November 11th Blog
DEMIGOD
DISPATCH
11/11
Hello Demigods, Mortals, and Monsters,
Today is a day for Heroes
In this week’s edition of the newsletter, we’re focusing on mythological Goddesses of war, a story from our staff member’s father who served in the US Coast Guard, and we also have two entertainment recommendations that feature stories of conflict and resolution from both our modern era and the ancient world.
We share these stories of characters and events in our lives to highlight the bravery and character of those heroes who emerge from conflict to defend the people and principles they believe in. Conflict is present in our lives every day, and hopefully, through these stories, we can learn what it means to be brave in the face of danger.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoy this edition of the Demigod Dispatch
Behind the Myth
There are many fierce female deities from around the world. These three warrior women have incredible stories and godly aspects that should be known to all, demigod and mortal alike.
Kali – Artwork by Pablo Marunak
Kali is the Hindu goddess of time, creation, and power. While some consider her the goddess of destruction, her goal is to destroy evil in order to recreate and bring good to the world. She is equally strong and nurturing, with vast and intense power, and she has been considered by some to be a form of the Divine Mother.
Ixchel – Artwork by El Markovich
Ixchel is the Maya jaguar goddess of medicine and midwifery, adorned by a crown of snakes and carrying a spear and shield. She protects women during childbirth, and she was also said to guard pilgrim travelers who made their way to holy sites. She presides over both love and war. She has been linked to the Maya moon goddess, but because there is not much information on her remaining, it’s unclear if she was the moon goddess herself or just connected to the moon goddess.
Mazu
Mazu is the Chinese Taoist Goddess of the Southern Sea. She was considered a bodhisattva, or someone on the path to Buddhahood, and was taken under the care of a philosopher monk. She became enlightened and ascended to godhood as protector of the South China Sea. During her life, she mastered martial arts and refused to marry any man who could not defeat her in combat. She never married. She is still worshiped in parts of Southern Taiwan.
Staff Spotlight
“Although my dad was in the Coast Guard for as long as I can remember, I never knew much about what he did. All I knew was that he would sail away on a ship for two months at a time and when he returned, it meant I got hot chocolate from the galley.
It wasn’t until Hurricane Sandy hit New York in 2012 that I realized how important his – and the Coast Guard’s – work is. My dad and other Coasties practically lived on the military base as they worked to secure New York Harbor and provide aid to people impacted by the storm. This opened my eyes to the way that USCG directly helps people – ranging from debris clean up to life-threatening search and rescue missions. Veteran’s Day is a good reminder of the individual sacrifices that service members make to ensure our safety in ways that we may not think of.”
-Veronica Hitchen, Logistics Manager
Plato’s Recs
If you’re interested in or even curious about the stories from mythology that our campers get to play in each summer, we have some recommendations for film and literature for you, our hero parents.
In addition to this, we would also like to offer a recommendation for something your kid(s) could be interested in. These are in the same vein as the Percy Jackson series, but might not be on your shelf yet. Enjoy!
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Film for the Whole Family: Porco Rosso by Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli
Starring (in English) Shūichirō Moriyama, Susan Egan, and Cary Elwes
Porco Rosso, or Red Pig, is the story of a retired Italian Air Force pilot who served in World War I on the Western Front. Somewhere along his journeys, Porco was cursed to take the form of a man with the features of a pig.
His adventure takes place on the Adriatic Sea, off the coast of Italy, as he battles with sea-plane pirates and his own memory of the men he served with.
The film is visually stunning and set to a powerfully charming score of jazz inspired by the era.
Book for Older Demigods: The Iliad Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
“More than three thousand years ago, two armies faced each other in an epic battle that rewrote history and came to be known as the Trojan War.
The Iliad, Homer’s legendary account of this nine-year ordeal, is considered the greatest war story of all time and one of the most important works of Western literature. This stunning graphic novel adaptation captures all the grim glory of Homer’s epic.
Dynamic illustrations take readers directly to the plains of Troy, into the battle itself, and lay bare the complex emotions of the men, women, and gods whose struggles fueled the war and determined its outcome.” – Gareth Hinds
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