Divine identities

From: Peter Metcalfe <metcalph_at_bigfoot.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 17:26:31 +1200


Alex Ferguson:

> > In the case of Dendara/Entekos, it is unambiguously recognized
> > that Dendara is the same as Entekos, so how is this specifically
> > relevant?

>This is specifically relevant becuase that is _not_ unambiguously
>recognised, and because it specifically _fails_ the obvious "common
>initiation" test.

It is unambiguously recognized (read the intro to the Entekosiad) and the three aspects of Orlanth also fail the "common initiation" test in that they the rites of numerous holy days are specific to an aspect.

>(To recast this as "same or different aspect" is
>to propose more problems than one is likely to solve, I think.)

How so? I've already admitted that it requires the existence of a "fused aspect", something not covered in HW.

>I suspect this will lead to a series of unchecked assertions rather
>than either affirmation of "demolition", but try:

>Orlanth/Shargash

Different deities, easily. The locations of Orlanth on the God plane are radically different from Shargash's locations. Furthermore the equation Orlanth = Shargash really only appears as a Dara Happan slur rather than an authentic example of mythological confusion.

>Humakt//Shargash

Different deities, as explained in digests passim. Can also use the different places on the Godplane as evidence.

>Tolat/Shargash

Same deity, even their runes are the same.

>Dendara/Entekos

Same deity (although two different aspects).

>Ernalda/Oria

As I've pointed out to Chris Lemens, I think they are the same deity but the fact that they have different runes (Ernalda has the Square earth rune while Oria has an upside down Triangle, inverse mountain, with a line through it) means that this identity is far from certain. In any case, the lack of certainty about Oria is solely caused by published evidence to date - it is not a sign that gloranthans are confused about whether Oria is the same goddess as Ernalda or not.

>Ernalda/Dendara

Different deities. Ernalda is an Earth Goddess while Dendara is an atmospheric goddess.

>Elmal/Yelmalio.

Different deities. Yelmalio and Elmal have different locations on the godplane and different runes.

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