Mer-folk

[Arion]

For some reason, I strongly believe in mermaids and other types of mythological creatures of the ocean. I think it is possible that they did exist long ago, or even still exist now (Loch Ness monster, anyone?). Maybe its even possible that some of us were mer-people in past lives!! I know I feel a strong connection to the water, and under-water life.

So am I crazy, or do you believe in mermaids/sea-monsters and the like, too?

[Toby Stimpson]

I believe in them...to some degree...I mean when you think of the oceans there is a lot that we dont know, we only know 1 percent of what lies in the depths. In other ways I can see the place of mermaids and other sea creatures in mythology...and who knows who is to say they do not exist.

[LordHelmet]

http://www.cyberspaceorbit.com/phikent/japan/japan2.html

I don't suppose merpeople built these things?

[Dustypuppy]

yeah, i thing its important to keep an open mind, primarily stories concerning ocean or sea folk appear in cultures all over the world which implies that they exist on some level or their symbolism is of key importance with regards to interpreting the world and cosmos at large.I find the professors logic in 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' a real help in working questions such as these out 1) Are all the tales told concerning Mer folk lies? Probably not.. 2) Are all the people who have recounted them mad?Again one would have to play the percentages and say 'no' that leaves only one possibility.... that there is truth attached in some way. So in light of this i would not say youre 'out there' in the slightest, im with you on this!x

[Garm]

If such beings ever were, they weren't locals, more recent occult lore places their point of origin in the Sirius star system

http://www.water-consciousness.com/4history.htm

[jcldragon]

Consider the anatomy of dolphins. If you morphed the human form into that of a fish-like creature, you would get something very much like a dolphin. This analogy holds up upon very close examination. Dolphins have the exact same number of bones in their bodys as humans do, (except I think they have a few more teeth). They have the exact same number of spinal vertibrae. Their flippers have the same number of bones, as our hands & feet do, and in relatively the same positions. You can even find the leg bones extending from the pelvis to their hind flippers. Their internal organs are in relatively the same positions in their bodies, as you find them in humans.

Now there are a couple of differences. Our nasal passages exit in the center of our faces, but the dolphin nasal passages exit just behind their heads. The brains are similar in size, and the analogous parts serve the same functions. However, dolphins have what might be termed a third lobe in the brains, and this is related to their use of sonar. This makes the dolphin brain larger than our own. Moreover, they can use their sonar to stun fish, see inside bodies, and communicate with three dimensional images over long distances. Additionally, the dolphin brain has more convolutions than the human brain.

Consequently, we may very well be dealing with a much older & superior species. They don't make tools, because they aren't really equipped for that, since they live in the ocean. However, they can use tools that we make for them.

I once had an experience of swimming with dolphins. I was body surfing near the pier in Manhattan Beach (Los Angeles). It wasn't a great day for that, since mostly we were only getting four footers, and I like to catch six footers. So I treaded water on the crest of a five footer, so I could get a view of what was coming up & position myself for a good ride. That's when I saw a pod of dolphins cruising along going South, just outside the breakers.

Immediately, I swam out to greet them, because how often do you get a chance like that? One of the dolphins swam over to me & checked me out. Then he zapped me with his sonar, directly at my lower lumbars. I was so surprized, that I nearly jumped out of the water. On a psychic level, I *heard* dolphin laughter. Later on, I noticed that much of the pain I have from my bad back in that area, went away. Essentially, the dolphin had given me his own version of an ultra-sound treatment. I could use one of those about once a week.

Ancient sailors revered dolphins, and to this very day, there are always reports from time to time, of dolphins saving humans from drowning in the ocean. Scientists say that this is merely instinctual behavior, since they do that with their young & their injured. BUT, we are a different species, even though there are many similarities (distant genetic cousins). We remained on the land, and they returned to the sea. I don't think it is instinctual behavior at all. I think it is just that dolphins are Spiritually superior to us.

[LordHelmet]

Consider this, as you see in the water consciousness article, Isis is pictured with a serpant or fish like lower body. However most egyptian dietys are pictured with the lower body of at least one type of animal. Isis was associated with the nile and the fertility it brought to the amazon basin.

Water has long intrigued people and has long been something of awe. If you want something awesome and neat to watch, got to the ocean and watch the waves, or watch a waterfall. There is also the association bettween water in the ocean, the fact that when the ground is wet it's also fertile, and the fact that when we're born theres water in the womb with us. Water gives life.

many times the bigger something is the more reason to there is to notice it or care about it. Thats why Temples and cathedrals have to be big. Rare is also more important, hense the value of a diamond, even though glass can look just as good. Very big fish were seen on rare occasion. You should be able to see what happens from here.

I agree very much about dolphins being inteligent, as well as many other animals. I wouldn't say 'spiritualy superior' though. Lets see who else can be found doing nice things for someone else they don't know (other then humans). #1 Dogs, though usualy domesticated dogs who I think are inclined to because it's been done for them first. Still we're talking about selfless deeds. # 2 Monkeys of different species will to... there are others. They would be spiritualy superior to.

I think Dolphins are a friendly and sociable species that communicates in many ways more and in other ways less then us. Probably with less of a development for creativity as they are less equiped to use it. We use it and it develops. I wonder if they have been observed to have a language? If not that might imply that they are more telepathicly developed.

I wonder if a lot of the mer people stories has anything to do with the idea that we once came from the sea. Possible evelotionary theroy in early thought? Or perhaps just the observation that water breeds life.

[Amber Wynd]

I wonder if a lot of the mer people stories has anything to do with the idea that we once came from the sea. Possible evelotionary theroy in early thought? Or perhaps just the observation that water breeds life.I remember hearing a theory a while back that humans are relatively hairless because we went through an aquatic ape stage at one point and then, for some reason, became land animals again. Wish I could remember where I heard that.

[_Banbha_]

I remember hearing a theory a while back that humans are relatively hairless because we went through an aquatic ape stage at one point and then, for some reason, became land animals again. Wish I could remember where I heard that.
Here are some links to the aquatic ape theory...the water, it's in our genes.

http://www.primitivism.com/aquatic-ape.htm
http://www.geocities.com/athens/5168/aat.html
http://www.planetpuna.com/siriusa/AQApe.htm
wikipedia has a good, concise summery but it's offline for some reason.

[Arion]

Thanks for the links LordHelmet, Garm, and WyldeDryad :) Very interesting stuff.

I adore dolphins, jcldragon. That's an awesome story. I definitely think they are extremely evolved beings and equal or superior to us in many ways.


I wonder if a lot of the mer people stories has anything to do with the idea that we once came from the sea. Possible evelotionary theroy in early thought? Or perhaps just the observation that water breeds life.

That's exactly what I was thining, LordHelmet.

Anyway, it's really interesting to think about.

[Cerulean_damselfly]

Thank you for this lovely sea-side thread!

Hope to share some of these links--found elsewhere, but not collected in a thread...

1.More recent information on the undersea structures discovered off of Okinawa--you can go to this website to get the latest information:

http://www.morien-institute.org/yonaguni.html

2. If you enjoy things with an Asian flavor and water, some people find the frozen crystal allegories with the Japanese doctor "messages from water" as healthful or interesting.

http://www.whatthebleep.com/crystals/

3. In terms of water and seas and things pagan, the beautiful sea-witchery site forum has some charming links and discussions..

http://www.seawitch.org/

4. I've been thinking of ways to set up an alter with dreamy sea links...the old shell necklaces, sea-salt, water-washed stones, green sea abalone shells...and what I've been uncovering in terms of sea-aspects and seashore deities, musical interactions in harmony...I'm also looking at fresh-water cross-overs in story too.

I'm checking out the alters thread and musing about the summer alter to set up being 'sea-worthy'. I found a leftover star candle from an Xmas sale that when turned upside down, the recycled paper looks like a starfish...and there was a cheap round mirror...and old seashells discarded from my sis' collection...you get the drift! It's my favorite creative thinking getaway, so this thread was lovely to happen upon and I hope others contribute and share ideas...

Regards,

Cerulean_damselfly

P.S. Have you ever heard of an old movie with Daryl Hannah as a mermaid? I recently saw this again and had not remembered how charming it was...I'm going to have to collect titles of good books and movies with sea orientations!

[Arion]

4. I've been thinking of ways to set up an alter with dreamy sea links...the old shell necklaces, sea-salt, water-washed stones, green sea abalone shells...and what I've been uncovering in terms of sea-aspects and seashore deities, musical interactions in harmony...I'm also looking at fresh-water cross-overs in story too.

I'm checking out the alters thread and musing about the summer alter to set up being 'sea-worthy'. I found a leftover star candle from an Xmas sale that when turned upside down, the recycled paper looks like a starfish...and there was a cheap round mirror...and old seashells discarded from my sis' collection...you get the drift! It's my favorite creative thinking getaway, so this thread was lovely to happen upon and I hope others contribute and share ideas...

Regards,

Cerulean_damselfly



Hi Cerulean_damselfly:) I'm glad you appreciate the thread. I'm working on making a sea-themed altar too. So far I have blue and purple candles, a purple altar cloth, a few sea shells and my statue of Aphrodite on mine. There's a craft store near me that sells a lot of shells and water-themed items, so I think I'll head over there soon to see what tickles my fancy. Nice to see someone else who shares my love of all things related to the sea :D

[RhiannynWildseed]

Immediately, I swam out to greet them, because how often do you get a chance like that? One of the dolphins swam over to me & checked me out. Then he zapped me with his sonar, directly at my lower lumbars. I was so surprized, that I nearly jumped out of the water. On a psychic level, I *heard* dolphin laughter. Later on, I noticed that much of the pain I have from my bad back in that area, went away. Essentially, the dolphin had given me his own version of an ultra-sound treatment. I could use one of those about once a week.


I'm so with you there! I used to work in a beach front hotel and some mornings I had to help with breakfast in the dining room. Usually I was in there just before sun up, and the whole eastern sea-facing wall is glass. I'd stand there and watch the sun rise and every morning there were schools of dolphins playing in the surf going up and down the beach. I would have given a considerable sized body part to be out there with them.

While I hate seeing them in captivity, though I know they are very well cared for, I love going down to SeaWorld in Florida to the dolphin pool. I get my biggest thrill from them swimming right up to you and letting you run your hands down them. I had one that kept coming back to me over and over again to get his belly rubbed. He was so cute.

Maybe it's just my Piscean nature, but I feel the most amazing kinship with dolphins. All you have to do is look in their eyes, and you can just see this vast mind. They are absolutely amazing.

[jcldragon]

One of my online friends, who lives way up the coast from me in the Santa Barbara area, is an avid surfer. He says that there is a pod of dolphins who regularly cruise up & down the coast near him. Often it will happen that they come together & sometimes share the same wave. Dolphins like surfing even more than people do. The fact that at best, we are rather awkward in the water, gives them endless amusement...

The notion that humans are superior to other lifeforms, seems rather ego-centric to me. Those notions & beliefs are based upon our own point of view, which is something somewhat less than Universal. It is like saying that an educated person is necessarily more intelligent, when intelligence actually is what you can do with information, rather than the amount of information that you have. For example, I have a friend on the East Coast who is dsylexic, and cannot read, while I have a lifetime of study & reading under my belt beyond a college education. He is a commercial fisherman, and frequently I have seen him figure out things, that you would expect that only an engineer could figure out.

[Arion]

The notion that humans are superior to other lifeforms, seems rather ego-centric to me. Those notions & beliefs are based upon our own point of view, which is something somewhat less than Universal. It is like saying that an educated person is necessarily more intelligent, when intelligence actually is what you can do with information, rather than the amount of information that you have. For example, I have a friend on the East Coast who is dsylexic, and cannot read, while I have a lifetime of study & reading under my belt beyond a college education. He is a commercial fisherman, and frequently I have seen him figure out things, that you would expect that only an engineer could figure out.

my thoughts exactly

[LordHelmet]

same here

We're to focused on who's more intelligent and we forget to look at it as a multifaceted equation. But as humans we tend to measure ourselves by our accomplishments, and our accomplishments have to be visable and or practical so that we can measure them. We feel we must measure them to measure ourselves. It gives us somewhere to work from and to work towards, or it justifies our supuriority and inferiority complexes.

To often we become blinded by our own way of looking at and lableing things and stop seeing whats outside of that. Like the socialibility and smarts of a dolphin. All because they can't speak or take our IQ tests doesn't mean they don't have a simmilar ability to think. I suppose if they could take an IQ test they would fail miserably, but if they made one for us how would we fare?

OK I mostly just repeated JCL Dragon

[jelly.belly]

Great thread purplepanther! Very interesting! :)

I agree with you guys, dolphins are definatly a very intelligent species. Humans think they are superior in every way because they reproduced rather fast, invented weapons and took up a rather large chunk of Earth. We often forget that intelligence comes in many shapes and sizes and isn't limited to human beings in particular.

Knowing that we do come from water, that water is life and considering how little we know about the seas and oceans, I don't see why it would be impossible. We should all keep an open mind about it, especially since there are so many myth, legends and references to them in history.

[Geministar]

I have always believed in merfolk, I have no proof (obviously) but its kinds one of those things that I've always felt was right no matter who said it wasnt, along with other "mythical beings" I figure if I have seen and communicated with fairies and other land beings then mermaids and other water beings must be here too. I have often wondered what we as humans knew everything that was in the ocean, what would we find? We know more about outer space then we do about our own planet, especially the ocean, now that is amazing!

Thanks for this thread!:)

[gurlygurl2004]

For some reason, I strongly believe in mermaids and other types of mythological creatures of the ocean. I think it is possible that they did exist long ago, or even still exist now (Loch Ness monster, anyone?). Maybe its even possible that some of us were mer-people in past lives!! I know I feel a strong connection to the water, and under-water life.

So am I crazy, or do you believe in mermaids/sea-monsters and the like, too?


I don't believe in those mythical creatures but I also feel a strong pull to the ocean, I'd rather live near there then the mountains that I live in now. I know why because I've seen surrounded by ocean, seas, and lakes in past lives.

[Maverynthia]

I don't believe that mer-folk are mystical at all. I would say that the Dolphin (and other water mammals) ARE the mer-folk. I think people get hung up on the mermaid image that for it to be a people it has to look human and do human things. The perfect underwater folk however are the whale pods. Just because they don't build cities, pollute their enviroment and wage war on each other doesn't mean they aren't a people. If you look at it, the care for one another, aren't that violent and tend to go about life without want or worry.

[LordHelmet]

I wouldn't say they go about their life without want or worry... They still have to eat, and although there really iisn't a whole lot out there that hunts whales, we do. There's also piranhas.

[Maverynthia]

Well, they dont' need jobs in order to survive so there is very little stress that way. I mean, they don't get fired for screwing up, they just try again. Piranhas are fresh water fish I thought...I also thought they were scavengers.

[_Banbha_]

Their job is survival and that means finding food, which at times can be scarce, and avoiding preditors. For example: Some breds of porpiose kill smaller species of dolphin and Killer Whales hunt baby whales of any species they cross. And there are always fishermen/whale hunters to consider. Life is challenging for Manatees too. They are being killed off by idiots in speeding boats. They have their own stresses too.

[Calen]

I've only recently found myself starting to believe in the existance of merpeople. Scientists have already accepted the probable reality that many species exist in the ocean that we don't know about yet...what's so unlikely about one existing that we have known about, in a sense, for millennia?

The account of the Benbecula mermaid interests me particularly, because they were related sightings in an immediate area. People say they saw one alive in the water and boys threw stones at her, and they found the body washed up on a beach two miles away.