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Good God!
Meet: Liber Liber may well have originated as a native Italian god of fertility, vegetation, and wine. He is also associated with intoxication and was known for throwing wicked parties. The Romans later merged his identity with that of the Greek god Dionysus. Like Dionysus, Liber represented uninhibited freedom and the subversion of the powerful. He was a patron deity of Rome’s plebeians – the largest, least powerful class of citizens – who rejected the civil and religious authority of the ruling class elite. Before being adopted as a Roman deity, Liber was a phallic deity and a companion to two different goddesses in two different archaic Italian fertility…
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Good God!
Meet: Mercury Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, protected travelers and transporters of goods, as well as shopkeepers and merchants, especially those dealing in grains, who would pray to him for large profits. He is chosen for this issue because Lughnasadh is the grain harvest. Mercury was the son of Jupiter, king of the gods, and Maia, goddess of the plains. He is one of the twelve major gods of the Roman pantheon. The World History website explains, “He is frequently depicted holding the caduceus, a wand used to reconcile conflicts, and winged sandals for quickly carrying messages for the gods. The wand had been given to him by…
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Good God!
Meet: Prometheus Prometheus is the Greek god of fire, intellect, and champion of mankind. He and Epimetheus, brothers and both Titans, were tasked with creating man. “Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into his clay figure,” according to greekmythology.com. The Olympians banished most of Prometheus’ family to Tartarus, leading Prometheus to love man more than the twelve Olympians – so much so that he tricked Zeus who had demanded man sacrifice a portion of all foods to the gods. The story is told that Prometheus wrapped bones in fat, and hid the best meats inside a hide. By choosing the bones, Zeus had to…
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Book Review – Pantheon: The Egyptians by Robin Herne
Book Review Pantheon The Egyptians by Robin Herne Publisher: Moon Books 200 Pages Publication Date: June 1, 2021 Pantheon: The Egyptians is part of a new series from established Pagan publisher Moon Books aimed at introducing readers to an entire Pantheon of deities rather than focusing on a single god, goddess, or spirit. Robin Herne’s volume explores the philosophy and theology of the Egyptians, alongside contextual geographical and historical information, ethics, mysticism, an exploration of magic and a “how to” approach of connecting with these ancient spirits and deities in our modern world. I’ve been fascinated by the Ancient Egyptians since I was a very small child, but…
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As Above, So Below (How the Stars Became Our Hearts)
Who Are The Dark Goddesses? Before we begin, as a disclaimer, it should be noted that with the old gods, stories differ from source to source, and were never canonized. An ironic word to use in that the word canonization comes from the canonization of the Bible. So in effect, the word doubles its meaning, in that they are religious texts non canonized, and that the various stories written about them are done so non canonically. The gods and are something that can only be expressed, not explained. Above is a picture of Shiva. Some of you may know, he is one of the Principal Deities of Hinduism.…
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GoodGod!
Meet the Gods: Belenus Belenus is one of the most ancient, beloved and widely worshiped Celtic deities. It is believed that the Latin name evolved from Bel or Belen, a Celtic word interpreted as “brilliant,” “shining,” or “luminous.” Orally, little is known about Belenus. The most archaeological remains dedicated to him were found in France, thought to be the center of his worship, but artifacts and references to him have been found in Northern Italy, Southern Gaul, the Alps, Austria, Rome, Scotland, Spain, and Britain. His shrines were often dedicated to healing and included therapeutic springs. “Votive offerings found at his shrine at Sainte-Sabine include terra-cotta horses and…
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She Who is All – Goddesses and The Divine Female
Nanshe (Photo Credit: wikipedia) Nanshe – Goddess of water, Goddess of fertility, Goddess of Prophecy, Goddess of Social Justice, Lady of the Storerooms. Nanshe was worshipped from the 3rd millennium BCE to the advent of Christianity, throughout the history of Mesopotamia. She was born to Enki, the God of wisdom, magic and water and Ninhursag, a Mother and Earth Goddess. Being most strongly associated with water, she is the Goddess of fishing. The fish is one of her symbols, as s symbol of life; her other symbol is the pelican, who sacrifices itself to feed her young. She is often depicted as a woman dancing above the water. Her…
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She Who is All – Goddesses and the Divine Female
CERNUNA (Image Credit – Deviant Art by Kendigo) I had a special request to do a column on the Horned Goddess Cernuna. As it turned out, there is not much available on Her. As per usual, She seems to have been superseded by the Horned God Cernunnos, who is represented by his torque, holding a snake and surrounded by animals. It would/could be assumed that all representations are of Cernunnos, however a small bust of a Horned Goddess was found in Kent, UK. Two others have also been found; one rests in the British Museum of London and the other at the Musee de Clermont-Ferrard in France.…
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She Who is All – The Goddess of Ten Thousand Names
Sulis/Sul It is all one being ill being well It is all energy energy in constant motion energy in constant flux restless energy that is never still ruthless energy that acts like a steam roller boundless energy that brings possibilities sparkling energy that tickles and sings stored energy that waits for release The healing waters at my shrine regenerated revitalized brought clarity mended holes opened vision allowed flow with energy flowing the dance of life resumes illness and wellness all one all energy all flow (Image and Poem Credit: The Goddess Oracle by Amy Sophia Marashinsky, Illustrated by Hrana Janto) Sulis is the ancient British Goddess of healing…
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GoodGod!
Meet the Gods: Cernunnos Merry meet. Cernunnos is one of the Ancient Ones, as old as the earth. The nature and fertility god is said to have been born of the All Mother Anu, working his magic in the wildwood as the first humans on earth came to be. He was part of evolution, seen “as a shape-shifting, shamanic god of the Hunt” in prehistoric times, according to the article, “Cernunnos – Ancient Celtic God” by J. M. Reinbold. His image was painted on cave walls and carved into cliffs. People dressed in skins, bones and feathers danced to communicate with him. They still do a dance in…