Chthonia

Chthonia Conversations welcomes back Joanna Madloch (Baba Yaga episode of Chthonia) to discuss the archaic nature of what we call "Slavic Paganism". The Slavs do not have a "mythology" per se, there are a collection of archaic folktales, mostly of "bestiairusz," which bear a similarity to old school fairies (not the cutesy Victorian creatures). We talk about the origins of these myths, the lack of sources, and the way in the Slavs resisted Christianity for many years. Indeed, these archaic vestiges of Slavic religion still permeate folk practices in Slavic countries today, and we also look at the ways in which conquerors have tried to impose a "Pan-Slavism" (including Russia's attempts today) and modern re-emergences of the old religion in Poland and other countries.

This last September episode focuses on the Roman goddess Diana, and on Diana Nemorensis in particular. Many of Diana's characteristics became merged with those of the Greek goddess, Artemis; however, her origins as a fierce goddess of the woods and hunting, with connections to the underworld, shaped her later associations with both Artemis and Hecate. As we have already done a video on Artemis, this one is strictly about Diana, her origins, and connection to Tauris.

This week we look at the Slavic death goddess known as Marzanna, or Morana. Her mythology is seasonal, associating her with winter hags, though the myth associated with her is one of betrayal. In Poland and some other parts of Eastern Europe, the ritual of drowning or burning a Marzana effigy at the Spring Equinox is still observed. We discuss some possible meanings and connections of her stories and festivals with the mysteries of the Dark Feminine and the underworld.

For a more personal view of the Marzanna ritual, check out the Chthonia Baba Yaga podcast featuring Joanna Madloch from a couple of years ago. There is also a forthcoming Chthonia Conversation with Joanna on Slavic mythology and the Dark Feminine, so don't miss it!

This week by request we look at the Egyptian cat goddess Bast (or Bastet). Bast is a daughter of Ra and sister of Sekhmet, originally a ferocious lioness goddess who killed the serpent Apep on Ra's night journey through the underworld. Later Sekhmet retained the ferocious aspects while Bast became associated with domestic cats, and with a gentler disposition. She also has a relationship to Mau, a feline aspect of Ra, and Madjet, the first feline Egyptian goddess of justice. We look at the relationship between these aspects, as well as her festivals and worship per the writings of Herodotus.

This month I chat with David Beth of Theion Publishing, who is also the founder of the Kosmic Gnosis esoteric current. David and I discuss the ancient gods, the proto-human worldview, the stumbling blocks of modern occulture, and a topic near and dear to both of us, the problem with championing spirit over soul (and celestial over chthonic). What would life look like if we didn’t rationalize and analyze every experience? David breaks down everything in a way that is easy to understand, and explains how this worldview treats the concepts of Masculine and Feminine. 



We both reference Ludwig Klages' "Of Cosmogonic Eros", which is available through Theion Publishing's website: https://theionpublishing.com/

This week we look at Corra, the serpent goddess of the Celts. Corra was a new discovery for me when I visited Western Ireland; she is alternately described as a dragon, demon, “devil mother” or just otherwise monstrous, and her tale involves a battle with St. Patrick in which she swallows him and he has to cut his way out of her. She is then confined to Lough Na Corra, a lake at the bottom of the mountain now called Croagh Patrick. She is usually seen as representing the triumph of Christianity over paganism, as there have never been snakes in Ireland, but there are many more connections at play in this story.

Sources:

Michael Conneely of Starwheel Astrology, who also gives sacred tours of Western Ireland:
https://starwheelastrology.com/

Corra stories:

Cheryl Stratton and Lana Jarvis on “Goddess Alive!"
https://goddess-pages.co.uk/galive/issue-28-home/corra-the-serpent-goddess-of-ireland/

Emerald Isle storytelling site
https://emeraldisle.ie/the-saint-and-the-dragon

Summer requests begin with Rhiannon, the Welsh Otherworldly figure, perhaps a goddess, from the Mabinogion. She is associated with horses, and is similar to Celtic figures like Morrigan and Medb with her connection to sovereignty. We look at the significance of her story from the first and third branches of the Mabinogi, with a discussion of horses as chthonic symbols, and the idea of initiation with respect to the Otherworld.

This month's Chthonia Conversation is with Jessica Grote of Theion Publishing. Jessica and I talk about the concept of hetaera, often understood as "courtesanship", originally a female intellectual companion in Greece who was often an erotic companion as well. We talk about the modern concept of erotic companionship, including an exploration of the term "erotic" and some of the social and cultural blocks to finding one's "erotic core".

Jessica will be teaching a Modern Hetaera course in September at the Blackthorne School, open to anyone of any gender orientation or sex. You can get information on the course here: https://www.theblackthorneschool.com/courses/hetaera/

This week we look at fairies, and Welsh fairies in particular. The Bendith Y Mamau ("Mother's Blessing") were known for stealing children and leaving changelings in their place. Their connection to child stealing has often identified them as "feminine" whether they are or not, and they bear some similarities to other child stealing monsters. However, such stories are often used to demonize children who are considered different.

Gefjon is the Norse goddess associated with the plough; her main myth deals with the creation of the Danish island of Zealand. As a goddess of fertility and abundance, she has a curious connection to girls who die as virgins, and the plough motif is echoed in myths and folktales of sovereignty.