The Power of Three in #Mythology

The idea of a triple deity or triad of goddesses has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.

Three is my favourite number, so I started to research a little bit about the number three and its connection to mythology, or more particularly, triple deities.

Triple deities appear throughout every layer of history, back to the very beginning of our current knowledge of ancient mythology, across cultural divides, from the Indus to Ireland.

Along with the number three, my fascination lies in the connections between them, from the ancient past and up to the nearer present.

A definition from Wikipedia:

A triple deity (sometimes referred to as threefold, Trinity, tripled, triplicate, tripartite, triune or triadic) is a deity associated with the number three.

Triadic (“forming a group of three”): a triad, three entities inter-related in some way (life, death, rebirth, for example, or triplet children of a deity) and always or usually associated with one another or appearing together.
Triune (“three-in-one, one-in-three”): a Trinity being with three aspects or manifestations.
Tripartite (“of triple parts”): a being with three body parts where there would normally be one (three heads, three pairs of arms, and so on)
Triplicate-associated: (“relating to three corresponding instances”) a being in association with a trio of things of the same nature which are symbolic or through which power is wielded (three magic birds, etc.)

Obviously, three-fold deities usually appear in three forms, however many of them acquired individual names and appearances of their own but were worshipped together in a group or as one single entity.

For example, a triad can correlate in some way with life, death, and rebirth, (or), birth, life, and death, but all are encompassed under one umbrella name.

Some examples from classical mythology and religious iconography who best represent these triads are: the Greek Moirai, the Charities, the Furies, and the Norse Norns. The Irish Morrigan also appears, but sometimes as one being, and at other times as three sisters, or even as crows.

There are a couple of single deities who consist of these three aspects such as the Greek Hecate who is often depicted in art with three faces, the most common interpretation is that her first face is the Maiden, the second the Mother, and the third is the Crone.

Sometimes Hecate is represented by the moon’s aspect of a waxing, full, and waning moon.

The Roman Diana is shown on the coin as a triple goddess.

In Norse mythology, the Norns spin the threads of fate. One can find them sitting at the foot of Yggdrasil, the tree of the world.

From the Poetic Edda we’re told: “Thence come the maidens mighty in wisdom, Three from the dwelling down ‘neath the tree.”

There are the three Greek Fates, Clotho, Lachesis & Atropos, who spin, draw out, & cut the thread of life. 🪡 🧵✂️

The Fates were the personifications of our life and destiny. They decide our life, lifespan, and its end. They control our past, present, and future. Sometimes they appear at our birth and choose our destiny at that point.

The Hours, by Edward Burne-Jones (1882) (cropped).

The Horae are personifications of nature in each seasonal aspect. 🌸

Ovid writes in his Metamorphoses about the Horae:

‘Here Spring appears with flowery chaplets bound.
Here Summer in her wheaten garland crown’d;
Here Autumn the rich trodden grapes besmear.
And hoary Winter shivers in the rear.

Orestes at Delphi, flanked by Athena, Pylades, & the Erinyes c. 330 BC.

It’s said the Furies, also known as the Erinyes, sprang forth from the spilled blood of Uranus when he was castrated by his son Cronus.

An oath in the Iliad invokes them as “the Erinyes, that under earth take vengeance on men, whosoever hath sworn a false oath” – One would not want to swear an oath invoking the Furies, only to break it at one’s peril!

In addition to all of the above three deity info, Carl Jung recognized that numbers are “symbols of the Self’s coming to consciousness.” He felt the first four numbers in particular symbolize different “phases of the journey of the Self, different expressions of its transformation, and considered the arrangement of deities into triplets an archetype of religion.”

In any case, I’ll be writing more about myths, archetypes and fairy tales here on my blog. It’s good to be back here again after a several month hiatus. 🙂

In the meantime I’ve been writing my book, practicing self-care, and doing some much needed work around our house, all creative ways to take my mind off of plagues, war, and other horrible happenings we’re all faced with these days.

In light of that, I’d just like sign off saying that I stand with Ukraine. I do hope & wish, like everyone, a positive conclusion to the unprovoked Russian aggression they’re currently faced with.

Wishing everyone happier days ahead. – Thanks, Karen

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Triple_deities

Jung on Numbers

https://www.cngcoins.com/

https://nigelborrington.com/2015/05/28/the-number-three-in-pagan-mythology-triple-deity-sculpture/

Crocus flower- myth and sentiment

Crocus (Krokos), once a beautiful mortal youth who loved a nymph named Smilax, let his impatience get the better of him, (unrequited love?) ultimately angering the gods. They turned him into a spring blossom.

It seems he didn’t learn his lesson re: impatience. A win for us as the purple, white, or yellow flower he encompasses still hurries, not for nymphs, but to be one of the first blossoms to greet the spring among melting snow.

There’s another version of the Crocus myth which involves Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Said to be lovers, and while participating in athletic games together, a discus thrown by Hermes hit Crocus upon the head, killing him instantly. Hermes, grief-stricken, transformed his lover into the spring flower we all know and love.

In any case, myth or not, it is a sight for sore eyes to see these lovely, seemingly delicate but not, flowers bloom after a long winter.

References:

– The language and sentiment of flowers : with floral records and selected poetry and original illustrations printed in colours by Valentine, L. (Laura)

– Ovid’s Metamorphoses, trans. by Brookes More, 1922

Wordless Wednesday Wildlife – Pine Grosbeaks

March: In like a lion, I’d say. But, houseplants keep me sane.

You know that old proverb, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.”

I suppose that’s especially true here in Ontario because March straddles winter and spring.

It tends to offer harsh or inclement weather, exactly like the kind of snow squalls we’re experiencing today.

This is what I’d call a lion! Unpleasant weather in the beginning of the month.

As the saying goes on to state, it’s then supposed to become milder and more palatable weather by the end of March. I’ll believe it when I see it. 😉

In the meantime I’ve been fussing over my houseplants. I get to this point in winter where the season has lost its charm. The snow’s not pretty any longer, and I’m sick of shovelling.

More importantly, there’s too much of it on top of my garden, which makes me think I won’t be outside walking around barefoot anytime soon! Likely mid-May.

But back to the houseplants, I have more than many, and less than some.

When I closed my business I scaled back on the amount of greenery around the house, which is a good thing in hindsight, considering there’s only so many spots for plants, but I’m not above buying another, or accepting a cutting from a friend.

The plants I’ve kept are getting me through winter. Especially this winter!

They take my mind off of the pandemic and help to keep my focus on being a nurturer of sorts, instead of paying too much attention to things in the outside world that I cannot change.

Winter can be bleak and dark and monochromatic, which means I long for the greenery and lush scenery of spring and summer. Isn’t it just good for the soul to drink in nature? Winter means less drinking for us, but for plants, ironically it means more.

I take each of my plants to the sink. I water them until they can’t absorb another drop. That way the whole root ball gets a drink, meaning healthier plants. It takes a bit more time, but I’ve got that in spades right now til I’m back at work.

In winter, with the oil furnace blasting dry heat, I find plants dry out much more quickly than they do in the summer when there’s more humidity in the air.

The sun is also lower in the sky right now, so more sunlight comes in the windows, that is when the sun isn’t hiding behind snow-laden clouds.

Some of my larger plants like the amaryllis get a trip to the bathtub.

I give them a big drink and let them drain out so as not to have a mess on the table where they normally live.

That way too, I can mist the foliage and give them a chance to feel like they’re in their natural habitat once in a while, instead of my very dry winter house.

Though all the plants seem to thank me for the good care I offer as they continue to thrive in this completely alien environment in which they find themselves, some will even offer gratitude in the form of a flower. Then I know I’ve done right by them and enjoy the blooms of winter, which are possibly more precious than the perennial flowers whose blooms I’ve come to expect each year out in the garden.

I can’t imagine a house with out houseplants. Even just a pot of herbs for cooking. Basil will thrive in a bit of sunlight and you can pinch some to offer fresh flavour all year long.

And seriously, not having at least one plant would be akin to not having art on one’s walls! Boring, flat and without personality. Their life adds depth to ours. They help clean the air and offer a way to excercise our need to nurture something. 🙂

In closing, I’d love to hear about your houseplants.

I’m also happy to help with any questions on how yours can thrive too, if they happen to seem a little sad this time of year and you’re not sure what to do.

With the March lion out there today, I’m not surprised if some plants aren’t beside themselves jumping for joy. 😉 But this too shall pass… In the meantime, stay safe & warm, everyone.

Happy indoor gardening, for now!

Musings on human nature and life before Facebook

A few weeks ago I accepted a friend request on Facebook from a person I haven’t seen in over 30 years. I hesitated in doing so wondering, do I really want to go there?

However, I did notice he’d become ‘friends’ with a few people I know and like, so against my better judgement I thought why not? I accepted.

My hesitation really got me thinking. Why did I hesitate?

One conclusion I came to may have to do with my age and the pre-internet & Facebook world in which I grew up.

Back then it was normal for some people to melt away out of one’s life. Once one left school, pursued careers, got married, moved away, or whatever, some people were never to be heard from again, and quite frankly in some cases, was that such a bad thing?

However, in today’s social media world it’s a different story. We share photos of our trips, meals, kids, cars, cute animal photos, (gardens mostly in my case), with people, some of which if we were to be completely honest, we wouldn’t cross the street for to say hello.

I think many of us, especially bloggers and writers do have something to say because we honestly want to share knowledge in the hope that it may be of some benefit to others. But is that what we do on Facebook? Is it something else?

There is an insidious side to social media. It isn’t written about nearly enough, especially given the fact that it plays such an important part in millions of people’s lives. When you think about it, social media could be a character in a book.

To further that, I’d be willing to bet (without proof I admit, but with some knowledge of human nature, as I’ve always been keen on what makes people tick) that the majority of people on social media, Facebook in particular, are ‘friends’ with people who they do not actually consider to be a real friend, for whatever reason, be they a boss, a colleague, an in-law, some toxic person from their past, or whatever the case may be.

Sharing one’s life in pictures and posts seems innocuous enough, and it’s great to keep in touch with family or anyone considered a real friend, who lives near or far away.

I can happily state that I’ve made real friends here in cyber space, mainly through blogging, with many people. Without the internet age I’d never have met them & I’m grateful for that.

But there are also those people who are called ‘frenemies’. They’ll never ‘like’ your post or pictures, and may only ‘friends’ out of curiosity, or to keep an eye on what you’re doing if they see you as a rival, or they may need your help with something down the road. I put as much effort in to avoiding people like that as I do Covid.

But that aside, social media and blogging too, has also become a marvellous way to learn about and witness the good in our society.

It has also opened our eyes, especially to an under-belly that hasn’t been exposed, or much up until the last 10 years. We’re much more informed about the many atrocities happening out there, that lets face it, the information that privileged, white-owned, mainstream media doesn’t often divulge.

With that in mind, my post and point of being back in contact with a guy with whom I may have known long ago in our teens seems trivial, but perhaps not.

I mean, Facebook, if you enjoy the absurdities in life like I do, has turned into one never-ending home movie. A lot of people take & offer all kinds of selfies, which when you think about it, is just a sad grab for attention. It’s the classic narcissistic elephant in the room.

Is anyone really interested in seeing someone’s pet rock, new socks, or their pizza dinner? So I have to ask… Did anyone really want to go to someone’s house for dinner (back in the 70’s) knowing the evening would be capped off by watching home movies where someone’s Aunt Mabel is on a trip in the 1950s visiting piles of stones with historic plaques on them?

I doubt it.

As a Gen X, according to people who create these labels, back then, and even before my time, it was the thing to do. However, I remember my parents joking about home movies and how they wished they could make up an excuse to get out of going to one of these evenings. I’m talking about reel-to-reel days, when home movies were a real cliché in society. People like my parents actually lived it and made fun of it.

So, has Facebook become that ‘home movie’ everyone dreads but still reluctantly participates in!? It’s a different age but I’d still argue that the more things change, the more things stay the same.

But in this age, things are a little different when you consider the fact that many are addicted to social media and to attention-getting. Maybe this is in part because perhaps we’re a little afraid of being left out.

And why is that? Is it because people share their newly acquired trinkets online leading others who see them to say, “Gee I wish I had that..”

Is Facebook now the lens through which an acquaintance, or frenemy from long ago, can view us, (or us them), decades later, so egos can feel good about where they ended up, and prove it with pictures smugly showing success?

Not in all cases of course, but it does mean those people who we would have normally have lost touch with in ‘real life’ can now witness how wonderful our lives are, or we can witness theirs, and without them actually being a part of it. Not everyone is like that I know, but we all know some people who are exactly of that mindset.

There are people who really over-share their life online. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I see a lot of this online and it’s called ‘too much information’.

Has Facebook, and Twitter too, also ironically created this selfish society, full of raging people hiding behind keyboards writing viscous things to someone they don’t even know, and who wouldn’t have the courage to say such things to face-to face?

Further to that, isn’t that a big part of the problem in today’s world, this look-at-me selfie society in combination with a lack knowing how to think instead of being told what to think? Just look at the Kardashians for an example. I don’t get it, but millions do.

What I do get is that in many ways social media has created some of those monsters in society, (for example, the people who attacked the Capitol building in Washington), in addition to it becoming a mirror that at the same time reflects them? It has offered up an outlet for those people’s anger and a pipeline for connecting them. That’s some serious irony.

Wise old owl?

But, purely speaking from the perspective of a happily married, middle-aged woman, I may sound a little smug to some, and truly don’t mean to. I have no pretense about myself at the age I’ve been lucky enough to arrive at.

With grey hair & things aren’t that firm any longer, I’ve done/seen things, and have known people in life that have lead me to believe that at this point in the game, I’ve nothing left to prove to anyone except myself.

I’m awfully grateful for these life-lessons, both good and bad. I’m grateful to have a little less ignorance about human nature, with some credit given to social media, not just from narcissists, but from the many people in our society/world who are suffering for so many unjust reasons. A post for another time, and I digress.

All of the above thoughts take me back to that person who requested we be ‘friends’ on Facebook, a few weeks ago. It turns out my original hesitation to accept his invitation was correct. Always go with your gut feeling!

I can’t say for sure if he thought I’ve been waiting around for him these last three decades, but whatever the case may be, he very quickly started sending me messages with innuendos, along with (what I’m going to call) ‘bathroom selfies’.

Bathroom selfies are the kind one takes, (I suppose), in front of the bathroom mirror with one’s cell phone, (which incidentally is something I don’t own), and it’s that photo he chose to send me on Facebook.

In addition to the photo, he wanted me to comment on how good his body still looks! I mean, come on, lol. Some of you are experiencing an eye-roll right now. 😉

Essentially, he was trolling for compliments. What an ego! I found it so absurd and ridiculous on so many levels, especially considering my age that I was glad he couldn’t hear me laugh out loud, which is what I did after being somewhat taken aback by that kind of communication. I mean, talk about cliches!

I should have unfriended him right then and there, but decided to play nice. Here’s a life lesson. Just block them. But I didn’t, so I wrote back, not really believing I could appeal to his better nature but willing to try. It turns out this guy hasn’t changed after all these years & doesn’t have a better nature. Same old same old.

Suffice to say I replied to his silly message stating that I was happily married, and not sure why he sent this, thanks but no thanks, and please don’t send me anymore photos.

That didn’t go over well. He wrote back telling me to get over myself, that I was too high-and-mighty, & who the hell did I think I was? Also, I couldn’t take a joke, yadda yadda yadda. Then he unceremoniously unfriended me, which actually saved me the trouble! 🙂

Pure victim-blaming from a guy who didn’t get the reaction or coddling he wanted.

If I don’t want to view his bathroom selfies or compliment him on them, then there must be something wrong with me, right?

Wrong!

Not exactly a #Me-too moment, (which like many women, I have actually experienced in my life), but certainly this guy with a toxic personality to match, or lack-there-of, hasn’t matured a bit since the 1980s. (Meow is what my Mother would say to that, ha ha).

But, I did however show the photos to my husband, and yes we had a good laugh! Yes, we laughed at that guy’s expense and I don’t feel one bit of remorse, even tho’ I’m actually a nice person, and it was a snarky thing to do. Still, I’m not apologizing for that. 🙂

And, I’m not on this earth to appease some guy from the past’s a fragile sense or over-blown of self. Sorry, not sorry. And like I said, it’s these absurdities where one can find the most humour in life.

These days I’m not on Facebook very often, tho’ I’ve not completely cut the cord because like I said, with family across the pond & a few far-flung friends, I like keeping the lines of communication available. For that end I’ll stay, for now.

In closing, I do hope if anyone out there is reading this, & is wondering whether or not to accept some ‘friend’ request from a person like I’ve just described, listen to your inner voice or gut feeling. Or, if some toxic person is trolling, bullying, or over-sharing, do feel justified to un-friend or even block. Given the opportunity, these people do not add to anyone’s quality of life.