Matronalia: Festival of Women and Childbirth

Celebrated on March 1st, Matronalia was dedicated to the goddess Juno Luciana, Roman goddess of women and childbirth. It was a day that children gave gifts to their mothers, young girls prayed to be married, and women celebrated their marriages and prayed for many healthy pregnancies and healthy children.

In a culture where Roman women wore their hair up, this was the day that woman let down their hair and wore loose clothes, devoid of knots and ties, to invite the goddess to make their wombs loose so they could easily conceive a child.

Children gave gifts to their mothers and were required to pay formal visits to their mothers, enough so that even servants were given time off to pay that visit. Husbands gave gifts to their wives, and women were treated like queens, if only for a day.

This festival eventually evolved into the European Mother's Day, shifting to the fourth Sunday in lent. It became a festival where men brought bouquets of flowers to their mothers to honor them.

As a woman who has recently lost two children, this will definitely be a festival I will partake in. May Juno bless all of the other baby loss mothers out there as well and bring them what they so desire, their take home baby.

Pele, Fire and Volcano Goddess of Hawaii

Finding myself about to embark on a trip to Hawaii, one of the goddesses I am anxious to meet Pele, goddess of fire, volcanoes, dance, and violence.

Pele, for one, after sleeping with her elder sister's husband, fled Tahiti just ahead of her water goddess sister's wrath. Every time she found a home and created a volcano, her sister would quench the flames, flood the island, and chase her away. Pele eventually landed on Maui, or some say The Big Island, where she was torn into pieces by her sister, becoming the goddess the Hawaiian people know today.

Like many of the Greek gods and goddesses, Pele is known to visit mortals, either as a tall, beautiful young woman, or as an elderly woman. Whichever she chooses, she is often accompanied by a white dog. Like in many folk tales, Pele is a goddess that often tasks mortals with a chance to redeem themselves by giving her food, drink, or a trip across the island. Those who are selfish find themselves victims to bad luck, possibly to a fire that will rip through their home.

For those who have been to Hawaii, one of the biggest myths, or perhaps more likely an urban legend, is Pele's protection of her lava rocks and black sand. Tourists who take these items are said to find bad luck upon returning home. Although this myth was started by a park ranger, there is some truth to heeding the words. After all, the beauty of Hawaii cannot be enjoyed by our children and our children's children, if we have taken the beauty away.

Somehow, I will have to resist the temptation, and look to the other gifts on the island to enjoy, in particular, the large variety of tropical fruit. Those are gifts that will return year after year for all to enjoy.

The Month of May

Most people in the Western Hemisphere associate the month of May with flowers, springtime, longer days, and general happiness. The most commonly held belief is that May takes its name from Maia, the Roman goddess of springtime, growth and increase. In pagan lore, it is the month of the sacred marriage of the Goddess and God, and in Christian, John, describes it as the month where light triumphs over darkness. But did you know that May was also considered a very unlucky month, or that it is associated with cows? The Mystical World Wide Web put together an impressive array of May lore, from pagan to Christian roots, to its association with the zodiac.

Learn something new about the month of May here.

Eirene: Another Face of Spring

As tulips, daffodils and hyacinths spring up around me, it is important to note that there are other Greek goddesses associated with the springtime, one of which is Eirene (Irene). One of the Horai, or seasons, she is the daughter of Zeus and Themis and is often portrayed with her two sisters, Dike (Justice) and Eunomia (Order). When she is shown alone, she typically carries Plutus, the god of wealth, as an infant. Even more so than springtime, however, Eirene is known as the goddess of peace and was often prayed too after a long campaign (many of which happened in late springtime). If you have never heard of Eirene, you may have heard of her Roman equivalent Pax, as in Pax Romana, the long period of peace experienced by Rome in the 1st and 2nd century AD.

Learn more about Eirene on Theoi.com here.

Science and the Shroud

One of the most controversial religious objects in the world, the Shroud of Turin has been brought out of it's treasure chest behind bullet proof glass (see photo I took on a previous visit to Turin) to be unveiled to the world. Even the pope himself will pay it a visit. Back in 1988, the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin seemingly lay put to rest after carbon dating dated it to the 14th century. However, scientists are now convinced that the dating method was flawed. Even so, many scientists believe that the fiber itself is newer than that of a fiber dating to the time around Jesus. Others sincerely argue with their faith that the technique dates to the 1st century. Regardless of your personal beliefs, read one of the latest articles about the science behind dating the shroud on BBC News here.

Egypt's Avenue of Sphinxes Now Open

If you visit Karnak and Luxor, two of Egypt's most impressive temples and tourist attractions, you will no doubt see a portion of the Avenue of Sphinxes. Once upon a time the Avenue of Sphinxes joined the two locations, providing a processional route between summer and winter palaces. Built over 3000 years ago, this Avenue has been weathered by it's most ancient enemy, sand. However, archaeologists have been working hard to uncover the first portion of the two-mile stretch and it is now open to the public. Unfortunately, the opening of the Avenue had drawn much international controversy, because in the rush to open the Avenue, many potential archaeological sites have been destroyed.

Read the story in the UK's Times Online here.

Persephone: Heralding in Spring

At this time of the year, around the Spring Equinox, and thankfully, as the crocuses are finally beginning to bloom, I am reminded of Persephone, the Greek Goddess who represents Springtime. Despite the fact that she is often depicted covered with flowers, she is also known as the Queen of the Underworld. Often the Greek Gods and Goddesses are depicted in this dual manner, showing their light and their dark sides. Even Persephone's entrance into the Underworld is seen in a dual light. In one, she gladly strides into the Underworld, becomes Hades' bride and co-rules with him, sorting out the souls. In another, she is abducted, and it is this image that is most commonly viewed in painting and sculpture.

Laura Strong has a reinterpretation of the former myth, one where Persephone takes matters into her own hand. Read the story, read her interpretation, and check out her sources on Mythic Arts site here.

Atlantis...in Spain?

Something about Atlantis tickles the imagination: a lost city, held captive by the sea, with vast riches awaiting discovery. One of the newest theories as to Atlantis's discovery rests in the hands of a team of Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Study who are examining a marshy portion of the currently known Donana National Park.

So what makes this a candidate for Atlantis? It seems as if this site was home to the Tartessians, a culture that predates the Phoenicians by a significant amount of time. Not only that, but this site was destroyed by a tsunami. Aerial photos are starting to produce circular and rectangular areas that couldn't possibly have been made by nature.

Read the full story in the Telegraph here.

Gods & Goddesses of Love Around the World

Most Greek and Roman mythology buffs are familiar with Eros, Aphrodite, and Venus as the embodiments and deities of love. However, there are many other gods and goddesses around the world and throughout history who have worn the mantle. So, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, whether you enjoy spending time with your loved one(s), decorating your house with Hallmark kitsch, or simply embracing the multitudinous aspects of love, fertility, devotion, and adoration, I went looking for a list of those deities who have been associated with love around the world. I stumbled across this astounding (but admittedly not comprehensive) list of the gods and goddesses of love. May it inspire you to have a happy and safe Valentine's Day, no matter your beliefs or culture.

Click here to visit Cave of the Word Witch's Temple of Love.

Pregnancy Myths Around the World

With the sheer number of friends and co-workers that are turning up pregnant, I thought I would take a look at pregnancy myths and advise from around the world. Here are some of the more flavorful words of wisdom:

* Many Japanese women are told not to look at fire while pregnant, or their child will be born with a birthmark

* A tip of a rainbow upon your house foretells the impending birth of a baby boy

* If you're Portuguese, you may be advised to eat cucumbers if you want a boy, and an apple if you want a girl. The trick is in the shape of the food.

* But if you're Spanish, don't eat cucumbers, or you could give your child a healthy dose of "the wind"

* In Ancient Egypt, most women delivered their babies by kneeling or squatting on the ground

* In many African cultures, you don't want anyone rubbing your stomach, it's akin to someone trying to steal your baby

* Australian aborigines believed that if you stood under mistletoe, a child's spirit would drop into you and you would become pregnant

Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon by Stephen R. Wilk

Stephen R. Wilk set out with a daunting task, to solve the mystery of the gorgon: how it has been portrayed through the centuries and across cultures, to more importantly, where the myth originated. The structure of this book makes it an easy read, even for those without knowledge of Greek mythology. Wilk begins with a retelling of the myth of Perseus and Medusa as it is commonly known today and then delves deeply into multiple cultures around the world to present parallels. One of the most entertaining portions of this book is his discussion of the current theories surrounding the gorgon (including the belief that the gorgon was an octopus). I had no idea that so many theories existed, much less how diverse they were. Wilk patiently discusses them, and respectfully talks about which points he agrees with, and which points he does not, taking the time to point out why. From there, he leads the reader through enough astronomy to make anyone who has a telescope immediately toss it in their front yard. He also includes a treatise on ancient building techniques, including the history of gargoyles, before finally landing at his hypothesis. Since this book functions as a non-fiction detective novel, I do not wish to spoil his hypothesis, but I will offer that regardless of whether or not you believe with Wilk's conclusion, he offers enough supporting evidence to make it an entirely believable and acceptable. He then takes time to visit Medusa today by taking a brief foray into Medusa's rise to a figure of female rage and power, and movies/comics/pop culture. For a book which took a glimpse into many facets of the gorgon and Medusa myth, he then brilliantly wraps-up his book as well as twenty years of his love and research in a single chapter entitled "Synthesis".

A must for those interested in mythology, astronomy, or those interested in comparative ancient history.

Archaeology News Tid Bits - September 1-8, 2009

**NEWS**
The past few days have yielded a large amount of impressive discoveries for the human race, from a double-edged stone axe in Spain, to a Colossal Apollo statue in Turkey. Since most of us only have a few minutes to search the web, here's a few links to some of the highlights.

Colossal Apollo Statue Unearthed in Turkey from Discovery News
Colossal statues are rare indeed; only a dozen exist to our knowledge, and now we have a new one to add to our collection.

Fossil Find in Georgia Challenges Theories on Early Humans from guardian.co.uk
Early humans may have taken a quick jaunt into Eurasia before traveling to Africa.

Giant Statues Give up Hat Secret from BBC News
Anyone loving the mysterious statues from Easter Island should appreciate that the statues were an ancient equivalent of the red hat society...

Europe's Oldest Stone Hand Axes Emerge in Spain from ScienceNews
Although arguments ensue as to the actual age of these hand axes, it is agreed that these hand axes may be the oldest ever found in Europe.

Mythology in Video Games

Mythology can be found in the most unexpected places. Lately it has permeated pop culture in the form of video games. Three games that I've played lately on the PS2 offer a glimpse into myths of the world with stunning colors, staggering action scenes and stories that will draw you in and then take your breath away. Try these three games for a myth-packed challenge:

1. God of War series(Greek):
With a focus on Greek mythology, this actino/adventure game focuses on Kratos, a man with a vendetta and determined to topple Ares, god of war and perhaps all of Olympus. Enemies include Greek mythology favorites such as gorgons, harpies and cyclops. The gods and goddesses, just like Greek mythology, are fickle, and sometimes they can shower you with gifts, and sometimes they are your worst nightmare on the battle field.


2. Okami (Shinto):
If you've ever wanted to play a Japanese sun goddess, here's your chance. Playing Amaterasu, you roam Japan as a wolf, using your controller as a paintbrush to interact with the environment. Your quest: to restore faith in the gods by creating miracles and defeating demons - traditional goddess fare. This game is visually stunning and looks like a traditional Japanese painting, complete with cherry blossoms and rising suns. Even the soundtrack sounds traditional and you feel like you are in the middle of ancient Japan instead of in your living room.

3. Odin Sphere (Norse):
This game is often so beautiful to look at that it can be hard to remember that you have enemies to fight. A RPG, Odin Sphere offers a story comprised of five characters which all play important parts in the fight for the Cauldron which leads to Armageddon. With the ability to mix potions, cook meals, and plant various trees that give you items, Odin Sphere has a healthy dose of strategy. It's only drawback is the frequent slow down during large battle scenes.

Upholders of Ancient Greek Morality: The Furies

To say their name invites disaster. Dogs bark and howl to announce their arrival. The stench of poisonous gas fills the air, and then you see them. With hissing snakes writing on their heads, and large bat wings extending behind them, here are three of the foulest creatures of Greek Mythology - the Erinyes, or more commonly known as the Furies. Yet, despite their horrifying appearance, the Furies are one of the most significant factors in the ancient Greek's decision to abide by a moral code. Created out of the blood in the sea when Cronus castrated his father Uranus, or alternately from Nyx, the Greek deity personifying Night.

Although beliefs vary by sect, Christians follow the ten commandments as a guideline for morality. To break one of these commandments is sin. Depending on the sect, forgiveness can be found, the sinful deed forgotten, or reversed, frequently with humility and admission of guilt.

The Furies, however, were not interested in admission of guilt. Alecto ("unceasing"), Tisiphone ("avenging murder"), and Megaera "grudging" particularly sought out crimes against ones kin, especially when murder was involved. Once the deed had been committed, the Furies punished the evildoer by driving him or her insane, often to the point of suicide. It is said that when they were not punishing kin-murderers on the surface, they dwelt in Tartarus, torturing its residents. However, although they were renowned for being cruel, they were also upholders of justice, and said to be fair. They often interceded on behalf of the law when the crime was that of ethics by protecting beggars and strangers. Due to this, they were often called "The Kindly Ones" in order to avoid invoking their name, and their wrath.

Clearly, the Furies provided great incentive to be kind to women, strangers, and kind alike. Ancient Greeks were taught stories of the Furies, much as children today are told to be good or they will be snatched away by the bogeyman. They are the exemplification of the behavioral concept of avoiding an aversive condition. So if you hear hissing, or the sound of dogs barking, perhaps someone has broken the law, and the Furies are in pursuit.

Painting Above: Orestes Pursued by the Furies, 1862, by Adolphe William Bouguereau

Deus Ex Machina by Maria Aragon

For anyone passionate about Greek mythology, prepare for a fun romp with Deus Ex Machina. Stewart Dunk, a socially inept young man under the thumb of his overbearing (and lusty) mother, finds out that his new neighbors are none other than a group of the Greek gods. Ares, Hermes, Aphrodite, Athena and Medusa all play their respective parts and Aragon has clearly done her research (by stating Medusa's Libyan ancestry, for example). However, the Greek mythology scholar should also prepare for a hearty dose of suspension of disbelief as Athena and Hermes become quite an item through Aphrodite's meddling and manage to produce divine offspring. Full of a sense of what would happen if you let Aphrodite handle the cooking (fish soup, anyone?) and Ares handle home redecorating (provided you don't need any walls left), a mythology lover will have a lot of laughs along the way.

The writing itself, however, often speeds along at too fast a clip (much of the book is dialogue and slapstick comedy), and could have benefited from a better sense of pacing. But if you manage to lend the author some patience, you will find a gem of a story and a rip-roaring good time.

Greek & Roman Mythology Websites

With millions of websites out there, I'm determined to put a list together of the best Greek & Roman Mythology links available on the web. I encourage people to let me know of other ones so I can keep the list alive. Other than Wikipedia, here are the best sites that I've found thus far:

General Guides & Research Sites
Theoi Greek Mythology
http://www.theoi.com
The aim of the project is to provide a comprehensive, free reference guide to the gods (theoi), spirits (daimones), fabulous creatures (theres) and heroes of ancient Greek mythology and religion.

Godchecker
http://www.godchecker.com/
Godchecker's Mythology Encyclopedia currently features over 2,850 deities (not just Greek & Roman).
Browse the pantheons of the world, explore ancient myths, and discover Gods of everything from Fertility to Fluff with the fully searchable Holy Database Of All Known Gods.

MythNET
http://www.classicsunveiled.com/mythnet/html/index.html
A site dedicated toward Greek Mythology. Myths, folklore and stories of the Olympians, Titans, and some of the greatest heroes. In the other sections of Classics Unveiled, you can find information on Roman History, Roman Life and Latin Vocabulary and Derivatives.

Classical Myth: The Ancient Sources
http://web.uvic.ca/grs/department_files/classical_myth/index.html
This site is designed to draw together the ancient texts and images available on the Web concerning the major figures of Greek and Roman mythology. For University of Victoria students, but a good guide of where to look for specific myths in literature and art.

Perseus Digital Library
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/
The Perseus Classics collection began as an integrated collection of materials, textual and visual, on the Archaic and Classical Greek world. The collection contains extensive and diverse resources including primary and secondary texts, site plans, digital images, and maps. Art and archaeology catalogs document a wide range of objects: over 1,500 vases, over 1,800 sculptures and sculptural groups, over 1,200 coins, hundreds of buildings from nearly 100 sites and over 100 gems.

The Internet Classics Archive
http://classics.mit.edu/
441 works of classical literature by 59 different authors, including user-driven commentary and "reader's choice" Web sites. Mainly Greco-Roman works (some Chinese and Persian), all in English translation.

Encyclopedia Mythica
http://www.pantheon.org/
Award-winning internet encyclopedia of mythology, folklore, and religion. Here you will find everything from A-gskw to Zveda Vechanyaya, with plenty in between. Mytholgoy section is divided into geographical regions. Also a folklore section, image galleries and genealogical tables of various pantheons.

Specific Gods/Goddesses
The Shrine of the Goddess Athena
http://www.goddess-athena.org/index.htm
The Shrine of the Goddess Athena houses: the Museum of the Goddess Athena were can be found information about all existing objects related with the Goddess from the Archaic Period to the present; an Encyclopedia with all major information concerning the Goddess; a Dictionary with all important words used in this Shrine; an Atlas showing the locations of every places mentioned; a virtual Temple to the Goddess Athena and an Athenaeum were contemporary reflections are made about the Goddess Athena.

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

The title alone is an indication of the chaos and insanity that results when you take Greece's Olympian pantheon and force them to co-habitate in a London flat. And, in the tradition of all the poor mortals who have gone before them, in stumbles shy, sweet-tempered Alice and her would-be boyfriend, Neil. As the heroine, Alice is poised to save the world, but forget swords and magic wands; Alice's arsenal consists of a mop, a dust-rag, and her ability to obey a few simple rules: only speak when spoken to, be on time, and whatever you do, stay away from Apollo, since he has a penchant for mortal women.

Phillips' book features most of the well-known Greek pantheon: Artemis as a professional dog-walker, lamenting over the days when women cherished their chastity; Apollo, a young and lusty television psychic; Aphrodite who spends her time as a phone sex operator, and Eros, who covets the Christian way and keeps asking questions about death. For classical scholars, only a few inconsistencies are noticeable - such as the poor woman who spurns Apollo and is forced to live out the rest of her short life as a tree. In mythology, Daphne turns herself into a tree (or has the help of another sympathetic deity). And Athena, portrayed as fiercely intelligent and aloof, somehow lacks her namesake wisdom in order to communicate effectively with the other gods.

But Phillips makes it work, and work well. Gods Behaving Badly is a fast-paced romantic comedy that is hard to put down. She focuses on the Olympian experience - not the grime-infested house, but on the thought of their death as mortals cease to worship them. Only an other-worldly intervention can stop their demise, and that is where Alice steps in.

Witty and poignant, Phillips brings the reader to understand the ancient Greeks who believed the gods walked among us. And just maybe, after reading this book, they still do.

Visit Marie Phillips' website here:
http://www.mariephillips.co.uk

Bacchus: A Biography by Andrew Dalby

Bacchus is affectionately known to some as the Roman god of good wine, but to others, he is the god of debauchery and whips women into a cannibalistic frenzy. Andrew Dalby, an English linguist, classical historian and graduate of Cambridge University, has left food writing to delve into the lives of the Greek and Roman gods. In his book Bacchus: A Biography, Dalby encourages you to review the evidence about this little-known god and to make the decision yourself: is Bacchus merely trying to have a good time, or is he a dangerous and fearsome god, one who should never be crossed?

By using quotes from classical literature, as well as a storybook format that, but for its adult subject matter, reads like something you would read to your children as a bed-time story. He covers the major parts of Bacchus's story: his birth from Zeus's thigh, his childhood game of cross-dressing hide-and-seek from the vengeful goddess Hera, his creation of the grapevine and wine as a young adult, to his marriage to the jilted Princess Ariadne. Dalby describes in detail what is currently known about the mysteries of Bacchus, as well as the truth behind the maenads, Bacchus's devoted and frenzied female followers. Illustrations of Bacchus through archaeological antiquity are included to help the reader see how Bacchus has been portrayed through the centuries.

The combination of story, myth and scholarship works well here, and treatment of other gods and goddess in this regard would be a welcome addition to any classical library. Luckily, there is also one about Venus, the goddess of love, and hopefully there are more on the way.

Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore by Bettany Hughes

Helen of Troy is not a woman to take lightly, and neither is the author of the most impressive and comprehensive book ever written about her. The book's title is Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore, and the author is Bettany Hughes, a woman who spent fifteen years researching and compiling information on one of the most beloved, feared, and hated women of all time. With a simple, erudite, and personal style, Hughes deftly weaves mythology, history, and her own experiences and observances tracing Helen's journey into a book that is as much educational as it is fun to read. Hughes doesn't set out to prove Helen's existence or to determine Helen's innocence in the Trojan War; instead, she expertly covers all facets of Helen, and how she has been seen for the past three thousand years: an awe-inspiring princess of Sparta, a powerful priestess, and a wanton woman who took pleasure in the countless deaths she is said to have caused.

Rife with quotes from both ancient and more modern authors, poets, and playwrights, Hughes pieces together the life of a woman who would have inhabited a late Bronze Age Sparta. Hughes' imagery is crisp and sensual, and she encourages you to join her as she visits Helen dancing free as a young maiden on the banks of the Eurotas, conducting the rites of a female-centric religion, and solemnly watching over her dowry as men come from leagues away to vie for her hand in marriage. Hughes also takes you to many new places where you wouldn't expect to see Helen: as a she-devil during the Christianization of Europe, as a quasi-divine creature in the gospels of the Gnostic faith, and as a strumpet in Elizabethan England. Then she catapults back twenty-seven thousand years ago to show you the statues of women found all over Europe, as a potential fertility cult, or perhaps even more as proof that the female spirit, or perhaps Helen, has always existed.

Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore should be requisite reading for any classical studies curriculum, and would be an excellent fit for women's history as well. When reading this book, Hughes is like the university professors of history you wish you had. Her exuberance and fascination for her subject shows, and after finishing, I can't help but want to revisit every painting, every urn, and every sculpture from classical antiquity with her eye for detail, and her passion for discovery.

Hughes succeeds where Xeuxis never did, in putting a very human face on Helen, the perfect woman. The timelessness of Helen is apparent, and hopefully one day the world will see a bejeweled skeleton pulled from the ancient ground bearing the name Eleni, and we will know Helen, not as fiction or myth, but finally as fact.

Visit Bettany Hughes's website here:
http://www.bettanyhughes.co.uk