This is actually a comment about Friday's Eifleheim discussion, but since Matthew was in on it, at least, I'm pretty sure he's the same Matthew, but it fits in here and I'll add a comment about magic, to make it legit. I thought we had a good discussion Friday, especially because at 83, I learned from your explanation of how you had taught yourself how to read and had applied to rereading Eifelheim. From that, I realized that I had read Eifelheim on the wrong tangent, and, except for our discussion, would have otherwise missed the baby in the bath water.
I also enjoyed the discussions we had with Matthew about how the Medieval age shaped natural science and our current world. That part of our discussion inspired by coming Sunday Still Waters thought verse post for May 19 on my Substack "newsletter". Please visit and read.
On magic: My nine volume fantasy novel, "A Tale of Two Times", makes use a kind of magic which it’s human characters dodge calling magic, but instead call "Goth physics". But Goth physics is actually based on the principles of creation which govern how all beings, especially, in the novel, humans, gods, plants, birds and insects interact. So you could think of Goth physics as the practical art that makes use of intersection of the higher principles of theology, philosophy and science.
So as magic, its practice is the highest, and most deadly dangerous art humans can practice. And the reader will experience the heroine casting a spell on a fallen away Catholic priest.
In the light of your posts on "Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy", I can’t resist sharing the following from the seventh volume of "A Tale of Two Times" which suggests the scope of Goth physics in the modern, real world—
“Did you see Tenochtitlan from the Greased Lightning?”
“Yes. I fabricated a Partial Vision by temporal switch-backing over Southern California, to about the time of the Temple’s dedication, which was shortly before the Conquest. In addition to the cup, I possessed a second valid Anchor for the Vision—a relic that I carry, of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, to whom I have a special devotion. According to our family tradition, he was a youth among the Aztec worshipers at the dedication of the Temple of Tenochtitlan.
“And Ricardo, in the Partial Vision I saw the young man who would become Juan Diego standing at the edge of the crowd.”
“Was Esmeralda satisfied with what she saw?”
“Esmeralda was stunned by it, and by the incredibly well-organized stream of bloody human sacrifices. She sat silently while we were returning to Ontario, and she left Ontario without a word.”
— The two speakers both practice the art of Goth physics and speak Nahuatl, which is woven into the long story and plays a special part in a major love scene engagement story.
This is actually a comment about Friday's Eifleheim discussion, but since Matthew was in on it, at least, I'm pretty sure he's the same Matthew, but it fits in here and I'll add a comment about magic, to make it legit. I thought we had a good discussion Friday, especially because at 83, I learned from your explanation of how you had taught yourself how to read and had applied to rereading Eifelheim. From that, I realized that I had read Eifelheim on the wrong tangent, and, except for our discussion, would have otherwise missed the baby in the bath water.
I also enjoyed the discussions we had with Matthew about how the Medieval age shaped natural science and our current world. That part of our discussion inspired by coming Sunday Still Waters thought verse post for May 19 on my Substack "newsletter". Please visit and read.
On magic: My nine volume fantasy novel, "A Tale of Two Times", makes use a kind of magic which it’s human characters dodge calling magic, but instead call "Goth physics". But Goth physics is actually based on the principles of creation which govern how all beings, especially, in the novel, humans, gods, plants, birds and insects interact. So you could think of Goth physics as the practical art that makes use of intersection of the higher principles of theology, philosophy and science.
So as magic, its practice is the highest, and most deadly dangerous art humans can practice. And the reader will experience the heroine casting a spell on a fallen away Catholic priest.
In the light of your posts on "Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy", I can’t resist sharing the following from the seventh volume of "A Tale of Two Times" which suggests the scope of Goth physics in the modern, real world—
“Did you see Tenochtitlan from the Greased Lightning?”
“Yes. I fabricated a Partial Vision by temporal switch-backing over Southern California, to about the time of the Temple’s dedication, which was shortly before the Conquest. In addition to the cup, I possessed a second valid Anchor for the Vision—a relic that I carry, of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, to whom I have a special devotion. According to our family tradition, he was a youth among the Aztec worshipers at the dedication of the Temple of Tenochtitlan.
“And Ricardo, in the Partial Vision I saw the young man who would become Juan Diego standing at the edge of the crowd.”
“Was Esmeralda satisfied with what she saw?”
“Esmeralda was stunned by it, and by the incredibly well-organized stream of bloody human sacrifices. She sat silently while we were returning to Ontario, and she left Ontario without a word.”
— The two speakers both practice the art of Goth physics and speak Nahuatl, which is woven into the long story and plays a special part in a major love scene engagement story.
And, thanks again for the Eifelheim discussion.