Fire and Water

We are taught that opposites are separate entities that are distinct from each other but there is no such thing in this universe. All things are part of another. Opposites define each other but only to a certain degree. It is often the case that an extreme followed for a length of time will lead to its own opposite. The Taoists understood this concept and portrayed it through the symbol of the yin and yang.

Fire and water are apparent opposites. They help to define each other and can react against each other but not everyone has seen them as distinct. In the ancient religion of Zorastrianism, fire and water were both equally important elements of purification. Temples of worship are sometimes called fire temples and the ash of sacred fires combined with clean water are essential parts of their rituals. Fire burns away the unnecessary while water cleanses.

Shuk, the sudden and initially unwilling leader of the Kethix revolution has decided to employ both fire and water in his efforts to maintain peace at the temple. He is holding out for negotiations and a mad riot, he believes, will only work against his aims. He is sure that holding the local ceorans will be a bargaining chip with the Grand Council in Yakrutich but they are stalling and things are heating up in the northern islands. When a riot breaks out, he uses a raging fire to get the crowd's attention so that he can calm them down before violence can begin.

Instigated Revolution

In October of 1789, a group of 6,000 women (with some men dressed as women) organized themselves in Paris and marched their way to the king's palace in Versailles. They were motivated by hunger, food rationing, and high unemployment. An extravagant feast sponsored by the king just the night before had been the last straw for them and they wanted the king to know about their dissatisfaction. They were so angry, in fact, that they managed to capture the king and queen and brought them back to the prison in Paris. Shortly afterwards, the monarchs were beheaded.

This all sounds like a victory for grass-roots power and the need to overcome gross injustices but some historians do not believe the story is that simple or one-sided. The king's wealthy cousin, the Duke of Orleans may have had a hand in starting the revolution. The king actually kicked him out of the country for a time for talking bad about the royal family but the Duke returned. It has been reported that he was found amongst the rioting protesters egging them on. When the revolution had succeeded he made it known that he would be willing to step in as the new king, for the good of the people, of course. His ideas were not well received and he lost his head as well.

Political upheaval and revolutions are rarely simple exchanges between one class of people and their leaders. Usually there are a whole host of motivations and goals involved with a bevy of egos wrapped up behind them. Rarely is a revolution the consequence of only local politics. Many countries and interests become involved when a change of power is possible. This is true even now for many of the recent revolutions. If you think you know the simple story you are probably being deceived.

Revolution is afoot on the island of Kethix as well and deception is in the mix. The people are seeking negotiations with the ceorans for a more equitable way of life but the leaders of the dominant corporations are not likely to give in to a change of government so easily. In fact, they have made plans to instigate violence so that the people will look like the instigators. That way, the ceorans can claim that the revolutionaries are nothing but violent thugs and that their way of control is necessary to insure peace for all the people of the planet of Pa'Kevutu.

Coast to Coast

Just returned from a business/pleasure trip to Las Vegas to deal with some issues concerning my father's estate. It was his disappearance over four years ago now that has given me a new appreciation for life and how limited it all is. Writing regularly is one of my great joys in life so I make sure that I spend a little time each day doing it as best I can. Even going on vacation didn't stop me from continuing to write.

Every morning I went to the same restaurant for breakfast. It had a nice bar that was perfect for setting up the iPad and clicking away. There were few people there in the mornings so the staff never seemed to mind me pounding away while I absorbed yet another cup of coffee. A couple of them even asked me what I was doing so, of course, I told them. One promised to purchase book I and read it.

So, now my book has reached from coast to coast. Ok, well, coast to desert.

The Temple of Capitalism

Consider this: the largest free standing building in the world was built in 2013. It is so large it could contain within it three (count em three) Pentagons (the US military building in DC). Inside is a water park, hotels, and, of course, lots of shopping venues. It is a grand memorial to the power of capitalism but it is its location that is the irony. It is called the New Century Global Center and it is located in Chengdu China! That's right, communist China.

Now consider this: In medieval times towns were constructed near rivers or near hills for protection and trade but the highest point of any hill was left for the church and its tall spire. From the distance, the thing that was seen first was the church and it was lifted above all other buildings. Look at skylines now. What buildings are seen from the distance? What is lifted above the others? Most often it is the bank and insurance buildings.

That is the vision of the people of the island of Kethix as well. Their tallest building is a temple dedicated to the worship of the corp ceorans–the bosses of the companies that control the lives of nearly all the people on the island. There is no pretense here. The ceorans encourage a kind of faithful devotion similar to evangelical preachers–without the snakes, fortunately. But now that revolution is in the air, that devotion has been shaken.

Map of Kethon

Kethon is the capital city of Kethix and the location of the Kethix Ceoran Temple.

Map of Kethix

The Island of Kethix

Possibly one of the most historic and fascinating of the Greek islands is Rhodes. It once was the site of the world famous colossus of Rhodes which was a gigantic statue of the sun god Helios. Before its destruction by an earthquake it stood 98 feet into the air above the passing ships. I've you've seen Game of Thrones then you may have seen the Titan of Braavos–a close approximation to how the colossus of Rhodes may have looked in size. Rhodes is also famous for being the home and base for the Knights Hospitaller who developed the island and built many of its famous fortifications.

The Greek islands are the basis for many of the islands in Pa'Kevutu and Rhodes is the inspiration for the Island of Kethix where the people have stormed the temple and are seeking change to the currently repressive form of government. The revolution has come to an abrupt standstill, however, with the appearance of security troops.