ZEUS GOD OF GODS

ZEUS - GOD OF GODS

Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. He overthrew his father, Cronus/Kronos (King of the Titans), and then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades, in order to decide who would succeed their father on the throne. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods, as well as lord of the sky and rain. His weapon was a thunderbolt which he hurled at those who displeased or defied him, especially liars and oathbreakers. Although he was married to Hera, he often tested her patience, as he was infamous for his many affairs.

Zeus, the presiding deity of the universe, ruler of the skies and the earth, was regarded by the Greeks as the god of all natural phenomena on/in the sky, the personification of the Laws of nature, the ruler of the state, and finally, the “Father of Gods and Men.” God ... the Father.

Using his shield, the Aegis, Zeus could create all natural phenomena related to the air and the sky, such as storms, tempests, and intense darkness. At his command, mighty thunder would roll, and lightning would flash, wreaking havoc … or the skies would open to rejuvenate the earth with life-giving water.

As the personification of the operations of nature, he represented the grand Laws of unchanging and harmonious order, by which both the natural and the spiritual world were governed. He was the god of regulated time as marked by the changing seasons and the regular succession of day and night, in contrast to what his father Cronus/Kronos represented before him; absolute time, i.e. eternity. (Father Time)

As the ruler of the state, he was the source of kingly power, the upholder of all institutions connected to the state, and the friend and patron of princes, whom he guarded and assisted with his advice and counsel. He was also the protector of the people, and watched over the welfare of the whole community.

As the Father of the Gods, Zeus made sure that each deity perform their individual duty, punished their misdeeds, settled their disputes, and acted towards them on all occasions as their all-knowing counsellor and mighty friend.

As the Father of Men, he took a paternal interest in the actions and well-being of mortals. He watched over them with tender care, rewarding Truth, charity, and fairness, while severely punishing perjury and cruelty. Even the poorest and most hopeless wanderer could find a powerful advocate in Zeus, for He, as a wise and merciful paternal figure, demanded that the wealthy inhabitants of the earth be attentive to the needs of their less fortunate fellow citizens.

Perhaps, we should have a closer look at his humanitarian side. After all, isn't that what a God should be most concerned with? The well being of all his offspring. The goodness of the treatment of all people. No favourites, every begotten child treated with equality and justice. Of course, there's that lightning bolt that you'd have to dodge every now and again ... but wasn't it the same for us as kids when we stepped out of line? You know, running from the switch, the ruler, the belt, or that long strip of Hot Wheels plastic track? 

Just a thought ... 

~Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

ASTROTHEOLOGY LESSON

ASTROTHEOLOGY LESSON

The word “Pastor” comes from Pa-stor, “Pa” meaning great or father, “Stor” or ASTER meaning Star (Greek word for stars is asteria). Therefore, the etymology of Pastor means the Great Star or the Father Star, or ... Sun God. 

“Minister and Ministry” come from Min and Aster. “Min” was the common ancient term and root of MOON whereas Aster, Stir, Stor all relate to STAR. Thus Minister is “MoonStar.” Monastery, monk, and month have the same origin. This is also where we get “Minute.” 

This is a title that derives from the lunar and stellar cults. This explains why there is a minute hand on a watch. The three hands of a watch relate to the THREE PLANETS associated with TIME. 

The slow hand is the hour hand, meaning “Horus,” representing the SUN. The minute hand is for Min, representing the MOON. And, the swift ticking second hand is for MERCURY, the planet which rotates fastest of all, both around the sun, and on its own orbit. This is why the figure of the god Mercury was depicted with wings on his shoes or feet.

Also, Have you ever wondered how the names of the Days of the Week originated? The Roman people, as did many other ancient civilizations, named the days of the week after the sun, moon and planets, which were considered to be gods.

Sunday Meaning: The Sun's day.

Monday Meaning: The Moon's day.

Tuesday Meaning: Tiw's day; the Old Norse's equivalent to planet and god of Mars. 

Note: Tyr, Old Norse Týr, Old English Tiw, or Tiu, one of the oldest gods of the Germanic peoples and a somewhat enigmatic figure. He was apparently the god concerned with the formalities of war—especially treaties—and also, appropriately, of justice.

Wednesday Meaning: Woden's day: the Old Norse's equivalent to Mercury. 

Note: Woden was widely known as a god of war, but he was important also as a god of learning, of poetry, and of magic. His wife was Frigg, and his children included Thor, Balder, and Tiw. He was identified with the Roman god Mercury, and among Germanic peoples Mercury's day became Woden's day (Wednesday).

Thursday Meaning: Thor's day: Old Norse's equivalent to Jupiter. 

Note: Thor was the most popular of all the gods. He was a god of war and fertility. He created thunder and lightning as he rode over the clouds in a chariot drawn by goats, swinging his hammer Mjöllnir.

Friday Meaning: Frigg's/ Frica's day: Old Norse's equivalent to Venus. 

Note: Frigg is the Queen of Asgard and the highest of the goddesses. She is the goddess of motherhood and is herself the mother of Balder, Hodor and Hermod. ... Frigg is also the goddess of marriage and her name comes from the verb “fríja” meaning “to love.”

Saturday Meaning: Saturn's day. 

Note: Saturn, Latin Saturnus, in Roman religion, the god of sowing or seed. ... In Roman myth Saturn was identified with the Greek Cronus. Exiled from Olympus by Zeus, he ruled Latium in a happy and innocent golden age, where he taught his people agriculture and other peaceful arts. In myth he was the father of Picus.

Astrotheology has played an important role in the history of civilization. Astrotheology is a field of study that explores the role that the stars, sun, moon, and other “heavenly bodies” have played in the formation of various religious systems. This field can study anything from ancient mythological systems utilized by Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, and Sumerians to more modern religions and the origins of various traditions and practices. 

The basic purpose of astrotheology is to study various religious concepts with regard to astronomical objects and how they have influenced these religions and mythological systems. Some of the most basic studies in this field involve ancient mythological systems that often ascribed divine origin or identities to various objects in the sky. From the descriptions above, you will notice that inn these systems, the moon was often described as a feminine figure and the sun was frequently given masculine traits. Various gods and goddesses in different systems were connected to different astronomical bodies, such as the names of nearby planets, and through astrotheology these practices can be better understood.

The observance and concept of God is ever present in the celestial heavens ... seen in annual recurring cycles. The Eternal Universe, regenerating itself, from within itself. A constantly recycling infinite mass of energy of which all of us are within, and a part of. Not as individual members ... things ... but as ONE thing. Eternal bound by the consciousness that brings Life to ALL form.

u·ni·verse

/ˈyo͞onəˌvərs/

noun

all existing matter and space considered AS A WHOLE; the cosmos.

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

~ACTS 17:28

Just a thought … 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.

GREEK AND ROMAN GODS

GREEK AND ROMAN GODS

There is always confusion when referencing the names of the ancient gods. Sometimes we hear the Greek names, sometimes the Roman names. Here we will list the twelve Olympian gods and a brief description of each. Followed by yet more gods. The Greeks and Romans shared the same stories, but used different names. This might make things a bit less confusing. 

Greek Name / Roman Name

Followed by their description.

Zeus / Jupiter

Lord of the sky and supreme ruler of the gods. Known for throwing lightening bolts.

Poseidon / Neptune

Ruler of the sea. Brother of Zeus. Carried a three-pronged spear known as a trident.

Hades / Pluto

Ruler of the underworld and the dead. Brother of Zeus. Had a helmet which rendered its wearer invisible.

Hestia / Vesta

A virgin goddess and sister of Zeus. No distinct personality or part in myths. Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the home.

Hera / Juno

Zeus's wife and sister. Protector of marriage, spent most of her time punishing the many women Zeus fell in love with. Likes cows and peacocks.

Ares / Mars

God of war and son of Zeus and Hera. Likes vultures and dogs.

Athena / Minerva

Daughter of Zeus alone. No mother. She sprang from his head full-grown and in full armor. The protector of civilized life, handicrafts, and agriculture. Invented the bridle, and first to tame the horse. Likes Athens, olives, and owls.

Apollo / Apollo (shared name)

Son of Zeus. Master musician, archer god, healer, god of light, god of Truth, sun god. A busy god who likes the laurel tree, dolphins, and crows.

Aphrodite / Venus

Daughter of Zeus. Goddess of Love and Beauty. Likes the myrtle tree, doves, sparrows, and swans.

Hermes / Mercury

Son of Zeus. Wore wings on his sandals and his hat, thus was graceful and swift.

Artemis / Diana

Apollo's twin sister and daughter of Zeus. Lady of wild things and huntsman to the gods. As Apollo is the Sun, Artemis is the moon.

Hephaestus / Vulcan

Son of Hera, God of Fire. The only ugly and deformed god. Makes armor and weapons forged under volcanoes.

Other Gods

Gaea / Terra

Mother Earth.

Asclepius / Aesculapius

God of medicine.

Cronus (Kronos) / Saturn

Cronus was the son of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaea (Earth). God of the sky, god of time; Ruler of the Titans (Roman mythology: God of agriculture)

Demeter / Ceres

Goddess of grain.

Dionysus / Bacchus

God of wine and vegetation.

Eros / Cupid

God of love.

Hypnos / Somnus

God of sleep.

Rhea / Ops

Wife of Cronus (Kronos) / Saturn. Mother Goddess.

Ouranos / Uranus

Uranus (Ouranos) (Ancient Greek: Οὐρανός, romanized: Ouranós, was the primal Greek god personifying the sky and one of the Greek primordial deities.

God of the sky. Father of the Titans.

Nike / Victoria

Goddess of Victory.

And there you have it ... or at the very least, a point of reference between the Greek and Roman god equivalents. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.