Myths Types;
Trickster: In north American Indian Mythology the Trickster often represents a light-hearted variant of the Culture hero. Typically a type of demiurge who continues rather than initiates creation. This curious figure portrays a mixture of conflicting character traits alternately sly, cunning, constructive and generally well disposed to mankind, as well as amoral, frivolous, a prankster and highly sexed.
The Trickster/Transformer may be Theriomorphic ( common form- coyote, blue jay, mink, hare, Raven )
or may display human features, latter often exaggerated or ill defined. Thought to be of Divine origin
Referred to as Old One more timeless then old, Techniques include deceit, laziness, stupidity. the Trickster often unwittingly achieves results that benefit mankind, regulation of seasons, domesticated animals or provides instruction necessary for human existence. ( use of fire,art, farming, medicine.) He also provides comic relief which ease's intense settings.
7 primary myths symbolic types;
1. Earth-Diver ; attributes creation to an animal-like figure who dives to the bottom of the primeval ocean for mud or sand, from which a some what fragile cosmos is created, it's completion is left to a culture-hero or Trickster.
2. The World-Parent; develop Sky-Father and Earth-Mother, (or vice-versa ). The sexual relationship of Sky-Father, Earth-Mother,i.e. sexual act, is preparatory to true creation which occurs after separation.
3. Emergence Myths portray a gradual metamorphosis of mankind, animals,etc, as they progress through successive worlds to entry into the present or final world.
4. Spider-Creation identify this figure as the first being, who spins the web upon which the world is suspended.
5. Conflict Myths attribute to the actions of a Trickster figure who steals or fights to gain control of elemental factors of creation, ( sun,earth,water,fire,air.).
6. Cosmic Giant; creation myths, creation is the result of the Giants body/parts. ( see Norse myth ).
7. Cosmic Twins, ascribes creation to the cooperation or competition of two primordial agents/ Hero Twins, represented as Twin brothers,sisters,or Father-Son, Uncle-Nephew.
Culture Heroes;
Continues creation , transforming the landscape, regulating the cosmic patterns and defining the dimension of nature and human existence. Provides a link with the past ( beginning ) and the present, teaches knowledge,art,laws,etc. Also animal-being. ( raven, Coyote, Hare,) Shamen-like powers
Druids;
The name means Oak. They were priest and learned men. They taught organized religious ritual, including sacrifice and were skilled in healing and consultation of Omens, Astronomy,Magick,Love.
Man becoming God, in the last aeon God becoming man.
Pantomorphous= Uniting of Forms.
Mithras/Mithraism; second and fifth centuries CE.
Claimed decent from Zoroaster, Indo-Iranian/Indo-European. Still worshiped in Hinduism and Zoroastrianism.
Temples were caves or made to look like caves, The Universe as a cosmic cave. Mithras as creator and Father of all, also said to save man. Mithras slaying a Bull is act of creation, or of salvation/ astrological, esoteric significance.
Mithras and Sol eat Bull. ( Re-enacted in temples ). Temples are small and fellowship is important.
Seven grades of Initiation.
1. Corvus (Raven) Protected by Mercury.
2. Nympus ( Bride) protected by Venus.
3. Miles ( soldier) protected by Mars.
4. Leo (Lion) protected by Jupiter.
5. Perses (Persian ) protected by Moon.
6.Heliodromus ( Runner of the Sun) protected by Sun.
7. Pater (Father) protected by Saturn. Progression through the grades corresponds to ascent of the soul through planetary spheres. the Religious life was disciplined, arduous.
