Decided to crosspost from the other blog after all. Don't worry, sonofJah, there'll be plenty of smut to go around.
This is the latest issue of my 'Word of the Week' series, a weekly audio reading in which I give the definition, history, etymology, and usage of an obscure word either of my choice or suggested by readers. Starting this week, it'll be complemented with a text version, for people who can't listen to sound files for whatever reason, such as a lack of speakers, being at work, or having a hand grenade explode near their heads.
Hey, it happens.
Enjoy.
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Word of the Week- 'Psychopomp'
Audio:
Word of the Week- Monday, July 25, 2005: 'Psychopomp'
Transcription:
Today is Monday, July 25th; welcome to the return of the Word of the Week, which now features a transcription, for those unable to listen to the audio file.
The word of the week is: psychopomp.
psychopomp
n.: a conductor of souls to the afterworld.
Numerous theologies bear a belief in a particular spiritual entity, be it a deity, demon, angel, or other celestial being, whose task it is to escort the souls of the recently deceased to the realm of the afterlife, such as Heaven or Hell. These beings are referred to as psychopomps, from the Greek psychopompos, which means "guide of souls".
Examples of psychopomps in various mythologies include:
* The Archangel Michael, Azrael, and Saint Peter in Christianity
* Anubis, Horus, and Set in Egyptian mythology
* The Celtic Belatu-Cadros
* Baldur and sometimes Odin in Norse mythology
* Mercury in Roman mythology, known as Hermes in Greek.
An appropriate literary example of a psychopomp is the character of Virgil in Dante's Inferno.Thanks to Catherynne M. Valente for suggesting this week's word.
This is the latest issue of my 'Word of the Week' series, a weekly audio reading in which I give the definition, history, etymology, and usage of an obscure word either of my choice or suggested by readers. Starting this week, it'll be complemented with a text version, for people who can't listen to sound files for whatever reason, such as a lack of speakers, being at work, or having a hand grenade explode near their heads.
Hey, it happens.
Enjoy.
---------------------------------------
Word of the Week- 'Psychopomp'
Audio:
Word of the Week- Monday, July 25, 2005: 'Psychopomp'
Transcription:
Today is Monday, July 25th; welcome to the return of the Word of the Week, which now features a transcription, for those unable to listen to the audio file.
The word of the week is: psychopomp.
psychopomp
n.: a conductor of souls to the afterworld.
Numerous theologies bear a belief in a particular spiritual entity, be it a deity, demon, angel, or other celestial being, whose task it is to escort the souls of the recently deceased to the realm of the afterlife, such as Heaven or Hell. These beings are referred to as psychopomps, from the Greek psychopompos, which means "guide of souls".
Examples of psychopomps in various mythologies include:
* The Archangel Michael, Azrael, and Saint Peter in Christianity
* Anubis, Horus, and Set in Egyptian mythology
* The Celtic Belatu-Cadros
* Baldur and sometimes Odin in Norse mythology
* Mercury in Roman mythology, known as Hermes in Greek.
An appropriate literary example of a psychopomp is the character of Virgil in Dante's Inferno.Thanks to Catherynne M. Valente for suggesting this week's word.
ladymaze:
