ODIN, the name comes from the Old Norse, meaning "the Furious One." He was considered the most important god in Germanic mythology. In many Norse sources, he is considered the "all father" of the gods and the ruler of the Nine Worlds (Asgard). The Asgard enclosure was considered the home of all gods.
The Bible refers, in Genesis chapter eleven, a time when the whole earth had one language and few words. A time when men migrated from the east, then found a plain of fertile land and settled there.
In the same way Asgard is referred to as the most fertile land blessed with a great abundance of gold and jewels, and the Norse pantheon named 'Aesirf' is meant to symbolize 'men of Asia'.
Some scholars believe that Asgard was located in the center of the earth. About it were 12 kingdoms and 12 chiefs. They assumed that Troy was that center and Thor was conceived in there by Odin and his consort, the goddess of love, Friijo. The Asgard was surrounded by an incomplete wall, making it vulnerable to the other forces that were active in the ancient world concerning the spiritual realm.
Odin's role, like that of many of the Norse gods is complex. The first symbolic roles was Wisdom, Shamanism, Poetry, Prophecy and Hunt.
One of the sons of Odin was was Yrgvi, founder of the Ynglingar, an early royal family of Sweden.
Roman historians referred to Odin as Mercury, the chief god of the Germanic tribes. The reason is, like Mercury, Odin was regarded as a creature or entity whose responsibility was to escort newly deceased souls from earth to the afterlife. His role was not to judge the deceased, but simply provide a safe passage to the land of the dead.
Frequently creatures or entities of this kind have been depicted on funerary art and have been associated at different times in different cultures with horses, birds (will-poor-will, ravens, crows, owls, sparrows, cuckoos, etc.), and a red deers (hart).
In many other cultures, the soul guarding task was done by shamans and it included not only accompanying the soul of the dead but also to help at birth the soul of the newborn child to the world of the living.
Odin's practice involving visionary journeys by its practitioners, his familiar animals (the eight-legged horse, and the pair of ravens named 'memory' and 'mind' that flew all over the world to bring information to Odin), and his connection to ecstatic inspiration, all suggest his role as the "escort of the souls."
As the mind of the society changed from deep spirituality to a materialistic idea of reality, the role of Odin faded transforming his image as a symbolic wise king of the gods and bringer of victory.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
WHITE HORSES, what they mean in the myths around the world.
WHITE HORSES, which are rarer than other colors are often associated with the SUN CHARIOT, also with WARRIOR-HEROES, then with FERTILITY in both the mare and the stallion manifestations, or with an END-OF-TIME SAVIOUR.
Truly white horses and the more common grey horses, both with completely white hair coats, were identified as white. But the truly ones with power were the pure ones with the white manifestation from the inside out.
In some myths around the world, white horses are usually depicted as divinatory, or who prophecy or warn of danger. In others it is depicted as an inspiration of the spring season everywhere when a winged white horse struck his hoof to the earth.
The white horse and rider, first of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, have long puzzled people who study the Bible prophecy.
In Hindu mythology a seven-headed flying white horse is considered the best of horses and is described as a "vehicle of Indra, the god-king of heaven, but is also recorded that the king of demons, Bali, possess a white horse also.
Other myths considered that the different color of horses symbolizes the deities who rule the specific direction of space.
In the Chinese lore, four ancestral spirits are responsible for the four of the cardinal directions. These guardian spirits were associated with demarcation in general, as well as seasonal themes related to agriculture.
PEGASUS is one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion depicted as pure white in color. He was a spirit that was sired by Poseidon in his role as a horse.
Pegasus was the symbol of wisdom and specially of fame. Later he became one symbol of the poetry
and the creation of sources in which poets obtained inspiration, particularly in the 19th century.
Truly white horses and the more common grey horses, both with completely white hair coats, were identified as white. But the truly ones with power were the pure ones with the white manifestation from the inside out.
In some myths around the world, white horses are usually depicted as divinatory, or who prophecy or warn of danger. In others it is depicted as an inspiration of the spring season everywhere when a winged white horse struck his hoof to the earth.
The white horse and rider, first of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, have long puzzled people who study the Bible prophecy.
In Hindu mythology a seven-headed flying white horse is considered the best of horses and is described as a "vehicle of Indra, the god-king of heaven, but is also recorded that the king of demons, Bali, possess a white horse also.
Other myths considered that the different color of horses symbolizes the deities who rule the specific direction of space.
In the Chinese lore, four ancestral spirits are responsible for the four of the cardinal directions. These guardian spirits were associated with demarcation in general, as well as seasonal themes related to agriculture.
PEGASUS is one of the best known creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine stallion depicted as pure white in color. He was a spirit that was sired by Poseidon in his role as a horse.
Pegasus was the symbol of wisdom and specially of fame. Later he became one symbol of the poetry
and the creation of sources in which poets obtained inspiration, particularly in the 19th century.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
ICARUS, THE SON OF DAEDALUS.
The labyrinth from which THESEUS escaped by means of ARIADNE was built by DAEDALUS, a most skillful artificer. It was an edifice with numberless winding passages and turnings opening into one another, and seeming to have neither beginning nor end, like the river Meander, which returns on itself, and flows now onward, now backwards, in its course to the sea.
Daedalus built the labyrinth for King Minos, but afterwards lost the favor of the king, and was shut up in a tower. He contrived to make his escape from his prison, but could not leave the island by sea, as the king kept strict watch on all the vessels, and permitted none to sail without being searched.
"Minos may control the land and the sea," said Daedalus, "but not regions of the air. I will try that way." So he set to work to fabricate wings for himself and his young son ICARUS.
He used feathers. threading them and the smaller with wax, and gave the whole and gentle curvature like the wings of a bird. ICARUS, the boy, stood and looked on, sometimes running to gather up the feathers which the wind had blown away, and then handling the wax and working it over with his fingers.
When the work was done, Daedalus waving his wings, found himself buoyed upward, and hung suspended, poising himself on the beaten air.
He next equipped his son in the same manner and taught him how to fly, as a bird tempts her young ones from the nest into the air.
When all was prepared for flight he said, "ICARUS, my son, I charge you to keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low the damp will clog your wings, and if too high the heat will melt them. Keep near me and you will be safe."
While he gave him these instructions and fitted the wings to his shoulders, the face of the father was wet with tears, and his hand trembled. He kissed the boy, not knowing that it was for the last time.
They flew off, encouraging him to follow, and looked back from his own flight to see how his son managed his wings.
When the boy began to leave the guidance of his father and soar upward as if to reach heaven, the nearness of the blazing sun softened the wax which held the feathers together and they started to come off. He fluttered with his arms, but no feathers remained to hold the air.
While his mouth uttered cries to his father he was submerged in the blue waters of the sea and drowned.
Thenceforth the sea was called by his name.
Daedalus built the labyrinth for King Minos, but afterwards lost the favor of the king, and was shut up in a tower. He contrived to make his escape from his prison, but could not leave the island by sea, as the king kept strict watch on all the vessels, and permitted none to sail without being searched.
"Minos may control the land and the sea," said Daedalus, "but not regions of the air. I will try that way." So he set to work to fabricate wings for himself and his young son ICARUS.
He used feathers. threading them and the smaller with wax, and gave the whole and gentle curvature like the wings of a bird. ICARUS, the boy, stood and looked on, sometimes running to gather up the feathers which the wind had blown away, and then handling the wax and working it over with his fingers.
When the work was done, Daedalus waving his wings, found himself buoyed upward, and hung suspended, poising himself on the beaten air.
He next equipped his son in the same manner and taught him how to fly, as a bird tempts her young ones from the nest into the air.
When all was prepared for flight he said, "ICARUS, my son, I charge you to keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low the damp will clog your wings, and if too high the heat will melt them. Keep near me and you will be safe."
While he gave him these instructions and fitted the wings to his shoulders, the face of the father was wet with tears, and his hand trembled. He kissed the boy, not knowing that it was for the last time.
They flew off, encouraging him to follow, and looked back from his own flight to see how his son managed his wings.
When the boy began to leave the guidance of his father and soar upward as if to reach heaven, the nearness of the blazing sun softened the wax which held the feathers together and they started to come off. He fluttered with his arms, but no feathers remained to hold the air.
While his mouth uttered cries to his father he was submerged in the blue waters of the sea and drowned.
Thenceforth the sea was called by his name.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
War versus Diseases, What kills the most? By Angela Bernales
The FLU pandemic of 1918 - 1919 is something that we have to remember when we compare the power of war machines designed for massive destruction or a simple disease that can kill much more in a less period of time than a war-conflict that last years or decades before it is resolved.
The FLU that we are talking about, erupted during the final stages of World War I. Nations were in the process of dealing with the effects and cost of the war itself. All of a sudden the FLU circled the globe. Almost everyone felt the effects. Outbreaks swept through North America, Europe, Asia, India, Brazil, and the South Pacific.
The FLU killed more people than the World War I, at somewhere between 20 and 40 millions. It is remembered as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. In India the mortality rate was extremely high. In Spain the FLU killed 8 million.
In United States of America, in general, one quarter of its population was affected. It was so severe that the average life span was depressed by 10 years.
People were struck with FLU on the street and died rapid deaths. One doctor testified that patients with seemingly ordinary FLU rapidly developed the most viscous type of pneumonia that had ever been seen and then a struggling for air were developed in the individuals until they suffocated. Other FLU patients died struggling to clear their airways clogged with blood that sometimes gushed from their nose and mouth. Doctors were helpless against the powerful agent of this FLU.
The death rate for 15 to 34-years-olds suffering FLU and pneumonia (1918) were 20 times higher than in previous years. It was impossible to escape from the illness. Gauze masks were distributed. Stores could not hold sales, funerals were limited to 15 minutes. Some towns required a signed health certificate to get in and railroads would not accept passengers without them.
Besides, the shortage in health care workers (many were dead) and medical supplies made the situation worse. Bodies pilled up as the massive deaths ensued. Coffins weren't enough, neither morticians, nor gravediggers.
People were confused about what to celebrate. On one hand the World War I ended. On the other, the effects of the disease over them and the public health response to such a great menace was a complete disaster.
The FLU enter everywhere because of the GREAT WAR. It went into the entire globe infecting millions and just as War affected the course of the FLU, the FLU affected the course of the Great War.
FLU killed more men than their own weapons did.
The FLU that we are talking about, erupted during the final stages of World War I. Nations were in the process of dealing with the effects and cost of the war itself. All of a sudden the FLU circled the globe. Almost everyone felt the effects. Outbreaks swept through North America, Europe, Asia, India, Brazil, and the South Pacific.
The FLU killed more people than the World War I, at somewhere between 20 and 40 millions. It is remembered as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. In India the mortality rate was extremely high. In Spain the FLU killed 8 million.
In United States of America, in general, one quarter of its population was affected. It was so severe that the average life span was depressed by 10 years.
People were struck with FLU on the street and died rapid deaths. One doctor testified that patients with seemingly ordinary FLU rapidly developed the most viscous type of pneumonia that had ever been seen and then a struggling for air were developed in the individuals until they suffocated. Other FLU patients died struggling to clear their airways clogged with blood that sometimes gushed from their nose and mouth. Doctors were helpless against the powerful agent of this FLU.
The death rate for 15 to 34-years-olds suffering FLU and pneumonia (1918) were 20 times higher than in previous years. It was impossible to escape from the illness. Gauze masks were distributed. Stores could not hold sales, funerals were limited to 15 minutes. Some towns required a signed health certificate to get in and railroads would not accept passengers without them.
Besides, the shortage in health care workers (many were dead) and medical supplies made the situation worse. Bodies pilled up as the massive deaths ensued. Coffins weren't enough, neither morticians, nor gravediggers.
People were confused about what to celebrate. On one hand the World War I ended. On the other, the effects of the disease over them and the public health response to such a great menace was a complete disaster.
The FLU enter everywhere because of the GREAT WAR. It went into the entire globe infecting millions and just as War affected the course of the FLU, the FLU affected the course of the Great War.
FLU killed more men than their own weapons did.
AR ATTA, an exquisite wealthy place.
The land of AR-ATTA is described as a fabulously wealthy place full of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and other precious materials, as well as the artisans to craft them. It was situated in a very remote area and was very difficult to reach. Messengers had to ascend and descend mystical mountains and towns before reaching the place.
In the Biblical records the principal means of identifying its location is the description of the river issuing out of Eden, which thereafter divided into 4 heads producing the rivers named as: the EU-PH-RATES (Hebrew: PE-RATH), HIDD-EK-EL (TIGRIS), PISH-ON, and GIH-ON. (Genesis 2; Daniel 10).
The land of AR-ATTA appears to be somewhere near the Head of the Persian Gulf in lower Mesopotamia at the place where the HIDD-EK-EL (TIGRIS) and the EU-PH-RATES draw near together.
Supporting a location of AR-ATTA in the mountainous region of the Mesopotamian plains, is the fact that the Noah's Ark with its crew came to rest on "The Mountains of Ar- Arat." (Gen.8).
Ar-atta was the home of IN-ANNA (Queen of heaven), goddess of Love, War, Fertility, and Lust. Along the Tigris and Euphrates there were many shrines and temples or "Houses of Heaven" dedicated to her and various deities. Sacred prostitution were performed at these temples. Every woman in the land had to go inside the temple once in her entire life and have sexual intercourse with a complete stranger that pick her at random. The women were obliged to lose their virginity for the sake of the goddess. For some of them the waiting period remained for three to four years before being picked because they weren't fair.
The symbolism of this ritual was a form of "sacred marriage" between the king and the high priestess of IN-ANNA (ISHT-AR, for Sumerians, Aphrodite, for Greeks). The words pronounced by the male representative were as follows: "I invite you in the name of In-anna to my dominion and I will please the goddess in everything she wants regardless the sum of money that is involved." Then the goddess as a protector of the king will help the kingdom to increase its power by conquering and subduing other kingdoms making it a dominant force in the whole world.
It is said that the region in the southern part of Mesopotamia on the Head of the Persian Gulf, went through gradual and eventual domestication of grains. From the mountains foothills an extensive irrigation techniques developed, and the area supported a vast variety of edible vegetation. This domestication of grain and its proximity to rivers enabled the region's growth into a vast settlement in both population and land, with relative ease. The power pass from hand to the other symbolizing the meaning of the goddess's name : In-anna, the goddess of war, lust, love and fertility. It is still on and will be until the end of times.
In the Biblical records the principal means of identifying its location is the description of the river issuing out of Eden, which thereafter divided into 4 heads producing the rivers named as: the EU-PH-RATES (Hebrew: PE-RATH), HIDD-EK-EL (TIGRIS), PISH-ON, and GIH-ON. (Genesis 2; Daniel 10).
The land of AR-ATTA appears to be somewhere near the Head of the Persian Gulf in lower Mesopotamia at the place where the HIDD-EK-EL (TIGRIS) and the EU-PH-RATES draw near together.
Supporting a location of AR-ATTA in the mountainous region of the Mesopotamian plains, is the fact that the Noah's Ark with its crew came to rest on "The Mountains of Ar- Arat." (Gen.8).
Ar-atta was the home of IN-ANNA (Queen of heaven), goddess of Love, War, Fertility, and Lust. Along the Tigris and Euphrates there were many shrines and temples or "Houses of Heaven" dedicated to her and various deities. Sacred prostitution were performed at these temples. Every woman in the land had to go inside the temple once in her entire life and have sexual intercourse with a complete stranger that pick her at random. The women were obliged to lose their virginity for the sake of the goddess. For some of them the waiting period remained for three to four years before being picked because they weren't fair.
The symbolism of this ritual was a form of "sacred marriage" between the king and the high priestess of IN-ANNA (ISHT-AR, for Sumerians, Aphrodite, for Greeks). The words pronounced by the male representative were as follows: "I invite you in the name of In-anna to my dominion and I will please the goddess in everything she wants regardless the sum of money that is involved." Then the goddess as a protector of the king will help the kingdom to increase its power by conquering and subduing other kingdoms making it a dominant force in the whole world.
It is said that the region in the southern part of Mesopotamia on the Head of the Persian Gulf, went through gradual and eventual domestication of grains. From the mountains foothills an extensive irrigation techniques developed, and the area supported a vast variety of edible vegetation. This domestication of grain and its proximity to rivers enabled the region's growth into a vast settlement in both population and land, with relative ease. The power pass from hand to the other symbolizing the meaning of the goddess's name : In-anna, the goddess of war, lust, love and fertility. It is still on and will be until the end of times.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
HEC-ATE, the guardian at the "CROSSROADS." By A. Bernales
HEC-ATE originally was a Thracian deity which were, together with the Dacians and Illyrians, the most influence myth's forces in the prehistory of South Eastern Europe, beginning some 44,000 years BC until the appearance of the first written records in Greece as early as the 8th century BC.
Thrace is now a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the NORTH , Rhodo Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the SOUTH, and by the BLACK SEA and the Sea of Marmara on the EAST.
HEC-ATE, at first, the Hellenic Greeks found difficulties to fit her into their pantheon. Although she was not considered a part of the Olympian company, she had retained dominion over the SKY, EARTH and the UNDERWORLD. Zeus himself honored her so greatly that he always conceded to Hecate the ancient power of giving or denying mortals any desired gift.
She is described as a sensible deity and was known for her gifts of prophecy, her clear vision, and her knowledge of the magical forces and occult wisdom.
She was personified as the Dark Mother, like the Black Sea, in both the positive and negative senses. She can send demons to torment men's dreams, driving them mad if they are not prepared enough to cope with her; but to those who dare to welcome her, she brings creative inspiration. She is the ultimate advisor given the fact of her clarity in his vision from back into the past, through the present and on into the future
In ancient times as trade developed in the form of trade ships used to navigate the turbulent waters of the Black Sea, in the same symbolic way this deity dealt with mortal men from the very beginning, trading their souls.
The BLACK SEA was a busy WATERWAY on the CROSSROADS of the ancient world.
The Black Sea was sailed by Hittites, Carians, Thracians, Greeks, Persians, Cimmerians, Scythians, Romans, Byzantines, Goths, Huns, Avars, Bulgars, Slavs, Varangians, Crusaders, Venetians, Genoese, Lithuanians, Georgians, Poles, Tartas, Ottomans, and Russians. Also it was a significant naval theatre of World War I and II.
HEC-ATE blended as Dark Mother with the role of the Black Sea, both connected with death and regeneration. She stands at the triple CROSSROADS that exists at all levels of existence manifested as PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE; BIRTH, LIFE and DEATH; BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.
Thrace is now a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the NORTH , Rhodo Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the SOUTH, and by the BLACK SEA and the Sea of Marmara on the EAST.
HEC-ATE, at first, the Hellenic Greeks found difficulties to fit her into their pantheon. Although she was not considered a part of the Olympian company, she had retained dominion over the SKY, EARTH and the UNDERWORLD. Zeus himself honored her so greatly that he always conceded to Hecate the ancient power of giving or denying mortals any desired gift.
She is described as a sensible deity and was known for her gifts of prophecy, her clear vision, and her knowledge of the magical forces and occult wisdom.
She was personified as the Dark Mother, like the Black Sea, in both the positive and negative senses. She can send demons to torment men's dreams, driving them mad if they are not prepared enough to cope with her; but to those who dare to welcome her, she brings creative inspiration. She is the ultimate advisor given the fact of her clarity in his vision from back into the past, through the present and on into the future
In ancient times as trade developed in the form of trade ships used to navigate the turbulent waters of the Black Sea, in the same symbolic way this deity dealt with mortal men from the very beginning, trading their souls.
The BLACK SEA was a busy WATERWAY on the CROSSROADS of the ancient world.
The Black Sea was sailed by Hittites, Carians, Thracians, Greeks, Persians, Cimmerians, Scythians, Romans, Byzantines, Goths, Huns, Avars, Bulgars, Slavs, Varangians, Crusaders, Venetians, Genoese, Lithuanians, Georgians, Poles, Tartas, Ottomans, and Russians. Also it was a significant naval theatre of World War I and II.
HEC-ATE blended as Dark Mother with the role of the Black Sea, both connected with death and regeneration. She stands at the triple CROSSROADS that exists at all levels of existence manifested as PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE; BIRTH, LIFE and DEATH; BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.
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