Drabbles of Art - The Number of the Beast is 666 by William Blake

"The number of the beast is 666 Philadelphia, Rosenbach Museum and Library" by William Blake

We return to a biblical theme with one of William Blake's series of paintings from books of the bible. The Book of Revelations has been the inspiration for many a fine horror story, so seems a fitting choice for this series.

You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/as-promised-in-last-weeks-final-post-in.html

The Number of the Beast is 666 by William Blake

And from the earth rose a second beast, this one horned as a ram. His words moved the world to fall under the sway of the first beast.

He summoned fire from heaven to fall upon the earth. With other great wonders he deceived mankind into making an image of the first beast.

The image was granted life and he slew those who refused their worship. Those who cast their lot with the beast were marked forever.

Wisdom allows you to count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Drabbles of the Gods - Baron Samedi

For this week's Drabble of the Gods we visit Haiti and in particular Loa of Haitian vodou.

If you've not read the previous drabbles in the series then you will find them here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/drabbles-of-gods.html

Baron Samedi

He can fool you with his coarse banter and sharp threads. He drinks in the shadows wearing cool shades and the toothiest grin you’ll ever see. If you’re faint of heart then don’t listen to his wiles because his words will burn your face red with shame.

He dwells in the realm of the vodou spirits, but enjoys the human world, especially the ladies. Black magic is as familiar to him as the rum in his glass. The curse on the spirit as common as the curse on his lips.

He is the Baron Samedi and he rules the dead.

Last Week to Enter July's Short Fiction Contest

John Tenniel [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

What do you think the girl sees in the mirror? Why is she staring into the looking glass? If you have a story to tell us about this month's image then this is the last week to submit it for this month's short fiction contest. The story must be no longer than 500 words and can be of any genre. There's no entry fee and the winning story will receive a £50 Amazon or PayPal prize. There are prizes for second and third place winners too.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/july-short-fiction-contest.html

If you've not read the winning stories from June's contest yet then you can read them here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/july-short-fiction-contest-winners.html

Drabbles of Art - The Water Ghost by Alfred Kubin

I'm loving hunting through paintings to pick the next image for the Drabbles of Art series and this week's image 'The Water Ghost' by Alfred Kubin is another wonderful chance find.

You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/as-promised-in-last-weeks-final-post-in.html

The Water Ghost by Alfred Kubin

They say that there is only really one storm in the world. When it wakes, it rages with all its force until its strength is spent. Then it sleeps awhile and drifts upon the currents in the sky until restored and ready to blast its fury once again.

But very few know the real secret. Only those wise in the ancient lore know that at the heart of the storm is a creature. It wears the storm as its garb, a cloak of wind, rain and lightning.

Even the wisest of us don’t know why it hates us so much.

Drabbles of the Gods - Kisin

"God A Ah Puch (Kimi)" by unknown Maya artist - Justin Kerr: The Maya Vase Book. Vol. 6, Kerr Associates (2001).. 

In the latest Drabbles of the Gods we visit the Mayan civilisation and the death god Kisin.

You can read the previous drabbles in the series here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/drabbles-of-gods.html

Kisin

After the Upper God created the underworld, Kisin took advantage and slew the higher being. The Upper God resurrected himself and condemned Kisin to the underworld. We feel his fury whenever he kicks and shakes the earth.

He tried again to outdo the Upper God by attempting to create humans in his own likeness. From his failure spawned the existence of some of the totemic animals.

Kisin’s duty is to measures the souls passing into his realm. The sinners are cast into eternal flame and those whose evil deserves special punishment become the beasts destined to serve at his whim.