Mythics Library

I had a thing for a librarian once upon a time. . .

[mythicsplace]

King Solomon: His History, Magic, and Wealth

Now, our friend King Solomon is a very well known figure in history, legend, and religious writings. I never expected to be asked about him because everyone seemed content with knowing just the basics but I am glad that it was asked.

To better understand, it is good to know the biography and history of such a person. King Solomon was known as the King of Isreal and is a prevalent figure in the Bible, so much so that he is mentioned in the first Book of Kings, the second Book of Chronicles, and the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. However he is also known not only in Christianity but in Judaism and is considered a prophet in Islam. In all these religions he is praised for his wisdom and many know the tales of him practicing it. He was involved and given credit for the building of the First Temple of Jerusalem as well as being involved in many other building projects around the Kingdom he ruled over.

His father was King David the Poet and his mother a woman named Bathsheba who was known for her political prowess in the courts (not in the dirty way you fiends). His mother was a guiding hand in him becoming the king even though he was the youngest son of David. He was the third and last king of the united Israel due to the unity falling under his son Rehoboam. Upon claiming the throne, he rid his court of his enemies and replaced them with his friends, placing them in key positions that he could trust them with. On top of this reform, he solidified his kingship through military strength.

King Solomon was also an ambitious builder of public works and was known as a poet like his father through Odes of Solomon and many songs and books he graced life to. Many of his works were filled with theological thought processes though where his wisdom was imparted it was kept practical. The wisdom he gave was very unbiased and there was something for every aspect of life open for those who could read such as the Psalms of Solomon. Besides the First Temple of Jerusalem, he had also built other temples to other gods. Now, this is all speculated to have been assisted by demons or djinn, as for that conclusion it is up to perception and belief.

The great king had a healthy, monogamous marriage with the Queen of Sheba where legends have it they two had a child however, it is believed to have fallen apart due to his aspiration of 700 wives and 300 concubines. Most of these marriages and concubines came from his relationships with many other countries; countries he had managed to build alliances with such as Egypt, Arabia, Tyne, and Moab. Through these relationships his fame grew along with his country’s economy, making one of the most lucrative economies to date. King Solomon died at the ripe age of 80 years some time during 931 BCE, leaving his kingdom to his son Rehoboam where it fell apart.

As a man of such wisdom and history, rumors of him having magic exist and always have existed. They say that 49 androgynous demons, some named Wrath, Pain, Lust, and Jealousy to name a few. There was a ring that King Solomon said to have that controlled demons but also rumors of a Book of Mysteries he held in his possession. It was said in Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum that he had taught his son how to use astrology and cosmology, two aspects widely used in magic, how to use divination and astrology to gain power, sexual gratification, health, power, and wealth. Now, the Key of Solomon was written during the Renaissance period and was highly influenced by Jewish Kabbalists and Arabic alchemists; much of the spells incorporate Greco-Roman magic practices. The original two part text was in Latin and with translation into the many different versions pieces range from vastly similar to largely different.

I’m sure among the treasure lost in the Babylonian invasion the Ring of Solomon, the Ark of the Covenant, and Solomon’s golden table; the piece having its own story behind it. The treasure in itself was a magical occurrence, being gifted to King Solomon by a god. It’s said to have been split and hidden by Levites and prophets, parts of the treasure given to the angels Micheal, Gabriel, Shamshiel, and Sariel. The earthly possessions are scattered about the Land of Isreal and Babylonia, golden instruments and silver and gold alike.

In my own opinion he was a great gateway into many different things and he must have been more influential than many people can even comprehend but as are all great Sages that lived up to his age in his time.

~Djabuti

[mythicsplace]

Ancient Texts and the Modern Writings of Magic

Now I got a very good question from one of my clients. I figured, “Why answer just them when I can broaden everyone’s knowledge?”

Before I begin, however, there is one thing you must know. Just like in history, magic was not always written about. It was passed down orally before the discovery and use of writing came into practice. On top of that, just like history and stories, magic and its practices are perceived and practice differently by every individual. Now, Grimoires and Tomes are part of every religion, every family history, whether we think of them as such or not. They were not just part of witchcraft and magic bound religions. Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and such also have their own books such as these.

To be clear, some of the first incantations, magical induced writings, were first found on Mesopotamic cuneiform clay tablets as early as 4th or 5th BC. The term Grimoire was not coined until much, much later where the French used to term for the writings of magic. Many people know the more common ones such as The Key of Solomon, The Book of Honorius, The Book of Shadows, and others but what most fail to realize is that many witch families have their own, personal Grimoires. These are namely family or group bound and hold many of the ceremonies, rites, and rituals the family or group use throughout their lives.

The ancient texts are normally used for formal events or summoning. There is no known origin to magic so I am unable to give you an origin for where they come from other than the name for the type of text. It is good to know that they all hold an exceptional magic value, whether a large source or minimal.

Now compared to modern day, almost anyone can make a Grimoire. Most of the modern day texts made in such a way also hold the growth of the writer in the texts.

~Djabuti

[mythicsplace]

A Flower for You

Good evening! My herbalist stopped by for tea today and decided to go on one of his many rants. Much to my dismay I have retained some of the information as well as received a few items his sibling thought necessary to give me.

The Cempasuchil Flower: Two young Aztecs were very young; Xochitl was a young girl, Huitzilin was her neighbor. They spent much of their time together when it was free playing and discovering their home. As time went on, the delicate Xochitl and Huitzilin eventually fell into the delicacies of love. They enjoyed hiking a mountain together where they would offer flowers to the Sun God Tonatiuh. The God appreciated their offering and seemed to smile from the sky. One day, they swore to each other that their love would last forever before Tonatiuh. A war broke out when they were older, Huitzilin heading out to fight and protect their homeland amongst the other warriors. His death reached Xochitl soon, her world falling apart and her heart seeming to tear in two. She made up her mind, walking to the top of the mountain one last time to beg the Sun God Tonatiuh to join her with her long love. The God, touched by her prayer, touched her with a gentle ray. It turned her into a fiery colored flower that when its petals opened, would release a mysterious and lovely smell. Huitzilin, reborn as a hummingbird, touched his beak to the center of the flower. And as it went, as long as the cempasuchil flowers and hummingbirds existed so would their love.

Stitchwort: Greater stitchwort is also known as star flower, thunder flower, mother shimbles, snick needles, and snap jacks. Lesser stitchwort is also known as piskie, or piskie flower. They are often used for making medicines and charms of protection from piskie mischief along with a salve that heals the side stitches caused when a human is hit by elf-shot by hedge witches.

Nettle: Prized by witches, cunning men, herbalists, and wild food foragers, in the Celtic lore if there were thick stands of these it indicated that the fae had dwellings close by. Their sting protects from faerie enchantment, black magic, and other forms of sorcery.

Hyacinth: The Spartan Hyacinthus as told by Greek god Apollo who loved Hyacinth. The two were playing a game of discus when it accidentally struck Hyacinthus and killed him. Some say it was blown awry by the wind god Zephyr who loved Hyacinthus as well. As Apollo cried over his love, a flower bloomed over where Hyacinthus died and had named the flower after his lost love.

Anemone: This flower is sometimes called the wind flower and much like the previous flower has a story stemming from the Greeks. Adonis was killed by a boar while hunting and as it happens many deaths of handsome men whom the goddesses crush on are blamed on flowers. The anemone sprouted where Adonis was killed and his blood had touched the ground.

Daffodil: This is another name for the Narcissus, a flower named after Narcissus who fell in love with himself as punishment for ignorance and selfishness of Echo the nymph. This flower sprouted where he died and wasted away. It was also the flower that distracted dearest Persephone as Hades wisked her away to the Underworld with him.

Lady's Mantle: Many alchemists used its leaves and the dew it gathered in their alchemic studies. The dew was also gathered for magical potions.

Mullein: This is also known as the candlewick plant or hag's taper. It was often used dipped in fat and wax to burn and is believed that lighting it wards away bad witches and sorcery. Witches would also use it for themselves in practicing their own magic. The leaves and flowers have anti-inflammatory and demulcent compounds to include polysaccharides, saponins, and clycosides. These are used to help against coughs and lung issues though weak as the medicinal purposes may be.

~Djabuti

[mythicsplace]

You said your pa is an elf. Does that mean you are? Or are you only half? It doesn't sound like you see the elvhen culture as your own if you ARE an elf. I don't mean to pry, just curious to learn more about the librarian behind the knowledge.

I don’t remember answering this honestly and I wish to be clear, even if this is a double stated fact.

Elven culture is just part of what my father is. He is actually Tuath de Dannan and happens to hold much influence. He had adopted the culture as a way to try and raise me along side mother.

[mythicsplace]

Hey guys! I'm back!

I'm so sorry I've been gone! I've been busy and when I do have time I always fill it with something! I've been working on the comic I wanted to go with this blog for a while now but I'm always hitting walls with it but you guys will get the benefit of the doubt! The characters for this blog have always been on my mind and I'm really excited to finally get to it! Thank you for all the patience even if you've forgotten about this blog!

[mythicsplace]

Djinn “Beings Concealed from the Senses”

Now, I know for a fact this species has been romanticized into forms such as Genie from Alladin and a few horror movies I’ve come across however, the truth about them is quite the interesting one.

Their existence goes back to pre-Islamic Arabia and they have been assimilated into later Islamic mythology and theology. Normal people have come to associate their existence with the representation of several pagan beliefs integrated into Islam. Now, the people pre-Islamic associated the Djinn with deities and were moved down to minor spirits as Islam is a monotheistic religion. There wouldn’t be room for more than one god as in many monotheistic religions. Lucky for them this happened early development, reducing much tension religiously speaking. When Islam spread, they were incorporated in many local beliefs of spirits and deities from Islam, Africa, Turkey, and India.

Now, as it goes they have many known names; genies, spirits, demons and the like depending on the context their name is used in. That being said, they are mentioned in many Arabic texts and even in the Quran and other small tales that we love to read. Two common threads connecting them all is 1) they are creatures made of a mixture of fire or a smokeless fire and 2) they are creatures undetectable by human sensory organs. It has been confirmed that yes, they are made of fire and air, elementals if you will. They have been farther classified into three different categories; ones who fly through the air, ones that are like snakes and dogs, and finally ones that move place to place as humans do.

Djinn are gifted with the ability of shape shifting and being dual dimensional, giving them a large advantage over humanoid creatures such as myself. Being dual dimensional, the second dimension they are part of besides ours is Al-Ghaib, an intangible world I hope I am never granted free access to as this is the Arabic other world. No one wishes to willingly go to an other world for it means you are either dead or doing something you shouldn’t be. Something to be noted however is that they eat, sleep, procreate, and die just as we do save for the fact they can live for thousands of years. Djinn are more likely to speak to poets than a random man on the street and many poets have claimed Djinn as their inspirations and compelling forces.

They are neither good nor evil and due to the inconsistencies of what they are it is highly questioned if they can possess a sentient being. There have been cases where they have, leading to the necessities of getting rid of the unwanted invader. Excorcisms are done by reciting the Quran in most cases, the rare case being that the Djinn is beaten out of the occupied person. The reason for the rare cases have been that the person possessed doesn’t feel the assault and therefore the Djinn feels the pain. I personally believe that if the words work then use them, otherwise it just seems like you don’t like the person who is possessed. They have to feel it when they come out of possession if you beat their bodies.

~Djabuti

[mythicsplace]

You said you'd been in recovery when you returned. Hope you didn't get yourself too banged up out there. Maybe invest in some lightweight armor like nice leathers or a protective charm.

Ah, the long argument of armor. I shall explain my disdain at some point but its such a hassle.

[mythicsplace]

Your library reminds me of my silver forest... it's a wonderful place. I would love to visit ~Madrigal

Why of course! Come visit as you please!

[mythicsplace]

Good Evening My Dearest Readers!

I must apologize, I have been away far too long and even when I got back I was in recovery. I am glad to say that I have returned and I am here to answer requests and support all your needs within my ability!

I must say though, this last trip really had me thinking about attaching a camera to my chest. If only the lovely customers knew what I was up to within my long absences! The flying darts! The unfair restraining! If only I could just show you all what it was like! 

Such an adrenaline rush!

Please, drop your requests in my box or get in contact with me. I’ve missed you all very much and hope to be showing my face around more.

[mythicsplace]

So I stumbled upon your library by accident and found it fascinating. Any chance you’re gonna post more? Maybe something about the djinn? You seem to know what you’re talking about.

Why yes of course there shall be more! I am absolutely sorry for my absence, you see, I was on quite the dangerous hunt for a piece my dearest father seemed to have misplaced. Any questions or things you wish to know about please, by all means, request it and I will be sure to answer your questions in full.

[mythicsplace]

If I may ask, what kinds of beings are welcome into your library?

Oh, quite anything really, from the smallest creature with sentience to the bumbling giants from the mountains. Our library is open for many to come and see.

[mythicsplace]

Mister Djabuti, sir, I understand what you speak of with the books being portals, and I'm actually rather excited for this hunt. Though, I DO have one question if it isn't TOO much of a bother, or ruins the surprises I'm sure you have in store. . . But, just HOW involved in these hunts can we be? Say, if someone tracked down a suggestion, could we give it to you to consider- If you don't already have it, that is. But, for example, an original copy of a single print book. Is that acceptable?

I’m not 100% on remembering if I answered this question or not; HOWEVER! Any and all book suggestions are very much appreciated! We pride ourselves in the gathering of many books of many different values!

[mythicsplace]

Having Faerie Friends

A sweet little witch has recently asked me how to tell if you have fae in your home and whaat kind it would be. Now I don’t have any details on the appearance or the behavior of the fae she is referring to but I do have ways of attracting and detecting them.

I’ve heard and seen many ways of attracting faeries and how to keep them around. It’s only fair to share the information I have found beneficial is it not? Keep in mind that faeries cannot lie and have a tendency to resort to trickery when with humans if their distain is large enough. Only few like humans if and at all but given the proper substance -bribery- they will stick around. It’s not encouraged to talk to them if you’re not ready for a verbal ring-around- the- rosey but it is an entertaining conversation none the less.

The way to tell the presence of a fairy is through a few factors. A sweet sense of calm is within the air, you may feel childish, joyful, and giddy, and you may hear tones or music that is appealing to the ear. In natural surroundings you’ll smell things on a heightened level and a strong feeling of affinity with all that’s around you. If it’s at your home, you’ll notice plants growing, small items such as coins and jewelry going missing only to be found quickly, or wild birds stopping outside your windows to sing short tunes before leaving.

Now you can ask them a question, simply setting up a small feast in the woods and preferably close to a fairy circle (the circles of mushrooms in the woods). Now as suspicious as this sounds, take precautions and nothing too serious will happen. This includes protections sachets, a spirit of holly berries, and sage along with a few spells if you so please. The feast should include cream or honey, a sweet cooked meat, and a bit of dark bread or thistle weed. Wait patiently with the feast set out and a faerie should appear. Wait until after they eat please, it’s rude to interrupt a meal, to whisper your question to them. They will whisper the answer and then leave. You don’t tell anyone what they told you. They trusted you with their words and to speak them to others leads to consequences.

Attracting faeries to homes is a very tricky matter because as I’ve learned, there are certain faeries you can attract with certain offerings and items. Faeries are always up for mischief but some are up for more than others. For the generic attraction, I’ve found a crystal ball nestled among thistle-weed in a garden is a great attraction charm. This same tactic is used in faerie homes, those small houses that are made by children in their blind necessity to make things, the charm placed inside the home. There are actually encyclopedias that have many spirits and faeries and what to offer them and in my constant search I’ve found them helpful. Small plants do the trick as well, the more aromatic they are the better, or simply using energy emitting appliances less often. The best thing as well is to continue to have a welcoming atmosphere; don’t frown so often, they won’t feel comfortable.

Faeries love clean, pure, joyous atmospheres and auras if they’re of the Seili Court and are often found clinging to these sort of areas. If you’ve found yourself experiencing bits of mischief that are of little to no harm, it’s a good idea to keep the fae folk visiting happy by leaving out some cream or honey. The faerie might even start to do some good around you and your household and that’s always a bonus. Now if the mischief is more than harmful and is impeding on your life style, of course it’s not good. Being rid of this sort of faerie is easy and less time consuming than attracting them.

Some things that help with any and all of these things is a pure atmosphere, a clear mind and heart, and a proper intent. Your intent is read off to faeries within your actions, words, behaviors, and fields or plains that are foreign to humans eyes. It may help, if you see the faeries, to speak to them; ask them why they’re there all while getting to know them. Doing the opposite of any of the above notes is bound to push the fae away however be prepared for repercussions if it is too harsh of a reaction.

Truly yours

~Djabuti Jerald~

[mythicsplace]

The Book/Books of Thoth

These books were first noted in Toris Papyrus. It’s believed to be able to help a man understand the language of animals or to perceive the Egyptian gods. If one was to read the book/books, they could control earth, sea, air, and the celestial bodies. Telepathy and necromancy may also be contained within the volumes of this piece. As it hasn't been decided yet, people argue if this knowledge is contained within one book or a multitude of books maybe more than 36,525 volumes.

The books date to the 2nd century Ptolemaic period, making the book an ancient artifact among literary pieces as is many of the ancient Egyptian pieces. The story behind it’s discovery dates to Pharaoh Neferkaptah. He recovered the Book of Thoth at the bottom of the Nile River (oh dear that water damage). The god’s, of course, did not like this, they didn’t want this amount of knowledge in the hands of a human mortal even if he was in the blood line of Ra. The gods in turn killed Neferkaptah’s wife and son, leading the man to commit suicide from the guilt of the loss. As the books were one of the man’s treasures, he was buried with them/it in his tomb within the City of the Dead.

The book was later stolen by someone named Khamwas, a character based off of Khaemwaset, from Neferkaptah’s tomb despite the protests of his spirit. Upon his possession of the books, Neferkaptah’s spirit crafted an illusion of Khaemwaset having a beautiful family and their murder by his own hands. The books were resealed inside the tomb along with Neferkaptah’s wife and children.

This did not stop small copies being made or bits of the text to go missing; parts have been found in Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Florence, Copenhagen, and even New Haven. It is written in Egyptian cursive known as Hieratic since, in case it’s not known, hieroglyphs were saved for the more- ritualistic- pieces.

As these are mostly notes reorganized into a semi-legible format, allow me to hit some key points within them.

Thoth

Thoth, as many people may know, is an Ancient Egyptian god. His appearance is that of an ibis or baboon headed man. He is a very important figure within the Egyptian people’s religion. He represents magic, wisdom, writing, and the moon with the symbolism of balance, order, and chaos. He would often sit as one of the gods judging the dead as they went to pass into the afterlife.

Ancient Egyptian Religion

The ancient Egyptians worshipped many gods, some known better than others, and had many rituals that spread from their priests, to their commoners. Many of the facets relate right back to death however and it has become apparent that the ancient religion was an afterlife based sort of ordeal. Whatever you did in your living life judged your after life and that was enough to scare children into behaving like good little creatures should. Their daily lives were filled with rituals and religious undertones in hope of passing their trial into the after life.

Khaemwaset

The second son of Ramesses the 2nd, Khaemwaset was part of the royal bloodline. He served a bit in the military, most likely to get basic training in case he was called upon, before becoming a Sem-priest of Ptah in Memphis. His legacy under this title was that he redesigned the Serapeum, a place where they buried the Apis bull once it died, so that it had more than one burial chamber for more than one bull. He had also restored many ancient monuments

A bit of research never hurt anyone. This here is one of the many books I have been looking into and I hope you find this even a little as interesting as I did. Anyways, I’m sorry for the absence! I’ll be around more!

~Djabuti Jerald~

[mythicsplace]

I Have A Question For You

It’s your favorite librarian and I have the most amazing news for you all!

How would you like to have a documented book hunt? Hm? I call them hunts but really it’s stealing from all powerful beings that have become dormant or slide by within the societies of man. They keep these books, the original writings, for themselves.

Now I know what you’re probably thinking-

“But Jabuti people publish books by the dozens now-a-days, how is that one special and why do you have to steal it?”

Well let me tell you something Gan taught me:

A book is a portal into another world. It lets the person decipher the symbols that create their alphabet into their own imagination and to be portrayed in their minds as images they themselves have created. You fall in love with their characters. You hate the situations. You put words to feelings that you feel or it has made you feel.

Magic in this sense is so much the same but its the portrayal of you. Magic is you mind taking your words and casting them through your hands so when you write them there’s something far more tangible against the page than the alphabet. The writers of the books I steal, the original manuscripts I snatch into my own hands, put their magic onto those pages and they hold more power than the mass copied ones people keep on their shelves.

So I steal magic.

And I Keep them here, in my own sanctuary.

Now, though, I am offering you a chance to come with me when I steal the manuscript.

So, are you in?

Truly yours,

~Djabuti Jerald~

[mythicsplace]

A Message From the Father

Dear Reader,

Allow me to apologize for the absence of your librarian. As he has taken over he has done wonderfully in being my replacement and he’s taken the library to new heights. Alongside of planning his expeditions, caring for the bestiary, and trying to stay on top of the ever demand of books for our customers; he has been taking care of the local apothecary down the way until the replacement comes along. I fear he may have stretched himself and as my wife would say, “A stretched man is a stressed man.”

Please accept my apologies for his absence and may the woods and wilderness you travel be kind in your wake.

~ GAN

[mythicsplace]

The Celebrations Around the World

Hallows Eve is now known as Halloween and its meaning has long been lost or cast aside as a simple superstition. I'm afraid that is the fall of humanity upon this night. As many cultures have composed, Hallows Eve is the evening where the dead are more in touch with our world than ever. The veil between living and dead is as this as the sheer veil of a belly dancer. Celtic: Hallows Eve was called Samhain and this was celibrated by the Celtics the night before November 1st, their new years. Samhain was when the druid people would dress in animal skins and heads to hide themselves away from the spirits that would eventually destroy their crops. The celebration involved a large bon fire and prophetical visions as this was the time of year the visions for the winter would be the strongest. Many rituals were done this night by many of the Celtic people and their hearths were not lit until the next morning, marking the beginning of the new year and winter. Christian: As missionaries from Roman Catholicism appeared, they celebrated All Saints Day, November 1st. Now, as they found it easier to spread their religion by partaking in the celebration of a local's religious celebrations, Hallows Eve became part of their celebrations though they were adjusted slightly to their tastes. This vision of Hallows Eve is the long standing sight in human comprehension. Judaism: This religion does not allow Halloween by Jewish Halakha due to the violation of Leviticus 18:3 that forbids partaking in gentile customs. Now even though this is the case and there are many arguements among Jewish Rabi on the subject, Jews have the Purim holiday where jewish children dress in costumes and celebrate. It lasts from the evening of February 28 to the evening of March 1st, coinsiding with the 14th of the Hevrew month of Adar. This celebration is for the salvation of the Jewish people form Ancient Persia and the plot "To destroy, kill and annihilate all the jews, young and old, infants and woman, in a single day" as stated in Megillah. Islam: This religion has leaders that continuously argue that Muslims should not participate in Halloween as it is equivalent to participating in Christmas or Easter and congratulates the Christians. It is also argued that it does not as there are costumes that are acceptable and do not contain question to the religion. Hinduism: Hindus do not partake in Hallows Eve but celebrate the dead in the festival of Pitru Paksha where the Hindus pay their respects and perform a ceremony for the ancestral souls to stay at rest. This celebration normally happens in the month of Bhadrapada that normally falls mid-September time frame. the festival Diwali conflicts with Hallows Eve occassionally but the Hindus do participate in dressing up in costumes occassionally. Diwali is a festival where Hindus light a row of clay lamps to symbolize the inner light they are protected by from dark spiritualism. This festival is as Christmas is to Christians.

Truly yours,

~Djabuti Jerald~