The Curse of the Black Pearl is a popular and widely known legend that has captured the imaginations of many people around the world. The curse is said to originate from a cursed treasure found by a group of pirates led by Captain Hector Barbossa. According to the legend, the treasure was cursed because it belonged to a group of Aztec warriors who had stolen it from the gods themselves. As a result, the pirates who found the treasure became cursed, transforming into undead skeletons under the moonlight. The curse could only be lifted if the cursed Aztec gold was returned to its rightful place and the blood of every pirate who had taken a piece of the treasure was shed. The curse plays a significant role in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl".
A “spirit mirror” believed to have been used by Queen Elizabeth I’s famed political advisor John Dee was crafted in Aztec Mexico around 500 years ago, reinforcing the idea that the mirror was used by the Elizabethan occultist in his attempts to communicate with angels.
A black mirror used by Queen Elizabeth I advisor John Dee to speak with angels was originally a prophetic Mesoamerican artifact, new research reveals. Resolute in his grief, his tears gave sustenance to Mayahuel, and the spire transformed into a Maguey so beautiful it overwhelmed the Aztecs when they saw it.
The curse plays a significant role in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl". The story follows the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, as he tries to retrieve his stolen ship, the Black Pearl, and rescue the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley, who has been kidnapped by the cursed pirates. Throughout the movie, the curse adds an element of suspense and danger to the story.
'Magic' mirror in Elizabethan court has mystical Aztec origin
A black mirror used by Queen Elizabeth I advisor John Dee to 'speak' with angels was originally a prophetic Mesoamerican artifact, new research reveals.
By Tom Metcalfe Published October 6, 2021 • 5 min read Share Tweet EmailA “spirit mirror” believed to have been used by Queen Elizabeth I’s famed political advisor John Dee was crafted in Aztec Mexico around 500 years ago, reinforcing the idea that the mirror was used by the Elizabethan occultist in his attempts to communicate with angels.
Dee was an advisor in the court of the 16th-century queen, as well as an accomplished alchemist, astrologer, cartographer and mathematician. It’s thought he may have been the model for Prospero, the magician in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
A portrait of John Dee (1527-1608). “Dee initially straddled the fine line between natural ‘magic’, which was considered a science, and demonic magic, which was considered a perversion of religion – but the one into which he eventually crossed,” the researchers write.
Courtesy Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Tales abound of Dee’s occult exploits, including his practice of skrying, or conjuring angels and spirits through clairvoyant tools such as crystals and mirrors. This particular “spirit mirror,” attested in the 1650s as part of John Dee’s skyring collection, was eventually purchased in the 1700s by the writer Horace Walpole, who believed it belonged to the English Renaissance polymath and was used by him in magical rituals.
The British Museum purchased the mirror in the late 1800s; it is currently on display in museum’s Enlightenment Gallery.
Researchers used a portable x-ray fluorescence scanner to examine John Dee’s mirror, as well as three other obsidian objects—two almost-identical circular mirrors and a polished rectangular slab—acquired by the British Museum from collectors in Mexico in the 1800s. The research was first published in published in the journal Antiquity in 2021.
Because chemical elements glow differently under x-rays, the scanner was able to determine a geochemical “fingerprint” for each obsidian object based on the proportions of titanium, iron, strontium, and other substances each contained. The results show the obsidian in John Dee’s mirror and one of the other mirrors could only have come from the Pachuca region of central Mexico. The other mirror and the obsidian slab, likely a portable altar, came from the Ucareo region, about 150 miles farther west.
Aztec codices, like the 16th-century Codex Tepetlaoztoc shown here, depict obsidian mirrors. Ancient Mesoamericans believed such mirrors could serve as portals to spiritual worlds.
Courtesy The Trustees of the British Museum Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Both regions were ruled by the Aztecs, who had a tradition of making obsidian mirrors for magical purposes, says archaeologist Stuart Campbell of the University of Manchester, the lead author of the Antiquity study. Circular obsidian mirrors are depicted in Aztec codices written soon after the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century, and in depictions of the deity Tezcatlipoca (“Smoking Mirror”) who had powers of divination. The Aztecs believed the mirrors could show smoke, which would then clear to reveal a distant time or place.
Ancient Mesoamericans believed mirrors were spirit doorways to alternate worlds, “much like Alice in Through the Looking Glass,” anthropologist Karl Taube of the University of California Riverside writes in an email. “Once you deeply gaze in, you have opened up that connection.” Taube has studied Aztec mirrors but was not involved in the new research.
The finding that the British Museum “spirit mirror” is of Aztec origin reinforces the theory that Dee used it as a skryer to conjure angels and spirits, Campbell says. It’s likely that Dee, who was very interested in the exploration of the New World, knew about the mirror’s reputed magical properties when he acquired it, probably during his travels around Europe in the late 1500s. Records show that several Aztec mirrors were shipped from Mexico to Europe soon after Hernán Cortés and his troops took the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521. And like the Aztec, Europeans of the period also believed in the magical powers of mirrors, a belief that may have led Dee to try to communicate with angels through the spirit mirror.
Dee’s reputation as an Elizabethan proto-scientist remains strong in the United Kingdom (he’s the subject of an opera composed by Blur frontman Damon Albarn, for example). And his presence persists in a variety of historical accounts from the time.
“You can be reading something where you don’t expect to see him, and John Dee’s name suddenly pops up,” Campbell says. “He was involved in so many areas, and in the early stages of so many different approaches to the natural world.”
The cursed pirates, led by Barbossa, are relentless in their pursuit of the treasure and will stop at nothing to maintain their immortality. The curse also adds an interesting twist to the character of Captain Jack Sparrow, as he is not affected by the curse and is willing to do whatever it takes to outsmart his cursed adversaries. The Curse of the Black Pearl is a captivating concept that taps into the fascination with pirates and the supernatural. It combines adventure, mythology, and elements of horror to create a tale that has captured the hearts of many fans. The curse serves as a driving force in the movie, propelling the plot forward and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Overall, the Curse of the Black Pearl is a captivating legend that has become a cornerstone of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. It adds an intriguing and mysterious element to the story, making it a favorite among fans of the series..
Reviews for "The Black's Reign of Terror: Infamous People Affected"
1. Karen - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Curse of the Black". The plot was predictable and lacking any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and the acting was subpar. The special effects were unimpressive and felt outdated. I felt like I wasted my time watching this film as it did not offer any suspense or excitement. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging experience.
2. Mike - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Curse of the Black" after hearing positive reviews, but unfortunately, I was let down. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, with plot holes that were never addressed. The pacing of the movie was uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged. The CGI effects were poorly executed and took away from the overall experience. I found myself bored, waiting for something interesting to happen. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this film as it failed to deliver on its promises.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars
"Curse of the Black" had potential, but it fell short for me. The script was weak and cliché, with dialogue that felt forced and unnatural. The cinematography was lackluster, and the lighting was often too dark to see what was happening on screen. The characterization was shallow and uninteresting, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. While there were a few suspenseful moments, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the film. I wouldn't consider this a must-watch movie.