bolts.
I have danced on the pyramids in Egypt, howled at the moon on the Avila Mountains of Venezuela.
I have dreamed with the souls in Atlantis.
—Luisah Teish
1
Myths and Deities
In the beginning, at a time when there was no Time, all that existed was the great silence in the dark depth of the Cosmic Womb (Nana Buluku). Within the Womb, the Great Egg of the World (Olodumare) sat in patient potential waiting for the fated moment of Its hatching. Suddenly a sound burst out from the center of the egg—OOORRRROOO—and the life-giving particles in the egg quickened and set into motion a tremendous bang, causing creative air spirits in the form of gases to dance among themselves. They danced themselves into Fire; they danced themselves into Earth. In the frenzy of their joy, Moon (Mawu) and Sun (Lisa) were born. Other dancing gases clashed and collided into fireballs spinning through the deep blue of space. They leaped and tumbled into the luminous depth of the Earth and formed the Ocean (Yemaya-Olokun). The rushing hum of the Ocean splashed Itself against Earth's shores, as the great masses of land erupted from Her depth (Odudua).
Sun stepped forward to perform His solo, and the Moon laid back to cool Herself off in the Upper Deep. As the Sun performed His slow drag over the surface of the Earth, life stirred in His rays (Ache). In the depth of the Sea, things began to form—a single cell divided into two making seaweed, hydra, and fish. The crab crawled out of the water and found that on the land, life was moving. Seed burst open, forming flowers, trees, and fruit. Spiders crawled, birds flew, and bush cows roamed in the forest. A blazing heat permeated the Earth, causing all things to stir and take shape. But the Sun's heat was overwhelming; things were being overdone, so He receded, and the Moon brought forth Her dance. She circled slowly through the night sky cooling the Earth, settling seed, calming the waters, and leaking a mysterious ray of subtle light (Ache) that tempered everything on Earth.
The Serpent wrapped Itself around the Earth and the Sky, holding the two together like a covered calabash.
The Moon called out, alarmed by the magnitude of the work they had done. Her cry resounded to the depths of the Earth, and up from the center came the Rainbow Serpent (Damballah Hwedo). The Serpent wrapped itself around the Earth and the Sky, holding the two together like a covered calabash.
Sun and Moon smiled at the work of the Serpent. Within Its Ring of Power the Celestial Couple made love and brought into being all the deities as twins. And on the planet's surface the palm and banana trees swayed in the wind, birds sang, fish swam, and the bush cows roamed in the garden.
This myth is a blending of two West African myths. It is a composite of the Creation stories of the Fon People of Dahomey (Republic of Benin) and the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria. Throughout this book, I have used the names of deities from these cultures to personify Cosmic forces and have merged this myth into some corresponding modern beliefs about the Universe. This story contains the same elements as can be found in the mythologies of most of the world's people. The greatest similarity among the world's creation myths lies in the attempt to explain how things were “in the beginning.” Some stories, like those of the Maori people of New Zealand (Aotaeroa), put great emphasis on the Nothingness that existed before Creation. In the beginning there is a Void, and in the Void there is a small but powerful potential. It may be a spark of Light, a seed, or an egg. That small potential is so full of power that it causes a turbulence of some kind. There is a sound, perhaps “the Word” is spoken by a Great Deity, and then the Light Show begins. In this version of the myth, our beginnings are cracked from the Cosmic Egg. The Sun, Moon, and Stars spring from the bowels or the heads of deities. They crawl out of holes in the ether. Water splashes, land erupts, things grow, fly, swim, and roam. And after a time, Human Beings show up for the party.
All the myths speak of the relationships between Creator and Creation, between Humans and the Natural World. And every culture designs its calendar, its art, its rituals, and its celebrations according to the beliefs set forth in its mythology.
It erupts and explodes from darkness to light.
The World's Myths
Most of the world's holidays are based on ancient myths. I am using the word myth to describe stories that attempt to explain Universal Truth in symbolic language. Unfortunately, the popular notion of myth mistakenly defines it as a simple untruth. Actually, myths are the cornerstone of Spirituality and Religion, their rituals and traditions. Real myth impacts culture at every level. It shapes political perspective and social structure. It determines our attitudes and actions toward the Earth, the natural world, and each other. Even science and its explorations are influenced by the cultural symbols and ideals found in myth.
Myths of Origin tell us why and how a particular tradition came into being. Usually these stories are populated with supernatural beings such as deities or mythological beasts, and they feature the actions of heroic human ancestors. So we find a genesis myth that tells us to tend a garden (the Earth) and to offer the fruits of our labor (to sacrifice) to a deity who is responsible for its existence. This is the origin of Harvest Festivals. We also have stories about exceptional human beings, infused with spiritual power, who with the guidance and support of deities are empowered to perform extraordinary feats, such as virgin birth and triumph over death. We celebrate these stories and characters because they have a significant impact on how we live life on Earth.
In all myths everywhere, the Earth is called “Our Mother,” “Mother Nature,” and “The Great Mother Goddess.” Her name is Gaia in the traditions of Europe, Haumea—or Papa to Native Hawaiians—and Asase Yaa among the people of Ghana. Many aspects of Nature—the wind, water, forest, and fire—are given male and female attributes in human culture. But most often, the Earth is seen as a Woman in various stages of life, with self-renewing powers.
In Spring, the Earth is seen as a young Maiden wearing wild-flowers in her hair. This is the Greek Persephone and the African Goddess Oshun, Daughter of Promise. In Summer, when the Sun is brightest, Isis of Egypt and other Mothers of Light bring forth the fullness of the flowers, Their beautiful children who adorn the Earth for celebration. She is seen as Mother-Woman. In Autumn, when the crops are ripe for picking, She becomes Ceres, Queen of the Harvest, the Abundant Provider. But when the multicolored leaves fall and seeds fly through the air, She becomes Oya, the Amazon Goddess of the Winds of Change. In Northern climates, Grandmother Earth may sleep or appear to die in Winter, but in tropical climates She is the Pregnant Mother gestating in the quiet depths awaiting the moment of rebirth in Spring.
As we move through the seasons in this book, you will meet many mythological and historical figures who personify the powers of Nature and exemplify human intelligence and courage. Some of the stories and figures associated with major Western holidays are probably familiar to you, whereas others may be completely new. Following is a brief introduction to the cast of characters and a sampling of some of the myths that surround them.
The Deities
Nana Buluku: Nana Buluku is the Primal Darkness, the Great Mother of the Sky pantheon for the West African people of Dahomey. She is seen as gynandrous, that is, primarily female but with male potential contained within Herself. Thus, She is able to give birth to Mawu and Lisa.
Olodumare:
