Publisher's Synopsis
A Newborn Baby
8. I fell back asleep shortly after this while lying on my back. I was only asleep a short while when I re-awoke to this incredible screeching noise--wailing in my ears! And I opened my eyes to the sight of this newborn baby, which completely filled my vision before me! as I lay on my back looking up at the ceiling of the cab. Again I was wide awake! It was a breathtaking sight to behold, and when this child cried, he cried in such a demanding way, it was a boy and he cried about ten times, letting the whole world know he had just been delivered and required immediate attending to . . .
9. I lay there for a moment, as my mind was struck with wonder. And I heard a song from up above. It was faint and barely audible but still discernible. It was the song, Age of Aquarius, by the popular musical group, The Fifth Dimension. I know they say we're living in the Aquarian Age, but I'm still not sure what that means? And for another moment I lapsed into a state of unconsciousness. When I re-awoke, I saw a vision of a cross, held suspended in the middle of the sky and arrayed in a very special way.
10. Once again I fell asleep, and when I awoke I saw another vision. I was half asleep and it was unclear, but it was the face of a man. It reminded me of George Washington. I immediately fell back asleep and had another dream. I dreamt I went to my cousin Judy's house in Fortuna, California, which is about 200 miles north of Cloverdale on Highway 101; with its apparent relation to Judith (12) of Gerarai and, the New Church. While Fortuna was a Roman fertility goddess, and later the goddess of chance. Compare the wheel of fortune . . .
11. I awoke once more and had a final vision. I opened my eyes and there it was, Humboldt State University, of Arcata, California. It was clear and distinct and looked as it did when I drove by a few months earlier. And there was a voice, which resounded, Wilmaton University! It was clearly unusual, but I understood what it meant: it ties in my stepmother, whose name is Wilma--who was a professor there--with my father, whose last name is Hamilton. And when joined you get, Wilmaton. And no, George Washington didn't cross the Delaware River at Wilmington, as I suspected he did . . .
The Anthesteria
12. That which makes these experiences even more unusual are the dates they occurred: March 2nd to March 4th. For these are the proximate dates of the ancient Greek festival of Dionysia, held in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and ecstasy. This particular festival was called the Anthesteria, and/or Lenea, and centered about the sanctuary of Dionysus, whose shrine was opened only day each year. Its dates were from the 11th to the 13th of Anthesterion or, about March 2nd to the 4th. Plus it was attended by the 14 Gerarai! While at the time I had no knowledge of Dionysus, nor of this festival held in his honor. It's equally interesting that my name, Dennis, comes from Dionysus, something I also found out later. It also means, discerner of excellence.
