European Myth n The Celts n The Heavenly Bodies n Myths of the North n Central and Eastern Europe

Europe

Gods and Heroes n Most were local and not universal n Teutates- god of tribe n Taranis- thunder n Esus- multi-skills

The Druids n Named after a sacred tree n no secrets were allowed to be written down n it is a mystery

The otherworld n The Celtic otherworld is an invisible realm of gods, spirits, fairies, and giants. –Tales of summer fighting winter for control

The Holy Grail n The Grail is said by some to be the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, and by others to be the cup used to catch his blood at the Crucifixion. n The Grail stands for purity and perfection, and it became the purpose of many an unsuccessful quest among the Knights of the Round Table

Heavenly Bodies The origin of Night and Day: A giantess called Night, who was dark and her son Day, who was fair and bright were enlisted to help the gods. They were set up in the heavens with horses and Chariots to ride around the earth every 24 hours. Night rode, Hrimfaxi who painted the sky with darkness. Day rode, Skinfaxi who lit up the earth and sky with light. The sun and moon were chased around the sky by the sons of a giantess.

Myths of the North n Filled with dwarves, elves, and giants. n Odin- Magic n Thor- God of the sky n Loki the Trickster –not worship, but he cause of events in many of the myths

Ragnarok- The end of the world n Pre-destine end of the Gods –There will be a new world afterwards n Continued harsh winters for three years n battles throughout the three years n the sky will darken n earthquakes n Tidal waves all over the world n Volcanoes n It is a fight between the Gods and Loki and Loki’s followers

Central and Eastern Europe n The Wondertales –based on one plot n hero leaves home, steals, banished, finds a friend with magic to help him on his quest, then does a great act before coming home.

Gods n Perun- God of Thunder n Svantovit- God of the Sky n Dazhbog- God of Sun n Svarozhich- God of Fire

Main Characters in Myths n Werewolves –based on Odin’s warriors n The idea of a wolf-man might come form The Berserkers who wore bear- or wolf- skins in battle n Vampires

Quiz n 1. Name one God or Goddess from Europe. n 2. What creature is based on Odin’s warriors? n 3.Who is the God Trickster? n 4.What is Ragnarok? n 5. What is the Holy Grail?