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I love mythology. Stretching the spans of centuries, these legends birthed from dozens of cultures have shaped our world in numerous and fantastic ways. A connection of the human psyche, myths entrance us, as well as compel us to look at the world with new eyes. Therefore, I wanted to share here three of my favorite myths and how they inspire me. I hope you enjoy.
1. Blodeuwedd
The wind stirred with an arcane aura. Petals of oak, broom, and meadowsweet flowers whirled about like the flakes of a winter storm. The two men gazed in awe as a beautiful young woman emerged from the flurry of flowers, her hair red like the skin of a strawberry, her eyes as green as the first breath of spring.
Their spell was complete.
The Celtic goddess, Arianrhod established that her son, Lleu, would not marry a mortal woman. Therefore, two men, Math and Gwydion, conjured for him a bride from blossoms. Her name was Blodeuwedd (BLO-DAY-WETH). However, the marriage turned sour, because soon Blodeuwedd took on another lover and tried to kill her husband. Yet she failed, and as punishment she was turned into an owl for her betrayal.
I find this Welsh myth to be interesting, as it parallels strongly with the myth of Aphrodite and the myth of Galatea in Greek Mythology. I have found such inspiration in this flower woman that it prompted me to write a short story about her. Though the story has been rejected (twice, I think) I still hope it will get published somewhere.
2. Orpheus and Eurydice
He stood on the edge of the black river. The screams of the souls eternally drowning underneath its chilled waters clawed at the fabric of his mind, but for her he had to stay strong. A cloaked figure approached in his boat, skeletal hands gripping the staff that pushed it across the water.
“Payment to cross,” a voice hissed from beneath the dark cowl.
Orpheus said nothing. Instead he took his lyre and began to play.
The musician Orpheus’s true love, Eurydice, died. Rather than live without her, he traveled to the Underworld to retrieve her. There he persuaded the boatman Charon and subdued the three-headed guard dog Cerberus with the enchanting notes of his lyre. So great was his skill with music that even the lord of the dead, Hades himself, was moved to heed Orpheus’s request to bring his true love back to life. However, there was a catch: Orpheus had to leave the Underworld with Eurydice following, but he could not turn around to see if she was behind him. Unfortunately, Orpheus failed in this task, so great was his doubt, and Eurydice was once again cast back into the abyss forever, until Orpheus himself died and went to join her. A story displaying a love so powerful that an individual would journey into hell itself for it…well, if that’s not a compelling story, I’m not sure what is.
3. Medusa
She peered with yellow eyes from the deep shadows of the cavern. There was no sound but the cold, hollow howl of the wind through the deep tunnels. Stone visages stared back at her, eyes empty, their faces contorted with fear. The hissing of vipers filled her ears. She could feel them writhing in anticipation. She grinned. They sensed another victim approaching.
Medusa reflects the cruelty of the gods in Greek Mythology. Once a loyal, beautiful, and chaste priestess of the goddess Athena, she was assaulted by the god Poseidon in her patron’s temple. Instead of punishing the licentious sea god, Athena placed a curse on Medusa. Her dark hair fell in tatters from her scalp and was replaced by hissing snakes, and her lovely eyes were replaced with deep, flaring pits that turned all who gazed upon them into stone. Innocent of any wrongdoing, Medusa was forced into exile until the day she was slain by the demigod, Perseus. One cannot help but burn with rage at the injustice that was thrust upon Medusa, but alas many myths do not have happy endings.
These three myths are only a few of the many that I love and enjoy. Without myths, I find that many aspects of my life would be quite boring and dull, like a pencil that has been worn down to a nub. I hope you will take time to seek out myths and the truths they convey so you can sharpen your imagination and broaden your view of the world.
Want to get in contact with David? Send an email to dbcorderwriter@gmail.com
