The mythic origin tales of Baltic amber are full of magic, and the pre-history of the golden-umber resin-stone is no less awe-inspiring. This pine-tree resin was fossilized 45 million years ago, during a period of intense warmth that caused the pines to exude huge amounts of sap. There is an inherent enchantment in handling something that warms to the touch and is the remnant of a prehistoric coniferous forest. Even more otherworldly are those pieces of amber that contain the tiny remains of this ancient - and almost mythical - past. Oak leaf bits, tiny twigs, pollen, and other plant detritus found itself preserved in the resin which hardened over millions of years. Even ancient insects have been encapsulated in the golden substance. No wonder then that the Baltics, where this fey stone can be found in particular abundance, was the site of trade for many many thousands of years. In this episode, we will dive into a Lithuanian origin myth for this precious stone.A big thank you to Co-Ag Music and Spanxti for the stunning music in this episode!You can find Co-Ag here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcavSftXHgxLBWwLDm_bNvAYou can find Spanxti here on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk1_IxRDcikIf you’re wanting a bit more than monthly episodes - and like the sound of engaging with the stories of the folk more deeply and creatively - of restoring the ancient practice of listening to and responding to traditional tales, then the upcoming  'Your Story Heritage' course might be for you - if that’s the case, right now, before you forget, CLICK HERE and then click on the orange ‘register your interest’ button. Consider becoming a PatronYou can also make a one-time donation here: https://www.mythospodcast.com/

Mythos Podcast

S04 Episode 6: Tales from the Amber Sea Part 1, The Sea Queen & The Fisherman

 In this episode, we journey again to Lithuania: we will go to the noble hall of an ignoble count and to a sylvan lake, to meet a washerwoman of great spirit, whose patrons are full of earth and water magic. A massive thank you to Co-Ag Music and Jēkabs Zariņš for their permission to use their music. 'Meža diesma,' 'tehniskas variācijas,' and 'Grandparent's Blessing' by Jēkabs Zariņš 'Taste the Fear,' and 'Who will save my soul,' by Co-Ag Music. Jēkabs Zariņš: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9izFNeuvBR3qt5vfgfBkOw Co-Ag Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcavSftXHgxLBWwLDm_bNvA

S04 Episode 5: The Washerwoman and the Lake Spirits

In this episode’s panorama of ancient woodland, northern seas and shamanic underworlds, the world-traversing magic of the grass snake clashes with the bone-deep force of ancestral longing and family drama. From forest pools to pearl-white sands, from black-deep ocean caverns to a verdant underworld, we will explore the magic landscapes of Lithuania, in one of her most famous pieces of folklore. This story was brought to life by the music of these talented musicians! - Co-Ag Music on Youtube - "Turėja Liepa" by Simona Smirnova: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIqzz8UZeOE - Also, visit her website at: https://www.simonasmirnova.nyc/ - "Lakštingalėle" by Kumaniusilelis https://www.youtube.com/user/kamaniusilelis/featured - Also, visit their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kamaniusilelis - Agota Ago https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaRsJDijtkZ5zVXV_Z9ZHTw - Performance of a Lithuanian Midsummer Folksong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeEnhlRteiA&list=PLfjWyCNZi947Y4DDyk_VnqpRA_aZDaqQg&index=2  

S04 Episode 4: Eglė, Queen of the Serpents

Goddaughter of the Rock Maidens. The name of the story lit up my imagination, as did the brief outline of a plot in W.F Kirby’s 1895 English translation of famous Estonian tales. In just a few sentences, I sensed a powerful narrative: nature spirits and underworlds; a young girl tutored by powerful female fey-folk and enchantments and serpent kings. For all my listeners, consider joining my upcoming Story Heritage Webinar on Power & Powerlessness. The aim is to explore the wisdom and insights of world folklore surrounding this fundamental human experience. If you want to explore our world storytelling heritage, get inspiration for your own creative life and experience the therapeutic powers of story, go to https://www.mythosstorytelling.com/storyheritage-webinars Please do consider helping with research costs so I can bring the stories of the folk into our cultural consciousness: https://www.patreon.com/mythospodcast A huge thank you to Maarja Nuut and Co-Ag Music for allowing me to use their music! Donate to Maarja here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rQSHGbaVqFhj4gcXDAjKy?si=5YLWNMrOSaORlMXbkEfMyA Maarja Nuut songs: 'Veere, Veere päevakene,' 'Handi pandimehe lugu' - Estonian Folk Song Co-Ag Music: 'Beautiful Days' and 'A Dark Myth'

S04 Episode 3: Goddaughter of the Rock Maidens

It is November in an Estonian village and it is the Time of Souls, when dead ancestors return and roam, visiting homes and enjoying the pleasures of life in the sauna In this time of extended night, there are forces afoot, and not just those of deceased ancestors. There might be Nututaja: the evil eye, whose envy distresses and disturbs the new-born, and is one amongst a number of supernatural threats around the globe that threaten the infant. Perhaps a symbol of the immense world - with all of its dangers - surrounding the vulnerable little one, the Nututaja’s influence unsettles the baby, who becomes colicky and unable to sleep. In fact, Nututaja’s envy, the evil eye, is so powerful that it creates what seems to be an entity in its own right: Ööitketaja, the Night Wail. A huge thank you to Maarja Nuut, a stunningly talented Estonian musician whose music seems made for these stories. Songs: 'Siidisulis linnukene,' 'Veere, Veere, paevakene,' and 'Odangule.' For more from Maarja, see her website: https://maarjanuut.com/ Introduction Music: Estonian Cradle Song

S04 Episode 2: The Night People & The Time of Souls

A quick introduction to the Baltic States and why a journey into the folkloric realms of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is well worth your time.

Season 4: The Baltic States Introduction

Welcome to episode 1 of 'Folklorica Baltica' - the fourth season of Mythos focusing on The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In this episode, follow the journey of a young girl who dares enter the dread Wood of Tontla...and who discovers strange magic and hidden blessings. Music credit goes to some fine Estonian folk musicians who very kindly allowed me to use their music in this episode. Do explore their music for something beautiful and different. Kirtana Rasa (artist): Monet Aiad (song) and Leia mind taas (song) Maarja Nuut (artist): Kargus (song) Midrid (artist): Meeste Kutse (song) Rüüt (artist): Orjalaul (song) Handi Paadimehe lugu (traditional song)

S04 Episode 1: The Wood of Tontla

Welcome to Story Therapy, a Mythos mini-series exploring the relationship between narrative and mental health, particularly traditional tales as a therapeutic space where difficult emotions and circumstances can be acknowledged and explored. In this series, experts, mental health practitioners and storytellers will share stories from folklore, myth and legend and we will explore to what extent such tales provide space for delving into what it means to be human, delving into what drives us and what challenges us. In this episode, Lily Asch, Director of Real Talk, tells a story about the sun hiding its face and the desperate measures taken to deal with this impossible situation. However, what finally works could never have been anticipated!

Story Therapy: The Shrouded Sun

This short episode is a part of the Lockdown Lore series - a short story published bi-weekly for a bit of escape and respite. Listen to Dan Tovey tell an unusual story about a very strange woman turning up to a candy store after closing hours. 

Kosodate Ame: A Japanese Tale of the Weird

This short episode is a part of the Lockdown Lore series - a short story published bi-weekly for a bit of escape and respite. The story was inspired by the idea of avenging forest spirits - creatures made of the forest itself (much like the recently released 'Birch' from indie folk horror online station Crypt TV), as well as more traditional monsters like the Slavic Leshy. For more information on the guest storyteller, Jason Buck, visit www.jasonbuckstoryteller.co.uk and follow his page on Facebook. His storytelling shows are highly recommended and he is currently telling to great effect on Zoom! 

Lost Lady of the Pines

Welcome to Story Therapy, a Mythos mini-series exploring the relationship between narrative and mental health, particularly traditional tales as a therapeutic space where difficult emotions and circumstances can be acknowledged and explored. In this series, experts, mental health practitioners and storytellers will share stories from folklore, myth and legend and we will explore to what extent such tales provide space for delving into what it means to be human, delving into what drives us and what challenges us. In this first episode, Lily Asch, Director of Real Talk, tells a tale about a grieving sibling. We then discuss what this story tells us about grief, an emotion that many are feeling these days as they face the losses created by the pandemic. Find out more about Real Talk CIC here: https://www.realtalkproject.org/

Story Therapy: Gathering in Grief

In this Polish folktale, a dragon is outwitted when a soldier decides to heed the wisdom of Mother Forest. This short episode is a part of the Lockdown Lore series - a short story a week for a bit of escape and respite.

The Dragon & the Three Soldiers

This short episode is a part of the Lockdown Lore series - a short story published bi-weekly for a bit of escape and respite. In this Polish folktale, a dragon is outwitted when a soldier decides to heed the wisdom of Mother Forest.

The Sami are the Nordic region's indigenous people: though they share a similar ethnic identity, they inhabit a vast geographical area - from the Atlantic coast of Norway, the lakes, rivers, mountains and forests of Norway, Sweden and Finland to the Kola peninsula of Russia. These stories were collected by a Danish ethnographer, who lived among Swedish Sami. Here is what she has to say about their storytelling tradition: ‘In the protective light, everything may be named, all the horror and sorcery conjured by the darkness. Outside [the tent] in the deepest night wander the dead, the spirits, the evil thoughts one person sends to another...out there are storms and clouds, the moon stars and northern lights. Here inside the tent is the campfire; here is home, the great safe place...During the day the Sami, like other people, are busy with tasks. But when the darkness draws them to the campfire, when the stew kettle hangs on its sooty chain and the steam and smoke rise through the tent opening to the clouds and the night sky, then rest comes, memories slip in, like dreams to a sleeper. The tales and customs of olden times are still a well-spring among the Sami.’ Music: Co-Ag Music, Berit Margrethe Oskal and Sofia Jannak

S03 Ep 7 Reindeer Herders, Soul Travelers & Trappers: Sami Stories

 From Norway’s verdant mountain pastures where lonely dairymaids tend the seter, or summer farm, to the shadowed forests of Sweden and Denmark, we will encounter the strange beings of the summer wilds. This episode will focus on folktales whose backdrop is the summer season, when the lush reproductive potency of the world is obvious and abundant. Across the Nordic world, Midsummer is celebrated with huge bonfires, and traditionally, was believed to be rich with magical properties. Agrarian Finns, for example, celebrated Midsummer by adorning rooms with flowers, green branches and twigs. According to Finnish folk belief, Midsummer was abundant with väki, a term referring to the inherent power of all things. Midsummer was believed to be charged with curative väki, arising from the fecundity of nature at the height of summer.

S03 Episode 6: Summer Wilds

This podcast is a storytelling journey through world-folklore. With brief context and analysis in the introductions, the main focus is the retelling of stories themselves. From saucer-eyed spectral dogs to pond-scum haunting child-eating witches - experience the darker side of Britain's folklore in Series 1. Then journey to central and eastern Europe to the world of Slavic folklore, home of Baba Yaga and lurking nature spirits (Series 2). From there, step into the vast world of Nordic Folklore, where creatures abound in the woodlands, mountains and fjords of beautiful northern climes. Look out a series called 'Earth Lore' this autumn/winter to celebrate the natural world and a series on Japanese and Korean folklore next spring.

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Mythos Podcast

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