Leprechauns are mythical creatures of Irish folklore. They are generally male, aged, dwarfish, and drunken. With a knack for making and repairing shoes, the sound of a tap, tap, tap-like a tiny cobbler's hammer-can signify their presence.
If you're lucky enough to catch one of these magical, jokester creatures, he will be happy to grant you three wishes in return for his freedom. Most people are said to ask for knowledge on the whereabouts of the leprechaun's pot of gold. The riches are usually said to be at the end of a rainbow.
Most creatures of fairy tales like these are far from what we've come to expect from Disney. These fables were often used to scare children-and maybe some adults-into behaving themselves. In the case of leprechauns, listeners and readers are cautioned against "get rich quick" schemes and informed of the dangers of stealing from others.
Leprechauns can be seen throughout pop culture as well. Falling in line with the creep factor of these tiny magical beings is the 1993 movie, Leprechaun. It stars Jennifer Aniston and features a tale of a serial killer leprechaun. On a much lighter note, there's a different kind of cereal, Lucky Charms. I've got a box or two in my house right now. After all, they're magically delicious!
What do you think of leprechauns? Are there any tales you can come up with?
Showing posts with label mythology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mythology. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Succubus and Incubus
A topic within the paranormal that I have seen grow immensely over the past couple of years is the one involving creatures like the succubus and the incubus. Stories of these beings have been found in Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Assam, Chile, Ecuador, South Africa, and probably more. I've seen these creatures described a couple of different ways, from demons, to witches, to vampires. Where do these myths come from, and what is it about these beings that holds such fascination?
One of the first occurrences of an incubus and a succubus comes from Mesopotamia and the Sumerian King List (2400 BC). Here, the incubus, Lilu, is said to disturb and seduce women, while the succubus, Lilitu, appears in erotic dreams. An older mention of a succubus is with Jewish mysticism and the creature Lilith. According to this story, Lilith was the first woman and didn't want to be submissive to Adam. She left the Garden of Eden and had sex with the archangel Samael, resulting in her transformation into a succubus. Another mythological representation of an incubus comes from the stories of King Arthur. It has been said that Merlin was the son of an incubus, and that's where he received his powers and abilities. And, of course, Christianity is rife with tales of demons and how one can avoid them.
Some more recent mentions of succubus-like creatures have popped up recently. The SyFy show Lost Girl portrays a female protagonist, said to be Fae, that gains energy by taking the life force of the people around her. She can do this during her sexual encounters, or sometimes by mere touch. American Horror Story: Coven also explored a succubus character. In this show, the succubus was only beginning to understand her powers as a witch. As for the incubus, I haven't seen this type of character come up in movies or television as much. However, I have read a number of books that concern an incubus or two (yes, the same would go for the succubus).
In the days before science, people would often look to the unexplained for answers to their questions. For instance, if a woman's husband passed away and she became pregnant outside of another marriage, it would be acceptable for her to claim an incubus visited her a night. Also, when a man would need to explain why he had a wet dream, a succubus could be an acceptable scapegoat. Today, these explanations seem laughable. However, there are still people that claim to be visited by such demonic entities. Doctors have dismissed these reports as hallucinations, waking dreams, and paralysis.
As for the fascination of these beings, I think it's now becoming more acceptable for people to discuss sex in public. With social norms shifting, many people are now given the freedom of wondering what it might be like to be visited by, or even be, one of these creatures.
What are your thoughts on the incubus or the succubus? Do you know of any other places where these creatures take center stage?
One of the first occurrences of an incubus and a succubus comes from Mesopotamia and the Sumerian King List (2400 BC). Here, the incubus, Lilu, is said to disturb and seduce women, while the succubus, Lilitu, appears in erotic dreams. An older mention of a succubus is with Jewish mysticism and the creature Lilith. According to this story, Lilith was the first woman and didn't want to be submissive to Adam. She left the Garden of Eden and had sex with the archangel Samael, resulting in her transformation into a succubus. Another mythological representation of an incubus comes from the stories of King Arthur. It has been said that Merlin was the son of an incubus, and that's where he received his powers and abilities. And, of course, Christianity is rife with tales of demons and how one can avoid them.
Some more recent mentions of succubus-like creatures have popped up recently. The SyFy show Lost Girl portrays a female protagonist, said to be Fae, that gains energy by taking the life force of the people around her. She can do this during her sexual encounters, or sometimes by mere touch. American Horror Story: Coven also explored a succubus character. In this show, the succubus was only beginning to understand her powers as a witch. As for the incubus, I haven't seen this type of character come up in movies or television as much. However, I have read a number of books that concern an incubus or two (yes, the same would go for the succubus).
In the days before science, people would often look to the unexplained for answers to their questions. For instance, if a woman's husband passed away and she became pregnant outside of another marriage, it would be acceptable for her to claim an incubus visited her a night. Also, when a man would need to explain why he had a wet dream, a succubus could be an acceptable scapegoat. Today, these explanations seem laughable. However, there are still people that claim to be visited by such demonic entities. Doctors have dismissed these reports as hallucinations, waking dreams, and paralysis.
As for the fascination of these beings, I think it's now becoming more acceptable for people to discuss sex in public. With social norms shifting, many people are now given the freedom of wondering what it might be like to be visited by, or even be, one of these creatures.
What are your thoughts on the incubus or the succubus? Do you know of any other places where these creatures take center stage?
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Persephone and Hades
From the moment I first studied Greek mythology in middle school, I fell in love with it. So many wonderful stories and twisted, fantastical themes. Below, I will summarize my favorite Greek myth - the story of Hades and Persephone. Love, abduction, incest, changing seasons...what's not to love?
But first, some background information.
Cronus was the leader of the Titans. With his wife, Rhea, he fathered six children (Hades, Poseidon, Zeus, Hera, Hestia and Demeter). Since Cronus was worried about being overthrown by his children, he ate the first five of them when they were born. Rhea was able to trick Cronus when Zeus was born, and thus he lived into adulthood. Zeus was able to force his father to regurgitate his siblings and together they killed him. Now with no Cronus, there were three areas that needed to be ruled, the underworld, the air and the sea. The three brothers, Hades, Zeus and Poseidon basically drew straws. Zeus became ruler of the air, Poseidon was the ruler of the sea and Hades took the underworld. The earth was not ruled by anyone, and all were free to be there.
Now on to Hades and Persephone.
One day, Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, was picking flowers in a field with her friends. Hades caught a glimpse of Persephone and immediately fell in love with her. So he rode into the field and abducted her. Hades took Persephone back to his realm, the underworld.
Demeter, goddess of the harvest, became very worried because she couldn't find her daughter. So she went in search of her and when Demeter couldn't find Persephone, she forbid the earth to grow and live. (Yes, this would make the season of winter). This eternal winter of course brought cause for alarm as it had the ability to wipe out all of humanity. After some searching, Zeus was able to find out what happened to Demeter's daughter.
Since no one ever returned from the underworld, Zeus made an exception (the lives of men were at stake). As long as Persephone didn't eat anything while she was with Hades, she could return to her mother. So of course, when Hades heard of the exception, he gave Persephone a pomegranate seed to eat, making her the queen of the underworld. Since Persephone ate the seed, Zeus decided that she could not go back to her mother for the entire year, but she could go back for a while and then return to Hades after.
So each year when Persephone returns to the earth to be with Demeter, spring is born. The two women love and play and are so happy that summer develops. But soon, Demeter realizes that Persephone will need to return to Hades. So Demeter loses a little of her happiness and leaves and flowers begin to die with the coming of fall. When Persephone must return to the underworld, Demeter again gets so depressed that winter comes until Persephone can return to the earth.
If you know me, then I'm sure you can see why this is my favorite Greek myth. Love and death combine in this story to create a wonderful tale that is not far off from a vampire romance. Are you familiar with Greek myths? Mythology from another culture? What's your favorite myth?
But first, some background information.
Cronus was the leader of the Titans. With his wife, Rhea, he fathered six children (Hades, Poseidon, Zeus, Hera, Hestia and Demeter). Since Cronus was worried about being overthrown by his children, he ate the first five of them when they were born. Rhea was able to trick Cronus when Zeus was born, and thus he lived into adulthood. Zeus was able to force his father to regurgitate his siblings and together they killed him. Now with no Cronus, there were three areas that needed to be ruled, the underworld, the air and the sea. The three brothers, Hades, Zeus and Poseidon basically drew straws. Zeus became ruler of the air, Poseidon was the ruler of the sea and Hades took the underworld. The earth was not ruled by anyone, and all were free to be there.
Now on to Hades and Persephone.
One day, Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, was picking flowers in a field with her friends. Hades caught a glimpse of Persephone and immediately fell in love with her. So he rode into the field and abducted her. Hades took Persephone back to his realm, the underworld.
Demeter, goddess of the harvest, became very worried because she couldn't find her daughter. So she went in search of her and when Demeter couldn't find Persephone, she forbid the earth to grow and live. (Yes, this would make the season of winter). This eternal winter of course brought cause for alarm as it had the ability to wipe out all of humanity. After some searching, Zeus was able to find out what happened to Demeter's daughter.
Since no one ever returned from the underworld, Zeus made an exception (the lives of men were at stake). As long as Persephone didn't eat anything while she was with Hades, she could return to her mother. So of course, when Hades heard of the exception, he gave Persephone a pomegranate seed to eat, making her the queen of the underworld. Since Persephone ate the seed, Zeus decided that she could not go back to her mother for the entire year, but she could go back for a while and then return to Hades after.
So each year when Persephone returns to the earth to be with Demeter, spring is born. The two women love and play and are so happy that summer develops. But soon, Demeter realizes that Persephone will need to return to Hades. So Demeter loses a little of her happiness and leaves and flowers begin to die with the coming of fall. When Persephone must return to the underworld, Demeter again gets so depressed that winter comes until Persephone can return to the earth.
If you know me, then I'm sure you can see why this is my favorite Greek myth. Love and death combine in this story to create a wonderful tale that is not far off from a vampire romance. Are you familiar with Greek myths? Mythology from another culture? What's your favorite myth?
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Gypsy Mythology
Long curly hair tied back with a bandanna, flowing skirts, giant hoop earrings, bangle bracelets, palm reading and crystal balls. These are just some of the things that come to mind when the word Gypsy is uttered. But who are Gypsies?
Gypsies - also known as Romanies -are a group of nomadic people. Their culture originated in India during the Middle Ages. According to Romani mythology, India was experiencing a period of turmoil and upheaval. When society began to divide, groups of people were either accepted or not. Those outcasts tended to be thieves, musicians/actors, and magicians.
Gypsies tend to adopt the major religion of whichever country they reside. However, the main religions of the Romanies are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. They are also known to participate in Shaktism - a practice that states that a female consort must be represented in order to worship a god. This practice dates back to the days of India.
Some of the more widely known folklore topics of the Romani people are:
Gypsies - also known as Romanies -are a group of nomadic people. Their culture originated in India during the Middle Ages. According to Romani mythology, India was experiencing a period of turmoil and upheaval. When society began to divide, groups of people were either accepted or not. Those outcasts tended to be thieves, musicians/actors, and magicians.
Gypsies tend to adopt the major religion of whichever country they reside. However, the main religions of the Romanies are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. They are also known to participate in Shaktism - a practice that states that a female consort must be represented in order to worship a god. This practice dates back to the days of India.
Some of the more widely known folklore topics of the Romani people are:
- Astrology
- Curses
- Dhampir - a child of a vampire and a human
- Divination
- Dragons
- Fortune Tellers
- Palmistry
- Psychics
- Spirit Invocation
- Tarot
- Vampires
- Witches
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