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Ancient Bird Mother

Posted on January 23, 2024

As we all know, Vrimak (one of the Parts of Yelm) is the father of all avian life. His daughter-wife Avarnia is the Bird Mother, goddess of small birds, including quails, chickens, turkeys, and you name it. Her son Tholm is the God of Falcons, and part of the regalia of the Red Emperor.

This taxonomy was adopted by the God Learners, no doubt from contact with Lhankor Mhy (relying on Dara Happan sources).

But wait! There was also a bird-headed goddess – a more ancient Bird Mother said to be the daughter of Glorantha and the source of the feminine energy that permeates the cosmos. She is called MaElsor in some ancient Peloria sources, Imarja in Esrolian sources. Sometimes she’s a stork, sometimes a goose. Throughout Dara Happa, Darjiin, Doblian, and Suvaria we can find evidence of this prehistoric Stork Mother cult.

The Bird Mother predates Yelm, so what is going on here? Well first let this be a gentle remind not to try to over-dissect mythology! The Bird Mother may well predate birds and even most gods.

Surenslib and Biselenslib are historic children of the ancient Bird Mother. Biselenslib is found in Henjarl where she is worshiped as Shargash‘s sometimes wife. She has accordingly been integrated into the Solar pantheon. Surenslib is found in Darjiin and Doblian, and is not integrated into the Solar pantheon and is revered as an ancestress – a Daka Fal figure. Surenslib is viewed as lewd and transgressive by the Solars cults. She might even some some remote connection with the Pamaltelan goddess Nyanka.

Jeff Richard

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Avarnia, Biselenslib, Imarja, MaElsor, Nyanka, Photo reference, SurEnslib, Tholm, Vrimak

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