[Author's Note: Following on from the success of the Indo-European Horsemen of the Apocalypse article we ran earlier this week, it seemed only apt to take a brief closer look at the mytholinguistics of a 'Pale Horseman'. Particularly the 'Pale' bit. This is not to directly infer that the figure from the Book of Revelation … Continue reading An Indo-European Pale Horseman
linguistics
ON THE ELVES OF THE NORTH POLE
By now it should come as little surprise that much of the contemporary pseudo-mythology around Christmas is, in fact, based upon far older underpinnings - elements that have somehow 'seeped through' the veiling sheens not only of Christianity, but of Coca-Cola and McWorld. Some things, I would go so far as to say, are so … Continue reading ON THE ELVES OF THE NORTH POLE
Aesir-Vanir, Asura-Deva, but also A’Sura, Daeva
There's a few comparative mythographic ideas out there that are simple, intuitive, comfortable, persistent ... and downright wrong. One of these is the thorny thicket of presumptions which have grown up around three not-unrelated sets of terminology from the Vedic, Eddic, and Zoroastrian corpuses. The core of which is basically that as there was an Aesir-Vanir … Continue reading Aesir-Vanir, Asura-Deva, but also A’Sura, Daeva
On The Mytholinguistics Of War [Part 1]
In many ways, it is not at all a controversial thing to assert that War is rather fundamental to the Indo-European View of the Universe. One of the first mythemes that almost everybody tends to identify when they begin their journey along the skeins of comparative Indo-European mythography - is that of the 'Chaoskampf', the … Continue reading On The Mytholinguistics Of War [Part 1]
RAGNAROK AND THE NIGHT LORD
Consider the Sanskrit terms राजन् and रजनी - Rajan and Rajani. They look similar, no? In fact, you'd be forgiven, even notwithstanding that the former's got a longer 'a' sound ['Raajan' - like Raja, which derives directly therefrom], for thinking that they are perhaps related forms of the same word. Maybe a masculine and feminine … Continue reading RAGNAROK AND THE NIGHT LORD
Ancient Aryan Meath & Modern Afghani Meth – A Remembrance?
I found this rather ... disconcerting, because it is arguably an instance of #NAS meme magic in action. You see, many years ago now, when I was getting interested in Indo-European ethnobotany, I happened across the academic debate over the identity of Soma. Which - to my mind at least - has now been solved … Continue reading Ancient Aryan Meath & Modern Afghani Meth – A Remembrance?
Shailaputri – First of the NavaDurga
The first night of NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Shailaputri – the Daughter of the Mountain. As noted in the introductory piece, the Mountain in question refers to King Himavat – the Lord of the Himalayas, and the father of Parvati [‘[Daughter] Of the Mountain’] in this particular cycle of Her incarnation. However, I … Continue reading Shailaputri – First of the NavaDurga
“HERE BE INDO-ARYANS?” On the Vedic Gods of the Mitanni
I've had this document on my mind for quite awhile now. Not just because of what it is (which we'll get on to in just a moment), but also because of what it *represents*. See, this is one of the world's oldest surviving international peace-treaties. Dating from the mid-14th century B.C., it seeks to solemnize … Continue reading “HERE BE INDO-ARYANS?” On the Vedic Gods of the Mitanni
Give Me Bhaga
This Is #GangSteppe - a trio of Scythians, circa the 4th century B.C. Now, what is going on here is the warrior to the right (the bare-chested chap equipped with the arrows and bow) is presenting the head of a slain foe (likely a Macedonian, going by the Vergina Sun emblem on the pauldron of … Continue reading Give Me Bhaga
Devi NationalisMa Above All
"जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी" "Mother & Motherland Are Superior Even To Heaven" A noble sentiment attributed to the Rsi Bharadwaj ; and which is rendered further marvelous - to my mind, anyway - when we consider some of the implications of the Sanskrit word-choices used in its construction. For example, Janani has at its Sanskrit … Continue reading Devi NationalisMa Above All
arya-akasha 