cosmology
Animism
The doctrine and worldview that natural phenomena, places, and objects possess inherent spirit, soul, or personality — and that the cosmos is populated by countless local, plural, embodied divine agents: kami in mountain and tree, sidhe in cairn and well, landwights in field and stone, nymphs in spring and grove, haltija in forest and lake, lares and penates in household and threshold, Iamblichean daemons in element and place. Distinct from monotheism (single transcendent God), pantheism (one underlying substance), and emanation_hierarchy (cascading single source); animism's signature is the plurality, locality, and embodied-in-landscape character of the divine.
632 passages · 10 traditions
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The Kalevala | Rune I-a
“OF WAINAMOINEN.
In primeval times, a maiden, Beauteous Daughter of the Ether, Passed for ages her existence In the great expanse of heaven, O'er the prairies yet enfolded.
Wearisome the maiden growing, Her existence sad and hopeless, Thus…”
The Kalevala | Rune I-b
“Surely would the winds destroy it, Far away the waves would wash it." Then the daughter of the Ether, Now the hapless water-mother, Raised her shoulders out of water, Raised her knees above the ocean, That the duck might build her dwelling,…”
The Kalevala | Rune I-c
“Wainamoinen, old and trusty, Lingering within his dungeon Thirty summers altogether, And of winters, also thirty, Peaceful on the waste of waters, On the broad-sea's yielding bosom, Well reflected, long considered, How unborn to live and fl…”
The Kalevala | Rune II-a
“'S SOWING.
Then arose old Wainamoinen, With his feet upon the island, On the island washed by ocean, Broad expanse devoid of verdure; There remained be many summers, There he lived as many winters, On the island vast and vacant, well consi…”
The Kalevala | Rune II-b
“Wainamoinen, old and trusty, Thought awhile, and well considered, How to kill the mighty oak-tree, First created for his pleasure, How to fell the tree majestic, How to lop its hundred branches.
Sad the lives of man and hero, Sad the homes…”
The Kalevala | Rune II-c
“Straightway to the oak-tree turning, Thither stalks the mighty giant, In his raiment long and roomy, Flapping in the winds of heaven; With his second step he totters On the land of darker color; With his third stop firmly planted, Reaches h…”
The Kalevala | Rune II-d
“Down from heaven came the eagle, Through the air be came a-flying, That he might this thing consider; And he spake the words that follow: "Wherefore, ancient Wainamoinen, Hast thou left the slender birch-tree, Left the birch-tree only stand…”
The Kalevala | Rune II-e
“Here a few days pass unnoted And as many nights fly over.
When the seventh day had journeyed, On the morning of the eighth day, Wainamoinen, wise and ancient, Went to view his crop of barley, How his plowing, how his sowing, How his labors…”
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The Soul of the Indian | Chapter I-b
“Sometimes an old man, standing upon the brink of eternity, might reveal to a chosen few the oracle of his long-past youth.
The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity.
They forget…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter I-c
“He had faith in their instincts, as in a mysterious wisdom given from above; and while he humbly accepted the supposedly voluntary sacrifice of their bodies to preserve his own, he paid homage to their spirits in prescribed prayers and offe…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter II-a
“THE FAMILY ALTAR Pre-natal Influence.
Early Religious Teaching.
The Function of the Aged.
Woman, Marriage and the Family.
Loyalty, Hospitality, Friendship.
The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war.
He had neither…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter II-b
“You may destroy him once and again, but he issues as often from that same gentle lap—a gift of the Great Good to the race, in which man is only an accomplice!” This wild mother has not only the experience of her mother and grandmother, and…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter II-d
“Names of any dignity or importance must be conferred by the old men, and especially so if they have any spiritual significance; as Sacred Cloud, Mysterious Night, Spirit Woman, and the like.
Such a name was sometimes borne by three generat…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-a
“CEREMONIAL AND SYMBOLIC WORSHIP Modern Perversions of Early Religious Rites.
The Sun Dance.
The Great Medicine Lodge.
Totems and Charms.
The Vapor-Bath and the Ceremonial of the Pipe.
The public religious rites of the Plains Indians ar…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-d
“After silent prayer, each medicine-man in turn addressed himself to his charge, exhorting him to observe all the rules of the order under the eye of the Mysterious One, and instructing him in his duty toward his fellow-man and toward the Ru…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-e
“The sacred beast, bird, or reptile, represented by its stuffed skin, or by a rude painting, was treated with reverence and carried into battle to insure the guardianship of the spirits.
The symbolic attribute of beaver, bear, or tortoise,…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-f
“In all the war ceremonies and in medicine a special pipe is used, but at home or on the hunt the warrior employs his own.
The pulverized weed is mixed with aromatic bark of the red willow, and pressed lightly into the bowl of the long ston…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter IV-a
“BARBARISM AND THE MORAL CODE Silence the Corner-Stone of Character.
Basic Ideas of Morality.
“Give All or Nothing!” Rules of Honorable Warfare.
An Indian Conception of Courage.
Long before I ever heard of Christ, or saw a white man, I h…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-a
“THE UNWRITTEN SCRIPTURES A Living Book.
The Sioux Story of Creation.
The First Battle.
Another Version of the Flood.
Our Animal Ancestry.
A missionary once undertook to instruct a group of Indians in the truths of his holy religion.
H…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-b
“Foremost among the animal people was Unk-to-mee, the Spider, the original trouble-maker, who noted keenly the growth of the boy in wit and ingenuity, and presently advised the animals to make an end of him; “for,” said he, “if you do not, s…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-c
“Our people have always claimed that the stone arrows which are found so generally throughout the country are the ones that the first man used in his battle with the animals.
It is not recorded in our traditions, much less is it within the…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-d
“The young man and his Teacher made a birch-bark canoe, which floated upon the surface of the flood, while of the animals there were saved only a few, who had found a foothold upon the highest peaks.
The youth had now passed triumphantly th…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-e
“There are some curious traditions of young men and maidens who transgressed this law unknowingly, being seduced and deceived by a magnificent buck deer, perhaps, or a graceful doe, and whose fall was punished with death.
The animal totems…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter VI-a
“ON THE BORDER-LAND OF SPIRITS Death and Funeral Customs.
The Sacred Lock of Hair.
Reincarnation and the Converse of Spirits.
Occult and Psychic Powers.
The Gift of Prophecy.
The attitude of the Indian toward death, the test and backgro…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter VI-b
“At every meal time, a dish of food was placed under it, and some person of the same sex and age as the one who was gone must afterward be invited in to partake of the food.
At the end of a year from the time of death, the relatives made a…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter VI-c
“At the age of about seventy-five years, he saved his band from utter destruction at the hands of their ancestral enemies, by suddenly giving warning received in a dream of the approach of a large war-party.
The men immediately sent out sco…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 1a
“HOW THE WORLD WAS MADE The earth is a great island floating in a sea of water, and suspended at each of the four cardinal points by a cord hanging down from the sky vault, which is of solid rock.
When the world grows old and worn out, the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 1b
“When the animals and plants were first made—we do not know by whom—they were told to watch and keep awake for seven nights, just as young men now fast and keep awake when they pray to their medicine.
They tried to do this, and nearly all w…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 2a
“THE FIRST FIRE In the beginning there was no fire, and the world was cold, until the Thunders (Ani′-Hyûñ′tĭkwălâ′skĭ), who lived up in Gălûñ′lătĭ, sent their lightning and put fire into the bottom of a hollow sycamore tree which grew on an…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 2b
““I’ll manage that,” said the Water Spider; so she spun a thread from her body and wove it into a tusti bowl, which she fastened on her back.
Then she crossed over to the island and through the grass to where the fire was still burning.
Sh…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3a
“KANA′TĬ AND SELU: THE ORIGIN OF GAME AND CORN When I was a boy this is what the old men told me they had heard when they were boys.
Long years ago, soon after the world was made, a hunter and his wife lived at Pilot knob with their only ch…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3c
““There is no meat,” said Selu, “but wait a little while and I’ll get you something.” So she took a basket and started out to the storehouse.
This storehouse was built upon poles high up from the ground, to keep it out of the reach of anima…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3d
“When the Wolf chief asked him his business, he said: “I have two bad boys at home, and I want you to go in seven days from now and play ball against them.” Although Kana′tĭ spoke as though he wanted them to play a game of ball, the Wolves k…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3e
“He rolled it to the south and to the north, and each time the wheel came back to him, and they knew their father was not there.
Then he rolled it toward the Sunland, and it did not return.
“Our father is there,” said the Wild Boy, “let us…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3f
“They went on and soon met Kana′tĭ, who seemed much surprised to see them, and said, “What!
are you here again?” “O, yes, we never give up.
We are great men!” “What did the cannibals do to you?” “We met them and they brought us to their to…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3g
“At last one proposed to watch when their parents went out and to follow them.
Accordingly next morning the plan was carried out.
Those who followed the father saw him stop at a short distance from the cabin and turn over a large stone tha…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 4a
“ORIGIN OF DISEASE AND MEDICINE In the old days the beasts, birds, fishes, insects, and plants could all talk, and they and the people lived together in peace and friendship.
But as time went on the people increased so rapidly that their se…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 4b
“If the reply be “Yes,” all is well, and the Little Deer goes on his way; but if the reply be “No,” he follows on the trail of the hunter, guided by the drops of blood on the ground, until he arrives at his cabin in the settlement, when the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 4c
“Even weeds were made for some good purpose, which we must find out for ourselves.
When the doctor does not know what medicine to use for a sick man the spirit of the plant tells him.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 5a
“THE DAUGHTER OF THE SUN The Sun lived on the other side of the sky vault, but her daughter lived in the middle of the sky, directly above the earth, and every day as the Sun was climbing along the sky arch to the west she used to stop at he…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 5b
“The Little Men told them they must take a box with them, and when they got to Tsûsginâ′ĭ they would find all the ghosts at a dance.
They must stand outside the circle, and when the young woman passed in the dance they must strike her with…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 6a
“HOW THEY BROUGHT BACK THE TOBACCO In the beginning of the world, when people and animals were all the same, there was only one tobacco plant, to which they all came for their tobacco until the Dagûlʻkû geese stole it and carried it far away…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 8
“THE MOON AND THE THUNDERS. The Sun was a young woman and lived in the East, while her brother, the Moon, lived in the West. The girl had a lover who used to come every month in the dark of the moon to court her. He would come at night, and…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 9
“WHAT THE STARS ARE LIKE There are different opinions about the stars. Some say they are balls of light, others say they are human, but most people say they are living creatures covered with luminous fur or feathers. One night a hunting part…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 10
“ORIGIN OF THE PLEIADES AND THE PINE Long ago, when the world was new, there were seven boys who used to spend all their time down by the townhouse playing the gatayû′stĭ game, rolling a stone wheel along the ground and sliding a curved stic…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 14
“THE DELUGE A long time ago a man had a dog, which began to go down to the river every day and look at the water and howl. At last the man was angry and scolded the dog, which then spoke to him and said: “Very soon there is going to be a gre…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15a
“THE FOURFOOTED TRIBES In Cherokee mythology, as in that of Indian tribes generally, there is no essential difference between men and animals.
In the primal genesis period they seem to be completely undifferentiated, and we find all creatur…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15b
“According to the same myth the Flying Squirrel ( Tewa ) also aided in securing the victory, and hence both these animals are still invoked by the ball player.
The meat of the common gray squirrel ( sălâ′lĭ ) is forbidden to rheumatic patie…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15c
“e., if the hunter has asked pardon for the life that he has taken.
If the formulistic prayer has been made, all is well, because the necessary sacrifice has been atoned for; but if otherwise, the Little Deer tracks the hunter to his house…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15d
“Certain persons, however, having knowledge of the proper atonement rites, may kill wolves with impunity, and are hired for this purpose by others who have suffered from raids upon their fish traps or their stock.
Like the eagle killer (see…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15e
“The underlying idea is that the fetid smell repels the disease spirit, and upon the same principle the buzzard, which is so evidently superior to carrion smells, is held to be powerful against the same diseases.
The beaver ( dâ′yĭ ), by re…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 16
“THE RABBIT GOES DUCK HUNTING The Rabbit was so boastful that he would claim to do whatever he saw anyone else do, and so tricky that he could usually make the other animals believe it all. Once he pretended that he could swim in the water a…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 17a
“HOW THE RABBIT STOLE THE OTTER’S COAT The animals were of different sizes and wore coats of various colors and patterns.
Some wore long fur and others wore short.
Some had rings on their tails, and some had no tails at all.
Some had coat…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 17b
“The Rabbit took the Otter’s coat and put it on, leaving his own instead, and went on to the council.
All the animals were there, every one looking out for the Otter.
At last they saw him in the distance, and they said one to the other, “T…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 18
“WHY THE POSSUM’S TAIL IS BARE The Possum used to have a long, bushy tail, and was so proud of it that he combed it out every morning and sang about it at the dance, until the Rabbit, who had had no tail since the Bear pulled it out, became…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 19
“HOW THE WILDCAT CAUGHT THE GOBBLER The Wildcat once caught the Rabbit and was about to kill him, when the Rabbit begged for his life, saying: “I’m so small I would make only a mouthful for you, but if you let me go I’ll show you where you c…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 20
“HOW THE TERRAPIN BEAT THE RABBIT The Rabbit was a great runner, and everybody knew it. No one thought the Terrapin anything but a slow traveler, but he was a great warrior and very boastful, and the two were always disputing about their spe…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 21a
“THE RABBIT AND THE TAR WOLF Once there was such a long spell of dry weather that there was no more water in the creeks and springs, and the animals held a council to see what to do about it.
They decided to dig a well, and all agreed to he…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 22
“THE RABBIT AND THE POSSUM AFTER A WIFE The Rabbit and the Possum each wanted a wife, but no one would marry either of them. They talked over the matter and the Rabbit said, “We can’t get wives here; let’s go to the next settlement. I’m the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 23
“THE RABBIT DINES THE BEAR The Bear invited the Rabbit to dine with him. They had beans in the pot, but there was no grease for them, so the Bear cut a slit in his side and let the oil run out until they had enough to cook the dinner. The Ra…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 24
“THE RABBIT ESCAPES FROM THE WOLVES Some Wolves once caught the Rabbit and were going to eat him when he asked leave to show them a new dance he was practicing. They knew that the Rabbit was a great song leader, and they wanted to learn the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 25
“FLINT VISITS THE RABBIT In the old days Tăwi′skălă (Flint) lived up in the mountains, and all the animals hated him because he had helped to kill so many of them. They used to get together to talk over means to put him out of the way, but e…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 26
“HOW THE DEER GOT HIS HORNS In the beginning the Deer had no horns, but his head was smooth just like a doe’s. He was a great runner and the Rabbit was a great jumper, and the animals were all curious to know which could go farther in the sa…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 27
“WHY THE DEER’S TEETH ARE BLUNT The Rabbit felt sore because the Deer had won the horns (see the last story), and resolved to get even. One day soon after the race he stretched a large grapevine across the trail and gnawed it nearly in two i…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 28
“WHAT BECAME OF THE RABBIT The Deer was very angry at the Rabbit for filing his teeth and determined to be revenged, but he kept still and pretended to be friendly until the Rabbit was off his guard. Then one day, as they were going along to…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 29
“WHY THE MINK SMELLS The Mink was such a great thief that at last the animals held a council about the matter. It was decided to burn him, so they caught the Mink, built a great fire, and threw him into it. As the blaze went up and they smel…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 30
“WHY THE MOLE LIVES UNDERGROUND A man was in love with a woman who disliked him and would have nothing to do with him. He tried every way to win her favor, but to no purpose, until at last he grew discouraged and made himself sick thinking o…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 31
“THE TERRAPIN’S ESCAPE FROM THE WOLVES The Possum and the Terrapin went out together to hunt persimmons, and found a tree full of ripe fruit. The Possum climbed it and was throwing down the persimmons to the Terrapin when a wolf came up and…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 32
“ORIGIN OF THE GROUNDHOG DANCE: THE GROUNDHOG’S HEAD Seven wolves once caught a Groundhog and said, “Now we’ll kill you and have something good to eat.” But the Groundhog said, “When we find good food we must rejoice over it, as people do in…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 33
“THE MIGRATION OF THE ANIMALS In the old times when the animals used to talk and hold councils, and the Grubworm and Woodchuck used to marry people, there was once a great famine of mast in the mountains, and all the animals and birds which…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 34
“THE WOLF’S REVENGE—THE WOLF AND THE DOG Kana′tĭ had wolves to hunt for him, because they are good hunters and never fail. He once sent out two wolves at once. One went to the east and did not return. The other went to the north, and when he…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35a
“THE BIRD TRIBES Winged creatures of all kinds are classed under the generic term of aninâ′hilidâ′hĭ (flyers).
Birds are called, alike in the singular and plural, tsi′skwa , the term being generally held to exclude the domestic fowls introd…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35b
“Consequently the Eagle songs were never sung until after the snakes had gone to sleep for the winter.
When the people of a town had decided upon an Eagle dance the eagle killer was called in, frequently from a distant settlement, to procur…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35c
“Should any person in the settlement dream of eagles or eagle feathers he must arrange for an Eagle dance, with the usual vigil and fasting, at the first opportunity; otherwise some one of his family will die.
Should the insect parasites wh…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35e
“The meat of the ruffed grouse, locally known as the pheasant ( Bonasa umbellus ), is tabued to a pregnant woman, because this bird hatches a large brood, but loses most of them before maturity.
Under a stricter construction of the theory t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 36a
“THE BALL GAME OF THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS Once the animals challenged the birds to a great ballplay, and the birds accepted.
The leaders made the arrangements and fixed the day, and when the time came both parties met at the place for the bal…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 36b
“When they were all ready the signal was given and the game began, but almost at the first toss the Flying Squirrel caught the ball and carried it up a tree, from which he threw it to the birds, who kept it in the air for some time until it…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 37
“HOW THE TURKEY GOT HIS BEARD When the Terrapin won the race from the Rabbit (see the story) all the animals wondered and talked about it a great deal, because they had always thought the Terrapin slow, although they knew that he was a warri…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 38
“WHY THE TURKEY GOBBLES The Grouse used to have a fine voice and a good halloo in the ballplay. All the animals and birds used to play ball in those days and were just as proud of a loud halloo as the ball players of to-day. The Turkey had n…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 39
“HOW THE KINGFISHER GOT HIS BILL Some old men say that the Kingfisher was meant in the beginning to be a water bird, but as he had not been given either web feet or a good bill he could not make a living. The animals held a council over it a…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 40
“HOW THE PARTRIDGE GOT HIS WHISTLE In the old days the Terrapin had a fine whistle, but the Partridge had none. The Terrapin was constantly going about whistling and showing his whistle to the other animals until the Partridge became jealous…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 41
“HOW THE REDBIRD GOT HIS COLOR A Raccoon passing a Wolf one day made several insulting remarks, until at last the Wolf became angry and turned and chased him. The Raccoon ran his best and managed to reach a tree by the river side before the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 42
“THE PHEASANT BEATING CORN; ORIGIN OF THE PHEASANT DANCE The Pheasant once saw a woman beating corn in a wooden mortar in front of the house. “I can do that, too,” said he, but the woman would not believe it, so the Pheasant went into the wo…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 43
“THE RACE BETWEEN THE CRANE AND THE HUMMINGBIRD The Hummingbird and the Crane were both in love with a pretty woman. She preferred the Hummingbird, who was as handsome as the Crane was awkward, but the Crane was so persistent that in order t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 44
“THE OWL GETS MARRIED A widow with one daughter was always warning the girl that she must be sure to get a good hunter for a husband when she married. The young woman listened and promised to do as her mother advised. At last a suitor came t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 45
“THE HUHU GETS MARRIED A widow who had an only a daughter, but no son, found it very hard to make a living and was constantly urging upon the young woman that they ought to have a man in the family, who would be a good hunter and able to hel…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 46
“WHY THE BUZZARD’S HEAD IS BARE The buzzard used to have a fine topknot, of which he was so proud that he refused to eat carrion, and while the other birds were pecking at the body of a deer or other animal which they had found he would stru…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 47
“THE EAGLE’S REVENGE Once a hunter in the mountains heard a noise at night like a rushing wind outside the cabin, and on going out he found that an eagle had just alighted on the drying pole and was tearing at the body of a deer hanging ther…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 48
“THE HUNTER AND THE BUZZARD A hunter had been all day looking for deer in the mountains without success until he was completely tired out and sat down on a log to rest and wonder what he should do, when a buzzard—a bird which always has magi…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 49a
“THE SNAKE TRIBE The generic name for snakes is inădû′ .
They are all regarded as anida′wehĭ , “supernaturals,” having an intimate connection with the rain and thunder gods, and possessing a certain influence over the other animal and plant…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 49b
“Chewed linn bark is also applied to the bite, perhaps from the supposed occult connection between the snake and the thunder, as this tree is said to be immune from the lightning stroke.
Notwithstanding the fear of the rattlesnake, his ratt…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 49c
“As with the blacksnake, it is believed that toothache may be prevented and sound teeth insured as long as life lasts by biting the greensnake along its body.
It must be held by the head and tail, and all the teeth at once pressed down four…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 50a
“THE UKTENA AND THE ULÛÑSÛ′TĬ Long ago— hĭlahi′yu —when the Sun became angry at the people on earth and sent a sickness to destroy them, the Little Men changed a man into a monster snake, which they called Uktena, “The Keen-eyed,” and sent h…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 50b
“When it is consulted for this purpose the future is seen mirrored in the clear crystal as a tree is reflected in the quiet stream below, and the conjurer knows whether the sick man will recover, whether the warrior will return from battle,…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 50c
“The Uktena was still asleep, and, putting an arrow to his bow, Âgăn-uni′tsĭ shot and sent the arrow through its heart, which was under the seventh spot from the serpent’s head.
The great snake raised his head, with the diamond in front fla…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 52
“THE RED MAN AND THE UKTENA Two brothers went hunting together, and when they came to a good camping place in the mountains they made a fire, and while one gathered bark to put up a shelter the other started up the creek to look for a deer.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 53
“THE HUNTER AND THE UKSU′HĬ A man living down in Georgia came to visit some relatives at Hickory-log. He was a great hunter, and after resting in the house a day or two got ready to go into the mountains. His friends warned him not to go tow…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 54a
“THE USTÛ′TLĬ There was once a great serpent called the Ustû′tlĭ that made its haunt upon Cohutta mountain.
It was called the Ustû′tlĭ or “foot” snake, because it did not glide like other snakes, but had feet at each end of its body, and mo…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 54b
“Then he cautiously climbed to the top and looked over and saw the Ustû′tlĭ still slowly working its way toward the summit.
He went down to the base of the mountain, opened his fire pouch, and set fire to the grass and leaves.
Soon the fir…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 55
“THE UWʼTSÛÑ′TA At Nûñ′dăye′ʻlĭ, the wildest spot on Nantahala river, in what is now Macon county, North Carolina, where the overhanging cliff is highest and the river far below, there lived in the old time a great snake called the Uwʼtsûñ′t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 56
“THE SNAKE BOY There was a boy who used to go bird hunting every day, and all the birds he brought home he gave to his grandmother, who was very fond of him. This made the rest of the family jealous, and they treated him in such fashion that…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 58
“THE RATTLESNAKE’S VENGEANCE One day in the old times when we could still talk with other creatures, while some children were playing about the house, their mother inside heard them scream. Running out she found that a rattlesnake had crawle…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 59a
“THE SMALLER REPTILES—FISHES AND INSECTS There are several varieties of frogs and toads, each with a different name, but there is very little folklore in connection with them.
The common green frog is called walâ′sĭ , and among the Cherokee…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 59b
“The small scorpion lizard ( tsâne′nĭ ) is sometimes called also gigă-danegi′skĭ , “blood taker.” It is a striped lizard which frequents sandy beaches and resemble the diyâ′hălĭ, but is of a brown color.
It is believed also to be sucking bl…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 59c
“A mother whose grown son had been thus treated when an infant claimed that he could hold anything with his thumb and finger.
It is said, however, to render the child quarrelsome and disposed to bite.
Of insects there is more to be said.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 59d
“Infants slow in learning to speak have their tongues scratched with the claw of a gûlʻkwâgĭ, the living insect being held in the hand during the operation, in order that they may soon learn to speak distinctly and be eloquent, wise, and shr…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 60
“WHY THE BULLFROG’S HEAD IS STRIPED According to one version the Bullfrog was always ridiculing the great gambler Ûñtsai′yĭ, “Brass,” (see the story) until the latter at last got angry and dared the Bullfrog to play the gatayû′stĭ (wheel-and…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 61
“THE BULLFROG LOVER A young man courted a girl, who liked him well enough, but her mother was so much opposed to him that she would not let him come near the house. At last he made a trumpet from the handle of a gourd and hid himself after n…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 62a
“THE KATYDID’S WARNING Two hunters camping in the woods were preparing supper one night when a Katydid began singing near them.
One of them said sneeringly, “ Kû!
It sings and don’t know that it will die before the season ends.” The Katydi…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 62b
“Under the blanket on the seat were long, sharp thorns of the honey locust, with the points all sticking up, but when the boy sat down they did not hurt him, and then Thunder knew that it was his son.
He asked the boy why he had come.
“I h…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 62c
“The boy told his father how Ûñtsaiyĭ′ had dared him to play, and had even offered to play for the spots on his skin.
“Yes,” said Thunder, “he is a great gambler and makes his living that way, but I will see that you win.” He brought a smal…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 62d
““Then he must have passed in the night,” said the old woman, “for I have been here all day.” They were about to take another road when the Beetle, which had been circling about in the air above the old woman, made a dart at her and struck h…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 64
“THE NEST OF THE TLĂ′NUWĂ On the north bank of Little Tennessee river, in a bend below the mouth of Citico creek, in Blount county, Tennessee, is a high cliff hanging over the water, and about halfway up the face of the rock is a cave with t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65a
“THE HUNTER AND THE TLĂ′NUWĂ A hunter out in the woods one day saw a Tlă′nuwă overhead and tried to hide from it, but the great bird had already seen him, and sweeping down struck its claws into his hunting pack and carried him far up into t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65b
“Spear-finger had such powers over stone that she could easily lift and carry immense rocks, and could cement them together by merely striking one against another.
To get over the rough country more easily she undertook to build a great roc…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65c
“Then they kindled a large fire of brush near the trail and hid themselves in the laurels, because they knew she would come as soon as she saw the smoke.
Sure enough they soon saw an old woman coming along the trail.
She looked like an old…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65d
“At last he pointed it in the direction of the hunting camp on the other side of the mountain, and this time when he drew back the staff he sniffed it several times as if it smelled very good, and then started along the ridge straight for th…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 68
“THE HUNTER IN THE DĂKWĂ′ In the old days there was a great fish called the Dăkwă′, which lived in Tennessee river where Toco creek comes in at Dăkwâ′ĭ, the “Dăkwă′ place,” above the mouth of Tellico, and which was so large that it could eas…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 69
“ATAGÂ′HĬ, THE ENCHANTED LAKE Westward from the headwaters of Oconaluftee river, in the wildest depths of the Great Smoky mountains, which form the line between North Carolina and Tennessee, is the enchanted lake of Atagâ′hĭ, “Gall place.” A…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 70
“THE BRIDE FROM THE SOUTH The North went traveling, and after going far and meeting many different tribes he finally fell in love with the daughter of the South and wanted to marry her. The girl was willing, but her parents objected and said…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 71
“THE ICE MAN Once when the people were burning the woods in the fall the blaze set fire to a poplar tree, which continued to burn until the fire went down into the roots and burned a great hole in the ground. It burned and burned, and the ho…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 72
“THE HUNTER AND SELU A hunter had been tramping over the mountains all day long without finding any game and when the sun went down, he built a fire in a hollow stump, swallowed a few mouthfuls of corn gruel and lay down to sleep, tired out…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 73
“THE UNDERGROUND PANTHERS A hunter was in the woods one day in winter when suddenly he saw a panther coming toward him and at once prepared to defend himself. The panther continued to approach, and the hunter was just about to shoot when the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 75a
“ORIGIN OF THE BEAR: THE BEAR SONGS Long ago there was a Cherokee clan called the Ani′-Tsâ′gûhĭ, and in one family of this clan was a boy who used to leave home and be gone all day in the mountains.
After a while he went oftener and stayed…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 75b
“The Ani′-Tsâ′gûhĭ, the Ani′-Tsâ′gûhĭ, I want to lay them low on the ground, The Ani′-Tsâ′gûhĭ, the Ani′-Tsâ′gûhĭ, I want to lay them low on the ground—Yû!
The bear hunter starts out each morning fasting and does not eat until near evening.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 76a
“THE BEAR MAN A man went hunting in the mountains and came across a black bear, which he wounded with an arrow.
The bear turned and started to run the other way, and the hunter followed, shooting one arrow after another into it without brin…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 76b
“The hunter lived in the cave with the bear all winter, until long hair like that of a bear began to grow all over his body and he began to act like a bear; but he still walked like a man.
One day in early spring the bear said to him, “Your…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 77
“THE GREAT LEECH OF TLANUSI′YĬ The spot where Valley river joins Hiwassee, at Murphy, in North Carolina, is known among the Cherokees as Tlanusi′yĭ, “The Leech place,” and this is the story they tell of it: Just above the junction is a deep…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78a
“THE NÛÑNĔ′HĬ AND OTHER SPIRIT FOLK The Nûñnĕ′hĭ or immortals, the “people who live anywhere,” were a race of spirit people who lived in the highlands of the old Cherokee country and had a great many townhouses, especially in the bald mounta…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78b
“They went down a path that had a cornfield on one side and a peach orchard fenced in on the other, until they came to another trail, and the man said, “Go along this trail across that ridge and you will come to the river road that will brin…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78c
“People said that this was because the Nûñnĕ′hĭ had a townhouse and a fire under the mountain.
Sometimes in cold weather hunters would stop there to warm themselves, but they were afraid to stay long.
This was more than sixty years ago, bu…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78d
“After several weeks he came back and said that the Little People had found him and taken him to one of their caves and tended him until he was cured.
About twenty-five years ago a man named Tsantăwû′ was lost in the mountains on the head o…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78e
“Then the hunter says, “De′tsătă, you have my arrow, and if you don’t give it up I’ll scratch you,” and when he looks again he finds it.
There is one spirit that goes about at night with a light.
The Cherokee call it Atsil′-dihye′gĭ , “The…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 79
“THE REMOVED TOWNHOUSES Long ago, long before the Cherokee were driven from their homes in 1838, the people on Valley river and Hiwassee heard voices of invisible spirits in the air calling and warning them of wars and misfortunes which the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 80a
“THE SPIRIT DEFENDERS OF NĬKWĂSĬ′ Long ago a powerful unknown tribe invaded the country from the southeast, killing people and destroying settlements wherever they went.
No leader could stand against them, and in a little while they had was…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 80b
“There is another story, that once while all the warriors of a certain town were off on a hunt, or at a dance in another settlement, one old man was chopping wood on the side of the ridge when suddenly a party of the enemy came upon him—Shaw…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81a
“TSULʻKĂLÛ′, THE SLANT-EYED GIANT A long time ago a widow lived with her one daughter at the old town of Kănuga on Pigeon river.
The girl was of age to marry, and her mother used to talk with her a good deal, and tell her she must be sure t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81b
“Tsulʻkălû′ was terribly angry.
He untwisted himself and came out of the âsĭ, and said good-bye to the girl, telling her that he would never let her mother see him again, but would go back to his own country.
Then he went off in the direct…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81c
“She was very glad to meet her brother and talked with him a long time, but did not ask him to come inside, and at last he went away without having seen her husband.
Several other times her brother came to the mountain, but always his siste…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81d
“He asked why Tsulʻkâlû′ had not brought the new dresses, as he had promised, and the voice from the air said, “I came with them, but you did not obey my word, but broke the fast and raised the war cry.” The young man answered, “It was not d…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81e
“Some of the mountain people wanted to prevent this, but the chief said, “No; let him go if he will, and when he tells his friends they may want to come, too.
There is plenty of room for all.” Then he said to the man, “Go back and tell your…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 83a
“TSUWE′NĂHĬ: A LEGEND OF PILOT KNOB In the old town of Kănuga, on Pigeon river, there was a lazy fellow named Tsuwe′năhĭ, who lived from house to house among his relatives and never brought home any game, although he used to spend nearly all…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 83b
“The other waited for him, doing a little hunting near the camp, and two nights afterwards Tsuwe′năhĭ was back again.
He seemed to be alone, but was talking as he came, and the other hunter heard girls’ voices, although he could see no one.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 84a
“THE MAN WHO MARRIED THE THUNDER’S SISTER In the old times the people used to dance often and all night.
Once there was a dance at the old town of Sâkwi′yĭ, on the head of Chattahoochee, and after it was well started two young women with be…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 84b
“Then there was a louder roll of thunder and the woman said, “Now our brother is nearly home.” While they urged and he still refused to come nearer or sit down, suddenly there was a great thunder clap just behind him, and turning quickly he…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 85
“THE HAUNTED WHIRLPOOL At the mouth of Suck creek, on the Tennessee, about 8 miles below Chattanooga, is a series of dangerous whirlpools, known as “The Suck,” and noted among the Cherokee as the place where Ûñtsaiyĭ′, the gambler, lived lon…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 86a
“YAHULA Yahoola creek, which flows by Dahlonega, in Lumpkin county, Georgia, is called Yahulâ′ĭ (Yahula place) by the Cherokees, and this is the story of the name: Years ago, long before the Revolution, Yahula was a prosperous stock trader a…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 86b
“When the Cherokee went from Georgia to Indian Territory in 1838 some of them said, “Maybe Yahula has gone there and we shall hear him,” but they have never heard him again.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 87a
“THE WATER CANNIBALS Besides the friendly Nûñnĕ′hĭ of the streams and mountains there is a race of cannibal spirits, who stay at the bottom of the deep rivers and live upon human flesh, especially that of little children.
They come out just…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 87b
“She went with him along the same trail to the water’s edge, and the water closed over her and he went back alone to Tĭkwăli′tsĭ.
When he came there his friends were surprised, because they thought he had wandered off and died in the woods.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 93a
“THE UNSEEN HELPERS Ganogwioeoñ, a war chief of the Seneca, led a party against the Cherokee.
When they came near the first town he left his men outside and went in alone.
At the first house he found an old woman and her granddaughter.
Th…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 93b
“Go on until you come to the place where you made a bark shelter a long time ago, and under the bark you will find something to help you.” Ganogwioeoñ crawled out of the log, but they were gone.
His feet were better now and he could walk co…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 94b
“It was the custom among the Cherokee to let two women say what should be done with captives.
They decided that he should be tortured with fire, so he was tied to a tree, and the wood was piled around him.
Hatcinoñdoñ gave himself up for l…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 98a
“GAʼNA’S ADVENTURES AMONG THE CHEROKEE Gaʼnaʼ was a Seneca war chief.
He called a council and said, “We must go to the Cherokee and see if we can’t agree to be friendly together and live in peace hereafter.” The people consented, and the ch…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 105g
“It is not a Cherokee word, and Cherokee informants state positively that the Taskigi were a foreign people, with distinct language and customs.
They were not Creeks, Natchez, Uchee, or Shawano, with all of whom the Cherokee were well acqua…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 109
“THE WAR MEDICINE Some warriors had medicine to change their shape as they pleased, so that they could escape from their enemies. Once one of these medicine warriors who had been away from home came back and found a strong party of the enemy…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 111a
“THE MOUNDS AND THE CONSTANT FIRE: THE OLD SACRED THINGS Some say that the mounds were built by another people.
Others say they were built by the ancestors of the old Ani′-Kĭtu′hwagĭ for townhouse foundations, so that the townhouses would b…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 111b
“The Cherokee once had a wooden box, nearly square and wrapped up in buckskin, in which they kept the most sacred things of their old religion.
Upon every important expedition two priests carried it in turn and watched over it in camp so th…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 117
“THE MOTHER BEAR’S SONG A hunter in the woods one day heard singing in a cave. He came near and peeped in, and it was a mother bear singing to her cubs and telling them what to do when the hunters came after them. Said the mother bear to the…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 119
“WHEN BABIES ARE BORN: THE WREN AND THE CRICKET The little Wren is the messenger of the birds, and pries into everything. She gets up early in the morning and goes round to every house in the settlement to get news for the bird council. When…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 120a
“THE RAVEN MOCKER Of all the Cherokee wizards or witches the most dreaded is the Raven Mocker ( Kâ′lanû Ahyeli′skĭ ), the one that robs the dying man of life.
They are of either sex and there is no sure way to know one, though they usually…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 120b
“Soon there was another raven cry outside, and the old man said to himself, “Now my wife is coming,” and sure enough in a little while the old woman came in and sat down by her husband.
Then the young man knew they were Raven Mockers and he…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 122a
“LOCAL LEGENDS OF NORTH CAROLINA Owing chiefly to the fact that the Cherokee still occupy western North Carolina, the existing local legends for that section are more numerous than for all the rest of their ancient territory.
For the more i…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 122b
“Da′ʻnawa-(a) Sa′ʻtsûñyĭ : “War crossing,” a ford in Cheowa river about 3 miles below Robbinsville, in Graham county.
A hostile war party from the North, probably Shawano or Iroquois, after having killed a man on Cheowa, was pursued and cro…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 122c
“Dunidû′lalûñyĭ : “Where they made arrows,” on Straight creek, a head-stream of Oconaluftee river, near Cataluchee peak, in Swain county.
A Shawano war party coming against the Cherokee, after having crossed the Smoky mountains, halted ther…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 125c
“The error arises from the fact that a word of somewhat similar sound denotes “having children” or “being pregnant,” used in speaking of a woman.
One informant derives it from tălulŭ′ , the cry of a certain species of frog known as dulusĭ ,…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126a
“PLANT LORE The Cherokee have always been an agricultural people, and their old country is a region of luxuriant flora, with tall trees and tangled undergrowth on the slopes and ridges, and myriad bright-tinted blossoms and sweet wild fruits…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126b
“Thus ginseng, or “sang,” as it is more often called by the white mountaineers, is known to the laity as â′talĭ-gûlĭ′ , “the mountain climber,” but is addressed in the formulas as Yûñwĭ Usdi′ , “Little Man,” while selu (corn) is invoked unde…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126c
“It is said also that if one should sleep beside a fire containing sourwood sticks the sourwood “will barbecue him,” which may possibly mean that he will have hot or feverish pains thereafter.
The laurel, in its two varieties, large and sma…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126d
“Seven ears from the last year’s crop were always put carefully aside, in order to attract the corn until the new crop was ripened and it was time for the dance, when they were eaten with the rest.
In eating the first new corn after the Gre…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126e
“It was either smoked in the pipe or sprinkled upon the fire, never rolled into cigarettes, as among the tribes of the Southwest, neither was it ever smoked for the mere pleasure of the sensation.
Of late years white neighbors have taught t…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126f
“Ginseng, which is sold in large quantities to the local traders, as well as used in the native medical practice, is called âtalĭ-gûlĭ′ , “the mountain climber,” but is addressed by the priests as Yûñwĭ Usdi′, “Little Man,” or Yûñwi Usdi′ga…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126g
“The noise of the cataract from which the water is taken is believed to be the voice of Yûñwĭ Gûnahi′ta, the “Long Man,” or river god, teaching lessons which the child may understand, while the stream itself is revered for its power to seize…”
← Collapseceltic97
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-a
“King Arthur was at Caerlleon upon Usk; and one day he sat in his chamber; and with him were Owain the son of Urien, and Kynon the son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner; and Gwenhwyvar and her handmaidens at needlework by the window.
And…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-b
“And they had daggers with blades of gold, and with hilts of the bone of the whale.
And they were shooting their daggers.
“And a little way from them I saw a man in the prime of life, with his beard newly shorn, clad in a robe and a mantle…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-c
“The man looked upon me, and he smiled and said, ‘If I did not fear to distress thee too much, I would show thee that which thou seekest.’ Upon this I became anxious and sorrowful, and when the man perceived it, he said, ‘If thou wouldest ra…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-d
“Under this tree is a fountain, and by the side of the fountain a marble slab, and on the marble slab a silver bowl, attached by a chain of silver, so that it may not be carried away.
Take the bowl and throw a bowlful of water upon the slab…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-e
“So I returned along the road by which I had come.
And when I reached the glade where the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it is a marvel that I did not melt down into a liquid pool, through the shame that I felt at the black man’s de…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-f
“And Owain made it known to him, and said, “I am in quest of the Knight who guards the fountain.” Upon this the yellow man smiled, and said that he was as loth to point out that adventure to Owain as he had been to Kynon.
However, he descri…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-g
“And as long as thou concealest it, it will conceal thee.
When they have consulted together, they will come forth to fetch thee, in order to put thee to death; and they will be much grieved that they cannot find thee.
And I will await thee…”
The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-h
“And following the train, he beheld a lady with yellow hair falling over her shoulders, and stained with blood; and about her a dress of yellow satin, which was torn.
Upon her feet were shoes of variegated leather.
And it was a marvel that…”
Show all 97 →western_esoteric58
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 6 (part 1)
“PART I THE LITERATURE OF CEREMONIAL MAGIC Click to view THE SERPENT OF THE GARDEN OF THE HESPERIDES.
From a Greek Vase Painting.
CHAPTER I The antiquity of Magical Rituals § 1.
The Importance of Ceremonial Magic THE ordinary fields of ps…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 7 (part 1)
Ҥ 2.
The Distinction between White and Black Magic Having considered the possible standpoints from which the Rituals may be regarded, we come now to the distinctions that are made between them, and, first and foremost, to that which has be…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 9 (part 4)
“The sources of occult wisdom, it proceeds, are, firstly, in God; secondly, in spiritual essences--that is to say, the Angelical Hierarchy; thirdly, in corporeal creatures, the reference being probably to the signatura rerum of Paracelsus; f…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 15 (part 1)
Ҥ 2.
The Lesser Key of Solomon The Lemegeton, or Lesser Key of Solomon, Rabbi and King, is a work of far more exalted pretensions, which deploys all the hierarchies and evokes spirits by milliards.
About its antiquity there is no need for…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 16 (part 3)
“Lesser officers: Pammon, Dracon, Gemtzod, Enariel, Rudosor, Salmon .
The Seventh Hour.
Supreme Ruler--MENDRION.
The chief officers include Ammiel, Choriel, Genaritzod, Pendroz, Memsiel, Ventariel .
Lesser officers: Zacharel, Razziel, Ta…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 19 (part 2)
“As a counterpoise, a century later his bust was placed in the town-hall of Padua.
His undoubted works, which are frankly unreadable, betray no acquaintance with the occult sciences beyond a belief in astrology, which in those days was cath…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 26 (part 1)
Ҥ 6.
The Black Pullet The Black Pullet , the Druid of Menapienne, Red Magic, or the Cream of the Occult Sciences , with derivatives from the first of these works, such as the Queen of the Hairy Flies , the Green Butterfly , &c., form a cla…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 26 (part 3)
“The Black Pullet disclaims all connection with Black Magic and is duly to be identified therewith, firstly by its characters and secondly by their pretended power over evil spirits; though it should be observed that the infernal beings ment…”
Show all 58 →norse24
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1f
“Fire for men | is the fairest gift, And power to see the sun; Health as well, | if a man may have it, And a life not stained with sin.
69.
All wretched is no man, | though never so sick; Some from their sons have joy, Some win it from kin…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1g
“The stanza-form is so irregular as to show either that something has been lost or that there have been interpolations.
The manuscript indicates no lacuna; Gering fills out the assumed gap as follows: "Certain is that which is sought from r…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1i
“50 Foul scorn was my meed | from the crafty maid, And nought from the woman I won.
* * * 103.
Though glad at home, | and merry with guests, A man shall be wary and wise; The sage and shrewd, | wide wisdom seeking, Must see that his speech…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1j
“On his ring swore Othin | the oath, methinks; Who now his troth shall trust?
Suttung's betrayal | he sought with drink, And Gunnloth to grief he left.
* * * 111.
It is time to chant | from the chanter's stool; By the wells of Urth I was,…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1k
“I saw a man | who was wounded sore By an evil woman's word; A lying tongue | his death-blow launched, And no word of truth there was.
119.
I rede thee, Loddfafnir!
| and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy ga…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1l
“| and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: I bid thee be wary, | but be not fearful; (Beware most with ale or another's wife, And third beware | lest a thief outwit thee.) [129.
Line 5 is a…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1m
“I ween that I hung | on the windy tree, Hung there for nights full nine; With the spear I was wounded, | and offered I was To Othin, myself to myself, On the tree that none | may ever know What root beneath it runs.
[138.
In the manuscrip…”
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1n
“Knowest how one shall write, | knowest how one shall rede?
Knowest how one shall tint, | knowest how one makes trial?
Knowest how one shall ask, | knowest how one shall offer?
Knowest how one shall send, | knowest how one shall sacrifice…”
Show all 24 →theosophy16
The Secret Doctrine | Page 5 (part 6)
“(See Weber, Max Muller, etc.) We labour under the impression that Colebrooke, "the highest authority" in such matters, had long ago settled the question by showing, that "the Hindus were in this instance the teachers, not the learners." [[V…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 15 (part 10)
“" From the second Round , Earth - - hitherto a foetus in the matrix of Space -- began its real existence: it had developed individual sentient life , its second principle.
The second corresponds to the sixth ( principle ) ; the second is l…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 16 (part 3)
“(5.) Everything in the Universe, throughout all its kingdoms, is CONSCIOUS: i.e., endowed with a consciousness of its own kind and on its own plane of perception.
We men must remember that because we do not perceive any signs -- which we c…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 30 (part 2)
“Whether Egyptian or Pelasgian, Aryan or Semitic, the genius loci , the local god, embraced in its unity all nature; but not especially the four elements any more than one of their creations, such as trees, rivers, mounts or stars.
The geni…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 30 (part 3)
“Paganism preached a dual and simultaneous evolution: "creation" -- " spiritualem ac mundanum ," as the Roman Church has it -- ages before the advent of that Roman Church.
Exoteric phraseology has changed little with respect to divine hiera…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 30 (part 4)
“Do not they, moreover, sacrifice to this day, to the same " God of Wind and Water?
" They do; because special prayers for rain, dry weather, trade-winds and the calming of storms on the seas exist to this hour in the prayer-books of the th…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 42 (part 1)
“The Secret Doctrine by H.
P.
Blavatsky -- Vol.
1 [[Vol.
1, Page]] 566 THE SECRET DOCTRINE.
[[This page continued from previous section ]] XI.
ON THE ELEMENTS AND ATOMS.
FROM THE STAND-POINT OF SCIENCE AND THAT OF OCCULTISM.
W HEN th…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 42 (part 6)
“should have selected a god against whose commandments Jesus was the first one to rise in rebellion.
The Planetary origin of the Monad (Soul) and of its faculties was taught by the Gnostics.
On its way to the Earth, as on its way back from…”
Show all 16 →mesopotamian9
Adapa and the Food of Life | Section 1a
“ADAPA AND THE FOOD OF LIFE .
TABLET NO.1 He possessed intelligence .
.
.
, His command like the command of Anu ...
He (Ea) granted him a wide ear to reveal the destiny of the land, He granted him wisdom, but he did not grant him eterna…”
Adapa and the Food of Life | Section 1b
“Adapa, For whom art thou clad in a mourning garment?" In the country two gods have vanished; therefore am I clad In mourning garments." "Who are the two gods, who have vanished from the land?" "Tammuz and Gishzida." They looked at one anoth…”
Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet III — The Expedition against Humbaba | Tablet III, Section 1a
“THE THIRD TABLET.
THE EXPEDITION TO THE FOREST OF CEDARS AGAINST HUMBABA.
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"He lifted up [his foot, to the door .
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21.
(?) They raged furiously .
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Enkidu hath not [his e…”
Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet III — The Expedition against Humbaba | Tablet III, Section 1b
“Proffereth nothing of substance thy courage—I, I'll be thy va ward!
’Tis thine own mouth shall tell thou didst fear the onslaught (of battle), (I, forsooth), if I should fall, my name will have stablish’d (for ever).
15.
Gilgamish ’twas,…”
Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet III — The Expedition against Humbaba | Tablet III, Section 1c
“I (forsooth) dread him, and (yet) to [(the depths of the) Forest] I'll take [me] .
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may thy god (so) [protect] thee, Bringing thee back [(safe and)] sound to the walls of [broad-marketed] Erech." 35.
Gilgami…”
Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet IV — The Arrival at the Gate of the Forest | Tablet IV, Section 1a
“THE FOURTH TABLET.
THE ARRIVAL AT THE GATE OF THE FOREST.
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Enkidu lifted [his eyes] .
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and spake with the Gate as [’t were human(?)]: "O thou Gate of the Forest without understanding(?
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Sentience which thou hast n…”
Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet IV — The Arrival at the Gate of the Forest | Tablet IV, Section 1b
“[Be brave(?)] and resist!
O my comrade, together We will go down—let the combat [in no wise diminish(?)] thy courage!
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O forget death, and be fearful(?) of nothing(?) .
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(for he who is) [valiant(?)], Cautious (and) careful, by lead…”
Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet V — The Fight with Humbaba | Tablet V, Section 1a
“THE FIFTH TABLET.
OF THE FIGHT WITH HUMBABA.
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Stood they and stared at the Forest, they gazed at the height of the Cedars, Scanning the avenue into the Forest: (and there) where Humbaba 5.
Stalk’d, was a path, (and) straight were his t…”
Show all 9 →renaissance_hermeticism6
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XVII — How by Enmity and Friendship the Virtues of Things Are to be Tried and Found Out | Chapter XVII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XVII.
How by Enmity and Friendship the Virtues of Things Are to be Tried and Found Out .
In the next place it is requisite that we consider that all things have a friendliness and enmity amongst themselves, and every thing hath so…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XVII — How by Enmity and Friendship the Virtues of Things Are to be Tried and Found Out | Chapter XVII, Section 1b
“When Sappho writes to Phaon: To Birds unlike oftimes joyned are white Doves; Also the Bird that’s green, black Turtle loves.
Again, the whale and the little fish, his guide, are friendly.
Neither is this amity in Animals amongst themselve…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XVIII — Of the Inclinations of Enmities | Chapter XVIII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XVIII.
Of the Inclinations of Enmities .
On the contrary, there are Inclinations of Enmities, and they are, as it were, the odium, and anger, indignation, and a certain kind of obstinate contrariety of nature, so that any thing sh…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XVIII — Of the Inclinations of Enmities | Chapter XVIII, Section 1b
“Amongst birds, also, some are at perpetual strife one with another, as also with other animals, as jackdaws and owls, the kite and crows, the turtle and ring-tail, egepis and eagles, harts and dragons.
Also amongst water animals there is e…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXIV — What Things Are Lunary, or Under the Power of the Moon | Chapter XXIV, Section 1b
“But most Lunary of all is the two-horned beetle, horned after the manner of a bull, which digs under cow-dung and there remains for the space of twenty-eight days (in which time the Moon measures the whole Zodiac), and in the twenty-ninth d…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LV — How Auspicias Are Verified by the Light of Natural Instinct, and of Some Rules of Finding It Out | Chapter LV, Section 1c
“Many, being much moved with these words, went to see, and so it was, as Apollonius said, at which they much wondered.
Phorphyrius, the Platonist, in his third book of sacrifices, saith that there is certainly a swallow language, because ev…”
christian_mysticism1
Revelations of Divine Love | Chapter XVIII
“"When He was in pain, we were in pain" Here I saw a part of the compassion of our Lady, Saint Mary: for Christ and she were so oned in love that the greatness of her loving was cause of the greatness of her pain. For in this [Shewing] I saw…”
shinto1
The Kojiki: The Beginning of Heaven and Earth | Section 1
“p. 15 RECORDS OF ANCIENT MATTERS [SECT. I.—THE BEGINNING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.] The names of the Deities 1 that were born 2 in the Plain of High Heaven 3 when the Heaven and Earth began were the Deity Master-of-the-August-Centre-of-Heaven, 4…”