Vikings are one of the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, or pirates who raided and colonized areas of Europe.
Ginnungagap is the dark void from which the Norse culture came from.
Nifleheim is the land of fog and ice.
Muspellheim is the land of fire.
Yggdrasil is the world ash tree.
Asgard is home of the gods.
Midgard is the land of men.
Hel is the home of the dead, run by Hel herself, the daughter of Loki.
Bifrost Bridge is the divine bridge, link between the humans and gods/ rainbow.
Ymir is one of the frost giants, fierce, wild, and evil.
Odin is the oldest god, and king to all gods.
Frigg is Odin's wife and she is the goddess of marriage and can see peoples fates, but doesn't tell.
The Valkyries are the daughters of Odin who determine the worth of fallen soldiers in battle.
The Norns are the fates of the Norse culture.
Thor is the son of Odin and god of thunder.
Balder is the son of Odin and is the most favored god of light and beauty.
Njord is the brother of Odin and god of the sea.
Frey is the god of farming, weather, and fertility.
Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
Idunn is the goddess of youth and guards the golden apples.
Loki is the trickster of the gods.
Fenrir is the wolf son of Loki.
Jormungandr is the world serpent.
Ragnarok is the end of the world for Norse culture
Runes pieces of the Runic alphabet to help describe the future.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Spider Cries "Wolf"
(Rosebud Sioux)
Iktomi was walking about, looking for what he could find. He came across a herd of Hehaka, elk. It was summer. The grass was high. There was food aplenty. The elk were sleek and fat. With their huge antlers they looked so handsome, stately, and powerful. Iktomi envied the elk's beauty and way life. He looked at his reflection in the nearby stream. "How shabby I am,' he said to himself, "ugly, small, pitiful, insignificant."
Iktomi sought out the tallest among the elk. "This must be the chief," he thought. Humbly he approached, saying: "Lekshi, uncle, you are so handsome, so imposing, every inch a great chief, and I am so small, homely, hairy- a nobody. But we have one thing in common. You, mighty Hehaka, are known to have the love magic, the power to make women love you. You have the love charm, the love wink in your eye. Insignificant nobody that I am, I, too, am a great lover."
"Is that so?" said Hehaka
"Mi Lekshi, uncle of mine, you have the power, you can do anything. Make me like yourself: let me join your tribe."
"I have heard about you. They are saying bad things about you. You have a very bad reputation."
"It's just mean gossip, uncle, you know how people are. They are always bad-mouthing me because of my luck with women. They are just envious."
"They also say that you are a sniveling coward."
"Uncle, they are lying," Iktomi protested. "I am a mighty warrior. I have taken many scalps in battle. I have earned eagle feathers. I am invincible!'
"Can you spy an enemy from far, far away?" asked Hehaka. "Can you discover buffalo and other game from a great distance?"
"My eyes are sharper then those of the eagle," said Iktomi.
"Can you hear an enemy creeping stealthily up on our camp?"
"My sense of hearing is so keen," said Iktomi, "I can hear a mouse walking from a hundred paces away."
"Can you detect the scent of grizzlies, wolves, or cougars creeping up on our herd?"
"My sense of smell is so acute," said Iktomi, "I could detect their odor a mile away, even from upwind."
"Well," said Hehaka, "you might make a good member of our tribe."
"Pilamaya, thank you, uncle, but I would not like to join the Elk Nation in the puny shape I am in. Uncle, you are so very powerful, you can do anything you want. Please make me as big and tall as you."
"Well, all right," said Hehaka, and he made Iktomi big and tall.
"And could you give me a handsom shiny coat like yours?"
"Well, all right, I'll do it," said Hehaka, and gave Iktomi a new coat.
"And, uncle, would you be so kind as to give me a pair of mighty antlers?" Iktomi kept on begging.
"Well, all right," said Hehaka, "but thats enough. Don't be greedy." And so he gave Iktomi a pair of magnificent antlers.
Iktomi was capering and prancing about, showing off his new caot and antlers. "Is there anybody as handsome as I?" he crowed. "Is ther anybody stronger and braver?" Already he assumed the pose and manners of a chief. Thus he joined Hehaka Oyate, the Elk Nation.
Some weeks later, as Iktomi was resting among his new relitives, a small twig from a tree fell upon him. He was seized by panic: "Help! I've been hit by an arrow!" he screamed. "Enemies, hunters, cougars!" Then all the elk stampeded, with Iktomi way in front, leading the flight.
After a while the elk noticed that there were no hunters or predators in sight. "You scare easily," they told Iktomi. "Don't make false alarms."
A day or two later they were all resting again. An acorn fell down uon Iktomi. "Help!" he screamed. "Enemies, hunters! I've been hit by a bullet!" Again the elk stampeded, with Iktomi far in front.
After running at top speed for a while, the elk discovered that they were all alone on the empty prarie. "Didn't we tell you to give us no false warnings?" they scolded Iktomi.
Again, a few days later, as they all were walking slowly grazing, wandering from one grassy spot to another, Iktomi was caught and scratched by some thorns. "Help, help!" he cried. "I've been cut by a knife! I've been torn apart by the fangs of wild wolves!"
"There are no hunters with knives here, and no wolves," said he Hehaka Itancan, the Elk Chief. "Have we not told you to stop scaring us with your wild imaginings? You lied. You are not a mighty warrior."
Again a few days later, in the middle of the night. Iktomi awoke. hearing something rustling in the bushes. "Help, help!" Iktomi screeched. "Wake up! Enemies are coming! There must be hundeds of them!" The whole camp was in an uproar. Then, in the silvery light of the full moon, the elk discovered that it was only a little rabbit that had terrorized Iktomi.
The morning after, when Iktomi was out of earshot, the elk were whispering to each other. It had to do with Iktomi. Yhat evening they camped and went to sleep. At sunrise, when Iktomi woke up, he discovered that he was all alone. The elk had gone, he knew not where. And he was no longer an elk. He was no longer big and tall. His antlers had disappeard. Once again he was the undersized, puny, hairy, pitiful Spider-Man. It was his own fault. He had cried "wolf" once too often.
(Rosebud Sioux)
Iktomi was walking about, looking for what he could find. He came across a herd of Hehaka, elk. It was summer. The grass was high. There was food aplenty. The elk were sleek and fat. With their huge antlers they looked so handsome, stately, and powerful. Iktomi envied the elk's beauty and way life. He looked at his reflection in the nearby stream. "How shabby I am,' he said to himself, "ugly, small, pitiful, insignificant."
Iktomi sought out the tallest among the elk. "This must be the chief," he thought. Humbly he approached, saying: "Lekshi, uncle, you are so handsome, so imposing, every inch a great chief, and I am so small, homely, hairy- a nobody. But we have one thing in common. You, mighty Hehaka, are known to have the love magic, the power to make women love you. You have the love charm, the love wink in your eye. Insignificant nobody that I am, I, too, am a great lover."
"Is that so?" said Hehaka
"Mi Lekshi, uncle of mine, you have the power, you can do anything. Make me like yourself: let me join your tribe."
"I have heard about you. They are saying bad things about you. You have a very bad reputation."
"It's just mean gossip, uncle, you know how people are. They are always bad-mouthing me because of my luck with women. They are just envious."
"They also say that you are a sniveling coward."
"Uncle, they are lying," Iktomi protested. "I am a mighty warrior. I have taken many scalps in battle. I have earned eagle feathers. I am invincible!'
"Can you spy an enemy from far, far away?" asked Hehaka. "Can you discover buffalo and other game from a great distance?"
"My eyes are sharper then those of the eagle," said Iktomi.
"Can you hear an enemy creeping stealthily up on our camp?"
"My sense of hearing is so keen," said Iktomi, "I can hear a mouse walking from a hundred paces away."
"Can you detect the scent of grizzlies, wolves, or cougars creeping up on our herd?"
"My sense of smell is so acute," said Iktomi, "I could detect their odor a mile away, even from upwind."
"Well," said Hehaka, "you might make a good member of our tribe."
"Pilamaya, thank you, uncle, but I would not like to join the Elk Nation in the puny shape I am in. Uncle, you are so very powerful, you can do anything you want. Please make me as big and tall as you."
"Well, all right," said Hehaka, and he made Iktomi big and tall.
"And could you give me a handsom shiny coat like yours?"
"Well, all right, I'll do it," said Hehaka, and gave Iktomi a new coat.
"And, uncle, would you be so kind as to give me a pair of mighty antlers?" Iktomi kept on begging.
"Well, all right," said Hehaka, "but thats enough. Don't be greedy." And so he gave Iktomi a pair of magnificent antlers.
Iktomi was capering and prancing about, showing off his new caot and antlers. "Is there anybody as handsome as I?" he crowed. "Is ther anybody stronger and braver?" Already he assumed the pose and manners of a chief. Thus he joined Hehaka Oyate, the Elk Nation.
Some weeks later, as Iktomi was resting among his new relitives, a small twig from a tree fell upon him. He was seized by panic: "Help! I've been hit by an arrow!" he screamed. "Enemies, hunters, cougars!" Then all the elk stampeded, with Iktomi way in front, leading the flight.
After a while the elk noticed that there were no hunters or predators in sight. "You scare easily," they told Iktomi. "Don't make false alarms."
A day or two later they were all resting again. An acorn fell down uon Iktomi. "Help!" he screamed. "Enemies, hunters! I've been hit by a bullet!" Again the elk stampeded, with Iktomi far in front.
After running at top speed for a while, the elk discovered that they were all alone on the empty prarie. "Didn't we tell you to give us no false warnings?" they scolded Iktomi.
Again, a few days later, as they all were walking slowly grazing, wandering from one grassy spot to another, Iktomi was caught and scratched by some thorns. "Help, help!" he cried. "I've been cut by a knife! I've been torn apart by the fangs of wild wolves!"
"There are no hunters with knives here, and no wolves," said he Hehaka Itancan, the Elk Chief. "Have we not told you to stop scaring us with your wild imaginings? You lied. You are not a mighty warrior."
Again a few days later, in the middle of the night. Iktomi awoke. hearing something rustling in the bushes. "Help, help!" Iktomi screeched. "Wake up! Enemies are coming! There must be hundeds of them!" The whole camp was in an uproar. Then, in the silvery light of the full moon, the elk discovered that it was only a little rabbit that had terrorized Iktomi.
The morning after, when Iktomi was out of earshot, the elk were whispering to each other. It had to do with Iktomi. Yhat evening they camped and went to sleep. At sunrise, when Iktomi woke up, he discovered that he was all alone. The elk had gone, he knew not where. And he was no longer an elk. He was no longer big and tall. His antlers had disappeard. Once again he was the undersized, puny, hairy, pitiful Spider-Man. It was his own fault. He had cried "wolf" once too often.
Friday, October 24, 2008
13 Definitions
~ Myths are a traditional or legendary story, one the explains a cultural life. An example of a myth would be Persephone and Hades.
~ Heroes are founders of something new; new age, new religion, new city, new way of life. An example of heroes would be Hercules.
~ Hero Journey is the road of trials, battles and obstacles, with a boon, initiation, death and rebirth. An example of hero journey would be Ra.
~ Universal is a representative of everyman with a special characteristic or tool that sets him apart from others. An example of universal would be the myth of Dionysus and how he goes to the underworld to save the mother he loves.
~ Archetype is an old foundation or also an original model. An example of archetype would be the myth of Pangu and how he first formed the Earth.
~ Cyclical is a recurring in a cycle, turns,rotation: beginning with the same ending. An example of cyclical would be Ra, for he repeats his adventure everyday.
~ Duality is two things as a whole example: man and woman. An example of duality would be Hades and Zeus.
~ Creation is the original, bringing into existence of the universe. An example of creation would be Isis giving birth to Horus.
~ Cosmology is dealing with the cosmos, stars and universe.
~ Life and death are the making of life out of something dead. An example of life and death would be when Osiris dies and his wife resurects him for a short period of time.
~ Matriarchal is the foundation of female power: mother rules: mother Earth. An example of matriarchal would be the world in the ancient times, like Greece.
~ Patriarchal is the foundation of male power: father rules: father sky. An example of patriarchal would be the world in the 1900's.
~ Sacrifice is the killing or giving up of someone or something in order to appease the gods. An example of sacrifice would be how the Incans killed for the gods.
~ Heroes are founders of something new; new age, new religion, new city, new way of life. An example of heroes would be Hercules.
~ Hero Journey is the road of trials, battles and obstacles, with a boon, initiation, death and rebirth. An example of hero journey would be Ra.
~ Universal is a representative of everyman with a special characteristic or tool that sets him apart from others. An example of universal would be the myth of Dionysus and how he goes to the underworld to save the mother he loves.
~ Archetype is an old foundation or also an original model. An example of archetype would be the myth of Pangu and how he first formed the Earth.
~ Cyclical is a recurring in a cycle, turns,rotation: beginning with the same ending. An example of cyclical would be Ra, for he repeats his adventure everyday.
~ Duality is two things as a whole example: man and woman. An example of duality would be Hades and Zeus.
~ Creation is the original, bringing into existence of the universe. An example of creation would be Isis giving birth to Horus.
~ Cosmology is dealing with the cosmos, stars and universe.
~ Life and death are the making of life out of something dead. An example of life and death would be when Osiris dies and his wife resurects him for a short period of time.
~ Matriarchal is the foundation of female power: mother rules: mother Earth. An example of matriarchal would be the world in the ancient times, like Greece.
~ Patriarchal is the foundation of male power: father rules: father sky. An example of patriarchal would be the world in the 1900's.
~ Sacrifice is the killing or giving up of someone or something in order to appease the gods. An example of sacrifice would be how the Incans killed for the gods.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Interpretation Essay
Persephone and Hades
Deep down within the Earth's surface lies the mysterious underworld, filled with the souls of the dead and creatures unimaginable. This is where the bad are punished and the good rewarded for all of eternity. When the souls of those who died journey to hell, they have to pass judgment by three judges. Souls that are found wicked are tortured for the rest of time and the honorable are sent to the Elysian Fields to live in peace. Following Acheron, the river of woe, along its winding way, to pour into Cocytus, the river of lamentation. Going farther and farther along with this river of sadness, it meets up with an aged boatman named Charon. Charon ferries only the souls of the dead whose lips carried money for the passage to the other side of the river, where the gates to Tartarus stand: home of the dreadful Hades. The gates to his home are guarded by Cerebus, the three headed, dragon tailed dog, who permits only spirits to enter, but never return.
Behind the gates of Tartarus is a god who has been hiddne from people for most of his life, misunderstood. Hades is just like anyone else, with emotional feeling, such as love. In his dark underworld of only the dead souls of those who have all sinned, it would only be natural to be lonley and unhappy with his existence. With a world as dark and harsh as his, who would not be exhilerated with such things as growth, colors, wet dewy raindrops, nativity, virginity, youth and all the rebirth in the world that everyone takes advantage of. Hades realized what precious gifts these are, he decided he wanted more of it, to have forever in his bleak existence.
Hades was lonley god who does us all a favor by taking the souls of the dead and gives them a place to go. LIving in his creepy, melancholy world, would be enough to mess with anyone's emotions. Why make him seem evil and gloomy when he really is like any one else would be put in that situation? Misunderstood. If given the chance to take something you love so much and keep it safe foreve, people would do it. Hades saw how young sweet and virginal Persephone was and decided to take and protect her, someone he had come to love so much. So why then is he judged as a rapist when he loved her so annd protected her, if not from the pain of the world, then surely for protection of he innocence. By the taking of Persephone he not only cured his loneliness, he saved this beautiful girl from the hatred in the world. He just could not bear to see his love lose her radiance. For Hades had to have what he considered true beauty and innocence in a world of chaos.
Deep down within the Earth's surface lies the mysterious underworld, filled with the souls of the dead and creatures unimaginable. This is where the bad are punished and the good rewarded for all of eternity. When the souls of those who died journey to hell, they have to pass judgment by three judges. Souls that are found wicked are tortured for the rest of time and the honorable are sent to the Elysian Fields to live in peace. Following Acheron, the river of woe, along its winding way, to pour into Cocytus, the river of lamentation. Going farther and farther along with this river of sadness, it meets up with an aged boatman named Charon. Charon ferries only the souls of the dead whose lips carried money for the passage to the other side of the river, where the gates to Tartarus stand: home of the dreadful Hades. The gates to his home are guarded by Cerebus, the three headed, dragon tailed dog, who permits only spirits to enter, but never return.
Behind the gates of Tartarus is a god who has been hiddne from people for most of his life, misunderstood. Hades is just like anyone else, with emotional feeling, such as love. In his dark underworld of only the dead souls of those who have all sinned, it would only be natural to be lonley and unhappy with his existence. With a world as dark and harsh as his, who would not be exhilerated with such things as growth, colors, wet dewy raindrops, nativity, virginity, youth and all the rebirth in the world that everyone takes advantage of. Hades realized what precious gifts these are, he decided he wanted more of it, to have forever in his bleak existence.
Hades was lonley god who does us all a favor by taking the souls of the dead and gives them a place to go. LIving in his creepy, melancholy world, would be enough to mess with anyone's emotions. Why make him seem evil and gloomy when he really is like any one else would be put in that situation? Misunderstood. If given the chance to take something you love so much and keep it safe foreve, people would do it. Hades saw how young sweet and virginal Persephone was and decided to take and protect her, someone he had come to love so much. So why then is he judged as a rapist when he loved her so annd protected her, if not from the pain of the world, then surely for protection of he innocence. By the taking of Persephone he not only cured his loneliness, he saved this beautiful girl from the hatred in the world. He just could not bear to see his love lose her radiance. For Hades had to have what he considered true beauty and innocence in a world of chaos.
Persephone, daughter of Demeter, the goddess of corn. She was the only daughter of Demeter, thus making her so much more sheltered from the misery found through out the universe. Persephone was the maiden of spring, told to be pure and virtuous: portraying beauty, nativity innocence and rebirth: running through fields and leaving in her wake, freshly sprung flowers and plants; bringing about colors and wet dewy raindrops to shower the new life she has brought forth. All this would be in in the comfort of her home, not at all like Hades' home.
Just like every young girl, Persephone is curious and adventures about new things she does not yet understand. Being the only daughter to a very powerful mother, Persephone was likely used to only good affections, so she would not have known such troubles in the world, only about hope and new beginnings. every person could not help but admire such a beautiful young girl, who still was naive and sweet Never facing problems, known only as a "golden child."
Persephone has so many wonderful attributes to her being that she is revered by all. The portrayer of beauty, nativity, innocence, rebirth and loveliness. She being the maiden of spring on Earth and most importantly, rebirth. With such lofty characteristics, it is no wonder Hades became enamored with this young innocent . Persephone is just a happy person with not a care in the world. Going from one content moment to the next. She is content with the way her life is going and does not realize that not all have that luxury. Persephone is definitely a very empathetic person, caring for others, but not fully understanding their pain, sorrow or loss.
Hades has seen all of these attributes of Persephone and in doing so fell in love with her. When Hades realized he had to have her, he took her, for he was s full of devotion to her and her well being. Persephone on the other hand was not in love with Hades at all. Him being a complete stranger to her and not seeing how much he cared for her refusing anything from him. Although, as the months went on she soon learned to love him and understand how he is not as he is portrayed. In her eating the pomegranate seed, she not only gave herself to Hades and the underworld, but she gave her trust to him as her protector. As a result, promising to come back to him after her yearly visits with her mother. Thus goes to show there is a hidden love behind the gates of Tartarus. A love story of complete opposites, creating an unseen balance between each other and the world . Hades wanting to be secured with love and affection, as well as companionship and Persephone exploring all things possible in the universe and she her self experiencing the love and well being that she gives to others.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Expanded Defintion of Mythology
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