New Central Coast Conveners - PDF document

New Central Coast Conveners Todd J. Wilkinson, the President of Clan Cumming USA, with the endorsement of Bill Cummings, Pacific Coast Commissioner, announced the appointment of 2 new Conveners. Timothy Cummings & Patricia Cummings were given the go ahead to represent Clan Cumming at the upcoming Games and Events in 2008. T im & Trisha look forw to meeting and getting to know many others interested in Clan Cumming Society at the following: Sonora Celtic Faire - March 8 & 9 Caledonia Club of Sacramento Highland Games (Woodland) - April 26 & 27 Campbell Highland Games & Celtic Gathering – June 21 Oakland Scottish Highland Games at Dunsmuir – July Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival – Jul (more information coming in next issue of UP & CUMMING) Sporrans Regulated in Scotland So anyone wearing full Highland dress with a sporran made from a protected species must be able to produce a license or face a fine of 5,000 pounds ($10,000) and six months in jail. Credit: Highlander According to a new law passed by the Scottish Parliament, individuals can now be fined for wearing the fur of a protected animal such as a badger or otter without a license. Although the intent of the law was to protect endangered species, an unintended consequence is that it also applies to the fur on sporrans, unless they were made before 1994. In This Issue: Sacred Scottish Stones pg. 2 Clan Graham pg. 2 Stonehenge Memorial pg. 3 Scottish Humor pg. 3 The Standing Stones of Callanish pg. 4 Sacred Scottish Stones According to “Enhancing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit” Medieval Scots used Citrine (a type of yellow quartz that is found in parts of Scotland) as a “blessing stone”. They would often leave citrine as an offe wells and springs. “Let me dip thee in the water Thou yellow beautiful gem of power! In water of purest wave, Which pure was kept by Bridget. In the name of the apostles twelve, In the name of Mary, Virgin of Virtues, And in the name of the high Trinity And all the shinning angels, A blessing on the gem, A blessing on the water And a healing of all bodily ailments To each suffering creature.” T he gem, placed in drinking water, imparted its healing qualities, especially to ailments the gall bladder, heart, kidneys, liver, colon, and digestive organs. Clan Graham (This Months Origin of the Grahams Scholars have long debated whence came the people and name Graham. Some say the Grahams are descendants of the Graeme who commanded the armies of Fergus II in 404 AD. Others are equally convinced that they are of Norman descent, while yet others claim a Flemish or even Danish descent The Clan Motto "ne oublie" (do not forget) T he motto of the Graham Clan is Ne Oublie. It means “Never Forget.” Frequently we ask, “What are we never to forget?” Historians may this motto which may be based upon biblical teachings. “My hope would be that those associated with the name of Graham would be a repository of the best of traditions that we are asked not to forget, some of which are contained in the concept of chivalry, bravery, and Christian service to your fellow man. His Grace, the Eighth Duke of Montrose THE CLAN GRAHAM BADGE The Clan Graham Badge is the crest from the arms of the Duke of Montrose, Chief of Clan Graham. 2 Stonehenge Memorial ... Scottish Humor In the middle of a foggy night in the North-west Atlantic - two lights are heading directly for one another - and on the radio an American voice is heard saying …. “We suggest you alter your course by 10 degrees to port” Back comes the reply “We suggest YOU alter course by 10 degrees to port!” T hen the American voice says “This is the battleship USS Missouri leadin American battle fleet. You had better alter course by 10 degrees to port.” Back comes the reply “This is the Outer Hebrides lighthouse, but it’s your call.” Stonehenge Memorial at Maryhill, Washington. The Stonehenge Memorial was built by entrepreneur Sam Hill as a tri Hill's Stonehenge is a full-scale replica of England's famous Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Hill, a Quaker pacifist, was mistakenly informed that the original Stonehenge had been used as a sacrificial site. "... Hill was Hill's Stonehenge lies at the original Maryh The site also includes monuments to the soldiers of Klickitat County who died in World War II, Korea, and Hill's own crypt is a short walk southwest of Stonehenge on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. Contact Us! T & T Cummings 17595 Vierra Canyon Rd. PMB #158 Prunedale, CA. 93907 tcummings1@peoplepc.com 3 The Standin g Stones of Callanish ( Calanais ) These remarkable stones are located on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, where once the Lords of the Isles ruled. They are far off the usual worth the journey over the desolate moorlands. The Stones of Callanish are a majestic series of standing stones and stone circles set against a stark landscape high in the northern latitude – a realm of mystery and magic. These stones (called Calanais in Gaelic), were set in place by Neolithic people 5,000 years ago. The main site is configured in the shape of a “Celtic Cross”, with a burial chamber in the center, long before Christianity came to these islands. Margaret and Ron Curtis have explored the Callanish area and rediscovered many of its obscure secrets. Rubbing two quartz stones together makes them glow, from the “pzeizoelectricity” in the molecules of pure quartz. Almost all standing stones have veins of quartz in them, possibly because the ancients discovered this magical ability of stone to glow like stars when rubbed vigorously. Perhaps that explains the “cup hole some of them – as part of an ancient religious rite, making the stones spark. T he ancients might have aligned and built stones in accordance with the rising and setting of the moon behind a natural landscape phenomenon – mountains that look like a Goddess in repose. Bibliography: Callanish Stones, Moon & Sacred Landscapes, by Ron and Margaret Curtis. 4