[illustration appears to be by a Jim Tierney] When it comes to Dionysus, there are various elements which are … challenging to make sense of. This is as it should be. One of these concerns the likely etymology - and therefore meaning - of one of His most prominent theonymics: Bacchus (or Bakkhos, Βάκχος, etc.). Usually … Continue reading On The Etymology Of Bacchus – The Roarer
Speech of the Divine
Katyayani for Chaitra Navratri – MahishasuraMardini (The Destroyer of the Demon) Herself
The Sixth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Katyayani - in many ways, perhaps the most iconic understanding for Devi amidst the modern Hindusphere. When we think of Durga - this tends to be Whom we are praising. For She is MahishasuraMardini - The Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon - Herself ! [An effort … Continue reading Katyayani for Chaitra Navratri – MahishasuraMardini (The Destroyer of the Demon) Herself
Kushmanda for Chaitra Navratri – The Power of the Sun
The Fourth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Kushmanda - which I have figuratively chosen to render as 'the Power of the Sun'. In essence, the reason that the Sun is ... well ... the Sun - rather than some abstract 'ball of flaming gas', or even simply an inanimate, lifeless object, is … Continue reading Kushmanda for Chaitra Navratri – The Power of the Sun
On The Mytholinguistics Of The Solar Speech
It is SUNDAY - The Day of the Sun ! And, in fact, twice over - for today is also Bhanu Saptami : The Shining (Bhanu) Day on the Seventh (Saptami). The reason for the observance is often said to be a (Re-)Birth Day of the Sun. AV XIII 2 25 therefore springs instantly to … Continue reading On The Mytholinguistics Of The Solar Speech
Brihaspati – The Lord of the Songs of Prayer
Today is Thursday - Jupiter's Day, the Day of Brihaspati. So therefore … some rather modern art of Brihaspati - also known as 'Guru', and yes in astrological terms linked to the Planet Jupiter. Now in Vedic terms, Brihaspati is an interesting figure. The name, effectively, means the 'Lord of the Songs of Prayer'. However … Continue reading Brihaspati – The Lord of the Songs of Prayer
Sri Bhuvanesvari Yantra
[Author's Note: It has since been pointed out to me by an associate whom I trust that this is, in fact, more likely a Surya yantra. I had presumed that the Solar theonymics were due to the association of the Goddess Form with the Sun. The post is left up, otherwise as it is, for … Continue reading Sri Bhuvanesvari Yantra
On Erilaz – Runecarver ?
Something I have been intending to take a look at for some time is the meaning of 'Erilaz'. It is a controversial term. Why? Because its etymology and derivations are that of the warrior-aristocracy - 'Jarl', 'Earl'; and yet if we look at its archaic attestations in various Runic inscriptions, it appears almost as if … Continue reading On Erilaz – Runecarver ?
Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part One – ‘Calling To Order’
Every so often, I am delighted to find that my work has become predictive in its accuracy. That the reconstructive efforts which we engage in are not merely idle conjecture of 'fitting together' elements within the confines of my mind - but the subtle perceptions of actually-extant archaic Indo-European religiosity and myth. In ways that I … Continue reading Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part One – ‘Calling To Order’
Glorious Modern Hindu Art Of Devi As Flame-Speaker Of The Universe’s Inception And Unfurling Course
It is Friday - Devi's Day - And so therefore, Devi-otional (A)Art(i) posting ! Absolutely beautiful rendering by Shuvankar Biswas - which does that rarest of things … takes the established theological/iconographic/mythological conceptry and brings it together to create something which seems 'new' yet resonates with the effortless weight of ages! What do I mean … Continue reading Glorious Modern Hindu Art Of Devi As Flame-Speaker Of The Universe’s Inception And Unfurling Course
On Indo-European Divine Inspiration – And The Zoroastrian Persecutory Suppression Of Same
Frequently when the subject of the Zoroastrian inversion of Indo-European religious belief is brought up, people presume that it is 'just' some form of linguistic confusion - a 'reversal of polarity' afflicting only an incredibly limited array of things. 'Deva' ['Deus', '-Tyr', etc. - 'God', 'Shining One'] becoming 'Daeva' ['Demon'], for example; and if they … Continue reading On Indo-European Divine Inspiration – And The Zoroastrian Persecutory Suppression Of Same
arya-akasha 