Between Two Ravens: A Norse Mythology Podcast

David Alexander and Shawn Gaich
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Feb 20, 2024 • 1h 1min

S5E1 Volsung Recap and Ragnar Episode 0?

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
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Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 4min

S4E22 Volsung Saga XIV: Gudrun's Revenge and 3rd Marriage

Shawn and David finally wrap up the "The Saga of the Volsungs". Where Gudrun, fresh off of losing her 2 brothers, plots revenge on her husband Atli. After she takes care of him (and ugh her 2 sons with him), she then finds herself married for a 3rd time to a King Jonakr.Svanhild, daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun, also plays a part and does her fucked up duty as a princess in the dark ages and becomes bethrothed to a king way above her age. This leads to many more problems for the family. Including the deaths of 2 OTHER sons of Gudrun, and a step son,,,,,Also Shawn forgets the actor "Kevin Costner" at one point. LolWays 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
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Dec 29, 2023 • 1h 10min

S4E21 Volsung Saga XIII: Atli the Cruel, Brother of Brynhild

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss the aftermath of Sigurd's death, and the life of Gudrun as a recent widow. Though she has a goodbye moment with the corpse of her husband, she then travels the world to start fresh and finds herself at a kingdom in Denmark where she befriends a Princess Thora there. After 3.5 years, she slowly regains some happiness and everything is turning up for Gudrun.That is until Grimhild her witch of a mother finds her location and pulls her back into the arms of this disfunctional family. Grimhild gives her a spell to forget the trespasses of her family, and marries her off to King Atli, the brother of her now dead rival, Brynhild the Valkyrie.This marriage was fated to happen, as Brynhild herself told Gudrun previously that this marriage would end with her killing her 2nd husband,,,You do seem to get somewhat of a redemption arc for Gunnar and Hogni; however, how much of them getting past their previous betrayal was nothing more than them accepting their own deaths, deaths which they may have welcomed as they weren't able to live with themselves for that betrayal?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
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Dec 21, 2023 • 54min

S4E20 Volsung XII: The Deaths of Sigurd and Brynhild

David and Shawn discuss chapters 30 and 31 of the Saga, which features in back to back chapters the deaths of 2 major characters, in this case Sigurd the Dragon Slayer of the House of Volsung, and Brynhild the Valkyrie. Brynhild at this point is still depressed over her inability to affect her fate in life, specifically with her inability to be with Sigurd. As she has found out that Sigurd himself played a part in her downfall, she gives her husband Gunnar (and Sigurd's Blood-Brother) an ultimatum. One choice, he can perhaps finally appease his wife, OR, he can betray his oath to Sigurd in front of gods and men.As we will learn, and if you haven't noticed, this story never was fated to have a happy ending for the family.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
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Dec 14, 2023 • 1h 2min

S4E19 Volsung XI: Brynhild's Depression

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss Chapters 28 & 29 of the Saga of the Volsungs. Gudrun taunts Brynhild on having won the better man (Sigurd) while also trying to convince Brynhild that her true love, Sigurd, isn't that great and Brynhild's husband, Gudrun's brother, is actually quite a catch.Brynhild's anger and resentment grow until she becomes defeated and depressed. When her husband is not able to cheer her up she ends up trying to kill him, so they send in Sigurd who unsuccessfully tries to convince her that her life is not all that bad. She ends up cursing them all and praying for their deaths.It sounds like a bad soap opera, but what psychological insights can be gained from the archetypes of witches, curses, and dark agreements? It is all about the shadow of love and the hazards of betraying your self. Where did Sigurd go wrong? And how did the witch play on his insecurities?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
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Dec 11, 2023 • 48min

S4E18 Volsung X: Brynhild v Gudrun - A Dark Age Love Triangle

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss Chapters 25-27 of the Saga, which sees a budding friendship between Sigurd and the sons of King Gjuki, Gunnar and Hogni. Those brothers also have a sister, Princess Gudrun. The very woman Brynhild told Sigurd he would be fated to marry as oppose to her. King Gjuki also has a wife who happens to be a witch, Queen Grimhild. The Queen sees that Sigurd has a fondness for Brynhild the Valkyrie, so she hatches a plan to orchestrate the foretold marriage with her daughter,,,, while also casting a spell on Sigurd to forget Brynhild. Also, she sees the benefits of having her son Prince Gunnar marry Brynhild the Valkyrie.However, to make this work Sigurd needs to step in, putting him in a weird place where he sleeps with the very woman he used to love but forgot. 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/id1604263830Follow 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
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Nov 30, 2023 • 28min

S4E17 The Ring Cycle: Götterdämmerung - Twilight of the Gods (4 of 4)

David presents part 4 of 4 short episodes on the Ring of Power. A Jungian interpretation of Wagner's 4 part Opera inspired by the high German version of Saga of the Volsungs (Nibelungenlied - Song of the Nibelung).This episode has been a long one in the making and it is a long short. It begins with a summary of the final portion of Siegfried's journey, which parallel's Sigurd's journey at the end of Saga of the Volsungs.David includes his interpretations on the archetypes in the story and the underlying meaning of betrayals, curses, and love potions.Jean Shinoda Bolen gave a family system interpretation of Brunhilde's betrayal of the all father, and subsequent betrayal by the hero, as a perspective on patriarchy and the need for love, rather than a drive for power. My interpretation is similar, but rather focused on the archetypes of insecure, immature masculinity that drive the tragic story of Siegfried, and what mature masculinity, that includes the Lover and Warrior archetype could mean.My interpretation particularly focuses on the role of Acceptance, a form of love, as a necessary component to overcome the curse and poison of resentment. In the end, fate happens as it does, and the death of the gods and downfall of the hero is a necessary step for rebirth, growth, true transformation, and individuation.Acknowledgement to Jean Shinoda Bolen's book 'Ring of Power' as the inspiration for this 4 part series.Don Miguel Ruiz's story "The Man Who Didn't Believe In Love" inspired part of my interpretation. It is from his book "The Mastery of Love."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/id1604263830Follow 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.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
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Nov 27, 2023 • 58min

S4E16 Volsung Saga IX: Brynhild the Valkyrie

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss Chapters 20-24 of the Volsung Saga, where Sigurd has 2 completely different meetings with the Valkyrie, Brynhild. There is also a chapter dedicated solely to how beautiful Sigurd himself is. Shawn says the word, "inconsistency" 40,384 times.Also, the pair discuss Brynhild's words to Sigurd and how she may actually be warning him of his lust for her as opposed to her accepting his advances. Apologies at the beginning of the episode David is still waking up and says Shawn McGrath-Muniz rather than Patrick McGrath-Muniz.Podcast Psyche (Formerly ‘Therapy for Guys’) with Quique Autrey and there are several episodes on Archetypes in Tarot, which has an indirect link to Archetypes in Nordic Runes as a system of divination.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psyche/id1621354883The Emperor and Phallic symbolism.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patrick-mcgrath-mu%C3%B1iz-the-emperor/id1621354883?i=1000597054940The Foolhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fool-an-archetype-for-the-modern-man/id1621354883?i=1000559145424Patrick’s current gallery show in Santa Fe, NM runs through the end of the year.https://evokecontemporary.com/special-promo/Patrick-mcgrath-Muniz-SP.htmlWays 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/id1604263830Follow 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
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Nov 20, 2023 • 46min

S4E15 Volsung Saga VIII: Sigurd and the Song of Birds

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss Chapter 19 of the Saga of the Volsungs, with additional content from the poem, Fáfnismál. Sigurd, fresh off of killing the feared dragon Fafnir, receives some interesting information from new friends of the avian variety.What Sigurd does with this information and his future in general, is up to fate.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/id1604263830Follow 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
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Nov 13, 2023 • 49min

S4E14 Volsung Saga VII: Sigurd the Dragon Slayer

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss the rise of Sigurd of the House of Volsung in chapter 17 and 18 of the saga. Firstly, with him raising an army to battle the rival family of the Volsungs (the sons of Hunding) and his father's killer, King Lyngvy. We then discuss the very anti-climatic "fight" between Sigurd and Fafnir, along with the much cooler conversation between the two after Sigurd mortally wounds the dragon.Fafnir has some advice of his own for Sigurd on his brother Regin's true character. The pair also discuss the idea of wealth and one's purpose in life. What made Fafnir inherit an ungodly amount of riches only to decide to live with it in his seclusive lair. Why didn't he decide to like buy a soccer team or a social media website or something?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/id1604263830Follow 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

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