Sex and Spirituality

[asian_princess]

And as for you young lady (that's RL...just incase you guys needed clarification ) i'm sorry i missed you before you go on your retreat... (next time I'll aim better ) but if you check back before you go bye-byes, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and come back with great stories of the kids discoveries and adventures..and maybe a few of your own too!!
Take care and we'll be missin' ya!!

*remember those undies...just trust trust trust me on this ;p

 

[mcopado]

RL climbed into my bed? Wow I slept that deeply that I complete missed it...no wonder I woke up with my



Have a good retreat, don't let the rapscallions get too out of control...And feel free to indulge in any hot minister/sunday school teacher fantasies you need so you can get by through this period of seperation

(Minister fantasies seem to be the coin of the realm around here lately, wonder why )

 

[asian_princess]

(Minister fantasies seem to be the coin of the realm around here lately, wonder why )

 

[RomanticLass73]

And as for you young lady (that's RL...just incase you guys needed clarification ) i'm sorry i missed you before you go on your retreat... (next time I'll aim better ) but if you check back before you go bye-byes, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and come back with great stories of the kids discoveries and adventures..and maybe a few of your own too!!
Take care and we'll be missin' ya!!

*remember those undies...just trust trust trust me on this ;p

I wanna hear that story......

*packing the undies*

I'll come back with good stories - there always are a few!

Have a great weekend

 

[RomanticLass73]

RL climbed into my bed? Wow I slept that deeply that I complete missed it...no wonder I woke up with my

A happy in the morning... ahhhhh life is good *grin*

*wiggles upright from the middle of the pile*

HI EVERYBODY!

Have a good retreat, don't let the rapscallions get too out of control...And feel free to indulge in any hot minister/sunday school teacher fantasies you need so you can get by through this period of seperation

(Minister fantasies seem to be the coin of the realm around here lately, wonder why )

Hmmmm... those camp beds ARE awfully uncomfie... I might could use something to entertain me during those long night hours....

A_P (couldn't resist another one *grin* )

*hugs and es* to Cat too - have a wonderful weekend!

And Ent (where've you been honey? having great fun I hope ) You have a great weekend too!

See you Sunday afternoon everybody!

 

[mcopado]

Hey RL...You're not really in CT are you?

Teacher too sexy for religion classes?
Italian says she was fired because she was too attractive​

Caterina Bonci, 38, said Church authorities decided she's too attractive to teach religion. She has been all over the Italian media demanding to go back to her job. The Church says it sacked her because she is divorced.



ROME - Was it her looks or lifestyle that led the Roman Catholic Church to cause a minor media frenzy by firing an Italian religion teacher this year?

Caterina Bonci said Church authorities decided she was just too attractive and dressed too sexy to teach religion after 14 years on the job.

The Church says it sacked the 38-year-old blonde from the central Adriatic city of Fano because she is divorced.

No matter who is right, Bonci has been all over the Italian media demanding to go back to her job teaching religion to children in state schools on behalf of the local diocese.

She said she has never hidden her 2000 divorce from Church authorities, dresses down when teaching and defended her right to dress how she likes in her private life.

“I don’t see what it matters if a teacher is good looking or not as long she is qualified,” she told Reuters by telephone.

“In school, I dressed normally. In my private life, I have every right to dress any way I want.”

Gawking fathers
Local media quoted lawyers for the diocese as saying she was fired because she was divorced and so should not be teaching religion for a Church that does not recognize divorce.

Even Italy’s leading newspaper, Corriere della Sera, gave readers a break from pages of stories about scandal at the Bank of Italy and government bickering with the teasing headline:

“Teacher in mini-skirt fired by diocese.”

Bonci said she separated from her husband in 1995 and divorced in 2000 and that both events had not affected her job or raised eyebrows from her employers at the time.

She said reports that fathers accompanied their children to religion classes so they could look at her meant little to her as long as the children came to class.

“When a woman is considered too sexy and attractive in a small town it becomes a big thing,” she said.

Bonci has now become a minor celebrity on the Adriatic coast and national television talk shows are queuing up to interview her, but she says she want only one thing.

“I would like my job back. I think it is my right,” she said.

I'll hire you....

 

[mcopado]

Take this on your retreat, share it with the adults...

Little Mary was not the best student in Sunday School. Usually she slept through the class. One day the teacher called on her while she was napping, ''Tell me, Mary, who created the universe?''

When Mary didn't stir, little Johnny, an altruistic boy seated in the chair behind her, took a pin and jabbed her in the rear. ''God Almighty !'' shouted Mary and the teacher said, ''Very good'' and Mary fell back to sleep.

A while later the teacher asked Mary, ''Who is our Lord and Savior?'' But Mary didn't even stir from her slumber. Once again, Johnny came to the rescue and stuck her again. ''Jesus Christ!'' shouted Mary and the teacher said, ''Very good,'' and Mary fell back to sleep.

Then the teacher asked Mary a third question, ''What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?'' And again, Johnny jabbed her with the pin. This time Mary jumped up and shouted, ''If you stick that damn thing in me one more time, I'll break it in half!''

 

[RomanticLass73]

Hey RL...You're not really in CT are you?

I'll hire you....

You caught me LOL
Hire me for what??

 

[mcopado]

You caught me LOL
Hire me for what??

anything you WANT, baby

 

[mcopado]

More sunday school humor...

One day, a sunday-school teacher asked her students what they thought going to heaven would be like.

Little Suzy answered: "I think you go up head-first, because your head is where you think about God."

Then little Joseph raised his hand and said: "I think you go up heart-first, because God lives in your heart."

Then little Tommy says: "I think you go up feet-first!"

The teacher asked him: "Why do you believe this, Tommy?"

To which Tommy replied: "Because I walked into mommy and daddy's bedroom and saw mommy sticking her feet into the air saying 'Oh God, I'm coming!' and if daddy hadn't been lying on top of her, she would have floated away for sure!"

 

[mcopado]

hehehe...

I had been teaching my three-year old daughter the Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us some E-mail. Amen."

And one particular four-year old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."

A Sunday school teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel microphone, & as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord & nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several circles & jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother & whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"

Six-year old Angie & her four-year old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang & talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church & said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait'". Kevin turned to his younger brother & said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"

A father was at the beach with his children when his four-year old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, & led him to the shore, where a seagull lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked. "He died & went to Heaven," the dad replied. The boy thought a moment & then said, "Did God throw him back down?"

A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments. They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, & shouted, "Thou shall not take the covers off thy neighbor's wife."

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny, a child in the kindergarten class, seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying as though he was ill, & asked, "Johnny what is the matter?" Little Johnny responded, "I have a pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife!"

This last one is out of the mouth of my co-workers 3-year old son Reese: "Our father, who does art in heaven, Howard is his name...."

 

[Lyrical Fool]

Introduction

I'm so very, very late to the thread...I'm not sure I even posted in it yet.

First of all, thank you for such an amazing thread. I was going to work my way through it and post questions afterwards, but I realized that I'd be reading til NEXT Christmas if I were to do that. And my memory ain't so sharp...

Second of all, very nice children jokes, Mike. I love that sense of innocence that those portray. I was giggling into my coffee.

Third of all, I do want to actively participate in this thread, but that will mean that I'll be touching on "old material." Please forgive a fool for beating dead horses if that appears to be the case.

A little about me : I'm a 31 year old woman who is in the process of (slowly) rebuilding her life post-divorce. Raised Southern Baptist, christened Catholic (my dad converted to SB when I was young) now mostly spiritual with a teeny bit of ritual thrown in. I don't particularly claim any specific path-title, but only because I lack discipline at this current time to do hard-core studying. (And yet I just started back at college for the first time in 12 years? Oy vey!)

After a short stint of experimentation in my late teens/early 20's (read : extreme sexual foolishness), I've held that sex is sacred, and can be a gateway to the divine. I've argued that, in the right circumstances, it can be the MOST God-like act, period, because in a sense it's creating (babies, intimacy, bonds) and that was God's first function (a Creator) as told by Genesis.

Anyway, I hold a lot of high-faluting beliefs regarding sex (most of which were echoed in the first pages which grabbed my attention with both hands) for a long time, and now I've come to the point in my life where I want to know WHY I have them. From where did they come? What supports them? Why do I seem incapable of having casual sex? Why am I, in a world seemingly surrounded by people who change lovers more often than underwear and give me the advice, upon hearing I was going on a date, that "You don't need to put out 'less he BUYS you something!" the way I am?

I don't particularly care to change myself, just know why. (Although, typically, I find myself changing, even if it's minutely, anytime I learn something).

Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for such a wonderful thread. I'm sure I'll post as I come across things, but mostly am just happy that I have found people that, despite differences of paths, seem to hold the same value.

 

[entitled]

i'm eating raspberries for lunch.

 

[entitled]

OMG!!! i WANT this book! Check out the thread... https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=406771

 

[SeaCat]

I'm so very, very late to the thread...I'm not sure I even posted in it yet.

First of all, thank you for such an amazing thread. I was going to work my way through it and post questions afterwards, but I realized that I'd be reading til NEXT Christmas if I were to do that. And my memory ain't so sharp...

Second of all, very nice children jokes, Mike. I love that sense of innocence that those portray. I was giggling into my coffee.

Third of all, I do want to actively participate in this thread, but that will mean that I'll be touching on "old material." Please forgive a fool for beating dead horses if that appears to be the case.

A little about me : I'm a 31 year old woman who is in the process of (slowly) rebuilding her life post-divorce. Raised Southern Baptist, christened Catholic (my dad converted to SB when I was young) now mostly spiritual with a teeny bit of ritual thrown in. I don't particularly claim any specific path-title, but only because I lack discipline at this current time to do hard-core studying. (And yet I just started back at college for the first time in 12 years? Oy vey!)

After a short stint of experimentation in my late teens/early 20's (read : extreme sexual foolishness), I've held that sex is sacred, and can be a gateway to the divine. I've argued that, in the right circumstances, it can be the MOST God-like act, period, because in a sense it's creating (babies, intimacy, bonds) and that was God's first function (a Creator) as told by Genesis.

Anyway, I hold a lot of high-faluting beliefs regarding sex (most of which were echoed in the first pages which grabbed my attention with both hands) for a long time, and now I've come to the point in my life where I want to know WHY I have them. From where did they come? What supports them? Why do I seem incapable of having casual sex? Why am I, in a world seemingly surrounded by people who change lovers more often than underwear and give me the advice, upon hearing I was going on a date, that "You don't need to put out 'less he BUYS you something!" the way I am?

I don't particularly care to change myself, just know why. (Although, typically, I find myself changing, even if it's minutely, anytime I learn something).

Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for such a wonderful thread. I'm sure I'll post as I come across things, but mostly am just happy that I have found people that, despite differences of paths, seem to hold the same value.

Well Fool,
Welcome to our insanity where we try to touch on everything at least once. Don't worry about rbinging up old subjects, some of us tend to forget what we taked about anyways.

As for beliefs about sex, everyone has their own and is more than entitled to them as long as they don't get pushed on someone else. (Mine are I admit maybe a bit more permissive than most, but that's me.)

Now changing is a good thing. We all change, every day. Mainly it is little things as we live and learn. Sometimes it will be monster change that rocks our worlds and leaves us stunned, but we all change.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

OMG!!! i WANT this book! Check out the thread... https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=406771

Looks interesting to me.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Hey, the Kama Sutra Virus,

Cool does that mean it fucks you in several different ways?

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Yeehaaa,

Cool front coming through with a grumble and a rumble. Thunder, Lightening, Heavy Rains and high winds. (Starting now.)

Only problem for me, I aint getting any tonight so I can't enjoy that special thrill of going at it with the lights of and the strobing of the lightening.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

Hey, no ones here to play. What's up with this?

Cat

 

[mcopado]

I'm so very, very late to the thread...I'm not sure I even posted in it yet.

First of all, thank you for such an amazing thread. I was going to work my way through it and post questions afterwards, but I realized that I'd be reading til NEXT Christmas if I were to do that. And my memory ain't so sharp...

I think you have posted briefly once when you discoverred us, but welcome again nevertheless...

Fell free to pop in and reply to something older, or pose anything you are interested in discussing...

 

[mcopado]

I'm home!!!!!!!!

 

[Lyrical Fool]

Well Fool,
Welcome to our insanity where we try to touch on everything at least once. Don't worry about rbinging up old subjects, some of us tend to forget what we taked about anyways.

As for beliefs about sex, everyone has their own and is more than entitled to them as long as they don't get pushed on someone else. (Mine are I admit maybe a bit more permissive than most, but that's me.)

Now changing is a good thing. We all change, every day. Mainly it is little things as we live and learn. Sometimes it will be monster change that rocks our worlds and leaves us stunned, but we all change.

Cat

You know, Cat, it was some of your posts that attracted me the most to the thread -- things I'm mulling over currently.

I used to be anti-polyamory. To the core. I had believed it was a cop-out for settling for less than the total package. (And forgive me, I don't know the difference between polyamory/polyandry -- I might be using the wrong term).

I had an experience where I was involved with a man who was married, but he and his wife had outside relationships that may or may not have been shared between them. (I was not). It was my first experience with such a notion, and I realized how ignorant I really was.

As time went on, I discovered that while in theory separate relationships could be maintained (after all, how many of us do it platonically with people that fulfill different needs?) however in this specific case it was not done ETHICALLY. And that made all the difference.

As for me, I'm stumped. I'm currently re-evaluating my belief system. I know that, to me, love is the highest law. End of story. I know there are different forms of love, and I know that I can be in love with more than one person at a time. Because I have been, and because I am.

I believe that sex is sacred, and an expression of love (again, my terminology and my belief system.)

Logically, if I can be in love with more than one person at a time, I *should* be able to have sex with more than one person at a time (concurrently, anyway).

And yet, I can't. Or more accurately, I choose not to.

And that puzzles me. Not because I particularly *want* to have more than one sexual relationship going at a time, but more because I can't explain *why* I can't seem to co-relate to logical statements.

And I'm definitely a "why" kind of gal.

 

[Lyrical Fool]

Yeehaaa,

Cool front coming through with a grumble and a rumble. Thunder, Lightening, Heavy Rains and high winds. (Starting now.)

Only problem for me, I aint getting any tonight so I can't enjoy that special thrill of going at it with the lights of and the strobing of the lightening.

Cat

Thunder? Lightning? Heavy Rains?

Almost as good as sex.

Almost.

 

[mcopado]

I just picked up and started reading today Neil Gaimens novel American Gods (as you know I raved incessently about the novel he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens ).

I'm not too far into the book, but something in it reminded me that the days of the week are named for some surprising things (what reminded me of this was that Wednesday is named after Wotan (Odin) from Norse mythology).

I was doing some googling and came upon this pretty comprehensive list and explanation of the God's (and other mythological things) mentioned in the Novel. Evidently he wrote a sequal and it looks like it covers more of the old one's especially the native american ones...)

Here's the one's mentioned in the novel and brief descriptions...Figured some of you would like this for your files... (Long post warning)

(the numbers after the entry referr to the first page they appear in in the harcover edition of American Gods

Aido-Hwedo:
Also called Ayida-Weddo, she is the voodoo rainbow serpent goddess. She is the wife of Damballa-Wedo (or Hwedo) and is considered equivalent to the African Mawu.

Allvis:
In Norse mythology, the son of Vindalf and king of the dwarfs. He was known for his wisdom-- "Allvis" means "all wise"-- but was turned into stone when, having been promised the hand of Thor's daughter Thrud, Thor questioned him until sunrise.
(From Johan: "["Alviss"] is grossly misspelled. It should be Allvis. A double consonant means that the preceding vowel should be short, single consonant means a long vowel. In the case of "a", "attar" vs. "are". If you wan't to get even close to the original sound, use English pronounciation (even that isn't very close).

"Allvis" is a compound word, like windsurfer or bodybuilder. Decomposed it is "all vis", meaning "all-wise" or more nearly "all-knowing". Seeing as how Allvis is a mere dwarf, the epiteth "all-knowing" is a major affront to the gods.") (110)

Anansi:
West African trickster. Not a god, but he is the intermediary for Nyame, the sky god. He is a spider, and although he is sly and crafty, he can be helpful: he taught humans how to plant grain. Sometimes he is considered to be the creator of the sun and moon, and even of the first human beings, who Nyame then breathed life into. (97)

Antinous:
Lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. When Antinous was found drowned in 130 AD, Hadrian deified him. Antinous is often considered an aspect of Osiris, the Egyptian protector of the dead, who also drowned in the Nile. (404)

Anubis: Anubis was the ancient Egyptian lord of the dead. He was eventually replaced by Osiris. He is usually represented as a jackal or wild dog. He weighed the hearts of the dead, and lead the worthy to Osiris. Anubis was also the god of embalming. (73)

Ashtaroth:
Ashtaroth is the plural name for Ashtoreth, the Phoenician moon/fertility goddess, called Ishtar by the Accadians and Astarte by the Greeks. More obscurely, Ashtaroth, or Astaroth, was a demon and the Treasurer of Hell. He encouraged sloth and idleness. Wednesday only mentioned the name in passing, but I would assume he was referring to the goddess, not the demon. (107)

Banshee:
Also known as the Bean Sidhe. In Irish legend, the Banshees wail before someone's death. If caught, they are obligated to reveal the name of the person destined to die. (176)

Balder: Balder is the Norse god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence, and reconciliation. He is the son of Odin and Frigg. According to legend, Balder was concerned with his own death, so his mother extracted an oath from every creature, object, and force in nature, to never harm Balder. However, she forgot about the mistletoe, and Loki, who was jealous of Balder, tricked Balder's blind brother Hod into stabbing Balder with mistletoe.
Baraka:
"Blessing" or "God's favor" in the religion of Islam, as well as Swahili, Sufi and other languages.

Baron Samedi:
Related to Legba, Baron Samedi is a voodoo Ghede, or god of the dead. He is also a guardian of the crossroads, and can be prayed to for intercession to the loa (deities concerned with the lives of humans.) [In a bit of an in-joke for Sandman fans, his avatar is Didi from Death: The High Cost of Living.] (Thanks, Jose!) (382)

Bast:
Also known as Bastet, Bast is the Egyptian goddess of the sun (and later, the moon.) She is represented as either a lioness or a cat, or a woman with the head of a cat. Bast is one of the "Eyes of Ra", who seeks revenge on the enemies of Egypt.

Bielebog: Also known as Bylebog, the Slavic god of happiness, order, and luck. He is the opposite of Czernobog. "Bielebog" translates literally from Russian as "white god". (Thank you, John!) (63)

Bilquis: Bilquis, also called Bilqis or Balkis, was the legendary Queen of Sheba. In the Bible and the Koran, she met with King Solomon of Israel. Tradition also says that she bore his son, Menelik I. She was also believed to be half-jinn, and was reknowned for her beauty and for her wise leadership. She was called Makeda by her own people. (Thank you, Christina!) Legend also says that she had very hairy legs. (22)

Brahma:
In the Hindu Trinity consisting of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, Brahma is the eldest god, and he is the Creator. (342)

Bran: Bran was the name of a legendary king of Britain, is the original Fisher King of the Grail Legend, and appears in both Welsh and Irish literature, each time connected to Mannanan MacLir/Manawyddan MabLlyr.(Thanks, Andy!)
(169)

Buffalo: In certain regions of Native American life in North America, notably the Great Plains and the Southwest, the buffalo has been and continues to be a highly revered a force of key importance in traditional spiritual, ceremonial, and physical life. (Thank you, Jacquelyn! Jacquelyn recommends the Native American Studies program at the University of California, Davis, for serious scholars of American tribal peoples.)

Coatlicue: she is described as a "...womanlike thing: her naked breasts hung flat and pendulous on her chest, around her waist was a chain of severed hands, both of her own hands held sharp knives, and, instead of a head, rising from her neck there were twin serpents, their bodies arched, facing each other, ready to attack." She is the Aztec earth mother. Additional information from Pearla: "After the conquistadores hit Mexico & destroyed many Aztec temples, Coatlicue became the Virgen of Guadalupe, a manifestation of the Virgin Mary (by way indigenous pagan beliefs). So, even more mythological complexity there: a combination of Christian and Aztec-pagan..."
(Thanks, Josh and Pearla!) (46)

Czernobog:
Also known as Crnobog or Chernobog, he is the Slavic god of the dead, the night, and chaos. He is the opposite of Bielebog. "Chernobog" translates literally from Russian as "black god". (Thank you, John!) (58)

Damballa-Wedo:
Also spelled Damballah-Wedo, he is the central god of voodoo. Damballa is a snake-god, and the god of fertility. He holds the earth in his coils, and his movements cause earthquakes. (258)

Delirium: Fans of Neil's Sandman might recognize the confused girl with the dog in San Francisco as Delirium, the youngest of the Endless. (240)

Easter:
See: Eostre.

Eagle stones: From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable: "Yellow clay ironstones supposed to have sanative and magical virtues. They are so called because they are found in eagles nests. Epiphanius says, “In the interior of Scythia there is a valley inaccessible to man, down which slaughtered lambs are thrown. The small stones at the bottom of the valley adhere to these pieces of flesh, and eagles, when they carry away the flesh to their nests, carry the stones with it. The story of Sindbad in the Valley of Diamonds will occur to the readers of this article (Epiphanius: De duodecim gemmis, etc., p. 30; 1743). It is said that without these stones eagles cannot hatch their eggs."


Elegba: Also called Esu or Eshu, Elegba is the West African god of all roads and opportunity. He is a trickster god. Elegba lives at crossroads, and encourages people to achieve their best. In voodoo mythology, he is called Papa Legba, but this version of Elegba is an elderly man. (256)

Eostre:Also known as Ostara, she is the Anglo-Saxon personification of the dawn. She is a fertility goddess and a friend to children, and she changed her pet bird into a rabbit to amuse them. Eostre is equivalent to the Greek Eos and the Roman Aurora. (240)

Frau Holle: In Northern Europe, Holle is the Queen of Winter, and makes it snow. She is related to the Russian Baba Yaga. (107)

Ganesha: Hindu god of wisdom, prudence, and learning. He is most often pictured with an elephant's head, and is the remover of obstacles. He also leads the troops of inferior deities. (Thanks, Jose!) (359)

Golem: Described as being "the blank gray color of good Polish clay: the word inscribed on his forehead meant life," Michaela noted that, "During the 16th century persecution of the Jewish people in Europe, 'The Great Rabbi of Prague' created a man from clay, using a mystic Kabbalistic formula. The purpose of the "golem" was to protect the Jewish people. Some stories hold that this was done effectively saving many Jews in Prague, while other accounts claim the golem rebelled and become a danger itself so that the Rabbi was forced to return it to a state of inanimate clay." Thanks, Michaela! (381)

Gorgon: of Greek mythology, who were monstrous creatures, who would turn anyone who looked at them to stone. (Thanks, Ben! [Several people also emailed me about this, so thanks to everyone! It's just that Ben was first])

Gwydion: Welsh druid of the mainland gods; wizard and bard of North Wales. Prince of the Powers of Air; a shape-shifter. His symbol was a white horse. Greatest of the enchanters; warrior-magician. Illusion, changes, magick, the sky, healing. More information can be found here here, and here for starters.

However, people have also mentioned a possible connection between Gwydion and Arthurian legend, I did some looking around at websites like this one and this one and apparently there's some speculation that either Mordred and Gwydion are the same, or that Arthur or Merlin are based on the Gwydion, or that Gwydion is another name for Arthur, or for Mordred.
So, I don't really know. I'm not terribly familiar with Arthurian legend. Life's so hard. (But it's slightly easier thanks to Jose, Wynne, Gail, Megan, and Susan!)

Here's some information from TJ that makes sense: "If my research is correct, in ancient druidic/celtic britian it was customary for a child when he was born to be giving a childhood name by his mother which was then changed when he came of age. and according to some of my research Gwydion was the name used for both Arthur and his son, Mordred before they came of age. Sort of like how the romans had certin names they would use for their sons, like Guias Julius Ceaser is what the famous Emperor from the house of Julie was called in his youth. and each of the first born sons in his family from far before him and prolly for a long time after where named Guias.

Also Merlin (as historical and not mythological evidence have shown) was actually a politcal position held by many men over thousands of years. It was a druidic office, the messanger of the gods, who would travel unceasingly around the country, carrying news and wisdom between the tribes, temples, and rulers. " (334)

Hadrian: Roman emperor from 117-138 AD. When his young lover, Antinous, died, Hadrian had him deified. (404)

Hershef: Also called Arsaphes or Herishef, he is an Egyptian god of water and fertility, depicted as a ram. (Thanks, Ste!) (46)

Hinzelmann: Hinzelmann is the name of the most famous German Kobolds. He allegedly haunted the castle of Hudemühlen from the years 1584-1588. Hinzelmann especially loved children, and would frequently take the form of a child to play with other children. He was very mischevious, but he was kind to those who respected him, and often gave them gifts. (Thank you, ArielLeFay, for all the information!)

Also: "Hinzelmann" is a german folktale written down by the brothers Grimm. It says (as you mention on your page) that he haunted the castle Hudemühlen in Northern Germany (quite funny, because I actually know that castle...) and did a lot of work in the household. He mentioned that he originally came from the Black Wood. He was very friendly and helpful, as long as he was respected and as long as he got warm milk and food every morning. Nobody ever saw him, they only heard his voice, a child's voice, and one occasion, some people saw a little hand. At that time he was in the castle, people sometimes saw a strangely-clad child, dressed in old-fashioned red velvet, playing with the other children, but it would disappear as soon as they talked to him. The master of that castle persuaded Hinzelmann to let him touch his face, and he felt only bone. Hinzelmann would become very angry, when somebody accused him of being a demon or some devilish creature, he pointed out that he was a Christian boy. One day, the cook persuaded Hinzelmann to show himself to her, and he told her, she would have to take two buckets of water and come to the cellar at night. She did, and when she entered the cellar, she saw a hole in the ground, and in it lay the body of a four-year-old child, stabbed by two swords and all bloody. She fainted, so Hinzelmann then poured the water over her to wake her up again. Hinzelmann left Hudemuehlen after four years had passed and left three things there: a straw hat, a small, hollow cross and a leather glova embroidered with pearls. He told the Lord that as long as these three things be kept together, the family would prosper. If the were separated, the family line would die. Eventually the lord gave the tokens away, I don't know what has become of the family. (197)

Additionally, the tales that Hinzelmann tells, i.e., the buck jumping out of his skin, Hinzelmann's grandfather freezing his family during the winter, the music from a trumpet freezing then thawing, etc., are generally drawn from the Adventures of Baron Munchausen, a popular book series first printed in 1785. More information can be found here. (Thanks, Kris!)

Horus: An Egyptian god; there are many different Horuses. However, they were all leaders and associated with the sky, and are usually depicted as hawks or men with the heads of hawks. Horus the Elder is most similar to the Horus described in American Gods, he was the ancient creator god as a falcon, and was also a warrior god. His eyes are the sun and the moon, and when neither of these are visible in the sky, he is blind. (157)

Hubur:
Also known as Tiamat, she is a Babylonian Primordial goddess. Her title "Mummu Hubur" means "Mother of Monsters," because she gave birth to the creatures of the zodiac. She is also depicted as a dragon, and is a goddess of chaos apart from her role as a mother goddess. When her son Marduk killed her, he split her body to Heaven and Earth, which created the Universe. The "Enuma Elish," which tells this story, is the oldest written creation story. (Thanks, Ste!) (46)

Ifrit: The Ifrits are the second most powerful class of Jinn, who are Arabic half-human, half-demons. There are five classes of Jinn: Marid, the Ifrit (or Afrit), the Shaitan, the Jinn, and the Jann.They were created from fire. They are mortal, although they have a long life span. They often inhabit lamps, like in 1001 Nights. Jinni can be both good and evil, but enjoy punishing humans for wrongs done to them. In Islamic tradition, they tempt humans away from Allah's path. (141)

Isten: "Isten of the Hungarians" was the supreme Hungarian god, the creator of all things and the personification of all that is light in the world. (Thanks, Iwona!) (398)

Jesus: In Christian tradition, the son of God. (Thanks, Jeremy!) (161)

Johnny Appleseed: American folk hero. Originally named John Chapman, he crossed the plains planting apple trees in the early 1800's after his fiancee died. Some of the orchards he planted still thrive today. (273)

John Chapman:See: Johnny Appleseed.

Ka: In Egyptian mythology, the ka was the most important part of the spirit. It took the place of the physical body in the world of the dead. It could not survive without the body, however, which was why mummification was so important to the Egyptians.

Kali: (Mama-Ji) The Hindu mother goddess. She is a destroyer of ignorance, and she keeps the world in order. (What a good mother!) She also blesses those who seek God's wisdom. She is most often pictured dripping with blood. She is a triple goddess: creation, preservation, and destruction. (46)

Kitsunes: Japanese fox spirits.

Andrea adds: They are legendary tricksters, and often disguise themselves as young women, but the observant often notice their fox tails and catch them. In Gaiman's "The Dream Hunters", one of the main characters is a kitsune. (285)

Kobold:In German folklore, the kobolds are mischievous spirits. They are ugly (small, hairy, and vaguely demonic in appearance), and often harmful to humans. They dwell in mines, and may be helpful if the whim strikes them-- but it usually doesn't (107)

Kubera: Also called Dhanapati, he is the Hindu god of wealth. (Note: Kubera's presence on this page is not meant to imply that Kubera is the forgettable god. Kubera is mentioned in passing when Wednesday is talking at the House on the Rock, which is why he's listed here.) (107)

Leprechauns: an Irish sprite. I've found conflicting information regarding the size of leprechauns-- I've gotten a few emails saying that they were actually quite tall, the Encylopedia Mythica, which I usually have found to be pretty reliable, and the Encylopedia Britannica, among others, have referred to them as quite small. (In many legends, the leprechauns make shoes for elves, but never a pair, only one shoe. According to Encyclopedia Mythica, the word is derived from the Gaelic luacharma'n, "pygmy"; or leith brogan "maker of one shoe".)

And here's some information from Laura: Just as a background thing, the Irish "little people" are descended from the Tuatha de Danann. When the Milesians came to Eire (this is according to the Book of Invasions) they conquered the T. de D. and forced them to live under ground--thus they became the sidhe.

When the Christians came along, they convinced folks that the sidhe were unimportant--little. Therefore, these godlike beings who were quite frightening to the earlier Celts were divided into two separate classes: some of the good ones were incorporated into Christianity, becoming saints (you know, like Brigid and so forth), and the minor ones were downgraded to "little people."

Leprechauns, therefore, are decended from that second group. The word "luchorpain" means "little stooping Lugh" (Lugh being the Celtic god of light--similar to Apollo). There are lots of possible etymologies of the word, but if you go by that one, you figure that the REAL leprechauns musta been more like the T. de D. than the Catholic church would have you believe. Sooo...when I read the book it didn't even occur to me to see Mad Sweeney as anything but one of the oppressed and misunderstood T. de D., badmouthed and minimized to the point that their best gig is on boxes of Lucky Charms. (Thanks, Laura!)

Blake adds to the leprechaun debate: The thing about the daoine sidhe is this: according to the post-Christianisation version of the story, the daoine sidhe are the Tuatha de Danaan, diminished in size as they diminished in importance. The conversion of Ireland meant there were very few to no followers (which isn't to say people didn't believe in them--faery belief was fairly common in Ireland up until the twentieth century, in rural areas--there's even recorded executions of people due to faery possession as late as the 1900s). But the point is, as the Tuatha de Danaan decreased in importance, they decreased in size. This isn't the original version of the story about the origins of the sidhe, but it's the existing version--Irish mythology often has the gods and sidhe existing side by side, often at odds with one another. The sidhe were a realm until themselves that even the gods were wary of consorting with." (Thanks, Blake!)

Leucotios: Celtic god of lightning. He is described in the museum of forgotten gods as carrying a drum, fitting for a lightning god (since thunder accompanies lightning). (Thanks, Sarah!!) (46)

Loki: The Norse Trickster figure, and is associated with fire. He is also considered quite wise, and is both a friend and foe of the gods, depending on circumstances. Some consider him one of the Aesir, and some consider him a giant but NOT a god.

(This entry used to refer to him as a "god", which resulted in a storm of email informing me that he wasn't a god but a giant, so I changed the entry to reflect that, and promptly got a handful of emails stating that Loki IS a god. On this, Sorn wrote to add: "The two main tribes of the gods are the Æsir and the Vanir, but there are also the Jotun (giants). Loki is of the Jotun, as are Skadi (goddess of winter, hunting, and, according to some, vengeance), Jarnsaxa (consort of Thor and mother of Modi and Magni), Ægir (god of the ocean), and Hel (ruler of the underworld), just to name a few. So, even though Loki was not born an Æs, one doesn't necessarily have to be of the Æsir to be counted one of the gods; as far as as tru folk are concerned, Loki is very definitely a god." Rick pointed out that "While not a god in the sense that he isn't AEsir nor Vanir, he IS a god in the sense that he is a divine being who has worshippers.") Anyway, whether you consider him a giant or a god, you probably don't want to be on his bad side.

Toria noted that he has a "scarred smile," (AG 3) because "Loki once made a bet with the dwarves, wagering his head, and he lost. He tried to trick the dwarves by saying that there was no mention of his neck in the bet, and they couldn't take his head without harming his neck. In revenge the dwarves sewed his mouth shut and left him tied to a tree."

Loki was responsible for the death of Balder, the god of light. As punishment for this, he is confined to a cave below the earth. A poisonous snake constantly drips its venom above him, and his wife Sigyn catches it in a bowl. When the bowl fills, she must empty it away from him, and in these moments the venom splashes his face.

(Thanks, Toria, Sorn, Rick, and others!) (3)

Maahes:Egyptian lion god, the protector of the innocent. Wednesday mentions him in passing, referring to him as the "Lion-God." (107)

Mad Sweeney:Mad Sweeney is a leprechaun, an Irish sprite. Maire adds: "Mad Sweeney appears to have been more than just a leprechaun. He was a 12th century poet named after a 7th century Irish king," and Blake says, "The name Mad Sweeney is very likely take from the Irish mythological story, Buile Suibhne, or the Frenzy of Suibhne/Sweeney. In it, Suibhne, son of the king of Dal Riada (a kingdom in northern Ireland) is driven mad by a curse, and only regains his sanity after running the entire length of Ireland from north to south."

Wikipedia has a very thorough entry on him. (28)

Mama-Ji:See: Kali.

Mawu:Mawu is the supreme goddess in the mythology of Benin (Africa). She is the moon goddess, and the goddess of night, joy, and motherhood. She created the world with her husband, Lisa. (256)

Mead: The drink of the gods. In Norse mythology, it was made from the blood of the wise Kvasir and honey, and made anyone who drank it wise and a poet. Most pantheons have a similar drink, such as the Greek/Roman nectar, Hindu amrita, and the Mayan miel. (Thank you, Rebecca, for the correction on nectar!)

Mike Ainsel: See: My Ainsel.

Mithras: Also known as Mithra, he is the Persian god of light, contracts, and friendships, and he maintains the cosmic order. The cult of Mithraism was highly popular among Roman soldiers around 100 AD. He is also the Vedic god Mitra, but Mitra was never as revered as the Persian Mithras. (161)

Morrigan:Irish war goddess (or goddesses, sometimes a triple goddess). (Thanks, Paul!) (398)

My Ainsel: (This one is really interesting, I think...) Not a god, but from a fairytale, "my ainsel" means "my ownself", which is obviously significant to Shadow's psuedonym "Mike Ainsel". "My Ainsel" is also the title of Part 2 of the book. You can read the tale here. (Thanks Jose for the link, and Audrey for pointing out that I had neglected to mention the obvious title of Part 2.)

Also, Justin adds, "The name reads as M.Ainsel, literally the "main sail" of a boat, without which all the bluster in the world won't do a lick of good. Doubtless, I thought, a nod to Odin's role as a weather god, and his relationship with Shadow. Likewise, a suitable title for a novel's primary character, only slightly less gauche than Neil Stephenson's Hiro Protagonist of the oft regrettable Snowcrash.

Or perhaps I misread."

Which I thought was interesting, although perhaps merely a coincidence. Make of it what you will. (190)

Norns: In Norse mythology, these three sisters are the demi-goddesses of destiny. They are Urd ("fate"), Verdandi ("necessity") and Skuld ("being"). They live at the base of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. They pour water from the Well of Fate over Yggdrasil to try to prevent it from decaying. They also had another task: Urd made the thread of everyone's life, Verdandi measured it up, and Skuld cut it. (Thank you Maria!) (94)

Odin: In Norse mythology, king of the gods. He is also the god of war, wisdom, poetry, and magic. He gave an eye in exchange for a drink from the Well of Wisdom. The day Wednesday, or Wodensday is named for Odin (also known as Woden.) His two ravens are Huginn and Muninn, Thought and Memory, and his two wolves are Geri and Freki. Geri and Freki always follow him, and Huginn and Muninn constantly scout for him. He is often called "Allfather", because he is father to the gods.

Troels wrote to add more of Odin's nicknames: "Svipall (Changing), Bölverkr (Ill-doer) and Glapsviðr (Swift in deceit). For more bicks see http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin.

The point is, that while Odin was a god of war, and could grant an army victory in battle (which they tried to ensure by sacrifices), he was all of the above things as well. During a battle he might turn against the side he supported and suddenly help the enemy instead. As said, I find it relevant, since his deceitfulness is a major part of > A.G. "

Thanks, Troels! (17)

Ogu:Also Ogun, Ogum, Ogoum, or similar, he is the West African and voodoo god of iron and creator of tools. He is also a warrior god, and the patron of blacksmiths. (258)

Pan: From Michaela: "Pan, a satyr and the Greco-Roman god of fertility, forests, and livestock, arrives at he base of Lookout Mountain with the other old gods. Don't ask me what comedian he was. I have tried and failed (so far) to find out." (I poked around a bit and couldn't find anything either, so if anyone has any ideas please feel free to let me know!) (381)


Ratatosk: In Norse mythology, he is the squirrel who climbs up and down the World Tree. His name means "swift teeth" and he loves to talk and gossip. (359)

Rusalka:Michaela says: "The Rusalka are Slavic water spirits, similar to mermaids. They are believed to be the vengeful, angry spirits of drowned women, or the ghosts of unbaptized infant girls. They are believed to appear as beautiful woman who lure travelers to watery deaths. Along the Danube river they are referred to as *vila*." Thanks, Michaela! (381)


Set: Egyptian god of chaos and destruction. Ibis mentions that he left two hundred years ago, and hasn't been heard from since he and Jacquel received a postcard from San Francisco in 1905 or 1906, around the time of the great San Francisco earthqake and fire. (Thanks Ilsabet, and Kirsten for the earthquake suggestion!) (157)

Sha Wujing: Westerners are probably more familiar with his name of 'Sandy'. Originally a heavenly general, he was condemned to become a sand demon for the sin of wrath. He wields a spear with a spade on one end and a crescent blade on the other (or, in some accounts, only the crescent blade). His defining feature is perhaps the necklace of skulls he wears, purportedly the leftovers of various monks who attempted to cross the River of Sand on the way to India. After his defeat at the hands of 'Monkey' and 'Pigsy', Xuanzang recruited and ordained Sha Wujing as his 3rd disciple. At the end of the journey, Sha achieved Buddhahood." (Thanks, OS Yim!) (Page 545 of the HEADLINE paperback-- I'd add the hardback page # to be consistent with the rest of the site, but I don't have the book with me at the moment.)

Shango:West African god of thunder, and the ancestor of the Yoruba people. He was once Yoruba's 4th king, and was immortalized after death. He has the power to grant wealth. (258)

Shiva: In the Hindu Trinity consisting of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, Shiva is the Destroyer. (342)

Skanderbeg: the Albanian national hero. He helped his country fight off Turkish oppression in the mid 15-th century, and, although he wasn't actually worshipped as a god, he has been immortalized in poetry and song, and there are records of the Turks using his bones for good-luck talismans. (Thanks Jeff!)

Alternately, Sarah suggests: One thing I noticed in reading the book is that although the Greek pantheon is probably one of the most familiar to modern readers - THE most familiar if one considers that most of the gods in the Roman pantheon are renamed Greek gods, so it's pretty much really all one pantheon - there are no obvious members of this pantheon in the book. (I did notice that some of the suggestions for the forgotten god come from the Greek and/or Roman pantheon.)

Soma:In Indian mythology, Soma is the moon god. However, he is also amrita, the nectar that keeps the gods immortal. As the gods drink Soma, it exhausts him and causes the moon to wax and wane. However, in American Gods the term seems to be used a little differently-- Wednesday describes it to Shadow as "concentrated prayer and belief, distilled into a potent liqueur." (224) Eleanor also pointed out that soma is the drug used in Brave New World to control the masses.

Joe added, "In the post-Joycean world, everyone can pretty much feel entitled to drag in any kind of meaning they can construct. With that as my excuse, I would point out that "soma" besides being the Vedic elixir is also the Greek-based root that we find in words like 'psychosomatic,' and it means, roughly, 'body.' While the Vedic reference is adequate and ample, the added sense of a god being nourished by the bodies of his underlings does not feel out of place. That kind of cannibalistic/eucharistic confusion seems one of the more common features of religion as we know it."

Thoth: Thoth (Mr. Ibis), also called Djeheuty, was the Egyptian god of wisdom, the inventor of writing, and the patron of scribes. He is most often shown as a man with the head of an ibis. Thoth was the messenger and mediator of the gods, and supported Horus's claim to the throne. He was present with Anubis at the judgment of the dead. (73)

Thunderbird:Many Native American tribes have stories and histories concerning the sky beings known as Thunderbirds. In some cases, these powerful beings act as teachers, guardians, and law enforcers. (Thank you, Jacquelyn! Jacquelyn recommends the Native American Studies program at the University of California, Davis, for serious scholars of American tribal peoples.) (227)

Kaitlyn also adds," In 'American Folklore and Legend' (Published by Readers Digest in 1978), it mentions that 'to dream of thunderbirds meant one must go to war.'"

Vishnu: In the Hindu Trinity consisting of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, Vishnu is the Preserver. (334)

Warrior Twins: Hero Twins known to the Maya as Hunahpu and Xbalanque and to the Dineh (Navajo) as Toba'djictcini (Born for Water or Child of the Water) and Na'ye' ne'zyani (Monster Slayer)."

As their name implies, the two are great warriors. However, Monster Slayer is the more aggressive and warlike, and Child of the Water is more cautious and thoughtful.


Widow Paris: Laveau was a "free person of color" living in Louisiana. When she was 25, she married Jacque Paris, who, shortly after the wedding, disappeared and was presumed dead. She then began calling herself the "Widow Paris." She learned voodoo, and by 1830 was one of several voodoo queens in New Orleans. Many legends about her persisted, notably one of her eternal youth (which is easily explained by her look-alike daughter Marie Laveau II, who followed in her footsteps.) (261)

Wisakedjak:The Trickster is known by many names, depending on which Native tribe is telling his story. He can be hard to define: he is neither god nor man, good nor evil. As a teacher, he exposes the dangerous and the ridiculous and reminds humans of their mortality. In many areas, Trickster takes the form of an animal. (Thank you, Jacquelyn! Jacquelyn recommends the Native American Studies program at the University of California, Davis, for serious scholars of American tribal peoples.) (272)

Yggdrasil:In Norse mythology, the World Tree. It is a giant ash tree that connects all the worlds. At its base are the Well of Wisdom, the Well of Fate, and the Hvergelmir, which is the source for many rivers. (355)

Zaka: Zaka, or Azacca, is the voodoo god (loa) of agriculture. He is usually pictured as a simple peasant, and is a hard worker. Zaka is watchful of details. (258)

Zorya: The three Slavic dawn goddesses. Utrennyaya was the morning star, Vechernyaya the evening star, and Polunochnaya the midnight star. Their duty was to guard a chained dog who continually tries to break loose and eat the constellation Ursa Minor, the bear. If this should happen, the universe would end. Nuitari also sent me this link that's chock full of detailed information about the Zorya. (Thanks, Nuitari!) (58)

 

[SeaCat]

You know, Cat, it was some of your posts that attracted me the most to the thread -- things I'm mulling over currently.

I used to be anti-polyamory. To the core. I had believed it was a cop-out for settling for less than the total package. (And forgive me, I don't know the difference between polyamory/polyandry -- I might be using the wrong term).

I had an experience where I was involved with a man who was married, but he and his wife had outside relationships that may or may not have been shared between them. (I was not). It was my first experience with such a notion, and I realized how ignorant I really was.

As time went on, I discovered that while in theory separate relationships could be maintained (after all, how many of us do it platonically with people that fulfill different needs?) however in this specific case it was not done ETHICALLY. And that made all the difference.

As for me, I'm stumped. I'm currently re-evaluating my belief system. I know that, to me, love is the highest law. End of story. I know there are different forms of love, and I know that I can be in love with more than one person at a time. Because I have been, and because I am.

I believe that sex is sacred, and an expression of love (again, my terminology and my belief system.)

Logically, if I can be in love with more than one person at a time, I *should* be able to have sex with more than one person at a time (concurrently, anyway).

And yet, I can't. Or more accurately, I choose not to.

And that puzzles me. Not because I particularly *want* to have more than one sexual relationship going at a time, but more because I can't explain *why* I can't seem to co-relate to logical statements.

And I'm definitely a "why" kind of gal.

Fool,

Great comments.

As to the why, and this is not a condemnation of you, you answered it yourself.
"And yet, I can't. Or more accurately, I choose not to."

You choose not to have a sexual relationship with more than one person for what ever reason. This is neither good nor bad in my book. It is a simple choice you have made based on your feelings. (No feelings are not always, in fact they are rarely, logical.)

No I do not feel that sex is sacred, but it does have a special place. (Yes it does feel good and it is fun.) Sex is a way of sharing, sharing physically and mentally. (Yes mentally.) You are sharing in one of the most intimate ways known to human kind. A sexual relationship is not something I enter into without serious thought. (The most intimate act to me is kissing, but that is me.) Sex is not something I think is entered into lightly, I know I do not view it that way. (I didn't even when I was single.)

While we may not agree with each other on the feelings towards sex, and having sex with more than one person, I do applaud and respect your ideas.

I also applaud you on the fact that you are enlightened enough to understand that a person is capable of loving more than one person. (It is a rare person indeed who feels this way.)

Again, welcome to our, or should I say Mikes, thread.

Cat