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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt Four

2012-03-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt

"Keep your temper, Bestla," replied the other, easily parrying the attempted dodge. "A dispassionate defender will oft-times unnerve even the most determined opponent."

Mind casting requires deep concentration, and AraBestla, chose to interpret Bellina's speaking aloud as praise. Her tone held no-small-note of ill-concealed gloating as she replied with the silent tongue. "At least dear Bellina, my skill has grown such that you must concentrate on the job at hand in order to appear so damnably casual!"

"And that my dear one, is your third mistake!"

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Excerpt

Teresa Thomas Bohannon

Full Novel Available From Amazon

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Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop

2012-02-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

My Brand New Paranormal Romance

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A Little Book Of Fairy Lore
Athena Queen of Storm and Air
Before There Were Ewoks, There Was: H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy
Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children
Georgette Heyer's The Black Moth

Musical Jigsaw Puzzles
A Hand Shadows Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Fairy Flight Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Happy In Fairyland Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
A Knight and His Lady Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt Three

2012-02-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt

Altharthan's calloused hand pressed a spray of bruises deep into the flesh of AraBestla's right arm, and her eyes burned with a hatred that managed to chill even the depths of his black-hearted soul.

“And if, despite all I can do, she dies still?”

His dark eyes cast nervously over to the massively posted bed of ebony, the trapping of a king, hung like a sultan's tent with embroidered silk drapery. A woman—always pale and wane, but now even more so—lay upon the bed, racked with deep pain, miserably bloated with a large child who would not come of its own will. She bled, and burned with fever. Yet too, she shivered with a bone-chilling cold that defeated even the searing heat of the copper brazier near her bedside, and the heaping mantle of rich furs that embraced her.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Excerpt

Teresa Thomas Bohannon

Full Novel Available From Amazon

Kindle

Large Print Paperback.

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents -Young Adult Paranormal Activity

2012-02-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

My Brand New Paranormal Romance

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Has Just Been Released

And To Celebrate

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by...

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Or
Our Book Trailer Video On You Tube

Books In PDF format
A Little Book Of Fairy Lore
Athena Queen of Storm and Air
Before There Were Ewoks, There Was: H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy
Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children
Georgette Heyer's The Black Moth
A Book Of Wise Sayings
Fairy Tales Of India

Musical Jigsaw Puzzles
A Hand Shadows Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Fairy Flight Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Happy In Fairyland Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
A Knight and His Lady Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Shadows In A Timeless Myth Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

The Gifts Are All Free

However, If you would like to enter to win a

PDF copy of my old-fashioned Regency Romance
A Very Merry Chase
with a personalized inscription,

please leave a comment below telling me what number you were when you

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Shadows In A Timeless Myth
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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Druid Priestesses

2012-02-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

Ques. Who were the Druidesses?

Ans. They were prophetesses or sorceresses, most generally wives or daughters of the Druids, who exercised an unbounded influence over the people. They were supposed to read the future, to conjure tempests, and appease them again at will. The Gallic mariner often went to consult them amid the reefs of the Armorican coast, and trembled with superstitious awe as he saw them gliding like phantoms among the misty crags, waving flaming torches, and mingling their wild chants with the voices of wind and sea. Some of these sorceresses were obliged to assist at nocturnal rites, where, with their bodies painted black, and their hair disheveled, they joined in a frantic dance, and abandoned themselves to the wildest transports of frenzy. A peculiar rite was practiced by the Druidesses who resided in an island at the mouth of the Loire. They were obliged once every year, between sunrise and sunset, to demolish and rebuild the roof of their rustic temple. If any of their number should let fall the least part of the sacred material, her fate was sealed. She was torn to pieces by her companions, amid paroxysms of wild frenzy which recalled to the Greeks the orgies of their own Bacchantes. It is said that no year passed without a victim.

The nine virgin priestesses who dwelt on the island of Sena, an almost inaccessible rock off the promontory of Plogoff, on the coast of Brittany, were regarded with particular veneration, and constituted, perhaps, the highest religious authority among the ancient Gauls. There was a class of Druidesses in Gaul and Germany, who, in addition to practices of sorcery and incantation, presided at fearful rites. Strabo tells us that when the Cimbri had taken prisoners of war, they were offered in sacrifice by these terrible women. The chief Druidess, standing by a rude stone altar, received the victim dragged thither by her companions. She plunged her knife into his heart, and watched carefully to obtain an omen, according as the blood should flow more or less rapidly. This ceremony was repeated with other victims until the augury was deemed decisive. The superstitions with regard to witches and their nocturnal revels, which prevailed so long in Europe, originated, no doubt, from popular traditions concerning these sorceresses.

In Ireland, they do not appear to have played either so terrible or so important a part. We only know that at Tara, certain virgins of royal blood were consecrated to Baal and Samhain, (the moon,) and watched the perpetual fire which burned on their altars. In one of the civil wars so common in the island, a chief of Leinster destroyed this sanctuary and massacred its inmates. The entire country united to punish the perpetrators of this sacrilege; they were put to death, and a perpetual fine was imposed on the province of Leinster.

Ques. What sacrifices were offered by the Druids?

Ans. In time of peace, fruits and cattle; in war, human sacrifices were preferred.

Ques. How were the victims chosen?

Ans. They were generally captives taken in war, slaves or criminals. In some cases, warriors and others devoted themselves voluntarily to the altar, either to propitiate the gods, and obtain victory for their people, or because they were weary of life, and desired to hasten the moment of transmigration. These acts of self-immolation were esteemed exceedingly meritorious. Cæsar supposes Teu´tates to be the same with Dis or Pluto; but in the mythology of the Gauls, there were no infernal regions, and consequently, there was no Pluto. The soul passed into another body, and the transmigration was happy, or the contrary, as the actions performed during its last state of existence had been good or evil.
According to the Druids, death was but the central point of a long life.

Ques. What was the usual mode of sacrifice?

Ans. Victims offered to Baal were always burned. On important occasions, a great number were enclosed in a huge frame of wicker work in which they were consumed together. In offerings to other gods, different rites were observed.

These remarks apply chiefly to Gaul, Germany and Britain. Human sacrifices were rare in Ireland.

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Teresa
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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Scandinavian Elves

2012-02-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Elves.

Ques. Who were the Elves?

Ans. They were beautiful spirits, clothed in transparent and delicate garments. They loved the light, and were kindly disposed to mankind. The country of the Elves was called Alfheim, and was the domain of Freyr, the god of the sun, in whose light they were always sporting.

Ques. Were all the fairies equally beneficent?

Ans. No; the Night Elves, also called Gnomes, and sometimes Brownies, were at times exceedingly malicious. They were ugly, long-nosed dwarfs of a dark brown complexion, and were never seen except at night, because the sun’s rays had the power of changing them into stones.

Ques. Where did these dwell?

Ans. The Gnomes dwelt in mountain caverns and the clefts of rocks. They were particularly distinguished for their knowledge of the mysterious powers of nature. They were also skillful workers in wood and metal, and were acquainted with the secret stores of gold and silver which the gods had hidden in the earth. Many stories are related of their malicious pranks; but they sometimes favored the poor and friendless in an unexpected manner.

The principal works of the Gnomes were Thor’s hammer, and the ship Skidbladnir. This vessel was so wonderfully wrought, that while it was large enough to carry all the deities with their war and household implements, it could be folded together so small as to be carried in the hand.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Scandinavian Valkyrie

2012-02-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

THE VALKYRIOR.

Ques. Who are the Valkyrior?

Ans. According to the Scandinavian tradition, they are warlike virgins, the messengers of Odin, and their name signifies “Choosers of the slain.” Odin is desirous of collecting a great many heroes in Valhalla, that he may be able to meet the giants in the final contest at the end of the world. He sends the Valkyrior, therefore, to every battle field to make choice of those who shall be slain. When they ride forth on their errand, mounted upon war steeds and in full armor, their shields and helmets shed a strange flickering light, which flashes up over the northern skies, and is called by men, “Aurora Borealis,” or “Northern Lights.”

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Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt Two

2012-02-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt

For hours on end, Bellina lay where she had fallen—her body in both appearance and reality as fragile-gray and impossibly ancient as her years. Her mind was no better—lost in a broken and deranged trance...unheeding, unconcerned, uncaring.

On the floor beside her—the man whose body she had held in her arms and intimately known as Maric—bled out into a crimson pool that seeped across the floor. The wolf's body, scorched, smoked, seared and burnt on the fire, filled the air with an almost unholy stench. Neither held any value for her any longer—FenMaric was gone, and those fallen companions were to her, naught but empty shells where her beloved's essence had once sheltered.

AraBestla lay across the room too broken to move, too damaged to speak, too weak and too ashamed to even cast a thought.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Excerpt

Teresa Thomas Bohannon

Full Novel Available From Amazon

Kindle

Large Print Paperback.

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway

2012-02-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

My Brand New Paranormal Romance

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Has Just Been Released

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I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by...

If you would like to say Thank You In Return...

Please Like Shadows In A Timeless Myth On Amazon

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Our Book Trailer Video On You Tube

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However, If you would like to enter to win a

PDF copy of my old-fashioned Regency Romance
A Very Merry Chase
with a personalized inscription,

please leave a comment below telling me what number you were when you

Liked
Shadows In A Timeless Myth
On Amazon.

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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents Astaroth: Assyrian Goddess

2012-02-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Ques. Who was Astaroth?

Ans. This goddess, called by the Greeks Astarte, represented the moon, in the same manner as Baal was held to be identical with the sun. The Hebrews always connected the worship of these two divinities. According to Cicero, Astarte was the Syrian Venus, and it is certain that in her worship, and the festivals celebrated in her honor, there is some foundation for this idea. Where human sacrifices were offered to Baal, wheaten cakes, wine and perfumes were laid upon the altar of Astaroth.

Notwithstanding these more innocent offerings, her worship was rendered infamous by the license which prevailed during these festivals, and the open immorality practiced by her votaries.

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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Oracle at Delphi

2012-02-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

Ques. What does Diodorus tell us concerning the oracle at Delphi?

Ans. This historian relates that a shepherd, while feeding his flocks on the side of Mount Parnassus, observed that his sheep and goats, on approaching a certain cavity in the earth, began to skip and dance about in an extraordinary manner. As he drew near to examine the cause of this phenomenon, the vapors, exhaling from the earth, affected him in the same way; his body was convulsed, and he spoke words which revealed futurity. Others experienced similar effects, and the exhalation was supposed to have a certain divine property. The cavity was approached with reverence; a tripod was placed over it; and a priestess or Pythia was appointed to preside. The words which she uttered when under the influence of the vapor were considered to be inspired by Apollo; crowds came to consult the oracle; a temple was built, and the city of Delphi arose insensibly around the spot.

As the oracle grew in repute it became necessary to appoint a second and a third Pythia to answer those who came to consult the god. The Pythia could not prophesy until she had become intoxicated by the vapor from the sanctuary. This effect was not produced at all times, and on some days it was not permitted to consult the oracle. Spring was considered the most propitious season. When Apollo was favorably disposed, his approach was made known by the moving of a laurel that stood before the gate of the temple. The sacred tree was then seen to tremble in every leaf.

The Pythia was obliged to prepare by fasts, sacrifices and purifications before she ascended the tripod. When under the influence of the mysterious vapor, her hair stood erect, her eyes flashed, she foamed at the mouth, and a convulsive trembling seized her whole body.

She then spoke prophetic words, which were carefully noted by the attendant priests. The oracles were sometimes in verse, but more commonly in prose; in the latter case they were immediately versified by poets employed for that purpose.

Many remarkable oracles are recorded by Herodotus as having been delivered at Delphi, but as a general thing the answers were ambiguous, and so cautiously worded as to seem true, whatever might be the event. Such was the answer given to Crœ´sus, king of Lydia, when he consulted the oracle concerning the result of his expedition against the Medes. The Pythia told him that by crossing the river Halys he would ruin a great empire, but as she did not say what empire, whether his own or that of his enemies, the oracle could not fail of being fulfilled. There is no doubt that the Pythia was often influenced by persuasion or bribes, and many illustrious persons were accused of having bought the oracles they desired.

The temple of Apollo at Delphi was enriched by the offerings of different princes, and the surrounding nations vied with one another in the magnificence of their gifts. The building was destroyed by fire in the year 548 B. C., but was soon rebuilt. Xerxes, after having forced the pass of Thermopylæ, sent a detachment of his army to plunder the treasures of Delphi. The expedition was unsuccessful, owing, as the Delphians asserted, to a manifest interposition of the deity. Afterwards, Philome´lus, a Phocian general, seized these treasures to pay his troops. He is said to have carried off, in gold and silver, a sum equal to ten million dollars. Still later Delphi was threatened by the Gauls, under their king Brennus. According to Pausanias, the city and temple were saved by Pan, as we have seen in the account given of that god; but others declare that the invaders possessed themselves of great booty. Sylla also plundered Delphi, and Nero took from it, at one time, no less than five hundred statues of bronze.

The temple was finally dismantled by Constantine the Great, who adorned his Hippodrome with the sacred tripods.

No traces are known to exist of the cavern whence issued the sacred vapor, but some have thought it might be discovered by searching in the central part of the ruins of the ancient city.

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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents Virtues and Vices Worshipped by the Ancients

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ques. What Virtues were particularly honored as divinities?

Ans. The ancients not only worshipped the different Virtues, but the abstract idea of virtue itself was personified as a goddess. The Romans dedicated two temples, one to this divinity, and another, adjoining, to Honor. As the temple of Honor could only be reached by passing through that dedicated to Virtue, the votaries were reminded that it was by walking in her paths, that true honor was to be attained.

Ques. What were the emblems of Truth?

Ans. She was generally represented as a beautiful and modest virgin, with garments as white as snow. She was the daughter of Time, or Saturn, because Time always brings truth to light.
Fides, or Fidelity, had a temple near the Capitol, which was said to have been founded by Numa Pompilius. The symbols of this goddess were, a white dog, two hands joined, or sometimes two maidens with joined hands.

Ques. What were the emblems of Peace?

Ans. Pax, or Peace, was represented as a matron holding ears of corn, and crowned with olives and laurel. Her particular symbol was a caduceus, a white staff anciently borne by ambassadors when sent to treat of peace. A magnificent temple was dedicated to this goddess in the Roman Forum.
Justice was worshipped by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Her emblems have been described in the article on the goddess Astræa.

Hope had a temple at Rome in the herb market. It was destroyed by lightning.

Misericordia, or Mercy, had an altar at Athens This was a public sanctuary for the unfortunate, and it was unlawful to take any one from it by force. This altar is said to have been erected by the kindred of Hercules, after the death of that hero.

Pudicitia, or Modesty, had two temples, much frequented by the Roman matrons. The second of these was founded under peculiar circumstances.

Virginia, the daughter of Aulus, a patrician of high rank, married into a plebeian family. The noble ladies of Rome were so indignant at this alliance, that they would not permit her to enter the temple of Pudicitia, nor to offer sacrifice with them. She desired to repair this public affront by some memorable action. For this purpose, she built, in the Via Longa, a temple similar to that from which she had been expelled, and dedicated it likewise to Pudicitia. Virginia then assembled the plebeian matrons, and exhorted them to honor this Virtue in such a manner, that however the patrician ladies should surpass them in power or rank, they might still excel in modest behavior and purity of life. The two temples were from that time distinguished as Pudicitia Patricia, and Pudicitia Plebeia.

Ques. Was Fortune honored as a goddess?

Ans. Yes, the ancients worshipped under this name, a certain unseen power which was supposed to exercise a supreme dominion over human affairs. Fortune had many splendid temples in Italy. Servius Tullius dedicated two at Rome; one to Bona Fortuna, the other to Fors Fortuna. This capricious goddess was sometimes represented with her eyes bandaged, her feet winged, and her right hand resting on a wheel. In the temple of Fortune at Thebes, the goddess held Wealth, represented as an infant, in her arms.

The goddess Salus, or Health, was much honored by the Romans. In ancient times, certain days in the year were set apart for her worship. Her emblems were a bowl and a serpent.

Liberty was honored as a divinity. Her emblem was the peculiar cap with which we are familiar from the representations on our own coins.

Ques. Were not the Vices also honored by the ancients?

Ans. It is certain that both the Greeks and Romans erected temples and altars to certain vices, but it does not appear that their intention was to do them honor. In some instances, they strove to propitiate the powers of evil, that they might abstain from doing them harm. When they built a temple at Rome to Febris, or Fever, they undoubtedly wished to appease the demon or malignant deity who was supposed to send this calamity. The same superstition has been remarked among the modern Hindoos, who are said to have dedicated temples to thunder and lightning, earthquake, pestilence, etc. The Vices were always represented in such a manner as to excite abhorrence. We have an instance of this in the altar erected to Calumny at Athens.

Apelles drew an allegorical picture, in which the odious features of this Vice were strikingly portrayed. A man sits in a listening attitude, beckoning Calumny to approach. Two counsellors, Ignorance and Suspicion, stand near him. Calumny is beautiful in form and feature, but has a malignant countenance, and flashing eyes. Envy goes before, while Fraud and Conspiracy accompany her on either side. Repentance follows with woful mien and torn garments. She looks behind her, as if calling upon Truth, who is seen advancing slowly in the distance.

Discord, Fraud, etc., were represented with appropriate symbols.

PENATES or LARES Roman Household Deities and Gods

2012-02-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

PENATES—LARES.

Ques. What were the Pena´tes?

Ans. This name was given to a certain class of household deities, which were worshipped by the Romans in the penetralia, or innermost part of their dwellings. The greater Pena´tes governed kingdoms and provinces; others presided over cities; and the lesser Pena´tes watched over particular houses and families.

Ques. What were the Lares?

Ans. They were, according to some, the children of Mercury and the nymph Lara; they were domestic gods, and presided over houses, streets and roads. They warded off danger from without, while the Pena´tes watched over the interior of the dwelling. The spirits of ancestors sometimes watched as Lares, over the fortunes of families. This idea of the spirits of the deceased watching over their descendants, made the Romans wish to bury the dead within, or very near their dwellings. This custom was condemned by the laws of the Twelve Tables. Besides the spirit which watched over the family, each individual was supposed to have his Lar, or familiar genius, who watched over him from his birth. In early times, children were sacrificed to the goddess Mania, who was supposed by some to be the mother of the Lares. After the expulsion of the Tarquins, Junius Brutus abolished this barbarous rite, and substituted little balls of wool, and heads of garlic and poppy, in place of the human heads which had been formerly offered. The ordinary altar of the Lares was the domestic hearth; hogs, sheep and steers were among the sacrifices offered to these divinities, but the first fruits of the season were always laid upon the hearth. No family repast was properly begun, unless some portion of the viands had been first cast into the fire; in the more solemn form of marriage, the bride always threw a piece of money on the hearth, to the Lares of her family, and another on the cross roads, that they might grant her free passage to her husband’s house. The Roman boy, on attaining the age of fifteen, put off his childish dress, and consecrated the golden bulla, which he had worn around his neck from infancy, to the domestic Lares.

The soldier whose term of service had expired dedicated his arms to these powerful genii; while captives, and slaves restored to freedom, hung up their fetters, in token of gratitude, by the altar of the Lares.

Ques. How were the Lares represented?

Ans. Variously; sometimes as children, sometimes as young warriors, but always accompanied by a dog.

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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt One

2012-02-12T00:12:00.000-08:00

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Six Sentence Sunday Excerpt

And so it was until there came into being the fifth and final race—the Mortali, different from all who came before. Magickless and plain, naked and frightened, forced to survive on nothing more than wits and verve—yet endlessly curious, constantly seeking understanding and the truth of that nebulous something that instinct told them should have been theirs by right—something they alone had been denied and for whose lack, they would evermore ache...something that by its very absence made them different from all that came before.

And it was this nebulous something whose very absence repulsed and yet drew the four elder races to the fifth like moths to an irresistible flame—for although the Mortali neither understood nor treasured its value, they alone had been granted the most precious gift of all...the ability to lay down their burdens, free their captive memories and embrace the finality of death.

It is on this earth, and in this reality that two elders, both female—adversaries by birth, friends by choice—wander through time accompanied by one Mortali born...an ordinary man burdened with an extraordinary curse, and the savage beast who shares his soul.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Excerpt

Teresa Thomas Bohannon

Full Novel Available From Amazon

Kindle

Large Print Paperback.

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Ceres - Demeter - Mythological Goddesses

2012-02-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

CERES—DEMETER

Ques. Who was Ceres?

Ans. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops, and was worshipped as the goddess of fruits and corn. It is supposed that she first invented and taught the art of tilling the earth, and sowing wheat and other grains, so that men ate wholesome bread, where before they had lived on roots and acorns.

Ques. How is Ceres represented?

Ans. As a beautiful and majestic woman, with golden hair, and crowned with ears of wheat; in her right hand she holds poppies and ears of corn, and in her left, a flaming torch.

Ques. Explain these emblems.

Ans. The hair of Ceres is golden, to represent the color of ripe corn; she holds a lighted torch, because when her daughter Proser´pine was stolen by Pluto, Ceres kindled a torch from the flames of Mount Etna, to light her on her search throughout the world. She holds a poppy, because when she was so grieved that she could neither rest nor sleep, Jupiter gave her a poppy to eat.

Ques. Relate the story of Proser´pine (Perse´phone).

Ans. None of the goddesses were willing to marry Pluto, or share his gloomy kingdom. He determined, nevertheless, to obtain a wife, even if he had to do so by violence. Proser´pine, the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres, was gathering daffodils with her companions in the plains of Enna, when Pluto suddenly appeared among them in a chariot drawn by black horses. As the maidens fled in terror, he seized Proser´pine, and striking the waters of the fountain Cy´ane with his trident, he opened a passage, through which he descended with his prize. Ceres, ignorant of what had occurred, wandered through the world in search of her daughter. At length, arriving at the fountain of Cy´ane, she perceived the girdle of Proser´pine still floating on its waters; and the nymph Arethusa informed her of what had taken place. Ceres repaired immediately to Olympus, where she made her complaint to Jupiter, and demanded that Pluto should restore her daughter. Jupiter promised to grant her request, in case Proser´pine should not have tasted food in the infernal regions. Ceres descended thither, and Proser´pine prepared joyfully to accompany her mother, when Ascal´aphus reported that he had seen her eat some seeds of pomegranate. The hopes of Ceres were thus destroyed, but Proser´pine was so indignant at the treachery of Ascal´aphus, that she changed him immediately into an owl. Jupiter endeavored to appease the resentment of Ceres by permitting Proser´pine to divide the year, spending six months with her mother on earth, the other six with Pluto in the infernal regions.

Ques. What were the most famous solemnities instituted in honor of Ceres?

Ans. The Eleusian or Eleusinian Mysteries. They were named from Eleusis, a town in Greece where they were celebrated.

Ques. What rites were practiced during these mysteries?

Ans. We cannot tell with any certainty. The penalty of death was decreed against any one who should betray the secret, or even witness the ceremonies without having been regularly initiated. Disclosures were made, however, which seem to prove that the person to be initiated was first introduced into a dark subterranean cave, where he was terrified with the most fearful sights and sounds. After this, if his courage did not fail, he was suddenly introduced into a lovely garden, and the ceremonies concluded with feasting and dancing.

Ques. Who were admitted to these rites?

Ans. Athenians only; but Hercules, to whom no one dared refuse anything, was initiated, and after him, other distinguished foreigners were admitted to what were called the Lesser Mysteries. The Athenians were eager to be admitted to these rites, because they believed that the souls of those who had not been initiated were left to wallow in mud and filth in the lower regions.

Ques. What do the early Christian writers say of these mysteries?

Ans. They speak of them as being almost as immoral as the festivals held in honor of Bacchus.

Ques. Who is said to have instituted them?

Ans. Triptol´emus, the foster-child of Ceres.
Ques. Relate the story of Triptol´emus.

Ans. When Ceres was seeking Proser´pine by sea and land, she was kindly entertained by Celeus, king of Eleusis, in Attica. She rewarded his hospitality by taking care of his young son, whom she nourished during the day with celestial food; but in the night, she covered him with fire. Under this extraordinary treatment, the infant, in a few days, became a beautiful young man. His mother, Meganira, wondered at this, and resolved to discover the cause. She watched Ceres at night, and when she saw her covering Triptol´emus with living coals, she cried out in terror, and rushed into the room to save him. Ceres punished her curiosity with death, but she adopted Triptol´emus, and sent him through the world to teach mankind the use of corn. He executed the commands of Ceres, and wherever he went, instructed men in sowing, reaping, and other arts of husbandry. Triptol´emus is usually represented as a young man, seated in a splendid chariot drawn by flying serpents.

Ques. What sacrifices were offered to Ceres?

Ans. Young heifers, swine and ears of corn, wine, milk and honey were used in the libations.

Ques. What were the Ambarvalia?

Ans. They were feasts kept in the beginning of harvest, preparatory to reaping. The animal to be offered in sacrifice, was led around the fields, the husbandmen and country rustics following with shouts and songs. Virgil says of these festivities:

Let ev’ry swain adore her power divine,

And milk and honey mix with sparkling wine;

Let all the choir of clowns attend this show,

In long procession, shouting as they go;

Invoking her to bless their yearly stores,

Inviting plenty to their crowded floors.

Thus in the spring, and thus in summer’s heat,

Before the sickles touch the rip’ning wheat,

On Ceres call; and let the lab’ring hind

With oaken wreaths his hollow temples bind;

On Ceres let him call, and Ceres praise,

With uncouth dances, and with country-lays.

Georg. I.

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MyLadyWeb Presents The Follower Love 2012 Giveaway Hop

2012-02-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!
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The Old Fashioned Regency Romance

A Very Merry Chase

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Shadows In A Timeless Myst

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February 7th - February 14th 2012

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 Hand Shadows Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

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Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents The Rhyme Of Militant Women

2012-02-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Suffragettes and Militants

Hippolta, Chingtse, Hatshepset, Penthesilea,

Maria Teresa and Joan,

Agustina and Boadicea

And other militant girls of times we've known--

It would take a brave man and a dull one

To say to these ladies:

"Of course We adore you while you are meek,

Timid, clinging, silent and weak,

But a woman can never use force...

And needs to watch how she speaks!"

Adapted from a Suffragette Poem For Her Son

My historical fantasy Shadows In A Timeless Myth is filled with vignettes featuring women who dared to fight. In fact, if the book has one overriding theme, it is stories of women dealing with adversity and challenges.

Please "Like" Shadows In A Timeless Myth on Amazon and download the free sample there, or read the complimentary short story I have here.

Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Cybele - Mythological Goddesses

2012-02-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

CYBELE.

Ques. Who was Cyb´ele?

Ans. This goddess, sometimes called by the Greeks, Rhea, and by the Latins, Ops, is considered to be a personification of the earth. She is goddess, not of cities only, but of all things which the earth contains. She was the daughter of Cœlum, and the wife of Saturn.

Ques. How was Cyb´ele represented?

Ans. Generally as riding in a chariot, drawn by lions. She wears a turreted crown, and is clothed in a many-colored mantle, on which are represented the figures of various animals. In her right hand she holds a sceptre, and in her left, a key. This last emblem seems to signify that the earth locks up her treasures in the winter season. Cyb´ele is always represented with the dignified and matronly air which distinguishes Juno and Ceres.

Ques. How was she worshipped?

Ans. Sacrifices were first offered to this goddess in Phrygia and Lydia. Her temples were generally built on the summits of mountains; that on Mount Dindymus near Pessi´nus, in Galatia, was particularly celebrated. Her statue in this temple was simply a large aerolite which had fallen in the vicinity, and was regarded by the people as the heaven-sent image of their great goddess. At the close of the second Punic war, the Romans, directed, it is said, by the Sibylline books, sent an embassy to Attalus, king of Pergamus, requesting that he would permit the so-called image to be removed to Rome. The monarch consented, and the sacred stone was carried in triumph to the Italian capital. There it was placed in a stately temple built for the purpose, and a solemn festival, called Megalesia, was celebrated annually, in honor of Cyb´ele. During these solemnities, priests called Galli and Corybantes ran about like madmen, with cries and howlings, making, at the same time, a terrific noise with the clashing of cymbals, the sound of pipes and other instruments. In their frenzy, they cut their flesh with knives, and performed many other extravagances, but the people regarded them with reverence, as they were believed, while in this state, to possess the gift of prophecy.

The divinity worshipped by the Roman women under the name of Bona Dea, or Good Goddess, is believed to be the same as Cyb´ele.

Ancient writers relate an extraordinary incident connected with the arrival of the image of Cyb´ele in Rome. The ship which bore the sacred stone was stranded on a shoal in the Tiber. Claudia, a Vestal Virgin who was suspected of having violated her vow, attached her girdle to the prow, and drew the ship safely into port. Her innocence was established by this prodigy.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Vesta - Hestia - Mythological Goddesses

2012-02-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

VESTA—HESTIA

Ques. Who was Vesta?

Ans. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops or Rhea, and was, therefore, the sister of Jupiter. She was considered the guardian of homes and firesides, and was a household divinity. Statues of Vesta were placed by the Romans at the entrance of their houses; hence the word vestibule, which we still use.

Ques. How is Vesta usually represented?

Ans. As seated on the ground, and leaning upon a drum, while various domestic animals are grouped about her.

Ques. What was the character of this goddess?

Ans. She was esteemed very holy, and was the patroness of household virtues. When Jupiter asked her to choose whatever gift she would, Vesta desired that she might remain always a virgin, and receive the first oblations in all sacrifices. Fire was the emblem of this goddess, and in her temple, at Rome, a sacred fire was suspended in the air, and watched by the Vestal Virgins. If this fire chanced to be extinguished, all public and private business was suspended until the accident had been expiated.

Ques. What laws existed with regard to the Vestal Virgins?

Ans. The penalties for neglect of their duties were severe. If the sacred fire was extinguished through their negligence, they were sometimes cruelly punished, and if any Virgin infringed the rule which forbade her to marry, she was buried alive; being shut up in a vault underground, with a lamp, and a little bread, wine, water and oil. The sacred fire of Vesta was watched by these priestesses for nearly eleven centuries. We are told that during this period, twenty Vestals were condemned to death. Of these, seven were permitted to take their own lives, thirteen suffered the terrible punishment we have described. The last execution of this kind took place in the reign of the emperor Domitian.

Ques. What were the privileges of the Vestal Virgins?

Ans. In recompense for these severe laws, the Vestals were treated with extraordinary respect. They had the most honorable seats at games and festivals, and even the consuls and magistrates gave them precedence; their testimony was taken in trials without any form of oath, and if they happened to meet a criminal going to execution, he was immediately pardoned. Public documents of great importance were generally entrusted to their care.

A striking instance of the respect felt for these Virgins, is related by a Roman historian. Appius Claudius Audax, a consul who had rendered himself obnoxious to the people, was attacked in the midst of a triumphal procession by the plebeian tribunes, who endeavored to pull him from his chariot. His daughter, who was a Vestal Virgin, ascended the triumphal car, and took her place by her father’s side. The tumult immediately subsided, and the procession proceeded quietly to the capital.

Ques. How many Vestal Virgins were there?

Ans. The number has been variously stated. Some authors mention six, others seven, as the number actually in office. They were chosen between the ages of six and ten; for ten years they were employed in learning their duty; they remained in office for ten, and ten other years were employed in instructing the novices. If there were seven Vestals always in office, the entire number must have been twenty-one. The thirty years being ended, the Vestals returned to their families. The law then permitted them to marry, but it was considered discreditable to do so.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Aurora - Eos - Mythological Goddesses

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

AURORA—EOS.

Ques. Who was Aurora?

Ans. She was the goddess of the morning and sister of the sun and moon. She is represented as seated in a golden chariot drawn by milk-white horses; her countenance is brilliant, and her fingers are red like roses.

Ques. What did this represent?

Ans. The beauty of the morning heavens.

Ques. Relate the story of Ceph´alus and Procris.

Ans. Ceph´alus, a beautiful youth, was beloved by Aurora, who carried him with her to heaven; but he regarded the goddess with indifference, and insisted on returning to his young wife Procris. Aurora allowed him to depart, but prevailed on him to visit his house in disguise, that he might judge of the constancy of his bride. Ceph´alus found his wife lamenting his absence and refusing all consolation, but when she discovered her husband in the supposed stranger, she was so indignant at his suspicion that she fled from him and joined the attendants of Diana. She was afterwards reconciled to Ceph´alus, and gave him two presents which she had received from Diana. These were, a dog that was always sure of its prey, and an arrow which never missed its aim, and returned immediately to the hand of the owner. Ceph´alus was extremely fond of hunting, and when fatigued, he often rested in the shade and invited the presence of “Aura,” or the refreshing breeze. This word was mistaken for the name of a nymph by some persons who carried the tale to Procris. Being jealous in her turn, she determined to watch, and discover her rival. When Ceph´alus returned from hunting, Procris concealed herself in the grove; she started upon hearing the name Aura, and caused a rustling among the leaves. Ceph´alus immediately threw his unerring dart, which returned to his hand stained with the blood of his beloved wife. He hastened to the spot, but it was too late, and Procris expired in his arms, acknowledging she had fallen a victim to her own groundless jealousy.

Ques. To whom was Aurora married?

Ans. She chose for her husband Titho´nus, the son of Laom´edon, king of Troy. This prince was endowed with wonderful beauty; but when Aurora begged of Jove that he might be exempted from death, she forgot to ask at the same time for the bloom of immortal youth. When Titho´nus became old and decrepit, Aurora still watched over him with the tenderest care, “giving him ambrosial food and fair garments.” When Titho´nus could no longer move his aged limbs, and his feeble voice was scarcely heard, the goddess was moved with compassion, and changed him into a grasshopper.

Ques. How was Aurora associated with the Memnon, and what is that legend?

Ans. Memnon was king of the Ethiopians, and son of Titho´nus and Aurora. When Troy was besieged, Memnon came with an army to aid the kindred of his father. In the first engagements he slew Antil´ochus, the son of Nestor, and threw the whole army of the Greeks into disorder. Achil´les, however, appeared on the field, and changed the fortune of the day. The Trojans were routed in their turn, and Memnon fell by the hand of the Grecian hero. Aurora watched the combat from the heavens, and when she saw Memnon fall she directed the winds to convey his body to the banks of the river Æse´pus in Paphlagonia. Here they raised his tomb in a sacred grove, and his obsequies were celebrated with solemn pomp. The sparks, as they rose from the funeral pyre, were changed into birds, which divided into two flocks, and fought together until they fell into the flames and were consumed. According to the poets, Aurora was never consoled for the loss of her son; she mourns unceasingly, and the drops which sparkle in the morning on the grass and flowers are the tears which the goddess continues to shed during the long hours of night. Ancient history mentions many persons of the name of Memnon, particularly a general who distinguished himself in Persia against Alexander the Great. The Memnon of fable was in all probability an Egyptian, and not an Ethiopian king. His statue is still an object of curiosity to travellers.

It is commonly asserted by ancient writers that when the first rays of the rising sun fell upon Memnon's statue, it acknowledged the presence of Aurora, and uttered a sound like the sudden breaking of a harp-string. By some, it was compared to a blow struck on hollow brass.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Leto - Latona - Mythological Goddesses

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

LATONA—LETO

Ques. Who was Latona?

Ans. She was the daughter of Phœbe and Cœus the Titan. When she was driven from heaven by the jealousy of Juno, she found an asylum in the island of Delos, where she gave birth to Apollo and Diana. Terra (the earth) had promised Juno to give no shelter to her rival, but the island of Delos formerly floated in the sea, and was at that time hidden under the waters. Neptune, pitying the forlorn state of Latona, caused it to emerge from the sea, when it became fixed and immovable for her use.

Ques. Relate the transformation of Lycian peasants into frogs.

Ans. Latona, while wandering with her babes in the country of Lycia, in Asia, arrived, exhausted by heat and fatigue, on the borders of a clear pool. She was about to quench her thirst in the cool waters, when some clowns rudely hindered her. She begged them to have compassion, and not deny her so small a refreshment; but they mocked her prayers, and when she tried to approach they waded into the pool, and, stirring up the mud, defiled the waters so that it became unfit to drink. The goddess was so much incensed, that she changed the cruel rustics into frogs, and condemned them to dwell forever in the muddy pool.

The Greeks personified Night, under the name of Latona; hence she was said to have been the first wife of Jupiter, the mother of Apollo and Diana, (the sun and moon) and the nurse of the earth and stars. The Egyptians had the same allegory, with a little variation, as, according to them, she was grandmother and nurse of Horus and Bu´bastis, their Apollo and Diana.

This goddess is generally represented on ancient monuments, as a large and beautiful woman, wearing a veil. In paintings, the veil is always black; in cutting gems, artists sometimes availed themselves of a dark colored vein in the stone, to produce the same effect, and represent the shades of night. The veil is sometimes studded with stars.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Venus - Aphrodite - Mythological Goddesses

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

VENUS—APHRODITE

Ques. Who was Venus?

Ans. She was the goddess of love and beauty. She sprang from the froth of the sea; for this reason the Greeks called her Aphrodi´te, from Aphros, meaning foam. As soon as she was born, she was placed like a pearl in a shell instead of a cradle, and the god Zephyrus (the west wind) wafted her to the shores of Cyprus.

Ques. By whom was she educated?

Ans. She was educated and adorned by the Horæ or Hours, who carried her to heaven as soon she became of age. All the gods were astonished at the beauty of Venus, and many demanded her in marriage; but Jupiter betrothed her to Vulcan, an ugly and deformed divinity.
Ques. How is Venus represented?

Ans. Sometimes as a young virgin rising from the sea, or riding on the waves in a shell, while Cupids, Nereids and Dolphins are sporting around her—again, she is pictured as traversing the heavens in an ivory chariot drawn by doves. She wears a wonderful girdle called the Cestus, her doves are harnessed with golden chains, and Cupids flutter around her on silken wings. Venus is always crowned with roses.

Ques. What was there remarkable in the Cestus of Venus?

Ans. It had the property of conferring grace, beauty, and irresistible attractions on the wearer.

Ques. Where had Venus temples?

Ans. In many places. The most celebrated were at Paphos, Cytherea, Idalia and Cnidos.

Ques. Who were the companions of Venus?

Ans. The Graces were her attendants, and she was generally accompanied by her son Cupid, who was the god of love.

Ques. How is Cupid represented?

Ans. As a beautiful boy with wings, carrying a bow and arrows; he has sometimes a band over his eyes to show that love is blind.

Ques. What do you say of the festivals of Venus?

Ans. They were various, and accompanied by much that was disgraceful and immoral. The swan, the dove, and the sparrow were sacred to this goddess; and among plants, the rose, the myrtle and the apple. Incense, fruits and flowers were the ordinary sacrifices laid on her altars but birds were sometimes offered.

Ques. What remarkable temple was raised to Venus in Rome?

Ans. There was a temple dedicated to Venus Calva, or the Bald; because when the Gauls besieged Rome, the inhabitants made ropes for their military engines with the long hair of the Roman women.

Ques. On what occasion was the prize of beauty adjudged to Venus?

Ans. All the gods and goddesses had been invited to the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, Discordia, or Discord being the only one excluded. This goddess was determined to revenge the slight; she entered secretly, when all were assembled, and threw among them a golden apple on which was written: “For the fairest.” A violent quarrel immediately arose between the goddesses, for each believed herself to be the most beautiful. Juno, Minerva, and Venus disputed so eagerly, that Jupiter himself was not able to bring them to an agreement. He resolved, therefore, to refer the matter to the decision of Paris, who was then feeding his sheep on Mount Ida. This prince was the son of Priam, king of Troy. An oracle had foretold before his birth that he was destined to cause the destruction of his native city. He was, therefore, exposed on Mount Ida, where he was found and cared for by some shepherds. After he had grown up, he acquired a great reputation for the prudence with which he settled the most difficult disputes; hence the difference between the goddesses was referred to his decision. When they appeared before him, they began to court his favor with promises. Juno offered him great power; Minerva, wisdom; but Venus promised to give him for a wife the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris then pronounced Venus the fairest. He was soon after acknowledged by his father, King Priam; and Venus fulfilled her engagement by aiding him to carry off Helen, the beautiful wife of Menela´us, king of Sparta. This gave rise to the total destruction of Troy; and the prediction of the oracle with regard to Paris was accomplished.

Ques. What was the story of Hippo´menes and Atalanta?

Ans. Atalanta was the daughter of King Cœneus, and was equally renowned for her beauty and her swiftness in running. As an oracle had declared that marriage would be fatal to her, she freed herself from the importunity of her suitors by a singular expedient. She caused it to be proclaimed that any one who sought her hand should contend with her in running, with the understanding that she would marry him who should excel her in the race, but that those who were beaten should suffer death. Hard as were these conditions, many suitors presented themselves, but they were all unsuccessful, and were put to death without mercy. Hippo´menes determined to undertake the race, but first, he had recourse to Venus. This goddess gave him three golden apples gathered in the garden of the Hesper´ides, and directed him as to their use. When Hippo´menes saw that Atalanta was going to outstrip him in the race, he threw down a golden apple; the princess paused to admire and take up the glittering fruit, while Hippo´menes passed on. A second and a third time did he try the same expedient, and with such success that he reached the goal and won his bride. Hippo´menes was ungrateful to Venus, who revenged herself by changing him into a lion, and the beautiful Atalanta into a lioness.

Ques. Who was Adonis?

Ans. He was a beautiful youth, the son of Cin´yras, king of Cyprus, and was beloved by Venus. He was killed by a wild boar, while hunting with that goddess. Venus grieved much for her favorite. To commemorate his cruel fate she caused the flower anemone to spring from his blood.
According to the poets, the rose was formerly white. When Venus was hastening to the assistance of Adonis, her foot was wounded by a thorn, and some drops of blood fell upon that flower, which then assumed its present crimson hue.

Ques. Who were the Graces?

Ans. They were inferior goddesses, who presided over the banquet, the dance and all social enjoyments and elegant arts.

Ques. How many were there?

Ans. They were three in number. Their names were Euphro´syne, Agla´ia and Thalia. They are represented as beautiful young women, standing in graceful attitudes with their hands joined.

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Smiles & Good Fortune, Teresa ************************************ It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Minerva - Mythological Goddess

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

MINERVA—PALLAS ATHENA

Ques. Who was Minerva?

Ans. She was the goddess of wisdom and of war. She had no mother, but sprang full armed from the head of Jupiter.

Ques. How is Minerva represented?

Ans. As clothed in complete armor. She has a golden helmet on her head, holds a lance in her right hand, and her left rests upon a shield to which is affixed the head of Medusa. The cock and the owl are also represented on the shield.

Ques. Why was Minerva said to have sprung full armed from the head of Jupiter?

Ans. The poets signify by this, that wisdom comes direct from the deity.

Ques. Why is Minerva sometimes crowned with olive?

Ans. Because the olive is the emblem of peace, and war should only be made that a secure peace may follow; also because she bestowed the olive on men.

Ques. On what occasion did Minerva give the olive to men?

Ans. When Cecrops built a new city, Neptune and Minerva contended about its name; and it was resolved that whichever of the two deities should confer the most useful gift on man, might give a name to the city. Neptune struck the ground with his trident, and a horse appeared; but Minerva caused an olive to spring out of the earth. The latter was judged the more useful gift; and Minerva named the city, calling it Athe´na or Athens, after her own name in Greek.

Ques. What was the Palladium?

Ans. When the Trojans were building the temple and castle of Minerva in Troy, a statue of the goddess fell from heaven into the castle, which was still unroofed. The oracle of Apollo declared that Troy would be safe so long as this statue, called Palladium, from Pallas, a name of Minerva, remained within the walls. When the Greeks besieged Troy, they found that all their efforts to take the city were of no avail; they determined, therefore, to steal the Palladium. Ulysses and Diome´des crept into the city through the common sewers, and brought away the image. Troy was soon afterwards taken and destroyed. Minerva was a virgin, and was the patroness of modest and virtuous women.

Ques. Did Minerva excel only in the art of war?

Ans. No; she invented the distaff and spindle, and excelled in every branch of female industry. The fate of Arach´ne shows how much she prized her reputation for skill in embroidery.

Ques. Who was Arach´ne?

Ans. She was a maiden of Lydia, who had the presumption to challenge Minerva to a trial of skill in weaving. The goddess wrought into her work the most beautiful designs, but it would seem that Arach´ne’s performance surpassed hers: for Minerva, seeing it, was fired with envy, and struck the unhappy maiden on the face with her shuttle. Arach´ne could not endure this insult, and hung herself from a beam. Minerva immediately changed her into a spider, and permitted her to live only that she might weave unceasingly.

Ques. Why was the owl chosen as the bird of Minerva?

Ans. Because this bird sees in the dark; and wisdom distinguishes what is hidden from common eyes.
Ques. What is the story of Medu´sa’s head?

Ans. Medusa was one of three sisters, the daughters of Phorcus. These maidens were called Gorgons, and were all immortal, except Medu´sa. The latter was at one period distinguished for her personal beauty, and particularly for her flowing hair; but having offended Minerva, that goddess changed her locks into serpents, and rendered her appearance so frightful that all who beheld her were changed to stone. The hero Perseus undertook an expedition against the Gorgons, and as he saw the whole country around covered with figures of men and animals changed into stone by the sight of the monster, he was obliged to use great precaution to avoid the same misfortune. He looked, therefore, not at Medu´sa, but at her reflection in his polished shield, and when he perceived that she was asleep, Minerva guiding his sword, he struck off her head. Mercury had lent Perseus his wings, and as he flew over the Lybian desert bearing Medu´sa’s head, the blood fell upon the burning sands, and produced the serpents which have ever since infested that region. From the blood of Medu´sa, also, when her head was cut off, sprang the famous winged horse called Peg´asus. This wonderful steed flew to Mount Helicon, the residence of the Muses, where, by striking the earth with his foot, he produced the fountain Hippocre´ne. All who drank of its waters were inspired by the Muses with a poetic spirit. Perseus went through many other adventures in which Medu´sa’s head did him good service, by changing his enemies into stone. He afterwards gave the head to Minerva, who fixed it on her shield.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Juno - Hera - Mythological Goddesses

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

JUNO—HERA

Ques. Who was Juno?

Ans. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops, and was both sister and wife of Jupiter.

Ques. How is she generally represented?

Ans. As seated in a golden chariot drawn by peacocks. She holds a sceptre in her hand, and is crowned with roses and lilies. Iris was the messenger of Juno, as Mercury was of Jupiter.

Ques. How is Iris represented?

Ans. With wings, because of her swiftness, and sometimes also as riding on a rainbow.

Ques. How did Iris differ from Mercury?

Ans. Mercury was often employed in messages of peace; but Iris was frequently sent to promote strife and dissension.

Ques. What children had Juno?

Ans. Vulcan, Mars and Hebe. Hebe was called the goddess of youth, on account of her extraordinary beauty, and Jupiter made her his cup-bearer. She offended him by an unlucky fall, and Ganymede was appointed in her place.

Ques. What were Juno’s faults?

Ans. She was very jealous, and took the most cruel revenge on the mortal woman whom Jupiter loved. She transformed Callista and her son Arcas into bears, and was extremely displeased when Jupiter placed them among the constellations.

The goddess carried her complaint to Ocean´us, bidding him to observe, when the shades of night should darken the world, how her rival was exalted. The god of Ocean was moved, and promised Juno that he would never receive either Callista or her offspring in his watery domain. Hence it is, that the Greater and the Lesser Bear continually circle around the pole, and never sink, like the other stars, beneath the waves of Ocean. In the fables of Bacchus and Hercules, Juno displays the same character, extending to these heroes the enmity she bore their mortal mothers.

Juno was chiefly honored at Argos, Samos and Platæa. The victims offered to her were kine, ewe lambs, and sows. The cow was consecrated to her, and at Argos the priestess of Juno always rode in a chariot drawn by oxen. The sacred plants of the goddess were, the willow, pomegranate, the dittany and the lily. The peacock was chosen as the bird of Juno, because it was supposed by its cry to indicate a change of weather.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa

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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Young Adult Giveaway

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

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Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Themis—Astraea—Nemesis

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

THEMIS—ASTRÆA—NEMESIS.

Ques. Who was Themis?

Ans. She instructed both gods and men, and was generally considered the goddess of law and justice. Her origin is uncertain; but she is said to have been a Titaness.

Ques. Who was Astræ´a?

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Ans. She was also goddess of justice; according to some, she was the daughter of Jupiter and Themis. When the Titans took up arms against Jupiter, Astræ´a descended to earth, and mingled with the human race. This intercourse was uninterrupted during the Golden Age; in the Silver Age, Astræ´a dwelt in the mountains, and descended only amid the shades of evening, when she was unseen by men. When the Brazen Age commenced, she fled altogether from the human race, being the last among the Immortals to abandon the earth. Jupiter then changed her into the constellation Virgo, one of the signs of the zodiac. This constellation is represented by the figure of a woman holding scales in one hand, and a sword in the other. The scales have been variously explained, but they are generally supposed to be an emblem of justice. According to some, Erigo´ne, a maiden who hung herself in despair, at the death of her father, was changed into the constellation Virgo.

Ques. Who was Nem´esis?

Ans. She was the daughter of Night, and the goddess of just vengeance. It was her office to follow and punish guilty men. She had wings, but generally went on foot, which signifies that the punishment of crime, although sure, is generally slow. An ancient poet says:

“Vengeance divine to punish sin moves slow; The slower is its pace, the surer is its blow.”

Ques. What do you say of the temple of Nem´esis at Rhamnus?

Ans. This temple was but a short distance from the plain of Marathon. The Persians had brought with them a great block of Parian marble for the trophy which they intended to erect in honor of their expected victory. This marble fell into the hands of the Athenians, and a sculptor, said by some to have been Phidias, afterwards carved from it a beautiful statue of Nem´esis, which was placed in the temple of Rhamnus. A fragment was found in the ruins of this edifice, which is supposed to be the head of this statue; and has been presented as such to the British Museum.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Diana - My Favorite Goddess

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Goddess Diana

Ques. Who was Diana?

Ans. She was the daughter of Jupiter and Latona, and the twin-sister of Apollo. This goddess had three names. On earth she was called Diana, and was honored as the goddess of woods and hunting; in heaven she was called Luna, and was identified with the moon, as her brother Apollo was with the sun. In hell, she was called Hec´ate, and as spirits were supposed to be subject to her, she was invoked under the latter name in all magical incantations.

Ques. What were the habits of Diana?

Ans. She shunned the society of men, and frequented the woods, attended by a train of virgins who had resolved, like her, never to marry.

Ques. Who were the attendants of Diana?

Ans. Sometimes the Ocean´ides or daughters of Ocean´us; sometimes the woodland nymphs. Diana often led a chorus of the Muses and Graces, and joined them in singing the praises of her mother Latona.

Ques. How is Diana represented?

Ans. As a very stately and beautiful woman, dressed in the garb of a huntress; she holds a bow in her hand, and a quiver of arrows is hung across her shoulders. Her feet are covered with buskins, and a bright silver crescent glitters on her forehead. Sometimes she is represented as seated in a silver chariot drawn by hounds.

Ques. Who was Chi´one?

Ans. She was a nymph beloved by Apollo. She spoke scornfully of the beauty of Diana, and the goddess, in revenge, pierced her tongue with an arrow.

Ques. Relate the story of Ni´obe.

Ans. She was the daughter of Tan´talus, and the wife of Amphi´on, king of Thebes. She was enriched with all the gifts of nature and fortune, and being made insolent by prosperity, she insulted Latona, and refused to offer incense at her shrine. Ni´obe had seven beautiful sons, and as many lovely daughters, and had boasted of their number as rendering her superior to Latona. The indignant goddess called upon Apollo and Diana to revenge the insult offered to their mother, and humble the haughty Ni´obe. This they effected by slaying, in one day, all the children of the unhappy queen. Her sons expired by the arrows of Apollo, and her daughters by those of Diana. Amphi´on killed himself in despair, and the wretched Ni´obe, widowed and childless, wept without ceasing until the pitying gods changed her into stone. This story has furnished the subject of a very beautiful group of statuary, in which Ni´obe is represented as vainly endeavoring to shelter, beneath her mantle, the youngest and last of her children.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Ques. Where was the most celebrated temple of Diana?

Ans. At Ephesus in Asia Minor; it was so beautiful that it was counted among the seven wonders of the world. Two hundred and twenty years were spent in the building, although an incredible number of workmen were employed. The entire length of the temple was 425 feet, and the breadth 220; the whole was supported by 127 superb columns, each the gift of a king. The statue of the goddess was of ebony, and the most skillful painters and sculptors were employed in the decorations of the edifice.

A man named Erostratus, who was anxious to make himself famous, by whatever means, set fire to this magnificent building. This event took place on the very day on which Alexander the Great was born.

The temple was but partially destroyed, and was soon afterwards restored to its former splendor. The inhabitants of Ephesus seem to have been particularly attached to the worship of Diana. We read in the Acts of the Apostles that when they began to make converts in that city, the people were very indignant; in their zeal for their goddess they ran about the streets for the space of about two hours, crying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

This temple was despoiled by Nero, who removed many costly offerings and images, together with a large quantity of silver and gold. It was afterwards plundered by the Goths in the reign of Gallienus; and the materials of the building have been since used in the construction of other edifices. The great dome of Santa Sophia, in Constantinople, rests upon pillars of green jasper which were removed from the temple of Diana by order of Justinian.

Two pillars of the great church of Pisa were also taken from this temple, which has been so completely destroyed that the exact site is not known.

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Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Mythological Nymphs

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

NYMPHS.

Ques. Who were the Nymphs?

Ans. They were graceful young women who attended on Diana and the greater goddesses. Some, also, had charge of certain fountains and rivers, and were called Na´iades; the nymphs of Ocean were Nere´ides and Ocean´ides. The Ore´ades were mountain nymphs, and others presided over groves and even single trees.

Ques. What were the woodland nymphs called?

Ans. Those who watched over the forests, and always lived among the trees, were called Dry´ades, from a Greek word which means an oak; the Hamadry´ades were so called because they were attached, each to some particular oak. The Hamadryad was born with the tree, flourished and died with it. This belief lingered for a long time amid the German forests, as also the superstition about water spirits.

Ques. What was the story of Arethusa?

Ans. This nymph was the daughter of Ocean´us, and an attendant of Diana. She was admired by the god of the river Alphe´us, but refused to listen to his addresses. As she fled from his presence, he pursued. The terrified nymph had sped through all Arcadia; the shades of evening were gathering, and Alphe´us pressed close upon her fainting steps. In this extremity, Arethusa prayed to Diana for relief, and was immediately dissolved into a fountain. Alphe´us resumed his watery form, and sought to mingle his current with hers, but Diana opened for her a passage under the sea, and she rose in the island of Ortygia, in Sicily, still followed by the stream of the Alphe´us. In proof of this fable, and of the Grecian origin of this famous fount, it was asserted that a cup which fell into the river Alphe´us in Greece, rose in the fountain of Arethusa, and that its clear waters were reddened with the blood of the victims slain at the Olympic games.

Ques. Who was Echo?

Ans. Echo was a nymph, the daughter of Air and Tellus; she was one of Juno’s attendants, but offended that goddess by her talkativeness. She was so far deprived of speech, that she could only repeat the last words of every sentence which she heard. Echo loved the youth Narcissus, and seeing that he despised her affection, she pined away till nothing remained of her but her voice and bones. The latter were changed into stones, but the voice is still heard among rocks and in solitary places, repeating always the last words that are spoken.

Ques. What was the fate of Narcissus?

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Ans. One legend is that he saw his image reflected in a fountain, and, not perceiving that it was but his own shadow, gazed at it, lost in admiration, until he was changed into the flower that bears his name. According to another version, Narcissus had a twin-sister who resembled him closely in form and feature, and was his constant companion. This sister died young, and Narcissus, deeply lamenting her death, used to go to a neighboring fountain, and try to recall the image of his sister by gazing at his own reflection in the waters.

Ques. Were there many rural divinities?

Ans. Yes, a great number; but only a few were well known. Among those we may mention Pomona, the goddess of orchards, and Flora, the goddess of flowers. Pales was the goddess of shepherds and pastures. The Romans celebrated feasts, called Pallia, in her honor. They offered milk, and cakes of millet, that she might drive away the wolves, and prevent diseases among the cattle.

Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Fates and Furies

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

FATES—FURIES.

Q. Who were the Fates?

A. They were three sisters, the daughters of Chaos, who were appointed to watch over the thread of human life. Their names were, Clotho, Lach´esis and At´ropos; Clotho drew the thread between her fingers; Lach´esis turned the wheel, and, at the appointed moment, At´ropos cut the thread with her scissors.

Q. Who were the Furies?

Ans. They were three sisters, Alec´to, Tisi´phone, and Megæ´ra. They are called by the poets the Daughters of Night; their office was to torment the wicked during life and after death.

Q. How were they represented?

A. As hideous women with terrible countenances; they had twining serpents instead of hair, and carried snaky whips and lighted torches in their hands. They were often called by the Greeks Eumen´ides.

Q. Of what were the Furies an emblem?

A. Of the evil passions of men, and the remorse which torments the wicked. When the ancients said of a man, that the Furies had taken up their abode with him, they meant that the remembrance of his crimes did not leave him any repose.

Just for note: The Fates play a role in Shadows In A Timeless Myth, just not in the way you might imagine after reading the above.

Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - Sibyls and Augurs Mythological Fortunetelling

2012-01-22T00:48:00.000-08:00

SIBYLS—AUGURS.

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Ques. Who were the Sibyls?

Ans. The Sibyllæ, or Sibyls, were certain females, supposed to be inspired by Heaven, who flourished at different times and in different parts of the world. According to the historian Varro, they were ten in number. The most celebrated was the Cumæan Sibyl, of whom the poets give the following account. Apollo sought the love of the young prophetess, and promised to give her whatever she should demand. The sibyl desired that she might live as many years as she had grains of sand in her hand; but as she forgot to ask for health and youthful bloom, this long life proved rather a burden than a benefit. She had rejected the suit of Apollo, and the god refused, therefore, to withdraw his gift or mitigate the severity of her lot. This sibyl had already lived seven hundred years when Æne´as came to Italy, and six centuries still remained of the time granted by Apollo. She accompanied Æne´as on his visit to the lower world.

According to a well-known Roman legend, one of the sibyls came to the palace of the second Tarquin with nine volumes, which she offered to sell at a very high price. The king declined the offer; the sibyl immediately disappeared and burned three of the volumes. Returning soon after, she asked the same price for the remaining six books; and when Tarquin again refused to buy them, she burned three more, and still persisted in demanding the same sum of money for those that were left. This extraordinary conduct astonished the monarch, and with the advice of the Augurs he bought the books, upon which the sibyl disappeared and was never seen after. These books were preserved with great care, and were called the Sibylline Verses. A college of priests was appointed to take charge of them, and they were consulted with the greatest solemnity, whenever the state seemed to be in danger. When the Capitol was burned in the troubles raised by Sylla, the Sibylline Verses are said by some to have perished in the conflagration. It is believed, however, on good authority, that they were in existence as late as the fourth century, when they were destroyed by command of the Emperor Honorius. Various collections were afterwards made, which are generally admitted to be forgeries.

Different opinions have prevailed with regard to the prophecies of the sibyls, some of which, it is said, pointed clearly to the advent of a Redeemer, the time of his coming, and the submission of Rome to the new dispensation. It has been thought that these passages were invented by later Christian writers, but Bishop Horsley, a learned English divine, thinks it more reasonable to suppose that the sibylline books contained the records of prophecies which were granted in primitive times, to nations outside of the patriarchal and Jewish races. He cites in favor of this opinion, the fact that St. Justin, in his apology addressed to the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, appeals confidently to the sibylline prophecies, and at that time, about the middle of the second century, it was not possible that the Christians should have added anything to them. There are also passages in the fourth Eclogue of Virgil which prove that the expectation of a Saviour, and the belief that the time of his advent was approaching, existed even among the pagans.

Divination by Omens—The Augurs.

Ques. Who were the Augurs?

Ans. They were priests whose office it was to observe and interpret omens. This science was derived from the ancient Etrurians. There were five principal classes of omens from which the Augurs were supposed to foretell future events, the good or ill success of an undertaking, etc. The first were drawn from the phenomena of nature, such as thunder, lightning, comets, etc. The second kind of omen was obtained by observing the cries and the flight of birds. In the third class we may place the appetite of the sacred chickens; when they did not eat, the omen was so bad that it was considered unlucky to give battle, or undertake anything of importance. It happened once that a Roman commander, (Claudius Pulcher,) when about to engage the fleet of the enemy, was warned by the Augurs that the sacred chickens would not eat. He replied, with very natural contempt, that if they would not eat, they might drink, and had them thrown into the sea. It is believed that the terrible defeat the Romans suffered on that day was owing, in great part, to the discouragement of the sailors, who supposed that their commander had forfeited the favor of the gods by this act of sacrilege.

Omens were drawn from the appearance of the entrails of animals offered in sacrifice, also from the meeting with quadrupeds in any unaccustomed place.

The fifth class of omens was taken from different casualties, such as spilling salt, stumbling on the threshold, sneezing, meeting a hare, wolf, fox, etc. Some of these last superstitions prevail, more or less, to the present day.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Muses of Arts and Science

2012-01-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

THE MUSES.

Ques. Who were the Muses?

Ans. They were the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemo´syne, and were supposed to preside over the liberal arts and sciences.

Ques. How many Muses were there?

Ans. They were nine in number, and each presided over some particular department of literature, art or science. Their names were:

Calli´ope, who was the Muse of epic poetry, she holds in her hand a roll of parchment, or a trumpet.

Clio presided over history. She holds a half opened scroll.

Melpo´mene was the Muse of tragedy. She leans on a club, and holds a tragic mask.

Euter´pe was the patroness of music. She holds two flutes.

Er´ato inspired those who wrote of love. She plays on a nine-stringed lyre.

Terpsich´ore presided over choral dance and song. She appears dancing, and holds a seven-stringed lyre.

Ura´nia, the Muse of astronomy, holds a globe, and traces mathematical figures with a wand.

Thalia, the Muse of comedy, holds in one hand a comic mask, in the other a crooked staff.

Polyhym´nia presided over eloquence. She holds her fore-finger to her lips, or carries a scroll.

The Muses are sometimes represented as crowned with palms, and seated in the shade of an arbor, playing upon different instruments; or again, as dancing in a circle with joined hands, while Apollo is seated in their midst.

Ques. How have some writers accounted for the number of Muses?

Ans. They say that in ancient times there were but three Muses. The citizens of Sicyon employed three sculptors to execute statues of these goddesses, promising to choose from among the nine images, those which they should consider the most beautiful. When the statues were finished, they were found to be so skillfully wrought, that it was impossible to make a choice. They were all placed in the temple, and the poet Hesiod afterwards assigned them names and attributes.

Ques. What punishment did the Muses inflict on the nine daughters of Pierus, king of Æmathia?

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Ans. These maidens challenged the Muses to a contest in music; they were defeated and transformed into magpies by the indignant goddesses. Tham´yris, a musician of Thrace, was struck blind for the same offence.

Smiles & Good Reading,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Download your complimentary Shadows In A Timeless Myth short story and musical jigsaw puzzle of the cover of Shadows In A Timeless Myth.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Silver Age of Mythology

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

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The Silver Age was far inferior to that of gold; but virtue still dwelt on earth, and the Immortals had not altogether departed from the abodes of men. Jupiter then divided the year into seasons, shortened the winter days, and let loose the northern blasts, so that men were obliged to build dwellings, and cultivate the ungrateful soil.

Their first habitations were caves and grottoes, leafy coverts of the forest, or huts rudely constructed of the trunks of trees and interwoven boughs.

The Brazen Age came next; men grew fierce and warlike, but were not as yet altogether impious.
The Iron Age gave birth to all the calamities that afflict mankind. Avarice and violence reigned supreme; men were not satisfied to till the earth, but dug into its hidden mines, and drew thence gold and iron, potent instruments of ill to man.

The same poet says:

“Then land-marks limited to each his right;

For all before was common as the light.

Nor was the ground alone required to bear

Her annual income to the crooked share,

But greedy mortals, rummaging her store,

Digged from her entrails first the precious ore

(Which next to hell the prudent gods had laid,)

And that alluring ill to sight displayed.

Thus cursed steel, and more accursed gold,

Gave mischief birth, and made that mischief bold:

And double death did wretched man invade,

By steel assaulted, and by gold betrayed.”

Dryden’s Ovid.

Smiles & Good Reading,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Download your complimentary Shadows In A Timeless Myth short story and musical jigsaw puzzle of the cover of Shadows In A Timeless Myth.

Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents - The Golden Age of Mythology

2012-01-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Preview Shadows In A Timeless Myth

Ques. What is Mythology?

Ans. This word is derived from the Greek, Mythos, a myth or fable, and logos, a discourse. A myth is, properly speaking, an allegory or fable invented to convey some important moral or religious truth, or illustrate some operation of nature. Mythology includes also the historical myths, or the narratives of gods, demigods, and heroes, which were current among the heathen in ancient times.

Ques. Why is it necessary to become acquainted with these fables?

Ans. Because ancient literature and art cannot be fully understood or appreciated without some knowledge of Mythology. It was mingled with every theme of the classic poet, and inspired the highest skill of the painter and sculptor.

These subjects keep their place to some extent in modern art, and mythological allusions are so frequent in our literature that an acquaintance with classic fable is considered a necessary part of a liberal education.

Ques. Did all the heathen nations worship the same deities?

Ans. The mythology of different nations varied as to the names and attributes of their divinities. There are, nevertheless, so many points of resemblance, that it is believed by many that the principal mythical systems had one common origin. To trace these analogies, and the developments which gave rise to so great a diversity, is the province of comparative mythology.

Ques. In what important point do all these systems agree?

Ans. In the rite of sacrifice. We meet everywhere the same offerings: flowers, first fruits, libations of milk, honey, and wine; also sacrifices of animals, which were either partaken of by the votaries or consumed as holocausts upon the altar.

This mode of worship varied but little in ceremonial, and the sacrifices of the different heathen nations resembled, in their exterior form, those offered to the true God by the ancient patriarchs. The idea of propitiating the deity in such a manner seems to have been universal both in the old and the new world, and we are forced to believe that it was drawn from a common fount of primeval tradition.

Ques. How did the belief in the heathen deities originate?

Ans. When the early traditions of the human race became corrupt, the sublime idea of one God, self-existent and eternal, was lost or obscured. We find it, though vaguely perhaps, in the character and attributes of certain divinities, as the Zeus (Jupiter) of the Greek, and the Alfâdur of Scandinavian mythology. There are passages in the early Greek poets which show clearly a belief in the unity of God. In the verses attributed to the mythic poet Orpheus, and generally known as Orphic Remains, we find the following:

“One self-existent lives; created things Arise from him; and He is all in all. No mortal sight may see Him, yet Himself Sees all that live;

* * * * * *

For He alone All heavenly is, and all terrestrial things Are wrought by Him. First, midst and last he holds With His omniscient grasp.”

The same idea is expressed in the verses of the poet Aratus, quoted by St. Paul in his address to the Athenians on the Hill of Mars.

Instead of ministering spirits obeying the will of the Supreme Being, and communicating that will to man, there arose a number of inferior deities, each exercising some peculiar and partial sovereignty. The god whom the warrior invoked in battle was powerless to bless the field he cultivated in time of peace; the power of Jupiter was worshipped in the rolling thunder; but when the earth trembled or fiery torrents burst from the mountain top, the wrath of Pluto must be appeased, and sacrifices were offered to the infernal powers. The strife and turbulence of nature were attributed to the gods, who became in some manner identified with the elements they were supposed to govern.

The honors paid to the memory of departed heroes assumed, in the course of time, the character of religious worship. Hence arose a class of demigods, whose real achievements, transmitted by popular tradition and embellished by the poets, became altogether legendary and mythical.

Ques. Were the Greek and Roman mythologies the same?

Ans. They were, to a great extent. The ancient Latins had, undoubtedly, their own gods and their peculiar superstitions, but they do not appear to have had any regular mythology. When the Romans received the arts and sciences from the Greeks, they adopted, also, their divinities and their entire system of religion.

They shared a tradition, which seems to have been universal, of a time of primeval innocence, when man dwelt in a peaceful world, ignorant alike of sorrow and of sin. This was the Golden Age. Avarice and discord were unknown; men had not learned to slay animals for food, nor had the earth been disturbed by the plough. Neither the labors of the husbandman, nor the merchant’s traffic disturbed the joyous leisure of that happy time; no ships ploughed the seas, and the glittering steel rested harmless in the mine. Ovid thus describes the days of innocence:

“The Golden Age was first, when man, yet new,

No rule but uncorrupted reason knew,

And, with a native bent did good pursue.

Unforced by punishment, unawed by fear,

His words were simple, and his soul sincere;

Needless was written law where none oppressed;

The law of man was written in his breast:

No suppliant crowds before the judge appeared,

No court erected yet, nor cause was heard,

But all was safe; for conscience was their guard.

* * * * * * *

No walls were yet, nor fence, nor moat, nor mound,

Nor drum was heard, nor trumpet’s angry sound,

Nor swords were forged; but, void of care and crime,

The soft creation slept away their time.”

What does this have to do with my new historical fantasy Shadows In A Timeless Myth? The myths, legends, fairytales, history and folklore that I've loved from childhood inspired the creation of my two main characters and the inspiration for their adventures.

Smiles & Good Reading
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Download your complimentary Shadows In A Timeless Myth short story and musical jigsaw puzzle of the cover of Shadows In A Timeless Myth.

MyLadyWeb and Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents The Dreaming Of Books 2012 Giveaway Hop

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

My Brand New Paranormal Romance

Shadows In A Timeless Myth
Has Just Been Released
&
My Regency Romance

A Very Merry Chase
Has Been Selected As A
Book Buzz Book Club's Finalist For Book of the Month

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by...

The Gifts Are All Free

However, If you would like to enter to win a

PDF copy of A Very Merry Chase with a personalized inscription,

please leave a comment below telling me what number you were when you

Liked
Shadows In A Timeless Myth
On Amazon.

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

Or In The Photo Gallery On Our Facebook Page

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after

The Dreaming Of Books Giveaway Hop Is Over.

MyLadyWeb Presents The Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy 2012 Giveaway Hop

2012-01-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

My Brand New Paranormal Romance

Shadows In A Timeless Myth
Has Just Been Released
&
My Regency Romance

A Very Merry Chase

Has Been Selected As A

Book Club's Finalist For Book of the Month

~~~~

*********Please Click Here To Vote For A Very Merry Chase**********

~~~~~

MyLadyWeb Is Happy To Participate In

The Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy 2012 Giveaway Hop

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by

The Gifts Are All Free

However, I Would Appreciate Your Taking A Moment To
Like Our Author Page On

Facebook

Where You Can Click On Our Photo Gallery To Find

Eight Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzles To Download As Gifts

Or
Like
Shadows In A Timeless Myth
On

Amazon

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after

The Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy 2012 Giveaway Hop Is Over!

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

My Regency Romance - A Very Merry Chase I Buzz Book Club Finalist

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome. This has been an exciting few days for me. My brand new dark historical fantasy (paranormal) romance, Shadows In A Timeless Myth was finally released and my old-fashioned Regency romance novel, A Very Merry Chase was selected as one of the four finalists for the I Book Buzz Book Club Selection for February 2012.

Enter To Win One of Five Copies Of A Very Merry Chase Please take a moment to vote for
A Very Merry Chase.

Vote Here

To Be Entered To Win One Of Five Personally Inscribed PDF Copies Of
A Very Merry Chase To Be Given Away On January 16, 2012,
Please Vote, And Then Leave A Comment Below With Your Email Address &
The Number Of Your I Book Buzz
Vote For A Merry Chase.
(Your Number Will Appear As The Latest Number In The Results Summary Next To A Very Merry Chase.)

Ladies and Gents and Highwaymen ... Oh my!

Set in early 19th century Regency England, and harking back in style to the heyday of Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland, A Very Merry Chase is a comedy of manners and errors that boasts empire fashions, dashing characters, verbal sparring matches and witty repartee mingled with just a hint of mystery, danger and intrigue. A romantic delight for lovers of a sweet, yet boldly gentle, tale.

Reviews For A Very Merry Chase

" -- a lively well written book with fantastic characters. -- fast paced." -- Amazon

" --a delightful light Regency Romance that amused me from start to finish. Misunderstandings, witty dialogue, and plot twists were ready fare." -- Amazon

"What an enjoyable read . . . well-written, humorous romance that really is hard to put down. A charming blend of wit, mystery, and intrigue kept me furiously clicking through the Kindle "pages" to the very end. " -- Amazon

Watch A Very Merry Chase the video trailer.

Reviews:

" -- a lively well written book with fantastic characters. -- fast paced." -- Amazon

" --a delightful light Regency Romance that amused me from start to finish. Misunderstandings, witty dialogue, and plot twists were ready fare." -- Amazon

Complimentary Gifts And Promotional Items

Courtesy Of A Very Merry Chase

Meanwhile, If you enjoy the Regency Romance era there are several Regency Romance Era Gifts available, courtesy of A Very Merry Chase including free Regency Romance Era virtual coffee table books and eight musical jigsaw puzzles featuring paintings from the Regency Era.

Facebook Regency Romance Era Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzle Gallery

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival With Complimentary Ebooks

A Very Merry Chase As An I Book Buzz Book Club Finalist For February 2012

Thanks for stopping by, and for taking the time to vote. I sincerely appreciate your support.

MyLadyWeb and Shadows In A Timeless Myth Presents The Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop

2011-12-29T23:56:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

In Celebration Of My Brand New Paranormal Romance

Shadows In A Timeless Myth
&
A Very Merry Chase
Being Selected As One Of
The I Book Club's Finalist For Book of the Month
(Please drop by and vote for A Very Merry Chase)

MyLadyWeb Is Happy To Participate In

The Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop

December 30, 2011 - January 3, 2012
I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by
plus the opportunity to win a personalized PDF copy of my
sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel,
A Very Merry Chase
for one lucky commenter.

(Click below to download your free gifts.)

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 Hand Shadows Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

Gift # 3 36 Potent Foods To Lose Weight & Live Healthy
Gift #4 Gourmet Coffee Recipes
Gift # 5 Shadows In A Timeless Myth Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

To Enter To Win PDF copy of
A Very Merry Chase
With A Custom Dedication
Simply Leave A Comment Here

ALSO

For Additional Entries

Like Our Author Page On

Facebook

Where You Can Click On Our Photo Gallery To Find

Eight Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzles To Download As Gifts

And/Or

Like Shadows In A Timeless Myth on

Amazon

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after

The Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop is Over!

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Shadows In A Timeless Myth

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve 2011, after 26 years--off and on--of writing, and one full year of editing and re-editing and trying to convince myself it was finally finished, I published my historical fantasy romance, paranormal horror novel, Shadows In A Timeless Myth. I categorize it as such somewhat tongue in cheek, but the truth of the matter is, it would fit easily in any of those categories.

Here is the story behind the story.

Hello, welcome, and thank you for your interest in reading about my newest novel Shadows In A Timeless Myth, and joining me on a strange sort of journey that took nearly 26 years to complete. I always dreamed of being a writer, and spent most of my early twenties writing books, short stories, fairy tales and just about everything else you could possibly imagine. Then I had children, and had to figure out a way to give my two sons the best life I could manage, and so my writing ambitions took their place on one of life's more haphazardly accessed back-burners.

Anyway, as ridiculous as it may sound, 26 years later, I know almost to the exact minute when this story was begun...because of the letter x. You see, in June of 1986 my darling mother made my wildest dreams come true, by giving me a wonderful birthday present–a Tandy 1000 computer to replace the electric typewriter that I had been using to write my stories. That computer arrived on the week of my birthday (June 28th). Deliriously excited, I unpacked it, and immediately sat down to write a horror novel, that had been rambling around in my head. So where does the mythical “x” come in? Well, before I could type my first word, my youngest son Shawn, a few days shy of his 1st birthday (June 3oth), toddled over and poked at the keyboard, producing—you guessed it—an “x” before wandering off to play with something more interesting.

Call it superstition or sentiment, but that “x” is still there, in exactly the same spot where he typed it. I've added chapters in front of it, and chapters behind it, and upgraded computer and software nearly a dozen times, but his “x” remains still. Over the years, I even managed to work it seamlessly into the story by using old-fashioned Chapter Titles—with his “x” forming the basis for the chapter entitled, “Ta da!” x Marks the Spot.

Now, all maternal sentiment aside, I originally envisioned these characters as the people behind many of the myths, legends and fairy tales that have been passed down through time. That's why Bellina is not your run-of-the-mill Vampire, AraBestla isn't just an ordinary Witch, and FenMaric is not a Werewolf, as such. My Immortal trinity had to be outside the realm of our known mythology, in order for my envisioned line of pseudo-legends to play out correctly. This particular story was originally conceived as a horror novel that incorporated modern-day incarnations of my wandering trio of Immortals. However, it didn't exactly work out that way since my original historical-fantasy short stories quickly wove their way into the novel as memories and dreams.

As you will notice, the book is filled with a plethora of strong (and some not so strong) female characters, women who, in one way or another, reflect many of my own thoughts and feelings, hopes, dreams, aspirations and frustrations over the years as I aged and went from a stifling marriage, to single mom, to adult college student, to gemstone show host, to working executive and internet entrepreneur just trying to find enough hours to make it through each day and pay for the kids and the college—both mine and eventually theirs, as well.

To be honest, I love the women in this book. Good, bad, admirable, courageous, caring, ambitious, out-spoken, slightly incompetent, mature, immature, delusional, loving, arrogant, hard-headed, combative, loyal, generous or selfish, each faces adversity, taking whatever I've chosen to throw at them and, in their own way, makes the best of it. And I guess, when all is said and done, that is what Bellina and AraBestla's story and this tale in particular, in its own odd and quirky little way, is really all about—women making it through life as best they can.

So why, finally publish after all these years? The answer to that is complicated, but basically, it comes down to the fact that over time I developed both Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, lost my superhuman, supermom strength, and realized that time was running out for my someday dreams of becoming a published author of fiction. And with that realization, I made publishing my stories a personal priority. I began by publishing A Very Merry Chase, my very first novel, a Regency Romance that I had originally written 35 years ago, and then I moved onto finally completing my second novel, Shadows In A Timeless Myth. Written in bits and pieces over the past 26 years as time, circumstance and the muse struck, the final three chapters were completed just last December. This past year, I've spent reading and re-reading, editing and re-editing, as always, trying to convince myself that the story is finished and give myself permission to let it go.

I'm not sure where I will go from here. I have a collection of short stories I want to release, and I have another Appalachian-based, fantasy horror novel that is half-written, and a 30 year old screenplay about a lady pirate that I would like to novelize.... Or maybe, I'll just cast fortune to the winds and go back and finally explain just what in the world Bellina, AraBestla and FenMaric were doing standing with the Knights St. John and Templar at the battle of Acre, and how the aftermath of that battle developed into the basis for one of today's most well-known and beloved fairy tales.

Either way, I sincerely thank you for joining me. I do hope you've enjoyed your visit to my little corner of the world, and will decide to visit again as my journey continues.

Smiles, and Good Reading,
Teresa

As my gift to you, to thank you for joining me, download a Shadows In A Timeless Myth complimentary musical jigsaw puzzle featuring the cover art and the lovely ballad Greensleeves.

Plus...there is a complimentary short story available that introduces my two main characters.
A Tryst In Time

************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

MyLadyWeb Presents The Mid-Winter's Eve Blog Hop

2011-12-20T23:55:00.000-08:00

A Very Merry Chase

Now available...
in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.

Is Happy To Participate In

The Mid-Winter's Eve Blog Hop

December 21 - 27, 2011

I am providing three gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by
plus the opportunity to win a personalized PDF copy of my
sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel,
A Very Merry Chase
for one lucky commenter.

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 A Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Gift #3 American Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Gift # 4 Grandmother's Big Book Of Old-Fashioned Christmas Tales

To Enter To Win A Very Merry Chase
Simply Leave A Comment Here

ALSO

For Additional Entries

Like Our Author Page On

Facebook

Where You Can Click On Our Photo Gallery To Find

Eight Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzles To Download As Gifts

And/Or

Like A Very Merry Chase on

Amazon

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after

The Mid-Winter's Eve Blog Hop is Over!

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

MyLadyWeb and A Very Merry Chase Present the Gift Card Giveaway Hop

2011-12-08T23:56:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

The Old Fashioned Regency Romance

A Very Merry Chase

Now available...
in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.

Was Happy To Participate In

The Gift Card Giveaway Hop

Our Winner (Chosen Via Random.Org) Was
Linda Henderson

However There Are Still Free Gifts Available Just For Scrolling Down :)

December 9-13, 2011

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by
plus the opportunity to win a

$5.00 Amazon Gift Card

and a personalized PDF copy of my
sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel,
A Very Merry Chase
for one lucky commenter.

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 A Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

Gift #3 American Christmas Traditions From Around The World
Gift # 4 Grandmother's Big Book Of Old-Fashioned Christmas Tales

To Enter To Win A Very Merry Chase
Simply Leave A Comment Here

Try Using Google's Chrome Browser If Your Browser Will Not Work.

Or Leave Me A Comment On Facebook.

ALSO

For Additional Entries

Like Our Author Page On

Facebook

Where You Can Click On Our Photo Gallery To Find

Eight Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzles To Download As Gifts

And/Or

Like A Very Merry Chase on

Amazon

And/Or

Follow Us On GFC or Networked Blogs...or Both :)

(I've just moved the blog here, so I'm starting all over again with GFC & Networked Blogs :)

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after the

Autumn Harvest Fall Between The Pages Book Giveaway Hop is Over!

THE HUSBAND'S COMPLAINT OF ENGLISH WIVES

2011-12-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

THE HUSBAND'S COMPLAINT.

"Will she thy linen wash and hosen darn?"

I'm utterly sick of this hateful alliance
Which the ladies have form'd with impractical Science!
They put out their washing to learn hydrostatics,
And give themselves airs for the sake of pneumatics.

They are knowing in muriate, and nitrate, and chlorine,
While the stains gather fast on the walls and the flooring—
And the jellies and pickles fall wofully short,
With their chemical use of the still and retort.

Our expenses increase, (without drinking French wines.)
For they keep no accounts, with their tangents and sines-.
And to make both ends meet they give little assistance,
With their accurate sense of the squares of the distance.

They can name every spot from Peru to El Arish,
Except just the bounds of their own native parish;
And they study the orbits of Venus and Saturn,
While their home is resign'd to the thief and the slattern.

Chronology keeps back the dinner two hours,
The smoke-jack stands still while they learn motive powers;
Flies and shells swallow up all our every-day gains,
And our acres are mortgaged for fossil-remains.

They cease to reflect with their talk of refraction—
They drive us from home by electric attraction—
And I'm sure, since they've bother'd their heads with affinity,
I'm repuls'd every hour from my learned divinity.

When the poor, stupid husband is weary and starving,
Anatomy leads them to give up the carving;
And we drudges the shoulder of mutton must buy,
While they study the line of the os humeri.

If we 'scape from our troubles to take a short nap,
We awake with a din about limestone and trap;
And the fire is extinguished past regeneration,
For the women were wrapt in the deep-coal formation.

'Tis an impious thing that the wives of the laymen,
Should use Pagan words 'bout a pistil and stamen,
Let the heir break his head while they fester a Dahlia,
And the babe die of pap as they talk of mammalia.

The first son becomes half a fool in reality,
While the mother is watching his large ideality;
And the girl roars uncheck'd, quite a moral abortion,
For we trust her benevolence, order, and caution.

I sigh for the good times of sewing and spinning,
Ere this new tree of knowledge had set them a sinning;
The women are mad, and they'll build female colleges,—
So here's to plain English!—a plague on their ologies!

London Mag.

Smiles & Good Reading,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)
Of Human Bondage, 1915

MyLadyWeb and A Very Merry Chase Present the Book Lovers Holiday Giveaway Hop

2011-12-01T23:55:00.000-08:00

The Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop is Over Now
And Our Winner Was Meg S
But Our Free Gifts Are Still Available
Just By Scrolling A Short Way Down

MyLadyWeb
and
A Very Merry Chase
Now available...
in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.
Was Happy To Participate In

The Book Lover's Holiday

Giveaway Hop

Held December 2 - 6, 2011

I am providing four gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by
plus the opportunity to win a personalized PDF copy of my
sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel,
A Very Merry Chase
for one lucky commenter.

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 A Musical Jigsaw Puzzle
Gift #3 American Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Gift # 4 Grandmother's Big Book Of Old-Fashioned Christmas Tales

To Enter To Win A Very Merry Chase
Simply Leave A Comment Here

Try Using Google's Chrome Browser If Your Browser Will Not Work.

Or Leave Me A Comment On Facebook.

ALSO

For Additional Entries

Like Our Author Page On

Facebook

Where You Can Click On Our Photo Gallery To Find

Eight Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzles To Download As Gifts

And/Or

Like A Very Merry Chase on

Amazon

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after the

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop is Over!

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

MyLadyWeb Presents The Gratitude Giveaways Hop

2011-11-16T22:55:00.000-08:00

The Gratitude Giveaways Hop Is Now Over
But You Can Still Download Our Free Gifts.

Hello and Welcome!

The Old Fashioned Regency Romance

A Very Merry Chase

Now available...

in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.

Is Happy To Participate In

The Gratitude Giveaways Hop

November 17 - 27, 2011

I am providing several gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by
plus the opportunity to win a personalized PDF copy of my
sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel,
A Very Merry Chase
for one lucky commenter.

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 A Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

Gift #3 American Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Gift # 4 Grandmother's Big Book Of Old-Fashioned Christmas Tales

To Enter To Win A Very Merry Chase
Simply Leave A Comment Here

Try Using Google's Chrome Browser If Your Browser Will Not Work.

Or Leave Me A Comment On Facebook.

ALSO

Although No Additional Entries Are Available
I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to...
Like Our Author Page On

Facebook

Where You Can Click On Our Photo Gallery To Find

Eight Complimentary Musical Jigsaw Puzzles To Download As Gifts

And/Or

Like A Very Merry Chase on

Amazon

There are also lots of free gifts available at

LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after

The Gratitude Giveaways Hop is over!

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Maidservants in the 18th Century..A Necessary Evil, According To Author Daniel DeFoe

2011-11-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

Author Daniel Defoe Speaks Out Against The Excesses of Maidservants in the 18th century.

Women servants are now so scarce, that from thirty and forty shillings a year, their wages are increased of late to six, seven, nay, eight pounds per annum, and upwards; insomuch that an ordinary tradesman cannot well keep one; but his wife, who might be useful in his shop or business, must do the drudgery of household affairs; and all this because our servant-wenches are so puffed up with pride nowadays, that they never think they go fine enough: it is a hard matter to know the mistress from the maid by their dress; nay, very often the maid shall be much the finer of the two.

Our woolen manufacture suffers much by this, for nothing but silks and satins will go down with our kitchen-wenches; to support which intolerable pride, they have insensibly raised their wages to such a height as was never known in any age or nation but this.

Let us trace this from the beginning, and suppose a person has a servant-maid sent him out of the country, at fifty shillings, or three pounds a year. The girl has scarce been a week, nay, a day in her service, but a committee of servant-wenches are appointed to examine her, who advise her to raise her wages, or give warning; to encourage her to which, the herb-woman, or chandler-woman, or some other old intelligencer, provides her a place of four or five pounds a year; this sets madam cock-a-hoop, and she thinks of nothing now but vails and high wages, and so gives warning from place to place, till she has got her wages up to the tip-top.

Her neat's leathern shoes are now transformed into laced ones with high
heels; her yarn stockings are turned into fine woollen ones, with silk
clocks; and her high wooden pattens are kicked away for leathern clogs;
she must have a hoop too, as well as her mistress; and her poor scanty
linsey-woolsey petticoat is changed into a good silk one, for four or
five yards wide at the least. Not to carry the description farther, in
short, plain country Joan is now turned into a fine London madam, can
drink tea, take snuff, and carry herself as high as the best.

If she be tolerably handsome, and has any share of cunning, the
apprentice or her master's son is enticed away and ruined by her. Thus
many good families are impoverished and disgraced by these pert sluts,
who, taking the advantage of a young man's simplicity and unruly desires,
draw many heedless youths, nay, some of good estates, into their snares;
and of this we have but too many instances.

Some more artful shall conceal their condition, and palm themselves off
on young fellows for gentlewomen and great fortunes. How many families
have been ruined by these ladies? when the father or master of the
family, preferring the flirting airs of a young prinked up strumpet, to
the artless sincerity of a plain, grave, and good wife, has given his
desires aloose, and destroyed soul, body, family, and estate. But they
are very favourable if they wheedle nobody into matrimony, but only make
a present of a small live creature, no bigger than a bastard, to some of
the family, no matter who gets it; when a child is born it must be kept.

Our sessions' papers of late are crowded with instances of servant-maids
robbing their places, this can be only attributed to their devilish
pride; for their whole inquiry nowadays is, how little they shall do, how
much they shall have.

But all this while they make so little reserve, that if they fall sick
the parish must keep them, if they are out of place, they must prostitute
their bodies, or starve; so that from clopping and changing, they
generally proceed to whoring and thieving, and this is the reason why our
streets swarm with strumpets.

Thus many of them rove from place to place, from bawdy-house to service,
and from service to bawdy-house again, ever unsettled and never easy,
nothing being more common than to find these creatures one week in a good
family, and the next in a brothel. This amphibious life makes them fit
for neither, for if the bawd uses them ill, away they trip to service,
and if the mistress gives them a wry word, whip they are at a bawdy-house
again, so that in effect they neither make good whores nor good servants.

Those who are not thus slippery in the tail, are light of finger; and of
these the most pernicious are those who beggar you inchmeal. If a maid is a downright thief she strips you, it once, and you know your loss; but these retail pilferers waste you insensibly, and though you hardly miss it, yet your substance shall decay to such a degree, that you must have a very good bottom indeed not to feel the ill effects of such moths in your family.

Tea, sugar, wine, &c., or any such trifling commodities, are reckoned no thefts, if they do not directly take your pewter from your shelf, or your linen from your drawers, they are very honest: What harm is there, say they, in cribbing a little matter for a junket, a merry bout or so? Nay, there are those that when they are sent to market for one joint of meat, shall take up two on their master's account, and leave one by the way, for some of these maids are mighty charitable, and can make a shift to maintain a small family with what they can purloin from their masters and mistresses.

If you send them with ready money, they turn factors, and take threepence
or fourpence in the shilling brokerage. And here let me take notice of
one very heinous abuse, not to say petty felony, which is practised in
most of the great families about town, which is, when the tradesman gives
the house-keeper or other commanding servant a penny or twopence in the
shilling, or so much in the pound, for everything they send in, and
which, from thence, is called poundage.

This, in my opinion, is the greatest of villanies, and ought to incur
some punishment, yet nothing is more common, and our topping tradesmen,
who seem otherwise to stand mightily on their credit, make this but a
matter of course and custom. If I do not, says one, another will (for
the servant is sure to pick a hole in the person's coat who shall not pay
contribution). Thus this wicked practice is carried on and winked at,
while receiving of stolen goods, and confederating with felons, which is
not a jot worse, is so openly cried out against, and severely punished,
witness Jonathan Wild.

And yet if a master or mistress inquire after anything missing, they must
be sure to place their words in due form, or madam huffs and flings about
at a strange rate, What, would you make a thief of her? Who would live
with such mistrustful folks? Thus you are obliged to hold your tongue,
and sit down quietly by your loss, for fear of offending your maid,
forsooth!

Again, if your maid shall maintain one, two, or more persons from your
table, whether they are her poor relations, countryfolk, servants out of
place, shoe-cleaners, charwomen, porters, or any other of her menial
servants, who do her ladyship's drudgery and go of her errands, you must
not complain at your expense, or ask what has become of such a thing, or
such a thing; although it might never so reasonably be supposed that it
was altogether impossible to have so much expended in your family; but
hold your tongue for peace sake, or madam will say, You grudge her
victuals; and expose you to the last degree all over the neighbourhood.

Thus have they a salve for every sore, cheat you to your face, and insult
you into the bargain; nor can you help yourself without exposing
yourself, or putting yourself into a passion.

Another great abuse crept in among us, is the giving of veils to servants; this was intended originally as an encouragement to such as
were willing and handy, but by custom and corruption it is now grown to be a thorn in our sides, and, like other good things, abused, does more harm than good; for now they make it a perquisite, a material part of their wages, nor must their master give a supper, but the maid expects
the guests should pay for it, nay, sometimes through the nose. Thus have they spirited people up to this unnecessary and burthensome piece of
generosity unknown to our forefathers, who only gave gifts to servants at Christmas-tide, which custom is yet kept into the bargain; insomuch that a maid shall have eight pounds per annum in a gentleman's or merchant's family. And if her master is a man of free spirit, who receives much
company, she very often doubles her wages by her veils; thus having meat, drink, washing, and lodging for her labour, she throws her whole income upon her back, and by this means looks more like the mistress of the family than the servant-wench.

And now we have mentioned washing, I would ask some good housewifely
gentlewoman, if servant-maids wearing printed linens, cottons, and other
things of that nature, which require frequent washing, do not, by
enhancing the article of soap, add more to housekeeping than the
generality of people would imagine? And yet these wretches cry out
against great washes, when their own unnecessary dabs are very often the
occasion.

But the greatest abuse of all is, that these creatures are become their
own lawgivers; nay, I think they are ours too, though nobody would
imagine that such a set of slatterns should bamboozle a whole nation; but
it is neither better nor worse, they hire themselves to you by their own
rule.

That is, a month's wages, or a month's warning; if they don't like you
they will go away the next day, help yourself how you can; if you don't
like them, you must give them a month's wages to get rid of them.

This custom of warning, as practised by our maid-servants, is now become
a great inconvenience to masters and mistresses. You must carry your
dish very upright, or miss, forsooth, gives you warning, and you are
either left destitute, or to seek for a servant; so that, generally
speaking, you are seldom or never fixed, but always at the mercy of every
new comer to divulge your family affairs, to inspect your private life,
and treasure up the sayings of yourself and friends. A very great
confinement, and much complained of in most families.

Thus have these wenches, by their continual plotting and cabals, united
themselves into a formidable body, and got the whip hand of their
betters; they make their own terms with us; and two servants now, will
scarce undertake the work which one might perform with ease;
notwithstanding which, they have raised their wages to a most exorbitant
pitch; and, I doubt not, if there be not a stop put to their career, but
they will bring wages up to 201. per annum in time, for they are much
about half way already.

It is by these means they run away with a great part of our money, which
might be better employed in trade, and what is worse, by their insolent
behaviour, their pride in dress, and their exorbitant wages, they give
birth to the following inconveniences.

First, They set an ill example to our children, our apprentices, our
covenant servants, and other dependants, by their saucy and insolent
behaviour, their pert, and sometimes abusive answers, their daring
defiance of correction, and many other insolences which youth are but too
apt to imitate.

Secondly, By their extravagance in dress, they put our wives and
daughters upon yet greater excesses, because they will, as indeed they
ought, go finer than the maid; thus the maid striving to outdo the
mistress, the tradesman's wife to outdo the gentleman's wife, the
gentleman's wife emulating the lady, and the ladies one another; it seems
as if the whole business of the female sex were nothing but an excess of
pride, and extravagance in dress.

Thirdly, The great height to which women-servants have brought their wages, makes a mutiny among the men-servants, and puts them upon raising their wages too; so that in a little time our servants will become our partners; nay, probably, run away with the better part of our profits, and make servants of us vice versa. But yet with all these inconveniences, we cannot possibly do without these creatures; let us
therefore cease to talk of the abuses arising from them, and begin to think of redressing them. I do not set up for a lawgiver, and therefore shall lay down no certain rules, humbly submitting in all things to the wisdom of our legislature. What I offer shall be under correction; and upon conjecture, my utmost ambition being but to give some hints to remedy this growing evil, and leave the prosecution to abler hands.

Smiles & Good Reading,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

MyLadyWeb Presents The November Giveaway Hop

2011-11-07T23:55:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome!

The Old Fashioned Regency Romance

A Very Merry Chase

Now available...
in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.

Is Happy To Participate In

The November Giveaway Hop

November 8 - 11, 2011

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 A Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

Gift #3 American Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Gift # 4 Grandmother's Big Book Of Old-Fashioned Christmas Tales

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November Giveaway Hop is Over!

Smiles & Good Fortune,

Teresa

************************************

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Lucy Cleaver Female American Retail Worker Surviving In Poverty

2011-11-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world of Lucy Cleaver, a young American woman of twenty-five, who, in the early 20th century, entered one of the New York department stores at the age of twenty, at a salary of $4.50 a week.

In the course of the five years of her employment her salary had been raised one dollar. She stood for nine hours every day. If, in dull moments of trade, when no customers were near, she made use of the seats lawfully provided for employees, she was at once ordered by a floor-walker to do something that required standing.

During the week before Christmas, Lucy worked standing over fourteen hours every day, from eight to twelve-fifteen in the morning, one to six in the afternoon, and half past six in the evening till half past eleven at night. So painful to the feet becomes the act of standing for these long periods that some of the girls forego eating at noon in order to give themselves the temporary relief of a foot-bath. For this overtime the store gave her $20, presented to her, not as payment, but as a Christmas gift.

The management also allowed a week's vacation with pay in the summer-time and presented a gift of $10.

After five years in this position she had a disagreement with the floor-walker and was summarily dismissed.

She then spent over a month in futile searching for employment, and finally obtained a position as a stock girl in a Sixth Avenue suit store at $4 a week, a sum less than the wage for which she had begun work five years before. Within a few weeks, dullness of trade had caused her dismissal. She was again facing indefinite unemployment.

Her income for the year had been $281. She lived in a large, pleasant home for girls, where she paid only $2.50 a week for board and a room shared with her sister. Without the philanthropy of the home, she could not have made both ends meet. It was fifteen minutes' walk from the store, and by taking this walk twice a day she saved carfare and the price of luncheon. She did her own washing, and as she could not spend any further energy in sewing, she bought cheap ready-made clothes. This she found a great expense. Cheap waists wear out very rapidly. In the year she had bought 24 at 98 cents each. Here is her account, as nearly as she had kept it and recalled it for a year: a coat, $10; 4 hats, $17; 2 pairs of shoes, $5; 24 waists at 98 cents, $23.52; 2 skirts, $4.98; underwear, $2; board, $130; doctor, $2; total, $194.50. This leaves a balance of $86.50. This money had paid for necessaries not itemized,--stockings, heavy winter underwear, petticoats, carfare, vacation expenses, every little gift she had made, and all recreation.

She belonged to no benefit societies, and she had not been able to save money in any way, even with the assistance given by the home. So much for her financial income and outlay.

After giving practically all her time and force to her work, she had not received a return sufficient to conserve her health in the future, or even to support her in the present without the help of philanthropy. She was ill, anemic, nervous, and broken in health.

Before adding the next budget, two points in Lucy Cleaver's outlay should, perhaps, be emphasized in the interest of common sense. The first is the remarkable folly of purchasing 24 waists at 98 cents each. In an estimate of the cost of clothing, made by one of the working girls' clubs of St. George's, the girls agreed that comfort and a presentable appearance could be maintained, so far as expenditure for waists was concerned, on $8.50 a year. This amount allowed for five shirt-waists at $1.20 apiece, and one net waist at $2.50.

In extenuation of Lucy Cleaver's weak judgment as a waist purchaser, and the poor child's one absurd excess, it must, however, be said that the habit of buying many articles of poor quality, instead of fewer articles of better quality, is frequently a matter, not of choice, but of necessity. The cheap, hand-to-mouth buying which proves paradoxically so expensive in the end is no doubt often caused by the simple fact that the purchaser has not, at the time the purchase is made, any more money to offer. Whatever your wisdom, you cannot buy a waist for $1.20 if you possess at the moment only 98 cents. The St. George's girls made their accounts on a basis of an income of $8 a week. Lucy Cleaver never had an income of more than $5.50 a week, and sometimes had less. The fact that she spent nearly three times as much as they did on this one item of expenditure, and yet never could have "one net waist at $2.50" for festal occasions, is worthy of notice.

The other point that should be emphasized is the fact that she did her own washing. The more accurate statement would be that she did her own laundry, including the processes, not only of rubbing the clothes clean, but of boiling, starching, bluing, and ironing. This, after a day of standing in other employment, is a vital strain more severe than may perhaps be readily realized. Saleswomen and shop-girls have not the powerful wrists and muscular waists of accustomed washerwomen, and are in most instances no better fitted to perform laundry work than washerwomen would be to make sales and invoice stock. But custom requires exactly the same freshness in a saleswoman's shirt-waist, ties, and collars as in those of women of the largest income. The amount the girls of the St. George's Working Club found it absolutely necessary to spend in a year for laundering clothes was almost half as much as the amount spent for lodging and nearly two-thirds as much as the amount originally spent for clothing.

Where this large expense of laundry cannot be met financially by saleswomen, it has to be met by sheer personal strength. One department-store girl, who needed to be especially neat because her position was in the shirt-waist department, told us that sometimes, after a day's standing in the store, she worked over tubs and ironing-boards at home till twelve at night.

It is worth noting, as one cause of the numerous helpless shifts of the younger salesgirls, that, living, as most of them do, in a semi-dependence, on either relatives or charitable homes, it is almost impossible for them to learn any domestic economy, or the value of money for living purposes.

Good Reading & Good Fortune,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

The Ballad of the Clever Maid Who Outwitted The Unscrupulous Outlandish Knight

2011-11-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Clever Maid Who Outwitted The Unscrupulous Knight

This is the common English stall copy of a ballad of which there are a variety of versions, for an account of which, and of the presumed origin of the story, the reader is referred to the notes on the Water o’ Wearie’s Well, in the Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Ballads, published by the Percy Society. By the term ‘outlandish’ is signified an inhabitant of that portion of the border which was formerly known by the name of ‘the Debateable Land,’ a district which, though claimed by both England and Scotland, could not be said to belong to either country. The people on each side of the border applied the term ‘outlandish’ to the Debateable residents. The tune to The Outlandish Knight has never been printed; it is peculiar to the ballad, and, from its popularity, is well known.

An Outlandish knight came from the North lands,
And he came a wooing to me;
He told me he’d take me unto the North lands,
And there he would marry me.
‘Come, fetch me some of your father’s gold,
And some of your mother’s fee;
And two of the best nags out of the stable,
Where they stand thirty and three.’
She fetched him some of her father’s gold,
And some of the mother’s fee;
And two of the best nags out of the stable,
Where they stood thirty and three.
She mounted her on her milk-white steed,
He on the dapple grey;
They rode till they came unto the sea side,
Three hours before it was day.
‘Light off, light off thy milk-white steed,
And deliver it unto me;
Six pretty maids have I drowned here,
And thou the seventh shall be.
‘Pull off, pull off thy silken gown,
And deliver it unto me,
Methinks it looks too rich and too gay
To rot in the salt sea.
‘Pull off, pull of thy silken stays,
And deliver them unto me;
Methinks they are too fine and gay
To rot in the salt sea.
‘Pull off, pull off thy Holland smock,
And deliver it unto me;
Methinks it looks too rich and gay,
To rot in the salt sea.’
‘If I must pull off my Holland smock,
Pray turn thy back unto me,
For it is not fitting that such a ruffian
A naked woman should see.’
He turned his back towards her,
And viewed the leaves so green;
She catched him round the middle so small,
And tumbled him into the stream.
He dropped high, and he dropped low,
Until he came to the side, -
‘Catch hold of my hand, my pretty maiden,
And I will make you my bride.’
‘Lie there, lie there, you false-hearted man,
Lie there instead of me;
Six pretty maids have you drowned here,
And the seventh has drowned thee.’
She mounted on her milk-white steed,
And led the dapple grey,
She rode till she came to her own father’s hall,
Three hours before it was day.
The parrot being in the window so high,
Hearing the lady, did say,
‘I’m afraid that some ruffian has led you astray,
That you have tarried so long away.’
‘Don’t prittle nor prattle, my pretty parrot,
Nor tell no tales of me;
Thy cage shall be made of the glittering gold,
Although it is made of a tree.’
The king being in the chamber so high,
And hearing the parrot, did say,
‘What ails you, what ails you, my pretty parrot,
That you prattle so long before day?’
‘It’s no laughing matter,’ the parrot did say,
‘But so loudly I call unto thee;
For the cats have got into the window so high,
And I’m afraid they will have me.’
‘Well turned, well turned, my pretty parrot,
Well turned, well turned for me;
Thy cage shall be made of the glittering gold,
And the door of the best ivory.’
**************************
I have a graduate degree in history and I love history in all it’s forms–especially women’s history. A graduate degree in women’s studies was not an option at the university where I received my MA in History so I had to make do with a more generalized degree. However, in every class I made up for the lack by researching the condition of women in each age that I studied. I have always been fascinated by women’s history, so I thought I would start sharing some of the lost treasures that I uncover. I believe that most people have curious minds and like glimpses of how the world was, and how things were perceived in the past. I firmly believe in the idea that we must remember history in order to learn from it, grow and hopefully cut down on the number of stupid mistakes that random impulse and intellectual curiosity and greed and a thousand other human motivators lead us to make.

Smiles and Good Fortune,
Teresa Thomas Bohannon

****
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.
– W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

MyLadyWeb Presents The Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

2011-10-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome!

The Spooktacular Giveaway Hop Is Over

(Our Winner Was Holly Storm.)

But The Free

Thank You For Stopping By Gifts Are Still Available Below :)

A Very Merry Chase

Now available...
in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.

Was Happy to Participate In The 2011

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

October 24 - 31, 2011

I am providing two gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by
plus the opportunity to win a personalized PDF copy of my
sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel,
A Very Merry Chase
for one lucky commenter.

Gift #1 Hand Shadows: A Sweet, Old-Fashioned Activity To Share With Children

Gift #2 A Musical Jigsaw Puzzle

To Enter To Win A Very Merry Chase
Simply Leave A Comment Here

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And/Or

Follow Us On GFC or Networked Blogs...or Both :)

(I've just moved the blog here, so I'm starting all over again with GFC & Networked Blogs :)

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LadySilk's Regency Romance Revival
On Our Complimentary Bookshelf

So be sure to bookmark us so you can come back after the

Autumn Harvest Fall Between The Pages Book Giveaway Hop is Over!

Anna Patricio Author of the new historical novel ASENATH

2011-10-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Today I am happy to welcome historical novelist Anna Patricio author of ASENATH. To commemorate the occasion, I have prepared a complimentary musical jigsaw puzzle of her book cover for your enjoyment. In addition, Anna will be awarding a Smashwords' certificate good for one complimentary copy of ASENATH, to one lucky commentator.

A. I am Anna Patricio, a debut novelist of historical fiction. I have been an ancient history lover since my teens, and pursued formal studies in it at Macquarie University, Australia. I love Egypt, Israel, Greece and Rome; and I hope to learn more about the Ancient Near East in the future. I recently travelled to Lower Egypt (specifically Cairo and the Sinai), Israel and Jordan. I definitely plan to return to Egypt and see more of it in the future, as my time there was way too short.

Q. Tell us about your novel, ASENATH.

A. ASENATH is a fictional memoir of the little-known wife of Joseph of
the multicoloured coat fame. I have always been an enthusiast of the
Joseph story and recently, I realised that next to nothing is known
about the woman he married. All the Book of Genesis tells us about her
is that she was the daughter of a priest of On (more famously known as
Heliopolis). When I looked up Asenath, I found practically nothing
about her. My curiosity about her then paved the way for imagination.

Q. What was it about historical fiction that captured your fancy?

A. I suppose it is because first and foremost, I am an ancient history
lover. Secondly, when writing historical fiction, I get to explore a
world different from the one I live in. I have a bit of a wanderlust,
I guess, so I really appreciate this. If I wrote contemporary fiction,
I would be limited to the same old environment.
Not that there is anything wrong with contemporary settings - who
knows, I may try it sometime in the future. But for now, I have no
intention to leave historical fiction. Especially Egyptian fiction.

Q. Do you have an all-time favorite historical novel, and what
elements make it your favorite?

A. I love MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden. I love the depths of
passion and emotion conveyed in this novel, especially the heroine's
long-suffering love for her love interest. I like especially the
analogies Golden uses to convey complex emotions - this is a
remarkable feat. And this has been said many times before, but I will
say it again: it's hard to believe a man wrote this book!
I also like the novels of Wilbur Smith and Pauline Gedge who, in my
opinion, are the tops in Egyptian fiction. I love how they bring
Ancient Egypt to life, and I also like the way they develop their
characters. It's very believable, and something everyone can relate
to. Not to mention that these 2 authors have managed to "humanise" the
Ancient Egyptians - portray them as real people. Usually, they are
portrayed as larger than life.

Q. How do you research your novels?

A. Well, I have a degree in ancient history, so this has been made
tons easier, less overwhelming. Not to mention that I have already
read much about Joseph prior to writing my novel - I read midrash
stories, Jewish folktales, and even some episodes from the Koran.
So when the time came to research on ASENATH, I looked at my
notes/syllabi and also headed to the library of my alma mater.

On Writing:

Q. Is there anything you absolutely must have in order to write?

A. Absolute, cemetery-like silence. I can't write when there's a lot
of noise around. I tried writing with classical music, but even that
was distracting. So yes, I need total silence.

Q. What is the most difficult part of writing for you?

A. Overcoming writers' block, I guess. Sometimes, I want to write but
can't, for some reason. Eventually, it becomes clear that I won't be
able to write for the day.
But more difficult than that was searching for publication. At times,
I got really disheartened. But then, I landed a contract with Imajin
Books. It took me nearly a year, but it was worth it.

Q. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write?

A. It's very spontaneous, I have no specific routine. At the moment, I
am doing some promotion for my novel, so I haven't written in a while.
But when I do write, it is normally at night. I work better in the
evening, for some reason. I can't concentrate during the daytime,
although that is when I cook up ideas.
And I suppose I can write anywhere, as long as it is in a quiet place.
I tried writing in an airport, but it didn't work.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your life online and the sites you maintain.

A. I have a blog at www.annapatricio.blogspot.com. I am also on the
social networking sites Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Just For Fun:

Q. What is your favorite quote?

A. "Sometimes, the only way to get through adversity is to imagine
what our lives might be like if out dreams came true." -Arthur Golden,
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Q. Where is your favorite place to read?

A. In my room at night, before going to sleep.

Q. What is your favorite non ancient history novel and author, and why?

A. I suppose JANE EYRE, which is in the Classics genre? Like MEMOIRS
OF A GEISHA, this is a story of a woman who overcomes adversity and
finds happiness in the end. I love those sorts of stories.
(MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA and JANE EYRE, by the way, were inspirations for ASENATH.)

Q. If you were a supernatural or mythological entity, what, or who,
would you be, and why?

A. A faery - or any creature with wings. I would really love to fly!

Q. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you
desperately want with you, and why?

A. My iPod, because I can't live without music; my furry blanket, as
that could definitely come in handy; and a super thick novel to keep
my brain cells from stagnating.

Website/Blog: http://www.annapatricio.blogspot.com
Publisher: http://www.imajinbooks.com
Facebook: http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Anna-Patricio/100002375265599
Twitter: http://twitter.com/annapatricio
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Asenath-Anna-Patricio/dp/1926997263

Please take a moment to comment before leaving as one random winner will receive a Smashwords coupon good for an e-copy of Asenath, and remember to download your complimentary musical jigsaw puzzle of the cover of Asenath.
Smiles & Good Reading,
Teresa
************************************
It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915