Unsolved Mysteries, Biblical Miracles & Optical Illusions by ReCreation Magazine™

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Unsolved Mysteries Biblical Miracles & Optical Illusions

Letter From The Creator Jahmerikah Marley

I and I urge you to look deeper and longer to discover more non magical mysteries within these optical illusions. Realize what lies behind the “Fun & Games” aspect and unearth where you end up in the daze of confusion. These illusions, biblical mysteries and unsolved mysteries challenge your smarts while sharpening your perception. All three subjects revolve around the same idea of mysteries. It is the truth before our eyes with little to no explanation and if explained one is still at a state of shock, fleeting our mind only to wonder and ponder our conscious. Ask yourself: Don’t lose yourself.

Table of Contents

The Thatcher effect or Thatcher illusion is a phenomenon where it becomes difficult to detect local feature changes in an upside down face, despite identical changes being obvious in an upright face. It is named after British former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on whose photograph the effect has been most famously demonstrated. This was originally created by Peter Thompson, (Thompson, 1980).

Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusions Sacred Texts ∆ MIND Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusions Illusions Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusions Biblical Miracles Unsolved Mystery Miracles Optical Illusions Sacred Texts ∆ THOUGHT Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusions Music Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusions Culture Artist Spotlight Conscious Corner Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusions Society Unsolved Mystery Biblical Miracle Optical Illusion Biblical Miracle Babylon ONE HEART ONE LOVE

Unsolved Mystery

The Lost City of Atlantis The idea that an ancient city or continent became lost to the sea forever is an intriguing concept for us all. There have been many tales of legendary lands coming and going throughout history. The most famous one of all, of course, is Atlantis. Some say it’s a Lost city while others say it’s an entire continent. Some don’t believe that Atlantis even existed at all. Whatever Atlantis was or might have been, we may never know. There have been theories put forth by many people over the centuries, and many still speculate to this day. It was Plato who gave the first written account of Atlantis. He first mentioned the lost land in his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, which were written in 360 BC. If there are any earlier accounts of Atlantis, they have never been discovered. All we have are Plato’s dialogues, in which he mentions that Atlantis was destroyed some 9,000 years before. He claims that Atlantis was antagonistic toward Athens, which resulted in the Atlanteans being punished by the gods. “...Now in this island of Atlantis there existed a confederation of kings, of great and marvelous power, which held sway over all the island, and over many other islands also and parts of the continent.” While many scholars believe that Plato only intended for this story to be an allegory of some sorts, there have been others over the years who truly believe that a civilization like Atlantis could have once existed. A utopian society, wherein the inhabitants were highly civilized and had advanced technology. A civilization filled with highly intelligent, but arrogant people. According to many legends, the Atlanteans were destroyed because they became too “proud” and vain. If such an advanced civilization existed 11,000 years ago, where is it now? lost at the bottom of the sea forever? Hiding secrets that will never be found? Different theories have developed over the centuries as to the location of Atlantis’ remains. The Mediterranean Sea is the most popular location theory, while others believe Atlantis is at the bottom of the Atlantic ocean somewhere in between Europe and the Americas. Perhaps the most fascinating theory is that Atlantis lies at the bottom of the Bermuda Triangle. Some believe that the mysterious disappearances of planes and ships in the Bermuda Triangle are somehow connected to the Lost City of Atlantis. Since the Atlanteans supposedly had advanced technology, could some of that technology still be activated to this day? Some believe so. Before we can find the answers to those questions though, we need to first figure out whether or not Atlantis ever existed at all. And if so, what was it exactly? A city? An island? An entire continent? We can only hope that there really is a Lost City of Atlantis at the bottom of the sea, waiting for the day when its secrets will be discovered.

Biblical Miracle

Jesus Exorcises Legion

Mark 5:10-20

Remember The Exorcist? Scary, right? The priests have to go through a whole litany of just the right stuff to say, in order to irritate the demon until it leaves. It can take months. Not if you have faith, of which Jesus had quite a lot. This particular demon-possessed man can still be explained as a possible mental illness, probably schizophrenia, as he calls himself, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Legion, for we are many.â&#x20AC;? Never mind that, for he/they are immediately terrified of the Son of God, who simply tells them to leave the man. They beg to enter a nearby herd of pigs, and Jesus permits this. The herd goes insane and swarms off a hillside into the sea, all drowning. The most awesome part is that the demon-possessed man is described as running wild in the hills, screaming madly, breaking the chains with which people tried to bind him, cutting himself with stones. The confrontation with Jesus would definitely be a must-see.

Optical Illusions

Rotating Rings If you stare at the dot in the center and move your head away from the screen the rings will start to rotate. Now gradually get closer againâ&#x20AC;Śthey change direction!

Hermann Grid

Fading Image

This is a classic illusion named after Ludimar Hermann who discovered it in 1870. At every point where the white lines intersect our eyes perceive a gray, shadowy blob. If you look directly at one of the intersections though, the blob disappears. Stare at the image for about half a minute without moving your eyes and watch as it gradually disappears. This is a variation of Troxlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effect which essentially says that if you fixate your eyes on a certain point, stimuli near that point will gradually fade.

Sacred Texts ∆ MIND

II MIND p. 18

PART 1

The world has always recognized and paid tribute to greatness of intellect. A man is measured by what he is, and not by what he has. “What is the difference between the brain and the mind?” It is astonishing how many people believe the brain and mind to be synonymous and use the terms interchangeably. While the relationship between the brain and mind is intimate, there is not the slightest similarity either in appearance or function. Their composition and activities differ as widely as the radio from the ether waves. The brain is a human radio, a receiving station or instrument. The mind is analogous to the ethereal atmosphere surrounding it. Yet another comparison. The brain is the organ of the mind just as the eye is the organ of vision, or the ear of hearing. Naturally, the perfection of seeing or hearing will be in relation to the perfection of its organ. The same analogy applies to the mind. Thought does not originate in the brain, nor is it created by the brain. And it is the mind which remembers, not the brain cells. It is the Ego, the “I,” which thinks; mind is the substance which “I” uses, and thoughts are the tools. Thoughts are transmitted to the brain from the mind, and it therefore follows that the brain influences and determines the type and quality of thoughts received. The matrix is unalterable. We know we have the same identity we had as a child, and throughout eternity we shall be the same. p. 19 Furthermore, the brain is physical and subject to evolution. The mind is spiritual and already perfect. The brain is personal and individual. The mind is universal. These distinctions are of primary importance for a correct understanding of mind. We shall not burden you with a description of the brain. For our purpose here, merely let us state that the brain is the term applied to that part of the central nervous system which in vertebrates is contained within the skull. The brain readily lends itself to analysis and examination; not so the mind, although some philosophers have gone so far as to say mind is a product of matter. This is another error made by those who seek a material basis for all mental phenomena. 06 Life and Its Mysteries, by Frank L. Hammer, [1945]

Unsolved Mystery

Shroud Of Turin Shroud of Turin is a cloth made of linen cloth and bears an image of a man, who appears to be physically traumatized to death in a manner similar to crucifixion. The Shroud is currently kept in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist’s Royal Chapel, which is located in Turin, Italy. Most Catholics believe that the cloth was placed on Jesus when he was buried.

Despite several scientific investigations, it’s still unclear how the shroud’s image got imprinted on it. Again, no one yet has managed to replicate the image. You can clearly view the shroud’s image in Black & White negative than its conventional sepia color. The Black & White image first got observed on May 28, 1898 on the reverse photographic plate of Secondo Pia, who was an amateur photographer and got the permission of photographing it during an exhibition in the Cathedral. It was revealed from the photographer himself that he almost broke the plate after seeing the image.

Shroud of Turin has been the subject of strong discussion amongst top scientists, historians, writers and people believing in Faith. They have all debated about the cloth and its image got created. From the religious standing, it was confirmed by Pope Pius XII in 1958 that the image was Jesus’ Holy Face. The day of his announcement is still celebrated every year as Shrove Tuesday. As already mentioned, some felt that the shroud was the cloth covering Lord Jesus, when he got placed in his tomb. They believed that the image got imprinted on the fiber during the time of his resurrection. However, skeptics believe that it’s a medieval forgery. Even there are others, mainly scientists, who believe that the image might be the result of reaction of chemicals or other natural processes on the cloth. Various tests have been conducted on the Shroud of Turin, still there are several debates continuing about its origin. In 1988, radiocarbon dating test was conducted by 3 independent teams of scientists came to the same conclusion that the cloth was made during Middle Ages, around 1,300 years after Lord Jesus lived. Claims of biasing and error in testing were raised almost instantly, but were answered by Harry E. Gove. Still, the dating controversy continued. An analysis published by Raymond Rogers in 2005 claimed that sample tested by the teams belonged to the area, which was not actually a part of the original cloth. Again, they felt that a fire in late Middle Ages damaged the Shroud and added to its radiocarbon content. This meant that the earlier calculations should have been effected. However, this analysis got strict criticism by Philip Ball (Editor of Nature) and Joe Nickell (A skeptic). However, research made by the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit in 2008 might have revised the 1260– 1390 dating (as uncovered in 1988) towards its original contribution. This led Christopher Ramsey, Director of the Unit, to ask the scientific community for fresh probing in regards to the authenticity of Shroud. Despite having an open mind in the issue, Ramsey stressed that he might be surprised if the earlier conclusions would be shown far off from the actual date. 07

Biblical Miracle

Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14:22-32

It is one of his most famous miracles, and yet served a great purpose. Jesus seems to be expressing his power. Yet, he does it to show his Disciples that they can do anything, if only they will believe in themselves as his Disciples.

Imagine seeing a man walking nonchalantly 3 miles across the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee at night, and arriving at his Disciplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; boat just before they reach the other shore. What does it feel like to step on water? Did his feet get wet?

Optical Illusions

Kanizsa Triangle

The Kanizsa Triangle was named after the psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa who first described its effect. When you look at the image your brain creates contours (outlines) of a triangle although none exist. In reality it is an illusion created by the wedges and the angles.

Blivet

This is a rather famous illusion of an impossible object. It has two rectangular prongs at one end that morph into three cylindrical prongs at the other.

Monster Illusion Found in virtually every psychology textbook in the world, the two monsters in this illusion are in fact the same size. Your brain automatically adjusts images that it perceives to be distant in order to compensate for the fact that they are larger than they seem.

Illusions

An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. There are three main types: literal optical illusions that create images that are different from the objects that make them, physiological ones that are the effects on the eyes and brain of excessive stimulation of a specific type (brightness, color, size, position, tilt, movement), and cognitive illusions, the result of unconscious inferences. 10

Unsolved Mystery

Camelot

Wondering if this place really existed. The oldest known documents about King Arthur contain no information about Camelot. The place isn’t mentioned at all until the twelfth century, when a French poet named Chretien de Troyes mentioned it by name in one of his poems about Lancelot.

Later, in 1485, it’s mentioned in the tale by Sir Thomas Malory “Le Morte D’Arthur” that the round table is located in the great hall at Winchester. There has also been speculation that the word Camelot comes from the Latin word “Camulodunum”. Camulodunum is the oldest settlement in England, according to the Romans. This settlement became a large fort when Roman legions invaded England. It was located in what is modern day Essex. Prior to Roman invasion, it was the home of many Celtic tribes. Another interesting theory is that Camelot could be associated with the River Camel in Cornwall. It was mentioned in some Arthurian legends that he was born in Tintagel Castle in Cornwall. Could there have once been a great kingdom nearby? Perhaps our greatest clue came in 1542, when a man named John Leland traveled around England collecting information about England’s history. He wrote about an “town or castle” called Camallate that sat on a hill south of South Cadbury Church. The nearby villagers told him that Arthur used to visit this “Camallate”. “At the top of the hill,” he wrote, “there is a great area of 20 acres, wherein diverse places foundations of walls can still be seen. There was a lot of blue stone which the people of the village have used again and taken away.” Could the remains of this “castle or town” be that of the Camelot mentioned in Arthurian legends? Or could it have been nothing more than the villagers’ folklore? Whatever the case may be, this area is located in modern day Somerset. Whether Camelot was located in Winchester, Essex, Cornwall, Somerset, or elsewhere in the British Isles, we’ll probably never know. It’s always possible that Camelot never existed at all, although trying to pinpoint the exact place wherein its origins are based is pretty fascinating. In the end, Camelot joins Avalon and Lyonesse as other long lost places from Arthurian legends.

Biblical Miracle

Numbers 22:21-35

Balaam and his Talking Donkey This lister will never be able to read this passage, from Numbers 22:21, without hearing Eddie Murphy’s voice. Balaam may be the biggest goof in the Bible. He tries to curse the Israelites 3 times, and 3 times God changes his curses to blessings. But this is after he has a vision of an angel standing in the road. Actually his donkey sees it first, and refuses to go near it. Donkeys are quite smart, and this story is written quite accurately to that end. Three times the donkey refuses and three times Balaam beats her. “Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’ Balaam answered the donkey, ‘You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.’

The donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?’ ‘No,’ he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. The angel of the LORD asked him, ‘Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her.’” Imagine sitting on the roadside and seeing this all happen. Only the donkey, and then Balaam, can see the angel. But the donkey plainly opens her mouth and speaks Hebrew! With proper grammar! Priceless. Truly a miracle.

Optical Illusions

Jastrow Illusion

Named after Robert Jastrow in 1889, the bottom figure appears to be larger although they are both the same size. This is because the shorter edge of “A” is directly adjacent to the longer edge of “B”.

First described by British psychologist James Fraser in 1908, this illusion is also known as the “false spiral”. While it appears that the overlapping arcs are spiralling into infinity they are in fact only a series of concentric circles.

Fraser Spiral

Scintillating Grid This is a variation of the Hermann Grid where black dots appear and disappear at the intersections of the gray lines. Interestingly enough, if you cock your head at a 45 degree angle the effect is reduced (but not eliminated).

Biblical Miracles

Miracles Historical events or natural phenomena that appear to violate natural laws but that reveal God to the eye of faith at the same time. A valuable way of overstanding the meaning of miracles is to examine the various terms for miracles used in the Bible.

Unsolved Mystery

Faith Healing: An enduring yet controversial practice

Throughout the history of humans, faith healing has played a major role in the diagnosis and curing of illness. According to the New Testament, one of the earliest doctors using faith healing was Jesus Christ, who healed the blind, lepers and the deaf, among many others. Since the life of Christ there have been other faith healers who have invoked the power of God or the Holy Spirit for purposes of healing.

A number of rituals and practices are used in faith healing. These include praying, anointing, blessing, exorcisms, religious readings, the use of amulets and laying hands on the sick person. Specific holy book verses are reportedly better for healing, and certain oils are infused with healing power. Some prayers will be made oneon-one with an ill individual, while other types of faith healing advocate large groups of people praying over an individual. Some faith healers using faith healing in conjunction with Western medicine, but others rely solely on faith healing. Accounts of mysterious and miraculous faith healing can be found throughout history. After being told he could not be cured, a doctor in 1887 was miraculously healed of heart disease. In 1991, an American woman experienced the powers of faith healing when her prayer invoked God to remove a suspicious lump from her breast. The woman, after visiting a doctor on a Friday afternoon, focused her energies on healing over the weekend. When she went back to the doctor, the lump had disappeared completely. A Canadian woman witnessed the power of faith healing by prayer after she came to God and asked for her sister to be healed. Shortly after her prayer, the woman reported feeling “as if a heavy weight” had been lifted from her. Her sister, who had been for 10 years afflicted with mental illness, was miraculously healed by the power of God, according to the woman. Scientists who have attempted to study faith healing have produced conflicting results. A 2001 study on persons with rheumatoid arthritis concluded that patients who received in-person prayer showed “significant overall improvement” in their condition. A later study, on the other hand, determined no effect of prayer and criticized the earlier study for misinterpreting data. Although many scientists and theologians believe that practices such as faith healing can not be accurately measured by scientific means, others continue to study the phenomena. Critics of faith healing argue that it is not a reliable form of treatment. Thousands of people have died after relying on faith healing, including a number of children. In the United States there have been numerous cases of children from faith healing households dying as a result of Measles, bacterial infections, diabetes complications and pneumonia, among other diseases. As a result many parents have been charged of neglect and even homicide and manslaughter after refusing treatment for their children. Despite the controversy surrounding it, faith healing has been an enduring force and will likely exist for many years. Like the mysteries of other metaphysical phenomena, the mysteries of faith healing will very likely remain forever unsolved. 15

Biblical Miracle

Crossing of the Red Sea “He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.”

Exodus 14

Psalm 106 verses 9-11 (c. 1023 B.C.)

Perhaps the most famous miracle in the Bible. Although the parting occurs immediately in film, but in the Bible, the Egyptian and Israelite armies oppose each other all day and night, separated by a pillar of fire and smoke. All that night, a strong east wind, thus blowing into the backs of the armies, forward across the Sea, blows back the water and creates a narrow path, until by dawn, the sea floor is dry ground and the water stands up like walls on both sides.

God’s grace and mercy is forever amazing.

It would definitely have been an awesome spectacle. The Egyptians were just a tad foolish for following the Israelites down between the walls of water. 16

Optical Illusions

Blue vs Green

There are several variations to this illusion but the effect is the same. The “blue” and “green” backgrounds are in fact the same color (open it in photoshop).

Endless Staircase

This is a variation of the endless staircase illusion constructed out of legos. Like the blivet, this is also an impossible object and is sometimes called the “Penrose triangle”. 17

Sacred Texts ∆ THOUGHT

III THOUGHT

p. 29 ∆ The mystery of thought! In infancy our bodies awaken to enjoy the world into which we are born. Then our minds awaken to curious questioning and restless desire for knowledge. Then our souls awaken to conscious search for life’s spiritual meaning and purpose. What is thought? Thought is a product of mind—not the brain. The material scientist says: “A certain formation of brain cells creates a certain kind of thought.” Whereas certain thoughts produce a certain brain cell formation. Thought has the same relation to the mind as the wind has to the atmosphere, for thought is the mind’s vibration, and thinking is the process of setting the mind into motion. Where do thoughts come from? There are three primary sources. Firstly: It is possible, through deep, spiritual contemplation, to receive thoughts directly from Universal Mind. Every human being can contact his Heavenly Father without the aid of any intermediaries, either spiritual or physical. “To be pure in heart” is the only stipulated requirement. Secondly: Many thoughts emanate from the subconscious mind. Deep within this mind there takes p. 30 ∆ place an involuntary accumulation of impressions and suggestions which come to the surface after a more or less prolonged gestation. Indeed, this storehouse of memory, this record of life, is a prolific source of thoughts and many people are entirely too much under its influence. Thirdly: The principal fountain of thought is the mental atmosphere which is permeated with the thoughts of other people, both embodied and disembodied. We have all had the experience of wondering where some thought came from; it was probably in the “air,” and our brains, being sensitive receiving sets, “picked” it up. There is no such thing as original or isolated thoughts; what is new is their manner of expression or restatement. We cannot conceive of anything which is not; the ideas are somewhere existent and have always been in the mind substance. Our task is to give new shape and semblance to the thought elements which otherwise remain undifferentiated and formless. And those whose patterns are the most unlike the whole mass or group thought are considered the most original. Thoughts resemble the temperament of the person in whom they appear. Consequently, no one’s thoughts should constitute another’s authority any more than every head should be forced into a hat of fixed pattern or unalterable dimensions. Many people are totally unaware of the power of thought and the effect it has upon their lives. These people invariably consider failure, misfortune, p. 31 ∆ unhappiness and numerous other undesirable conditions as things that just accidentally happen, whereas they are created by the individual’s wrong habits of thinking. Life and Its Mysteries, by Frank L. Hammer, [1945]

Unsolved Mystery

Real Life Sleeping Disorders

Many people have creepy experiences in the middle of the night. Some experience sleep paralysis, some nightmares, and some both. Still, everyone who suffers from frightening nightmares always wakes up alive and well afterwards---or do they? Believe it or not, there have been reports of individuals actually dying in their sleep after claiming to have had nightmares beforehand. Wes Craven claims that such stories

played a part in his inspiration for Nightmare on Elm Street. He claims to have got some ideas for the films when reading about a series of such deaths that were happening in Southeast Asia. There really are a few conditions that are believed to cause deaths to individuals when they are asleep or in a relaxed state, although the exact causes are unknown. One sleeping condition that many people are familiar with is sleep apnea. This condition can increase the chances of someone dying in their sleep. This is due to a decrease in oxygen levels. The body responds to this by sending out tons of hormonal emergency signals. Usually, the sufferer will awake when this happens, with his or her body experiencing a “flight or fight” mode. This can be a very scary experience. Men are especially at risk of death due to such conditions. Sometimes the death doesn’t occur during sleep, but by something that happens as a result of sleep deprivation. Many people, including 20 or 30 something’s, will die of a heart attack due to sleep apnea and its effects. As scary as it sounds, it’s not the only sleeping disorder that can lead to death. There is also another, lesser known condition called the brugada syndrome. This is one that many individuals in Asia, particularly males, experience. It can cause a disruption of the heart’s rhythm, which results in seizures and difficulty breathing. If this occurs when an individual is asleep, then that person can die. Some experts belief that this is also related to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), which is a cause of death in many newborns. Another related condition, “SUNDS”, sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome is characterized by cardiac arrest in young adults while they’re sleeping or relaxing. If these can explain the physical causes of individuals who die in their sleep, where do the reported nightmares come from? Why do some allegedly claim to suffer from nightmares before finally taken by death? Could it be due to the anxiety their body was experiencing during the episodes? Perhaps the anxiety caused their subconscious mind to produce frightening images and nightmares. It’s frightening to think that anything supernatural could be involved, since nobody wants to be trapped inside a “nightmare” forever. Nobody wants to imagine an actual Freddy Krueger type entity chasing them around for all eternity. But, scientific research is being done now on all of the above conditions, so hopefully we’ll have all the answers someday. 19

Biblical Miracle

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Ever see a cartoon in which one character is serving dinner to a group of others, and the food from which the servings come never gets smaller, and never looks different? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about the best imagining of what Jesus pulled off in this miracle. It is in all 4 Gospels, so the writers must have considered it important. In Matthew 14:13-21, he feeds 5,000 men, not counting women and children, which might have placed the number at 10,000, maybe more. He has only 5 loaves and 2 fish (7 total), after which, his Disciples collect 12 basketfuls of uneaten leftovers (12). He does this a second time in Matthew and Mark, feeding 4,000 men, besides women and children, with 7 loaves, a few fish, and collecting 7 basketfuls of leftovers. The number 7 is interpreted as perfection. 12 is the number of the Tribes of Israel. It certainly would have boggled the mind to anyone watching closely. How did he continue to reproduce the food? There was no description of manna and quail from Heaven. He simply blessed it, broke it, and had his Disciples distribute it. 20

Optical Illusions

Black on White

Stare at the center of the image for about 30 seconds and then look away at a preferably white surface (sometimes the ceiling works). What do you see?

Zรถllner Illusion This illusion was named after Johann Karl Friedrich Zรถllner and consists of parallel lines that appear to be diagonal. You may need a ruler for this one.

Hering Illusion Although the two red lines seem to be bowed outwards they are perfectly straight and parallel. This illusion is attributed to Ewald Hering, a German physiologist who believed that the distortion was derived from the mind overestimating the angles at the points of intersection.

Music

Say Hello ∆ Jay Z Agitation ∆ Erykah Badu Winning ∆ Marlee D ft. Young Swaggz & Swagga Dave

˚A few premier tracks that will peak your comprehension. 22

Unsolved Mystery

Near Death Experiences People have reported near death experiences that sound fictional, but the truth is that these people are changed by what has happened to them. Many skeptics say that there is no such thing as near death experiences as described by people who have had them. Unless a person has actually experiences a near death experience and lives to talk about it, one has to believe that this can occur. One person explained a feeling of freedom, as he had never felt before. He did remember people around him that offered nothing but love. He explained that his experience was something that he had kept quiet for years because he was unsure what had happened to him. It was not until years later when other people started telling their stories that he opened up and told his near death experience story. He was overjoyed to know that he was not along and others had the same experiences. One person reportedly had a near death experience in a hospital room. He felt the life draining out of his body. He was watching a doctor try to save him. The experience he stated was as real as anything else he had ever experienced. The story went on to tell about his feeling of peace and an overwhelming feeling that he was surrounded by a deep love. This seems to be what many people feel when they experience a near death experience. Many people who have had to let go of a loved one that was on life support have stated they felt a presence giving them the strength needed to do what was best for the person. It is possible that the person that was on life support was helping them make the decision that was causing them so much pain. One can only believe that people do experience near death experiences because the truth lies with the person it has happened to. It is said that those who experience near death experiences often change the way they live. They have a complete lifestyle change. If they have lived a life that included reckless behavior, they are transformed to say. They have a different outlook on life. They have experienced death and want to remain on earth living life. Many people who have had this experience have gone on to life to the fullest. Whether you believe in life after death or near life experiences, you do have to think about some of the incredible stories that people relay to others. It seems that the only way they can tell their story is because they have experienced this phenomenal experience first hand. The majority of stories describe an unbelievable feeling of love and peacefulness. People will always be skeptical of things they do not understand, but it is possible that there is life after death and people do experience near death experiences. Some people have even made accounts of things that happened that they could not have possibly known. Is it reality or is it something else? More research is needed to say for sure if it is possible or not possible to have a near death experience. 23

Biblical Miracle

Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead John 11:43

Imagine if you were standing in Bethany, just east of Jerusalem, among the crowd of mourners. Jesus is walking in, and another crowd is following him. But Lazarus has been dead for 4 days. Jesus is too late to heal him. Yet, he breaks down and weeps. This is traditionally interpreted not as love for Lazarus, since Jesus already knows what he is going to do. He is weeping over the lack of the crowd’s faith in him. The best part is when Lazarus’s sister, Mary, tells him, “My Lord, he has been dead for 4 days. There will be a bad smell.” Yes, the smell of rot. Jesus isn’t perturbed, but tells her to have the tomb opened. He commands Lazarus to come out, and he does so, wearing his burial linens. Aside from how unbelievably shocking this must have been for the onlookers, it begs the question, “Where was Lazarus for those 4 days?” He was a good person, so he didn’t deserve Hell. And you can be sure the question on everyone’s mind was, “What’s Heaven like?” 24

Optical Illusions

Titchener Circles

Also known as the Ebbinghaus Illusion, there is still a debate in psychological circles as to the exact mechanism and implication of this effect. Essentially, however, the orange circle on the left appears to be smaller than the one on the right although in reality they are the same size.

Culture

Artist Spotlight

Marl

We’ve seen a few of your interviews, you’re very polite. What fascinates you most about the human life? Why Thank You & Thanks For Keeping Up! That’s An Interesting Question, What Fascinates Me Most About Human Life (Besides Life Itself) Is Growth. Watching Kids Grow Up, Watching Adults Grow Older, & Now Watching Myself & My Peers Grow Up Has Been Very Inspiring. The Different Stages Of Life Are Amazing & A Learning Experience At Every Level. It Shows You How Often Things Really Change & That It Isn’t Always A Bad Thing. It Pushes Me To Continue Positively Evolving What are some of the things that inspire you to exalt your consciousness to a higher level of awareness? Love This Question. My Religion Really Gives Me The Ability To See & Carry Things From A Different Perspective. I Coverted To Islam In Febuary 2010 & It Was The Best Decision I’ve Ever Made In My Life. Its Given Me Real Peace In My Heart. You Realize That A lot Of Things We Dwell On Really Don’t Matter At The End Of The Day. I Strongly Believe Everything Happens For A Reason. Good Or Bad, The Worst Thing Today Could Be The Best Thing Tomorrow. I’ve Learn To Accept A lot Of Things. Its Given Me A Level Maturity That I Don’t Know If I Would Have Gotten Without It. Another Thing That Inspires Me In That Aspect Is Definitely The Ignorance Of Our Generation & Lack Of Knowledge. I See So Much Constant Conversation & Focus On Subjects & People Of Pointless Matter. Its Driven Me To The Point Of Wanting To Gain More Knowledge & Awareness Of Information That Will Benefit Me Or Someone Else In Some Way. ...& Of Course Mary Too...Lol

lee D

Conscious Corner

We recently caught up with DMV’s very own Marlee D for a conscious friendly interview. She responded with precise answers that truly set a refreshing tone for ReCreation© readers. Marlee D really stood out to me because her talent surpasses her one of a kind beauty. Marlee D seems to have a clear overstanding of her goals and what she wants for herself. She has a voice that is much needed for this generation. Check out the rest of the interview below! Be sure to download her latest mixtapes, fiyah, and follow her on twitter @ItsMe_MarleeD ∆ What do you think your fans love most about the music you create?

My Concepts. I Make Sure The Beat, Concept, Lyrics, & My Delivery Are All Cohesive. I Want My Listeners To Feel The Scene Of The Track. Listen Vision If You Will. I Like To Keep My Topics Fresh, Or At Least Put A New Swag On A Common Subject. Also The Fun, Playfulness, & Sometimes Comedy In My Music. I Dont Talk Too In Depth About Sadness Or Struggles. To Me Music Is A Way To Uplift, Enlighten & Express Positivity. I Choose To Stay Away From Drilling Negativity Into Peoples Minds. It Takes The Fun Out Of It To Me. What makes Marlee D’s personal $wag different from others in her realm? You Said It Yourself, My Personal Swag. It Sets Me Apart Because Its My PERSONAL SWAG. My Focuses, My Desires, My Goals, My Outlook On Life Is Just Different In General. I See No One As My Competition Or My Equal. First Reason Being There Is Room For More Than One Great Person In This World. Second Reason Being That There Is No Such Thing As A Best Of Anything. Being The Best Is & Will Always Be An Opinion & Opinions Mean Nothing. Both Realizations Have Brought Me To A Place Where Im So Confident In Everything I Do. Not In A “I’m Better Than Everybody Else” Way, But Moreso In An “I Can Make It Happen Somehow” Or “I Have Something Else To Offer” Way. Thats The Base Of What Makes Me, Me. I Could Really Go On & On, This Is A Complex Question What does your future say about you? God Willing It Says Success In All Areas. I’ve Been Sacrificing A lot Since My Debut Last April. I’m Willing To Barely Sleep Now To Sleep Peacefully In The Future. I’m Willing To Lose Now To Win In The Future. I’m Willing To Be Broke Now To Be Wealthy In The Future. These Are The Years That Determine The Rest Of My Life & I’m In The Process Of Making What I Want Out Of It. As Long As I Keep Working & That’s What God Has In Store For Me My Goals Are Inevitable. My Future Will Be Talkative. What ideas of enlightenment come to mind when you think of ReCreation© &ReCreation Magazine™? Originality, Creation, As Well As Recreation Come To Mind. ReCreation Can Mean Recreating Something That’s Already Known As One Thing Or It Can Mean Recreation As In Leisure. Both Interpretations Take Originality In Some Way To Make It Happen. Do you consider the recent name change from A - Dollaz to be a positive type of rebirth or ReCreation of yourself? Not At All. A-Dollaz & Marlee D Will Always Be The Same Person, Their Both Me. The Only Reason I Came To Be Marlee D Is Because I Didn’t Feel The Name A-Dollaz Fit The Direction I’m Going In. Its A Nickname That Started Off As A Joke (My Govt Name Is Ashley By The Way). I Will Always Be A-Dollaz Or Dollaz To Those Who Know Me As That Or Choose To Call Me That. The D In Marlee D Actually Stands For Dollaz, So It Never Really Changed. Besides creating spectacular tunes, how are you contributing to the current Revolution of “American dreaming, cloud surfing and scripture quoting”? In Every Way Possible. I Want My Generation To Rise To A New Level Of Consciousness. I Want Them To Gain Useful Knowledge, Initiate Positive Change, Respect Themselves & Others, Set Goals & Complete Them (Amongst Other Things). Its So Easy To Achieve & I Want Everyone To Realize The Possibilities. Doing Interviews, Making Music, etc Are All Ways Just To Get The Message Heard. My Real Goals Stretch Beyond Music. Music Is Just An Outlet. Could you say something to effectively enlighten the people? Overstand. Strive Everyday To Reach Your Full Potential. No Doubt Life Is What You Make It! ...Life Is Gods Gift To You, What You Do With It Is Your Gift To God

Jahmerikah Marley

Unsolved Mystery

Forensic Facial Reconstruction The use of forensic facial reconstruction has helped identify bodies that were found in a state of decomposition. By reconstructing the face, with the use of a computer, forensic investigators can use the bone structure to add eyes, hair and skin to develop a close facsimile of the person they need to identify. This picture is then compared to a missing person database to see if any matches are found. If the database has no match, police may then send the photo to the media for distribution. This has helped identify people that were killed by serial killers such as John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was convicted of killing, torturing and raping thirty-three males from 1972 through 1978. Forensic science helped to identify his victims that were uncovered under his crawlspace. Most victims were identified by means of forensic science. Although the technology years ago was not as sophisticated as it is today, crime investigators used what they had available to place a name with those from on the Gacy property. By looking at pictures of missing persons and a facial reconstruction, crime investigators can clearly match a picture with a missing person. After forensic facial reconstruction and finding a close match in the database, more forensic science is needed to complete the process. They can use forensic DNA from the missing person and the bones found to confirm if the person is indeed the one they found. They may also use forensic odontology to find out if a person is a certain person of interest. Because of the hard work of forensic investigators, serial killer victims can have an identity if found. This however does not help with identifying every body found. The media must be used in some cases. The media is where the investigators go to when they have a forensic facial reconstruction and no match in the missing personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s database. These pictures are posted nationwide in most cases in hopes of finding someone that recognizes the victim. This is the case in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin. A womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decaying body was found in the woods near the Kettle Moraine area. No match was found in the missing personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s database, so the reconstructed facial picture was sent out to the media in hopes that someone knew who the woman was and what her name is. Once they have a name to go with the picture, they can conduct other tests to confirm the identity. There is never just one piece of forensic information that identifies a person or a cause of death. Forensic science is the use of all means to conclusively identify a person and the cause of death. Without forensic science, more crimes would go unsolved and more people would be buried without an identity. Because of forensic science, more convicted criminals are being released from prison because they are proven innocent because of new technology in forensic science. The same science that helps clear ones name is also the same science that proves the guilt of a person. 29

Biblical Miracle

Joshua Stops the Sun Joshua 10:12-14

Joshua does battle with the Amorites in Gibeon, somewhere north of Jerusalem. Not only does Joshua and his army rout the enemy army, but as they flee the field, God Himself rains down hailstones on them, which kill more of them than the Israelites kill. Ah, the Old Testament. Good, olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fashioned wrath-of-God stories. The fight apparently seemed to Joshua as if it would take so long, given the huge numbers of men, that Joshua entreated the Lord to stop the sun and moon, so the day would last long enough for the Israelites to do their thing. Most importantly, Joshua had arranged his army to attack with the sun at its back. Classic field tactic. Imagine 12 hours of midday sun, no shadows, and then: it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go away! 12 more hours of midday sun! And then the next day begins anyway, so: 12 more hours of sun! With this being true, it means Joshua asked the Lord, and the Lord acquiesced to stop the rotation of Earth. 30

Optical Illusions

Leaning Tower

Yes, the leaning tower of pisa does actually lean, but these two images are in fact one and the same. Although the image on the right appears to be leaning away from the one on the left this is only in your head. Go ahead and try the same thing with the empire state buildingâ&#x20AC;Śit will lean too, promise.

Society

Unsolved Mystery

The Death of Haile Selassie Remains a Mystery

The death of deposed Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie on August 27, 1975, remains shrouded in mystery 25 years on as plans go ahead for his remains to be buried in a state funeral on Sunday. Overthrown by the army in September 1974, then left with just one servant at his Addis Ababa palace after his entire entourage was arrested, Ethiopia’s last emperor died at the age of 83 of “circulatory failure” according to the state news agency. No autopsy was performed on the monarch, said to be the 225th descendant of the Solomon dynasty. His personal doctor, Asrat Woldeyes, was not called to the palace in time to observe the death. “The day his death was announced, I received a phone call from the (ruling junta) Dergue office asking me to go to the office of (military ruler) Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam,” Woldeyes testified during the so-called “Red Terror” trials covering crimes against humanity committed under Mengistu. Mengistu’s Marxist regime executed and abducted tens of thousands of mainly young Ethiopians, and is accused of assassinating Haile Selassie. Woldeyes added: “I saw that Colonel Mengistu seemed angry, and 40 minutes later, we were informed that there would be no interview and we could leave.” The doctor, who died in May 1999, did not believe the deposed emperor had died naturally. He testified: “Despite an operation on the prostate a few months before his death, his majesty was in excellent health.” Several investigations over the years have pointed to Mengistu’s Dergue, which he led with an iron hand from 1977 until his overthrow in 1991. Mengistu is presently in exile in Zimbabwe. The Haile Selassie Memorial Foundation’s spokesman Dedjazmatch Woldesemayat blames the Dergue for his death, as does Norwegian journalist Einar Lunde, who wrote in his book “Paradise Road” that the former emperor’s execution was decided by a vote in the Dergue. Lunde cites a former officer in the junta, Major Negash Tesfatsion, who allegedly took part in the vote on the fate of the “Old Abyssinian Lion.” He said the old man was anesthetized with an ether-soaked pillow before being smothered. Next, according to palace guards quoted by the Red Terror prosecutor, Haile Selassie was buried in a ditch three meters (10 feet) deep in the old Guebi, part of the palace. In the following days the ditch was cemented over and Mengistu’s aide de camp, Mengistu Gemetchu, made his office over it. In 1992, the remains were exhumed and taken to the Taeka Negest Baata Mariam Gueda church, where they have rested ever since beside those of emperor Menelik II. On Sunday, the remains are to be transferred to the Trinity church in a state funeral ceremony starting at noon 33

Biblical Miracle

The Resurrection Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ Jesus, Yesus Kristus.

Acts 26:23 1Corinthians 15:20,23

You do not need to believe it to understand the awesomeness of what it means. There are, according to the Bible, only two people who do not suffer the bitterness of death: Enoch and Elijah. The first simply walks with God and is no more. The second is taken to Heaven in a fiery chariot and whirlwind Jesus actually does die. But he is the only person in the Bible who revives himself. For three days he is dead to the world. This begs the question, where is he during that time? One tradition is that he went to Hell to preach to everyone who had died before him, thus without salvation. This sounds fishy, since no one in his right mind is going to sit in a lake of fire, and they say, “NO! I refuse to change!” But wherever he was, it remains in the Bible that 3 days later, his spirit returned to his body and he got right back up. Job’s done. A little tidying up, and he goes Home. He defeats death itself by his own supernatural power. 34

Optical Illusions

Wonder Block Yet again we have an example of an impossible object except this time itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the rotation of the blocks that is inconsistent. Are they side by side or on top of each other? Maybe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why they call them indecipherable figures.

Biblical Miracle

“Let There Be Light”

Genesis 1:3 This lister is not a creationist. The Universe and all its contents were not created in 6 days, and as the great Lewis Black explains, if anyone challenges you on that, hold up a fossil and say, “Fossil.” Then throw it at them. It seems easiest to interpret God’s command as the Big Bang, since that is thought of as being an instant occurrence, from which the four forces of the Universe diverged from a single, infinitely small point. So what did it look like before? The Bible’s beginning is the most famous depiction, by far, of what we think of now as the Big Bang. It has been depicted many times in films, educational programs, etc., as a massive burst of light in all colors, quickly forming into galaxies, stars, later planets and such. But it would not have made any noise, since before the Big Bang, there was no medium through which the sound could travel. And yet, sound cannot travel through space as it is. So it may be that the creation of light never made a sound. 36

Babylon

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still a rat. ~Lily Tomlin 37

One Heart

Graphic Designer : Rando Palmer 38

ReCreation Magazine™