Practicing an Indo-European religion amidst the Modern Age is no easy thing. One seems endlessly caught between the twin considerations of 'Authenticity' contrasted with 'Accessibility'. The former correlates to the quite righteous desire to 'do things properly' (and so they actually work) - customarily by seeking to follow reasonably closely within the foot-tracks of one's … Continue reading On Ritual Substitution And Traditional Offerings [Part Two: When In Rome…]
Scythia
‘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
In Search Of Scythian Ares – Part One : Mapping The Terrain
Now before we begin, we consider it of some importance to set out a few 'preliminary considerations' - sketch out how these things have been generally thought about previously, and why we are departing on a rather different trajectory with our own quest for this most scintillatingly shrouded of Sword-Gods. This shall also serve as … Continue reading In Search Of Scythian Ares – Part One : Mapping The Terrain
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
‘Nomads’, ‘Murmurers’, & ‘Death-Seekers At the Border’ – Three Further Perspectives On Barbarians Drawn Into The Broader Indo-European Sphere
Following on from our earlier piece looking at 'Barbarian' in Vedic understanding - here are several further examples .. along with broader Indo-European comparanda contextualizing each. Two of these were furnished by the same associate [A.P.] whom I had been discussing with in the excerpt posted earlier. I have not independently tracked them down in … Continue reading ‘Nomads’, ‘Murmurers’, & ‘Death-Seekers At the Border’ – Three Further Perspectives On Barbarians Drawn Into The Broader Indo-European Sphere
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 Restoration Of The Position Of Women To That Of Archaic Indo-European Society
I find this image - and what it represents - rather intriguing. Because what we are presented with here is an instance of a Past challenging a Present. And it is something with quite archaic Indo-European mytho-cultural resonancy. What do I mean by this? Well, first, here's a brief description of what's going on in … Continue reading On The Restoration Of The Position Of Women To That Of Archaic Indo-European Society
On Danu , Danann , Danube , And Other Watery Sources Of Life For The Ancient Indo-European Peoples
[Author's Note: This is an excerpt from my recent 'The Queen of Serpents - The Serpentine Figure Of The Indo-European Earth Mother'. Given some recent inaccuracies around Tuatha De Danann that have appeared in circulation, it seemed an ideal time to present this as something of a correction. The segment of the original article immediately … Continue reading On Danu , Danann , Danube , And Other Watery Sources Of Life For The Ancient Indo-European Peoples
The Sea Horse Of Sovereignty – On Hellenic Poseidon , Vedic Varuna, Scythian Thagimasidas , And The Essential Equine Elevator-Empowerer Of The Ancient Indo-European King
Something that has long puzzled commentators is the strong association of the Greek figure of Poseidon with the Horse. This is incredibly prominent within the Poseidonic mythology - the form taken by Poseidon in His pursuit of Demeter Erinyes, for instance, or that of the Son born to that union, Arion (The Pegasus, likewise, is … Continue reading The Sea Horse Of Sovereignty – On Hellenic Poseidon , Vedic Varuna, Scythian Thagimasidas , And The Essential Equine Elevator-Empowerer Of The Ancient Indo-European King
THE QUEEN OF SERPENTS – THE SERPENTINE FIGURE OF THE INDO-EUROPEAN EARTH MOTHER
As we have often noted, the prevalent mythic perception of the Serpent amidst the minds of many is that of a demonic antagonist - and a male one, at that. There are solid reasons for this, of course: foremost among these is the Judeo-Christian baseline many of tend to operate under, where a certain serpent … Continue reading THE QUEEN OF SERPENTS – THE SERPENTINE FIGURE OF THE INDO-EUROPEAN EARTH MOTHER
arya-akasha 