Forwarded from Ewige Sonne
The first exhortation of the Golden Verses of Pythagoras says: “First honor the immortal Gods, as is established and ordained by the Law.” Proclus has written a commentary on it and this is what he has to say about this exhortation: “The glorification of the Gods is effected by true belief in Them, and by doing good before Them; the true belief about Them is that They are good, and the givers of all things; that They do not cause evil; that They are not susceptible to change, because They are absolute, while change is a transition from something to something else, and that They are the Knowers of things that truly are, with a knowledge uncontaminated by falsehood.
Doing good varies according to the does and his position, and so for each different rank there are differences in sacrifices, incense, the use of pigs and wine, and festivals, and so on, and in this matter ancestral ruling is followed; this is what is meant by ‘Law.’ The reason why the rulings of the Law differ is that they conform to the difference among the minds, beliefs and habitations of men: the law of the Athenians was to sacrifice the pig and to make offerings of diluted wine, whereas the Egyptians refuse to sacrifice pigs. These are principles which were obtained from Hermes, who commanded man to abide by the laws of his fathers and ancestors, and to avoid alien practices. In accordance with the disposition of each nation of mankind and its ancestral rule, the usages established by the wise men regarding sacrifice, festivals and incense vary, and they trace back these principles to the Gods. This is why if any nation transgresses against its own custom, it perishes.
The Egyptians and the Greeks mingled their customs together, while some peoples think it appropriate to direct prayer toward the south, others to the north, and others in other directions, for the prescriptions of the law require the glorification of the Gods in accordance with the regulations laid down by the ancestors concerning the offering of sacrifices, incense, the directions of prayer, and so forth.”
Doing good varies according to the does and his position, and so for each different rank there are differences in sacrifices, incense, the use of pigs and wine, and festivals, and so on, and in this matter ancestral ruling is followed; this is what is meant by ‘Law.’ The reason why the rulings of the Law differ is that they conform to the difference among the minds, beliefs and habitations of men: the law of the Athenians was to sacrifice the pig and to make offerings of diluted wine, whereas the Egyptians refuse to sacrifice pigs. These are principles which were obtained from Hermes, who commanded man to abide by the laws of his fathers and ancestors, and to avoid alien practices. In accordance with the disposition of each nation of mankind and its ancestral rule, the usages established by the wise men regarding sacrifice, festivals and incense vary, and they trace back these principles to the Gods. This is why if any nation transgresses against its own custom, it perishes.
The Egyptians and the Greeks mingled their customs together, while some peoples think it appropriate to direct prayer toward the south, others to the north, and others in other directions, for the prescriptions of the law require the glorification of the Gods in accordance with the regulations laid down by the ancestors concerning the offering of sacrifices, incense, the directions of prayer, and so forth.”
☀️The Sun Riders☀️
The first exhortation of the Golden Verses of Pythagoras says: “First honor the immortal Gods, as is established and ordained by the Law.” Proclus has written a commentary on it and this is what he has to say about this exhortation: “The glorification of the…
The important point I took away from this quote that a good friend shared with me, is that you need to follow the traditions of your own ancestors.
'These are principles which were obtained from Hermes, who commanded man to abide by the laws of his fathers and ancestors, and to avoid alien practices.'
Make your ancestors proud!
'These are principles which were obtained from Hermes, who commanded man to abide by the laws of his fathers and ancestors, and to avoid alien practices.'
Make your ancestors proud!
The Color White
In Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European (PIE) there were a number of different words for the color white, most stemming from words which meant “to shine”. Modern Spanish “blanco” actually comes from Proto-Germanic *blankaz (Modern English “blank”) likely via the Goths. *Blaikaz eventually became Modern English “bleach” (think: I bleached my hair).
The word “white” on the other hand stems from Proto-Germanic *hwītaz and has a more inconclusive origin from PIE, perhaps only sharing cognates with the Slavic languages. Interestingly, this word could also meaning “beautiful”, for instance, we find this in the following passage of the Poetic Edda in Old Norse: “Þá kvað þat Heimdallr, hvítastr ása”, in English: “Then Heimdall spake, whitest of the gods.” We see a similar theme presented in the Proto-Germanic word *fagraz and it’s descendants.
However, one PIE word of interest meaning white was *albʰós. This word is the root of the Modern English “albino”, ultimately from Latin albus (white). This root also existed in Proto-Germanic as a direct descendant of PIE *albʰós as *albiz. However, unlike other branches, this word took on a slightly different meaning, ultimately becoming the Modern English “elf” or Old Norse “alfar”. It is certainly curious that this class of deity took in this name in the Germanic branch, perhaps because our ancestors saw them as shining beings with pale complexions.
We can also see something similar in the Celtic branches of language, taking on the Proto-Celtic *albiyū. This word is ultimately the source of the mountain range Alps, as well as various ethnonyms such as the Hispano-Celtic Albiones peoples, the Old Irish Albu (Scotland), and also whence the Modern English Albany.
Hopefully this post provides a little insight into how linguistics can be very useful to reconstructionist pagans. The shifting meanings of words provide us insights into how our ancestors saw the world and themselves. We can track these changes in context and connotation, for instance, the change of the word white to mean a class of deities, in order to get a better understanding of what the Elves or Alfar were, in this example.
-Hariwulfaz, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
In Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European (PIE) there were a number of different words for the color white, most stemming from words which meant “to shine”. Modern Spanish “blanco” actually comes from Proto-Germanic *blankaz (Modern English “blank”) likely via the Goths. *Blaikaz eventually became Modern English “bleach” (think: I bleached my hair).
The word “white” on the other hand stems from Proto-Germanic *hwītaz and has a more inconclusive origin from PIE, perhaps only sharing cognates with the Slavic languages. Interestingly, this word could also meaning “beautiful”, for instance, we find this in the following passage of the Poetic Edda in Old Norse: “Þá kvað þat Heimdallr, hvítastr ása”, in English: “Then Heimdall spake, whitest of the gods.” We see a similar theme presented in the Proto-Germanic word *fagraz and it’s descendants.
However, one PIE word of interest meaning white was *albʰós. This word is the root of the Modern English “albino”, ultimately from Latin albus (white). This root also existed in Proto-Germanic as a direct descendant of PIE *albʰós as *albiz. However, unlike other branches, this word took on a slightly different meaning, ultimately becoming the Modern English “elf” or Old Norse “alfar”. It is certainly curious that this class of deity took in this name in the Germanic branch, perhaps because our ancestors saw them as shining beings with pale complexions.
We can also see something similar in the Celtic branches of language, taking on the Proto-Celtic *albiyū. This word is ultimately the source of the mountain range Alps, as well as various ethnonyms such as the Hispano-Celtic Albiones peoples, the Old Irish Albu (Scotland), and also whence the Modern English Albany.
Hopefully this post provides a little insight into how linguistics can be very useful to reconstructionist pagans. The shifting meanings of words provide us insights into how our ancestors saw the world and themselves. We can track these changes in context and connotation, for instance, the change of the word white to mean a class of deities, in order to get a better understanding of what the Elves or Alfar were, in this example.
-Hariwulfaz, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
I want to take this chance to thank everyone who has shared my book announcement around and those who have supported the work we do here by seeking out a copy. I am blessed that so many have helped me make this release successful and have understood its purpose.
Thanks to the overwhelming support I’ve received, Taliesin’s Map has been the #1 New Release in both the Comparative Religion and Paganism categories every day this week on Amazon.
The first week sales surpassed all of my expectations. This tells me that people are fully awake to the need for this sort of research into the foundations of Celtic paganism.
I am thrilled that more people will now be tackling this subject matter and learning long lost truths about the Celtic and Indo-European gods.
I’d also like to express sincere gratitude to those who took the time to leave reviews, as these help others to discover the book and its message on into the future.
Amazon USA link: https://tinyurl.com/3dmra3kx
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Thanks to the overwhelming support I’ve received, Taliesin’s Map has been the #1 New Release in both the Comparative Religion and Paganism categories every day this week on Amazon.
The first week sales surpassed all of my expectations. This tells me that people are fully awake to the need for this sort of research into the foundations of Celtic paganism.
I am thrilled that more people will now be tackling this subject matter and learning long lost truths about the Celtic and Indo-European gods.
I’d also like to express sincere gratitude to those who took the time to leave reviews, as these help others to discover the book and its message on into the future.
Amazon USA link: https://tinyurl.com/3dmra3kx
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Copper alloy inscription, from Arezzo, honouring Appius Claudius Caecus. Translated into English it reads:
Appius Claudius Caecus, son of Gaius.
Censor, consul twice, dictator, interrex three times.
Praetor twice, curule aedile twice, quaestor, military tribune three times.
He seized many Samnite towns.
He routed Sabine and Etruscan armies.
He forbade peace with King Pyrrhus.
As censor he paved the Appian Way and brought water into the city.
He built the temple of Bellona.
——————————————————
As well as highlighting political and military achievements, I find it particularly interesting the inscription ends by highlighting that Appius Claudius Caecus built a temple, emphasising the importance of religious virtue in Roman culture.
Owen, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Appius Claudius Caecus, son of Gaius.
Censor, consul twice, dictator, interrex three times.
Praetor twice, curule aedile twice, quaestor, military tribune three times.
He seized many Samnite towns.
He routed Sabine and Etruscan armies.
He forbade peace with King Pyrrhus.
As censor he paved the Appian Way and brought water into the city.
He built the temple of Bellona.
——————————————————
As well as highlighting political and military achievements, I find it particularly interesting the inscription ends by highlighting that Appius Claudius Caecus built a temple, emphasising the importance of religious virtue in Roman culture.
Owen, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
'Through these stories, (Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, Lucretia, Publius Horatius Cocles, Gaius Fabricius) we gain a glimpse of how the Romans saw their ancestors and themselves. Early Rome was held up as a golden age, whose people embraced a simple lifestyle uncorrupted by excessive luxury. From this virtuous life, they won divine favour and drew the strength in adversity that gave Rome superiority over its neighbours. Later generations were taught to emulate and surpass their heroic forebears. It was this emulation that helped to drive the Republic’s expansion, which brought wealth into Rome on a previously unimaginable scale. And as the Republic finally collapsed into chaos and civil war, it was moral decline and the loss of ancestral virtue that the Romans invoked to explain their fate.'
David M. Gwynn on the Roman Republic (Gwynn, 2012, ‘The Roman Republic: A Very Short Introduction’)
(Image: Cincinnatus leaving the plow to make laws in Rome - Juan Antonio Ribera)
David M. Gwynn on the Roman Republic (Gwynn, 2012, ‘The Roman Republic: A Very Short Introduction’)
(Image: Cincinnatus leaving the plow to make laws in Rome - Juan Antonio Ribera)
Forwarded from ☀️The Sun Riders☀️ (Daelendil)
https://telegra.ph/Leshy-Personal-Experience-05-01
Leshy: Personal Experience
In this post I share with you my first personal experience with Leshy, his wrath and blessing.
-Daelendil, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Leshy: Personal Experience
In this post I share with you my first personal experience with Leshy, his wrath and blessing.
-Daelendil, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
The River Lethe and Reincarnation in Greco-Roman Mythology
Lethe, the river of forgetfulness, is one of the five rivers of the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology; Lethe was also the name of the personification of forgetfulness and oblivion, with whom the river was often associated. The shades of the dead were required to drink the waters of the Lethe in order to forget their earthly life: in the Aeneid, in book VI, Virgil writes that it is only when the dead have had their memories erased by the Lethe that they may be reincarnated.
"Spirits they are, to whom second bodies are owed by Fate, and at the water of Lethe’s stream they drink the soothing draught and long forgetfulness." (Aeneid, VI, 714-715)
This allows us to understand how the concept of reincarnation was present in the ancient Indo-European cultures outside of the Eastern paths.
- Patrick, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Lethe, the river of forgetfulness, is one of the five rivers of the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology; Lethe was also the name of the personification of forgetfulness and oblivion, with whom the river was often associated. The shades of the dead were required to drink the waters of the Lethe in order to forget their earthly life: in the Aeneid, in book VI, Virgil writes that it is only when the dead have had their memories erased by the Lethe that they may be reincarnated.
"Spirits they are, to whom second bodies are owed by Fate, and at the water of Lethe’s stream they drink the soothing draught and long forgetfulness." (Aeneid, VI, 714-715)
This allows us to understand how the concept of reincarnation was present in the ancient Indo-European cultures outside of the Eastern paths.
- Patrick, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Happy to see the book getting out into the world.
Link for those in the USA: https://tinyurl.com/4zwr3sed
UK: https://tinyurl.com/525vnavd
Canada: https://tinyurl.com/bdcmedxf
Get a copy on your country’s Amazon site.
Hardcover edition announcement to come this week.
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Link for those in the USA: https://tinyurl.com/4zwr3sed
UK: https://tinyurl.com/525vnavd
Canada: https://tinyurl.com/bdcmedxf
Get a copy on your country’s Amazon site.
Hardcover edition announcement to come this week.
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Ledberg Runestone
An interesting example of runic magic or a possible “galdr” (chant) of sorts can be observed in an 11th century stone in Sweden.
The main body of text is a Younger Futhark memorial to the carver’s father, Thorgautr (Thor-goth). The inscription then ends in the following charm:
ᚦᛘᚴ ᛬ ᛁᛁᛁ ᛬ ᛋᛋᛋ ᛬ ᛏᛏᛏ ᛬ ᛁᛁᛁ ᛬ ᛚᛚᛚ ᛬
þmk : iii : sss : ttt : iii : lll :
The first set of 3 letters correspond to the first 3 letters of a sequence of words. The final triplets are then the remaining letters in those words, yielding
>þistill, mistill, kistill
>thistle, mistletoe, casket
This formula, referred to as the Thistle Mistletoe Formula, is found in identical form in Denmark as well. The exact use of the formula isn’t known, but it is known that mistletoe was a sacred plant in pagan times. Pliny the Elder for instance recounts sacrifices by druids in oak grooves heavy in mistletoe, mistletoe is also the plant that kills Baldr, as a few examples.
-Hariwulfaz, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
An interesting example of runic magic or a possible “galdr” (chant) of sorts can be observed in an 11th century stone in Sweden.
The main body of text is a Younger Futhark memorial to the carver’s father, Thorgautr (Thor-goth). The inscription then ends in the following charm:
ᚦᛘᚴ ᛬ ᛁᛁᛁ ᛬ ᛋᛋᛋ ᛬ ᛏᛏᛏ ᛬ ᛁᛁᛁ ᛬ ᛚᛚᛚ ᛬
þmk : iii : sss : ttt : iii : lll :
The first set of 3 letters correspond to the first 3 letters of a sequence of words. The final triplets are then the remaining letters in those words, yielding
>þistill, mistill, kistill
>thistle, mistletoe, casket
This formula, referred to as the Thistle Mistletoe Formula, is found in identical form in Denmark as well. The exact use of the formula isn’t known, but it is known that mistletoe was a sacred plant in pagan times. Pliny the Elder for instance recounts sacrifices by druids in oak grooves heavy in mistletoe, mistletoe is also the plant that kills Baldr, as a few examples.
-Hariwulfaz, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
HARDCOVER edition now available
The 6th century legendary seer-poet Taliesin tasted the liquid of Inspiration and underwent a series of metamorphoses. This was the archetypal bardic initiation and as he changed shape he traced within himself the changes of the cosmic powers. He became the Knower whose words were a mythological map…
Amazon USA link: https://tinyurl.com/3nffvytz
Amazon Canada link: https://tinyurl.com/3c7d8dx2
Unfortunately, print on demand hardcovers are not available from Amazon UK.
This hardcover can be found on other European Amazon sites, however.
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
The 6th century legendary seer-poet Taliesin tasted the liquid of Inspiration and underwent a series of metamorphoses. This was the archetypal bardic initiation and as he changed shape he traced within himself the changes of the cosmic powers. He became the Knower whose words were a mythological map…
Amazon USA link: https://tinyurl.com/3nffvytz
Amazon Canada link: https://tinyurl.com/3c7d8dx2
Unfortunately, print on demand hardcovers are not available from Amazon UK.
This hardcover can be found on other European Amazon sites, however.
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
Forwarded from The Golden One
📚 New Book-Review!
Taliesin's Map: The Comparative Guide to Celtic Mythology by @solarcult
Read here:
https://thegoldenone.se/2022/02/13/taliesins-map-the-comparative-guide-to-celtic-mythology/
Taliesin's Map: The Comparative Guide to Celtic Mythology by @solarcult
Read here:
https://thegoldenone.se/2022/02/13/taliesins-map-the-comparative-guide-to-celtic-mythology/
The Golden One
📚 New Book-Review! Taliesin's Map: The Comparative Guide to Celtic Mythology by @solarcult Read here: https://thegoldenone.se/2022/02/13/taliesins-map-the-comparative-guide-to-celtic-mythology/
Thank you to THE GOLDEN ONE for the thorough review!
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
- O’Gravy, The Sun Riders
Some good news:
I’ve been notified that SOME hardcover orders have already begun shipping, after only a few days, despite the site saying “usually ships in 3-4 weeks.”
I’m sure this will vary depending on your country and region and the 3-4 weeks could still apply in some places.
- O’Gravy
I’ve been notified that SOME hardcover orders have already begun shipping, after only a few days, despite the site saying “usually ships in 3-4 weeks.”
I’m sure this will vary depending on your country and region and the 3-4 weeks could still apply in some places.
- O’Gravy
Scythian Scenes - An Original Poem
Pouring blood on the sword of Mihr
Riding with the Gods, covered in fear
Seething on the steppe of violence
Living off strength Targitaos lends
Milk and arrows, flow and fly
Even when our horses die
Clenching in the battle calm
Our swords in our palms
Enjoying their women with their mead
As virile as my violent, wild steed
Knowing their men were all dying or dead
To Mihr their Arms, To Mihr their heads
Pouring blood on the sword of Mihr
Riding with the Gods, covered in fear
Seething on the steppe of violence
Living off strength Targitaos lends
Milk and arrows, flow and fly
Even when our horses die
Clenching in the battle calm
Our swords in our palms
Enjoying their women with their mead
As virile as my violent, wild steed
Knowing their men were all dying or dead
To Mihr their Arms, To Mihr their heads
This poem is my own creation and is in reference to the Scythian worship of "Scythian Ares", as Herodotus put it, which the Scythians would sacrifice prisoners of war to, pouring their blood on an iron sword. This deity I believe is Mihr or Mithras, due to his association with the sword and its esoteric meaning. Targitaos being their equivalent to Hercules or Indra, a god of great strength.
-Kalin, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
-Kalin, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
The Head of a Celtic(?) Buddhist
This stucco head of an "Enlightened" potentially Celtic Buddhist was found among 15,000 Greco-Buddhist era artifacts by French Archaeologists in Hadda, Afghanistan. This head is believed to be held at the Musee Guimet or The National Museum of Asian Arts in France. One of multiple possible depictions of Celts in Buddhist art.
- Kalin, The Sun Riders
@solarcult
This stucco head of an "Enlightened" potentially Celtic Buddhist was found among 15,000 Greco-Buddhist era artifacts by French Archaeologists in Hadda, Afghanistan. This head is believed to be held at the Musee Guimet or The National Museum of Asian Arts in France. One of multiple possible depictions of Celts in Buddhist art.
- Kalin, The Sun Riders
@solarcult