With tonight's Lunar Eclipse, it seemed apt to mention Rahu - one of the two 'dark' Graha ['Influencers', 'Planets'] of Vedic Astrology … and rather directly responsible for Eclipses, as we discussed in our earlier 'Rahu – The Dark Graha And His Veiled Grasp' Here are a few lines from AtharvaVeda XIX 9 that I … Continue reading Rahu – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
Hinduism
Some Brief Points On The Indo-European Empowering Elixir – Nectar, Ambrosia, Amrit, Soma, Kvasir.
Earlier, an Indian associate had lamented what he termed the rather "lazy" translation of Amrit as "Nectar".Now for what it's worth, I somewhat agree with him - because when people see 'nectar' in print, they tend to presume it simply means something to do with the inside of flowers. Except truth be told, 'Nectar' is … Continue reading Some Brief Points On The Indo-European Empowering Elixir – Nectar, Ambrosia, Amrit, Soma, Kvasir.
Shiva, Krishna, Arjuna – And Attaining The Weapon Of One’s Dreams
For some reason, we often seem to encounter ardent Krishna worshippers online who are very keen to denigrate the idea of positively engaging with any other Deities.They have their reasons for pushing that perspective, of course - and if you're really interested in hearing more about them, then you may go ask them yourselves. Yet … Continue reading Shiva, Krishna, Arjuna – And Attaining The Weapon Of One’s Dreams
Panchamrut Preparation – ‘Ancient Aryan Milkshakes’ For Ritual Offering
This evening, we made a basic Panchamrut for the ritual offerings (Naivedya - the 'consumable/edible' Upachara (form of offering)). "Ancient Aryan Milkshakes", indeed. Panchamrut is Pancha ('Five' - like 'Penta') Amrit ('Mrit' like 'Mort', 'A-' here as a negation .. so 'Immortality'); and effectively functions as a ritual substitute for the rather more .. esoteric … Continue reading Panchamrut Preparation – ‘Ancient Aryan Milkshakes’ For Ritual Offering
The Upasads – Sieges, Homage, Spiritual Warfare, And The Necessary Restoration Of Western Indo-European Religious Ritual Reconstruction
Something that is going to be absolutely essential when it comes to reconstructing the 'high religious' rites for western Indo-European spheres - is working out where, in the depths of the mythology, ritual understandings are to be deliberately inferred. Why? Because so much of Indo-European ritual is comprised of what Eliade eloquently termed the 'Eternal … Continue reading The Upasads – Sieges, Homage, Spiritual Warfare, And The Necessary Restoration Of Western Indo-European Religious Ritual Reconstruction
Masik Durgashtami – Victory On The Eighth
Today is Masik Durgashtami - a monthly (Masik) High Holy Day to the Goddess Durga, celebrated on the 8th (Ashtami). The observance itself entails a fast during the day (with such self-imposed conditions upon one's behavior known as a 'Vrat' - a 'Vow', and from the same PIE etymological root as modern English 'Word' (as … Continue reading Masik Durgashtami – Victory On The Eighth
Rahu – The Dark Graha And His Veiled Grasp
We begin to speak of a figure often veiled, an astrological potent who is, by definition, 'obscure' - and that, in the archaic Latin sense. The Graha - Rahu. Now before getting any further, it is necessary to provide a very brief overview of some relevant Hindu astrological understandings. The piece will unlikely make much … Continue reading Rahu – The Dark Graha And His Veiled Grasp
Astra – The Star Weapon Of Orion, Ardra, Rudra
Orion is remarkable. Whether the constellation, the Metallica instrumental, or the mythological figure(s) - there is something impressively resonant and incredibly enduring behind the name and figure. I'm currently working upon a 'Forensic Theology' effort to look at the actual underlying archaic Indo-European myth and the figures involved (particularly the Death aspect - and just what, … Continue reading Astra – The Star Weapon Of Orion, Ardra, Rudra
The Sieger Of Forts And The Slayer Of Dragons – Several Athena Hailings & Durga Comparatively Considered
Two of the most prominent Goddess facings for the Indo-European world would have to be Durga and Pallas Athena. I have written extensively elsewhere as to various vital coterminities between Their respective theologies - however something occurred to me recently that has as-yet lain unaddressed. A similarity of these theonyms - 'Durga', and 'Pallas'. For … Continue reading The Sieger Of Forts And The Slayer Of Dragons – Several Athena Hailings & Durga Comparatively Considered
Ganesha, Peacocks, & Shivling – Glorious Modern Hindu Art
Lord Ganesha , Lord of Obstacles ( Vinayaka ) and Remover of Obstacles ( Vighnahara ) , depicted in front of a ShivLing (an aniconic - other than the crescent Moon sliver - representation of His Father) , and peacocks - a bird with which He has association.Art by Lisha N Tॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं … Continue reading Ganesha, Peacocks, & Shivling – Glorious Modern Hindu Art