Mythology

Zeus is the supreme god in Greek mythology and is one of the most well known one. He was the son of the Titans Rhea and Kronos. He was considered to be the father of men and gods and wise among most.

Odysseus is the legendary Greek king of Ithaca and also the prominent hero of Homer’s poem - the Odyssey. He is also mentioned in the Iliad and other important works in the Epic Cycle.

Odysseus - king of Ithaca - was also the husband of Penelope and the father of Telemachus, Laertes, and Anticlea. He was most renowned for his resourcefulness and was often called Odysseus the Cunning. What made him truly famous were the many years it took for him to return home from the Trojan War. According to stories it took him ten long years to return.

According to Norse mythology there was absolutely nothing in the beginning of time. It was described as an ‘endless chasm’ that they called the Ginnungagap. It was a dark void that was bordered by the Niflheim - the place that is full of ice and darkness. To the south of the void is the Muspelheim - a place that is full of fire.

Samhain is a Celtic festival (also known as the Festival of the Dead) that is celebrated between October 31st and November 1st. To the Celtics it is known as Samhain to us it is known as Halloween. It signified the end of the harvest and at the beginning of the winter months. At one point in time it also marked the Celtic new year.

Valhalla is the major god in Odin’s hall that is situated in Gradstein - the realm of Asgard. Gladsheim is also the home for the Einherjar - the ones who were killed gloriously in battle. Once they have died they are escorted to Valhalla by the valkryies.

Zeus found Metis to be attractive and wanted to have her - but she would not let herself be with him and tried to run from him. She changed the way she looked several times looking like different people and creatures including; fish, hawks, and serpents. Yet, Zeus was determined to have her and was able to change his form as well in order to follow her. She eventually gave up.

Cerberus is one of the more popular creatures in Greek mythology. It is a hound that worked for the god Hades. It has the upper body of a three headed dog and a snake for a tail with snakes running down its back. It is one of the many hellhounds.

The Tuatha De Danann is translated into the ‘People of the Goddess Danu’. They are one of mythical races that settled down in Ireland. According to mythological history the Dananns were descendants of the goddess Danu. The most powerful leader was Danu’s son Dagda.

Aonghus is the Celtic god of love. In other words it is a cupid figure. Aonghus was a love child of both Boann and Dagda. He decided to carry on the tradition to become a love god and at a young age he learned to play the harp and to woo the ladies with his smooth lyrics.

To sustain his reputation as a romantic he ran off with Etain the wife of his stepbrother Midir.

Valkyries are believed to be the inspiration for poets who come in the form of warrior women. The name Valkries means “chooser of the slain” and they were often referred to as shield-maidens, mead-maidens, battle-maidens, and wish-maidens. These names hint that they were talented at many things.

Their main duty was to select the slain warriors, who had fallen in battle or other combat, such as quest or killing dragon, etc. These slain warriors were known as the Einherjar (Einheriar), and were chosen to fight alongside with the Aesir gods at Ragnarok. The Einherjar waited for Ragnarok, in Odin’s hall, called Valhalla.