[Zerbie]

Yes, it is an interesting topic.

Curiosity arose earlier this summer when we were in Germany and all the stores closed in observation of Pentecost. It surprised me that my husband asked "What's Pentecost?" Usually it's me asking and he who explains things like this. But somewhere I had heard what Pentecost was so I explained it to him.

That's when I began wondering whether there is a continuing tradition of a descent of fire or birds, of sudden radical transformations of individuals, or of non-ordinary phenomena, that remains within modern Christianity. Is this a subject that gets talked about?

In particular, I am interested in the reasons behind the symbology as fire, as doves, and in the property of movement associated with this 'spirit.' What have been the visceral experiences behind assigning it the property of fire, or the body of a dove? Was it hot? Did it move in flickering or wing-like motions? Was there in fact a visceral element to the experience of the original Pentecost receivers and of later Christian mystics and saints? What properties has this spirit that it is called fire? What properties has it when it is called dove? In what ways does it move or produce movement in living beings?

Where can I find these questions discussed?