M.J. Rose

From the ever-eclectic Atlas Obscura, comes a preview of a museum much like our own: A museum of mysteries. This attraction in Prague is suited for those of us (you too right?) particularly fascinated by the occult history of old Prague…

The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague

The history of occult science is turned into a creepshow at this sensational Prague attraction

Contributor: EricGrundhauser, Atlas Obscura)

“Prague is a city steeped in history both known and otherwise, and the darker side of the Czech capitol’s past is brought to light in evocative displays at The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague, which looks at some of the famous dabblers in the dark arts that have called the city home.

As king of much of eastern Europe and eventually Holy Roman Emperor during the 16th century, Rudolf II was not known as an especially effective ruler, but he is widely remembered for his interest and patronage of the occult arts. It was during his reign that he turned Prague into the unofficial capitol of the dark arts. Funding a number of alchemists and other so-called sorcerers, most notably the likes of Edward Kelley and John Dee, Rudolf created possibly the most active period of occult practice in history.

Whether or not his patrons were simply charlatans wrapped in mystery (which they probably were), or bold proto-scientists, the legacy of these magicians and madmen is remembered with a carnival flair at The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague…”

For the rest of the story, and beautiful interior photos of the museum, click here.

Here’s a mind-bending conundrum to baffle ourselves with as we enter a new year…

Is There a Parallel Universe That’s Moving Backwards in Time?

by Janet Fang (from our beloved IFL Science)

“Time, as we understand it, moves from the past to the future irreversibly. But now, an international trio of theoretical physicists is suggesting that there’s more than one future. Two parallel universes were produced by the Big Bang: ours, which moves forward in time (pictured above), and another where time moves backwards. These findings were published in Physical Review Letters in October.

In the 1920s, British astronomer Arthur Eddington coined the term “arrow of time” (sometimes “time’s arrow”), which describes the asymmetrical, one-way direction of time. Many physicists today accept that time moves in the direction of increasing entropy—or disorder, randomness, and even chaos—in an effort to approach some equilibrium among all of the things. According to this thermodynamic arrow of time, things increasingly fall apart. If that’s the case, then our universe must have began in a low-entropy, highly ordered initial state.

But why would there have been this rare moment of low entropy in our past? One century-old idea developed by Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann is that our visible universe is a temporary, low-entropy statistical fluctuation that affects only a small portion of a much larger equilibrium system, APS Viewpoint explains…”

Click here for the rest.

This is truly a castle fit for a king. Or, as the case may be – a royal tomb.

Imagine living inside your own opulent palace, that also happens to be an entire mountain. Sadly, as Herod became aware of his impending death, he decided to turn the palace into a memorial hilltop instead…

Monumental entryway to Herodian Hilltop Palace unearthed

Posted by Past Horizons

“Archaeologists from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology have discovered a monumental entryway to the Herodian hilltop palace. The unique complex was uncovered during excavations by The Herodium Expedition in memory of archaeologist Ehud Netzer.

The main feature of the entryway is an impressive corridor with a complex system of arches spanning its width on three separate levels. These arches buttressed the corridor’s massive side-walls, allowing the King and his entourage direct passage into the Palace Courtyard. Thanks to the supporting arches, the 20-metre long and 6-metre wide corridor has been preserved to a height of 20 metres…”

Click here for more, as well as the fantastic photos.