It is Friday - Devi's Day ! And so Therefore - this incredible shot of a Havan underway at the Hinglaj Mata Shakti Peetha … rendered, in its way, all the more incredible when we consider that this is, in fact, taking place in the midst of Pakistan. And, further, that the site itself is … Continue reading A Havan For Hinglaj Mata – Jai Mata Di !
Jai Mata DI !
The Crows Of Kali
For Kali Jayanti - a Crow. Now, of course, I am indulging myself here by presenting a Crow as Devotee to Her … yet there is actually a comparatively little-known suite of resonant conceptry for the Corvid in relation to Kali. She is, after all, Kakamukhi - The Crow-Faced One. This is as we should … Continue reading The Crows Of Kali
Three Nights’ Forbearance For The Ides of Hekate
Right, so due to an oversight on my part … we have missed the Hecatean Ides observance of mid-August. We shall endeavour to make up for this with some ground-breaking theology in the directions of Hekate (and Artemis / Diana … and a most pertinent further Indo-European Devinity) very shortly, in a subsequent (A)Arti-cle for … Continue reading Three Nights’ Forbearance For The Ides of Hekate
“Our Mother, Who Reigns Supreme – A Western Reflection of Indian Independence Observance
Where do you come from, Indo-European Man? The Steppe or the Indus Valley? This is a question that has some serious resonancy both in the West and in India, for reasons that are somewhat similar and somewhat different. The answers to that question also differ, driven more or less by the similar reasons. Now, I … Continue reading “Our Mother, Who Reigns Supreme – A Western Reflection of Indian Independence Observance
On The True Meaning Of Kali Standing Above Shiva – The ‘Dark’ Devi Uber Alles
This style of Kali depiction is probably one of the most familiar forms of Hindu deific representation to many of us here in the West. It's remarkably prevalent - and along with it comes a curiously insistent similarly 'pop-culture' perspective as to what's represented there within. To paraphrase the sort of thing I'm referring to … Continue reading On The True Meaning Of Kali Standing Above Shiva – The ‘Dark’ Devi Uber Alles
Kali is Hindu, and Glorious – Opposition To Her In Depiction And Practice, Not So Much
Earlier this week I was reading through some academic articles of a few decades ago speaking about particular forms of Devi - and Tantrik ritual elements. Now, here's the thing … these articles, one in particular, were rather … heavily negative. Saying the most choler-raising things about how these spheres were barbaric and savage, and … Continue reading Kali is Hindu, and Glorious – Opposition To Her In Depiction And Practice, Not So Much
Dynamism & Control – The Perfect Poise Of A Nepali Durga Sculpture As Mahishasura Mardini
This is just absolutely exquisite. 14th century Nepali depiction of Devi Durga as Mahishasura Mardini ['Slayer of the Buffalo[-headed] Demon'], in copper. There's a real glorious sense of motion to the sculpture, and you can just imagine how radiant this would have looked in the original bright (dare we suggest almost 'saffron') hues of the … Continue reading Dynamism & Control – The Perfect Poise Of A Nepali Durga Sculpture As Mahishasura Mardini
Upon The Erinyes As ‘Sentinel Serpents’ – And Athena As ‘Dragon Queen’
With Naga Panchami - the Celebration of Serpents - just concluded, it seemed an admirable time to return to something we have oft mentioned in passing in the past. That being the most implacable figures of the Erinyes … and the perhaps lesser-known deific that is at Their Head. And, because this is an Arya … Continue reading Upon The Erinyes As ‘Sentinel Serpents’ – And Athena As ‘Dragon Queen’
In Search Of Scythian Ares – Part Two : The Swords Of The Sky Father
As we'd noted towards the outset of Part One, the Scythian religion is endlessly, fascinatingly frustrating. We know so little - and yet we can seemingly 'piece together' a few elements from the scant textual (and usually virtually third hand) viewpoints of their faith that have come down to us from Antiquity. One figure in … Continue reading In Search Of Scythian Ares – Part Two : The Swords Of The Sky Father
A God-Fearing People – Against The Pretension That One Ought Not Perhaps Fear An Indo-European God
We had recently seen a claim from a prominent American witch that seemed to suggest it was improper to have "fear" of Gods. As they put it: "Not really something considered to be a healthy trait in a relationship - divine or otherwise." We could say quite a bit about this, but let's just stick … Continue reading A God-Fearing People – Against The Pretension That One Ought Not Perhaps Fear An Indo-European God
arya-akasha 