We interact with objects in our surroundings every day; but it's not every day that you see an umbrella sprouting legs, instruments playing themselves, or theatrical masks transform into many-faced monsters. These are examples of tsukumogami, Japanese mythical creatures that are objects come alive. In some sources they are friendly, in others they …

The Sun is a major figure in Cherokee mythology; the world depends upon her light and warmth, but is at the mercy of her brutal heat when she is slighted by her brother, the Moon. In this story, recorded from the Eastern Band of Cherokee in the late 19th century, a plan to stop the Sun from burning the world leads to the death of her daughter, and …

Pleased to host Matt Benjamin, friend of the channel, YouTube host, and author of the new novel We Are Icarus on the podcast to discuss his new novel in an authentic, unsponsored conversation. Matt’s novel explores timeless philosophy through a futuristic sci-fi dystopia setting. Join us as we discuss the timeless power of story, explore Ancient Gr…

A philosopher has the unique challenge of expressing that which is beyond us through the limitations of language. For many, this is done through a series of logical arguments; for the Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi 莊子 the Way of Nature, called Tao 道 is best approached in another way, through the powerful, poetic language of metaphor. Zhuangzi sets the…

In the ancient days of Greek and Roman mythology, the story was told of Phaeton, the son of the sun god Helios (often equivocated with Apollo) who asked his father to command the chariot of the sun on its journey across the sky. The power of the god was too much for this mortal, and his bold attempt to wield it nearly destroyed all of creation. Tod…

This powerful story from the Kirikir?i:s, most commonly known as the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes (historic inhabitants of North Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas) is one that is very important today. We explore the Wichita cyclical understanding of history, from the cosmic and mythological scale to the personal, through two fascinating women and the alwa…

The story of Lycaon (also spelled Lykaion, Lykaon) has been told by many dating back to Ancient Greece, where it was attested in works like Pausanias' Description of Greece, Apollodorus' Library, and Hyginus' Astronomica, and across centuries and civilizations through works like Ovid's masterpiece Metamorphoses. Lycaon's attempt to deceive the gods…

Spiritual seekers from across religious traditions have had profound experiences within the natural world. Comparing the role of nature in selected Jewish, Christian, and Muslim teachings demonstrates the harmonious role that nature serves in the Abrahamic religions. Jesus' parables of the sower and the fig trees in the Gospels show how we can be i…

Hans Christian Andersen's original telling of The Little Mermaid is probably very different from the one you know. The mermaid's transformation is far less pleasant, there is no mention of true love's kiss, and what is she doing with that knife? A close reading and a look into the life of Hans Christian Andersen, a liminal figure caught between two…

Exploring Jātaka tales, stories of the past lives of the Buddha, allows us to better understand the world of folktales, history of the early Buddhist community, and the journey of the soul in reincarnation across the cosmos toward enlightenment. We will explore nine of the 547 Jātakas: Sammodamana, Suvannahamsa, Nigrodhamiga, Mandhatu, Vedabbha, Ma…

Many people have encountered Ireland over the millennia. The Emerald Isle has hosted scholars and poets, as well as fierce warriors and mighty High Kings. All have been touched by the land differently, and no one has left the same. We see this in the oldest stories of the old Celtic gods, the Tuatha Dé Danann, including figures such as the Dagda, t…

An in-depth podcast conversation exploring philosophy, mythology, rhetoric, justice, the Ancient Greek afterlife, and more! Plato's Gorgias is not one of his most famous dialogues, but is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking, as Socrates discusses virtue with some of Classical Athens' most prolific thinkers. The dialogue ends with a fan…

The Japanese Ministry of Forestry promotes mindful time in nature, called forest bathing, citing health benefits for those in urban environments to spend time in the natural world. This video explores the deep reverence for nature at the heart of Japanese culture, through the lens of Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion, and traditional folk tales. …

It is said that when you hear a story about Coyote, it is really a story about yourself. Coyote stories are found in traditional folklore across North America, with the trickster figure one of the most recurring characters in Native American mythology. The three legends which we will share today show a variety of themes in Coyote myths, and how sim…

Even listening can be an act of great compassion. Thank you. Called the Buddha of Compassion, the Goddess of Mercy, the One Who Hears the Suffering of the World, and many other names, Avalokiteśvara is one of the most widely revered Buddhist figures. Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Support t…

Virgil's Aeneid is the Ancient Roman epic penned as a sequel to Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, that tells the story of the Trojan War and its aftermath from a hero on the Trojan side, Aeneas. The epic poem has dramatic scenes, personal and cosmic in scale. Following Aeneas from Troy's fall, the end of the world as he knew it, through his struggles to r…

Homer's Odyssey is a massively influential poem from Ancient Greece filled with epic battles, fantastic monsters, gods, spirits, and a journey around the known world and into the underworld. Through three episodes, Odysseus' encounter with the cyclops Polyphemus, his descent into the Hades where he meets his family, comrades, and the ancient hero H…

Homer's Iliad is the oldest work of European literature and forms the foundation of the Western canon. Not only does this ancient epic tell the story of the Trojan War, it contains profound emotional truths that have been understood from ancient times through the Renaissance and is harmonious with classical teachings of self discipline and the psyc…

Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under Creative Commons

The marriage of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati is a beautiful story of union, with symbolism that applies from the highest cosmic levels to the inner workings of our consciousness. Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conver…

Myths and legends can often seem strange to us. But behind shapeshifters, ancient curses, and magic spells are surprisingly practical, down-to-earth meanings. One of the best ways to see this is to look at the influences of ancient stories that carry through into modern works. One Old Norse story, The Saga of the Volsungs, features themes of power,…

The Divine Comedy is one of the most influential works in history, shaping much of modern Italian language and culture, and serving as the inspiration for countless other works. This is because Dante Alighieri's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven mirrors an internal journey that is taken by all. This look at all three books of the Divine C…

People from all around the world go through rites of passage. Some are once-in-a-lifetime events, others happen regularly. These are the moments that form the chapters of our lives, when everything forward is different. In many Native American cultures, the most important rite of passage is a spiritual journey known as a Vision Quest. By listening …

Pride appears across Biblical stories as one of the most dangerous sins; even angels are not immune. Likewise in our world pride can lead us into a tunnel vision, blind to others. One morning in Medieval Italy, a young man named Francis would take an act of humility that would change himself, his community, and his culture forever. This change live…

All channel income from October 31-November 30, 2021 will be donated to To Write Love On Her Arms to help the Hungry Ghosts around us every day. Thank you for supporting an organization that helps those who are struggling. We each have a Hungry Ghost inside of us; if you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out to a professional. Many gr…

Thank you @Anna Bridgland for your amazing contribution! This video wouldn't be the same without your great work and talent. We often don't stop to think about the details in the stories that we've heard the most. For hundreds of years, one of the most popular stories in the world has been that of King Arthur, but across countless versions, it can …

Let's start from the beginning: The beginning of everything. Looking at the Ancient Mayan creation story in the Popol Vuh, we can come to a greater understanding of who we are, what our purpose is, and how to live a meaningful life. Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Support the channel by subs…

Medieval Times are often written off as "dark ages" but a look into the history and culture of the time shows a great beauty hiding beneath the surface. The Dream of the Rood, one of the first poems written in the English language, is a perfect example of this, showing a blend of Christian and Pagan cultures, with beautiful religious symbolism that…

What does it mean to be a hero? Every culture has stories of larger-than-life characters who change the world. Looking at one hero in particular, Maui, we can learn what makes a hero in the eyes of Polynesian culture, as his legends are told across Polynesian mythology from Hawai'i to New Zealand. Stories of Maui from New Zealand's Maori people use…

What is the difference between mythology and religion? Is mythology simply a religion plus time? Or is there something deeper? Join as we study the Homeric Hymns to Aphrodite, the tale of the goddess' encounter with the mortal Anchises, father of Aeneas, and the tale of her birth, to see what role myth and story played in Ancient Greek religion – a…

Exploring Thunderbird Symbolism in Native American Mythology, Religion, & Culture through ancient and contemporary art, artifacts, poetry, and traditional stories and legends. Despite the great diversity within indigenous North American cultures, the Thunderbird is a recurring symbol all across the continent. We uncover the practical meaning behind…

Study of Norse mythology and practical wisdom in Old Norse culture through the story of Utgarða-Loki. When Thor, Loki, and Thjalfi arrive in the strange land of Utgarðr, they are given unexpected challenges. And in this mysterious realm, nothing is what it seems. Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meanin…

Symbolic reading of the Book of Exodus influenced by The Life of Moses by Gregory of Nyssa. The story of Moses provides a blueprint for how to live a spiritual life in a materialistic world. Though our human nature means that we will surely have failures on our journey to our own promised land, Gregory sees in Exodus an example of constantly reachi…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Celebrating 1,000 Subscribers with a Modern Mythos! Enjoy as we study the real-world influences on the mythology, culture, & symbolism of Avatar: The Last Airbender. From religion to martial arts to mythical creatures to a Chinese Moon Goddess, Avatar's worldb…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Study of the relationship between humanity and divinity in Roman and Greek mythology through the story of Arachne as told in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation! Patreon: https://www.patreon…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Study of Native American religion & spirituality through mythology, in the Sioux story of the White Buffalo Woman. Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Spotify: ht…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” #SerpentSeries Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgjv_CvjvzP8D_uElKefVN22MCMSj__Av Academic Bible Study of the symbolism of Leviathan in the Book of Job, Talmud, and Midrash Rabbah. Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to j…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Symbolic reading of the Russian fairy tale Vasilisa the Beautiful and character study of Baba Yaga. Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Psychological reading of traditional Shinto Japanese Mythology, the story of Amaterasu's descent into a rise from the heavenly rock cave, applied to overcoming individual depression and collective trauma. Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and comment…

Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Study of beauty and love in Ancient Greek & Roman culture through the myth of Apollo & Daphne from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265

Symbolic reading of the Bhagavad Gita, Classical Hindu philosophy, meditation, and deep spiritual meaning of Yoga, Karma, and Dharma. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source: http://incompetech.…

Symbolic reading of world flood myths and comparative mythology of the Middle East, through academic Bible study of Noah's Flood in Genesis and close reading of the flood of Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution …

It was wonderful to be joined by the incredibly talented and knowledgeable Laura Daligan in a discussion about Brigid, ancient Ireland, Celtic tradition and religion, Paganism, Christianity, and... puppies! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Laura's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/laurared...Brigid: Irish Goddess or Christian Sa…

Study of Celtic Mythology and Christian Hagiography of Brigid/Saint Brigid of Kildare. History of Imbolc and the worship and veneration of Brigid/Brigit/Brighid/Brigitte/Bride/Bridie in Ireland in ancient and medieval history through today. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a …

Character study of the Ancient Greek/Thracian musician hero Orpheus. His journey to the Underworld with Eurydice, including stories of Hades and Persephone, Zeus and Ganymede, Apollo and Hyacinthus, Jason and the Argonauts. This academic video essay explores the symbolism, psychology, and significance of Orpheus through his songs, attributed to Orp…

Symbolic reading and summary of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Holy Grail, with connections to Christian sacraments, mysticism, and personal psychology. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/…

Dramatic retelling and symbolic reading of Rome's Foundation Myth, Romulus, Alba Longa, and the Sabine Women. Discussion of symbolic meaning, mythology, national identity, and Roman history. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://crea…

Academic study of the Iroquois Creation Story, Animism, and the famous debate between Las Casas and Sepúlveda. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...Ar…

Academic Bible study in comparative mythology of a symbolic reading of the Genesis creation myth. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=31997265 All stories covered are treated academically. This channel makes no claims regarding the historical, scientific, or religious truth of these tales. Rather, its goal is to find the meanings understood by …