Lord of Wild Things... Cernunnos

Cave Art from Trois Freres, France

Images of a stag headed figure can be found all around Europe, the oldest dating to around 13 000 BCE in France.

Image courtesy Elfwood

Who is this Stag headed fellow? 

 Some scholars claim it's the Celtic God Cernunnos.

Cernunnos is the common name given to the Pagan and Wiccan wild God of the Forest. He also  is known as The Horned God. His name was only written down once in recorded history and that was in the 1st century on an artifact known as the Pillar of the Boatman. He is traditionally depicted as a man with stag antlers, holding a torque in his hand and surrounded by wild animals. He is also known as Lord of Animals.

Very little is known about the origins of Cernunnos, although many scholars have linked him with the Greek god Pan (a Satyr), Minoan Minotaur and the Celtic Green Man. Rather contentiously, Cernunnos has also been linked with the Hindu Lord of the Animals, Pashupati.

Some link Cernunnos to fertility, however, it has been suggested that because he isn't depicted with an erect member, this is unlikely. He holds a neck torque which may represent wealth, and some studies have suggested that he was the god of hunting, as he sits cross legged, ready to jump and hunt. Either way, there are great variety of interpretations have been taken from his image on the Pillar of the Boatman and the Gundestrap cauldron. Which interpretation is correct, one can only guess as Celtic religion was spoken, rather than written, so little has survived to the present time. Thus there are no myths that surround him. He therefore remains something of a enigma to scholars, modern Pagans and Wiccans alike.

Cernunnos on the Gundestrap Cauldren.

Manspiration VI - Black sails

Me and Manu Bennett @ SupaNova Perth 2014

It's been a while since I've enlightened readers to my current manspirations.

There are of course, my usual manspirations, my husband, Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Star Gate Atlantis, Road to Paloma), Manu Bennett (Spartacus, Arrow, Hobbit) etc, but recently I've been utterly enthralled by Starz latest show Black Sails. If you haven't watched it yet, go buy the dvds and settle down for a rollercoaster ride of action and excitement.
 
A year or two ago, I listened to an audio book detailing the history of pirates in the America's most notably, Edward Teach (Black Beard), Charles Vane, Calico Jack etc... which sent me into a pirate researching spasm. So when I saw that there was a show about them, I was VERY excited.

Perth Actor Toby Schmitz as Calico Jack

The show follows the tale of the fictitious 'Captain Flint', but intermixed in the fictional narrative are plenty of non-fiction real life historical figures, such as Charles Vane, Anne Bonny, Jack Rackham etc. I was also blown away to realise that the actor Toby Schmitz, who acts as Jack 'Calico Jack' Rackham, is from my home town, and I met him on several occasions in high school and university. Perth is a really small place... He does a great job portraying Calico Jack and I really hope his career takes off from this.

Zach McGowan as Charles Vane

Then there is Zach McGowan who acts as Charles Vane. Charles Vane was a very brutal pirate in the day, and McGowan's portrayal is fantastic... not to mention the rather spectactular abs... Though for realism, I think I'd like a little more chest hair... not that I'm complaining... no...

Then there is Toby Stephens - a tasty older morsel - who portrays the character of Captain James Flint. I'm always partial to a good older-gentleman hero (he's not really old, only 45 in fact).  Stephens portrays Flint as a cold, shrewd and brutal pirate, and as I've not finished the series, I'm yet to discover what he's completely about. I'm intrigued.

In short, what I like; the actors and actresses do a really great job in this series and the costumes are wonderful. The story line is interesting, and the action engaging and not *too* gory.
What I don't like so much is the shiny teeth on everyone. I'd like a few more bad teeth, and some body hair on the guys (you do get a glimpse at some pubic hair on women though.) Additionally, the sexual violence towards the prostitute Max was a bit much, and perhaps could have been toned down.

Toby Stephens as Captain Flint

All up, Black Sails is a thoroughly enjoyable sojourn into later part of The Golden Age of Piracy 1715 - 1730 (also known as the Post Spanish Succession period) and if you're in the market for little piratey manspiration then you need look no further.

Enjoy the rest of your day :)

My Cat is an Arsehole - Case File 4

This week I'm introducing the lovely paranormal author Sonnet O'Dell with her cat, Salem.

CASE FILE 4

SALEM

Name: Salem
Age: 8

Breed: British Domestic Short Hair
Crimes:

1. Disturbs Sleep: 

He thinks nothing of beginning his day at 4am in the morning. At scratching the bedroom door to pieces until you let him in and then proceeding to lull you into a false sense of security by snuggling down on top of the blanket. Within five minutes of shutting your eyes again, he’s up, prodding you with his paws, standing on your bladder till he makes you have to pee or making a general nuisance of himself playing with leads or knocking things off shelves. Once you have both feet out of bed and on the floor, he’s won and knows it.

2. Gluttony

Despite having a full bowl of Cat kibble, when he decides he wants wet food, he wants it now. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, he will sit and stare at you until the next time you get up. Heaven forbid if you should enter the kitchen as he will look forlornly at his bowl as if to say but Chef this isn’t what I wanted. Or worse, he will eat it all then look at the empty bowl like “What the hell happened” and can trick numerous members of the household into thinking he’s not been fed.

3. Attacks the brush  

 He sheds like nobody’s business and will not take a brushing lightly for the brush is the enemy and therefore must die. Several swipes have caught me by accident.

4. Snores 

Very, very loudly, right when you’re trying to watch something.

5. Malicious Peeing 

 Most cats will pee in the dirt. Not this cat. He sits right in the middle of the grass despite the amount of times he’s yelled at. Now he sits and gives you full eye contact while he does it. He’s killed a patch of grass about the size of a Frisbee.

6. Pervert 

He is one cat that doesn’t understand the bathroom is off limits to him. You can think you’ve shut him out in the hall but turn around and there he is, waiting, watching.

 Evidence 

What kind of cat pees on grass?

Disclaimer: Despite all of that he is a very loving and affectionate cat. He loves nothing more than to curl up next to me, nestled against my side while I type away at the computer. He’s the best company when I’m alone and he never fails to make me smile because of stupid things he does. He’s my beautiful boy and I wouldn’t be without him.

Buddies

 END CASE FILE

If you'd like to know more about Sonnet and her awesome books, check out here website HERE

My Cat is an Arsehole - Case File 3

For this week's case file I'd like to welcome Catherine Winther and her bad kitty, Magiska Bear.

 

 Case File 3

Magiska Bear

Name: Magiska-Bear
Breed: Domestic shorthair
Crime:

Hunting and Killing...teabags.
Magiska-Bear may look sweet, but this kitty is a cold blooded killer, for tea-bags anyway. Not even used tea-bags are spared.
Below is photographically documented evidence of Magiska-Bear's crimes. Also provided is evidence of the carnage left behind when Magiska-Bear is left alone with a tea bag for only a few moments.

Evidence

The quarry is approached with caution.

Quarry is located and considered for quality.

Licking lips in preemptive pleasure.

 Magiska goes in for the kill.

It is utter carnage.

Cute and tiny

Disclaimer:
I have included what I deem to be disgustingly cute photos of Magiska-Bear (not kinky and totally safe for work). I rescued her from under my house (she was a feral kitty). I have hand reared her and she is a constant purr machine. She even purrs when being injected at the vet. So, I love her because she is tiny, cute, a purr machine, hilarious and my writing familar.

PS I also have a giant black cat called Batman. He is much more stealthy than Magiska so trying to get photographic evidence of his crimes is a lot harder.

END CASE FILE

If you'd like to find out more about Catherine Winther, check out her blog HERE.

The World Tree - Kazakh Mythology

So today I'm looking at Kazhak Mythology - because that's what interested me this evening

Kazakhstan is in Central Asia.

 In my research tonight, I've discovered a really lovely mythology. 

The legend of the World Tree.

Baiterek

Baiterek is the the name of the World Tree and literally means 'original poplar or mother poplar' (poplar being a genus of tree).

From what I understand of my readings (you can check out my resource websites below) the World Tree connects the three levels of spiritual existence,  heaven, earth and the underworld, or upper middle and lower existences respectively.

Image Courtesy:http://baiterek.gov.kz/en/content/etymology-baiterek

The upper branches and leaves represent the heavenly realm.

The trunk and crown: represent the middle world (our earthly realm)

The Roots: represent the underworld.

According to myth, Baiterek is the original life form and was once considered the centre of the universe as well as the gate or door between worlds.

Legends of heroes are often found around Baiterek. One such is a hero who finds himself in the underworld and makes a long and  difficult journey to the middle world. There, he finds a tree, and saves the chicks of a giant mythological bird (Simurgh), by killing a dragon (Aydakhar) that threatened to devour them. The mother Simurgh is so grateful that she takes the hero to heaven. [FYI I did a post on the Simugh - a while ago HERE ]

Baiterek – the world tree – is according to this legend the center of the universe. It is the gateway between the astral and physical realms of existence and it is for this reason that sacred rites (including giving birth) were once performed underneath poplar trees in the region.

Kazakh shamans used to believe that the world tree appears as a material thing an ‘asa tayak’ and may be represented by the placement of a tall pole in the grown near the tomb of a holy individual.

Rather wonderfully, in Astana Kazakhstan, there is a structure that represents Baiterek. 

It is an approximately 105m tall structure that rises from within a raised plaza in the centre of town. It is made up of a narrow cylindrical shaft (which contains elevators), surrounded by white branch-like girders flaring out in a tree like fashion at the top. Within this, is a 22m-diameter sphere. Apparently, you can buy tickets at the base and visit an observation deck within the 'egg' itself. The 'egg' of course represents the eggs of that benevolent simurgh bird the hero rescued from the dragon who lurked beneath the tree.  Interestingly, the simurgh also called Samruk, are also known as the 'bird of happiness' in this particular mythology.

Unfortunately there didn't seem much else on Kazakh mythology available on the internet, but what I noticed was that many of the traditional Kazakh mythological creatures were winged. Winged horses, winged tigers and birds seem prevalent in their art.

If you're wondering about Kazakstan here's a ridiculously simplified run down. It's a large Central Asian country sandwiched between Russia, the Caspian Sea, Uzbekistan and Kyrgzystan and China. Originally inhabited by nomadic tribes people this changed in the 13th Century when Gengis Khan settled people there. Since then there have been multiple shifts in population habits. In the 19th Century it was occupied by Russia. However with the dissolution of the Soviet Republic, Kazakhstan became independent in 1991.

It looks like a fascinating place, with mythology ripe to be explored!

Enjoy your day!

References:

 http://baiterek.gov.kz/en/content/etymology-baiterek
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayterek

My Cat is an Arsehole - Case File 2

This week it's time for CASE FILE number 2, with author Shona Husk's delightful kitty... Sarsen!

CASE FILE 2

SARSEN

Breed: Blue Burmese
Age: 14
Crime/s: 
1. Malicious Peeing

When not sleeping he is often found sniffing shoes in the wardrobe, not because he likes feet but because he intends to pee on them. He also enjoys peeing on doll cloths…or any clothes left on the floor. We have a pre-bed patrol in the evenings to eliminate all attractive options. However he had now lowered his standard to peeing on the kids’ school bags (he has a litter tray and a cat flap and yes he was neutered many years ago, so it’s not as though he needs to seek revenge for all the years of food, shelter and warmth he’s been given). He’s also peed on my bed more than once…I prefer to think of him as senile than evil.

2. Carpet Vomitor
He is also a carpet vomitor. Why throw up on the tiles only one inch away when there is perfectly good carpet? (seriously I cleaned up some today that was literally just on the carpet instead of the tiles…that takes years of practise.) I’m sure that for cats vomiting is all about location, location, location. Bonus points for difficulty including under the bed and behind the sofa. I’m going to give a special mention to Satin, his half-sister (also blue Burmese) because she tried to eat a frog, got half way through and then chucked it up in a revolting frothy green mess however it was outside not inside. So while the ick factor was high the clean-up factor was low.

3. Sofa scratcher
 This is actually a team crime between Satin and Sarsen and it has been a long work in progress. A picture is worth one thousand words. They did this after hubby had made them a deluxe scratching post with rope and carpet as well as three platforms. Kids used it more than the cats.

EVIDENCE

Scratched up Sofa

Disclaimer: Despite all of this he is friendly, affection and loves to snuggle up under the doona in winter. He was also very patient when the kids were toddlers and learning how to pick up and handle cats (he did bite each child once, but in his defence he’d meowed, I’d said put him down and they’d decided to squeeze him and run off with him—no blood was spilled and they are all friends now…except when he pees on their school bags). 

Sarsen loving my socks while enjoying a snooze on the bed :)

If you want to find out more about Shona Husk and her writing, check out her website: www.ShonaHusk.Com

My Cat is an Arsehole - Case File 1

Today I'm starting a series of Case File fun of posts about cats.

 Though-out the series you will meet a number of romance Author's Cats, and find out why they're arsehole's too.

CASE FILE NUMBER 1
ALGAE

Breed: Lilac Point Siamese

Age: 6 years
Crime/s:
1. Malicious vomiting.

He may look innocent, but this cat is anything but. If you thought 'The Exorcist' vomit scene was bad, you've not met this bad kitty. A thief of the top order, Algae will steal any morsel of food then promptly vomit it up. Malicious vomiting in inappropriate places is this cat's calling card. Vomit on car windscreen? You can safely assume you've been had by this master criminal. Vomit underneath the bed on white carpet? Undoubtedly you've been visited by this cat. Vomit inside the car because you accidently left your window open? Another favourite trick by this master of malice. Found your kitchen sponge mauled beside a puddle of vomit? You've been had by Algae.

Vomit on the car windscreen.

 2. Fighting under the pretense of playing.
Algae is a skilled ambush fighter. His companion cat, a rescued Himalayan has born the brunt of this particular criminal characteristic.

Caught in the act.

3. Hogging the TV.

    Watching Thunderbirds (OK so this is not a crime, but it should be).

END CASE FILE

Algae Potter

Disclaimer:  I love my cat. I really do. For all his faults, he's an awesome company and also lets me dress him up as Harry Potter - when no one else in my family will - that says something.

  

AND....  he also gives some of the best hugs a girl could ask for.