The Wild Hunt: Origins, Leaders, and Procession
Рет қаралды 75,899
Күн бұрынThe Wild Hunt, its leader, it procession, all parts of an ancient story but academics disagree on its origins and who originally led it. Here we take a look at the work of Hutton, Lecouteux, Grimm, Liberman, de Vries, amongst others, and compare their views, and explain some of the gaps in their thinking.
The conclusion to this is that we can find an ancient leader of the hunt, even if we can't recreate the original story.
I tell some tales of the Wild Hunt, stories of Kings and Gods, giants and other supernatural and mythological beings. And look at what these mean. I also edited this video down from over 2 hours, and so there is so much I have taken out so let me know if you would like to hear more details on anything.
Bibliography and Papers Cited
Adolphi, Gustavi. 1998. Masks and mumming in the Nordic area, Acta Academiae Regiae
de Vries, Jan. 1931. Contributions to the Study of Othin, Especially in His Relation to Agricultural Practices in Modern Popular Lore, FFC 94
de Vries, Jan. 1954. “Über das Verhältnis von Óƒr und Óƒinn,” Zeitschrift für deutsche Philologie 73 (1954), 337-353
Eike, Christine. 1980. Oskoreia og ekstaseriter, Norveg 23, 229-309
Endter, Alfred. 1933. Die Sage vom Wilden Jäger und von der Wilden Jagd: Studien über den deutschen Dämonenglauben. Germany, Druck von F.W. Kalbfleisch
Flasdieck, Hermann. 1937. Harlekin. German Mythos in romanischer Wandlung, Anglia 61
Grimm, Jacob. 1882. Teutonic Mythology. Translated by James Steven Stallybrass. Bell
Gundarsson. 1992. The Folklore of the Wild Hunt and Furious Host, Mountain Thunder, Issue 7
Lecouteux, Claude. 2011. Phantom Armies of the Night: The Wild Hunt and Ghostly Processions
Lecouteux, Claude. 2016. Encyclopaedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic
Liberman, Anatoly. 2016. In Prayer and Laughter: Essays on Medieval Scandinavian and Germanic Mythology, Literature, and Culture. Moscow: Paleograph Press
Lincoln, Bruce, et al. 1991. Death, war, and sacrifice: studies in ideology and practice. Chicago, University of Chicago Press
Map, Walter. 1923. De Nugis Curialium, ed. & trans. M. R. James, The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
Olrik, Axel. 1901. Odinsjægeren. Dania 8, 139-173
Pócs, Éva. 1989. The Night Battles. Translated by John and Anne Tedeschi. Routledge, Ginzburg
Procopius. De Bello Gothico (The Gothic War). Heinemann, (edited by H.B.Dewing), 1914
Schmitt, Jean-Claude. 1994. Ghosts in the Middle Ages, Chicago University Press
Thorpe, Benjamin. 1851. Northern Mythology Volume II, Scandinavian Popular Traditions and Superstitions
Tomoaki. 1999. Othin who presides over the raging army, Iris 18
Unwerth, W. von. 1911. Untersuchungen über Totenkult und Ódinnverehrung bei Nordgermanen und Lappen: mit Excursen zur altnordischen Literaturgeschichte. Breslau: M. & H. Marcus
Anglo Saxon Chronicles. Phoenix, James Ingram, 2012
Germania, Claredon, Tacitus, edited by Anthony Birle, 1999
Fairies and Witches at the Boundary of South-Eastern and Central Europe. Academia Scientarum Fennica,
Notes on the Folk Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, pp. 103-104, Longmans, Green, and Company, 1866
Chapters
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0:00 Introduction
3:10 Orderic Vitalis's Infernal Hunt
5:56 The Wild Hunt has become complex
8:41 The Differing Views to what made up the Hunt
11:32 The Wild Hunt's different Leaders
14:30 King Herla's Hunt
18:38 More Wild Hunt Themes
19:38 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles and Pre-Christian origins
20:37 What was in the procession or army of the dead?
27:30 The problem with Odin being the leader
29:28 What do other historical texts infer?
31:36 An Old Norse version of the hunt
33:49 The Evolution of the Gods
38:42 The Proto Indo European Leader of the Wild Hunt
40:45 The Evolution of Odin
42:14 Summerising the Evidence
46:05 But there is an older story still...
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
Would you like to hear about the specific Wild Hunt stories, or would like me to go deeper into any of the information I talk about?
@That-Google-Guy 3 жыл бұрын
I think hearing specific WH stories would be amazing- I’ll bet most of our experience with TWH is through The Witcher so I would love to hear some more actual folklore about them The story about the priest in the beginning, despite smacking of Christianization, was compelling and exciting. I’m sure there are plenty more and there’s no better storyteller I would rather hear them from
@jmarsh5485 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, another very interesting video. For me, I'd be interested in hearing about more about stories that have developed differently in relation to the centum-satem division you mention.
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
@@jmarsh5485 Yes I really want to discuss this, so definately
@reefverse2553 3 жыл бұрын
I think more facts would be awesome, there is not a ton of info out there especially in video format on the subject
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
@@reefverse2553 Is there any particular part you would like to know more about? More stories, more discussion on the different origins, or the fertility part? Let me know and I'll put that on my list of videos to do :)
@the_mowron 3 жыл бұрын
"But I'll make a video about that soon" has become your signature phrase. You must have a hundred videos coming out "soon" by now. I'll watch them.
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
I've 102 videos i want to make, and will do them all, I promise :)
@That-Google-Guy 3 жыл бұрын
Lol Mow-ron! (Great name btw) The best part is that to my memory he has been following through on those threats! I too will watch every one!
@the_mowron 3 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford Good, I'm not that old yet, I should live long enough to make it to the end of the story.
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
@@the_mowron hahaha
@the_mowron 3 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford I'm being semi-serious. I like listening to the story, and I don't want it to end quickly, but I want to make it to the end.
@FoxBatinaHat 2 жыл бұрын
How about Cernunnos "Lord of Wild things", associated with stags, horned serpents, dogs, bulls. I would believe that (as a Celtic / Pagan) religious deity, which was prevalent in the countries mentioned were Wild-Hunt stories were told. I would certtainly attribute this particular archaic being as the (Dark/tall, figure) in Wild Hunt stories. A Celtic pre-Christianity deity of hunting and fertility. Cernunnos is also interpreted as both a god of death, but also life; As a cycle. Depicted sometimes with a female deity consort (fertility goddess. This to me, is very much on-the-money.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and taking the time to write a great comment.
@wernerlemp1687 2 жыл бұрын
In my opinion, some should also remember the time of the year, the wild hunt appaers. Here in Austria it is in the "Raunächte" the days between the years at modern days christmas. It is the time when the winterstorms blows and people easily freeze to death, when they cant find shelter. It connects with another believe, that some must not hang white Bedgarment out for drying, because he is the damned die be buried in them, because he will die when doing so. So in my opinion, the wild hunt is older than Indoeuropean myth. Wotan or anybody else was then incorporated in this warning of the hazards of wintertime, but the myth itself is about the power of nature an all its animated spirits thät dwell within. Btw, Thanks for all your videos and lectures. This old storys must be kept alive when we dont want to loose our heritage forever!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, and to watch the video. It is appreciated.
@sirseigan 2 жыл бұрын
I was really suprised that the Rig Veda story about the god Indra and his retinue of of dead warriors turned into storm spirits was not mentioned in this video. In that story Indra and his host of warrior-storm-spirits restore the order of time, get the monsune going and restart the year. The paralells to the European Wild Hunt is striking. That also puts an age and a geographic range to the myth. I was also suprised that the detail that the female entity infront of the hunt is sometimes leading the hunt, so etimes being the hunted. In a Danish version she is a Troll-hag that have so long saging breasts that she throws them over her shoulders to be able to run faster. That in turn is a detail that is common in other tales as well. It would also have been interesting to have heard some reflections around the subject of it being part of ritual of a PIE warriorband that in turn can have connections to what became known as Berserker (which would tie in to the slavic "Wolf Sheperd" mentioned in othe comments). The author Dan Davis has done some good videos here on YT about the subject. Still this were a video full of gold nogets for me. Thank you!
@IudiciumInfernalum 2 жыл бұрын
Definitely reminds me of the Koryos as well.
@YahyaKuadzhe 7 ай бұрын
The Danish Troll-hag detail sounds interesting. We have hags in the Circassian Nart Sagas called Neghuch'ytse - they look like hunchbacked, terrifying, ugly old women with wrinkly faces with long, iron teeth who carry their absurdly saggy breasts on their backs thrown over their shoulders. They live in huts deep in the woods, usually alone, sometimes with their daughters. They doom or help people depending on the occasion. They can divine future events and give people advice that will result in catastrophes. They love to feed on human flesh. If one breastfeeds a human, she considers them her child and offers good deals and counsel. I wonder if there's a common source for the two figures. Maybe it's just a coincidence.
@Valdagast 3 жыл бұрын
_An old cowboy went ridin' out one dark and windy day_ _Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way_ _When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows, he saw_ _Plowed through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw_ _Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel_ _Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath you could feel_ _A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky_ _For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry_
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
I like that where's that from?
@Valdagast 3 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford Johnny Cash, Ghost Riders in the Sky.
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
@@Valdagast how did I not know that! I never clicked what is was about! Thank you!
@veronicaevans8134 3 жыл бұрын
The melody to Streets of Larado is the same as The Bard of Armagh which is recognised buy musicologists to be about 4000 years old.
@pheresy1367 3 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford The final stanza of this song transmits a moral message: As the riders leaned on by him, he heard one call his name If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on our range Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride Tryin' to catch the devil herd across these endless skies (Cash's version is the most badass IMHO!)
@My4drums 2 жыл бұрын
Interesting video. 👍 I am from Norway and wanted to let you know Oskorsreia is something which was told about and experienced by people only a couple of generations ago. I personally know of old people who claimed to have experienced oskorsreia. Oskorsreia is also called jolereia or lussireia. Jol being the the Norwegian word for midwinter or Christmas and Lussi being a word which means light. The tradition tells Oskorsreia is dangerous for people who haven’t done all the preparations around Christmas or similar important days. These people could loose their soul when Oskorsreia came. In Norway Oskorsreia is not only an old tale but something which was alive in our culture until not very long ago. In some rural areas older people still believe in Oskorsreia.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you watching the video, and sharing that interesting story. It is very much appreciated, takk.
@Son-of-Tyr 2 жыл бұрын
I'm originally from southern Virginia (USA) and we actually have a similar phenomenon. Crazy.
@sirseigan 2 жыл бұрын
Same in Sweden. We actually still often stay up during Lucia night to avoid be dragged into the hunt (mostly used as an excuse to stay up as a youngster to drink but still). Actually most of our non-christian christmas tradition is connected in some way to invite friendly spirits and make them hapoy and ward off evil/unwanted spirits. And also always be prepared to accept a bigger host of guests of perhaps supernatural nature. Everthing form the christmas ale and excess of food to pine branches before the door... and so on and so on.
@mackereltabbie Жыл бұрын
@@sirseigan Yes! That last part is so important, it's the core of Scandinavian Christmas traditions
@hildepedersen8955 Жыл бұрын
This is so interesting! Also from Norway, the northen parts - and as a child, we were warned about the Lussi - which ment the aurora in the night sky. The elders told us that if we went out and was wearing white clothes, the Lussi would come for us and take us. And it was the most dangerous to do so on the night of St. Lucia if we havent made all the requierd preperations for Christmas.
@DavidLightbringer 2 жыл бұрын
Okay so I’ve watched all of your videos about Odin now, and I’m fascinated by the facet of his composition that originate outside the standard PIE pantheon. Agree it make sense to see Odin as taking the place of Manu; I believe Odin’s primary characteristic is that of shaman, and that’s the same as priest. In fact I believe that shamanism is the link and origin of all these ideas, wild hunt included. Shaman and psychopomp are the same role - traveller between worlds, bridge between living and dead, intercession for the living - so when you talk about the original leader of the hunt, be it human horse rider, therianthropic horse man or wild man, or whatever, as playing a psychopomp role, I’m saying that’s the same as Odin’s role as shaman. Since Odin has not one but two astral projection horses - Sleipnir and Yggdrasil - it’s easy to speculate that all of this horse riding goes back to shamanistic beliefs about spirit horses being the mount of the shaman. A spirit man or wild man riding a horse leading the precession of the dead is too similar; that’s just the shaman communing with the dead, which he does by riding the spirit horse into the sky. Even Heimdallr is really a symbol of Yggdrasil, and so here is another horse man, guarding the crossing over point between realms (psychopomp themes) and blowing the horn, like a leader of a hunt. Really I think the core of all this old mythology is psychedelic usage and spirit travel, meaning, shamanism. Isn’t there a part of your reconstructed PIE creation myth where they use a root of some sort to make potion which is offered to the gods before the dragon slaying? Also relevant are the Santa Claus shamanistic connections. He’s doing a wild hunt in the sky with his reindeer, heavily associated with mushrooms, rides as horse as Sinterclaus, etc etc
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching all these videos, and such a great comment. There is still more to come on Odin, but I have to lay the ground work as it's complex. Hence why I'm talking alot about death, and I'll talk about dogs soon, and death and dogs, and then we can have another look at a different branch of Odin :)
@DavidLightbringer 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford I totally understand that, having a YT channel myself where I lay out elaborate theories about fake history and mythology (A Song of Ice and Fire). I really appreciate the added depth that comes with you taking your time and laying groundwork; I find that when you cover a topic I'm familiar with, you always take it further than other researchers I've seen. YT is always putting pressure on you to make short, snappy content, but there are some things you miss of course, things you can only get to with a bit more patience. Cheers man and keep it up
@DavidLightbringer 2 жыл бұрын
lol I just realized you might be the first KZfaqr I've come across who says "as I explained in this other video" as much as I do, and the same goes for "I'll make a detailed video about this later, but for now, let me tell you that..." I know the struggle my man
@alexiskiri9693 2 жыл бұрын
Love
@alexiskiri9693 2 жыл бұрын
Love the Santa Clause reference. Never thought of it like that but is so true.
@ML-HS 2 жыл бұрын
It's intresting how I always used to link the wild hunt to Norse mythology and never thought it could reach anywhere near the Balkans. Thank you for this video. Splendid work.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching
@papanomidokoro 2 жыл бұрын
Your research on the origins of ancient myths is fascinating!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, this is what I aim to teach and pleased you and others like it.
@dantanner6631 2 жыл бұрын
Amazing video again! As i was going through i was writing a huge list of questions i wanted to ask in the comments but by the end of the video every one had been answered. This is undoubtebly the best channel on youtube 🙌
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for such kind words, they are much appreciated.
@stevesmith1810 2 жыл бұрын
I've just come across your channel recently and I'm just binging the hell out of it. This is fantastic content, man! The amount of depth you go into is great. Thanks!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching the videos, and your kind words. They are much appreciated.
@ryangriffiths4207 2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely love your intro and content, your disclaimer is helpful and humble and happy to come across your channel!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and taking the time to comment. It is appreciated.
@FerretMacabre 2 жыл бұрын
This just recently showed up in my recommended. It was a great video, always enjoy when I hear people talking about Liberman's work. I've taken multiple classes with him and every one of them have been an absolute joy.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
I'm somewhat envious, his mind and memory is amazing. I love his books.
@user-xc9ie1fm9f 2 жыл бұрын
the story of King Herla is very interesting and shares a similarity with some ancient Chinese stories, one of them was like that, once upon a time a man went into mountains to chop some firewoods, he encountered two immortals playing go, he watched the game and by time when the game was over, he found the handle of his axe already rotten, and when he returned from the mountains to the village, he found that decades had passed and his home deserted and none of those he knew was alive
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
What a cool story, I like that. Thank you for watching and for sharing, it is really appreciated.
@sabithasajan5564 Жыл бұрын
Spacetime continuum differences.
@AnnoyedKitten 2 жыл бұрын
Very interesting! Thank you! I am from here on a faithful follower of your channel. This is great stuff! :) All my books in Swedish has so far said that "Naah, this is probably not origin from Scandinavia, it probably comes from the earlier celtic world/germanic world. But they never dived any deeper than this. A fun fact, that you probably know but might be a fun for others to know, is that the stories about the Wild Hunt survived in Scandinavian folklore up until late 19th cent. And there Odins name was often kept, but in some stories he is not a God anymore just an old Viking warrior from a nearby mound, or he is more of a mythical folklore being, not a God but some kind of other being, that is hunting for the Skogsrå (Mistress of the Forest). I find it fascinating how the old Aesir Gods names, like Tor and Oden, have survived into old folklore hundreds for years after we got Christianized. Oh, and btw, you are really nailing a lot of the Scandinavian names and words. Which is not always easy. Great job! :)
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave such a great comment.
@atkkeqnfr 2 жыл бұрын
This is by far the best video on KZfaq about the Wild Hunt. Thank you!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching and commenting. And your kind words.
@gregvondare 2 жыл бұрын
What's fascinating to me is how the purity of the "oldest story" (the hunter, the elk and the sun) becomes baroque in the extreme under the influence of Christianity -- fantastical stories were, after all, the basis of that religion. I believe that giants are a kind of childhood impression of adults who were vastly bigger and taller (and more powerful) than the toddler who looked up at them in awe. Isn't the exact origin of the story beside the point? The "Cosmic Hunt" was probably not told but performed by the tribe's shaman who took on all the parts as well as narrating. I love the detail about the elk's blood coloring the fallen autumn leaves red. That's superb.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and taking the time to share your thoughts, it is appreciated.
@gregvondare 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford -- Jon, I admire your scholarship and the honesty and enthusiasm with which your segments are presented. I am always impressed by the wide-ranging knowledge you bring to every episode. Gaining an understanding of our mutual past is the key to having a global future. Cheers, mate.
@ghefley 3 ай бұрын
Well done... thank you so much for putting this together!
@crayzeedayzee Жыл бұрын
Wow! That was so interesting, a fantastic etymological telling of the Wild Hunt! More please!
@fooshampoo904 Жыл бұрын
Once again i find myself thinking Life Changing. Fascinating and TY
@christinawendorff942 2 жыл бұрын
In parts of Germany you are not allowed to wash your clothes during the 12 holy nights when the "wild Hunt" is under way. Because when the horses trip over the line somebody of your household must join the hunt. And when my grandmother was a child the farmers would let stand some grain (I think it was on the west corner of the field) as fodder for the horses.
@stubbzzz 2 жыл бұрын
This video is awesome. I don’t know how I missed it when it was published. That’s very interesting about the Neolithic ties to Odin’s name is super interesting. I’ve always thought that dark, billowy storm clouds rolling through, and the way the wind wails almost with a human sound, felt like a procession of ghosts passing through. I’m not at all surprised that Neolithic people did too. I can easily see how that universal, primal feeling from the wailing wind and rolling storms would naturally evolve into stories of thundering hooves and stampedes of spirits, led by a madman on the hunt for souls. The Wild Hunt is pretty metal
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching this and taking the time to leave such a great comment. I really appreciate it.
@janicewolk6492 Жыл бұрын
Really beautifully researched. The time and breadth of learning demonstrated by your lectures is a gift to culture. Thank you very much. I studied Slavic Linguistics many, many years ago and the tracing of commonalities in language thru sound changes to Indo-European suppositions is exciting and actually almost mystic. A wonderful area of study.
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and for your very kind words. They are appreciated.
@ergezinger 2 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate your presentation. You manage to share your findings based on your research, without coming off as arrogant, condescending, or preachy. Thank you!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@javikus 2 жыл бұрын
The Wolf Shepherd (also Wolf Shepherd, White King, White King, Wolf King) is the leader of wolves and werewolves, according to ancient Slavic folklore. It goes back to the ancient Indo-European cult of veneration of wolves. According to legend, the wolf shepherd is the ruler of wolves, as well as the lord of stormy thunderstorms. The myths about the wolf shepherd and his retinue are similar to the myths about the Wild Hunt. Also, the figure of the Wolf Shepherd is interpreted as a thunder god. The shepherd uses the wolves as hounds and mounts as he travels to battlefields. According to one of the legends, the wolf shepherd controls the wolves that seek to devour the Sun. So that the wolves obey, he pacifies them with a whip and a club. At its core, it is neither good nor evil, nor even neutral, rather it maintains a balance. The wolf shepherd manages the lives of wolves, protecting them from humans, or humans from them. He assigns tasks and victims to the wolves, he himself often takes part in hunting or battle. It is believed that the victim appointed by the shepherd is inevitably doomed. The shepherd looks different. He can seem like a gray-haired old man, and a wolf. In some legends from Malorossia(little Russia) (one of the names of Ukraine in Russian Empire), the wolf shepherd is the goblin, so one of the incarnations of the shepherd is a goat-like humanoid. Also depicted as a furry man with goat hooves. The shepherd is called in Little Russia and Belarus Polisun, Lesovik. The shepherd was also revered by the Serbs. In some descriptions, the shepherd even has wings. The color of wolf fur is most often white or black for a shepherd. Based on this, it can be understood that the Slavs also had traces of faith in wild hunting. More facts indicate that it was either a Leshiy or Veles / Volos, the god of cattle, storytellers. There was even a tradition in the north of Russia - to put on a bearskin. This is how the priests of Veles dressed. I suppose that in Slavic mythology Veles could play the role of Odin, like his ancient progenitor - Wotan, hunt everyone at night, pursuing the Wild Hunt motif
@sirseigan 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this comment. It put some pieces of a totally different puzzel into place 🙂
@davideddy2672 2 жыл бұрын
Splann, Mur ras dheugh why! 😁
@robinbiddlecombe9202 Жыл бұрын
Good to see your channel catching more views. :) Another fascinating story of stories.
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Thank you, yes, it is having some good days.
@blondedogart Жыл бұрын
I love your videos, always very interesting and well presented
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
@ericferguson6099 3 жыл бұрын
Hey there! Thank you so much for these education and extremely fascinating videos about myth and ancient stories. I had first encountered the Wild Hunt story reading Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Miata of Avalon. It was an aspect of her take on the Arthur Myth that I was unfamiliar with. Thanks to you I have a great take on it!!!!!
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
I will be talking a little about King Arthur in my next video and some very old British mythology :)
@irishgrl 2 жыл бұрын
I just this second wrote the exact same thing, and the very next thing I see is your comment saying the same thing! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who felt this way.
@ericferguson6099 2 жыл бұрын
@@irishgrl good deal!
@jackmendoza6190 2 жыл бұрын
commenting for the algorithm, hoping your stuff gets out there. this was awesome!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching it, and the comment!
@yougottateachyoself Жыл бұрын
Amazing work as always
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@bedal2002 3 жыл бұрын
Amazing. And it is interesting if the Wild Hunt can be connected to The Cosmic Hunt. I am personally most interested in origins, and the possible trace back before PIE is very interesting, but also later influences that change the story according to beliefs and culture in the search for the very most origin. Thanks for the texting, I need that.
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and the kind feedback, it is appreciated
@ctr2090 2 жыл бұрын
Going to the far North tomorrow. Thañks for Info on your channel. ✌👍
@vincentanguoni8938 2 жыл бұрын
A great story teller!!!
@Seraph120 2 жыл бұрын
Your work is appreciated widely
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your kind words, they are appreciated.
@ellerose9164 2 жыл бұрын
Your pronounciation of the German words was funny :D Wilde Jagd = wild hunt Nachtschar = host of the night Totenzug = procession of the dead Wütendes Heer = Furious Army Totenprozession = procession of the dead - so it all seems to be variations of the same thing Anyway, keep up the good work!
@doreilly7689 2 жыл бұрын
as an aging lad with no mates that finds youtube ever more juvenile this channel is such a welcome change of pace
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@ScottJB 2 жыл бұрын
The relationship between the Ancient North Eurasian cosmic hunt, the Indo-European ride of the sun (and moon) across the sky (and underworld) pursued by a predator, the Wild Hunt, and the Eternal Hunt are undoubtedly related themes and have deep roots in the Americas, North Asia, and Europe. This motif fascinates me more than most of Indo-European folklore. One thing I don't know if you mentioned, have you come across the idea that Odin uses the Wild Hunt to recruit Einherjar to his ghost army for Ragnarok?
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
I haven’t covered that, but it sounds like something I should, and I will revisit Odin soon.
@kirkwhite8600 2 жыл бұрын
The song ghost riders in the sky takes inspiration from this myth, one of my favorite Johnny Cash song.
@LtSpiteful 2 жыл бұрын
That was gripping from start to finish.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your kind words, and for watching
@JackMyersPhotography Жыл бұрын
What a wonderful video, I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much. I was looking around to see if there were any great interviews in English, or translated, with Claude Lecoteux and your video turned up among my searches. This video is a fine introduction to the subject of the wild hunt. I wondered if you were going to get around to talking about Hel as the leader of the wild hunt, it’s been years since I’ve read the book, and I can’t recall if maybe she came much later in the history of the hunt?
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Hel was a later adaptation, as whilst the origin is mixed, it does also lay a path for the rise of the Germanic god, Wōðanaz. And yes, I will talk about this more next year.
@TakingMyAngerOutOnYall Жыл бұрын
I hope your life is blessed ty for your videos keep going you have students here.
@realandrewhatfield 2 жыл бұрын
I was blown away by the end of your video! I have theorized that the heart of the Wild Hunt myth is Neolithic in origin. The two base concepts I haven't been able to fully reconcile are the concept that a pack of opponents is inherently terrifying to humans from prehistoric times. First, take most (western) peoples reaction to a video on how a pack of hyenas take down a lion, or how cultures who are still in hunter/gather phase in Africa still hate/hunt hyena's. Taking that as a foundation, and add the similar terror that neolithic farmers must have felt for horse-borne steppe raiders, and I think that you have a foundation for cultures to layer in all types of other myths to create the Wild Hunt. It feels very primal!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and taking the time to write such a well thought out comment. It is appreciated.
@sidneysometimes2520 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Jon, I am mightily late to your videos but utterly hooked. Thank you for the delves and dives you do into all these recondite corners. I wonder what echo/pingback might be found in the Irish stories of the Sluagh or Crom Dubh. The Hunt seems very much primordial and punitive, in all the old 'keep to the straight and narrow' ways of storytelling.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for finding the channel, and liking the videos. I do occasionally jump into Irish Celtic mythology, and so will add these to my list.
@davideddy2672 2 жыл бұрын
Totally!
@Espuri0 2 жыл бұрын
Here in north spain we have the Santa Compaña "company of saints" a procession of the dead leaded by an alive one, dammned to lead the dead until find another alive to switch places and be free from his duty. It happens at night, in the woods... Your video make remember that story.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing that, I love hearing about others memories of such things. Thank you!
@metamutualguruist65 2 жыл бұрын
Thank.you.for your jouenalism, amazing effort & knowledge
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
And thank you for watching
@blackeyedlily 2 жыл бұрын
I enjoy how a fertility version of this story is utilized in the modern saga The Mists of Avalon. In this story a young King Arthur takes part in a ritual based on this myth. He is a young King at the time and the ritual, where he plays the role of the Horned God, is part of his gaining the support of the people who still worship the pre-Christian religion of the natural world. In part of the ritual he unknowingly sleeps with his half-sister, who has become a Mother Goddess priestess. And through this his son Mordred is conceived, who ultimately becomes his downfall.
@EmmetFord 2 жыл бұрын
Very interesting. Thanks for sending me down the Harlequin rabbit hole.
@richarddeese1991 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks. That's a fascinating and informative story. I am at a bit of a loss though, concerning the form of the story as a hunt. I suppose I could wrap my head around it, but only by assuming that it's indicative of the idea that the hunt was such an integral part of life then, that it would be like musicians referring to death as "the great gig in the sky". That is, everything - even death - revolved around the hunt, as it meant survival. Slightly ironic sounding. The thing I find more interesting is how stories connect to one another, and connect us as people, even across great stretches of time. That strikes me as the chief point of history. You are quite good at that, and I much enjoy this channel since I happened upon it. Thanks again. tavi.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and I agree. Hunting was the major activity of man, and was so important that the word "sin" comes from meaning to miss your target. A very, very old word.
@eardwulf785 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford I never would have thought that the origin of the word 'sin' comes from missing the target. That's just super fascinating to me. I'm guessing that the target would have been the prey and an arrow or some type of hunting spear or dart is what would of missed. This is what I love about your content, it inspires me to look further into the subject/s.
@demonia2848 Жыл бұрын
I do like Carlo Ginzburg. His book on the wild hunt certainly influenced Eric de Vries book Hedge Rider.
@Larcey 2 жыл бұрын
Amazing! Thank you!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and for commenting, it supports the channel, and for that I am appreciative.
@walkinghenry7905 Жыл бұрын
I love videos which are well researched and show critical thinking and are also accessible to complete laymen like me. Great stuff. You sound like a West Haaaam supporter which as a Londoner myself, is fine by me.
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
I'm not too far from there! And thanks for watching.
@ChrissieBear 2 жыл бұрын
So, funny story. Many years ago one of the writers of a fantasy game set in a setting in which Earth and many of Earth's gods exist, decided to adapt the Wild Hunt to their setting, but he gave it a fey flair and made the leader of the hunt an antlered god that was invented for the game. When asked if his fictional god was actually Odin in this setting, he said that he had no idea why people would ask that, and when I stepped in and pointed out that Odin was the leader of the hunt in Germanic versions of the myth, he said he had no idea that Odin was associated with the Wild Hunt myths. How I wish I had known all the information in this video back then, it would've been so funny to tell him that Odin most likely originated from the Wild Hunt myth.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and thank you for the comment, it is really pleasing to read such things.
@lewisrobinson3380 2 жыл бұрын
There’s a figure in the caucuses known to the Georgians as Apsat and might be of Oessetian origin of a 1 eyed or blind, elderly and bearded hunter god that lives in the woods.
@yayatheobroma929 Жыл бұрын
19:05 not sure it you mention it later in the video, but in France, the Wild Hunt, mostly called Furious Army (l’Armée furieuse), Great Hunt (la Grande Chasse), or House Hellequin (la Mesnie Hellequin, “mesnie” being an old French word used in the Middle Ages to refer to the people living under a same roof, whether related by blood or not) as far as I can tell, is most often lead by an entity called « le Seigneur Hellequin » (Lord Hellequin). Hellequin sounds like an obvious variation on Harlequin. Hellequin and those who follow him are described as the true stuff of nightmares: decaying corpses in arms, riding decaying horses. In Normandy, they ride at night in specific places, usually forest paths, called “grinvèldes” (grimweld, “grimways”). As the legend goes, the few chosen/cursed ones who can see the Army also see “the seized ones” (les saisis), bad people captured by Hellequin, who will die shortly (and presumably be carried to Hell by Hellequin himself) unless they promptly make amends. There’s an excellent novel by Fred Vargas called “L’Armée Furieuse”, translated into English under the title “The Ghost Riders of Ordebec”, that you might want to read. And the KZfaq channel Occulture has just released a video (in French) about the Wild Hunt, in which they tell the story of one Lord Gallery in South-West France that is another variation on the Wild Hunt myth (evil Lord Gallery would rather hunt on Sundays than go to mass, had eternity to regret it, bad choice, fellows, bad choice!), and even another one, “la Chasse Galerie” derived from in in Quebec (with Iroquois ingredients added to the mix).
@malcolmdarke5299 2 жыл бұрын
One British tradition of the Wild Hunt, at least in Wales, is that Gwyn ap Nudd was its leader. Again there's the psychopomp tradition preceding the Wild Hunt tradition there, although Gwyn ap Nudd was also supposedly king of the fae.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Yes, I have heard of this and I do like the welsh tales.
@shadowpixxi 2 жыл бұрын
Listening to you talk about the Wild Hunt reminds me of the Japanese Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyō). I am not well versed in either but they seem to have similarities. Even if vague.
@rosagapi 2 жыл бұрын
I had never heard of a wild hunt here, very interesting
@EternalBooda 2 жыл бұрын
Hi, layman here. I’ve been listening to this while at work, so I’ve been a little distracted and might have missed something. The wild hunt kind of reminds me of the man out of time trope. The wild hunters seem to symbolize those who haven’t given up their old ways. Changes in technology, changes in the environment, and changes in society, they just can’t adapt to the new life. They want to go out hunt like the old days. In this way, it’s similar to purgatory. The hunters are unable to move on with their lives.
@mjinba07 2 жыл бұрын
Well, an old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw Plowing through the ragged sky And up the cloudy draw Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky He saw the riders coming hard And he heard their mournful cry Yippie-yi-ay (yippie-yi-ay) Yippie-yi-yay (yippie-yi-yay) Ghost riders in the sky Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat He's riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain't caught 'em yet 'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky On horses snorting fire As they ride on hear their cry As the riders passed on by him he heard one call his name If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on our range Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride Trying to catch the devil's herd Across these endless skies Yippie-yi-ay (yippie-yi-ay) Yippie-yi-yay (yippie-yi-yay) You lost a "yippie" there Ghost riders in the sky Ghost riders in the sky
@sabithasajan5564 Жыл бұрын
Your voice is pretty calming.
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@afu357 2 жыл бұрын
Interesting video. I am from baltic region. Baltic pagan religion had a god Velnias, which was the god of undead. In Lihuanian language which is the most archaic indo european language, name Velnias very clearly derives from the word Vėlė, which means an ancestor spirit. So we had this indo european derived god of underworld and the dead, who also was a magician and quite spitefull angry god, a rival to the main baltic gods Dievas and Perkūnas. Velnias also was a trickster god and could shapeshift into all kinds of animals but most often wolfs and dogs. And it is believed that Velnias probably derived from the same god as germanic Wodan antd hindu Varuna, irish god Cū Chulain. Sometimes Velnias was also portraid as one-eyed, another similarity to Odin. Watching this video I noticed a lot of similarities to Velnias who in summary was indo-european, spitfull, angry, shapeshifting god of spirits. He fits very well into wild hunt story especialy considering his powers of shapeshifting. Just to add in fairytails he shapeshifts into wolfs, pigs, snakes, goats, birds and murders people. In lihuanian fairytails he can carry giant rocks and lives in swamps.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for a great comment!
@thephidias 2 жыл бұрын
This tradition is still alive in my family. Particular significance is also given to the dreams you have during those nights.
@allenkinahan6955 Жыл бұрын
The procession make up reminds me of Rudra's marriage procession from the Shiva Purana.
@andycopland3179 2 жыл бұрын
I've read a fair bit on Norse mythology (the Bible according to Loki is a great read for a light introduction that's tongue in cheek humour for those not looking for academic or heavy material) and I'm 20 seconds in going "hmmmm. Gotta see where this goes now." Edit: just seen the videos listed on your channel. That's me entertained for many hours on my night shift.
@jonathanclarke281 3 жыл бұрын
I like the host a lot on the podcast. A Polite educated guy with a nice voice.
@vincentanguoni8938 2 жыл бұрын
This guy is a great narrator! I would need to read a hundred books to understand half of what he is saying!!! Sin embargo..
@shanegooding4839 11 ай бұрын
In Celtic lands they have fairy processions that are often accompanied by furious winds and are also said to lead the dead to the otherworld.
@silasfrisenette9226 2 жыл бұрын
To my knowledge there's a pretty broad acceptance amongst historical linguists that the centum/satem split is formal rather than a historical split of the peoples. The changes into centum and satem seem to be the expected simplification of the far too complicated system of velars (labiovelar, palatovelar and plain velar). Centum and satem is a categorization that states which of the velars stay distinct and which merge, but there's no reason to believe that this split happened once. There are examples of the contrary, such as (I believe) Armenian, which does conserve the three velars in different reflexes (the palatovelars fricativize but the labiovelars also show distinct reflexes from plain velars, which would essentially group it as a centum AND satem language). And a very brief note; centum is with a hard k-sound, to highlight the fricative versus velar reflex of the palatovelar *k' - if it were pronounced centum with an s-sound, then latin would paradoxically appear to be a satem language in that example (to provoke a bit) 😀
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Sorry about the pronunciations, I do dance between so many I often don't know whether to pronounce in a modern day English or what we feel is a age/culture appropriate form. As for the centum/satem split I was working on the shoulders of Lincoln, who justified it through the belief of those speaking it being more primitive and therefore earlier. Thank you for watching and the great feedback :)
@silasfrisenette9226 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford I promise I wouldn't usually correct pronounciation - it is only because the words satem and centum were chosen to show the nature of the split via examples of it, and that's only shown through the old pronounciation of the c centum 😀 I can't speak to the cultural divide between the centum and satem languages, but my bet would be that it had more to do with the geography than a historical split (and in the same way the split could be an areal feature across different branches based on the geographical proxomity rather than, as historical linguists used to think, the branching into a satem and a centum branch. As mentioned I can't say anything about the culture or religion of this division, I only speak with the experience of a student of indoeuropean studies/historical linguistics!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
@@silasfrisenette9226 My studies in linguistics is minimal, with my experience being comparative mythology and religious studies. And so I doo appreciate all feedback, thank you :) I do feel that the centum/satem split, especially with regard the underworld mythology, puts in a good case for it being historical though, which is why I support it. But am always happy to read further papers/books if you feel there is something out there that may help my understanding further.
@silasfrisenette9226 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford perhaps the differing mythos could be explained areally? Something about the stories that were kept being influenced by neighbours or a shift in focus of stories based on environment or similar? I'm not aware of any modern indoeuropeanist (in historical linguistics) who support the split as a binary branching into centum/satem (there may be, but I just can't think of any). I could try to find some papers that argue this, but I don't know how recent they would be, as the general scholarly agreement in the field of historical linguistics is that it was not an actual split of the speakers of PIE into centum and satem 🤔 Interesting that comparative religion has come to a different conclusion though! Do you think stories or language travels more freely across cultures? I'd say stories/myths, but maybe that's naive!
@silasfrisenette9226 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford Fortson, the author of one of the most widely used introduction books in the field ("indoeuropean language and culture") agrees; "For a long time it was thought that the division between centum and satem languages reflected an old dialectal division within IE [...] However, a closer look at the material and some recent discoveries complicate things." He then lists some linguistic arguments for why the changes were made independently and not as part of a dialectal split - Tocharian is further East than any other branch but is centum if it can even be called either centum or satem, Luvian (an Anatolian language) preserves distinct reflexes of all three velar series in some environments, tree satem brances/subbranches shows evidence that the plain velars and labiovelars were still distinct into their later prehistory (Indic, Armenian and especially Albanian), and Balto-Slavic (a satem "branch") have many words which show centum developments. He specifies these arguments in his book, so that's one thing I can refer you to if you want to hear more on the "linguistic side" of this question!
@woodypigeon 9 ай бұрын
Shades of Father Christmas coming through as well..
@piritualisti 3 жыл бұрын
Perfect video to wake up
@ignaz3254 2 жыл бұрын
In swiss alemannic, it is "Wüetis-heer", possibly retaining the name of Woden (the s indicates a genitive case, hinting to the first part of the composite being a name) and equally the connotation of "wüetig" meaning "in rage" or "in frenzy" that reflects in the english "wild". "Heer" means "army" or "warband".
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
I've not heard of Wuetis before, or indeed Wuetis army, but it would make sense if it is linked to the hunt. I'll have to investigate. Thank you for taking the time to comment, it is appreciated.
@TallisKeeton 2 жыл бұрын
Years ago I got a hypothesis about the origin of "wild hunt" in Scandinavian and English versions. I thought about Heruli and their travels. I suspected that it was their kind of invading which added - in the eyes of more "civilised' and "settled" populations - the material to the invention of this story :)
@marvinestone2797 2 жыл бұрын
your voice is so relaxing
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@emilbordon1329 2 жыл бұрын
I think I’ve got most of the books on the shelf behind you.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Very well read then
@brandonmcgill8625 2 жыл бұрын
I have been absolutely enthralled by your videos since I came across your channel last week. I'm particularly interested in this story and its leaders. One thing I'm curious about is why is it believed a possible leader was a man-eating horse?
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
The man eating horse of the wild hunt is just one version of the myth, showing how the animal leading the hunt slowly transformed with time as the motif evolved. I can’t remember the exact source of the reference off the top of my head, but if it comes back to me I will put it here for you. Thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment.
@jenniferbrien3408 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford That sounds like some version of a kelpie. or more particularly the Knucklevee of Orkney, but both of those are associated with the sea or water rather than woods.
@maarakmehdi5294 2 жыл бұрын
Amazing video as always, I subscribed to you yesterday and planning to see or watch your videos daily, quick question : "The cosmic hunt : The oldest story we know" is a book or video or just a topic ?
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you. It is just this video, although there are papers that help support this. I am thinking of making a film or similar about it due to much demand.
@maarakmehdi5294 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford That would be amazing thank you, keep up the good work !
@nobodyatall6620 2 жыл бұрын
You can see where Tolkien got inspiration for his "dark riders"
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Indeed he did! He did borrow a lot from European Mythology.
@pheresy1367 3 жыл бұрын
"no sin involved". I was surprised listening to King Herla's story. He seemed to do everything correctly. There was no "slight" inflicted on anyone, no deception involved, no treachery whatsoever. This king gets lead down this road just by obliging a generous and interesting guest. So, why did this happen? I am used to hearing mythic stories as cautionary and morality tales, or at least involving an interaction that may lead to unexpected tragedy because of unintended disrespect. How could Herla have avoided such a fate? What action could be taken to create a fate more auspicious? Is there another chapter to this tale we are not hearing?
@Crecganford 3 жыл бұрын
Yes! Exactly what I thought when I heard it. So the reason is to do with the author of the story who had some political motivation, albeit towards the King at the time of writing. I'll see if I can remember where I read that and let you know.
@pheresy1367 3 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford Thanks! :)
2 жыл бұрын
Actually, there are still myths being told without a morality element, such as the Norwegian stories of the "Hulder". These are creatures of the forest or underworld who tend to do exactly this. They'll try to lure completely innocent people into their world (possibly inside a mountain), for no particular reason other than they like you or something. If you do go into their home and eat the food they offer, you will be trapped there, possibly forever. (Thus, in the old days, when a child was mysteriously lost, they might say "the Hulder took him/her".) The only way to avoid this fate is to notice that the creatures are not human (the Hulder have tails), and in that case don't eat their food, just leave as soon as possible. The parallels are striking enough that perhaps that's also exactly how Herla could have avoided this fate.
@delamr1 Жыл бұрын
NOTE the amrican cowboy song... GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY.....
@timwrigley102 2 жыл бұрын
I'd love to here you and Mark Norman talk about the Wild Hunt.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
I'm not familiar with Mark's work, but will look him up.
@Emymagdalena 2 жыл бұрын
Halfway through the video it was clicking, this is just like the cosmic hint!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
There are certainly elements that seem to align. Thanks for watching another video, it is appreciated.
@michaelduehring6134 2 жыл бұрын
@crecgenford: Around the 8 minute mark referencing Hutton, you said "the cult of the dead are the go-betweens between man and things." Can you elaborate on that some or point me in the right direction? Seems like a lot to unpack in that idea. Thanks so much! Keep up the great work!
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
I am probably referring to one of two papers by Hutton on the hunt and witches. If you google Hutton and Hunt you should be able to find them. I hope that helps.
@TomKraus Жыл бұрын
The Grimms took a load of folklore which was rooted in mythology. One example that always stood out for me is the story of Frau Holle who shares attributes with Goddesses like Freya. Would love a video with some background into those from you
@Crecganford Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and yes, I have always thought about making a video about Grimm's tales. So one day soon I hope.
@TomKraus Жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford looking forward for it. And thanks for all the great videos. Truly enjoy watching them!
@irishgrl 2 жыл бұрын
My very most favorite recounting of the Hunt is from Marion Zimmer Bradley’s epic work, “Mists of Avalon.” Her telling of it makes the most sense as a combination fertility rite & re-enactment of the cyclical death-rebirth of The God. At least to me.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, and for taking the time to comment. It is appreciated.
@irishgrl 2 жыл бұрын
@@Crecganford Your channel is most enlightening & I’m loving the deep dive into the roots of my past.
@Hero_Of_Old 2 жыл бұрын
Didn't she sexually abuse her children?
@frankd5426 2 жыл бұрын
fantasy authors i know and like that cover these themes to varying degrees. alan garner. wierdstone of brasingamen. moon of gomrath charles de lint. moonheart, spiritwalk etc robert holdstock. mythago wood series i believe aspects of the hunt are also mentioned in shakespeares' midsummer nights dream. with titania and oberon. although i could be mixing up some of my own memories of the story. i have also heard of herne the hunter being linked as huntsmaster i have loved this subject since i read alan garner as a child (8). back in 1978.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Alan Garner has written some fantastic work, I've just read A Voice that Thunders, very interesting. Thank you for watching.
@Valdagast 3 жыл бұрын
Have you read the _Gods of Bronze_ fantasy series? It's a retelling of the Herakles myth set in the Bronze Age (although the twelve labors are not what you think).
@mweskamppp 2 жыл бұрын
I am from central europe, the land of the Grimms. I find the idea convincing, that under a surface of christianity still some layer of the germanic gods and myths were hidden especially with the land folk. Then hunting in a group on horse was a thing only for noble people. Both something the ordinary people had no say in whatsoever. Another thing is there are some stories of a serf who was arrested in a far away area or village where he was not allowed to be, told he was carried there by the wild hunt and totally innocent. Certainly a thing common to the lower classes in certain areas to have some pagan foundation under the christian surface. Serfs were bound to the land of the owner usually but when they ran away and reached a city they were free. "City air makes free". sometimes free to starv to death. The owner of a serf had the duty to look after him somehow (the situation of serfs was different between areas in some they were mere slaves who just owned the clothes they wore in others they could work themselves out of serfdom) - in the city there was no such safety net. Many made a living many failed.
@johnisaacfelipe6357 2 жыл бұрын
Well, the practice of alluding or even referencing pagan folk tales and mythology was actually accepted by the church, so much so that there is a term for it called euhemerism. As long as people believe that that pagan mythology is just that, mythology, and put Christianity as the sole true religion, the church was often very open to pagan literature and writings.
@onikn9138 2 жыл бұрын
Hello, the "as above, so below" theory keeps coming to mind. The branch of knowledge I have focused on is iterations of Graham Hankcocks precessional ideas. The hunt probably has a "heavenly" equivalent. It may even be that an iteration of Trito hunting the three headed serpent may be simmilar. Osirus/Orion "the great hunter" with planets/gods and the constellations following may be a symbol of the hunt. Orpheuus going into the underworld to find his love seems also a story about after the heavens shift due to Precession and his love is no longer in the night sky. Orpheus may transverses the visible night sky and the underworld. Would precession of the equinox over around 26000 years be more academic than not? Maybe mythologies might be able to be theoretically dated due to "as above so below". You've inspired me to get back into research, thank you.
@male272 2 жыл бұрын
I believe in many of these anthro/mythological developments, we have to go back to what the original phenomenon would have presented to witnesses from whence to generate the mythos. There had to be an inexplicable, repeated, series of events, perhaps cyclical, that provided physical and material manifestations to be observed, with the caveat that at that time, and presumably for a period of time that follows, enough to entrench the myth, they could not simply be interpreted. Secondly, these phenomenon had to resemble that which they were being compared to, with a particular note to the adjectives being applied (in this case 'Wild'). From that, we have to observe the environmental conditions and current mythos of the 'witnesses' from which we can determine what elements were welds to graft the phenomenon onto the current perspective. That being done, the next step is critical. Was this phenomenon actually grafted onto a running mythos, or was the mythos of the Hunt predating the running mythos, in which case, observing phenomenon that was consistent despite the 'new model' of running mythos. In my opinion, The Wild Hunt, has a very simple origin in the explanation of thunder storms to the primitive story makers...and as many mythos developed from primitive applications, developed alongside whatever running operative mythos was prevalent, and that due to the rooted tradition from being so elemental.
@lebaronjim4623 2 жыл бұрын
Third time this has been recommended and I just realized its not a Witcher video.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
There is a small group of Witcher fans here, and I must admit I do like the game, but this isn't about the book or the game, but what it is based on, and could be interesting to you.
@timdecleire1792 2 жыл бұрын
Grab your cup of tea, sit down and relax, as you listen in on super interesting stories ! :D
@bennyvangelder7624 2 жыл бұрын
In Scandinavia wednesday is onstag Odin's day, so the d is lost. The d remains in English but is no longer pronounced. In Dutch it is woensdag, Woeden's day, the d also is lost. Woede still means "anger" in Dutch. The 8 legged horse is als know by the Buryats in Siberië. There are other versions of a six legged reindeer. The shaman steed to travel to the afterlife. It seems when and where the horse was domesticated it replaced the reindeer. The Yukagirs call the horse, the domesticated reindeer of the Yakuts. Horse relation as a psychopomp we can find in "nightemare' the ghost horse, a mare, that visits you at night like it was a bad dream.
@vincentanguoni8938 2 жыл бұрын
Occasionally it comes upon me the thought that you could use your knowledge to produce change in the present! Just sayin'
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
I do teach, and so I hope that influences tomorrow's thinkers, and I also hope to have a book published in 2024 on Indo-European Mythology. So in a way I hope I am :)
@Getoffmycloud53 2 жыл бұрын
31:55 is it completely coincidence that the word corrida is similar sounding and has a similar meaning? Corrida is a ride / race, but also bull fight.
@violenceislife1987 2 жыл бұрын
very interested in the centum/ satem split
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
Check out the Ferryman video, as that explains it further.
@davidallard1980 2 жыл бұрын
It's about the sky. The golden nails are the stars, the leader of the hunt with the club is Orion. The three stars in orion's belt and the one just below it were used as a symbol of the leaders, royalty, and were seen by some cultures as a crown. In other cultures the constellation was a hunter. In this story, you find elements of both.
@brewmastermonk9356 Жыл бұрын
I think the Wild Hunt stories started as a description our hunter gatherer ancestors told their kids when they decided to farm. Maybe it's linked to the giant pyramid they found in Europe that had all the animal statues? I'm talking out my butt but maybe our ancestors wanted to keep their traditions alive after too many people required us to settle down.
@kellysouter4381 2 жыл бұрын
The Hurla tale I've heard before but it was Irish. Also the hunt was sometimes in Britain and Ireland said to punish bad people the law couldn't touch, like rich evil lords or those who harmed others but not illegally were caught up say on the way home at night from market or something and the Wild Hunt stood up for poor local people by removing or otherwise punishing the wicked. You are supposed to carry a horseshoe in your pocket to survive it and not look directly at them if you come upon them.
@Crecganford 2 жыл бұрын
That’s a great story, thank you for sharing, and for watching.
@Echowhiskeyone 2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like there are elements of The Wild Hunt in the stories of the Headless Horseman.
@sidneysometimes2520 2 жыл бұрын
Gotta love The Dullahan :)
Epimetheus
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