Today is the day — the first of two — in which the Earth’s equator passes directly through the center of the sun, causing the day to be balanced in both light and darkness. This phenomenon is called the Equinox — more specifically, the Spring Equinox. Days like today were rife with superstitions and myths and legends and everything in between. However, today we will be looking at another couple of myths from around the world that talk about the change of seasons. Last time we took a look at both Chinese and Greek mythology — at the kidnapping of Persephone and at the candle dragon himself. But now? Now we will see what the Canaanites believed as well as the Norse in regards to the change of seasons.
According to Canaanite beliefs, the changing of the seasons happened after Baal — the god of storms — defeated the god of the sea to become king of the gods. Baal thought himself to be above all, and so he ordered that Mot, the god of the dead, was to not set foot anywhere on the earth except for the desert. Mot, forced to wander the desert, turns around and invites Baal to the Netherworld for a “visit.” Baal is, in turn, forced to go in order to save face as the new ruler of the gods, however when he gets there, Mot tricks him into eating the food of the dead: mud. Thus, Baal is trapped in the underworld and the world dries up into an eternal summer — crops do not grow, the land becomes scorched, and the heat causes the waters to dry. While Baal is away, Baal’s wife — Anat — prays for her husband’s release. The gods refuse to help her, so she herself descends to the Netherworld to plead with Mot directly. Mot of course refuses, and thus an infuriated Anat battles the god of the dead and defeats him, wounding him so badly he cannot stop her from taking Baal away. Rains were restored, but because Baal ate the food of the dead, he is required to spend a part of every year in the Netherworld, and at summer’s end he can come back and heal the world once more.
Our second myth today is a funny one, since many versions of this myth exist and they all contradict each other. The beginning is usually the same: either Frigga (Baldur’s mother), Odin (Baldur’s father), and Baldur himself begin to suffer from nightmares about Baldur’s death. Frigga goes around and has every living and non-living thing swear that no harm will come to Baldur — with the exception of mistletoe. The other gods make a game of throwing things at Baldur and watching them bounce off harmlessly until Loki convinces a blind Hodr (in some versions of this myth, he is Baldur’s brother) to throw a spear that Loki guides. This spear is made of mistletoe, and when it pierces Baldur’s chest, he drops down dead.
This is where the myth changes. In some versions, both Hodr and Baldur die — Hodr being killed for murdering his brother. In these pre-Christian versions, Frigga begs Hel to release them and they are allowed out — separately — for half of the year only. Hodr, because he is blind, is associated with darkness and explains the winter seasons while Baldur was described as a god of light and therefore was the other half of the year — summer and spring. Other post-Christian versions of this myth tie Baldur to Christ in that he will only rise once more after Ragnarök, returning from the land of the dead. However, these post-Christian versions also depict Baldur as being passive as objects are thrown at him while pre-Christian versions show him as being battle-ready at all times.
These myths from both Canaanite and Norse mythos are both examples not only of spring/seasonal myths, but also show how myths have changed over time. From Baldur’s myth which has so many versions including his rebirth, to the myth of Baal which has many versions as well — including one where every seven years the two fight, the winner deciding if there will be a good season or a drought. The truth is, there were many myths, legends, fables and stories, some of which do in fact explain away the changing of the seasons. But let us remember today that with the start of spring, there is a god walking out from the land of the dead somewhere. And whether they be Persephone, Baldur, Baal, or some other god/goddess, let us rejoice with the return of all things green and celebrate.
For more reading on spring myths (sources):
https://norse-mythology.org/tales/the-death-of-baldur/
https://historylists.org/other/baldur-god-of-norse-mythology.html
http://evangelicalfocus.com/blogs/3351/Exploring_The_Canaanite_Pantheon_Baal
When talking about the changes in season, the Greeks looked to the gods and their troubles which affected the mortal world. The story of Hades and Persephone explains these changes as Demeter’s mood swings — Demeter being the mother of Persephone, the Goddess of Spring. A quick look at this myth has Hades kidnapping Persephone, and Demeter — the Goddess of the Harvest and Agriculture — begging Zeus to give her her daughter back as she fails in her duties. Persephone of course eats three pomegranate seeds before Zeus can interfere, which forces him to decide that for half of a year she is to be with her mother while the other half she is forced to return to Hades. During the times Persephone is gone, Demeter becomes inconsolable, neglecting her duties and letting the world around her wither and die. However, when Persephone is returned, Demeter jumps back into action, revitalizing the land.
Following in the same fashion, the Chinese myth of Zhu Long the Candle Dragon explains not only one, but all the seasons, as well as the changes in night and day. You see, Zhu Long — or Zhu Yin — was a huge, scaly, red dragon that was shaped like a serpent and had a human head. According to myth, one of his eyes represented the sun while the other the moon, and when they were open it was daytime, while at night his eyes were closed. In his mouth he holds a candle that lights the gate of heaven, and his breath is what changes the seasons. You see, when Zhu Long exhales he casts winter across the land, but when he inhales he brings summer.
Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, is a well-known Yuletide figure. However, over the years we have seen some of the more… unsavory characters come into the spotlight. Krampus was one of those characters from folklore who became wildly popular after his 2015 horror/comedy debut on the big screen. However, there are still other mythic stories, legends and folktales of different Yule spirits and demons and elves and trolls. Today, we are going to be taking a look at one of these, a witch who punishes naughty children. Her name is Frau Perchta.
You see, Frau Perchta — much like Santa Claus — will reward good children and punish the bad. She also punishes women for unkempt households and unspun flax. For those she deems good, a silver coin is left for them. If she deems you unworthy, if you forget to leave out a bowl of porridge for her, if your flax is half spun and unfinished, she slits open your abdomen, removes your organs, and replaces them with straw. She was also associated with the Wild Hunt, flying through the night sky while accompanied by her demonic Perchten — Krampus-looking creatures — and elves and unbaptized babies. During the last three thursdays before Christmas, you will hear the sounds of thunder and wind roaring, however it is really Frau Perchta leading her Wild Hunt.
Imagine this: a winding river in Japan. The scenery is lovely, the day warm, and all of a sudden something near the water moves. It looks like a child, so you draw closer. But when it turns around you find yourself face to beak with a grinning kappa.
They are known for drowning or devouring children who wander too near the water, waiting in toilets and assaulting women, and occasionally attacking men. However, if you can trick one into bowing, emptying the contents of its head, and offer to replenish it, the Kappa will be generous and grant the person a wish or a favor. They are also attributed to introducing the art of bone setting and salve creating to humans.
The concept of immortality has fascinated humanity for centuries. One of the greatest questions most religions seek to answer is what happens after. And indeed, what does happen after? Most religions believe in an afterlife — a heaven and hell; Tartarus and the Elysian Fields. But what about rebirth? What about reincarnation? Well, there was a myth in which this was addressed, the concept of being reborn from the ashes of what came before. Of course, I am talking about the legendary phoenix.
One version of the rebirth myth states that the phoenix fashions a nest for itself, made 
As well as causing streams to bubble up, Pegasus was also made famous when he was tamed by the great hero Bellerophon who had been gifted a bridle from the goddess Hera. Bellerophon captured the creature, eventually riding him in battle against the chimera. Once Bellerophon is killed, Pegasus finds himself a servant of Zeus, charged with carrying his thunderbolt. After years of faithful service, Zeus honors him by creating a constellation.
Imagine being amazing at something. Now imagine being known for it, for people celebrating your talent, even comparing it to the gods. Can you see it? Can you feel your pride building? Now picture the goddess you are compared to coming for you, and you are going toe-to-toe with her. And you win. Your prize? Eternity transformed into a creature, a punishment earned because you were too proud to say you weren’t better than the goddess herself. This is the story of Arachne and Athena.
This is where the story changes the most, however: the ending. I will tell you all three of the main versions. In one, Arachne beats Athena and, while in a rage, Athena curses Arachne to take the form of a spider. In another, Arachne and Athena wagered their weaving — the loser being unable to touch a spindle or loom ever again. In this version, Athena wins, and Arachne is so distraught that she will no longer be able to weave that Athena, taking pity on the girl, transforms her into a spider so that their bargain may not be broken. The last version of this story is that Athena is beaten, however she is impressed by the girl’s skills. So, she kisses Arachne’s forehead to give
Either way, the story of Arachne is a cautionary tale. Her pride gets her into trouble when she believes herself to be above the gods, and her punishment is one that leaves her cursed for eternity. One thing is for sure: never anger the Greek gods, or you might find yourself challenged by them — and in turn, cursed for all of time!
To accompany it’s monstrous appearance, the manticore was allegedly fast, more swift than its massive size should allow. It is so fast that supposedly no man can keep up with its lightning speed. To top this all off, the manticore is said to have extremely sharp claws — claws so sharp that they could cut a man into ribbons with a single swipe! Of course, making this creature even more terrifying, some accounts describe the manticore as being winged, like a dragon. Its tail is barbed and poisonous, having the capability of shootings its stingers towards its victims.
Imagine this: you are entering the underworld through the River Styx, and as you make your way towards the gates you see a three-headed dog guarding the entrance. He allows you to pass through, though you will never leave again. This is Cerberus, the three-headed watchdog who guards the gates of the Underworld.
One of the most famous stories regarding Cerberus was the twelfth labor of Heracles. Heracles was charged with capturing Cerberus and bringing him back from the Underworld. There are several versions of this story, however one of the famous ones involves Hades telling Heracles he could have Cerberus, so long as he defeated the animal using only the weapons he had carried with him. According to this version of the myth, Heracles uses his lion-skin shield to defend against two of the heads as he chokes the third, ending with Cerberus submitting to him. Hades says Heracles still could not take the creature, and so Heracles shoots Hades with a stone-tipped arrow and he concedes. In other accounts, the two do battle and Heracles wins.
Imagine this: you are wandering in the desert when you come across these giant statues. They have the head of a human, the body of a lion, and they tower over everything for miles. You have just come across a sphinx.
The sphinx was a creature to protect, not a monster. However, the idea that one of them would devour you had you not answered her riddle correctly is a terrifying thought. What if you didn’t know the answer? Well, then I guess the sphinx would make you their dinner.