[illustration appears to be by a Jim Tierney] When it comes to Dionysus, there are various elements which are … challenging to make sense of. This is as it should be. One of these concerns the likely etymology - and therefore meaning - of one of His most prominent theonymics: Bacchus (or Bakkhos, Βάκχος, etc.). Usually … Continue reading On The Etymology Of Bacchus – The Roarer
Brihaspati
KalaRatri for Chaitra Navratri – The Black Night of Unveiling, The Night of Death
The Seventh Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Kalaratri - The Night of Death, the Blackest Night, the Darkness at the End of Time Herself ! And yet, as has become something of our theme whenever we discuss the Devi - we are vehement in pointing out that this is only one side to Her, … Continue reading KalaRatri for Chaitra Navratri – The Black Night of Unveiling, The Night of Death
RudraGanika – A Study In Eternal Return As Manifested Through The Sky Father’s Female Retinue Across The Indo-European World
[Author's Note: This work brings together several (my)themes close and dear to my heart. It had been intended to be published upon MahaShivRatri - the 1st of March in 2022 - however, Time waits for no man (other than Her Husband); and my continuing to find further elements which cried out to be included resulted … Continue reading RudraGanika – A Study In Eternal Return As Manifested Through The Sky Father’s Female Retinue Across The Indo-European World
The Art Of Weaponized Myth
An incredible rendition from H.C. for Arya Akasha. Now, to explain what is going on in the scene: I had told him of one of my favourite Vedic myths - and its tangible, practical applications via the principle of Eliadian Eternal Return. That is to say - how the myth is weaponized in order to … Continue reading The Art Of Weaponized Myth
On Indo-European ‘Glory Imperishable’ And Becoming The Myth
The brightest stars do tend to burn up upon re-entry. But oh how they shine on the way out ! ἀριστεία - Aristea - refers to 'Excellence',κλέος - Kleos - to 'Renown', 'Glory'. The result of said Excellence. Grand exemplars are to be found - of course - within the Iliad. We are literally still … Continue reading On Indo-European ‘Glory Imperishable’ And Becoming The Myth
Brihaspati – The Lord of the Songs of Prayer
Today is Thursday - Jupiter's Day, the Day of Brihaspati. So therefore … some rather modern art of Brihaspati - also known as 'Guru', and yes in astrological terms linked to the Planet Jupiter. Now in Vedic terms, Brihaspati is an interesting figure. The name, effectively, means the 'Lord of the Songs of Prayer'. However … Continue reading Brihaspati – The Lord of the Songs of Prayer
Good Yule, God Jól, and the God of Jöl
God Jól … and, the God - Jölnir / Jölföðr Now, this is something of a tautology - as in fact, we find Jóln utilized as a term to mean "Gods", itself. Indeed, presuming that one speculative Proto-Indo-European etymology for Jóln and Jól is correct - that it derives from a term for 'uttering', putting … Continue reading Good Yule, God Jól, and the God of Jöl
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
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