The Wendy Stokes Page
Features, interviews, articles, dream analyses, Q & A, etc., by Wendy Stokes
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Last Chance to See!
Monday 25 March 2024
Where Troy Once Stood
This is an outstanding research work which puts the epic poetry of Homer in a new setting. The author, the late Iman Wilkens, was fascinated by Homer since his childhood, and later made an indepth study that is the subject of this book. He discovered Homer's poems were oral Celtic tales told 400 years before they were written by the Greeks. The Trojan war was not set in the Mediterranean as has been largely claimed by academics, but is set in East Anglia, between the tribes of Western Europe and the tribes of Britain. Place names and river names, wind directions, time frames, constellations (which are still in use today), coats of arms, etc., were used to identify the true origin of the story. All information is meaningful; including numbers, colours, names, deities, and all are necessary yet are hidden under the guise of an entertaining story. The Odyssey shows sea charts, and the Iliad details the history of the Trojan War. The reason for the war is not the abduction of a beautiful woman, but the highly desired deposits of an extremely rare metal.
The Advent Moon - A Poem
“The Advent moon shines bright and clear; my soul waits -
These Advent nights are very long;
Tuesday 19 March 2024
Meditation on an Artwork
Who was there in her 1940s sitting room, Yvette of course, the one who held the chalice for me.
This is what she
revealed last night: To find the Grail is to appreciate “awe and wonder”, and
she spoke about how Jupiter was known to the ancient Babylonians and is Father God
of expansion and benevolence, inspiration of heroes, and how he always outshines
his predecessor, the father God, Saturn, who was so mean and greedy that he ate his own children.
Sunday 17 March 2024
Who Was St Patrick?
Durrell Wildlife Charity
The Durrell Conservation Trust is an international charity that protects endangered species from extinction. It is an international charity founded by the naturalist and writer, Gerald Durrell OBE. His entire life was inspired by spending several years as a child on the island of Corfu. Gerald died in 1995 and the Trust is overseen by his wife, Dr Lee Durrell who has continued his outstanding work. Dr Lee Durrell was awarded an MBE in the late Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours List.
The Durrell Wildlife Park, previously known as Jersey Zoo, is a modern day stationary Noah’s Ark where rare species can be bred and studied and returned to the wild where possible. There is a training programme with courses available and education projects are run by highly skilled specialists in species conservation. The Park is open to visitors who wish to see some of the most endangered species in the world. Summer is a favourite time to visit as the breeding programme often reveals newly born rare species, such as the yellow mongoose triplets born this year and the male Black Lion Tamarind that was born by caesarean section, hand reared and syringe fed at the zoo. http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/Baby-black-lion-tamarin-born-by-caesarean-section-at-Durrell/
Friday 15 March 2024
Writing a Film Review
Date of Release:
Certificate:
Duration:
Genre:
Director:
Principle cast list:
Summary: Accurate description of the story-line. Was it based on a true story, a book or play, is it a remake? etc.
Personal opinion of certificate, duration, genre, acting and setting. Avoid criticism of Director and casting. Give a personal rating.
Provide an illustration of the film, a trailer or podcast link if possible.
The 3 of Cups - Dali Tarot
Understanding your own emotions. Because the card reminds us of the three graces, the three Norns (the Norse goddesses fate), and the three wishes of many fairytales, it leads us to the cosmic wisdom exemplified by the saying “all good things come in threes”. The blue palm trees and the blue grotto point towards bliss, enchantment, and great joy. Life will become a feast if you go beyond yourself and learn to retain your emotional independence, even in the company of others.
This card is all about the quality of your feelings. The nudity of figures represent beauty and naturalness. Symbolically, it encourages honesty and at the same time warns of insolence (shamelessness and lack of culture). The red forms in the upper corners can be interpreted as a curtain that can be drawn across, obscuring the appreciation and gratitude required to fully know what this card reveals. On the left and right sides, two springs gush fifth, representing the inconsistencies of your emotional life.
The Bee Blessing - A Tradition
In the distant past, country people had a tradition...
Wednesday 13 March 2024
Romance Literature
Geoffrey of Monmouth (1150) wrote the ‘History of the King’s of Britain’ in the Chansons de Geste genre and imposed chivalric codes on the fictionalised story that centred around Arthur, his court of noble knights and their high born ladies. Later the Norman poet introduced the Round Table, a place of brotherhood and equality. Chivalry was the highest code, and designed for knights to lead a pure life and to get to heaven. It demanded to act honourably, support good causes, and have complete self control. Many endowed churches, went on pilgrimage, and fought abroad. The essence of chivalry was to defend the holy land, liberate the Holy Sepulchre. Many women and children fought alongside men.
From 1165, Chretien de Troyes introduced themes and characters, including Lancelot, Percival and the Grail. In each of the five poems, a knight looks for adventure and the rescue of damsels in distress, to defeat dragons, face enchantments, increase prowess, loyalty and courtesy. Percival is told by his mother to stop at every church and pray, and never take anything from women except a kiss and a ring. But Percival broke into a woman’s tent, aggressively kissed her and ripped a ring from her finger. An older and wiser knight tells him to help women and orphans and give mercy to any knight who needs it, and not to talk much. The quest for spiritual perfection, moderation, jousting and courtly love are high values.