‘Zeus’ Law’ of Xenia Among The Indo-Europeans

By this point we are all (hopefully!) well-acquainted with Zeus' overseeing of Xenia ('Sacred Hospitality'). It is a pervasive Indo-European understanding - with the Sky Father in disguise testing our upholding as to same. [Illustrated here via this lovely pokerwork of Odin in the Grimnismal, I believe by Jesseca Trainham] "Atithidevo Bhava" 'The Guest is … Continue reading ‘Zeus’ Law’ of Xenia Among The Indo-Europeans

Zeus as Archer – An Attestation

I was interested to happen across mention within Aeschylus' 'Agamemnon', for Zeus as an Archer; and, indeed, with this phrasing deployed in the context of His acting as an avenger against transgressions upon that which is holy. The Sky Father is prevalently a Spear-armed figure; however one also finds attestations across various Indo-European spheres for … Continue reading Zeus as Archer – An Attestation

Metaphysically Potent Medication, Anglo-Saxon & Atharvanic

I saw this, and my immediate thought was, of course, that renowned prescription featuring the greatest of physicians - the Anglo-Saxon ‘Nigon Wyrta Galdor’ ('Nine Herbs Incantation'), and Woden (Odin), respectively (a portion as to which follows). “ðas VIIII magon / wið nygon attrum. 30Wyrm com snican, / toslat he man; 31ða genam Woden / … Continue reading Metaphysically Potent Medication, Anglo-Saxon & Atharvanic

The Crows of Juno

Latin materials speak of 'Divine Crows' [Corniscae Divae - Allen has this as "Crow-Goddesses", even] which are of Juno; Festus' Epitome [56L] relates: "Corniscarum Divarum locus erat trans Tiberim cornicibus dicatus, quod in Junonis tutela esse putabatur", with this being often cited in accompaniment of an engimatic inscriptional "DEVAS CoRNISCAS SACRVM". This, whilst lesser-known today, … Continue reading The Crows of Juno

Prometheus & Ithax, Saboteur of Sacrifice – Part One: The Emissary of the Anti-Divine

As applies Prometheus - everybody knows the main 'pop-culture' narrative. But what if there was an additional reason that Prometheus deserved the outcome - and for Prometheus to have wanted to interfere with setting down the formulaic metaphysics of sacrifice to begin with… Now, here is the key detail - a fragment transmitted via Hesychius … Continue reading Prometheus & Ithax, Saboteur of Sacrifice – Part One: The Emissary of the Anti-Divine

TRI-LOKA : The Three Worlds Of Indo-European Cosmology – Part Four: Amidst The Glorious & Ancestral Dead

Now as something of a 'check and confirm' upon all of this (Parts III, II, & I), it should prove useful to return towards the Nordic cosmological schema. Wherein, as applies the destination(s) of the Glorious and Ancestral Dead - we once again observe what should decidedly seem to be 'Uppland' situations: Valhalla should certainly … Continue reading TRI-LOKA : The Three Worlds Of Indo-European Cosmology – Part Four: Amidst The Glorious & Ancestral Dead

Psychopompi Germanica – And Why It’s Not Odin

In recent days I have run into a rather recurrent skein of assertions about Odin purportedly being a "Psychopomp". Now as for why this has kept coming up - the context has been fairly much what you'd expect. Namely, people looking to affirm an accuracy for that well-known 'Interpretatio' from Tacitus, whereby Odin is inferred … Continue reading Psychopompi Germanica – And Why It’s Not Odin

The Inadequate ‘Interpretatio’ Of Odin – A Grimm Exemplar

Following one of those 'spirited' exchanges in relation to the theology of Odin some days ago (you know the type - an affronted (and affronting!) multi-paragraph "HE'S NOT MY REAL (SKY) FATHER!" column, which is then thrust … in my direction / into an ambush / into next week, by the time I've finished writing … Continue reading The Inadequate ‘Interpretatio’ Of Odin – A Grimm Exemplar