Mythology

Myths at first may seem to be crazy stories that any good story teller with a good imagination could come up with. These crazy stories are actually very much more then just crazy. They are mostly very well thought out and with the right understanding of each of these tales, alot of what is seen or read around us, begin to have many other meanings. Most of these passed down "stories" have very interesting events and specific meanings that unfold throughout the content. The characters themselves play different but very important roles in these tales by usually giving an understanding of how certain features of Earth were made, how life itself was created and what might have been going on in the life before ours. As my Mythology class furthers itself in the semester, I intend to post many stories that draw interest and which have meanings that we may affects on things in our daily lives. Stories will include some we've read out of Ovid or stories that I have just looked up and found interesting or may have some valued meaning.

The Greek Mythology Family Tree includes around twenty-two Gods and Goddesses in the lineage. The family tree breaks up into three separate generations. The first generation being the two "Forces" whom gives birth to the second generation which happens to be the seventeen "Titans". The final generation on the tree is branched off into the more well known of all the gods, the twelve "Olympians".

What were these "Forces" that were the creators of all Greek Gods and myths? Mother Earth and Father Sky, also known as Gaea and Uranus, are the oldest ancestors on the tree. Gaea gave birth to the "Titans". Cronus(Saturn) was the leader of the Titans until he was dethrowned by his son Zeus(Jupiter). The rest of the Titans sided with Cronus and they were banished to Tartarus in the Underworld. Those Titans include : Oceanus, Rhea(Ops), Atlas, Themis, Prometheus(Forethought), Epimetheus(Afterthought), Tethys, Hyperion, Mnemosyne, Iapetus, Coeus, Crius, Phoebe, Thea, Metis and Dione.

Rhea became the wife of Cronus and she gave birth to the first of the "Olympians". After some time, Cronus made it a habit to swallow his children so that none would be able to grow up and de-thrown him like Cronus once did to Uranus. The first "Olympians" include: Zeus(Jupiter), Poseidon(Neptune), Hades(Pluto), Hestia, Hera(Juno), Aphrodite(Venus) and Demeter(Ceres).

From these first "Olympians" sprouts the the rest of the Olympians, most of who are fathered by Zeus. Zeus was married to his sister Hera whom gave birth to sons Ares(Mars) and Hephaestus; but Zeus was also known for his numerous affairs. Zeus and Leto gave birth to twins, a boy named Apollo(Phoebus) and a girl named Artemis(Diana). Zeus and Maia also gave birth to a son named Hermes(Mercury). Zeus was also the father to Athena, but she was said to form full grown from Zeus' forehead so she had no mother. To finish off the list of kids for Zeus, we'll conclude with his mortal children which include: Hercules and Perseus.

Alloformsare symbols, shapes and forms that represent an important meaning or object in a myth.

Axis Mundi : known as the world's center and/or the connection between Heaven and Earth. It expresses a point of conection between sky and earth, where the four compass directions meet. At this exact point, travel between higher and lower realms can be created. The image can be both masculine and feminine and may come in many different forms. Forms stretching from natural objects to man-made materials.

• Natural images that are most commonly seen are: Mountains, trees, vines, a column of smoke or fire.
• Man-made images include: staff, tower, ladder, staircase, cross, rope, totem pole or pillar.

Goddesses and Moon Phases : Many ancient tribes believes that the moon is associated with goddesses and also that the different cycles of the moon represent different feminine cycles. But why the Moon? The moon itself plays very important roles, that of being essentially valuable to ancient calanders, measuring length of time and determines planting and harvesting cycles for many tribes (representing fertility).

Moon Phases

• First Phase (Waxing/Growing)- This phase represents the start of the cycle. The start of moon or feminine cycles can resemble other cycles. For example : Spring, Virgin and Birth are all associated with this beginning phase of the moon.
• Middle Phase (Full)- The phase represents the middle of the cycle. In correlation with the examples above, this phase of the moon is associated with: Summer, Mother and Maturity.
• Last Phase (Waning/Dying)- This phase is the final phase for the moon/goddess. This phase usually concludes with: Winter, Crone and Death.

Goddess Manifestations

• Goddess of the Underworld- Virgin, Maturity and Death.
• Goddess of the Earth- Spring, Summer and Winter
• Goddess of the Sky- Moon (Waxing, Full and Waning)

Objects with Mythological Meanings :

• Serpants/Dragon - Seen as protectors and gaurdians. Were used to protect valuable items. In some stories, the sheding of skin represents new life.
• Upside-Down Triangle - This represents the womb of a Goddess.
• Lake/water - This also represents the womb or rebirth.

We all have maybe heard many myths about how the world or Earth may have been created.There are a couple different types of Creation myths that can be told:

• Ex-Nihilo (creating from nothing)
• Earth Diver (A Being brings life out of or puts in the ground)
• Dismemberment (Taking off bodypart and creating into object)
• Emergence (Travel through worlds and metamorpheses till they reach current world)
• Breaking up Primal Unity ( Cracking of Cosmic Egg)

Many creation myths are known as Ex-Nihilo (From nothing). Were the story most often starts off with the Earth bare of any animals, river, tree or any type of scenary or living thing. Then there will be a group of Creators, down beneath the sea, who decide that one day they should perhaps create mountains, valleys and rivers to occupy the earths surface. Soon after this, they realize that under the branches of trees was nothing but silence, so they created animals to roam the land and birds to soar the sky. After these animals were created, they were expected to praise and call out their Creators names, but were unable to due to not being able to speak. In reaction to this, the Creators decide to punish them, not by killing but by creating something that would be superior to them and also be able to praise the Creators. These first Beings were first sculpted from mud, which was to soft and didnt contain a brain. Next set of humans were made from wood, which again resulted as being not very smart and ended up wandering around aimlessly so they were destroyed. In the last attempt to create the first Beings, the Creators decided to use a cornmeal dough to create the four First Fathers. These beings were very smart and right away began to thank their Creators, the Creators were no longer pleased with these beings because they were better then they wanted. The Creators talked and came to a conclusion to blow fog into the eyes, which left the Beings only seeing what was close to them, restoring their knowledge to normal and from there on occupied Earth.

With this little example of how the world was created along with the many other myths they can help give interesting views on the Creation of everything around us. There may be many Creation Myths that all may be very similar in structure of how Creation happened, but how will everything around us be destroyed? Alot of people think December 21-2012 is the answer. But thanks to Nasa and other officials, this myth has been determined WRONG! So how will the world end.. Like the images above or maybe like the video below?

With the thought of Creation Myths may come the thought that all things created may have been by the hands and wisdom of a male; as we all have read about in the Bible. Goddesses themselves play very important roles in Creation myths, due to the fact that all females have the ability to "create" life or other objects through birth. From here we can start thinking about the differences between a male creation and a female creation of the earth, and how these different creations compare.

Creations that are Made by Gods usually involve choice/design of the certain details of objects and living things. Whereas if a creation is Birthed by a Goddess (Creatrix) it is seen to be more of a "gift of life" and the features of whats created are determined randomly. A Creatrix may intend to involve a more peaceful and sharing society, were a god-made world is more based on a male superior society. For example, a male would be the ruler or head of power and usually exhibited more dominance in relationship with nature. Gaia Hypothesis is the fundemental idea that earth is a specific system within itself that is always working to bring things within into balance. The creation story above about the Creators molding things out of different materials is a good example that follows the guidelines for how a God-made society may have risen into being. Now for an example of a Creatrix, which is read in the myth about a pregnant women who fell through a hole, left behind from the tree of life being uprooted, and landed on earth.

This women was the Iroquois ancester and was known as Sky Women or Ataensic. And as she descended down towards earth, she fell through a flock of ducks or geese, which slowed her down enough just in time to land in a vast body of water. She swam around a began to search for land, but it was easy to see there was none around so she remained floating. Then at about this time, at this time Turtle arose from the water, allowing her to rest upon his shell. As she was lifted out of the water, muskrats continuously brang mud up from the bottom of the sea and began to collect it up, until it grew and formed and island. On this island, she gave birth to her daughter which soon grew up. One day as she bent over, a mysterious west wind (Zephyr) flew up her skirt and got her pregnant. As time passed, it was time to give birth and she found out she was having twins. The first Good twin came out in the proper way, but the Evil twin decided to punch out the side of his mom, resulting in her death. The duties placed upon the twins were to create the features of earth and sky. The good twin decided to shape the sky and add a sun, moon and some stars. After that he created mountains, and placed many plants and animals over the land. When the evil twin saw this, he became mad and set out with the intent to destroy all these things. He created darkness which filled the sky a drew away the sun. Along with that added monsters, storms and other dangerous beasts. After both had their chance to create things, they became displeased and fought. Good twin won and banished the evil twin to the underworld, were he became ruler and still tries to spread evil over the world. ( Besides for being a story that displays how a goddess may create the world, this story also introduces "Good vs Evil" myths ) .

The other night I rented a movie from Red Box and it was called Mirrors 2. A horror movie about mirrors who take over the reflection of the character looking into and in some way, murders them. Have you ever looked into a mirror and waited for your reflection to move? I don't want to exactly give away the end of the movie, but i do want to talk about a significant part. In this specific part of the movie, there is a old women giving an explanation to the night watcher of the mirror museum. She tells him about different myths Koreans and other people had about mirrors. For example, she said if a person broke a mirror and looked into it, their soul could be trapped in the mirrors or bad luck could be placed upon that person.

Lets start back before there was such thing as mirrors or glass one to see their reflection, instead people would look into the water. Many of those people believed that if the reflection was distorted, that person would soon become dead. It was first by Roman Belief, that if a mirror was broken, a streak of 7-years bad luck or death was brought upon them. This was because Romans believed that the mirror holds and reflects part of the soul, when a mirror is broken, the soul is also broken apart. There were some cures for this curse put upon a person by breaking a mirror. The most thought of remedy is to bury the pieces in the ground or grind up the broken pieces. Another way that is believed to work, is to tap the broken mirror on a gravestone seven times and the soul will become healed (but if they tap and bury, curse remains).

Some folk tales believe that a mirror cannot lie and only shows the truth about all things that it reflects. For example in Snow White, the magic mirror on the wall was asked many questions that he answered back. Other cultures believe if a baby were to look and see its reflection in a mirror during its first year, it would die. Some wives are incouraged to brush their hair while sitting in front of the same mirror that they've just ate an apple in front of. This will then give this woman the ability to see into the mirror and see her future husband.

So next time you step in front of the bathroom or bedroom mirror, take a second to look into the reflection and see what truths the mirror might hold for you.

In this section I will go through and explain the stages of an adventure that are visible when reading a Hero Myth. These three different stages were introduced by Joseph Campbell, an American Mythologist, and the stages involve: Departure, Initiation/Trials and a Return. Each one of these seperate stages can be broken down and used as a guideline throught most Hero myths.

Stage One - Departure

• Call to Adventure - Signs of certain talents
• Refusal - Won't stride out due to fear, insecurity or a sense of inadequacy.
• Supernatural Aid - Unexpected assistance
• Crossing 1st Threshhold - Traveling into the known
• Belly of the Whale - Death/ Darkness (separation from the hero's known world and self)

Stage Two - Initiation/Trials

• Road of Trials - Series of tests or tasks (may occur in three's)
• Meeting with Goddess - Experiences love like that an infant may have with its mother
• Women as Temptress - Hero may be tempted by lust away from the journey
• Atonement with Father - confront and taught by whom holds power in the Hero's life
• Apotheosis - Climax (were hero may be elevated to God-like figure)
• Ultimate Boon - the certain knowledge gained is brought back to the Hero's society

Stage Three - Return

• Refusal - Hero chooses not to do back to normal world.
• Magic Flight - An escape made with boon.
• Rescue from without - Powerful guides or rescuers who accompany hero on return
• Crossing Second Threshhold - How the hero goes upon sharing gained knowledge with their society
• Master of two worlds - achieving a balance between the material and spiritual
• Freedom to live - Application of Boon

How many wives did the myth hero Hercules really have? Hercules, unlike most Gods in myths who most likely have multiple encounters with "wives", had a total of two wives and a third after a deity. The first wive of Hercules was a daughter of King Creon, her name was Megara. Soon after they wed there was an incident between Hercules and his first family so he married a second wive who was daughter to the king of Calydon, her name was Deianira. The last wive of Hercules was said to happen after his adventure to becoming a deity and her name was Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera.

The Story of Megara and her kids

On Hercules return to Greece to get Cerberus, he discovered Greece under chaos. Lycus, the ruler of Thebes, slayed King Creon and took over Eubea. Right as Hercules arrived home, he found Lycus attempting to kill Megara and the children. Hercules came to the aid of his family right in time and impales Lycus with a arrow. As Hercules was presenting a sacrifice to Zeus, Hera interrupted, causing Hercules to become confused and angry. At that instant, Hercules drew up his bow and killed his kids thinking they were Eurystheus' sons. It is also believed that Hercules shot Megara along with his kids. In this bit of rage Hercules was in, he even tried to kill his adopted father Amphitryton (Hercules thought he was Eurystheus' father, Sthenelus). In all this commotion, Athena appeared and pelted Hercules in the chest, knocking him and putting Hercules into a deep sleep. Once Hercules woke up and found out what he had done, he couldn't believe his actions and considered taking his own life. Theseus was with Hercules and convinced him to go to exile instead. Hercules was then instructed by an oracle to go to Tiryns and serve Eurystheus for twelve years.

The Story of Deianira

Deianira is the daughter of Althaea and Oeneus, king of Calydon. Oeneus wanted his daughter to marry Achelous, who was a fearsome river god with bull-like horns. Deianira did not like that fact the this god had the ability to be a speckled serpent, a bull-headed man, or a bull. This wasn't the only problem for Achelous though, Hercules also saw the beauty in Deianira, so the two end up dueling for her love. Hercules slayed all three forms of Achelous and broke off one of his horns. Soon after they wed, Deianira and Hercules walked up to the Evenus River and planned to catch a ferry across from a centaur named Nessos. As Nessos was escorting Deianira across, he assaulted her and Deianira yelled out. At that instant, Hercules shot Nessos in the heart with his bow. As Nessos' spoke his last words, he told Deianira his blood could be used in a love potion and so she stored some in a vial. Later on she had woven a cloak for Hercules and included the blood to renew their love. Nessos' revenge worked as planned and love potion ended up being poison which burned the skin off Hercules.

The Story of Hebe

This relationship is much more less known about then Hercules first two marriages. Soon after Hercules death he ascended to godhood. Hebe, even though known for being the protector of children, wanted her own and believed Hercules would be perfect. They did have two sons together, Alexiares and Anicetus, they both remained children for eternity. Hebe and Hercules lived happy for awhile until Hercules became unhappy and was always coming and going on adventures. In the end, Hercules was completely dissatisfied with Olympus and left to the mortal world.

Cupid and Psyche is a story told by a elderly women in Lucius Apuleius' novel The Golden Ass, In the story there is a very stunning and beautiful mortal girl named Psyche, some images depict that she was a goddess with butterfly wings (psyche is also the Greek word for "butterfly"). A little jealous towards Psyche and her beauty caused Venus to come up with a plan for her son, Cupid, to cause Psyche to fall in love with a creature of some sort by using his golden arrows. Cupid repeatedly denied the task until he finally gave in and headed out into the night towards Psyche's chamber.

(See if you can associate the stages of the "Hero Adventure" throughout the following text.)

As Cupid drew closer to her sleeping chamber, he turned invisible so no one could see him as he entered the window to her room. He crept closer to her bed, trying to keep silent and began to think how horrible it was that her beauty was the cause of all this. Cupid leans over the shoulder of the sleeping Psyche as he draws one of his arrows. Although before Cupid could scratch her shoulder with the golden arrow, she awakens and startles Cupid. Psyche then looks him right in the eyes, even though he is under invisibility. During all of this, Cupid came to realise he had scratched himself and now found himself in love with Psyche. As he tries to proceed with the task he begins to fall deeper and deeper in love and returns to his mother, Venus. When she learned that he had failed and found out what had happened, she became angry and went after Psyche. Venus decides to do a spell of her own and cursed Psyche so that she wouldn't be able to find a suitable husband. Venus retaliating only led Cupid to take things even further and he then declared that he'd not to shoot anymore arrows.

No more arrows, ment no more love and this included both man and animals. The Earth eventually started to age and began die. Along with this and the fact no one was praising her, Venus decided to compromise with Cupid. She allowed him to choose one thing but Cupid only desired Psyche. Not pleased with this choice, Venus sends Cupid off to work on restoring the Earth with his arrows. Everything began to return to normal and the Earth become young again, but Psyche still couldn't find a husband so she went to a oracle. The oracle insisted on her to climb up and be left on a mountain

(This represents "Belly of the Whale" were Psyche is left alone on to let fate decide whats next. Sooner or later she is consumed by darkness and taken away by the wind of change. This also marks the end of Stage 1. The next paragraph introduces the start of Stage 2: The Initiaition/Trials, this is because Psyche is giving different tasks to complete.)

At this instant, Zephyrus (west wind) swoops here up and takes her off to a palace. During the day she was taken care of by invisible servants until it was night, then she was promised groom. The groom turned out to be Cupid but only if Psyche never show light upon Cupid's face, not until the necassary moment. One day Cupid allowed Zephyrus to take Psyche back to her two jealous sisters, assuring her not to listen to any lies they might construct.

At the time she rejoined back with her sisters she was pregnant with Cupids kid. The two sisters started telling Psyche of the rumor heard, that Psyche acually married a evil serpant who was waiting for when it was hungry, to eat Psyche and her baby. They told Psyche to go back to the palace at night and to bring with her a lamp and knife. As Cupid would fall under a sleep, Psyche's orders were to light the lamp to see if the image was really a evil serpant. As Psyche did so, she found that Cupid had been laying there all along. While in shock, a arrow just scratches her arm, sending her to start kissing on Cupid. Wax from the candle then drips off as she leans over and wakes Cupid, sending him into flight out the window. Leaving Psyche with a broken heart, she decided to head back to were her sisters live. Upon finding them, convince her sisters Cupid chose her off the mountaintop. Both sisters rush to the top and jump off, thinking Zephyrus is going to catch them, but fall to their death.

Psyche searched everyone for the one person that was just perfect for her but still couldn't find him. She asked upon Ceres and Juno for help, but was told the same response by both, to return to Venus for she has created this problem. Psyche then stumbled upon the temple of Venus and is ordered by Venus to serperate the different types of grain. While Psyche begins to sort the grain, an ant feels bad for her and along with all the other ants, they seperate the grain. Furious that Psyche overcame this task, Venus tells her that she most go retrieve golden wool off the golden sheep. On arrival to the golden sheep, she was met by river-god and he informs her that the sheep are mean and will attack her. He also advises her that if she waits till noon, they will rest under a group of bushes and eventually leave behind golden wool on twigs. Surprised with this 'feat completed by Psyche, Venus sends her for water flowing in a place were only mortals can go and its also gaurded by giant serpents. Just like her last task, Psyche is assisted by an eagle who flies up and retrieves it for her. Venus is just over whelmed with the fact that Psyche was not hurt it either tasks, so she gives her one more quest to complete. Venus explains to Psyche that having such a lack in faith and praise from people has caused Venus to lose her beauty she once had, but there was a cure for it. The cure is deep down in the Underworld and it happens to be a piece of beauty that belongs to Queen Proserpina. Psyche had to get that piece of beauty and place it in a box that she was given.

(Notice this next part of the story and how it relates to the "Axis Mundi" talked about above in the Alloforms section and how the tower represents the seperation of the "real" world and the "divine" world).

To make her decent into the Underworld, Psyche decided the quickest possible way was to jump from the top of a high tower. As soon as she was about to leap, the tower spoke to her and informed her of the easy and safe way to make into the Underworld and back out alive. During her journey in the Underworld she followed all of the rules, but as she left the Underworld she became a little curious and looked inside. As the box opened, a infernal sleep takes over Psyche. Cupid, who has begun to worry and set out looking for Psyche, found and released her from the sleep and sent Psyche back to Venus with the box

(This point of the story represents the "Rescue from Without" because Cupid saves her, "Crossing of 2nd/Return Threshold" because she is now on her journey back and also "Master of Two Worlds).

Mean while, Cupid heads up Mount Olympus and pleads to Jupitor and the high council to let Psyche and hhim wed. They agree and give Psyche ambrosia to drink and she became immortal. Later on Psyche and Venus forgive each other and Psyche gives birth to Voluptas the goddess of sensual pleasures.

(Which is the overall "Boon" of the story because it brings Peace to the society, Female "Boons" tend to be more communal)

Ka'aba is cube made from granite and is covered with a black curtain called Kiswah, and about two-thirds of the way up is wrapped with a layer of gold-embroider; the banner has the Islamic Decleration of Faith, Shahada, inscribed on it. It is positioned in the center of the mosque Masjid al-Haram and is located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims see this cube to be the most sacred site and symbol in their religion of Islam. It is written in the Qur'an, that the Ka'ada was constructed at the time of Abraham and his son Ishmaels arrival to the Arabian Peninsula. Each one of the four corners points towards and matches up with a door the the school and also follows the four cardinal directions of a compass. The eastern corner is represented by The Black Stone, which is believed to date back to Adam and Eve and also happens to be a meteorite which crashed into this sacred spot. The northern corner then points toward Iraq, the western corner is directed towards Syria and the southern corner points towards Yemen. Muslims throughout the world face in the vacinity of the Ka'aba when making each of their five prayers that they participate in everyday.

These are some of my favorite myths, when the trickster (mostly humans, some may have animal characteristics) tend to stretch and most of the time breaking the rules set in their society by the gods or nature. Throughout these tales, tricksters are decieving and play tricks on others. Tricksters usually have some sort of appetite/desire which motivates them along their journey. There are six different traits that tricksters may demonstrate throughtout the myths:

• Ambiguous Personality - The trickster is able to change identity.
• Deciever - The trickster is very good with words and is able to talk their way out/into most situations.
• Shape Shifter - This is when the trickster has the ability to transform their physical appearances.
• Situation Inverter - This also involves the trickster to be decieving and use words which convince those who are listening .
• Messanger/immitator of Gods - There are a few items which contribute to Hermes being a messanger. His lyre, winged-sandals (talaria) and his winged-hat (petasus). He also carries his Near Eastern herald's staff (a caduceus curled around by serpents).
• Sacred / Lewd Bricoleur (Do It Yourself) - Creation of an object with only resources available and at hand.

A good example of a trickster is in the myth about Hermes stealing Apollos cattle in the Homeric Hymns #4 which is to follow.

In the Homeric Hymns #4, Hermes continues to fool Apollo and other characters throughout the story. He does so in many ways, in which correlates to many of the traits discussed in the section above, "Traits of a Trickster". In the story about the disappearance of Apollo's Cattle, Hermes uses a lot of Decieving, Bricoleur and also excellent at situation inverting which saved himself numerous times.

Lewd Bricoleur was represented in the beginning of the story, when Hermes steps outside and sees a turtle lying in front of his house. With his ability to make the turtle believe he'll be kept safe and taken care of, Hermes then grabs the turtle and strides home. As soon as Hermes entered the house, he began to repeatedly stab the turtle. Hermes then emptied the shell, attached seven strips of sheep guts and measured out cow hide which he stretched to cover over the now hollow shell. This became to be the known instrument of Hermes, the lyre. Soon after he played the lyre, he grew hungry for meat; appetite is also another characteristic of a trickster.

Hermes set his eyes upon the heard and separated fifty head of cattle from the rest. As he headed back to his house with the cattle, Hermes decided to confuse though who may follow by switching around the pattern of the hooves to make it seem as though they were headed in the opposite direction. As for his sandals, he tied on branches and leaves to cover up his prints. Hermes was making his way through the last grassy fields, when a old man began to watch so Hermes confronted and threatened his vineyard if the old man didn't keep quiet about what hes seen.

Couple days passed before Apollo returned home to his field empty of now cattle. He set out to look for them , when he stumbled through the same grassy fields Hermes did just a few days before. Apollo saw the old man and asked if he had seen any suspicious person with a herd of cattle. The old man described his encounter with the baby who held the Caduceus and Apollo resumed his course. As Apollo neared the house of Maia, Hermes curled up and laid in his cradle. Apollo burst in with rage and looked everywhere for whom stole his cattle. Lastly, he peeked into the cradle, glaring down upon the baby Hermes and asked were his cattle have been hidden. The trickster of Hermes shines once again and he deceives Apollo by saying that he is just a baby who was born the day before and that he had no recollection of what may have happened to the cows. Apollo didn't believe a word Hermes was saying, so he took a hold of the baby and headed to Zues to get a solution.

Even in fron of his dad and the all mighty Zeus, Hermes continue to deny and lie about the theft of the cattle the couple days before. After hearing both sides of the arguement, Zeus began to laugh at the denial by Hermes and accusations by Apollo. To solve the conflict, Zeus commanded the two to search together for the cattle. As instructed, Hermes leads Apollo to the cattle. On arrival, Apollo began to attempt to tie up Hermes, but Hermes slipped out. sending the bands of willow towards the cows which tied them together. At this moment, Hermes started playing music on his lyre and Apollo joined in singing and offered his fifty head of cattle for the lyre; along with his duties.

 During the war between Vanir and Aesir, the wall surrounding Asgard was destroyed, leaving the city vulnerable to attacks inflicted by the giants. Although, one day a giant named Blast came to Asgard and offered his skills in stone masonry to rebuild the wall to be better then it has ever before. There was a catch though, the giant wanted a payment in return for his hard work. It was suggested to the gods, that they reward him with the consent of Freya to be his wife. The gods were about to refuse the offer, when Loki came up with a plan to accept the deal if only the wall were to be completed in six months. The deal was made, when Blast insisted he use his work horse, Svadilfari.

By the Gods surprise, the wall was being built at a reasonable amount of time. Odin threatened Loki with death if he wasn't able to put together a plan to interfere with the build. Loki noticed that Blast's steed was doing most of the heavy carrying and decided to lure the horse far from the giant. Loki then shifted into a young mare and ran off with the steed into the forest, were the remained there until the next day. Once Svadilfari returned it was to late and the giant failed his duty. The giant became to mad, that him and Loki got into a confrontation. With one blow of Loki's hammer, the giant was killed. A couple months later, Loki returned to Asgard with a young colt named Sleipnir, gray in color and had eight legs, it was given to Odin as a gift. Sleipnir has the ability to travel through the air, and over either water or land. Odin road into the Underworld upon Sleipnir on many occasions.