The Haitian Voudou religion contains a rich pantheon of gods and spirits, one of which is the serpent Damballah Wedo. But what exactly is Damballah’s role and power? Damballah Wedo is an important Loa spirit from Haiti Voudou religion, usually depicted as a giant cosmic serpent. His divine role is to support the world in …
Damballah Wedo: Vodou Snake God who Holds the Universe Read More »
In the beginning, a large snake encircled the Earth to protect it from crumbling into the seas. When the first rains began to fall, the Haitian deity, Aida Wedo, the rainbow Lwa, appeared, and the serpent (who was really the Lwa Danbala) fell in love with her, and they married. It is said that the …
In the fields there appears, usually at the time of harvest, the Poludnica, sometimes Polednica, Poludnitsa (“Midday Spirit”) or the goddess(es) of the fields (from polder’ or poluden’, meaning “mid-day”), she was frequently attended by the polevoi. Although she was a patron deity of agriculture, the poludnitsa was also a mischievous spirit who would punish …
All about Slavic Poludnica: Lady Midday (or Noonwraith) Read More »
A creature that often appears in Slavic folklore and mythology are the Vila or Samodiva. But what exactly are these creatures? Vila or Samodiva are the fairies of Slavic mythology. They are pictured as beautiful women, eternally young, with pale cheeks, blonde hair, dressed in white and possessing many supernatural powers. They are protectors of …
Vila & Samodiva: Why Slavic Mythology Fairies Are So Unique Read More »
Also: Perom; Peron; Pikker; Piorun; Pyerun the god of thunder and rain, known as Perkonis in Prussia, Perkons in Latvia, Perkunas in Lithuania, Perusan in Bulgaria, Peron (“curse”) in Slovakia, and Perun in Russia and the Czech lands. His name is possibly cognate with that of Paranjanya, an epithet of the Hindu storm god Indra. …
Perun: The Slavic War & Thunder God (+ Portrait) Read More »
Among the numerous deities of the Elbe Slavs the most prominent place was occupied by Svetovid (sometimes Svantovit or Svantevit). The centre of his worship was in Arkona, on the island of Rugen; and in the middle of the town, which towers on the summit of a lofty cliff, stood his temple, skillfully built of …
All about Svetovid: Chief God in Slavic Pagan mythology Read More »
Admetus（or Admhtos), a son of Pheres, the founder and king of Pherae in Thessaly, and of Periclymene or Clymene. (Apollod. 1.9.2, 9.14.) He took part in the Calydonian chase and the expedition of the Argonauts. (Apollod. 1.9.16; Hyg. Fab. 14. 173.) When he had succeeded his father as king of Pherae, he sued for the hand of …
The Story of Admetus and Alcestis (Greek Mythology) Read More »
Abderus (or Abdhros), is the son of Hermes, or of Thromius the Locriana according to others. He was a favourite of Heracles, and was torn to pieces by the mares of Diomedes, which Heracles had given him to pursue the Bistones. Heracles is said to have built the town of Abdera to honour him. According …
Absyrtus (or Apsyrtus), is the son of Aeetes, king of Colchis, and brother of Medeia. The name of his mother differs from one writer to the next: Hyginus (Fab. 13) calls her Ipsia, Apollodorus names her as Idyia, Apollonius says it is Asterodeia, while others claim Hecate, Neaera, or Eurylyte. (Schol. ad Apollon. l.c.) When Medeia fled …
The Story of Absyrtus & Why His Sister Murdered Him Read More »
Ainu culture hero who features in many myths as an extremely pious powerful man who performs all the Ainu rituals, or who calls on the kamui for assistance for his people. Okikurmi is wise and good, but he has a counterpart, Samai-unkur, the chieftain of a neighboring village, who is stupid, careless, and weak. The …
Okikurmi or Ae-oyna Kamui: Ainu Wiseman Or Protective God Read More »