Doorway to Other Worlds

Do you love mythology? The Gods and Goddesses of ancient times? Creatures of the Faery World? Even demonology? Then this is the blog for you. Filled with pictures and information, myths and the origins. Welcome to my World, darlings.

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Aker

Origin: Egyptian Mythology.

Appearance : First depicted as the torso of a lion with a widely opened mouth. Believed to be a double-headed lion, or two lions sitting back-to-back. Between the two lions the akhet symbol lies, of which the akhet is the Egyptian symbol of the horizon. Though they were sometimes shown with the akhet on their backs.  

Location/Abode : In the 1st dynasty, appears under the kings Hor Aha and Djer. "An unfinished decorative palette from the tomb of Djer at Abydos shows Aker devouring three hearts." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aker_(deity) ) The location of Aker's main cult center is unknown. His role is first described in king Teti's Pyramid Texts.

Characteristics : Ancient earth-god and death deity of Egypt. Also considered to be a protective deity. The two lions are called Sefer and Duaj, meaning "Tomorrow" and "yesterday". It's believed that Aker is possibly more ancient than Geb, another earth-god. Aker himself was often titled "He who's looking forward and behind."

Symbol : akhet.

Family : Unlisted.

Other Names : Akeru, Akerui.

Myths : Egyptian thought the gates of the morning and evening were guarded by Aker, usually placing statues of lions at the doors of their palaces or tombs. They were meant to guard households and tombs from evil spirits and malevolent beings. These statues were dubbed as "Spinxes". He protected the deceased king against Hemtet, Iqeru and Jagw. He would seal the deceased away from the poisonous breath of the snake demons. Geb joined and promoted Aker's work, from then on being connected with him. In few spells and prayers, he is also connected with Seth even though Seth was considered to be a wind deity, not an earth deity, unlike Geb who was connected with earth. In the Coffin Texts of Middle Kingdom period, Aker replaced Kherty, becoming the "ferryman of Ra in his nocturnal bark", in which case he protects the sun god during his nocturnal travelling through the underworld caverns. In the Book of the Dead, Aker "gives birth" to the god Khepri, after Aker has carried Khepri's sarcophagus safely through the underworld caverns. In other underworld scenes, Aker carries the nocturnal bark of Ra. During his journey, Aker is asked to hide the body of the dead Osiris beneath his womb, of which Geb protects him.

References : 

http://www.egyptianmyths.net/aker.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aker_(deity)

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My Return

Due to this being a mythology blog and not a personal blog, I prefer to not mention anything personal and keep a distance from anything other than mythology. But thanks to my extremely long hiatus, coming back to my remaining 132 followers, I felt the need to send out a vague yet very sincere thank you to each and every one of you, even those that probably don’t even remember who the hell DoorwayToOtherWorlds are anymore. The fact that I’ve taken a nearly 3 year hiatus from my work, and only had a round about 40 posts but you didn’t delete this blog... Thank you. That’s the moral of the story. With my return will be many more posts, of all calibers from every inch of the world I can possibly scrounge up. Anything from African folklore, Greek mythology to Romans, Egyptians and Celts, and that’s only to name a few. Stick in there my mythology lovers, the journey has only begun.

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JOTNAR/JOTUNN

A jotunn, sometimes anglicized as jotun (pronounced yotun), is a giant in Norse mythology, a member of a race of nature spirits with superhuman strength, described as sometimes standing in opposition to the races of the tribles of the Aesir and Vanir, although they frequently mingle with or intermarry with these. In some legends and myths they are described as having the same height as humans. In later Scandinavian folklore, the nature spirits called trolls (deriving form the term for 'magic') take over many of the functions of the more ancient concept of the jotunn. The mountain range of southern Norway is likewise called in Norwegian Jotunheimen or the Jotunheim Mountains. ORIGINS: The first living being formed in the primeval chaos known as Ginnungagap was a giant of monumental size, called Ymir. When he slept a giant son and a giantess daughter grew from his armpits, and his two feet procreated and gave birth to a monster with heads. Supposedly, these three beings gave rise to the race of hrimpursar (rime giants or frost giants), who populated niflheim, the world of mist, chill and ice. The gods instead claim their origin from a certain Buri. When the giant Ymir subsequently was slain by Odin, Vili and Ve (the grandsons of Buri), his blood (i.e. water) deluged Niflheim and killed all of the giants, apart from one known as Bergelmir and his spouse, who then repopulated their kind. APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER: Some of the giants are attributed with hideous appearances-- claws, fangs, and deformed features apart from a generally hideous size. Some of them may even have many heads, such as Thrivvaldi who had nine of them, or an overall non-humanoid shape; so were Jormungandr and Fenrir, two of the children of Loki, viewed as giants. yet when giants are named and more closely described, they are often given the opposite characteristics. Very old, they carry wisdom from bygone times. It is the giants Mimir and Vafpruonir Odin seeks out to gain this pro-cosmic knowledge. Many of the gods' spouses are giants. Njord is married to Skaoi, Geror becomes the consort of Frey, Odin gains the love of Gunnlod, and even Thor, the great slayer of their kind, produces a child with Jarnsaxa; Magni. As such, they appear as minor gods themselves, which can also be said about the sea giant Aegir, far more connected to the gods than to the other giants occupying Jotunheim. None of these fear light, and in comfort their homes do not differ greatly from those of the gods. DIFFERENT KINDS OF GIANTS: Frost Giants: Said to live in the coldest parts of the world and Jotunheimr. There are many Norse tales and legends that speak of frost giants catching unsuspecting travelers by luring them to sleep in the cold by whispering sweet words and lullabies when they become too exhausted to carry on. They mostly populated Niflheimr. Fire Giants: Said to live in the lower parts of Jotunheimr where it is warm and has a scattering of volcanoes. During Ragnarok it is said that the fire giants will ride on great horses and burn Nidgard killing all the people, some of the gods, and all the fire giants themselves except a man and a woman sent by Odin in a great forest that was not destroyed by the chaos and flames.

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TROLLS

A troll is a fearsome member of a mythical anthropomorph race from Scandinavia, mostly Norway. Their role ranges from fiendish giants -- similar to the ogres of England-- to a devious, more human-like folk of the wilderness, living underground in hills, caves or mounds. Depending on the type of troll (forest or mountain), the forest sometimes likes to hide or hibernate in deep springs or rivers. The mountain troll mostly likes to house in mounds or hills. In Orkney and Shetland tales, trolls are called trows, adopted from the Norse language when these island were settled by Vikings. Nordic literature, art and music from the romantic era and onwards has adapted trolls in various manners-- often in the form of an aboriginal race, endowed with oversized ears and noses. From here, as well as from Scandinavian fairy tales such as Three Billy Goats Gruff, trolls have achieved international recognition, and in modern fantasy literature and role-playing games, trolls are features to the extent of being stock characters.

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SEA SERPENT

In Norse mythology, Jormungandr or "Midgardsormen" was a sea serpent so long that it encircled the entire world, Midgard. Some stories report of sailors mistaking its back for a chain of islands. The midgardsorm was also child of the Norse god Loki and his mistress the jotun woman Angerboda. Sea serpents also appear frequently in later Scandinavian folklore, particularly in that of Norway. In Swedish write Olaus Magnus' Carta marina, many marine monsters of varied form appear, including an immense sea serpent. Moreover, in his 1555 work History of the Northern Peoples, Magnus gives the following description of a Norwegian sea serpent:     "Those who sail up along the coast of Norway to trade or to fish, all tell the remarkable story of how a serpent of fearsome size, 200 feet long and 20 feet wide, resides in rifts and caves outside Bergen. On bright summer nights this serpent leaves the caves to eat calves, lambs and pigs, or it fares out to the sea and feeds on sea nettles, crabs and similar marine animals. it has ell-long hair hanging from its neck, sharp black scales and flaming red eyes. It attacks vessels, grabs and swallows people, as it lifts itself up like a column from the water." Sea Serpents are also specifically referenced in the Bible. These creatures are named Leviathan and Rehab, and Jehovah God himself speaks of them. In Isaiah 27:1, it says:               "In that day Jehovah, with his hard and great and strong sword, will turn his attention to le-vi'a-than, the gliding serpent, even to le-vi'a-than, the crooked serpent, and he will certainly kill the sea monster that is in the sea." Job 26:11-13 reads as follows:               "The very pillars of heaven shake, And they are amazed because of his rebuke. By his power he has stirred up the sea, And by his understanding he has broken up the stormer to pieces. By his wind he has polished up heaven itself, His hand has pierced the gliding serpent."

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DWARVES

Origin: Norse and Germanic mythology. Appearance: Short, stout, stocky and strong humanoid creature. Generally shorter than humans, they are on average stockier and hairier, usually sporting full beards. Location: Dwarves are much like humans, but generally prefer to live underground or in mountainous areas. Here they have accumulated treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones. Characteristics: Some literature and games ascribe to dwarves the ability to see in the dark and other adaptations for living underground. They pass their time in fabricating costly weapons and armor. They are famed miners and smiths although, like humans, they specialize in any number of trades. Though slow runners and poor riders, dwarves are said to be excellent warriors and defenders of their strongholds. Some myths and games also ascribe to dwarves the ability to forge magical items. In Norse mythology, for instance, dwarvish smiths created some of the greatest and most powerful items of power, including the magic chain that bound the wolf, Fenris.

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ADHENE (Version Two)

The Adhene are Manx fairies, also known as Cloan ny moyrn which means Children of the pride or ambition. In Manx folklore, fairies are fallen angels that were exiled from heaven along with Satan. When they fell, they rained down from heaven in a thick shower that lasted for three days and three nights. They live in the earth, the air, and the sea, and that is where they will continue to live until the Judgement. they are not small like English fairies, they are shy, and most of them are female. You can see them playing in waterfalls and dancing on the tops of mountains. they are beautiful, and mischievous, but mostly benevolent, however there are those who are more sinister than most. The malevolent fairies live apart from the others in caverns, heavy fogs, and other dark places. They delight in causing misery but it is believed that they cannot harm a person on an errand of mercy. If you find yourself walking in the night on the Isle of Man and you don't happen to be on an errand of mercy, the old legends recommend that you chant this prayer "Saue Jee mee voish Cloan ny moyrn." (God save me from the Children of the pride.)

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ADHENE (Version One)

The Adhene, often also called Denizens or Dark-Kin, are specific groups of fae who have opposed the Tuatha De Dannan and their progeny, the Kithain. Nature: During the War of Trees, the Adhene were mostly allied with the Fomorians. When their masters were imprisoned, they were banished within the Dreaming between the Silver Paths, unable to reach the Autumn World except some who didn't participate in the conflict. During the Week of Nightmares, the spirit nukes of the Technocracy blasted the Nightmare trods into being which were used by the Adhene in order to escape their imprisonment. The Denizens are not Changelings. When they come to the Autumn World they have no physical body and no Banality. They are able to possess human bodies through a variety of means, or go without a physical form, which accrues Banality faster but has its own advantages. Some Denizens employ an Art called the Autumn Way to better deal with the world of humanity. Aria: Each Denizen has three "Aria", which determine which Legacy is dominant, what their current Tempers (Glamour and Willpower) are, shape much of their current personality and even alter their fae mien to some extent. These three Aria can change at any time, and the Denizen's attitudes and demeanor along with them. Types of Adhene include: Acheri- Spreaders of disease and corruption. Aonides- The muses, promoters of artistic inspiration. Fir-bholg- Primal winderness spirits and bringers of chaos. Fuath- Wild spirits representing the fusion of animal and man. Keremet- Spirits of the dead brought into the Dreaming. Moirae- Triune-aspected agents of fate. Naraka- Amnesiac embodiments of destruction.

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ABHARTACH

Origin: Irish Mythology. Many people are under the impression that the modern vampire originated in Transylvania, but this is not quite accurate. One of the ancient vampire stories in Ireland is the Celtic legend of the undead Irish chieftain Abhartach. Given that Bram Stoker studied in Ireland for a long time, he was likely to be familiar with the tale. Even if it was not the sole inspiration, it was likely part of what became the vampire we know today. Legend says that back in the fifth century in the town of Slaughtaverty, Ireland lived a brutal warlord known as Abhartach. In those days, the stories say, most lands were divided up into small areas ruled by petty kings, many of whom were hardly nice people. Abhartach was believed to have dark, magical powers and was greatly feared by his people, whom he was said to treat very badly. The townsfolk wanted to rid themselves of this troublesome king so they hired another local king to deal with the problem. As far as coups go, it should have been simple enough. The king was murdered and buried standing straight up, which as considered the right and honorable way to do things considering his stature. However, unfortunately for the town of Slaughtaverty the horror was not over yet. Abhartach, in the legends, returned from the grave and demanded blood tribute from his people to sustain his energy. This led to Abhartach being slain and buried multiple times, each time rising again from the dead to seek blood from the living. Eventually, the frustrated warlord tired of slaying this undead monster. He found some people learned in the ways of magic and asked them for a solution to his problem. They explained that the monster was essentially between worlds and could not be killed, but that he could be trapped under the earth if the proper steps were taken. These legends say he had to be killed with a sword made specifically of "yew wood". which sounds reminiscent of the stake-through-the-heart theory often seen in popular culture. However, it does depart somewhat from modern lore in that to keep him in his burial site, he was also to be flipped upside down and covered with an enormous stone, as well as thorns. There is much speculation that Bram Stoker heard of the legend while studying in Ireland and that it likely was much of the inspiration for his story. While it is hard to say for certain where all of Bram Stoker's ideas originated from, the legend was fairly popular in Ireland at the time, so it seems like a safe bet that his Irish friends would have told him of the legend. Others point out that while Transylvania is usually given as the origin of the Dracula legend, Stoker himself had never even been to that part of the world. The only place in which he had lived around actual vampire legends was the Emerald Isle, where the original vampire came out of the primordial dark to feed upon the flesh of the living.

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ABAC (ADDANC)

Origin: Irish Mythology. Abac is the Irish form of the Celtic dwarf Addanc, a marine monster which dwelt by lake Llyon Llion, the "Lake of Waves" and caused a flood. Another alternative spelling is Avanc. The story of Addanc is part of the Celtic Creation Legend. His end is attributed to Hu Gadarn, an early Celtic culture hero, who dragged the creature from its lair using his oxen. Hu Gadarn is ancestor to Cymry. Another myth from the Mabinogion attributes Addanc's destruction to Peredur, a knight of Welsh myth who was educated by the twelve witches of Gloucester, a sign of his royal blood. Using a stone which rendered him invisible, he was able to slay Addanc. In the story of Own and in the story of the search for the Grail, his name become Percival. Dwyvan and Dwyvach escaped the deluge in a ship built by Nefyed Nav Nevion. Though this story is pre- Christian, like other Flood stories, it has suffered Christian additions.

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CAUCASIAN EAGLE

Caucasian Eagle sent by Zeus to feed on Prometheus' liver.

Origin: Greek mythology. Parents/Maker: Various described as a bronze automaton constructed by the god Hephaistos, or as a member of the brood of fell creatures spawned by the daemon Ekhidna. Siblings: Nemean Lion and Hydra. The Aetos Kaukasios (Caucasian Eagle) was a gigantic eagle sent by Zeus to feed on the ever-regenerating liver of the Titan Prometheus, after he was chained to the peak of Mount Kaukasos as punishment for stealing fire from the gods. When Heracles set out to free Prometheus from his bonds, he shot down the eagle with a volley of arrows. Afterwards the Eagle, the Titan and Arrow were placed all amonst the stars in the form of the constellations Aquila, the Kneeler and Saggita.

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ONOCENTAUR

An animal from Medieval bestiaries, similar to the centaur, but part human, park donkey. As with many liminal beings, the onocentaur's nature is one of conflict between its human and animal components. The first mention by Pythagoras was in the time of rule of Ptolemy ll Philadelphus, as quoted by Claudius Aelianus in De Natura Animalium. Aelian as well uses term onokentaura for description of the female form. He interpreted the onocentaur as "its body resembles that of an ass, it's color is ashen but inclines to white beneath the flanks. It has a human chest with teats and a human face surrounded by thick hair. It may use its arms to seize and hold things but also to run. It has a violent temper and does not endure capture."

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THE DEATH OF CHIRON

His nobility is further reflected in the story of his death, as Prometheus sacrificed his life, allowing mankind to obtain the use of fire. Being the son of Cronus, a Titan, he was immortal and so could not die. So it was left to Heracles ot arrange a bargain with Zeus to exchange Chiron's immortality for the life of Prometheus, who had been chained to a rock and left to die for his transgressions. Chiron had been poisoned with an arrow belonging to Heracles that had been treated with the blood of the Hydra, or, in other versions, poison that Chiron had given to the hero when he had been under the honorable centaur's tutelage. This had taken place during the visit of Heracles to the cave of Pholus on Mount Pelion in Thessaly when he visited his friend during his fourth labor in defeating the Erymanthian Boar. While they were at supper, Heracles asked for some wine to accompany his meal. Pholus, who ate his food raw, was taken aback. He had been given a vessel of sacred wine by Dionysus sometime earlier, to be kept in trust for the rest of the centaurs until the right time for its opening. At Heracles' prompting, Pholus was forced to produce the vessel of sacred wine. The hero, gasping for wine, grabbing it from him and forced it open. Thereupon the vapors of the sacred wine wafted out of the cave and intoxicated the wild centaurs, led by Nessus, who had gathered outside. They attacked the cave with stones and fir trees. Heracles was forced to shoot many arrows (poisoned with the blood of the Hydra) to drive them back. During this assault, Chiron was hit in the thigh by one of the poisoned arrows. After the centaurs had fled, Pholus emerged from the cave to observe the destruction. Being of a philosophical frame of mind, he pulled one of the arrows from the body of a dead centaur and wondered how such a little thing as an arrow could have caused so much death and destruction. In that instant, he let slip the arrow from his hand and it dropped and hit him in the hoof, killing him instantly. This, however, is open to controversy, because Pholus shared the "civilized centaur" form with Chiron in some art images, and thus would have been immortal. Ironically, Chiron, the master of the healing arts, could not heal himself, so he willingly gave up his immortality. He was honored with a place in the sky, identified by the Greeks as the constellation Centaurus.

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Chiron, famous centaur.

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CHIRON

Origin: Greek mythology. Held to be a superlative centaur amongst his brethren. Notable throughout Greek mythology for his youth-nurturing nature. Personal skills tend to match those of Apollo, his foster father (sometimes along with ARtemis); medicine, music, archery, hunting, prophecy. Father: Cronus. MYTH: Like satyrs, centaurs were notorious for being wild and lusty, overly indulgent drinkers and carousers, given to violence when intoxicated, and generally uncultured delinquents. Chiron, by contrast, was intelligent, civilized and king, but he was not related directly to the other centaurs. He was known for his knowledge and skill with medicine. According to an archaic myth he was sired by Cronus when he had taken the form of a horse and impregnated the nymph Philyra. Myths in the Olympian tradition attributed Chiron's uniquely peaceful character and intelligence to teaching by Apollo and Artemis in his younger days. Some sources speculate that Chiron was originally a Thessalian god, later subsumed into the Greek pantheon as a centaur. Chiron lived predominantly on Mount Pelion; there he married the nymph Chariclo who bore him three daughters, Hippe, Endeis, and Ocyrhoe, and one son Carystus. A great healer, astrologer, and respected oracle, Chiron was said to be the first among centaurs and highly revered as a teacher and tutor. Among his pupils were many culture heroes: Asclepius, Aristaeus, Ajax, Aeneas, Actaeon, Caeneus, Theseus, Achilles, Jason, Peleus, Telamon, Perseus, sometimes Heracles, Oileus, Phoenix, and in one Byzantine tradition, even Dionysus: according to Ptolemaeus Chennus of Alexandria, "Dionysus was loved by Chiron, from whom he learned chants and dances, the bacchic rites and initiations." There is also a persistent link with Peleus through Chiron's myth. Chiron saved the life of Peleus when Acastus tried to kill him by taking his sword and leaving him out in the woods to be slaughtered by the centaurs. Chiron retrieved the sword for Peleus. Chiron then explained to Peleus how to capture the nymph Thetis, leading to their marriage. APPEARANCE: Although a centaur, Chiron's physical appearance often differs somewhat from other centaurs, demonstrating his status and heritage. His front legs are human, rather than equine. Often depicted carrying a branch with dead hares he had caught hanging from it. Also depicted wearing clothes, demonstrating his is more civilized and unlike a normal centaur.

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ASBOLUS (Centaur)

Origin: Greek mythology.

He was a seer, or an auger. A diviner who read omens in the flight of birds. He foresaw the Centaurs' battle against the Lapiths at Pirithous' wedding and attempted to prevent them from attending. He failed.

"....Asbolus the prophet who had warned, Though no one heard him, all his friends To give way, not to fight [the Lapithae]. He cried to Nessus, 'You need not run, you shall be saved till that Fine day Hercules' arrow strikes your back.' " --Ovid, The Metamorphoses, Book 12

He appears again when Heracles came to visit the centaur Pholus. Pholus opened a jug of wine for him which belonged to all the Centaurs; Asbolus saw Pholus do this and brought the other Centaurs, who, as it was proved by Pirithous' wedding, were unused to the drink. It resulted in a bloodbath in which Pholus and Chiron, as well as Nessus, met their deaths at Heracles' hands. It is said that Asbolus himself was crucified by Heracles' arrows.

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SIREN

Origin: Greek Mythology.

Description: Dangerous and devious creatures, portrayed as femmes fatales who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. 

They were odd-looking creatures who had features of a bird from the waist down and a body of a woman from the waist up. Sirens were thought to be three in number, but that is not certain. The most common names were Teles, Raidne, Molpe, Thelxiope, Aglaophonus, Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leukosia.

It is said that the sirens induced by Hera competed with the Muses in a singing contest and lost. The Muses plucked the Sirens of their feathers and wore them as a trophy. With their feathers plucked the Sirens were no longer able to fly and turned half of their body into a fish tail.

Half-woman and half-dolphin or fish depiction's today are more common than the early 16th century part woman, dolphin and lion. The fish tail was thought to be shed when needed to make the mermaid more attractive to men. There is a theory that mermaids were actually misidentified sea-cows, mammals or porpoises.

They were also known as the "Sea Sirens", the personality and appearance is most commonly known to be that of a seductive temptress. Her beauty has been said to reflect the wondrous treasures and power of the sea itself.

Location: They lived then on an island, called Anthemoessa, in the sea between Sicily and Italy. Huge boulders surrounded their island where ships would be destroyed if they ventured too closely.