Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 323

Sponsorship: INCREDIBLE DREAMS by Sandra Edwards

Book Blurb:Incredible Dreams is the story of a modern-day ghost whisperer who travels through time to save the life of a WWII fighter pilot and ends up jeopardizing her own existence.

Izzy Miller prefers to call herself a spiritual therapist because she thinks it makes her sound more professional than plain old ghost-whisperer. She expects her latest project to be quick and easy because exorcising military personnel is pretty routine.

But there's nothing easy or routine about Captain Jack Baker—he's a rather forgetful spirit and somewhat mischievous. And even though he's intrigued by the US Government's latest attempt to remove him from the only place he can ever remember being...he has no intentions of going anywhere.

Plans to exorcise Jack are quickly sidelined when Izzy discovers a portal into the past inside her dreams and sets out to change his fate. Trouble is...when she gets back there, she can't remember anything but her name. She still sees ghosts, but is far less accepting of her gift. And, to make matters worse, a demonic force pretending to be the forgetful heroine's sister has her own plans—to steal Izzy's soul.

Buy Links: Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Dreams-ebook/dp/B003ZSHPBQAmazon Print: http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Dreams-Sandra-Edwards/dp/1453780874Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/21665

Author Bio: Sandra is an award-winning author with eclectic tastes. She writes in a variety of genres such as paranormal (mostly time travel and reincarnation), contemporary, and suspense. Her books often push the envelope and step outside the boundaries of conventional romance. She lives in the U.S. (west coast) with her husband, two kids, four dogs and one very temperamental feline.

http://www.sandrawrites.comhttp://www.facebook.com/SandraEdwards.Author

Incredible Dreams Excerpt :Jack wasn't accustomed to going to the Rialto by himself. But these days he didn't feel like company. The last thing he needed or wanted was to have to entertain someone. He'd stopped in on a whim, after seeing the billboard out front. "Since You Went Away". Although it wasn't something he'd normally choose to see, it reached out and grabbed hold of him. Probably because he thought it was something that would appeal to Isabelle.He parked the car and strolled up to the window. "One please," he said, sliding the money toward the cashier. She grinned, chomping on gum, and passed a single ticket to him.He nodded graciously, took the ticket and strolled inside the theatre, taking a seat near the back. Not long into the movie he found himself making strange and odd comparisons between the movie and his own life. To be so different, they sure were a lot alike. He let his attention travel away from the screen, not liking his indiscretion, however innocent, smacking him in the face. Too bad he couldn't be as discerning as Joseph Cotton and contain his feelings. Mulling over the crowd, he saw Jeannie and George a few rows up and it annoyed him until he realized where there was Jeannie one might also find Isabelle. He scanned the theatre, delighted when he saw her sitting alone on the other side of the auditorium.He wanted to go sit with her, but decided against it. For now, it was enough just to see her and know she was okay. All through the movie, his thoughts and attention kept wandering back to her. When the final credits rolled, he didn't have the slightest clue how the movie had ended. How did Anne fare after her husband came home and she no longer had the luxury of turning to Tony? He shrugged it off, thinking the movie probably ended the same way this segment of his life would...with Isabelle's husband coming home and taking up residence as the man of the house. The thought sickened him.He stayed in his seat while the other movie-goers shuffled out of the theater. When the auditorium was empty he got up and left. Pausing in the lobby, he peered outside and saw Isabelle standing alone. He was tempted to go outside and say hello, but seeing that vulture Jeannie approaching Isabelle stopped him just inside the entrance.Safe and out of sight inside the theater's lobby, he looked on at the vivid conversation ensuing. Each sister said her piece until, finally, Jeannie left with George. Isabelle strolled in the other direction until she wound up at the bus stop a few feet away.Jack pushed the door open and stepped outside, glancing in the direction Jeannie and George had gone. Seeing them disappear around the corner, he grinned and crept toward Isabelle like a great cat sneaking up on its prey. He stopped a few feet away from her. "Enjoy the movie?"She jumped and whirled around, startled. Her face softened with a smile when her eyes met his. "Hi." She glanced away shyly. "The movie was entertaining at times, but grew rather dark, I thought."Funny. Such an oddly accurate account of a really long film that felt a little too close to home."Didn't care much for it, huh?" Feeling awkward, he slid his hands inside his pockets. Fumbling with her purse, she managed to shrug and say apathetically, "I guess the thing that constitutes a happy ending is different for different people."That was one way of putting it. She did have a point. But he didn't see how they, him and Isabelle, could have a happy ending. If her husband came home in a box, she'd never forgive herself. If he came home alive, he would live the life that Jack wanted. Either way was a no-win situation for Jack and Isabelle."You taking the bus home?" He acknowledged the sign looming above them."Yes." She looked away, as if purposefully avoiding him. But the embarrassment tainting her cheeks crimson could not evade him, even underneath the burnished glow of the streetlamp. "Jeannie's got herself a date.""And she left you here to fend for yourself?" He glanced at the bus heading toward them. "Why don't you let me give you a ride?" he asked quickly, over the spent suffering of his lawless heart. The bus pulled up to the curb and the door opened. Isabelle's fingers, tapered and long, fastened her hand around the bus's railing. She placed one foot on the bottom step and glanced over her shoulder. "Thanks." A smile spread across her face, one of those friendly, off-limits kind of smiles that kicked a man in his gut and deflated his ego. "But that's not necessary.""It's really no trouble, see," he said, worrying that he might sound too eager.She climbed to the top step and looked back again. "Thanks, Jack, but I really need to stop depending on you." She didn't wait for a reply. Instead, she ventured on inside the bus.He liked her stockings, the way the line ran up the back of her legs. A wild whim pushed him to follow her onto the bus. Halfway down the aisle he dropped into the seat behind her. "What are you doing?" Her tone, cool and disapproving, did not discourage Jack."Seeing you home." He sank back into the seat and folded his arms over his chest."Suit yourself," she said, inching toward the window. "What are you going to do?" She crooked her head to look at him. "Ride the bus back to your car?"Jack ignored her. He had too. Otherwise, he might burst out laughing. Instead, he winked and looked her over seductively. The way her breasts filled out the red and white polka dot dress showered him with thoughts he shouldn't be thinking. He wanted to kiss her, all over, and that left his heart aching. Her legs vied for his attention, dragging his thoughts away from his heartache. A subtle moan rose in his throat and he choked it back, shifting in his seat. "Where'd you get that dress, Isabelle?" She glanced down and then raised her eyes slowly back to him. A baffling, insignificant frown crossed her face. "I haven't a clue." Discomfort stained her cheeks red. Jack offered her a wink and an easy smile, hoping to disarm her bewilderment. Her left hand, the bareness of her ring finger glared like a naked desert. "Isabelle, do you have a wedding ring?" She glanced at her hand and gave a dismissive gesture. "I don't know." Her features settled into a frown. "Does that make me a bad person?" The question hammered at his heavy heart. "Why...because you don't know whether or not you have a wedding ring?" His tone was testy, yet tolerant. "No." She tilted her head with a cool stare in his direction. "Because I don't care if I have one or not.""Isabelle, it's not your fault that you don't remember," he said, hoping to soothe and calm her doubt. The bus slowed to a stop across the street from the boarding house. She pushed herself into a standing position. "Well, looks like this is my stop." She smiled, all friendly-like, and moved into the aisle. "It was nice seeing you again, Isabelle." The gentleman in him stood and waited until she'd exited the bus. Jack sat back down and the driver checked him in the mirror. "This is my last run," he said. "Where you headed, pal?""Back to the Rialto." Jack glanced out the window and watched Isabelle hurry up the walkway and disappear inside the house.He found the missing symbol of marriage intriguing, if not suspicious. While he didn't understand but easily accepted the amnesia and the peculiar things she sometimes said, he didn't get why she wasn't wearing a ring. Knowing her as he did, he found it odd that she wouldn't have one—or wear it if she did. If she were his wife, Jack would make sure she had the biggest rock he could afford so everybody would know she was married. Even so, Isabelle was not the kind of girl who married a guy who couldn't or wouldn't provide her with a ring. Her husband, who just so happened to be overseas, aroused Jack's curiosity. Never mind Isabelle's criteria when it came to marriage; what kind of guy didn't put a wedding ring on a girl like her? Jack could be jumping the gun, but he didn't think so. Aside from the fact that there seemed to be too many loose ends, there was something off about this conveniently absent flyer.And Jack intended to find out what that was. 











       

Interview with Linda Frank

Briefly describe your journey in writing your book.  My journey lasted over 20 years since my mother told me about a man she met during World War II. I'd wanted to write nonfiction about him—a magazine piece or biography—but doors were literally closed when I sought to interview people who would have been primary sources of information, including his widow. Not knowing whether this was due to simply privacy concerns or something more mysterious, I created a plot around the few bits I knew, and one of the main characters is someone like what I know of this man. But the primary protagonist is a 60 year old woman, because I found it hard to write in the voice of a 96 year old man and because I relate to women "of a certain age" and know they're great readers! The story involves a unique twist on Nazi art looting, and my journey included significant research on this topic since long before the Internet and Google. I have book shelves and a huge clipping file to prove it!

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre? AFTER THE AUCTION, my first novel is mystery and historical and a woman's story and Jewish-themed, so I guess its genre is hybrid. But I'm thrilled that some readers consider it gripping enough to be called a thriller. I'm writing another, a sequel of sorts with the same main characters, and I also write blog and magazine pieces.  Did you query agents and traditional publishers?  Did you receive an offer of representation or a book contract?I've queried, pitched (and been told my pitch was excellent), submitted to no avail.  And continue to do so—somewhat half-heartedly—as I write the second. Ultimately, I self-published the print version of my book and would do so again, if necessary, rather than query and pitch endlessly. I'd like to think I have 20 years to spend on creating the second and further books but I can't count on it.

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?I wanted the ebook version to be accessible in formats for all ereaders, and Untreed Reads offered this without my having to personally upload and trust my less than stellar tech capabilities. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I had a personal relationship with the company's owners and wanted to give them the business.

How involved are you during the creative process for your book's cover design?I was referred to my cover designer through Untreed Reads partner, KD Sullivan, even before the publication of the print version, which I brought out a few months before the ebook (next time I'd aim for simultaneous publication). I was quite involved in a back-and-forth online process, though the designer and I never met in person.

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads?I will stay with Untreed Reads for the ebook of my next novel but will also bring out a print version, self-published, if necessary.

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)?I tweet, maintain both personal and "fan" Facebook pages, as well as blogging on my web site and on other sites that accept my pitches.

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?I think digital publishing is a phenomenon that's here to stay. However, I can't believe that traditional print publishing will ever completely cease to exist.

What is the biggest thing you've learned during your journey as an author?It's all about the marketing, which I guess I knew, but also people actually LIKE my book, which came as a total shock, given the amount of rejection I encountered in the process.

Do you have any advice for new authors?Just DO IT!

What's next for you?As I mentioned, I'm writing a second novel, a sequel with many of the same characters. It's set mainly in China and involves the history of Jews there. I'm also working on a nonfiction book or series of essays—not sure yet—relating to China from my personal family perspective (my son is a long-term ex-pat married to a Chinese woman).

Email: linda@lindafrankbooks.comWeb site: www.lindafrankbooks.com



Buy AFTER THE AUCTION http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_7_48_63&products_id=37

Step by Step with graphic artist JOHN DOTEGOWSKI

I was lucky enough to find graphic artist John Dotegowski from a recommendation from another author. I hired John to design the cover for our new fantasy, "ASSASSIN'S CURSE." John was kind enough to explain his process with another image he designed for a gaming company. This was pretty much the process we went through as well.  John is a talented artist and is a delight to work with. His work speaks for itself, but if anyone is looking for an artist to design a book cover, send John an email. You won't be disappointed! I've repeated his process under each image in case anyone has trouble reading the text over the image.This is a piece I did for a small for a small gaming company that produces miniatures for use in tabletop gaming. This particular game is called "Day of the Scourge" and has a terminator like theme where humans fight against machines for their survival.  The client gave me some basics to go with, but his important criteria be that it be "badass." 

I usually work up 4-5 thumbnails (some of them not more than blobs really) to get a sense of which way to go.  Then I work up 2-3 more detailed versions for the client to pick from.  Usually I'll send the client line work mixed with gray scale to show how I'm thinking of doing the lighting. 

I need to work with references. Some people make great stuff without them, but I've found I can't do very well unless I have something to use to get the lighting and proportions right. I may make a lot of changes from the original, but I need a solid base to work from.






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Image 1
Here I started blocking in shapes, working up some detail and getting a better handle on the lighting. I'll do most of the base gray and linework in Photoshop, then take it to Coral Painter to start "painting." At this point the client wasn't happy with the skeleton too much. He didn't like the way the head was and wanted a more exo-skeleton type body.







Image 2
Here I made the changes he wanted. The head was much more skull like and the body much more where before it looked like a humanoid body covered with armor. It took a few tries to get the head just right, but I did mange to get it figured out. This is where I started working more on the human figures as well.






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Image 3
And this is the final piece.  The title of the game goes to the upper part of the image and there is enough room in the lower middle to fit this company's name in. It was a pretty fun piece to work on and I'm pretty happy with the way it worked out. Most importantly, the client was too!. Contact info:



Site-  www.johndotegowski.comEmail- johndotegowski@gmail.comPhone 716-569-5993

Review: RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Donna Fasano

[image error] 3.5 of 5 stars



[image error] Nineteen-year-old Savanna Langford has everything she has ever wanted. Her childhood was perfect. Her parents are perfect; she is set to marry the perfect man. But, is it too much perfection? What has she ever done on her own? An hour before her perfect fairytale wedding, everything feels like a crushing weight. Savanna is suffocating. She feels like she has no choice. She abandons everything and everyone and runs away.

Life is messy and, sometimes, it takes more courage to face what you've run away from, and that's exactly what Savanna has decided to do. She returns to her small hometown of Fulton after six years. In the interim, she has put herself through college and is the owner of a successful marketing/fundraising business. She's not a sheltered teenager anymore, but a confident young woman. That is, until she meets her former flame, Daniel Walsh.

The book explores not only fears, but also, the consequences of ones actions and how they affect everyone around you. The author does a good job of portraying Savanna. I understood her reasons for what she has done and the need to confront her past, but I did not feel the same connection to Daniel. Here is a young man who was jilted at the altar, had some unexpected things thrown his way and struggles to get through one day at a time. Adding Savanna back into the mix certainly should have added some explosive sparks to the book. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to happen. Daniel seemed to have only two emotions throughout the story: defensive or sweet, without much in-between.

The writing is clear and concise and has a nice flow to it. I read the story in two sittings, and I did enjoy it. It is a feel-good story with a satisfying ending that romance fans will love.

New Release: WHEN THE WALLS FELL by Monique Martin

Book blurb:

Professor Simon Cross and his assistant Elizabeth West have returned from their accidental journey into the past and are adjusting to their new life together as a couple. But an unwanted visit from the Council for Temporal Studies could change everything.



A murder in the past is changing the future, and if the killing isn't stopped, Simon Cross might never be born.



When they arrive in 1906 San Francisco, Elizabeth and Simon have no idea who wants Victor Graham dead or how it will happen. With the earthquake that leveled most of the city just days away, the race to save Graham thrusts them into a complex mystery of jealousy and revenge where murder might be the least of their worries.



The exciting sequel to Out of Time: A Paranormal Romance, When the Walls Fell, is a time travel adventure filled with suspense, mystery and romance.







Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/When-Walls-Fell-Time-ebook/dp/B005PII27U





BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-walls-fell-monique-martin/1105936643





Author bio:



Monique is a graduate of USC's Film School and is currently a full-time freelance writer. In addition to writing documentaries, industrial films and screenplays. She has published two novels in the Out of Time series.Official website: http://moniquemartin.weebly.com/

Review: ETERNAL KNIGHT by Matt Heppe

ETERNAL NIGHT is on sale for .99 for the month of October 2011.



4 of 5 stars

[image error] Hadde, the huntress for her village of Long Meadow, struggles to find enough food to feed everyone. The forest is dying, the animals have disappeared and the Wasting continues its relentless march through the province of Landomere. During a hunting trip, she comes upon a golden token in the Spiridus Glade and hope blooms in her heart. Along with a friend, she embarks on quest to sell the token and buy food and supplies for the starving villagers. What she doesn't realize is that the token is one of the ancient Spiridus Tokens and her simple quest to save her village morphs into a quest to save the world.

Hadde is a strong and well-developed heroine. She is proud of her heritage, that is, until she reaches King Boradin and his Saladoran court. The nobles treat her with contempt and call her uncivilized. It is only when Prince Morin starts to pay attention to her that she is treated with a modicum of respect. Throughout the book, the author kept Hadde true to herself and her uniqueness. His portrayal of her throughout the epic is masterfully written. It was easy to route for her to succeed in her quest.

Mr. Heppe painted a world that was easy to understand, from the breathtaking beauty of the Spiridus Glade to the ugliness of the Wasting that was destroying everything in its path. The action never stopped and just when you think you've got everything figured out, the author throws another curve into the mix.

The final battle was vivid and you'll find yourself turning pages as quickly as you can to find out what happens next. I enjoyed 95% of the book immensely. It is a fantastic epic fantasy. Without going into any spoilers, I found the ending a little less satisfying. My attention was diverted at the last moment and the fate of some major players remains unknown. Perhaps this was on purpose as in all great epic fantasies, we must wait for the next volume to find out what happens next. Recommended.

Spotlight: MAN OF STEEL by Dave Conifer

Book Blurb:  When twenty-something journalist Joe Jonas is sent to cover a press conference in Texas he figures it's just another crackpot JFK assassination conspiracy theory. But as he's half-assing through the legwork he stumbles across something that makes him realize this one might be for real. It gets even better when Abby Reno, a saucy reporter from Austin, insists on working on the story with him.



As Jonas and Reno circle closer to the plot they come to realize that the protectors of the secrets are still on the job and they don't take prisoners. The bodies pile up while the reporters look over their shoulders wondering if the story of the century is worth their lives. 





Buy Links:



Amazon sales page: http://www.amazon.com/Man-of-Steel-ebook/dp/B0017DPWO8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2 Barnes and Noble sales page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/man-of-steel-dave-conifer/1100072086?ean=2940000793817&itm=1&usri=man%2bof%2bsteel%2bdave%2bconifer

Author bio: Dave Conifer, a fitness fanatic who lives in Southern New Jersey, has authored seven books including three YA, three thrillers and a satirical comedy.

Website: http://daveconifer.blogspot.com/Facebook: http://facebook.com/daveconiferfanpage/

Interview with Lorraine Sears

Briefly describe your journey in writing your book.  I've always enjoyed reading and writing about Heaven and Hell, Angels, Demons and the Devil.  I'm not macabre about it, but I enjoy pushing the concepts around in my imagination.  Big Red was an exercise in romancing the Devil that I fell completely in love with (no pun intended).  It was a joy to write, not to mention a lot of fun.

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre?My stories cover all genres, from spirituality to eroticism, horror to children's tales.  It's all about the inspiration for me.  I don't write for a market, I write for myself.  If I think its good enough, then I look for a suitable market.

If you write in more than one genre, do you use a pen name?I must admit I've thought about using a pen name, especially when I've written erotica.  I have two young children and I worry about any comeback on them.  But I don't just write erotica and all my stories are just that, stories, pure fiction.  There's nothing to be ashamed about, as far as I see it.  I love writing, no matter the genre.  There have been a few raised eyebrows from mum's at the school gate when they hear about some of the things I write, but so far people have just been curious and then super supportive. 

[image error] What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?  I have three other titles with Untreed Reads: A Daughters Love, Pumpkin Lie and Wasting Time.  Untreed Reads are a great publisher to work with.  The communication between publisher and author is excellent and everyone in the Untreed Reads family works together to promote the company all their titles.  Big Red is my favorite short fiction that I have created so far, I couldn't think of a better home for him.

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)? I Tweet, I have a Facebook Page, an Author page on Amazon, a writers blog: Red Lorry's Journey, and as for writing forums… I'm actually a moderator on the Writer's Beat.  When I have new stories published I like to share them with other members in the Writer's Café. 

Being a moderator on the forum also means I'm a contributing editor the forum's ezine: The Writer's Beat Quarterly.  We have a regular feature called 'Member's News' where we invite all members to share their successes.  It's always nice to be able to include my news there too.

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?  Ah, the million dollar question.  I must admit I will always be a fan of the paper page.  I love the tangible quality of a book and there's nothing as satisfying as owning a good stuffed bookshelf; we have several in our house.  Bookshelves make a home as far as I am concerned, but you can't have bulging bookshelves when all your literature is on an e-reader. 

However, that said, e-publishing has so many benefits: instant access, logistical ease, better for the environment, titles are less expensive, etc...  I'd like to think there will be room in the future for both paper publishing and e-publishing, but I suppose time will tell.

What is the biggest thing you've learned during your journey as an author?Always end your writing day when you still have ideas in your head.  That way you come back to the blank page with plenty of inspiration.  Ernest Hemingway was an advocate of this practice and it certainly works for me.    Do you have any advice for new authors?Simple; read.  If you want to write, you have to read.

What's next for you?  Well, excitingly, in addition to the release of Big Red which coincides with Halloween, I have a four short stories coming out in the Pill Hill Press Daily Flash Fiction Anthology, 2012, to be released in November (2011).  And I have a comedy piece included in the My Funny Valentine anthology, by My Funny Books, in January 2012. 

On top of that I'm always busy on Writer's Beat, keeping a presence on the forum and contributing to the Writer's Beat Quarterly.  That's to say nothing of The Red Asylum which publishes short, dark and twisted fiction, where I am a founding, co-editor.    

But, the main goal for me is to see the publication of my novels.  I've just finished co-writing an erotic novella, which we are actively seeking publication.

I'm co-writing a full length Jack the Ripper novel with another writing partner, which we have very high hopes for.

And on top of all that I'm just wrapping up my first novel in a planned paranormal romance series called Soul Takers, for which I'll soon be looking for an agent.

It's all go, go, go and I hope it never stops.

 http://store.untreedreads.com/

A Daughter's Love http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_7_47_54&products_id=12

Pumpkin Lie http://store.untreedreads.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_7_47_54&products_id=76

World of Symbols: THE SUN by Michelle Snyder

Hot Stuff About the SunMichelle Snyder, the SymbologistWhite Knight Studiowww.whiteknightstudio.com


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All people are dependent on the sun; sun symbols have roots in ancient astronomical notations dating back more than 70,000 years. Our ancestors watched the heavens to learn about the cycles of the blazing star on which their lives depended. The first sun symbols were simple circles. During the ice age of 12,500 BC, blonde, curly-haired little girls represented the sun; their golden hair was like the sun, and both the sun and children are necessary for the continuation of life. Here we have the Sun-Child,  ancestor of the Sun-Maiden, Sun-Queen, and Sun-Goddess  Helen ­- sun symbols of the vast Vanir civilization, which, by 4000 BC, spanned from Norway to Africa.

Knowing when to prepare for winter, and when to plant new crops was crucial, circa 16,000 BC calendric symbols were used to record the yearly cycles of the sun. The Great Stone Circles, the megalithic observatories, were built to aid in observing the patterns of the sun and other heavenly bodies. Contemporary wheel symbols depict movement of heavenly bodies: the sun at the center, the spokes representing the sun's beams. From these ancient observations grew the mythologies of the sun-kings, the dead and resurrected kings, and other legends. Astronomical associations are evident in the symbols of the sun-kings: Halos around the heads symbolize solar radiance, which has been assimilated to the radiance of enlightenment, sanctity, holiness, or divinity.

Few young students today understand the Analemma - the movement of the sun - or how critical this knowledge was to survival thousands of years ago. During winter solstice the sun reaches its lowest point on the horizon (at the Tropic of Capricorn). There it stays, "motionless," for three days. When it rises again it brings with it warmth and change-of-season that allows crops to grow and life to thrive. The course of the sun through the heavens is an age-old symbol of the human life-cycle. The setting sun, its disappearance at night, and its rising again in the morning, link with the archetypal symbolism of death and rebirth.

The sun is the provider of light and warmth, renewing life in the spring. This knowledge has been the foundation of countless symbols, myths, and legends. In Incan myths the sun was worshiped as the divine ancestor of the nation. In Norse mythology Sunna, a sun goddess, rides in a horse drawn solar chariot. Abraxas, Apollo, and Helios also drive sun-chariots pulled by four horses; the horses are symbolic of the four seasons.  Ancient Egyptians worshiped Ra, a sun god. In Persia, Mithra was the god of light and wisdom. In Christian iconography the sun rising in the east symbolizes resurrection. Contemporary uses of sun symbols represent the intellect, the universal spirit, all-seeing divinity, intuitive knowledge, enlightenment, and illumination.  

Sunlight is symbolic of intelligence and spirit: we speak of intelligent people in terms of being bright or brilliant, and of having bright ideas. We depict enlightened beings with halos. It seems appropriate that our terms for intelligence are associated with light; light is associated with the sun and stars, the study of which is astronomy – the heavenly lights. Today, as in prehistory, those with knowledge of the heavens are regarded as intelligent. Considering this, one could connect knowledge of astronomy with enlightenment. Each year we travel once around the Sun on this rock called Earth. Have a great trip!

Article and artwork © 2011 Michelle Snyder, author of Symbology: Decoding Classic Images , available at Amazon, Alibris, and Barnes & Noble online, and at The Book Rack Bookstore in Arlington. Post your questions on her blog at www.whiteknightstudio.com. 

 

World of Symbols: THE SUN by Michelle Synder

 Hot Stuff About the SunMichelle Snyder, the SymbologistWhite Knight Studiowww.whiteknightstudio.com


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All people are dependent on the sun; sun symbols have roots in ancient astronomical notations dating back more than 70,000 years. Our ancestors watched the heavens to learn about the cycles of the blazing star on which their lives depended. The first sun symbols were simple circles. During the ice age of 12,500 BC, blonde, curly-haired little girls represented the sun; their golden hair was like the sun, and both the sun and children are necessary for the continuation of life. Here we have the Sun-Child,  ancestor of the Sun-Maiden, Sun-Queen, and Sun-Goddess  Helen ­- sun symbols of the vast Vanir civilization, which, by 4000 BC, spanned from Norway to Africa.

Knowing when to prepare for winter, and when to plant new crops was crucial, circa 16,000 BC calendric symbols were used to record the yearly cycles of the sun. The Great Stone Circles, the megalithic observatories, were built to aid in observing the patterns of the sun and other heavenly bodies. Contemporary wheel symbols depict movement of heavenly bodies: the sun at the center, the spokes representing the sun's beams. From these ancient observations grew the mythologies of the sun-kings, the dead and resurrected kings, and other legends. Astronomical associations are evident in the symbols of the sun-kings: Halos around the heads symbolize solar radiance, which has been assimilated to the radiance of enlightenment, sanctity, holiness, or divinity.

Few young students today understand the Analemma - the movement of the sun - or how critical this knowledge was to survival thousands of years ago. During winter solstice the sun reaches its lowest point on the horizon (at the Tropic of Capricorn). There it stays, "motionless," for three days. When it rises again it brings with it warmth and change-of-season that allows crops to grow and life to thrive. The course of the sun through the heavens is an age-old symbol of the human life-cycle. The setting sun, its disappearance at night, and its rising again in the morning, link with the archetypal symbolism of death and rebirth.

The sun is the provider of light and warmth, renewing life in the spring. This knowledge has been the foundation of countless symbols, myths, and legends. In Incan myths the sun was worshiped as the divine ancestor of the nation. In Norse mythology Sunna, a sun goddess, rides in a horse drawn solar chariot. Abraxas, Apollo, and Helios also drive sun-chariots pulled by four horses; the horses are symbolic of the four seasons.  Ancient Egyptians worshiped Ra, a sun god. In Persia, Mithra was the god of light and wisdom. In Christian iconography the sun rising in the east symbolizes resurrection. Contemporary uses of sun symbols represent the intellect, the universal spirit, all-seeing divinity, intuitive knowledge, enlightenment, and illumination.  

Sunlight is symbolic of intelligence and spirit: we speak of intelligent people in terms of being bright or brilliant, and of having bright ideas. We depict enlightened beings with halos. It seems appropriate that our terms for intelligence are associated with light; light is associated with the sun and stars, the study of which is astronomy – the heavenly lights. Today, as in prehistory, those with knowledge of the heavens are regarded as intelligent. Considering this, one could connect knowledge of astronomy with enlightenment. Each year we travel once around the Sun on this rock called Earth. Have a great trip!

Article and artwork © 2011 Michelle Snyder, author of Symbology: Decoding Classic Images , available at Amazon, Alibris, and Barnes & Noble online, and at The Book Rack Bookstore in Arlington. Post your questions on her blog at www.whiteknightstudio.com.