Re: Heler Initiation Ritual

From: David Cake <dave_at_tqXjyOgI4DHVOD7TM6aOclLZoyEbyulJdAEYCICEuZjpQp16BMDI_iswCPPKFnDMe2aaGii>
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 10:46:49 +0800

On 01/06/2012, at 6:52 AM, Charles wrote:

>> Also, is there a mythic reason for the hostility
>> between Heler and Elmal outside of the wooing of
>> Esrola?

>
> Elmal is a straight-up, honest, loyal guy.
> Heler is a sexually ambiguous figure: she has been with Orlanth (when she appeared as Helera) and with Esrola (when he was a he) and possibly, after Orlanth went away, he dallied with Ernalda.

        This mythic rivalry is addressed directly in the Elmal cult writeup, S:KoH pg 152 and does say it is firmly based on the wooing of Esrola though.
> He and Heler are rivals for the affections of Esrola, the Earth, who takes one of them each summer as a Year-Husband.

        So, while I'm sure that the contrast between the solid gender roles of the Elmal cult (only makes initiated to Elmal, women must join Redalda) and Helers sexual ambiguity is brought up in the rivalry, it isn't the source of it, the source of it is good old male competition for the favours of a woman.

        And OK, so that stuff I said in my last message about Elmal being less interested in the less committed forms of Orlanthi marriage would appear to be wrong, or at least have a clear counter-argument.         

	Cheers
		David