In The Beginning! (Mythology, Magic, Monsters, and More!)

The Boys are Back! After returning from a not so brief hiatus, they return to an old script and an older god: HADES. In this episode David, Bryan, and Richard cover an overview of Hades, along with some myths and stories of the Lord of the Underworld.  Oh and Bryan burps too. 

Opening Narration: Maurice Thomas
Podcast Art: Robert Neal

-Music Used-
Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com
Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License
Hold on a Second by Bryan Teoh
Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Voodoo is a complex and atypical religion that has spread through the Americas through the American Slave Trade from West Africa. It was derived from Vudon, a belief system that propagated countries like Nigeria, Togo, and Ghana. An oral religion and possibly one of the oldest. 

During it’s theistic evolution through the years it has combined elements of Catholicism, Christianity, Mysticism, and even Folklore. It has well over 5 million followers today, with worshippers spread throughout South America, the Caribbean Islands, and the Southern United States. 

Voodoo has been sensationalized and twisted by pop-culture. Although, to the modern ideal it’s viewed with aberrancy and speculation, the belief of it’s congregants is absolutely serious. Look beyond the corner shops and tourist traps and you’ll find a religion that is living and breathing. 

Podcast Art: Robert Neal
Opening Narration: Maurice Thomas 

-Music Used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Hold on a Second by Bryan Teoh

Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Top 'o the morning, friends! Join Robert, on this the month of Saint Patrick's day, as he's joined by great friend of the show, Jed Shook! Together, we'll discuss the titular man of the holiday himself, his deeds, history, and his legends. You might have heard of the snakes before, but this is only the beginning of the rabbit hole, friends. The myths of Saint Patrick are vast, and frankly, sometimes they get absolutely CRAZY. Join the boys as we discuss the reasoning behind these legends, the evolution of Catholic story telling, and the discovery that Robert might have a deep family connection to this story!

Sources:
Saint Patrick by Johnathan Rogers
Patrick(Documentary) - Pamela Mason Wagner, Andrew Ward

-Music Used-
Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Smoking Gun by https://www.purple-planet.com

Join us on social media!
In The Beginning!: Twitter
Robert: Twitter

With Bryan back, the Boys analyze their first story of the modern era. The Case of the Cottingley Fairies.  In 1917, two little girls from West Yorkshire, England would capture photographs of fairies. For the first time, believers of the paranormal had their first tangible evidence of mythical beings. Spiritualism and Mediums were in the height of their popularity and these pictures would begin a hotbed of investigation, debate, and eventual humiliation. Containing clairvoyants, famous writers, and theosophists; this story is remembered as a unique tale from the beginning of the century.

Sources:
-Hoax.org
-Britannica.com
-Spiritualism; a popular history from 1847 by Joseph McCabe
-Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World podcast.
-Several Newspaper and Articles from the time.

-Opening Narration by Maurice Thomas
-Cover art by Robert Neal

-Music used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

For 11th Hour's second outing, Robert is joined by David to enjoy a sampling of Norse monsters and creatures. Together, they examine the legendary beings themselves, and maybe how the psychology of the time would lead to their creation. We have four beautiful topics today, all ranging from the spooky Gjengenger, to down right wacky family-friendly animated movie hero himself; Ratatoskr!

-Music Used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Smoking Gun by https://www.purple-planet.com

With Bryan away, Robert joins the Boys to assemble to go over the War that Started the Norse Pantheon; The War between the Æsir–Vanir! It began when a Vanir witch began cursing and charming the Gods of the Æsir. Something Odin didn't take too lightly. Deciding punishment would be given, they burned her three times. But to their surprise, she remained unburned.

This magic intrigued Odin, and decided that he should have it. The Æsir went to the homeland to begin the conflict, but the Vanir would be ready for them. For they knew this war was coming. The battle raged for a long time, with either side not gaining the upper hand. One day, the Æsir would win. That's not just a summary, that's about all there is to this myth. A short myth and a short episode, but history important to the followers of the Norse believers.

--Research from---
A Dictionary of Norse Mythology by Rudolph Semik

The Prose Edda, The Poetic Edda, and Ynglinga Saga by Snorri Strulson



-Opening Narration by Maurice Thomas
-Cover art by Robert Neal

-Music used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Today, Dwhitt and Richard dive into that smirking, sly guy himself: Loki! Popular in recent years due to the marvel films, Loki proves to be one of the most remembered and interesting figures among mythologies. While he hangs with the Gods, being friend with both Odin and Thor, he himself is not. Giant (Jotan) by birth, he assumes the role of the "Trickster God" among the Norse. Modern versions paint him as a villain but in reality he mostly causes disorder and trickery.

Although it's debated on his origins and role among the Norse because, as with many Norse Myths, very little is written about him. He holds the power of illusion and shapeshifting, using these powers to trick and sow chaos. He holds an ill tempered and jealous eye, not many like the giant Loki in Valhalla. But Odin, the chief of the Gods, had sworn him as blood brother. His most infamous story is when he killed Baldur, son of Odin.

Article about Loki and Runes: https://www.google.com/amp/s/oneofamyriadfaces.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/lokis-runes-according-to-the-vernacular/amp/

-Opening Narration by Maurice Thomas
-Cover art by Robert Neal

-Music used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Hold on a Second by Bryan Teoh

Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

It's the start of The Eleventh Hour and what better place to start than Germany? Robert, joined by Richard, discuss the curious case of the dancing plague that terrorized Strasburg in 1518. Along with the events of the choreo-mania month of Germany, they discuss the precursor of the dancing, how horrible it is to be a peasant in the 1400s, and perhaps the most fiendish demon you can possibly imagine.

 All research done for this episode comes from the book The Dancing Plague by John Waller.

-Music Used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Smoking Gun by https://www.purple-planet.com

With Bryan gone this week, David and Richard continue the discussion on select figures from the Norse Pantheon. Last episode, the Boys had finished going over Odin and Thor, perhaps two of the most important Gods of their religion. This time however, they begin to look at figures of both Aesir and Vanir.

The brilliant Freya, a sensual Vanir Goddess of magic and pleasure.
The defender Fryer, her brother.  Vanir God of fertility and prosperity.
The Shining Baldur. An Aesir God of light, who everyone adored.
The ever-vigilant Heimdall, The Aesir who defended the entrance to Asgard.
And Njord, Vanir God of the Sea and father to the twins Freya and Freyr.

Though these Gods ranged in historical writings from vastly detailed figures to almost footnotes, their importance is something evidenced just by the way their believers spoke of them. Even Baldur, who appeared in one tale, was mentioned that everyone loved him. These Gods were very important to the people who worshipped them.


-Opening Narration by Maurice Thomas
-Cover art by Robert Neal

-Music used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 


Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

After a little seasonal break, the fellows from In The Beginning! bring you a seasonal episode! Bryan couldn't make this one, so we've brought in guest  Robert Neal to helps us get to the nitty gritty of the dreaded, goat-furred, chain-wielding, hooved-footed man himself: Krampus! Most popular in Austria and Germany, his past is spread across several European countries. Often seen as an antagonist or parallel to Father Christmas, in reality they more of co-workers. But, where Father Christmas spreads holiday fun, Krampus spreads pain and fear. Von Krampus uses chains, a bullwhip, and other nasty toys to inflict punishment on naughty boys and girls. Give it a listen; David rolls his eyes, Robert vapes on recording, and Richard gives a special rendition of "The Night Before Krampus"!

-Opening Narration by Maurice Thomas
-Cover art by Robert Neal

-Music used-

Heavy Brigade by https://www.purple-planet.com

Twisted by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License 

Hold on a Second by Bryan Teoh

Aces High by Kevin Macleod
(incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License