Chasing Gods

The caricatural devil consists of horns, a tail and a trident. Where do these features come from and why do they also appear on the most important gods of ancient religions?

In this video, we’re going to discover the origins and history of the devil’s horns. We’ll do this by:

* exploring the significance of horned animals in prehistoric times and in ancient religions

* by analyzing the meaning of the horn symbolism

* by investigating how biblical authors viewed horns during a time when horn worship was commonplace.

By the end of this video, you will see that the meanings of symbols often change through time and that symbols are often demonized, as older ways of thinking are torn down in favour of newer beliefs.

 

 

 

FURTHER READING & SOURCES

 

Books

* Russell, Jeffrey B. (1984) Lucifer – The Devil in the Middle Ages. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press

* Pagels, Elaine. (1995) The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans, and Heretics. New York, NY: Random House

* Paparoni, Demetrio. (2019) The Art of the Devil: An Illustrated History.

Thesis, Journal, Essay

* Medjuck, Bena Elisha. Exodus 34:29-35: Mose’s “horns” in early Bible Translations and Interpretations. [Dissertation]. Montreal (Quebec): McGill University, Department of Jewish Studies; 1998. https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape11/PQDD_0002/MQ43918.pdf

* Neto, F. T. L. et al. Gods associated with male fertility and virility. Andrology. 2019. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/andr.12599 

* Kaminski, Gregory. The Horned God: A Brief Survey From Celtic to Modern Times. [Essay]. 2013 https://www.academia.edu/5642724/The_Horned_God_A_Brief_Survey_from_Celtic_to_Modern_Times

Online

* Salman, Sherry L. “The Horned God: Masculine Dynamics of Power and Soul”. Quadrant – The Journal of C.G. Jung Foundation. 1986. https://www.cgjungny.org/q-vol19-2-1986/

* Tsigarida, Elisavet Bettina. “The Sanctuary of Zeus Ammon at Kallithea (Chalicidice)”. Lock Haven University. https://journals.openedition.org/kernos/1964?lang=en

* Peoples, Hervey C. et al. “Hunter-Gatherers and the Origins of Religion”. May 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4958132/

* Jerrentrup, Maja. “The Lady with Horns” Exposure Magazine. Feb 2020. https://medium.com/exposure-magazine/the-lady-with-horns-d4c72df1c6df

* Dunne, Carey. “The Changing Face of Satan from 1500 to Today”. Fast Company. Aug 2014. https://www.fastcompany.com/3034309/the-changing-face-of-satan-artistic-depictions-of-the-devil-1500-to-today

* Valente, Lana. “The Origins of Milk: Why Was the First Cow Milked in the First Place?” Medium. 2017.

Sure, the idea of angels comes from the bible, but what was the biblical angel inspired by?

In this video, we’re going to get to the root of angels by exploring their origins and history. By the end of this video, you will see how the concept of angels has parallels to concepts in nature and science.

 

 

 

FURTHER READING & SOURCES

Books

* Netzley, Patricia D. (2001) Angels. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books

* Jones, David A. (2010) Angels: A History. New York, NY: Oxford University Press

* Langenberg, Ruth. (2012) Angels: From Rossetti to Klee. New York, NY: Prestel Publishing

Online

* Simanek, Donald E. “Why Not Angels” lockhaven.edu Feb. 2006. https://www.lockhaven.edu/~dsimanek/philosop/angels.htm

* Handwer, Brian. “Evolution of Angels: From Disembodied Minds to Winged Guardians” National Geographic Dec. 2011 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/111223-christmas-angels-evolution-science-history-christianity

* Amesha Spenta , Deva, Seven Archangels, Etymology

Dragons exist in the myths of nearly every culture around the world but where do dragons come from? and why do all civilizations seem to have their own unique dragon story?

In this video, we’re going to explore the origins of the dragon by studying dragon myths, and by tracking the evolution of the dragon’s physical portrayal.

Doing this will give us a clue as to why men created the dragon.

 

 

 

Chapters:

0:00 The mystery of dragons

0:34 The Western dragon

1:04 Egyptian and Mesopotamian dragon/snake

1:23 Ancient greek dragon/snake

1:55 Christian dragons

2:33 Norse and English dragons

4:00 Evolution of the Western dragon

5:08 Eastern dragon

6:28 Evolution of the Chinese dragon

6:57 The 9 resemblances of the Chinese dragon

7:35 Indian Naga snake

7:55 Middle Eastern dragon

8:17 Universal features of the dragon

9:03 Carl Jung on the battle of id vs ego

10:06 Dragon, animal instincts, ancestors

11:25 Inherited memory theory

 

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS VIDEO!

 

READINGS & SOURCES

Book

* Jones, David E. (2000) An Instinct for Dragons. New York, NY: Routledge

* Martin, Arnold. (2018) The Dragon – Fear and Power. London, UK: Reaktion Books LTD

* Sagan, Carl. (1977) The Dragons of Eden. New York, NY: The Random House Publishing Group

 

 

THANK YOU TO ALL PATREON SUPPORTERS!

And special thanks to:

Thangout, Kat Davis, D_R, Eris Esoteric, Sofia, Minou, Behzad Be, Jon Drud, Guy Quango, Christian Ramirez, Rich Tea, XHN, Duane Suter

Justice is also about the way you judge. How you judge the outside world is a reflection of how just you are as a person.

In this episode, we will explore the history of Lady Justice, today's embodiment of justice. Lady Justice holds a scale, a sword and at times she wears a blindfold. She has several other symbols, each of which bears powerful lessons. We will go through each of her symbols to understand what it takes to judge with justice. Eventually, we will see how the evolution of her symbols reflect how we have developed our understanding of justice over time.

Click here for the written format, sources and related content.

Click here for the video.

Socrates, the famous ancient Greek philosopher, believed that the soul – or consciousness – is eternal and reincarnates.

In this episode, we will review the 5 arguments he makes on his deathbed to support this view. One of his arguments is strongly debated by one of his interlocutors. This debate still persists today 2000 years later:

The brain produce the soul VS. The soul comes from elsewhere

We will also explore this debate.

Click here for the written format, sources and related content.

Click here for the video.

They convey different feelings and meanings, but they all have 1 thing in common.

Click here for the written format, sources and related content.

Click here for the video.

The origins of the Yin Yang symbol, its creation process, universal philosophy and purposes are a lot deeper than you think. The Yin Yang is the blueprint for everything.

Click here for the written format, sources and related content.

Click here for the video.

When I lived overseas, I desperately needed to charge my phone, so I entered a local french bar and something happened. This story shows how small cultural differences can lead to major misunderstandings.

 

Watch the video here

 

The cross wasn’t a Christian symbol until pagan Roman emperor Constantine introduced it – Or RE-introduced it. After all, pagans have always worshipped a sun god who is symbolized by a cross! In this episode, learn about the origins, meanings and psychology of the cross in humanity’s history, and how the symbol entered Christianity through the vision and dream of Constantine 1.

Click here for the written format, sources and related content.

Click here to watch the video.

Pandemics of all kinds have existed since the beginning of recorded history. Myths of flood and chaos as well as. Understanding how the two explain each other will change the way you see the world.

Click here for the written format, sources and related content.

Click here to watch the video