Indo-European Death and the Goddess of the Grave

[@Crecganford]

Are there any other old videos of mine you would like me to remake?

[@pieternoordenbos]

You're not leaving us are you?

[@ВладимирСоломатин-л4м]

Please give russian subtitles to this video

[@woodypigeon]

How about a video about tea, your tea making practices etc? Tea is a gift from the gods.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

@@woodypigeon - I think tea is too recent, but beverages seen as sacred or of the gods would be interesting. The expression "nectar of the gods," comes to mind.

[@krystynaprzybylska5006]

Only if you noticed that any vids need updates and are far behind on what you've pieced together currently, personally I wouldn't be familiar enough with all the material to be the judge of that, I just love all your work.

[@Crowhag]

"We are all immortal. But we must die first." (Eliade) As always, fascinating video!

[@gaufrid1956]

Jon, it is my great pleasure to be married to a Filipina whose name is Helly. I knew that Hel was the "coverer or hider", and explained to her that her name is usually found most often in Scandinavia. As is often the case with names, there is a story behind her name. Her mother gave birth to her at age 18 in Baungon, Bukidnon Province, Mindanao. An American midwife named Helly delivered her. There is also a twist to the tale of her name, which lines up with the topic of this video. The midwife was killed when hit by a vehicle later the same day my wife Helly was born, and as a result her mother named her in memory of the one who brought her into this world. My wife will be 59 this November, is a polyglot, and a Higaonon baylan. In her tribe, the baylan is the one who is in communication with the spirits, can perform rituals, knows herblore, performs hilot massage, and in the past was also a midwife. I am honoured to be married to her.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Well, I will also be 59 come November, so early HBD to your wife. May she enjoy many more.

[@semaj_5022]

I don't know your wife, but I must say that she is awesome, and it's cool that such an interesting and potentially historically loaded name as she has comes with an equally interesting story. Many happy years to you both!

[@gaufrid1956]

@@semaj_5022 Madakol hu salamat! Thanks very much!

[@leekestner1554]

Sometime you may want to look at the Cadence Calls of the American military. When a great number of Irish immigrants came into the American military the cadence calls were born. The ones that apply to this subject are the ones about The Old Lady. In these marching cadences she is an old lady dressed in battle gear. In one way or another she imparts the soldiers she meets with courage. I believe she is derived from the Irish Morrigan. Morrigan the battle goddess who could also appear as an old woman. She appears in at least 5 different cadences although I only remember one now. "See the Old Lady walking down the street, Rucksack on her back, jump boots on her feet. Say Old Lady where you going to? I'm going to US Airborne School." There is also one called Queen of Battle that I think is linked though it never refers to The Old Lady by name.

[@john-ic5pz]

I didn't know that. that's very interesting! and here I thought it was the Navy boys who were into cross dressing 🤭

[@Jadeserphant]

Wow......., I'm from a military family and my husband retired after 22 years in the Army. I've also studied Irish mythos in depth, in particularly The Morrigan, and I *never* put that together. Thank you! What a wonderful gift!

[@jacquesdespadas]

I remember this cadence. At the time I assumed it was just a story about an old lady shaming the young men into enlisting, but the Morrigan inspiration makes perfect sense. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@leekestner1554]

@@Jadeserphant There is folk song The Green Willow. You can find it recorded by Steeleye Span. It is British or Irish. It has been altered into a cadence also.

[@Jadeserphant]

@@leekestner1554 I love Steeleye Span. I used to sing them and Fairport Convention to my babies when rocking them. My husband called them my "blood thirty Celt music." I told him that I didn't know any lullabies and the boys loved it and at least they came by it honest. Lol. I'll go listen to that one again. Thanks!

[@crypto66]

I envy cultures with such colorful harbingers of the grave. The closest thing we have to a psychopomp in indigenous Philippine beliefs--at least, in Tagalog mythology--is a crocodile with a stone casket on its back. It just shows up, and you either get in the box or in its mouth.

[@werebitch1313]

That actually sounds really cool, though, from an outside perspective, at least!

[@elliejobonney2926]

I like this. Mouth or casket, you're coming with me! Xxx

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

I think I’ll take the box if you don’t mind thanks …

[@demoncore5342]

Makes me think of Egyptians and the weighting of the heart... You could go in to a mouth of a crocodile/hippo/lion hybrid in that scenario.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Crocodile be like “think out of the box” 🐊

[@janerkenbrack3373]

I wonder if the convention of naming children after ancestors is more than just a convenience of society. (I does help keep near relations from breeding). But maybe there is also the idea that when these people are asked about their names, the stories of where the names came from would keep the memory of that person alive, thereby prolonging immortality?

[@Crecganford]

That is a interesting point.

[@robo5013]

The Romans believed that each family had a spirit called a genius where each man got their soul or animating spirit from and when you died that spirit returned to the genius. By naming their sons after famous ancestors they hoped that part of that person's spirit would come from the genius into the newborn and hopefully give them the attributes of the ancestor.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

@@robo5013 Oh, the things we tell ourselves.

[@robo5013]

@@janerkenbrack3373 Don't understand what your remark is supposed to prove other than your ignorance. That is exactly how Roman religion worked. The pantheon of gods such as Jupiter, Mars and Juno were the national Latin gods but were not the personal gods or beliefs of the individual Romans. Each Roman family belonged to a clan, or gens which is the root word for genius. Each family, or clan, had its own genius from which they received the spirit, what we would call a soul, that animated each member of that family. The genius was believed to reside in the Pater Familias, the male head of the household, and was worshiped through him in the house. The father led the worship of the family genius by paying homage to his image, that is what all those busts were for. If a family wasn't wealthy enough to afford a marble bust they would have a portrait painted, if not able to afford that they used a mirror. When the Pater Familias died the next in line was supposed to draw in the father's last breath so that the genius did not escape. If the son was not home his mother would do so and in a religious ceremony transfer the genius to the son when he returned. When Augustus had his statues placed throughout the empire and had the people worship it he instructed them to worship the genius of the Julian clan to strengthen the animating spirit of the imperial family, as he portrayed himself as the father of the Roman state. Maybe after you have studied ancient history for over forty years like I have you can comment on their religion instead of making assumptions based on ignorance.

[@annajensen7360]

I believe a similar practice was done by the norse, (except with a fyglja, animal-shaped guardian spirit, instead of a genius) any recently deceased relative would be "brought back" by naming the next child born in the family after them

[@Deepak_Dhakad]

ig Yama later became god. Because he is considered God of death and everyone fears from his noose. He rides on buffalo. He also has two watchdogs , Sharvara is identified with the constellation Canis Major, and Shyama with Canis Minor; together they guard the gates of the underworld, the domain of Yama. Also Sarama is considered mother of all dogs including those two 4 eyed dogs of Yama. She also helped Indra to fight against Asuras.

[@duckpotat9818]

His full (or other) name is YamaRAJ which has the notion of him being a King. While he may be a deity (a more precise term than god) and is generally called a Deva, he does not live in Devalok just like Shiva and Kali who are also associated with destruction and death. *Raja/Raj/Rajya etc are also related to European words reich, royal, regal, ruler etc.

[@TenguXx]

If the Indo Europeans had no concept of a soul, than what is it that they envisioned as reaching the otherworld? It couldn’t have been their physical body if that was supposed to be returned to the elements.

[@SunduskSagas]

Your mention of ritual sacrifices and their role in maintaining the cosmic balance reminded me of the power of ritual in our personal lives. It's fascinating to see how such ancient practices can be adapted for contemporary spiritual growth.. I know my viewers would benefit from this knowledge. Thanks! 🔥🌙

[@kaarlimakela3413]

A noose or rope ... wait ... consider ... the Lasoo of Truth wielded by Wonder Woman ... beautiful to meet ... 😊

[@tdkokoszka]

There’s a very strange thing going on in Slavic folk tradition where Frau Holle and Cailleach seem to to relate Baba Yaga and her relatives. Including Marena. Whose name contains the Indo-European “-na” ending meaning “Master/ Mistress of” in conjunction with the word for death. But the “Marena” figure can also be a sister of the Dawn. There are countless little hints of her counterpart being “Marya Morning Star” in Slavic charms and stories. But this would make her a daughter or granddaughter of the Holle-like hag figure in many folktales. So there’s a mother and daughter who are hard to distinguish from one another here. Just some observations on Slavic folk traditions.

[@MrDeviathan]

What about Hel peninsula as a place of dead? Why not a word of it? Marena - Marzanna is not only a goddess of death, she’s a goddess of war (cognate with Mars), mother of godly warrior twins praised by ancient Polish anthem - Bogurodzica (Mother of god).

[@yuricrespimandrade-dt2bc]

I find it so amazing the strange coincidence that this very old religion believed that we are part of the cosmos, and now modern science actually proved that we are indeed made out of the cosmos

[@raynotten3013]

About the motif of sacrificing Kings: Interestingly the pre-Viking Swedish Yngling King Domald sacrificed himself as his rule was plagued by famine and distress, hoping to end the time of scarcity. Earlier in the story it was told that he was descended of Odin who came from the eastern steppes. Odin is by Jon White hypothesized to be (partly) Yemo if I’m not mistaken. In any way, the motif of King sacrificing himself to do good to the land is clearly there. In another example, the Gothic King Airmanareiks (whose people also stem from Scandinavia by the way) sacrificed himself as he was unable to effectively protect his peoples lands against the invasion of the Huns.

[@Zumbs]

If I remember my mythology correctly, Odin (and his brothers) kill Ymir and builds the world from his body, incidentally taking on the role of Manu, the priest. But Odin is a very complicated figure, also being the king of the gods, and, therefore, also somewhat a Yemo figure.

[@ZeroGravityFuneral]

@@Zumbs Think of his name. Most high, as high and third.....itll come to you

[@ashleyklump4638]

The name Kolyo made me think of Kore, which is theorized to have become Persephone, wife of Hades. That would be a great follow up to do just the goddess or the evolution of goddesses. Like Aphrodite from Ishtar. 😁

[@hestiathena4917]

I was thinking similarly when he mentioned the Death personification referred to as "Ker" in Ancient Greek. My limited understanding is that "Kore" means "maiden," with no obvious connections to either "old and worn" or "to cover," but language can evolve in odd ways, so if there is some sort of etymological connection further back that would be incredibly interesting.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

Kore was the Maiden aspect for which there is some reason to believe was a later development and that her role as queen of the underworld came first. Hades as a figure did not exist in Mycenaean Greece, yet Persephone (literally, "she who slays") did and appears to have formed a triad with her mother and Poseidon as not the god of the sea but as the cthonic lord earthquakes and altered states of consciousness. I _think_ Persephone is believed to be of Anatolian origin rather than Indo-European.

[@0thepyat0]

Huh. I thought of Kali.

[@javikus]

Забыли упомянуть Мару (Марену). Мара является славянским божеством смерти и стужи, что отчасти связывает её и с похожими функциями Велеса, бога скота и сказителей, который в Балтской мифологии представлен ещё и божеством потустороннего, хтонического мира мёртвых. Балтские и Славянские божества в этом особенно интересны, так как у них ещё нет таким огромных историй, как у Хель, Аида, Танатоса и других божеств смерти. Они сохраняют архаичность, чем и подкупают жителей Восточной Европы.

[@faequeenapril6921]

Same with Celtic and other Germanic cultures. What we have is either inferred or was actually written down later on. Because Indo-European started basically in the Slavic world Ive always wondered how close Slavic pagan beliefs are to the "original" Indo-european beliefs. But what interests me is the agricultural European gods and beliefs and how they got merged with Indo European.

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

Interestingly in Japan, the deity of death is also female (Izanami who died giving birth to the god of fire and became goddess of death by cursing her husband for leaving her in the underworld)

[@kristinamanion2236]

Your section on fame being immortality makes me give second thought to all the people who chase fame today. But it also makes me wonder if that is what the cultures who have ancestor worship are all about. So long as the family continues and someone remembers your name, you have not truly died. Just pondering. Fascinating video. Thank you.

[@Emymagdalena]

23:14 This is very similar to a Neolithic Venus figurine that is the typical voluptuous body in the front, but in the back her ribs are showing and she looks more like a skeleton. It’s from the Çatalhöyük 2005 Archive Report if you want to go digging for it.

[@leekestner1554]

I would like to hear your thoughts on the Brothers Grimm collected story "The Gingerbread Man". Because here is a story about life as a cookie who finally meets the Psychopomp the Fox and they cross the River and he is eaten by the Fox. But that is OK because he was a cookie and cookies are supposed to be eaten.

[@Crecganford]

I will do a series on Folklore next year, and I'll make sure I'll cover this.

[@Noeaskr]

One thing about Manu and Yemo, after some thought I’m wondering if the cow is symbolic for the earth. In Germania it says tuisto was born of the earth and this symbolic association makes sense if it’s true. Cattle were associated with wealth and resources, so the two first people suckling on a cow/using the earth is an interesting take. Then from Yemo’s sacrifice the world is given vegetation and additional features. The story might have been thought to repeat with some koryos moving to a new land/cow, taking its resources and founding new villages. The Romulus and Remus story being one of them. Anyway it’s a weird thought by seems worth mentioning.

[@Crecganford]

The cow’s purpose does vary in different cultures, but I feel the Germanic view is probably close to the oldest.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Noose? My mind went to the bog body man who was a manicured, prepared sacrifice wearing a noose. 😮

[@kaarlimakela3413]

The more I know about these past beliefs recombining and growing apart organically ... the more I know the details, the more I am nauseated by the modern culture-bound churches with their delusion of uniqueness, superiority, and exceptionalism. Just as I suspected as a kid, they don't even know what they're doing, why they're doing it or where it started or came from. - writers live on. Enheduanna, Homer, Twain, King ...

[@howardhavardramberg333]

I love this channel so much, thank you for your hard work sir!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much.

[@ВладимирСоломатин-л4м]

​@@Crecganfordplease do video about basque mithology

[@zoobee]

the reverence of the cow in Hinduism is surely linked to the creation myth of the Indo-Europeans, carried down thousands of years

[@Crecganford]

It is, and I have talked about this many times.

[@claudia.k.g.1271]

Hell is a German word - old and modern German - and it means 'light' and 'illumniated'. Today, hell however is 'hölle' in German. A term which derived from 'Holle', aka Frau Holle. In Grimm's fairy tale she is the Holy Ruler of the other world, reigning over the seasons. For the old ones she was also the one who would rise from the otherworld along with her army of the dead and roam through the skies during the 12 days between the old year and the beginning of the New Year. The transition from 'Kel' to 'hel' is still visible in the German word 'Keller' meaning 'basement'.

[@tupacca5136]

This is the best channel to fall asleep to. The content is so interesting, so I actively try to stay up, but your voice is so soft and soothing. It's win-win.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you, I think!

[@tupacca5136]

Haha, trust me, that's not a sleight. Anything I miss, I just finish up the next night. It may take some time, but I eventually get through them. It's like falling asleep to a good book. Keep up the great work!@@Crecganford

[@prettybyaccident]

That's how I use these videos too! Whatever I fall asleep to and miss I listen to in the morning with my tea!

[@StephenRichmond89]

Just trying to hold the big archetype characters in my head here, I realise precision is impossible in this field but, broadly, we've got "1st priest/connected with death but not quite king of THE underworld", Odin in the later period in the west and all the way back in time and in the middle East that would be Enki. A weird transition but let's roll past that. There's the one who gets sacrificed who does end up king of the underworld but in both of the examples I gave, Norse and Sumarian, he is eclipsed by the female figure of the underworld, which is who this video is about. So that's three underworld related figures. Then there's also the Queen of Heaven young sexy version we tend to know as Venus/Aphrodite, plus a storm/sky God type figure who is sometimes good (at least nominally, he never seems THAT good to me) and sometimes bad and then the hero son of either 1st Priest/wizard guy who would be Thor/Marduk OR he's a warrior god son of the storm guy Ares/Yaweh. So that's six. Plus the two parents salt/fresh water and I feel like there's at least one other female archetype in there who is a little wiser/related to magic and prophesy/less self centred? So 8/9 characters. Is that basically the family tree? I'm trying to do the abstracted version and not any one mythology. Although that may be a silly thing to do that doesn't actually make sense as an undertaking.

[@johnfitzgerald-kelly4359]

Do psychedelics pop up? Kykeon, soma, mushrooms? I'm from Ireland and Halloween happens right at the peak of mushroom season.

[@JeSTeR-X1o]

Don't pay the ferryman,until he gets you to the other side,lol, I'm Irish through n through and my family still pits coins on our deads eyes just before we close the coffin to pay the ferryman,it's an old pagan tradition

[@planig24]

Of all the depictions of afterlives in Pirates of the Caribbean, I had no idea Calypso being released of her earthly bonds was yet another displayed.

[@ClarkyClark]

As a father and employee, i can understand the appeal of an afterlife that's just rest. Not looking for a paradise, just some peace and quiet. I feel things haven't changed in several thousand years 😂

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Rick Veda - lesser known brother of Darth Veda

[@losttreker9449]

😂

[@Baptized_in_Fire.]

The most deep and brilliant thing you got at here was that the underworld is only light. Nothing else. Counterspace, æther/ether, etc. It is true in more contexts than just the scope of this video. It is a core truth echoed through many great and ancient stories, writings, and traditions. I found this video truly inspired and helpful in my own journey of understanding. Thank you kindly, Jon.

[@ObsidianSouls]

Oh Ozymandias... All crumbles into sand and dust.

[@igoldenknight2169]

The material substance itself is eternal, and we are made of that same substance. We are eternal. Beautiful

[@dougdoug5949]

I always think that "fame" could be the opposite of "fate" in the PIE / Germanic / Norse culture. As in our Story is already written, but only we can make it Memorable, so reaching immortality.

[@MrBlazingup420]

Setanta means "He who knows the way", the name of The Hound of Ulster, the meaning of my "Son of the Hound of Ulster", Weylyn means Son of the Wolf, Waylon meaning "land beside the road". They say dogs know their way home, will travail miles to get back.

[@MrBlazingup420]

Wayland definition: a smith , artificer , and king of the elves, where is the land of elves?

[@kisaia]

Hecate in Greek myths is associated with dogs , and she is the one who witnessed Hades stealing Persephone.I know I'm assuming, but I think this would mean she was near the entrance of Hades's land. I wonder if this some remnant of ancient Kolyo beliefs. Hecate is also associated with crossroads and liminality, which would fit with the idea of bring someone from life through the threshold to the Lord of the Death. Just musing. Excellent video and research as always.

[@godskingssages4724]

Hecate was originally a solar dawn goddess. She did not become associated with the Moon until the late BCE period.

[@kisaia]

@@godskingssages4724 Interesting I never heard that before! I can't find a reference to this online with a quick search. could you please share your reference? I want to read further on this.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Be the change you want to see… is the message I’m taking away from this. Thank you. ✌️💗🤘

[@demmimorelle4654]

Great video, as usual......but geez Jono, go and get some decent sleep will you!!!💚

[@Crecganford]

Yes! I noticed that when watching this back earlier, I have bags under my eyes! It's been a busy week term starts tomorrow... and then I'll get back to normal sleep patterns.

[@jamesallison4875]

Thanks, professor! I’m so happy to have found you.

[@JKS_Crafting]

Subs text Ferry Man out with the spelling Fairy Man, which I think is splendid! It makes the transition of death a bit more jolly!

[@Crecganford]

I checked all the other figures name except that one! Doh!

[@elimorris2273]

As interesting as I see, it is your mannerisms towards human sacrifice. Say more than this whole video has in

[@user-kb2mi2qv9x]

I love that you revisited Kolyo! Ive been interested in her since I saw your original video on her. Im trying to find the Güntert work so I can learn a bit more about her and her cognates myself, but I've only been able to find the German version. Where did you find the English version? Or did you just read the original German version?

[@jeplica7011]

When my eyes look at the sun, it triggers a sneeze,, a light sneeze. Im still alive after that happens, everyday its evolved from being in darkness for too long.

[@Mahablast]

Oops never finished this so here I am

[@zanderisamazing5043]

The most fascinating part is that I have read an idea, can't confirm if it's fully scientifically proven, is that there is a finite amount of matter in the universe meaning that the matter does get redispersed. The author suggested that there is an amount of matter from Einstein in all of us

[@Userinterfaceexperience]

34:26 Reminds me of the Bible with “many mansions”

[@WickedFelina]

According to the Vedas there is only ONE God. They believe that God isn't "in" everything, God "IS" everything. This would mean that there is "NOTHING but God." Nothing outside of, and nothing apart from. So, there is no need for sacrifice to send anything back so creation can continue. It is a very deep thought which gives you pause. There is nowhere to leave to find God, and there is no way to lose God. Suddenly, you are at peace being fully contented with all that is needed for existence because NOTHING is needed. Just a different way of looking at what you are saying which brings a different outcome. Problem is, only the Brahmins were educated on reading, writing therefore, understanding the Vedas. Lots of misunderstanding came because ppl could not read or were educated in what the Vedas actually said.

[@iannmiller]

Nice KZbin trophy 🏆!

[@amn1308]

My Bible doesn't say Hel anywhere in it. Sheol and Hades are, although in at least one passage hades is used literally as "underground" so why assume the other times weren't?

[@Crecganford]

I guess it depends on the translation of the bible, as Sheol can be translated as Hell and so could appear tens of times within it.

[@amn1308]

That's fair, and regardless it was a good video, just had to give my two cents.

[@ThatGuy-mj6jm]

Video - Pearl Jam - Do The Evolution

[@jurajchobot]

Lol, I thought it's a sick EDM playlist 😅

[@Egilhelmson]

The Jewish word for the Underworld is “Sheol”, the Roman one was “Dis”, the Hellenic/Greek word was “Hades”. These have nothing to do with the Germanic “Hel”, just as it differs in any non-Germanic tongue.

[@Huorfern]

In the video he literally describes how 'Hel' also originates from another word 'Kel' / 'Kolyo' - as different cultures form, mix and dissipate language always changes. Shoel is actually still very close to it as 'sh', 'ch', 'k', 'kh', 'h' often evolve into each other. The Roman Dis comes most likely just from shortening Hellenic Hades as almost everything in early Rome derives either from the Greek settlers in Italy or the local tribes mainly Etruscans of which there is comparatively very little to know from the time. Now how Hades came to be hades is much more interesting and shame there was thing called the Bronce Age Collapse (or the '1st dark age' if you like that more). But there are hints of a young beautiful death goddess either unnamed or whose name is unspeakable and she was likely consolidated into later Persephone.

[@SirBedevereTheWise]

Damn.... ok i fked up. I grabbed a cup of coffee and got ready, started your post, realized you said tea, not coffee 🤦🏼‍♂️ ok ill get it right next time 🤞🍀

[@Crecganford]

Coffee is ok, doubly so for my American friends.

[@werebitch1313]

"When the first living thing was born, I was there waiting. When the last living thing dies, my work here will be done. I'll put the chairs on the tables, turn off the lights, & lock the universe up behind me when I leave." - Death of the Endless, "The Sandman."

[@theCommentDevil]

A river boundary in the underworld must be some archetype or something its so common and its always how ive pictured the underworld: A small river, or creek, that must be waded or crossed over to reach a shady tree or grove. Its deeply impressed into my mind

[@godskingssages4724]

The Waters are seen as the primordial source of everything. There are terrestrial waters, subterranean water, and cosmic waters. So that is why Poseidon was originally symbolized by horses emerging from the waters. The Dawn Goddess emerged from The waters so the water goddesss like Danu/Anu, Anahita, aditi, etc are the primordial cosmic waters.

[@kittykat6421]

Stay safe out there in the world! :)

[@user-kb2mi2qv9x]

I love that you revisited Kolyo! Ive been interested in her since I saw your original video on her. Im trying to find the Güntert work so I can learn a bit more about her and her cognates myself, but I've only been able to find the German version. Where did you find the English version? Or did you just read the original German version?

[@Crecganford]

I read the German version, although I am working on a way to translate these texts more accurately so I can put them in the mythology database.

[@BlorkTDork]

I learned the coolest new word today psycopomp

[@grahamking1242]

Please can you tell me if you have a video or thoughts about the proto-Indo-European influence on Japanese mythology and the warrior culture that developed there (eg kofun/ kurgan burials and the Way of the Horse and Bow)?

[@Crecganford]

I don’t, I only mention Japanese mythology occasionally in passing. If this is something that enough people want I am happy to make a video about it.

[@EmL-kg5gn]

I’d be interested!

[@3lloGuvner]

One thing I'm curious about, how do figures like utnapishtim, mortal men who achieved or were granted immortality, fit into this?

[@drzewowit]

You did not explain: If there was no concept of soul in the potoindoeuropean mythology, then what was captured by Kolyo?

[@Crecganford]

This varies, but in the earliest traditions then you could think of it as the body itself at burial. And this raises an interesting point I have not yet discussed, which is that in which case, sacrificial victims did not go to the Otherworld, they went straight into replenishing the cosmos. And I will talk more about this in a future video.

[@elizabethdavis1696]

When you talk about the Indo European people are you also talking about the bell beaker people?

[@stephaniecrease4287]

Go to creganford Playlist he has one called who are the indo European he talks about the migration and culture amazing video!

[@Crecganford]

The Bell Beaker people were influenced by Indo-European culture.

[@darren.mcauliffe]

Annoyingly the subtitles are over the text telling me what you're reading. Makes it hard to find the text for myself.

[@Crecganford]

Yes, sorry about that, I will amend the description tonight to include all the passages. I made a mistake and accidentally hard coded subtitles.

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

it is interesting how similar to modern laws of physics some of the principles of indo-european religion are. the world being created from the spreading of an individual thing (the big bang coming from a singularity), the indestructability of matter and so on.

[@slappy8941]

I wonder if there's a connection between Hel and Kali?

[@Crecganford]

I’m not sure there is a direct connection.

[@maggan82]

Etymology indicates there is...

[@chroniclesoflucifer]

Hearing their belief in ritual sacrifice was for balance might sound scary to us now. Probably no different than devout Christians who believe they need to sacrifice their time & energy for glory to their god. So many concepts, gonna have to watch it again! 😊❤

[@lbr88x30]

The Abrahamic God sacrificed his only son, the sacrement of Communion.....

[@godskingssages4724]

The Western Europeans sacrificed millions of native Americans to their Abrahamic God.

[@WickedFelina]

I'm very interested (as always) in what you say but I can't get past the thumbnail - Do you really think she had hair like that? I'm confused. Just asking?

[@Crecganford]

She was considered a beautiful woman, and so it is a possibility.

[@erikthalman]

"Goddess of Death, wohoo, let's go!" she shouted, fist in the air. 🤣

[@elliejobonney2926]

YeeAaa!@!

[@krystynaprzybylska5006]

Have you looked into Romanian Witch practices? When someone dies, a bridge is made across a stream for them and what happens to the bridge over the year informs the living if the individual was good in life and accepted across or not and if any further rituals need to be performed and I'm sure there are more traditions around all that. Makes me think of the Ferryman and land of the dead being separated from the living by water except that this is a living folk tradition of the myths and stories.

[@Crecganford]

Yes, it definitely is related, and possibly influenced from a later migration from the East as we see this is much of Romanian and Hungarian folklore.

[@musicsubicandcebu1774]

Thanks for this. I think there's too much bass on your mic, making it hard to listen to for very long.

[@Crecganford]

I just have a deep voice, as I do not add any bass, this is just as I sound.

[@Covah86]

First!

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

These videos are eye opening to my own inner/sub-conciousness... it speaks in signs I was barely able o understand... and now, I'm slowly coming to listen. THANK YOU.

[@jensboettiger5286]

There is an old unspecified Celtic idol in the graveyard in my mother's hometown in Germany. The plaque says unknown Celtic deity. It's very weathered and fairly crude. It has no back, only two fronts that are identical, two large horns (maybe?) or protrusions around the head, and one arm carved across the belly both times (since the deity has no back). Do you have any idea who this could be meant to represent? If you Google Holzgerlingen Idol it's the first result.

[@Crecganford]

I think that looks like a modern representation of a figure at first glance, but the lack of other imagery around it really makes any kind of identification difficult.

[@jensboettiger5286]

@@Crecganford Ok thanks for checking. It made it into a display at the British Museum and it's claimed it to be 5-400 BC on the image text where I can find anything, but I don't know what it's based on.

[@rustyshackleford2841]

Is that library behind you a fake? If not it looks really nice!

[@Crecganford]

It's my library, and its very much real.

[@Ashley-tz2ww]

I absolutely love you! Thank you for all of your wonderful work ❤

[@Crecganford]

Thank you!

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

I really enjoy your deep dives into reconstructed PIE culture and language, but I feel like you are somewhat less careful with your analysis of modern religions. For instance, your assertion that Christians (modern or otherwise) believe that hell is a physical place located under the earth is baffling and makes me wonder to what extent the religions of our ancestors likewise might have used figurative terms to point to abstract concepts and we just don't have sufficient context from the outside to understand where those lines were for them. Of course, that's even assuming there was more uniformity of understanding of religion than there is today. My point is just to ask for you to be mindful when mentioning living religions and their beliefs. Obviously, you don't have to take notice of this comment, much less consider my request, but my hope is that by my being respectful, if you happen to see this, you won't feel attacked and might be more likely to consider it.

[@Crecganford]

It's a good point, and amongst the Abrahamic religions there are many contradictory beliefs. So whilst some do believe me statement, some do not, and so I will try to be more cognizant of this issue when talking rather than always assuming the popular view is correct.

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

@@Crecganford Thank you for your gracious response! I really do love your videos and appreciate what you and your team share!

[@alia7368]

I want to thank you for creating your own edited Closed Captions! I'm so thrilled for this. 🤘

[@Crecganford]

Yes, I always do but normally upload them to KZbin, but I made a "mistake" of hard coding them in the video as well. I hope not too many people mind.

[@realandrewhatfield]

@@Crecganford I do hope we can return to not hard-coding them. I find myself reading along rather than thinking about the topics discussed. It is nice to have the option when in a noisy environment. I guess I could just listen and not watch, but I do enjoy the art that you use as visual aids.

[@alia7368]

@@Crecganford I absolutely appreciate your efforts to go so far. It has made my mates feel more accessible to your content, especially when they do not speak English well.

[@JustAnAdjunct]

Wait, first you said they didn't believe in a soul and that death to them was returning material to the cosmos. Yet the consciousnesses of the deceased continues to live in a mirror-world created by Yemo, the first being to die. Is this continued existence non-material and eternal? Does the consciousness of the deceased exist in the other-world as material being, meaning there is no return of mater to the cosmos after all? The way I make this consistent in my head is that death isn't an instant, it is a long process of decay governed by Kolyo. During this process the person is still very much a physical thing - the remains in the grave which are slowly being reabsorbed into the cosmos. The consciousness (breath) can wander and visit the world of the dead (Yemo's realm), but it is still tethered to the body, for as long as it takes for it to decay completely. So the afterlife isn't so much a promise of paradise for the PIE people as you said, it's more about reassuring people that they won't feel pain, discomfort or boredom while they rot in the ground. What awaits them is a nice dream. This also means that a corpse isn't truly completely dead. Rather it should be though of as dying, for years or centuries. Meaning if for whatever reason Kolyo stops binding the deceased during the decay process, that person will be able to rise again.

[@0thepyat0]

How interesting that Kolyo fits the description of a huldra. Regarding the fetter around the feet by which she drags the dead, might it have been woven from the ancient association between women as portals through which death enters life and life enters death and as the spinners, measurers, and cutters of a life, per the Norns and Fates? In one of the earliest northern magical texts, a collection of spells from Merseberg, Germany, the idisi* are described as sitting together while the warriors fight, some fastening the bonds that paralyse the enemy, some holding them back, and some pulling open the bonds that the foe’s protectors have attempted to fasten on their own men. In a similar vein, some traditions through the 19th century made a household untie, unstring, and loosen every item near a woman in labor. And with hand-fasting, tying the hands of a couple together to symbolize their union, perhaps the binding is similarly seen as one's life. According to folk belief, the intercalary period was the time when spirits of the deceased returned to the family home. Emily Lyle associates the three Dumézilian functions (three sons) with the three seasons, priests with spring, warriors with summer and food producers with winter (1990:4,86), just as you mention in another video. Then she combines the three into a four-part whole, with their mother, an overarching woman, representing an intercalary period (seen in many ancient calendars) as well as the entire year. This intercalary period in the winter, when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, is equated with Eliade’s period of eternal return when the old again is regenerated. (What Goes Around Comes Around) This mother figure is often depicted as holding a chain. Among northern peoples like the Inuit, women have been quite literally the holders of the door between life and death, for they are the ones who sew the sealskins to create clothes and watercraft that seal out the cold and wet. *In Germanic mythology, an idis (Old Saxon, plural idisi) is a divine female being. Idis is cognate to Old High German itis and Old English ides, meaning 'well-respected and dignified woman.' Connections have been assumed or theorized between the idisi and the North Germanic dísir; female beings associated with fate, as well as the amended place name Idistaviso.

[@destructionindustries1987]

The grave is the veil

[@Ashley-tz2ww]

I LOVE YOU!!!!

[@fender282]

Excellent analysis, well put. Heroes, Epic stories and immortality. Haven't thought about it like that for years. Thanks. I wonder what some of the autocrats of today will end up being portrayed as?

[@allegralikessunnydays1704]

Breath going to the wind is a beautiful idea, your loved ones would be with you, bring the rain and maybe show displeasure through strong winds that blow stuff over. Thanks for the knowledge. Have a great evening.

[@dragongirlguitar]

I appreciate your videos. Ive been on a history spree for years bow. I studied philosophy and religion as a young man. But we never got into the nordics, PIE or any if that. Much respect to people like you!

[@raynotten3013]

I was once in Indonesia on a dark road in a traffic accident attributed to the demon named Kuntilanak - beautiful from the front but rotting and bleeding from the back, which reminds me of Hel, except there she really is considered to be malevolent

[@emZee1994]

IMO the Indo-European Life-Force just sounds like another word for a Soul to me. I'm not sure it's accurate to say they didn't believe in souls. They just had a different understanding of what a soul is

[@PlanetDeLaTourette]

Section 3, cosmology, is largely true for Egypt, as well. Influence? Or just the simple notion that breathing is important to existence. A bunch of simple, direct, associations. The bible seems to be a great iconoclastic action. Clearing the pantheon and mystical forces. But good and evil stil stands. God is peaches. So why the thorny bushes, drought, cold wind and pain? This is obviously a central theme in the set up. It aught not to be so! My theory about this tension in existence is that every entity in evolution always is always in between glory and horror. As human beings we can almost reach out and touch paradise. This could have been good. Largely. We drink the wine, sit in the sun and watch the beautiful women. It's great. But our comfort can be wiped away in a day, in a second. Monday. Plowing the field. Add to that the cyclical processes of growth and decay, seasons, night & day, and you've got yourself some seriously dualistic contemplation. We are quite perceptive apes. This is the crap you get somewhere in spacetime. And fantasies about utopia. If that perpetual motion machine would work for a day... I think the goddess of death can be re-framed as a wisdom goddess. A spiritual concept and not a physical death. Christians speak of being born again. Others of ego death. Often associated with a bringing into balance. Negativity and positivity. What that act is seems to be unclear. Zone out in neutrality, force a smile upon my face or fight negativity? In the bible and other beliefs there is a distinction between moral and materialistic types. More dual framework. Also a reality. We all appreciate wisdom when we see it, mostly when the enlightened bastard is dead. That always makes it easier. There is something to wisdom. It is my belief, understanding a nihilistic overwhelming universe and weird evolution of a gazillion minds, the graveyard we walk upon. Wisdom is commitment. Not believing in (possible) wisdom is being that nihilistic universe. What does that get us? Entropy enough around here. I think people have been in touch with profound fundamental questions about existence for a long time. Simple questions, in the end. First questions, actually. At the heart of the insight we often find a woman, continuation of life (as the snake implies continuation). Wisdom brings continuation. Foolishness brings decay. We have A.I. but society is mostly in a struggle with the primal questions. The phenomenon of wisdom is a story. Something people noticed, like breathing. We found ourselves to not be entirely stupid. It helps.

[@fylmysynemlow5738]

I wonder if Kolyo is etymologically linked to the Cornish/Breton/Welsh Ankow/Ankou/Ankau the personification of death/death's henchman, if so that would be a gender reversal, also kolyo's association with water and crossing between worlds makes me think of the lady of the lake from Arthurian legend

[@rachmondhoward2125]

She is many things. In Hinduism she is Kali and Sati. Kalyo is just a change of Kali. She is actually an androgynous (a he/she) cosmological being. Heli is a letter change of Kali and with the letter “a” replaced with an “e”. The modern western version of her name is Kelly. Is Islam, she becomes, Ali with the drop of the letter K. She is one version of Mary mother of Christ and Mary Magdalene. She is the great whore and eternal virgin. Also king and queen, Prince and princess. Her name as you suggest means “Covered” should be better translated as the veiled one or hidden one. She is often mixed up with the cow goddess (birth mother of the warrior or farmer or shepherd with many more aliases) and the real birth mother of the divine son (who is sometimes represented as rebirth/resurrected or reborn warrior/farmer/shepherd) and she becomes the hand maiden or just maiden. These three cosmic females are often represented as a female trinity, like the three Dianas or three Marys. All these ideas are derived from real night-sky images.

[@TheSweeeeeetz]

The bass is super high. My speaker just humming through to the other room. Something changed ??😢

[@Crecganford]

I'm sorry to hear that, I haven't changed anything, and I don't add bass.... so I'm not sure what has happened. But I'll double check all is good for my next video.

[@godskingssages4724]

Same. Its unlistenable

[@BearsArms45]

This did sound interesting, unfortunately I’m not ethnic English and don’t drink tea so I couldn’t have a seat and watch as per his instructions. My ethnically Germanic self had to grab a beer and watch survive the jive instead. 😭 Jk. I took the high road, heeded information about genetics, adopted the umbrella term of Huwyte and watched both videos.

[@xiana.6322]

Thanks!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much, your support is so very much appreciated. Thank you!

[@edgarperezlfwl]

This Video and Mud Fossil University. 2 pieces of a 1000 piece Jig Saw Puzzle.

[@yohanrives3752]

Does it mean that the irish cailleach had the same role?

[@Crecganford]

I'm not sure she is, as I'm not sure she was a psychopomp. Although if there are myths out there that place her as that, then maybe there was some cross-over.

[@OneOnOne1162]

Hi Crecganford, I've been watching your videos for a few days now and I find them very interesting and informative. I'm a writer and I'm currently writing a story which involves an important (fictional) cosmogonic myth and variations of it. I really want to get this myth right and make it realistic. And your videos have been helpful in this regard. That being said, nothing beats being able to ask direct questions. So I just wanted to ask you the following question: What are important things to consider when thinking about how and why a myth changes over time? Not sure if you'll see this comment and I fully understand if you're too busy to answer, but if you have the time I'd really aprpeciate it and it would be tremendously helpful to me.

[@Crecganford]

I only have time for a short answer here, and it is that environment and social needs are the main drivers for the evolution of myth, e.g. when people migrate to a new geographic region, or the key drivers of an economy alter, then myth changes to match these.

[@OneOnOne1162]

@@Crecganford First, I want to thank you very much for the (very fast) answer and it's certainly useful (and that definitely was in line with what I've taken away from your videos so far). Second, since you don't have the time for a longer answer here (and I absolutely understand that) is there any way that I could get a longer answer somewhere else (such as via mail) at a time that's convenient for you? Or if not, any specific source that you can point me to that gives a good, detailed overview of this topic specifically?

[@elimorris2273]

I feel and I felt for a long time. That I am a tester Much like a seeker or a watcher chasing the truth. And I can't help but notice. That when you die, you go back to the universe. And everything else does because we're all made of the same stuff on a molecular level. Show oh, what's the point in sacrificing something to put it back to a universe that it's already in and part of. Is craziness The answer... Just sptting it out like I see it. It's because man must try to be what man's image in his head of God is and try to put things into a universe that's already there. By moving around the parts that are already there. Pretending they've put them there. When all they did was harm something to change something that was good to change on its own. For their god fuck them and their god I think yes that is it

[@BillyKieseling]

Hi John BostonBilly here, lost my phone. I remember reading a long long time ago that when Zues freed the cyclops, they gave three gifts trident Poseidon, thunderbolt Zues, and helm of darkness or invisibility for Hades. But I also read that even though he was the master of Hades even he was not allowed too leave the underworld so the helm made it easier for him. But when I said it I was told off and told after the titanomachy they drew straws n then split the three treasures. But I remember it was because of these 3 specific weapons helped them win the war. The hekotokeres had the 50 or 100 arms plus were gigantic so they threw so many stones it wore down chronos to wear the thunderbolt did end it.... But u tell me please ❤❤