Some days after Saturnalia [ostensibly January 3rd], we find ourselves at the 'Compitalia' - the Observance of the Crossroads (Compita) dedicated to the Lares … and also to the formidable Goddess, Mania. And for this occasion, we shall endeavour to delve into the Indo-European origination and broader comparative co-expressions for both the Observance and its propitiated … Continue reading Crossing Paths With Mania And The Lares – An Indo-European Examination Of The Roman Observance Of the Compitalia Part One: The Roman Recollection As To The Archaic Relevancy For The Rite
Rome
On The Lingam Devi of Herga, Karnataka
As is often the case, I encounter a beautiful Devi depiction and She simply must have a post ! I had initially thought that this was a Kali murti (not least due to the beautiful blue-black visage) - but some searching indicates that no, this is instead a Durga … Durga Paramesvari ['Highest Divine Empress'] … Continue reading On The Lingam Devi of Herga, Karnataka
A People Of Ash And Fury – On The Divinely Arboreal Genesis Of The Indo-Europeans
In recent days, our attention had been drawn to a most remarkable occurrence within the Þorleifs þáttr jarlaskálds wherein, as our learned associate, Gottfried Yann Karlssohn (who had drawn our attention to it in the first place) had phrased it - we find "a Norse king using incantations to animate a trémaðr (treeman), giving him a … Continue reading A People Of Ash And Fury – On The Divinely Arboreal Genesis Of The Indo-Europeans
For Vulcanalia – The Roman Festival of Fires !
The 23rd of August marks Vulcanalia - the Roman observance for the Power of Fire. Not only Forge-Fire, as one might perhaps expect … but also large bonfires, the fires of kiln and oven, and perhaps (via inference) even the lamps which give illumination so that one might read - and pierce the darkness with … Continue reading For Vulcanalia – The Roman Festival of Fires !
Toward The Indo-European Identification Of Janus – Some Preliminary Observations
Despite its comforting familiarity to many in the modern Western sphere, many of the figures of the Roman religion are somewhat mysterious to us. Particularly when we seek to link them up to what ought be their correlate co-expressions elsewhere within the Indo-European religious world. This invites much speculation - some of it well-founded, and … Continue reading Toward The Indo-European Identification Of Janus – Some Preliminary Observations
Juno Sospita of the Palatine – An Interpretatio Romana In Motion !
Friday is, of course, Devi's Day - and so therefore, a visage less frequently depicted … a well-armed Warrior Goddess - Juno ! Now at first, this might seem strange. We are used to the idea of Juno as a regal, queenly figure; yet a shield and spear equipped female warrior amongst the Gods we … Continue reading Juno Sospita of the Palatine – An Interpretatio Romana In Motion !
Quirinus – The Roman
Earlier this week, our associate Athanaricus had posted a rather novel paper by another which proposed to explain the Roman theonym of Quirinus via recourse to our old friend, the Proto-Indo-European Perkwunos - that is to say, a potential linkage between this cryptic Roman deific and the Striker/Thunderer. Now, I am not in a position to … Continue reading Quirinus – The Roman
On the Wolf Symbolism integral to Indo-European Warrior Tradition – An Excerpt From Speidel’s “Ancient Germanic Warriors: Warrior Styles from Trajan’s Column to Icelandic Sagas”
"Of all wild animals, wolves are closest to man in social instincts. They respect rank, delight in each other’s company, and are so dedicated to the pack that the Hittite king Hattusilis told his assembly, “May your clan be one, like that of the wolves!” As dogs they are eager and faithful beyond words. Wild … Continue reading On the Wolf Symbolism integral to Indo-European Warrior Tradition – An Excerpt From Speidel’s “Ancient Germanic Warriors: Warrior Styles from Trajan’s Column to Icelandic Sagas”
On The Current Colonial Consternation Contra Classical Studies
And so we come to it again. The periodic turning of the wheel wherein some academic-with-an-agenda decides that Classical Studies Must Go. It's happened before, it shall no doubt happen again in due time. But what interests me is the reasoning being advanced this time around. You see, the 'problem' for Classics is its perceived … Continue reading On The Current Colonial Consternation Contra Classical Studies
On The Potential Unintended Consequences Of Rome Inviting Home Foreign Gods – The Siege Of Jerusalem Example
Something I was … rather surprised to learn in the course of researching a previous article, is that during the Siege of Jerusalem, the Roman general Titus appears to have potentially performed a variation of the 'Evocatio' rite - the formalized Roman custom of endeavouring to entice the God or Gods that were patrons of … Continue reading On The Potential Unintended Consequences Of Rome Inviting Home Foreign Gods – The Siege Of Jerusalem Example
arya-akasha 