captures an unknown object of any type, be sure to go over the following checklist to rule out what it isn't:

1. Flash reflecting off rain drops, snow, mist, moisture, insects or dust particles
2. Obstructions between the camera and subject such as glass, screens, camera straps
3. Smudges or marks on the lens or pass-through medium
4. Filters with dust, dirt, scratches or water marks
5. Failing camera sensor creating single or groups of burnt pixels
6. Other lights at the scene causing reflections
7. Multiple exposures
8. Other types of camera malfunction
9. Time, place, and correlation of events 

There is a trick to determine how a built-in flash is lighting a scene to check and see if it's the reason for creating reflective orbs in the photographs. Hold or fix a transparent colored plastic or gel sheet over the the camera's flash unit. When the flash is triggered, it will light the area using this makeshift flash filter. If the orbs are the same color, then they can be ruled as created by flash. If the orbs do not change color it's time to assess the scene a little more in depth to see what might be causing the lights. Look closely at the orbs, are they out of focus while the rest of the scene is in focus?

An object can appear blurred or out of focus for a number of reasons including moving too quickly for the camera settings or being out of sync with the lens' current focal length. Do a scene check, look for every possible light source that might be causing the orbs and trace the light paths. If the photograph(s) can face the above scrutiny and pass, perhaps it's truly a genuine capture of an unidentifiable object. Have a professional assess the image, in fact, have multiple professionals take a look and share it with friends. Photographs capturing something out of this world are rare, so it is important to share it with everyone to try and figure out what exactly the object might be.

Bigfoot, the Wild Relative

Patterson Bigfoot

Continuing research in ancient mysteries subject matter has brought J.C. Vintner to the realm of Cryptozoology. Many related topics are fascinating on multiple levels and often provide us with an alternative perception of the world and its hidden dimensions. We may not be able to talk to our ancestors directly, yet through oral traditions passed down through the generations we can begin to decipher what it must have been like to live during those times.

Those oral traditions also hint there is a possibility that modern sightings of Bigfoot might be attributed to a true. A living relative of us, provided that Home erectus (or a variant) managed to live another 300,000 years beyond what the archaeological record indicates. If this is the case, such a discovery would once again forever change the perception of scientific understanding of human evolution. The scientific community is astounded and readjusts thinking each time new ancient remains are discovered in the line of human history. Rightfully so, considering the comparison between the amount of physical evidence recovered versus the number of humans who have lived throughout Earth's history.

The probability factor of humanoid creatures still living in remote parts of the world today is surprisingly plausible with all things considered. Even the spread of modern human species over 200,000 years ago is still a long time for a lot to happen. Survival instincts evolve over time the same as growth of knowledge and understanding of the environment. Adapting to changing conditions is a key part of human survival. If a line of humans deviated from modern man hundreds of thousands of years ago, they would have to adapt to new threats, such as alternate genetic lines of humans, in the environment for survival.