#initiation rites

[whats-in-a-sentence]

Men and women carried initiation scars across their chests and painted their bodies with ochre. The men plucked their beards and stuck feathers in their hair. They were renowned fighters and musicians.

"Killing for Country: A Family History" - David Marr

[painterontheblood]

Menstrual cycle

[...]

The theme of submission as an essential attitude toward promotion of the successful initiation rite can be clearly seen in the case of girls or women. Their rite of passage initially emphasizes their essential passivity, and this is reinforced by the psychological limitation on their autonomy imposed by the menstrual cycle. It has been suggested that the menstrual cycle may actually be the major part of initiation from a woman’s point of view, since it has the power to awaken the deepest sense of obedience to life’s creative power over her. Thus she willingly gives herself to her womanly function, much as a man gives himself to his assigned role in the community life of his group.

[...]

--Joseph Henderson en "Man and his symbols"

[thea-in-the-abbey]

“I have carried Her light across the lands. That which is built with these hands will last for generations. Nothing set or spoken against me can tarnish the Mothers blessing. All plague and darkened arrows are adverted from my brow that I may know good health all my days. My purpose is tempered with the beat of the Mother's drum. I have been led up the mountain path.”

-Excerpt from "Lustration Rite to Kybele," written by: Thea/ Chthonia

[idjits-areus]

Jack: "You mean dying and coming back to life."

Castiel: "Yeah, we've all been through it. It's something of a rite of passage around here."

__________________________________________________________

This goes to show just how permanent death is such a nonexistent thing in this show. Cas literally calls it a 'rite of passage' like a child becoming an adult.

I can just see Cas going:

"Yeah, we've all been through it. Sam's died roughly 5 times. If we're counting Gabriel's 'stop the codependency' attempt, then Dean's at roughly 105. If not, then Dean's at like 7 deaths. As for me, I'm at roughly 4."

Then Jack just looking at Cas with awe and admiration, wondering if he'll die and revive that much too. The kid's actually excited about it.

Also, dying then reviving is your initiation into the Winchester family. Congratulations Jack, you passed with flying colors.

[catilinas]

go in the girard tag. in the girard tag? go in the girard tag

[tallshps]

hey Locked Tomb tumblr I think I uncovered a very obscure but very funny layer to John Gaius and his particular branch of religion

Mithraea (singular: Mithraeum) were classical Roman temples, underground (usually part of natural caves!), and dedicated to the worship of the god Mithras. Most obvious connection here is the cult of Mithras dealing with the travelling of the soul through the body and into the universe; connections to water, the sun and cosmos, etc. The cult of Mithras had some clashing with early Christianity too but I need to get back on topic

I’m talking about what’s always depicted in fresco or relief in Mithraea: him killing a bull

John.... this motherfucker is Mithras Tauroctonos ??? Mithras the bull-slayer. Did you know cows watch sunsets? 

[a-h-mad-hish]

“The majority of initiatory ordeals more or less clearly imply a ritual death followed by resurrection or a new birth. The central moment of every initiation is represented by the ceremony symbolizing the death of the novice and his return to the fellowship of the living. But he returns to life a new man, assuming another mode of being. Initiatory death signifies the end at once of childhood, ignorance, and the profane condition.”

― Mircea Eliade, Rites and Symbols of Initiation: The Mysteries of Birth and Rebirth

[vihola]

How do I get over this

[duskspring]

In case anyone else was curious, I compared the facepaint of the Rite Here Rite Now poster skeletons to that off all previous Papas and there’s no match.

At first I thought maybe this meant they were all the Papas that came before that, but since all the skeletons’ paint is the exact same I think they represent something/-one new in and of itself (like the concept of DEATH)

[Photo credit in order; Rite Here Rite Now poster, Marco Manzi Photography, Tim Monsenfelder, Steve Jennings, Dance Macabre video clip]

[jellojolteon]

It is SO fucking stupid that immediately after you go to the doctors and you're called in that they bustle you into a room and IMMEDIATELY take your blood pressure. Like let's ignore the part where I have white coat syndrome/anxiety for a moment here because you look at nearly ANY resource on taking blood pressure and they'll tell you:

Sit quietly for at least 20 minutes

Keep your arm where the cuff goes at heart level

Meanwhile. Mean-FUCKIN-WHILE! You are in the DOCTOR'S office! And they immediately take it and chances are you're sitting in one of their uncomfortable-ass chairs with your arm sorta halfheartedly resting on your lap and then they have the GALL to tell you "oh your blood pressure is high!" Like NO FUCKING SHIT! It'd be one thing if there was like. A way to compensate for how high it is when they measure it under HORRIBLE conditions but I do NOT get the impression that this concession is made.

And I! I started taking my blood pressure at home because I had this happen and I was getting like 135/90! I am 27 and in reasonably good health! Granted I am predisposed to hypertension (my parents gave me one of their cuffs) and very stressed usually but!

I just took. My blood pressure at home

Sitting on the couch after playing Zelda for a bit, showered, nearly ready to turn in

100/71.

Hell, I'll be honest: this is a new place for me to take it— usually I'm at my kitchen table. Even there, it's like 115/78 or so on average.

??????????????????

[arx-aru]

major problem with sote is that the npcs don't end every other line with a creepy laugh

it was. demonstrably vital to redditbros' ability to fathom the idea of somebody lying to them.

[glueboy-19]

have nothing better to do so i'm listening to ghosts discography from start to finish to prepare for ghouvie yippee

[alethiometry]

my kingdom for an ac/hdm crossover

[mahgnib]

Bundu helmet mask, worn in a women’s initiation ceremony, Sierra Leone

[ty-bayonet-betteridge]

hey tumblr natives this is a bot right. i should block them. right

[a-h-mad-hish]

“The majority of initiatory ordeals more or less clearly imply a ritual death followed by resurrection or a new birth. The central moment of every initiation is represented by the ceremony symbolizing the death of the novice and his return to the fellowship of the living. But he returns to life a new man, assuming another mode of being. Initiatory death signifies the end at once of childhood, ignorance, and the profane condition.”

― Mircea Eliade, Rites and Symbols of Initiation: The Mysteries of Birth and Rebirth