This amulet, meant to be worn, carried, or offered to a deity in the belief that it will magically bestow a particular power or form of protection, depicts a papyrus scepter or column. This plant, named wadj, meaning “green” or “fresh”, and the choice of green-blue faience all strongly evoke vitality and regenerative power, qualities desirable for the living and the dead. Plaques featuring a relief scepter are particular to the Late and Ptolemaic Periods.
Late Period, ca. 664-332 BC. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 26.7.1036
I love ancient religions because often, in the source material,
the death and death-adjacent deities are like chill as fuck.
My favorite example is Hades. He gets the Underworld mostly because
his younger brothers put their fingers on their noses and said “not it.” So like a good big-bro he
goes down there and proceeds to basically be the god of bureaucracy.
He gets everything set up so he doesn’t actually have to do
anything. Thanatos is the God of Death (also chill as fuck) and he’s the one
who ends lives (but only off the shopping list the Fates give him), Hermes’ psychopomps
are the ones who bring the souls down, it’s three dead guys who are the ones to
judge your soul, and the fearsome three-headed guard dog… Hades named him Spot.
All the shitty stuff that goes on in Tartarus (Hell), yeah,
that’s mostly Zeus’ doing. Hades doesn’t come up with the punishments, just
provides the acreage. And when gods come down and want to bring people back to
life (often after some god has gotten them killed), Hades is like “nah man,
paperwork is finished, transfer’s complete, let them have their rest, find
someone else to be your punching bag.”
As for the whole Persephone thing, that is a strange one. I’m
like 85% sure the story is mostly Demeter propaganda because that goddess is
not chill as fuck. I mean, I guess Hades could have kidnapped Persephone with
serious malicious intent, but then did a 180 after realizing he was being a
total d-bag. Because, seriously, he pretty much lets Persephone take over
everything. Like, everyone knew who wore the pants in the Underworld, the motherfucking
Iron Queen herself.
And as much as I love Hades in the Hercules animated movie because of the perfect comedic timing of James
actually-a-horrible-human-being Woods, yeah, Hades couldn’t give a crap about
what everyone else was doing. He often stayed neutral in wars, be it between
mortals or gods, mostly because death does not discriminate, all souls end up
with him in the end.
When it comes to the Underworld, Hades is basically the equivalent
of the general manager who pokes his head in now and again to make sure nothing
is on fire. The rest of the time he’s playing with his shiny rocks because
being Lord of the Underworld meant he also had domain over gold, silver,
gemstones, basically all the pretties.
Hell, Hades needs an actual Helm of Fear in order to be
intimidating because otherwise, yeah, nope. I like to think of him as
Skinny!Steve whist his brothers are like, well, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman (aka Poseidon).
Let’s face it, Momoa could kick your ass just by looking at you sideways and
may actually be a demi-god.
So, please, if you’re writing Hades in anything, don’t make
him out to be the modern idea of Satan or Lucifer. He’s really just an introvert
with high functioning organizational skills who loves rocks and women who can
kick his ass.
Djehuty, more commonly known as Thoth, is the leader of the
elder gods known as the Ogdoad. His name comes from the ibis bird, and translates as
“he who is like the ibis.” We get the name Thoth from the English translation
of the Greek letters that spell his Egyptian name. Djehuty is usually depicted as a man with the head of an
ibis. As the “reckoner of times and seasons,” he wears a
headdress of the lunar disk supported on the crescent moon. He has also been depicted
as a full ibis, a baboon, a dog-faced baboon, or a man with the head of a
baboon. Djehuty was the primary mediator between good and evil,
making sure that each was in balance, one never getting a decisive victory over
the other. As the scribe, he was the one who created the written word and the
Egyptian hieroglyphics. In the Underworld, he was the one who recorded where
the scales rested in the weighing of the heart against the feather of Ma'at. As a member of the Ogdoad, Djehuty was self-created, having
no parentage. As the master of divine law (both the physical and moral laws),
Djehuty was the definition of Ma'at and its proper use. Djehuty made the
calculations for the establishment of the universe we live in. His feminine
counterpart was Ma'at, who is the force that maintains the universe. The Egyptians credited Djehuty as the divine author of all
works of science, philosophy, religion, and magick. The Greeks went even
further and made him the author of every work of every branch of knowledge, human
or divine.[…] Djehuty is also a creator god according to the Ogdoad. In
the form of the ibis, Djehuty laid the egg from which Ra was born. This story
was so powerful to the people of Egypt that it still exists in our common
knowledge today as the goose that lays the golden egg. Djehuty was the deification of the moon. In the Ogdoad, the
moon and the sun were the eyes of Horus. Over time, the moon gained importance,
and was deified in its own right. The moon was a primary source for keeping
time. With its shorter cycle of twenty-eight days, it is much more accurate for
shorter spans of time than the sun. The crescent moon resembles the beak of the ibis, thus
Djehuty became the moon god. Baboons are sacred to him, and sing to the moon at
night. The moon played a prominent part in the timing of ancient
Egyptian civil and religious events. It also gave light like the sun, by which
the dark night of Nut was held at bay. As an accurate way of determining weeks
and months, it became a prominent measure of time. The moon was the measurement
and regulation of events and of time itself. Thus, Djehuty became the Lord of
Time. As Ra, the sun god, was also used to measure the time of
seasons, Djehuty became his temporal counsellor. So important was this concept of
time and order that Djehuty and Ma'at stand at the side of Ra as he makes his way through the night on his sky
boat. […] Djehuty is also the divine scribe, “the master of the
written word, who speaks the word into reality.”
Quoted from: “Invoking the Egyptian Gods”, by Judith Page & Ken
Biles
Do you ever think about how different your view of everything would be if you thought in a numerical system that wasn’t base 10
“Wow, 823543. What a nice, round number!”
This is an interesting knob to twist in speculative fiction, because like, we think it’s perfectly obvious that “10 digits (fingers) = 10 digits (numerals)” but that doesn’t need to be true. Like it could be as trivial as if we had just picked up the habit of counting a finger by touching it to our thumb instead of sticking it out. That’d mean we’d work in base 8. (Which would have been an unexpected blessing when we invented computers.) Or if we came up with the notion of place values *and then assigned them to our fingers* we’d be counting to 255 on our hands, in base 2. (This is a neat trick to learn, by the way.)
Plus there are actual historical peoples who count in bases that have nothing to do with their total inventory of fingers, like the Mayan (5)20 system. (Their system is based on grouping things into fives, and it transitions from counting into multiplication at 20.) Or 60, which the Babylonians used because it has lots of whole divisors, and they hadn’t really worked out fractions very nicely. (This survives as our weird base 60 time system, which is BTW another thing specficcers often forget civilizations do: Inconsistency and legacy systems!)
Yes, yes, yes to all of this, but especially inconsistency and legacy systems. Give me more worlds that make as little sense when viewed in snapshot as ours does.
Other fun numeral systems:
Unary (base one) is simply tally marks
Base 20 has a minute presence in English with the word ‘score’, which might owe some of its survival to the Gettysburg Address (”Four score and seven years ago” = 87 years ago)
Base 12 survives with “dozen” (10 in base 12, which is 12 in decimal) and “gross” (100 in base 12, which is 144 in decimal). There are modern groups of “dozenists” who wish to actually move to a duodecimal system due to mathematical simplicity in some cases (0.6, 0.4, 0.3, and 0.2 being perfectly precise duodecimal representations of the fractions ½, 1/3, ¼, and 1/6, respectively, whereas 1/3 and 1/6 in decimal produce infinitely repeating digits)
Binary, Octal, and Hexadecimal are obviously used in computers, and knowledge of the last of these three is common as RGB colors are written that way. (ie, most computer-savvy people would know #FFFFFF indicates white, and might even know FF = 255 in decimal, and on a scale of 0 to 255, FF FF FF means there are 255 of each red, green, and blue.)
You mentioned our base 60 time system, but it’s important to point out that degrees (of a circle, not temperature) are also base 60! A circle has 360º, each degree is 60′ (minutes) and each minute is 60′′ (seconds).
Depending on how you want to talk about bases, measuring systems get VERY complicated. Metrics, are, of course all base-10 based, but look at the imperial system. Measuring has a mixed system so 1;14;2;11.5 as the numbers representing the ridiculously precise “1 mile, 14 yards, 2 feet, and 11.5 inches” (no one would measure like this and the notation doesn’t exist, but still, it’s feasibly understandable) has each unit with a different conversion: fractions of inches are decimal, 12 inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, and 1,760 yards in a mile. The imperial system is rife with hard-to-remember conversions: 3 teaspoons to a tablespoon, 16 tablespoons to a cup (also 8 fluid ounces to a cup), 2 cups to a pint, 2 pints to a quart, 4 quarts to a gallon. Some people would consider these mixed-base systems.
If you leave the realm of English, you get much more interesting combinations in normal speech. French is notorious for its counting system: the ‘teens’ start at 17, dix-sept, instead of thirteen, with the word for ten first. 20-60 have unique tens words but 70-90 is soixante-dix, sixty-ten, quatre-vingts, four twenties, and quatre-vingt-dix, four-twenties-ten. the french grading system is also base twenty, in a way, as they grade out of 20. (well, for many subjects they really grade out of 19 because a 20 is nearly impossible in, say, history, but I digress)
Danish counting is even more bizarre, with words like ‘halvtreds’ meaning fifty, from halvtredsindstyve, half from three times twenty, that is 2.5*20. So ninety-nine in Danish is ‘nioghalvfems’, or nine more than the half from five of twenty.
You may see a pattern in the prevalence of base-twenty, often due to body parts (ten fingers and ten toes). Other languages use body-part systems that don’t rely on ten or twenty, though. Base-four has come about in some areas where many farm animals are counted or traded. Oksapmin is another oft-quoted language numeral system. Some people call it “base-twenty-seven” but I’d say it’s kind of baseless. The idea is to assign numbers to body parts, counting from the thumb and fingers up the wrist, forearm, elbow, etc. across the shoulders and down the other side. By assigning body parts these numbers, they can reference those body parts instead of numerals. So “pinky on the other side” would be 27. Different groups have different ways of counting past 27, some by going back across and others by doing groups of 27, the latter of which could be base 27.
“Raëlism (also known as Raëlianism or the Raëlian movement) is a UFO religion that was founded in 1974 by Claude Vorilhon (b. 1946), now known as Raël. The Raëlian Movement teaches that life on Earth was scientifically created by a species of extraterrestrials, which they call the Elohim. Members of this species appeared human when having personal contacts with the descendants of the humans that they made. They purposefully misinformed early humanity that they were angels, cherubim, or gods. Raëlians believe that messengers, or prophets, of the Elohim include Buddha, Jesus, and others who informed humans of each era. The founder of Raëlism, members claim, received the final message of the Elohim and that its purpose is to inform the world about Elohim and that if humans become aware and peaceful enough, they wish to be welcomed by them.”
The Nuwaubian Nation
“The Nuwaubian Nation or Nuwaubian movement was a religious organization founded and led by Dwight York. York began founding Black Muslim groups in New York in 1967. He changed his teachings and the names of his groups many times, incorporating concepts from Judaism, Christianity, and many esoteric beliefs.In the late 1980s, he abandoned the Muslim theology of his movement in favor of Kemetism and UFO religion. In 1991 he took his community to settle in upstate New York; then they moved near the county seat of Eatonton, Georgia, in Putnam County. His followers built an ancient Egypt-themed compound called Tama-Re and changed their name to the “United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors.””
The Universe People
“
Universe People or Cosmic People of Light Powers (Czech: Vesmírní lidé sil světla) is a Czech and Slovak UFO religion founded in the 1990s and centered on Ivo A. Benda. Their belief system is based upon the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations communicating with Benda and other contactees since October 1997 telepathically and later even by direct personal contact. They are considered to be the most distinctive UFO religion in the Czech Republic.“
Scientology
“Scientology is a body of religious beliefs and practices created in 1954 by American author L. Ron Hubbard (1911–86). Hubbard initially developed a program of ideas called Dianetics, which was distributed through the Dianetics Foundation. The foundation soon entered bankruptcy and Hubbard lost the rights to his seminal publication Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health in 1952. He then recharacterized the subject as a religion and renamed it Scientology, retaining the terminology, doctrines, the E-meter, and the practice of auditing. Within a year, he regained the rights to Dianetics and retained both subjects under the umbrella of the Church of Scientology.
In the OT levels, Hubbard explains how to reverse the effects of past-life trauma patterns that supposedly extend millions of years into the past. Among these advanced teachings is the story of Xenu (sometimes Xemu), introduced as the tyrant ruler of the “Galactic Confederacy”. According to this story, 75 million years ago Xenu brought billions of people to Earth in spacecraft resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners, stacked them around volcanoes and detonated hydrogen bombs in the volcanoes. The thetans then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living, and continue to do this today.
“
Heaven’s Gate
“
Heaven’s Gate was an American UFO religious millenarian group based in San Diego, California, founded in the early 1970s and led by Marshall Applewhite (1931–1997) and Bonnie Nettles (1927–1985). On March 26, 1997, police discovered the bodies of 39 members of the group who had committed mass suicide in order to reach what they believed was an extraterrestrial spacecraft following Comet Hale–Bopp.
Heaven’s Gate members believed the planet Earth was about to be “recycled” (wiped clean, renewed, refurbished, and rejuvenated), and the only chance to survive was to leave it immediately. While the group was against suicide, they defined “suicide” in their own context to mean “to turn against the Next Level when it is being offered” and believed their “human” bodies were only vessels meant to help them on their journey. In conversation, when referring to a person or a person’s body, they routinely used the word “vehicle””
Church of the SubGenius
“The Church of the SubGenius is a parody religion that satirizes better-known belief systems. It teaches a complex philosophy that focuses on J. R. “Bob” Dobbs, purportedly a salesman from the 1950s, who is revered as a prophet by the Church. SubGenius leaders have developed detailed narratives about Dobbs and his relationship to various gods and conspiracies. Their central deity, Jehovah 1, is accompanied by other gods drawn from ancient mythology and popular fiction. SubGenius literature describes a grand conspiracy that seeks to brainwash the world and oppress Dobbs’ followers. In its narratives, the Church presents a blend of cultural references in an elaborate remix of the sources.“
Aetherius Society
“The Aetherius Society is a millenarian, New Age, UFO religion. It was founded by George King in the mid-1950s as the result of what King claimed were contacts with extraterrestrial intelligences, whom he referred to as “Cosmic Masters”. Regarded as firmly based in Theosophy, the Aetherius Society combines UFO claims, yoga, and ideas from various world religions, notably Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Stefan Isaksson notes that it has “become a complex religious belief system that includes an extraterrestrial hierarchy of various spiritual masters and such concepts as universal karma and religious healing.” The religion’s goal is to prevent worldly destruction by improving cooperation between humanity and various alien ‘masters’,and by using ‘spiritual energy’ to improve the spiritual calibre of the world
“
👽 If you want more posts about UFO religions or want us to cover a specific group, message us!
👽
I love going out for tea or coffee; sometimes with my friends, sometimes by myself to savor the peace and qiet. Lately I’ve discovered some interesting coffee shops, and I thought I would share my favorite ones with you.
Oh, and don’t worry, I’ve noticed you can find at least one or two of these in every town, so I want to believe this is mostly relevant for everyone.
The coffee shop with the flower decals on the big window:
Find it Fridays and Saturdays in place of the music store.
It looks small, but there is an inner courtyard in the back. Come in through the corridor and you will find yourself surrounded by flowers and birds. It’s always sunny and warm here, even if it’s raining outside.
They have the best teas. The florals are especially good. The jasmine one is the best.
Don’t take napkins or accept complementary cookies or sugar packets. The beverages are overly sweet, so hopefully you won’t need them. But even if you do, don’t accept any free service.
Don’t worry, it’s safe to drink and eat here as long as you pay for it. Pay the exact amount on the bill, though (this might be tricky, since prices seem to vary each day). Change tends to be gone from your pockets the moment you step out.
Tippping your baristas is encouraged, for two weeks of good luck, doing well in your finals, and finding love in less than seven days.
The fancy bakery with the white columns:
Open early in the morning and late in the afternoon, on the street opposite the church.
I’ll be honest, the beverages are very plain and watery. But you might want to come here for the baked sweets.
At some point, someone told the owner that red velvet was in, and they took it literally. You will find cake, muffins, cupcakes, cake pops… all red velvet. It’s the most delicious version you’ll ever taste, though.
The owner has an Instagram and always shows off her “real red velvet cake, no red food coloring”. Do not ask her if she uses beet juice, as you will not see the end of it. Don’t think too much about it.
Try not to pay with too many coins, since the owner makes a point of counting every single one of them before getting your change.
It is strongly discouraged to try to stall past closing hours. It’s recommended to make sure to leave five minutes before closing.
The two-story Starbucks on the main street:
Open all days of the week. You will not be able to find it past closing hours.
I’ve found out that your experience might be completely different depending on the barista that serves you. I can only speak for the ones I’ve met or heard about.
Do not order a Frappuccino from the guy with the light blue eyes and the unsettling smile. The cold will go straight to your heart.
The barista with the long hair and the too-sharp teeth will read your future in the color swirls of your drink. Heed their advice. Wear a silver necklace if you can.
The girl with the green eyes and a headband covering her ears attends the drive-thru. If she gives you directions, make sure to always follow the opposite of them.
Make sure not to give your real name. Oh, and do not ask to speak with the manager. The rumble of water in the sewers beneath your feet? That’s her, and she does not like to be bothered.
The small café with the green door:
Open in place of the vacant lot where the old bakery used to be. Usually open when you need it: in the early morning, late at night, or before an exam.
It is a lovely place with dim light, decorated with old photos and toys. You will hear muffled music from the top floor. It will always feel like home.
Your favorite meal and beverages will be ready on the table when you arrive.
Don’t bother bringing a laptop or a notebook here, as all the text you type or weire will be when you leave. In a similar manner, if you come here with friends you will not remember what you just talked about.
This place is better visited alone, to enjoy a few minutes of introspection. When you leave, any sad feelings will be gone temporarily.
The place will always be empty, but do not let this make you believe that you can leave without paying and leaving a tip.
The roadside diner on the edge of town:
This one is open 24/7. It’s always there. It feels like it has always been.
Try not to stop here between 12am and 3am - reality bends a little to the right at that time.
The waiter is always the same man with dark hair and empty eyes. He always seems to have misplaced his name tag. If you ask for his name, he will finally confess he doesn’t remember.
The sandwiches here are the best you will ever taste. The coffee will keep you up for hours. They are both incredibly cheap, too.
Time seems to stop here. It’s always the same song playing on the radio (Tom’s Diner), always the same film on the small corner TV (The Sound of Music).
Never mind the shadows standing in the parking lot. Unless your waiter seems worried, assume everything is normal.
Overall, I’ve had a great experience in all the establishments. If you decide to go, remember to always pay for your drinks and tip your barista. And if you take pictures of your food to post them on social media, remember to tag the food places so other people can know about them!
[if you like my writing consider buying me a coffee? your girl works night shifts ;u;]
[This is 100% fictional nonfiction, that is, it’s not real. Please enjoy the story, let it inspire you, but be nice to your real-world baristas and tip them ouo]
