Yesterday was day 24 of the Olympic torch relay with another potential "act of God" as the torch went out, and refused to relight, at the beginning of the event (The Callanish Stones), causing the organisers to "dash" 30 miles back to Stornoway to collect the "mother flame". (Scottish Sun - Panic as Olympic torch is blown out)
Today the torch visits Scone Palace, originally the home of the Stone of Destiny, which some say is Jacob's pillow stone (wiki). Certainly it seems to have been of some significance historically, given it's use as coronation stone for "Kings" of Scotland and indeed the current monarchy.
Coincidentally, today saw the announcement of the final details of the London Olympics opening ceremony, director Danny Boyle unveiling his masterpiece. Apparently it is a countryside setting with animals and suchlike, together with a recreation of Glastonbury Tor - complete with solitary tree. It is to be titled Green and Pleasant, seemingly because Danny is creating "a picture of ourselves as a nation". (BBC report)
Curiously, "In England's green and pleasant land" - on which the hymn Jerusalem is based - is the last line of William Blake's "And did those feet in ancient time" poem, which he based on the "apocryphal story" that a young Jesus Christ visited England in the company of his uncle, Joseph of Amirathea. According to wiki the legend is linked to an idea in the Book of Revelation describing a "second coming" wherein Jesus establishes a new Jerusalem. Danny doesn't mention any of that, nor that Joseph is alleged to have thrust his staff in the ground at Glastonbury, whereupon a thorn tree grew.
Diversifying very slightly, something I have written perhaps too much about recently is the football club Glasgow Rangers and their precarious financial position since Valentines Day when they entered administration. Cutting to the quick: according to today's BBC, it seems that Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have rejected the "creditors" deal offered by would-be owner, Charles Green, in terms of outstanding liabilities and as such the club will need to be liquidated and "reborn" as a same-but-different entity. I believe that the creditors meeting is to be held on Thursday, the day after the Olympic torch travels from St. Andrew's to Edinburgh, and "her" Castle - the current home of the (alleged) Stone of Destiny. One has to perhaps understand fully the William of Orange/King Billy/Protestant angle here in terms of Rangers - and it's impending reincarnation.
cheers
Middle image - From the film Ben Hur. Ben, dressed in tartan, meets (Druid) Balthazar - one of the three wise men - as he goes to hear Jesus preach. Source: here.
