Friday, February 19, 2010

Ancient Relics & "Other Worldly Beings" Re-Writing History





Over the past several days news clippings containing discoveries of ancient relics have occupied the news headlines.  What is very interesting is the depictions of "Other Worldly Beings" on the relics and the "Cosmic Connection" they may have had with humanity! 

From The Archeology Daily News: Feb. 17th 2010
Prehistoric UFO and ET images found in remote cave in India
"A group of anthropologists working with hill tribes in a remote area of India have made a startling discovery: Intricate prehistoric cave paintings depicting aliens and UFO type craft. The images were found in the Hoshangabad district of the state of Madhya Pradesh only 70 kilometers from the local administrative centre of Raisen. The caves are hidden deep within dense jungle.

A clear image of what might be an alien or ET in a space suit can be seen in one cave painting along with a classical flying saucer shaped UFO that appears to be either beaming something down or beaming something up, in what might be an ancient UFO abduction scenario. A force-field or trail of some sort is seen at the rear of the UFO.

Also visible is another object that might depict a wormhole, explaining how aliens were able to reach Earth. This image may lead UFO enthusiasts to conclude that the images might have been drawn with the involvement of aliens themselves.

Local Archaeologist, Mr Wassim Khan, has personally seen the images. He claims that the objects and creatures seen in them are totally anomalous and out of character when compared to other, already discovered, examples of prehistoric cave art depicting ancient life in the area. As such he believes that they might suggest beings from other planets have been interacting with humans since prehistoric times: Adding weight to the 'ancient astronaut theory' which postulates that human civilization was established with the assistance of benevolent space-faring aliens."  I must say the cave art in India highly resembles other rock and cave art that has been discovered over thousands of years and spanning the entire globe!

The same time the previous article was being released in India a similar story was emerging in the U.S.Copper men: Archaeologists uncover Stone Age copper workshop near Monk's Mound  - News Democrat:http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/1134050.html

"About 800 years ago, in a large room lit by a wood fire, fierce-looking men bedecked in bright feathers and polished copper ornaments gathered to smoke and talk.

Their intricate jewelry -- fanciful objects hammered from chunks of naturally occurring raw copper -- reflected the firelight. A variety of these ancient Mississippian-era copper decorations have turned up throughout Illinois and the Southeast United States, including triangular, 8-inch long-earrings embossed at the ends with a human face, headdress ornaments depicting stylized birds, even diminutive but carefully crafted copper ovals that may have been applied to a ritualistic leather belt or cape. When they are unearthed, these antiquities are covered with a green or gray patina."  

"The carefully sifted soil at this excavation has revealed evidence of the only known copper workshop from the Mississippian-era, a culture that peaked about 1250 A.D. throughout the middle and southern portions of America. The overall Illinois state site was the location of a large, prehistoric city of perhaps 20,000 that archaeologists call Cahokia.

"It's the only one (copper workshop) that's been discovered," said James A. Brown, professor of archaeology at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Brown and his research partner John Kelly, a lecturer in archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis, have for eight years led an investigation into finding the workshop and then carefully excavating the often minute particles and bits of copper that were left behind.

Brown said that the copper workshop was purely for religious purposes, to produce ornaments for those who participated in significant ceremonies that probably occurred atop the mounds.

"They are all depictions of other worldly beings," he said of the symbols and figures found in copper as well as on pieces of pottery and decorated shells."

"Brown has theorized that the people of Cahokia may have gone as far as the Great Lakes to find raw copper and perhaps learned from people there how to work it."

If the Cahokian's traveled to the Great Lakes to obtain copper and learn how to work it, who were there teachers?? There just so happens to be ancient relics from Michigan that may help to explain!  The Michigan Relics.






  The “Mystical” Michigan Relics


“All matter must be in a constant state of flux to insure progress, for what was wrong yesterday might be right tomorrow.”   Henriette Mertz


        In the late 1800’s farmers and laymen alike were migrating to different areas in Michigan and claiming their newly acquired parcels of land. These common folk were unaware of the amazing discoveries that would soon be unearthed from the many ancient mounds that dotted the landscape. Farmers destroyed many of the mounds while preparing their lands for crops, while  other citizens were digging into the mounds out of pure curiosity.  Imagine the disbelief when they began uncovering what was perceived to be ancient relics from a forgotten time!  Estimates on the number of relics recovered ranges from 10,000 to 30,000.  These artifacts were mainly comprised of clay, copper, and slate.  The majority of the relics contained strange inscriptions that were unrecognizable to those who discovered them.  The thousands of relics bearing an unrecognizable language were almost immediately declared a hoax of unprecedented proportions.  Although this was, and is, the conclusion of mainstream archeology, there were, and are others who disagree.

     

There were three men in particular that authorities pointed the finger at considering they were finding many of the relics, Father James Savage, Daniel Soper, and James Scottford. It was postulated by some that these men, Scotford in particular, would forge the artifacts and then bury them in mounds around the state of Michigan. At a later time they would then take groups of artifact hunters out and unearth what were perceived to be ancient relics.  Others thought that Scotford may have introduced the relics (sometimes large tablets) by a slight-of-hand, consistently fooling fellow treasure hunters.  All digs were said to have been accompanied by highly acclaimed witnesses who later signed affidavits of validity for their discoveries. Unconvinced authorities proclaimed the artifacts hoaxed leading to the “Michigan Relics” largely being forgotten for much of the 20th century.

     After Father Savage passed away his collection of artifacts was eventually relocated to Notre Dame.  The main bulk of the artifacts remained there until an authority from the L.D.S. church showed enough interest that the university gifted him the collection in its entirety.  Milton R. Hunter also purchased Daniel Soper’s collection from his son around the same time.   With the death of Hunter the relics were finally deeded to the Church of L.D.S..  Here they remained in storage for years, unavailable for viewing. Then in 2001  Associated Professor of Anthropology at Oakland University, Dr. Richard Stamps, was asked to do an analysis of the relics. 

After analyzing several relics with modern technologies Dr. Stamps concluded they were forgeries. On some of the slate tablets he has discovered what he thinks are modern saw and file marks left by the hoaxers.  In regard to some of the images, he points out that the use of perspective didn’t occur  until the 15th century.  He also had several of the copper relics analyzed by a metallurgist and concluded the copper wasn’t necessarily pounded as one would expect from the natives, but rather smelted. It should be noted that one of the tablets portrayed a possible smelting process.


   The Church of L.D.S. was convinced by Dr. Stamps results and declared the relics frauds, and in 2003 returned them to their original home of Michigan.   They were briefly displayed in an exhibit at the Michigan Historical Museum called “Digging Up The Controversy.” They now reside in a back storage room due to renovations at the museum. Michigan’s lead archeologist says , “They may be in this condition for the next five to six years.” He wonders if anyone will see them again.  According to not only the Smithsonian Institute, but mainstream archeologists, these artifacts were hoaxed. Their minds are made up. It should be noted at that for an archeologist to admit that the “white-man” could have pre-dated Columbus in North America is akin to a scientist contemplating u.f.o.’s- career suicide.



 There have been several other top minds over the years who have full heartedly disagreed with the conclusions of the authorities in regard to the Michigan relics. In 1986 Henriette Mertz’ eye opening book, “The Mystic Symbol”, was released.  Henriette Mertz was born in 1896 and passed in 1985. She was a patent lawyer who was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Patent Office, the Canadian Patent Office, and the Supreme Court of Illinois.  Henriette also worked on the Manhattan Project as well as contributed to the Greek encyclopedia. As if those weren’t enough credentials, she also was considered an expert in cryptanalysis and was extremely interested in ancient artifacts.  Known for her expertise in analyzing writing and language she was asked to analyze the Michigan artifacts.


      Before the actual language(s) were analyzed Henriette made some basic observations.  The first and most obvious was that every relic seemed to bear a three character symbol, or the “Mystic Symbol”.  She postulated that this three-character symbol may be akin to the Greek symbol of IHS (Jesus), which made its appearance around 312 A.D. The artifacts and tablets mainly consisted of clay, copper, and slate. The tablets were categorized again into ones that were covered in writing, those containing writing and pictures, and those containing mostly depictions with few words.  She then was able to categorize the relics containing both writings and depictions into three more groups: Biblical, battle scenes, and calendar records.  Upon analysis, Henriette noticed something almost immediately that others had failed to recognize.  She said. “One peculiar thing stood out-even though the letters may be a mixture, the mixture within itself appeared consistently uniform.”  Continuing analysis, she discovered that the measured symmetry indicated that whoever  engraved the plates must have been familiar with the language(s) in which they wrote.  She states that, “Copied writing lacks fluency” and  “no one could doubt that but one person engraved both sides and understood what he wrote with fluency, sureness, and no slight of hesitation.”  Henriette claimed, “Analysis, such as would   

   

  Turning her attention to the larger questions, Henriette began to focus on “who” could have manufactured these amazing relics.  Postulating that whoever inscribed the tablets must have had prior knowledge of the region, a connection was surmised. A  link is made between the ancient copper mines on Isle Royal Michigan (carbon dated to 1800-1000 B.C.), and the Greek and Egyptians’ extensive use of copper in the same time period.  Both Greek and Egyptian records spoke of an alien people who were thought to be closely connected with the import of copper. Egyptian records had referred to them as the “Keftiu” or” Keftians”.  The “Keftiu” were said to be “red-skinned”, and came from the “Isles of the Sea”.  It was believed that it took approximately three years to return with the copper from the “Isles of the Sea”, and was postulated that the “Keftiu” may have ridden upon Phoenician ships.  She now had a possible explanation for an alien people who may have once visited North America and retained the knowledge.  Now it was possible to speculate on who may have  actually created and deposited the ancient Michigan artifacts. After the Council of Nicea in 325A.D. the early Christian world was plunged into turmoil, and many Christians were forced to flee for their lives, “many sailing away to parts unknown.”  Henriette contemplated: Could the depositors of these texts have been the Coptic’s who had been forced to flee from persecutions?”  She mused, “If inscribing on the Michigan tablets arose about the same time as Coptic, the mixture of Egyptian hieroglyphs with Greek alphabet letters would not be unrealistic for those times.”  


       After much research and analysis Henriette Mertz came to the conclusion, “Analysis indicated that each individual tablet containing writing originated with a different hand. No two specimens examined produced identical characteristics- a humanly impossible feat if one person alone would have been guilty of forging the entire group of 3000.”  And, “As noted earlier we believe the persons who inscribed this material were Christian refugees fleeing from the Decian or Diocleclian persecutions and sailing out from the harbors of Dome, Naples, Alexandria, Carthage and other Eastern Mediterranean ports and assumed lost in the turbulent waters of the North Atlantic.” Unfortunately Henriette Mertz passed on in 1985 leaving her legacy of research for others to pursue.

       

            Another researcher into the relics is David Allen Deal. He has helped pick up where Mertz had left off. Coming from a slightly different perspective.  A few details may differ between the two, but the conclusions are strikingly similar.  Mr. Deal feels the three character “Mystical Symbol” is the equivalent to (YHW), a shortened form of HWHY-Yahweh. David came to the conclusion independently that the relics must have been manufactured and transplanted by 4th century Coptic, Egyptian Christians.

        The first clue to lead him down this in particular path was the Theology incorporated in the majority of artifacts.  He has demonstrated that many of the tablets incorporate two sub- ordinate di'etes; a son of the right hand and a son of the left hand.





He says, “The Copts identified these two as high angels, as Little Yahu “Yao” sabboth the good, messiah “son of the right hand” and “Sama-el” the evil, messiah “son of the left hand……Satan”.  It is these repetitive pictorial elements that has led to the speculations that the creators of the artifacts may have been within the Coptic brand of Christianity. Deal feels this is an extremely important discovery, pointing out, “The theology incorporated on the plates was largely unknown until the translation in 1895 of the 3rd century Coptic, Gnostic ”Christian”, Pistis Sophia.” This may negate the theory of a hoaxer(s) having this knowledge prior to the date of 1895.

      


  Obviously this was a good piece to the puzzle. Now having an estimated time-frame to play around with it was decided to take a closer look at the tablets containing calendar systems.  What was to be discovered on one tablet in particular was nothing short of amazing.   David Allen Deal discovered a tablet showing a 13 month calendar system portraying a Solar eclipse in conjunction with a meteorite!6  The tablet was unearthed on September 3rd 1896.  On the tablet is a figure of a man’s head and nose which are seemingly pointing to an area of the calendar that would correspond with the end of July.  Mr. Deal estimated that the time would correspond to the dates 325A.D.-425A.D. in conjunction with the Nicean Council when the Egyptian Coptics may have been forced to flee from persecutions.  Speculations were confirmed when it was later discovered that on July 27th, 352A.D. at 10:54 there was a Solar eclipse.  It also happened to pass precisely over Roland Twp., where Isabella County would someday be, and where the artifact was unearthed!  In regard to the meteorite depicted in front of the eclipse…. July 27th 352 A.D. just happened to be one of two days of maximum intensity for the annual Delta Aquarid meteor shower!  David concludes that, ”Whoever made these tablets were depicting an actual event.”

  

This scenario begs the question: Could hoaxers have had both the knowledge of the Coptics and the astronomical information  from 352 A.D. in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s? Mr. Deal feels’ “This single artifact has proven the time, or at least a moment in time, that the Coptic Christians were there.”

     The Michigan relics now reside in storage, collecting dust,  due to renovations at the Michigan Historical Museum.  After a few months of conversing back and forth with Michigan’s lead archeologist, John Halsey, I was generously granted the opportunity to see and photograph the relics first hand.  I would like to thank Mr. Halsey and Mr. Perkins for taking the time to pull the relics from storage and openly sharing their thoughts.  That said, I halfway expected to leave the museum convinced by the professionals that the amazing collection was nothing more than a hoax of enormous proportions.  This was not the case!  I was given the classic reasons that these relics were considered forgeries, including that the slate tablets were not as finely polished as other recovered Native American artifacts.  Another was that many of these tablets seem to have file marks left on them.  

And finally the copper was smelted, and then cold hammered, possibly using modern sheet copper, and then cut with a saw.  

And the main debate of course that they think no white-man could have pre-dated Columbus.  Initially these may sound convincing, but digging deeper, some of these scenarios just don’t hold up.

      In regard to civilizations prior to Columbus visiting the America’s there is quite an overwhelming amount of evidence.  Ancient relics depicting earlier visitors have been unearthed not only in the Great Lakes region, but also throughout the continental U.S.  The scenario of ancient ocean travel to the land of the Blessed is found quite readily in Greek and Egyptian myth and lore.  Manly P. Hall has said, “Descriptions of ancient voyages seem to indicate that the Greeks not only reached the coast of America, but explored the St. Laurence River and part of the Great Lakes area in particular.”  And, ”Greek mythology perpetuates the knowledge of a blessed land beyond the Western boundaries of the ocean.”  America!   In reference to the tablets not being as finely polished as some of the Native American artifacts,  the circumstance would have been different.  If it was an ancient civilization, their main intentions would have been to deposit the knowledge, not necessarily to polish the tablets as if they were ornamental pieces.  Another of the archeologists’ main complaints, with the tablets in particular, is that several of them contain file marks. 

Since files have been found in the mounds accompanying some of the relics with the Mystical symbol engraved on them, the archeologist feel the “hoaxers” must have placed the files there also. My question is this: If these hoaxers were as gifted at their trade as we are being led to believe, why would they leave these file marks to be discovered?  It seems more likely to me that an ancient group would have been less concerned with the craftsmanship, and more concerned with the depositing of their knowledge. These are very important questions to postulate, yet there is one more fact of great importance that the experts disregard.  The archeologist claim the first relics were discovered in 1890 by the “culprits”, and it was these gentlemen who forged the entire collection!  What the “ experts” fail to realize is that in the 1869 Encyclopedia it states’ “The Michigan Relics appear”!  The culprits would have been children!  I am obviously not an archeologist, but strongly believe these relics have a good possibility of being genuine. Hopefully with growing awareness of the  “Michigan Relics” they can be examined by more than just a select few. 


 Recently I was contacted by a gentleman who shall remain nameless at this point. He claims to have in his possession a collection of around 25 ancient relics that his grandfather dug up in the 20's from ancient burial mounds with his own two hands while excavating a basement in Detroit!  If this story was to turn out to be true it could be a "game changer".  That being said this kind gentleman has allowed me to show a few of these Michigan Relics.

































































































Both sides of an extremely important discovery have been presented in hopes of bringing awareness to a portion of Michigan history that has been all but forgotten.  This leaves us with two scenarios. 1. The relics are one of the most elaborate (channeled?) hoaxes of all time….2. The history of the Americas, and Michigan in particular are not as we have been lead to believe.  At minimum should we not ponder the possibility? Investigation ongoing…………….

 

All photos have been courtesy: Michigan Historical Museum, Ancient American Magazine(Wayne May), & photos I have taken.

For more information and photos of Michigan's Ancient Relics please visit my website www.chadstuemke.com






















Friday, January 8, 2010

The "Mystical" Mittens Gateways of the Gods


 
Lately I have been researching the possibility that gateway, stargate, and wormhole symbolism is perceivably being downloaded into the consciousness of humanity via public events, mass media, and especially art and architecture.  For more information on gateway symbolism emerging in our art and architecture please visit my previous posts or my website www.chadstuemke.com .  That being said I have been delving into some of the stargate and gateway imagery here in my home state of Michigan and in particular  Detroit.  While previously I have been focusing on the modern symbolism emerging in Michigan, today I would like to focus on some ancient myth and lore from the great lakes containing representations of "the Gateways of the Gods"!
Arch Rock (Mackinaw Island Michigan)

The first legend we will take a look at comes from northern Michigan's Mackinaw Island.  It is an Ojibwa myth in regards to the islands sacred Arch Rock.  Two thing that come to mind when viewing Arch Rock. The first is Utah's sacred Rainbow Bridge! The second is St. Louis's Gateway Arch.  Both of which contain "Rainbow Bridge" symbolism.  (for a brief explanation on the Gateway Arch  Rainbow Bridge symbolism please see my previous post - Urban Portals, Gateways in Our Cities.  http://divineportal.blogspot.com/2009/08/urban-portals-gateways-in-our-cities.html .  In myth and lore from around the world the arch and the "rainbow bridge" are seen symbolically as intermediaries between the earthly realms and the heavenly realms.  In investigative mythologist William Henry's book (Ark of the Christos) he points out that symbolically speaking the arch or bow can be seen as representative of the "Gate of Heaven"!  Now lets take a look at the Ojibwa myth surrounding Arch Rock.

Utah's Rainbow Bridge


St. Louis's Gateway Arch

Arch Rock & The Sky Dweller 
(from the book Indian Legends Of American Scenes, Marion Gridly, 1939

The bark lodges of an Ojibwa village clustered along the northern rim of Lake Huron.  Here dwelt the tribal chief and his daughter, Red Wing.  She was one of the loveliest of the ojibwa maidens and as good as she was beautiful. Her fingers were skillful at tanning skins into velvety softness.  The quills of the porcupine she could weave into colorful designs.  Baskets, too, she made, and she brought the rush leaves from the lake and wove them into mats.  She gathered and dried the Indian corn and cooked it into savory dishes.  The roots and seeds of the water lilly she prepared for eating.  Much she knew about the lore of plants- what was good for food and what was good for medicine.
     The young men of the tribe were all in love with her and brought many presents to the door of her father.  And though the chief looked with favor on several of the young braves, Red Wing kept her eyes to the ground and paid no heed to their soft words or glances.  For, unknown to her father, Red Wing was already betrothed!
    One sundown, as she guided her canoe homeward from wild rice gathering, a handsome brave, enveloped in a glowing light, appeared before her.  His voice was gentle as he said: 
"My dear one, have no fear of me, though I come from another world.   In my home land, I am the son of a chief-the son of the Evening Star.  Often have I watched you at your labors, or as you laughed with the other maidens.  From the very first I have loved you and have longed to tell you of my love.  But this could not be, for I am a Sky Dweller, and you are of the Earth World.  Then I saw the young men coming to the door of your lodge, and knew that you were the cause of their coming.  My heart grew very heavy.  I lay upon my couch, sad and bitter, until my father saw my trouble and understood.  He has said that I might come to you and tell you of my desire for you.  Red Wing, do not marry one of the Ojibwa braves.  Marry no one until you can join me in my Sky Home!"
      "I will marry none but you," Red Wing promised.  "Of late I have thought it strange that I seemed apart from all others.  Now I know this was meant to be and I, too, love you dearly."
    So it came about that Red Wing gave no answer to the young men.  Often she saw her Star Lover as she paddled on the lake, and the deeper grew their feeling for each other.
    At last the father of Red Wing grew impatient that his daughter had no husband.  "My child," he said,"many of our bravest youths come to my door.  They do not come to see me, but to ask your hand in marriage.  And you do not notice them.  You sit with downcast eyes and give no word of greeting.  You serve them food, but do not smile upon them.  A daughter can not dwell for always in her father's lodge.  Can you not choose one from among them?"
     " No, my father," answered Red Wing.  "There is only one young man that I look upon with favor, and he is not of this Earth.  He is the son of the Evening Star.  He has come before me in the woods at night, and when I have paddled upon the lake.  We have told each other of our love.  I can marry no man of the Ojibwa, for I am his."
   The father of Red Wing was very angry.  He spoke harshly to her and commanded that she forget about the son of the Evening Star.  There could be no marriage between Spirit One and one who dwelt on Earth.  Red Wing declared that she would not marry until the time came for her no longer to live on the Lake Huron shores.
     Her father then commanded that she follow him.  Getting into his canoe he paddled across the blue water.  He sent the canoe forward with swift strokes until they reached an island where towered a great rock.  He carried Red Wing in his arms to the crest of the stone and there bound her with rawhide ropes, so that she could not see the star where her lover dwelt.  "Here you will stay," he said, "until you can forget him."  
      Red Wing made no answer.  But as she lay upon the rock she mourned for her Star Brave and cried because she could not see the light from his home.  Four suns she lay upon the rock and wept,  and her tears flowed down over the side.  Many, many tears, and little by little they crumpled the rock away until an arch was carved.  Through the arch shown the Evening Star at last, and down it's rays came the handsome Star Youth.  He Gathered Red Wing in his arms and took her away to dwell in peace with him in the heavens.



  
photos from  Mt. Pleasent's Ziibiwing Interpretive Center

The next piece of myth and lore we will explore comes from region most Michiganders refer to as the "Thumb".  This area encompasses Bay City, Saginaw, and the surrounding vicinity.

THE SKY WALKER OF HURON

Here is the myth of Endymion and Diana, as told on the shores of Saginaw Bay, in Michigan, by Indians who never heard of Greeks. Cloud Catcher, a handsome youth of the Ojibways, offended his family by refusing to fast during the ceremony of his coming of age, and was put out of the paternal wigwam. It was so fine a night that the sky served him as well as a roof, and he had a boy's confidence in his ability to make a living, and something of fame and fortune, maybe. He dropped upon a tuft of moss to plan for his future, and drowsily noted the rising of the moon, in which he seemed to see a face. On awaking he found that it was not day, yet the darkness was half dispelled by light that rayed from a figure near him—the form of a lovely woman.

"Cloud Catcher, I have come for you," she said. And as she turned away he felt impelled to rise and follow. But, instead of walking, she began to move into the air with the flight of an eagle, and, endowed with a new power, he too ascended beside her. The earth was dim and vast below, stars blazed as they drew near them, yet the radiance of the woman seemed to dull their glory. Presently they passed through a gate of clouds and stood on a beautiful plain, with crystal ponds and brooks watering noble trees and leagues of flowery meadow; birds of brightest colors darted here and there, singing like flutes; the very stones were agate, jasper, and chalcedony. An immense lodge stood on the plain, and within were embroideries and ornaments, couches of rich furs, pipes and arms cut from jasper and tipped with silver. While the young man was gazing around him with delight, the brother of his guide appeared and reproved her, advising her to send the young man back to earth at once, but, as she flatly refused to do so, he gave a pipe and bow and arrows to Cloud Catcher, as a token of his consent to their marriage, and wished them happiness, which, in fact, they had.

This brother, who was commanding, tall, and so dazzling in his gold and silver ornaments that one could hardly look upon him, was abroad all day, while his sister was absent for a part of the night. He permitted Cloud Catcher to go with him on one of his daily walks, and as they crossed the lovely Sky Land they glanced down through open valley bottoms on the green earth below. The rapid pace they struck gave to Cloud Catcher an appetite and he asked if there were no game. "Patience," counselled his companion. On arriving at a spot where a large hole had been broken through the sky they reclined on mats, and the tall man loosing one of his silver ornaments flung it into a group of children playing before a lodge. One of the little ones fell and was carried within, amid lamentations. Then the villagers left their sports and labors and looked up at the sky. The tall man cried, in a voice of thunder, "Offer a sacrifice and the child shall be well again." A white dog was killed, roasted, and in a twinkling it shot up to the feet of Cloud Catcher, who, being empty, attacked it voraciously.

Many such walks and feasts came after, and the sights of earth and taste of meat filled the mortal with a longing to see his people again. He told his wife that he wanted to go back. She consented, after a time, saying, "Since you are better pleased with the cares, the ills, the labor, and the poverty of the world than with the comfort and abundance of Sky Land, you may return; but remember you are still my husband, and beware how you venture to take an earthly maiden for a wife."

She arose lightly, clasped Cloud Catcher by the wrist, and began to move with him through the air. The motion lulled him and he fell asleep, waking at the door of his father's lodge. His relatives gathered and gave him welcome, and he learned that he had been in the sky for a year. He took the privations of a hunter's and warrior's life less kindly than he thought to, and after a time he enlivened its monotony by taking to wife a bright-eyed girl of his tribe. In four days she was dead. The lesson was unheeded and he married again. Shortly after, he stepped from his lodge one evening and never came back. The woods were filled with a strange radiance on that night, and it is asserted that Cloud Catcher was taken back to the lodge of the Sun and Moon, and is now content to live in heaven.



The Belle Isle Snake Goddess & Gate Keeper


The next story comes from Belle Isle in Detroit Michigan.

Ottawa Indian lore tells of the beautiful daughter of chief Sleeping Bear. Her beauty was so stunning that the Chief kept her hidden from the eyes of young suitors by hiding her in a covered boat on the Detroit River. One day when bringing her some food, the winds, awed by her beauty, blew the covers off of the boat and it floated down the river. as it floated past the lodge of the keeper of the water gates, he also was stunned by her beauty and retrieved to boat and brought the young beauty into his tent, this enraged the winds who fell upon him, and buffeted him wildly about until he finally died from the beating. The winds, sorry for uncovering her beauty, returned her back to her father, Chief Sleeping Bear and begged the chief not to hide her from them again, but to let them enjoy her beauty. 


To protect her the chief, fearful that other men would follow, placed the princess on an island in the Detroit River and sought the aid of the Great Spirits to protect his beloved daughter by surrounding the island with snakes to protect her from intruders. 

There she could run free with the winds around her, The spirits immortalized her by transforming her into a white doe and letting her live out eternity on the island. When the first white men appeared in the area they originally named the island Isle Ste. Clair. but once they became familiar with the island, they renamed it Rattlesnake Island. It was not much later that it became known as Belle Isle. To this day, the maiden's spirit can be seen from time to time dancing in the wind on the island and most unsuspecting picnickers don't realize that the lovely girl in Native costume is not a modern miss dressed for a pageant, but is in reality the Goddess of Belle Isle. also know as the Snake Goddess of Belle Isle. 

There she runs free through the woods with the gentle winds and wildlife as her companions. Legend has it that the beautiful Indian maiden still roams the woods often mistaken by picnickers as a deer. 

The water-gate keeper, who was killed by the angry winds was buried on Isle au Peche (Peach Island), where his spirit remained for many generations. Native American braves often sought out this spirit for counsel before going to war. 


His voice was heard through the wind in the trees and could be understood only by those who had prepared themselves through fasting and meditation. Even Chief Pontiac, before planning his war against the English, spent a week on Isle au Peche, fasting in order to clear his mind, and to seek the wisdom of the water gate keepers spirit.21   

      Imagine my surprise when I visited  Belle Isle in 2009 only to see the white female doe!!  The park just opened a new exhibit called ‘The Deer Experience’. The focal point of this experience is a family of white deer!!


Belle Isle is approximately one mile east of Hart Plaza (Stargate Detroit). To conclude, according to ancient lore symbolically speaking there is a Gate keeper who may hold the keys to unlocking the secrets of Stargate Detroit!   For more information on the emergence of Gateway symbolism within the art and sculpture at Hart PLaza please visit my web site www.chadstuemke.com