Author: Erlang Shen
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An Exploration of Minerva: The Roman Goddess of Wisdom and Craftsmanship Overview Minerva stands as one of the most esteemed deities in Roman mythology, representing wisdom, intelligence, craftsmanship, art, and inspiration. She observed the world from her celestial abode, embodying the traits of foresight and strategic thinking. Over time, Minerva evolved to also symbolize military…
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Demeter: Goddess of Agriculture and Fertility in Greek Mythology Demeter, an Olympian deity revered as the goddess of agriculture, grain, and sustenance, played a crucial role in nurturing humanity through the earth’s abundance. As the patroness of one of the significant Mystery Cults, she offered initiates the promise of an enriched afterlife in Elysium. Artistic…
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Hypnos: The God of Sleep in Greek Mythology Hypnos, the embodiment of sleep, is an intriguing figure in Greek mythology who resided in Erebos, the realm of perpetual gloom that lies beyond the sunrise. Each night, he ascended to the skies accompanied by his mother, Nyx (Night). Often associated with his twin brother Thanatos (gentle…
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Nyx, the personification of the night in Greek mythology, is one of the primordial gods born at the onset of creation. A descendant of Khaos (Chaos), she united with Erebos (Darkness) to give rise to significant deities, including Aither (Light) and Hemera (Day). In her solitary power, Nyx also produced a diverse array of spirits,…
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Exploring the Myth of Pandora Through Art Grade Level: 5–6 In this lesson, students will delve into the Greek myth of Pandora by examining the artwork of Odilon Redon titled Pandora. Following this analysis, they will create their own decorative boxes adorned with symbols representing an emotion they will contain and eventually express to the…
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Mors: The Roman Personification of Death Mors stands as an embodiment of darkness and misery in Roman mythology, representing death’s inevitable march. As a second-generation primordial goddess, she is often regarded synonymously with Thanatos, reflecting her nature through the duality of existence. Overview Mors is the Roman equivalent of death, born of Nox, the goddess…
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Nechtan: The Water Deity of Celtic Mythology Previously, we explored the figure of Boann, the goddess associated with rivers and wells. Now, let’s delve into her counterpart, the Celtic deity Nechtan. This god is often viewed through various lenses within Celtic mythology, but here we will specifically focus on the narratives that refer to him…
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With the Pacific Northwest Fall Equinox Festival approaching, many of us are preparing to take on roles as ritualists. To aid in this preparation, I am revisiting an earlier post that explores the significance of serving as a priest/ess of Isis. As I work on the ritual for our upcoming Festival Crewe meeting, please bear…
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Tang Sanzang, a pivotal figure from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, embodies the virtues of compassion and devotion. Created by Wu Cheng’en, the character draws inspiration from Xuanzang, a real-life Buddhist monk known for his pilgrimage to India. Character Overview Tang Sanzang, also referred to as Tripitaka, is a Buddhist monk who…
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The tale of Proserpina and Pluto, as narrated in Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” depicts a forced union between the god of the Underworld and Ceres’ daughter, Proserpina. This event was initiated by Cupid, who struck Pluto with a golden arrow to incite instant desire, acting on the wishes of Venus, the goddess of love. Venus asserted that…