Tag: Ancient Ways

New Shard Short Story: ‘Yima of Airyana Vaeja’ From Excerpts of ‘Rising Wind’ Series Books Four and Five and My Book ‘Ancient Ways’…

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ 2 Comments

‘Yima of Airyana Vaeja’

Prologue:

The last glacial period, often called the “last ice age,” peaked in Europe between 26,500 and 19,000 years ago, with the most severe cold conditions occurring from 26,000 to 20,000 years ago.

This period, known as the last glacial maximum, during the late Pleistocene, saw large ice sheets covering much of northern Europe, including what are now the British Isles, and ice caps in the Alps and Pyrenees.

It did not completely cover Siberia’s north and some of the Arctic Circle, where people had avoided the bitter cold. Gradually, the ice faded, and small family groups moved south, following the melting ice that watered the grass that fed the game animals. People split their travels to the east and west of the Urals as the ice of the snowpack eventually diminished and disappeared. There were no countries, cities, or kingdoms to name or refer to. It was still cool, but the climate changed yet again, water began to disappear, and then the land dried.

Trees and grasses died away, as did the plants and grazing animals. Gradually, even the fish disappeared when the streams and rivers dried up. Floods, dust storms, and fires devastated the remaining natural resources, triggering drought and famine. The various sorts of humans who had survived as hunter-gatherers in greater Asia trembled as famine and eventually, cannibalism became a gruesome and damning necessity.

In painfully slow increments of time, agriculture took hold out of desperation, people gathered into small groups, and then into cities. Trade and law were outcomes that led toward the dawn of civilization.


**************


Morning light cracked through the small Armenian hotel window as Gideon Yellow Thunder brought his wife, a paleontologist and paleoarchaeologist, Secora James, a mug of hot water and a bag of Constant Comment tea with its fragrances of orange and clove. He took a seat with his own cup. They had come here to relax and absorb their feelings while discovering Armenia with their travelling companion, Seamus McGill.

After they had barely taken a sip of the redolent beverage, their eager young Irish friend came into the room and pulled a brochure from his pocket. He eagerly unfolded it. “Hey guys, check this out. I found a map in the free pile at the library. It says we are situated in the Ararat Plain, flanked by Turkey, Iraq, Albania, and Georgia. Smack dab between Asia and Europe. Armenia is bordered on the south and east by Iran and Nachjavan, an Azerbaijan enclave. I’m interested in seeing a pilgrimage site near Mount Ararat, which used to be in Armenia before Turkey swiped it.”

Gideon asked, “Wasn’t this country formerly part of the Soviet Republic?”

Seamus sighed. “Yes, both Turkey and Russia have taken away large chunks of land. Armenia is now a fraction of its original size. Even though the nation has diminished, Armenia is proud to be one of the earliest Christian nations, and it’s defined by spectacular religious sites, including the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni, and four other 4th-century castles, churches, and monasteries. Its capital is Yerevan, where the Mahendran Library houses thousands of ancient Greek and Armenian manuscripts.”

(The above image is the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni today)



“You sound like a walking billboard.” Secora sipped and said, “Did you know that at one time Armenia spread over an area almost as big as mainland China? It was home to the clans and tribes, and civilizations of Airyana Vaeja. Traces of that name still live across Eurasia, like Iran, Eire, Ireland, Iraq, Erin, and Oran.”  “How about Armenia?” Seamus enthused. “I mean, we’re looking at “Or”, “Ir”, “Er”, and “Ar” names as clues, right?” Secora rolled her eyes and agreed. “Armenia is special. Interestingly, before Christianity, the earliest Prophet we may have scriptural references for is Lord Yima – Bright Shining as the Sun – from Aryana Vaeja in Eurasia, perhaps in “Greater Armenia” before it was pillaged. Gideon scrunched his face and said,” Earliest Prophet? You’re saying then that this Yima came before Adam? Oh, that’s just wrong!” “He might have been earlier. We will never know all of the dates and times of each First remembered Prophet in a certain region.The “Firsts” of which I am aware, include Rama in Central Asia, Fo-Xi in China, Gayomart in Persian texts, Adam in the area of Mesopotamia, and Lord Yima or Yama, Known as the Son of the Sun. 

“The term YIMA, or Yama, and later name versions like Jamshid, pronounced as Yom-shed and then Yima Ksheta, meaning Bright Shining as the Sun – Apollo-like, lasted over several thousands of years, anywhere in time between 22,000 to 10,000 years, or later. His latter manifestation, or more likely a descendant of His lineage, lived until the Bronze Age, – around 5,000 years ago. His name  (or lineage) covered a period of several thousands of years – from hunter-gatherer stone age, through the beginning of agriculture and on into civilization as the “Lawgiver”, and beyond. 

“He was surrounded by a radiant splendor which burned about Him by divine favor. Some call it ‘Farr’, a shimmering aura that can overwhelm onlookers when a divine being reveals the Word of God. Sometimes it is portrayed as a halo or aura, as with Christ.

“Jamshid (pronounced Yomshed), one of Yima’s latter names, remained humble, but this radiance allowed Him to command mortals, angels, and demons; banishing evil and rewarding good people. 

“He was listed under ‘Firsts’ on an ancient tablet found in Persepolis; and because of this interesting answer given by God, known in that time as Ahura Mazda or Ormuzd – to the Persian Prophet Zoroaster’s query in the following passages in the Vendidad: .

“Zoroaster asked Ormuzd, ‘O Ahura Mazda, righteous Creator of the corporeal world, who was the first person to whom You taught these teachings? Who is the first man with whom you conversed?” Then spoke God (Ahura Mazda): “ O righteous Zarathushtra, I first did teach the Aryan religion to Him, (Yima the splendid who watched over His subjects) before you.” – The Vendidad 

Gideon fidgeted. “What? That sounds so confusing, Secora.” “Just wait, He may have been the ‘First’ (of that previous age) – but according to tradition, He was not always the Revealer of God’s guidance. 

At a subsequent time, Ahura Mazda continued: 

“Yima spoke to me, and said he would like to spread the religion among mankind by teaching others. Then, I replied, ” Oh, Yima, you are not created for this task by me. You have not learned enough to increase the religion among mankind. – You are not the Messenger of the religion.

As I made my pleasure known to Yima, he proceeded south, towards the path of the high sun, increasing the land with his  golden plough, conquering and cultivating the lands.” 

“This suggests a future agricultural time, as humans moved into lands free of ice. The boundaries of the Aryan kingdom were extended in breadth, one-third greater than before.” 

“Ahura Mazda visited him once more, warning him again of overpopulation. Yima, shining with light, faced southwards, once again towards lands freshly freed of ice.” 

“Because a slow accumulation of agricultural abundance began to cause overcrowding, God encouraged Yima to proceed in the second great migration of the Aryans, towards the south and the west, even into Europe, thus extending the boundaries of the Aryan kingdom two-thirds greater than before.” 

“A third crisis of abundance led to Yima increasing the land with his golden plough, towards the south and west…  It became necessary for Yima the Splendid to enjoin righteous order on his subjects. It is said He controlled invisible time itself, making it much larger in size so as to praise and spread His righteous law.” 

“This third great migration extended the ancient homeland, Airyana Vaeja (“j” sounds like “y’), the land of the Aryans, by four and a half times towards the south into Afghanistan and even the upper Indus valley..  

“Rama or Ram – is likely Yima or Yama’s counterpart in early Hindu traditions, and as such, one Being might be the basis for both the Persian and Hindu Faiths; in the scriptural histories of both the Zend Avesta and the Vedas.  
He may also be associated with pieces of the Atrahasis and Gilgamesh stories in Babylonia and Mesopotamia.”

Gideon sighed and rubbed his forehead. “How does that fit into history?”

“Well, these vast migrations displaced other local groups, or bands of ancient human forms, who were also struggling to make a living – especially in the light of massive climate changes from icepack, to plenty, to deadly drought. Some encounters with giants are remnants of legends and scripture.”

Seamus asked, “What else?”

“One of Yima’s most wonderful miracles occurred at Ahura Mazda’s (God’s) bidding. He ordered the people to build a vara underground settlement to avoid freezing and hunger. It would house hundreds of people, as well as the animals and plant crops. Such an underground city with thirteen levels still exists in Derinkuyu, Turkey. And people in parts of Asia and Siberia still move underground during winter cold spells.”

Gideon’s face was torqued with confusion. “So, what about Adam? Where does He fit in?”

Secora smiled. “Dear, the truth is that man has had guidance from his Creator since immemorial. Adam, whom we now recognize as the First Prophet of the last Age, is another example. He is also referred to as the First Mortal. However, it seems likely that Adam and Eve hunted and gathered relatively plentiful food before the Great Starvation, which actually may have taken their lives when the resources (Eden) disappeared. 


“The couple may have suffered famine at the end of the time of plenty as represented by the Garden. However, they lived prior to the stage of domestication, where Cain and Abel were a farmer and a herdsman. Seth might have come at a later time, when earlier villages might have required the establishment of law and the beginnings of civilization. So they were possibly descendants rather than children of Adam.”

“Similar layers can be found for all of the Earliest Prophets we can recall. The first mortal, the first Prophet, the first agricultural king, the first lawgiver, etc. Obviously, specific dates and names don’t really matter.

“There is no way we can remember the dates of these Prophets’, or every layer of God’s Revelations throughout the millions of years of human development. We have relied on scriptural scraps, and tantalizing bits of wisdom, as well as fables, and parables from the most ancient times until the traces of Revelatory guidance could be recorded in writing. 

“It is tempting to think that the begats of the Bible may be an attempt to remember the genealogy of the prophets, which would inhibit such overlap.” 

Seamus snickered, then teased,“What, no amoeba, fish, or turtle guidance?”

She paused, looked at her cup, and then took a sip. “Oh yeah! You’re  getting the idea.” Seamus and Gideon laughed. “Go ahead, laugh, but ask a Baha’i or a Hindu. We were guided throughout Creation. We even have shreds of wise advice on family and morality from a very early female educator – could be around Australopithecine times.” 

“I’m so confused – I’ve never heard of any of them.” Gideon set his teacup down on a side table and shook his head as he mumbled, “This is what I get for marrying you, Secora.” He reached over and kissed her. Then Seamus stood up and headed for the door as he said, “Let’s grab some breakfast.

We have a big day of exploring ahead of us!”

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Visit my Amazon Author Page to learn more about
The ‘Rising Wind series’ of novels, Ancient Ways,
and all other books on Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01LWDB4K7/allbooks <<

“ADAM” A Shard Story From My Book Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion. Happy New Year…

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ Leave a comment


Most of us have an idea about the story of Adam.

For some, He is the First human. Others see Him as the first Prophet of this last age. If Adam was the first man ever created – when was that – 8 million years ago, or 13,000, or 3,000 years ago? In Genesis, Adam is considered the first man. Yet, He may have actually lived during the time of the great starvation.

Adam and Eve are said to have covered themselves with fig leaves in Eden, but their family is said to be fully clothed farmers living among other agricultural people. He and Eve were noted as parents (or more likely ancestors) of farmers of sporadic, domestic herds and crops, somewhere around 13,000 to 10,000 years ago. The Quran says Adam and Eve were created in heaven, and then sent to earth.

The Great Prophets or Manifestations, all concur They were created before coming to earth – as were we. But, in the Torah and the Bible, Adam is made from mud, and Eve, from one of His ribs. Each Great Prophet, or Manifestation of God’s will, was the bearer of the Holy Spirit for a new Age of human development – at times this great Holy Spirit is surprised that we haven’t reached a higher stage of maturity since the last visit.

In mortal bodies, Adam and Eve became God’s representatives and lived in a place referred to as Eden. A place where all their needs were met, until Eve gave Adam the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the Qur’an, it is claimed that Adam gave Eve that forbidden fruit. Either way, they became enmeshed in the conflict between Good and Evil on earth.

With the encouragement of a snaky tempter, perhaps they made the material choice between good and evil and were evicted from Eden. Did God punish them and make them leave Eden? In the Quran, it was they who turned away from their Creator; turning towards something more worldly for a time. They later grieved the loss of connection with God. When they realized their mistake, and knew His disappointment and displeasure. They felt a great remorse, and realized that they were unable to find food.



When they were driven out from paradise, they made themselves a booth, and spent seven days mourning and lamenting in great grief. But after seven days, they began to be hungry and started to look for victual to eat, and they found it not. Then Eve said to Adam: ‘My lord, I am hungry. Go, look for (something) for us to eat. Perchance the Lord God will look back and pity us and recall us to the place in which we were before.’ And Adam arose and walked seven days over all that land, and found no victual such as they used to have in paradise.”

~Genesis, King James Bible


This brings up an environmental question.

It seems that after leaving Eden, Adam and Eve suffered from a horrible famine, similar to that experienced elsewhere in the postglacial world. As the glaciers melted, the land and even the rivers dried up. The animals and fish disappeared and there was tremendous suffering. Perhaps Adam and Eve were unable to cling to the Revelation that was the very purpose for their existence. There were reasons – sanity was deteriorating.

People everywhere were starving to death, fighting over scraps, and resorting to cannibalism. This is recorded in other recollections, as in the Persian memory of those times. Mashya and Mashyana, while guarding the new Revelation of Gayomart, in Zoroastrian texts; (in Persian, Keyomars), had to eat their precious child. Quite possibly, Adam and Eve starved to death along with many of those living in the post-glacial drying regions.

So, did the serpent represent human frailty or a need for a material attachment to the earth for existence? In those desperate times, the Ancient Faith was again corrupted. People made sacrifices to the rain god or a fertility goddess. Maybe Adam’s followers chose idol worship; praying to elements as gods, or calling on personifications, icons, or statues, for specific personal favors like finding food, water, or freedom from having to eat, or be eaten by those around them.

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Leaving Eden means so little as a sentence, but understanding the real-life environmental drama gives significance to those words. Our ancestors could no longer satisfy their needs from the forests and the waters. Many died from outright hunger, thirst, or cannibalism. Adam and Eve were likely unable to hold onto the holy Revelation. Some humans endured, but perhaps Adam and Eve did not.

This is our human history – and may God forgive us – maybe our future too. Again, we’re faced with global warming, starvation, and death as rivers shrink and storms rage. However, in God’s mercy, starvation became the engine that impelled humanity to tame plants in their desperate hopes for survival. Over time, Adam and Eve’s descendants became ancestors to early farmers like Cain and Able who learned to raise and defend patches of herbs, vegetables, grains, and fruit. They even confined a few treasured animals in small breeding flocks; all the while trying to defend their tiny farms from fierce raiders and starving neighbors.

The concept of sacred white bulls, and not eating sacred cows, is an ancient remnant of those times. With the guidance of several succeeding Great Prophets, this process eventually led to the grouping of farmers into communities, or early cities defended by warriors, and ruled by law. Civilization had started its path. Eventually, there was enough food to initiate barter, then trade; forming routes for the transfer of goods and ideologies. Does this layering of the exploits of an early Prophet’s life sound familiar?

In the stories of the first remembered Great Prophets, the shreds of memory cover thousands of years, yet only one name serves as the “First”, though many Prophets whose names were forgotten over time, came in between their age and the age of the next remembered Prophet. Besides Adam, other first-remembered Prophets you’ll want to check out are: Nu Wa, Gayomart, Rama, and Fu-Xi. Adam’s Revelation was followed in sequence by Seth, on the flickering cusp of domestication.

Seth’s descendants built two pillars inscribed with many scientific discoveries and inventions – notably in astronomy in order to protect the knowledge so it could be remembered after the destructions of flood and fire, which Adam had predicted. One was composed of brick, and the other of stone, so that if the pillar of brick should be destroyed, the pillar of stone would remain. Enoch, known by many names like Hermes, Thoth, and Idris worldwide, gifted us His massive Revelation before the flood. His philosophies, sciences, and libraries still influence our societies today.

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Our first remembered Prophet’s painted for us a tremendously long prehistory. They brought richness and noble beauty to the development of human religion, society, and culture. They took on the forces of evil rulers, idolatry, and ignorance to renew the Ancient Faith. They had one goal – for humans to worship the Supreme Creator: to purify their hearts and to turn away from self and materialistic distractions; to refrain from forming cults and making offerings to various elements, talismans, idols, or icons in order to get something in return.

The Ones we can name guided us through three global stages. First, the hunter-gatherers who lived in lush lands in times of relative plenty. Next, a cold, drying climate caused starvation and cannibalism. Finally, they drew a path for the success of domestication, agriculture, and trade; then guided us through the glimmerings of civilization, helping us achieve a civil, just, and compassionate organization of society. Each, renewed the ancient Faith of God, which was tarnished time and again, by human perceptions and changes to the holy Word.

And that renewal continues today.

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I am pleased to have shared an excerpt from my first published book, “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion“…
My hope is that this brief preview will inspire you to purchase and read the entire book. It explores the connections between the beginning of the Earth and our present times, highlighting various topics that demonstrate our unity as one humanity.

It is available from Amazon in
Paperback and Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0996756558/



ABOUT THE BOOK: 

To enjoy this book you may have to suspend current beliefs, since some of the concepts may seem quite foreign at first. What if monotheism always existed, and revelations were given to all human forms. There are hints to that effect. We should not assume primitive peoples weren’t smart enough to grasp the concept of a single Creator!

Too often we tweak religion to reflect our personal thoughts rather than dealing directly with the Word of God.  Monotheism, today is represented by at least nine living faiths, yet praying to God alone is not enough, for many. Instead, we pray to Prophets, angels, saints, ancestors, deities, and even the universe.

This creates a chain of “Paths” and “Ways” that become stained, over time, by human desires for control and material benefits. And as darkness and materialism overtake one Faith, another is born, through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, which is clothed in a different form, with a new name, and very familiar teachings.

Like the Tree of Life, monotheism can be visualized as a chain linking prehistory and history, entwined with human additions, wisps, and twists that produce an undulating, ultimate Yin and Yang. This constant interaction of complementary, as well as conflicting, forces and energies, exhibits both organic unity and dynamism-even war. Those who suspect there is a unified core of basic beliefs will enjoy Ancient Ways.

Hopefully, you will find precious gems to take with you.

Happy New Year & Winter Reading!



Happy To Be Back Writing and Sharing My New Author Website Design While Delighting Readers With Short Stories and Much More Soon. . . .

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ 2 Comments


Welcome, everyone, to my new official author website and writing corner of the world!


I am happy and excited to announce I am back to blogging and eager to delight my readers in new ways. After taking a break from publishing books, I have been writing actively and sharing some of my fascinating and popular shard stories, poems, short stories, and other book titles published and unpublished.



My purpose is to engage with you and all who visit on a personal level while sharing captivating tales filled with mystery, thrilling suspense, and action. I aim to take you on global cultural adventures!

I look forward to sharing these stories and experiences with you and everyone who visits. I am proud of the books I have written and published thus far and have enjoyed hearing readers’ feedback through the years with exceptional book reviews for all my books they graciously took the time to read.



As autumn is in full swing and with Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching, I wanted to remind you that all of my books would make fantastic gifts for the avid readers on your holiday shopping list! With a wide selection to choose from, you can stack a few together, gift-wrapped, and place them under the Christmas tree.

They are sure to delight anyone who enjoys gripping mystery and global action adventure reads.

Make sure to visit my books page here on my website and learn about all my award-winning books or you may visit my Amazon Author page https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01LWDB4K7/allbooks for purchasing and read the book reviews and the editorial media reviews too!

As I begin this new chapter of writing and sharing my stories, don’t be shy to leave me your thoughts or feedback in the “comment” section of each new post. I thank you for stopping by and visiting my literary corner of the world avid readers! 📚✍🏻🥳

Sincerely,

~Author Diane Olsen

Developing the Sacred Virtue of Determination.

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ Leave a comment


Hello and Welcome Friends,

I wanted to start by saying I had a busy past summer with many projects and the writing of my second book. I thank all who have come to visit and take time to read what is my joy and passion. I also can not believe it has been one-year ago I started my blog to share with you about my writing, my book, and just life! I hope to be more active blogging this coming new year and I figured I need more practice. Lol.

Here is a new post I hope you enjoy reading and as always, I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

Diane

 

 

 

1 Year Anniversary Achievement

 

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!
You registered on WordPress.com one year ago.
Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

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Developing the Sacred Virtue of Determination

Dedication

Whether we’re trying to complete a boring job, fighting the evil of an addiction or a mean bully, or siding with a group of misfits who are saving the planet from aliens breaching from another dimension; the struggle to focus our abilities and stay in the fight is a real challenge.

We must dedicate ourselves to the problem. In that moment, we believe we’ll be successful in overcoming the antagonistic force or forces.

Distraction

Later, we may wake up in a state of forgetfulness. Maybe, we don’t feel up to snuff. The goal just doesn’t feel as important as it did yesterday. Possibly we are beset by disillusionment, depression, maybe fear, or even pain.

If we are lucky, something inside us screams against the lethargy “No! I’ve got to do this no matter how I feel, whatever the cost or discomfort.”

Rededication

We have become willing to sacrifice our comfort and our fears. We might even become altruistic. Success is in the mindset even if in the most extreme cases, like a battlefield, obliteration is a likely result.

We didn’t give up, or defeat ourselves. We fought our way through to whatever end we chose to achieve, despite the cost.

Image result for images quotes of the virtue of determination

 

Determination

We are given plenty of opportunities to practice and strengthen this virtue for a reason. Early levels of development might include learning to stand and walk, or how to communicate with others (a life-long endeavor). Later, we battle antagonists like boredom, bullies, inept bosses, war, illness, and death.

These challenges can help develop and strengthen our souls. The endgame could be that we dedicate ourselves to God, and to serving His creation. In doing so we achieve the pinnacle of selflessness. Immersion with the Creator. Think of Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, or Swami Prabhavananda.

This is the path of the Apostles in each Age. It is necessary for their sacrifices and determination, to protect and grow the tiny flame brought by the Prophet, in each rebirth of the Single, Ancient Faith of God, for all eternity.

 

Author/Writer, Diane Olsen

Product Details
My New Book on Amazon Kindle.

 

 

Introducing My New Book and Awesome New Book Reviews.

~ DianeOlsenAuthor ~ 7 Comments

As a new author like many of you, I find it interesting why it is we can not seem to find the “perfect recipe” for readers to leave us a book review when the finish our books? So when I do receive new one’s I think it’s appropriate to share them. I thank those readers who have been kind to read and leave a book review on Amazon,  Goodreads,  and  Barnes and Noble .  .  .

ABOUT MY NEW BOOK:

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diane-mulberger-olsenancient-waysthe-roots-of-religion
Diane Olsen Introduces

“In order to enjoy this book, you may have to suspend current beliefs, since some of the concepts may seem quite foreign at first. Hopefully, you will find precious gems to take with you.”

What if monotheism always existed, and revelations were given to all human forms. There are hints to that effect. We should not assume primitive peoples were not smart enough to grasp the concept of a single Creator!

Too often we tweak religion to reflect our personal thoughts, rather than dealing directly with the Word of God. Today monotheism is represented by at least nine living faiths, yet praying to God alone is not enough, for many. Instead, we pray to Prophets, angels, saints, ancestors, deities, and the universe.

This creates a chain of “Paths” and “Ways” which become stained by human desires for control and material benefits. And as darkness and materialism overtake one Faith, another is born, through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, clothed in a different form, with a new name, and very familiar teachings.

Monotheism can be visualized as a chain linking prehistory and history, entwined with human additions, wisps and twists that produce an undulating, ultimate Yin and Yang. This constant interaction of complementary, as well as conflicting, forces and energies, exhibits both organic unity and dynamism even war.

Those who suspect there is a unified core of basic beliefs should enjoy “Ancient Ways.”

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About The Author:

Diane Olsen
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Diane Olsen, prolific writer and first-time indie author of her debut book release titled; “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion.” Her book is thought provoking, unique, and an informative look at the development and evolution of religion throughout time and a well-considered concept – the idea of a connective thread of monotheistic faith throughout the history from the birth of human creation.

Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado she now lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Diane was an Undergrad at Colorado State University Ft. Collins: Pre-vet med, Anthropology, then attended and received her BA and MA at the University of Montana, Missoula: Anthropology, Archaeology, and Paleontology. She was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two years.

Diane has proudly raised two sons Andrew and Gavin, has four grandsons Dylan, Brayden, AJ, and Asher. She is an animal lover and enjoys living in Washington State with her two girls, (doggies) “Ladybug and Charlie” along with two ancient “retired” Zebra, finches, one African Blackfooted Cat. She has raised sheep and goats and about 40 other species of critter over the decades.

Diane enjoys writing, reading good books and cooking. A few of her favorite books are ‘The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan), The Upanishads, and The Great Initiates.’

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BOOK REVIEWS FROM: Amazon, Barnes and Noble and GoodReads:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars, December 18, 2016
By  Mary T
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is for: Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion (Paperback)
“Really interesting. We’re planning to use it as a book club selection shortly! A must read and well-researched book. Highly suggest this one.”

5.0 out of 5 starsIt’s Worth The Read!, November 12, 2016
Amazon Review For: Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion (Paperback)


Amazing Read of Our Roots of Religion!

“If you enjoy reading about other cultures and religions, and you are interested in anthropology? This is the book to read. Very researched well and exceptionally written by this new author. I learned so much about other religions and the author gives you much to think about when it comes to really wondering how we were first created. Was it one supreme God? Or could evaluation have played a part and why? I highly suggested you read this one with an open mind and take your time. It’s Worth The Read!”

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diane-olsen-presents2
Book Promo Shot

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Barnes & Noble:

By  Vicki_Goodwin

*****  Communicating with gods that seem to have so much in common and so …

Vicki_Goodwin
Communicating with gods that seem to have so much in common and so many similar histories assist in the belief that we share a creator and creation story. This may seem to be a more modern concept, but it could possibly have begun as early as when bipeds began to move about the world, exploring and creating small communities, mixing in with the homo sapiens they met along the way.

I found myself lost in this book, the history and the evolution of man was very well stated and provides documentation for the statements. It has a diverse theme that delves into zombies, white witches, Jewish God, Islamic Allah, Buddha, Osiris, and every form of Diety that has been worshiped and found through verbal and written histories. Bringing them together in on cohesive writing. allowing the reader to see how this is a more common occurrence than typically believed.

The ancient ways connect astrology, alchemy, and all other esoteric practices. The book of Enoch in the Apocrypha tells of the giants that inhabited the world before the great flood. This is carried through in other religious documents of the time. An excellent research book.

In learning about the Priest, Ram, it provided a new and fully invigorating story of earth’s early man and their desire to move past a belief in nature. The book covers the beginning with the priestesses and then covers several chapters on Ram’s dreams, writings, and memories, this information is so thought provoking and insightful. It was new material for me and I was in awe of his place and time in history.

GoodReads Review:

Christy

Dec 12, 2016Christy rated,  ***** It was an amazing read!

“By reading this book, I learned of author Olsen’s research on the evolution of religion, from back in the days of Primitive humans onward. While my religious beliefs are not in line with some of the book, I was intrigued by the author’s take that monotheism has linked a range of religions over time.

The book includes quotes from several religious texts, as well as photos and references for additional reading. It is a massive text that I appreciated for its attention to not just one religion but many of them.

I found the discussion of idol worship particularly interesting, along with the story of Noah, and discussion of how Islam supports Christians.

This book is a quality read for anyone interested in religious growth and development.”

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So just as a reminder to readers, please don’t feel afraid or intimidated to leave a sentence or to as a book review for an author to share how you liked or not liked their book. As writers, we like to know and appreciate what our readers think and share with us about our craft as a writer, not just as an author. It is the best “gift of thank you” you can give to us .  .  .  .


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Diane Olsen, Author/Writer  🙂