The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/tag/japan)
The Hounds brought back some archaeology news while were watching the Midterms! This week, ancient Egyptian mysteries, Roman protective charms, Pompeian treasures, and a possible Japanese shrine priestess reveal fascinating glimpses into our ancestors’ sacred lives.
A newly discovered mineral, Amaterasuite, has been found in Japan’s national stone, jadeitite. Named for the sun goddess Amaterasu, it reflects both groundbreaking science and deep cultural ties to Shinto spirituality and Japanese heritage.
The Shinto Hadaka Matsuri, translated as the “Naked Festival,” begins in early February. This year, some changes will take place at various Shinto shrines, and one celebration will begin allowing women to participate for the first time in 1,250 years.
Scientists have detected one of the most powerful cosmic rays ever observed. Named after the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu, the particle rivals the famous “Oh-My-God” particle observed in 1991 – and appears to come from a blank area of the sky.
In her “twenty-five-ish” years in the Pagan community, Irene Glasse has been a part of Pagan communities as far apart as Maryland and Okinawa. Now, as president of the Frederick CUUPS chapter, Glasse tackles building community in the pandemic era.