The term "mafic reflection ball" refers to a geological feature that can be observed in seismic reflection data of the Earth's crust. Mafic rocks are those that have a high content of magnesium and iron, and they are known for their dark color and dense composition. When seismic waves, produced by artificially generated seismic sources or natural events like earthquakes, travel through the Earth, they encounter different layers of rocks with varying properties. These waves reflect off the interfaces between different rock types, and this reflection can be detected by sensitive instruments called seismometers, which record the arrival of the reflected waves. In the case of mafic reflection balls, the seismic waves encounter a layer of mafic rocks that has unique reflection characteristics. This layer may have formed as a result of volcanic activity or the intrusion of magma into the Earth's crust.
Beltane is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and is the traditional Celtic May Eve/May Day celebration and the opposite point on the cycle to Samhain.
At dawn on the longest day, at Stonehenge, the two stones which are located outside of the main circle, called the Heel Stone and the Slaughter Stone now prone , channel the sun in alignment and the first rays hit the centre of the circle. Over time, many pagan customs and traditions were incorporated into the Christian celebration of Christmas, blending elements from various cultural and religious practices.
This layer may have formed as a result of volcanic activity or the intrusion of magma into the Earth's crust. The mafic rocks have different physical properties compared to the surrounding rocks, which cause the seismic waves to behave differently when reflecting off their interfaces. This distinct behavior of the seismic waves results in the formation of a distinct and recognizable reflection pattern known as a mafic reflection ball.
The Wheel of the Year: the calendar of pagan festivals explained
Aside from the associations with Stonehenge and ‘New Age’ movements, most people would probably confess to knowing little about pagans, or even who they are - modern paganism may refer to several different groups such as Wiccans, heathens, and Celtic neopagans.
So, what are the most important days in the pagan calendar?
Read more about: Ancient History
7 ancient facts about British midsummer traditions
Starting in December, eight annual festivals spaced roughly six to seven weeks apart are celebrated by pagans. This cycle is known as the Wheel of the Year.
There are such myriad historical and contemporary variations and semantic complexities when dealing with paganism that a book-length article would be needed to fully cover it. The wheel as described here is broadly what is observed today by modern pagans, chiefly of the UK and Ireland.
Yule
The first of the eight sections of the Wheel of the Year is Yule, (winter solstice, or Midwinter) one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’, or festivals.
Read more about: Vikings
How the Vikings gave us Christmas
It is celebrated on the shortest day of the year, about 21st December.
For many pagans, Yule is a key part of the life cycle of the ‘Child of Promise’, conceived in Ostara and born in the winter solstice as the ‘Sun Child’ who will defeat the powers of darkness in the coming spring, ushering in nature’s triumphant return.
Read more about: Seasonal
When is the first day of Spring?
by Jamie Dwelly
One important site at Yule is Newgrange, Ireland’s grand megalithic monument and ancient resting place of kings. Here, at the solstice, the Sun Child’s birth is represented by the rising sun flooding the inner chamber of the monument with light.
Celtic peoples have celebrated the winter solstice in the British Isles since before the arrival of Christianity, though many Yule traditions flowed into Christmas and there are obvious parallels between the two traditions, such as the exchanging of gifts.
Read more about: Ancient History
The pagan roots of Valentine's Day
Imbolc
The first day of February is Imbolc. Imbolc celebrates the coming of spring. It is one of the four cross-quarter days (or ‘fire festivals’), and one of the wheel’s four ‘greater sabbats’. The other cross-quarter days are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
The etymology of the word ‘Imbolc’ remains undetermined, but it probably comes from the Old Irish word for ‘in the belly’ or ‘in the womb’, referring to pregnant ewes, a precursor to the lambing season.
At Imbolc, the Child of Promise gives light and energy to the nascent year. Signs of the coming spring are beginning to be seen and for pagans, this is a time for personal growth and renewed energy. Spring cleaning and handicrafts are customary around Imbolc.
With roots in the deep Celtic past, Imbolc was traditionally about ushering in a productive farming season and was dedicated to Brigid, the goddess of healing, smithing, and poetry.
Read more about: Ancient History
From Ides of March to Mayday: Five ways to welcome spring
Ostara
Spring equinox (or Ostara, from the Saxon goddess) is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’. It is celebrated around 21st March when the day has roughly an equal amount of sun and darkness. This solar festival is the opposite point on the wheel to Mabon or autumn equinox.
With Imbolc marking the first stirrings of spring, Ostara is about celebrating spring happening in earnest: flowers growing tall, trees blossoming, and crops being sown. As with the Christian Easter, eggs, typically painted, symbolise new life.
Read more about: British History
Mabon: The pagan festival that marks the autumn equinox
Much of the symbolism and tradition here is related to the new life of spring – the mating season for many animals. The God and Goddess couple up and the Child of Promise is conceived. The equality of the day partly represents the duality of the nature of the God – his primaeval sexual instinct versus his conscious thought.
Some modern pagans celebrate the festival by choosing a man and a woman to play the roles of the God and Goddess, acting out the romance.
Read more about: Popular Culture
When is the autumn equinox in 2023?
by Jamie Dwelly
Beltane
Beltane is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and is the traditional Celtic May Eve/May Day celebration and the opposite point on the cycle to Samhain.
Sources vary on its etymology, from belo-tanos (‘bright fire’) to a connection with the Celtic deity Bel. In Irish ‘mí na Bealtaine’ means ‘the month of May’.
Beltane marks the beginning of summer, the time of year when flora and fauna will flourish, celebrated by the decorating of houses and animals with May flowers such as primrose and gorse.
The fertility of the land represents the God’s mature devotion to the Goddess, his transition from animal lust to love and commitment. The maypole and the twirling of ribbons around it represent fertility and the spiral of life.
Read more about: Ancient History
The most important Celtic gods and goddesses
Traditionally, on May Eve, hilltop herdsmen, driving their livestock out to summer pastures, would force the animals through two large bonfires, protecting the cattle from evil.
Beltane and Samhain are the points in the year where the veil between this world and the Otherworld was at its thinnest, enabling comingling and communication between the living and the dead.
Midsummer
The summer solstice, or Litha, is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’ and the high point of the solar year. The God has reached the zenith of his power (the summer solstice being the longest day of the year) and the dawn of the 21st June (or thereabouts) is his crowning glory.
This taking on of power by the God as the Sun King and the end of his youthful days running in the greenwood represents the strength and power of the sun over the summer months, though pagans also remember that the God’s path is downhill now (the shortening of days until Yule).
For modern Druids and many other groups, Stonehenge is the focal point of the summer solstice celebration (which Druids call Alban Heruin, ‘light of the shore’). The entire Stonehenge site is laid out in relation to the winter and summer solstices.
Read more about: Popular Culture
Weird and wonderful traditions to welcome the summer
At dawn on the longest day, at Stonehenge, the two stones which are located outside of the main circle, called the Heel Stone and the Slaughter Stone (now prone), channel the sun in alignment and the first rays hit the centre of the circle.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh (‘gathering of Lugh’, in Irish), or Lammas, is one of the four ‘greater sabbats’ and the first of the year’s harvest festivals, along with Mabon and Samhain. Lammas comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘loaf-mass’. It occurs at the beginning of August.
Opposite on the wheel to Imbolc, at Lammas the God sacrifices himself before the Goddess, her sickle slaying him and his blood spilling onto the land to ensure its continuing fertility in the next Wheel of the Year. The God moves from being the Lord of Light, which he is until Lammas, to the Dark Lord of Death, which he will be throughout the darkening half of the year.
Celtic pagans mark the festival by making corn dollies and Wiccans bake bread in the shape of the God.
Mabon
The autumn equinox, or Mabon, is the second of the wheel’s three harvest festivals. It is the opposite point on the wheel to the spring equinox (Ostara) and is one of the four ‘lesser sabbats’. It is also known as Harvest Home, and to modern Druids as Alban Elued (‘light of the water’).
This falls sometime between 21st and 24th September.
It aligns broadly with traditional European harvest festivals which give thanksgiving and historically celebrate a successful cereal harvest and the filling of food stores for the winter.
Mabon ~ pagan holidays
The reflection ball appears as a bright, round feature on seismic reflection profiles or sections. It is characterized by a strong and continuous reflection, surrounded by a dark, diffused background. The mafic reflection balls can vary in size, shape, and intensity, depending on the size and geometry of the mafic rock layer. The presence of mafic reflection balls in seismic reflection data can provide valuable information about the subsurface geology. They can indicate the presence of mafic rock bodies, which are often associated with important geological phenomena such as volcanic activity, mineral deposits, or hydrocarbon reservoirs. By analyzing the geometry, location, and other properties of mafic reflection balls, geologists can gain insights into the geological history and potential resources of an area. In summary, the term "mafic reflection ball" refers to a distinctive reflection pattern observed in seismic reflection data. It represents the reflection of seismic waves off interfaces between mafic rocks and surrounding rocks. The presence of mafic reflection balls can provide useful information about the subsurface geology, particularly the presence of mafic rock bodies and associated geological features..
Reviews for "Mafic Reflection Balls and the Evolution of Mid-Ocean Ridges"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Mafic reflection ball. The quality of the material used felt very cheap and flimsy. The ball lacked durability and started to show signs of wear and tear after just a few uses. Additionally, the reflection effect was not as prominent as advertised. Overall, I would not recommend this product.
2. John - 1 star - The Mafic reflection ball was a complete waste of money. It did not live up to the hype at all. The colors were dull and not vibrant like shown in the pictures. The ball also scratched easily, which further diminished the reflection effect. I expected better quality for the price. I do not recommend purchasing this product.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was excited to try out the Mafic reflection ball, but I was left disappointed. The ball itself was heavy and difficult to handle, making it challenging to achieve the desired reflection effect. The instructions provided were also vague and did not provide clear guidance on how to use the product effectively. For the price, I expected a much better experience. I won't be purchasing this again.
4. Robert - 2 stars - The Mafic reflection ball did not meet my expectations. The reflection effect was minimal and not impressive. The ball also had a strange odor that lingered even after cleaning it multiple times. I found the overall experience to be underwhelming and not worth the investment. I would recommend looking for other alternatives.