The Magic of True Names: From Ancient Mythologies to Otherworld Outlaws
Is Toxicore just a Grimm Brothers' side character? J/K!
š«š Greetingsšš«
Hello, my dear readers,
As the amber hues of autumn paint the landscapes around us, I hope youāve been finding time to enjoy the crisp fall air and the gentle rustle of leaves underfoot. The beauty of this season always reminds me of a little saying: āThe trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.ā š #FallVibes
This sentiment rings especially true for my family and me this season, as we recently had to say goodbye to one of my parentsā beloved corgis, Tika. She was more than a pet; she was a small kisser with a big heart, as my dad beautifully put it. She and her sister have been with us for twelve years, since they were tiny puffballs, filling our lives with joy and love. Tikaās loss has left a paw-shaped void in our hearts, and while we mourn her, we also remember the countless heartwarming moments she gifted us.
Though the pain of loss is raw and real, life, as it always does, goes on. My three loveable Ā pets, including Leeloo, who insists on sleeping on my head, have been a comforting presence amid this heartache. Their antics and unconditional love serve as a gentle reminder that indeed, it gets easier with time.
Letās shift gears to something a little lighter, though, whaddya say? Now that Fae Planes Drifter has been out for a couple of months, many of you know that Lula has had a dragon-sized wrench thrown into her plans of rescuing her fatherānamely, that damnable Dagda has cursed her, making her unable to know her True Name. As you can guess, this is and has caused her a few irksome problems.
But what is a True Name, aka Soul Name or Spirit Name, and what makes it such a fascinating concept? So fascinating, and fundamental, in fact, that the idea has appeared in myths and stories from around the world and many cultures for centuries. Without further ado, letās plunge into this intriguing world of names that are much more than mere labelsā¦
The concept of a personās True Name holds significance in various mythologies and folkloresāusually itās believed that knowing and uttering someoneās True Name grants power over that individual, as it represents their essence and identity on a deeper, magical level.
Here are a few examples of how the mythology of True Names is portrayed in different cultures:
Ancient Egyptian Mythology: In ancient Egypt, the belief in the power of names was profound. Egyptians held that oneās True Name encapsulated their entire being, and knowing it granted control over the individual. The god Ra was said to have created the world by speaking all things into existence, including their True Names. In some accounts, the knowledge of Raās True Name was kept hidden, as its discovery would have catastrophic consequences.
Native American Mythology: Many Native American tribes have beliefs surrounding the significance of True Names. It is thought that knowing a personās True Name provides insight into their character, destiny, and connection to the spiritual realm. Sharing oneās True Name was considered a deeply personal and sacred act, often reserved for close family members or trusted individuals.
Celtic Mythology: Celtic folklore features the concept of a āsecret nameā or āhidden name.ā It was believed that an individualās secret name held great power and revealing it could lead to control or manipulation by others. Keeping oneās True Name concealed was seen as a form of protection against magical spells and enchantments.
African Mythology: Several African cultures believe in the power of True Names. Names are often given based on significant events or characteristics of a person, and knowing someoneās True Name is thought to grant influence over them. In some African traditions, individuals may even have multiple names, each representing different aspects of their identity.
Thereās also the story of Lilith in Judaism (Lamashtu in Mesopotamian mythology) who refused to submit to Adam and called out the creatorās True Name in order to harness magic and be turned into a strix (bird-woman) so she could escape Eden. Now, hereās a gal that Lula and Hattie could probably relate to. Lilith is also associated with the lamia in Greek mythology. True fact: I have a lamia/gorgon tattoo on my right arm. Sheās holding the novel Frankenstein, arguably the first work of modern science fiction. Iāve always been fond of Mary Shelley, and her mother, because how can you not be fond of woman who wrote like she did and kept her dead husbandās heart in a jar on her desk for inspiration? Amiright? I mean, the coolest thing on my desk is a really, really nice-smelling candle (rosewood and patchouli by PaddyWax, for anyone wondering).
But most Americans are probably most familiar with the power of True Names through stories like the Grimm brothersā āRumplestiltskinā and Ursula Le Guinās Earthsea Trilogy. The Grimm brothers drew from widespread old European myths and folktales, and Le Guin drew many of her ideas from Native American and Norse mythologyāall truly bottomless pots of gold!
As we bring this newsletter to a close, the main point remains. Despite the wide range of interpretations that different cultures present, thereās a central theme that ties them all together: a name is more than just a label. Itās a deep-seated connection to an individualās essence, their identity, and their spiritual strength.
As you probably guessed, weāre delving into this topic because in the upcoming Book 5 of my Otherworld Outlaws series (donāt forgetāyouāll get 25% off if you buy books from my direct store), the revelation of Lulaās True Name is set to become a crucial plot point. Thatās not a spoiler, is it? I mean, if you know anything about me, you know I canāt let a good conflict or curse go to waste.
And while weāre on the subject of characters, have you ever noted any similarities between our grumpy friend, Toxicore, and the fairy tale character, Rumplestiltskin? Itās pretty easy to imagine Toxicore losing the plot and throwing a screaming tantrum. Itās just kind of who he is. And theyāre both grouchy, irascible supernatural curmudgeons. Hmmmā¦ <cue writerās brain going down a very deep, very dangerous rabbit hole>
Well, thatās all the storytelling I have for you today. Stay tuned for more exciting insights from the Weird West. Until our next newsletter, enjoy your reading adventures!
PS: Iāve added a new network to my many socials. If youāre on BlueSky, come and join me!
Need something great to read while youāre waiting for the next Otherworld Outlaws? I gotcha covered!
Ghost Marshal: A Tale of the Weird West by John C. Hamilton is a rip-roaring good time that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the 19th-century rough-and-tumble mining community of Deadwood. Itās a tale where bullets and brimstone meet, and the result is a story as hard-hitting as a six-shooter.
The story kicks off with a bang when Jessica Parker, our badass female protagonist, arrives in 1876 Deadwood, only to find her gold miner father brutally murdered. Sheās understandably upset about this, and sheās not the type to sit around weeping into her handkerchief. Instead, the tragedy ignites a fire inside her, turning her from prairie wildflower to tough-as-nails gunslinger. Joined by the cantankerous ghost of Wild Bill Hickok, she confronts a murderous gang of outlaws, and the action never lets up.
The unlikely partnership between the spirit of Wild Bill and Jessie is a unique and captivating aspect of the story. Itās like a meeting of two great minds, only with more gunfights. Their exchanges are laced with humor, which is as refreshing as a cool drink of water in the heat of a Deadwood summer. Billās gruff exterior belies a softness that contrasts beautifully with Jessieās perceived frailty, a faƧade that crumbles to reveal a core tougher than granite, and a hell of a lot tougher than any gold nugget. The duo uncovers a conspiracy that leads them on a hell-raising adventure, complete with gunfights, Chinese sorcery, barroom brawls, and demons.
Hamiltonās writing style is sharp and elegant, creating an atmosphere so palpable that you can almost smell the gunpowder and whiskey. I mean, all you have to do is read the first sentence, and youāre instantly there: āDeath was in the air, like a stale breeze flowing from a crypt. It floated through the gold-rush town of Deadwood, filling everyoneās hearts with dread. Not that it was anything special. Death stalked the streets here every day. As long as you got out of the way, what was one more corpse.ā Itās clear this isnāt Hamiltonās first rodeo; his research is thorough and his narrative style engaging.
In the end, the story did a marvelous job of resolving Jessieās tragedy to her satisfaction while setting readers up for future adventures. I personally was left wanting to know more about the fate of Jessieās friend, Annie. But perhaps thatās a tale for another day. Overall, Ghost Marshal is an exhilarating read, and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good Western with a weird twist. John C. Hamilton is a seasoned storyteller, with several writing awards notched on his proverbial pistol, and this book is another bullseye. Heās created a world that leaves readers grinninā like a weasel peekinā in a henhouse door, and I canāt wait to see whatās next in The Ghost Marshal Chronicles.
When I first started reading this series, I kept waiting for Tox to be revealed as Rumpelstiltskin. I'm glad he's not! But there is a definite, noticeable similarity. :)