Post by Mysti on Aug 6, 2007 19:54:27 GMT -5
Ass or Donkey:
<o:p> </o:p>
The domesticated ass has served humans for thousands of years. Egyptians used the ass as far back as 3000 B.C.E.; they didn’t use the horse until about 1900 B.C.E. The ass probably originated with the Abyssinian or Somali wild ass. The word “ass” likely comes from the word athon, which is Hebrew for she-ass. The word “donkey” comes from the animals dun color. Sure-footed, it is stronger than a horse and has greater endurance. The ass or donkey is noted for its stubbornness and irascible temper. At one time it was found wild in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Mongolia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and <st1:place>Africa</st1:place>. The Kiang, of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and the Ghorkhar, of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, are examples.
The ass is also related to the zebra and horse. It has very long ears, a black back stripe, and upstanding black mane. They generally live in small family groups or bands in arid regions, where they feed on herbs, grass, and shrubs. In the wild, the ass is a swift runner, extremely alert and wary.
The animal pictured on ancient Egyptian and Assyrian monuments is the wild onager, a much larger creature than the donkey. In <st1:country-region><st1:place>Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>, it was sacrificed to Set, god of the desert regions. To ancient Egyptians, the ass was a symbol of desolation, wariness, and speed. There is evidence that Set was a god of the conquering Hyksos, who came out of the desert to overrun <st1:country-region><st1:place>Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Set’s Greek name, Typhon, was derived from the desert wind that brings such diseases as typhus.
In Chaldean engravings, the death goddess was shown kneeling on an ass which stood in a boat; the boat was being ferried across the river that separates the Underworld from the physical world.
The donkey in Greek myths was sacred to the gods Dionysus, Priapus, and Cronus/Saturn. Typhon (the Greek version of Set) was portrayed with the head of an ass. Therefore, the Greeks considered this animal to represent sloth, infatuation, and disastrous upsets. The Roman deity Pales (sometimes called male, other times female) had a human body and the head of an ass; her or his priests wore ass masks. She or he was considered to be the guardian of flocks and herds.
The Chinese Immortal Chang Kwo-lao, who brought children, had a marvelous magickal donkey. When he didn’t need it, he could change his mount into paper and fold it up.
In Hindu legends, the demon Ravana drove an ass-drawn chariot when he abducted Sita. Because of this, the Hindus consider the ass to be a malevolent creature. The Norse, who were of Aryan origin, used the word “ass” to denote both and Asian and a deity. Muslims also say it is cursed.
<o:p> </o:p>
Magickal Attributes: Use with caution! Finding the means to provide for physical needs even in the most trying circumstances. Extreme stubbornness; obstinacy; digging in your heels when other are trying to push you into something you don’t want. Doing the opposite of what you know you should. Pretending to know or be something you are not. Use if you are indecisive or never seem to take a stand, but need to.
<o:p> </o:p>
Chant:
Muscles tight, feet dug in,
A stubbornness to fight and win.
Right or wrong these traits may be
The choice, of course, belongs to me.
May I be true to the light within
When determination shows the need to win.
<o:p> </o:p>
The domesticated ass has served humans for thousands of years. Egyptians used the ass as far back as 3000 B.C.E.; they didn’t use the horse until about 1900 B.C.E. The ass probably originated with the Abyssinian or Somali wild ass. The word “ass” likely comes from the word athon, which is Hebrew for she-ass. The word “donkey” comes from the animals dun color. Sure-footed, it is stronger than a horse and has greater endurance. The ass or donkey is noted for its stubbornness and irascible temper. At one time it was found wild in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Mongolia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>Iran</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and <st1:place>Africa</st1:place>. The Kiang, of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and the Ghorkhar, of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, are examples.
The ass is also related to the zebra and horse. It has very long ears, a black back stripe, and upstanding black mane. They generally live in small family groups or bands in arid regions, where they feed on herbs, grass, and shrubs. In the wild, the ass is a swift runner, extremely alert and wary.
The animal pictured on ancient Egyptian and Assyrian monuments is the wild onager, a much larger creature than the donkey. In <st1:country-region><st1:place>Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>, it was sacrificed to Set, god of the desert regions. To ancient Egyptians, the ass was a symbol of desolation, wariness, and speed. There is evidence that Set was a god of the conquering Hyksos, who came out of the desert to overrun <st1:country-region><st1:place>Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Set’s Greek name, Typhon, was derived from the desert wind that brings such diseases as typhus.
In Chaldean engravings, the death goddess was shown kneeling on an ass which stood in a boat; the boat was being ferried across the river that separates the Underworld from the physical world.
The donkey in Greek myths was sacred to the gods Dionysus, Priapus, and Cronus/Saturn. Typhon (the Greek version of Set) was portrayed with the head of an ass. Therefore, the Greeks considered this animal to represent sloth, infatuation, and disastrous upsets. The Roman deity Pales (sometimes called male, other times female) had a human body and the head of an ass; her or his priests wore ass masks. She or he was considered to be the guardian of flocks and herds.
The Chinese Immortal Chang Kwo-lao, who brought children, had a marvelous magickal donkey. When he didn’t need it, he could change his mount into paper and fold it up.
In Hindu legends, the demon Ravana drove an ass-drawn chariot when he abducted Sita. Because of this, the Hindus consider the ass to be a malevolent creature. The Norse, who were of Aryan origin, used the word “ass” to denote both and Asian and a deity. Muslims also say it is cursed.
<o:p> </o:p>
Magickal Attributes: Use with caution! Finding the means to provide for physical needs even in the most trying circumstances. Extreme stubbornness; obstinacy; digging in your heels when other are trying to push you into something you don’t want. Doing the opposite of what you know you should. Pretending to know or be something you are not. Use if you are indecisive or never seem to take a stand, but need to.
<o:p> </o:p>
Chant:
Muscles tight, feet dug in,
A stubbornness to fight and win.
Right or wrong these traits may be
The choice, of course, belongs to me.
May I be true to the light within
When determination shows the need to win.