#deities with sibling rivalries!

[musical-chan]

Father of Time Chapter 19: The Goddess's Green Blessing

This was going to be the best week. 

Link enjoyed being on the beach. He was reminded of the Great Bay and felt a strange sadness that he had never had a chance to enjoy the places in Termina for what they were. Maybe with no monsters and no masks, it might have been fun. This place was certainly nice. The Sacred Realm had saved them so much travel, there was finally time to relax, no matter how much of a grump Aevum was being.  So he played in the waves and looked at seashells with his father and took time to enjoy himself. 

Their second evening there, he stared over the ocean, his feet just on the edge of the surf.  The sun set along the coast, off to the west, but there was something about seeing the light reflecting on the water before it could sink below the horizon.  He hummed a song that washed back and forth like waves and sparkled like light on the water. Some part of him wished Navi was here to enjoy this with him; she never really did get to relax when they were together.  He hoped she was happy wherever she might be.  The water lapped at his toes and he thought of home.

Without conscious decision, he hummed Saria's song.

Hey Link! How are you!?

"Oh hey Saria, sorry! I didn't mean to call."

It's no problem at all.  It sounds windy where you are.  Is it still cold?

"Oh, no! We kinda took a shortcut. I think we're pretty far south now.  I'm on a BEACH! It's all sandy and there's a ton of water. Did you know about the ocean?"

I don't think so. Is it nice?

"Yeah, it's nice and kinda scary at the same time. It's a lot of water and super deep. All I can see is water all the way to the horizon! I wish I still had that Zora tunic, haha.  Didn't have to worry about drowning in that thing."  He blinked, remembering he still had the mask in his bags. Oh, he probably could have used that to go swimming.

I bet you could go get another when you get back, right?

Link paused, thinking about going back to the Zora city, wondering if he wanted to risk running into Princess Ruto again.  It would be nice to have something for swimming again. The mask was okay but transformations were never entirely pleasant on his body.  Well, he'd have to think about that more.  Surely Ruto wasn't still obsessed with him. He pretty much turned her down cold accidentally the last time.

"Yeah, maybe I could.  I should."

If you're south, does that mean you're closer to home now?

"It sure does!  Dad says we'll definitely be back by winter now!  I can't wait to see everyone again. How's your fairy doing? Any sign of bad things with the Deku Tree?"

Oh Link, that's so great! You come and see me as soon as you get home, okay?  My fairy is fine! It's so nice of you to ask.  She says your house fairies are lonely and they miss the treats.

"Oh, right.  I thought they would have left when we didn't come back."

No, they decided it's their home now.  Oh right, you asked about the Deku Tree. He is fine!  Sometimes we get more Moblins trying to get to the Temple but I think they've started to give up now.  I've heard some worrying things from the edge of the forest though.  When you get back, maybe you can find out what's going on?

"Of course!  Man, it has been a while, hasn't it?  I got a letter from Malon but haven't heard anything else."

I don't think it's too bad but there seem to be more monsters pushing at the edges of Hyrule.

"Thanks for the warning! I'll check it out as soon as we're back. I can hardly believe we'll be home soon.  Maybe a few more weeks, right?  Let me know if anything happens though, okay? I can get to the Temple pretty quick if I need to."

I definitely will.  I should go though. We'll talk again soon, right?

"Right after I talk to the last Goddess!"

Bye Link! Later!

(Read the rest on AO3!)

[radioluminescentoblivion]

I think that should be everything today. But I’ll leave you with one more draw before I fuck off. 

[herlondonboy]

pretty when you cry, clarisse la rue

summary: based on this post by @kitten-reader

warnings: aphrodite’s kids are pricks lol, erm it’s really bad…

wc: 2.8k

your hair was something that you prided yourself on.

it was no doubt that you were beautiful beyond comparison to your fellow demigods, what with being the daughter of aphrodite. people couldn’t even compare you to your godly siblings.

you believed that your hair was the reason that your beauty was so great, so you natural worked hard on it.

in the world of olympians, you found solace and pride in the strands of hair that cascaded down your shoulders like a cascade of silk. your hair, a manifestation of your divine heritage, was more than just a physical attribute— it was a symbol of your identity and a testament to the grace and allure that came with being the offspring of the goddess of love.

from the moment you discovered your parentage, you embraced the inherent charm that ran through your veins, and it manifested prominently in your hair. unlike the messy, unpredictable tresses of some demigods, yours seemed to have a life of its own, obeying your whims and desires with a luxurious sheen that captivated those around you.

the secret, as you often shared with your fellow campers at camp half-blood, lay in the meticulous care you bestowed upon your locks. your morning routine became a sacred ritual— a blend of enchanted hair care products and divine techniques passed down through generations of aphrodite's children. a symphony of sweet-scented potions and ethereal brushes transformed the routine into a dance of beauty, each stroke accentuating the natural glamour that radiated from your hair.

you revelled in the attention your hair garnered, the way it shimmered under the sunlight as if kissed by the gods themselves. it became a beacon of confidence, a tangible manifestation of your divine heritage that set you apart from the sea of demigods at the camp. the other campers often marvelled at your ability to maintain such perfection, unaware of the divine secrets woven into every strand.

however, your relationship with your hair wasn't purely superficial. it served as a connection to your mother, a link to the goddess whose legacy you carried. the act of caring for it became a ritual that grounded you, a reminder of the divine blood that coursed through your veins and the responsibilities that came with it.

not unbeknownst to you, the envy and resentment simmered beneath the surface of the camp. the adoration and attention that accompanied your divine beauty fuelled the flames of jealousy among your fellow aphrodite siblings. little did you realise, being the favourite child of the goddess of love came at a cost, and that cost was the disdain of your own kin.

as you moved through the camp with the grace of a deity, your radiant hair attracting attention like a beacon, you, though aware of the hostile whispers that followed in your wake, chose to ignore. the other children of aphrodite, who were accustomed to being the centre of attention, couldn't fathom the idea of sharing the spotlight with someone they perceived as the golden child.

the jealousy manifested in subtle acts of exclusion and passive-aggressive remarks. your attempts to connect with your half-siblings often met with cold shoulders and thinly veiled animosity. the communal vanity table, where aphrodite's children traditionally gathered, became a battlefield of unspoken rivalry as they vied for the elusive title of the most captivating demigod.

yet, you, in your innocence, continued to extend kindness and friendship to those around you, oblivious to the resentment building in the hearts of your fellow campers. the intricate braids and enchanting hairstyles you generously offered to create for others only fuelled their frustration, as they struggled to reconcile the warmth of your gestures with the envy burning within them.

within the intricate dynamics of camp half-blood, one particular relationship defied expectations and unfolded with a complexity that left others bewildered. clarisse la rue, known for her brusque demeanour and a reputation that preceded her, stood as an unexpected confidante in your life. despite her gruff exterior and the scathing remarks she directed towards most campers, clarisse treated you with an unusual gentleness, and a unique bond formed between you two.

it all began during a chance encounter near the armoury, where clarisse, with her characteristic scowl, found herself inexplicably drawn to you. to the surprise of everyone witnessing the scene, her rough hands delicately traced the contours of your locks, as if handling a precious artefact. the camp's collective gasp echoed through the air, and it was then that an unspoken connection began to weave itself between you and the formidable daughter of ares.

clarisse, who seldom allowed others into her personal space, not only tolerated but seemed to relish the moments spent running her fingers through your hair. your shared interactions defied the logic of the camp's social hierarchy, leaving fellow demigods perplexed and intrigued by the peculiar alliance that had blossomed between you two.

as your friendship with clarisse deepened, it became apparent that her seemingly abrasive exterior masked a vulnerability that few had the privilege to witness. she confided in you about the weight of expectations placed upon her shoulders as the daughter of ares, the god of war. your hair, with its calming allure, became an unexpected refuge for her, a sanctuary where she could momentarily escape the demands of her tumultuous life.

in the quiet moments shared between you and clarisse, amidst the backdrop of a camp constantly on guard against mythical threats, an unexpected emotion began to stir— love. the kind of love that transcended the lines drawn by parentage and reputations. it was a love born out of understanding, acceptance, and the shared vulnerability that only the tumultuous world of demigods could evoke.

the camp, initially taken aback by the unlikely friendship, eventually came to accept the profound connection that had blossomed between you and clarisse. the daughter of ares, who once stood as an enigma wrapped in hostility, softened in the presence of your divine beauty and the solace found within the cascade of your hair.

as your feelings for each other deepened, the two of you navigated the complexities of love in a world fraught with danger. clarisse's protective instincts, honed on the battlefield, as well as in camp. together, you became an unlikely force, a symbol of love's ability to bridge even the most unexpected divides.

there was a time when a group of your own siblings, fuelled by jealousy and resentment, conspired to disrupt the tranquil rhythm of your bonds with your mother and girlfriend. one day, your prized possession, a hairbrush gifted by your mother, disappeared from its usual place. panic set in as you scoured the cabin, realising that this wasn't just a casual prank— someone had deliberately taken something sacred to you.

as whispers of the stolen hairbrush circulated through the cabin, the undercurrents of jealousy among your siblings bubbled to the surface. the mischievous culprits revelled in their act of sabotage, convinced that stripping you of this cherished item would somehow diminish the radiance that surrounded you.

it didn't take long for clarisse to sense your distress. the unspoken bond between you two had woven itself into a tapestry of mutual understanding, and she recognised the significance of the pilfered hairbrush. determined to right the wrong, clarisse took it upon herself to investigate the matter.

she confronted your siblings with an intensity that left them quaking in their sandals. her stern gaze bore into their guilt-ridden souls, extracting the truth like a seasoned interrogator. clarisse's usually thunderous voice carried a solemn edge as she demanded the return of the stolen hairbrush and an apology befitting the gravity of their actions.

unbeknownst to the misguided thieves, clarisse's reputation for ferocity on the battlefield extended to her protective instincts off it. the very fear she instilled in her enemies on the front lines was now directed at those who dared to threaten the tranquility of your connection.

under the weight of clarisse's unwavering determination, the guilty siblings caved. they returned the stolen hairbrush with bowed heads, offering apologies that bordered on genuine remorse. clarisse, satisfied with the swift resolution, ensured that justice prevailed, safeguarding the sanctity of the connection between you and the divine gift bestowed upon you by aphrodite.

as the stolen hairbrush was returned to its rightful place, the bond between you and clarisse strengthened. the trials you faced together only deepened the roots of your connection, intertwining your destinies in a tale of love, loyalty, and the unyielding power of shared vulnerability. in the heart of camp half-blood, where demigods navigated the tumultuous waters of existence, your story became a testament to the resilience of love against the currents of jealousy and deceit.

-

the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a fiery glow over camp half-blood, as clarisse la rue realised she hadn't seen you all day. a sense of unease settled in her chest, an unfamiliar concern that compelled her to seek you out. with each passing moment, her worry deepened, driven by a gut feeling that something was amiss.

clarisse traversed the familiar paths of the camp, her eyes scanning the bustling activity for a glimpse of your familiar figure. the ares cabin loomed in the distance, and a knot tightened in her stomach as she approached, not spotting you among the demigods sparring and training.

finally reaching the ares cabin, clarisse's unease morphed into genuine concern. where were you? why hadn't she seen you all day? the questions echoed in her mind, and she briskly entered the cabin, determined to uncover the mystery behind your absence.

there, in the dimly lit interior, she found you sitting on the edge of her bunk, your figure shrouded by a hood and a hat pulled low over your tearful eyes. the sight sent a ripple of worry through clarisse, and she rushed to your side, her gruff demeanour momentarily replaced by a genuine sense of care.

"hey, what happened?" clarisse asked, her voice softer than usual as she placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. your tear-streaked face turned towards her, and the anguish in your eyes tugged at her heart.

"they took it away," you whispered, your voice choked with emotion. you repeated the words, a mantra of despair, and clarisse struggled to comprehend the source of your pain. "they took it away."

clarisse's brow furrowed, her eyes searching yours for an explanation. "took what away? what happened?"

with trembling hands, you reached up and pulled off the hood, revealing a mess of uneven strands that once cascaded in silky splendour. clarisse's eyes widened in realisation, her hand instinctively reaching to touch the shortened locks. the betrayal etched on your face told the story before you uttered a single word.

"they cut it," you sobbed, burying your face in clarisse's shoulder. "they cut it, clarisse. look at it, it's gone. all gone."

comprehension dawned on clarisse as she gently ran her fingers through the uneven strands. anger surged within her, a protective instinct for the one she cared about more than she ever thought possible. "who did this?" she growled, her gaze ablaze with fury.

you shook your head, unable to articulate the betrayal and cruelty that led to this moment. clarisse, however, needed no words. she wrapped her arms around you, pulling you into a comforting embrace as she vowed to make those responsible pay for the pain they inflicted.

in the sanctuary of the ares cabin, amid the echoes of your tearful revelation, clarisse became a pillar of strength, ready to stand by your side and face whatever challenges lay ahead. love, in its purest and most protective form, ignited within her, as the daughter of ares transformed into a fierce guardian of the broken and betrayed.

the night hung heavy with an air of tension as you cried yourself to sleep in clarisse's bed, the echoes of betrayal haunting your dreams. clarisse, ever the guardian, sat silently beside you, watching over your restless slumber. the flickering candlelight cast shadows on the determination etched into her face, fuelled by a fierce protectiveness that refused to be extinguished.

as your sobs eventually subsided into the quiet rhythm of sleep, clarisse rose from the bedside with a silent determination. in the dim light of the cabin, she retrieved her spear, its blade glinting with a subtle menace. the daughter of ares, had one mission— avenge you.

the night enveloped camp half-blood in a cloak of darkness as clarisse stealthily made her way towards the aphrodite cabin. the aura of the daughter of ares carried an intensity that reverberated through the quiet paths, heralding a confrontation fuelled by the depth of her feelings for you.

standing outside the cabin, clarisse's eyes narrowed with determination as she observed the shadows within. the miscreants who had dared to harm you needed to be taught a lesson—one they would not soon forget. gripping her spear tightly, clarisse pushed open the door, her gaze unwavering as she confronted your godly siblings.

the scene within was one of startled surprise as clarisse stormed into the cabin. her voice, usually thunderous on the battlefield, now carried a chilling calmness. "you touch her again, and i promise you, the consequences will be far worse than you can imagine."

the air in the cabin grew heavy with tension as the children of aphrodite, once filled with false bravado, now faced the unyielding force of clarisse's wrath. she recounted the pain you had endured, the tears that stained your face, and the betrayal that cut deeper than any blade.

in her hand, the spear gleamed ominously, a silent warning that spoke volumes. the children of aphrodite, their faces pale with fear, found themselves cornered by the very embodiment of wrath standing before them. clarisse's words echoed in the cavernous space, leaving an indelible mark on their consciousness.

with a final warning that carried the weight of a promise, clarisse turned on her heel, leaving the aphrodite cabin in her wake. the night embraced her as she returned to the ares cabin, a sense of satisfaction lingering in the air. the protective fire that burned within her had been unleashed, a fierce determination to shield you from further harm.

the following day, the morning light filtered through the windows of the ares cabin, casting a gentle glow over the space. you awoke with a heaviness in your heart, the memory of the previous day's betrayal lingering like a shadow. as you sat up in bed, clarisse entered the cabin, her eyes immediately locking onto yours. the weight of the night's events still etched on her features, but a newfound determination shone in her gaze.

"hey," clarisse greeted you, her voice softer than usual. she took a seat beside you, her hand gently resting on your shoulder. "we need to talk."

the air felt charged with a mix of vulnerability and strength as clarisse began to speak. "i know yesterday was rough, and i can't change what happened, but i need you to understand something." she took a deep breath, her eyes searching yours. "your beauty isn't defined by your hair. it's not just one thing that makes you pretty. it's everything."

clarisse began listing every part of you, her voice deliberate and unwavering. "your eyes– they hold a strength and depth that's beyond compare. your lips– they carry a warmth that can brighten the darkest days. your ears– they've heard laughter, pain, and everything in between. every part of you contributes to the unique beauty that is you."

you listened, the weight of her words sinking in, but doubt still lingered in your eyes. clarisse, undeterred, continued, "and, above all, it's your personality. your kindness, your strength, your resilience – that's what makes you truly beautiful."

a flicker of disbelief danced across your face, and clarisse recognised the challenge ahead. she persisted, her gaze unwavering. "say it. say you're beautiful because of your eyes, lips, ears, and every part of you."

you hesitated, the echoes of the previous day's betrayal still reverberating in your mind. "i can't- i can’t say that. not after what they did to me."

clarisse tightened her grip on your shoulder, her voice taking on a gentle insistence. "you need to believe it. it's not about them; it's about you. say it with me. you're beautiful because of your eyes, lips, ears, and every part of you."

it felt like a mantra, a repetition that tested the resilience of self-perception. clarisse didn't back down, patiently guiding you through each affirmation until the words became a declaration echoing within the walls of the ares cabin. "i'm beautiful because of my eyes, lips, ears, and every part of me."

as you repeated the words, something shifted within you. the doubt began to yield to the truth that clarisse so fervently believed. her unwavering support became a lifeline, anchoring you to a newfound understanding of your own beauty.

in that shared moment, surrounded by the strength of ares' cabin, you started to embrace the truth that beauty wasn't confined to a single aspect. it was a mosaic, a tapestry woven from the threads of every part that made you uniquely, undeniably yourself. clarisse, with her fierce love and unyielding determination, had become the mirror reflecting the truth you needed to see.

[r4d0m-13]

Ranting about God Games (Specifically Apollo)

I’m so normal about this.

So the live stream just came out and AAAAAAAHDA TO ESTHFRR DE H

ok.

So a lot of people are talking about how Apollo really didn’t even have much of an argument and really didn’t want to be involved much. I raise you, he wanted to make it easier for Athena. Apollo and Athena are Knowledge and Wisdom, they get along well. They probably have tea and talk about what budding civilizations will grow into mighty empires. And they have probably broached the topic of Odysseus multiple times, once Apollo had gotten over the sacking of Troy. (enough for Apollo to be familiar enough with him to USE HIS NICKNAME)

So when Zeus chooses Apollo to be one of the Gods who needs to be convinced, he has no idea what to say AND wants to make it easy.

Another thing is the visuals, (THE ANIMATOR FOR HIM DID SUCH A GOOD JOB AAAAA) every other Deity shows Athena have to visually struggle even just a bit to convince the others.

Hephaestus was not that big of a struggle, Athena has to maneuver her way through his forge to get through to Hephaestus. He and Athena have a more passive relationship so she has to navigate more carefully than she would for someone like Artemis.

Athena and Aphrodite have a much more antagonistic relationship. Athena has no interest in love as an Eternal Maiden. Aphrodite has always had problems with that in myths. So they don’t like each other. Because of that, Athena has to stop her from dismissing the conversation and get her stop and think about it. Ares interrupts and he and Athena have that sibling rivalry as they are both war gods and Athena is more favored. They physically fight and argue and Athena has to win to convince Ares and Aphrodite in extension.

Hera and Athena could have varied relationships, but they seem somewhat cool with each other so it’s just a dance battle. All Athena needed was one good move but she didn’t know what was good enough for Hera, so she went for the “He respects the sanctity of his marriage” card.

However for Apollo, they were just in a pleasant spot with him playing his Lyre while they talked. He put up a small qualm he could reasonably have with Ody, and Athena responded in kind. It was a short exchange as they both agreed that he needed to be let go but they needed to put on a show of disagreement first. He didn’t want to waste time while Ody was wasting away on the island and sent Athena off fast as he could.

YOU SEEE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

[alpaca-clouds]

Dead Gods in Mythology

Okay, another little write up that has been requested. (Note, yes, you can send me requests for mythological and historical contexts. I love talking about this stuff. Just send a DM or Ask, and I will see to it when I get time.)

This came from a discussion about Sekhmet in season 2 in Nocturne, where someone brought up: "Well, she cannot really have been a goddess if she died." And of course I had to go: "Well, actually..." At this. It ended with me promising a write up on this.

See, this is an idea that is prevasive in western culture, and gets brought up again and again in media: Gods don't bleed, and gods don't die. It has been brought up in The Road to El Dorado, The Epic Musical, and in Kaos. But this idea is actually mainly rooted in - drum roll please - Christianity of course. With the Christian God being a single god, who is supposed to be all mighty and eternal. Polytheistic cultures meanwhile tend to have a couple of gods who within the mythology die. Sure, some of them are revived by some sort of magic - or continue to exist in another plane (in those cases often becoming the guardians of some sort of plane of the dead, where all dead souls go) - but yes, the polytheistic mythologies that we know off tend to have at least one god who dies.

So, let's talk about some of them.

Ra

Given our starting point is Sekhmet, let's start with the Egyptian mythology. Here we have two big examples of gods that prominently die.

One example of this is obviously Ra. Ra's entire thing is that he does not only die in the mythology, but that he dies ONCE A DAY, which was the Egyptian mythology's explanation for why there is night and day. Ra dies at the end of the day, and he moved through the duat during the night. This is in fact part of the reason why we know so many details about the duat, as those are described in several mythological texts about Ra's journey through the world of the dead.

Of course, this might be strange example, because Ra obviously gets revived daily, too, but that does not change the fact that he dies once a day. And for a good chunk of Egyptian history (please keep in mind that Egyptian religion shifted during the 3000 years that Ancient Egypt was around) Ra was one of the most powerful gods in their pantheon so to speak.

Osiris

Then Egyptian mythology has probably one of the best known examples of a god getting killed. And that is Osiris. Like almost all of the old mythologies, the Egyptian deities were a lot into siblings marrying. And in Egyptian mythology there were noticable four siblings: Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys - the latter getting usually ignored by modern audiences for some reason.

Osiris married Isis, Seth married Nephthys. And of course, as it goes with godly siblings, Osiris and Seth had a lot of quarelling and rivalry going. Seth - of course - being a god of the desert and chaos. And eventually Seth manages to trap Osiris and kill him. Now, the details of this have shifted once more throughout Egyptian history. In some variations they aphyxiate him, in others Osiris gets hacked into 26 pieces. One way or another, Isis will look for her dead brother-husband, find his corpse or his corpse parts, revive him, get pregnant with Horus, and then they find out that because he was dead he has to become now the god of the dead, being turned into the god overseeing the souls moving into the afterlife.

Baldr

Then there is of course the myth of Baldr in Norse mythology. Another son of Odin and Frigg. And it was said that Baldr was the most beautiful of all the gods. And Frigg loved him so much, that she went around the world and made everything - every stone, every animal and every plant - promise that they would never hurt him. However, she did not get to ask the mistletoe, and Loki noticed this. And being the trickster that he is, he devised a plan. He tricks the blind god Höðr to shoot a mistletoe arrow at Baldr, which then obviously kills him. In the prose Edda this is the reason for Loki's punishment with the acid spitting serpent.

Baldr of course moves onto Hella - the place, not the goddess - and remains there.

It should be noted of course that in the Edda we also know that most of the gods eventually die during Ragnarök. Though this is also where we should note, that the Edda are of course a source that we should use with some care, given that it is not a first hand account by Norse people, but was written up by Christian monks. (Most notable, a lot of researchers doubt by now that Loki ever was an actual god in Norse mythology, but was invented by Christians to fill the roll of a satan-like figure.)

Zagreus

Where are my Hades peeps at? If you have played Hades, you obviously know that Zagreus has this habit of dying and coming back. And this game mechanic is actually based in mythology.

And this is the moment where we should speak about one important fact: We tend to act as if we know everything there is to know about Greek mythology, but actually we do not know this. We know a lot about the most important gods, because we have several written sources about this - but when it comes to smaller or local gods, we absolutely are loosely informed, given we often only have text fragments. At times several text fragments that are contradictory. Zagreus is one of these.

Zagreus is either an alternative name for Dionysus, the son of Zeus and Persephone, or the son of Hades. The latter aspect has been tried to explain by researchers with the fact that we are not sure if the three big gods (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades) were always distinct entities or might have been for a long while different aspects of the same god.

One way or another: We have at least two different text fragments, in which Zagreus dies. Once he gets murdered by Titans, once he dies in an accident. One way or another he dies. And in the cases where he is a son of Zeus, this seems to be the explanation why he is bound to the Underworld.

The Hades game kinda mixed and matched with the mythology there xD

Lugh

There I go again, talking about another mythology that we are actually not quite as certain about as some people seem to believe we are: Gaelic mythology. Once more, our issue is that while some of this was written down, it was written down after the region had been Christianized, so there is a lot of Christian bias in those texts. In fact it is even more clear in this example, given that the written down accounts of the Gaelic mythology involve references to biblical events. And of course the Tuatha de Danann are in the written down accounts references more as amazing humans, rather than gods - though we are fairly certain they originally were deities, with Lugh in particilar being a god of justice and war.

In the variations of the story we know, Lugh kills another god named Carmait, as that other god had fucked one of Lugh's wives. And in revenge Carmait's sons end up killing Lugh, by spearing him on his own magic spear and then throwing him into one of the Lochs. So, yes, if you count, this story in fact involves two dead gods. Generally speaking, quite a few of the Tuatha de Danann end up dead, though, again, I will point out, that we are not fully sure how much of this is routed in the fact that these myths were recorded by later Christians, who might have wanted to make sure that everyone understands that the Tuatha de Danann were not actually gods.

Izanami

Technically we actually have a variety of Shinto gods (aka kami) who die. But I will focus maybe on the most widely known story, that pretty much everyone who ever played Persona might be aware of: Izanami. And if I recount the tale, you might in fact feel strangely reminded of other myths.

Izanami and Izanagi were the first kami that were created, and they created the land, and then the world around it, through the act of procreation with one another. Eventually Izanami gives birth to the fire god Kagu-tsuchi and he burns her to death. Her remains are buried, but the grief-stricken Izanagi cannot be without her. So he travels to the underworld, Yomi. Eventually he finds Izanami, but she tells him that she can no longer leave the underworld, as she has already eaten from the food of the underworld. He tries to convince her, but eventually he sees her face and realized that she has the face of death, and flees in terror. She gets angry at this, and curses him and the land of the living, before she remains in Yomi as the goddess of the dead.

Vritra

Vritra in Hindu mythology is one of the danava and serves as the personification of drought. In the mythology he once tries to block a river, of course with this causing a drought. The other gods cannot stand by this, and Indra, who sees Vritra as his nemesis, ends up slaying Vritra to stop the drought.

Note, here, too, that there are a couple of deities in Hinduism - as well as the religions that sprung off of Hinduism - that die at least for a shorter while.

If you have ever had the fun of talking to one of the very annoying atheists, you might have heard someone pointing out that Krishna dies and is resurrected in a way that is quite similar to Jesus. Because, yes, this general mythological concept is assumed to probably go back to the progenitor religion of the Indo-European cultures. While we do not know anything about that religion (because back then nobody wrote anything), anthropologists and comparative mythology researchers are fairly sure that there was a tale of a god dying and returning from the dead in that religion as well, which is why it shows up so often in religions of that cultural sphere.

Innana & Dumuzid

Now let's talk about another really old mythology, about which we know surprisingly much, because they have written a lot down - and we were able to translate it. And that is the ancient Sumerian mythology, in which we have Innana or Ishtar (who in Egyptian mythology later became Isis). Again, due to these also being within the realm of the Indo-European mythologies, you will find some similarities - though in comparison to other goddesses in the same role, Innana is a lot more proactive.

Innana is convinced by her brother to marry the shepard god Dumuzid, though it is fairly clear through the poems we have, that she and her husband never quite saw eye to eye. This makes her death also quite interesting. Because Innana dies by her own volition, because her sister Ereshkigal, who was made the goddess of the dead, misuses her position. So Innana dies to be able to travel to the Underworld and fight Ereshkigal to dethrone her. Enki at this point helps Innana to flee the Underworld and return to the world of the living. However, there needs to be balance in the world. So if she returns to the world of a living, someone else needs to take her place in the Underworld.

As she returns to the world of the living, she sees her servants having mourned her, while her husband, Dumuzid, just instantly went: "I am a widower? Sweet! I can fuck around with servant girls now!" And as we say: Fuck around and find out. So Innana goes: "That asshole has not even the decency to act as if he is mourning me!" So he tells the spirits of the Underworld to take him to take her place. And so they do and kill him.

Good for her!

Quetzacóatl

The very attentive of you might have noticed that all myths I have talked about so far (with the exception of Izanami, where anthropologists and comparative mythology people are still arguing about whether or not there was an influence there - mind you, I land very much on the side of "Yes, obviously, there is an Indo-European influence to Shinto-Myth!") are from the Indo-European influence sphere. So let's lastly talk about one other god, who just so happens to be probably important for Castlevania Nocturne as well: Quetzacóatl. Now, historians researching the Nahua, are fairly certain that this myth has come to be because there once was a Nahua ruler named Quetzacóatl after the deity, and that ruler died, which then in mythology got mixed up with the deity. Never the less: There definitely is written down myths about the death of Quetzacoatl.

The short of it is, that a couple of demons plotted to kill him, but knowing that they could not kill a god, they deviced a plan: They would feed him a beer that would drive him mad. While it took a lot of trickery, they succeeded, and drove the god mad, making him commit suicide by burning himself alive.

Maui

Okay, I know what some might say: "But actually is Maui a god?" I will answer: "That depends who you ask." Maui is a character that shows up throughout almost all the Pacifica cultures. He is always a trickster and a culture hero. At times he is a mortal, at other times he is a demi-god, and at yet other times he is a full god. Because those cultures were distant enough to have the myths shift around. So yes, maybe you will call this cheating. But fuck it, let me talk about Maui, because I kinda think his death is pretty darn cool.

So, if you have watched Moana, you know that Maui is a shape shifter. And he was very fond of humans. So, he decided that he wanted to make humanity immortal. His plan to do so was to go to the goddess of the Underworld and death, Hine-nui-te-pō, and reverse the birth by transforming into a worm and crawl into her vagina. However, she woke, and it turns out that her vagina had teeth - so she crushed him with her vagina teeth. Which is... pretty darn badass, I would say.

Lastly

Let me end this entire thing with the note that there probably are quite a few more gods that die within their respective mythologies. I know at least of two myths from North America in which Coyote dies (a lot of North American cultures have Coyote as a trickster god). And I personally am simply not well informed on South American mythologies or a lot of African mythologies. I do not know stuff about the Indigenous pre-buddhist mythologies of Southeastern Asia, and central Asia. So there is a good chance that there are gods that die - or die and get resurrected in those mythologies - but if there are, I simply do not know enough about them.

Generally speaking though: Gods rarely can be killed by normal mortals. Mortal half-gods might succeed at times. But other gods? Yeah, they sure can kill their fellow deities. And some deities also commit suicide to save other people. It is a common thing throughout mythology.

So, please, can we just stop claiming gods are truly immortal? They will usually not die of old age or anything like that, but they very much can be killed by other gods, magical weapons and such things.

[dianatriformis]

✨Asteroid Juno (3)✨

Hello everyone! This post is about Juno and her influence in the natal chart! Her asteroid number on astro.com is 3. Hope you enjoy reading this post :)

✨Asteroid Juno✨

Juno is the third asteroid to have been discovered, after Ceres and Pallas. It was discovered by the German astronomer Karl Ludwig Harding on September 1, 1804. Juno ranks as one of the largest asteroids in the asteroid belt, with an orbit that lies between Mars and Jupiter. It takes approximately 4.36 years for Juno to complete its orbit around the Sun, meaning she spends about four months in each zodiac sign.

Juno is named after the Roman goddess Juno, the queen of the gods and the wife of Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology). Her influence is associated with partnership, commitment, marriage, and the dynamics of long-term relationships. In astrology, Juno represents themes of loyalty, devotion, equality, and the contacts we form with others.

✨Juno in Mythology✨

In Roman mythology, Juno is the counterpart of the Greek goddess Hera. She was highly revered and considered one of the most powerful goddesses of the Roman pantheon.

As the goddess of marriage and childbirth, she was known for her protective and nurturing qualities, but also for her fierce temper, jealousy, and sense of justice when it came to marital fidelity.

Juno’s sacred symbols included the peacock, known for its beauty and watchfulness, and the cow, representing motherhood and nurturing. Her name is also the origin of the month "June," traditionally considered a favorable time for weddings.

Here are three key myths associated with Juno: her origins as a goddess, her role as the protector of marriage, and her famous conflicts stemming from her union with Jupiter.

✨Origins✨

Juno was the daughter of Saturn (Cronus) and Ops (Rhea), and the sister of Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Ceres, and Vesta. Like her Greek counterpart Hera, Juno’s early mythology reflects her role as both a mother goddess and a celestial queen.

Jupiter, much like Zeus in Greek myths, sought Juno’s hand in marriage. Despite being siblings, their union was considered sacred and symbolized the idealized form of marriage. Juno’s origins as a deity of marriage and fertility made her a central figure in Roman religious life.

✨Juno: Protector of Marriage✨

Juno’s primary domain was marriage, and she was worshipped as the protector of women, particularly during childbirth and as wives. Roman women would often seek her blessings to ensure harmony and fidelity in their unions. Her epithet Juno Moneta (Juno the Adviser) also emphasizes her wisdom in guiding individuals through partnerships.

As a goddess, she was fiercely protective of the sanctity of marriage, but her stories often reveal struggles with infidelity. Juno’s husband, Jupiter, was notorious for his unfaithfulness, and her tales frequently revolve around her reactions to his numerous affairs.

✨Conflicts in Mythology✨

One of Juno’s most famous myths involves her rivalry with other women (mortal or divine) who caught Jupiter’s attention. While her jealousy is a recurring theme, it’s essential to note that Juno’s anger often stems from a deep sense of justice and fairness.

For example, in the myth of Io, Juno discovered that Jupiter had transformed Io, one of his mortal lovers, into a cow to hide her from Juno’s wrath. In response, Juno demanded the cow as a gift and set the watchful Argus to guard her, emphasizing her cunning and strategic nature.

Juno also played a prominent role in the story of the Trojan War. Her grudge against Paris, the Trojan prince, stemmed from his decision to award the golden apple to Venus (Aphrodite) instead of her in the judgment of the fairest. Her ensuing wrath contributed to the downfall of Troy, highlighting her power and influence in shaping events.

✨Juno’s Glyph✨

Juno’s glyph resembles a scepter or a peacock feather, representing her sovereignty and divine authority as the queen of the gods. The glyph also symbolizes her connection to balance and partnership, as the vertical line and cross indicate a grounded, harmonious union of energies.

In astrology, Juno’s placement in your natal chart highlights your approach to commitment, the qualities you seek in a long-term partner, and the dynamics of your most meaningful relationships.

✨Juno through the Signs✨

Juno in Aries Juno in Aries individuals seek a partner who is bold, passionate, and adventurous. They crave excitement in their relationships and value independence both for themselves and their partners. They may be drawn to leaders or individuals with a strong sense of self. These natives thrive in partnerships where both parties maintain their individuality. On the downside, they may struggle with impatience or conflicts if they feel their partner is not equally dynamic. Lesson: Learn to temper the need for excitement with patience and compromise. Celebrities: Barack Obama, Rihanna, Albert Einstein, Heath Ledger, Zendaya, Jim Carrey, Kourtney Kardashian, Alain Delon, 14th Dalai Lama, Bella Hadid

Juno in Taurus Juno in Taurus individuals desire a stable, sensual, and dependable partner. They value physical affection, comfort, and loyalty in a relationship. These people often seek partnerships that offer financial and emotional security. They may gravitate toward relationships that feel grounded and harmonious. On the downside, they can become possessive or overly focused on material stability. Lesson: Balance the need for security with personal growth and freedom. Celebrities: Amy Winehouse, David Beckham, Adele, Al Pacino, Vincent van Gogh, Mila Kunis, Matt Damon, Camila Cabello, Chris Hemsworth, Winston Churchill

Juno in Gemini Juno in Gemini individuals are drawn to partners who are witty, communicative, and curious. They need mental stimulation and variety in their relationships. These natives often look for someone who can engage them intellectually and share their love for learning. However, they might struggle with commitment if they feel their partner is too restrictive. Lesson: Learn to balance freedom with emotional connection. Celebrities: Angelina Jolie, Selena Gomez, Sharon Stone, Demi Lovato, Bob Marley, Ellen DeGeneres, Mike Tyson, Russell Brand, Nelson Mendela, Cara Delevingne

Juno in Cancer Juno in Cancer individuals seek nurturing, emotional, and caring partners. They value deep emotional intimacy and are often drawn to family-oriented people. They prioritize creating a safe and loving home environment. However, they may struggle with emotional dependency or feel overly responsible for their partner’s feelings. Lesson: Establish healthy boundaries and embrace emotional independence. Celebrities: Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, Leonardo da Vinci, Zayn Malik, Prince, Tupac, Mark Zuckerberg, Khloe Kardashian, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Taylor

Juno in Leo Juno in Leo individuals desire a partner who is confident, creative, and expressive. They want a relationship where they feel admired and cherished. These natives thrive in partnerships that allow them to shine while celebrating their partner's achievements. On the downside, they might face challenges with ego clashes or excessive need for attention. Lesson: Focus on mutual respect and shared recognition. Celebrities: Ariana Grande, Kurt Cobain, Elon Musk, Nicole Kidman, Billie Eilish, Kylie Jenner, John Lennon, Oprah Winfrey, Jeon Jungkook, Chris Brown

Juno in Virgo Juno in Virgo individuals seek a partner who is practical, hardworking, and supportive. They value reliability and appreciate someone who is attentive to their needs. These people often thrive in relationships where there is mutual respect for personal growth and improvement. However, they may struggle with being overly critical or setting unrealistic standards for their partners. Lesson: Practice compassion and embrace imperfection in relationships. Celebrities: Johnny Depp, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, Prince Harry, Jodie Foster, Mother Theresa, Bruce Lee, Demi Moore, Benedict Cumberbatch

Juno in Libra Juno in Libra individuals are drawn to partners who are diplomatic, charming, and fair-minded. They value harmony and equality in their relationships and often seek someone who complements their energy. They thrive in partnerships that are balanced and mutually fulfilling. However, they might avoid conflict to maintain peace, which can lead to unresolved issues. Lesson: Embrace open communication and confront issues head-on. Celebrities: Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian, Lana Del Rey, Scarlett Johansson, Christiano Ronaldo, Julia Roberts, Chris Evans, Christina Aguilera, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz

Juno in Scorpio Juno in Scorpio individuals desire intense, transformative, and passionate relationships. They seek a partner who can match their depth and emotional intensity. These natives often crave profound connections that go beyond the surface. On the downside, they may struggle with jealousy or control issues if they feel insecure. Lesson: Foster trust and embrace vulnerability. Celebrities: Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Martin Luther King, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Steve Jobs, Kanye West, Keanu Reeves

Juno in Sagittarius Juno in Sagittarius individuals are drawn to adventurous, optimistic, and freedom-loving partners. They value relationships that allow for personal growth and exploration. These natives thrive in partnerships where there is mutual respect for independence. However, they might struggle with commitment if they feel confined. Lesson: Balance freedom with emotional intimacy. Celebrities: Lady Gaga, Robert Pattinson, Britney Spears, Megan Fox, Emmanuel Macron, Monica Bellucci, Hillary Clinton, David Bowie, Drake, Catherine, Princess of Wales

Juno in Capricorn Juno in Capricorn individuals seek a partner who is ambitious, responsible, and grounded. They value relationships that provide stability and long-term security. These natives often thrive in partnerships that support their professional and personal goals. However, they may struggle with emotional distance or overly focusing on practical matters. Lesson: Prioritize emotional connection alongside shared goals. Celebrities: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, Mariah Carey, Timothée Chalamet, Nicki Minaj, Sharon Tate, Mahatma Gandhi, Jendall Jenner, Jay-Z, Catherine Zeta-Jones

Juno in Aquarius Juno in Aquarius individuals are drawn to partners who are innovative, independent, and unconventional. They value relationships that encourage individuality and intellectual freedom. These natives thrive in partnerships that challenge societal norms. On the downside, they may struggle with detachment or unpredictability in their relationships. Lesson: Cultivate emotional warmth alongside intellectual connection. Celebrities: Vladimir Putin, Elvis Presley, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Elizabeth II, Nikola Tesla, Jim Morrison, Robert Downey Jr., Blake Lively, Zac Efron, Björk

Juno in Pisces Juno in Pisces individuals seek a partner who is compassionate, spiritual, and emotionally attuned. They value relationships that feel magical and deeply connected on a soul level. These natives often thrive in partnerships that nurture their creativity and imagination. However, they might struggle with idealizing their partner or avoiding conflicts. Lesson: Ground your expectations in reality while nurturing the dreamlike quality of love. Celebrities: Marilyn Monroe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Princess Diana, George Clooney, Uma Thurman, Napoleon I, Henry Cavill, Joaquin Phoenix, Tom Holland, Lionel Messi

✨ Juno through the Houses ✨

Juno in the 1st House These individuals project an image of commitment and partnership. They often attract partners who reflect their personality traits and emphasize equality in relationships. They value independence and mutual respect in their unions. Celebrities: Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Elon Musk, David Beckham, Elizabeth II, Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Prince William, Joe Biden, Chris Brown

Juno in the 2nd House Stability and material security are significant themes in relationships. These individuals are drawn to partners who share their values around finances, possessions, and mutual goals. Celebrities: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Sarkozy, Elvis Presley, Zendaya, Grace Kelly, Ryan Reynolds, Paul McCartney

Juno in the 3rd House Intellectual connection is vital for these individuals. They are drawn to partners who stimulate their minds and engage in meaningful communication. Shared ideas and curiosity fuel their relationships. Celebrities: Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez, Vladimir Putin, Steve Jobs, Princess Diana, Britney Spears, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Emma Watson

Juno in the 4th House Family and home life are central to their partnerships. These individuals seek partners who provide emotional security and value family traditions and stability. Celebrities: Mahatma Gandhi, Drake, Cameron Diaz, Zayn Malik, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Ted Bundy, Pamela Anderson, Céline Dion, Ben Affleck, Meghan Markle

Juno in the 5th House Romance, creativity, and self-expression define their relationships. These individuals are drawn to passionate, artistic partners who inspire them to embrace joy and adventure. Celebrities: Kanye West, Bill Gates, Timothée Chalamet, John Lennon, Princess Catherine, Jay-Z, Napoleon I, Jim Carrey, The Weeknd, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Juno in the 6th House Partnerships revolve around daily routines, health, and work. These individuals value mutual support in practical matters and often bond with partners through shared responsibilities. Celebrities: Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Sharon Tate, Kristen Stewart, Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr., Jared Leto, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Juno in the 7th House This is the natural house for Juno, emphasizing commitment, equality, and harmony in partnerships. These individuals seek balanced and fair relationships. Celebrities: Martin Luther King, Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, Hillary Clinton, Leonardo da Vinci, Ryan Gosling, Whitney Houston, Alain Delon, Elizabeth Taylor, Blake Lively

Juno in the 8th House Depth and transformation are key in relationships. These individuals crave intense, emotionally charged partnerships and are drawn to shared resources and spiritual growth. Celebrities: Marilyn Monroe, Robert Pattinson, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Prince Harry, Uma Thurman, Oprah Winfrey, Jeon Jungkook, Mother Theresa, Megan Thee Stallion

Juno in the 9th House Exploration and learning define their partnerships. They are drawn to partners who share their love for adventure, philosophy, and spiritual growth. Celebrities: Mariah Carey, Christiano Ronaldo, Jodie Foster, Kendall Jenner, Prince, Gigi Hadid, Bruce Lee, Charles Manson, Victoria Beckham, Mick Jagger

Juno in the 10th House Partnerships often influence their career and public image. These individuals seek ambitious, responsible partners who share their professional goals. Celebrities: Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Monica Bellucci, David Bowie, Sharon Stone, Demi Lovato, Al Pacino, 14th Dalai Lama

Juno in the 11th House Friendship and shared ideals form the basis of their partnerships. They are drawn to partners who align with their vision for the future and societal contributions. Celebrities: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Albert Einstein, Justin Bieber, Kurt Cobain, Katy Perry, Lana Del Rey, Megan Fox, Emmanuel Macron, Eminem

Juno in the 12th House These individuals experience deeply spiritual and intuitive connections in partnerships. They are drawn to karmic relationships that teach them about compassion and selflessness. Celebrities: Taylor Swift, Madonna, Rihanna, George Clooney, Nicki Minaj, Amy Winehouse, Heath Ledger, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence, Adele

I thank you all for reading my post on Juno, and I would like to know if any of it resonated with you!

Sending love,

Xx

[aliciavance4228]

Here's a list with obscure deities from Greco-Roman Mythology to obssess about

Aceso: The goddess of the healing process and Asclepcius' daughter;

Achlys: The goddess of the eternal night, aka the Mist of Death;

Agon: The greek god of competition;

Alala: The goddess of the war cry, daughter of Polemos and one of Ares' attendants;

Alke: The goddess of battle-strenght and Eris' daughter;

Amechania: Apparently the ancient greeks did have a goddess of helplessness too.

Apate: A daughter of Nyx and the goddess of deceit;

Arete: She's more a concept than an actual deity. From what I found, her name means virtue, in the sense of being the best version of yourself or reaching tour highest potential. She was supposed to personify that;

Aristaeus: A minor god primarily known for rustic arts like beekeeping and cheesemaking. And Eurydice's assaulter;

Arke: Iris' sister who was thrown intk Tartarus after betraying the gods and becoming a messager for the titans;

Atë: Eris' daughter and the goddess of mischief, delusion, folly, and reckless impulsiveness that leads to ruin;

Bia: The goddess and personification of force;

Caerus: Very obscure guy and the god of opportunity;

Ceto: An early sea goddess and the mother of the Gorgons, the Graia, Echidna and the Hesperian Dragon;

Cybele: A Phrygian Mother Goddess, her cult being very popular in Anatolia once;

Dike: Goddess of mortal justice and fair judgment;

Dolos: God of trickery and guile, and a former apprentice to Prometheus;

Dysnomia: Daughter of Eris and goddess of lawlessness;

Eleos: A daughter of Nyx and the personification of pity, mercy, clemency, and compassion;

Endovelicus: Worshipped only by the romans, and apparently a deity who came from the Lisutanian Mythology. He was the god of healing and light.

Epione: The goddess of the soothing of pain and Asclepcius' wife;

Eucleia, Eupheme, Euthenia and Philophrosyne: Hephaestus and Aglaea's daughters;

Geras: Son of Nyx and the god of old age;

Homados: God of the noise of battle and all the blood-curdling screaming that implies;

Homonia: Goddess of concord, unanimity, and oneness of mind;

Hygieia: A daughter of Asclepcius and the personification of health, cleanliness, and sanitation;

Iaso: Daughter of Asclepius and the goddess of recuperation from illness;

Janus: Present only in the Roman Mythology, Janus was the god of doorways, gates, transitions, and beginnings and endings;

Kratos: Apparently he actually existed in Greek Mythology, but he was the god of strenght and power;

Limos: Daughter of Eris and the goddess of starvation;

Lyssa: Daughter of Nyx and the goddess of mad rage, frenzy and rabies in animals;

Mithras: Besides the fact that he was a roman god worshipped by a popular mystery cult there are few things known about him;

Momus: Son of Nyx and the god of satire, mockery, censure, writers, and poets;

Moros: Son of Nyx and the god of impending doom;

Oizys: Daughter of Nyx and the goddess of misery;

Pamacea: Daughter of Asclepcius and the goddess of universal remedy;

Peitho: Goddess of persuasion and seduction;

Penia: Goddess of poverty and need;

Phorcys: God of the mysterious dangers of the deep and Ceto's husband;

Plutus: God of wealth;

Polemos: Personification of war;

Ponos: God of hard labor and toil;

Porus: God of plenty and a son of Metis, making him the half-brother of Athena;

Praxidike: The goddess of judicial punishment and the exactor of vengeance;

Priapus: A minor fertility god, known for trying to rape Hestia once and his large equipment;

Ptocheia: Greek goddess of beggary;

Quirnius: An early roman god of Rome itself as a city state.

Seilenos: The god of drunkeness and crushing grapes under foot to make wine and the godfather of Dionysus;

Soteria and Soter: The goddess and god of safety and deliverance from harm;

Zelus: The personification of dedication, emulation, eager rivalry, envy, jealousy, and zeal. Had wings like his siblings (Nike, Kratos and Bia) and was an enforcer for Zeus that stood about his throne;

[springtimesdaughter]

Godswap AU Ethan Nakamura is the son of Hades and Percy Jackson is the son of Demeter.

Witching hour headcannons

Ethan, who has been at camp for two summers about to join Luke's side, is now faced with a new kid who 1. Grieving the loss of his mom and 2. Ends up saddled with because Luke doesn't want to deal with him.

Percy, who is still blamed for the missing items. Not because of sibling rivalry, but because 1. Hades thinks Demeter is mad about Persephone again, 2. Zeus thinks Demeter is mad about him for Persephone and 3. Hades and Zeus think the other put Demeter up to it because of Persephone. So now Demeter kids are being faced with back lash, but all of them had been questioned.

Ethan has a power set that is a lot more shadow and ghost based. He can't summon skeletons, but he can reanimate or puppet existing ones.

Percy's power set is very ground and plant based. He's not so great at growing small amounts of plants as he is making them just go insane. Think big vines used to keep monsters in place or like root systems being used to make holes appear in the dirt. He will kill a plant if he's taking care of a singular one but give him a field and its plentiful harvest.

The prophecy still applies to Percy! In the modern public use of the word 'gods', it can mean all deities within a religion. Also the parallelism of Kronos being a Titan with significant connection to agriculture and land, and him having to face a child of Demeter.

Percy, who gets claimed during capture the flag and gets to have older siblings!

Percy gets sent on a quest and chooses his best friend and the one guy who might make a trip to the underworld easier.

Grover still gets the shoes because Percy is an earth person he doesn't want to fly even if he won't get shot from the sky.

Ethan and Percy are working together a bit quicker because Percy had already proved before he claimed that he didn't care about the godly parent thing.

Percy is showing up in the underworld and wondering if he can control plants made for the underworld.

Throne Room scene where he shows respect to his godly mother first, and this makes Zeus even more offended than before but pleases Demeter.

Percy and Ethan are having a soft, slow burn romance that takes the same amount of time to mean anything.

Ethan, who doesn't leave with Luke because he's seen the lengths Kronos went to during the quest and while Ethan still believes the horrible mistreatment needs to change he knows with first hand experienc this won't fix anything.

The Sea of Monsters happens so much more differently.

Ethan is picked for the quest with Clarisse because the Ship of Bone and Percy (fatal flaw still loyalty) is having none of it and wants to go as well.

Clarisse having to save the two of them from being household rodents. Just in general, this quest is more of a mess, but a lot of personal growth happens.

Luke is trying to turn Ethan to his side, but Ethan is having none of it.

[tylermileslockett]

Zeus

“I will sing of Zeus, chiefest among the gods and greatest, all-seeing, the lord of all, the fulfiller who whispers words of wisdom to Themis as she sits leaning towards him. Be gracious, all-seeing Son of Cronos, most excellent and great!”

(Homeric Hymn, translated by H.G. Evelyn white)

ZEUS, (zoos) King of the Olympians, sits upon his throne high atop the golden palaces of Mount Olympus. The king of the sky and thunder holds aloft his blazing lightning bolt, which was crafted by the Cyclopes. Above, float his winged enforcers, Nike (victory), Bia (force) Zelos (rivalry) and Kratos (strength). Zeus is the Lord of prophecy, relaying them to his radiant son, Apollo, who relates them to the Pythia; the oracle priestess at the temple of Apollo at Delphi. 

Most of us are accustomed to seeing Zeus portrayed as an older man, with white hair and white beard. But in fact, to the ancient Greeks, Zeus was portrayed as middle-aged, with black hair and beard. Remember that Zeus was last born to the titaness Rhea, (before his siblings were swallowed by his father, Cronus) technically making Zeus the youngest of the Olympians. 

The Oracle at Dodona, in northwestern Greece, was a temple site dedicated to Zeus. Here the priests and priestesses used a form of divination involving the rustling sounds of the oak tree and its leaves to gain prophecies. 

Zeus is also known for his insatiable lust; transforming into animals like an eagle, swan, or bull (and even a shower of gold!) to pursue his conquests of female mortals and deities alike. 

Thanks for looking and reading!

If you like this art, Please support my upcoming kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tylermileslockett/lockett-illustrated-greek-gods-and-heroes

[luckshmi]

Lord Ganesha | Remover of Obstacles

Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, or Pillaiyar, is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Recognizable by his elephant head, Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. His presence is invoked before the beginning of any new venture or journey, symbolizing auspicious beginnings and successful outcomes. Ganesha's origins, characteristics, and the rich tapestry of stories associated with him provide profound insights into Hindu philosophy and culture.

Birth and Origins

Ganesha's birth is narrated in various scriptures, most notably the Shiva Purana and the Skanda Purana. According to these texts, Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, from the turmeric paste she used for her bath. Parvati fashioned a boy from this paste and breathed life into him. She then set him at the entrance of her abode to guard it while she bathed. When Shiva returned and attempted to enter, Ganesha, unaware of who Shiva was, stopped him. In the ensuing conflict, Shiva, in a fit of rage, severed Ganesha's head. To console the grief-stricken Parvati, Shiva promised to bring Ganesha back to life. He instructed his followers to find the head of the first living being they encountered, which happened to be an elephant. Shiva placed the elephant's head on Ganesha's body, reviving him and blessing him to be worshipped before all other deities.

Characteristics and Symbolism

Physical Appearance

Ganesha's distinctive elephant head symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. His large ears signify that a perfect person is the one who possesses a great capacity to listen to others, and his small mouth suggests he talks less and listens more. The trunk of Ganesha is capable of holding a lotus or a modak (a sweet) and symbolizes high adaptability and efficiency.

Attributes

Large Head: Represents wisdom and knowledge.

Small Eyes: Denote concentration and focus.

Trunk: Indicates adaptability and strength.

Big Ears: Symbolize a keen ability to listen and absorb ideas.

Small Mouth: Emphasizes the importance of speaking less.

One Broken Tusk: Signifies the acceptance of the good and the bad in the world.

Iconography

Ganesha is often depicted with a potbelly, symbolizing the capacity to digest both good and bad experiences. He usually holds an axe (to cut off bonds of attachment), a rope (to pull devotees closer to their highest goal), and a modak (representing the sweetness of the soul). His vehicle, the mouse, symbolizes humility and the ability to overcome desires.

Personality and Traits

Ganesha is known for his intellect, wisdom, and benevolence. He is also celebrated for his humor and playfulness, which are evident in numerous stories about him. Despite his divine status, Ganesha is approachable and understanding, making him beloved among devotees. His ability to solve problems and remove obstacles makes him a popular figure for those seeking guidance and support in their endeavors.

Family

Ganesha is part of the Shaivite tradition and is closely associated with his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. His brother is Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, who is the god of war. The familial relationships and stories involving these deities highlight the dynamics of divine interaction and provide moral and spiritual lessons.

Parents: Shiva and Parvati

Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity, represents the aspect of God that brings about transformation and change, while Parvati represents love, fertility, and devotion. Their union symbolizes the balance of male and female energies in the universe.

Brother: Kartikeya

Kartikeya, also known as Skanda or Murugan, is a warrior deity. The sibling rivalry and companionship between Ganesha and Kartikeya are depicted in various myths, emphasizing different aspects of duty, strength, and wisdom.

Popular Stories

Ganesha and the Mango

One of the well-known stories of Ganesha is the competition between him and Kartikeya to win a mango, a fruit of immortality and wisdom. Shiva and Parvati decided that the one who could circle the world three times first would win the mango. Kartikeya immediately set off on his peacock, but Ganesha, knowing he couldn't match his brother's speed, simply circled his parents three times, stating that for him, they were his world. Pleased by his wisdom, Shiva and Parvati gave him the mango.

The Writing of the Mahabharata

Another significant tale is Ganesha's role as the scribe of the Mahabharata. Sage Vyasa sought someone who could transcribe the epic as he recited it. Ganesha agreed to take on the task on the condition that Vyasa would recite it without pause. To ensure that Ganesha would write carefully, Vyasa composed the verses in a complex meter, which required Ganesha to pause occasionally to understand them, giving Vyasa time to compose further.

Association with Astrology

In Vedic astrology, Ganesha is associated with the planet Ketu. Ketu represents obstacles, detachments, and spiritual pursuits, qualities that align with Ganesha’s role in removing obstacles and guiding devotees on the path of wisdom and spirituality. Devotees often invoke Ganesha’s blessings to mitigate the malefic effects of Ketu in their astrological charts.

[erisweekofficial]

Another week done! Tonight let's unwind by giving @ceoofyearning all our love 🧡

Check out her Mafia AU fic half algorithm, half deity! It's the perfet combo of smutty and angsty. We're taking notes over here!!

Read on to learn more about Mira's thought's on the Vanserras and what reality show Eris is participating in 👀

What drew you to Eris x OC as opposed to other Eris ships?

The main appeal of Eris x OC/Reader, for me at least, is the creative freedom. With an OC, I can explore different character dynamics and backstories without the constraint of lore or fan expectations. Also, I’m still new to the fandom, and I get a bit anxious about whether I’m interpreting the characters well. Character x OC is closer to my comfort zone and the immersive quality of these stories is a fun little bonus. But I’m also a fan of other ships with Eris, particularly Azris and Neris! I’d definitely love to write for these ships in the future.

How do you interpret Eris's relationships with his family?

There is still a lot we don’t know about Eris and much of his relationship with his family has been left as subtext. I’m definitely no expert and this is just my personal interpretation of their dynamic. I imagine living in that household is a constant balancing act. Beron has been cast in a cruel light, and I suspect he would be an even crueler father. He’s uncompromising, unforgiving, and the only traits he tolerates in his children are those that mirror his own. Eris resents him and fears him, but his father’s approval and being indispensable to Beron are necessary for continued survival. In a culture where sibling rivalry is encouraged and fratricide is expected, it would be near impossible for Eris to build a deep and meaningful relationship with his siblings. Whether they’ve inherited their father’s sadistic tendencies or are just reluctant participants, these siblings can never truly trust each other. They’re all in survival mode. I don’t believe that Eris would hurt any of his siblings unprovoked, but as the eldest living son and prospective heir, he has to maintain their respect - even if that means keeping them at arm's length and constantly keeping himself in check. Despite all that, I suspect Eris has a soft spot for his mother and Lucien. He would try to protect them in his subtle way.

What inspired you to tackle a Mafia AU featuring Eris?

I've always been a big fan of AUs since it gives us a chance to explore our favorite characters outside canon. I feel like Eris, with his cunning and moral ambiguity, would be fun to see in the dark and cutthroat world of a Mafia AU.

If you could cast Eris on a reality tv show, which one would it be and why?

I want to see Eris and Az or Eris and Nesta in The Amazing Race. They’d either beat everyone in record time or end up at each other's throats.

[musical-chan]

Father of Time Chapter 18: Time Twice Lost

They had been on the road for only two days when Deity awoke in the middle of the night. His skin itched and he sighed, pulled himself out of his blankets and walked to where the Goddess of Time waited. She looked older this time, more like the others. She always did enjoy changing the age of her appearance. 

"What do you want?" 

"Fine, I'll go with you to Farore." 

"I'm not sure I want you along. You accused me of something unforgivable." 

"Uuuuuuugggg, what else was I supposed to think? How'd he get your abilities after already having mine?" 

"It was not my doing. I was not even aware he was the Hero of Time at first. He is supposed to be the Hero of Courage."

"Hey! There was none of that time travelling the first time!"  Deity gave his sister a blank look and she gestured forcefully. "There was just the Hero. He got the sword, the Triforce split and then there was a lot of mortal shit going on for a while. I felt bad for him, okay? He walks into my temple, just a kid, then tries to save everything. He spent years trying to save things! And then he died because Demise's hatred loves fucking things up. So I tried to fix it! I sent him back but that timeline continuedand I was like, this is fine. It's just one offshoot. They managed to seal the bad guy. But we can do better!"

Deity glanced over to where his son was sleeping, then back up at the Goddess. She was pacing, waving her arms with anger.  

"So I imbued my power into that dumb sword Hylia made, thinking it would help. But it decided sealing the boy away for seven years was the way to go instead of letting him grow into the weapon like the first time. But I guess it worked because he didn't die that time! Then do you know what that uppity princess did?!"

"She sent him back."

"SHE SENT HIM BACK AND SPLIT IT AGAIN! Now I have two splits instead of one to deal with! They couldn't even have the decency to make another universe! No! Let's split time into three pieces! GREAT IDEA." 

(Read the Rest on AO3!)

[aroaceleovaldez]

what demigods from each cabin would get along together you think? Like I headcanon that the Hephaestus and Hecate kids get along because they’re always thinking up new things like be it spells or machinery. But I wanna hear your take on compatibility between godly parents? 😀

-Casimir 🔮Cabin 20🔮 Son of Hecate

oh i LOVE the idea of Hecate and Hephaestus kids getting up to mischief. I've thought about this a bit so I'll go through the ones I have strong dynamic ideas off the top of my head, sticking mostly to CHB's main 20 cabins and then a couple of bonuses. Also some bonus "who hates each other." (Under cut for length)

Ever since TLO the Apollo and Ares cabins have had an alliance. Mostly built out of the Ares kids feeling really guilty about arriving late to war and nearly all the Apollo kids dying in the Battle of Manhattan, wondering if there would have been fewer casualties between both cabins if they had gotten over their stubborn pride faster like the Apollo kids had. Ares kids kind of guard the Apollo kids and tolerate them more than other cabins, and the Apollo kids are considered off-limits for bullying.

Hephaestus, Ares, and Aphrodite kids have a very bizarre dynamic, besides the whole canonical love triangle curse nonsense they have going on. They tend to be drawn to each other one way or another. Very common to see them together. The question is just are they besties or are they trying to kill each other.

Big 3 kids either have immense solidarity or totally loathe each other and there's no in-between. Sometimes it's both.

Demeter and Hades kids have a very tenuous alliance. They're a little scared of each other. They would fight to the death over who gets to adopt a Persephone kid as a sibling though.

Besides Hades, Demeter kids either get along great or horribly with Big 3 kids. Again, no in-between, or sometimes both.

Zeus kids and Athena kids tend to get along like a house on fire. Insert School of Athens fresco here. They are Thinking Thoughts and will have the most passionate debates about the wildest topics you have ever heard.

Cabins 5 and 6 have a very strong ongoing rivalry. If it's a friendly rivalry or true rivalry shifts depending on counselors. They LOOOOVE competing with each other though, and have some amount of unwavering respect for each other as the war cabins. Post-TLO the Nike cabin starts getting in on that dynamic too and Cabins 5 and 6 are very excited for some new challenges.

Tyche and Nemesis cabins tend to be buddies

Apollo, Athena, Dionysus, and Iris cabins love being artsy together. 100% lead a lot of the art activities at camp.

Similarly, Athena, Apollo, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Hecate cabins love being nerdy together.

Chthonic solidarity! Hermes, Hades, Hypnos, Hecate, etc. Usually the other chthonic cabins are the only ones brave enough to poke fun at the Hades kids.

Mad scientist gang Athena, Hephaestus, Hecate. Sometimes the Apollo kids join in to help give them ideas and enable them.

Athena, Hecate, Apollo, and Hades meanwhile are Mad Scientist: Biology Edition™. They're dissecting weird stuff and will figure out how to make Frankenstein's monster.

Also, Athena, Apollo, Hebe - medical cabins gang. Vision/eye health, general health, and general health + youthfulness.

Demeter and Dionysus gardening buddies!!!!!! Sometimes they let the Apollo and Iris kids hang out too. Zeus and Poseidon kids are a strong "maybe."

Apollo and Hebe cabins get along super well, also with Zeus cabin. They're totally vibing being all youthful and beautiful together. Sometimes Aphrodite cabin also join them. Pretty cabins gangs.

Apollo, Iris, and Zeus cabins (and Hera cabin if there are actually any kids there for that. hi Jason) - sky deities buddies!

Dionysus cabin has a bizarre comradery with the Hades cabin nobody can figure out but everyone is mildly afraid of (it's Zagreus stuff).

Iris and Hermes kids get along super well. Iris cabin also probably loves hanging out with the Aphrodite and Apollo kids. They're talking about art and color theory.

Bonuses: Philotes + Aphrodite + Erotes kids obviously all get along fantastically. Psyche kids and Aphrodite kids either get along well or clash horribly.

Hebe and Ganymede kids are shaking hands. Cupbearer parents (who are also both youthful and pretty).

Iris and Arke kids are very one-in-the-same except the Arke kids all have So Many Problems. Iris kids tend to be "excuse me they asked for no pickles" on the Arke kids' behalf often.

Thetis kids and Arke kids have beef and it's kind of funny (cause Thetis got Arke's wings as a wedding gift after they were stolen from Arke as punishment for siding with the Titans).

Enyo/Bellona and Ares/Mars kids LOOOOVE each other. Immediate best friends. Same hat, spiderman pointing meme, etc etc. Absolutely built for each other. They just click. And also tend to enable each other a little bit. Do not let the Nike kids around both of them at the same time because they will all begin to enable each other in a feedback loop and get up to mayhem.

[alan-in-the-outernet]

I think eventually, Fire might ask for siblings, so.. the four elements. It fits.

Fire, Water, Earth, Air.

So now it has four little deities following it around, who help it out with tasks, and it gives them (semi) control over their particular element.

And they each have cute little personalities, and have fun sibling rivalries over C&D’s attention.

(Banana sometimes babysits)

Oo... admittedly uh. Banana might. Be gone by that point. They were... already rather old when Sunglow and Nala were around... by the time this is happening, Banana is. Probably long gone...

But! That is really cute...

[bronzegods]

Hor the Elder and Setesh the Elder

Pre-Dynastic deity brothers who fuckin’ hate each other but live together in a Libyan oasis temple anyway, because obviously that’s how you solve your familial problems. Exposure. Or whatever.

In the timeline of Pantheon, their story begins in the pre-dynastic period prior to the unification of Kemet. Hor and Setesh, both royal princes who rule in Nekhen and Naqada respectively, got along fine with each other (aside from general sibling rivalry) until the abrupt death of their father, Andjety, the god of kingship, who drowned in the Nile. His body was not recovered.

Shit hit the fan.

See, there were two problems: first, the brothers encountered their first experience with true death. Not the kind where you go take a visit to the underworld and reunite your ba with your ka, but True Oblivion that comes from dying and leaving behind an unrecoverable body. Without the body preserved, there can be no resurrection.

The second issue? Andjety also didn’t leave a will for his kingdom. Lack of writing systems and all back in those days. So Hor and Setesh, shattered by the loss of their father, both sank into their grief, and both felt obligated to step into their father’s sandals and become the new king.

This resulted in constant warfare between the two Upper Egyptian city-states as their patron gods struggled to handle their loss. In the process, they crushed the kingdom of Abdju between them, sending its gods—Khenti-Amentiu, Anpu, Wepwawet, and Wepiu—fleeing north, where they allied with the Delta gods: Ptah, Sokar, Kherty, and Neith.

Hor and Setesh set aside their differences and united against the common threat. The two, reconciled, steamrolled the Delta resistance. Khenti-Amentiu and sons fled to the underworld through Saqqara, displacing Sokar and Kherty’s family in an attempt to avoid getting killed by the enraged brothers.

But after their victory, Hor turned against Setesh and banished him to a Libyan oasis. He wanted to be the one and only king, and even the mortal kings loved and took on his name. Sure, Peribsen tried recalling Setesh, but Hor chased him away again.

Which worked great, until a new threat arrived. He called himself Ra, and Hor was no match for him. He begged Setesh to help. Setesh told him to go fuck himself. Ra took over the lands by the 3rd Dynasty and banished Hor to Libya as well, laying the foundation for his ironclad rule.

The age of the sun had arrived.

Commissioned work, illustrated by Eaglidots

[rainbowolfe]

Reanalyzing the 4 Horsemen

Was thinking about the very explicit reference to Kaos/Khaos when talking about the creation and writing of "CHAOS", because it's not the first time Cult of the Lamb has referenced Greek mythos. And for them to specifically have Netflix's Kaos on their mind is extra interesting. That aside,

I was looking into re-interpreting the four horseman thing since it's clear that Shamura is being presented as Conquest, and not War. Shout out to that retcon. And there actually is a Greek interpretation of these harbingers of the apocalypse.

Zelus on the white horse (Conquest), Ares on the red horse (War), Limos on the black horse (Famine), and Thanatos on the pale horse (Death) accompanied by Hades or Orcus.

and my guys, it is once again sounding like Shamura's the Fanatic. That's so fucking funny. Like wdym their Crown is the embodiment of zeal? We're just putting that out there? Casually? Zelus. Zealous? Zealous was theirs? I'm having my "Rose Quartz is Pink Diamond" moment. And Wdym Zelus' roman equivalent is Envy? [the 7 Deadly Sins play a role in the Sins of the Flesh.]

Zelus. A daemon of conquest and glory. He was the personification of zeal, dedication, emulation, envy, rivalry, and jealousy. The offspring of Pallas (a titan; God of Warcraft) and Styx (Goddess of Oaths).

Ares. An Olympian and a God of War, born from Zeus and Hera and married to Aphrodite, who regularly cheats on him. Their child of note is Eros (aka Cupid). Here he bears Pestilence.

This technically works because Ares' name means both "War" and "Bane". We have "Bane Weapons" in the game, which are associated with poison and by extension, disease/sickness. It also works because "Pestilence" was always something invoked by Conquest, instead of it's own stand-alone horseman, like pop culture would suggest. In this case, either Zelus or Ares could be invoking Pestilence for (additional) help. ((Me thinks the 'help' didn't end up being that helpful))

Limos. They're depicted as both a personification and a deity of famine. Spawned from Eris (Strife), their name translates to "Famine", "Hunger", or "Starvation". They don't really have much going on for them myth-wise, but they're considered to be Demeter's counterpart. In some myths, Eris is Ares' sister, which would make Limos his niece/nephew. They're known for being an enemy of the gods and a 'housemate'. In the sense that she manifests/resides inside the home.

Thanatos. Death himself. Merciless and indiscriminate. Born from Nyx (The Night) along with a whole buffet of siblings. There's only one of note: Hypnos, his twin brother. Both are terrible, shunned by the sun itself (aka The Light, lmao). Hypnos is known for being peaceful, but Thanatos is known for his mercilessness.

All the gods hate him, and he's hateful towards gods and mortals alike. Though originally associated with bloodshed, he eventually became associated with specifically peaceful deaths. In this transition, his appearance began to resemble that of Eros. His sister(s?) the Keres became known for bloodshed.

It's interesting that there's technically only one God in this group, depending on how you interpret "Hades"/"Orcus". Both of those refer to the actual god, but also the underworld as a whole. Some interpretations depict it as the souls and denizens of the underworld emerging as an army.

Ares, a particularly disliked God, and three daemons (Lesser Gods). Two of which are also pretty disliked lol. I suppose the equivalent to daemons here would be vessels? Or something. Gods that haven't yet ascended. (Think like Hercules or Dionysus)

Gotta loop back around to Pestilence now. What I believe is happening in-universe is that beasts just call him that, even though that's not what he is. It's just the name that became popular. The inspiration here has been heavily Greek, and the Greek translation never actually uses the word 'pestilence'.

"[...] and was given to them authority over the fourth of the Earth to kill with Sword and with Famine [Limos] and with Death [Thanatos] and by the beasts of the Earth."

Emphasis here on the sword. 'By sword, by dagger, by staff.'

In Hebrew, the term translates to "destruction", "corruption", or "ruin". Which can include a plague, but isn't limited to it. Pestilence's actual name has been forgotten to time. Though it was probably War. He brought ruin and corruption via Sword. Leaving "the beasts of the Earth" aka Chaos for Conquest (the other thing the first horseman is said to invoke).

Finally, each horseman also has an associated planet (aka Roman God). In order, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. There is explicit mention of Mercury in-game (Neptune too).

And it very much seems like Shamura and Kallamar switched Crowns at some point. Or they unofficially swapped domains in the public conscious. Two Gods of War. One who is revered (Mars), the other who is ridiculed (Ares).

SO. In summary:

Horseman: Conquest [Zelus] Associated Color: Magenta Crown Color: Purple Horse Color: White Planet: Mercury [Hermes] Relevant Theme: Zealous Associated With: Shamura

Horseman: Pestilence [Ares] Associated Color: Cyan Crown Color: Blue Horse Color: Red Planet: Mars [Ares lol] Relevant Theme: Bane/Godly Associated With: Kallamar

Horseman: Famine [Limos] Associated Color: Yellow and Orange Crown Color: Yellow Horse Color: Black Planet: Jupiter [Zeus] Relevant Theme: Vampiric Associated With: Heket

Horseman: Death [Thanatos] and Chaos [Khaos] Associated Color: Pink* and Yellow-Green Crown Color: Red and Green* Horse Color: "Pale" (depicted as yellow, green, or greyish)  Planet: Saturn [Cronus] Relevant Theme: Necromantic and Merciless Associated With: Narinder and Leshy

Let's talk about what horses mean... ~symbolically~

There's a distinct lack of horses, if you hadn't already noticed. And their absence is critical because, without them, they're not really the four Horsemen. Just the four Men. So if not physical horses they rode in on, then something else had to have acted as their 'vehicles'.

Overall, horses are linked to nature personified, water, sexuality, dreams, parentage, and divination. They're inherently associated with freedom and war. They empower the rider to dominate the earth and man alike. They're described as "eager and well-suited for war and carnage."

The 'horses' could be the four elements: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water (in that order). These elements can then be ascribed to the different types of gods in the Greek/Roman Pantheon. Air for the sky gods, Fire for the underworld gods, Earth for the rustic/agrarian gods, and Water for the sea gods.

Zelus from the sky, Ares from the underworld, Limos from the earth, and Thanatos from the sea.

I think the essential part here is that the horses represent what brought them to the "battlefield", whether it be a specific person or certain circumstances.

Lowkey, I do think the mother metaphor is on the right track. (The mother is the horse, and the offspring the rider). The "seal" is broken (her water breaks) and "summons" (she births) the world-ending entity that "rode into the world" via her womb.

Alternatively, the "horses" are gods who were responsible for carrying the souls of the deceased from one place to another—psychopomps. Under this interpretation, horses are associated with water, which is seen as the boundary between the two worlds. Meaning four gods came from the ocean (afterlife?) carrying the apocalypse bringers.

...and we do get tasked to fetch four things out the ocean. I discuss this ~extensively~ here and here.

Now I'm on a tangent, but I can't help but to make note of something. While reading about horses, there was a section on centaurs in regards to the bond between horse and rider. I've made the observation before that Shamura's Eldritch Form is built like a centaur. They are still themselves with their transformation manifesting mostly separately. Compare that to Leshy and Heket, who go through a complete metamorphosis.

Centaurs are "the perfect coupling between instinct and reason, between intelligence and brute force". The horse gives physical strength and speed the rider cannot attain on their own; the rider cares for the horse and gives it fortitude—horses are prey after all, their nature is to be fearful. They have to overcome instinct (nature) with their mind (will). And a bit of affection.

The horse and the rider are one. "If there is conflict between the two, the horse's race leads to madness and death, but if there is agreement, the race is triumphant."

Making Shamura, potentially, exactly that. Two forces that aren't working together.