DEAD RECONING:
For in these Ancient and Mediavel Days, the magnetic compass was
unknown. And most mariners simply relied on following the coast and
landscape, until they reached their destination. Or, if some of the
real old salts needed to cross the seas, they would use some kind of
dead reconing, by the Sun or stars, to tell where North and South
were (approximately) and to steer their ships accordingly. For,
even from the Ancient Days of the Bible, this has been reasonably
well known, and followed, even as it is written:
LATITUDE:
Moreover, even with this crude Norse piloting, general latitude
could be determined by stretching out the arm, and measuring how
many fingers (or hands) high that the Sun was above the horizon at
noon (or the Moon, or North Star at night). And, by this simple
method, the Vikings were able to stay on a Latitude course that would
take them from Norway to Iceland and then on to Greenland. Simple
but sweet!
strong>COMPASS DIRECTIONS:
Furthermore, even though the magnetic compass was unknown, basic
direction could be found from a kind of Sun dial, where the compass
rose was cut into a wooden plate, with a tall stick at its center.
And by this, the direction you were sailing could be determined by
rotating the plate until the shadow at noon fell on the NORTH pointer,
and thus your sailing direction was which ever way that your ship
was then pointed from there. So is it surprising that dozens of these
compass rose plates have been found in Viking archaeological digs?
Yeah, navigating by the K.I.S.S. method (keep it simple, stupid).
Now, as crafty as all these Northmen sailing methods are, they cause one simple, though very MAJOR problem. For, these techniques were good for fair weather sailing. But, what do you do, when foul weather rolls in?
Well, for centuries, this riddle has puzzled modern western minds. But, enough searching of Old Norse myths has led to an amazing discovery. Many of the ancient legends and sagas speak of mariners SIGHTING BY THE STONE? And, thus finding their direction. Now, what stone could they be refering to? Well, on Iceland, one can find a peculiar kind of double refracting cordierite, known as Icelandic feldspar crystal. And ones of its amazing properties is that it responds to polarized light! OKAY, in lyman's terms, point the stone to a direct source of light, and the light will pass through, making the stone glow! But, went the stone is aimed at indirect or reflected light, the unpolarized light is reflected, and the stone remains dark. Thus, by holding this stone between thumb and pointer finger and holding it out at arms length, one could determine the position of the Sun, as it would light up, when directly pointed at the light source. So, the sun's position could be found by this stone, even in foul or foggy weather, and for this reason, legend refers to it as the SUN STONE.
Now, some New Age mystics claim that by using stones or crystals, you can get Divine Guidance as to what to do in your life. However, this crude foretune-telling is not that recommended! (It tends to be riddle with bad advise.)
Other Jewish mystics try to claim that the Urim and Thummin of the Bible were simply 2 crystals, that would light up for yes or no, and that this is how God communicates with Mankind? But, a closer examination of the Scriptures shows this to be in GRAVE ERROR. (And the Urim and Thummim were something quite different!)
So, are you walking the foggy line of error in your daily life, and losing your direction in the stormy and cloudy skies that come your way?
And consider its words, well, for it is written:
So, are you guided by the Light of God's Book, or are you still stumbling in the fog of wickedness in the world?
Thus, all humans are trapped in sin, and by it, to slavery to serving the Devil! So, whether you like it or not, you are bound in spiritual chains, and being carried off to PUNISHMENT in that Great Future Fire of HELL!
However, there is a remedy (if you are willing to take it), for it is also written:
Thus, with an appropriate animal blood sacrifice, there could be an atonement for sin. (And this is what the Jews did with the Temple for centuries.) But, that was only temporary--and required an annual sacrifice.
Consequently, someone had to die, and shed their blood, to atone or pay for YOUR sins--to make a PERMENANT ATONEMENT! Now, who would do that? (And what would you have to give them?)
Well, you don't have to! For, God took care of it, even as it is written:
And to grasp the whole program that HE intended in doing that, consider:
Now, this is the Gospel or Good News: that Christ died on the Cross to pay for YOUR sins--PERMENANTLY. Yes, HE shed his own precious blood, dying in YOUR place--as your own death, by proxy! Thus, through Belief in HIM, you are saved from the coming Great Future Fire of HELL! But, only if you will turn to HIM!
OKAY! How do I choose to follow God?
Actually it is very simple. Just say the following prayer out loud (so God will know that you agree to it). It forms a kind of Covenant or Mediavel Social Contract between you and God. You are to serve HIM and HE is to take you to Heaven in your afterlife. So, just repeat this, aloud:
E-Mail us at: zdkf@gorge.net - (Mark subject box SUN STONE!)
Or use the normal routes, below:
Phone: (509) 493-1674
So, don't stay out there. Come on in! Get involved in our Fellowship. (Don't be lonely any more!)
In fact, why don't you come on in and take Our Revival Course? It will help you follow the other Vikings in their Renewal to God. And, it gives you all the basic steps and information that you need to bring about the Revival of God in your life.
Okay, perhaps you need a little time to think things over. Or, maybe you just need some more facts, to understand what all the real issues are. So, take the time and read through some of our other materials. Then, once you have all the facts, perhaps you can make a better decision.
To help you understand this process of the SUN STONE, we have written a more detailed article on the whole Regeneration Concept. This is filed away with the rest of Our Northmen basic teachings.
And, while you are making up your mind, perhaps you would like to know more about us. After all, it does help to have all the basic facts when you are trying to make up you mind. So, if you are curious, then look over the rest of what we have to say. Let the VIKING REVIVAL win you over to God's side!
*COPYRIGHT 1996, 2003 (Net) by Daniel Shaddox.
All rights reserved.
TRADENAMES: Ahqo, Appiru, Astaria, Emuspatel, Gahtsk, K.R.Y. or Korey, KUFOL, Meshianites, Nartan, Nordanity, Nordesel, TAD, and ZDK are all trademarks of Daniel Shaddox.
GRAPHICS: All SHIELDS (and other heraldric devises), buttons, and artworks in this Web Site are all also copyrighted logos of Daniel Shaddox.
None of these (nor any Articles from this Web Site) may be reproduced nor duplicated without written permission, except as downloads for your own individual (personal) reading OR as recognized agents of ZDK (be sure your activities with others using our materials are properly registered with us!).
RATINGS: G
Most materials filed in this Web are G (for General Audiances). Some
materials filed in the Library or University may be PG or even PG-13,
mainly because of intellectual and philosophical content. (These
should be marked as you get to them.)
PUBLISHED BY LAMPSTAND MEDIA
The Media Division of the ZDK (Shaddox) Foundation, P.O. Box 44,
Underwood, WA 98651 U.S.A.
Phone: (509) 493-1674
E-Mail us at: zdkf@gorge.net
Dated: Mar '96 . . . Up-dated 03-22-03