Immortalizing, Through Pitru Paksha

"'Some people say you achieve immortality through your children,' said the minstrel. ‘Yeah?’ said Cohen. ‘Name one of your great-granddads, then.'" - Terry Pratchett Sunday marked the start of Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors, wherein the borders between worlds are regarded as being thinner and more insubstantial than usual; and the Pitrs … Continue reading Immortalizing, Through Pitru Paksha

GHOST DIVISION – On The BhutaGana of Mahadev & The Einherjar of Odin

GHOST DIVISION - On The BhutaGana of Mahadev & The Einherjar of Odin [Author's Note: This piece was initially intended as an offering for MahaShivRatri, which was this year in early March. A combination of delays in the writing and peer-review process - for which I take full responsibility - meant that it was not … Continue reading GHOST DIVISION – On The BhutaGana of Mahadev & The Einherjar of Odin

Piety – A Relationship With The Gods

There are many approaches to piety, and perspectives upon the proper 'relationship' with God or Gods. It has been said that the 'Abrahamic' faiths tend more towards the notion of 'submission' and wonderment towards an ultimately unknowable transcendental ... indeed, outright "ineffable" supreme. And, to be sure, you do also get not entirely dissimilar perspectives … Continue reading Piety – A Relationship With The Gods

KaalRatri – The Seventh Night of NavRatri; The Seventh of the NavaDurgas

"You often hear it said - "Time is on our side". Well ... This is Time. She is On My Side." The Sixth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as KaalRatri - the Blackest Night, the Night of Death, The Iron Night, The 'Stillness' of Time  - and the 'Destroyer of Darkness', the Annihilator: … Continue reading KaalRatri – The Seventh Night of NavRatri; The Seventh of the NavaDurgas

Pitru Paksha – The Fortnight of the Ancestors

Today marks the commencement of Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors. This is an ancient Hindu custom whose core elements will be immediately familiar to you. Partially due to the existence of somewhat comparable observances in Western European cultures such as the Celts and the Romans (such as the strikingly similar annual 'Parentalia' … Continue reading Pitru Paksha – The Fortnight of the Ancestors