In the West, herbal lore is often associated with the wise, or cunning woman; women who were persecuted as witches in the Middle Ages for their forbidden knowledge.… Read more “Herbal Goddesses From Around the World.”
Category: Comparative Mythology
The Day the Crow Turned Black.
The crow is a favorite in folklore and mythology, and its worldwide distribution means that it has appeared in many traditions. With a distinguishing call and singular… Read more “The Day the Crow Turned Black.”
You Can’t Take it With You… Or Can You?
As the old saying goes, you can’t take it with you (when you die). Meant to inspire people to enjoy the material things in life while they are alive,… Read more “You Can’t Take it With You… Or Can You?”
Love, Sex, and Other Things That Go Bump In the Night
My wife’s grandmother is a hoot; she’s pushing past a century old, and by the gods, the centuries are not pushing back. So, what advice did she… Read more “Love, Sex, and Other Things That Go Bump In the Night”
The Man Who Would Be King, the Frog Who Would Be God
“May You Live in Interesting Times!” is not a Chinese blessing; it’s a coy curse. It’s like when your parents tell you to go on and stay… Read more “The Man Who Would Be King, the Frog Who Would Be God”
The Asp-Turtle and Other Monstrous Sea Islands
Now will I spur again my wit, and use Poetic skill to weave words into song, telling of one among the race of fish, the great asp-turtle.… Read more “The Asp-Turtle and Other Monstrous Sea Islands”
Trivia and the Devil’s Blues
I had a chance to run trivia one night at our local beloved watering hole, which meant choosing categories and coming up with questions. This was one of… Read more “Trivia and the Devil’s Blues”
Absalom, Absalom!
Fathers and sons, sons and fathers: it’s a central theme for men of all ages, so it’s hardly surprising that it forms an important motif through mythology… Read more “Absalom, Absalom!”
Love and Loss in the Time of Winter: 3 Tales
The pre-Julian calendars of ancient Rome only had 10 months. From the end of December to the start of March was just a winter gap, undeserving of… Read more “Love and Loss in the Time of Winter: 3 Tales”