The Keys: Papa LEGBA (Elegua: -lgbra)

The Keys: Papa LEGBA (Elegua: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára)

Opening new doors with a key in your dreams can indicate that you will open a path to new opportunities.

Keys have represented various spiritual symbologies for as long as man has had locks. 

They connect to gateways and portals, doorways to the unknown, knowledge, mysteries, powers, initiations, new ways, forbidden things, and answers to curious questions. 

They are often associated with various literary idioms, specific deities, or spiritual figures and are often used as part of charms or other magical tools.

Keys also represent spiritual purity and enlightenment in these scenes.

In Vodou practices, Papa Legba, often depicted as an older man with a cane, a dog, and keys, is also a gatekeeper.

Believed to have originated in the kingdom of Dahomey, now Benin, Papa Legba is one of the best-known figures in African spirituality.

He is one of the spirits associated with the crossroads; he serves as an intermediary between man and the spirit world. Because of his gift of elocution, he is a being with substantial influence over communication and speech.

Which now makes the statement “communication is key” ludicrous to me.

He is a master communicator who is said to speak the languages of all human beings; he then translates #petitions and delivers them to the other Lwa (spirits)

He is a great teacher and #warrior but also a #trickster deity. Legba is a remover of obstacles and is consulted to help find new, positive opportunities, in a sense he will provide you with a key, thanks to his ability to open doors and new roads.

The symbol is deeply embedded into our psyche.  We even honor people by giving them the “Key to the City,” representing trust and respect. 

The key’s many-layered symbology is seemingly endless in its connections to humanity throughout the ages

Is there anything that differentiates demons from celestial beings (like gods)? We see pif as a celestial being in the intro of the 4th season of LMK, but she’s now considered a demon

The simple answer is a position in heaven. Think about Monkey in the beginning of his arc. He's a rebellious demon who is offered a job in heaven to keep his shenanigans in check. Then he's a literal god of horses.

The scholar Robert Campany has a great article where he explains how demons and gods move up and down within the cosmic hierarchy. You can read it here.

Journey to the West Research

Archive #18 – Demons, Gods, and Pilgrims: The Demonology of the Hsi-yu Chi (1985)

Last updated: 11-24-20 Campany (1985) discusses methods by which demons of Journey to the West move up and down the Buddho-Daoist cosmic hie

Important Announcement:

April Fools Day (April 1) is one week away. To that end, I just want it known now, well before the day, that this blog will NOT be posting any jump scares, fake announcements, freak-out posts, fake hackings, fake emergencies, fake news, and “gotcha!” stuff on April Fools Day. We’re staying safe and chill around here.

I’m honestly not into April Fools Day, really, unless the jokes are obvious and silly–like Rickrolls and Dad Jokes. Rickrolls and Dad Jokes are just traditional. 

Hello internet user whose entire concept of feminism comes from tiktok. In front of you are three ancient myths about women. You have five minutes to figure out which one of them was made up in the 1970s. If you choose wrong, you will be ripped to pieces by Maenads.

Hel: HYDRATE OR DIE-DRATE!

Hel: *Aggressively throws water bottles*

Sleipnir: Uh... what's up with her?

Jörmungandr: She's trying to yell mental health and wellbeing into us.

Hel: I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU!

Fenrir: *Crying* It's working.

1800s dagger, made in france