Recently, we'd had somebody write in via the site with relation to the 'Storm' characteristic in association with Athena. It's something which one should think would enjoy more prominence in the perception as to the Goddess - but despite various attestations from around the Classical legendaria, as well as the strong implicit sense to such a prospect … Continue reading The Thunderbolt (And Storm Shield) Of Athena – A Brief Compilation
Thunderbolt
On The Symbolism Of The Gigantes & Gigantomachy [Part One: He Shall Tread]
We had earlier received a question as to the iconography of the Gigantes of Classical myth - more specifically, what was up with the Serpents they so prominently feature instead of legs in an array of renderings. And, because it's a very, very cool illustration for the concept - here's a beautiful 2nd-3rd Century (BC) … Continue reading On The Symbolism Of The Gigantes & Gigantomachy [Part One: He Shall Tread]
Lycaon – Classical Corroborations Contra the Calumny of Clement of Alexandria Against Zeus
Urgh. I know I've said it before … but some of these early-ish Christian 'Against The Pagans' efforts really do rather annoy me. Why? Because they're often pretty uh .. 'bad faith'. Tonight's example? Clement of Alexandria in his Protrepticus ('Exhortation', 'Urging' 'Pro-Turning/Converting'): "Jupiter himself, when the of Lycaon the Arcadian, partook of a human … Continue reading Lycaon – Classical Corroborations Contra the Calumny of Clement of Alexandria Against Zeus
On Algiz, Alcis, Ullr, The Germanic Iteration Of Indo-European Sacred Space, And Its Dread Protector
The following was initially an exploration for what I consider to be the likely meaning for the Rune *Algiz ᛉ (beautifully illustrated there by 'Automatic Moon'), featuring discussion also upon the theology for Ullr. It then … grew rather significantly - and now seems to feature a rather expansive hypothesis viz. a 'working model' for … Continue reading On Algiz, Alcis, Ullr, The Germanic Iteration Of Indo-European Sacred Space, And Its Dread Protector
Further Points Upon The ‘Refraction’ Of The Sky Father – With Particular Emphasis Upon Zeus, Hades, Poseidon
I should clarify that I'm not posting this with an intent of having a go at the gentleman who'd raised the counterclaim (hence, in part, why I've anonymized his comment in the cap below) - but rather, because various of the elements in my reply might be of a broader interest (the situation as to … Continue reading Further Points Upon The ‘Refraction’ Of The Sky Father – With Particular Emphasis Upon Zeus, Hades, Poseidon
On Ritual Substitution And Traditional Offerings [Part One: Understandings In Essence]
Wherever we encounter people looking to engage with Indo-European religions - seemingly, no matter whether it's 'revivalist', or the still-living since ancient times sort … there's fairly inevitably some kind of brew-up claiming that something somebody's doing is somehow 'inauthentic' - often accompanied by demands that everybody "RETURN TO TRADITION" … … with the "TRADITION" in question … Continue reading On Ritual Substitution And Traditional Offerings [Part One: Understandings In Essence]
The Divine Rite Of The Covenant – The Underpinning Apex As To The Godly Cosmos In Vedic, Hellenic, & Eddic Mythic Expression [ Part 1 – ‘Presaging The Triple-Arrow Thunder’ : The Imperative Oaths To Rudra Tanūnapāt ]
Odin (And Vili, And Vé) slaying Ymir. Zeus (And The Gods, And Three Ouranian Cyclopes, And Three Hekatoncheries) warring against the Titans, Gigantes, and Kronos (And Typhon). The Glorious (Agni-)Rudra (Dyaus) driving forth in terror and annihilation the Demons (A'Suras) from their three great citadels , winning the Three Worlds via Siege and His most formidable … Continue reading The Divine Rite Of The Covenant – The Underpinning Apex As To The Godly Cosmos In Vedic, Hellenic, & Eddic Mythic Expression [ Part 1 – ‘Presaging The Triple-Arrow Thunder’ : The Imperative Oaths To Rudra Tanūnapāt ]
On The Sky Father As Dragon Destroyer
Something we have often had cause to make reference to is the fact that this most prominent of Indo-European mythemes, the Smiting of the Demon-Dragon, is NOT exclusive in commissioning to the Striker/Thunderer deific. But is, rather, a case of 'Like Father - Like Son'. As with, perhaps uncoincidentally, the wielding of Thunder in various … Continue reading On The Sky Father As Dragon Destroyer
A Thunderbolt For The Sky Father – Amidst The Burning Branches Of Demon-Smiting Lightning
It seems the most logical, natural thing in the world - and certainly, we have amply attested acknowledgement for this in and about multiple Indo-European spheres. Yet somehow , the situation of the Thunderbolt has become something of a 'cudgel' with which some have sought to 'beat' deifics such as Odin and Shiva out of … Continue reading A Thunderbolt For The Sky Father – Amidst The Burning Branches Of Demon-Smiting Lightning
‘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