research, Writing

Aztec Mythology: Mictlán

In Aztec cosmology, the soul intakes a journey to the Underworld after death and they have four destinations: the Sacred Orchard of the Gods, the Place of Darkness, the Kingdom of the Sun, and a paradise called the Mansion of the Moon. The most common destination for a soul is Mictlán (Place of Darkness) with… Continue reading Aztec Mythology: Mictlán

research, Writing

Greek Mythology: Nyx

Nyx is a very unique goddess. She has the ability to bring sleep or death. Even Zeus feared Nyx because she was older and stronger than him. She is the only goddess he’s ever known to fear. She is often described as a winged or riding in a chariot across the sky, shrouded in mist… Continue reading Greek Mythology: Nyx

research, Writing

Sumerian Mythology: Ereshkigal

Ereshkigal in Near Eastern mythology (Babylonian – Assyrian) was the goddess of the underworld, married to the war god Nergal. Ereshkigal ruled over the Mesopotamian realm of death. She is Inanna’s sister, rival, or alter-ego as descriptions of her and her realm are found in the Sumerian hymn, The Descent of Inanna (available in English… Continue reading Sumerian Mythology: Ereshkigal

research, Writing

Eros and Psyche

The myth of Eros and Psyche is probably one of the best known love stories in Greek mythology. Eros, the son of Aphrodite and personification of intense desire threw arrows to to hit a person’s heart and make them fall in love. Psyche was a beautiful maiden, who accordingly personified the human soul. She becomes… Continue reading Eros and Psyche

research, Writing

Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus was the son of Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry. Eurydice was a beautiful nymph. Their tragic love story is about losing someone you love and having the opportunity to get them back if you can follow one simple rule. Apollo is the Greek god of music and poetry and is most… Continue reading Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice

research, Writing

Blathnat: Irish Mythology

Goddess of the Tuatha de Danann Blathnat is an Irish goddess of abundance and tales of her appear in the Ulster Cycle describing her as the beautiful, scheming and unfaithful queen of the sorcerer Cu Roi. The intense love affair between Blathnat and Cuchulainn led to the death of her husband, Cu Roi. A common… Continue reading Blathnat: Irish Mythology

research, Writing

Mirror Folklore

In folklore, a mirror is a doorway or portal through which spirits, including ghosts and demons can gain access to the physical world where demonic infestations and hauntings occur. In prehistory, any shiny surface was regarded as a spirit doorway and used to summon spirits into the world. They also are used for seeing visions… Continue reading Mirror Folklore

Short Fiction, stories

Wandering Stars Release

The best 24 authors from the 12 volumes of Australasian speculative fiction in The Zodiac Series feature in a single anthology Wandering Stars: The Best of the Zodiac Series published by Deadset Press on 12th November 2022. Wandering Stars features my apocalyptic story “The Bull of Heaven” inspired by Mesopotamian mythology and representing the Taurus… Continue reading Wandering Stars Release

reads, Recent Reads

Dreaming of Djinn

Publisher’s Description: To open Dreaming Of Djinn is to open a jewel encrusted box full of exquisite and mouthwatering delicacies. This sensuous and truly mouthwatering collection melding the modern and the ancient with the strangeness of speculative fiction, is a treasure trove of originality and exotic magic. It will ravish your senses as it transports… Continue reading Dreaming of Djinn

research, Short Fiction

Ancient Egyptian Myth & War

In one of my latest research themes, I explored the Ancient Egyptian mythology surrounding Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess of war and a daughter of Ra. In one myth, Ra is angered by the Egyptian people’s lack of subservience to him and sends Sekhmet as punishment. She devours the armies sent against her until the deserts… Continue reading Ancient Egyptian Myth & War