Elen - - yes, not only Vicky and Vicki, but from looking at the photographs on your web page I do think there are a few other similarities between the Icera Stone and the Owl Woman namely...
- the Green Man Pub and the Green Lion Pub
- the Hill and the Fire Beacon
- the Altar Stone and the Kitnor Stone
- Nectans Kieve Pool and the Lady Pool
- the Beltane Brooch and the Bridewell Cup
etc

and also the name of your photographer of the Owl - Andrew Harmer

The stories are of course completely different. However, it is strange I have also noticed similarities between the plot of your next novel and the one I am working on now. The problem is you're ahead of me - and therefore I'll have to watch out I'm not unduly influenced. hmmm spooky huh!

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oh and of course Urith - the mother goddess - Maia

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not implying the goddess/saint are the same - just similar :o)

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http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/archived/2003/wk37/news/37news3.asp

thanks Elen - hope you don't mind - for those interested above the web page shows the statue of St Urith - with her head in her hands

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By the way - I have a pet theory that goes something like pub signs become inadvertently changed by the sign painters over time - so that what looked like originally the face of the archetypal Green Man - could easily gradually be turned into a Green Lion by a few drunken retouches of a paint brush - the artistic equivalent of Chinese Whispers. :o)

Chapter 10 is now uploaded. Hope you enjoy it.
Here is a link to open a window to it.
http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/2927.asp

To open a new window to Chapter 11, click below -

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/2980.asp

With regard to the Adam and Eve story in Genesis, Nell makes the good point that God also told them to 'be fruitful and multiply', there does seem to be a contradiction in Genesis, if the myth of the serpent (which is comes after) is interpreted as sex for which they are punished.

This is probably because the Genesis story, however profound, cobbles together older myths.

One web site which discusses an interesting aspect of the earlier myth is the following...

http://www.astradome.com/adam&eve_myth.htm

from which you will see that the myth that predates Genesis suggests that Eve was alone at first and came before Adam, hence the need for the snake!

Andrew, I love that website - fascinating - and it leads to another equally alluring if you click on the icon at the bottom. Thanks, just my cup of tea!

Yes, that web site contains in a hazelnut shell, much of the essence of Pagan belief... and how it differs fundamentally from the beliefs of the patriarchs of the Church.

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/3120.asp

Chapter 12 loaded up... but we're not even half way through yet.

I wonder if anyone can work out the meaning of Erica's computer password?

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Well done Dee!

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/3171.asp

Chapter 13 loaded up. I'm happy to have any thoughts from anyone - novice or expert.

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/3223.asp

Chapter 14 is now loaded up

for those who are following the story - but comments welcome from all.

Does anyone have any observations on the connections made in this chapter (13) between Hermes, Ley Lines, serpents and torcs, St Michael's May Ley line, William Stukely and Overton Hill? I'd welcome any comments here if you have.
A )

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(meant chapters 13 and 14)

Blimey Andrew, do you need a degree in mythology to get the full benefit of The Icera Stone?

Imagine Winking Smiley Face Here!

No Nell, I wasn't trying to be clever, and I certainly hope that a degree is not required to enjoy the story - that would surely restrict the market and be somewhat self- defeating.

Here's a website I found yesterday that encompasses some of the ideas in the I S.

http://leadingtonearts.com/SyncreticArt/DragonTango_info/DResearch/LeyD.html

The aim is to tell the story I hope in an accessible, and reader-friendly way. If I fail to do that, I'm sure the feedback from WW will let me know.

The advantage of the Forum is that it can be used for silly asides and for more in depth stuff in equal measure, and I enjoy both.

A )

Good website Andrew, and I was only being being flippant, please don't take me seriously. T.I.S is enjoyable for a wide range of readers, and I know you're only enabling access to the underlying layers with your directions in this forum.

Best, Nell.

http://www.writewords.org.uk/archive/3286.asp

Chapter 15 - The Lecture is now uploaded.

Dr Christopher Credus arrives... 'at last' you say. Well, it's only half way through the book.

I'd be pleased to answer any questions on the technology of the spin states of the molecules etc and provide references if you're interested.

If not, hope you enjoy it anyway.

A )

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast11dec_1.htm

That web page is about growing Germanium crystals in space. Just some background reading to the story for anyone interested.