For some of us reading our horoscope is nothing more than harmless entertainment – something to read in the daily newspaper during the morning coffee break. For many people though it is something to be taken much more seriously and is not only an important checkpoint before important decision making but also an integral part of their lifestyle.
But what exactly is Astrology all about? Is it just antiquated nonsense as many scientists believe – or is there something more to it after all?

Originally ‘Western Astrology’, as opposed to ‘Indian’ or ‘Asian’ Astrology (which seems to have developed independently) was synonymous with the study of Astronomy rather than considered as a separate discipline. Archaeologically it was found in its most developed form in ancient Babylon from where it spread outward to other nations. It arrived in Greece about the middle of the 4th century B.C. and reached Rome before the advent of the Christian era. With the introduction of Greek culture into Egypt, both Astronomy and Astrology were actively studied in the region of the Nile during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Astrology was further developed by the Arabs from the 7th to the 13th century, and in the European courts of the 14th and 15th centuries Astrologers were highly sought after by royalty and other rich patrons.
The Mayans and the Aztecs of Central America also developed their own form of Astrology using surprisingly sophisticated forms of mathematics. Other cultures and civilizations around the world also created their own Astrological systems particularly in the Indian subcontinent and China where today it still remains an important aspect of the culture along with other forms of divination such as I-Ching. The ‘horoscope’, which is the main tool of the Astrologer, is the name given to the chart that shows the position of all the astronomical bodies (planets and stars etc) at a specific point in time (usually at the time of an individual’s birth) Astrology is therefore based on the premise that this chart can then be used to ascertain the ‘potentiality’ of certain events happening during the life of that individual.

Historically the terms ‘Astrology’ and ‘Astronomy’ have long been closely related. An Astrologer is essentially an interpreter of celestial phenomena who studies the supposed correlations between the positions of various heavenly objects based on the belief that there is an inextricable link between the Earth and the Stars and therefore the time and date of everyone’s birth would not only have a causal link to specific zodiac signs with their own special characteristics but would also, to a large extent, determine their ultimate destiny. So ingrained were these beliefs that even Kings and Queens would appoint their own personal Astrologers to help them choose the most auspicious times to sign treaties or introduce new laws etc. An Astronomer on the other hand takes a more scientific approach and studies the motions of the heavenly bodies including things like the phases of the moon and timing of eclipses.

Logically, according to the purely scientific viewpoint, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that the movements of the stars and planets relative to the Earth have any direct influence on individuals or their destiny. For years experts in astrophysics, geology, astronomy, chemistry, biology and environmental science have delved deeper and deeper into the mysteries of nature and our level of knowledge has grown exponentially to such a degree that today some of the most profound workings of the universe are now well understood. And it seems to the academics that the more that we learn about the universe the less credence we should give to Astrology which many believe should now be consigned to history as a ‘quaint but naive’ notion invented by our ancestors. And yet, for some reason, Astrology just won’t go away!

However, whether you believe in Astrology or not there is no doubt that something disconcerting is starting to happen in scientific circles that have profound implications for our understanding of how we are connected to the universe as a whole. Biologists have known for a long time that the human body is not somehow a separate ‘entity’ from the natural world but an intrinsic part of it. Whether it is menstrual cycles correlated to the phases of the moon, migraines initiated from atmospheric pressure, elation in the presence of air charged with negative ions or mood swings relating to the weather there seems to be a growing awareness, supported by detailed research that each of us is fundamentally an intrinsic part of the natural world and our bodies are in constant interaction with it. As more and more research is carried out on things like atmospheric pressure, sun spot activity, gravitational fluctuations and planetary movements scientists are now starting to admit that many aspects of our lives like hormone levels, moods, health etc are indeed subtly influenced by forces emanating from the stars. In other words maybe there is more to Astrology than the sceptics like to think.

It is difficult for us to understand today just how important Alchemy and Astrology were up until the twentieth century. Alchemy gradually evolved into the well respected science we today call Chemistry, but Astrology seems to have taken a different direction. Instead of gaining credibility and evolving into a respectable science it has instead become more of a sub-culture amusement activity equated with harmless ‘fortune telling’.

Today we can check our stars in the daily papers or on the Internet, we can phone “professional” astrologers to give us personal readings or we can even buy magazines or books dedicated to our own personal birth sign. Whether you are believer or non believer though, it seems that Astrology is here to stay and whether you are a Libra or a Virgo, a Taurus or a Capricorn there will always be those days when your horoscope is surprisingly accurate and sends a little shudder down your spine.
I have just read my stars in the morning paper. It says that today I should relax and not worry about anything too much. Thank the stars!

‘Fairy tale’ is an English language term for a type of short story called “conte de fée” in French, “Märchen” in German and “fiaba,” in Italian. In Sweden they are called “sagas”. Strangely, only a small number of the stories explicitly refer to fairies but the term ‘Fairy tales’ is still the most popular term for these types of stories. Fairy tales typically feature a number of characters drawn from folklore, myths, legends and traditions and include a wide variety of human-like entities with names like goblins, pixies, elves, trolls, giants or gnomes – as well as fairies! Often the stories will involve a far-fetched sequence of events with lots of magic spells, quests, adventures, enchantments and battles between good and evil.

These stories embody ideas or concepts that are so ingrained into our collective subconscious that we constantly use the symbolism and story themes in everyday life. For example we refer to events as having a “fairy tale ending” or of a “fairy tale romance” (though not all fairy tales actually end happily). We also sometimes use the term “fairy tale” or “fairy story” in a derogatory way to mean any far-fetched tale or unbelievable claim.

In some cultures where ‘demons’ ‘wizards’ and ‘witches’ are perceived to be very real, fairy tales may merge into legends, where the stories are perceived, both by storytellers and listeners, as being grounded in historical truth. However, unlike legends and Nordic sagas, they usually do not contain more than superficial references to actual places, people, and events. Instead they take place in a non-specific “once upon a time” rather than in a definite period of history.

The history of the fairy tale is particularly difficult to trace, because only the written forms can provide evidence in a way that oral traditions cannot. The evidence from literary sources though, indicate that fairy tales have existed for thousands of years. Many of today’s fairy tales have evolved from centuries-old stories that have appeared, with variations, in multiple cultures around the world and such is their popularity that new stories are still being written today.

Defining what a fairy story really means in terms of its ‘genre’ is not easy and scholars still debate what constitutes a real ‘fairy tale’. For example, talking animals and the presence of elements of magic seem to be more common to the fairy tale than fairies themselves. However, the mere presence of animals that talk does not make a tale a fairy tale, especially when the animal is clearly a mask on a human face, as in the case of ‘fables’ which are stories created to make a specific moral point.

What is very clear though is the fact that fairy stories have always provided, and continue to provide, a rich source of material for writers and film makers. In fact both J.R.R. Tolkien and Walt Disney openly acknowledged that they have established their careers based on fairy tale concepts, ideas and characters.

Some folklore experts prefer to use the German term Märchen or “wonder tale” to refer to the genre defined as “a tale of some length involving a succession of motifs or episodes. It moves in an unreal world without definite locality or definite creatures and is filled with the marvellous. In this never-never land, humble heroes kill adversaries, succeed to kingdoms and marry princesses.”

The characters and motifs of most fairy tales are usually simple and archetypal: There are beautiful princesses and gallant princes, youngest sons and ‘seventh’ sons, ogres, giants, dragons, trolls, wicked stepmothers and sly tricksters, fairy godmothers, talking horses, foxes, birds and other animals. The stories tale place in magical landscapes of haunted forests, mountains made of glass, magnificent castles and pastoral countryside.

The first collectors to attempt to preserve not only the plot and characters of the tale, but also the style in which they were told, were the Brothers Grimm who were collectors of German folklore and fairy tales. Their first edition of ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’(1812) remains a treasure for folklorists although they rewrote the tales in later editions to make them more socially acceptable which ensured their sales and the later popularity of their work.

With regard to the origin of fairy tales we will probably never know the true answer. Two theories of origins have attempted to explain the common elements in fairy tales found spread across continents. One is that a single point of origin generated a given tale, which then gradually spread geographically over the centuries. The other is that such fairy tales stem from common human experience and therefore can appear separately in many different cultures.

It is certainly true that fairy tales with very similar plots, characters, and motifs are found spread across many different cultures. Many researchers claim that this is caused by the spread of such tales, as people repeat tales they have heard in foreign lands, although the oral nature of fairy tales makes it impossible to trace the route.

In some cultures fairy tales are used in the first grade of school as a central part of the curriculum. Rudolf Steiner’s work on human development claims that at age six to seven, the mind of a child is best taught through storytelling. He claims, and other experts have agreed, that the archetypes and magical nature of fairy tales appeals strongly to children at this age. The nature of fairy tales, following the oral tradition, enhances the child’s ability to visualize a spoken narrative, as well as to remember the story as heard and absorb the messages of the story.

Whatever the true origins of the fairy story might be there is no doubt that these wonderful tales have been an integral part of our culture since time immemorial. Adults and children alike remain captivated and ‘spellbound’ by the memorable characters and the message behind each story. So when you think about it, being criticised for being “away with the fairies” may be no bad thing at all.

The herbs we use today come from many parts of the world. For example we know a lot about the herbs used in Ancient India and Ancient China through a famous Arabic doctor called Avicenna who studied ancient writings. We also know that in the middle Ages across Europe monks grew many herbs in the monastery gardens and used many of them to make herbal drinks as well as medicines. In Germany for example an abbess known as Hildegarde of Bingen was a famous herbalist who treated the sick with herbs as the Chinese still do today.

In the 15th and 16th centuries pilgrims took herbs with them to America that they used in England. Then, over time, herbs native to America came to Europe and other parts of the world. Trade in herbs though started much earlier than this with Phoenicians and Romans buying and selling herbs from all over the world.

In Britain a herbalist Nicholas Culpepper published a book in 1653 to help ordinary people make their own herbal remedies instead of paying for expensive ones from doctors. The book called ‘The Complete Herbal’ is still very popular even today.
Today we are able to trace the origins of many herbs and plants which gives us an insight into not just how important they were but also the myths that surrounded them. Here are a few examples.

Basil – Today Basil is in common use as a culinary herb. There are many stories about the origins of Basil and one of the more interesting theories is that the name originates from a mythical beast known as a ‘Basilisk’. The Basilisk was a sort of giant lizard, much like the smaller bearded lizards of today (still called dragons in some cultures) and in mythological stories it was believed that a single look from the eye of a Basilisk was enough to kill a man. Scorpions have also been associated with Basil and it was even thought that eating too much Basil could result in scorpions inside the brain!

Bay Laurel – One of the favourite Greek myths pertaining to Bay Laurel is that Apollo was teasing Cupid about his tiny arrows so Cupid shot one arrow of love into his heart. Daphne, a nymph, was standing close by watching the two gods so Cupid shot another arrow into her heart but this time one of repulsion. Apollo then saw Daphne and fell madly in love but she became frightened and started to run away from him. Apollo though was too fast for her so she cried out for help to her father Peneus who magically turned her into a Bay Laurel tree to save her from Apollo’s attentions. Apollo grabbed the tree and flung his arms around it crying, “My love, my love, I shall love you forever and I will wear your leaves as a crown to remember you” Supposedly this is the reason that to this day Bay Laurel wreaths are used as a sign of victory and honour. Today the Bay leaf is also commonly used in many meat dishes and soups.

Borage – According to Greek historians Borage was the famous ‘nepentha’ mentioned by Homer – a herb which was drunk after battle steeped in wine in order to bring about complete forgetfulness. There is an old saying “Borage is for Courage”. Borage has been used as a pot herb or in cooling drinks and the flowers can be candied or frozen in ice cubes.

Fennel – Fennel was held in reverence by early man because in mythology Prometheus brought fire to man in its hollow stem. It was and still is used as a vegetable and also used as an aid to digestion.

Garlic – In Ancient times Garlic was always placed at crossroads as a supper for the goddess Hecate. Homer tells us that one of the other virtues of garlic is that its properties also saved Ulysses from being turned into a pig by a wicked witch. Garlic has been popular for centuries and is today commonly used as a flavour enhancer for meats. It also has proven medicinal properties as it contains a natural antiseptic and antibiotics. It is also used today used as a stimulant, diuretic and expectorant as well as being used in healing ointments.

Mistletoe – Mistletoe has a long history as a magical plant. It was considered the “Golden Bough” which opened the world of the dead to mortals. To the primitive mind, mistletoe represented the opposite of death and was therefore the emblem of life itself. It was also thought to be a panacea to cure all ills. It was said that Asclepus, the son of Apollo, learned the arts of healing and was therefore considered the father of medicine. He cured many Greeks with mistletoe and legend has it that he was first shown mistletoe by a serpent in a tomb.

Mulberry – Mulberry berries were dedicated to the goddess Minerva and have always been closely associated myths about love. They were also a common delicacy at ancient feasts. In Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer night’s dream’ for example Pyramus and Thisbe were in love but were forbidden to marry by their parents. They planned a midnight meeting under a mulberry tree and ended up killing themselves for the sake of love. In mythology their mingled blood was then absorbed by the tree and the berries, which had been white, were turned deep red as they have remained to this day. Mulberries can be eaten raw but more popularly they are these days made into jams or wine.

Narcissus – The word, narcissism, meaning ‘to love oneself’ derives from the myth of a beautiful youth named Narcissus. It is said that he saw his own image reflected in a pool of water and fell in love with it. Although he tried in vain to embrace the image it always eluded him and he became so grief stricken that he starved himself to death and on the spot where he died a beautiful flower bloomed.

Nightshade – In past times it was always believed that the devil himself lived inside this deadly poisonous plant which is also, ironically, a valuable medicine. Its botanical Latin name derives from one of the ‘three fates’, Atropos, who in mythology cut the thread of life and this alludes to its poisonous attributes. Today eye specialists use Atropine to dilate the eyes and it is also sometimes used as an antispasmodic.

Parsley – Parsley is said to have sprung from the blood of the Greek hero Archemorus, the forerunner of death. This herb was dedicated to Persephone, goddess of the underworld, and was used in funeral rites as it was considered the herb of the dead. Today Parsley is widely used as a culinary herb and is also used medicinally. It is also a diuretic.

Poppy – Somnus the god of sleep was always crowned with poppies or is depicted lying surrounded by them. Also in popular mythology Ceres, the goddess of corn, wore a crown of grain interwoven with poppies which were considered sacred. Poppies are often called cornflowers in many European countries. The seeds can be used in cakes and the juice removed from the head is used medicinally for pain.

Rosemary – Rosemary has always had a reputation for strengthening the memory. In mythology the ‘Muses’ were the nine daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne (Memory). They presided over song and prompted the memory. The Muses are often pictured with rosemary in their hands and Minerva, the goddess of knowledge, is also associated with this herb. It was often used at both weddings and funerals as it sometimes is today. Rosemary is a versatile herb used widely for flavouring meat dishes, in flower displays as well as for medicinal purposes.

Thyme – ‘Thymus’ comes from the Greek word meaning courage. This herb was known to the Ancients because it is a herb loved by bees which convert it into honey which was in turn loved by the gods. It was used as an aromatic herb and also rubbed on tables to clean them for food. Thyme was also used internally and externally as an antiseptic. “To smell of thyme” was an expression of praise. It was also used to preserve meat.

Yarrow – Achilles, the great warrior in the ten year Trojan War staunched the bleeding wounds of his soldiers with Yarrow. He also tried to use Yarrow to stop the bleeding wound in his heel that became known as the “Achilles tendon”. Yarrow was called the military herb by the Ancients. Today Yarrow is used as hops in beer, as snuff, and as an antiseptic.

So next time you find herbs growing in your garden or add them to your food stop for a moment and reflect on just how important these extraordinary natural products are and how important they always were to our ancestors.

Ask people what they think of this wonderful city that has been at the heart of European history and culture for thousands of years and their impressions will be mixed – romantic images of ancient untamed Bohemia are likely to be mingled with images of floods of tourists, stag parties and cheap beer.

That’s because Prague is a paradox. The heart of the city is a medieval fairyland of cobbled streets and gas lamps, gothic towers and dark crypts, castles and ancient monasteries. Step outside the bohemian heart though and you enter another world – a cosmopolitan city of designer shops, trendy coffee houses and chic restaurants, night clubs and disco’s. Travel on one of the metro trains beyond the city centre and Prague still surprises – grey menacing tower blocks, the legacy of the communist era, sit beside brand new business parks and shopping malls.

But then everything about Prague surprises. There I was standing in front of the Smetana Museum, looking across the Vltava River towards Charles Bridge when I noticed a small movement beneath my feet. The trees along the river walk are set into ornate circles of ironwork and there beneath the iron circle two beady eyes were looking up at me; a small whiskered nose protruding through the grating. It was a large brown river rat who had found a perfect place to nest and watch the world go by. I watched it with fascination for some moments before it scuttled away back into the labyrinth of tunnels beneath old Prague.

There are so many places to see in Prague that you feel spoilt for choice. In the very centre of the city lies Charles Bridge, its image captured on thousands of postcards and always reverberating to the sounds of a thousand camera shutters. It is the tourist mecca with its fabulous statues and views across the city from the middle of the mighty Vltava River. High above you looms the gothic splendour of the castle and cathedral and a vista of towers and spires. Every building fascinates as almost every style of architecture imaginable jostles for space from different periods of history. There are numerous tourist shops selling Russian dolls, glassware, jewellery, T-shirts, baseball caps, prints and countless pictures and paintings of Charles Bridge. Slip away from the main tourist trails though and there are lots of other shops to explore filled with weird and wonderful things to interest and amuse. Take a turn down cobbled streets and you are likely to find ancient monasteries or gothic cathedrals, pretty town squares filled with flowers and fountains, museums and coffee shops.

If you are wondering how to spend your time in Prague there is something to suit all tastes. A lot of visitors choose the guided tours to see the city sights but if you are not of the herd mentality a good guide book and a map are all you need to explore at your own pace. Prague is a very safe and welcoming city to wander around – the only things to watch out for are the pickpockets on Wencelas square and the mercenary taxi drivers (if you do need to take a taxi agree a price up front and don’t be afraid to haggle if it sounds expensive)
Other ideas? Try to see a ‘Black Light Theatre show’ – in which the whole theatre is completely blacked out and your senses are assaulted by weird lights, shapes and sounds that are truly mesmerising. Alternatively try one of the Puppet shows – you will love it and so will the kids. The Czechs love puppets and staging puppet shows and there are some wonderful shops selling souvenir puppets that are reasonably priced and well constructed. In a bizarre juxtaposition of old and new you might also stumble across the “Sex Museum” sandwiched between more austere premises. If you are in the mood for something more cultural however then there are numerous classical music concerts to choose from. Prague has some stunning music venues ranging from ornate marble halls to ancient chapels with wonderful natural acoustics and fascinating frescoes on the walls. There are professional orchestras, string quartets, classical guitar concerts or opera – whatever suits your mood. I went to see a string quartet perform in an old chapel just off Old Town Square – don’t ask me what piece of music they were playing – I don’t recall – but the amazing acoustics, fascinating frescoes and ancient setting made it magical.

If you enjoy eating out then you will not be disappointed. Prague boasts thousands of restaurants to choose from whether you want to sample traditional Czech cuisine or something more international. Whatever food you enjoy Prague offers a myriad of hidden, mysterious restaurants to suit all tastes. If you want to impress and dine in bohemian splendour try the delights of the Palffry Palace on Valdstejnska but be sure to book first! And don’t be put off by the ancient decaying entrance to the building. A gloomy flight of stone stairs will lead you into a magical room of glistening chandeliers, old paintings and art deco decadence. If you’re after reasonably priced good food with good service and a nice ambience there are literally hundreds of places to choose from. Try ‘Le Café Colonial’ on Siroka Street or the enigmatic underground cellars of the oddly named ‘Architects Club’ – a restaurant carved out of the rock cellars beneath the amazing Bethlehem Chapel built in 1391. If you just want a leisurely coffee and somewhere to sit and watch the world go by then find a table in Hotel Europa’s lounge and sit in the faded glory of this old hotel’s turn of the century interior looking out over bustling Wencelas Square.

You can’t visit Prague though without trying the beer. Czech beer is famous the world over and there is no shortage of places to drink. The city centre bars are all very pleasant if you don’t mind rubbing shoulders with hundreds of tourists. If you are looking for something more authentic then try the places where Czechs drink which are usually only a street or two away from the main tourist trails. I spent many happy hours in a small unpretentious bar in a nondescript back street drinking good beer and superb food. Don’t expect any frills though. I can recommend the underground cellar bar in “Bar Fly” on U Dobrenskych street near Charles Bridge where you will sit at a wooden bench pushed up to a wooden table with one fat candle and a steak knife.

And then there’s “Beer Cheese”! You won’t find it on many menu’s in the tourist areas that’s for sure – but if you ask the waiter for some he will generally oblige with a knowing nod. Beer cheese is ordered by the Czechs in their beer halls and café’s in the same way the Brits order crisps or peanuts in the pub. Such a simple idea too. Take a few slices of cheese, crumple it in your hands until you have a small pyramid in the middle of your plate, cover it in thinly shredded spring onion then pour a small glass of beer over it. Absolutely delicious!

So where does Prague hide her secrets? For me the answer is about doors. It’s all about enigmatic doorways with secret interiors – and endlessly speculating about what might be concealed behind them. Nowhere else in the world will you find so many unusual doors as in Prague. In fact if there is such a hobby as ‘door spotting’ then Prague has to be the mecca. Just wandering around the old city you can see thousands of fascinating doorways to stand and wonder at. Ancient wooden doors with incredible carvings, glass art nouveau doors of many colours, wrought iron doors and doors with strange pictures or engravings. Tiny leathery doors, grand ornate double doors in fact every type of door you can think of. But it’s not just the doors themselves that fascinate. Raise your eyes above the door frame and you will see enigmatic pictures, frescoes or carvings that tell you something about the building itself and what might lie concealed within. All over Prague there are wonderful timeless images above doorways. Exotic creatures – dragons or unicorns, blue bears or black wolves, esoteric Masonic diagrams or alchemical symbols, black Madonna’s or heraldic insignia’s.

If, like me, you are fascinated by the more mysterious or esoteric elements of history then Prague has everything you could wish for and more. A labyrinth of alluring backstreets you will find Prague to be a city of secrets in which Alchemists, Rosicrucians and Freemasons practiced their arts and left tantalising traces all over the city. If you are onthe tourist routes then a ‘must see’ is the incredible Astronomical clock in Old Town Square dating from 1410. What most tourists miss though is all the other historical sites connected with Prague’s esoteric past – forget the Da Vinci code – if you want the authentic city of conspiracies it is here in Prague. Just off Betlemska is the house of John Dee, Elizabeth the first’s personal astrologer and magician. It was here the John Dee conducted his experiments associated with the search for the Philosophers Stone. Nearby in Karlova the famous astronomers Kepler and Tycho Brahe met to discuss their radical ideas about planetary orbits. In another side street called Templova the Knights Templars held their meetings and close by is the house where Komensky, the mystical author, Rosicrucian and Alchemist, worked. Sometimes known as the ‘crossroads of Europe’ Prague is a place that has always been a melting pot of ideas and experiments where secret societies still meet and where history oozes from every corner of the city.

One reason tourists are drawn to Prague is because they want to find the real heart of Bohemia but many of them return disappointed and complain that Prague has turned into a city ruined by tourism and that it has somehow lost its magic. But they would be mistaken – the magic is still there if you make the effort to find it. It’s just that you can’t capture the essence of Prague. You can’t bottle it and take it home. You can’t capture it on film and you can’t find it in a guide book or by following the well worn tourist trail through the heart of the city. Prague is too mysterious for that. She is like a mysterious and alluring temptress who only reveals her secrets very slowly and the more she reveals the more you want to see.

So I’m booking another trip next month. I know there are other places I want to visit but as usual I can’t get Prague out of my head. I too came here looking for the real ‘Bohemia’ – the romantic, enticing, mysterious city of the Alchemists. At first I thought it was all gone – sadly replaced by trendy shopping malls, strip clubs and McDonalds. But Prague is too cunning to give up her secrets that easily.

No, Bohemia is here all right if you know where to look for it.
Bohemia lurks just beneath the surface like the rat staring up from the ironwork. It’s there in the cobbled backstreets, in hidden corners, in the old beer halls and cellars, in the faded frescoes above doorways, in ancient monasteries and mysterious carvings on the sides of buildings. It hangs in the early morning mist over Charles Bridge and in the deep shadows beneath its gothic towers. If you look for it too hard it will slip away from your eyes like a mirage in the desert but if you don’t look hard enough it will remain forever just out of reach.
Czech legend says that Prague was formed when a jewel fell to earth from Lucifer’s crown and yes, I like that idea. For me it somehow sums up the whole essence of Bohemia.

Not very far from Stonehenge though, is another equally impressive archaeological site that remains little visited by comparison with its more famous neighbour. The site is called ‘Avebury’ and it remains one of the most fascinating and mysterious places in the World.

Today the small village of Avebury lies nestled in the folds of the landscape of Wiltshire in Southern England, a green and generally open area of beautiful countryside. The most amazing thing about Avebury village though is that the small cluster of houses lies in the centre of an incredible circle of huge stones known as ‘megaliths’. The history of the village is thus inevitably linked to the prehistoric monuments that surround it. Abandoned for several thousand years the land around the stones became occupied once more when people of the Saxon period began to settle in the area. Their arrival and subsequent development of the present village was to have a dramatic effect on the history of the stones for this is a landscape sculpted by ancient man for purposes we can only guess at.

Around 4,500 years ago, when London was still was a thinly inhabited marshland, the area around Avebury almost certainly formed the Neolithic equivalent of a city. In Archaeological terms the site of Avebury is known as a ‘henge’ – an area that incorporates a number of incredible features including an enormous ditch, steep earth banks, huge natural stones that form both circles and linear avenues and many other archaeological curiosities like burial mounds and sacred streams. Very close to Avebury lies the equally enigmatic Silbury Hill, the largest man-made mound in Europe that today dominates the surrounding landscape as much today as it would have done throughout the centuries. If that wasn’t enough the two largest surviving British ‘long barrows’ of West Kennet and East Kennet are also to be found a short distance away and in recent years the remains of two massive enclosures have also been discovered. The whole area around Avebury therefore provides us with an amazing ‘open air museum’ that prompted the famous antiquarian John Aubrey to remark “it does as much exceed in greatness the so renowned Stonehenge as a Cathedral does a parish church”

The stone circle is thought to date from around 2600 BC which means it was already ancient at the time of the Roman Invasion of Britain. Nearby excavations at a site known as ‘Windmill Hill’ has revealed evidence of human occupation as early as 3700 BC so it is known that the area has been a centre of human activity for some 6000 years and is termed by some historians as a ‘ritual landscape’ implying that the Avebury area has been recognised from ancient times as an important and sacred location.
Although it is virtually impossible to state with any certainty why the Avebury complex was carved out of the landscape by ancient man we do know that the original circular ditch was dug out with antler picks and stone tools around 2500 BC and was originally a staggering ten metres deep. It is on the central island of land created by the ditch that the incredible megalithic stones were set into the ground but experts believe that the stones were put in place prior to the creation of the ditch around 2600BC.

The actual stones where quarried from the Marlborough Downs and transported overland, probably on wooden rollers. This must have been a monumental task as some of the stones within the circle are over 40 tons, almost twice as heavy as some of the Stonehenge stones, although not as well finished and shaped. There were originally around 100 of these stones although only 27 remain, the missing stones marked today by concrete posts.

If you visit Avebury today it is probably the size of the stones that leaves a lasting impression but when the circle was first constructed the most awesome feature must have been the ditch and bank which had been dug from the solid chalk of the Wiltshire landscape. Excavations have revealed that, due to erosion and silting, the ditch today is now only one third of its original depth and the bank much reduced in height.

The stone circle and henge that surround the village is only one of a series of ancient monuments that are concentrated in a relatively small area of Wiltshire that archaeologists refer to as a ‘ritual Neolithic landscape’. When in full use around 4000 years ago the Avebury complex must have been a truly awe inspiring place.

Sadly a lot of destruction of the Avebury site took place during the 17th and 18th centuries when ‘puritanical’ religious beliefs viewed the stones as ‘pagan’ and therefore evil. It was at this time that a lot of the stones were destroyed although fortunately a lot of drawings and engravings exist which depict the original site in its former glory.

As with all ancient sites a certain mythology or folklore is attached to certain stones and visitors to this site today are still shown features like the ‘Devil’s chair’, a natural seat where wishes can be made or childless couples can sit in the hope that pregnancy will soon follow! Other stories abound of stones moving in the dead of night accompanied by mysterious lights.

Like most ancient sites there is also a strong connection to Astronomy and indeed many of the stones not only align to particular stars but also align to other ancient features of the landscape and research continues to this day into such topics.

Whether you are a historian, archaeologist, astronomer or just a tourist though, one thing is certain. Avebury exudes an undeniable atmosphere that almost everyone can sense when they visit this amazing place. It is a sense or wonderment and awe at the achievements of our ancestors mixed with a sense of the sacred and special.

Truly, for young and old alike, Avebury is a very magical place to visit if you are ever fortunate enough to get the opportunity.
Author: R A Gear

The first article was about a property entrepreneur who bought some land and then sold it again making millions of pounds profit. The second was about an arrest made in Germany to do with prostitution. Nothing new or exceptional about either article you might think – but you would be wrong.

Both articles were referring to incidents that happened not in real life but in the world of binary digits, telecommunications and advanced computer software – in the world of ‘Virtual Reality’. Over the last few years the world has witnessed unprecedented growth in the phenomenon that started as a pastime for a few IT enthusiasts sitting at a computer screen at home and has now become a huge – and potentially frightening development that will impact all of our lives in one way or another. Slowly and almost imperceptibly the advances that have been made in business and science technology have been paralleled in the world of computer games and film technology.

On one side we have all seen the incredible improvements that have turned crude cartoon films into the stunning visual worlds in films like Shrek and Monsters Inc and on the other side we are seeing games technology create new ‘virtual worlds’ like realistic war zones and the landscapes that Lara Croft, Tomb raider inhabit. No longer are the computer screen backgrounds full of cartoon like features. Instead we have new virtual landscapes in which colour, texture, three dimensional aspect, light and shade all interplay in order to give us a representation of reality that is becoming more and more difficult to separate from the real tangible world that we all inhabit. Indeed, what is ‘real’ and what is ‘virtual’ is no longer obvious.

Landscapes are one thing but creating ‘virtual people’ has always been much more of a technical challenge. How can you possibly recreate skin and bones, expressions, moods and emotions in a ‘person’ made from computer technology? Although many thought it could never be achieved in recent years they have been proved wrong. Now there is the greatest ever challenge to what you understand as ‘real’ and what is ‘unreal’. It is called “Second Life” and it is taking the world by storm.

Second Life is a new ‘virtual world’ inhabited by ‘virtual people’ called Avatars who not only interact in the good old fashioned game sense but who now buy virtual land and then build virtual tower blocks and run virtual businesses. In Second Life you can create your own Avatar of any age, sex, colour and personality. You can wander through virtual towns, visit virtual wine bars, meet other virtual people and effectively lead a ‘second life’. All this is very well you might think because it’s just harmless role play isn’t it? Well, the answer is no longer as clear as it used to be. Yes – it used to be just fun and role play but now things have taken a new and sometimes disquieting turn.

Although the concept of Second Life is simple enough no one could ever have predicted the enormous success of the website – or the implications. At first it was just the so called computer ‘geeks’ who spent hours on-line exploring this new virtual world. Then gradually big business suddenly realised that this so called ‘virtual world’ was another vehicle to sell their good and services. Not virtual goods sold for virtual money but this time real goods for real money. The concept of virtual reality has suddenly become even more blurred.
Now your virtually created character – your avatar – can not only explore a new virtual world it can also buy real goods and real services with real money. Once this incredible realisation sunk in the virtual world entrepreneurs started to move in now over six million avatars ‘live’ in Second Life, some spending more time living there then in the real world. For such enthusiasts ‘reality’ and ‘unreality’ are no longer black and white concepts. The future is uncertain and the future is blurred.

As soon as the colder and wetter weather of winter has subsided the Parisians start to re-open their pavement cafés and boutiques and the city seems to burst into life like the first buds of spring. No wonder Paris has gained a reputation as one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Today Paris is a thriving, cosmopolitan, high tech modern city that thankfully still retains that deep sense of history and culture that draws millions of tourists every year. Little did those ancient Romans realise when they discovered a small river fishing village on an island in 55BC that this would one day become one of the world’s greatest cities. The river was called the Seine and the small island ‘Isle de la Cite’, today the very heart of this vast metropolis.

The Romans called Paris ‘Lutetia’ or city of light, a name that can still be found across the city from hotels to restaurants to shops and bars. The Romans built many fine buildings on the left bank of the Seine including public baths, temples, theatres and even a vast 10,000 seat entertainments arena. Sadly most of these buildings were destroyed though archaeologists have identified a few sites where the remains can still be seen today.

It was the Frankish people that named the city Paris after the Romans had departed in the 5th century AD, naming the city after the Parisii tribe who originally inhabited the region and designating the city as the very centre of their kingdom. The power of the Franks culminated in the rise of Charlemagne, a charismatic poet, singer and warrior that led his vast army into Italy and Germany and carved out a huge kingdom for Gaul, a kingdom that would soon change its name to France.

The heart of France, Paris, soon began to flourish beyond the boundaries of the small Isle de la Cite and by medieval times had become a centre of learning attracting scholars from all over Europe to study at the prestigious Sorbonne University. The city began to grow in size attracting traders, craftsmen and visitors in their thousands. Guilds of masons started to build magnificent structures around this time like the iconic Notre Dame that began in 1163 and took two hundred years to complete.

Despite its growing reputation as a centre of culture and learning Paris also had a much darker side with many common people suffering from plagues, starvation and the problems created by the ‘Hundred Years War’ with England. Paris though somehow managed to survive all manner of problems, wars and invasions, each time growing stronger and more powerful.

By the time of the Renaissance Paris was recognised throughout the civilised world as the centre for culture and new ideas and during the rule of Louis the fourteenth it grew to be a city of immense wealth and power. Great Architects like Hausmann designed new grand boulevards like the Champs Elysees and knocked down the dirty medieval slums in order to build grand new palaces and shopping streets.

Not without conflict Paris managed to survive through two bloody revolutions each time managing to reinvent itself and by 1850 it was replacing the older wooden houses with elegant new avenues and tree lined boulevards. Flamboyant architecture both gothic and classical flourished throughout the city with new bridges, libraries, civic halls, fountains and statues.

Today Paris is a melting pot of the old and the new. It is the most visited city in the world and remains as popular as ever. Whether you want to explore the haunts of the Impressionists in quaint Montmartre, visit the magnificent Louvre, climb the Eiffel tower, take a boat trip along the Seine, wander through the magnificent Tuileries gardens or just sit outside one of the countless street cafe’s with a frothy coffee Paris in the Springtime is magical and has something for absolutely everyone.

Although the décor and the view through the windows may be different, many of the ‘buzz words’ on the lips of Directors and Executive management will be remarkably similar. In recent years many of these buzz words have migrated from the boardroom into everyday language – for example ‘bottom line’, ‘downsizing’ and ‘feedback loops’ etc but the current favourite seems to be “strategic thinking”.

This rather confusing and odd phrase now seems to have moved out of the text books written by Business Consultants and into the realms of mainstream business – but what exactly does it mean? And how is anyone supposed to ‘think’ in a strategic way – and why should they want to?

In simple terms ‘Strategy’ is the plan that an organisation needs to follow to meet its objectives. It is a plan that all employees need to understand so that everyone within the organisation has a common shared aim and focus. A typical corporate strategy for example will usually define which products and services will be developed and sold to which markets and also how success will be measured e.g. how well the strategy performs financially and in terms of customer service and satisfaction.

Strategic thinking is therefore about applying skills, resources, people, products and services in such a way that identifies, prioritises and implements change because strategy is all about change and managing change effectively. It is also about forming a long term view of goals and objectives and how a series of short term activities ultimately lead to the achievement of those goals.

The really useful thing about ‘strategic thinking’ though is that it need not just be a skill utilised within big companies. Thinking in a ‘strategic’ way is equally beneficial in all walks of life and is a useful life skill that any of us can learn to adopt.

Strategic thinking is all about tackling projects or tasks in a structured rather than an ad hoc way – and it doesn’t matter whether the task is planning a holiday or planning a corporate merger – the core principles are the same.

Take an example like moving to a new house. This is an activity that involves a lot of thought and planning and yet a lot of people undertake this task without really thinking about all of the key factors that are involved and create lots of stress for themselves. If you were to approach this task from a ‘strategic viewpoint’ everything becomes more manageable. For example you might want to start by listing the different planning elements of the moving process e.g.

1. Financial considerations (Estate agency fees, Legal costs, removal costs, new furniture costs etc)
2. Practical considerations (distance to work, shops, schools, hospitals etc)
3. Timescale considerations (synchronising purchase and sale, seasonal factors etc)
4. Administrative considerations (advising change of address to all your contacts, banks, friends, relatives etc)

A ‘strategic’ view of the moving house process would start though with the ‘big picture’ view i.e. asking yourself – Why do you want to move? Where to? What are the advantages and disadvantages? This means you would need to start analysing the reasons behind your decision, you would then ask yourself who is going to be affected by the move? What are the risks involved? Who else needs to be part of the decision making process? What lifestyle changes will be required? Only if every question can be answered satisfactorily would you move from the “Analysis” phase to the “Planning phase” and finally the “Implementation phase”

This might seem to be over complicated for such a simple example but it gives an idea of why thinking ‘strategically’ can sometimes help put things in perspective and create order where there might otherwise be chaos.
In the corporate world, as in life generally, there are problems to be solved, people to be communicated with, tasks to be completed and long term goals to consider. Perhaps we can all learn something from the big companies who employ highly paid consultants to help them structure their thinking. Perhaps we too can learn to adopt ‘strategic thinking’ techniques to help put our own lives in a little bit more order!

It sounds more important than many other job titles, even if it isn’t, and implies that the person referred to as a Consultant has ‘expertise’ which is highly sought after.

The reality of course is that the word ‘Consultant’ can have a whole variety of interpretations ranging from an extremely well qualified Consultant in something like heart surgery to a lowly paid office clerk where the word ‘Consultant’ is actually completely inaccurate and used just to bolster up the recruitment process by making the job role sound more attractive to would be applicants.

True consultancy though is all about applying a structured process to solve a problem and a true ‘Consultant’ is usually someone who is very experienced in their own specific line of business and applies their knowledge in a structured way to help others. This is particularly true in the case of ‘Management Consultancy’ where large corporations tend to bring in independent consultants to assist with problem solving or to tackle very specific tasks.

Consultancy is therefore all about the application of expertise (gained over time whilst working within a chosen profession) added to the ability to apply a set of problem solving techniques to solve a problem. This means that someone can be an ‘expert’ in their job but still not qualify as a Consultant because they don’t have the skills to apply problem solving techniques. Equally some people are very good at solving problems but are certainly not ‘experts’. It is only when both sides of the equation balance that someone can honestly claim to be a ‘Consultant’.

But what exactly is consultancy and how does it work in reality?

The answer is that it can be a very enjoyable, well paid and satisfying career and interestingly the principles on which it is based can also be applied to all sorts of aspects of life outside of the work place. In other words many management consultants apply the same problem solving techniques to their home life as they do to their work life in order to achieve results.

By way of an example let’s look at a few simple concepts that a management consultant would have in his ‘toolbox’.
Firstly the Consultant will want to learn as much as possible about their client – which is usually, but not always, the person paying for their services. The Consultant will know that every client is an individual with their own motives, desires, behaviours, emotions and thoughts. The first thing a good Consultant will do is work closely with their client to understand more about them as an individual in order to better understand their viewpoint, goals and objectives. The Consultant will also strive to see the ‘problem’ from the client’s perspective rather than from his own. This is very important.

Once the Consultant has won the respect of his client and demonstrated his or her willingness to help the second step is to start to examine the problem or issue in more detail.

The very fact that a Consultant is an ‘outsider’ rather than an employee means that the Consultant can bring an independent viewpoint and examine a problem based on his or her own relevant experience as well as examining a problem with a fresh pair of eyes. The other thing a Consultant will strive to do is to try and bring to the surface any ‘hidden’ or related aspects of the problem which the client may not see or be aware of. The goal of this second step is to fully examine the problem from all angles until every aspect is clarified.

The third step of the process is to look at all of the potential solutions that could be applied to the problem and to test the merit of each ‘solution’ in terms of its cost, sustainability, ease of application and other success criteria.

Once the client and the Consultant have agreed on the best possible solution then they need to work together to make change happen and this is often the hardest part of the process. Change can be painful in many ways both on a personal level (e.g. changes to employees’ job roles, terms and conditions etc) as well as on a procedural level. For this reason a Consultant is often the best person to help drive change within an organisation as long as they are both sensitive to the ‘human factors’ associated with change as well as focused on ensuring that the process of change is well managed and kept on track.

After the initiation of organisational change to solve a problem, the Consultant must also use both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to ensure that the problem or issue has actually been solved to the satisfaction of the client.
Finally the Consultant must bring the assignment to a satisfactory conclusion by demonstrating to the client that not only has the problem been solved but that the Consultant has provided ‘added value’ by bringing both expertise and independence to the issue.

This ‘process’ has been deliberately simplified to make the steps clear. In reality these types of assignments can be extremely complex and lengthy but the important point to note is that a good Consultant will use a whole variety of tried and trusted techniques to solve all manner of corporate issues and problems.

When you think about it the steps described above are really ‘common sense’ and can be applied to almost any situation. Think about it. If your partner (the ‘client’) suggests to you it might be nice to go out for a meal tonight then you (the Consultant) might examine the motives, objectives, goals etc behind the request. You might then examine the logistics of the suggestion – are we busy tonight? Can we afford it? Then you will go on to explore potential solutions – What restaurants are nearby? Are they open? What sort of food do they serve? You will then offer a ‘proposed solution’ to your client and if they agree you will then implement the solution by going out together for a meal. If the meal is a good one and you are happy to pay then the ‘project’ has been a success! Okay – this is simplifying the principles but I’m sure you can understand the connections.

A good Management Consultant will use the above process as a ‘framework’ for any project or assignment and in addition will also utilise a number of other more ‘boring’ techniques to analyse problems in different ways (process–flow diagrams, data analysis etc) These are all techniques taught at business schools in order to make things that are complex easier to understand and deal with.
So if you have a desire to enjoy a career as a highly paid, jet-setting international consultant with a big expense account and a fast car then you now know what to do – become a recognised expert in whatever profession or job you do today – and then learn about the tools that Consultants use to work with their clients to help them meet their goals.

Just one word of warning though – if you do make the grade and then find yourself stuck in an airport lounge at midnight struggling with data analysis to meet an impossible deadline – then don’t blame me. If you can’t take the pressure of the job then go see a Consultant!

Sound too good to be true? For most people that’s exactly what it is – too good to be true. It seems to be nothing more than an airy fairy promise made in new age feel-good books but it’s not about real people living real lives.
Or is it?

Today there are countless books in the “Self Help” section of all good libraries and book shops that encourage us to follow our dreams and seek the perfect life but many readers complain that such books are unrealistic and promote ideas that are simply unachievable. Like all things though there are usually some useful nuggets of wisdom in such books and like all useful knowledge it is what you do with it that knowledge that counts.

The reality is that most of us tend to get stuck in a routine way of life that prevents us from truly maximising our potential and as we all know following our usual routine requires a lot less effort than making significant changes to the way we do things. The good news though is that if we are really serious about wanting to change or improve certain aspects of our lives there are some very simple but effective steps that can be taken.

For example, if we start by studying the lives of successful and personally fulfilled individuals it soon becomes apparent that there are certain traits or ways of behaving that are common to all great ‘achievers’ and these are powerful lessons that we can learn from. If there are patterns or formulas for success that these people have discovered then we need to start using these patterns and formulas ourselves. In other words one of the keys to success is learning to emulate successful people. By watching closely how they act, talk, deal with problems, communicate with others, interact and behave we can learn some useful lessons.

This is only the tip of the iceberg however. If you want to make your wildest dreams come true then there are some very concrete actions that can be taken to set you on the road to success but like all roads it is a journey that can be paved with setbacks and frustrations. Learning how to deal with problems and setbacks without giving up and remaining resolute and focused is itself another life skill that can and should be practised.

So what exactly are these ‘keys to success’ and how easy are they for the average person to achieve? The answers may be simpler than you thought.

The first key to success is to understand the ‘WAD’ principle. WAD stands for Willpower, Attitude and Determination and unless these three principles are fully employed and understood then dreams will remain forever dreams and wishes will remain just wishes.
The best way to understand the WAD principle is to envisage the journey to your personal success as a road that you have to travel with different tasks that have to be completed as you travel forwards.

Most of the tasks are easy to achieve but, like all roads, there will be hold ups, wrong turnings and even some pot holes to avoid. To arrive at the end of the road you will need to ensure that you have a good map, a supply of food and drink to give you energy and some good walking boots. Your Willpower is like the map that must be constantly checked to make sure that you remain focused on the road ahead without getting lost. Your Attitude is like the food and drink that give you nourishment and energy to keep you moving forward. Your Determination is like the tough soles of the boots that protect your feet from the rough stones or dampness as you walk. Put another way, if you lose your map, food or boots then it is unlikely you will complete the journey and the same goes for your Willpower, Attitude and Determination.

If however you can master the WAD principle then the good news is that there you are well prepared to take the necessary steps to improve your life for the better. Now it is just a matter of tackling the key tasks that must be mastered along the road to success. Let’s take a look at some of the most important of them.

The first task is so obvious it may surprise you and it is this. You will only find success, happiness and fulfilment if you are absolutely clear about what these things actually mean to you as an individual. ‘Happiness’ is a relative term and if you are not 100% sure what happiness means for you personally then you will not recognise it when it comes to you. So Task One is all about having a clear vision of your ultimate goal. Task two is all about making all your life goals realistic. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious but always check that your goals are not beyond your physical capabilities or you will be only setting yourself up for failure. The best approach is to set yourself some challenging – but not impossible – goals. The third task is ensuring that you adopt the right mindset in order to start moving forward. This means maintaining a totally positive outlook in everything you do, not being upset by any temporary setbacks and staying motivated and enthusiastic. This is not always easy but acquiring the optimum state of mind is something that anyone can achieve with a little dedication and perseverance. Once you have a clear view of what you want to achieve then plan each step of the way. Make a list of each activity that needs to be completed to move you towards your goals one at a time. The next task is all about maintaining your focus on what I like to call the ‘big picture’. It is very easy to get sidetracked away from your goals by being distracted. The key is to keep bringing your focus back on track. Always be clear on what needs to be achieved, and by when, and don’t let anyone or anything get in the way. Every small incremental step you make towards your ultimate goal is a step in the right direction.

And finally, enjoy the journey. Every positive action you take in life is a step nearer your goal and it should be enjoyed and celebrated. Living a fulfilled, happy life is absolutely possible if a) you want it badly enough and b) you have the courage to turn your thoughts into actions. Now that you have the essential tools to make a start – go for it and never look back. Start your journey right here right now and I promise you will never regret it.