February 16, 2025 • 48 mins
In The Crease (ITC) is where history, mystery, and the human condition collide. Hosted by J E DOUBLE F, each episode blends storytelling, analysis, and dark humor to explore the strange, the forgotten, and the unsettlingly relevant.
🎧 New episodes release bi-weekly.
📅 Current Season: ITC Season 4 (Episodes 61–80).
🎧 New episodes release bi-weekly.
📅 Current Season: ITC Season 4 (Episodes 61–80).
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
The lad.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And welcome to in the crease. I'm your host j E.
Double F, but you might also know me as a
cosmic bard over on x slash Twitter, and I am
here to guide you through the winding corridors of history, legend,
and the cosmic imagination of humanity. Across cultures and civilizations,
(02:25):
We've sought answers to the great mysteries of existence. Where
did we come from? How was the world even formed?
What forces, gods, and or spirit shaped our reality. From
the frozen hundreds of the Arctic to the dense jungles
of Mesoamerica, From the mystical temples of West Africa to
the windswept fjords of Scandinavia, every civilization has left behind stories,
(02:55):
sacred myths that explain the origin of life, the structure
of the universe, and behind human existence. We'll examine some
creation myths of the Norse, where Odin and his brother's
card of the World from the bones of a primordial
giant will travel to the Aboriginal Australian dream time, where
ancestral being sculted at the landscape and breathed life into
(03:16):
the first people. We'll explore the Popovah on the Maha
or Maya. Either one might have mistyped there where God
struggled through trial and error to create humans from maze
the sacred substence of life, and will follow the Euroba
god of Atala, who descended from the heavens on a
(03:37):
chain to spread land upon the watery void. But this
episode isn't just about retelling myths, It's about understanding them.
Why do so many creation stories involve sacrifice? What does
the transformation of cosmic eggs, dismember giants and divine clay
figures say about the human condition? How have these myths
(04:05):
evolved in? What role do they play in modern culture?
If any storytelling and maybe even our everyday lives, whether
you're a seasoned scholar of mythology or someone who just
loves a good story, where something here might grab your attention.
So let's grab the metaphorical torch and step with me
into the cavernous depths of myth and legend. Welcome to
(04:31):
in thecrease, where the past whispers its secrets and the
stories of our ancestors live on. And let's begin The
Aboriginal Australian dream time, the dream time, or it may
be referred to as the dreaming is the foundation of
Aboriginal Australian culture, spirituality, and identity. There's a complex and
(04:55):
deeply significant belief system that explains the creation of the world,
the format of landscapes, escapes, the origin of people, and
the laws that govern human and ecological relationships. The Sacred Period,
which exists beyond time, is not simply a past event,
but an ongoing spiritual reality that continues to shape the
lives of Aboriginal Australians now. The dream time is both
(05:22):
a time and a philosophy. It refers to the primortal
era when ancestral beings emergent shape the world, as well
as a continuous spiritual force that remains active today. Unlike
Western linear perception of time, dream time is cyclical and
ever present, connecting past, present, and future. Aboriginal Australians believe
(05:44):
that their ancestors still influence the natural world and that
the land holds the spirits of these beings now. The
Aboriginal creation stories do vary among different groups, but they
share common themes of ancestral spirits shaping the world. These
beings traveled across the land, creating mountains, rivers, forest, animals,
and even humans themselves. Now. Some of the most well
(06:07):
known dream time figures include the Rainbow Serpent, a powerful
and revered ancestral being associated with water sources, fertility, and life.
It is believed that the Rainbow Serpent carved out river
beds and created waterholes, ensuring the survival of all living
things by amy, known as the Skyfather, is often depicted
(06:30):
as a creator god who imparted law and order to
the people to delect the frog. A famous dream time
story tells of a giant frog that drink all the water,
causing a drought. The other animals devised a plan to
make him laugh, forcing him to release the water and
restore the balance. And though each Aboriginal group has its
(06:53):
own specific stories and spirits, they all are deeply tied
to the land and serve as a guide for and
cultural understanding. Now, it should be noted that dream time
is inseparable from the land, which is seen as a
living entity containing the spirits of ancestors. The Aboriginal people
(07:15):
have a strong custodial relationship with the land, and this
belief in forms their environmental stewardship. The stories pass down
through generations encode vital ecological knowledge, just as best times
for hunting, fishing, and the harvesting of plants now, the
law set forth during dream Time dictates social structure, kinship rules,
(07:36):
and moral behavior. These laws, often referred to as lore,
guide relationships between the people, the animals, and the environment
themselves and the dream Time teachings emphasize respect and responsibility,
ensuring the survival of Aboriginal societies over tens of thousands
of years. Now. These stories are primarily transmitted through oral storytelling, art, dance,
(08:04):
and song. These methods preserve history, laws, and cultural knowledge,
ensuring their continuity. Some of these stories explain natural phenomena,
while others serve as moral lessons or historical records. Examples
include The Three Sisters, a story from the Gundangara people
of the Blue Mountains, explained the rock formations of the
(08:24):
same name. It tells of three sisters turned to stone
to protect them from danger. The Story of How the
Kangaroo got its tale. It's a tale describing a fight
between a big kangaroo and a smaller one, resulting in
their distinctive tales. The Emu and the Jabbura, a story
(08:46):
about two birds teaching the importance of harmony and respect
and the art. The art is a significant medium for
expressing dream time stories. Aboriginal art includes rock painting, body paintings,
sand drawings, and dot paintings, each carrying their own deep
(09:06):
spiritual meanings. Sometimes these artwork to even serve as maps,
recording landscapes, water sources, and even sacred sites. They often
use symbols who represent people, animals, and journeys. Dot paintings,
in particular, conceal sacred knowledge by using patterns that only
initiated members of the community can actually interpret. And despite
(09:30):
the impact of colonization, dream time remains central to Aboriginal identity.
They continue to pass down dream time stories and cultural practices,
ensuring their survival. Traditional ceremonies, dance and song lines, narrative
pathways across the land remain vital to the cultural expression.
Dream Time also influences contemporary Aboriginal art, music, and activism,
(09:54):
serving as a foundation for cultural revival and resistance. Not
to say there hasn't been challenges and this culture hasn't
fought to try to preserve itself. Colonization, force removals and
land disposition has significantly disrupted the transmission of dream time knowledge.
(10:17):
Government policies such as the Stolen Generation sol to erase
Aboriginal culture, leading to a loss of language and traditions. However,
Aboriginal communities continue to fight for land rights, cultural preservation,
and recognition of their spiritual connection to the land. Efforts
such as the establishment of Indigenous protected areas, native title claims,
(10:38):
and cultural heritage initiatives are helping the Aboriginal Australians maintain
these dream time traditions. So the dream time is the
heart of Aboriginal Australia culture, providing beef framework for understanding creation,
law and social order. It represents the ongoing spiritual connection
(11:00):
to the land and their ancestors, influencing all aspects of
Aboriginal life. And from Australia we head over to Egypt.
The ancient Egypts had a complex and deeply spiritual understanding
(11:21):
of creation, embodied in their mythology and religious traditions. One
of the most prominent creation myths originated from the city
of Hellopolis and revolves around the god Adam or Atom.
I've heard it pronounce both ways. I don't know which
one's right, so forgive me. Emerging from the primortal waters
of chaos, new Atom played a crucial role in shaping
(11:46):
the universe and establishing order. In the ancient Egyptian cosmology,
the universe began as an infinite, dark and motionless ocean
known as new You may have also heard it called noon.
This formless void represents the potential for existence, yet it
is without structure or order. It was from these chaotic
(12:08):
waters Atom emerged, a self created deity who became the
catalyst for the formation of the world. Now. Adam, who
was sometimes associated with Ra, the sun god, was believed
to be the first divine being. Unlike other gods who
required parents or ancestors, Adam kind of came into the
(12:30):
existence of his own in sort of a big bang
sort of moment, and it embodied both the male and
female aspects. This self creation symbolized the inherent creative forces
of the universe. According to myth, Adam stood upon a
mound of earth known as the ben Ben, which was
a first landmass to rise from the watery Abyss. From
(12:53):
this sacred site, Adam initiated the process of creation. In
order to bring order to the universe. Adam generated the
verse divine pair Shoe, the god of air, and teft Nut,
the goddess and I'm not making this up, the goddess
of moisture. There are variations in how Adam produced them,
(13:15):
but common interpretation state that he either spacked them out
or created them through masturbation. This act signified the fundamental
elements necessary for life, air and moisture, which would allow
further creation to occur. And yes, masturbation is one of those.
(13:40):
I mean, it makes acts absolute sense, so I'm not
gonna poop poo it now. Shoeing test nut played vital
roles in maintaining cosmic balance. Shoon provided space and separation
between the sky and earth, while teft Nut represented the
vital sustence that nourished the world. The two in turn
gave birth to Gab, the god of the Earth, and Newton,
(14:00):
the goddess of the sky. Their union marks the next
significant phase of creation, establishing the foundations of the world
as known by the ancient Egyptians. Now, Initially, Gab and
Nuts were intertwined in a tight embrace of representing the
chaos and unity of the unformed world, while over Shu,
acting on Autumn's will, separated them, lifting Neut above to
(14:23):
form the sky, while Gab remained below. As the Earth.
This act of separation created the physical universe, allowing the
cycle of life, death, and rebirth to begin. In how
you are absolutely right Now, Adam was regarded as the
supreme being and father of all creation. He was frequently
(14:44):
depicted as a man wearing a double crown, symbolizing his
dominion over Upper and Lower Egypt. As the sun god.
He was also linked in the cycle of day and night,
representing creation at dawn and destruction at dusk, which mirrored
the eternal cycle of life and renewal. And it is
(15:07):
the story of Adam and his offspring that played a
crucial role in shaping ancient Egyptian religious thought. Temples, rituals,
and texts often reference these deities, reinforcing their significance and
maintaining cosmic order. The myth also influenced the concept of
the Pharaoh as a divine ruler, linking kingship to Autumn's
return and legitimacy. And yes, I'm going through different pronunciations
(15:31):
because I don't know which one is right now. The
Pyramid text, Coffin texts in the Book of the Dead
all contained references to Adam and his role in creation,
highlighting his continued importance throughout Egypt's history. And I don't
know about you, but I sure did pick off a
whole ton of science in that creation myth. Just sam
(15:59):
And from Egypt, let's travel northward to the icelands of
Norse creation. Now, Norse mythology presents a fascinating and vivid
account of creation, rooted in the cosmic struggle between order
and chaos. Unlike many creation myths, where a supreme deity
(16:22):
consciously forms the world, the Norse myth describes a more
organic process in which the universe takes shape through the
transformation of a primordial being. According to ancient Scandinavian beliefs,
the cosmos was created from the body of a mirror,
a primeval giant, by Odin and his brothers. Now before
(16:42):
the formation of the universe, Norse mythology describes a vast
emptiness known as Gnagakopum. And I messed that up hard,
But if you saw the word, you'd understand now. This
void lay between two extreme realms, Musfaheim, the iery land
of destruction in nilf Helm, the frozen world of mist
(17:03):
and darkness. As the scorching heat of must Fallheim melt
the ice void of nil of him, the melting ice
created Ymir, the first being an ancestor of all the giants. Now,
Yamir was a hermaphroditic giant who sweat maraciously gave birth
to the first frost giants I know in itc already
(17:26):
I've mentioned masturbation and hermaphrodites. Now, as Yumeir slumber, new
beings emerged from his body, making the chaotic and self
generation generating nature of creations. Simultaneously, the melting ice also
gave rise to Adhumlah, a cosmic cow. At Humla nourished
(17:49):
Yamir with her milk while she licked the salty ice,
gradually uncovering Burrey, the first of the Asir gods, Beret
later father Boor, who entered and fathered Odin, Ville, and Vai,
the three of Vine brothers who would create order in
the universe. Now A. Recognizing the need to establish order,
(18:12):
Odin and his brothers waged war against Ymir and the
chaotic frost giants. In this epic battle, they slew Yumir,
whose massive body became the very foundation of the universe.
His flesh formed the earth, his body his blood flowed
as the seas, and his bone structured the mountains. His
teeth and fragments of bone were scattered across the land
to create rocks and pebbles. Finally, Odin and his brothers
(18:38):
lifted Yamir's colossal skull, using it to form the sky
and beneath it they placed four dwarfs Norori, Rory, Austry,
and Vestry to hold it up at the four cardinal points.
(18:58):
But they had to illuminate their newly created world. So
Odin and his brothers fashioned the sun, the moon, and
the stars from Muspahelm's fiery remnants. They assigned two divine beings,
Soul and Manny, to guard guide this celestrial bodies, ensuring
the rhythmic passage of time. Night and day was thus established,
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with horses pulling the Sun and the moon across the sky,
forever chased by wolves destined to one day devoured them.
During Rachnarok, the prophesized end of the world. To protect
their creation from the chaotic forces of the giants, the
gods constructed mid Guard, the realm of humans, using y
(19:43):
Emir's eyebrows as protective barriers. This walled sanctuary would become
the home of the first humans ask an embla whom
Odin his brothers sculpted from tree trunks. Odin would then
breathe life into them. Billy granted them intelligence and speech,
and v provided them with sight and hearing. The less
(20:04):
it was that humankind was born, destined to inhabit Midguard
and maintained the balance between the gods and the giants.
But central to all of this was Jiggersel, the immense
world tree that connects the nine realms of existence. This
(20:25):
cosmic structure grew from the primordial chaos and serves as
the axis of the universe, linking Midguard, Asgard and other
supernatural worlds. Its roots extend into the underworld, drawing nourishment
from the waters of wisdom and fate, and the homes
to various mythical beings, including the dragon Nidhog and the
(20:45):
Eagle of Orfolnor. Overall, the Norse creation myth reflects the
themes of struggle, transformation, and the ever present cycle of
destruction and renewal. Unlike many miss that this depict creation
as a divine active order, Norse mythology emphasizes the violence
and chaos inherent in the system. This perspective influenced Viking society,
(21:11):
reinforcing their warrior ethos and belief in faint known as
word and rituals and ceremonies, and Norse culture often invoked
the gods associated with creation, particularly Odin, who was revered
as the all father and the source of wisdom and
warlike strength. The imagy of your mirror's body as the
foundation of the world was reinforced the Norse concept of interconnectedness,
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where every aspect of life was tied to cosmic forces
beyond human control. Now we're gonna take a little quick hop,
skip and a jump over from Scandinavia to Yep, we're
going here. We're going to Finland because it's my show
(22:00):
I can. And Finnish have their own very unique belief
of the world creation, and the Finnish creation myth, as
recorded in the national epic Kalavala, presents a unique and
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poetic version of the origins of the world. Now, unlike
many creation myths that emphasize divine being shaping existence from nothingness.
And I can't even believe I'm going to say this,
because when I start telling this story already you are
going to be so more convinced that it's not real
than you ever have been before, but here we go anyway.
(22:47):
The finish story begins with an egg dropped by a
duck into the sea. From this egg, the fundamental elements
of the cosmos, on the moon and stars emerged, forming
the universe. I just said what I said, although it
(23:11):
makes for a really cool picture that I can put
my voice meter around now. According to the Kalavalla, the
world was born of the cosmic waters and yes il
a duck duc k. Before the existence of the land,
the sky, and living beings, there was only an endless
sea and a vast empty sky. The primeval spirit Illmator,
(23:35):
a god us associated with air and creation, floated alone
in the cosmic void. Longing for form and purpose, she
descended into the waters, where she drifted for centuries. As
she moved within the waters, a great duck flew above,
searching for a place to nest. Seeing Ilmater's knee rising
above the waves, the duck mistook it for solid ground
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and laid its egg upon it. The bird laid six
golden eggs and one iron egg, but as it incubated them,
Ellmator shifted, causing the eggs to fall into the sea,
where the eggs would break apart and form their fragments.
Thus the world was formed. The yoke of the egg
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became the sun, the white of the egg became the moon,
the fragment of the shells became the stars, and the
dark hender parts formed the clouds in the sky. Thus
the world took shape from this divine accident, guided by
(24:41):
the unseen hands of cosmic forces. Now, after the creation
of the celestial bodies, Omat continued her work by shaping
the land. She formed the hills, rivers, lakes, and forests
with her hands. She directed the winds except the course
of the stars, ensuring the world would be livable for
future beings. Eventually, she gave birth to Viennamonian, a wise
(25:05):
and powerful figure destined to bring knowledge and song to humanity.
His role as cultural bringer further establishes the divine origins
of Finnish civilization, and of course, the Finnish creation myth
is rich with symbolism and reflects a deep connection to
nature and cosmic balance. The use of an egg as
(25:27):
the origin of the universe signifies fertility, renewal, and the
cyclical nature of existence. This concept of creation from an
egg is also found in other world mythologies, such as
the Chinese in Hindu traditions, now Imator's presence as a
(25:47):
female creator highlights the maternal role of nature, emphasizing harmony, nurturing,
and interconnectedness. Unlike other mythologies were God's battle chaos to
create order, the Finnish myth depicts creation as an organic,
in gentle process guided by the forces of nature, rather
than conquests or violence. Now Kalavalla, compiled by Alias Lunt
(26:14):
in nineteenth century, played a crucial role in shaping Finnish
national identity. The epic poem, based on oral folklore and
traditional songs that I covered on my special is Finland
Real two parter unified scattered myths into a single narrative,
and it reinforced the Finnish people's deep connection to nature
and essential aspect of their identity. It emphasized a worldview
(26:37):
where humanity and nature co exist in harmony, unless you know,
invaded by Russian and then they put great once went wrong.
That said, the Finish creation stories share similarities with some
other mythologies, yet it maintains some very very distinctiveness where
(27:02):
you have Nordic which is violent and coming from Yumer's
body finishes peaceful and poetic. Hindu of the concept of
an egg as a sort of universe is mirrored, and
the Hinduism's Brahmanda, the cosmic egg from which the world emerged.
There is differences. And then Chinese the story of Pangu
who hatched from an egg and separated the sky in
(27:24):
the earth. It does bear some resemblance to the finished narrative,
but buries enough. Despite some of these parallels, the finish
myth stands out for its tranquil and nature centric approach,
where creation is an act of transformation rather than destruction.
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And with that, I think we will take about.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
A two minute and fifty nine second break listen to
a song I created about the Aboriginal myth called dream Time.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
So go, grab a drink, enjoy the song. I'll be
back about three minutes.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
In the silence of the ancient land, before the sun
could light the sund dream Time whispered through the night.
Ancestral spirits took to light dream Time, dreaming time the
world in song, where the mountains rose, where the rivers belong,
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from the stars above to.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
The earth below.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
In the dream time, the stories grow through the red
dust and the coolaba tree, while the beings of old,
wild and free shading valleys with the mighty and crafting
life from the desert sand, dreaming time, dream time, the
(29:08):
songs they see, the water holes where the spirits bring
laws of the living, the path to walk.
Speaker 4 (29:15):
In the dream time, we hear them talk, kangaroo, the
amove snake.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
In the dream time, they all awake, teaching us the
ways to live, how to take, and how.
Speaker 4 (29:44):
To get lose.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
Hart to the ocean's edge, every rock, each whispers edge.
There's the mark of an ssstral lord, living tale from
days of your.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Dream time.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Dream Time. I'm dying light, where the past and the
future unite in the dance of the land that sky.
Speaker 4 (30:27):
In the tree time.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
We never die, so we see.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
We pay three dance.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
With every step, every chance to other those who shape
the land in the dream time.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
Forever stand.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Fans, welcome back. I hope you and enjoyed that little
brief interlude. I have fun putting that one together. Trying
to get AI to create an electric digit redo sound
was a pain in the absolute backside. Anyway, Well, let's
(31:26):
get back into the depths of the creation. Myths from
around the world. Next, we go from one location that
really had quite an interesting myth too, perhaps another place
(31:51):
that might even be just as cold, and that is
the Innoit myth, the world from the body of said
numb Now. The Innuet people of the Arctic have a
rich and complex mythology that explains the origins of the world, environment,
and their way of light. One of the most significant
(32:14):
figures in this mythology is Sedna, a sea goddess and
mother of marine life. Her story is one of sacrifice, transformation,
and creation, explaining how the world and his creatures came
into existence through her tragic yet powerful legacy and said
in The stories begin with her as a beautiful young woman,
(32:36):
often described as the daughter of a mortal man or
a deity. Many suitors sought her hand in marriage, but
she rejected them all. In some versions of the tale,
she is tricked in the marrying a disguised bird, spirit,
or a dog, while in others she simply refuses to
choose a husband, preferring to remain with her father and
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frustration or anger, Sedna's fathers eventually takes her out to
sea and his kayak. Some versions of the myths state
that he was trying to get rid of her because
of her defiance, while others claim he was trying to
rescue her from an unworthy husband. However, as they drifted,
a great storm arose, and in desperation, Sedna's father threw
(33:20):
her overboard to appease the raging waters. As Sedna tried
to climb back into the kayak, her father, overcome by fear,
cut off her fingers one by one. As her severed
fingers fell into the sea, they transformed into various sea creatures,
the whales, seas, walruses, and other marine animals that the
(33:44):
Innuit people rely upon for survival. Eventually, Sedna sank into
the depths of the ocean, where she became a powerful
spirit and ruler of the underworld, known as ed Livum.
From her submaged domain, she controls all marine life and
must be appeased by shamans to ensure successful hunts. Now,
(34:09):
the story of Sedna is rich and symbolic, meaning it
serves multiple functions within Inoit culture. It explains not only
the origins of marine life, but also reinforces themes of sacrifice, balance,
and the respect needed for nature. One of the most
profound aspects of Sedna's myth is the idea of creation
(34:30):
through sacrifice. Her dismemberment leads to the birth of the
marine creatures, which in turn ends up sustaining the innoit people.
This reflects a broader belief in the cyclical nature of life,
where destruction and loss lead to renewal and survival and sending.
(34:51):
This transformation from a mortal woman into a powerful goddess
reflects broader themes of actual female strength and autonomy. Despite
the tragedy of her she ultimately becomes a deity with
domain over the ocean and its creatures, requiring humans to
show her respect through rituals and offerings. No into what
culture deeply values the relationship between humans and nature, and
(35:14):
Sedna's myth reinforces this necessity of the maintenance of balance.
Hunters must acknowledge her power and seek her favor through
shamanistic rituals to ensure they can hardest animals without upsetting
the natural order and sedden. The remains today one of
the most venerated figures in into its spirituality. Shmmons or
(35:37):
angakouk often journey spiritually to the underworld to comb Sedna's hair,
a symbolic ad meant to appease her and restore harmony
to nature. This ritual emphasizes the need to maintain a
respectful relationship with the environment, as any disruption or imbalance
could lead to harship and starvation. And it's the storytelling
(35:59):
in oral traditions that continue to pass down send in
this legend. Reinforcing these values are resilience, respect, and connection.
Her story is an essential part of the cosmology, influencing
various aspects of their religious and social practices. Not like
many other oral traditions, the story of set In the
(36:21):
varies among different inet groups across the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland,
and Alaska. Some versions emphasize her marriage to a bird spirit,
while others highlight her refusal to wed at all. But
despite all these variations, her portrayal, transformation and role as
of seed deity actually do remain consistent. And from here
(36:50):
we head down south, or maybe I should say central,
but we go to the of the Mayans. Now. The
Mayan Stabilization, one of the most advanced pre Columbian cultures,
(37:11):
had a very rich and complex mythology that explained the
origins of the world in humanity. Central to this Mayan
central belief system is the pope of Ah, a sacred
text of the Kashi Mayan which details the attempts of
the gods to create human beings. The gods made multiple
(37:32):
attempts to form suitable creatures, starting with mud, then wood,
before ultimately succeeding with maze. Before humanity existed, the world
was void and covered in darkness. The creator gods Hurricane,
(37:52):
gukumats Tepio, and Piakak worked together to the cosmos into existence.
They formed the sky, the sea, and the earth, populating
it with mountains, rivers, and forests. Next, it created the sun,
moon and stars to bring late to the world, followed
(38:13):
by animals to inhabit the lands and the seas. However,
these animals were unable to speak or worship their creators,
so they were assigned rolls at food sources for what
would become the humans. Not The god's first attempt at
making humans resulted in beings crafted from mud. These creatures
(38:35):
were weak, fragile, and unable to stand properly. Their bodies
were soft, and they quickly dissolved when exposed to water. Moreover,
they could not speak or praise the gods, failing the
purpose of the creation. Recognizing their failure, that God destroyed
the mud people and started anew when the second attempt
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would be undertaken, and that attempt involved forming humans out
of wood. These wooden beings were were stronger than their predecessors,
able to walk in function, but they lacked soul, emotions
and gratitude. They were incapable of worship or appreciation for
(39:23):
the creators. Although they multiplied and spread, they lived without
understanding or compassion. As punishment that God sent a great
catastrophe to wipe them out. Their destruction came through floods,
wild animals, and even their own tools and possessions turning
(39:43):
against them. The surviving remnants of these wooden people, according
to the myth, became monkeys, explaining their human like appearance
and behavior, and after two failed attempts, the gods finally
created humans from mays dough. Now this attempt was a success,
(40:07):
as mays was considered the sacred substance of life by Maya.
These new beings were strong, intelligent, and capable of speech
and perhaps more importantly, warship. They honored the gods, acknowledging
their creators and showing gratitude through prayers and offerings. Mays
(40:28):
was not just a material for human bodies. It was
a fundamental element of Mayan civilization, serving as their primary
food source. The connection between mays and humanity symbolizes a
close relationship between the people and the environment. Their successful
creation marked the beginning of the true Mayan people, and
they thrived under the guidance of the gods.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
Now.
Speaker 2 (40:54):
Another essential aspect of the Pafovah is the story of
the hero twins Hanaphu and Balanquiu, who played a crucial
role in shaping the world and overcoming dark forces. They
were the offspring of a previous failed creation and undertook
numerous traits that defeat the lords of the underworld. Their
(41:16):
victories ensured the balance between light and darkness, further establishing
order and the cosmos and paving the way for human civilization. Now,
it is the palpable that is filled with symbolic meaning
reflecting the Mayan worldview. The mud people representing human fragility
and the impermanence of life, the wooden people symbolizing soulless
(41:36):
emotional existence, highlighting the importance of gratitude and devotion, and
as the maze people that demonstrate the connection between humans
and the natural world, emphasizing agriculture as a foundation of civilization.
And then the hero twins that represent the struggle between
good and evil, order and chaos, and the triumph of
wisdom over ignorance. Now that man creation myth was not
(42:03):
just a story but a guiding principle for Mayan society.
It reinforced the sacred role of maize, which was central
to their diet, economy, and rituals. Mayan rulers and priests
often traced their lineage to divine ancestors, legitimatizing their authority
through sacred narratives. Now that man creation myth actually shares
(42:27):
some similarities with other cultural creation stories. You have the
Mesopotamian mythology, where the flood that destroyed the wooden people
is reminiscent of the Great Flood and the epic of Gilgamesh,
and the Biblical story of Noah. In Greek mythology that
you have the transformation of the wooden people in the
(42:47):
Monkey's Echoes, the Greek myth in which humans were turned
into animals as punishment for their hubris, and like the
Norse belief that humans were created from trees in particular
ash and Elm. The Mayan idea wouldn't people suggest a
deep connection between humanity and nature, And despite some of
(43:08):
these similarities, the Mayan myth is quite unique and its
agricultural focus, in particular the emphasis of maize as the
essence of life. Now, the Popoplah continues to be an
important cultural and literary treasure for the Mayan and beyond.
It is regarded as one of the most significant pre
(43:29):
Columbian texts and serves as a source of inspiration, and
elements of the myth appear in contemporary storytelling, reinforcing themes
of resilience, creation, and the human connection to nature. Now that,
(43:52):
my friends actually does bring us to the end of
this episode. As I try to bring a handful of
unique creation myths, ones you may have not fully heard before.
We've ventured across time and cultures, peeling back the layers
of creation myths that have shaped the way humans understand
(44:14):
their origins, from the cosmic egg of the Finnish in
Kalavalla to the sacred maze of the Maya, From the
dismembered body of your mir in Norse mythology to the
deep sea sacrifice of Sedna in the Inuit legend. We've
seen how these stories reflect the values, some fears and
aspirations of the people who told them. But the journeys
(44:37):
don't end here. Mythology is a vast and endless expanse,
filled with forgotten tales, hidden wisdom, and characters who defy
time itself. And next time we're stepping into the realm
of Nordic legends. You may not have heard of stories
of a warrior, some ghosts and larger than life figures
(45:00):
who left an inedible mark on history and myth alike.
One of these figures is none other than Rna Edward
da Lighten, a man so fearsome he earned the nickname
the Terror of Morocco. Born in Finland, Uniliten was a
soldier who fought with the unrelenting ferocity, earning a reputation
as one of the toughest warriors of his time. His exploits,
(45:22):
especially during the Winter War, have taken on an almost
mythical status, blending fact with folklore in a way that
makes him a perfect subject for our next deep dive.
That's not all well Also under uncover maybe some lesser
known Nordic myths, Tales of spirits, cursed places, and warriors
(45:42):
whose feats defy belief. Have you heard of the drug
ar Well you have if you've played Vaalheim, These undudded
Norse remnants who hunt the cold shores, guarding treasure and
seeking vengeance. Or the Mari, the sinister spirit that rides
into dreams, suffocating sleepers and inspiring the very word nightmare.
(46:07):
And what about the Whole Draw, the forest dwelling seductress
with a secret hidden in our back. These aren't just
bedtime stories. They're echoes of an ancient world where the
boundaries between reality and legend are blurred and the unknown
loom just beyond the firelight. So a few love tales
(46:31):
of the strange, the powerful, and the untold. We'll make
sure you join us for the next episode of In
the Crease, and hey, while you're at it, don't forget
to subscribe following hey, leave a review. Your support helps
us to keep diving into these incredible stories, bringing history
and my myth to life with every episode. And if
you want to continue this conversation, hit me up on
(46:53):
social media. I'm je Doublelaff, also known as a cosmic
bart over on Twitter, slash x and I'd love to
hear your thoughts, theories, and your favorite legends. Let me
know which myths are figures you'd like to see covered
in future episodes. Until next time, keep your eyes on
the horizon and your mind open to the stories that
(47:15):
shape our world. This has been in the crease where history, myth,
and legend collide. See you soon.
The lad.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And welcome to in the crease. I'm your host j E.
Double F, but you might also know me as a
cosmic bard over on x slash Twitter, and I am
here to guide you through the winding corridors of history, legend,
and the cosmic imagination of humanity. Across cultures and civilizations,
(02:25):
We've sought answers to the great mysteries of existence. Where
did we come from? How was the world even formed?
What forces, gods, and or spirit shaped our reality. From
the frozen hundreds of the Arctic to the dense jungles
of Mesoamerica, From the mystical temples of West Africa to
the windswept fjords of Scandinavia, every civilization has left behind stories,
(02:55):
sacred myths that explain the origin of life, the structure
of the universe, and behind human existence. We'll examine some
creation myths of the Norse, where Odin and his brother's
card of the World from the bones of a primordial
giant will travel to the Aboriginal Australian dream time, where
ancestral being sculted at the landscape and breathed life into
(03:16):
the first people. We'll explore the Popovah on the Maha
or Maya. Either one might have mistyped there where God
struggled through trial and error to create humans from maze
the sacred substence of life, and will follow the Euroba
god of Atala, who descended from the heavens on a
(03:37):
chain to spread land upon the watery void. But this
episode isn't just about retelling myths, It's about understanding them.
Why do so many creation stories involve sacrifice? What does
the transformation of cosmic eggs, dismember giants and divine clay
figures say about the human condition? How have these myths
(04:05):
evolved in? What role do they play in modern culture?
If any storytelling and maybe even our everyday lives, whether
you're a seasoned scholar of mythology or someone who just
loves a good story, where something here might grab your attention.
So let's grab the metaphorical torch and step with me
into the cavernous depths of myth and legend. Welcome to
(04:31):
in thecrease, where the past whispers its secrets and the
stories of our ancestors live on. And let's begin The
Aboriginal Australian dream time, the dream time, or it may
be referred to as the dreaming is the foundation of
Aboriginal Australian culture, spirituality, and identity. There's a complex and
(04:55):
deeply significant belief system that explains the creation of the world,
the format of landscapes, escapes, the origin of people, and
the laws that govern human and ecological relationships. The Sacred Period,
which exists beyond time, is not simply a past event,
but an ongoing spiritual reality that continues to shape the
lives of Aboriginal Australians now. The dream time is both
(05:22):
a time and a philosophy. It refers to the primortal
era when ancestral beings emergent shape the world, as well
as a continuous spiritual force that remains active today. Unlike
Western linear perception of time, dream time is cyclical and
ever present, connecting past, present, and future. Aboriginal Australians believe
(05:44):
that their ancestors still influence the natural world and that
the land holds the spirits of these beings now. The
Aboriginal creation stories do vary among different groups, but they
share common themes of ancestral spirits shaping the world. These
beings traveled across the land, creating mountains, rivers, forest, animals,
and even humans themselves. Now. Some of the most well
(06:07):
known dream time figures include the Rainbow Serpent, a powerful
and revered ancestral being associated with water sources, fertility, and life.
It is believed that the Rainbow Serpent carved out river
beds and created waterholes, ensuring the survival of all living
things by amy, known as the Skyfather, is often depicted
(06:30):
as a creator god who imparted law and order to
the people to delect the frog. A famous dream time
story tells of a giant frog that drink all the water,
causing a drought. The other animals devised a plan to
make him laugh, forcing him to release the water and
restore the balance. And though each Aboriginal group has its
(06:53):
own specific stories and spirits, they all are deeply tied
to the land and serve as a guide for and
cultural understanding. Now, it should be noted that dream time
is inseparable from the land, which is seen as a
living entity containing the spirits of ancestors. The Aboriginal people
(07:15):
have a strong custodial relationship with the land, and this
belief in forms their environmental stewardship. The stories pass down
through generations encode vital ecological knowledge, just as best times
for hunting, fishing, and the harvesting of plants now, the
law set forth during dream Time dictates social structure, kinship rules,
(07:36):
and moral behavior. These laws, often referred to as lore,
guide relationships between the people, the animals, and the environment
themselves and the dream Time teachings emphasize respect and responsibility,
ensuring the survival of Aboriginal societies over tens of thousands
of years. Now. These stories are primarily transmitted through oral storytelling, art, dance,
(08:04):
and song. These methods preserve history, laws, and cultural knowledge,
ensuring their continuity. Some of these stories explain natural phenomena,
while others serve as moral lessons or historical records. Examples
include The Three Sisters, a story from the Gundangara people
of the Blue Mountains, explained the rock formations of the
(08:24):
same name. It tells of three sisters turned to stone
to protect them from danger. The Story of How the
Kangaroo got its tale. It's a tale describing a fight
between a big kangaroo and a smaller one, resulting in
their distinctive tales. The Emu and the Jabbura, a story
(08:46):
about two birds teaching the importance of harmony and respect
and the art. The art is a significant medium for
expressing dream time stories. Aboriginal art includes rock painting, body paintings,
sand drawings, and dot paintings, each carrying their own deep
(09:06):
spiritual meanings. Sometimes these artwork to even serve as maps,
recording landscapes, water sources, and even sacred sites. They often
use symbols who represent people, animals, and journeys. Dot paintings,
in particular, conceal sacred knowledge by using patterns that only
initiated members of the community can actually interpret. And despite
(09:30):
the impact of colonization, dream time remains central to Aboriginal identity.
They continue to pass down dream time stories and cultural practices,
ensuring their survival. Traditional ceremonies, dance and song lines, narrative
pathways across the land remain vital to the cultural expression.
Dream Time also influences contemporary Aboriginal art, music, and activism,
(09:54):
serving as a foundation for cultural revival and resistance. Not
to say there hasn't been challenges and this culture hasn't
fought to try to preserve itself. Colonization, force removals and
land disposition has significantly disrupted the transmission of dream time knowledge.
(10:17):
Government policies such as the Stolen Generation sol to erase
Aboriginal culture, leading to a loss of language and traditions. However,
Aboriginal communities continue to fight for land rights, cultural preservation,
and recognition of their spiritual connection to the land. Efforts
such as the establishment of Indigenous protected areas, native title claims,
(10:38):
and cultural heritage initiatives are helping the Aboriginal Australians maintain
these dream time traditions. So the dream time is the
heart of Aboriginal Australia culture, providing beef framework for understanding creation,
law and social order. It represents the ongoing spiritual connection
(11:00):
to the land and their ancestors, influencing all aspects of
Aboriginal life. And from Australia we head over to Egypt.
The ancient Egypts had a complex and deeply spiritual understanding
(11:21):
of creation, embodied in their mythology and religious traditions. One
of the most prominent creation myths originated from the city
of Hellopolis and revolves around the god Adam or Atom.
I've heard it pronounce both ways. I don't know which
one's right, so forgive me. Emerging from the primortal waters
of chaos, new Atom played a crucial role in shaping
(11:46):
the universe and establishing order. In the ancient Egyptian cosmology,
the universe began as an infinite, dark and motionless ocean
known as new You may have also heard it called noon.
This formless void represents the potential for existence, yet it
is without structure or order. It was from these chaotic
(12:08):
waters Atom emerged, a self created deity who became the
catalyst for the formation of the world. Now. Adam, who
was sometimes associated with Ra, the sun god, was believed
to be the first divine being. Unlike other gods who
required parents or ancestors, Adam kind of came into the
(12:30):
existence of his own in sort of a big bang
sort of moment, and it embodied both the male and
female aspects. This self creation symbolized the inherent creative forces
of the universe. According to myth, Adam stood upon a
mound of earth known as the ben Ben, which was
a first landmass to rise from the watery Abyss. From
(12:53):
this sacred site, Adam initiated the process of creation. In
order to bring order to the universe. Adam generated the
verse divine pair Shoe, the god of air, and teft Nut,
the goddess and I'm not making this up, the goddess
of moisture. There are variations in how Adam produced them,
(13:15):
but common interpretation state that he either spacked them out
or created them through masturbation. This act signified the fundamental
elements necessary for life, air and moisture, which would allow
further creation to occur. And yes, masturbation is one of those.
(13:40):
I mean, it makes acts absolute sense, so I'm not
gonna poop poo it now. Shoeing test nut played vital
roles in maintaining cosmic balance. Shoon provided space and separation
between the sky and earth, while teft Nut represented the
vital sustence that nourished the world. The two in turn
gave birth to Gab, the god of the Earth, and Newton,
(14:00):
the goddess of the sky. Their union marks the next
significant phase of creation, establishing the foundations of the world
as known by the ancient Egyptians. Now, Initially, Gab and
Nuts were intertwined in a tight embrace of representing the
chaos and unity of the unformed world, while over Shu,
acting on Autumn's will, separated them, lifting Neut above to
(14:23):
form the sky, while Gab remained below. As the Earth.
This act of separation created the physical universe, allowing the
cycle of life, death, and rebirth to begin. In how
you are absolutely right Now, Adam was regarded as the
supreme being and father of all creation. He was frequently
(14:44):
depicted as a man wearing a double crown, symbolizing his
dominion over Upper and Lower Egypt. As the sun god.
He was also linked in the cycle of day and night,
representing creation at dawn and destruction at dusk, which mirrored
the eternal cycle of life and renewal. And it is
(15:07):
the story of Adam and his offspring that played a
crucial role in shaping ancient Egyptian religious thought. Temples, rituals,
and texts often reference these deities, reinforcing their significance and
maintaining cosmic order. The myth also influenced the concept of
the Pharaoh as a divine ruler, linking kingship to Autumn's
return and legitimacy. And yes, I'm going through different pronunciations
(15:31):
because I don't know which one is right now. The
Pyramid text, Coffin texts in the Book of the Dead
all contained references to Adam and his role in creation,
highlighting his continued importance throughout Egypt's history. And I don't
know about you, but I sure did pick off a
whole ton of science in that creation myth. Just sam
(15:59):
And from Egypt, let's travel northward to the icelands of
Norse creation. Now, Norse mythology presents a fascinating and vivid
account of creation, rooted in the cosmic struggle between order
and chaos. Unlike many creation myths, where a supreme deity
(16:22):
consciously forms the world, the Norse myth describes a more
organic process in which the universe takes shape through the
transformation of a primordial being. According to ancient Scandinavian beliefs,
the cosmos was created from the body of a mirror,
a primeval giant, by Odin and his brothers. Now before
(16:42):
the formation of the universe, Norse mythology describes a vast
emptiness known as Gnagakopum. And I messed that up hard,
But if you saw the word, you'd understand now. This
void lay between two extreme realms, Musfaheim, the iery land
of destruction in nilf Helm, the frozen world of mist
(17:03):
and darkness. As the scorching heat of must Fallheim melt
the ice void of nil of him, the melting ice
created Ymir, the first being an ancestor of all the giants. Now,
Yamir was a hermaphroditic giant who sweat maraciously gave birth
to the first frost giants I know in itc already
(17:26):
I've mentioned masturbation and hermaphrodites. Now, as Yumeir slumber, new
beings emerged from his body, making the chaotic and self
generation generating nature of creations. Simultaneously, the melting ice also
gave rise to Adhumlah, a cosmic cow. At Humla nourished
(17:49):
Yamir with her milk while she licked the salty ice,
gradually uncovering Burrey, the first of the Asir gods, Beret
later father Boor, who entered and fathered Odin, Ville, and Vai,
the three of Vine brothers who would create order in
the universe. Now A. Recognizing the need to establish order,
(18:12):
Odin and his brothers waged war against Ymir and the
chaotic frost giants. In this epic battle, they slew Yumir,
whose massive body became the very foundation of the universe.
His flesh formed the earth, his body his blood flowed
as the seas, and his bone structured the mountains. His
teeth and fragments of bone were scattered across the land
to create rocks and pebbles. Finally, Odin and his brothers
(18:38):
lifted Yamir's colossal skull, using it to form the sky
and beneath it they placed four dwarfs Norori, Rory, Austry,
and Vestry to hold it up at the four cardinal points.
(18:58):
But they had to illuminate their newly created world. So
Odin and his brothers fashioned the sun, the moon, and
the stars from Muspahelm's fiery remnants. They assigned two divine beings,
Soul and Manny, to guard guide this celestrial bodies, ensuring
the rhythmic passage of time. Night and day was thus established,
(19:20):
with horses pulling the Sun and the moon across the sky,
forever chased by wolves destined to one day devoured them.
During Rachnarok, the prophesized end of the world. To protect
their creation from the chaotic forces of the giants, the
gods constructed mid Guard, the realm of humans, using y
(19:43):
Emir's eyebrows as protective barriers. This walled sanctuary would become
the home of the first humans ask an embla whom
Odin his brothers sculpted from tree trunks. Odin would then
breathe life into them. Billy granted them intelligence and speech,
and v provided them with sight and hearing. The less
(20:04):
it was that humankind was born, destined to inhabit Midguard
and maintained the balance between the gods and the giants.
But central to all of this was Jiggersel, the immense
world tree that connects the nine realms of existence. This
(20:25):
cosmic structure grew from the primordial chaos and serves as
the axis of the universe, linking Midguard, Asgard and other
supernatural worlds. Its roots extend into the underworld, drawing nourishment
from the waters of wisdom and fate, and the homes
to various mythical beings, including the dragon Nidhog and the
(20:45):
Eagle of Orfolnor. Overall, the Norse creation myth reflects the
themes of struggle, transformation, and the ever present cycle of
destruction and renewal. Unlike many miss that this depict creation
as a divine active order, Norse mythology emphasizes the violence
and chaos inherent in the system. This perspective influenced Viking society,
(21:11):
reinforcing their warrior ethos and belief in faint known as
word and rituals and ceremonies, and Norse culture often invoked
the gods associated with creation, particularly Odin, who was revered
as the all father and the source of wisdom and
warlike strength. The imagy of your mirror's body as the
foundation of the world was reinforced the Norse concept of interconnectedness,
(21:36):
where every aspect of life was tied to cosmic forces
beyond human control. Now we're gonna take a little quick hop,
skip and a jump over from Scandinavia to Yep, we're
going here. We're going to Finland because it's my show
(22:00):
I can. And Finnish have their own very unique belief
of the world creation, and the Finnish creation myth, as
recorded in the national epic Kalavala, presents a unique and
(22:21):
poetic version of the origins of the world. Now, unlike
many creation myths that emphasize divine being shaping existence from nothingness.
And I can't even believe I'm going to say this,
because when I start telling this story already you are
going to be so more convinced that it's not real
than you ever have been before, but here we go anyway.
(22:47):
The finish story begins with an egg dropped by a
duck into the sea. From this egg, the fundamental elements
of the cosmos, on the moon and stars emerged, forming
the universe. I just said what I said, although it
(23:11):
makes for a really cool picture that I can put
my voice meter around now. According to the Kalavalla, the
world was born of the cosmic waters and yes il
a duck duc k. Before the existence of the land,
the sky, and living beings, there was only an endless
sea and a vast empty sky. The primeval spirit Illmator,
(23:35):
a god us associated with air and creation, floated alone
in the cosmic void. Longing for form and purpose, she
descended into the waters, where she drifted for centuries. As
she moved within the waters, a great duck flew above,
searching for a place to nest. Seeing Ilmater's knee rising
above the waves, the duck mistook it for solid ground
(23:58):
and laid its egg upon it. The bird laid six
golden eggs and one iron egg, but as it incubated them,
Ellmator shifted, causing the eggs to fall into the sea,
where the eggs would break apart and form their fragments.
Thus the world was formed. The yoke of the egg
(24:21):
became the sun, the white of the egg became the moon,
the fragment of the shells became the stars, and the
dark hender parts formed the clouds in the sky. Thus
the world took shape from this divine accident, guided by
(24:41):
the unseen hands of cosmic forces. Now, after the creation
of the celestial bodies, Omat continued her work by shaping
the land. She formed the hills, rivers, lakes, and forests
with her hands. She directed the winds except the course
of the stars, ensuring the world would be livable for
future beings. Eventually, she gave birth to Viennamonian, a wise
(25:05):
and powerful figure destined to bring knowledge and song to humanity.
His role as cultural bringer further establishes the divine origins
of Finnish civilization, and of course, the Finnish creation myth
is rich with symbolism and reflects a deep connection to
nature and cosmic balance. The use of an egg as
(25:27):
the origin of the universe signifies fertility, renewal, and the
cyclical nature of existence. This concept of creation from an
egg is also found in other world mythologies, such as
the Chinese in Hindu traditions, now Imator's presence as a
(25:47):
female creator highlights the maternal role of nature, emphasizing harmony, nurturing,
and interconnectedness. Unlike other mythologies were God's battle chaos to
create order, the Finnish myth depicts creation as an organic,
in gentle process guided by the forces of nature, rather
than conquests or violence. Now Kalavalla, compiled by Alias Lunt
(26:14):
in nineteenth century, played a crucial role in shaping Finnish
national identity. The epic poem, based on oral folklore and
traditional songs that I covered on my special is Finland
Real two parter unified scattered myths into a single narrative,
and it reinforced the Finnish people's deep connection to nature
and essential aspect of their identity. It emphasized a worldview
(26:37):
where humanity and nature co exist in harmony, unless you know,
invaded by Russian and then they put great once went wrong.
That said, the Finish creation stories share similarities with some
other mythologies, yet it maintains some very very distinctiveness where
(27:02):
you have Nordic which is violent and coming from Yumer's
body finishes peaceful and poetic. Hindu of the concept of
an egg as a sort of universe is mirrored, and
the Hinduism's Brahmanda, the cosmic egg from which the world emerged.
There is differences. And then Chinese the story of Pangu
who hatched from an egg and separated the sky in
(27:24):
the earth. It does bear some resemblance to the finished narrative,
but buries enough. Despite some of these parallels, the finish
myth stands out for its tranquil and nature centric approach,
where creation is an act of transformation rather than destruction.
(27:45):
And with that, I think we will take about.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
A two minute and fifty nine second break listen to
a song I created about the Aboriginal myth called dream Time.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
So go, grab a drink, enjoy the song. I'll be
back about three minutes.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
In the silence of the ancient land, before the sun
could light the sund dream Time whispered through the night.
Ancestral spirits took to light dream Time, dreaming time the
world in song, where the mountains rose, where the rivers belong,
(28:39):
from the stars above to.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
The earth below.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
In the dream time, the stories grow through the red
dust and the coolaba tree, while the beings of old,
wild and free shading valleys with the mighty and crafting
life from the desert sand, dreaming time, dream time, the
(29:08):
songs they see, the water holes where the spirits bring
laws of the living, the path to walk.
Speaker 4 (29:15):
In the dream time, we hear them talk, kangaroo, the
amove snake.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
In the dream time, they all awake, teaching us the
ways to live, how to take, and how.
Speaker 4 (29:44):
To get lose.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
Hart to the ocean's edge, every rock, each whispers edge.
There's the mark of an ssstral lord, living tale from
days of your.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Dream time.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Dream Time. I'm dying light, where the past and the
future unite in the dance of the land that sky.
Speaker 4 (30:27):
In the tree time.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
We never die, so we see.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
We pay three dance.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
With every step, every chance to other those who shape
the land in the dream time.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
Forever stand.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Fans, welcome back. I hope you and enjoyed that little
brief interlude. I have fun putting that one together. Trying
to get AI to create an electric digit redo sound
was a pain in the absolute backside. Anyway, Well, let's
(31:26):
get back into the depths of the creation. Myths from
around the world. Next, we go from one location that
really had quite an interesting myth too, perhaps another place
(31:51):
that might even be just as cold, and that is
the Innoit myth, the world from the body of said
numb Now. The Innuet people of the Arctic have a
rich and complex mythology that explains the origins of the world, environment,
and their way of light. One of the most significant
(32:14):
figures in this mythology is Sedna, a sea goddess and
mother of marine life. Her story is one of sacrifice, transformation,
and creation, explaining how the world and his creatures came
into existence through her tragic yet powerful legacy and said
in The stories begin with her as a beautiful young woman,
(32:36):
often described as the daughter of a mortal man or
a deity. Many suitors sought her hand in marriage, but
she rejected them all. In some versions of the tale,
she is tricked in the marrying a disguised bird, spirit,
or a dog, while in others she simply refuses to
choose a husband, preferring to remain with her father and
(32:58):
frustration or anger, Sedna's fathers eventually takes her out to
sea and his kayak. Some versions of the myths state
that he was trying to get rid of her because
of her defiance, while others claim he was trying to
rescue her from an unworthy husband. However, as they drifted,
a great storm arose, and in desperation, Sedna's father threw
(33:20):
her overboard to appease the raging waters. As Sedna tried
to climb back into the kayak, her father, overcome by fear,
cut off her fingers one by one. As her severed
fingers fell into the sea, they transformed into various sea creatures,
the whales, seas, walruses, and other marine animals that the
(33:44):
Innuit people rely upon for survival. Eventually, Sedna sank into
the depths of the ocean, where she became a powerful
spirit and ruler of the underworld, known as ed Livum.
From her submaged domain, she controls all marine life and
must be appeased by shamans to ensure successful hunts. Now,
(34:09):
the story of Sedna is rich and symbolic, meaning it
serves multiple functions within Inoit culture. It explains not only
the origins of marine life, but also reinforces themes of sacrifice, balance,
and the respect needed for nature. One of the most
profound aspects of Sedna's myth is the idea of creation
(34:30):
through sacrifice. Her dismemberment leads to the birth of the
marine creatures, which in turn ends up sustaining the innoit people.
This reflects a broader belief in the cyclical nature of life,
where destruction and loss lead to renewal and survival and sending.
(34:51):
This transformation from a mortal woman into a powerful goddess
reflects broader themes of actual female strength and autonomy. Despite
the tragedy of her she ultimately becomes a deity with
domain over the ocean and its creatures, requiring humans to
show her respect through rituals and offerings. No into what
culture deeply values the relationship between humans and nature, and
(35:14):
Sedna's myth reinforces this necessity of the maintenance of balance.
Hunters must acknowledge her power and seek her favor through
shamanistic rituals to ensure they can hardest animals without upsetting
the natural order and sedden. The remains today one of
the most venerated figures in into its spirituality. Shmmons or
(35:37):
angakouk often journey spiritually to the underworld to comb Sedna's hair,
a symbolic ad meant to appease her and restore harmony
to nature. This ritual emphasizes the need to maintain a
respectful relationship with the environment, as any disruption or imbalance
could lead to harship and starvation. And it's the storytelling
(35:59):
in oral traditions that continue to pass down send in
this legend. Reinforcing these values are resilience, respect, and connection.
Her story is an essential part of the cosmology, influencing
various aspects of their religious and social practices. Not like
many other oral traditions, the story of set In the
(36:21):
varies among different inet groups across the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland,
and Alaska. Some versions emphasize her marriage to a bird spirit,
while others highlight her refusal to wed at all. But
despite all these variations, her portrayal, transformation and role as
of seed deity actually do remain consistent. And from here
(36:50):
we head down south, or maybe I should say central,
but we go to the of the Mayans. Now. The
Mayan Stabilization, one of the most advanced pre Columbian cultures,
(37:11):
had a very rich and complex mythology that explained the
origins of the world in humanity. Central to this Mayan
central belief system is the pope of Ah, a sacred
text of the Kashi Mayan which details the attempts of
the gods to create human beings. The gods made multiple
(37:32):
attempts to form suitable creatures, starting with mud, then wood,
before ultimately succeeding with maze. Before humanity existed, the world
was void and covered in darkness. The creator gods Hurricane,
(37:52):
gukumats Tepio, and Piakak worked together to the cosmos into existence.
They formed the sky, the sea, and the earth, populating
it with mountains, rivers, and forests. Next, it created the sun,
moon and stars to bring late to the world, followed
(38:13):
by animals to inhabit the lands and the seas. However,
these animals were unable to speak or worship their creators,
so they were assigned rolls at food sources for what
would become the humans. Not The god's first attempt at
making humans resulted in beings crafted from mud. These creatures
(38:35):
were weak, fragile, and unable to stand properly. Their bodies
were soft, and they quickly dissolved when exposed to water. Moreover,
they could not speak or praise the gods, failing the
purpose of the creation. Recognizing their failure, that God destroyed
the mud people and started anew when the second attempt
(39:01):
would be undertaken, and that attempt involved forming humans out
of wood. These wooden beings were were stronger than their predecessors,
able to walk in function, but they lacked soul, emotions
and gratitude. They were incapable of worship or appreciation for
(39:23):
the creators. Although they multiplied and spread, they lived without
understanding or compassion. As punishment that God sent a great
catastrophe to wipe them out. Their destruction came through floods,
wild animals, and even their own tools and possessions turning
(39:43):
against them. The surviving remnants of these wooden people, according
to the myth, became monkeys, explaining their human like appearance
and behavior, and after two failed attempts, the gods finally
created humans from mays dough. Now this attempt was a success,
(40:07):
as mays was considered the sacred substance of life by Maya.
These new beings were strong, intelligent, and capable of speech
and perhaps more importantly, warship. They honored the gods, acknowledging
their creators and showing gratitude through prayers and offerings. Mays
(40:28):
was not just a material for human bodies. It was
a fundamental element of Mayan civilization, serving as their primary
food source. The connection between mays and humanity symbolizes a
close relationship between the people and the environment. Their successful
creation marked the beginning of the true Mayan people, and
they thrived under the guidance of the gods.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
Now.
Speaker 2 (40:54):
Another essential aspect of the Pafovah is the story of
the hero twins Hanaphu and Balanquiu, who played a crucial
role in shaping the world and overcoming dark forces. They
were the offspring of a previous failed creation and undertook
numerous traits that defeat the lords of the underworld. Their
(41:16):
victories ensured the balance between light and darkness, further establishing
order and the cosmos and paving the way for human civilization. Now,
it is the palpable that is filled with symbolic meaning
reflecting the Mayan worldview. The mud people representing human fragility
and the impermanence of life, the wooden people symbolizing soulless
(41:36):
emotional existence, highlighting the importance of gratitude and devotion, and
as the maze people that demonstrate the connection between humans
and the natural world, emphasizing agriculture as a foundation of civilization.
And then the hero twins that represent the struggle between
good and evil, order and chaos, and the triumph of
wisdom over ignorance. Now that man creation myth was not
(42:03):
just a story but a guiding principle for Mayan society.
It reinforced the sacred role of maize, which was central
to their diet, economy, and rituals. Mayan rulers and priests
often traced their lineage to divine ancestors, legitimatizing their authority
through sacred narratives. Now that man creation myth actually shares
(42:27):
some similarities with other cultural creation stories. You have the
Mesopotamian mythology, where the flood that destroyed the wooden people
is reminiscent of the Great Flood and the epic of Gilgamesh,
and the Biblical story of Noah. In Greek mythology that
you have the transformation of the wooden people in the
(42:47):
Monkey's Echoes, the Greek myth in which humans were turned
into animals as punishment for their hubris, and like the
Norse belief that humans were created from trees in particular
ash and Elm. The Mayan idea wouldn't people suggest a
deep connection between humanity and nature, And despite some of
(43:08):
these similarities, the Mayan myth is quite unique and its
agricultural focus, in particular the emphasis of maize as the
essence of life. Now, the Popoplah continues to be an
important cultural and literary treasure for the Mayan and beyond.
It is regarded as one of the most significant pre
(43:29):
Columbian texts and serves as a source of inspiration, and
elements of the myth appear in contemporary storytelling, reinforcing themes
of resilience, creation, and the human connection to nature. Now that,
(43:52):
my friends actually does bring us to the end of
this episode. As I try to bring a handful of
unique creation myths, ones you may have not fully heard before.
We've ventured across time and cultures, peeling back the layers
of creation myths that have shaped the way humans understand
(44:14):
their origins, from the cosmic egg of the Finnish in
Kalavalla to the sacred maze of the Maya, From the
dismembered body of your mir in Norse mythology to the
deep sea sacrifice of Sedna in the Inuit legend. We've
seen how these stories reflect the values, some fears and
aspirations of the people who told them. But the journeys
(44:37):
don't end here. Mythology is a vast and endless expanse,
filled with forgotten tales, hidden wisdom, and characters who defy
time itself. And next time we're stepping into the realm
of Nordic legends. You may not have heard of stories
of a warrior, some ghosts and larger than life figures
(45:00):
who left an inedible mark on history and myth alike.
One of these figures is none other than Rna Edward
da Lighten, a man so fearsome he earned the nickname
the Terror of Morocco. Born in Finland, Uniliten was a
soldier who fought with the unrelenting ferocity, earning a reputation
as one of the toughest warriors of his time. His exploits,
(45:22):
especially during the Winter War, have taken on an almost
mythical status, blending fact with folklore in a way that
makes him a perfect subject for our next deep dive.
That's not all well Also under uncover maybe some lesser
known Nordic myths, Tales of spirits, cursed places, and warriors
(45:42):
whose feats defy belief. Have you heard of the drug
ar Well you have if you've played Vaalheim, These undudded
Norse remnants who hunt the cold shores, guarding treasure and
seeking vengeance. Or the Mari, the sinister spirit that rides
into dreams, suffocating sleepers and inspiring the very word nightmare.
(46:07):
And what about the Whole Draw, the forest dwelling seductress
with a secret hidden in our back. These aren't just
bedtime stories. They're echoes of an ancient world where the
boundaries between reality and legend are blurred and the unknown
loom just beyond the firelight. So a few love tales
(46:31):
of the strange, the powerful, and the untold. We'll make
sure you join us for the next episode of In
the Crease, and hey, while you're at it, don't forget
to subscribe following hey, leave a review. Your support helps
us to keep diving into these incredible stories, bringing history
and my myth to life with every episode. And if
you want to continue this conversation, hit me up on
(46:53):
social media. I'm je Doublelaff, also known as a cosmic
bart over on Twitter, slash x and I'd love to
hear your thoughts, theories, and your favorite legends. Let me
know which myths are figures you'd like to see covered
in future episodes. Until next time, keep your eyes on
the horizon and your mind open to the stories that
(47:15):
shape our world. This has been in the crease where history, myth,
and legend collide. See you soon.
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