It fascinates me how our various Indo-European religions 'interlock'. Both in terms of the way that the same (or highly similar) elements co-occur in recognizable format across various of these, even separated by millennia or many thousands of kilometers; yet also in the way that a fulsome understanding of one can help to 'unlock' the … Continue reading Of Goddesses, Gods, and Ghosts at the Crossroads – A Comparative Indo-European Exploration
Death
On The Army of Kali
Finger-Snapping Intensifies Kali - and Dakinis , striding forth from the Smashana (Cremation Ground). We would, perhaps, suggest that this is a 'Smashana *krewh₂-' As in a 'Crew' … but using that particular Proto-Indo-European term which stands for 'Cold Blood' (in contrast to *h₁ésh₂r̥ - 'hot-blood', 'alive-blood'). This informs Sanskrit 'Kravya' (क्रव्य - 'raw flesh', … Continue reading On The Army of Kali
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
The Wolf-Headed Aita / Hades and Serpent-Crowned Phersipnei / Persephone of the Tomb of Orcus ; The Wolf as Indo-European Regent of the Twilight Between Worlds
Detail from the incredible painting of a figure meeting with Aita and Phersipnei [Hades and Persephone] in the 'Tomb of Orcus'. Now 'Aita' or 'Eita' and 'Phersipnei' are, of course, Etruscan theonyms. Yet it would be entirely peculiar to look upon these names - and the Deifics attached to them - and not see our … Continue reading The Wolf-Headed Aita / Hades and Serpent-Crowned Phersipnei / Persephone of the Tomb of Orcus ; The Wolf as Indo-European Regent of the Twilight Between Worlds
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
Kali As Fire Of Time – Glorious Modern Hindu Art For Devi’s Day
JAI MATA DI !Further art from Ravi Zupa We also note, with regard to the lower portion of the text, the Vedic mention of 'KaalAgniRudra' - quite directly, the (Black) Fire of Time, and with the specific Rudra involvement (rendered in the relevant text as 'KaalAgniRudraya', because it is in the Sri Rudram of the … Continue reading Kali As Fire Of Time – Glorious Modern Hindu Art For Devi’s Day
Toward A Re-Evaluation Of Hel – Some Preliminary Notes
I'm going to expand upon all of this in a lengthier piece currently in-writing .. but here's some brief notes pertaining to Hel (and a re-evaluation thereof) in a comparative Indo-European theological context. [The major issue that we have is how much weight to give various direct textual statements upon Hel and parentage / siblings … Continue reading Toward A Re-Evaluation Of Hel – Some Preliminary Notes
The Maricis Of Lord Surya – A Solar Warrior Women Typology ?
A carved Surya from Magadha, likely about 21-22 centuries old. Now, I felt this deserved a brief commentary due to the two decidedly female figures either side of Lord Surya in the Solar Chariot. Per the Suprabedhagama and Amsumadbhedagama (manuals of Hindu iconographic depiction, inter alia) - we may find Surya flanked by Prathyusha & … Continue reading The Maricis Of Lord Surya – A Solar Warrior Women Typology ?
Ravens For Rudra ?
It is interesting how things work out. We have known for some time now that Lord Shiva and Odin are the same deific - expressed prominently to two broad Indo-European mytho-religious sphere : the 'Vedic' and 'Eddic', we might say. We have spent much time over the past few years tracing out the various coterminities … Continue reading Ravens For Rudra ?