Be The Boys You Wish To See Back In Town – The Ganas of Shiva and Thiasos of Dionysus

Shiva & Dionysus - but, then, I repeat myself. Dionysus pictured alongside His θῐ́ᾰσος (‘Thiasos’ – likely from ‘Thyrsus’, the sharp-pointed staff of Dionysus and borne also by His Ardent Devotees); Shiva, in amidst His Ganas (from the same root as 'Genus' - effectively, groups or companies of His Higher Devotees; most famously, the BhutaGana … Continue reading Be The Boys You Wish To See Back In Town – The Ganas of Shiva and Thiasos of Dionysus

On Why Gods Are Gods – A Response To A Question

Earlier this evening, I was asked to contribute my thoughts on a frequently occurrent question - "What makes a God a God?" Now in this day and age of ever-shifting meanings and the relativism that enables the worship of literal out-and-out demons or flawed mortal would-be 'messiahs' in personality-cults across the land, it is a … Continue reading On Why Gods Are Gods – A Response To A Question

Somavati Amavasya – Worship of Shiva and the Ancestors on the Monday of the Dark Moon

Today is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day; however it is also Amavasya - a day with special significance and potential for observances for the Dead (as we have covered in some of our previous pieces looking at the Libations to the Ancestors). What Amavasya means is the 'Dark' point of the Moon's 28-day cycle - … Continue reading Somavati Amavasya – Worship of Shiva and the Ancestors on the Monday of the Dark Moon

Divine Play – The Unfurling Mythic Universe As Wargame And Drama In Nordic And Hindu Perception 

As we move toward the close of 2021, there's something I feel is relevant to share. It uses the Binding of Fenrir as a framing device, but has a far broader saliency. And far more personal relevance and application. I've had a rather … difficult - indeed, downright tempestuous, in some respects - last few … Continue reading Divine Play – The Unfurling Mythic Universe As Wargame And Drama In Nordic And Hindu Perception 

The Eddic Mead of Poetry & Vedic ‘Fire Bird’ Agnicayana Soma Rite

Now, to explain what's going on here … This is one of those Vedic - Eddic strong concordancies. Concerning the Mead of Poetry, and Soma: what Griffith translated in RV I 14 as 'Meath' (the actual word he'd rendered thus appears to be Sanskrit 'Madhu' - Sweet - being used as a noun. Which is … Continue reading The Eddic Mead of Poetry & Vedic ‘Fire Bird’ Agnicayana Soma Rite

The Maricis Of Lord Surya – A Solar Warrior Women Typology ?

A carved Surya from Magadha, likely about 21-22 centuries old. Now, I felt this deserved a brief commentary due to the two decidedly female figures either side of Lord Surya in the Solar Chariot. Per the Suprabedhagama and Amsumadbhedagama (manuals of Hindu iconographic depiction, inter alia) - we may find Surya flanked by Prathyusha & … Continue reading The Maricis Of Lord Surya – A Solar Warrior Women Typology ?