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Anuket/Anqet/Anukis {Goddess of the Week}

Agaliha — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:11:40 GMT

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In Egyptian mythology, Anuket (also spelt Anqet, and in Greek, Anukis) was originally the personification and goddess of the Nile river, in areas such as Elephantine, at the start of the Nile's journey through Egypt, and in nearby regions of Nubia.

Anuket was part of a triad with the god Khnum, and the goddess Satis. It is possible that Anuket was considered the daughter of Khnum and Satis in this triad, or she may have been a junior consort to Khnum instead. [1] Anuket was depicted as a woman with a headdress of feathers [1] (thought by most Egyptologists to be a detail deriving from Nubia). Her sacred animal was the gazelle.

During the New Kingdom, Anuket�s cult at Elephantine included a river procession of the goddess during the first month of Shemu. Inscriptions mention the processional festival of Khnum and Anuket during this time period. [3]

Ceremonially, when the Nile started its annual flood, the Festival of Anuket began. People threw coins, gold, jewelry, and precious gifts into the river, in thanks for the life-giving water and returning benefits derived from the wealth provided by her fertility to the goddess. The taboo held in several parts of Egypt, against eating certain fish which were considered sacred, was lifted during this time, suggesting that a fish species of the Nile was a totem for Anuket and that they were consumed as part of the ritual of her major religious festival.

From: Wikipedia

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Her name means "Embracing Lady", and like most ancient Egyptian concepts this could be understood in two senses; either the protective embrace or the life-quenching strangling one.

She was probably of Nubian origin though it is believed that she encompasses the Egyptian idea of a deity existing beyond the southern border. She was worshipped in the 1st cataract area, especially at the islands of Elephantine and Sehel, where she goes back to the Old Kingdom Period, and when she was regarded as the daughter of the sun-god Ra. The name of Anuket has been found together with Satet on a great number of inscriptions from quarry expeditions in that area.

In the New Kingdom Period she was included in the Elephantine triad as the daughter or consort of Khnum and his consort Satet. Together they protected the waters of the Nile in the cataract area.

Anuket is depicted as a woman wearing a tall feather crown, some say of ostrich plumes, others say of reed. She sometimes holds a papyrus sceptre. Thre is an ostracon on which she is depicted in the form of a gazelle and called 'lady of heaven' and 'mistress of the gods', though she is mostly shown in human form. Her image can be seen in the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and at other Nubian temples.

Main center of worship:

Abu/Elephantine, 1st Nome, Upper Egypt.
Kom Meir, near Esna, 1st Nome, Upper Egypt.

Festival Days: (dates not historically verified)
End of July - Beginning of August Thuthi - Feast of Anuket: Welcoming the rising of the Nile

From: Here

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An(u)ket (GR Anukis) - "Embracing Lady," consort (or alternately, daughter) to Khnum, Anuket is depicted as a woman wearing an unusual tall crown of ostrich feathers, probably a Nubian headdress. She is, along with Khnum and Satet, one of the three Names worshipped at Abu (Elephantine) in Upper Kemet, and can be seen on the walls of the temple of Ramses II at modern-day Abu Simbel, as well as in other Nubian temples. As a Name of Netjer associated with Elephantine and Sehel Island, in the area considered by Kemetics to be the source of the Nile, Anuket is a protectress of the mighty river (see Hapi). In earliest times She is also called a daughter of Ra.

From: House of Netjer

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The ancient Egyptian Goddess Anuket (also known as Anket, Anqet, Anjet or Anukis) was a personification of the Nile as "Nourisher of the Fields". She was also a goddess of the hunt and was worshipped as a protective deity during childbirth.

She was associated with the lower cataracts (near Aswan) and probably originated in Nubia or Sudan. Specifically, she was associated with Setet Island (Sehel island) and Abu (Elephantine) 1st nome of Upper Egypt, and was goddess of everything south of the Egyptian border. She was widely worshipped in Nubia, and given the title "Mistress of Nubia". In southern Nubia, Khnum merged with the ram-headed Amun, so Anuket and Satet (Satis) in some places also appear as wives of Amun.

She was originally the daughter of Ra, but seems to have been associated with Satet since ancient times. In fact both these goddesses were called the "Eye of Ra" (along with Sekhmet , Bast and Hathor, amongst others). Similarly, both Anuket and Satet were linked to the Ureas (the royal cobra on the god's crown). During the New Kingdom she was placed in the Abu triad with Khnum and Satet. These three water deities protected the Nile cataracts and the area the Egyptians believed to be the source of the Nile. In later times she was identified with Nephthys at the temple "Per-Mer" due to Satet's links with the goddess Isis and Khnum's link with Osiris. However both Satet and Anuket are closely linked to Isis, who took on the attributes of the fertile waters of the Nile as well as being a form of the star Sirius.

Anuket was generally depicted as a woman wearing a tall headdress made either of reeds or of ostrich feathers, often holding a sceptre and the ankh symbol, but was occasionally shown in the form of a gazelle.

Her name means "embrace" and may have originally referred the embrace of the waters of the inundation. She was also depicted suckling the pharaoh during the New Kingdom, and became a goddess of lust during later periods. In this form, she gained association with cowrie shells, which resemble the vagina. The Festival of Anuket was held when the innundation began. People threw coins, gold, jewelry, and precious gifts into the Nile to please the goddess.

From: Here

Quote:

Other Names: Anket, Anqet, Anukis.

Patron of: the Nile and its inundation.

Appearance: a woman wearing a crown of reeds and ostrich feathers, often accompanied by a gazelle.

Description: Anuket was most likely an imported goddess from Nubia, and was worshiped as the "nourisher of the fields," referring to the annual inundation of the Nile that deposited a layer of rich silt on the agricultural areas. She formed a triad with Khenmu and Satis, and in later times was identified with Nephthys. Her name means "embrace" and may refer to the banks of the Nile which yearly would embrace the fields to bring fertility to the land.

Worship: Worshiped throughout Nubia, her Egyptian cult center was at Elephantine.

From: Here

Also see:
Anqet, The Embracer, Goddess of Fertility and the Nile at Aswan by Caroline Seawright
Anuket article, has info
Anqet - "Embracing Lady"
Cult Center: Elephantine
Wiki - Elephantine

On MW:
Other members of the Abu/Elephantine triad--
Khnum {God of the Week}
Satis/Satet {Goddess of the Week}

Also:
A Goddess of the river Nile (Anuket?) - had an interesting

Merry Meet from the UK!

Ska�i* — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:57:01 GMT

Hello everyone!

I was a member of this forum many years ago, but I don't remember any of my login details, nor do I have access to the email it was linked to. So....here's to a new start!

I recently moved countries and I am missing my friends terribly. I'm looking to interact with like-minded people, make some friends, and learn.

It's good to be back! :)

Suffocation in a dream?

MoonlitTigress — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:48:49 GMT

(I missed this site so much ; u ; )

So I had a series of dreams earlier tonight and I find the one part of it interesting. I was running around and playing in this place (I feel like it's near the ocean) and I found my friend by these stairs. Then all of the sudden I can't breathe and everything starts getting fuzzy and dark. I grab onto the sleeve of his jacket in my thumb and index finger way of grabbing onto people and then all of the sudden two doctors appear and he puts one of those breathing masks on me.
I end up breathing again, but I just found that interesting :/

shakes the cobwebs away Hewwo? Hewwo? Hewwwwooooo?

Gaudior — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:12:54 GMT

So, it's been rather dead around here, so I thought I'd liven things up a bit!

So! Summer is coming! And I am taking classes! Because...because I guess I'll be bored this summer? I'll be working too, hopefully getting an internship at the circuit court office in my area. Plus, I'll be exchanging notes back and forth with my friends who got to work at camp this summer. Meh. My classes are online this semester, which saves gas monies and stuff.

Um. I got lucky that my books, so far, totaled to only 95 dollars. Seriously, how did I manage that? Usually it takes my entire paycheck and a half. But I am happy it didn't break me this time around :)

Also, my cat won't stop meowing. Ugh. You'd think I never spent time with him <_<

Maybe I'll visit my friend this summer. She moved and I miss her already. Le sigh.

Okay, well...that's all I got now. I'm gonna go watch Space Ghost and fall asleep. I guess.

- Gaudior! (The artist formally known as Selah)

Poussin secret discovered :KEY of Rennes le Chateau mystery

meli88 — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:27:38 GMT

2 UNKNOWN POUSSIN'S PAINTINGS DISCOVERED : THE Poussin secret . This secret is the KEY OF RENNES LE CHATEAU'S MYSTERY AND SHOUGBOROUGH enigma

There is a great mystery Rennes le chateau with strange priest Sauniere . Nicolas Poussin is in the center of this mystery . Many people believe since long years it's the "BERGERS d'ARCADIE" which give the answer!but there has been no answer in this painting just some hypothetic answers .
There is 6 years I've received from my mother 2 paintings which were in my family since a long time . They came from a priest Henri Gasc ,priest in a church Notre Dame de Marceille near Rennes le chateau . He was my ancestor.Since 6years I've discovered that these paintings were of Nicolas Poussin and were the key of the Rennes le chateau's mystery and the key of Poussin's secret .
We have found many symbols,codes and many hidden pictures in these paintings ,which give the Poussin secret but also the answer at this great mystery . I tell about all this story and my discoverings in my site in a few days in english

www.lesecretdepoussin.com

There has been a reportage on the greatest french TV to explain my discoverings . These 2 paintings have been found in a crypt of the church where Gasc was priest . near Rennes le chateau . He has discovered the secret in these 2 paintings and has passed on the secret in parchments, these famous parchments which have been founded in Rennes le chateau's church by Sauniere . There has been no luck discovering by Sauniere , but these parchments have been placed here, to be found and pass on the secret .Gasc is the protagonist of this mystery bit with Henri Boudet . Boudet has wrotten a starnge book CROMLECH DE RENNES LES BAINS or the REAL CELTIC LANGAGE ,and in my paintings all details are in connexion with this book . I explain it in an interview which is on my site at LINK PAGE. Read my incredible story which explains this fabulous mystery qnd discoveries ....
In these paintings there is a code to find the answer at this secret . RELIGIOUS secret ancestral secret .There is a hidden message and a hidden picture .You must find it to understand. There is a Da Poussin code to discover the key of this mystery and this secret . Look at the Poussin's seal TENET CONFIDENTIAM or Poussin's secret and look at my painting! argonautes boat is the same

Maahes/Mihos {God of the Week}

Agaliha — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:33:55 GMT

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Maahes (also spelled Mihos, Miysis, Mios, Maihes, and Mahes) was an ancient Egyptian lion-headed god of war, whose name means "he who is true beside her". He was seen as the son of the feline goddess (Bast in Lower Egypt or Sekhmet in Upper Egypt) whose nature he shared. Maahes was a deity associated with war and weather, as well as that of knives, lotuses, and devouring captives. His cult was centred in Taremu and Per-Bast.

The first recorded reference to Maahes is from the New Kingdom. Some Egyptologists have suggested that Maahes was of foreign origin; [3] indeed there is some evidence that he may have been identical with the lion-god Apedemak worshipped in Nubia and Egypt's Western Desert.

As a lion-god and patron, he was also considered the son of Ra and of Bast,[4] the feline war goddess and patron of Lower Egypt as well as Sekhmet, the lioness war goddess and patron of Upper Egypt. Since his cult was centred in Per-Bast (Bubastis in Greek) or in Taremu (Leontopolis in Greek), he was more known as the son of Bast. As he became a tutelary deity of Egypt, his father was said to be the chief male deity at the time - either Ptah, or Ra who had by this time already merged with Atum into Atum-Ra. In his role of son of Ra, Maahes fought the serpent Apep during Ra's nightly voyage.

Considered to have powerful attributes, feline deities were associated with the pharaohs, and became patrons of Egypt. The male lion hieroglyphic was used in words such as "prince", "mashead", "strength", and "power".

Name
The name of Maahes begins with the hieroglyphs for the male lion, although in isolation it also means (one who can) see in front. However, the first glyph also is part of the glyph for Ma'at, meaning truth and order and so it came to be that Maahes was considered to be the devourer of the guilty and protector of the innocent. Some of the titles of Maahes were Lord of Slaughter,[5] Wielder of the Knife, and The Scarlet Lord.

Depictions
Maahes was pictured as a man with the head of a male lion, occasionally holding a knife and wearing the double crown of Egypt, or the atef crown. [6] Sometimes he was identified with Nefertem[7] and was shown with a bouquet of lotuses near him, but he also was depicted as a lion devouring a captive.

Sacred animals
Tame lions were kept in a temple dedicated to Maahes in Taremu, where Bast/Sekhmet were worshipped, his temple was adjacent to that of Bast. [8] The ancient Greek historian Aelian wrote: "In Egypt, they worship lions, and there is a city called after them. (...) The lions have temples and numerous spaces in which to roam; the flesh of oxen is supplied to them daily (...) and the lions eat to the accompaniment of song in the Egyptian language", thus the Greek name of the city Leontopolis was derived.

From: Wiki

Quote:

Maahes was thought to be the guardian of sacred places, and the one who attacks captive enemies. He protected the innocent dead and condemned the damned. He was thought to be one of Osiris' executioners, and a defender of the solar barque against the attack of the snake-demon Apep and his followers. He protected the pharaoh while he was in battle, just as he protected the sun god Ra. He was also a god, and a protector of the horizon, due to his leonine form - lions were connected to the horizon by the Egyptian mind. He was also thought to be the personification of the summer heat, just as the Eye of Ra - different lioness goddesses - were thought to represent the burning heat of the sun.

(...)

Thought to be the son of either Bast and Ptah at Per-Bast (Bubastis) or the son of Sekhmet and either Ptah or the sun god Ra. In the tale of "The Taking of Joppa", Thothmose III was called 'Maahes, Son of Sekhmet'. The Egyptians confused the two goddesses, and their children. He was linked to Nefertem and Shesmu, both being lion-headed deities who were also related to perfumes and oils. Nefertem and Maahes were probably especially confused by the Egyptians due to their respective mothers - Sekhmet and Bast. He was also connected with the war-god Onuris as well as with the sky god Shu. There are suggestions that he might have been an assimilation of the Nubian lion-god Apedemak.

(...)

His cult centre was at Leontopolis in Lower Egypt, but he was worshiped around Upper Egypt, and in Nubia. Maahes was depicted in the temple of Debod, which was moved to Madrid, Spain, before the Aswan Dam building would have flooded and destroyed it. Osorkon III (Dynasty XXII) build a temple to him in Per-Bast (Bubastis) while Nay-ta-hut (Leontopolis) housed a necropolis for lions, his sacred animal. Other major cult centres for Maahes included Djeba (Utes-Hor, Behde, Edfu), Iunet (Dendera), Meroe (the royal city of the Meroitic rulers of Nubia) and the Bahriya and Siwa Oases

From: MAAHES, GOD OF WAR AND PROTECTION, THE LEONINE LORD OF SLAUGHTER

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Other Names: similar to the Furies of Greek mythology being called "The Kindly Ones," Mahes was rarely referred to by name and was instead referred to as "The Lord of the Massacre." His name is also found spelled "Maahes." Patron of: punishment of those who violate Maat, the universal order.

Appearance: a man with the head of a young lion, often shown carrying a knife.

Description: Another feline deity, Mahes was the son of Bast and Ptah and may be an Egyptian assimilation of the Nubian lion-god Apedemak. When Maat was violated, the other gods would work to set it aright, but Mahes would be sent to punish the one who had committed the transgression. Interestingly enough, he encompassed his own opposite, and his name was invoked as a protection for the innocent.

Worship: Cult center at Leontopolis, also worshipped alongside Bast at Bubastis. The Greeks also worshipped him for a time, possibly aligning him with the Furies.

From: here

Quote:

(...)

His name can be translated directly as "(one who can) see in front". However, the first part of his name is also the first part of the word "ma" (lion) as well as the verb "maa" (to see) and it is spelled with the symbol of a sickle for the sound "m", linking it with the word Ma�at (truth or balance). As a result, another possible translation is "True Before Her" (referring to Ma�at).

However, Maahes was rarely referred to by name. Rather he was usually referred to by his most common epithet, "The Lord of the Massacre". He was given a number of other bloodcurdling epithets including; "Wielder of the Knife", "The Scarlet Lord" (referring to the blood of his victims) and "Lord of Slaughter". Yet, he was not seen as a force of evil. He punished those who violated the rules of Ma�at and so promoted order and justice. Thus he was also known as the "Avenger of Wrongs" and "Helper of the Wise Ones". The Greeks associated him with the Furies (who were also potentially dangerous but not specifically evil) and gave him their epithet "The Kindly One."

(...)

For the full article, see: Here

Quote:

Epithets:
"Wielder of the Knife"
"Helper of the Wise Ones"
"The Initiator," (I wonder where this came from?)
"Lord of the Slaughter"
"Manifestor of Will"
"Avenger of Wrongs"
"Lord of the Land of Daughters" (apparently there is a place in the Duat where his priestesses reside?)
"Scarlet Lord"
"Great of Roaring" (c3 hmhm)
"Great of Strength" (c3 phty/ wr phty)
"Powerful of Arms" (nHt cwy)
"Raging Lion."
"Lion with the Ferocious Gaze"
and "Soul of Bast"

**

Lion

"The Lion"
"The Living Lion"

Attributes

"He of the Strong Body"
"He of the Great Power"
"Whose Arms are Strong"
"Whose eyes are reddened"
"He who stands on his knee"
"Who is strong with his arms"

Relationships

"The Son of Bast"
"The Heir of the Pillar"
"The heir of the pillars"
The Son of the Goddess"
"He who advocates his father Re"
"He who seeks the leg of his father"
"He who advocates for his father Re"
"He who brings the leg of the one who has sired him"

Lord

"The Lord of Debod"
"The Lord of Bubastis"
"The Lord of the Foreign Lands"
"The Lord of the 10th Nome of Upper Egypt"
"The Lord of Xois, resp. of the Nome of Xois"

Principal

"The Principal of the Gods"
"The Principal of the site of stabbing"
"The Principal of the Temple of Bast in Lower Egypt"
"The Principal of the site of the part/share of the two Lords"
"The Principal of the divine farmland (in the 18. Nome of Lower Egypt)"

Nobel God

"The Noble God"
"The Noble Power"

Violent God

"He of the loud roar"
"He of the great roar"
"He of the grim face"
"He who robs hearts"
"He who devours hearts"
"He of the great respect"
"He of the raging moment"
"He who lives off the blood of Rechit"
"He who dwells/is in the midst of the oasis"
"He who pursuits the rebels with swift strides"
"He who dwells/is with a grim face amongst his enemies"

Punishing God

"He who drives off Set"
"He who kills adversaries"
"He who breaks rebellion"
"He who kills the nile horse"
"He who kills enemies on both shores"
"He who brings about the downfall of rebels"
"He who takes the blood of the associates of Set"
"Who drives his Gabelstoc into the back of his enemy"
"He who throws the gazelles of the desert down to the ground"
"He who stabs the rebels with his blazing breath/breath of blaze"

Protecting God

"The Great Protector"
"He who tramples down"
"He who protects Foreigners"
"He who protects sanctuaries/shrines from bad/evil"
"He who dwells/is in midst of the throne seat of Heru"
"He who drives off the enemy from the great throne seat"
"He who drives off the enemies from the Island of Raging"

(thanks to Taysat for translating these from Lexikon der �gyptischen G�tter und G�tterbezeichnungen)

From: House of Nejer Thread

Quote:

Maahes or Mihos, the lion-god, son of Bast, called Miysis by the Greeks. He is portrayed as a man with the head of a lion, sometimes wearing the Atef crown. He is sometimes also portrayed as a lion devouring a captive.

He first appears as a deity in the story "The Taking of Joppa", in which Thutmosis III is referred to as "Maahes, son of Sekhmet". He is often confused with Sekhmet because at times he is shown holding a khopesh (knife or sword) or two. He is a war-god, and in this role is associated with other war-like deities such as Horus and Nefertem, whose floral head-dress Maahes sometimes wears. He is the guardian of sacred places and an aggressor who attacks and mauls a captive enemy. His local roots were at Leontopolis (modern Tell el-Muqdam) in nome 11 of Lower Egypt. The Pharaoh Osorkon III (Dynasty XXII) erected a temple to him at Bubastis, the town sacred to the god's mother. Mihos' name is also found in papyri of the late New Kingdom.

Main Temple: Per Bast / Bubastis, 18th Nome, Lower Egypt Priesthood:
Other Temples: Nay-ta-hut / Leontopolis / Tell el-muqdam, 11th Nome, Lower Egypt

Festival Days:
The festival days of Maahes were celebrated with those of his mother, Bast.

From: Akhet

Also see:
Wepwawet Wiki page
House of Netjer Maahes thread
Henadology - MIHOS
Mihos
Another article

A re-introduction , and greeting to you all

Xander67 — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:59:24 GMT

Hello Everyone and Merry Meet,

I am an eleven year member of this wonderful place that has been such a great part of my life and the source of kinship, inspiration, and yes even general tomfollery in just silly.

First I want to appologise for the long post here as I felt it was better to put everything in one spot rather than repeating different parts here an there. Secondly, If my story helps others to avoid going through what I did, than I feel I have done somethinto benefit others in a good way.

Last year I moved out to Texas and due to my work I was not able to have as much time to get in here.
My experience in Texas was awesome! It was something that I had been lead to do for about 7 years and just one of those things that would always eat at me till I did it.

Well, after having went out there for a family reunion in 2010, my cousins let me stay with them and I was able to pay them each week to help them with rent and bills.. SO in January of last year, I loaded up the SUV and headed out. I was able to find a job within three months and everything was working out just fine.

I even had decent medical ins to where I could get back on track with my Chron's disease treatments as well as keep up with my Psych meds... for me, being unemployed for so long and not having insurance meant I had to decide between my GI issues or my Psych meds... I was able to afford going to my psych DR and was able to pay cash for the visits and my meds.

I decided that it was more important for me to remain compliant with my psych meds because having worked in a hospital, and a nursing home, I was well aware that if I was off my meds it meant that I could possibly affect others not to mention myself,
from working in the ER I saw first hand someone who was off his meds and how he was put in a holding cell and then shipped down to psych....

So, I wanted to avoid that and felt I made the right choice, unfortunately, my choice caused my Chron's disease to progress to the point where I knew I needed to get it looked at.

Then in October of last year, 2011, My mother had told me that she had been sick and I knew that I needed to get back home ASAP because my sister has her family and can only do so much. So I moved back here in Oct and was able to find a job in Feb, so I figured ok, once I hit my 90 days I can get back on track with the chrons treatments......

I was working, no call outs, on time and everything but It got to the point where I was spending more time in the bathroom than doing my job.... then came the day I just couldnt go into work because of severe constipation and wht I thought was just a boil on my bottom....

so I started to call out but then my mom said I should go to the ER.... I called work and just told them I was going to the hospital and woud update them when I knew something....

When I got to the ER, and told them about my symptoms and what meds I took.... they wanted to know why I had been so long since going to the GI DR for my chrons.... well I explained why and how I made what I thought was the right decision.

The Dr's and even the Nurses understood why and even told me that was a brave thing to do... however, what I had thought was a Boil was not, it was an indication tht my chron's had been to the point where surgery was a possibility....

They could not even do the colonoscopy because of a stricture, they call it rectal stenosis an so I had a CT Scan which showed I deffinately needed Surgery and then an Upper GI was done so the Surgeons had xrays to go by...

I am now home from what I consider a lifechanging experience and doing well. And now going through the process of getting on Disabilty...

Physically I am able to get out and do things but am now disabled due to both the Mental and the GI Issues....

I now find myself in a situation where I will be able to get in here and participate in this wonderful place.

Formerly, I was a forum Guide in the Expolitics and Astrology Forums and would very much like to Serve once again as before if the Staff would have me do it. Otherwise I will still be around and help wherever I can.

Again, please excuse the length of this post but I felt that it was easier to put it all out in one place rather than repitive mentions here and there.

Xander67

Iatromantis - Incubation (ritual) - dream incubation

MonSno_LeeDra — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:57:20 GMT

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Iatromantis is a Greek word whose literal meaning is most simply rendered "physician-seer."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iatromantis (not the best source but sufficient for this discussion and to introduce the concept)

Quote:

The sick, who visited the temples of Aesculapius, had usually to spend one or more nights in his sanctuary (katheudein, ineubare, Paus. ii. 27 � 2), during which they observed certain rules prescribed by the priests. The god then usually revealed the remedies for the disease in a dream. (Aristoph. Plut. 662, &c.; Cic. De Div. ii. 59 ; Philostr. Vita Apollon. i. 7; Jambl. De Myst. iii. 2.) It was in allusion to this incubatio that many temples of Aesculapius contained statues representing Sleep and Dream. (Paus. ii. 10. � 2.)

Quote:

According to Peter Kingsley, iatromantis figures belonged to a wider Greek and Asian shamanic tradition with origins in Central Asia. A main ecstatic, meditative practice of these healer-prophets was incubation (ἐγκοίμησις, enkoimesis). More than just a medical technique, incubation reportedly allowed a human being to experience a fourth state of consciousness different from sleeping, dreaming, or ordinary waking: a state that Kingsley describes as �consciousness itself� and likens to the turiya or samādhi of the Indian yogic traditions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iatromantis

Quote:

Incubation is the religious practice of sleeping in a sacred area with the intention of experiencing a divinely inspired dream or cure. Incubation was practised by many ancient cultures. In perhaps the most well known instance among the Hebrews, found in 1 Kings 3, Solomon went to Gibeon "because that was the most renowned high placeto offer sacrifices." There "the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night," and Solomon asked God for the gift of an understanding heart. Among the members of the cult of Asclepius, Votive offerings found at ritual centres at Epidaurus, Pergamum, and Rome detail the perceived effectiveness of the method. Incubation was adopted by certain Christian sects and is still used in a few Greek monasteries. Modern practices for influencing dream content by dream incubation utilise more research-driven techniques, but they sometimes incorporate elements reflecting these ancient beliefs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incubation_(ritual)

Quote:

Dream incubation is a practiced technique of learning to "plant a seed" in the mind, in order for a specific dream topic to occur, either for recreation or to attempt to solve a problem. For example, a person might go to bed repeating to themselves that they will dream about a presentation they have coming up, or a vacation they recently took. While somewhat similar to lucid dreaming, dream incubation is simply focusing attention on a specific issue when going to sleep. Several studies have shown this method to be successful over a period of time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_incubation

T.A.W.N. May Cauldronluck

Tish — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:03:37 GMT

The Tucson Area Wiccan/Pagan Network's (TAWN) monthly Meet & Greet! Sunday, May 20th, La Madera Park (Florence Dr. & Treat Ave., Tucson, AZ). Business meeting from 11am-noon; potluck from noon-1pm. This month's food theme is "Old-Fashioned Picnic"; the grill will be available, so please bring a dish to share. We'll also be having another rummage sale, with anything left over donated to charity. Free, as always. More info: www.tawn.org

:boing::hyper::uhhuhuh::hahugh:

Server upgrades

mol — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:27:54 GMT

I am doing some server upgrades and will need to reboot the server in a few minutes. Downtime should only be 2-3 minutes.

Karen Chance Novels

Sollie — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:49:38 GMT

Has anyone here read either the Cassandra Palmer series or Dorina Basarab series by Karen Chance? The books are really wonderful and I was hoping to have someone to discuss them with.

Cassie books: Touch the Dark, Claimed by Shadows, Embrace the Night, Curse the Dawn, Hunt the Moon
Dorina books: Midnight's Daughter and Death's Mistress

Non-anthropomorphic deities that I've seen

Lydia_2 — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:39:35 GMT

I've had several dream-like visions while meditating, but the most revealing one showed me the gods themselves. They weren't what I typically think of when I think 'gods': they didn't look human, humanoid, or even animal-like. The first deity that I was shown was a huge dull-black circular maw on the pitch-black background of outer space, so it didn't contrast much with the background. The maw had many sharp triangular teeth pointing inward, but the teeth were extensions of the black maw, not actual dental teeth. A narrating voice called it "the spirit of evil chaos" and described it as "the creator of the universe as you know it", and "blind", and having "the intelligence of a jellyfish", and being "unfathomably evil". If there were a central deity, this would be it. I was then shown the "twin demiurges", who are polar opposites. The first demiurge that I saw was a ball-shaped mass of large shiny yellow bubbles which grew larger and burst. The bursting bubbles spattered out slime and made a bright flash of light and loud noise, and when one bubble burst, a new one would grow from beneath to replace it. The narrating voice said that this being is the cosmic force of pure deliberate wrong. The second demiurge that I saw was a transparent orb of indigo light. Inside the orb was a disk of miniature dark blue-purple clouds that slowly swirled inward toward the center. The narrating voice said that this being is the cosmic force of pure deliberate right, and the source of beauty. The narrating voice identified itself as this very being. The narrating voice stated that the two demiurges are usually weak, but wherever there is life, they become more powerful and influential.

Hello

J.Fox — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:55:22 GMT

I'm new to this whole way of life. I'm mainly looking for direction. I've looked at websites but nothing beats people opinions and input.

Hello Friends

Shin'Ar — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:52:48 GMT

I am what I would call a Druid Mystic and my practice is one of unique combination.

I am just now making myself familiar with this forum and when I find the appropriate threads I will begin to reveal myself in more detail. I hope to find much to share here in this community.

Peace and good health to All.

Shin'Ar

Common misconceptions of the Ancient Celts?

MourningMoon — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:09:06 GMT

So recently a fellow pagan told me that the ancient Celtic peoples did not worship a horned god. I find that somewhat hard to believe since there seems to be evidence worship some sort of male-horned deity. Wanted to know if this is disputable or correct.

May the 4th be with you!

Djiril — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:39:41 GMT

I know I'm posting this a bit late, but Happy Star Wars Day!

Have a Star Wars themed Improv Everywhere prank:
http://improveverywhere.com/2010/07/...rs-subway-car/

Need help interpreting this reading?

mrzebra — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:27:59 GMT

Question: Is my common law bf cheating on me?

*
Past Influences
2 of Swords (reversed): In the past some of your relationships may have been had some lies, disloyalty*and deciept. You didn't want to face the problems and troubles around you. It could also indicate you were tempted to push to "move things forward" in a relationship.
*
8 of Swords (reversed): There was unexpected opposition from an enexpected direction. You felt like you didn't have the strength to deal with problems and troubles. There may have been disagreements and petty arguments.
*
9 of Cups: This card indicates the deepening of a relationship. You got what you had wished for.
*
Focus
III The Emperess: The focus is on the possibility of marriage. This card may also indicate a pregnancy.
*
Future Results
Queen of Pentacles (reversed): This card indicates you need to focus on your home life. This card may also indicate the potential for pregnancy.
*
Queen of Wands: This indicates a woman who is willing to offer you advice. She may be a Leo (born between July 24 and Aug 23). She is a loyal friend and she may be the one you seek advice from.
*
0 The Fool: There may be an unexpected change of direction. You need to watch your step and pay attention to your surroundings.*You need*to be confident and don't act*hastily. It may also indicate that the person who is a loyal friend can be foolish at times as well. This card may also indicate you aren't ready for a commitment yet, even though others may be pressing you for one.

If you total up the reversed and upright, the focus card worth 2 points, it says yes but I don't know if the meanings imply yes. Any suggestions on how to interpret this?

Why paganism?

barfcookies — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:31:25 GMT

In recent months, I have been considering a lot why it is that I'm an incredibly eclectic pagan, instead of a generic but off-kilter Christian or a nonspecific Buddhist or something else. I know why I am, but I find a lot of value in the experiences of others. So out of curiosity I ask you all:

Why are YOU pagan? How did it happen that you became a pagan? Were you raised as such, or did you find your path some other way? Was it gradual, or sudden? Etc? Describe the events and processes that led to your beliefs being what they are.

I will start us off (in the next post)

Beltane

Louisvillian — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:51:17 GMT

Well, this forum seems half-dead. :p

Figured I'd put up a new topic, try to liven things up a bit. And seeing as how we're mostly either going to celebrate Beltane soon or already celebrated it, I think we ought to have a nice discussion about it.
What did you all do for Beltane? What kind of rituals? Out-of-ritual activities?
And a bigger question: what does Beltane mean for you?

Either way, blessed Beltane, folks. :thumbsup:

Gratitude Spell

starrykitten — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:25:16 GMT

Hi all--

I'm wanting to do a spell of gratitude for many things in my life, but I'm not sure where to begin. Does anybody know of a good ritual for this? Also, I usually work with candles, but I don't know what kind of dressing oil would be best in this situation. I welcome suggestions for that too. Many thanks.

Need a witch buddy

starrykitten — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:27:36 GMT

Hi there--

I hope this is the right place for this. I'm going through a lot of upheaval right now, and to be honest, I'm not sure if I'm on the verge of a breakdown or a breakthrough. I have so much going on that it's overwhelming, and while I have a great therapist, I need some spiritual support as well.

I'm hoping to find someone that can be my "witch buddy" for a little while. By that, I mean, it'd be nice to have someone to check in with and to bounce ideas for good rituals and healing work off of. I'd be happy to reciprocate if you like.

Thank you for reading this. Please PM me if you're interested. Thanks, and blessed be!

Loosing weight in the gym

Vampyria — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:30:38 GMT

Hi!

I started to work out in the gym, my second week now and I still walk with my dog, minimum 45 minutes a day and max 2 hours. I do situps whenever I get off work that allows me to, but mostly after working out at the gym. I do the crosstrainer for 15 minutes on level 12(there is up to 25) and all the exercises with butt, thighs(back and front), benchpress, arms, shoulders and back.
I eat healthy and 5 small meals everyday, every fourht hour and only wholewheat, but me and my mom has decided to once a month allow ourself to eat something really nice, often a cookie but only once a month. I exercies at the gym every saturday and sunday, unless I�ve been partying saturday which happens once a month, very very rarely 2 a month and I make sure not to drink to much,

My question is, my stomache was kind of flat yesterday but now, it�s all swollen and puffy, like really big and it looks like I gained alot of weight in just a day, why is that? I work out everyday and the gym has really helped, is 15 minutes enougb on the crosstrainer if it makes me sweat alot?

Pagans in Ohio

Naerianu — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:24:27 GMT

Any covens or groups in the southwestern corner of ohio?

Pagans

Naerianu — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:48:24 GMT

I have been a pagan for about 10-11 years, and I follow a more earthly 'druidic' path mixed with my pull to Kemeticism.. I take my religion/spirituality seriously, as seriously as any true devout christian, or someone of any other faith. The problem I am running into are all these people who seem to treat paganism more like a fandom than a serious religion/spirituality. I can understand ritual garb, maybe some kind of robe, what have you, but elf ears? Fake swords? Pretty much dressing up like its a fantasy convention or renaissance faire.. Why? Paganism is not a fandom.. Why do so many treat it this way? Or atleast seem to treat it that way?

No offense intended and this wasnt to start a fight, I really want to know, because it bothers me :/

Beltane

Cloaked Raven — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:20:25 GMT

Happy and blessed Beltane to all who celebrate it today! :boing:

Anyone have plans? I'm just going to do my small ritual with candles and prayers tonight after the guys crash and hope it warms up outside, we've had cold nights and cooler days the last couple of days!

reading exchange?

Vampyria — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:32:55 GMT

Anyone interested in a reading exchange? Maxmimum 4 questions

I could really use some energy right now :(

Annorah — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:53:43 GMT

Merry meet dear friends

I haven't been around much lately but I could really use any hugs, prayers and energies that you can spare.

The love of my life is breaking his heart over a woman that he knew many years ago but failed to take a chance and ask her out. They are now back in contact - thanks to Friends Reunited and are emailing every day. He says that he loves me and isn't going to leave but I have spent the last three years just waiting for exactly that to happen. And now to make things worse, this lady and her three daughters are coming over for a visit and want to meet up (they live in New Zealand).

Things are a bit of a worry financially as neither of us has a job - just nothing around here - and our savings are dwindling. Plus we obviously spend a lot of time together because of the unemployment issue and I have had ME/CFS for the last 12 years (although I am finally off to see a specialist (this Friday) to try to get some sort of resolution to the health issues).

I am trying very hard not to have a pity party but I feel so down at the moment, especially as my darling mum who was my best friend died nearly 4 years ago and I could really use her help now.

So, basically, I feel alone and helpless right now and would appreciate anything you can send my way.

Thank you all so much.

Billionaire to Build Titanic II

Djiril — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:02:35 GMT

Yep. There is no way this could possibly go wrong!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17890754

Quote:

Clive Palmer, one of Australia's richest men, has commissioned a Chinese state-owned company to build a 21st Century version of the Titanic.The mining billionaire told Australian media that construction would start at the end of next year.
It would be ready to set sail in 2016.
The plan, he added, was for the vessel to be as similar as possible to the original Titanic in design and specifications, but with modern technology.
Mr Palmer told Australian media that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with CSC Jinling Shipyard to construct the ship.
"It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic but of course it will have state-of-the-art 21st Century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems," he said in a statement.
The announcement comes just weeks after the centenary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic.
The vessel, the largest luxury ship in its time, struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. It went down on 15 April 1912, leaving more than 1,500 people dead.
"Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it,'' Mr Palmer said in response to questions from reporters on whether the Titanic replica would sink.

I can see why people cry...

Leviathan — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:40:00 GMT

So, after a whole bunch of really bad emotional upheaval stuff over the last couple of weeks about my ex Girlfriend, we met together for a talk, during which I ended up bawling like a little kid.
First time I've cried since year 8 (about 14/15 years).
I can see why people recommend it, definitely a cathartic experience :)

Are you capable of smiling convincingly when you're unhappy?

Djiril — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:00:31 GMT

I'm wondering how many people are actually good at this. I've never achieved it. Sometimes I can convince myself to be in a better mood, but that is also rare without any outside reinforcement.

How are you at acting out an emotion you don't really feel?

MysticWicks Online Pagan Community and Spiritual Sanctuary

Anuket/Anqet/Anukis {Goddess of the Week}

Merry Meet from the UK!

Suffocation in a dream?

*shakes the cobwebs away* Hewwo? Hewwo? Hewwwwooooo?

Poussin secret discovered :KEY of Rennes le Chateau mystery

Maahes/Mihos {God of the Week}

A re-introduction , and greeting to you all

Iatromantis - Incubation (ritual) - dream incubation

T.A.W.N. May Cauldronluck

Server upgrades

Karen Chance Novels

Non-anthropomorphic deities that I've seen

Hello

Hello Friends

Common misconceptions of the Ancient Celts?

May the 4th be with you!

Need help interpreting this reading?

Why paganism?

Beltane

Gratitude Spell

Need a witch buddy

Loosing weight in the gym

Pagans in Ohio

Pagans

Beltane

reading exchange?

I could really use some energy right now :(

Billionaire to Build Titanic II

I can see why people cry...

Are you capable of smiling convincingly when you're unhappy?

shakes the cobwebs away Hewwo? Hewwo? Hewwwwooooo?