Posts Tagged ‘weirdness’
keenest eagerness
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Oh yes, lords and ladies of Newtown, we have arrived once more at the apex of the autumnal season of spooky here in the Newtown Pentacle. Consequently, attention must once more turn to the cemetery belt, and the fossilized heart of our community known as Calvary Cemetery.
Cherubim, which are actually the most terrifying and thickly fundamentalist of all the angelic race, were representationally presented to your humble narrator at Calvary Cemetery (First Calvary of course) recently. Adorning a recent interment’s monument, this enigmatic statuary wore curious adornment.
from wikipedia
The term cherubim is cognate with the Assyrian term karabu, Akkadian term kuribu, and Babylonian term karabu; the Assyrian term means ‘great, mighty’, but the Akkadian and Babylonian cognates mean ‘propitious, blessed’. In some regions the Assyro-Babylonian term came to refer in particular to spirits which served the gods, in particular to the shedu (human-headed winged bulls); the Assyrians sometimes referred to these as kirubu, a term grammatically related to karabu. They were originally a version of the shedu, protective deities sometimes found as pairs of colossal statues either side of objects to be protected, such as doorways. However, although the shedu were popular in Mesopotamia, archaeological remains from the Levant suggest that they were quite rare in the immediate vicinity of the Israelites. The related Lammasu (human-headed winged lions — to which the sphinx is similar in appearance), on the other hand, were the most popular winged-creature in Phoenician art, and so most scholars suspect that Cherubim were originally a form of Lammasu. In particular, in a scene reminiscent of Ezekiel’s dream, the Megiddo Ivories — ivory carvings found at Megiddo (which became a major Israelite city) — depict an unknown king being carried on his throne by hybrid winged-creatures.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Spending as much time in graveyards as I do, puzzles often present themselves to me in the shape of ordinary things, but I’ve learned to be cautious as well as curious. “Too smart for my own good” a humble narrator must often remind himself that “a cigar is sometimes just a cigar” and not read significances into odd costume trinkets which fetter the necks of plastic angels.
Note: Brrr… Angels have always scared the shit out of me. Like Demons, they are automatons enforcing a status quo, unreasonable soldiers in a war which has nothing to do with me. They’re also not “cute”. What we refer to as Cherubs are actually “Putto“.
from wikipedia
Angels of the First Sphere work as heavenly guardians of God’s throne.
Seraphim
- Seraphim (singular “Seraph”), mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-7 [6], serve as the caretakers of God’s throne and continuously shout praises: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. All the earth is filled with His Glory.” The name Seraphim means “the burning ones.
- “The Seraphim have six wings; two covering their faces, two covering their bodies (“feet”), and two with which they fly.
- Two of which are named Seraphiel and Metatron, according to some books. Seraphiel is said to have the head of an eagle. It is said that such a bright light emanates from them that nothing, not even other angelic beings, can look upon them. It is also said that there are four of them surrounding God’s throne, where they burn eternally from love and zeal for God.
Cherubim
- They have four faces: one of each a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. The ox-face is considered the “true face”, as later on in Ezekiel the ox’s face is called a cherub’s face (Chapter 10). They have four conjoined wings covered with eyes, and they have ox’s feet.
- Cherubim are considered the elect beings for the purpose of protection. Cherubim guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) and the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14-16).
- Modern English usage has blurred the distinction between Cherubim and Putti. Putto (pl. Putti) refers to the winged human baby/toddler-like beings traditionally used in figurative art.
- The Cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24 [7]; Exodus 25:17-22; 2 Chronicles 3:7-14; Ezekiel 10:12–14 [9], 28:14-16[8]; 1 Kings 6:23–28 [10]; and Revelation 4:6-8.
Thrones or Ophanim
- The Thrones (Gr. thronos) or Elders, also known as the Erelim or Ophanim, are a class of celestial beings mentioned by Paul of Tarsus in Colossians 1:16 (New Testament). They are living symbols of God’s justice and authority, and have as one of their symbols the throne. These high celestial beings appear to be mentioned again in Revelation 11:16.
- The Ophanim (Heb. ofanim: Wheels, also known as Thrones, from the vision of Daniel 7:9) are unusual looking even compared to the other celestial beings; They appear as a beryl-coloured wheel-within-a-wheel, their rims covered with hundreds of eyes.
- They are closely connected with the Cherubim: “When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures [Cherubim] was in the wheels.” Ezekiel 10:17 NRSV.
blurred outlines
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As always, Lords and Ladies of Newtown, your humble narrator finds himself overwhelmed by obligation and social fealty. To be seen by so many diminishes me.
The recent uprooting of Newtown Pentacle HQ from its Matthews Model Flat environ and consequent move to new digs here in ruby lipped Astoria has been arduous, and has resulted in the quite uneven schedule of postings you’ve no doubt noticed. Unfortunately, such is life when well lived, but the apogee of exertion has been met and the routine returns to normal.
As normal as it gets, here in the Newtown Pentacle, that is.
from the New York Herald, Jan. 6, 1895
Fires in the home of Adam Colwell, 84 Guernsey Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn — that, in 20 hours, preceding noon, Jan. 5th, when Colwell’s frame house burned down, there had been many fires.(6) Policemen had been sent to investigate. They had seen furniture burst into flames. Policemen and firemen had reported that the fires were of unknown origin. The Fire Marshal said: “It might be thought that the child Rhoda started two of the fires, but she can not be considered guilty of the others, as she was being questioned, when some of them began. I do not want to be quoted as a believer in the supernatural, but I have no explanation to offer, as to the cause of the fires, or of the throwing around of the furniture.”
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Despite the agonizing series of efforts and appointments which moving one’s domicile requires, and a concurrent and badly timed series of familial and fraternal obligations, once I heard about the pyrokinetic history of 84 Guernsey Street in Greenpoint- I made the time to go get some shots of the place. This era of rapid real estate development that we are experiencing has taught me to strike when the iron is hot- for the subject you desire to explore very well might be gone the next day.
also from the New York Herald, Jan. 6, 1895
Colwell’s story was that, upon the afternoon of Jan. 4th, in the presence of his wife and his step-daughter Rhoda, aged 16, a crash was heard. A large, empty, parlor stove had fallen to the floor. Four pictures fell from walls. Colwell had been out. Upon his return, while hearing an account of what had occurred, he smelled smoke. A bed was afire. He called a policeman, Roundsman Daly, who put out the fire, and then, because of unaccountable circumstances, remained in the house. It was said that the Roundsman saw wall paper, near the shoulder of Colwell’s son Willie start to burn. Detective Sergeant Dunn arrived. There was another fire, and a heavy lamp fell from a hook. The house burned down, and the Colwells, who were in poor circumstances, lost everything but their clothes. They were taken to the police station.
Captain Rhoades, of the Greenpoint Precinct, said: “The people we arrested had nothing to do with the strange fires. The more I look into it, the deeper the mystery. So far I can attribute it to no other cause than a supernatural agency. Why, the fires broke out under the very noses of the men I sent to investigate.”
Sergeant Dunn — “There were things that happened before my eyes that I did not believe were possible.”
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Pyrokinesis is actually a term coined by the novelist Stephen king for his novel “Firestarter”, although tales of the psychic ability to ignite fires abound in popular mythology and historical records. One is reminded of Mr. A.W. Underwood- a fellow known as the “Human Blowtorch” who was a phenomenon in the 19th century.
from the New York Herald, Jan. 7, 1895
Policemen and firemen artfully tricked by a pretty, young girl.” Mr. J.L. Hope, of Flushing, L.I., had called upon Captain Rhoades, telling him that Rhoda had been a housemaid in his home, where, between Nov. 19 and Dec. 19, four mysterious fires had occurred. “Now the Captain was sure of Rhoda’s guilt, and he told her so.” “She was frightened, and was advised to tell the truth.”
And Rhoda told what she was “advised” to tell. She “sobbed” that she had started the fires, because she did not like the neighborhood in which she lived, and wanted to move away: that she had knocked pictures from the walls, while her mother was in another part of the house, and had dropped burning matches into beds, continuing her trickeries after policemen, detectives, and firemen had arrived.
The Colwells were poor people, and occupied only the top floor of the house that burned down. Colwell, a carpenter, had been out of work two years, and the family was living on the small wages of his son. Insurance was not mentioned.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Greenpoint is a very, very strange place- apparently.
also from the New York Herald, Jan. 7, 1895
The police captain’s conclusion was that the fires that had seemed “supernatural” to him, were naturally accounted for, because, if when Rhoda was in Flushing, she set things afire, fires in her own home could be so explained. Rather than to start a long investigation into the origin of the fires in Flushing, the police captain gave the girl what was considered sound and wholesome advice.
And — though it seems quaint, today — the girl listened to advice. “Pretty young girls” have tricked more than policemen and firemen. Possibly a dozen male susceptibles could have looked right at this pretty, young girl, and not have seen her strike a match, and flip it into furniture; but no flip of a match could set wall paper afire.
The case is like the case of Emma Piggott. Only to one person’s motives could fires be attributed: but by no known means could she have started some of these fires.
tears of long weeping
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Your humble narrator, afflicted by vast physical cowardice and a strangely shy nature, rather enjoys visiting the location of an auspicious event long after its danger has faded away.
The event- an apocalyptic fire at the Sone and Fleming refinery in 1919 (seriously, click this link and check out the NYTimes report on this) that consumed a large chunk of the Greenpoint waterfront- drew me there some 90+ years after the fact. Of course, the Exxon facility which is handling the remediation of the great Greenpoint Oil spill is directly across the street from the structure pictured above, and stands on the site of the old Standard Oil yard which was immolated by that self same 1919 fire.
from a crainsnewyork report of June 25, 2010
Kalmon Dolgin also arranged the sale of an 114,000-square-foot development site at 365 Kingsland Ave., also in the area, for $10 million. Mr. Dolgin, along with his colleagues Mr. Nicholas and Jean Cook, represented both seller Broadway Stages and buyer Kingsland 359 LLC in the sale.
The property features a 20,000-square-foot building on a plot of 114,000 square feet zoned for industrial use. It was previously used for the parking and storing of trucks. The new owners who purchased the property plan to continue to use the site as an industrial storage facility.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The colour is impossible to ignore in this part of hoary Greenpoint, with its long industrial history and shadowed past. Iridescent, it is neither black nor gray, and this colour- like something out of space- seems to coat every sickly tree limb and worm eaten pilaster. The splendid isolation which is always supplied by the creeklands on the weekend is absent here, and one has the sense of being watched by hidden eyes. Perhaps it is just the security men, but intuitions suggest that some malefic presence or supernal intelligence is nearby, however that’s just ridiculous and paranoid.
from nysdecgreenpoint.com
The former ExxonMobil terminal is located at 400 Kingsland Avenue. The property is bordered by Newtown Creek to the east, various Norman and Kingsland Avenue businesses to the south, Kingsland Avenue to the west and the 460 Greenpoint Avenue property to the north. Two additional properties are also associated with the former ExxonMobil terminal property, the Monitor yard (located west of the terminal property between Kingsland Avenue and Monitor Street) and the North Henry Yard (located west of the Monitor yard between Monitor and North Henry Streets).
By 1892, five of the petroleum refineries in the Greenpoint area (Central Refining, Washington Oil Company, Kings Company Oil Refining, Empire Refining Company, and The Deove Manufacturing Brooklyn Oil Works) were purchased and became known as the Standard Oil Trust. In 1911, the Standard Oil Trust was dissolved and these properties became the Standard Oil Company of New York (SOCONY) and by 1929, had expanded to over 79 acres along Newtown Creek, including the property currently owned by BP. In 1931, SOCONY merged with the Vacuum Oil Company, which later became Mobil, and now is known as ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil ceased its refining operations in 1966 and in 1968, sold a portion of their property to Amoco Oil Company (Amoco) and other entities. Following the discovery of petroleum products seeping into Newtown Creek in 1978, ExxonMobil began to investigate and remediate the plume, and by 1993, had discontinued all fuel operations on the terminal property. In 2007, ExxonMobil removed the empty above ground storage tanks associated with its former refinery operations and is currently in the process of excavating and removing all underground piping from the former terminal property.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
When I let my imagination wander, on these long pilgrimages across this Newtown Pentacle, it often drifts to those days when the degenerate Dutch controlled the land we call Greenpoint.
In these early days the houses were heated by great wide open fire places in the living room. This was the place where the food was prepared and eaten and where the family in the evening gathered about the fire place, warmed themselves at the great log fire, and discussed family, social, and political affairs. The casual caller was entertained at this hospitable fire place. Wood was the only fuel and every farm had its wood lot. For the fire a huge back log was rolled into place, then smaller logs about six feet in length would be piled in front and on top of the back log. A roaring fire could easily be kept going to make the entire house comfortably warm except in bitter winter weather.
Each house had its outdoor oven in which the busy housewife could easily bake a dozen loaves of bread or as many pies at a time. The vigorous outdoor life was conducive to healthy appetites, but these Dutch families were all good providers. Large families were also the rule. This sparsely settled section gave small opportunity for social life. The farms were large and widely separated and the church and store a great distance away. The gallants who sued for the favor of the several daughters of Pieter PRAA and Maria Hay must have been rowed up and across the East River by their slaves in order to do their courting. All these daughters married merchants or professional men from across the river.
Prior to 1824 nearly all Dutch families were slave holders. Pieter PRAA was the owner of quite a number and in his will he provided that each slave should choose among which of the children he desired to serve. To his body servant. Jack, was given by terms of the will an island, a part of which is now Long Island City and which was known for more than a century later as “Jack’s Island.” Although not a large island it was sufficiently large for his maintenance. The Dutch enjoyed a reputation of treating their slaves with consideration. Although the act of 1824 freed all slaves in New York State, these black servants continued to regard themselves as members of the household to which they had formerly belonged. Many of these slaves had been brought up to a trade and there was work in abundance for all.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Its not the official story that I ponder, of course, and instead focus on the fascinating intercourse of cultures that must have happened amongst the working folk. Remember, historical records from the 17th and 16th centuries pay particular attention to the masters- not their slaves. What syncretic beliefs emerged in this place amongst the poor and working classes, with its admixture of religion and folk tradition combed together from far flung sources all over the Dutch trading empire, which stretched from the Americas through Europe and Africa and even included far off Pohnpei?
from slavenorth.com
Between 1636 and 1646 the price of able-bodied men in New Netherland rose about 300 percent. By 1660, slaves from Angola were selling for 300 guilders and those from Curaçao for about 100 guilders more. By the time the British took over the colony in 1664, slaves sold in New Amsterdam for up to 600 guilders. This was still a discount of roughly 10 percent over what they would have brought in the plantation colonies, but the West India Company had been subsidizing slavery in New Netherland to promote its economic progress. The Hudson Valley, where the land was monopolized in huge patroon estates that discouraged free immigration, especially relied on slaves.
The purely economic status of slaves in New Netherland contrasted with the malignant and sometimes bizarre racism of the religious British citizens who followed the Dutch into the north Atlantic colonies. Free blacks in New Netherland were trusted to serve in the militias, and slaves, given arms, helped to defend the settlement during the desperate Indian war of 1641-44. They were even used to put down the Rensselaerswyck revolt of white tenants. Blacks and whites had coequal standing in the colonial courts, and free blacks were allowed to own property (Jews, however, were not). They intermarried freely with whites and in some cases owned white indentured servants.
Slaves who had worked diligently for the company for a certain length of time were granted a “half-freedom” that allowed them liberty in exchange for an annual tribute to the company and a promise to work at certain times on company projects such as fortifications or public works. Individual slaveowners, such as Director General Peter Stuyvesant, adopted this system as well, and it enabled them to be free of the cost and nuisance of owning slaves year-round that they could only use in certain seasons. For the slaves, half-freedom was better than none at all.
bodily encumbrances
A personal note, and a “moving forward” statement of intent:
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Sporadic will be the best case description of postings over the next few weeks. Binary forces, personal and professional, are exerting their pull on my attention and capabilities. Newtown Pentacle HQ (and our little dog Zuzu) is in the process of moving to a larger, brighter, and slightly cheaper domicile here in Astoria.
The exertions and cost of the move are complicated by the unique circumstance of needing to maintain a functioning studio, earn a living, and maintain some level of normalcy for the dog. Climbing back upon the corporate ladder (the above shot is the actual staircase at an ad agency called Digitas where I was employed for a while) to cover expenses is paramount. Freelancing is not the joy it once was, given the state of the economy and certain repressive regulations imposed by the federal government in order to guarantee extra- national agricultural workers the right to pay a social security tax they will never be eligible to collect during the last half of that abhorrent admixture of crypto fascist incompetence and corporate welfare led by a certain ex governor of Texas which is colloquially referred to as “The Bush administration”.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Dwindling, the small amount of treasure which greased the wheels of existence for your humble narrator needs replenishment. Dreams of caviar and champagne are not dancing in my mind, of course, I’m just hoping to continue to offer the dog an occasional “Jimmy Dean” and make sure the missus has something to open on Christmas morning.
Plans along this course introduce the notion of monetizing my efforts online, something I’ve always resisted, but certain realities have to be acknowledged. The whole “Gilman” thing with the tax people has created a new bill to pay, and belts are as tight as they will go- even with the several new holes hand punched beyond those that came pre installed when it was purchased during fatter times.
To this end, there will be a series of Newtown Pentacle products- photo books at first, probable introduction of advertising on the site (there are a LOT of you reading this blog these days), and a few other ventures which are at early stages of development. I’m not attempting to become crass, or commercial, but a humble narrator has to eat too. When I have a personal stake in something, i.e. I stand to make a couple of bucks off of it, I’ll state that flat out.
If this manumission to capitalism does not appear- in a notice about a working harbor, or Newtown Creek Alliance, or Newtown Historical Society event, know that its just “a get out the vote” or “put asses in the seats” effort on behalf of something worth doing.
Remember, remember the 23rd of August
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Supernal terror greets the calendar’s arrival on the Vulcanalia – or the 23rd of August, a chilling sense memory of forgotten anniversaries and lost worlds. Woe to we unlucky few, when the question raised by that hated phrase- “for whom the bell tolls?” – may only be answered by glancing in a mirror. In that moment, when an abominable eidelon of degenerate appearance appears within the framed glass, remember 1967 and 1968.
Realizing, some days ago, that this year’s anniversary of that annum horriblum was once more upon us- and worse still- that the abundance of cemeteries which garland the Newtown Pentacle would provide ideal conditions for a virtual army to form up virtually undetected. In the name of the community at large, I contacted expert advice, hoping to gain some reassurance that those events of the winter of 1967 and spring of 1968 which played out in the back woods of Pennsylvania would not be repeated.
Into balls of crystal was the gaze of a humble narrator cast.
from wikipedia
Radio reports explain that an epidemic of mass murder is sweeping across the eastern seaboard. The creatures are consuming the flesh of their victims. A subsequent broadcast reports that the murders are being perpetrated by the recently deceased who have returned to life, dubbed ‘ghouls’. Experts, scientists and military are not sure of the cause of the reanimation, but one scientist is certain that it is the result of radioactive contamination from a space probe that exploded in the Earth’s atmosphere. A final report instructs that a gunshot or heavy blow to the head will stop the ghouls and that posses of armed men are patrolling the countryside to restore order.
from youtube:
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Roma woman who read my tea leaves in her store front chapel began to sweat profusely when my query for divination was put forward. “Who asks such things?” she said, and told me to leave. Oddly, she threw a broom down on the floor and spit upon it, while performing a wild gestural dance with her hands.
I think that she may have been flashing me some kind of “gang sign” but I’m not that into Hip-Hop, so I don’t know.
Cursing my inability to interact with my fellow travelers upon this mortal coil, I decided to visit with a group of birds in Astoria whom I believe are attempting to communicate with us via a language of musical notation. Whether they are agents of an external sentience or have developed some sort of telepathic group mind, I cannot say, however when a question is put to them the entire flock will rearrange themselves into different patterns.
Strange, unfortunately- another of my deficiencies is the ability to read musical notation.
from wikipedia
According to the tenets of Vodou, a dead person can be revived by a bokor, or sorcerer. Zombies remain under the control of the bokor since they have no will of their own. “Zombi” is also another name of the Vodou snake lwa Damballah Wedo, of Niger-Congo origin; it is akin to the Kikongo word nzambi, which means “god”. There also exists within the West African Vodun tradition the zombi astral, which is a part of the human soul that is captured by a bokor and used to enhance the bokor’s power. The zombi astral is typically kept inside a bottle which the bokor can sell to clients for luck, healing or business success. It is believed that after a time God will take the soul back and so the zombi is a temporary spiritual entity. It is also said in voudou legend, that feeding a zombie salt will make it return to the grave.
from youtube:
– photo by Mitch Waxman
At Calvary Cemetery, whose hallowed ground will most likely (and paradoxically) be the safest location in the Greater City if events unfold like the flower of some loathsome Lily, the Groundling Burrowers were consulted. It is whispered that is they who convey the messages of the living to the underworld, and that sometimes they will bring something back to the surface from those below, if the right sort of payment is offered. Costly, their price is paid nevertheless and assurances were offered by certain subterrene potentates who would prefer to remain anonymous that this would be a year like any other.
But, all rabbits are tricksters, even the demonic kind.
from wikipedia
The zombie apocalypse is a particular scenario of apocalyptic fiction that customarily has a science fiction/horror rationale. In a zombie apocalypse, a widespread (usually global) rise of zombies hostile to human life engages in a general assault on civilization. Victims of zombies may become zombies themselves. This causes the outbreak to become an exponentially growing crisis: the spreading “zombie plague/virus” swamps normal military and law enforcement organizations, leading to the panicked collapse of civilian society until only isolated pockets of survivors remain, scavenging for food and supplies in a world reduced to a pre-industrial hostile wilderness.
The literary subtext of a zombie apocalypse is usually that civilization is inherently fragile in the face of truly unprecedented threats and that most individuals cannot be relied upon to support the greater good if the personal cost becomes too high. The narrative of a zombie apocalypse carries strong connections to the turbulent social landscape of the United States in the 1960s when the originator of this genre, the film Night of the Living Dead, was first created.
from youtube:
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Finally, “that which might exist down there”- swirling about the shadowed bottom of Dutch Kills, in the oneirontic clays and black mayonnaise which distinguish the soft bottom of all the tributary waterways which connect to the lacerated flow of the Newtown Creek- was consulted.
From a throat whose gentype and phyla is not speculated upon, suspected, or even proposed to exist- an unknowable, indescribable, and unguessable gelatin approximation of human speech – voiced in a manner which one does not hear, but instead perceives from a series of monotonous sense impacts- spoke.
Apparently, we’re going to be OK today. All sources agree that the Zombie Holocaust will not begin anew in 2010, on this 42nd anniversary of the famed “Night of the Living Dead”.
And writing this post on my Birthday is a little present to myself, just in case you thought I’d finally gone off the deep end of the Creek.
from youtube.com
The Newtown Pentacle 