The hottest Mythology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Prophet of Evils

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Mythology
  1. In the _Iliad_, the introduction of the seer Calchas prompts tension between Agamemnon and the expert with unwanted knowledge, a common theme in literature.
  2. The sacrifice of Iphigenia is a central motif in the tale of the House of Atreus, leading to pivotal events like Agamemnon's murder and the matricide of Orestes.
  3. Different versions of the story of Iphigenia's sacrifice exist, with variations in details like her rescue by Artemis and her transformation into a priestess.

The Haunted Prison Cell

Marlene’s Newsletter β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Mythology Supernatural
  1. In 1872, a police cell in New Orleans was haunted after a woman named Ann Murphy hanged herself there. Following her death, many inmates tried to commit suicide in the same cell.
  2. Witnesses described seeing Ann Murphy's ghost encouraging them to take their own lives. Her appearance matched detailed descriptions given by several survivors.
  3. The haunting continued after the cell was closed for use, with reports of strange happenings and more suicide attempts in other cells, indicating that the supernatural influence may have spread.

Falling out of myth: why we need the mythical misfits

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie β€’ 658 implied HN points β€’ 24 Oct 16
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Transformation
  1. When a cultural myth loses its meaning, individuals feel alienated and directionless.
  2. As the dominant cultural myth in Western society crumbles, there is an urgent need for a new, sustainable narrative.
  3. Mythical misfits are those pioneering the creation of new cultural myths that value intuition, imagination, and harmony with nature.
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Girardian Isekai Part 2: Isekai is Two Worlds Mythology

From the New World β€’ 16 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology Fantasy Christianity Literature
  1. Isekai is a genre of fantasy where characters are transported to new worlds, often focused on contrasting present-world features with historical or fantastical elements.
  2. Isekai narratives can serve as a tool to explore and recover Christian heritage, highlighting true teachings amidst modern distortions.
  3. The concept of Isekai serves as a modern form of 'two worlds mythology' where Christian interpretations and themes can be reexamined in a new light.

Restore Your Mythological Connection

YouTopian Journey β€’ 15 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Beliefs Mythology
  1. Restoring your mythological connection is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. It provides timeless wisdom and guidance for navigating life's complexities.
  2. Myths offer inspiration and creativity, empowering individuals to embark on their own hero's journey of self-realization and growth.
  3. Tapping into the symbolic language of myth helps unlock creative potential, dream new possibilities, and live a life true to one's inner myth.

The King of the Werewolves

Marlene’s Newsletter β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 15 Dec 24
πŸ’Ύ History Ancient Greece Mythology Archaeology Cultural Practices
  1. Human sacrifices were believed to have happened at Mt. Lykaion in Greece, where a significant discovery of human bones was made in 2016.
  2. The area is linked to King Lycaon, who supposedly challenged Zeus and was transformed into a wolf as a result of his actions.
  3. This site also shows that other cultures, like the Romans, had practices of human sacrifice to please their gods, highlighting a widespread ancient belief in the need for sacrifices.

How To Think About the Resurrection

Skeptic β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Apr 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Beliefs Philosophy Debate Mythology
  1. The resurrection of Jesus is a claim of an empirical objective truth believed by many, but requires extraordinary evidence for belief.
  2. Historical context and lack of independent corroboration cast doubt on the resurrection miracle claim.
  3. Applying principles like proportionality and Bayesian reasoning can help in assessing the likelihood of extraordinary claims like the resurrection.

myths and truth

Midnight Musings β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 22
πŸ“š Literature Mythology Storytelling Character analysis Philosophy Narrative
  1. Myths and stories help us understand our own experiences better. They give us examples to relate to and can change how we see our challenges.
  2. Greatness often comes with challenges and vulnerabilities. Even heroes like Balder and Achilles had their downfalls because of their unique flaws or circumstances.
  3. The way we interpret our achievements matters. Like the dog who wanted to be a dragon, our view of success can affect our happiness. It's important to find value in our unique journey.

Marrying the land: how we broke the ancient bargain

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie β€’ 379 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 15
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Sovereignty
  1. In Celtic mythology, women held significant spiritual and moral power, linked closely to the land and nature.
  2. The power of Sovereignty, symbolizing women's power, determined the prosperity or downfall of the land and its people.
  3. The ancient Celtic concept of a sacred marriage between the king and the land symbolized respect for nature and the importance of harmony between feminine and masculine energies.

The mythology of women working together

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie β€’ 199 implied HN points β€’ 10 Sep 17
🎭️ Culture Mythology Women
  1. The post discusses the mythology of women working together, drawing from stories like 'The Only Jealousy of Emer' from Irish mythology.
  2. Dr. Sharon Blackie emphasizes the importance of women supporting each other and collaborating.
  3. The post seems to be available only to paid subscribers, highlighting exclusive content on the topic.

Ancient Revelation Or State Repressed Fact?

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 23
πŸ’Ύ History Ancient Civilization Archaeology Mythology Climate change
  1. Some ancient sites and stories may be repressed by the state to uphold certain myths or narratives.
  2. The causes of past events like the last Ice Age may have connections to human activities, not just natural processes.
  3. Humanity's cycles and impact on the planet are interconnected, and learning from past mistakes is crucial for survival.

The Burial of Horse-Taming Hektor

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 09 Apr 24
πŸ“š Literature Epic Mythology Narrative Poetry Symbolism
  1. The Iliad's ending with the burial of Hektor, tamer of horses, hints at a larger story cycle and leaves room for interpretation and speculation about the narrative journey.
  2. The epic poem's reshuffling of mythical time and emphasis on Hektor's burial over other events symbolizes the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, highlighting moral complexities and divine-human interactions.
  3. Hektor's burial acts as a vessel for his fame and signifies the power of epic poetry to carry meaning and create something new, inviting readers to engage with the narrative beyond its physical end.

Quetzalcoatl

the rohn report β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 26 Apr 21
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Spiritual teachings Symbolism Mysticism
  1. Quetzalcoatl was not just a mythological hero in Aztec history, but a symbol of wisdom and cultural influence stretching throughout Mexico and Central America.
  2. The story of Quetzalcoatl has transcended time, with representations of the feathered serpent appearing across different Mesoamerican cultures and civilizations.
  3. The legacy of Quetzalcoatl has had a profound impact on individuals like Carlos Castaneda, whose encounters with the myth inspired deep introspection and philosophical exploration.

Reasoning the Volcano: Sam Harris & the Limits of Analysis

The Bigger Picture β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jun 20
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Philosophy Mythology
  1. The current cultural eruption cannot simply be analyzed or explained away; it is a profound psychospiritual process.
  2. Reasoned debate and analysis alone may not be sufficient to navigate complex societal issues; understanding through symbolic mythic lenses is vital.
  3. To handle the depth and complexity of the current societal challenges, we need to go beyond rational discourse, embrace multiple perspectives, and engage with our humanity fully.

Loki, Gender, and Sexuality in Norse Society

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Gender Sexuality Society History
  1. Loki in Norse mythology is often portrayed as a man who engages in behavior considered unmanly, particularly highlighted by the insult 'ergi'.
  2. Norse society had rigid gender roles and expectations, with certain actions, like being accused of 'ergi', leading to severe consequences.
  3. While Loki is known to shapeshift into a woman on occasion, the majority of his appearances and actions in the myths are as a man, and he is referenced with male pronouns predominantly.

Norse Cosmology Part II: The Shape of the World

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Storytelling History Art Travel
  1. The Norse mythological world is not neatly divided into nine realms as commonly believed, but rather revolves around Yggdrasill, a tree with roots connecting different locations.
  2. Descriptions of the Norse cosmos, including the locations of various beings, are influenced by Christian ideology, leading to unique interpretations of the layout of the world.
  3. Ancient Norse people likely viewed the world as an expansive, uncharted territory with limited geographical knowledge, shaping their mythological depictions of travel between realms.

Fragments, Chapter 16, pp.316-322 - Reading Club posting 57

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Spiritual Practices Mythology Ethics Sacred Texts
  1. The dense vibrations of matter determine its level of intelligence and consciousness. Different creatures have distinct levels of intelligence based on the density of matter and vibrations they possess.
  2. Living beings are classified by cosmic traits: what they eat, what they breathe, and the medium they live in. These traits define their place in the universe and relationships with other creatures.
  3. While beings cannot change their food or the air they breathe due to cosmic laws, they can enhance their evolution by refining the quality of impressions they receive. Evolution is dependent on improving the impressions one takes in.

A mythological rabbit hole πŸ‡: The Divine Dragon πŸ‰ in Sekiro 🏯 : The Sword and the Everblossom

Rabbit Holes πŸ‡πŸ•³ β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Anime Video Games Pop culture
  1. The Seven-Branched Sword in Sekiro symbolizes the connection of the dragon to the divine realm through intricate design and historical significance.
  2. The Everblossom Tree represents impermanence and the beauty of ephemeral existence in Japanese culture, with the loss of the tree being a significant event tied to the quest for immortality in the game.
  3. Eastern dragons in popular media such as Spirited Away, Dragon Ball series, and Legend of Zelda embody mythical themes like guardianship of water bodies, granting wishes, and control over weather and natural elements.

A mythological rabbit hole πŸ‡ : The Divine Dragon πŸ‰ in Sekiro 🏯

Rabbit Holes πŸ‡πŸ•³ β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Analysis Design Origins
  1. The design of the Divine Dragon in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is influenced by mythology and art, featuring elements like the environment, the dragon itself, a significant sword, and a giant cherry blossom tree.
  2. The Divine Dragon's presence in the game's Divine Realm is enhanced by themes of rain, lightning, and gloomy weather, connecting to mythological beliefs about dragons.
  3. The Divine Dragon's serpentine form and potential Korean origins give an interesting twist compared to typical Western dragon depictions, showcasing unique cultural perspectives in character design.

The Grimoire of Fancy Pants-Pikachu

Ulizzle On Software β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Feb 24
βš” Fiction Mythology Fantasy Supernatural Adventure
  1. The post tells a story about a dark and chilling night in Austin, with a mysterious encounter that leads to a possibly supernatural pursuit.
  2. There's a theme of supernatural elements, such as demons and guardian angels, woven into the narrative.
  3. The narrative hints at a deeper, mystical world with references to Ragnarok, vampires, and the Dreaming.

Institutional code and human behavior (2)

Space chimp life β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 20 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Human behavior Mythology Narrative
  1. Processes are a collection of actions that help achieve a goal. They can vary depending on how you define them, like swimming or walking.
  2. Stories and reenactments can shape behavior by creating shared understandings of roles. They convey lessons and expectations in a way that can influence people without direct language.
  3. Shame and rituals, like dance or religion, can enforce social codes and behaviors. They help society manage roles and relationships, guiding how people interact with each other.

How Did Friday the 13th Become Unlucky

Marlene’s Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Mythology Traditions
  1. The superstition around Friday the 13th being unlucky has a long history, which was popularized by cultural references like the slasher movie series 'Friday the 13th.'
  2. One of the early promoters of the number 13 as unlucky was Captain Fowler, who established the Thirteen Club to challenge superstitions around the number.
  3. Various cultures and historical events have contributed to the superstitions surrounding the number 13 and Friday the 13th, with examples ranging from maritime traditions to myths in Norse mythology.

The Book of Η΄enh: Reimagining our Origin Story for a Life-Centric Reorientation

As If We Were Staying β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Poetry Mythology Creative Writing Science fiction
  1. Our origin stories shape how we see the world. Different cultures tell different stories about where we come from, and those stories influence our actions and beliefs.
  2. Life on Earth is special and rare. The unique conditions and events that allowed life to flourish here emphasize how precious our existence is.
  3. We have a responsibility to cherish and protect life. By recognizing our position as fortunate caretakers of Earth, we can find purpose and hope in our lives.

The Family Curse

Captive Liberty β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Oct 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Mythology Folklore Supernatural Narrative
  1. Iphigenia and her family had a curse where each woman lost vision in their left eye after being told to bathe in a lake on a specific day. This repeated for generations.
  2. The nixie, a water spirit, cursed the family because of a past deception by Iphigenia's ancestor Helena. He wanted revenge by taking their eyes each generation.
  3. In the end, Marta outsmarted the nixie by showing him a three-eyed fish from a TV show, which lifted the curse and allowed her family to live free from his demands.

The Wendigo's Acolyte

Marlene’s Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology History Folklore Psychology Sociology
  1. The wendigo is a spirit in Native American folklore that represents extreme hunger and can possess people, turning them into cannibals, especially during times of famine.
  2. Swift Runner was a man who, driven by starvation, resorted to cannibalism and claimed he was possessed by a wendigo spirit during his actions, resulting in his execution.
  3. The wendigo is often described as a horrifying skeletal creature, which reflects the themes of deprivation and the loss of humanity that accompany extreme hunger.

The Legend of Kin-Ga and the Golden Dragon

Once Upon A News β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 28 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore Compassion Mythology
  1. Kin-Ga had a rare gift of understanding others' thoughts and emotions, bringing harmony and happiness.
  2. Despite her small size, Kin-Ga's compassion and bravery helped her save the kingdom from a dragon's wrath.
  3. The story introduces the concept of 'Nunchi' - an intuitive understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, fostering empathy and harmony.