King Solomon's Journey (The Dominguez Adventures) (14 page)

            Amanda, this center is huge - crazy huge, one million times larger than the Sun.”

            Amanda loved hearing the fascination in his voice. He cared that she understood what he was explaining. Even without the Scrolls, she knew it would’ve mattered to Antonio. She’d never been in a relationship so conducive to sharing a love for God’s mysteries.

            “Antonio, I had no idea of the size. That is quite intimidating. Do we know what else happens in this galactic center?”

            “We’re aware of some emergences that come forth from the center, but we don’t know what takes place deep inside, or behind it.”

            “God?” She wondered.

            He smiled at her question. “Amanda, by the definition of many, what takes place may be Creation. God, as the Creator, would almost have to reside here.”

            “You are not stopping there, are you? Why?”

            “Amanda, if I could answer why, I’d be greater than King Solomon. Will you accept ‘somewhat’?”

            “You do give Solomon some competition...” Playing with him was entirely too tempting. “I’ll take that, if that is all you will offer.” Again, she teased him

            “You shouldn’t stroke my ego if you’re only going to turn around in the next sentence with disappointment.”

            “Have you ever heard of the repercussions of an inflated ego?” She pointed out.

            “Yeah, right...Thanks for the concern. Do you want my ‘somewhat’?”

            “I am waiting. You have to give.”

            He grinned at the pun. “The Hubbell telescope has helped. In fact, Amanda, I believe the guy that developed the technology for the Hubbell is from the Midwest.”

            “You are correct, he is from Missouri. See, we do have some sharp people.”

            He laughed. “A couple…  Anyway, the Hubbell has provided some dynamic information. An astrophysicist by the name of Paul La Violette has done some incredible work using data NASA has collected from the Hubbell.

            La Violette claims the galactic center has a cycle. He calls it an ‘Explosive Stage’. I think he should’ve called it a ‘Burping Stage’.”

            That struck Amanda as funnier than it should have, she laughed. It seemed out of character for a professor.

            “Now, I’m a comedian, huh?”

            “Sorry, that did not sound like you. Please, tell me - during this stage of indigestion, what gets burped out?”

            “See, burp is better. You assumed from the word that something comes out. I hereby rest my case.”

            Amanda humored him. “You are correct, sir.”

            “La Violette has calculated the last burp stage occurred 13,000 years ago. Even wilder, the burps lasted for 1,000 years.”

            “Go on.” She instructed.

            “You’re from the Midwest huh? This is evidently a quasar - a constant stream of elements, gamma rays, electromagnetic pulses, and cosmic dust. The quasar burps out of the center of the galaxy. This is the place where everything starts. Planets, nebulas, comets, and galaxy solids come from here.”

            “It is… a uterus, and the burp is the birth. Gestation is 13,000 years. A thousand years of labor… as a woman, I am appalled.”

            Now, Antonio was amused. “You're not the only woman who thought it was a uterus.”

            “No doubt, I’m always a second late from originality.”

            “Well, this time you’re more than seconds late. Isis beat you. In fact, she may be the Great Uterus. Well, at least, an earthly representation.”

            “Maybe Isis and I think alike.”

            “That wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. Now, during this burping, or birthing, it gets very bright. Talk about shedding some light, La Violette claims this light is incredibly unique from Earth.

Taking place between Sagittarius and Scorpio, the formation takes on the appearance of a gigantic eye. The bursts look similar to a womb, or uterus, if you prefer. You're going to be right in the light. Are you not a Sagittarius?”

            Amanda raised her brows. “You know that?”

            “When this birthing is active, Isis is revealed as the Great Mother of Creation. When the end comes, the darkness is the veil over Isis that obstructs Earth’s view of her. The Sais Temple of Isis has an inscription which says: ‘Isis gave birth to the Sun’.”

            “Antonio, are you trying to impress me?”

            “You have no idea. Is it working?”

            “Yes. Please, never stop.”

            He liked that she understood, and he responded. “Never stop listening.”

            “We have a deal.”

            “Okay,” his smile grew.

            “Wait...What about the 13th Zodiac sign? That fits in relation here.”

            “See, you know this stuff.”

            “No, not this much, you are awesome.”

            “Good, thank you. Ophiuchus is a calendar representation of the galaxy’s center during this burp.”

            “Is that it… a calendar sign?”

            “Yeah, are you disappointed?”

            “Uh-oh...”

            “What?”

            “It’s so much more than just a simple disappointment.”

            “Well, maybe you should enlighten me. No doubt my little enchantress has some mystical knowledge.”

            “As a matter of fact, Doctor, call it what you will, but keep this in that head of yours. I will bet the protection for Earth within the Scrolls leads you right back to this point. You mark my words.”

            “Okay, hit me with your best shot.”

            “The 13th sign is of alchemical origins. In fact, some call it the ‘Secret Sign of the Alchemists’. I contend it is not a secret. Some people just do not want to take it seriously.

            There are processes that depend on the quality of the moment for success. Ophiuchus represents the highest quality of the moment. The Zero Point, or Fulcrum Point, is the moment when these polar opposites transmute into a Monatomic State, becoming a more complete whole, single, and perfect. This is one of the secrets of the Sun.”

            Antonio found himself intrigued, overwhelmed by the information and her animated delivery. “I take it you have more?”

            “Yes, I do. I have studied the topic and processes, with years of research on the subject.”

            “Where’s your research, you little witchy woman?”

            “At home…  Why? Do you want it?”

            “Yes I’m curious, but don’t think I’m buying into your charms.”

             “I was going to have it overnighted. It is worth a lot, maybe I should get something in return.”

            “Overnighted, that’s a good idea, even though you want more.”

            “That’s the thing, I am satisfied. How about an IOU? Give me your address, and we will be good for now.”

            “Are you sure?”

            “I think. Antonio, remember King David and King Solomon were alchemists.”

            “They were. What can I say?”

            “I will have the report here the day after tomorrow.”

            “Great.” Sitting side by side, both positioned themselves in view of the papers.

            “Amanda, there are an awful lot of natural changes occurring these days that could lead to disaster. I was actually surprised at the large number.”

            “Really? That is eerie.”

            “One concern is that Earth’s magnetic field has dropped 38% over the past 2000 years. The recent acceleration is what caught my attention, 7% has disappeared in less than 100 years.

            Even worse, there are gigantic holes in the magnetic field, larger than the size of California. In the South Atlantic, the magnetic field has a crack covering 100,000 square miles between Brazil and South Africa. I can’t imagine the rate cancer will increase if this trend continues.”

            Alarmed, she interjected, “It will destroy all of agriculture, and the possibilities are phenomenal, Antonio. Do you know why this is happening?”

            “It may be because the magnetic field is in the process of reversing. I’ve examined evidence that suggests it’s possible for the poles to shift. Apparently, the Earth’s poles have switched at an average of once every 250,000 years. The last switch occurred 780,000 years ago. We are long past due.”

            “How did this effect life on Earth? Do we have a clue?”

            “The loss of life would’ve been catastrophic in my opinion. Of course, the planet will adjust and adapt. The people will have the greatest problem. I won’t deny that it could possibly trigger every imaginable natural disaster across the globe.”

            “That almost seems inevitable. Perhaps King Solomon knew it would happen.”

            “I think the effects are already being seen, in the number of natural disasters the world is experiencing. The upcoming Solar Maximus makes the problem inescapable. We’re accelerating towards peak years of the eleven-year cycle. Scientists believe the flares will be 30-50% stronger than the last cycle’s peak. That would make it the strongest Solar Maximus in 11,000 years.”

            He paused. Her words filled the silence.

            “I understand the Solar Maximus consists of bursting energy, belted from the Sun that enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Will you explain the dynamics in more detail?” She knew he liked being the teacher. His work in the field was his passion, but he missed being the professor at times.

            “They’re called solar storms, and they’ve created huge repercussions on Earth in the past. The most recent knocked out the Canadian power grid, and left millions without power in Canada and California. Our society has become so reliant on communication that it adds another layer to the vulnerable structure. Multi-layered disasters are now inevitable.

            Solar storms are flares on the Sun’s surface. These flares periodically eject large streams of plasma that reach Earth. The Earth’s magnetic field directs, or focuses, the streams of plasma.

            Sometimes events occur that create visible auroras in unexpected parts of the world. This presence may also trigger large currents surging throughout the atmosphere, as Earth’s magnetic field surges above, and below normal levels. Full recovery usually requires several days.

            It often triggers magnetic storms in an otherwise healthy magnetic field. This may cause problems with telecommunications, radio transmissions, and magnetic compasses. Now there are holes in the magnetic field, in addition to its overall weakness. I’m not sure what to expect.”

            “It is hard to imagine it will be positive,” her voice was solemn. “Now there are so many things that could be paralyzed by one tragic incident.”

            He added, “Here’s something crazy I learned. We have the technology to protect our satellites from Sunspots, yet failed to do, trying to save money by reducing costs.

            Remember, this isn’t a concept from mythology, it’s a fact verified by experience, endorsed by science. Even the government and the military have left their satellites unprotected. We’ve recently lost two important satellites to the wrath of Sunspots, and we’re nowhere near the solar peak.”

            “That is ridiculous, Antonio. The cost could not be worth the risk of losing our satellites.”

            “I agree.”

            “Then, maybe the magnetic field is dropping, moving towards Zero Point, the point of renewal. Is that not how the Natives and so many others view this place in time, as a complete rebirth?”

            “That’s how the Natives view it, Amanda. The death of the ‘Old’ is the birth of a ‘New’. They believe the “New’, promises a better, more mature existence. As for you and your Zero Point, we’ll see about that one.”

Chapter 14

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

— Aristotle (Metaphysics)

            After a long night of revelations, the couple soared down the highway.

            Antonio suppressed the urge to stomp the gas pedal as a car rocketed past them. The driver dared him to race. Despite his concession, he suspected Amanda would’ve enjoyed the thrill had he accepted the challenge.

            A new set of dark clouds moved above the New Mexico mountaintops. Faint glimpses of the Sun peeked through a crack in the towering clusters of gray and mesmerized her.

            “Hey, are you with me over there?” Antonio interrupted her trance.

            “The clouds are hypnotizing me.”

            “They certainly are doing a decent dance up there.”

            Antonio caught sight of another daunting dance. The light sparkled through the windows, and turned Amanda’s eyes into dazzling kaleidoscopes. Mystically changing colors with the variations of light, her eyes sparkled with specks of glitter. He glanced between the road and her, finding all the different shades of turquoise, gold, sapphire, steel, and opal.

            Long, curly lashes framed her wonderfully wicked eyes, designed solely to cast spells upon him. At least, that’s what he was beginning to believe. If the eyes were windows to the soul, hers were fascinating portals to Heaven.

            A flicker of a reflection in the mirror caught his eye. Coming up fast was a large bodied car. He watched it get closer, and swerve out to pass him. He glanced at Amanda and wondered what she would do if he gunned Raven and took what he could now see was a big Caddy, on in a one on one race down the open road.

            As the Caddy drew even with them, Antonio glanced over and saw the windows were tinted to dark to see through. Nothing unusual about that, the high heat of the area and the surrounding states caused a lot of drivers to tint their car windows for protection.

            Expecting the Caddy to go on by, he was surprised when it continued to hang right there beside him. He nudged the gas pedal a little, and the Caddy did too. He slowed down, and so did the Caddy. What kind of game was this guy playing?