Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio Bernie Taylor on Iberian Mythology & the Forgotten Goddess
Dec 23, 2025
Bernie Taylor, an independent researcher and mythologist, dives deep into the enchanting world of pre-historic Iberian and Basque traditions. He reveals the complexity of Iberian mythology shaped by diverse peoples and cultural shifts. Central to his discussion is Mari, the goddess of nature, and her consort Sugaar, showcasing Basque animism. Bernie contrasts this rich matriarchal cosmology with patriarchal structures of ancient Greece. He also links cave art to these enduring myths, urging us to explore the profound connections between our past and the landscapes that shape our stories.
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Animistic Core Of Basque Belief
- Basque mythology is deeply animistic and ties every element of life to living gods and spirits.
- Bernie Taylor argues this worldview likely preserves prehistoric beliefs predating later conquerors.
Father Barandiarán's Fieldwork
- Father José de Barandiarán lived among Basque people and recorded their myths from an ethnographic perspective.
- His sympathetic work preserved local narratives that Franco-era Spain tried to suppress.
Mari As The Cosmic Mountain Goddess
- Mari is the central Basque deity who embodies the sun, moon, stars, and natural forces across multiple real mountain sites.
- Her presence links specific places (caves, mountains) to living myth and communal practice.