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A symbol of strength and virility, the Bull appears i n ancient art and architecture. Blood sacrifice of bulls and oxen usually involves feasting on the meat, akin to eating the God, associated with fertility rituals. Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun Apis - Sacred Fertility Bull of Egypt Herbology & Lore: Rowan (Mountain Ash) The Bull - Power, Mythology, Deity, Sacrifice Among wild animals the Bear is untamed nature and the wild heart, while the Bull is among the major fertility spirits and powers of the Earth. If crops don't grow, the people sacrifice Bulls. With the blood of the Bull potent magic flows into the ground. In ancient Rome the God appears in the constellation Taurus, one of the oldest of the zodiac star signs. The Bull represents Jupiter, who turned himself into a Bull to abduct a woman, one of his favorite hobbies. Cult of the Bull - Prehistoric Aurochs Solnitsata - Neolithic Salt Trade Town Witches' Night - Hexennacht Lightning Bolts - Power of Zeus in Purple In ancient Rome as well appears the worship of the Sun God Mithras, which rises in popularity about the same time as Christianity, in the first century AD. Mithras is borrowed from Persian Mithra and adapted to Roman philosophies. In Rome Mithras is strongly associated with the Cult of the Bull and taurobolium or ritual bull sacrifice. A popular theme is Mithras killing a sacrificial bull with a knife, by request of the Sun himself, Sol. In artworks he's often accompanied by helper animals snake, scorpion and dog. The scorpion holds the bull's genitals while the dog laps up the blood spilling from the wound and the snake is either biting the bull or part of background activity. Pretty Poisons: Holly, Yew, Mistletoe A Viking Christmas Yule German Myth & Folklore: Imps Mithras Killing the Sacrificial Bull In engravings and reliefs a pair of torch bearers appear, one on either side of Mithras and the Bull. The Bull's tail might end as a sheaf of wheat, symbol of Virgo, fertility, the harvest. The scorpion is thought to represent Scorpio, the torch bearers Gemini. Both the poisonous snake and scorpion are symbols of healing. Aspects of the theme still puzzle mythologists and historians, but the basic concept of the Sacrificial Bull is clear. When Mithras kills the Bull, Sol throws its body into the sky as the moon, and Mithras' cloak becomes the stars. The Bull is associated with the skies, stars, moon and Sun. The shape of his horns represents the solar disk or Sun, or the crescent moon, pointing to the sky. His strength comes from the Earth beneath his hooves. His primary energy is Yang, outward seeking. After the Ice Age - Neolithic Builders Oldest Cult Megaliths - Gobekli Tepe Figs - Food of the Ancient World Black and White Bulls - Power in Motion Drinking and ceremonial vessels made of Bulls' horns appear in Greek art of the 5th century BCE. Wine god Dionysus is shown holding a drinking horn. Sculptures and paintings of the Aurochs, an extinct giant bovine, adorn prehistoric caves. The large number of artworks shows the aurochs as a powerful symbol of life force. Oldest remnants of Bull worship appear in Çatalhöyük , Anatolia about 7,500 BCE. Song of the Loreley Apples: Myth, Nature & German Folklore Herbology & Lore: Death Cap Mushrooms Lamassu from 8th century BCE A Sumerian protector, the lamassu is a winged hybrid of human and animals, first arising in Assyria in the 8th century BCE as a symbol of power. According to Marie-José Castor at the Musée du Louvre, " The human-headed winged bulls protective genies called shedu or lamassu, ... were placed as guardians at certain gates or doorways of the city and the palace. Symbols combining man, bull, and bird, they offered protection against enemies. " The Bull is also the steed of storm and rain god (Ba'al) Hadad , a deity equated with Jupiter and Zeus, the Egyptian Amun and Indo-European weather god Teshub, showing the Bull's connection to the Sky. In some mythology birds such as blackbirds or cranes accompany the Bull. Pagan Solstice Fests: Saturnalia German Traditions - the Linden Tree German Myth - Werewolves Sandhill cranes enjoy the company of cattle Worship of the Bull as fertility symbol, power, protector and sacrifice was widespread from Norse habitations to the Mediterranean to the East. Animal domestication gave humans a sense of authority over nature. The first evidence of domestic animals (sheep) comes from the Upper Paleolithic era or Late Stone Age about 11,000 BCE. The first evidence of the domestication of wild Aurochs is a few centuries later, in 10,500 BCE. With it came selective breeding and early animal husbandry. The aurochs of about 10,000 years ago are ancestors of domestic cattle. See also: How to Summon Animal Spirit Guides Happy Wednesday! Tidbits & Trivia Hags in German Myth & Folklore Heck's Cattle of the 1920s resemble Aurochs As a species the Aurochs survive until 1627, when it's believed a poacher shot the last one. Attempts to bring the wild Aurochs back from extinction begin with German biologists Heinz and Lutz Heck in the 1920s. Evidence of a powerful Bull cult, Bull worship and sacrifice comes from the Minoans of Crete, 2000 - 1450 BCE. The legend of the Minotaur, a man with bull's head who demands human sacrifice, fascinates writers and readers, interpreted through the ages in legend, art, song and poetry. Creation, Cattle & the Cosmic Cow Milk & Dairy: Ancient Lactose Gene Rhinestones: Treasures of the Rhine Ruins of Knossos Palace & Minotaur Labyrinth, Crete Bull worship and culture spreads from and through Anatolia, Crete, Iran, South & Southeast Asia, Cypress, Levant, Greece, Rome and the Celtic lands. The Romans were so enthusiastic they built the infamous torture and execution chamber, the Brazen Bull. Convicted persons, suspected insurgents and even whole families are put into the hollow bronze bull, and a fire lit underneath before a mass of cheering people. As the prisoners were roasted alive, a system of tubes, pipes and trumpets converted screams from the belly of the bull into snorts and roars. A miraculous creation it is, and the first to test it is the unfortunate man who invents it. It becomes popular entertainment under the Roman tyrant Phalaris about 570 BCE. Its last use is allegedly in the 3rd century AD, to burn a Christian. By that time Rome is well into the worship of Mithras and the sacrificial Bull. Hathor: Cosmic Cow Goddess of Ancient Egypt Bear Worship: Sacrifice of the Gods Goats in German Myth: Erntebock & Habergeiß The Great Bull with Crescent Horns The Bull assumes a place of power. In the sacrificial hierarchy of godly tribute, the blood of the Bull is second only the blood of Man whose is second only the blood of a King, or better, a God-King. Bull blood represents fertility of the Earth. Celts also practice both veneration and sacrifice of the Bull. In the first century Pliny the Elder writes: The druids—that is what they call their magicians—hold nothing more sacred than the mistletoe and a tree on which it is growing, provided it is Valonia oak. … Mistletoe is rare and when found it is gathered with great ceremony, and particularly on the sixth day of the moon….Hailing the moon in a native word that means 'healing all things,' they prepare a ritual sacrifice and banquet beneath a tree and bring up two white bulls, whose horns are bound for the first time on this occasion. A priest arrayed in white vestments climbs the tree and, with a golden sickle, cuts down the mistletoe, which is caught in a white cloak. Then finally they kill the victims, praying to a god to render his gift propitious to those on whom he has bestowed it. They believe that mistletoe given in drink will impart fertility to any animal that is barren and that it is an antidote to all poisons. Pretty Poisons: Holly, Yew, Mistletoe Plant Lore: Stinking Nightshade, Henbane Nature Spirits of German Mythology White Berries and Evergreen Leaves of Mistletoe In some villages of Greece, Greek Orthodox adherents sacrifice oxen and lambs in a practice known as kourbania (Christianized animal sacrifice) on February 10. It's specially associated with the feast of Saint Charalambos, a Christian martyr. In the 2nd century AD or Roman Imperial Era, the taurobolium or Bull sacrifice becomes linked to Cybele, the Mother Goddess of Anatolia. Her adherents also participate in the criobolium or Ram sacrifice. In Greece, she is integrated into the lore of Mother Goddess Gaia. After 159 AD, all private taurobolia inscriptions mention Magna Mater (Great Mother, Mother Goddess). Fertility Rituals - the Sacrificial God Agrippina & Son: Poisonous Plots of Rome Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore As Christian emperors take the Imperial thrones of Rome, the Church criticizes the practice of animal sacrifice. The taurobolium becomes a symbol of paganism and reaction against the soon-to-be-dominant ideology. Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

A small kingdom with a big kick, Ugarit has an independent pantheon of Godesses and Gods, central administration, trade routes inland or coastal, diplomatic allies and progressive ideas. Jump to: Major Deities Minor Deities Hurrian Deities Ugarit is a major trade and shipping center in northern Syria in the Bronze Age. The city kingdom rises to become an influential Mediterranean power. Ugarit Royal Palace: Romancing the Ruins Ammurapi - The Last King of Ugarit Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit Fabulous Feast Gods and Goddesses of Ugarit Back to Top Major Deities Baal / Hadad - storm & weather God El - creator God, head of Ugaritic pantheon Anat - war goddess, often winged Ashtart (Astarte) - goddess of the hunt, war, sexuality, evening star Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Bashmu (Bašmu): Voracious Serpent Dragon Ashtart (Astarte) Goddess of War, Hunting, Sexuality Athirat (Elat) - wife of El, highest-ranked Goddess in the pantheon Kothar-wa-Khasis  ( Hayyānu) - craftsman God, deity of creators & blacksmiths Kotharat - seven divine midwives Nikkal ( Nikkal -wa-Ib) - a principal Goddess, wife of the Moon God Resheph (Iršappa) - God of war, plague, underworld, planet Mars Shapash - Sun Goddess Yarikh - Moon God The Igigi - Why Humans are Created Nabu (Nabû) - Ancient God of Scribes Demons - Evil Udug of Mesopotamia God of the Moon Minor Deities Back to Top Asray - Underworld Goddess Arṣu-wa-Šamuma - double deity, meaning Earth & Heaven Attar - war god, takes throne when Baal dies; soon ousted Ba‘alat Bahatīma - Goddess, watches over the area occupied by the royal family Dadmiš (Tadmiš) - Goddess of Healing Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Asherah: Goddess of Childbirth & Fertility Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Goddess of Healing Dagan - 'biological' father of Baal, sometimes shown beside him Dimgay - Goddess, a handmaiden of Athirat Didānu - God, divine ancestor of Ugaritic kings Gaṯaru - God of Underword, vegetation & war Gupan-wa-Ugar - Gods, "Vine" & "Field", usually together, messengers of Baal Gūrūma-wa-Tahāmātu - pair or group of deities of mountains & freshwater springs Hargub - bird-like God sometimes called Father of Raptors or Eagles Šassūrātu (Sassuratu): Deific Midwives Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Father of Eagles Horon - magic, exorcisms, incantations Hulelu - father of the Kotharat Ḫiriḫibi - 'divine marriage broker' Ilib - an ancestor of the Gods Ilish - herald of the House of Baal Ebla - Shining Jewel of the Bronze Age Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Suri (Śuri): Ancient Etruscan Fire God storm & weather god Ba'al Kannaru - deification of the lyre Maḏḏara - included on offering lists, identity unkown Messengers of Yam - aka "embassy of judge Nahar", unnamed messengers of god Yam Mêšaru - a God, divine judge Milku - an underworld deity sometimes called King Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt What is a Ziggurat? Underworld King Mot - personification of Death Pidar - associated with Baal, otherwise vague Pidray - sister of Asray, "daughter of light" Qudšu-wa-Amrur - messenger of Athirat, called her 'fisherman' Qudshu - a goddess, purpose unknown Rahmay - goddess of Athirat's court Samal - bird-like Goddess, also called "mother of raptors" Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Pazuzu - Demon God of Mesopotamia Anatolia - Kārum City of Trade Kültepe Mother of Raptors Shakhar - one of the divine twins - dawn Shalim - one of the divine twins - dusk Shatiqatu - mythical female exorcist, healer Sumuqan - "warrior of Baal", associated with wild animals dSu-ra-su-gu -WA - diety appearing on one god list, purpose unknown Šaggar (-wa-‘Iṯum) - lunar god and representation of Sinjar Mountains Šamnu - deity of olive oil Puduhepa - Queen of the Hittites Kaska - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Olives and oil Šaraššiya - divine personification of Kingship Ṣidqu - god associated with righteousness Talish - handmaiden of Yarikh Tallay - weather deity of dew and light rain Ṯukamuna-wa-Šunama - sons of El and Athirat Tiraṯu - god of wine Rabbit Fever Plague & Warfare: Hittites Neolithic Europe - Danube Valley Culture Ancient Cultures: Yamnaya Steppe People Tiraṯu is god of wine Uṯḫatu - deification of a ritual censer or incense burner Yam (Nahar) - god of the sea Yaparudmay - mentioned in a myth as a possible divine bride Ẓiẓẓu-wa-Kāmaṯu - appear only as a pair; Kamatu is a God; Zizzu unknown Anzû - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Nefertari Queen of Peace Ancient Egypt Ẓiẓẓu-wa-Kāmaṯu (Zizzi & Kamatu), always together Like those of other strong cultures of the known world, the pantheon adopts some foreign Gods, primarily Hurrian. Assimilating gods is a gesture of consideration to the people of occupied or tradeworthy lands. It helps keep the peace, show respect and bond friendships between leading powers. Hurrian Deities Back to Top Adamma - goddess incorporated into Hurrian pantheon after the fall of Ebla Allani - Underworld goddess Aštabi (Attapar) - warrior god Daqitu - attendant of Hebat Ea - god of water, knowledge, crafts & creation Hurrian Primordial Gods & Creatures Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Hurrian Bronze Age Gods & Goddesses Enki (Ea) God of Water, Wisdom, Creation, Craftspeople Ebrimuša - "lord of justice" Hebat (Hepat) - Sun Goddess Hutena and Hutellura - Fate Goddesses & divine midwives Ishara - Goddess of death & desire Kiaše - Hurrian god of the sea Kubaba - goddess of unknown origin Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Mysterious Kubaba - goddess of unknown origin Kumarbi - Hurrian Father of the Gods Kušuḫ - Moon God with oracular attributes Ninatta and Kulitta - handmaidens of Šauška (Shaushka) Nupatik - psychopomp god Pendigalli - goddess associated with palaces Pinikir - astral goddess Elderberry Tree: Germanic Nature Lore Kashka - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Astral Goddess Pinikir - she's a star Pišaišapḫi - god of the mountain Pišaiša Šarruma - god sukkal of Kumarbi; also associated with Teshub & Hepat Šauška (Shaushka) - the great goddess Šimige - Hurrian Sun God Šuwala - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Teshub - weather god & head of Hurrian Pantheon Thapsos - Trade Center & Necropolis Atum of Egypt - First Primordial God Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Teshub Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

Kombucha is a popular wellness elixir around the world. This sparkling beverage with ancient origins promises a range of health benefits. Here's more about kombucha, its nutrition potential and how to create it at home. Lactobacillus: Nature of Lactic Acid Bacteria Amazing Yeast: Feeding, Breeding & Biofilms Acetic Acid Bacteria for Vinegar Artisans: Acetobacter A close-up view of a SCOBY floating in a jar of kombucha. About Kombucha Often called mushroom tea, kombucha is a fizzy, sweetened fermented tea beverage known for a distinctive tangy taste and an array of potential health benefits. Kombucha is made from tea, sugar, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The SCOBY which looks like a gelatinous blob, is integral to fermentation, converting sugar in the tea into diverse compounds. SCOBY & Mother of Vinegar: Cultured Cuisine Amino Acids: Optimal Body Health & Energy Natural Anti-Spasmodic Treatments for Muscle Spasms & Pain Kombucha SCOBY Fermentation gives the drink with its effervescence, tangy taste, and potential health benefits. The drink is usually a blend of sweet and sour flavors, with a slight vinegar taste. The origins of kombucha are unclear. It goes back at least 2,000 years to ancient China, where it's highly regarded for flavor and health benefits. It's also known as the Tea of Immortality. Mother of Vinegar & Microbial Life in a Bottle Fermentation: Yeast & the Active Microworld 10 Wise Plants & Herbs for the Elixir of Life How to Make Kombucha Making kombucha can be an enjoyable project that both beginners and experienced brewers can tackle. Step 1: Choose Ingredients Kombucha requires three basic ingredients: Tea : You can use black or green tea as a base, providing the flavor and body. Sugar : necessary for fermentation since it feeds the yeast in SCOBY. SCOBY : This culture combining both yeast and bacteria is necessary for kombucha fermentation. Earth of Chios: Ancient Alchemy, Cosmetics, & Medicine Flavonoids: Sensory Compounds of Nature Pill of Immortality: Chinese Alchemy Tea Pickers Step 2: Prepare the Brew Begin by brewing your chosen tea and dissolving sugar into the hot liquid. Once the tea cools to room temperature, add the SCOBY, with starter liquid from a previous batch if available, to encourage fermentation. Step 3: Fermentation Seal the mixture in a glass jar, using a breathable cloth or coffee filter for covering. It is important to allow air circulation while keeping out contaminants. This mixture needs to ferment for about 7 to 21 days. For sweeter kombucha, opt for shorter fermentation. For a tangier flavor, let it ferment longer. Nitrogen Fixation & Evolution of Plant Life Women Scientists of the Ancient World Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Kombucha SCOBYs Step 4: Bottling and Second Fermentation After the initial fermentation, bottle the kombucha. This is the opportunity to add flavors such as fruits, herbs or spices like ginger. Bottling traps carbonation (CO2 created by yeast), ensuring a fizzy finished product. After sealing the bottles, allow their contents to produce a secondary fermentation for another 3 to 7 days. This creates extra fizz and a more robust flavor. Women Brewers: Brewing History of Europe Galls & Gall Nuts: Black Ink, Dye, Medicine Magnesium (Mg): Ecology & Human Health After fermentation, the drink is strained, chilled, and ready to enjoy. Kombucha can be served plain or mixed with fruit juice. Ascribed Health Benefits of Kombucha Kombucha has been touted for many health benefits throughout history. Many come from the fermentation process itself. Benefits of kombucha include: Probiotics and GI Tract Health : Fermentation creates probiotics, beneficial bacteria to aid digestion. For example, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium found in kombucha are known to enhance digestive health. Mold: Cultivation & Use in Food Fermentation Difference Between Pickling & Fermentation Create Artisan Apple Cider Vinegar Lactobacillus beneficial probiotic bacteria A balanced gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiome can improve digestion, reduce bloating, and enhance nutrient absorption. Up to 70% of immune system function is linked to digestive health. Antioxidants : Kombucha from green tea is rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants. These compounds combat oxidative stress in the body, potentially lowering risk of chronic diseases. Fermentation can enhance the antioxidant effects of tea. Kombucha may prevent cell damage and inflammation associated with various health issues. Polysaccharides: Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose Five Sugars: Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Sucrose, Lactose Chamomile - Herbology & Folklore fruit can be added for extra zest Detoxification : The drink is taken to support liver health and detoxification due to high content of glucuronic acid. This can bind with toxins, easing their excretion from the body. However, more research is needed here. Immune System Support : The antioxidants and probiotics in kombucha work together to enhance immune function. Regular consumption can lead to a more resilient immune system, helping the body fight off infections. German House Spirits: Beer Donkey ( Bieresel ) ATP: Nature of Energy & Vital Functions Ancient Grains: Wheat, Barley, Millet, Rice Energy: During fermentation, B vitamins are produced, which are essential for converting food into energy. Many people report feeling a natural energy boost after drinking kombucha. This could be connected to the B vitamins along with the mild caffeine from the tea. Potential Mental Health Benefits : Proponents of kombucha say B vitamins and amino acids produced during fermentation contribute to improved mood and reduced stress levels. Evidence directly linking kombucha to anxiety relief is limited. However, digestive function is known for its connection to mental health issues. Electrolytes: Vital Minerals of Human & Environmental Health Esters & Phenols in Brewing, Perfumes, Food Making Flavors of Coffee: From Harvest to Homestead Facts About Kombucha A Cultured Beverage : The SCOBY itself is a fascinating organism and can be reused many times. A healthy SCOBY can produce many batches of kombucha. Its appearance is strange, but it's safe to consume. Caffeine Content : Depending on the tea used, kombucha contains some caffeine, but in lower amounts than a standard cup of tea or coffee. DIY Creativity : The kombucha craze has inspired countless home brewers to experiment with flavors, with creative additions like lavender, ginger, berries, hibiscus, chai and chili pepper. Alcohol Presence : Commercial kombucha generally contains less than 0.5% alcohol due to fermentation, but some homebrewed versions can have higher levels, especially with longer fermentation times. Cost Effectiveness : While commercial kombucha comes in beautifully designed bottles, homemade versions are a fraction of the cost without sacrificing flavor or nutritional quality. Ephedra - Oldest Medical Stimulant Herb Periwinkle: Magic & Medicine of Europe Milk into Cheese: Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) a magic brew Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

In the European Bronze Age, the North is a wild place, populated by nomadic tribes, great bears and howling spirits on endless nights. The only thing more fearsome than the savage lands are those who inhabit them. Ugarit Royal Palace: Romancing the Ruins Klabautermann - Germanic Sea Kobold Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Get into the swing of it The northern Bronze Age begins c. 1700 BCE, a time when metallurgy is already in full swing in the south. Northern European Copper or Chalcolithic Age bridges the gap between Neolithic and Bronze Ages. In the north, copper use starts as early as 5000 BCE through trade. Natural deposits are not exploited. Copper is malleable, easy to work by hand. One of the seven metals of antiquity , copper can be smelted from a parent rock and worked with stone tools. Copper: Ruddy Metal of Myth & Magic Ox Hide Ingots - Bronze Age Trade Seven Metals of Antiquity: Metallurgy Smelting with a modern blowtorch Bronze Age northern European people include: Sámi - northern indigenous Scandinavia Funnelbeaker c. 4300 - 2800 BCE Corded Ware c. 3000 - 2350 BCE Battle Axe  c. 2800 - 2300 BCE Scandinavia Bell Beaker   c. 2800 -1800 BCE Únětice c. 2300 - 1600 BCE Tumulus c. 1600 - 1200 BCE Urnfield c. 1300 - 750 BCE (Iron Age) Lusatians c.1300 - 500 BCE (Iron Age) Some, like Bell Beaker and Tumulus, cover much of Europe, and cultures overlap at different times. The northern populations are a result of migrations provoked by the spread of Yamnaya people from the Ponti-Caspian Steppe in the 4th millennium BCE. Herbology & Lore: Rowan (Mountain Ash) Salt Trade - the Most Precious Mineral Before the Vikings: Nordic Bronze Age Corded Ware Culture Distinctive Pottery 4000 ya, Britain and Central Europe supply Denmark with copper and tin. Without metal sources, the North Sea people import metal objects recast for local use. In the North, some societies merge, while others are more aggressive to their neighbors. Everyone wants control of the Baltic and North Sea coasts, for trade, shipping, battle and other location advantages, and supplies of precious amber . Local hostilities break out. Coastal cultures go through periods of settlement and displacement. Žaltys: Sacred Snake & Serpent Queen Slavic River Spirits & Roman Gods House Spirits of Germanic Mythology Baltic Sea Early people along the Baltic and North Sea coasts evolve into such culture groups as Balts, Prussians, Estonians, Scandinavians, Fins. Along the North Sea are today's Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France. Trade routes such as the Amber Roads , some of the earliest known roads in Europe, lead south to the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt and Mesopotamia. Salt and obsidian are already traded at sites arising in the Neolithic. Bronze Age Europe - the Amber Roads Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Amber, Gold of the North The early amber economy helps create some of the oldest known roads in Europe. Water, inland rivers and maritime routes are important conveyers of people and goods. Trade with England, an important source of tin , is lucrative from the northern ocean coasts. Trade goods include wool, amber, linen, weapons, tools, grain, spices, incense, houseware, luxuries such as perfume or gemstones, personal items like combs and hair clips. Settlements grow up around the routes. Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Trade opens up routes to distant lands such as Mycenae, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Syria Along the Amber Roads , one can get oranges from the south, a special treat; colored yarn, needles, fabric, ginger, and of course copper and tin to make the alloy bronze. With new availability of materials and information the Nordic Bronze Age is a time of progressive activity. Agriculture is tough. Besides being snowbound for large parts of the year, the land is rocky and clay-heavy, breaking implements such as plows. Crops including einkorn wheat , millet, broad bean , beets, potatoes and gold-of-pleasure  are hardy enough to cultivate Einkorn Wheat - First Domestic Crops Gold-of-Pleasure: Bronze Age Crops Broad Beans (Fava) - Bronze Age Crops Einkorn Wheat (Triticum monococcum) fares well in the northern climate Trade helps stabilize the economy, inspire ideas and create cultures, tools, weapons, textiles and food. As advanced weaponry develops, war and battle seize fertile lands and rich resources. Conquest goes to the mighty. From the Neolithic the primary northern building style is the longhouse. One or more fire places provide heat, light and cooking. Stone or clay oil lamps might also be used, filled with animal fat. Smoke rises and seeps out through the thatch. Curonian Freshwater Baltic Sea Lagoon Great Bear - Nature, Spirituality & Lore German Myth: Father Rhine River God Made of local timber the longhouse is 5.5 - 7 m (18 - 23 ft) wide with variance in length from 20 m (66 ft) to 45 m (148 ft). Twenty to thirty people live in each, along with animals. No windows are apparent and just one entrance. The house has various partitions for sleeping, animals, storage, daily living. Walls are typically wattle-and-daub style, in which the wattle is a woven mat or partition and the daub a sticky mix of clay and dung. Thatched roofs are usually straw, dry stalks of plants. German Traditions - the Linden Tree Velnias - Baltic Devil God of Death Cattle Goddesses & the Cosmic Cow Cattle in a Sunny Forest Meadow Germanic cattle-farmer longhouses appear at the SW North Sea in the 3rd or 4th century BCE. They're ancestors of medieval house types such as Scandinavian langhus ; English, Welsh, and Scottish longhouse variants; and the German and Dutch Low German house. In early times people stay together in tribal groups or settlements. One never knows what awaits in the woods. European Grass Snake: Nature & Lore Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Urnfield Bronze & Iron Age Burials Northern Boreal Forest Valley Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

Among the Old Gods of German mythology is Ziu (pr. Ts-ee-ew) the Sky God. He's equated with the Norse Týr, the one-handed god. The Sky God Ziu goes back to primordial times. Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Night Raven (Nachtkrapp) Germania German Myth - Father Rhine River God  Ziu is a powerful Sky Father figure in the ancient myth and history of Germania. His elemental equal is goddess Nerthe (Erde), the Earth. First written mention of Ziu comes from Old High German c. 8th century AD. Like Frau Holle (Holda, Hulda), Ziu the sky god is considered to originate from a pantheon of Old Gods. He goes back to the foggy myths of Creation. The Earth takes form as elementals Nerthe (Nerthus, Erde) the Earth Mother and her cosmic peers work the land into shape. German Vampires - Nachzehrer Nature Spirits of German Mythology German Romanticism: Nature & Emotion Earth Goddess Ziu creates sky and air spirits and later gives fairies, elemental air sprites and other primordial nature spirits the power of flight. Up until the 19th century, fairies fly by magic and don't have wings. Early nature spirits are born with the elements and evolve with the environment. They have powers of creation, cultivating their world as the earth slowly cools in its bubbling cauldron of lava. A Viking Christmas Yule Lora Ley Adventures - Feast of Fools Der Türst: Dread Huntsman & the Wild Hunt In the beginning, the Earth was a cosmic melting pot As a sky and weather god Ziu is on a par with Greek Zeus. He's a God of storms, thunder, lightning and natural phenomena. His name comes from the Proto-Germanic Tīwaz meaning simply "God". Pre-Christian mythology of Germany is unfortunately sparse. The culture, history and lore of the Germans is an oral tradition. Ancient Cultures: Yamnaya Steppe People 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Through stories and epic poems it flows and grows, but solid written sources are few. The people learn thousands of years of history through the telling of stories. The earliest written sources of Germanic culture and mythology come from works by Roman writers. Germania of 98 CE by Tacitus is used extensively as a reference even though Tacitus himself has never been to Germania. Tannenbaum - About the Yule Fir Tree Butzemann, Witches & Nyx - Scare 'em Good Agrippina & Son: Poisonous Plots of Rome In Rome, Tacitus (56 – 120 AD) writes prolifically about the Germania he never visits. Bummer. As part of the nature-centric belief system, the continental Germans do not build temples. Tribes of Germania are nomadic, a discouragement to building places of worship; but a cult center can grow around a sacred site. People commune with nature in places of nature. Groves are sacred to all cultures and become the closest to a place of worship among the tribes of Germania. Germany: A Little 19th Century History German Nature Folklore - Fruit Trees German Myth & Folklore: Moss People Magic Happens in a Forest Grove - Deer are creatures of Faerie Despite nomadic lifestyles, tribal differences and lack of written records there is no doubt the people have a vital spiritual connection to the environment, as well as to the stories of other times and places. Until Christianity there's little concept of an afterlife, especially in south continental Germania. However, the people hold strong beliefs in a spirit world and the realm of the Undead . In some meanings, the sky god is the sky itself. The German word Himmel is the same for both sky and heaven. Goats in German Myth: Erntebock & Habergeiß German Myth - White Ladies & Changelings Nature Spirits of German Mythology domain of the Sky God Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

The Yamnaya or Yamna people occupy the Ponti-Caspian Steppe about 3300 BCE, with a tribal origin going back to Neolithic times. In the early Bronze Age, much of the known world is inhabited by hunter-gathering tribes or kin groups. Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Before the Viking Age - Gods of the Sámi Ziu - Ancient Sky God of Germania Stepping Out They carry on a semi-nomadic lifestyle based on herd-following, hunting, gathering of wild food such as berries, roots or nuts. Weapons in the early century include clubs, spears, axes, arrows and knives made of wood, flint or other stone. The Yamnaya or Yamna people evolve in the late Copper Age to early Bronze Age c. 3300 BCE. Archaeological evidence dates the finds in Yamna settlements and burial sites to 3300–2600 BCE. Some of the pre-existing tribes they absorb. The Yamnaya cover such an area, when they migrate in the 3rd millennium BCE it's in all directions, and has strong effects on the cultures of other lands and regions. Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Milk & Dairy: Ancient Lactose Gene Care & Feeding of Ancient Gods - Enlil Artifacts of Yamnaya - daggers, arrowheads, decorations Also called Pit Grave culture or Ochre Grave culture, the Yamnaya are closely connected to Final Neolithic groups, specifically the Corded Ware and Bell Beaker people. As the Stone Age caves in to the Bronze Age, people migrate and move and settle. Tribal or kin group cultures preceding or co-existing with the Yamnaya on the Steppe include: Samara, 5th millennium BCE, Volga at the Samara Bend Khvalynsk, 4900 - 3500 BCE, Middle Volga Dnieper - Donets , 5000 - 4200 BCE, Neolithic & Mesolithic Sredny Stog, 4-5th millennia BCE, Ukraine Repin, c. 4000 BCE, evolved from earlier people; later evolved into the Yamnaya Maykop, c. 3700 - 3300 BCE, central steppe to Black Sea coast Cucuteni - Trypillia, c. 5500 to 2750 BC, Neolithic copper age culture, SE Europe Cernavodă, 4000 - 3200 BCE Bulgaria & Romania Usatove, 4th millennium BCE, NE coast of Black Sea Before the Vikings - Early Northern Cultures Pagan Solstice Fests: Saturnalia 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Groups, clans and cultures mingle The Yamnaya descend from Russia. Their name, Я́мная, means 'related to pits (yama)' due to the custom of burying a corpse in a kurgan or tumulus , a pit grave within a burial mound. Yamnaya people practice animal husbandry, fishing, foraging, manufacture of ceramics, weapons and tools. They live primarily as tribal nomads or semi-permanent settlers, with a chiefdom system. Use of wheeled carts and wagons helps manage larger herds of goats and sheep. Some bone distortions suggest long horseback rides. German Myth - Father Rhine River God Teshub: Hurrian Bronze Age Storm God Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Domestication of the horse happens in c. 3800 BCE, credited to the Steppe people. Yamna are already using oxen to pull two-wheeled carts and four-wheeled carts, well adapted to life on the move. Agriculture develops near sources of water, such as rivers. A few fortified sites survive, such as Mikhaylvika in eastern Russia. Characteristics of Yamnaya culture include burials in pit graves in a mound, often with animal offerings and grave goods. In graves of important people whole wagons are found. Some graves contain figures, or stelae, with carved human heads, arms, hands, belts, and weapons. Kashka - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Warrior Queen: Kriemhild of the Burgundians Gnomes: Earth Spirits of Renaissance Mythology Typical burial site. Grave goods such as vessels, ornaments, weapons, tools would be included The body is in a flexed position with knees bent, covered in ochre. Some grave mounds contain several layers of burials. Metallurgists and other craftsmen have special status among the buried. Graves attributed to the elite contain a vast number of metal objects. New technologies of metalwork and weapon designs appear. Animal sacrifices are common, including those of horses and oxen. Stone stellae or funerary statues are found in certain gravesites, sometimes in abundance depending on the perceived rank of the deceased. Red Ocher (Ochre) Ancient Pigments Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Stone Stela, grave figure, Late Yamnaya According to anthropologists the typical diet of Yamna people is meat, milk , yogurt, cheese, soups, seeds, wild vegetables, and probably mead. The use of ochre in graves suggests a symbolic return to the earth. Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

With the favored practice of naming early civilizations after their grave types, here is the Catacomb culture. The progressive and prolific Catacomb people thrive on the Pontic-Caspian Steppe c. 2500 - 1950 BCE. Ancient Greece - the Mycenean Invasion Ancient Cultures: Yamnaya Steppe People Neolithic Skull Cults & Ritual Skulls They follow the time of the Yamnaya , an influential semi-nomadic people. In early tribes the graves contain an in-depth look at the lives of the ancient inhabitants. Originating on the southern Steppe as an offshoot of the dominant Yamnaya, the Catacomb culture expands into surrounding areas and gains far-reaching influence. Population of the Catacomb culture is estimated to be 50,000-60,000. Bosporus: Black Sea Nature & Greek Myth Nüwa: Chinese Primordial Snake Goddess Hurrian Bronze Age Gods & Goddesses Catacomb Culture bronze tools Catacomb people are most likely Indo-European-speaking, an early language from which many others, such as English, German, French, Greek and Hungarian, derive. Proto-Indo-Europeans are among the earliest modern people. Influences of the Catacomb culture go as far as Mycenaean Greece. During the Bronze Age trade routes to ancient Greek Mycenae are open over land or sea. A race of warriors, the Mycenaeans also love meeting and trading with others. Ancient Greek Cultures: the Minoans Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Oldest Cult Megaliths - Gobekli Tepe Acropolis Ruins at Athens, Greece (Mycenae) 5 BCE They establish a special rapport with the Northerners, leading to much Baltic amber in their coffers. Mycenaean Greece is a profitable stop for merchants of amber, ivory, gold and later, glass. They import their copper from Cyprus. Glass occurs naturally as obsidian in areas of high volcanic activity, and it's often traded in raw form or as beads and amulets. The first glass created by humans goes back to 1800 BCE in Mesopotamia. Obsidian is a common volcanic product. The more clarity it has, the more its value. Unusual colors or inclusions might be worth a couple of goats. Kanesh (Kultepe): Kārum City of Trade Bronze Age Europe - The Amber Road Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Rainbow Obsidian The Catacomb culture occupies the Ponti-Caspian Steppe after the Yamnaya migrate in swarms in the 4th millennium BCE. Settlement of the Catacomb people spreads in a wide area throughout the Steppe. They continued to expand north and east. No surprise, the burials of the Catacomb culture are in catacombs. It's a modest advance but identifies them as a separate culture. The Yamnaya create shaft graves and the Catacombs add a burial niche beneath the shaft, which is the namesake. Similar graves are found in Mycenaean Greece and parts of Eastern Europe. Before the Vikings - Únětice Culture Blacksmiths: Iron, Metal, Gods & Myth Teshub: Hurrian Bronze Age Storm God Yamnaya Grave Site, shaft design - Catacomb people add a burial niche The flexed position is popular throughout mound-building cultures. Dead people are usually interred on the right side. Grave goods include jewelry and ornaments, silver rings, stone and metal axes, arrows, maces and daggers. Animal sacrifices include head and hooves of goats, sheep, horses and cattle. Animal sacrifice occurs in about 16% of Catacomb graves. Cattle sacrifices are more frequent than in the previous Yamnaya culture. Horse burials are also found, and previously appear in the earlier Khvalynsk and Poltavka cultures. Blood Sacrifice, Twin Brothers & Creation Alchemy: Science, Philosophy, Magic Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Ram's Horns and Skull Catacomb burials sometimes involve vast amounts of kurgan stelae, or stone statues and figurines. The previous Yamnaya culture honored this ritual as well. Over three hundred stelae have been found from the Yamnaya and the Catacomb cultures. A curious trend appears as the skulls of deceased Catacomb people are modelled in clay. Again this is a rite reserved for the elite. The mouth, ears and nasal cavity are filled with clay. The artisan then models over the features of the face. It's a permanent fixture, not a removable mask, integrated into the death rituals. Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Lead: Death Metal of Metallurgy Wild Women and Winter Tales clay The treatment is applied to men, women and children. The early clay death masks may have been prototypes for the later gold masks found in Mycenaean Greece. In Egyptian culture, death masks are used to guide the spirit of the dead person back to its final resting place in the body. Masks are made of wood, cloth, plaster, or for the royal, silver and gold. Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Before the Vikings - Nordic Bronze Age Honey Mead: Most Ancient Ambrosia Weaver becomes an occupation Daily life for the Catacomb culture is busy with herding and raising cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs. Specialized occupations appear including weaver, bronze worker and weapons maker. Plows and ancient grains  found at settlement sites indicate early agriculture. Settlements are not always settled. People continue to live a nomadic existence as they've done for thousands of years. Trade is by nature an active medium. piglets In some regions, people might stay awhile, usually to set up camp near a water source, then move on. Matveyevka in western Russia is a more permanent settlement with several stone houses. Ornate and elaborate ceramics work is common in the tombs and in daily use. Some elements show possible use of the flax plant, or its fibrous sister hemp. Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Destroying Angel: Nature's Deadly Poison Visigoths, King Alaric & the Ruin of Rome Flax fibers create linen, the oldest known textile Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

Syphilis is a complex disease, leading to unusual and alternative treatments in history. A sexually transmitted disease, syphilis is caused by bacterium Treponema pallidum . It first appears in Europe in the late 15th century. Seven Deadly Diseases of the Renaissance Bolus (Bole) of Mendes: Ancient Egyptian Medicine Cosimo Ruggeri: Prophecies from the Dark Treating syphilis with Guaiacum officinale Scholars can't agree on how syphilis arrives, but the devastation it causes is fearsome. During the Renaissance it spreads through Europe, called the pox to differentiate from another Renaissance plague, smallpox . When syphilis is first recorded in Europe in 1495, its pustules cover the body from the head to the knees, cause flesh to fall from people's faces, and lead to death within a few months. The pall of this disease hangs over rich and poor alike, regardless of gender. 1. Mercury: The Alluring Poison Knights Templar Crusades & Medieval France Renaissance Apocalypse: End is Nigh Ancient Greek Discovery & Use of Mercury Mercury (Quicksilver) One of the most infamous treatments for syphilis is mercury or quicksilver (Hg). Ingested, in baths or applied topically, mercury is given to purge the body of the syphilitic poison. For centuries, patients subject themselves to mercury therapies, often leading to painful side effects. Mercury's toxic properties are largely ignored, with patients enduring painful, protracted treatments and the effects of severe mercury poisoning. Mercury: Miracle Metal of Madness Mad Hatter's Disease: Mercury Madness Almadén Mines: Ancient Mercury Extraction Mercury is used in medicine in Europe since the ancient Greeks. It becomes one of the main metals of alchemy after the first century AD. Renaissance physician Paracelsus, based on the concept a lot of poison kills but a little bit of poison heals, prescribes mercury for syphilis. However he doesn't prescribe full baths in the stuff. This comes from the odd human concept that if a little can heal, maybe a lot can cure. While some patients have temporary respite, mercury's effects include tremors, madness, nerve damage and death. Do not take mercury in any amount. 2. Guaiacum Officinale: The New World’s Gift Emerging from the healing traditions of the indigenous peoples of South America, guaiacum officinale (roughbark lignum-vitae or tree of life) gets the attention of European physicians in the 16th century. Alchemy of Mystical Herbal Elixirs & Cures Secrets of Renaissance Herbal Recipes Mugwort (Wormwood) Herbal Lore Guaiacum officinale The wood, brought to Europe from the New World, is commonly prepared as a decoction and consumed in hopes of relieving syphilis symptoms. While it doesn't provide a definitive cure, guaiacum becomes a popular tonic for various ailments due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 3. Malaria Exposure: A Feverish Solution Perhaps one of the most counterintuitive treatments for syphilis is exposure to malaria. The high fevers induced by malaria are thought to purge the body of the disease or its symptoms. This practice peaks in the early 20th century, before the discovery of antibiotics. In some cases, patients are deliberately exposed to malaria conditions (swamps) in hopes they would catch the disease to induce high fever. Doctors approve of this controversial treatment, having observed patients who develop fevers get over the symptoms more quickly. Arcanum Joviale: Alchemy of Sudorific Sweat 5 Waters of Ancient Alchemy: Aqua Caustic Vinegar Cures of Physician Dioscorides Mosquitoes carry the malaria parasite While there are reports of symptomatic relief, this method is risky and ultimately doesn't address the disease's underlying cause. For health in general many people take medications, some containing poison, to break a sweat. It's thought purging the body with fevers, laxatives, vomit-inducing concoctions and diuretics can flush out unwanted impurities or elements conducive to sickness. This approach becomes a major trend during the Renaissance. 4. Sarsaparilla: The Root of China Sarsaparilla (Smilax) is used in treatment of various ailments, including syphilis, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Considered a "blood purifier," this herbal remedy has widespread use among patients seeking relief from the disease. It's consumed in various forms, including teas and tinctures. Although modern medicinal science recognizes its anti-inflammatory properties, the effectiveness of sarsaparilla in treating syphilis specifically remains unclear. Some remedies mask the illness. Asphodel: Ancient Dye & Medicine Plants Ephedra - Oldest Medical Stimulant Herb Nitric Acid: Aqua Fortis the Acid Queen Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma 5. Prosthetic Noses: The Cosmetic Approach Syphilis is notorious for its more severe symptoms, which include disfigurement of the face and nasal decay in advanced stages. As the disease progresses, tissue necrosis sets in and the nose collapses. In response, the 18th century spawns emergence of prosthetic noses made from leather, wax or metal. An earlier false nose is worn by Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, though his disfigurement is believed to be from a duel. His everyday nose is found to be made of brass. Silver and gold false noses are popular among rhino-prosthetics-wearers for special occasions. These prosthetics become a practical solution for those affected with the more visible consequences of syphilis. Ancient Traders & Buyers: Art of Testing Metals Sophie Brahe Writer, Alchemist & Astronomer Oil of Philosophers: Alchemy Health & Beauty Metal Plate False Nose, 17-18th century One way or another, syphilis is nothing to sneeze at. This formidable bacterium brings with it the true meaning of social disease, as it's a continual stigma through the centuries. During the Renaissance it's estimated one in 7 people have it. In Victorian times, it's one in five. Penicillin finally provides a syphilis cure in 1928. In London, 20% of today's youth have been treated for syphilis. This ravaging disease still here. It's just hiding. Natural Magic of the Renaissance Babylonian Astrology: Destiny in the Stars Niter (Saltpeter): Science of Alchemy Joker's wild Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

The Victorian era brings progress to Europe, but also problems. Increased pace of life leads to stress conditions such as neurasthenia , an anxiety disorder first identified in 1825. By mid-century it's a popular diagnosis. Steam & Coal in Victorian Germany Klagefrau: Wailing Woman of German Folklore Victorian Health: Sea Water Hydrotherapy Stop the world and let me off! Growing awareness of mental health issues encourages compassionate treatment such as spas, massage, communication and hydrotherapy instead of isolation or punishment. Spas arise around mineral springs as the tide turns toward natural health. Because Queen Victoria and her beloved husband Albert are German, the Victorian lifestyle and health trends are especially active in this part of continental Europe. The home gym, bicycle and towns with "Bad" (Bath) and "Baden" (Baths, Bathing) in their names, mineral springs, clean air and sea water hydrotherapy all come into vogue. Health resorts are popular, with people spending months or even living at the spa. Steam & Style - Agrippina of the Rhine 19th Century: Home Gym, Bicycles, Antiseptic Seven Probiotics: Human Digestive Health Change happens quickly. Germany has early and late phase industrial progress. The first working steam locomotive, acquired in 1835 from Britain, leads the way to development in Germany. Mid-century rebellions batter the lands of Europe. Pressures mount. In the first half of the century people swarm to cities to work in mass production. There are jobs for everyone of any gender and age. People who once worked on the family farm have grueling days assembling machinery or making matches from toxic substances . Phosphorus: Element of Fatal Fascination 3 Great German Artists for Art Lovers Five Sugars: Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Sucrose, Lactose As Karl Marx points out in his theory of alienation the move to urban existence separates people from their work. People no longer own the means of production. Work is a mechanical means to an end, not a vital part of life itself. Elevated anxiety and a whole tradition of hating Mondays demonstrates the basis of the theory. "Owing to the extensive use of machinery and to division of labor, the work of the proletarians has lost all individual character, and consequently all charm for the workman." Karl Marx  - Communist Manifesto 1848 Milk into Cheese: Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Xanthan Gum & Plant Blight: Xanthomonas Campestris Jet Black - Ancient World Gemstones Coal powers the civilized world. An inferior type of coal, jet, becomes popular in mourning jewelry. Prosperity is not for all. Crowded housing creates slums, while poor repair and lack of hygiene spread deadly disease. Smallpox, typhoid, tuberculosis and cholera flourish, and mental pressures escalate. By late century one in five Victorians has syphilis. This STD can cause psychiatric disorders like depression, mania, psychosis, personality alterations, delirium and dementia. Poor physical health claws at the anxious mind. Study and research of the tuberculosis bacterium Mycobacteria tuberculosis by Robert Koch revolutionizes medicine. Koch proves bacteria are different species, and that they cause disease. Herbology & Lore: Poison Hemlock Pioneering German Women - Bertha Benz Ancient Egypt Remedies: Ebers Papyrus Streptococcus bacteria - some cause strep throat - others are probiotics linked to mental health In 1867 British physician and scientist Joseph Lister develops the first antiseptic. Hospitals begin using antiseptic and improve hygienic practices, such as washing hands and instruments, cleaning the wound and not allowing it to fester freely. The healthiest thing about hospitals in the earlier part of the century is the maggots in the beds. A sudden swerve in direction saves countless post-surgery victims from certain death. Hospitals turn from halls of doom into houses of healing. Khella - Ancient Health & Herbology Saffron - Most Precious Ancient Spice The Mystic Victorian - Fortune Telling Hospitals today rely on hygiene Germany's first psychiatrist, Emil Kraepelin, receives the honor in 1886. His thesis of 1882, The Place of Psychology in Psychiatry , influences the way people think about mental health. As the final phase of the 19th century roars through, psychology is a hot topic. Kraepelin demonstrates how emotions are linked to physical health. His theories dominate through the 20th century even as Freud arrives on the scene. Freud presents his famous essays on sexuality in 1905, including female hysteria. Wandering Womb - Ancient Medicine How & Why to Ferment Green Beans Great 19th Century German Woman Artists Stress and Anxiety Disorders Female hysteria, seen as a medical condition since 1900 BCE, is classified as a physical disorder relating to a woman's reproductive system. The condition wandering womb as a cause of 'female' problems, described by ancient Greeks, is not disproven until the 19th century. Beginning in the 1800s, French scientists propose theories of hysteria as a condition of the mind, not body. During the Victorian era, physicians also discover men too suffer symptoms of anxiety. Hidden anxiety is a sign of the times, as society expects a man to be 'reasonable'. 10 Wise Plants & Herbs for the Elixir of Life Ethyl Alcohol: Science of Solvents & Booze Chamomile - Herbology & Folklore From the refurbished concept of hysteria arises the mental health disorder neurasthenia . Symptoms include fatigue anxiety headache high blood pressure heart palpitations depression nerve pain It's at first thought to be caused by solitude in farm wives, or by the hectic pace of city women or overworked businessmen. In folklore it might be caused by a Mare . Neurasthenia is simply explained as exhaustion of the central nervous system. 4 Infused Wines of Ancient Medicine House Spirits of Germanic Mythology Natural Anti-Spasmodic Treatments for Muscle Spasms & Pain Neither hysteria nor neurasthenia exist as medical diagnoses today. Examination and awareness of anxiety conditions and the link to physical health make an impact on the perception of mental health in the Victorian era, and influences medicine in the modern age. NB: After a long and sordid history, syphilis is finally treated successfully in 1943, with medical use of penicillin. Today about 7% of people have syphilis. Klabautermann - Germanic Sea Kobold Wolpertinger - German Myths & Folklore Pentagram: Drudenfuß, Five Point Star treatment Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

Electrolytes are vital minerals like potassium and magnesium. Function or dysfunction of electrolytes affects health of humans and environment. Their ions carry electric charges important to energy and smooth performance. Natural Anti-Spasmodic Treatments for Muscle Spasms & Pain Amino Acids: Optimal Body Health & Energy Tannins: Complex Astringents of Nature Electrolytes help maintain physiological and chemical functions in living organisms and environmental systems. They dissolve in water to become ions. The ions are present in bodily fluids, fundamental to processes like nerve signaling, muscle contraction and hydration. They support plant growth to keep ecosystems functioning as smoothly as muscles at peak performance. Nitrogen Fixation & Evolution of Plant Life Potash: Agriculture, Plant & Garden Health Flavonoids: the Big Five of Aroma, Flavor & Color They conduct electric impulses for specialized body functions. Knowing the electrolytes is important to good nutrition, and helps make informed choices about health and nutrient balance. The most common electrolytes in the human body include sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), and phosphate (PO₄³⁻). Phenols: Nature's Creations in Daily Life Calcium (Ca): Earth Metal of Structure & Strength Whey & Whey Products: Health & Science nuts - good source of magnesium Sources of Electrolytes Electrolytes are abundant in certain foods and beverages. For example: Sodium : table salt, processed foods, and canned soups. Potassium : bananas, oranges, potatoes, and spinach. Calcium : dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Magnesium : nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Chloride : table salt and tomatoes. Bicarbonate : generated through metabolism of food; also found in baking soda. Phosphate : present in meats, dairy, and legumes. 10 Ancient Spices of Trade, Health & Beauty Polysaccharides: Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose Science of Onion Tears: Demystifying Acids Salt water has numerous benefits. In Victorian times it's fashionable to go to the seashore for health . Functions of Electrolytes Nerve Function : Neurons communicate via electrical signals. The movement of sodium and potassium ions in and out of nerve cells generates action potentials, allowing messages to be transmitted swiftly across the nervous system. One of their primary functions is maintaining hydration. Sodium and potassium are important to controlling the amount of water in and around cells. Victorian Health: Sea Water Hydrotherapy Starch: Power of Plants & Human Energy Ancient Grains: Wheat, Barley, Millet, Rice human cell parts Sodium can lead to dehydration, with loss of 2% to 3% of total body water. Sodium balances the amount of fluid in the body, and helps nerves and muscles work properly. When blood sodium is too low, extra water causes cells to swell. Muscle Contraction : Electrolytes are essential for muscle function. Calcium ions, for instance, facilitate muscle contraction, while potassium and sodium help regulate the electrical impulses that trigger these contractions. Phenols: Effects on Health & Environment Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass Ethyl Acetate: Scent of Flowers, Wine & Fruits Electrolytes also support muscle performance. Low levels can trigger symptoms such as cramps and weakness. A study indicated that over 60% of athletes experience muscle cramps due to electrolyte imbalances during intense training sessions. Hydration : Electrolytes regulate fluid balance in the body by maintaining osmotic pressure. They help control the movement of water into and out of cells, ensuring proper hydration levels. Acid-Base Balance : Electrolytes help maintain pH levels in the body. Bicarbonate and phosphate serve as buffers, preventing the blood from becoming too acidic or too alkaline. Lactic Acid Fermentation: Beneficial Bacteria Yeast & Vineyard Microbes: Flavors of Wine Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance Electrolytes are needed in balancing blood pH levels. A stable pH is crucial for enzymes to function correctly, aiding nutrient absorption and waste elimination. Blood Pressure Regulation : Sodium and potassium help regulate blood pressure. An imbalance in these electrolytes can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure). Athletes often turn to sports drinks during workouts to restore lost electrolytes. These typically contain significant amounts of sodium and potassium to remedy depletion caused by sweating. Acetic Acid: Food, Health & Science Pasteurization: Microbial Dominance & Destruction Song of the Loreley - Lethal Attraction Balance of electrolytes is essential for overall health. Dehydration, intense physical activity, stress or certain medical conditions disrupt the balance. Symptoms include but are not limited to: muscle spasms and cramps fatigue dizziness hyponatremia (low sodium levels) irregular heartbeat high blood pressure kidney problems mental health issues or exacerbation of those already existing, like anxiety For active people like athletes, busy moms, medics, workers and dancers, electrolyte management is paramount. Dehydration and electrolyte loss can lead to a 30% decrease in performance. Difference Between Pickling & Fermentation Flavors of Coffee: From Harvest to Homestead B. Linens  Bacterium: Big Cheese of B.O. Electrolytes in Nature Electrolytes are important to environmental processes. For instance, sodium and potassium ions are vital in soil health, affecting plant growth and nutrient uptake. In soils, they help plants absorb essential nutrients. The ionic composition of soil and water influences availability of nutrients to plants. Calcium and potassium, for example, lead to healthier crops and improve soil resiliency against drought. 10 Wise Plants & Herbs for the Elixir of Life Cherish the Chocolate: Sweet Fermentation Natural Colors: How to Extract Plant Pigments Balance of electrolytes in aquatic ecosystems affects health of aquatic life. Good electrolytes can turn bad. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus create algae blooms, which inhibit biodiversity and degrade water quality. How Are Electrolytes Created? Electrolytes are created through dissolution and ionization processes. For example, table salt (sodium chloride) dissociates into sodium and chloride ions when dissolved in water. Similarly, acids and bases release ions contributing to overall electrolyte balance in solutions. In biological organisms, electrolytes can be generated through metabolic processes. Digestion facilitates the release of many ions. Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Ancient Uses & Medicine Elderberry Tree: Germanic Nature Lore Yarrow (Achillea) Magic & Medicine For example, when a body consumes table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl), it dissociates into sodium ions and chloride ions and help restore electrolyte balance. The body can also synthesize some electrolytes. Bicarbonate, for instance, is generated during the metabolism of carbon dioxide. It's crucial for maintaining acid-base balance in the blood. Conditions like hyponatremia can arise in endurance events. This is triggered if athletes drink excess water without replenishing electrolytes, and may lead to confusion, seizures, or even coma. Pseudomonadota : E. coli , Gonorrhea & Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Arcanum Joviale: Alchemy of Sudorific Sweat Facts About Electrolytes Sports Drinks : Many athletic drinks contain electrolytes to help replenish what is lost through sweat during intense physical activity. Sodium and potassium are commonly added to aid in recovery. IV Fluids : In medical settings, intravenous fluids often contain electrolytes to treat dehydration and restore balance in patients who may be unable to take in fluids orally. Ocean water is a natural source of electrolytes. Its high concentration of sodium, chloride, and magnesium are an example of how these ions occur naturally. Sweat and Minerals : Sweating causes loss of water but also depletes electrolytes. On average, an athlete can lose between 1 to 2 liters of fluid during intense workouts, containing up to 1 gram of sodium per liter.   Coconut water: Often praised as a natural sports drink, it contains about 600 mg of potassium per cup. Electric Eels : In the animal world, these freshwater eels generate powerful electric charges due to high sodium and potassium concentrations. 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Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous mold or fungal organism found in soil, decaying vegetation, grains and nuts, especially peanuts and corn. This mold can produce toxins harmful to human health. Its greenish-yellow spores may be seen in regions of rot. Food Pathogens: Family Health & Safety Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass Acetic Acid Bacteria for Vinegar Artisans: Acetobacter Aspergillus flavus in petri dish A. flavus mold prospers in temperatures between 25 - 37 °C (77 - 98.6 °F). When conditions are favorable, an outbreak can lead to an exponential increase in spore populations in just a couple of days. Habitat of Aspergillus flavus Mold Aspergillus flavus l oves warm humid environments. Factors such as poor ventilation and high moisture level create ideal conditions for this mold. It's often linked to spoiled food, especially during storage and transport. Prime conditions for growth of A. flavus : Organic Materials : The presence of decaying plants, grains, and seeds offers ample food. For example, up to 60% of certain harvested crops may be contaminated if storage conditions are not maintained. Environmental Factors : High humidity and warm temperatures can enhance growth rate of Aspergillus flavus by 50% or more during peak seasons, most notably in tropical and subtropical climates. Poor Ventilation : Stagnant air and poor circulation create ideal conditions for mold growth. In homes, areas like basements or attics can harbor this mold if not properly maintained. Iodine (I): Origin, Properties, Uses & Facts Cornstarch: Cuisine, Beauty, Cleaning Uses Scheele's Green: History's Most Toxic Pigment Microfungi Feeding Habits of Aspergillus flavus As a saprophytic organism, Aspergillus flavus feeds on organic matter. It primarily consumes carbohydrates and proteins found in decaying plant material, grains, and nuts. This mold breaks down complex organic compounds, releasing nutrients itself and other organisms. As a saprophytic organism, Aspergillus flavus feeds on dead or decaying organic matter. It primarily thrives on the sugars, proteins, and fats in: Grains : Corn and peanuts are particularly vulnerable. Up to 80% of corn samples can contain Aspergillus flavus under poor storage conditions. Nuts : Improperly stored nuts are breeding grounds for this mold, threatening thousands of tons of crops each year. Decaying Plant Matter : Aspergillus flavus actively breaks down organic materials, demonstrating its strong role in nutrient cycling. Chlorine (Cl): Properties, Hazards & Uses Glycerin (Glycerol): Darling of Cosmetics, Health & Science Cupriavidus metallidurans : Metal Eating Gold Making Bacterium A. flavus mold with greenish spores How Aspergillus flavus Breaks Down Food A. flavus secretes enzymes to break down complex macromolecules in the food it consumes. The enzymes are tailored to digest starch, proteins, and fats, allowing the mold to assimilate nutrients efficiently. This process is vital for nutrient cycling in ecosystems. It helps decompose organic materials. Important enzymes produced by the mold include: Amylases : They convert starches found in grains into sugars, significantly increasing the mold's energy source. Proteases : These enzymes break proteins into amino acids, essential for growth and reproduction. Lipases : They decompose fats, enabling Aspergillus flavus to utilize lipid molecules as carbon sources. This enzymatic activity is vital not only for the fungus's survival but also for nutrient recycling in the environment. Vorticella: Mysterious Microscopic Pond Life Biofilm Communities: Metropolitan Microbes Silent Destroyers: Microbes of Concrete Corrosion Aspergillus flavus & spores under microscope As it breaks down organic matter, Aspergillus flavus excretes various metabolic byproducts, including enzymes, water, and gases. Most notably, it produces aflatoxins—highly toxic compounds that can contaminate food products, posing serious health risks to consumers. Aspergillus flavus, like other organisms, produces metabolic byproducts during digestion. The key excretions include: Secondary Metabolites : Certain strains produce mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, known for their potential health risks. Aflatoxins can contaminate food supplies, and significant rates of contamination can lead to serious health problems, including liver cancer. Organic Acids : These byproducts can alter surrounding pH levels, influencing other microorganisms in an ecosystem. The substances excreted by Aspergillus flavus aiding decomposition can potentially endanger foods. Fungal Biofilms: Ecology of Biofilm-Producing Molds The Microscope: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Nitric Acid: Aqua Fortis the Acid Queen Aspergillus flavus is common in many environments, including: Soil and compost piles Decaying plants and plant materials Grains, nuts (especially peanuts and pistachios), seeds and dried fruits Warm and humid indoor environments, particularly in kitchens and food storage areas Aspergillus flavus also enjoys a wide geographical distribution, emerging in places such as: Tropical and Subtropical Climates : It is most prevalent in warmer regions, where humidity is high. Agricultural Settings : You often find it in spoiled grains, nuts, and seeds during storage. Reports suggest that between 5-10% of stored agricultural goods could be contaminated. Natural Environments : Decaying vegetation and nutrient-rich soils are common habitats where this mold thrives. 11 Favorite Drawing Mediums of Artists Kermes Insect & Ancient Red Pigments 4 Infused Wines of Ancient Medicine Aspergillus flavus is a natural component of many ecosystems. In nature, it's important to the decomposition of organic materials. By breaking down complex organic substances, A. flavus helps enrich the soil and provides essential nutrients to promote plant growth. It decomposes dead plants, returning vital nutrients to the soil and fostering new plant growth which is vital for soil health. Some Aspergillus strains increase plant health by competing with pathogens, helping create a balanced ecosystem and protecting plants from diseases. Sodium Silicate: Alchemy of Water Glass Red & White Tartar: Wine Salts of Alchemy Oil-Dwelling Microbes: Bacteria, Yeast, Fungi Is Aspergillus flavus Dangerous to Humans? While Aspergillus flavus is important to ecosystems, it's also a potential health hazard. Eating food contaminated with aflatoxins can lead to liver damage, cancer and weakened immune system. The most vulnerable populations include those with pre-existing health conditions and young children. Inhaling Aspergillus flavus spores can cause respiratory infections, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems or pre-existing lun g conditions. Mycotoxin Production : Aflatoxins produced by some strains are infamous for contaminating food, leading to severe health issues. The World Health Organization has linked aflatoxin exposure to an estimated 20% of liver cancer cases globally. Allergic Reactions : Some people have respiratory problems or allergic reactions upon exposure to Aspergillus flavus spores, which can lead to hospital visits during peak exposure seasons. Infections : In people with weakened immune systems, this mold can lead to serious infections, particularly affecting the lungs. Metal Salts: Ancient History to Modern DIY Rotifers (Rotifera): Animalcules Under the Microscope The Unseen World: Protozoans in Nature A. flavus can cause respiratory illness Facts About Aspergillus flavus Aflatoxin Production : Aspergillus flavus is one of the primary producers of aflatoxins, which are classified as potent carcinogens. Species Diversity : There are several variants of Aspergillus flavus , each varying in terms of aflatoxin production and ecological role. Use in Biocontrol : Some strains of Aspergillus flavus are used in agricultural practices for biocontrol against other pathogens. Aflatoxins: This mold is recognized for producing aflatoxins, considered potent carcinogens. Industrial Use : Certain Aspergillus species are used in fermentation processes for products like soy sauce and citric acid. Research Opportunities : Aspergillus flavus presents a wealth of research potential, especially in areas concerning mycotoxin control and microbial ecology. Environmental Impact : Aspergillus flavus contributes significantly to soil health by recycling nutrients, which supports biodiversity in ecosystems. Strain Variability : Not all Aspergillus flavus strains generate harmful mycotoxins. With proper management, many may not present significant risks. Mother of Vinegar & Microbial Life in a Bottle Literature: Great Literary Patrons in History Paints of the Artist's Palette in Renaissance Europe Sylvia Rose Books Non-Fiction Books: World of Alchemy: Spiritual Alchemy World of Alchemy: A Little History Fiction Books: READ: Lora Ley Adventures  - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series READ: Reiker For Hire  - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries Back to Top

Phytic acid supports plant health and environmental sustainability. This multi-dimensional compound is vital to nature. Besides supporting plant growth and ecosystem nourishment, it influences human health. Potassium (K): Human Health & Environment Lectins & Phytates: Nature of Plants + Human Health Magnesium (Mg): Ecology & Human Health wheat About Phytic Acid Phytic acid, or inositol hexakisphosphate, is a natural compound found in numerous seeds, grains, and legumes. It's primarily as a storage form of phosphorus  (P), essential for the initial growth and development of plants. Phytic acid is a reservoir of nutrition for germinating seeds and young plants. Up to 80% of phosphorus in seeds is stored as phytic acid. Noble Rot: Secret of Sumptuous Sweet Wines 7 Primary Electrolytes: Essential Ions & Health Talc (Magnesium Silicate): Beauty, Art & Industry sprouting legumes also send signals to attract nitrogen-fixing bacteria Phytic acid is synthesized in plants through a series of enzymatic reactions, involving interaction of inositol, a sugar alcohol, with phosphate groups. This biochemical process occurs during seed development. When seedlings sprout, they absorb phosphorus from the soil, and convert excess into phytic acid for storage. With nitrogen  (N) and potassium  (K), phosphorus is one of the three primary nutrients for strong plant growth. Flavonoids: Sensory Compounds of Nature Cheese Making: Rennet & Natural Alternatives Esters & Phenols in Brewing, Perfumes, Food Making Phytic acid is predominantly found in seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. Some of the most common dietary sources include: Cereals : brown rice, wheat, oats, barley, millet Legumes : lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, soybeans, peanuts Nuts and Seeds : almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds Phytic acid is also in animal feed formulations to ensure livestock get the needed nutrients for growth. About 20% of feed phosphorus in livestock production comes from phytic acid. Amino Acids: Optimal Body Health & Energy Mold: Cultivation & Use in Food Fermentation Acetic Acid Bacteria for Vinegar Artisans: Acetobacter Properties and Characteristics of Phytic Acid Phosphorus Storage : It effectively stores phosphorus, which is vital for energy transfer and storage in plants. Natural Antioxidant : Phytic acid has been noted for its antioxidant properties, potentially neutralizing free radicals and lowering oxidative stress in plant cells. Chelating Agent : It has the ability to bind minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc as a form of storage. Chelation can be helpful or harmful as it benefits plants but can inhibit nutrient absorption by consumers. Water Solidity:  Due to its relatively low solubility in water, phytic acid can limit the availability of nutrients for absorption by both plants and animals. Its presence in grains can reduce bioavailability of minerals, especially in cooked food. Electrolytes: Vital Minerals of Human & Environmental Health Zinc (Zn): Essential Metal in Alchemy & Medicine Natural Anti-Spasmodic Treatments for Muscle Spasms & Pain Benefits of Phytic Acid for Plants and the Environment Seed Germination : The phosphorus stored in phytic acid becomes available during germination and root development, providing the necessary energy for the seedling’s early life. Sustainable Agriculture : As phytic acid helps plants utilize phosphorus efficiently, it can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices. Difference Between Pickling & Fermentation Milk into Cheese: Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Starch: Power of Plants & Human Energy healthy crops Soil Health : Phytic acid supports soil health through improved root structure and nutrient cycling. As organic matter breaks down it releases phosphorus to enrich the soil for subsequent plants. Reduced Phosphorus Runoff:  Phytic acid's chelating properties help retain phosphorus in the soil, minimizing losses to waterways. Ancient Grains: Wheat, Barley, Millet, Rice Whey & Whey Products: Health & Science Scheele's Green: History's Most Toxic Pigment linked Impact on Human Health Nutrient Absorption : One of the primary concerns regarding phytic acid is its ability to inhibit the absorption of essential minerals, including iron and zinc. This characteristic gives it the tag "anti-nutrient". Potential Health Benefits : Phytic acid has also been linked to several health benefits, including: Anti-Cancer Activity : Some studies suggest that phytic acid may help inhibit cancer cell growth and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Blood Sugar Regulation : Phytic acid may help lower blood sugar levels and support metabolic health. Fermentation : Soaking, sprouting or fermenting grains and legumes can reduce phytic acid and enhance mineral bioavailability, making these foods more nutritious. Fermentation breaks down cellulose in plants like beans. 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