By this point we are all (hopefully!) well-acquainted with Zeus' overseeing of Xenia ('Sacred Hospitality'). It is a pervasive Indo-European understanding - with the Sky Father in disguise testing our upholding as to same. [Illustrated here via this lovely pokerwork of Odin in the Grimnismal, I believe by Jesseca Trainham] "Atithidevo Bhava" 'The Guest is … Continue reading ‘Zeus’ Law’ of Xenia Among The Indo-Europeans
Hinduism
Zeus as Archer – An Attestation
I was interested to happen across mention within Aeschylus' 'Agamemnon', for Zeus as an Archer; and, indeed, with this phrasing deployed in the context of His acting as an avenger against transgressions upon that which is holy. The Sky Father is prevalently a Spear-armed figure; however one also finds attestations across various Indo-European spheres for … Continue reading Zeus as Archer – An Attestation
On The New York Times On Shivaji
I had been asked to comment upon this New York Times piece (which, oddly enough, had also turned up in my local newspaper here in New Zealand). Predictably, I had a somewhat … critical line. I don't get how Shivaji is supposed to be a "new" hero ? For a start, there's the blatantly obvious … Continue reading On The New York Times On Shivaji
Metaphysically Potent Medication, Anglo-Saxon & Atharvanic
I saw this, and my immediate thought was, of course, that renowned prescription featuring the greatest of physicians - the Anglo-Saxon ‘Nigon Wyrta Galdor’ ('Nine Herbs Incantation'), and Woden (Odin), respectively (a portion as to which follows). “ðas VIIII magon / wið nygon attrum. 30Wyrm com snican, / toslat he man; 31ða genam Woden / … Continue reading Metaphysically Potent Medication, Anglo-Saxon & Atharvanic
A “Praygan” Rather Than A Pagan, Apparently …?
Noticed a few comments of this nature on one of my articles from earlier this year. [n.b. - wrote this piece circa December 2019, with some slight more recent editing] Now, I … really don't understand the sort of person whose basic approach to mythology and religion is "Hmmm, I like the aesthetics, but how … Continue reading A “Praygan” Rather Than A Pagan, Apparently …?
The Crows of Juno
Latin materials speak of 'Divine Crows' [Corniscae Divae - Allen has this as "Crow-Goddesses", even] which are of Juno; Festus' Epitome [56L] relates: "Corniscarum Divarum locus erat trans Tiberim cornicibus dicatus, quod in Junonis tutela esse putabatur", with this being often cited in accompaniment of an engimatic inscriptional "DEVAS CoRNISCAS SACRVM". This, whilst lesser-known today, … Continue reading The Crows of Juno
A Roman Correlate To Śārada Navarātri ? The October Natalis Of Juno Curritis In Comparative Constellation
It would appear I may have been 'on the money' with my contemplation viz. Roman Juno Quiritis / Curritis ('Spear-Juno')* in as potential Roman correlate for Durgā as applies our recent Navarātrī observance ! Per the Roman religious calendar - the 5th of October was one of the 'Mundus Patet' events, wherein an entry to … Continue reading A Roman Correlate To Śārada Navarātri ? The October Natalis Of Juno Curritis In Comparative Constellation
Durgā Interpretatio For The Present Devotional Season
If I were going to craft a (Greco-)Roman Durgā 'resonance' representation for one of these Durgā Puja Pandals which are the custom in West Bengal (there is a rather fine Athena resonant effort I have posted previously) - I would have drawn upon Juno Sospita & Quiritis (Curitis). This is Juno the Warrior, the epithets being 'The … Continue reading Durgā Interpretatio For The Present Devotional Season
Prometheus & Ithax, Saboteur of Sacrifice – Part One: The Emissary of the Anti-Divine
As applies Prometheus - everybody knows the main 'pop-culture' narrative. But what if there was an additional reason that Prometheus deserved the outcome - and for Prometheus to have wanted to interfere with setting down the formulaic metaphysics of sacrifice to begin with… Now, here is the key detail - a fragment transmitted via Hesychius … Continue reading Prometheus & Ithax, Saboteur of Sacrifice – Part One: The Emissary of the Anti-Divine
TRI-LOKA : The Three Worlds Of Indo-European Cosmology – Part Four: Amidst The Glorious & Ancestral Dead
Now as something of a 'check and confirm' upon all of this (Parts III, II, & I), it should prove useful to return towards the Nordic cosmological schema. Wherein, as applies the destination(s) of the Glorious and Ancestral Dead - we once again observe what should decidedly seem to be 'Uppland' situations: Valhalla should certainly … Continue reading TRI-LOKA : The Three Worlds Of Indo-European Cosmology – Part Four: Amidst The Glorious & Ancestral Dead