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Posted on 11/08/202411/08/2024 by ALKEMYSTICA — Leave a comment

The Sirius Binary Star System – Occult and Esoteric Considerations

Celestial bodies in our Solar System show harmonic resonance with the Sirius Star System and many cultures have had a long interest in our relationship with it.

Previous civilizations did understand sky mechanics at an advanced level, and the mathematical precision of their astronomical observations is a testament to this.

What the naked eye perceives as a single star is actually a binary star system, consisting of a white star, called Sirius A, and a faint white dwarf companion, called Sirius B, orbiting each other with a separation of roughly the distance between the Sun and Uranus.

The system is between 200 and 300 million years old and it was originally composed of two bright bluish stars.

At a distance of 8.6 light years, the Sirius system is one of Earth’s nearest neighbors.

This proximity is the main reason for its brightness, as with other near stars such as Alpha Centauri, Procyon and Vega.

Sirius A is the brightest star in the night sky, almost twice as bright as the second-brightest star, Canopus, and the 5th closest star we’ve identified to our sun.

Its companion, Sirius B, is currently 10,000 times less luminous and was once the more massive of the two.

Sirius B, also known as the Pup Star, is one of the most massive white dwarfs known. This mass is packed into a volume roughly equal to the Earth’s.

Because there is no internal heat source, Sirius B will steadily cool as the remaining heat is radiated into space over the next two billion years or so.

Along with Procyon and Betelgeuse, Sirius forms one of the three vertices of the Winter Triangle to observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Under the right conditions, Sirius can be observed in daylight with the naked eye in the winter months by following a line down from the Orion belt, where it appears as a white/blue star. These observing conditions are more easily met in the Southern Hemisphere, owing to the southerly declination of Sirius.

Some scholars suggested that Sirius was a member of the Ursa Major Moving Group, a set of 220 stars that share a common motion through space.

Sirius may instead be a member of the proposed Sirius Supercluster, along with other scattered stars. This would be one of three large clusters located within 500 light-years of the Sun. The other two are the Hyades and the Pleiades, and each of these clusters consists of hundreds of stars.

The ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Babylonians, Indians and Chinese all had special understanding about the importance of Sirius.

A fascinating aspect of Sirius is the consistency of the symbolism and meanings attached to it.

Several great civilizations have indeed associated Sirius with a dog-like figure and viewed the star as either the source or the destination of a mysterious force. It has over 50 designations and names attached to it.

The name “Sirius” comes from the Latin Sīrius, from the Ancient Greek Seirios, “glowing” or “scorcher”, owing to its brightness.

It was described as “burning” or “flaming” in literature.

To Greek observers, these emanations caused its malignant influence. Anyone suffering its effects was said to be “star-struck” (astrobólētos).

The season following the star’s reappearance came to be known as the “dog days”.

The inhabitants of the island of Ceos in the Aegean Sea, in Greece, would offer sacrifices to Sirius and Zeus to bring cooling breezes and would await the reappearance of the star in the summer.

If it rose clear, it would bring good fortune. If it was misty or faint, then it foretold pestilence. Coins retrieved from the island from the 3^rd century BCE feature dogs or stars with emanating rays, highlighting Sirius’s importance.

The star is also called Alpha Canis Majoris in Latin and as the “Dog Star”, reflecting its prominence in its constellation, Canis Major (the Greater Dog), classically depicted as Orion’s dog.

The Ancient Greeks thought that Sirius’s emanations could affect dogs adversely, making them behave abnormally during the “dog days”, the hottest days of the summer, the Heliacal rising of Sirius. They also observed that the appearance of Sirius as the morning star caused plants to wilt, men to weaken, and women to become aroused.

Homer, in the Iliad, describes the approach of Achilles toward Troy in these words:

Sirius rises late in the dark, liquid sky
On summer nights, star of stars,
Orion’s Dog they call it, brightest
Of all, but an evil portent, bringing heat
And fevers to suffering humanity.

The Romans knew these days as dies caniculares, and the star Sirius was called Canicula, “little dog”.

The Romans celebrated the Heliacal setting of Sirius around 25^th of April, sacrificing a dog to the goddess Robigo so that the star’s emanations would not cause wheat rust on wheat crops that year.

Interestingly, the 25^th of April is now a national holiday in Italy, Liberation Day, celebrating the end of World War II on Italian soil.

In Iranian mythology, especially in Persian mythology and in Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia, Sirius appears as Tishtrya and is revered as the rain-maker divinity.

In Chinese astronomy Sirius is known as the star of the “celestial wolf” (Tiānláng), Tenrōin in Japan and Cheonrang in Korean.

Many nations among the indigenous people of North America also associated Sirius with canines.

The Seri and Tohono O’odham tribes of the southwest describe Sirius as a “dog that follows mountain sheep”, while the Blackfoot call it “Dog-face”.

The Cherokee paired Sirius with Antares as a dog-star guardian of the “Path of Souls”. The Pawnee of Nebraska knew it as the “Wolf Star”, while other tribes knew it as the “Coyote Star”.

Further north, the Alaskan Inuit of the Bering Strait called it “Moon Dog”.

It was “Wolf that hangs by the side of Heaven” for the Northern Osage.

The Hopi Natives refer to Sirius as the Blue Star Kachina. People think the Red Star Kachina is a separate star but perhaps it is the same star at a different part of its cycle. Hopi Prophecy states that when Sirius makes its appearance in the heavens, the Fifth World will emerge.

In India it is referred to as Svana, the Dog Prince Yudhistira.

In Sanskrit it is known as Mrgavyadha “deer hunter”, or Lubdhaka “hunter”. As Mrgavyadha, the star represents Rudra (a form of Shiva). The star is referred to as Makarajyoti in Malayalam and has religious significance to the pilgrim center Sabarimala.

In Scandinavia, the star has been known as Lokabrenna (“burning done by Loki”, or “Loki’s torch”).

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s essay Treatise on the Astrolabe, it bears the name Alhabor and is depicted by a hound’s head. This name is widely used on medieval astrolabes from Western Europe.

Bright stars were also important to the ancient Polynesians for navigation of the Pacific Ocean. Sirius matches the latitude of the archipelago of Fiji.

Sirius served as the body of a “Great Bird” constellation called Manu, which divided the Polynesian night sky into two hemispheres.

Just as the appearance of Sirius in the morning sky marked summer in Greece, it marked the onset of winter for the Māori, and the name Takurua described both the star and the season.

In Ancient Egypt, Sirius was regarded as the most important star in the sky. In fact, it was the foundation of the Egyptians’ entire religious system. It was revered as Sothis and was associated with Isis, the mother goddess of Egyptian mythology.

Isis is the female aspect of the trinity formed by herself, Osiris and their son Horus. Sirius/Sothis was held in such high regard that most of the Egyptian deities were associated, in some way or another, with the star.

Anubis, the dog-headed god of death, had an obvious connection with the Dog Star.

The hieroglyph representing Sirius contains three elements: a “phallic” obelisk (representing Osiris), a “womb-like” dome (representing Isis) and a star (representing Horus).

Thot-Hermes, the great teacher of humanity, was also esoterically connected with the star.

Several occult researchers have claimed that the Great Pyramid of Giza was built in perfect alignment with the stars, especially Sirius. The light from these stars was said to be used in ceremonies of Egyptian Mysteries.

The Heliacal rising of Sirius, which refers to its first annual appearance from behind the sun, is when the star can be observed just before sunrise. Sirius’ Heliacal rising always preceded the flooding of the Nile and the Summer Solstice in Ancient Egypt.

Owing to the flood’s own irregularity, the extreme precision of the star’s return was important to the ancient Egyptians, who worshipped it as the goddess Sopdet, meaning”Triangle” or “Sharp One”, as guarantor of the fertility of the land.

The start of the new year, heralded by the rising of the waters, was linked with this “going forth of Sothis” and led to the goddess being called “Lady of the new year”.

The 70 day period of the absence of Sirius from the sky was understood as the passing of Sopdet-Isis and Sah-Osiris through the Egyptian underworld.

It is interesting to note that the embalming of the dead took 70 days. Sopdet was a goddess of fertility to both the living and the dead.

The Sothic cycle or Canicular period is a period of 1,461 Egyptian civil years of 365 days each and it confirms that Sirius does not move retrograde across the sky like other stars, a phenomenon widely known as the precession of the equinoxes.

It is thought that the reason why the Egyptians and many other civilizations of that era used Sirius as their marker for the passage of time was because they picked the most stable object in the sky as their reference point.

Thuban was the pole star when the pyramids allegedly were built and the so-called Simulation began.

Sirius is mentioned in Surah 53 An-Najm (The Star) of the Holy Qura’n, where it is given the name “Ash-Shira”, meaning “Leader” or “Known One”, also known as Mirzam Al-Jawza.

The precession of the equinoxes is an approximately 26,000 year cycle where the rotational axis of the earth appears to wobble, inscribing a great circle in the starry sky. Currently Polaris is almost in line with the earth’s Northern axis.

This great cycle is caused by the interaction of gravitational forces between the earth and the other celestial bodies in our solar system.

Some scholars have offered a radical theory that the reason for this apparent wobble is in fact because our sun is part of a binary star system.

Proposing that Sirius may be the companion to our sun is opposite of what we commonly think of as binary stars because it’s not the closest star to our own.

In general, a binary star refers to a pair of stars that revolve around a common center of mass.

We can observe other binary star systems due to the wobbly movements these stars make or through regular fluctuations in their brightness.

There may be many more binary or even triple star systems than we previously believed, though typically they are closer together.

On the other hand, the binary model seems to better explain a variable rate of precession since the wobble would speed up or slow down depending on the proximity of the two stars as they rotate around each other.

Obviously, if we take into consideration the theory of a flat earth, the starry dome would be rotating above a stationary land, and still, the occult and mystical aspects of Sirius would be relevant.

Sirius remains about the same distance from the equinoxes and the solstices throughout the centuries, despite precession. Researchers found no “precession” adjustments are required to track the star Sirius.

For this reason, it is suggested that Sirius may be the best fit as our binary companion, though a more suitable star would be one closer to our Solar System.

Although there are researchers and astronomers willing to consider this radical idea, it does turn a lot of theories about our universe on their heads, and many people are resistant.

In his book, The Holy Science, the Indian philosopher Sri Yukteswar proposed that our Sun did have a binary relationship with Sirius.

He suggested that this relationship was the cause of the great ages, or Yugas, of Hindu belief, a cycle of roughly 24,000 years, similar to that of precession.

According to this belief, when the Suns are closer in relationship we experience Golden Ages, and because of this cycle the rise and fall of civilizations has occurred before.

When the two Suns are the farthest apart, we experience Kali Yuga. It happens that the stars are now moving closer together towards another Golden age.

Around 25 CE, Seneca described Sirius as being of a deeper red than Mars. It is therefore possible that the description as red is a poetic metaphor for ill fortune.

It is notable that not all ancient observers saw Sirius as red.

The 1st-century poet Marcus Manilius described it as “sea-blue”, as did the 4th-century Avienius.

Around the year 150 CE, Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria, a Greek Egyptian astronomer of the Roman period, mapped the stars in his Almagest, in which he used Sirius as the location for the globe’s central meridian. He curiously depicted it as one of six red-colored stars. Among the other five he listed Betelgeuse, Antares, Aldebaran, Arcturus, and Pollux, all of which are at present observed to be of orange or red hue.

Also Babylonian cuneiform texts refer consistently to Sirius as a red or reddish star.

The reason could be that the star moved over the centuries and thus the perceived color changed.

According to scholar Robert K. G. Temple, knowledge about Sirius made its way from Egypt to Mali, to a West African tribe called the Dogon.

In his book entitled The Sirius Mystery, he traces the origin of the Dogon tradition back to ancient Egyptian times, around 3,200 BCE.

The Dogon have since time immemorial closely guarded a secret initiatory tradition containing accurate and detailed astronomical knowledge regarding Sirius that would normally be considered impossible without the use of telescopes.

Long before the rise of modern astronomy, the Dogon knew that Sirius A also has a closer, heavier binary star associated with it, with a 50 year orbital period.

They say that Sirius B is immensely heavy, invisible, very small, yet extremely powerful. Their understanding of the two stars’ orbits coincides exactly with modern astronomical findings, yet was noted thousands of years before it was scientifically proven.

They also claim that a third star, Emme Ya, exists in the Sirius system. Larger and lighter than Sirius B, this star revolves around Sirius A as well.

The Dogon also believe that approximately 5,000 years ago, Amphibious Gods, called Nommo, came to Earth in three legged space ships from the Sirius Star System.

They are said to have “descended from the sky in a vessel accompanied by fire and thunder” and imparted profound knowledge to ancient civilizations (such as the Egyptians and Dogon) about the Sirius star system as well as our own solar system.

Allegedly, ancient aliens from Sirius were blue and their descendants thought of as blue-bloods or royalty.

The Dogon have described perfectly the DNA pattern made by this elliptical orbit created by the two stars as they rotate around each other. They believe Sirius to be the axis of the universe, and from it all matter and all souls are produced in a great spiral motion.

The Dogon’s mythology system is strikingly similar to the ones of other civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, Israelites, and Babylonians as it includes the archetypal myth of a “great teacher from above”.

Depending on the civilization, this great teacher is known as Enoch, Thoth or Hermes Trismegistus and is said to have taught humanity theurgic sciences.

In occult traditions, it is believed that Thoth-Hermes had taught the people of Atlantis, which, according to legend, became the world’s most advanced civilization before the entire continent was submerged by the Great Deluge (accounts of a flood can be found in the mythologies of countless civilizations).

Some skeptics propose this astronomical knowledge was due to contamination by the first European anthropologists encountering the Dogon.

Some scholars concluded, after their research among the Dogon, that…“although they do speak about Sigu Tolo as the star they call Sirius, they disagree completely with each other as to which star is meant. For some it is an invisible star, for another it is Venus that, through a different position, appears as Sigu Tolo. All agree, however, that they learned about the star from European scholars…”

Some other scholars suggested that the Dogon could have received Western astronomical information in 1893, when a French expedition arrived in Central West Africa to observe a total eclipse.

In the religion of the Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania, Sirius is called Yoonir. The star Sirius is one of the most important and sacred stars in Serer religious cosmology and symbolism.

The Serer high priests and priestesses, “The rain priests”, check Yoonir to forecast rainfall and enable Serer farmers to start planting seeds. In Serer religious cosmology, it’s the symbol of the universe. Interesting to note the similar sound of the Yoni of Hindu belief.

In the Sumerian Civilization, predating the Egyptians, their Epic of Gilgamesh describes a dream of Gilgamesh where the hero is drawn irresistibly to a heavy star that cannot be lifted despite immense effort.

This star descends from heaven to him and is described as having a very ‘potent essence’ and being “the God of heaven”. Gilgamesh had for his companions 50 oarsmen in the great ship, Argo, a constellation bordering Canis Major, where Sirius is found.

Sirius’ Alchemical Symbol was also listed by Heinrich Agrippa, a German Renaissance polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, knight, theologian, and occult writer.

His most known work are the Three Books of Occult Philosophy published in 1533. They drew heavily upon Kabbalah, Hermeticism and Neoplatonism.

Sirius is one of the 27 stars on the flag of Brazil, where it represents the state of Mato Grosso.

Composer Karl-Heinz Stockhausen, who wrote a piece called Sirius, is claimed to have said on several occasions that he came from a planet in the Sirius system.

To Stockhausen, Sirius stood for “the place where music is the highest of vibrations” and where music had been developed in the most perfect way.

Sirius has been the subject of poetry. Dante and John Milton reference the star, while it was a “powerful western fallen star” for others.

Tennyson’s poem The Princess describes the star’s scintillation:

…the fiery Sirius alters hue
And bickers into red and emerald.

A more recent study using advanced infrared imaging concluded that the probability of the existence of a triple star system for Sirius is “low” but could not be ruled out.

Every 50 years, the two stars in the system, Sirius A and B, come as close together as their orbits allow, creating huge magnetic storms between them. As they approach each other, the stars both begin to spin faster as tidal forces become stronger, eventually trading places with each other.

This energy is eventually released to flow down the magnetic field lines to the sun, which transmits it like a lens to all the planets.

It may cause cataclysmic events on Earth due to re-aligning of energies before the re-polarization.

Sirius B made its latest closest approach (periastron) to Sirius A in 1994, with the next approach expected at around 2044.

If our sun is in a physical binary relationship with Sirius or other stars, that metaphysical concept may have more physical implications which we are only beginning to understand.

Mystery schools consider it to be “a sun behind the sun” and, therefore, the true source of our own sun’s potency. If our sun’s warmth keeps the physical world alive, Sirius is considered to keep the mystical world alive.

It is the “real light” shining in the East, the otherworldly light, whereas the sun illuminates the physical world, which is considered to be a grand illusion.

According to mythology, survivors from Atlantis traveled by boat to several countries, including Egypt, where they imparted their advanced knowledge. Occultists believe that the inexplicable resemblances between distant civilizations (such as the Mayas and the Egyptians) can be explained by their common contact with Atlanteans.

A great number of secret societies, that have historically held within their ranks some of the world’s most influential people, teach about a mystical connection between Sirius and humanity and hold the Dog-Star in the utmost importance as to the metaphysical interconnections we have with the cosmos and also call it “The Blazing Star.”

Sirius, or Venus, can also represent The Star card in Tarot, as the Major Arcana with the number 17.

Sirius can possibly be found behind the All-Seeing Eye on the American dollar bill. It is shown shining right above the Pyramid.

According to Jyotish astrology of India, Sirius is located in the Nakshatra Ardra which lies entirely in the sign of Gemini. Ardra is associated with both Sirius and Betelgeuse, in the constellation of Orion.

Considering most of the ancient wisdom was passed through the millennia, even the image of the teardrop of Ardra is reflecting the Egyptian Goddess Sopdet and her life giving waters which stood for the flooding of the Nile, and can be interpreted as a metaphor for the awakening of the human race.

With the ruling planet Rahu, it also has the influence of Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, reflecting the emphasis on the mind and a deep feeling nature combined with the passionate thinking.

You can generally locate Sirius in your own astrology chart at 19° Gemini, Sidereal and at 13° Cancer, Tropical.

If you have pronounced aspects of Sirius in your chart, you need to learn how to guide people towards their evolutionary experience without forcing your own will on them. It encourages us to be the teachers for others, and lead by example.

Sirius is the knowledge-holder of ancient hermetic wisdom. It represents high ethical standards, and inspires freedom.

Sirius can be authoritative in nature, nevertheless his energies can help us expand our consciousness.

It impacts our discernment between right and wrong, with a sense of responsibility to direct others towards the expression of their soul’s destiny.

The symbolic link between Sirius and occult knowledge has constantly appeared throughout History and has seamlessly traveled throughout the ages. It is as revered today as it was millennia ago.

What do you think about The Sirius Star System and its Occult and Esoteric meanings? Let us know in the comment section and share the post!!!

Video version here:

The Sirius Binary Star System – Occult and Esoteric Considerations

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Links and References:

https://innerworkingsresources.com/sirius/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sirius_Mystery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopdet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sothic_cycle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Sri_Yukteswar_Giri

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Science

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogon_people

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_(mythology)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Cornelius_Agrippa

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Pics:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canis_Major_constellation_map.svg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Sirius_A_and_B_Hubble_photo.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Hubble_heic0206j.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Orbit_Sirius_B_arcsec.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Sirius_A_&_B_X-ray.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Sirius_A-Sun_comparison2.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Sirius_B-Earth_comparison2.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Sopdet.svg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Sirius_Midnight_Culmination_New_Year_2022.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Five_Pointed_Star_Lined.svg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius#/media/File:Angular_map_of_fusors_around_Sol_within_9ly_(large).png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopdet#/media/File:Ivory_label_with_Djer_name_and_Sopdet.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopdet#/media/File:La_tombe_de_Sethi_1er_(KV.17)_(Vall%C3%A9e_des_Rois,_Th%C3%A8bes_ouest)_-8.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopdet#/media/File:Dendera_Temple_complex,_Temple_of_Hathor_-_panoramio_(3).jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopdet#/media/File:Isis-Sothis-Demeter.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sothic_cycle#/media/File:CanisMajorCC.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Sri_Yukteswar_Giri#/media/File:Swami_Sri_Yukteswar_Pose.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogon_people#/media/File:Bandiagara_escarpment_2.jpg

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nakshatras.jpg

Posted on 10/10/202410/10/2024 by ALKEMYSTICA — Leave a comment

Into the Darkness – Exploring the 7 Underworlds in Hindu Cosmology

Beneath the surface of the Earth, hidden away from the light of the sun, lies a labyrinthine world of shadows, serpents, and untold secrets—the Seven Underworlds of Hindu cosmology. Known as the Sapta Patalas,

According to some, these realms are more than mere myths; they are actual physical worlds where magic reigns supreme, treasures glitter in the dark, and powerful entities hold sway over mysteries both ancient and forbidden. For centuries, the sages and seers of India have whispered of these realms, each a layer deeper into the cosmic unknown, each a veil concealing a greater truth.

In this short essay, we will describe the Sapta Patalas, or 7 underworlds and give some general characteristics about each one including who rules over these realms and what one might find, should they chose to visit.

So Journey with us into the depths of the Sapta Patalas, where every step descends deeper into the esoteric, and where the line between myth and reality blurs into shadow.

Before we get started, let’s look into the geography of these 7 underworlds or sapta patalas to understand where exactly they are. To understand this we have to delve a bit deeper into Vedic cosmology, getting familiar with some terminology and having a more complete understanding overall of the system surrounding this topic.

In Hindu cosmology realms, worlds or planets are called “lokas”.

There is debate among scholars about these lokas in reference to their existence. Some interpretations refer to psychological states, others lend to states of consciousness, others use the lokas as metaphors for spiritual development and others believe them to be actual, physical, tangible places that can be visited with extraordinary or mystical means. Some scholars believe that the higher realms are non-physical and the lower down you go, the more you fall into material matter.

Whatever your belief, this video will shed light on these 7 underworlds.

There are 14 lokas in total – 7 above, 7 below and grouped into Urdhva loka (the higher realms, madhva or bhu loka – the middle realms and adho lok, the lower realms. – and if you’re familiar with yoga asanas, you will remember urdhva mukha svanasana and adho mukha svansana – upward and downward facing dog poses.

There are 7 Vyahrtis, or upper worlds . These are Satya, tapa, jnana, mahar, svarga, bhuvar, bhu. The upper realms, are inhabited by gods (Devas), sages, and celestial beings. These are realms of light and divine presence, including Indra’s realm, Brahma Loka (the abode of Brahma), and Vaikuntha (the abode of Vishnu).

Bhu Loka or the (Earthly Realm) is the first of these worlds, lying in the middle. This is the plane of existence for humans, animals, and plants. This is our world, where the physical and material existences are experienced.

Then there is patal loka:

Patala Loka (Underworld Realms)– The lower realms, consisting of the seven underworlds collectively known as the Sapta Patalas. These underworlds lie beneath Bhu Loka, each stacked upon the next, like layers beneath the surface of the Earth.
Naraka – these are the hellish worlds below patala loka, in which there are 28. This is last realm – the Naraka (the hellish realms), in which your soul is tormented based on the crimes you committed.

28 Narakas: Tamisra, Andhatamisra, Raurava, Maharaurava, Kumbhipaka, Kalasutra, Asipatravana, Sukaramukha, Andhakupa, Krimibhojana, Samdamsa, Taptasurmi, Vajrakantaka-salmali, Vaitarani, Puyoda, Pranarodha, Visasana, Lalabhaksa, Sarameyadana, Avichi, Ayahpana, Ksharakardama, Raksogana-bhojana, Sulaprota, Dandasuka, Avata-nirodhana, Paryavartana, and Suchimukha

In the Bhágavata and Padma P. they are named Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talátala, Mahátala, Rasátala, and Pátála. The Váyu has Rasátala, Sutala, Vitala, Gabhastala, Mahátala, Śrítala, and Pátála. There are other varieties.

So lets have a look at these 7 underworlds:

1. Atala loka:

Atala is the first and uppermost of the seven underworlds, situated just below the earthly realm (Bhu Loka). It is described as a vast, beautiful land with luxurious cities and a mild climate. It is a realm filled with illusions and magical enchantments and known for its pleasures and opulence, providing a paradise-like existence for its inhabitants, who live in grand palaces with rich food, music, and enjoyment. The surface of the ground is black.

Ruler:
Bala, a son of the demon king Maya Danava who created 96 kinds of mystic power, rules over Atala Loka. He is known for his great strength and mystical powers. According to the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 5, Chapter 24), Bala possesses a unique power which allows him to control and influence others’ minds.
He is also said to have created three kinds of women by simply yawning—Swairinis (independent women who marry from their own group), Kamini (passionate women who marry from any group), and Pumshcalis (unchaste women who change husbands one after another)—Any man who enters Atala will be at the whim of these women, who seduce them with intoxicating beverage made with a drug known as hāṭaka [cannabis indica] and draw them into sensory pleasures.
Inhabitants:
The Atala Loka is inhabited by powerful demons, Asuras, and mystical beings who indulge in sensual pleasures that are considered unmatched, filled with material comforts and sense gratifications that are beyond earthly experiences.

2. Vitala loka:

Vitala is the second realm beneath the Earth. It is a dark, mysterious land filled with rivers of liquid gold and precious minerals. The water in this realm is said to have alchemical properties, and the air is filled with exotic fragrances. Vitala is depicted as a place of both danger and opulence, where sorcerers and mystical beings conduct various magical experiments. The soil is pale white.

Ruler:
Vitala Loka is ruled by the god Bhava (a form of Shiva), who resides here with his consort, Bhavani. It is said that when they have intercourse, their secretions creates a chemical which, when heated by fire can produce gold. He resides here with his followers and protects the realm from evil influences. He is worshiped by both demons and demi-gods alike.
Inhabitants:
Inhabitants of this realm include Bhutas (spirits), Pisachas (flesh-eating demons), and mystical alchemists who use the resources of the realm for their experiments.

3. Sutala Loka:

Sutala is the third of the seven underworld realms and is described as a highly opulent realm with an abundance of wealth, gems and many grand palaces and gardens. It is considered even more luxurious than the heavenly planets (Svarga Lokas). The realm is described as free from diseases, old age, and suffering, making it a place of immense wealth and comfort.

Ruler:
Sutala is ruled by the great son of Mahārāja Virocana, Bali Mahārāja, who is celebrated as the most pious and benevolent king, who was granted sovereignty over this realm as a gift by Lord Vishnu. in His incarnation as Vamanadeva, the dwarf avatar. As a result of Bali’s devotion and piety, Lord Vishnu promised to guard the gates of Sutala Himself, and thus, it is a well-protected realm.
Inhabitants:
Sutala is populated by the followers of King Bali, including Danavas, Daityas, and other devotees of Lord Vishnu. Despite being a realm of the underworld, it is a spiritually advanced and prosperous place.
Detailed descriptions of Sutala can be found in the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 5, Chapter 24), which recounts the story of King Bali and his boon from Vamana.

4. Talatala Loka:

Talatala is the fourth realm and is described as a dark, mysterious world filled with powerful magical beings. It is portrayed as a world of sorcery, advanced weaponry, and mystic technology. It is characterized by its hidden underground cities and palaces where powerful beings conduct magical experiments and possess advanced mystical knowledge. It is filled with illusions, traps and dark magical practices. Everything here is deceptive and seemingly unreal.

Ruler:
Talatala is ruled by the Danava demon architect Maya, who is a master of sorcery and illusion and an architect of marvelous cities and palaces. He is known for his architectural prowess and magical powers, capable of creating magnificent structures, illusions, and magical devices. Maya is a devotee of Shiva and receives divine protection for his realm.
Inhabitants:
This realm is populated by sorcerers, alchemists, and other beings who practice dark arts and wield powerful spells and weaponry.

5. Mahatala Loka

Mahatala is the fifth realm of the underworld and is associated with secrecy, hidden treasures, and the protection of the Nagas. It is characterized by its vast subterranean regions filled with serpents and reptilian beings. The realm is depicted as having a dark, hot, and humid environment. It is known for its massive snake pits, caves, vast underground rivers and serpentine tunnels and caves, where these serpents dwell. The terrain and ground is sandy.

Ruler:
The Nagas (serpent beings) are the primary inhabitants and rulers of Mahatala. This realm is specifically ruled by the great serpent Krodhavasha, a powerful Naga king, who is the progenitor of many races of serpents. His offspring include many of the most powerful and fearsome Nagas in Hindu mythology.
Inhabitants:
It is the abode of many-powerful, hooded snakes, descendants of Kadrū, who are always very angry. The great snakes who are prominent are Kuhaka, Takṣaka, Kāliya and Suṣeṇa. The snakes in Mahātala are always disturbed by fear of Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, but although they are full of anxiety, some of them nevertheless sport with their wives, children, friends and relatives.

6. Rasatala Loka

Rasatala is the sixth underworld realm and is depicted as a dark, terrifying place filled with great fortresses and oceans which is home to the demons races the Daityas, children of the cruel Diti (giants) and Danavas, children of Danu and armies of demons are constantly plotting against the Devas.

These beings are known for their strength and valor and are considered eternal enemies of the gods. It is considered one of the lowest realms and is filled with dense darkness, inaccessible to light. The beings in Rasatala are constantly engaged in war and conflict. The terrain and ground is rocky.

Ruler:
Rasatala is ruled by the powerful demon lords, the sons of Nivata-Kavachas and Kalayavanas. They are mortal enemies of the gods and are described as fearsome warriors who challenge the devas (gods) in battles.They hide in Rasatal, because even though they are very strong, they are afraid of Indra.
Inhabitants:
The inhabitants include various classes of demons, giants, and other terrifying beings. They are known for their strength, magical abilities, and enmity towards the gods.
7. Patala (Nagaloka)

Patala, the seventh and deepest underworld, is often synonymous with “Nagaloka,” the abode of the Nagas. It is described as a place of immense wealth, a highly luxurious realm, illuminated by jewels and precious stones on the hoods of the serpent beings. Despite being the lowest of the Sapta Patalas, it is considered a place of beauty and splendor, filled with palaces, beautiful gardens, rivers, and pleasant atmospheres. There are many beautiful, flourishing cities here and It is known for its glowing pearls, gemstones, and exotic fragrances. The ground is golden.
As per the SB, There are beautiful groves and streams and lakes where the lotus blows; and the skies are resonant with the Koïl’s song. Splendid ornaments, fragrant perfumes, rich unguents, the blended music of the lute and pipe and tabor; these and many other enjoyments are the common portion of the Dānavas, Daityas, and snake-gods, who inhabit the regions of Pātāla.
Ruler:
The great serpent king Vasuki, who is often depicted with multiple hoods and is one of the most famous Nagas, rules Patala. This realm is also protected by Ananta (Shesha), the thousand-headed serpent whose eyes resemble a red lotus and who serves as a bed for Lord Vishnu. Ananta is said to live in the lower regions of Patala and is revered as a divine protector.
Inhabitants:
Patala Loka is inhabited by Nagas, snake-like beings of immense power, beauty, and wisdom. There there are many demoniac serpents, the masters of Nāgaloka, such as Śaṅkha, Kulika, Mahāśaṅkha, Śveta, Dhanañjaya, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Śaṅkhacūḍa, Kambala, Aśvatara and Devadatta. The chief among them is Vāsuki. They are all extremely angry, and they have many, many hoods — some snakes five hoods, some seven, some ten, others a hundred and others a thousand. These hoods are bedecked with valuable gems, and the light emanating from the gems illuminates the entire planetary system of bila-svarga. They are often have mystical abilities, including shape-shifting and controlling various elements of nature.

So How can one reach the sapta patalas? Some texts mention the idea of these lokas as spiritual realms or dimensions that can be accessed through meditation, yoga, or other spiritual practices.

Some also say that you must be born into one of these places, that after reincarnation, you will go to the place that is aligned to your thoughts and energy at the moment.

Yet, other sources state that there are entrances, portals, to other realms that are spread across the Earth. Entrances similar to what one might find when searching for Agartha. And some entrances that are heavily guarded and that can only be accessed by having the right information, knowing the right people, or, in terms of modern day terminology – high security clearance.

How do we know there isn’t something more? What is the connection between military or government officials and the so called, grey aliens? Or any alien or reptilian race? Perhaps it is just conspiracy theory, but could the military have advanced technology that permits travel to these underworlds? Travel only by high authority figures or politicians, or by military captains that have authorization to enter such places?

We may never know.

In conclusion, The Sapta Patalas are described as realms of vast diversity, ranging from opulent paradises to dark, mysterious underworlds filled with magical beings, demons, serpents, and rulers with extraordinary powers. Each loka has its own unique environment, inhabitants, and rulers who maintain control over their domain. Despite being part of the underworld, these realms have their own significance, demonstrating the complex and multi-layered structure of the cosmos as envisioned in Hindu cosmology.

So what do you think? Do you think these are physical places that can be visited? Or states of consciousness, accessible only through meditation, astral travel or remote viewing?

What would you do if you encountered a Naga King? Share your thoughts and comments in the comment box below and thanks for reading!

Video version here:

Into the Darkness – Exploring the 7 Underworlds in Hindu Cosmology

Interesting sources, additional info, images, credits, attributions and other points of views here:

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LINKS, REFERENCES AND PICS:

Srimad Bhagavatam 5:24:16

Vishnu Purana Book 2, chapter 5

Markandeya Purana Chapter 57

Mahabharata (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 101)

https://www.mahakavya.com/vayu-puran-english/ (p335)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loka#/media/File:Lower_seven_Lokas_purana.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naraka

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patala

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc115967.html

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364126.html

https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/patala#purana

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/vishnu-purana-wilson/d/doc115965.html

https://sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp063.htm

https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/In_Atala_there_is_a_demon,_the_son_of_Maya_Danava_named_Bala,_who_created_ninety-six_kinds_of_mystic_power._Some_so-called_yogis_and_svamis_take_advantage_of_this_mystic_power_to_cheat_people_even_today

https://www.jatland.com/home/Udyoga_Parva/Mahabharata_Book_V_Chapter_101

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udyoga_Parva

Posted on 09/14/202409/14/2024 by ALKEMYSTICA — Leave a comment

Cycles of Time in Vedic Cosmology – The 4 Yugas – Part 1

Hindu Vedic texts describe four Yugas (world ages) in a Yuga Cycle—Krita (Satya) Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga—where, starting in order from the first age, each Yuga’s length decreases by one-fourth (25%), giving proportions of 4:3:2:1

As a Yuga Cycle progresses through the four Yugas, each Yuga’s length and humanity’s general moral and physical state within each Yuga decrease by one-fourth.

Each Yuga is characterized by varying degrees of virtue and vice, wisdom and ignorance, and dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness).

1. Satya Yuga (The Age of Truth)

Satya Yuga, also known as the Golden Age or the Age of Truth, is the first and most revered of the Yugas. It is characterized by a time of truth, virtue, and divine presence. In this era, humanity is said to live in harmony with the divine, and righteousness prevails. The divine essence is fully manifest, and people are endowed with immense wisdom and spiritual purity. The moral and ethical standards are at their highest, and there is no need for religious practices or rituals since truth and righteousness are innate.

In this age, the human lifespan is said to be the longest, and there is no suffering or conflict. The concept of Dharma is fully realized, and the divine is perceived directly by all. The natural world is in its prime, reflecting the purity and perfection of this age.

2. Treta Yuga (The Age of Treta)

Following Satya Yuga is Treta Yuga, often referred to as the Silver Age. This period marks a gradual decline in virtue and an increase in the need for religious practices and rituals to maintain Dharma. Although righteousness still prevails, it is somewhat diminished compared to the previous age. In Treta Yuga, humanity begins to experience the emergence of moral and spiritual decay.

In this era, the lifespan of human beings decreases, and the divine presence becomes less direct. The need for sacrifices, rituals, and religious observances arises to uphold Dharma and compensate for the growing imperfections. The epic Ramayana is set in Treta Yuga, reflecting the narrative of divine intervention and the heroic struggle to restore righteousness.

3. Dwapara Yuga (The Age of Dwapara)

Dwapara Yuga, or the Bronze Age, represents a further decline in the moral and spiritual quality of humanity. During this age, virtue and righteousness are significantly diminished, and the human experience becomes more fraught with conflict and suffering. Dharma and adharma are in constant flux, and the balance between them becomes more precarious.

In Dwapara Yuga, the lifespan of human beings continues to decrease, and religious practices become more complex and ritualistic. The Mahabharata, another epic of the Vedic tradition, is set in this age, depicting the moral and ethical challenges faced by individuals and societies. The epic highlights the role of divine intervention and the consequences of human actions in the struggle to restore righteousness.

4. Kali Yuga (The Age of Darkness)

The final Yuga is Kali Yuga, often referred to as the Age of Darkness or the Iron Age. This era is characterized by the greatest decline in virtue and the predominance of adharma. In Kali Yuga, humanity experiences the greatest suffering, ignorance, and moral corruption. The divine presence is least apparent, and the human lifespan is the shortest.

The principles of Dharma are greatly obscured, and the world is marked by conflict, deceit, and chaos. Religious practices become increasingly necessary as a means to combat the pervasive ignorance and evil. Kali Yuga is believed to be the current age, and according to tradition, it will eventually lead to the end of the cosmic cycle, after which a new cycle of Satya Yuga will begin.

What do you think about the 4 Yugas of Vedic Cosmology? Post your comments below and share the post!!!

Video version here:

Cycles of Time in Vedic Cosmology – The 4 Yugas – Part 1

Interesting sources, additional info, images, credits, attributions and other points of views here:

Elemental Energy and how to use it, check our course here: https://www.udemy.com/course/elemental-energy-for-success-and-well-being/?referralCode=A680413E03BEAD96E 744

Book a Tarot reading here: https://suryaholistictarot.com/book-a-reading/

Check our soundtrack here:
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Websites:

https://alkemystica.com/

http://lennyblandino.com/

https://www.staciebronson.com /

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1372429986896515

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuga_cycle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Sri_Yukteswar_Giri

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya_Yuga

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Yuga

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvapara_Yuga

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treta_Yuga

http://veda.wikidot.com/vedic-time-system#toc8

https://www.historicmysteries.com/myths-legends/kali-yuga/36125/

https://www.bibhudevmisra.com/2012/07/end-of-kali-yuga-in-2025-unraveling.html?m=0

https://www.dwapara-yuga.org

https://maypoleofwisdom.com/law-of-the-4-ages/

https://twospiritsonesoul.com/blog/are-we-living-in-the-kali-yuga

PICS:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Four_Yugas_of_Hindu_Eschatology.svg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yugas.png

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yuga_Cycle.png

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:4_yugas.PNG

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yugas-Ages-based-on-Sri-Yukteswar_af.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kalki_(centre).jpg

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-hindu-style-goddess-8670920

The four ages of Hindu cosmology (Peter Hermes Furian / Adobe Stock)

https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/14lupco/which_of_the_yuga_cycle_model_between_these_two/

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-suffering-hell-dante-8425585

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Motion_of_Sun,_Earth_and_Moon_around_the_Milky_Way.jpg

Posted on 09/05/202409/05/2024 by ALKEMYSTICA — Leave a comment

The Secret Meanings of Cups and Chalices in Esoteric Arts and Tarot

In esoteric traditions, symbols hold a potent significance, often acting as keys to deeper truths. Among these, the image of the cup or chalice resonates with profound mystical and spiritual meaning. Chalice comes from Latin calix ‘mug’, borrowed from Ancient Greek κύλιξ (kylix) ‘cup’ or goblet, meaning a footed cup intended to hold a drink.

In this essay we will briefly explore the symbolism of cups and chalices within three specific domains: Tarot, alchemy, and magic to further gain insight into the deeper currents of meaning that flow through these esoteric arts.

Cups in Tarot

The suit of Cups is one of the four suits in the Minor Arcana, alongside Wands, Swords, and Pentacles. The Cups in Tarot hold deep esoteric and occult significance, extending beyond their surface-level interpretations and are rich with symbolic meaning.

They are traditionally associated with the element of water, which in many mystical and spiritual traditions, represents the emotions, the unconscious or subconscious, intuition, the mystical, the hidden or occult, dreams, memories and the flow of life.

Water is a receptive element, absorbing and reflecting the environment around it, much like the way emotions reflect our inner and outer experiences.

Water is also linked to the concept of the feminine principle or the divine feminine in esoteric traditions. This principle is about receptivity, nurturing, and the ability to give life. In the context of the Tarot, the Cups represent these qualities within the individual and their experiences, emphasizing themes of emotional wisdom, nurturing relationships, and the intuitive understanding of oneself and others.

Water reaches into the depth of the unknown and into mystical realms. It can be unpredictable and is ever changing. It is unique in this way in that it can take a solid, liquid or gaseous form. Therefore emotions can fluctuate. Mood swings can happen with combinations of various cards in the tarot. A queen of cups with a 2 of pentacles could mean that someone’s mood is literally up and down.

In astrology, the water signs—Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are easily found in the Page, Knight, Queen or King of Cups. On a high note, they are often associated with sensitivity, depth of feeling, intuition, compassion, empathy, kindness, healing, purification and psychic abilities, but on a lower note, they can also indicate deception, illusions, hidden truths, darkness, confusion, elusiveness and secrets.

These are qualities that resonate with the meanings of the Cups in Tarot. The fluidity of water mirrors the shifting nature of emotions and the depths of the unconscious mind.

Look at the King of Cups. What do you see here? Someone who has mastered his emotions? Is he a compassionate leader who can empathize with others? Or Someone that is repressing emotions? Is he hiding some kind of emotion? Would you trust him? What is he hiding underneath his throne of memory and emotion? and for how long can he keep those secret thoughts hidden in the depths?

Each card in the suit of Cups invites the reader to explore their emotional and spiritual life. The cups serve as vessels for experiences and feelings, reminding us that while emotions can be fleeting, the lessons they bring can fill the soul and spirit.

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Chalices in Alchemy

Alchemy, an ancient practice that predates modern chemistry, is rich with symbols and metaphors, often reflecting the transformation of the human soul. Chalices in alchemy are not merely physical vessels but are seen as symbols of containment, transformation, and spiritual attainment.

One of the most significant symbols in alchemy is the Holy Grail, often depicted as a chalice. The Grail is considered the ultimate goal of the alchemical quest, representing the Philosopher’s Stone—a metaphor for the completion of the Great Work and the attainment of immortality. The Grail is a vessel that contains the elixir of life, the quintessence of spiritual knowledge.

It is a symbol of purity and divine grace, a sacred object that can transform the base elements (both literal and metaphorical) into pure gold or spiritual enlightenment.

In alchemical texts, the chalice is often associated with the albedo stage of the Magnum Opus, or the Great Work. Albedo, or “whitening,” follows the nigredo, or “blackening” stage of putrefaction and darkness. It represents purification, the washing away of impurities, and the emergence of the pure spirit. The chalice, in this context, is the vessel that holds the purified substance, whether it be physical gold or spiritual wisdom. It symbolizes the alchemist’s soul, now cleansed and ready to receive divine illumination.

Let’s revisit the Tarot for a moment to see how these esoteric arts overlap – In Tarot, there is the Five of Cups: The Five of Cups often represents loss, grief, and the process of emotional purification. This card encourages the seeker to confront their shadow, to mourn the past, and to ultimately find a path to emotional healing and spiritual renewal. Esoterically, it reflects the alchemical stage of nigredo, or blackening, where the individual faces the darkness within.

In alchemical symbolism, An example of a chalice is the Chalice of Saint John. This image often shows a serpent emerging from a cup, a symbol of transformation and wisdom. The serpent, a creature that sheds its skin, represents renewal and the cyclical nature of life.

The cup, holding the serpent, signifies the containment and harnessing of this transformative energy. It is a reminder that true wisdom and enlightenment come from within, and the journey towards it involves a process of inner purification and transformation.

Chalices in Magic and Ritual

In magical traditions, chalices are often used in rituals and ceremonies. They serve as a focal point for spiritual energy and as a tool for invoking divine forces. The chalice is a symbol of the receptive, feminine aspect of the divine, often associated with the Goddess or the element of water. It represents the womb, the source of life and creation, and is used to contain sacred substances, such as wine or water, during rituals.

In Wiccan and other pagan traditions, the chalice is an essential element on the altar. It is used to hold wine, which symbolizes the blood of the Goddess, or water, representing the primordial waters of creation.

During rituals, the chalice is often consecrated and charged with magical intent.

For example, in the Wiccan ritual known as the Great Rite, when performed “in token” the Priestess holds the chalice, filled with drink and symbolic of the womb, and invokes the spirit of the Goddess. Her partner holds an athame, symbolic of the phallus and invokes the spirit of the God. After invocations are finished and the ceremonial dipping of the blade into the liquid is finished, the chalice is then blessed and shared with the participants, or coven members as a symbol of the unity between the divine masculine and divine feminine.

The chalice also plays a role in the ritual of the Eucharist in Christian traditions, where it holds wine symbolizing the blood of Christ. This ritual can be seen as a form of magical practice, where the chalice becomes a vessel for divine grace and the transformation of the mundane into the sacred.

The act of drinking from the chalice symbolizes the internalization of the divine and the acceptance of spiritual nourishment.

In ceremonial magic, chalices are often used in the invocation of spirits or deities. The magician may use a chalice to hold offerings or libations, which are then consecrated and offered to the invoked entities. The chalice serves as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, a receptacle for spiritual energies. For example, in the ritual of the Holy Grail, practitioners may use a chalice to symbolize their quest for spiritual enlightenment and the divine knowledge contained within it.

Real life Examples

We have already briefly discussed the esoteric meaning of cups and chalices in the tarot, alchemy and magic.

But many legendary chalices have captured the imagination and reverence of people throughout history, often entwined with legend, religious significance, cultural importance and mystery. Let’s look at some real life examples and famous legendary chalices that still hold allure today.

The Holy Grail

Arguably the most famous chalice in Western history, the Holy Grail is said to be the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper and later by Joseph of Arimathea to collect Christ’s blood during the Crucifixion.

The Holy Grail has been a central element in Christian legend, particularly in Arthurian tales, where it is depicted as a mysterious and powerful object sought by knights, most notably Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, and Sir Lancelot. The Grail symbolizes divine grace, spiritual enlightenment, and the ultimate quest for purity and immortality.

The Antioch Chalice

The Antioch Chalice, once believed by some to be the Holy Grail, is a silver cup that dates back to the early Byzantine era (5th-6th century AD). It was discovered near Antioch, modern-day Turkey, and is ornately decorated with figures that some scholars initially interpreted as the Apostles. However, later research suggests that it may have been used as an early Christian liturgical object rather than the actual cup from the Last Supper.

The Chalice of Doña Urraca

The Chalice of Doña Urraca, a richly decorated goblet from the 11th century, is kept in the Basilica of San Isidoro in León, Spain. The chalice is made of agate and adorned with gold and jewels. It is named after Doña Urraca of Zamora, an 11th-century Spanish princess who donated it to the church. Recent claims have suggested that this chalice might be linked to the legends of the Holy Grail, though these assertions are debated among historians and scholars.

The Ardagh Chalice

The Ardagh (arda) Chalice is a remarkable piece of early medieval Irish metalwork, dating back to the 8th century. It was discovered in 1868 near the village of Ardagh, County Limerick, Ireland. The chalice is made of silver with gold, bronze, brass, and lead embellishments and is decorated with intricate Celtic patterns. It is believed to have been used for liturgical purposes, specifically for dispensing wine during the Eucharist. The Ardagh Chalice is an important artifact in Irish cultural history and is currently housed in the National Museum of Ireland.

The Nanteos Cup

The Nanteos Cup is a wooden chalice that has been associated with legends of the Holy Grail. The cup gets its name from Nanteos Mansion in Wales, where it was kept for many years. The cup is relatively plain and has suffered considerable wear and damage over the centuries. Despite its humble appearance, various legends claim that it possesses healing powers. The cup’s history and authenticity as a relic of significant Christian history are uncertain, but it remains a fascinating piece of folklore.

The Valencia Chalice

The Valencia Chalice, also known as the Holy Chalice of Valencia, is housed in the Valencia Cathedral in Spain. It consists of a polished agate cup, believed to date from the 1st century BC or AD, with a base added later. Some Christian traditions hold that this chalice was used by Jesus at the Last Supper, making it a contender for the title of the Holy Grail. While definitive proof of its authenticity is lacking, the chalice is an object of veneration and is used by the Pope during special occasions.

The Chalice of Saint Remigius

The Chalice of Saint Remigius is a relic kept in the Reims Cathedral, France. It is said to have been used by Saint Remigius, the Bishop of Reims, during the baptism of Clovis I, the first King of the Franks, around 496 AD. This baptism is a significant event in the history of France as it marked the beginning of the Christianization of the Frankish Kingdom. The chalice is made of silver and is regarded as a precious historical and religious artifact.

These chalices are not only valuable as historical and religious artifacts but also as symbols of faith, devotion, and the quest for spiritual understanding. They continue to inspire stories, legends, and scholarly inquiry, reflecting the enduring human fascination with sacred objects and their mysteries.

In conclusion, the symbolism of cups and chalices in esoteric arts is rich and multifaceted. In Tarot, they represent emotional and spiritual experiences, acting as vessels for the soul’s journey. In alchemy, chalices symbolize the containment and transformation of spiritual essence, with the Holy Grail representing the ultimate quest for enlightenment. In magical traditions, chalices are tools for ritual and ceremony, symbolizing the feminine divine and the receptivity of spiritual energy. Across these traditions, the cup or chalice serves as a powerful symbol of the human quest for understanding, transformation, and union with the divine.

What is your experience with cups, or chalices? Do you have a favourite one you use for special drinks? Rituals? Or a favourite cups card in Tarot? Post your comments below and share the post!!!

Video version here:

The Secret Meanings of Cups and Chalices in Esoteric Arts and Tarot

Interesting sources, additional info, images, credits, attributions and other points of views here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suit_of_cups

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Gra il

https://symbolopedia.com/chalice-symbolism -meaning

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-holy-chalice-of -valencia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanteos _Cup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reims_Cathedral

https://clasmerdin.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-chalice-of-dona-urraca-is-this-holy.htm l

Dona Urraca: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb-oIkbu3pE&t

Ardagh Chalice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCJEPLSNXNM

PICS:

https://pixabay.com/videos/fantasy-magic-book-mystic-magic-6964 2

https://pixabay.com/videos/lake-water-sunbeams-glitter-176 798

https://www.pexels.com/video/father-at-a-church-62 67388

https://www.pexels.com/video/hand-table-home-wine-403 8356

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Paintings_of_Saint_John_the_Evangelist_with_the_poisoned_chalice#/media/File:Memling_St_John_and_Veronica_Diptych_reverse_right.jpg

Posted on 08/27/202408/27/2024 by ALKEMYSTICA — Leave a comment

The Megalithic Fortress of Arwad – Syria

Arwad, an island city situated off the coast of Syria in the Mediterranean Sea, is renowned for its ancient megalithic fortress. A strategic stronghold which has withstood the ravages of time, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the architecture, cultural practices, and historical significance of ancient civilizations in the region.

Historical Background

Also known as Arvad in ancient texts, it was then named Árados in Greek, which was Latinized as Aradus. In Arabic, it became Arwad . It’s also known as Ruad Island.

It is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Syria and its origins date back to the Bronze Age, with the island being continuously inhabited since at least the 3rd millennium BCE. The fortress itself was constructed during the height of Arwad’s prominence, around the 1st millennium BCE, reflecting its strategic importance in ancient maritime trade and defense.

The island was settled in the 2nd millennium BC by the Phoenicians. Under their control, it became an independent kingdom probably called Jazirat (meaning “island”) or Aynook. The city has been cited as one of the first known examples of a republic in the world, in which the people, rather than a monarch, are described as sovereign.

It was a major city-state, and the Phoenicians, known for their seafaring prowess and commercial enterprises, established Arwad as a crucial port city. The island’s location, just off the Syrian coast, allowed it to control important maritime routes and engage in trade with various Mediterranean civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The fortress was built during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions and conflicts. The city-state faced threats from neighboring powers, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, and later the Macedonians and Romans. The fortress’s construction was thus a response to these external pressures and a testament to Arwad’s strategic military planning.

“The King of Arwad dwelt in the wide sea and fixed his dwelling like a fish in immeasurable waters.” –Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria-

Arwad apparently received the favor of the Seleucid Kings of Syria, and enjoyed the right of asylum for political refugees. Also, in some documents in connection with other cities and rulers of the near East, it is mentioned to show favor to the Jews.

This was after Rome had begun to interfere in the affairs of Judea and Syria, and indicates that Arwad was still of considerable importance at the time.

It formed an excellent base for the Phoenician commercial operations, into both the hinterland as far as the Euphrates, and also to Egypt. It was not until Roman times that the island declined, losing its commercial power to Antaradus (Ṭarṭus).

Tartus or Tartous with over 160,000 inhabitants is today the second most important town on the Syrian coast after Latakia. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, opposite Arwad Island.

Tartus was founded in antiquity as Antaradus (Anti-Aradus or the town facing Aradus), as a Phoenician colony of Arwad/Aradus. It was rebuilt in 346 AD by Emperor Constantine the I and flourished during Roman and Byzantine times. It became a major Christian stronghold and it is claimed to have the first chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

In the 12^th and 13^th century AD, Crusaders occupied Tartus, then known as Tortosa, converting it into a fortress-town, and successfully defending it against attacks. It finally fell to the Arabs, who razed the walls, in 1302.

In November 1300, Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and Amaury de Lusignan, Lord of Tyre, attempted to occupy the former Templar stronghold of Tortosa.

A force of 600 men, of which the Templars supplied about 150, failed to establish itself in the town, although they were able to leave a garrison of 120 men on the Island of Ruad (Arwad), just off the coast.

Nearly forty of these men were still in prison in Cairo, Egypt, years later, where according to a former Genoese fellow prisoner, they died of starvation, having refused an offer of many riches and goods in return for apostatizing.

Tortosa was the last stand the Templars had on the mainland of Syria towards Arwad, which they kept for another decade.

From the beginning of the Ottoman conquest, the town declined in importance until its port was rejuvenated in the 20th century.

Today, there is a Templar castle and an Arab castle, both dating from the 13th century, still to be seen on Arwad, which is now an entirely Arab island dependent for its livelihood on the fishing industry. Arwad can be reached by boat from Tartus.

Architectural Features

The megalithic fortress stands out due to its impressive and sophisticated architectural features. The term “megalithic” refers to the use of large stone blocks in construction, which is evident in its massive walls and defensive structures.

These walls, which are up to 12 meters (40 feet) high and 5 meters (16 feet) wide, were designed to withstand both sieges and assaults. They provided strength, but also durability, allowing the fortress to endure over millennia.

The walls were built using large, finely cut stone blocks, many of which are polygonal in shape. This construction method was highly advanced for its time and reflects the skill and sophistication of the builders. They were equipped with towers and bastions at strategic points. These towers provided elevated vantage points for defenders and allowed for effective surveillance and defense of the fortress.

The bastions were designed to enfilade enemy troops, creating a crossfire that was highly effective in repelling attacks.

The fortress had multiple gates, each fortified and protected by complex gatehouses. The main gate was particularly elaborate, featuring a series of defensive barriers and traps designed to slow down and confuse attackers. This gate was flanked by two massive towers, each with arrow slits and defensive platforms.

Within the walls, the internal layout was organized for both residential and military purposes. The fortress contained living quarters for the garrison, administrative buildings, and storage facilities.

The design of the internal spaces reflected a high degree of organization and functionality, ensuring that the fortress could support a prolonged siege, if necessary.

Strategic Importance

The strategic location of Arwad’s fortress was central to its historical significance. The island’s position in the Mediterranean Sea provided it with several key advantages.

Phoenician Influence

The island was a center of Phoenician culture, known for its shipbuilding and trade networks. Some of the inscriptions and artifacts found on the island provide insight into the Phoenician language and religious practices.

Maritime Control

Arwad’s location allowed it to control important maritime routes. The fortress overlooked the sea lanes used by merchant ships traveling between the eastern coasts and the wider Mediterranean region. By controlling these routes, Arwad could exert influence over trade and commerce, and secure its position as a major port city.

Defense Against Invasion

The fortress was strategically designed to defend against maritime and land-based invasions. Its elevated position on the island made it difficult for invaders to approach and launch a successful attack. The combination of thick walls, defensive towers, and the surrounding sea, created a formidable barrier that protected the city from numerous sieges and assaults.

Economic and Political Power

Arwad’s control over maritime trade routes contributed to its economic prosperity. The fortress not only defended the city but also symbolized its political and economic power. The presence of such a strong defensive structure indicated the city’s wealth and its ability to project power regionally and beyond.

Ancient Harbor

Arwad’s strategic position made it an important maritime hub in antiquity. The island has remnants of an ancient harbor system, which underscores its significance as a port city and its role in trade and military operations across the Mediterranean.

Historical Significance

Arwad played a significant role during various historical periods, including the Persian and Roman eras. It was often a point of contention and a strategic asset due to its location and fortifications.

Cultural Continuity

The island has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, and it has retained much of its ancient character. Even in modern times, the local population still engages in traditional practices that reflect the island’s long history.

Maritime Heritage

Arwad has a rich maritime history, with evidence of ancient shipbuilding techniques and naval activities. The presence of ancient shipyards and related infrastructure highlights its role in maritime trade and warfare.

These aspects of Arwad add depth to our understanding of its historical and cultural significance, making it a truly remarkable site with a rich heritage that extends beyond the well-known aspects of its megalithic fortifications.

The fortress holds significant historical value. It is a testament to the advanced engineering and architectural skills of ancient civilizations and reflects the broader cultural and political context of the time. Its design influenced subsequent fortifications in the region and contributed to the development of military architecture in the ancient Mediterranean world.

Excavations and studies of the fortress have provided important information about ancient construction techniques, defensive strategies, and the daily life of the inhabitants.

The insights gained from studying Arwad’s fortress contribute to our understanding of ancient civilizations, their military strategies, and their cultural practices.

As research and excavation continue, the fortress of Arwad will undoubtedly yield further revelations about its past and its impact on the ancient Mediterranean world.

What do you think about The Megalithic Fortress of Arwad and other Megalithic structures in the world? Let us know in the comment section below and share the post!!!

Video version here:

The Megalithic Fortress of Arwad – Syria

Interesting sources, additional info, images, credits, attributions and other points of views here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arwad

https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/January-2016/Arwad-Fortress-at-Sea

https://homsonline.com/EN/Citeis/Tartus.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Ruad

https://www.megalithicbuilders.com/asia/syria/arwad-arwad-wall

SOURCES:

Malcolm Barber, Trial of the Templars
Martin Bernal, Black Athena Writes Back (Durham: Duke University Press, 2001), 359.
Lawrence I Conrad, ‘The Conquest of Arwād: A Source-critical study in the historiography of the early medieval Near East’, in The Byzantine and early Islamic Near East: Papers of the First Workshop on Late Antiquity and Early Islam, edited by Averil Cameron and Lawrence I Conrad, Studies in late antiquity and early Islam, 1, vol. 1, Problems in the literary source material (Princeton: Darwin Press, 1992), 317–401.
Alain Demurger, The Last Templar
Hazlitt, The Classical Gazetteer, p.53.
Lebling, Robert W. 2016. “Arwad, Fortress at Sea”. Aramco World. January February 2016. Volume 67, no. 1. Pages 34–41.
Newman, Sharan (2006). Real History Behind the Templars. Berkley Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-425-21533-3.
Jean Richard, Les Croisades
Sylvia Schein, “Gesta Dei per Mongolos”
Dave Eggers, Zeitoun
Krahmalkov, Charles R (2000). Phoenician-Punic dictionary. Peeters Publishers.