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The Secrets that Psychics Don’t Want You to Know

If you have ever had an interest in psychic readings and wondered how people become psychic, and learn how to give amazingly accurate readings, wonder no more.

As it happens, learning how to perform psychic readings is not all that difficult once you know how.

The "Secrets" that you are about to learn, are so obvious that they are often overlooked by even the most advanced and experienced readers.

They know these secrets, but are often too busy giving readings to acknowledge their importance, especially to someone just beginning to learn how to give a reading.

This first "secret" instantly de-mystifies the whole psychic reading process and brings it down to earth where people with a sincere interest, but not a psychic bone in their bodies, can actually learn how to give accurate and powerful readings.

The first "secret" is: You do not have to be psychic to give psychic readings.

Now whether or not true psychic abilities actually exist is not at issue here. What is at issue is how anyone with a sincere interest in becoming a psychic reader can learn how to do that. The first step is to give up the notion you need to be psychic.

"So if I don't need to have any psychic abilities to give a psychic reading, what do I need"?

This question brings us to the second "secret". The way to give amazingly accurate and in-depth readings is to learn thoroughly a reading method or system.

By learning a psychic reading system, the system will tell the reader everything they need to know to give a complete reading.

You can read cards, palms, numbers, tea leaves or any one of a thousand or more reading systems, but once the system is learned, it is possible to approach a reading in a very left brain, logical fashion.

The information can simply be read from the chosen method, in much the same way that a book can be read, and information found.

The "Big 3" as far as psychic reading systems go are: Palmistry (palm reading), Cartomancy (card reading) and Numerology (study of numbers and their meaning). These are by far the most popular and well known psychic reading systems.

And another "secret" is that they are incredibly easy to learn.

Palmistry is based on the study of the palm and what the various lines and landmarks of the hand mean.

The great thing about knowing how to read palms is that they are everywhere. You do not need any props other than an actual persons palm to read.

Another advantage of palm reading is that physical contact often occurs when a palm is read. Why is this an advantage?

Two reasons.

First, making contact with someone, if it is done appropriately, provides the opportunity to establish rapport more quickly than can occur with words alone.

Someone who is more relaxed and comfortable will be more inclined to play an active part in the reading, which usually, makes for a better reading.

The second reason why physical contact can be useful, and quite an important reason in the context of beginning to developing intuition, is that it gives our subconscious the opportunity to begin "marking out" specific tell tale micro movements within the body of the person being read.

These micro movements are very subtle, outside conscious awareness, body language cues that provide very useful information on how the person we are reading is responding to what we are saying.

Over a period of time, given many readings, the ability to perceive and interpret these very subtle, unconscious cues increases to the point of laser like precision, that it will give the impression that the reader can read the minds and feelings in others.

And in many ways, that is exactly what the psychic reader is doing, because people will reveal so much more of themselves at an unconscious level and we perceive and understand so much more of that information, at an unconscious level.

In the context of giving a psychic reading, intuition is no more or less than the ability, mostly unconscious, to pick up on the subtle unconscious cues given to us by the people we come in contact with.

There is nothing mystical about this ability. It is simply a skill that anyone can develop once they are aware of it and choose to practice it.

Cartomancy is another very popular reading method. When "card reading" is mentioned almost everyone thinks of the Tarot. What is much less well known, and in fact much older than the Tarot, is normal playing card reading.

As far as the ease of learning, normal playing cards are generally thought of as being easier to learn.

Not that learning to interpret Tarot cards is necessarily difficult, it's just that there are more of them. The tarot has 78 cards while a normal playing deck has 52-54 (depending if you count the Jokers)

Something else that needs to be considered if you are thinking of learning how to read cards is that normal playing cards are much more easily found than a Tarot deck.

Unless you carry your deck with you, you might miss the opportunity to do a reading should it arise.

Finally, Numerology is often considered the most "scientific" reading method appealing to the very left brained logical types who would not be caught dead having their palm or cards read.

In Numerology, a persons name and date of birth are condensed down into a series of numbers and their meanings, that can be interpreted individually as well as collectively to give a more complete profile of the person being read.

As far as props are concerned if a pen and paper are available a numerology reading can be given.

Each of these methods are excellent systems to learn for the beginner psychic reader. They are easy to learn and blend well together.

Another "secret" that readers often use, is to use one method to confirm and validate information they are getting from another method. So it is definitely a good idea to have a good working knowledge of all three methods.

Ultimately everyone develops their own way of using and combining the various psychic reading systems and techniques.

Once a method of choice has been established, it is advised that you begin giving readings immediately.

There is often the tendency to want to learn more, and the feeling of not being quite ready yet, is never far away.

However, we learn by doing. As long as a reader is honest with the people they are reading and doesn't make any outlandish claims or promises, then they should feel comfortable learning on the job, by actually giving readings.

Over a period of time with practice and experience, the readings become much more "psychic" like. And who is to say that at this point they aren't.

Here the reader will have developed, and mastered, a personal reading style, that will be backed up by experience and a strong intuitive awareness and understanding of people.

This combined knowledge and skill will allow the reader to create amazingly insightful, accurate and helpful readings.

And still, quite probably, without a psychic bone in their body.

Psychic Readings and the Patterns of Your Life

So you are considering getting a psychic reading. If you have never had one before, you are probably very curious and a little nervous.

You are not sure what to expect or how best to prepare, and you do not want to get ripped off.

The first step is to do some research and find a psychic. Realize that you may have to talk to a few before you find the one you really feel comfortable with.

Some people are lucky and they click well with the first one they meet. Clearly, not all psychics are equal, and some have better developed abilities and more experience than others.

Usually the more experienced psychics with an established reputation will have higher fees, while the newer readers without an established following, still trying to grow a reputation, will charge lower fees.

The best way to find a reputable psychic reader is to get a referral from a friend. If that is not an option, you can turn to the Internet.

There are many websites promoting psychics that offer profiles of the readers. Browse through the profiles and find one that you feel drawn to.

Ideally you will find a psychic that offers a free first reading, the initial minutes of a reading for free, or agrees to answer your first question free. That way, you can see if you feel a connection with the psychic before paying any money.

There is no question that somd people who claim to be psychic are frauds, and there are signs to watch out for.

Be wary if the person claims to be a mind reader, guarantees 100% accuracy, states obvious generalities only, or tells you that the only way to get rid of the problems in your life is to have ongoing readings with them. These are the psychics to avoid.

If you want a reading on a specific topic, such as a relationship or dream interpretation, you can find a practitioner who specializes in the topic you are looking for.

There are also a number of different methods various psychics use to conduct their readings. Some use Tarot cards, or the I Ching, and others specialize in numerology.

Many simply tune in to your energy. You may want to do a little research to determine which method would best fit your needs.

Once you have selected the psychic you want to consult with, and are ready to begin the reading, it is very important to be emotionally open hearted and open minded.

This allows the psychic to connect with your energy, the unseen parts of you. Psychics have a special ability to see and sense things that most people cannot.

But they are not mind readers and will ask some questions. Don't waste your time or theirs by testing them.

Some people go into a reading only wanting to hear what they want to hear. But there is a likelihood that you many not like all that you hear in the reading. In order to have a successful psychic reading, you must have an open mind so you can hear things even if you don't like them.

Remember, what you think you want now may not be for your highest good and may not be what you want next year.

A final point to remember is that there is not much set in stone. All a psychic can really tell you are what outcomes appear to be likely based on the current patterns in your life and your energy.

You have the ability to alter your present circumstances and your future through your actions and decisions.

A psychic can affirm the direction you are headed or alert you to make some changes if the course looks bleak. Ultimately, it is your choice, in selecting whom to have a reading with and in setting the patterns of your life in motion.

Choosing a Tarot Deck

One of the most important tasks to consider as a Tarot Reader is what deck you will use. It will either make you feel relaxed and confident or unsure in your readings.

Do you want to be seen as the same as other readers because you use the same deck or do you want to make your own mark?

Many people learn to read Tarot cards using the Rider Waite deck. This is a classic Tarot deck with clear symbology.

Once you become more confident in your abilities as a reader you may want to look at other decks.

Some make this move to their "own" deck early on or later depending on how they respond to the Rider Waite deck such as whether you like the images and coloring, as it is very yellow.

When looking for a new deck don't just go by the picture on the box. You really need to have a look at all the cards to see the images used and how you "feel" about them.

One deck to consider is the New Palladino deck. The symbology is very similar to Rider Waite so you can feel confident in that you already know them.

But it uses an Ancient Egyptian theme. This in itself can evoke special feelings in many people. The colors are much richer and deeper too.

One part you might have to get used to is the snake on the back of the cards. But it is the orborous symbol of the snake wrapped around itself which has a lot of meaning attached to it as well.

Other decks which use similar images in variations with different colors, etc you might want to look at include the Quest deck, Druidcraft and the Fenestra decks.

These are very beautiful and you could use very easily as a replacement to the Rider Waite deck.

The Celtic Tarot deck, Angel deck and Tarot of the Secret Forest deck are similar to many other decks in that they use many of their own symbols which don't always match up with the Rider Waite deck.

They can be very beautiful in themselves but you must be committed to learning these new meanings.

Then there are many new decks which come out that are based on current trends such as the Da Vinci Enigma deck. This too bears little resemblance to the original Rider Waite deck.

So when you are looking for a new Tarot deck take the time to look at all the cards.

Can you read them easily or is the symbology different? Are you willing to learn how to use a new deck?

What are the colors like? Do they reflect your personality as a Tarot reader?

Do they suit the spreads you like to use?

All of these things will help you decide if the Tarot deck is right for you. You need to feel comfortable and connected to the deck you use for your Tarot readings. Take the time to find that deck which is special to you.

Feng Shui

Feng shui is a traditional Chinese system of energy constellation that not only deals with object placement, but also precise positioning of roles played in the family linage.

Hence there is the Yin Feng Shui that deals with the positioning of the ancestral 'homestead', and the Yang Feng Shui that deals with those who are alive.

The importance of the Yin Feng Shui has been so heavily stressed upon all along Chinese history that it has become the most important thing in one's life when one, or the elderly, is about to 'graduate' from this physical plane of existence.

Often, many an elders would begin searching for the most 'ideal' site for their Yin Feng Shui homestead long before their estimated date of 'graduation'.

They would go to such extent as to hire the most knowledgeable Feng Shui expert to help with 'tracing the dragon' in their attempt to locate such an ideal site.

'Tracing the dragon' is a good ole saying that refers to 'in search of the ultimate source of energy by hiking.'

As far as the Yang Feng Shui is concerned, its main focus is upon health and wealth.

Its tools are the many variations derived from the interaction of the Yin and Yang, such as high and low, far and near, black and white, light and dark...

It is the game of relativity as interpreted in the everyday life, if stated more directly.

It means a whole lot more than merely 'Feng is wind' and 'Shui is water'.

Since Feng Shui has become a very popular niche lately and there have been many websites on this subject, more in-depth definition will be necessary in order to facilitate better understanding.

The basic definition of Feng Shui is seen in its name - the 2 words Feng and Shui, which mean 'Wind and Water' respectively.

It is their interaction that is important.

The basic definitions of Feng Shui are:

"When wind meets water, it will stop its path of travel and stay around there."

"Wind carries 'chi' with it wherever it goes."

And by the way, 'chi' is the vital energy that is so 'life-giving' and nourishing that everyone just cannot have enough of it nowadays.

Therefore, it is very easy to understand why many homes and communities are built around those areas where 'wind meets water'.

Good examples will be those waterfront real estate that is always in very good and competitive price range as they are always in demand.

Yes, sure it is partly because of the nice sea views and easy access to water.

But on the energetic level, it is mainly because people are more easily drawn to places where there is abundant supply of 'chi' or good and nourishing energy.

More examples can be found in houses built in geographical environment where wind and water come together harmoniously in mountain areas as well.

What Is Feng Shui?

A simple, or fairly simple, explanation of feng shui is that it is about the placement of objects in a human environment so as not to disrupt the flow of natural energy.

Feng Shui is based around the idea that everything in the world is interconnected and that there are harmonious and inharmonious ways in which everything can interact.

Feng shui philosophy has it that it is better for us as human beings if everything in our environment is in harmony.

Some of you might question the general idea of feng shui, but you surely wouldn't question that it's better to be in harmony with your environment than not.

A concept from Chinese culture is the idea of life force energy - qi or chi. It is a key element of feng shui that you shouldn't interfere with the flow of this energy.

It is to this end that the placement of the various objects that exist in your environment is important - i.e. they should be placed in such a way that they do not impede the flow of qi in said environment.

Real feng shui has its first surviving written description dating back to about 25 CE. It is thought that the history of feng shui actually dates back for thousands of years. This means that in China it predates Confucianism and Taoism.

The practice of feng shui does not guarantee the end to all of your problems, but its practitioners believe that it swings the balance in favor of the positive and creates an atmosphere where opportunity and potential can flourish.

In feng shui there is an understanding that nature works towards balance and that in our lives as human beings it is beneficial for us to work in harmony with nature rather than against her.

An understanding of feng shui allows you to create harmony in your microcosm that is in balance with the overall natural macrocosm.

It is interesting to note that the ideas about color incorporated into feng shui seem to be in general agreement with a lot of today's scientific thinking.

Scientists today generally agree that there is evidence that suggests color can indeed influence mood.

Feng shui certainly doesn't say that there is only one perfect way to design a living environment.

We are all different and feng shui acknowledges this by encouraging you to know yourself so that you can best express exactly what it is that you're looking for.

When you have spent some time thinking about exactly what you want in terms of the atmosphere in your living space that you're happiest with, feng shui will give you guidance to enable you to achieve this.

That last comment gives you the real secret to feng shui. It's not a one size fits all thing. You have to learn to personalize it to fit you.

If you really want it to work best for you, you have to know as exactly as possible what you want.

If you're feeling that something is not quite right in your home it might be a good idea to try some of the principles of feng shui on one room to start with and let your feelings be a guide as to whether you feel it's worked or not before trying it on every room in the house.

The Truth about Feng Shui Colors

When it comes to Feng Shui home decorating, it'd be incomplete if the subject of Feng Shui colors were not mentioned.

The whole Chinese culture is based on the metaphysical system of "I-Ching," which classifies everything in the whole universe into "Yin" and "Yang." This "Yin/Yang" concept further branches itself into the "5 Elements," which are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth.

From here comes the interesting game of the manipulation of the various forms of these elements.

For example, in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the lungs are of the Metal element; the kidneys, water; the liver, wood; the heart, fire, and the stomach, earth.

It's the careful manipulation of balancing these elements in the forms of their various representations that this whole medicine, one of the finest in the world, has been founded upon.

By the same token, in Feng Shui, the directions are also classified into different elements: West is of the Metal element; North, water; East, wood; South, Fire and center, earth.

Thus the whole game of Feng Shui home decorating is just how well these 5 elements are utilized according to the unique characteristics each element dictates.

In terms of Feng Shui colors, "Metal" is represented by the colors "golden, silver, and white," whereas "Water" is "blue, gray and black;" "Wood," "green and wooden-like;" "Fire," "red, orange, pink and purple" and "Earth," "brown and yellow."

Of course, the utilization of these elements can be carried out in a very general way. But one can also go very deep and be very precise in the presentation of their significance in a very detailed fashion.

For example, it is often read from many a book on the subject of Feng Shui that, in order to enhance the well-being of the Eastern part of the house, one can simply put more of what represents the Wood element over there, such as plants, green pictures, wooden furniture, etc. just because East is Wood.

But this practice is, although partially correct in theory, very misleading in actuality because that is not how Feng Shui decorating is to be done.

Ancient Feng Shui texts dictate that one is to deduce the correct choices for element employment from the further interaction of the "Yin" and "Yang," rather than just with the elements themselves.

In other words, the true Feng Shui master will order the employment of various elements based upon not just the directions themselves, but the configuration of the "Flying Star Feng Shui" which is a calculation methodology that blends together the interactions among the 5 elements in various dimensions.

Namely, such methodology takes into account the time space spectrum to come up with the "Flying Star Table" which will serve as the blueprint for authentic Feng Shui tips to be applied.

To completely understand the "Flying Star Feng Shui" methodology will take a very long time of thorough study; however, to apply what it reveals can be easily done - just as one doesn't have to be an electrician to be able to use electricity by flipping a switch.

Therefore, the most correct applications of the Feng Shui colors will only be done in accordance with the configurations dictated by the "Flying Star table" itself.

Hence the need to come up with the most appropriate set of numbers within the "Flying Star table" with which to reflect the various positions of these 5 elements before the right Feng Shui colors are put onto the right place.

Free Feng Shui Tips for Your Bedroom

The bedroom is considered one of the most important feng shui spots in the house. As we spend almost one-third of our time in the bedroom, we just have to make sure it is decorated with good feng shui design or we would end up suffering from many a bad feng shui symptom.

One of the symptoms of wrong location of the bed can be observed in those who are always accident prone.

When one is subject to disturbing energy due to bad location of the bed on which one is staying static for at least 8 hours per night or more, one can be very nervous and ill-tempered during the day, to say the least. Not to mention a host of other problems related to this bad feng shui symptom.

And this can be just the beginning of many problems, which include all kinds of diseases at the mental, emotional as well as physical level.

To locate the bed in the best feng shui manner, there are several main points to observe:

1. The bed has to be positioned in such a way that it has to have a solid backup to it. This is to say that it'd be vital to sleep with our head close to the wall against which the head of our bed is leaned.

The further away our head is from the solid wall, the less auspicious energy we're exposed to during our sleep.

2. It's not a good idea to have a ceiling fan right above the bed as, according to the 'Kua' in I-ching, it gives out intrinsic energy imprints for our 'middle section' to be empty, which is absolutely something a pregnant lady should refrain from no matter what.

Even for those who are not concerned with pregnancy, such intrinsic energy imprint would throw the solar plexus' energy off balance, which would create the 'un-groundedness' that is so evident in those who are always considered as having 'bad luck'.

Hence the reason for 'bad luck' - when one's not 'grounded', one has nothing to show for, let alone 'luck'.

3. There is no place for mirrors in the bedroom, straight and simple. Besides being used for drawing in energy from its opposite direction, mirrors can bounce energies back and forth, thus creating much dynamic movement of 'chi' - the 'Yang energy'.

When too much 'Yang energy' is present in the bedroom, the 'Yin state' is not facilitated. Therefore, it's a wrong idea to have mirrors in the bedroom where the 'Yin state' is to be preferred.

4. The height of the bed is also of much importance in terms of feng shui. One would not want to feel being suspended in mid air when sleeping.

The issue of 'un-groundedness comes into play again here as feng shui has a great deal to do with earth energy.

When one is in the open and static 'Yin state', one's energy system is wide open and thus easily affected by many external factors such as those mentioned above.

Sleeping with such feeling as being suspended in mid air renders one vulnerable to unstable energetic upheavals; therefore, it's not good feng shui design at all.

Feng Shui - Indoor Waterfountains

Much has been said about how some feng shui products are the must-have tools to enhance the 'chi' of the indoor and outdoor environment.

But is it correct? Is it appropriate that one has to purchase a certain tool to facilitate the free flow of 'chi' for the benefits of all?

If the question is presented to those who make a living by selling these tools to those who are desperately in need of help, the answer will definitely be a loud and clear 'yes.'

But the truth of the matter is: "It all depends."

For example, a lot of indoor water fountains have been sold recently to those who believe that by putting these indoor water fountains in a certain position, they will help bring forth prosperity.

As a professional feng shui practitioner for over 25 years, I can confirm that this belief is of much validity, and that when located correctly - that is, positioned to the right direction - these indoor water fountains can help facilitate the increase of income to a large extent. Sounds too amazing, doesn't it?

But it is true that when the 'water' element among the 'five elements' in the Chinese philosophy is well positioned, it will be able to stir up more 'water' chi which will result in bringing forth more prosperity.

That's why all along Chinese history, water has been considered as the symbol of money.

Hence the fondness of these water fountains all through history by the architects who might have subconsciously tuned into the attractiveness of employing them to bring forth richness.

However, not all feng shui tools are created equal. There is more hype than truth when it comes to hanging a flute onto the side of the beam on the ceiling to ward off the downward pressure of the beam itself.

This invalid belief has been made up by those who only want to sell more flutes to begin with! And it doesn't have anything to do with off-setting the so-called 'negative influences' from the beam itself either.

Nevertheless, the flutes have been sold by the truckloads in these recent years.

The same is true of the belief that the diagonal corner from the entrance is considered the 'money corner' and thus it is never to be opened as a window, lest the good money 'chi' will run away.

This is another typical abuse of creative thinking applied onto the feng shui philosophy. If this concept were valid, then all those nicely designed houses would end up leading their owners onto the road of poverty!

A little learning is dangerous - this is true in many facets of life.

Feng shui is the only system in the world that enables those who are in the know to have very deep insights about the environment as well as those who dwell in it.

It is a very valid system for analyzing the well-being of the inhabitants at all levels.

When used correctly, it can be a good tool to trace back what happened in the past, as well as predict what will happen in the future. It is the most amazing system that is beyond anyone's imagination.

With the right feng shui tool, yes, one's well being can definitely be improved to a large extent - it's just a matter of whether or not the right thing is done at the right time in the right place!

Simple Color Feng Shui Tips For Your Home

So you have moved into a new home and your are figuring out how to decorate

You have heard of the concept of Feng Shui and want to give it a whirl, but you don't really understand it?

Well, simply put, Feng Shui is using color and light, combined with the concept of the "Five Elements" to create a harmonious living space.

Are you thinking, "color and light, I understand, but what in the world are the 'Five Elements'?"

The "Five Elements" are "Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood." Each of these elements has unique characteristics and interacts with each other in either positive or negative ways.

For example, "Water" interacts with "Fire" by killing it or putting it out. That would be a negative or destructive interaction.

Therefore, you would not want to put the colors associated with "Fire" and "Water" together in the same location, for one would be destroying the other and creating bad Feng Shui for the area concerned.

What are the colors of "Fire" and "Water?" "Fire" colors are purple, red, pink and orange; "Water" colors are blue, grey and black.

For harmony and balance, it is generally accepted that the "Fire" part of the house should be on the South side, so in the Southern part, one would not want to combine Purple and orange with blue or black.

"Wood" colors are green and brown, and green is associated with renewal and fresh start.

As such it assists one with health and family relationships. Due to its positive qualities, green is best used frequently in many areas of the harmonious home.

Plants are the easiest way to get green into the environment, and the more shades of green, the better.

"Earth's" major color is brown, and brown and green get along well with each other. They have positive interaction.

And because of the nature of "Earth," it generates all things in life; therefore, adding "Green" to the Earth "Brown" can help facilitate many life forms or opportunities, so to speak. Besides "Wood," "Water" also get along well with "Wood;" which makes wood grow. Also, blue and brown are nice color palettes to join forces together.

"Metal" colors are white and gray: white can go anywhere in the house, as it represents clarity, purity, and innocence. Bring in white accents or choose an all-white spa-bathroom for an elegant and balanced peace in the mind.

It is of utmost importance that colors of the "Five Elements" are to be used with one big caution in mind, which is that they all have to look good when in use.

When these colors look good being where they are, they help to create a very strong pattern of harmonious energies that are very easily picked up by any life forms.

Therefore, the influence of the color vibrations has very solid effect and thus must be taken seriously.

One of the most important Feng Shui secrets among all others is to make sure to not use the "Fire" colors together with the #5 Yellow Star which is to stand for negativity of all kinds, and if this Yellow Star is lit up with the "Fire" colors then all the negative experiences will find their way into the house and the effects can be very damaging most of the times.

E - Dove Services  02 - 10 - 2008

Telescopes for the Amateur Astronomer

Telescopes offer two advantages to the amateur astronomer. The most important is the ability to intercept more light from an object.

The second is resolving power, the ability to separate the fine detail of objects that are close together. This is very important when observing planetary detail or double stars.

The diameter (aperture) of the telescope's principal light collector, which can be a lens or a mirror, determines both of these advantages.

Although most people think of telescopes it may be best to consider binoculars first. They are portable, convenient and relatively inexpensive.

Cheap binoculars are better than a cheap telescope. Consider something like 7 x 35 binoculars. The 7 is the magnification produced by the eyepiece, the other number is the aperture in millimeters. This size is light and easy to hold.

If you are considering a telescope there are essentially three types available to the amateur astronomer.

Refractors are the most readily recognized type and consist of lenses at both ends of a tube. Whatever you do avoid the cheap models sold by department, nature/science and toy stores.

They quote large magnifications, but their small apertures make them useless for astronomy. Remember a telescope's most important job is to collect light, not magnify a image.

A normal terrestrial telescope has an extra lens to ensure the image is the right way up. However extra lenses cut down the amount of light reaching the eye.

The one thing an astronomer wants to avoid is reducing light and therefore information. So the correcting lens is omitted and a true astronomical telescope gives an upside down (inverted) image.

Lenses can create false rainbow tints around very bright objects like planets. This is called chromatic aberration and can be ignored or corrected by a filter.

Refractors generally cost more per inch of aperture than other types of telescope, and those of more than 4-inch (100mm) aperture are rather long and cumbersome. However smaller good quality ones can make excellent beginner instruments.

The second type of telescope is the reflector. Light travels down a tube before reflecting off a couple of mirrors and through an eyepiece on the side of the tube. Reflectors need to be larger than a refractor to be equally useful.

They do not suffer chromatic aberration, but the main mirror may occasionally need repolishing or realigning (collimating).

There are kits available for this. Reflectors are often the most comfortable telescopes to use because of the eyepiece position.

You don't have to kneel and possess an elastic neck to look straight upwards as you would with a reflector. A popular type of reflector is the Dobsonian, which has a mount near the ground rather than a tripod.

The third type of telescope is the Schmidt-Cassegrain. This uses lenses and mirrors to fold the light path back on itself within a compact tube.

They are generally cheaper than refractors, but dearer than reflectors. They are more portable and easier to handle than the other two.

Telescope specifications may quote f/numbers.These have no affect on the image you see, but can affect the exposure needed if you get into astrophotography.

It's best to avoid astrophotography to start with. Become familiar with the sky and your telescope first.

You may be able to evaluate the different instruments by joining a local astronomy club or attending one of their star parties.

Check at your local library. You can also look in a reputable astronomy magazine for reviews and manufacturers advertising good quality telescopes.

Although you should buy the biggest aperture you can afford, don't get a large telescope if you will have to carry it a long way.

A smaller telescope would be easier to set up and therefore more likely to be used. You will also be wasting your money on a large telescope if light pollution and atmospheric turbulence in your area are high, as you won't be getting the best from the instrument.

The general rule for calculating the maximum practical magnification a telescope can achieve is to double the aperture in millimeters, e.g. a 100mm aperture telescope should have a maximum magnification of 200x.

So spend the majority of your budget on getting a larger aperture, not more accessories. Do not be tempted to buy an eyepiece that will allegedly stretch magnification beyond the maximum value calculated from the aperture.

If given a choice of eyepieces start off simple. A Kellner is a good general-purpose eyepiece and a Barlow lens placed between a focuser and eyepiece can triple magnification.

A telescope also magnifies the movement of objects across the sky and the instrument will have to be moved repeatedly to keep the object in the field of view.

To cope with this different mounts and drives have been devised that enable the telescope to follow the moving object.

You can get electronic drives to point the telescope, but the most important thing is that the mount is sturdy.

It is important to realize that many textbook and telescope advertisement photos are long exposures with false colors added. Stars seen through a telescope will always look like points of light, and you will not see color in dim objects. The eye is not sensitive enough.

So what can you expect to see with a beginners telescope? A 3-inch (75mm) refractor or 6-inch (150mm) reflector will allow you to see many galaxies and nebulae, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's largest moons and hundreds of craters on the moon. Plenty of wonderful objects to serve as an introduction to the night sky.

E - Dove Services  21 - 09 -2008   New

Ancient America - Before 20,000 B.C.

Columbus was positive that the island which he named San Salvador was only a bit of land lying off the coast of Asia.

In spite of the fact that very little gold or jewels were found, Columbus died believing that he had discovered a new route to the rich and fabulous East.

However, explorers who followed in his footsteps soon learned that this land to the west was not Asia, but a new and unknown country divided into two huge continents, which later became known as America.

Wherever they went throughout this land they found people different from any they had ever known. "They are very well made with very handsome bodies and very good faces" wrote Columbus. "They have raven black hair and copper colored skin."

Marco Polo traveling among the Himalayas would have come across Tibetan tribes that looked much like these people, for the 'indigenous' peoples of America (as they are often now called) actually came to this land from Asia in some period far in the past.

Stories and traditions from antiquity tell us of people who were weak with cold and hunger came to what they thought was the edge of the land, in their hunt for nonexistent food, but when they looked out into the sea they could see another land that looked like it was warmer.

It didn't appear to be covered with as much ice and snow as was Siberia from which they had come. They thought that perhaps they could cross this water on the many islands that dotted the sea in front of them.

They soon found some fishermen who had made boats from skins. Maybe they could get one of these boats and go to the other shore.

The fishermen told them that they too had often looked across the water and wondered what was on the other side.

Some of the more daring decided to not only give them boats but to go along with them. It was quite a band of people then that came to this new land, including children, dogs and household goods.

This country across the water did indeed prove to be a better place. It was not quite as cold and there were many animals to hunt for food.

There were deer in abundance and fish to spear off the shore with their harpoons. They were so attracted to this new land that some of them went back to tell their families and fellow tribesmen.

Soon there was a continual passage from Asia to the new land and back again. In time so many people came, and their families grew so rapidly that food again began to dwindle.

It was thus that the younger and more adventurous started to push farther to the south. They found the country still warmer as well as enormous herds of deer.

This constant push to the south continued for centuries until the newcomers had spread out over all of both continents.

Thus it was that America was peopled by the tribesmen from Asia in the dim distant ages before the year 20,000 B.C.

ANCIENT AMERICA Cliff Dwellers 500 B.C. to 1250 A.D.

For years the Basket Weavers had lived peacefully in the Southwest, and for centuries they had remained a solitary group.

They had been left to themselves by the wandering tribes of the enormous land, until sometime before the year 500 B.C.

It was then that new tribes moved into the Southwest from regions much farther south and brought with them many things that were unknown to The Basket Weavers.

They brought seeds of squashes, beans and cotton. From the fleecy white cotton they wove a soft cloth, much better than the yucca fiber cloth the Basket Weavers were used to.

They knew how to tame the wild turkey and how to make jewelry from turquoise. Moreover they brought with them a new weapon--the bow and arrow.

The peaceful Basket Weavers did not resist the coming of these new people, after all there was plenty of land for all.

They made the southerners welcome. The newcomers therefore settled quietly and lived and married with the ancient dwellers.

Gradually they took over the farming patches and the best of the cave shelters and homes of the older people, and in time the long-established Basket Weavers died out and disappeared.

One strange thing about these new people was their custom of tying infants so close to hard boards at their backs that the soft, pliable skulls were flattened.

In most other ways however they carried on the customs of the earlier people, although soon they began to build their one-room slab dwellings in small rectangular clusters of two or three, or even in large groups of fifty or more---a village all under one roof.

Because game was scarce in this region, the savage tribesmen of the north and east did not bother these farmers until it was learned that hidden in their cave storehouses were supplies of corn and berries and roots, and that they had beautifully woven shawls and ornaments of shell and bone, and turquoise mosaics.

Then hunger and greed moved these northerners to swoop down on the defenseless villages, killing the men, running off with the women and children and stealing the treasures.

The southwestern desert dwellers had never been fighters, so now they found themselves helpless to defend themselves. Therefore they fled and took refuge in caves high up in the steep walls of the canyon cliffs.

Here in places almost impossible to attack, they built themselves new homes; and because these homes were in the cliffs, they came to be know as Cliff Dwellers.

In the steep walls of the canyons, they dug out rooms from the soft red sandstone or built little houses in natural caves or on narrow ledges. Here they fled for safety when watchers at their lookout posts gave warning that an enemy was approaching.

It was so difficult to reach these hiding places that even the Cliff Dwellers themselves had difficulty in getting to them in the beginning.

In the steep almost perpendicular cliffs, they cut small toe and hand holds with their stone hatchets.

Afterwards they made ladders or cut notches in tree trunks which they placed against the cliffs. When these were drawn up, no one could reach their refuge.

As the wild tribes harassed the region more and more and learned of their hiding places, the people gathered closer together for protection and began to live permanently in their cliff homes.

When the family living in each cave grew larger and others gathered into the same cave, new houses were added to the old ones and more spaces in the cave were walled off.

Houses were even built on top of one another until the cave was filled to the roof with hundreds of rooms. The upper rooms were reached by ladders from the roofs of the houses below.

The walls dividing the rooms of the different families were made of carefully cut stone blocks, laid with clay mortar and plastered with yellow mud smoothed by hand.

Often small hand prints could be seen in the walls, for it was the women who built the home. The men helped only by carrying the larger stones.

The women erected the walls and plastered them. Because of this the woman owned the home, not the man.

When a man married, he went to live with his wife in her home, and the children belonged to the mother and took the mother's name.

In the small open spaces of the canyon valleys or on the high tops of mesas, the Cliff Dwellers raised their crops of maize and beans, and only ventured beyond their canyons to gather firewood or to hunt.

The great building age of the Cliff Dwellers began in the year 919 A.D. in the erection of a settlement called Pueb'lo Bo-ni'to, in what is now New Mexico, and continued until about 1250 A.D., but it was in the canyons of Mesa Verde in Colorado that they made their finest houses.

Here, high up above the ground in a sheer perpendicular cliff, they built the fairy-like Cliff Palace in an enormous open cave that was as long as a present day city block and as high as a five story building.

At first there were only a few rooms for a small number of families in Cliff Palace, but as more people came, more rooms were added.

They retained an open terrace along the edge of the cliff. Here, women sat at their work making pots and baskets, while watching the ground below for enemies.

The front of the cave was only one story high, and the doorways were often in the roofs, so that the people had to climb up ladders to go in through trapdoors in the flat roofs.

The doors of the upper rooms that were eventually built opened onto the flat roofs of the rooms beneath, thus causing the entire village to be built in steps.

Small windows and T-shaped doors pierced the walls of the upper stories. The lower part of these doors was just wide enough to permit two legs to squeeze through; but the upper part was made wide enough for shoulders loaded with water jars etc. to easily enter.

In time of attack the lower part of the door was covered with stone slabs, so that enemy arrows could not reach the people within, while the dwellers shot their own arrows from the wider opening.

Thus the Cliff Dwellers were able to live and defend their way of life for many centuries.

E - Dove Services    13 -09 - 2008    New