On The Nature Of Stories (viz. Myth and Mythic Resonance) – From Terry Pratchett

"Because stories are important.People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around. Stories exist independently of their players. If you know that, the knowledge is power. Stories, great flapping ribbons of shaped space-time, have been blowing and uncoiling around the universe since the beginning of time. And they have … Continue reading On The Nature Of Stories (viz. Myth and Mythic Resonance) – From Terry Pratchett

On Becoming Rudra – The Indo-European Investiture Of The Divine Essence In Ritual And Beyond

It is Wednesday ! Odin's Day ! And so therefore, some absolutely excellent (A)Art-i and accompanying commentary upon the relevant Indo-European theological precept, in His Name - quite literally, as it should happen.  The art is by HC - and was initially destined to evocatively illustrate a section of my ongoing RUDRAGANIKA series.Yet it … … Continue reading On Becoming Rudra – The Indo-European Investiture Of The Divine Essence In Ritual And Beyond

The Thiasos Of Dionysus – A Rudraganika Excerpt

A further excerpt from my recent ' RUDRAGANIKA ' (A)Arti-cle, looking at the female Retinue of the Indo-European Sky Father deific. This time, oriented toward the 'Thiasos' ( θίασος ) processional that accompanies Dionysus (and, entirely uncoincidentally, Poseidon). The full-length piece can be found here: https://aryaakasha.com/2022/03/08/rudraganika-a-study-in-eternal-return-as-manifested-through-the-sky-fathers-female-retinue-across-the-indo-european-world/ Art, as per usual, by HC - who has … Continue reading The Thiasos Of Dionysus – A Rudraganika Excerpt

The Vitality of the Universe Entire – On MahaGauri, SiddhiDhatri, and Demeter

The Eighth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to MahaGauri - The Great Beauty, The 'Great White One' ; The Ninth Night of NavRatri, to Siddhidhatri - the Bestower of Boons, The Giver of Empowerment. Both because I am rather late in my finishing of this piece - but also due to a certain underlying thematic unity ...  … Continue reading The Vitality of the Universe Entire – On MahaGauri, SiddhiDhatri, and Demeter

KalaRatri for Chaitra Navratri – The Black Night of Unveiling, The Night of Death

The Seventh Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Kalaratri - The Night of Death, the Blackest Night, the Darkness at the End of Time Herself ! And yet, as has become something of our theme whenever we discuss the Devi - we are vehement in pointing out that this is only one side to Her, … Continue reading KalaRatri for Chaitra Navratri – The Black Night of Unveiling, The Night of Death

RudraGanika – A Study In Eternal Return As Manifested Through The Sky Father’s Female Retinue Across The Indo-European World

[Author's Note: This work brings together several (my)themes close and dear to my heart. It had been intended to be published upon MahaShivRatri - the 1st of March in 2022 - however, Time waits for no man (other than Her Husband); and my continuing to find further elements which cried out to be included resulted … Continue reading RudraGanika – A Study In Eternal Return As Manifested Through The Sky Father’s Female Retinue Across The Indo-European World

The Black First Lord Of Kashi – Kaala Bhairava ! [Glorious Modern Hindu Art]

Intended to post this for Monday - Lord Shiva's Day ! Fine modern art of Bhairava - 'Terror' - The God-Emperor's [Ishvara's] Executioner(-form). Again by Andrey Yarashevich. The severed head He bears in one hand is likely that of Lord Brahma Himself; and we also find the frequently encountered iconographic elements of the Trishula ['Trident' … Continue reading The Black First Lord Of Kashi – Kaala Bhairava ! [Glorious Modern Hindu Art]

Masik ShivRatri – First of 2022

Tonight is Masik Shivratri ['Monthly Night of Shiva'] On MahaShivRatri ['Great Night of Shiva'], we celebrate the glorious and blessed Reunification of Lord Shiva and His Wife, Devi Parvati. And while much attention deservedly goes toward MahaShivRatri, there are also 11 other ShivRatris throughout the year - one for each lunar month, observed on the … Continue reading Masik ShivRatri – First of 2022