• bile:
    • Pronounced bee-lay. The Celtic god of light and healing, “Bel” means “shining one,” or in Irish Gaelic, the name “bile” translates to “sacred tree.” It is thought that the waters of Danu, the Irish All-Mother goddess, fed the oak and produced their son, The Dagda. As the Welsh Beli, he is the father of Arianrhod by Don. Patron of sheep and cattle, Bel’s festival is Beltane, one of two main Celtic fire festivals. Beltane celebrates the return of life and fertility to the world — marking the beginning of Summer and the growing season. Taking place on April 30, Beltane also is sometimes referred to as “Cetsamhain” which means “opposite Samhain.” The word “Beltaine” literally means “bright” or “brilliant fire,” and refers to the bonfire lit by a presiding Druid in honor of Bile. See Belenus. 1,2,3,4,5
    • (possibly related to Bilomagus [Gaul])
      Often mistakenly associated with Bel, Bile was one of the Milesians mentioned in the pseudo-historical Leabhar Gaba/la (Book of Invasions). He also is often considered to be a god of darkness and death from the underworld, but this is an opinion not shared by many contemporary scholars. “Bile,” or “billi,” also can mean “large tree, tree trunk” in Irish and is thought to be the name of a special tree in Ireland that was the home of deities or elemental spirits.1
    • The author of this site’s handle. Chosen over a decade ago as a handle when the need for a unique online identity arose. bile studied world religions as a young teenager and liked the description of Bile (Bel). Bel however was too short for some services so Bile was used instead. He’s also a fan of the band which goes by the same name but that came afterwards.
  • subject:
    1. One who is under the rule of another or others, especially one who owes allegiance to a government or ruler.
  • citizen:
    1. A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or nation.
    2. A resident of a city or town, especially one entitled to vote and enjoy other privileges there.
  • exploit:
    1. To employ to the greatest possible advantage: exploit one’s talents.
    2. To make use of selfishly or unethically: a country that exploited peasant labor. See synonyms at manipulate.
    3. To advertise; promote.
  • manipulate:
    1. To move, arrange, operate, or control by the hands or by mechanical means, especially in a skillful manner: She manipulated the lights to get just the effect she wanted.
    2. To influence or manage shrewdly or deviously: He manipulated public opinion in his favor.
    3. To tamper with or falsify for personal gain: tried to manipulate stock prices.
    4. Medicine. To handle and move in an examination or for therapeutic purposes: manipulate a joint; manipulate the position of a fetus during delivery.
  • shrewd:
    1. Characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.
    2. Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky.
    3. Sharp; penetrating: a shrewd wind.
  • cunning:
    • adj.
      1. Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
      2. Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
      3. Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute: a cunning pet.
    • n.
      1. Skill in deception; guile.
      2. Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
  • deceptiveness:
    1. Deceptive or tending to deceive.
  • deceive:
    1. To cause to believe what is not true; mislead.
    2. Archaic. To catch by guile; ensnare.
  • fraud:
    1. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.
    2. A piece of trickery; a trick.
    3. On that defrauds; a cheat.
    4. One who assumes a false pose; an impostor.
  • non-aggression principle:
    • holds that “aggression,” which is defined as the initiation of physical force, the threat of such, or fraud upon persons or their property, is inherently illegitimate. The principle does not preclude defense against aggression.