The Walls Can Talk To Us

כ״ה בטבת תשע"ב
Grael 28

I've just ordered the full DVD of this 3D film documentary, Cave of Forgotten Dreams:



Storyline summary by napierslogs - "In 1994, a group of scientists discovered a cave in Southern France perfectly preserved for over 20,000 years and containing the earliest known human paintings. Knowing the cultural significance that the Chauvet Cave holds, the French government immediately cut-off all access to it, save a few archaeologists and paleontologists. But documentary filmmaker, Werner Herzog, has been given limited access, and now we get to go inside examining beautiful artwork created by our ancient ancestors around 32,000 years ago. He asks questions to various historians and scientists about what these humans would have been like and trying to build a bridge from the past to the present."

One comment from the video trailer particular strikes me, "the walls can talk to us," especially in light of my dream a few days ago [Mystery of the Moabites] and its synchronous proximity to my recent decisive actions toward investigating my ancestral motherline [here and here].

A Right Hippocampal Mystic Typology

כ״ד בטבת תשע"ב
Grael 27

In correlation with the information in this article [The Role of Religious and Mystic Experiences In Human Evolution: An Hypothesis. Todd Murphy, 2010] discussing the differences between right hippocampal and left amygdalar mystic types, where it is written,

A mystic whose experiences appear from an unusually responsive right hippocampus is expected to report experiences dominated by right hippocampal (RH) phenomena. The RH role in spatial reasoning and memory implicates it in experiences of 'infinity', the "infinite void", spaciousness, and the experience that the space occupied by the sense of self is limitless ("one with the universe"), or existing in 'one-pointedness' (phenomena suggestive of macropsia and micropsia). The RH role in non-verbal information implicates it in the experience of inner silence, or freedom from 'mind chatter'. Its cognitive functions implicate it in the experience of 'knowingness', and 'insight', in which understandings appear spontaneously. The right hippocampus' role in processing non-verbal information would give such mystics a propensity for experiences that are 'beyond words' or 'too subtle to be explained". It's role as the source for dream imagery suggests that its also involved in the experience of 'alternate realities', 'other dimensions', the 'astral plane', the 'dream time', as well as the fleeting images that appear in hypnogogia, and even artistic visual inspirations. Its role in creating and retrieving memories suggests it may be crucial in accessing inner images, including symbolic, spiritual, and artistic images. Its production of theta activity suggests it's crucial in trance and meditation.

makes it clear to me that my mystical experiences (example) tend to be of this type, suggesting that I am a mystic of the right hippocampal (RH) type (as opposed to of the left amygdalar mystic type). The connection of RH mystical experiences to the phenomenon of memory is also interesting to me given my ever continuous memory of preincarnate existence. In light of the additional evidence given by this research group that human beings have out of physical body experiences of consciousness which come together to the self experientially from the perspective of an energetic or subtle body (as explained in related videos here, here and here), it seems reasonable to suggest that the physical brain may also have a non-physical correlate through which an individual may 'come together' as a self-aware entity.

(Described in the linked videos) I often "see" the void and the moving neurological electromagnetic field called "the binding factor" (which is responsible for bringing together and maintaining the "sense" of self) when I am resting - I can "see" this moving field when I close my eyes. At rest with my eyes closed, seeing these phenomena (the void and the moving field) are almost even my "default" settings of perception. In addition, I also occasionally experience partial seizure-like electrical activity at various locations in my body which no one but I am aware of - these too most often occur when I am resting.

I'd like one of those Shiva neural stimulation helmets!

Psychic Skills & Miracles

כ״ג בטבת תשע"ב
Grael 26

Safe House III - The Bird's Nest

כ״ג באייר תשע"א
Mab 25

In follow-up to my previous two safe house dreams (I and II), yesterday nature added another voice on the matter as well. A pair of robins began building a bird's nest over the porch light where I live. Today the nest is complete and has the rounded cup form (on top of the porch light lid) of a typical nest. It seems this family of robins think I live in a safe house too, so they are making their home over the porch light right by the back door. Even our frequent going in and out of this much used door has not deterred them from building their nest over the back porch light.

Perhaps the black goddess (known as Sara-la-Kali~Sara by the Gypsies), who is intimately involved with weather magic and nature, and whose sacred pilgrimage to the sea occurred on May 24th (perhaps when the water of the sea was released as I subsequently dreamt in the May 25th Safe House dream), called out to them as well and told these two robins to build their Safe Nest on my home.

Clearly, no coincidence. The Divine in both it's male (the bird's nest connection) and female aspects (the sea/ocean/weather/nature connection) is involved in this matter of my dreams and the link of my dreams to natural occurrences.

Also in related note, the evening of the 24th (the night of the black goddess Gypsy pilgrimage to the sea and the night before the 25th dream) I was having a problem getting to sleep due to coming and going twisting muscle 'chest pains' (not usual for me) which were ultimately relieved only by taking stress-relieving Lorazepam (as I had discussed with a friend of mine the next morning). About 1/2 hour after taking the Lorazepam, I felt a 'pop' (in correspondence to the dam 'breaking' in my subsequent Safe House dream that very night) in my chest which immediately relieved all the tenseness in my body, including the chest pains. The sudden popping relief of stress and the subsequent pain relief which rushed over my body like water are relevant to my recent dreams and actual happenings of nature.

Thread of Connection

כ״ח בניסן תשע"א
Annwyn 30

After dreaming that four Israelis came to the US from Israel to escort me to Israel, I woke up to the news of Osama bin Laden's death and burial at sea.

According to DovBear, around midnight, as Israel started to wake up, some Twitterers started "giving all credit to the Israeli military."

So, last night was an interesting night.

Knotty Control Of Light

ד' בשבט תש"ע
Imbolgen 5

In follow-up to the flurry of knotted witch's ladders I've created for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu within the past week or so and my Torah commentary for this past Shabbat (Mind Magic and the Art of Control), this interesting synchronous news article is reported today by Foxnews:

Twisted physics, scientists create knots of light
By Jeanna Bryner - LiveScience

Like your shoelaces or electrical cords, light can get twisted into knots. Now, scientists have used a computer-controlled hologram and theoretical physics to turn a light beam into pretzel-like shapes.

The twisted feat not only led to some pretty cool images, but the results have implications for future laser devices, the researchers say.

"In a light beam, the flow of light through space is similar to water flowing in a river," said lead researcher Mark Dennis of the University of Bristol in England. Even though the light from something like a laser pointer travels in a straight line, it can also flow in whirls and eddies, Dennis explained.

These swirls of light are called optical vortices. Along the vortices the intensity of light reaches zero, or no light.

"The light all around us is filled with these dark lines, even though we can't see them," Dennis said. "Our work actually twists dark filaments within the light beam into knots."

The researchers knew these optical vortices could be created with holograms, which direct the flow of light. By using so-called fibered knot theory, a branch of abstract mathematics inspired by everyday knots, Dennis and his colleagues created customized holograms and reflected a regular laser beam from them.

Each point on the hologram changes the point of the wave's cycle in that part of the light beam. They created a hologram that would change the phase of light so that it flowed around a dark knot.

Their results, detailed online Jan. 17 in the journal Nature Physics, are "firsts" for a couple of reasons. While so-called knot theorists have studied mathematical equations similar to dark knots, the new research created these knots with math functions that followed rules of propagating light. In addition, unlike other dark knots created that have been tangled up with other knots, Dennis and his colleagues produced isolated dark knots within the light beam, he said.

"For me, it shows how physicists can adapt existing pure mathematics, such as knot theory, and find it manifest in physical phenomena," Dennis said. "It also shows how finely we can control the flow and propagation of laser light using holograms. This degree of control is likely to find applications in future laser devices."

Read the entire article at the link above.

The seven knotty witch's ladders I've created recently, from Manifestation to Earth Light:

Earth Light Witch's Ladder - created 1/17
Earth Goddess Witch's Ladder - created 1/17
Sea Faery Witch's Ladder - created 1/16
Witching Hour Witch's Ladder - created 1/15
Dragon Faery Witch's Altar Ladder - created 1/9 - SOLD
Mysteries of the Flame Witch's Ladder - created 1/6 - SOLD
Manifestation Witch's Ladder - created 1/6

Living Magically, The Science Of Everyday Matters

ה' בכסלו תש"ע
Shamash 6

In follow-up to all of today's entries (Chomah, A Vision of The Temple in the Night, Working Magic and Communion), and in contemplation of the importance of blogging - about dreams and other everyday matters - I observe that Carl Sagan speaks to us about the science of living magically through an observation on the life of Eratosthenes:

One day while reading a papyrus book in the library, he came upon a curious account. Far to the south, he read, at the frontier outpost of Syene, something notable could be seen on the longest day of the year.

On June twenty-first, the shadows of a temple column or a vertical stick would grow shorter as noon approached. And, as the hours crept towards midday, the sun's rays would slither down the sides of a deep well which on other days would remain in shadow. And then, precisely at noon, columns [and sticks] would cast no shadows and the sun would shine directly down into the water of the well. At that moment, the sun was exactly overhead.

It was an observation that someone else might easily have ignored - on sticks, shadows, reflections in wells, the position of the sun - simple everyday matters - of what possible importance might they be? But Eratosthenes was a scientist, and his contemplation of these homely matters changed the world - in a way, made the world - because Eratosthenes had the presence of mind to experiment, to ask whether, back here near Alexandria, a stick cast a shadow near noon on June the twenty-first. And it turns out, sticks do.

Simple everyday matters - a scientist has the presence of mind to ask, "of what possible importance might they be?"

Live magically, and ask with the wonder of a scientist, of what possible importance might the everyday observations of your life be.

Pagan Priestess

כ"א ברמחשון תש"ע
Phasma Priscus 22

In follow-up to Mystery of the White Bull and The Constant of Kinna Ha-Katuv, I note that I faced the tornadic waves of ocean water. The man I also faced opened his eyes while standing in the pouring rain. Interestingly, these two facts of trivia also connect to the mysteries of Lost and to my Torah commentary for last week, The Demon Dance.

The four-toed statue under which Jacob finds protection through time is the Mistress of the Innundation (particularly that at Khenu כנו), the horizon (the future), magic and mystical mountains, Taweret. Guardian of the north, fierce Taweret is an awesome protectress, both in the world and out of it simultaneously. Even standing on one foot.

in velt ouis velt

The Constant Of Kinna Ha-Katuv

כ"א ברמחשון תש"ע
Phasma Priscus 22

In follow-up to The Mystery of Urcanaan and Mystery of the White Bull, some notes to the mysteries of time travel and the masorah:

Last evening watching Lost, I was introduced to The Constant. The constant functions as an anchor for time-travelling consciousness and prevents the progressive physical side effects (leading to death) of time travel.

Interestingly, the episode of The Constant "follows (time-traveller) Desmond's 1996 consciousness in one continuous narrative between the two years." The year 1996 is the year I "returned to Torah."

Also interestingly, in the episode, the time traveller's eyes are examined (just as eyes are relevant in Mystery of the White Bull). The freighter in the episode on which the eyes are examined is named Kahana. Not unimportantly, yesterday I also added to my Twitter a person referencing Meir Kahane and a JIDL twitter site - both had added my Twitter site to their own. "JDL" is known from my past to have alot of "Kahanist" members, at least it used to.

In my entry The Mystery of Urcanaan (סתר ורכנען), I made a scribal change to the Torah text, transforming a curse into a blessing. Such scribal emendations are known, not only as tikkunei sofrim (corrections to the text), they are also known in the halakhic midrashim as kinna ha-katuv (כנה הכתוב), the constant original text.

The words Urcanaan and kinna are derived from a common sha'ar (two-letter gate of nun), that is - the letters kaf (כ, power to actualize potential) and nun (נ, Divine Feminine), where the letter hei (ה, actualization through thought, communication and action) of kinna (כנה) becomes the Hebrew letters ayin (eye, ע) and nun (fish, נ) to make the central word of Urcanaan (ורכנען), namely Canaan (כנען), the ancient pagan people.

Wyrd Pi

ח' ברמחשון תש"ע
Phasma Priscus 9

In follow-up to my previous post, The Wyrd Numbers of Urcanaan, while researching the Lost numbers (4 8 15 16 23 42) I found this little tidbit:

Not found in the first 1,000,000,000 digits of pi. Interestingly, 4815162343 can be found at the 176,025,488th position of pi, and 4815162341 begins at the 734,468,718th position.

An interesting little piece of connected trivia (or not) ... a day or two before starting to watch the first episode of Lost, I dreamt a dream with an apple pie in it.

The psychic connections I seem to have to this series, to me at least, are interesting.

The Wyrd Numbers Of Urcanaan

ז' ברמחשון תש"ע
Phasma Priscus 8

Yesterday, early shabbat afternoon, I wrote my Torah commentary on parashat Noach, The Mystery of Urcanaan. Immediately following that, I wrote Samhain Mitzvah Runes, designating runes for this mystery through which the darkness of a curse is transformed into the light of illumination. Bear with me for the rest of the story.

Just last weekend, my brother and his wife turned me on to a television series I had never seen before called Lost. Last weekend and this past week, I started watching episodes of the past five seasons to learn the story and prepare for transmission of the final and sixth season beginning May 2010. After the first episode, I was hooked. This series is an amazing mystical mythology. I love it. The mystical connections in it are real.

Thursday night, I dreamt of an ancient ever-changing mystical mechanical structure hidden in the ground from which I emerged through a normally impenetrable door in the ground penetrable through a secret code only known by a few. The next day, I didn't make the connection of this dream to the hatch found in Lost, but after Shabbat's precognizant blog postings and the episodes I watched Saturday evening right after making the postings, I saw the connection.

Motzei shabbat I watched the episode called Numbers - the numbers (4 8 15 16 23 42) in the episode are believed to be cursed, just like Canaan was believed to be cursed (in the Torah portion of my commentary) until I transformed that 'irrevocable' curse into a manifest blessing through the stones of transformation (וַיֹּאמֶר, אָר וּרכְּנָעַן) in my first precognizant blog post, The Mystery of Urcanaan. The 'cursed numbers' are revealed in Numbers to be written on the side of the mechanical structure hidden in the ground (like in my dream Thursday night), excavated by a few of the lost survivors.

Motzei shabbat, after watching the episode Numbers, I watched the episode Deus Ex Machina. This episode ended with "Locke disappearing into the jungle to return to the hatch. Pounding on the door and screaming in anguish atop the hatch, Locke laments what has happened. Suddenly the hatch window is illuminated, sending a shaft of light into the sky," - just like the uruz rune was illuminated, sending a shaft of light into the world in my second precognizant blog post, Samhain Mitzvah Runes!

Totally wyrd. The dream of the hidden mechanical structure and the blog postings occurred before I watched Numbers and Deus Ex Machina.

I emerged from 'the hatch' in my dream. I haven't yet seen the Lost episode where the hatch is opened, but in researching it, I see that through the hatch is found The Swan. In Celtic tradition, swans possess the healing powers of the sun and water. Swan also represents radiant divinity and feminine royalty.

The Alphabet Murders

י'ח באלול תשס״ט
Belz 19

Sometimes it isn't so pleasant what the Universe wants to communicate to and through you. My interest in magical alphabets and my 'double-initial' name tie me to this chilling synchronicity.

I just got through watching a movie a family member ordered through Netflix today called The Alphabet Murders. The movie is loosely based upon a true case of 'double-initial' murders called the alphabet murders which occurred in Rochester, NY in the 1970's. This family member does not read my blogs nor follow my magical interests at all.

My current legal name is a 'double-initial' name, as is one of my magical names, Liorah Lleucu. I will draw a rune before bed tonight, and see if the Universe communicates any insight to me on this set of as yet still unsolved alphabet murders.

For whatever this synchronicity is worth, I will post any dream which comes from it tomorrow evening in memory of and in responsibility to the murdered girls. Perhaps the murders will not be solved by any amazing insight I may be shown - the dream may not even seem to be directly related to the murders - nevertheless, who knows, the energetic connection brought together through the metaphysical synchronicity I now have with the alphabet murders may bring forth the channel necessary to manifest karmic justice in the Universe.

The Universe does not bring about a synchronicity without purpose, of this I am certain.

Ghost Spooks London Rabbi

ו' ניסן תשס"ט
Raven 6

London rabbi spooked by ghost
Kobi Nahshoni
Published: 03.30.09, 11:43 / Israel Jewish Scene

The Rabbinical Centre of Europe tackles complicated halachic questions sent by the rabbis of the continent on a daily basis. But nothing prepared the RCE for a recent query by a London rabbi, who sought the center's help in getting rid of a ghost he said was dwelling in his new residence.

The RCE's Response department in Israel, which provides halachic answers to the questions of European rabbis, was approached by Rabbi Levy Yitzhak Raskin of London on behalf of a fellow rabbi who asked not to be identified.

According to Raskin, when the distraught rabbi turned to his congregation for help, "they confirmed that these strange events have occurred in the past, and estimated that the noises were caused by the ghost of a rabbi… who was the synagogue's first rabbi and passed away 40 years ago, and is now seeking tikkun for his spirit."

Read entire article at link above.

HT to Jameel at The Muqata

Three Oakland Police Officers Murdered

כ"ו אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 27

Three Oakland police officers were murdered today in California. Foxnews reports:

OAKLAND, Calif. — Three Oakland police officers and a suspect are dead, and another officer is in grave condition, after two related shootings on Saturday, the first after a traffic stop and the second after a massive manhunt ended in gunfire, police said.

The slain officers were identified as Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, who was killed at the first shooting. The two members of the SWAT team who were killed at the second location were Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35. Officer John Hege, 41, is in grave condition.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was a tragic day for police officers. "All four officers dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland," he said in a statement.

The mood was somber outside the police station in Oakland, and flags were flying at half mast. Officers hugged and consoled each other.

"This is probably one of the worst incidents that has ever taken place in this history of the Oakland police department," Thomason said.

Read full story at link above.

Baruch dayan emet.

"Harm an oak tree and all the oak trees in all the world know about it. The big problem, the way I see it, is that humankind doesn't want to recognize, appreciate and honor the consciousness of other kinds of life forms, including plants."

A Heavy Downpour Ran Through It

י'ג אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 14

An(other) interesting synchronicity of my dreams with 'future' reality - within the context of a dream I dreamt last night - an extremely heavy downpour of rain ran through it, in the area surrounding my house and a neighbor woman's house. In the dream, I felt secure that my house would withstand the high waters. Well constructed and sturdy, it did.

This afternoon, between times of bright blue sunny skies, an extremely heavy downpour of rain ran briefly through the area.

Happy Pour-em! LOL.

Psychic Circle Of Connection

י"ד שבט תשס"ט
Imbolgen 14

In follow-up to two previous posts (Path To The Old Ones and The Final Test & The Blood Of The Ancestors), today The Wildhunt Blog and Thursday the Western Daily Press reported on "tensions at the Stone Circles":

The residents of Avebury, Britain's only village set inside a Neolithic stone circle, have reluctantly voted to back allowing pagans to camp there for their festivals - because they fear banning them would lead to "significant problems".

But people in Avebury told heritage bosses they must continue to try to solve the conflicts between them and pagan worshippers who descend on their community for equinoxes and solstices.

Residents were given three options by the trust. The first was to ban overnight camping in the large village car park, the second was to create a new campsite east of West Kennet Avenue, away from the homes, and the third was to continue to allow limited camping in the overflow car park.

The trust said results showed villagers wanted a temporary campsite. "It was felt the option of doing nothing could create significant problems," said Mr Green.

My first post concerns 'psychic pressure' (tensions) of this past week in connection to Stone Circles; the second post concerns a 'real' Greenman (Mr. Green of Avebury henge and stone circle).

Flight 1549 - The Hometown Connection

כ"ט טבת תשס"ט
Grael 30

As well as through my dream and other connections to flight 1549, the pilot of flight 1549 (Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger) and I are connected through the synchronicity of our hometowns - towns named Danville. While my Danville is located in the midwest, the pilot and his family's Danville is located on the east coast.

'Miracle Landing' Pilot Gets Hero's Welcome in California Hometown
Saturday January 24, 2009

DANVILLE, Calif. — Thousands of people holding signs and waving American flags cheered wildly Saturday to honor the pilot who safely landed a US Airways jetliner in the Hudson River. He told them he and his crew were only doing their jobs.

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was given a hero's homecoming, complete with a marching band, in Danville, the San Francisco suburb where he and his family live.

Levite Oddity At 3000 Feet

כ"ח טבת תשס"ט
Grael 29

Something is different about the Levites. Something is also different about Flight 1549.

In follow-up to my previous two entries, House Of Levi, Beit HaBechirah and Bringing Benevolence Into The Physical World, Rabbi Zvi Grumet writes regarding the tribe of Levi:

A careful reading of the first Parsha of Sefer Bemidbar Sinai points to a bizarre, startling and disturbing conclusion -Shevet Levei is not included in Bnai Yisrael. Let us take a look. In the beginning of the Perek, Hashem tells to count Kol Adat Bnei Yisrael - "the entire congregation of Bnai Yisrael" (emphasis added), and appoints one leader from each tribe to assist Moshe in the task. Yet a careful look reveals that Levi is conspicuously absent from those twelve tribes. Lest someone think that we are jumping to conclusions, the summary at the end of the counting seems to confirm the observation. In Pasuk 45 we are given the total count, and that is introduced with the phrase Vayahi Kol Pekudei Bnei Yisrael... - "And the count of the entire Bnai Yisrael was..." (emphasis added). When describing the total of Bnai Yisrael somehow Levi doesn't count.

Again, some of you may be thinking that I am reading too much into too little. Let us continue toward the conclusion of the Perek. In Pasuk 49 Hashem explicitly instructs Moshe that Levi is not to be counted with the rest of Bnai Yisrael. And later, in Pasuk 52, the Torah describes where Bnai Yisrael, as opposed to Shevet Levi are to camp - since Shevet Levi is to camp surrounding the Mishkan lest anything happen to Bnai Yisrael. The deliberate language in the Torah distinguishes between the Levi'im and Bnai Yisrael and sends a clear message - Levi is not included in the discussion of Bnai Yisrael.

Truth be told, we probably suspected that something was different about them.

On the one hand they seem to be apart from Bnai Yisrael, while on the other they are very much a part of them. The ambiguity surrounding the Levi'im heightens our awareness of them and the conspicuousness of their absence. Let us take a peek, to shed just a bit of light on their unusual station.

A pivotal part of the legacy of the Levi'im revolves around their involvement after Chet Ha'agel as they followed Moshe's instructions and slew somewhere in the range of 3,000 Jews steeped in idolatrous worship.

In the range of 3000 feet, Flight 1549 was struck down, but as oddly as are the Levites, there is no body count. Understand.

Bird Strike Statistics

כ"ב טבת תשס"ט
Grael 23

In follow-up to The Bird Who Feared, Everyone Survives Flock Of Birds and She Who Strikes Fear, Foxnews today reports some statistics on bird strikes (in general and as they pertain to the recent crash of US Airways Flight 1549):

He [Archie Dickey, an associate professor of aviation environmental science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's campus in Prescott, Ariz.] said [bird] hits hard enough to cause a total failure are rare, only happening two or three times a year worldwide.

"That's extremely rare," Dickey said. "The chance of it hitting both engines, I'd guess it is less than 1 percent."

Most bird strikes happen within five miles of an airport, lower than 1,000 feet, as planes are taking off or landing. Aircraft hit thousands of birds every year, but they usually bounce off harmlessly.

The US Airways flight hit the birds at 3,000 feet, the NTSB says. That caused a total engine failure, and the plane hit the river 3 1/2 minutes later.

Not only did everyone miraculously survive Flight 1549, there were no serious injuries as well.

Everyone Survives Flock Of Birds

כ' טבת תשס"ט
Grael 21

In follow-up to Protected By Judgment, I received my pair of genuine blood-red coral and solid 14k gold earrings in the mail today. They are truly lovely and a worthy investment!

Also today, in follow-up to my dream The Bird Who Feared, Foxnews reports that a plane crashed this afternoon when a flock of birds struck its engines. All passengers and crew on board survived.

Miraculous Landing, All Survive Double Bird Strike
Thursday January 15, 2009

NEW YORK — A US Airways jet crashed Thursday in the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey after a flock of birds apparently struck its engines — but all 155 people on board are thought to have survived, and the pilot is being hailed as a hero.

Passengers were sent fleeing into the icy, 35-degree waters when the Airbus 320 went down near 48th Street in Manhattan shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport.

"We've had a 'Miracle on 34th Street' and now we have a miracle on the Hudson," said New York Gov. David Paterson.

"There were eyewitness reports the plane may have flown into a flock of birds," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said. "Right now we don't have any indication this was anything other than an accident."

National Air Traffic Controllers Union spokesman Doug Church said the pilot reported a "double bird strike" less than a minute after takeoff. The pilot then said he spotted an airport below, in New Jersey. He first intended to make an emergency landing there but instead took the plane down in the river.

Protected by judgment, all survived - while the double bird strike proved fatal to the plane, for all passengers and crew on board the plane, it wasn't.