Earlier this week I encountered something which has, by now, become regrettably familiar to me - although this did not dull my rage at its ridiculous (re-)appearance. Somebody proclaiming that Athena - in amidst a veritable 'Who's Who' of the Greek pantheon - was part of a clade of "certain mythological stories or deities that … Continue reading The Birth Of Athena – On The Indo-European Genesis Of Tritogeneia
Devi
The Indo-European Death And Resurrection Show – A Remarkable Persistence Even At The Periphery Of Modern (Myth)Understanding
The recent Pew Research Forum analysis of religion in India makes for interesting reading. One point which has attracted some surprise is the finding that apparently 'only' 40% of Hindus really believe in Reincarnation (as compared, as a point of interest, to 27% of Indian Muslims, 29% of Indian Christians, 18% of Indian Sikhs, 18% … Continue reading The Indo-European Death And Resurrection Show – A Remarkable Persistence Even At The Periphery Of Modern (Myth)Understanding
On Triptolemus And Demeter, Soma And The Sacral Rites Of Life And Land
A foundational principle of Indo-European ritual is succinctly expressed in the Latin maxim - 'Do Ut Des' : "I Give So That You Might Give". The Tale of Triptolemus might be thought to similarly simply express the truth of this utterance - although upon closer examination, its resonancies are anything but "simple", especially when considered in … Continue reading On Triptolemus And Demeter, Soma And The Sacral Rites Of Life And Land
Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part Two – Tracking the Skeins of Fate Via The Golden Bowstring
A particularly intriguing resonance is pointed via Artemis' Χρυσηλακατος ('Khryselakatos' - 'of the Golden Distaff'), for whilst we are not accustomed in the mythology to perceiving Artemis as engaged in such a 'housewife' and literally 'economic' role … this is not exactly what is meant via the term in specific application to Her. The notion of … Continue reading Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part Two – Tracking the Skeins of Fate Via The Golden Bowstring
Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part One – ‘Calling To Order’
Every so often, I am delighted to find that my work has become predictive in its accuracy. That the reconstructive efforts which we engage in are not merely idle conjecture of 'fitting together' elements within the confines of my mind - but the subtle perceptions of actually-extant archaic Indo-European religiosity and myth. In ways that I … Continue reading Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part One – ‘Calling To Order’
On Persephone As “Iron Queen”
I've been meaning to post this for some time - because it's an interesting perspective which I think is a useful part of countering the Victorian-era 're-characterization' of Persephone. But, as is my proclivity, I felt I had to check out some of the claims made herein … to make sure that things hadn't gone … Continue reading On Persephone As “Iron Queen”
Fire, Walk With Me – A Verse Of The Durga Suktam
"Bravery will take you into the most dangerous of places. Overwhelming firepower will see you safely through them." " पृतनाजितँसहमानमुग्रमग्निँ हुवेम परमात्सधस्थात् ।स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा क्षामद्देवो अति दुरितात्यग्निः ॥ " "We Invoke From The Highest Place The Ugran Agni [Powerful/Furious Fire], The SahaMana ['Conquering/Overpowering/Powerful Spirit/Anger/Sentience'] Unvanquishable In Battle ; May She Greatly Protect … Continue reading Fire, Walk With Me – A Verse Of The Durga Suktam
Glorious Modern Art For Chhinnamasta Jayanti
The 25th was Chinnamasta Jayanti … so here's one of my earliest commentaries, written five years ago tomorrow: --- I've had this image in my head for nearly two weeks, but hadn't gotten around to posting it with commentary. It's a representation of the Mahavidya Chhinnamasta, as done by a Western artist known as David … Continue reading Glorious Modern Art For Chhinnamasta Jayanti
Goddess Worship At Devi Kothi – An Expansion From William Simpson’s Painting And Journalistic Portrayal
Something I often find remarkable when looking at images and textual accounts of religious elements across the Indo-European sphere is just how … familiar they are when we actually gaze into them closely. This does not mean that they are all identically the same, of course - far from it! But it does tend to … Continue reading Goddess Worship At Devi Kothi – An Expansion From William Simpson’s Painting And Journalistic Portrayal
The Divine Art Of Devi Kothi Temple
These absolutely beautiful frescos are from a Devi temple more than a quarter of a millennium old in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The name of the site is, aptly enough, Devi Kothi - and the presiding form of the Goddess is Chamunda. Depicted, is the great battle of the Goddess against a demon army. An artistic … Continue reading The Divine Art Of Devi Kothi Temple