Our Oldest Gods: The origins of Venus

Venus is one of the oldest and most beloved deities of all time. From her earliest beginnings rising from the communities of Neolithic Farmers, to her evolution into the Greek goddess Aphrodite, and her eventual worship as the Roman goddess Venus, this video will take you on a journey through time and across cultures.
Podcast Link
► Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/53wSQkk...
Social Media:
► Twitter: / crecganford
► Instagram: / crecganford
► Facebook Fan Page: / crecganford
Patreon:
► Join the Patreon: » / crecganford
Contact:
► Send Mail to: » [e-mail]
► Business enquires: » [e-mail] (Business Inquiries ONLY)
References:
Black, Jeremy and Green, Anthony. 1992. Gods, Demons, and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. British Museum Press.
Puhvel, Jaan. 1989. Comparative Mythology. John Hopkins University Press.

[@dancoles2235]

It is a mind-blowing experience to learn about these topics and realize that these "myths" may not have been inventions of silly religions, but rather stories about our ancestors or ideals with characters whose details get elaborated and exaggerated.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@matthieulamiable4757]

You should study latin or greek, you would love it.

[@WilliamBrowning]

I'm going to read the book referenced. There's something so beautiful in this story that I can't yet explain.

[@dancoles2235]

Recently saw a video talking about some historical evidence that the Israelite tribe of Dan may have been associated with what some call Phoenicians, thus seafaring peoples that settled much of early Europe. This theory may connect with the one presented in the video here as the tribe of Dan was said to have named many of their lands and rivers after their tribe. Using paleohebrew/Phoenician script, without vowels, it would help explain all the rivers in Europe with D*N in their name. The paleoHebrew meanings of those letters also coincides with ~'door to life' (daleth nun/nakash). So if our ancestors had a "river goddess" associated with life, it might have been an ancestor that taught the tribe the importance of using rivers or perhaps a "virtue" of rivers and their valleys sustaining civilization as they migrated to colder wilderness.

[@valerieprice1745]

Ancient mythology has to be examined on 3 levels or more. There is the spiritual realm, which has as much to do with a person rising above worldly temptations that bring his or her downfall, as it does the protection and care of a loving, all powerful God. Then there's the world and stars, disasters and miracles. Then there's the ancestors who are progenitors of a tribe (extended family). These progenitors established their lineage, and the cultural practices (traditions) that helped them to perpetuate their lineage successfully for the good of all.

[@Alex-mn1fb]

Over the millennia, the Sumerian goddess Inanna becomes Akkadian Ishtar, then Phoenician Ashtarte, then is transformed into the Greek Aphrodite and then inspires Roman Venus. All of them are thus connected with the planet Venus a.k.a. the Morning Star, as well as Friday in the seven day week, which is still called something like Venus Day in many romance languages, such as French. Thus even in Germanic languages, English included, Friday has been slotted into the same place as it was named after Freya/Frigg, goddesses with similar divine portfolio.

[@janeslater8004]

Interesting. I also just posted about friday vendredi ie freya and venus

[@Alex-mn1fb]

@@janeslater8004 Yup. Altho I have never read that Germanic goddesses such as Freya-Frigg have direct ties to Greco-Roman and Mesopotamian ones, they definitely fall into love-warrior-celestial goddess, and were thus equated by ancient authors. According to historians, the cult of Aphrodite was directly influenced by the cults of Ishtar, via the Phoenician Goddess Ashtarte. And Aphrodite later influenced Roman Venus.

[@freedomslunch]

Columbia

[@N3ur0m4nc3r]

Did an AI write this for you? Alot of correct words all jumbled out of order.

[@Alex-mn1fb]

@@N3ur0m4nc3r who you talking to? Nothing is out of order, you just probably have attention deficit disorder as you clearly need help to peddle through bigger and more complex sentences.

[@Sara-eg9bc]

The Mesopotamian story sounds like it has a lot in common with Kore/Persephone as well. Maybe long ago, those two figures shared roles in some places? I'd love a video on Persephone as well, since it seems like she's also super old!

[@calmingnight3376]

Truth is a LOT of mythology took inspiration from Mesopotamia. Even in Abrahamic faiths. In Judiasm Lilith can be compared to ki-sikil-lil-la-ke. In jewish mysticism obyzouth/lilith can be compared to Lilitu and Tiamat. And of course if you want to go purely solomonic Asaroth is Astarte/Venus

[@kellydalstok8900]

@@calmingnight3376 a lot of Greco Roman mythology also goes back to Egyptian mythology.

[@calmingnight3376]

@@kellydalstok8900 That's because of Alexander the alright, made it so. Originally greek had pretty much it's own stories and myths. (Which might have been borrowed from the minoans)

[@lottalarsson4121]

When I looked into the Norse godess Freya, I saw the similarities with godesses from the middle east. I just read a comment on Freya being a godess of desire, like you described Venus. Wanting gold and love, with war and magic (seidr) as tools.

[@stevenhuntley8706]

Firm agree, even without comparison, she appears as much more than a sex or fertility goddess, being closely tied with war and wisdom, and absolutely desire.

[@Jumpoable]

Venus is the guru of the Asuras (demons) in Hindu mythology.

[@gustavoboscardin9351]

I believe that the (I believe) babylonian myth of the descent of the goddess is a parallel to the myth of Freya descending to the underworld in order to retrieve her neckace

[@constantinedeboudox]

@@Jumpoable It could be that Asuras even have the same name as Ishtar and Assyrian Ashur , west Semitic Astarte wife of Yahwe, Germanic Asi. Also there was religious separation between west and east so Indians called demons Asura while Europeans called demons devil (deva).

[@Jumpoable]

@@constantinedeboudox Yes, Venus is the guru of the Asuras in Hindu mythology.... so there might be an ancient Ashur, Astarte, Ishtar connection there!

[@alethearia]

For the record. The reason the original nude statue was so scandelous was because goddesses, up until that point, were never ever depected in the nude (unlike their male counterparts). And not only that... but this statue is of her bathing. She's about to get into the bath. Very tabboo for any man to whitness a goddess bathing (see literally any cautionary tale about seeing a goddess bathing). And here she is depected in the nude while bathing. Of course if caused a scandal.

[@elihinze3161]

One of my all-time favorite goddesses! I love seeing how the concept of Inanna changed as she was imported into other belief systems

[@harveywabbit9541]

The biblical Esther is another Venus whose mother and father was the Moon and Sun (Zion)/Sion).

[@user-tz7oc9uo4r]

Love you to ❤️👀 I’m hidden in society xx

[@umwha]

I have something relevant I learned just yesterday. In the Pisces constellation, the two fishes are said to be Aphrodite and Cupid transformed into fishes to escape typhon. However, the older civilizations saw the constellation Pisces as ‘lady of heavan’ supposedly innana’ and the ‘great swallow’ . So there we have a clear Innana to Aphrodite renaming .

[@dancoles2235]

Thank you for sharing. That is fascinating. This may seem like a stretch, but I think I have something connected. In paleoHebrew, the letter that became "N" is "nun" and is said to mean "life" and be illustrated as a "fish" or "sprout" (life). However, the paleoHebrews should have known this letter as Nachash, the serpent (and it looks more like a serpent than a fish!). The Phoenicians are theorized to have changed the symbol's name either for marketing reasons (involved in trade) or anti-reverance (don't want to summon Nachash associated with Satan by speaking his epithet) The serpent was associated with being a deceiver-seducer-serpent before - in the Hebrew tradition - "losing its legs". This is similar to the occultic, corrupted Hebrew traditions from Chaldean/Babylonian influence of associating the serpent with Samael and the Python-Zeus myth, and seeing the "deities" as virtues, epithets, and examples. Now if it is true that the paleoHebrew script was adopted by the "Phoenicians" and later Hellenes, then modified for their purposes, there may have been some ancient lesson (if it was intentional), intentional deception perpetuated by the Chthonic cults, or simple mistake in the transformation from the reptilian serpent with legs to the reptilian serpent without legs that strangles to the fish as a symbol of life. In these cultures mentioned, we see a common tradition of the development of angelic/sirenic/daimonic beings as tempter/messenger beings later illustrated and imagined in hybrid forms such as harpies, mermaids, "valkyrie", "angels", sphinxs, etc. Your reference to "Innana and the great swallow" reminded me of the harpies, which was a later development of the siren, left to the imagination by Homer. These hybrid creatures may have been taught to convey some lesson in our shared ancestry, but they can also be viewed as bastard-abominations of virtues and vices in overly-complex pantheons with contradictory details. I don't know, but I think these ideas are concretely connected.

[@ah-ha-VAH-CReATER]

Great Inanna was runing from Enki, because she stole "Me" tablets of destiny.

[@umwha]

@@ah-ha-VAH-CReATER Umm, I know that Inanna took the 7 Mes ... But I do not think I have read that she was running from Enki because of it. Also, the Tablet of Destiny is a different thing from the Mes, I believe. Inanna goes down and then back up, and the Mes stolen from Enki never come up again, so that suggests that wasnt relevant in the first place

[@ah-ha-VAH-CReATER]

@@umwha Me /Ja - was DNA scripture which holds all ancestral genetics - tablet of destiny is the same... there is the list of Me's (Ja). It depends which of those characteristics would be genetic hereditary trait of someone. Genetic manipulation...

[@umwha]

@@ah-ha-VAH-CReATER Nope. Looked at the list of Mes, and not one was genetic. Looked at the tablet of destinies and nope, no connection to the Mes, or genetics in any way shape or form.

[@Crowhag]

Oh, I loved this! My next videos are about two Romanian spring and fertility deities, a love god and, more significantly, his mother whose myth tells the story of ethnogenesis and has quite interesting Venusian qualities and similarities with Inanna's descent to the underworld (and the Cailleach, but I don't want to spoil it). So thank you very much for this!

[@Crecganford]

I have just emailed, not knowing you commented. I hope all is well and we shall speak soon I am sure of it.

[@Crowhag]

@@Crecganford I just saw it. Yes! We shall speak before long.

[@docsanducezar]

We will watch over your progress with interest

[@harveywabbit9541]

Isaiah comes out of winter (the sea) not as a man (barren earth) but as a woman (nurture). Isaiah 47.3.

[@ScottAT]

Hey - it all makes sense after you understand The Electric Universe Theory. Please go to Greg Jay KZbin and watch the videos regarding The Purple Dawn of Creation.

[@ashmoon3854]

I only subscribed a month or so ago and I gotta say its really lovely watching these as a modern Pagan. Venus/Aphrodite is an incredibly popular goddess for modern Pagan revivalists and reconstructionists as well, and though I'd known of her associations with war, I didn't know that /desire/ was the reason for that nor how deep her history really runs. This would certainly spark an interesting discussion in some Pagan circles today, as since much of this history has been forgotten by everyday folk, most of today's Pagans consider Aphrodite, Astarte, and Ishtar to be very different goddesses despite their similar domains. It would be interesting to see if, given this information to stew on, they would uphold that belief or view the gods in very different lights. Thank you for this!! :)

[@harveywabbit9541]

The biblical Esther is another Venus. Isaiah comes out of winter/sea, not as a man (barren earth) but as a woman (nurture). Isaiah 47.3.

[@thepeff]

For my tea today I used some lovely smelling loose-leaf my new upstairs neighbors were kind enough to give me when they moved in. It is their "Winter Mix" with Earl grey, orange peel, clove, lavender, and marshmallow (I assume the plant not the confection.) I will be pairing it with a spoon of local honey from a jar that I bought before grocery inflation

[@Crecganford]

That sounds delightful, I hope it was brewed lovingly and tasted marvelous!

[@mizotter]

I taught Mythology at an American high school from 1999-2019, and although I used many of these stories, I did not know how they were connected through history. It is thrilling to see it all in historical context. I learned from Joseph Campbell, so my course looked at dozens of stories for each theme: Creation/Destruction, Forces of Nature, Death & Rebirth, Love & Family, Hero Quest, etc If I were still teaching, I would love to share your content with students. Sending you BIG LOVE and deep appreciation for your work. Be well.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you, and yes, the "universalist" approach is very popular. Here I try and concentrate more on the mythography, an historical approach, and it feels me with pride when my peers say then enjoy my work. Thank you.

[@omarb7164]

Your students were lucky to have you it sounds like

[@mizotter]

@@omarb7164 Thank you. Since I live in an area dominated by fundamentalist Christians, my course was a little island of secularity where all religions and deities were explored freely, and no ideas were feared.

[@francesbell9465]

@@Crecganford I also teach mythology and I have definitely incorporated some things I have learned from from this fantastic channel :) So thanks for all you do!

[@paulmilligan2657]

brill video!...i had no idea how truly ancient this Goddess is 🔥

[@Crecganford]

She is older than most realise, thank you for watching.

[@paulmilligan2657]

@@Crecganford I knew she was old but not pre Indo European...keep on keeping on sir! fantastic channel 🔥

[@SandraNelson063]

Sulis Minerva is a fave of mine. She is a combination of the Roman Minerva, and the British tribal Sulis. Sulis is a Goddess of the springs, fertility, young women.

[@betsyeverson859]

I found your ideas on the venus figurines particularly interesting! I can't wait for the future video you mentioned about it. Thank you as always!

[@Crecganford]

And thank you for watching and supporting me, I will make these additional videos as soon as I can.

[@evan-moore22]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the Julian family belief that they were distantly descended from Venus (through Aeneas). Talk about empire building! Virgil certainly made her more important than any Greek author.

[@robo5013]

This is definitely why she was often associated with the emperors. They all claimed kinship in one form or another with the Julian house for quite some time, and even when new houses came into power symbols will remain long after the original reasons for their inclusion have been forgotten. Once associated with imperial power it will be hard to get rid of.

[@CourtesyPhone]

11:56 so like the story of Persophone and Demeter. I've speculated that Persophone is a personification of the constellation Virgo and Demeter as mother earth. In September Virgo sets on the horizon and isn't seen again until spring

[@Crecganford]

I will talk more about Demeter and Persephone, along with the other "Olympians", as soon as I can. Their origins are varied and interesting.

[@petervanvelzen1950]

Venus (the planet) was visible to the naked eye since time immemorial. It seems preposterous unlikely that such a conspicuous light would have been called after something else. So she was always a heavenly object. (a daughter of the sky-god indeed) Though people often thought that the Morningstar and the Evening star were separate gods. Astarte is the same as Ishtar both of which seem to be the same as the word "Star". (Esther in Hebrew).

[@pendragon2012]

That's a really good point! I never thought of the connection between Venus and Istart. Most people chalk up all Roman deities to rip offs of the Greek pantheon. It's a good corrective to point out how the Greeks also borrowed heavily from other cultures that came before. My 6th graders are studying Egyptian mythology right now and loving it! P.S. So those of us without romantic attachments this Valentines Day can honor the goddess by going and conquering an empire? Message received!

[@MrBlazingup420]

Then you should know that Venus was known as Sopdu sometimes Septu, which is the son of Sahu The Hidden One, which was associated with Orion, Sopdu's wife Chensit, meaning placenta, attached to your belly button, the Virgo, the belly button in asterology, during September, getting it from Septu/Venus. If you play the words "Sin Eve" in reverse, it says Venus, said to be the mother of man, it works with Virgo and September too. Virgo is Latin for Virgin, where 'vir' is Latin for Man, 'gyne' is Greek for Woman, together a Virgin, a Man/Woman, but if you play "Boy/Girl" in reverse, it says Virgo, and "Her Mistress, Boy/Girl" played in reverse will say Virgo September, and you loop it back to Venus with 7, septem, where you find Eve hiding, between the S'N, Sin Eve/Venus, who spends seven weeks hiding behind the Sun, every 77 weeks retrogrades for 43 days, 4 + 3 = 7, and every 77 months conjuncts with Mars three times in 9 months, three trimesters in a 9-month period creates a child

[@danyellerobinson5940]

Lol, please don't pass that insight to your 6th grade class ...

[@MrBlazingup420]

If you thought that was wyrd, play the words "They All Rule" in reverse, it says Orion, and that number 7, in reverse it says the Latin word "Novus" meaning New, play "Novus Universe" in reverse, it says 77, in gematria the number for Christ, and as I showed you, Venus is the Goddess of the "Magic Rhythm", words played in reverse that say "Mother Wisdom".

[@danyellerobinson5940]

@@MrBlazingup420 ... we stopped play music backwards in the 70s.

[@MrBlazingup420]

@@danyellerobinson5940 When the Pope said it was the Devil, LOL, want to hear another one, in Greek, Sophia means Knowledge, if you play that word in reverse, you hear a X-Rated act, definitely not for a 6th grade class, but there are many X-Rated images of Isis and Osiris, and the story of Inanna getting, Enki drunk, speaks of X-Rated acts being taught to the goddess. but it's odd how my reverse words ring with truth, you hear a sexual story playing all the visible planets names in reverse, you can try this with anything that can play words in reverse, I use "Say It Backwards" on my smart phone, but here as I told you all the planets, in their correct order I might add. "Nudist, Her The Priest, Wife Of Seth, Serum, Through, New Womb, Sin Eve, Here Ra Come" In reverse "Mercury, Venus, Moon, Earth, Mars, Asteroid Belt, Jupiter, Saturn" I added the unseen Asteroid Belt, like the Wife of Seth, Nephthys? if you're nice I'll show you how.

[@dragonfox2.058]

I've always thought of Ishtar as the Mother of Beasts. I strongly suspect She was the inspiration of the Sphinx in Egypt to protect the king's tombs/pyramids. probably because women were the first to domesticate animals. I've also wondered if the female figurines were put by the beds of new partners to invoke fertility of the love bed

[@harveywabbit9541]

We will soon hear about the biblical Esther aka Venus.

[@ianbrewster8934]

This story of Venus connections to Mesopotamian gods and perhaps even older is amazing. Great stuff

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@georgegeorgopoulos6543]

The goat drops another banger!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@bluefish4999]

I wonder where Eostre would fit into this puzzle. I couldn't help but hear the lyrics in my head watching this... "Her name is Aphrodite, and she rides a crimson shell."

[@Crecganford]

The feeling is that Eostre is relatively modern in comparison, however as I have never really discussed her, then perhaps I should.

[@karldubhe8619]

Cool idea about the orbit of Venus and how it might have affected the myth/story of the Goddess.

[@mythsmushroomsandtea]

What a wonderful video, thank you.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you!

[@MrZajebali]

I've heard old Greeks had four differing concepts (hence words) of kinda various facets of what we now have as predominantly love (as you say, passion, desire, also something into friendship and kinship).

[@kilpatrickkirksimmons5016]

I've been given to understand by girlfriends that my birth sign is ruled over by Venus, and of course Julius Caesar's family claimed direct descent. And as a Navy man I have a perhaps simple-minded affection for the Greek version, whose name means "sea foam." Though I'm a Christian, she's always been my favorite goddess. Excellent video, and very enlightening. I knew Dionysius was an import but I'd just assumed Aphrodite was one of the originals.

[@harveywabbit9541]

Issachar/Cancer, Zebulun/Capricorn, and Dinah/Moon are born as a group. Issachar is Asaker or Zagreus (Bacchus), and the name is punned upon by assimilating it to the Hebrew sekari = hire." (Dunlap, Spirit Hist, of Man, p. 267.) The punning was doubtless done by means of the Hebrew vowel-points, which "did not exist until near a thousand years after the Hebrew ceased to be spoken." Issachar's standard is the Ass (northern star in Cancer). Zebulun's standard is a ship which you will find represented as an anchor (winter solstice in Capricorn) and is opposite of the summer solstice of Bacchus/Issachar and his Ass. Dinah is aka the Latin Diana/Greek Artemis.

[@elizafreebird797]

Thank you for the video!! We love your channel! Great intro too!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@68Mie]

Its very intresting that the old storys actually interprets to the turning sky with stars. Early people made storys of the turning sky to keep track of the seasons in a year or even longer periods of time. ☀️🌙🌍🤔. They even built cities linked as star constelations.

[@harveywabbit9541]

The two Bethlehems and two Jerusalems = Solstices. Isaiah 9.14-15, describes Israel (summer) as the constellation Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio. These four constellations are also the four sons of Ham (Jupiter). They also make up Haran, a son of Terah/Earth.

[@Cthulhu013]

Interesting that in The Baal Cycle, her role changes and she becomes a helper of the one who descends into and rises from the underworld.

[@jamesmckenzie4572]

Well done. Your enthusiasm for the subject and clarity of explanation make it a pleasure to enjoy you work. I especially appreciate your awareness of recent archeological findings. Thanks for this. Sharing.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you for your kind words. They are appreciated.

[@murrygondwana7260]

Venus is a sight to behold indeed. Seeing Venus shining brightly in Early morning leaves an impression.

[@harveywabbit9541]

She is also the biblical Esther.

[@romeosantos3261]

What do you mean?

[@harveywabbit9541]

@@romeosantos3261 Horus aka Jesus is called the Morning Star. Jesus comes out of winter (the sea) wearing the golden girdle of Aphrodite/Venus around his paps (tits). See Book of Rev. Morning = spring equinox and Evening = autumn equinox.

[@murrygondwana7260]

​@@romeosantos3261 Venus is very bright and is visible right around sunset or sunrise. Seeing Venus in the morning hits different, in my opinion. It is early morning, quiet, air is still, the sky is starting to lighten, stars are fading, but then Venus appears and outshines everything. Always leaves me feeling like someone just shined a spotlight on me and is intently watching.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Absolutely loved this one! As a chunky lady I have been fascinated by the chunky Venus’s since I discovered they existed. When everything else in the world seems to shame & make ugly a chunky lady, those Venus show how revered we once were a long, long time ago.😊❤

[@dancoles2235]

Though it struck me harshly at first, like the zealous "viking" in the movie that spits upon the ~Ashera idol in disgust, seeing it in different terms brought great sympathy with the dilemma you exposed. Warriors that may have despised the chunky Ashera "worship" may have likely embraced the "worship" of much more physically attractive/active-bodied females, but failed to see that neither was worthy of "worship" as deity, and that both physical forms could be embodiments of the (rather than the idol) of a good wife, which is what a healthy man that embraces self-discipline desires for stable family to advance our kingdom. There are those that are bigger physically from a combination of factors, and they are renown for many virtues, but may suffer from other vices.

[@kariannecrysler640]

@@EllieDYorks 🥰

[@rhiAction.]

Really loving your videos!! So accessible

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@wildmen5025]

Hail Aphrodite! Hail Venus! Hail Astarte! Hail Ishtar! Hail Inanna!

[@Lee-jh6cr]

I've read that Venus was also identified with Etruscan Turan as a Goddess of gardens and orchards. And consider Hathor. Mirrors of Hathor were also called mirrors of Venus and Venus's emblem♀️is a stylized mirror of Hathor, which is ankh-like.

[@deeprose8598]

Thank you, yes, Venus is the sign for Libra the scales-Justice- Justice is blind? Not many people forget this part of Venus’s character.

[@romeosantos3261]

I have Venus in libra conjunct my ascendant so I’ve treated people how I wanted to be treat.

[@AquariusNation777]

Love the information. Thank you!!!

[@wkrapek]

I think the Mycenaeans worshipped Aphrodite. She was just an incarnation of Potnia - The Lady. As was Athena; who was originally described as the Potnia of Athens. Which means it was Athena who was named after the city and not the other was around as Greek mythology tells us. Notice the similarities of their origins: they both spring directly from more powerful male deities. And Potnia, in turn, probably shows up as IASASARAMA in The so-called Minoan Libation Formula. And with the Minoans she was probably still the Great Mother. She shows up all over Minoan iconography as a giant woman. Also: Athena acts a lot more like the Roman Venus. I think Homer plays with the split between the “twin” Goddesses very nicely in The Iliad.

[@anaryl]

This was an informative comment and sent me downa Potnia rabbit hole.

[@harveywabbit9541]

We might take Athena back to Neith of Sais Egypt. The cerulean or blue-eyed Athena of the Greeks is only another name for this goddess. Athena is compounded of Aith-ain = Fonsignis = fire-fountain = the Sun. She was the daughter of Jupiter = the sky. She sprang forth from his cleft-head, i.e. from "the fore-head of the sky" (Cox's Myth. vol. 1, p. 440.)

[@pindanetel]

Absurd to think that they had just one goddess and it is also false since we know the names of Mycenaean goddesses

[@Selene13zz]

I love learning about the ancient origins of goddesses in particular. I've been reading about it since I was a teen and the more we dig, the more we understand these cultures. Hope to see more!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@goshlike76]

Such a warm welcome and good introduction. Literally subscribed on 0:55.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much.

[@uploads2012amc]

Inspiring episode! Thank you so much!!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much for your support, and kind words. It is appreciated.

[@tbrooks529]

Great work! I cannot wait for the Venus figure video and the video on Demeter and Persephone.

[@lewisrobinson3380]

I really appreciate this video and would love to see one like this on Apollo. The prevailing or at least popular theory is that Apollo originated among the Hurrians in the form of Nergal who had an title of Aplu Enlil (the son of Enlil) but was adopted into the Greek pantheon rather quickly since he became an Olympian. Which would seems to make the most sense in terms of origin and would explain why the other branches of Indo-European religion don't quite have a god like Apollo unless they adopted it from the Greeks.

[@Crecganford]

Apollo is on my list of gods to talk about, and so I hope to have this made in the coming weeks/months.

[@adityanath3570]

Aditya says hello.

[@leer1115]

Thank you for this bro. Doing a post on Twitter and this really helped. Just subbed. Love the presentation.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@gadyariv2456]

regarding the first question, why is Venus found on so many coins along side emperors? maybe this could be because the Julia family claim descendance from the Goddess through her son Aeneas. maybe the question that ought to be asked isn't why Venus is on a Roman coin but why did the Romans claimed as their mythological ancestor a Trojan hero son of Venus? a Greek son of Jupiter would seem like a more attractive character to claim descendance from....now I'll watch the video and see if i get an answer

[@funkyfiss]

The video doesn't answer your question. But maybe I can. I would argue very differently than what this video says. Cyprus was originally a greek colony. Phonecians traded with them but the cypriots were Greek. In fact some of the oldest Greek inscriptions are found in Cyprus. Aphrodite was originally an Ionian goddess. Her cult eventually made it to the Doric settlements which became especially popular in Sparta. Greek Macedonia a Doric tribe was one of the last areas the cult reached in Greece. Eventually the Romans would also adopt her. Aphrodite wasnt originally part of the Pantheon because she wasnt a sibling of Zeus. She is his aunt and part of the titans. She is older than the pantheon and existed during the time of Cronos and the old religion. Ionians were heavily influenced by the Pelasgians (Minoans) and yes Pelagians were Greek too. Proto Greeks. Many ancient writers said that they were Greek including Homer. The Pelasgians have their own ancient goddess called Eurynome. (Wide ruling) and is part if their creation myth. Which is why she is accociated with power. Because she was the first ruler. This might explain why Aphrodite is pictured alongside Roman rulers. In other myths Eurynome and Ophion had ruled in Olympus over the Titans, but after being conquered by Cronos. She hid from his power in the sea until During the Titanomachy where she battled the titans and chose the side of Zeus and his siblings. I believe Eurynome is Aphrodite. This would also explain Aphrodite coming out of the water. As it coincides with Eurynomes story. Which means that she has always been a Greek goddess and wasnt some foreign goddess that was adopted by the Greeks and later the Romans. I would also argue that the Trojan war was the first documented great civil war. Between different Greek tribes.

[@infinite5795]

Great to see you again!

[@crayzeedayzee]

Really enjoyed your video ! More please

[@12thStellium]

Thank you for bringing nuance to this discussion 💚

[@mcgie2002]

Very very enlightning. Thank you

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

Great vid, and very timely!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@WickedFelina]

Will you be selling more mugs? I love your design. This was a very well done video. My planet is Venus (May 7th), I have red hair, green eyes, am half Italian and Egyptian BUT oddly, never rode on a clam?

[@Crecganford]

There are some huge clams in the Red Sea, perhaps if you go to Egypt you could persuade one to ride. And yes, mugs are available, they should appear in the video description I believe, or available via Teespring here: my-store-d4aca5.creator-spring.com/

[@WickedFelina]

@@Crecganford Oo! Thank you for the link, and for the direction in which to locate a mollusk large enough to surf. I understand the nudity. Very important. I don't wish to put on too heavy a load on such a kind, and quite obliging clam!

[@TrudeHell]

Enjoyable and educational all in one great pack!

[@Crecganford]

Much appreciated!

[@pabloloerag.5368]

Great episode to listen to while working at the observatory. As an astronomer I mostly enjoy the ones that relate to astronomical bodies (so, most of not all). Great work, as always.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@user-qu7ze1vh9q]

Thank you so very much.! I can't even imagine how much hard work & time this took..I've wondered about this history my whole life, Crazy Cool.! 😇 Thank you again.!

[@rosieeilon1882]

Amazing lesson in the origins of Venus, Innana in mythology🙏 Fabulous presentation..thank you. Just discovered your channel and will follow to learn more💜

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@bjornekdahl721]

Please don't tell me we've come to the state where we need to censor Botticelli's masterpiece.

[@Crecganford]

Alas KZbin blocked my video when I didn't :( a real shame

[@bjornekdahl721]

@@Crecganford Haha modern society is a parody of itself. Btw, it's very likely that Venus (PIE: wenh - 'to desire/wish') is cognate with words like Vanir, English 'vain' and also Scandinavian words like 'vän', meaning both 'friend' and 'beautiful'

[@tbrooks529]

We live in a very prudish society who think they are quite advanced even though they hate the human form. It's really bizarre.

[@erh3196]

@@tbrooks529 i see it more as a protecting the human form

[@mach-symroscisawski1560]

There supposed to be some female goddess figure associated with Harappa-Mohenjo Daro civilisation that is proto-Durga, She bears some uncanny likeness to Inanna, including standing on/ riding ferocious felines and supposedly intervening in a battle between young warriors ( some of the depiction of warriors may show somebody with old Babylonian war-hairstyle). anyway Inanna's character if by far the most fascinating combination of powers and attributes. I think we missing a lot from the process that contributed to creating such a goddess.

[@arielog1941]

Thank you for sharing your insights. Namaste

[@dlmiller7873]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@scottdelo8485]

You’re a knowledgeable fellow. You’ve got a new subscriber here.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you enjoy my other videos too.

[@heinaung5305]

In Myanmar, we have a deity named "Pon Ma Gyi" ပုန်းမကြည် Even though her so-called origin story is mixed with "Kali Yakshini" story from Dhammapada commentary, some scholars believe that her name comes from "Pubha-Kyay" A.K.A "Venus star" She is worshipped by farmers for better crops. Pubha (Venus) is also associated with farming in Burmese myths.

[@a-sheepof-christ9027]

Satan, whom we Christians would identify as being Inanna/Ashera, in Sumeria was also worshipped as the Godess of fertility; and by proxy; crops. She has great power, and is not allowed to be mocked (Jude 1:9) despite her fallen state.

[@tedclare5504]

So who amongst the Germanic Goddess’s did she influence if any? Freyja seems a likely candidate, but also Erce, or Idun

[@Crecganford]

To a degree, but the influence is different and earlier, and I think we need to look at Astarte to find near direct influence with Freyja.

[@yoface938]

Fun fact: In the Chinese pantheon there is a “Mother Goddess from the West” who represents things like the earth, the pure ‘yin’(negative energy), women, darkness, etc. She is said to also abide in mythic mountains called Kunlun.

[@Crecganford]

That is interesting, I shall look to read up on her. Thank you.

[@mabonbran8913]

Hey, possibility brought to the east by the ancient red head mummies of the Tarim basin who genetically came from western European stock into pre-dynastic northern China?!

[@Lee-jh6cr]

She is part of the origin of Kuan Yin.

[@nivad75]

very interesting. appreciate the depth going all the way back to innana and ninhursag and the open questions about the stone age figurines. also interesting, the past associations with desire, power, and war.

[@monkeywrench2800]

Brilliant... as always, mate.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@momstradamus81]

I love every video you have put out and devour them as soon as they are released. In respect to finding goddess origins, history, migration and parallels; I would love more than anything to hear your research on the Morrigan. Theres so much conflicting information and mythos surrounding her. At times seems to follow the venues origins, other times seems a decendant/variation of baba yaga ;crossing between myth and folklore. I can't get a pin on her. You're awesome and thank you for all the work you do and present.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@oscargranda5385]

Excelent video!!!thanck you

[@adrianwebster6923]

I would be interested in the possible connection with Anahit/Anahita of Armenia and Avestan tradition. The Caucasian and Indo-Iranian connections to Greek mythology seem a bit underexplored. Even if the connections are more parallel than direct, it does present some interesting developments sometimes from the same source material.

[@Gypsywandering400]

Wonderful video, thank you! I now want to know the pre-farming origins on Ninhursag. Would love to see a video on that earth goddess.

[@dfrenchorn]

I ALWAYS appreciate your videos! They give me a great feeling of nostalgia for the ancient past. I wonder if you would be interested in doing a deep dive into the Gaelic/Celtic goddess An Morrigan!?

[@Crecganford]

Yes, I can certainly add her to my To Do list, thank you for the suggestion.

[@dfrenchorn]

You're the best! Thank you for taking my idea as a suggestion and not feeling like it was an expectation!

[@ElliotOracle]

Brilliant presentation on the evolution of this most ancient Goddess. 😊🙏

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@beefandbarley]

Wow, “love” it! Thank you.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much!

[@agucci]

The ancient gods are worthy of our reverence. 🙏

[@pollywantsacracker9648]

Thank you, I loved this.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@vjeismann]

Amazing vídeo!!!! I guess a lot of people are interested on the relations between Afrodite, Freya and the PIE dawn godess. It would be awesome to hear something from you of this. Congrats Please never stop

[@Crecganford]

Thank you for your kind words, I'll try not to stop.

[@bloom292]

I enjoy your videos so much

[@Crecganford]

Your kind words are appreciated.

[@senduirsellaid593]

I look forward to the video on the "Venus" figurines. Reading Marija Gimutas I'm almost convinced that they are symbols of the oldest deity, The Great Goddess. 🙂

[@francisfischer7620]

Magnificent!!! Absolutely magnificent!!

[@Crecganford]

Many thanks!

[@miguelaponte8876]

Amazing video. Didn't know about the goddess who came before Sumerian myths. Is there any chance in the future for a video on the strongman gods like Heracles and the ones who influenced him from the lands of Sumer? Or king of the gods from Sumer to Rome?

[@Crecganford]

Yes, of course, I think these gods have an interesting path and would love to make more videos about them. Thanks for watching and your support.

[@melaniabladeofmiquella]

love the vid, and your pronounciation of potpourri. religion from the ancient world is so interesting, it influences todays world more than we imagine

[@down-to-earth-mystery-school]

The reason Venus is still around is because the Divine feminine does not die, even if patriarchy forces her into a subordinate position. Fascinating timeline, when you were talking about Venus emerging from the sea, it brought forward images of scientists believing that we emerged from the primordial ooze…

[@N3ur0m4nc3r]

😐

[@Hypatiaization]

Nice to see you again 😊hi from Canada 🇨🇦 ❤

[@Crecganford]

Hello from England!

[@marianastarswan3017]

It's ok your still one of my favorite people on KZbin I think your fanfictions are good that's what got me into your channel.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much.

[@timwrigley102]

What's your thought's on Frazer's writing? I'd love to see you do a series breaking down the Golden Bough.

[@Crecganford]

Whilst at the time of publication it was well received, nowadays it has lost much of its academic value. Although that doesn’t stop me having a copy of it on my shelves.

[@mobius8561]

hey, loved the vid! A little tip though, I can tell you're using a shure sm 7b microphone. To really get the most out of this mic and reduce the hissing please consider a proper mic-pre amp or amplifier. this way you won't have to over-compress you're audio and digitally compensate for lack of loudness. a relatively small investment for a huge turn-over!

[@Crecganford]

It was the first time I used it, and it is going through a preamp, so just need to tweak it a bit. Thanks for the advice,.

[@dangerwolfdavis]

Wait wait like Persephone ? And Dana? This is so neat!! Thank you for sharing this.

[@angelaarsenault]

This is great. Another confirmation for me in Astrotheology.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@KaptainTorres]

The censor blocks with the word "art" on them are a nice touch.

[@WitmanClan]

Thank you 🙏

[@Crecganford]

You’re welcome 😊

[@thecosmicmom]

Love this video ! I study Jyotish ( Vedic Astrology) . I love your interpretion and story of Venus 🙏💛✨️

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@hildeschaf8891]

Even with Christianization she did not disappear. I think that Mary has some of the traits of the old goddess. Especially in her appearance as heaven queen. But I would love to learn more on this topic.

[@Crecganford]

I have to agree, but I think I would need to talk to a biblical scholar to understand this correctly.

[@timothygervais9036]

Thank you, as always

[@Crecganford]

And thank you for watching.

[@lazzymclandrover4447]

Cup of tea and input time! :D

[@Crecganford]

Enjoy!

[@scottchambers7087]

I saw a G. I've seen it all. Much continued respect to the goddess. Dope describes my rhymes, making all you MCS cold drop like dimes. You know MCSC is back again, and battling me on the microphone is like committing a sin. Scott/MCSC

[@waldfuzz8188]

Crecganford at its best

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much.

[@tp8077]

12:13 Yes I agree with you I also think it might go a bit deeper A bit further back

[@metaltsigga]

Regarding the Venus figurines: as far as I've read about shamanistic cultures of Siberia, as part of a funerary rite, the small likeliness of a deciesed carved (about the same size as the Venus figureines) and then added to the home (like a mexican ofrenda) altar of the family forefathers and mothers - plus they receive some gifts, things their shadow spirit will need in the afterlife. I always had a feeling such Venus figurines (I'm a sucker for the Trypillian-Cucuteni culture) figurines could be such representations and perhaps even portraits of living - like you suggest - since the whole idea to have your famliy with you even if they are gone and far away is so strong with people. In Hungary older generations usually have a wall with the pictures of the family, past and present loved ones. I used to sarcastically refer to them as "wailing walls" as a teenager, but they make a lot more sense now :) And I assume this is not a local phenomenon.

[@leonidas130]

I subscribed as soon as you mentioned ISHTAR..

[@lakesuperioraquamanproduct1637]

This was great - do Athena next!!

[@sunfire2614]

Okay now I HAVE to see a colab between Crecganford and OSP!!

[@Crecganford]

Who is OSP? I can't work that out... But if it's possible I can try and make it happen.

[@sunfire2614]

@@Crecganford Overly Sarcastic Productions! They do some myth deep dives too. They have done some on particular gods like Aphrodite, Hermes, Dionysus and Loki.