Monday 16 November 2009

J = Angels And Goddesses


















Jaluha hands the cup of oblivion to the souls of sinners. After they drink from the cup of oblivion (I’ll have a sip of that.) they will forget the sinful deeds they performed on earth.

To the sinners who are being judged or purged Jaluha tells them that they ‘may drink therein and forget all the places which their soul has passed through.’



















Jurate is the Lithuanian Goddess of the Sea. Jurate lived in a beautiful castle made out of amber at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Jurate cared for and ruled over every creature of the sea and every drop of the water. Even the tiniest worm or smallest fish could not be happier.

One day she learned that a fisherman, Kastytis, was catching her fish and taking them out of the sea. She went to his boat prepared to yell at him, but he was so handsome that she fell in love with him instead.

Falling in love with Kastytis, Jurate needed to see her young fisherman everyday.

Perkunas, the God of Thunder, found out about her love for a mere mortal and flew into a jealous rage. He sent a thunderbolt to shatter Jurate’s castle and had Kastytis chained to a rock at the bottom of the sea, where he drowned.

To this day, when there is thunder over the Baltic Sea and the winds are whipped up by raging storms, you can still hear Kastytis’ cries. When walking along the shore after a storm you may find pieces of Jurate’s broken amber castle in the sand, so look closely.

*artwork of Jurate by Vytautas Ignas

44 comments:

zoe said...

*gasp*
this story of jurate is fantastic! and i love the beautiful artistic representation of it, i will have to look up that artist now! thank you!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Two beautiful choices for "J" -- I especially like the mythical explanation for amber. And the Cup of Oblivion -- we will all drink it one day. An oddly comforting thought.

angela recada said...

Good morning, dear Renee.

I love the art and story of Jurate. Amber is one of my favorite stones. Now I'll always remember this story and you when I see amber.

I hope you're feeling better today. You've been having a difficult time, I know. I'm not blogging much lately, just stopping by to visit some of my favorite blogs.

Hugs and love,
xoxoxo
Angela

Art by Darla Kay said...

WONDERFUL story!! I like the 'cup of oblivion' idea :)

What a love story about Jurate and Kastytis. So interesting and thanks for sharing!

Love, Darla

Diva Kreszl said...

Sounds like 'Jaluha' is in charge of dispensing God's Grace when she allows us to drink from her cup and forget our sins. I could use a sip of that right now!

Caio Fern said...

it is relly interestin to know .
thank you Renee .

Angie Muresan said...

I am hoping for some of that cup of oblivion myself. I hope you had a good weekend, Renee. And thank you for all the inspiring and encouraging posts you touch us with.

Deborah said...

Good morning Lovee. Hoping that you had some peace and joy this weekend. I have a serious problem...my life has become so full, I don't have time for work. My little slave driver docs have not caught on yet... **kisskiss** Deb

Manon said...

Leave it to Perkunas to ruin a good romance!!
Another wonderful post!!

Have a great day Renee!!

love,
manon
xo

Deborah said...

Awe, Renee, why so gentle with the doctors? Just "piss off"? Where is your F-bomb!!! I so much more than wish with my entire being that I could help in some way. My heart is reaching across barriers of time and space to embrace you.
All my love to you, Deb

Marion said...

I know Jaluha, she's a member of my family. She's at the bottom of every bottle of booze and every vial of pills. (Problem is she's a damn liar...you can never really forget.) Fascinating reading, dearest Renee. I hope you have a good week. Love & Blessings!

Lori ann said...

How are you dear Renee? I'm thinking about you.
I love the letter J because my youngest son,my baby boy(whos 19), is named Jacob.
I hope you enjoy your monday.
love,
lori

Jackie said...

Good Morning Renee:)
I always love visiting you here. I just realized that you live in Canada , guess I can't just pop in for tea ,LOL
In the blog world we are neighbors. Hello Jaquie:)
anyway, Hope you are having a good day.
Hugs,
Jackie

Shaista said...

Dear Renee, how do you know so much about so many things? What wonderful myths and legends. Do you ever read Rilke's Duino Elegies? He writes about angels, their power, wrath and humanity.

I do not want to drink from Jurate's cup. I do not want to forget anything my soul has learned in this life. The lessons are too important, the value too great, the rewards are sweeter than oblivion.

Anonymous said...

Love these two pictures. wow, awesoem angels and such a fantastic etching. I cannot pick which one I like the most.
Hope your having a great day!

TERI REES WANG said...

The next time I find an amber glass washed up along the shoreline, I will remember the gracious genius of Jurate!

I will remember to act with Grace.

Thanks for the reminder.

Ces Adorio said...

I want to know what these legend writers drank or sniffed when they were writing these tales. I wonder if they were the early bloggers? Why not write about an angel with a high libido, that would be exciting to read - angel porn - soft and fluffy!

I want to know what really happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. I knew there were angels there, One at least that saved Lot.

rochambeau said...

Hi Renee,
You know so many tales and are a good story teller!
Thinking of you and Jacquie!
Love,
Constance

Marion said...

FYI, gal-pal, my fucking back is killing me today, too! :-) Raining here & breezy---the weather is turning cooler. S'posed to get down to 39 tonight. Woo-Hoo! (That means I'll have to gimp my outside plants into the laundry room.) I'm working on my life story. It's one of those memoirs that Oprah will kick off her show because it's too crazy to be believed. But I'll email you bits and pieces as I go along. You rock my world, lady Renee. Just thought I'd tell you that. xoxoxox Blessings, too!!

Karin Bartimole said...

I do enjoy these myths and descriptions of Angels and Goddesses, Renee! I do wonder though, why is it that so called Gods have some of the least attractive characteristics of humans?! Vengefulness, jealousy, violence... makes me proud I'm not a God, and am merely human :)

The tumor is in the stitched breast... I'm doing okay. My next appt is on Thursday, with the surgeon and a complete pathology report. Will keep you posted. Until then all I can do is live my life as best I can.
love you,
Karin

Baino said...

Where do you get these? They're such lovely legends and tales. Amber washing up on sand? Interesting, must be from ancient long drowned trees. Unless it's ambergris of course and we know where that comes from . .

Jasmine said...

I love to read your snapshots of other cultures and mythologies.

Unknown said...

I too wish a sip from that cup....

Love you Lovey xoxoxo

Alexandra MacVean said...

What a great and incredible story. Thank you for sharing it with us. You continue to be inspiring to me, after all you have been through. My heart is down today...fighting to get "back on top of things"...it's hard. Then I come here and remind myself...if you can do it, so can I. Hugs!

Kolleen said...

Hello sweet Renee...hope you are well. I left you a little something on my blog today -check it out when you can!
xoxox

A.Smith said...

Today I need a bottle of oblivion, or at least a couple of glasses of it, over ice, thank you.

I sincerely hope you are feeling better than I do. With you, Ces, Elizabeth,Mary and a few others I can say I feel like hell on a hot day and you will know and say nothing because you know that the only true balm is "I love you" and we say that to each other from the heart so, I love you. I love Jacquie to. Tell her to wear the necklace and you do to. Even if in your pocket. They sat for a long time in front of Quan Yin after I made them. Some of Her Divine Goodness must be there somewhere.

Now, about those glasses of oblivion...

Clarity said...

That reminds me of the story of the Mermaid. Regret is a cloud we all carry, even a harsh word is remembered. It is up to God to forgive us.

Thank you for sharing your stories, peace and love, xxx.

P.S. I have something for you chez moi.

yoborobo said...

I don't know about drinking from the Cup of Oblivion, Renee. Sounds a little grim for my taste. :) Forgetting sinful deeds - that is a plus. Still, I would be very nervous about that first sip. :) You always teach me something, every time I visit you!
Much love xoxox Pam

BT said...

Oh that is such a sad story. I like the idea of the 'Cup of Oblivion'. Super post.

Stacey J. Warner said...

OH love this...I'll have a cup of oblivion please, LOL!

much love

yoborobo said...

Night, Renee - sleep well. xoxox Pam

Annie said...

I love this post. Sending kisses your way. Kj and I had coffee this morning and we talked about how wonderful you are :-). xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Renee~
You always find the right paintings the right things to say...
I miss talking to you~ I hope that Jacqui is getting stronger.. that you are getting stronger....
I love you Renee...
PAttee

Rosaria Williams said...

This is all new to me. These are lovely tales coming from many cultures. Inspirational.

Leslie said...

Wonderful artwork, great story, and pass the cup.

Anonymous said...

A cup of oblivian... I could think a long time simply on these words!

I love stories like this. Love, souls, releif for sinners, the sea, and the voices echoing in a storm. Enchanting!

a fanciful twist said...

Oh yes! Gasp gasp!!

Oh such power in love and romantic tragedy.... Enough to through the baltic see into turmoil and hear her cries..

Amber bits in the sand is what I would be hunting for indeed!

That was a wonderful tale!

xoxo

drollgirl said...

how dramatic! sheeesh!!!!

off topic, but i have a mammogram tomorrow. ugh. UGH. you know.

@eloh said...

More beautiful art and a great story.

I have always loved Mythology, I have never heard this one before.

Nina said...

Oh such wonderful stories... Of Hope, forgiveness, and eternal Love... I'll walk the shores and listen to the lovers calls and look to my feet to find the tiny amber testaments of everlasting love. Wonderful stories both... Blessings to you and yours. Love and Light, Nina P

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Hi Renee! Thanks for sharing such interesting stories about angels and Goddesses. Love the story of Jurate and Kastytis! I'll be looking out for amber too! :)

Marie Rayner said...

Fascinating tale Renee! Thanks for sharing!

Javajune said...

I love this story and the art. Another wonderful post miss Renee. I think I drank from the cup of oblivion a long time ago.
I hope you're well today.

with all my love!
Junie

shayndel said...

I always love adventures that have "J" in them.