Between Two Ravens: A Norse Mythology Podcast

Part 1 of 2 on Thor’s Hero’s Journey. Shawn recaps the myths where Thor learns painful lessons along his journey, either from his father Odin, Loki, or other powerful Giants. David reads the Skaldic poem Haustlong, which is a ‘chock-full-of-kennings’ rendition of Thor’s battle with Hrungnir. Thor’s early hero’s journey reinforces the importance of Havamal Virtues. David gives an example of divination using the I Ching which is particularly timely for this episode on Thor and raises the question “which of your demons are you unconsciously feeding?” A question from the episode, answered: Svolnir’s Widow is another name for Thor’s mother, the Earth (also known as Jorth). The name Svolnir is not well attested and could either be another name for Odin (as Odin isn’t dead, maybe the old Norse word translated ‘Widow’ is meaning she was divorced from him). Alternate sources indicate that Dallingr (the dawn) sired Dagr (the day) with Jord. Or maybe she was married to Annar, an island giant who may have been a personification of water itself. Announcements: David is starting a mindfulness group. Learn about why mindfulness is the first step for any philosophical journey or process of self-transformation. Come practice mindfulness every Friday morning in April and May 2023. It is free for anyone to attend. Fridays 8:30am PST: https://thewalledgarden.com/theprosocheproject 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn discusses the life of Penda: Last Pagan King of Mercia, as told in the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" and Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People". 7th Century England saw many of the Petty Kingdoms converting to Christianity. However, King Penda of Mercia (626-655ce) remained a staunch pagan up until his death. During his reign he ravanged Northumbria (killing 2 of its kings), invaded East-Anglia (killing 3 of theirs), and routed King Kenwal from his kingdom of Wessex due to a slight against his sister. As the Anglo-Saxon gods are similar to the Norse gods, I would say Penda has earned a place in Valhalla. Announcements: David is starting a mindfulness group. Learn about why mindfulness is the first step for any philosophical journey or process of self-transformation. Come practice mindfulness every Friday morning in April and May 2023. It is free for anyone to attend. Fridays 8:30am PST: https://thewalledgarden.com/theprosocheproject Want to invest in our scheme to start a Between Two Ravens Merch Store? Send us $20 and we’ll send you some Between Two Ravens logo stickers. https://tworavenpodcast.wordpress.com/donation/ 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn and David wrap up their series on the journey of Odin, from his birth to his death at Ragnarök. This week they focus primarily on what they consider to be an older Odin contemplating his life and mortality, and ask the question "Did Odin die a good death?" when swallowed by the wolf, Fenrir. The pair also discuss the idea of meditating on one's death and how we as humans can recognize the fact that we will die, but use that fact to enjoy life more as opposed to leading to an extreme existential dread in the years leading up to it. David also sings a lullaby in German? Announcements: David is starting a mindfulness group. Learn about why mindfulness is the first step for any philosophical journey or process of self-transformation. Come practice mindfulness every Friday morning in April and May 2023. It is free for anyone to attend. Fridays 8:30am PST: https://thewalledgarden.com/theprosocheproject Want to invest in our scheme to start a Between Two Ravens Merch Store? Send us $20 and we’ll send you some Between Two Ravens logo stickers. https://tworavenpodcast.wordpress.com/donation/ 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn and David continue part 2 of 3: The Journey of Odin. We continue with Odin’s stories of meddling in the affairs of mortals and gods. Odin, the King of the Gods, struggles to understand the ‘Good Father’ Archetype. We get a bit deep talking about the structure of the human psyche, whether God(s) exist or not, and whether immortality is really boring.  Watch Shawn takeover TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tobiandwaylan Videos Mentioned: Ragnar and Egbert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3cimQ6yIT8 Ragnar contemplates fate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIPiLp9NwyY Announcements: David is starting a mindfulness group. Learn about why mindfulness is the first step for any philosophical journey or process of self-transformation. Come practice mindfulness every Friday morning in April and May 2023. It is free for anyone to attend. Fridays 8:30am PST: https://thewalledgarden.com/theprosocheproject Want to invest in our scheme to start a Between Two Ravens Merch Store? Send us $20 and we’ll send you some Between Two Ravens logo stickers. https://tworavenpodcast.wordpress.com/donation/ 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn and David recap the journey of Odin in a 3 part series. Part one is Odin’s younger years. Odin’s origin and the birth of the gods. Odin’s adventures to gain wisdom, poetry, and magic spells.David and Shawn muse on the idea of why Odin is seeking Wisdom from The Feminine, what Odin has to sacrifice, and why it all has to do with learning to face your death.Announcements: David is starting a mindfulness group. Learn about why mindfulness is the first step for any philosophical journey or process of self-transformation. Come practice mindfulness every Friday morning in April and May 2023. It is free for anyone to attend. March 24th 8:00 am PST: https://thewalledgarden.com/thewalledgardenliveevent2 Future Events Friday 8:30am PST: https://thewalledgarden.com/theprosocheproject Want to invest in our scheme to start a Between Two Ravens Merch Store? Send us $20 and we’ll send you some Between Two Ravens logo stickers. https://tworavenpodcast.wordpress.com/donation/ 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Shawn discusses the figure of Cerdic, the supposed first king of Wessex as told in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Cerdic and his son Cynric formed the kingdom in the year 519 ce. 400 years later, his house and descendants would form the Kingdom of England, a kingdom which still stands today in 2023 with King Charles III. The chronicle also contains 2 interesting notes. One in the year 495 ce which gives a preview of the list of Kings of Wessex/England from Cerdic to Edward the Martyr, who died in 978 ce (Kings they would be discussing later anyway on their respective years). The other being in 854 ce (the year of King Aethelwulf of Wessex's death), where it then gives a direct line of ancestors of Aethelwulf all the way do Adam from the Bible. Shawn also uses 2 different pronunciations of Cerdic's son "Cynric" because he is an idiot. 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Shawn and David discuss chapters 52 and 53 of Gylfaginning from the Prose Edda, which details the aftermath and rebirth of Ragnarök. They also further discuss the similarities with this story and Revelations from the Holy Bible. Shawn also talks about how he was the original "Shawn the Valet" and hints that Marvel owes him some money. 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Shawn and David discuss the battle of Ragnarök. We see the deaths of many of our favorite characters of Norse Mythology. ....It uhhhh, does NOT go well for the gods. David also is very excited that he watched a movie this century and was keen to discuss Thor: Love and Thunder. 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first ever live Fireside Chat! In this episode the hosts (Shawn and David obviously) and fans discuss (over drinks) the poem Vǫlundarkviða from the Poetic Edda. The poem details the story of a talented elf's fall into a corrupted sole as he takes revenge on a king of men, Nithuth... We thank everyone for taking there time to join us for the event and we hope to see you again at the next one! 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To kick off Season 3 Shawn and David are talking about Ragnarok. Loki is freed from his bonds and he is joined by his children Fenrir, Jormungandr, Hel and her army of the dead, The sons of Muspell (an army of Fire Giants), and an army of Frost Giants for good measure. It's a wild scene, but as David points out, not quite as wild as the book of Revelations (you really gotta read the book of Revelations). We also start to interpret what Ragnarok might represent psychologically. Stay tuned for Ragnarok (Part 2). But before that, we will have the Fireside Chat, a live event we have been looking forward to for months. We appologize for the short notice, but hope you will be able to attend our live episode recording Friday, January 20th at 8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific. We are going to talk about our plans for Season 3, Shawn is going to read Völundarkviða, The poem of Volund the Smith, by a fire, and we will be drinking from our viking drinking horns. It will be followed by a Q&A and we look forward to meeting our fans. Register for the event here: https://thewalledgarden.com/betweentworavensfireside The Fireside Chat is free to attend, but feel free to donate $5 if you want to support our eccentric purchase of custom engraved viking drinking horns: https://tworavenpodcast.wordpress.com/donation/ 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/id1604263830 Follow us or leave a message on Twitter or Instagram: Twitter: (@TwoRavenPodcast): https://twitter.com/TwoRavenPodcast 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 about weekly meet-ups and the other Walled Garden contributors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices