Every year, we try and have (A)Arti-cles ready for the major days of the Indo-European religious calendars. Some years, we do better than others. Other years - a delay turns out to be a blessing in disguise. So it may be viz. Beltane. For we had just in the past few hours happened across postings … Continue reading A Slightly Belated Beltane Commentary (With Additional Slavic Comparanda)
Indo-European
Brief Points On The Relationship Between Hellenic & Hindu Astrology
Recently, we had had a few questions come in about the relationship of the Greek & Hindu astrologies. Specifically - which bits were Indian versus which bits came in with the Hellenics that arrived under Alexander. And, in particular, whether the Nakshatras (27 / 28 'Lunar Mansions' - Star Signs) were the Indian part, whilst … Continue reading Brief Points On The Relationship Between Hellenic & Hindu Astrology
Rama’s Invocation Of The War-Goddess
It is Friday - Devi's Day And therefore - a Hero making offering to the Goddess, so as to ensure His Victory in the (more actively combative phase of the ongoing) War soon to come, where He shall vanquish the demon who has stolen His Wife. The Hero, of course, here is Lord Ram (the … Continue reading Rama’s Invocation Of The War-Goddess
On Kali In The Vedas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFnWiEUJ9ZQ We have often heard it claimed that there is no Kali in the Vedas - and that She is therefore some kind of 'foreign' or 'novel' figure in relation thereto. This is not true.We take a brief look at several divine expressions of the Vedas that are clearly resemblant to Kali - not simply … Continue reading On Kali In The Vedas
A Certain Blue-Cloaked Figure In Disguise …
I had seen this image of Hanuman with Lords Ram & Lakshman posted upon the occasion of the former's Jayanti and I did a double-take. Why? I'd been answering a question around Hanuman as an 'Avatar' or 'Form' of Shiva / Rudra on Hanuman Jayanti … and there we had Hanuman, appearing garbed in a … Continue reading A Certain Blue-Cloaked Figure In Disguise …
The Crow-Accompanied Goddess Of Violent Death
The Fierce Warrior-Destroyer Goddess Chandika is depicted in the Kadambari of Banabhatta (and Son) as being accompanied by a most remarkable coterie of worshippers. To quote from my own translation: “Being worshipped from all sides by the Retinue of Crows both razor sharp and unyielding Who sang Her Glories” The Sanskrit reads: “ārādhyamānāṃ sarvataḥ kaṭhoravāyasagaṇena … Continue reading The Crow-Accompanied Goddess Of Violent Death
‘For Want Of A Horse’ – On The Proper Perspective Upon Ritual Offerings And Why The ‘Asva’ Of ‘Asvamedha’ Is Held To Be Necessary As Same
Over the weekend, we had received a question from a reader as to the reasoning underpinning the Asvamedha - the Horse Sacrifice. Specifically, why would one offer a horse given the high value of such a creature in the late Bronze Age / early Iron Age milieu. Now, several people proffered suggestions as to the answer here, … Continue reading ‘For Want Of A Horse’ – On The Proper Perspective Upon Ritual Offerings And Why The ‘Asva’ Of ‘Asvamedha’ Is Held To Be Necessary As Same
On The Equinox War-Rites Of The Indo-Europeans
The 19th of March, per the Roman calendar, marks a prominent observance to Minerva - so named 'Quinquatria' due to its occurring on the fifth day ('Quinque') following the Ides of March. And, as should perhaps come as a surprise to no-one by this point, we happened to notice some rather significant points of Indo-European … Continue reading On The Equinox War-Rites Of The Indo-Europeans
On ‘Mleccha’ – A Reply To A Query
Every so often, somebody writes in via our website's contact function with a question. Often, these are theological. Sometimes, they are personal. This one, I suppose, was both. As the concept in question is likely to be of some interest to a fair few of our readers, I present both question and answer (slightly edited for … Continue reading On ‘Mleccha’ – A Reply To A Query
A Morning Meditation On A Gaelic Prayer [Techno-Theology]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCXRRsK_bH0 How I'm choosing to wake up this morning. And, if it were a bit earlier, the neighbours as well. Now, I'd had this [rework of a] track in my head for a few evenings earlier this year, and I'd finally decided to sit down and actually properly analyze the lyricism utilized. Because it seemed … Continue reading A Morning Meditation On A Gaelic Prayer [Techno-Theology]