Comment

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 18, 2012 at 7:58pm

Aug 18, 1227:
Genghis Khan dies

Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader who forged an empire stretching from the east coast of China west to the Aral Sea, dies in camp during a campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia. The great Khan, who was over 60 and in failing health, may have succumbed to injuries incurred during a fall from a horse in the previous year.

Genghis Khan was born as Temujin around 1162. His father, a minor Mongol chieftain, died when Temujin was in his early teens. Temujin succeeded him, but the tribe would not obey so young a chief. Temporarily abandoned, Temujin's family was left to fend for themselves in the wilderness of the Steppes.

By his late teens, Temujin had grown into a feared warrior and charismatic figure who began gathering followers and forging alliances with other Mongol leaders. After his wife was kidnapped by a rival tribe, Temujin organized a military force to defeat the tribe. Successful, he then turned against other clans and tribes and set out to unite the Mongols by force. Many warriors voluntarily came to his side, but those who did not were defeated and then offered the choice of obedience or death. The nobility of conquered tribes were generally executed. By 1206, Temujin was the leader of a great Mongol confederation and was granted the title Genghis Khan, translated as "Oceanic Ruler" or "Universal Ruler."

Khan promulgated a code of conduct and organized his armies on a system of 10: 10 men to a squad, 10 squads to a company, 10 companies to a regiment, and 10 regiments to a "Tumen," a fearful military unit made up of 10,000 cavalrymen. Because of their nomadic nature, the Mongols were able to breed far more horses than sedentary civilizations, which could not afford to sacrifice farmland for large breeding pastures. All of Khan's warriors were mounted, and half of any given army was made up of armored soldiers wielding swords and lances. Light cavalry archers filled most of the remaining ranks. Khan's family and other trusted clan members led these highly mobile armies, and by 1209 the Mongols were on the move against China.

Using an extensive network of spies and scouts, Khan detected a weakness in his enemies' defenses and then attacked the point with as many as 250,000 cavalrymen at once. When attacking large cities, the Mongols used sophisticated sieging equipment such as catapults and mangonels and even diverted rivers to flood out the enemy. Most armies and cities crumbled under the overwhelming show of force, and the massacres that followed a Mongol victory eliminated thoughts of further resistance. Those who survived--and millions did not--were granted religious freedom and protection within the rapidly growing Mongol empire. By 1227, Khan had conquered much of Central Asia and made incursions into Eastern Europe, Persia, and India. His great empire stretched from central Russia down to the Aral Sea in the west, and from northern China down to Beijing in the east.

On August 18, 1227, while putting down a revolt in the kingdom of Xi Xia, Genghis Khan died. On his deathbed, he ordered that Xi Xia be wiped from the face of the earth. Obedient as always, Khan's successors leveled whole cities and towns, killing or enslaving all their inhabitants. Obeying his order to keep his death secret, Genghis' heirs slaughtered anyone who set eyes on his funeral procession making its way back to Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol empire. Still bringing death as he had in life, many were killed before his corpse was buried in an unmarked grave. His final resting place remains a mystery.

The Mongol empire continued to grow after Genghis Khan's death, eventually encompassing most of inhabitable Eurasia. The empire disintegrated in the 14th century, but the rulers of many Asian states claimed descendant from Genghis Khan and his captains.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 17, 2012 at 10:02am

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You express yourself through actions more than words. You want a dramatic effect, without yourself actually being emotionally expressive. You feel your actions should be the center of attention.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You take steps to ensure the security of home and family. You're feeling vulnerable now and you prepare against possible emergencies. You feel you have to take charge at home.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are very inquisitive about the people around you but it's always for a reason. You're not idly curious; there's something you need to do. Some can feel defensive and spend too much time justifying themselves to others.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You pay attention to personal matters of practical importance today. Your attention narrows now only to what you can have an immediate impact on. You generally have little regard for events far away.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Your moods change from thinking deeply about matters of personal safety and practical issues, to taking action on them. You now feel that it is very important to get involved and to have a say in local issues.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your anxieties can be overwhelming today. You're challenged to get control of vague fears, to clarify them so that you understand what is really bothering you. Some can see that there is nothing to worry about.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You are feeling serious today and are apt to eliminate fun activities in favor of important work. You need supportive friends, who give you space for your actions, rather than trying to distract you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In your job, you take account of public opinion and feelings and may translate that into a compatible policy. Those seeking work should heed people who know their talents well or get career counseling.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can apply yourself to important studies and research. Topics of immediate and practical interest can be studied broadly now, through an interdisciplinary approach that gives you a wide perspective.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are sensitive to what people need now. Your actions are designed to provide for needed services and items. You may also want to spend time taking care of your investments and insurance so they are up to date.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Listen to those feelings that encourage companionship today. You're liable to also feel a sense of separation, which you should use for defining your personality, not for isolating yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): This is a good day to adhere to your healthy diet or stay on track with other schedules dealing with health and nutrition. At work, regularity of procedure is also very important for success.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 17, 2012 at 10:01am

"If a child hasn't been given spiritual values within the family setting, they have no familiarity with the values that are necessary for the just and peaceful functioning in society."

-- Eunice Baumann-Nelson, Ph.D, PENOBSCOT

When we are born, we start with a beautiful empty mind ready to be given our beliefs, attitudes, habits and expectations. Most of our true learning comes from watching the actions of others. As we watch our family or relatives, whatever their actions and values are, so will be the children's values and acts. If we see our families living a just and peaceful way of life, so then will the children. If we see our family shouting, arguing, and hateful, so will it be for the children. The cycle of life - baby, youth, adult and Elder is all connected. If the older ones have good values, it will be connected to the children.

Oh my Creator, if there are values I have missed, it is not too late. I can get them from You. Teach me today Your spiritual values. Respect, trust, giving, honesty, wisdom - teach me these

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 16, 2012 at 10:01am

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 16, 2012 at 9:47am

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pressure from authorities makes in clear you must have more options to make your own decisions. You have to decide between caring for family and defiance. Make a calculated choice.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You're apt to let people do things for you, which you should be doing yourself. It's easy to see people as being there to help you, when your real task is to challenge your inner strength and determination.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You're apt to be introspective and worry about certain family relationships, especially your siblings. You must ponder how best to be supportive in situations that disagree with you or your beliefs.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your work is affected today. Politics, jealousy, injustice and feelings that tear people apart. It's important to operate from a place of healing and reform, on everyone's part.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You're apt to try to take charge of everything today. You need to manage and delegate, as well realize that you don't always know everything and don't always know best. Let others takeover now and again.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It's important to focus on how you can improve your innate talents and bring them forward. Using others for comparison is a bad idea, unless you've got a specific role model for what you want to accomplish.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can get in over your head in competitive situations today. You'd rather avoid unpleasantness entirely when it becomes clear circumstances are not as straightforward as you expected them to be.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You feel heavily dependent on favors, on giving, receiving and repaying them. It's important to do right by others first, instead of trying to make up for mistakes afterward. There is temptation to do wrong today.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don't take chances with relationships today. You're apt to rely on excessive forgiveness but this can be an imposition. You're challenged to do what you know is proper, rather than trying to get away with something.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You can be afraid to step outside your comfort zone today. Circumstances are pushing you out and you don't want to face it. You're challenged to enlarge your sphere of activity and improve social skills.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You take friends and partners for granted today. It's important to introduce a little excitement into the relationship, to spark an interest or a topic of conversation that lets you discover new depths about each other.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): While you are acutely aware of people's shortcomings, it's important to be forgiving and not to dwell on them. Your task is to make up for what others fail to do or be and to encourage them to be better.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 16, 2012 at 9:47am

"The best teachers have shown me that things have to be done bit by bit. Nothing that means anything happens quickly - we only think it does."

-- Joseph Bruchac, ABENAKI

There are no short cuts. Every tree must grow according to the growth plan of the Creator. Every flower must grow according to the plan of God. The moon must make its trip around the earth according to God's plan. Every human being must grow according to the plan of the Creator. Sometimes we look at ourselves and we think we are not growing but we are always growing. Because we cannot see it with our mind does not mean it is not happening. We must be patient with ourselves and let the Creator direct our growth.

My Creator, let me be patient. Let me realize that You are in charge of all things. Let me realize that I must grow my roots a little at a time to become strong

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 15, 2012 at 11:39am

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be extremely careful in relationships today. You may have to deal with someone who thinks he's in charge but isn't. You must try to defuse a tense situation early before it gets out of control.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your job puts a lot of strain on you today. Be resolved to start early and pay utmost attention to small problems. You must be aware of what's going on and deal with situations quickly, instead of at the last minute.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The general attitude becomes tense now. Some relationships become strained and you struggle to keep a positive temperament. It's very important not to give in to petty vindictiveness.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You take parental duties seriously today but perhaps you take it too far. Punishment rather than intelligent correction is the first recourse. Keep your negative emotions under control, especially in regard to the helpless.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Beware intellectual arrogance today. You're easily offended and angered and may verbally attack people beyond justification. Don't react with extreme responses when a milder one will do a better job.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Bad news in the market can make you panic. You need to distinguish between a short-term event and long-term trends. In some cases, a market correction applies. Act according to reliable trend lines.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Events make you feel hostile and defensive. For many, there can be a good and obvious reason but others need to beware that their buttons are being pushed and they may be prone to overreacting.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You're feeling extremely frustrated today. It can seem you can't put your ideas into action now because of some internal conflict or external interference. You need to clarify and calm your emotions and your spirit.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You need to stick closely to organizational structures, rather than relying on a particular individual, no matter how strong he or she may be. It may be in some cases that a leader is causing institutional problems.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your ambition could get out of hand today. You're apt to be on the rampage causing all kinds of dismay and alarm in a public venue. You're liable to create public notoriety for yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Our beliefs reach a crisis point now. You can reconsider everything you've believed in as a deep pessimism inclines you to disbelieve. A despair of the spirit could lead you down dark and wrong paths.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Joint savings are under extreme stress today. Take a hard look at family finances. Call in an expert if, as is likely, you are in over your head. Emergency help may be necessary but don't decide in a state of panic.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 15, 2012 at 11:36am

"There are many people who could claim and learn from their Indian ancestry, but because of the fear their parents and grandparents knew, because of past and present prejudice against Indian people, that part of their heritage is clouded or denied."

-- Joseph Bruchac, ABENAKI

There were many injustices done to Native people. Sometimes I wonder; why am I connected to the past injustices done to Indian people? Why am I so angry about the past? The Elders say our ancestors are alive within each of us. Therefore, I may experience anger and resentment inside of me because of the injustice done to them. The way I get rid of these past feelings is to forgive. It may be necessary to even learn to forgive the unforgivable.

Great Spirit, teach me the path of forgiveness; teach me the courage to forgive; teach me to let go. Give to me a forgiving heart.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 15, 2012 at 11:36am

Aug 15, 1057:
Malcolm slays Macbeth
At the Battle of Lumphanan, King Macbeth of Scotland is slain by Malcolm Canmore, whose father, King Duncan I, was murdered by Macbeth 17 years earlier.

Macbeth was a grandson of King Kenneth II and also had a claim to the throne through his wife, Gruoch, who was the granddaughter of Kenneth III--the Scottish king who had been overthrown by Duncan's predecessor King Malcolm II. Under King Duncan, Macbeth was governor of the Scottish province of Moray and a trusted military commander. However, he opposed Duncan's ties to the Saxons in the South, and he rose in rebellion. On August 14, 1040, Macbeth killed Duncan in a battle near Elgin, and he was crowned king of Scotland in his place.

In 1054, after 14 years of rule, King Macbeth suffered a major military defeat at the Battle of Dunsinane against Siward, the earl of Northumbria. Siward was acting on behalf of Malcolm Canmore, Duncan's son. Malcolm then gained control of the southern part of Scotland and spent the next three years pursuing Macbeth, who fled to the north. On August 15, 1057, Macbeth was defeated and killed by Malcolm at the Battle of Lumphanan with the assistance of the English. Malcolm Canmore was crowned Malcolm III in 1058

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on August 14, 2012 at 12:17pm

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You're apt to be erratic and unpredictable today. At root is dissatisfaction. You may need to partner with someone who enhances your ambitions instead of being subject to an organization that holds you back.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Conflicts push you into trying harder, doing better. You're challenged to use all your knowledge to good effect. You dig into an entrenched position so you may need to be alert to cases where you may be wrong-headed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You pay attention to necessities today. Financially, you're frugal. In your love life, you're intensely loyal. You're acutely aware of where your best interests lie and you guard them carefully.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have to be self-reliant today. You suffer from a lack of support; perhaps people are generally wrapped up in their own problems. Take it in stride and find how far you can stretch your abilities.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Heed your restlessness; it's a notice that you must be doing something different and better. While you may not be ready to make a wholesale change immediately, set the stage by aggressively learning what you need to.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You appreciate hard work and integrity now. You like people who succeed through personal effort. Your emotional self-expression is restrained, but sincere when you show it. You dislike a lot of drama now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can be afraid of trying for something better; a fear of failure or embarrassment holds you back. You should set these fears aside. People may admire you for trying, no matter the end result.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You're prone to dwell on the negative possibilities today. You need to see what positive outcomes can be made if you bring to bear the right effort and intention. You may benefit from the advice of someone with experience.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You struggle for more independence in your life now. You may have the feeling that professional and personal obligations are taking up too much of your time and energy. You want more personal space and more freedom of decision.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): There is tension between making a career move and staying close to your family. If forced into a decision, you'll go for the most responsible, least sentimental option being placed before you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You're willing to make the first concession in order to position yourself. After that, you need to be able to start setting some terms, since you should not remain in a position of powerlessness or lack of influence.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are ready to make commitments in finances and in love. You are generally serious in your thinking and feelings. For some, the hard decision of a separation is the commitment you make.

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