Research Files: Anubis, Egyptian God of the Dead
Anubis, also called Anpu, was the ancient Egyptian god of the dead…Rather than ruling the dead as Lord, Anubis was a protector and caretaker.
Research Files
Research Files: Muses of Greek Mythology
The Muses of Greek mythology were a group of goddesses that inspired scientists, painters, poets, musicians, and a plethora of other creative types.
Research Files: Eye of Horus
The Eye of Horus is a symbol of protection, sacrifice, good health, and royal power. Because of this, many Ancient Egyptians and Middle Easterners wore the symbol as an amulet or painted it on their ships or outside their homes to ward off evil and sickness.
Nine Worlds of Old Norse Mythology
Old Norse mythology divided the universe into nine separate worlds. At least, based on the limited information available, that’s what present day scholars conclude.
Brísingamen, Freya’s Necklace
Brísingamen is a necklace belonging to the goddess Freya (sometimes spelled Freyja). Scholars don’t know many details about the Brísingamen, but artists often depict the goddess wearing a large necklace.
Research Files: Seidr, Magic of Destiny
Seidr is a form of magic practiced in pre-Christian Norse mythology.
Research Files: Norns, Authors of Destiny
In Norse mythology, the norns (with a lowercase ‘n’) visit a person at their birth to determine their future. They weave the newborn’s thread of life based on lifespan and the good and bad events to befall them.
Research Files: Kitsune, the Trickster Fox
Since today is April Fool’s Day in the United States of America, I decided it would be fun—even if a little on the nose—to focus on a figure often associated with trickster tendencies or deception: the Japanese kitsune.
Research Files: Yggdrasil the World-Tree
Yggdrasil is a frequently-used name to describe the world-tree in Old Norse mythology. Scholars can’t seem to agree on much about the tree, from its species (generally considered to be Ash, but not always),to the tree’s name’s origin and meaning, to how the Nine Worlds are supposedly arranged around the great tree. Even the Nine Worlds themselves are up for debate, but one thing that seems commonly accepted is that Yggdrasil is a powerful source that holds all of the worlds together at the center of the universe.
Research Files: The Teumessian Fox and Paradoxes
The legend of the Teumessian Fox and Laelaps the dog is a Greek myth from the time when Creon was regent of Thebes. Displeased with the people of Thebes, a god sent the massive fox to punish the city. Sometimes this act is attributed to Dionysus. The fox wreaked havoc on the city, devouring people in its path. The worst part for the people of Thebes, though, was that the Teumessian Fox was destined to evade its hunter, so despite their best efforts, the fox could be neither captured nor killed.