Between Two Ravens: A Norse Mythology Podcast

S5E13 Volsung Poems: The Poems of Brynhild and Gudrun (Part 4) David continues his series of not so short solo episodes, deep diving into the Poems of the Poetic Edda which inspired the Saga of the Volsungs.This is the story of the meeting of the hero with the beloved. The Valkyrie. I had to analyze the tragedy of Tristan and Iseult to find the archetypes which may be at play with the meeting of the hero with the beloved, and the meaning of the love triangle where the hero betrays his first love, in order to attempt to make an earthly love work. Is Sigurd "heartless" in his betrayal? Powerless to the dark agreements of others? Or does he have an acceptance of fate that is difficult for us to fathom?This episode explores the poems focusing on the meeting of Sigurd with his beloved and the tragedy when he finds himself with both Brynhild and Gudrun in love with him.Gripir's prophecyThe "short" poem of SigurdA fragment about Sigurd The First Poem of GudrunBrynhild's Ride to HellThe Saga of Volsung gives a convoluted meeting of Sigurd with Brynhild. Gripir's Prophecy gives what I find to be an oversimplified version. The other poems give multiple possible meetings as we attempt to sort out what was the most likely meeting and what did the earliest authors intend to be the meeting.I also contrast the Norse Version of the archetypal meeting of the hero and the beloved, which is filled with Shadow, Cursed Fate, and Insecurities, with the ideal meeting from Shahname, the Persian Book of Kings.Writing this episode has helped me a great deal to understand a relatively coherent and tragic story of Sigurd following his fate and playing out the curse of Andvari and Fafnir's gold. And I have gained a great deal of respect and understanding for Gudrun. I hope you enjoy coming along on the journey and I will return to the poems of Gudrun and Atli in the near future.Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn and David a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us for updates or send us a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@TwoRavensPodcast): https://www.instagram.com/tworavenspodcast/Check out David’s writing: Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement

This is a short episode where David talks about why a person might want to study Norse Mythology, Poetry, and Archetypes. My hope is that this episode would be a good introduction for anyone who is not already following Shawn and I on our 2 year journey of exploring the myths of the Norse Gods and the hero Sagas of the Volsung family and Ragnar Lothbrook. My takeaway is that archetypes help us find meaning in life. Accept fate and things in life that are difficult to accept. These are things which go beyond my work as a psychotherapist and expand into the Jungian psychology ideas of spiritual healing and soul work. If you are interested in understanding the study of Archetypes, soul work, poetry, and philosophy, we have discussions like these at The Walled Garden. I am starting a new grove called "The Raven's Nest", where I will have 3 meet-ups on the topic of Voulspa, the prophecy of the seeress. We will be analyzing stanzas from the poem and have time for listeners to discuss with us at the end:November 10th, 2024November 24th, 2024December 8th, 2024For more information and register for the event: https://thewalledgarden.com/the-ravens-nest/And follow us on instagram for updates: @TwoRavensPodcast https://www.instagram.com/tworavenspodcast/Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us for updates or send us a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@TwoRavensPodcast): https://www.instagram.com/tworavenspodcast/Check out David’s writing: Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement

S5E9 - Tristant and Iseult: The Myth of Romantic Love.David presents a story that is a long time in the works. It is the story of Tristan and Iseult. The first European Romance story. It is a story I needed to explain to connect the Saga of Sigurd and the Dragon, with the love triangle drama of Sigurd, Brunhilde, and Gudrun. This episode combines interpretations from Jungian authors Robert Johnson, Robert Moore, Jean Shinoda Bolen, and my original thoughts on what we can learn from the meeting of the hero with the feminine. It helps explain where the hero as the Lover archetype goes wrong, why he cannot become a complete Warrior or King, and how dark agreements and resentment destroy love and our selves.I particularly want to give credit to Robert Johnson's book "We: The Psychology of Romantic Love" for his theory on the difference between "In Love" as a projection and "Love", the force which invigorates the universe. He used the Myth of Tristan and Iseult as a way to see the harm caused by these unhealthy projections. I believe it is my original idea to see the connection between Iseult the Fair and Gudrun, as a possible theory for how the meeting of the hero with the feminine goes wrong and what would be needed for a healthy union.I also bring in some of my thoughts on what Stoicism can tell us about healthy love and what Stoicism can learn from mythology about the appropriate role of romance and love.Please follow us on Instagram (@BetweenTwoRavens) if you want to hear about current projects we are working on and I hope to have plans for an online meet-up with fans to discuss Old Norse Poems in the coming months.Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us or leave a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@BetweenTwoRavens): https://www.instagram.com/betweentworavens/Check out David’s writing: Prosoche Project (www.prosocheproject.com).Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement

S5E7 Volsung Poems: Sigurd the Dragon Slayer (Solo Short Part 3 of 5) David continues his series of shorts, deep diving into the Poems of the Poetic Edda which inspired the Saga of the Volsungs.Sigurd is the primary "hero's journey" story of Saga of the Volsungs. He is the dragon slayer, the man without fear, and he is destined to be the greatest of kings. But Sigurd's story is a tragedy, he never becomes the greatest of all kings. He becomes ensnared in a love triangle with witches curses and betrayal. This short explores the poems Lay of Regin, Lay of Fafnir, and Lay of Sigrdrifa. Lay of Regin and Lay of Fafnir are very similar to the story of Saga of the Volsungs, but Lay of Sigrdrifa presents Sigurd's meeting with the the Valkyrie, Sigrdrifa, rather than Brunhilde. I explore the commentaries of Carolyn Larrington's translation of Poetic Edda, which include theories on which of these sources are the oldest versions of the legend of Sigurd. I contrast with the Saga of the Volsungs and Wagner's Opera, as well as explore some ideas on similar heroes with romantic tragedies from other cultural traditions. An idea which I hope to return to.Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us or leave a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@BetweenTwoRavens): https://www.instagram.com/betweentworavens/Check out David’s writing: Prosoche Project (www.prosocheproject.com).Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement

In this episode, Shawn discusses the kingdom of Kent, the first of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England post-Roman Britain as told by Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" and the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle". Shawn delves into the legendary figures of Kent's inception, focusing on the brothers Hengest and Horsa, whose lineage traces back to the All-Father, Odin. He discusses King Aethelberht of Kent, the pioneering Anglo-Saxon monarch to embrace Christianity, setting a precedent for future rulers. The discussion extends to King Ecbert of Wessex, whose familial ties to Kent through his father, King Ealmund, raise intriguing questions about the kingdom's sovereignty. Despite their direct descent from Cerdic of Wessex, Ecbert's actions indicate a desire to assert Wessex's dominance over Kent, leading to its subjugation under Wessex's rule.Errors:Shawn misstated the beginning of Ida of Northumbria's reign as 457 CE, intending to reference the year 547 CE.Shawn's wording regarding Penda of Mercia's conversion implied he was the last to convert, whereas he remained a staunch pagan until his death. The correction clarifies that he was the last pagan Anglo-Saxon king, with Mercia converting after his reign.In reference to the West-Saxon king, Shawn inadvertently used "Cadwalla" instead of "Ceadwal".Shawn apologizes for any confusion arising from discussing two separate individuals named Ecbert without clearly distinguishing between them.Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us or leave a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@BetweenTwoRavens): https://www.instagram.com/betweentworavens/Check out David’s writing: Prosoche Project (www.prosocheproject.com).Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement

S5E3 Volsung Poems: Ottar/Otter (Solo Short Part 1)David isn't quite ready to put the Saga of the Volsungs to rest. This is the first of a series of shorts on the Poems of the Poetic Edda which inspired the Saga of the Volsungs. As Shawn and I found in Season 4, Saga of the Volsungs has a few inconsistent parts, where the author appears to have tried to reconcile multiple sources into a coherent story. So David is back to interpret the original sources to see what meaning can be found in the original poems.Part 1 looks at Otter/Ottar. Two different figures with a similar name, who both are involved in a battle between brothers over inheritance and have the ability to shape shift.The Otter of Saga of the Volsungs was the 3rd brother of Regin and Fafnir. His death at the hands of Loki led to Fafnir obtaining the cursed gold and Regin, the foster-father of Sigurd, to set Sigurd on the path to destroying the Dragon Fafnir. Lay of Hyndla features an Ottar who is a follower of Freya. This Poem is another attempt to condense ideas and themes found throughout the Poetic Edda.Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us or leave a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@BetweenTwoRavens): https://www.instagram.com/betweentworavens/Check out David’s writing: Prosoche Project (www.prosocheproject.com).Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement

In this episode, Shawn and David finally put the Volsung series behind them with and episode on,,,, the Volsungs. A recap of the series where we discuss the overall themes of the tragedy, and where we discuss what may seem to be the evilness of women, which seems to REALLY be the easy manipulation of men (gods we are stupid sometimes).... They also give a recap of the main players of the series.Also, Odin seems to play a part in the death of many of his descedents. The pair discuss his involvement while also discussing whether or not he has an endgame in mind or if the endgame is just a game in the mind of a god. Does Gudrun turn into her mother?Ways to support us:If you have been enjoying our show, please write a 5 star review on itunes to help spread our podcast to a wider audience:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-two-ravens-a-norse-mythology-podcast/id1604263830Buy Shawn a Beer or Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/tworavenpodcastFollow us or leave a message on Instagram:Instagram: (@BetweenTwoRavens): https://www.instagram.com/betweentworavens/Check out David’s writing: Prosoche Project (www.prosocheproject.com).Walled Garden (https://thewalledgarden.com/davidalexander)Our podcast is part of The Walled Garden Podcast Network. The Walled Garden is committed to the pursuit of Truth, Wisdom, Virtue, and the Divine, wherever it might be found. Visit thewalledgarden.com to learn more.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5910787/advertisement