Comments for Elhaz Ablaze http://www.elhazablaze.com Elhaz Ablaze: Chaos Heathenism on the Web Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:28:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Review: Runic Amulets & Magic Objects (Mindy MacLeod & Bernard Mees) by Von den Vielen Raben http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/review-runic-amulets-magic-objects-mindy-macleod-bernard-mees/comment-page-1/#comment-515 Von den Vielen Raben Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:28:07 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1026#comment-515 Opinions are divided as to whether the Etruscans were indigenous to Italy or migrants from northwest Anatolia. Their alphabets were non-Indo-European and were adopted from another source, and there is no conclusive opinion on it. The Greek alphabets had a Phoenician source even though the Greek language itself was Indo-European in origin. Things are not so sure with the Etruscan alphabets. Their visual resemblance to the Orkhon script is interesting. Opinions are divided as to whether the Etruscans were indigenous to Italy or migrants from northwest Anatolia. Their alphabets were non-Indo-European and were adopted from another source, and there is no conclusive opinion on it. The Greek alphabets had a Phoenician source even though the Greek language itself was Indo-European in origin. Things are not so sure with the Etruscan alphabets. Their visual resemblance to the Orkhon script is interesting.

]]> Comment on Reflections from the Tree by Von den Vielen Raben http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/reflections-from-the-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-513 Von den Vielen Raben Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:03:05 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1015#comment-513 And the integrity involves transformation and evolution, as the telling of the story of every people on earth has shown over the millennia - the branches of the World Tree keep multiplying and growing longer. On the mystical level, Loki is one of the agents of this transformation: his recurrent subversions of the high and low under the noses of the gods reveal his truly Hermetic character. Loki is the emblem of alchemy in the Norse tradition, in my view. And the integrity involves transformation and evolution, as the telling of the story of every people on earth has shown over the millennia – the branches of the World Tree keep multiplying and growing longer.

On the mystical level, Loki is one of the agents of this transformation: his recurrent subversions of the high and low under the noses of the gods reveal his truly Hermetic character. Loki is the emblem of alchemy in the Norse tradition, in my view.

]]> Comment on Aum Wotan by Matt http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/aum-wotan/comment-page-1/#comment-512 Matt Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:35:17 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1008#comment-512 And just btw: yes, synchronicity! :-) And just btw: yes, synchronicity! :-)

]]> Comment on Reflections from the Tree by Henry http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/reflections-from-the-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-510 Henry Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:58:47 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1015#comment-510 I think your musical reference is especially apt. As a bassist I've been free to explore music from so many genres and cultures: metal, folk, progressive rock, middle-eastern, hip hop, experimental, funk, jazz, African, even Indian influences - mostly experienced in the context of fusion groups (electric bass is one of those rare instruments that seems to make sense in almost any musical context if well used). Music needs strict form, but it becomes malnourished and insipid if those forms do not periodically fuse, diverge, and cross-pollinate. Music is an excellent symbol for culture in general - part of the rationale for Chaos Heathenism - that a straighforward attempt to "preserve" cultural heritage without change (a total anachronism, by the way) runs the risk of destroying that heritage by rendering it lifeless, if not a self-parody...so therefore let's celebrate the unique gifts of the spiritual heritage of Northern Europe by being open-minded and even a touch polymorphic! There is a film about Spanish music called <em>Vengo</em> which opens with the most amazing musical exchange between Moorish and flamenco players. Truly beautiful to watch as these icons of cultural specificity naturally and easily communicate and celebrate creativity...without being lost in the process, either. Form and spirit are not enemies unless they are perverted. Interconnection and exchange often strengthen the integrity of the cultural forms involved. I think your musical reference is especially apt. As a bassist I’ve been free to explore music from so many genres and cultures: metal, folk, progressive rock, middle-eastern, hip hop, experimental, funk, jazz, African, even Indian influences – mostly experienced in the context of fusion groups (electric bass is one of those rare instruments that seems to make sense in almost any musical context if well used). Music needs strict form, but it becomes malnourished and insipid if those forms do not periodically fuse, diverge, and cross-pollinate.

Music is an excellent symbol for culture in general – part of the rationale for Chaos Heathenism – that a straighforward attempt to “preserve” cultural heritage without change (a total anachronism, by the way) runs the risk of destroying that heritage by rendering it lifeless, if not a self-parody…so therefore let’s celebrate the unique gifts of the spiritual heritage of Northern Europe by being open-minded and even a touch polymorphic!

There is a film about Spanish music called Vengo which opens with the most amazing musical exchange between Moorish and flamenco players. Truly beautiful to watch as these icons of cultural specificity naturally and easily communicate and celebrate creativity…without being lost in the process, either. Form and spirit are not enemies unless they are perverted. Interconnection and exchange often strengthen the integrity of the cultural forms involved.

]]> Comment on Reflections from the Tree by Von den Vielen Raben http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/reflections-from-the-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-509 Von den Vielen Raben Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:56:17 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1015#comment-509 Indeed the mystics can laugh together, dance together, break bread together - or even play a musical instrument or two together. The possibilities of spiritual resonance are endless. Indeed the mystics can laugh together, dance together, break bread together – or even play a musical instrument or two together. The possibilities of spiritual resonance are endless.

]]> Comment on Reflections from the Tree by Matt http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/reflections-from-the-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-508 Matt Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:25:15 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1015#comment-508 Absolutely. And then again, there are military mystics! Absolutely.

And then again, there are military mystics!

]]> Comment on Aum Wotan by Matt http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/aum-wotan/comment-page-1/#comment-507 Matt Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:20:57 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1008#comment-507 Listen to this (I've been there). He's a Odin's Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs7-qKcJHNo Listen to this (I’ve been there). He’s a Odin’s Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs7-qKcJHNo

]]> Comment on Reflections from the Tree by Clint http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/reflections-from-the-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-504 Clint Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:35:06 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1015#comment-504 It's been noted more than once that soldiers tend to have more in common with their enemies (no matter how foreign) than with the polititians who command them or the people they're supposed to be protecting. I expect the same is true of mystics. Two mystics of very different origins will probably get along much better than a mystic and a fundamentalist of similar background. It’s been noted more than once that soldiers tend to have more in common with their enemies (no matter how foreign) than with the polititians who command them or the people they’re supposed to be protecting.

I expect the same is true of mystics. Two mystics of very different origins will probably get along much better than a mystic and a fundamentalist of similar background.

]]> Comment on Aum Wotan by Clint http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/aum-wotan/comment-page-1/#comment-503 Clint Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:27:35 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1008#comment-503 I thought you might like that line. My best friend from high school had a very Loki-like personality. Odin and Loki always remind me of myself and Matt. (Synchronicity?) That's a great poem. I've never listened to Ian Read's music, but I might have to hunt some up now. I thought you might like that line.

My best friend from high school had a very Loki-like personality. Odin and Loki always remind me of myself and Matt. (Synchronicity?)

That’s a great poem. I’ve never listened to Ian Read’s music, but I might have to hunt some up now.

]]> Comment on Reflections from the Tree by Von den Vielen Raben http://www.elhazablaze.com/2010/03/reflections-from-the-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-500 Von den Vielen Raben Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:32:48 +0000 http://www.elhazablaze.com/?p=1015#comment-500 Like they say in Zen, a moment of satori! Like they say in Zen, a moment of satori!

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