David Lightbringer

Mythical Astronomy of Ice and Fire

Arts EN ↓ 205 episodes

We believe that George R. R. Martin has put a lot of effort and thought into creating a deeper dimension of archetype and symbol in his writing. He’s created connections between past and future, between sky and ground. He’s built on classic figures from world mythology and twisted them around in new and incredible ways to fashion his own archetypal characters whose divine roles are played out by the characters in the story. He’s done all of this not only to be artistic and clever, but because he’s actually participating in a grand tradition of esoteric, symbolic art. Keeping this tradition ali...

Author

David Lightbringer

Episodes

The Mountain vs. the Viper and the Hammer of the Waters (Bloodstone Compendium 4) 30.04.2016

Chapter review, Mythical Astronomy style: we rip into the trial by combat scene, of the most detailed examples of mythical astronomy in the series. We'll explore the symbolism of Oberyn Martel and Ser Gregor Clegane, and we will finally answer the question about what the Hammer of the Waters really was, and when it happened. Guest appearances by John the Fiddler, Tyrion the "giant" of Lannister, S...

Bonus: Asshai-by-the-Shadow 04.04.2016

A special edition of the podcast - we join up with Aziz and Ashaya from History of Westeros for a joint episode on all things Asshai! Call it the 'Ancient Mythical History of Westeros (and sometimes Asshai).' There is no accompanying essay for this one - podcast only - but the video version of this is available on the History of Westeros Youtube channel , if you'd like to watch (we recorded live)....

Waves of Night and Moon Blood (Bloodstone Compendium 3) 02.02.2016

In this episode, we are going to explain: moon blood and a maiden's flowering; Oathkeeper's waves of night and blood; Melisandre's black and bloody tide, Jon Snow's rivers of black ice and Drogo's oily river of darkness; starry cloaks and decapitated bulls; dragon eclipses, lunar eclipses, and solar eclipses; dark stars and black hole moons; black iron roses and black iron ravens. We'll also ponde...

The Bloodstone Emperor Azor Ahai (Bloodstone Compendium 2) 04.01.2016

The legend of Azor Ahai says that he cracked the moon when he forged Lightbringer. Does this make Azor Ahai "the bad guy?" He stabbed his wife too, and to work blood magic. Is blood magic heroic, or abomination? And what's with this Bloodstone Emperor guy, who worshiped a black meteor during the Long Night? Is there a link between this black meteor, the meteors of the moon explosion, and the greas...

Astronomy Explains the Legends of Ice and Fire (Bloodstone Compendium 1) 22.10.2015

What was the cause of the Long Night? Who was Azor Ahai, and what was Lightbringer? What is the meaning of the relationship between comets, dragons, and flaming swords? We'll attempt to answer these questions and a few others as we get blood on our podcasting sword for the first time. Follow along with the text of the episode on lucifermeanslightbringer.com , where you can also find my other essay...