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
Etymology
Athena Promachos – Immortal Sentinel of the City
The Acropolis at Athens - Leo von Klenze, 1846. Note the very, very large Athena statue in pride of place upon the Acropolis. This is Athena Promachos (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόμαχος) - Athena Who-Fights-In-The-Front-Line. The meaning of the epithet is reasonably direct - the 'foremost fighter', the warrior at (and as) the proverbial 'tip of the spear'. … Continue reading Athena Promachos – Immortal Sentinel of the City
On The Etymology Of Bacchus – The Roarer
[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
On the Indo-European Etymology of Indra
Often it seems that the interpretation and the 'accepted wisdom' on various more archaic Indo-European mythic figures is effectively an exercise in agenda-pushing and confirmation bias. One deific seemingly singled out for far more than His fair share of such torturous misperception is, of course, Lord Indra. Otherwise known as the Vedic facing of the Indo-European … Continue reading On the Indo-European Etymology of Indra
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
On The Etymology Of Airavata – The Elephant Of Indra
Airavata is the Vahana ['Steed/Mount/Vehicle'] of Lord Indra; and with a rather apt etymology to connect it to the Thunderer. It effectively works out as 'Rain-bearing Cloud' ; which is rather apt, given that a stormcloud is, of course, large, grey, and may make a thunderous noise ['Garja'] … like an Elephant (indeed, गर्ज can … Continue reading On The Etymology Of Airavata – The Elephant Of Indra
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”
Against Spurious “Pre-Indo-European-Ization” Of Indo-European Elements
This happens remarkably frequently - both in terms of the linguistics, but also in terms of the mythology and theology. There's quite a number of spaces wherein some academic or other commentator with a personal theory (or, worse, an agenda) has latched on to something and gone "well this seems like it shouldn't be Indo-European … Continue reading Against Spurious “Pre-Indo-European-Ization” Of Indo-European Elements
The Heavy Illumination Of Etymology And Folk Etymology Comparatively Considered
Something I have just been thinking about is the etymology of 'Guru'. From PIE 'Gwrehus' ['Heavy'], same place as Latin 'Gravis', English 'Gravitas' [or 'Grave' in the sense of serious] Effectively, therefore, "One Whose Words Have Weight" Although it should also be noted that 'Guru' has a general sense in Sanskrit to refer not only … Continue reading The Heavy Illumination Of Etymology And Folk Etymology Comparatively Considered
The Place Of Worship – The Temple – The Home And Healing Whole Of The Community
Something I love about the Indo-European etymology - is that manner in which the roots of terms resonate with their descendants. And, in so doing, significantly broaden our understanding of just what they actually are - how we are to relate to them. A good example of this is the Ancient Greek ναός - 'Naos' … Continue reading The Place Of Worship – The Temple – The Home And Healing Whole Of The Community
arya-akasha 