Galls & Gall Nuts: Black Ink, Dye, Medicine
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Galls and gall nuts are growths on plants, particularly oak trees, used for a number of purposes throughout history. They form due to...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 54 min read
Bolus (Bole) of Mendes: Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Mendes is an important city of ancient Egypt, in the Nile Delta. The bolus of Mendes or Mendesian bole refers to a medical preparation...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 54 min read
Baphomet, the Goat of Mendes in History
Baphomet is a unity of opposites. The mysterious figure emerges from the mythology, esotericism, and dramatic history of medieval Europe....
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 264 min read
Olympiodorus of Thebes & His Parrot
Olympiodorus of Thebes (c. 380 - 425 AD) is a multifaceted figure. A Roman historian from Egypt, poet, philosopher, and diplomat, he...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 252 min read
Haruspices in History: The Gut Readers
In ancient Rome, the haruspex has a significant role in society as a trained specialist in the the practice of haruspicy. This form of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 255 min read
Great Persecution Rome vs. Christianity
The Diocletianic or Great Persecution, a significant event in the history of the Roman Empire, marks a period of intense hostility toward...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 175 min read
Malaria: Roman Fever & Renaissance Plague
The malaria parasite P. falciparum has existed for up to100,000 years. Its numbers rise c. 8000 BCE with the Neolithic Revolution....
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 156 min read
Birds and Bird Symbolism in Alchemy
The Raven, Swan, Dove, Pelican, Peacock and Phoenix are among the symbolic birds of alchemy . Raven may be interchangeable with Crow,...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 83 min read
Sirius the Dog Star: Stellar Mythology
Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, is a symbol of heat, fire, and fever. The appearance of Sirius heralds the hottest days of the...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 162 min read
Alchemy Symbols: Tail of the Peacock
Cauda Pavonis (Tail of the Peacock) is a crucial phase in the intricate process of alchemy, symbolizing the transition from putrefaction...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 123 min read
Animal Archetype: Mysteries of the Unconscious
The Animal is an archetype described by Carl Jung as sublime. It's a clue to one's connection with primordial nature, based on instinct...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 105 min read
Agathodaemon: Snake God Alexandria
Agathodaemon (Agathos Daimon or noble spirit) is a household snake god and patron protector of sparkling Alexandria in ancient Egypt. He...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 155 min read
Aesculapian Snakes: Nature & Lore
The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) is a species of nonvenomous snake native to Europe. Among the largest European snakes, the...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 135 min read
Cyrene: Huntress Queen of Greek Myth
Cyrene or Greek: Kyrene is a huntress heroine of Greek mythology. In legend, Apollo founds and names the Greek colony Cyrene in North...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 135 min read
Asclepius: Greek Medicine Snake God
Asclepius (Aesculapius) is a Greek hero and Divine Physician, god of medicine in ancient Greek myth. Son of Apollo, he learns healing...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 114 min read
Serket - Scorpion Goddess of Egypt
Serket is the ancient Egyptian goddess of healing relating to venomous stings of scorpions and bites of snakes. She often wears a...
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Sylvia Rose
May 266 min read
Zis - Ancient Warrior Hero God Thrace
Zis of Thrace is the first god of creation, with mother goddess Bendis. HIs adventures are many as he fills roles of creator god, horse...
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Sylvia Rose
May 245 min read
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Nature & Lore
The Wild Boar is the ancestor of domestic pigs. The Boar represents the warrior spirit and unbridled ferocity. With the Bear and Wolf the...
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Sylvia Rose
May 167 min read
Aetsi: Boars, Snakes & Baltic Amber
The Aesti (Aestii, Astui, Aests) appear at a time when European cultures mingle, and trade routes connect north to south. Neither Germans...
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Sylvia Rose
May 135 min read
Curonian Freshwater Baltic Sea Lagoon
Curonian Lagoon is a freshwater body beside the Baltic Sea at western Lithuania, separated from the sea by the narrow Curonian Spit....
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