Psychopompi Germanica – And Why It’s Not Odin

In recent days I have run into a rather recurrent skein of assertions about Odin purportedly being a "Psychopomp". Now as for why this has kept coming up - the context has been fairly much what you'd expect. Namely, people looking to affirm an accuracy for that well-known 'Interpretatio' from Tacitus, whereby Odin is inferred … Continue reading Psychopompi Germanica – And Why It’s Not Odin

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

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

On Bellerophon – Echoes Of A Coronation Rite And Slayer Of The Demon Of Enclosure ?

Now *this* is interesting - quite a familiar shape, you'll see the various Christian depictions of St George engaged in a spot of dragon-slaying, for instance. However, what's depicted here is Bellerophon (mounted upon Pegasus) slaying the Chimaera, from a floor mosaic on Rhodes, circa 300-270 BC. I am not saying that various much more … Continue reading On Bellerophon – Echoes Of A Coronation Rite And Slayer Of The Demon Of Enclosure ?

Shiva, Krishna, Arjuna – And Attaining The Weapon Of One’s Dreams 

For some reason, we often seem to encounter ardent Krishna worshippers online who are very keen to denigrate the idea of positively engaging with any other Deities.They have their reasons for pushing that perspective, of course - and if you're really interested in hearing more about them, then you may go ask them yourselves.  Yet … Continue reading Shiva, Krishna, Arjuna – And Attaining The Weapon Of One’s Dreams