Rübezahl, also known as Krkonoš is a deity or spirit of central Europe residing in the giant mountains also known as the Krkonoše. He is a prominent figure in German, Polish, and Czech folklore. He is a shapeshifter and lord of the mountains. Taking the form of a gnome, goblin, giant, woodwose, old man, handsome prince, old granny, and even a headless apparition with a three legged horse. He is known to aid those who are pure of heart but to harm or even kill those who are malevolent, rude or lying. He often takes the role of a trickster sometimes helpful such as giving away gold disguised as horse manure sometimes much more malevolent going so far as to crush the bones of a thief by throwing him to the ground. He has a thing for maidens and one of his most famous stories involves him capturing a princess and taking her to his underground kingdom, where he gifts her roots such as Turnips in order that she may make them change into the form of whatever she desires, friends, pets, or wild animals. However they rot and whither like the roots they are. Eventually in order to return to her love the Prince Ratibor the princess tricks Rubezahl into counting all the Turnips in a meadow which in order to get correct and prove his love he does over and over to check his count. The maiden escapes and Rubezahl pursues summoning lightning bolts in a attempt to halt her escape with Ratibor. Here is where he gained the nickname Rubezahl “Turnip counter” Though he despises this name and it is unwise to call him that lest you earn his fury and anger and instead the titles of “Lord of the mountains” or “Lord John” are much more preferred. Rubezahl is also the lord of weather in his mountains and can summon whatever weather he wishes in his kingdom. He is said to be the prince of gnomes and rules the underworld with its marble halls with subjects of goblins and gnomes who manage the fire beneath the land to create minerals and precious metals. Miners often looked to gain his favor in order to have access to the minerals he made within his mountains careful not to lose his favor and incur his wrath. Like many old pagan deities Rubezahl was made into a demon by christians with many of his oldest appearances being that of a horned and hoofed demon, perhaps tying into the horned god of the region Holler. Rubezahl is also said to take part in the wild hunt similar to Wotan and Holler. He also carries a cane, staff or club that looks like an uprooted tree and is a defender of the animals and forests of his lands. He if often known for testing the people who walk his mountains for their pure hearts and aiding or harming them accordingly. Given that he rules over the metals and minerals of the land he is often called “Treasure keeper” for the hoard of treasure he is said to possess. He is also said to have been the one who gifted Sourdough bread to people showing them how to make it. Tolkien himself has referred to him as the inspiration for Gandalf in his elderly man form. He often took the form of a toad and if someone were to harm the toad their leg would break within a few steps. He was most well known in Bohemia and Silesia. An important distinction between Rubezahl in Czech and German folklore is the Czech had him more in the role of protector of who they perceived as corrupt German landlords. Rubezahl may be a memory of Wotan but it is more likely he is a similar regional deity or spirit specific to the mountains who may have fed into the legends that we now see as of Wotan in Germany. What is your favorite thing about Rubezahl?

Paul Bunyan, American “demi-god”, folk hero, and legendary lumberjack. The giant of the northwoods, Paul Bunyan is a legendary lumberjack of Northern North America, who had stories told about him for the better part of the last 200 years. His height differed depending on who you asked from seven feet to seven axe handles high (21 feet approx) to well over 50 axe handles high making him as tall if not taller then the trees he felled. Paul's stories seem to have likely originated in the northern midwestern great lakes region (Michigan and Wisconsin). Arising out of the folk culture of the American lumberman AKA Lumberjacks or just Jacks. He is often thought of as the American equivalent of Thor or Heracles as a folk hero who was seen as both strong and clever and a role model for young men. While undoubtedly clever Paul was often thought of as illiterate ordering supplies for his camp via pictures he carved or drew. Many of Bunyan’s tales tell of setbacks he had to solve or beasts he had to defeat. Most notably those of the Sidehill gouger (a sort of giant cat with feet that are shorter on one end so it can go around the mountain easier), the Hodag (The most feared northwoods beast said to be the spirits of abandoned or lost oxen), or the terrifying 6 foot tall Mosquito-bees. Born of mosquitoes that were so big that they flew off with their prey, in an attempt to stop them from killing his crew Bunyan sent one of his men to get 6 foot tall bumblebees from Texas the two species warred for awhile but upon finding peace produced enormous predatory insects able to prey on grown men with a stinger in the back and a large needle to absorb the blood of their victims in the front. He eventually defeated these beasts though smaller brethren continue to swarm the northwoods. Another epic fight was that in which Bunyan fought the whistling River. A sentient river that would climb out of its banks and whistle loudly alerting all the lumber camps in north america when quitting time was and when it was time to wake up. However after it decided to play a prank on Paul squirting water in his face that littered his beard with plants, fish, and debris from its banks. Paul swore revenge and eventually figured out how to defeat it. Heading North with Babe he captured a blizzard (Creating icebergs for fun in the process) and had it forged into chains that could freeze and then pulled the river straight. He eventually slices it up and stores it for later use. Bunyan has many animals who are often there to aid him. Having a massive herd of oxen (Many of which likely became Hodags), most notably Benny the oxen, Lucy a giant cow who produced the sweetest milk and butter for the men who worked in Bunyan’s camps. But the most famous of his oxen was Babe the big blue ox. Babe was originally unnamed but was named after the stories had been published. He varied in height usually proportional to Bunyan. Being slightly oversized to e the size of  Bunyan, to being so large that when an eagle flew from one of his horns to the other it went bald from stress, creating the Bald eagle in the process. Another notable animal Paul had was his hunting dog. While its origins and breed and even name often differ it is notable for being accidentally sawed in half then reattached improperly resulting in its bottom half being on top of it. So that it would run on two legs then flip upside down so as to continue running. Oddly this made it an even better hunting dog. More nimble and energetic. Bunyan is often credited with creating many bays, lakes, and landmarks in America such as Pikes Peaks, The Mississippi River, and even the great lakes at times. Some stories even tell of him being in love with and for a time living and being married to a spirit of the lakes (The lady of the lake). Though others have him perpetually single avoiding domestic bliss in favor of the wild woods and mythic brothels and taverns. In building Pikes peak he in a way ties into other American folklore such as Pike's peak being the throne of Uncle Sam (a propaganda formed spirit of America who

replaced the beautiful Columbia who still adorns the Capitol building), therefore he formed the seat where the personification of the USA keeps watch in defense of its people. There are other famous stories of Paul Bunyan I shall focus on the main ones so as to avoid making this too overly long. The first is that of the Round River Camp, a logging camp Paul ran in which the river was a circle. Many motifs and stories have been written about this. Including that Paul upon accidentally sending his logs down the river not realizing its shape he eventually built a method of sawing them to the proper size within the river eventually filling it up with sawdust. Another has a borderline rip van winkle story happen in which Paul leaves his men to finish the work on the round river only to return later to his men still trying to get the now fishing pole sized logs through the river. The men old and grey haired with thick, long, unkempt beards still trying to get the logs out of the river as per Paul's orders. Another is the story of the Pyramid forty, forty acres on a pyramid shaped land surrounded by the Big onion river. This pyramid was also the home of the Sidehill gouger as well as birds that laid square eggs so they would not fall and drown in the big onion river. Here the top of the pyramid 40 could only be seen after 3 weeks of climbing and by the time the top was logged the bottom had already had a new crop of trees at the bottom. Another story tells of how Paul Bunyan is responsible for the Dakotas being prairie having logged it clean long ago. Bunyan was also aided by many loyal men such as Sourdough Sam and Joe Muffraw his camp cooks, the latter famous for his sourdough (that once blew up taking an arm and/or a leg from him. The other for his magnificent cooking who to feed Paul and his large crew of lumberjacks would have two or more member tie a piece of pork fat, bacon, or whole hams to their feet and have them skate around the oversized griddle or in some cases a converted frozen lake to grease the pan for pancakes. Another notable member is Ole the blacksmith “The big swede” who declared he had no religion and even stuck the camp evangelist up his forge chimney having the zealot pop out looking more devil then man when he came out the top. Ole was the only one able to properly shoe Babe, with the weight of the shoes pushing him down into solid rock. Another notable member was Brimstone Bill, who often took care of the camp livestock such as Babe. Bill was often thought to have invented most modern cuss words and when he died he was buried in Hawaii by a distraught Paul, but the firey swears stored in bill turned the mountain he had been buried in, into a volcano. The final notable member of Paul's crew was Johnny Inkslinger. In many ways the right hand man to Paul who kept the books, managed salaries, and did all the office Work Paul didn't have time for or the talent for, sometimes considered a giant himself and the inventor of figures for record keeping. Another story tells of Paul's ingenuity when he invents a shotgun so good that he can shoot a bird down from so high up that by the time it hits the ground it has spoiled. To avoid this Paul began salting his shot to preserve the meat. Paul also at one point had his camps whole supply of beans and/or Peas (Depending on the version) fall into the lake, after which he ordered a part of the lake dammed off and the edges of the lake were heated to the point of boiling the lake creating enough bean or pea soup to feed the whole camp for months. Bunyan often fought creatures and beasts such as the ones spoken above another notable one is during the winter of the blue snow (A mythic trope in american folklore of a winter so cold the snow was blue and flames froze and words froze in the air before thawing in a confusing and cuss filled jumble of shouts). During this time the Pacific Ocean froze and snow snakes up to and above 20 feet long crossed over from Siberia and raided and hunted among the camp. However they eventually froze as well and Paul used them for skids fo

r the logs. In another year there was no winter and Paul crossing with his Oxen pulled snow over from Asia across the still frozen Pacific to be able to get the logs down to the mill. When depicted in his colossus size Paul has an unkempt beard that he grows until it interferes with his work combing it with pine trees. When he needs it trimmed a massive amount of shaving cream is applied and his beards hairs are felled like pine trees. When he was very young one theory as to why Paul is so big is that a full moon shone on him when he was in the cradle (a similar story is often attributed to Babe) which had some sort of magic blessing (perhaps from the man in the moon or Mani). His size grew so far his parents would use the lake to rock the infant Paul to sleep, but when angered he rocked so much that the lake overflowed creating swamps in Michigan's upper peninsula. He is also said to have either gotten babe as a child or have found him frozen solid creating his blue color (other reasons for his color is either that Babe ate a certain kind of blue flower or berry, or that the winter of the blue snow turned his coat blue). Paul was also not a fan of fire, this is possibly due to Paul's friend in one of the more down to earth stories having his whole town nearly burned to the ground. Resulting in Paul defending the forest against fires and being extremely paranoid about fires that his crew made. Paul’s finale of sorts differs depending on who you ask and which story you follow. Some say he retired to a lakeside house (Perhaps to the women of the lake he loved so dear), perhaps upon jumping and creating a bay he saw Venus was full of trees and jumped so far he landed there to begin logging. Another says he died of unknown causes and the grief killed Babe. Others say he went north with Babe where the two’s roughhousing created the Northern Lights. Bunyan is many things in the North of the continent. He is a legendary hero for many. A tall tale born of whoppers and jokes for many around a campfire. A virile and rugged man who is a role model for the more wild part of us. He has been depicted as a bumbling oaf, a strong man, a wildman veering on a neanderthal like visage, a giant of the woods, a continent shifting demigod, a caring husband, and a devoted leader. The Yankees, French-canadians and various Europeans who came through his camp were forged into Americans under his tutelage. As the country expanded and headed west so did Paul, becoming the spirit of Manifest destiny alongside Columbia. His continent shifting, tree felling, mountain making, and lake filling actions seem to make him almost a personification of the Laurentide ice sheet that once covered north America and built much of the landscape and topography we now know today and also filled in the Bering land bridge creating the connection between Eurasia and America. He has had many many statues and claims of his birthplace come about. With many of his said statues once proudly displayed throughout the Northern USA disappear under government regulations and the death of small towns. As his legend is torn down and infantilized to sell films and toys. However he still lives in his people man or giant he is an American hero, who has been beloved and honored for over a century. Appearing in films and popular shows such as Gravity falls where a joke even has him prayed too for safety by one character. His name is supposedly derived from “Pawl” a kind of tool that was used in flatboats on rivers to drive logs and lock the steering wheel. Bunyan is derived either from a corruption of the French surname Bon Jean or from a french word for swelling referencing the large and growing size of Bunyan.Now since I find it best to follow things with a question, what is your favorite thing about Paul Bunyan, and do you know any stories yourself?

Merlin, The greatest Magician that ever lived, The Wizard of Britain. Is a mythic figure of Arthurian romance and the matter of Britain. There are many tales of his origins and many theories as to who he could have been had he existed from being a combination of figures such as Myrddin Wylt (Merlinus Caledonensis) and Ambrosius Aurelianus (Merlin Ambrosius) as well as other figures of both history and myth such as Druids and deities such as Woden. Myrddin was a bard and prophet who eventually went mad and left to become a wildman in the woods, while Ambrosius was a powerful warrior and friend to the Celtic king Vortigern. Oddly in some myths involving Merlin, Merlin uses giants to create Stonehenge as a monument for the grave of Ambrosius though this may be a different figure. Merlin was also a wildly varying figure across the centuries. Starting as how own character and eventually becoming more and more integrated into the myths of King Arthur until he was inseparable. Merlin also became more and more Christianized over time going from a sort of Druid/Sorcerer into a literal failed anti-christ with the gift of prophecy. One of the most famous stories of Merlin's birth has to do with his viring mother visited by a kind of spirit (Often considered either an Incubus or some kind of Devil figure) where he was born than baptized in order to not become the downfall of the world. He was eventually sought out to be killed to prevent the destruction of a castle however Merlin showed his prophetic abilities to the king, getting them to dig up a pond and find two jars when they were opened a red dragon and a white dragon flew out and began fighting towards the horizon. Merlin proclaimed the red dragon was Britain while the white was their enemies and they will fight as long as they do. His prophetic powers eventually shifted to become more and more powerful and combine into making Merlin a powerful sorcerer. He became a talented and wise Wizard becoming gifted in shape changing, prophecy, and knowledge. He became known as the prophet of the grail another aspect from Celtic mythology. He took an increasingly important part in the lore of King Arthur. Becoming his caretaker as well as the one who was instrumental in Uther impregnating Igraine. He took care of and taught Arthur in many versions of the story then in a scene reminiscent of Volsung Saga created the Sword in the Stone and caused Arthur to become king of Britain. Merlin had already been well known before this and had interacted with Uther many times. He was the progenitor of the idea of the round table and helped join the people together in peace and harmony in the Utopian Camelot. However despite his many strengths and magics Merlin has a key weakness. His taste in women trended towards the Femme Fatale archetype. Such as the Lady of the Lake, Vivian a fairy princess, or Morgan le Fae. He was the teacher to all three of these women and depending on the tale which betrays him and how varies too wildly to list them all here. So I will focus more on the specific way it seems to go and some possible resting places for where he is either sleeping or dead. He is typically tricked into teaching magic to them until they have surpassed him and then trapped or killed by their newfound powers. These places are typically either within the lands of Wales or Brittany. They include Merlin's Mound in Wiltshire, Merlin's oak which is sadly no longer standing, a tower of air that appears as crystal, a cave or even a tree. Often these places are set within the enchanted forest of Brocéliande. Where Merlin is often said to be waiting to be freed once more. Merlin is one of the most well known figures of European myth, far surpassing even most well known members of the gods. He is the embodiment of the archetype of the sorcerer and has continued to influence popular culture to this day. From books and movies to fairy tales and even the common image of a wizard can be traced to Merlin. What do you think of Merlin? Have you heard tell of him before?

The Triquetra: The Triquetra is a Pan European symbol (Though typically considered Celtic) that means many things. To me and those within my group our general view of this symbol is that of the European balance symbol. The Triquetra is made up of the interlocking parts of three circles (Spheres) and a circle where they all meet. This references many things such as the triple goddess or in an example of appropriated pagan symbolism the “Trinity” in Christianity. An example of how this symbol could be seen as one circle or sphere is that of the “Male/Masculine/Man’s Sphere” of influence and culture, The second “The Feminine/Female/Woman’s Sphere” of influence and culture. With the last and third being the exception or third balance side the “Childs/Youths/Non-adult Sphere” of culture and influence. As a people are not balanced just by male and female but also the continuation of a people and as children are neither truly men or women they fall into this third balance point. Other examples include “Spirit/Mind/Body”, “Day/Night/Dusk and dawn” “Male/Female/Hermaphrodite” “Birth/Life/Death and Rebirth” Even in situations of duality there is an exception that proves the rule. This exemplifies a key point of european spiritual balance. Three Points, it is not a duality but a trio of points. A good simile for this would be a spinning plate with three stones on it. If the stones are too heavy in one spot the plate will tip over in the case of “MindBody/spirit” Examples of this extreme would be the Weak pimply nerd (Mind), The Meathead Jock (Body), or the Wiccans stereotype of the blue haired overweight individual “Working with” around 15 goddesses who claim they can spontaneously give birth by sheer will power (Spirit). As we are a people of extremes switching between one extreme and the next this reminder of our need to balance all aspects is key to a sort of health and balanced life. Lest we fall into extremes, though there is one caveat it is unwise to become completely balanced or the plate will stop spinning and entropy sets in. We are always striving to grow and as such keep on spinning in life to become better than we are. Where these three aspects/points meet is contained in the final circle the place where all three meet, The Triquetra.

The story of Wotjek (Voytek): this beautiful story is the tale of a bear who served in the polish military. While in Iran polish soldiers bought and took in a small orphan bear cub who they named Wotjek, which meant happy warrior. Wotjek would go on to bond with his human brothers in arms as they fed him condensed milk from a vodka bottle, before Wotjek grew fond of cigarettes and beer often sitting at the campfire or wrestling with his human companions. He would sleep with the men in their quarters and learned to salute, smoke, and March on two legs with the men. Eventually in order to bring Voytek further with them they enlisted him in the polish military as a private. Eventually during an important battle Wotjek took it upon himself to lift what normally took 4 men in weight of ammo shells and brought the boxes to aid his brothers in the middle of a battle and firefight. For this he was promoted to Corporal. A bear holding an artillery shell became the symbol of his company. However when his company was disbanded the men were forced to leave Voytek in a Scottish zoo. He died years later visited often by the men who viewed him as an older brother. Statues were built in his honor that have been visited by those who hear his story and those who loved him most. While not a "pagan" story this is a story I felt important. And it is a story of our people, rest well Happy Warrior may the bear emperor treat you well. I hope to write more on this soon

Lady Liberty the beautiful Colossus of America. Her form and function descends from the Roman goddess Libertas but as her destiny became further entwined with America she took upon herself new names, Lady Liberty, Columbia, and "the angel of liberty" she became not only the personification of liberty but also of America herself as Columbia. She stood shoulder to shoulder with the minutemen, strode next to the pioneers in their manifest destiny fought near all those who died in wars, free of shackles her hopes and goals were sent into the hearts and dreams of Washington. Draped in old glory armed with a sword and a smile Lady Liberty stands proud before her people. She has unfortunately been used to continually push the very issues and propaganda that brought us where we are today. But never forget where she started in the hearts and dreams and spirit of our people yearning to breathe free in the pursuit of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Nike, also known in Rome as Victoria is the goddess of the Greeks who governed Victory. She also had control over speed and strength and decided the victors of battles, events, and any other form where a Victor could be crowned. She was considered the only winged goddess in Greek mythology and often carried a sword and a laurel wreathe or at times a torch. She fought with the Olympians both in the Titanomachy and the Gigantomachy as a result of her aid with Typhon she is often depicted in statues of Zeus or Athena as being in their right hand. She was so beloved and worshipped that when Christianity took over she was Christianized and made angelic which eventually evolved to the angels “winged victories” that appear in Europe. Nike's association with victory was so sought after that even Zeus would try to win her favor and to this day she is placed in places in order to achieve Victory as Zeus promised long ago that she would live forever. The ornament on a Rolls Royce car is of Nike, the popular shoe brand Nike takes its name from her and even the Olympic medals to this day carry an image of her on the back. Statues of the goddess dot the landscape from Berlin all the way to Georgia and even beyond Europe. Many names have descended from Nike such as Nicholas, Nicola, Nikita, Nicolai, Victoria, Victor, Nicole, Ike and many more. She is the daughter of Pallas and Styx and the sister to her three brothers Bia, Kratos, and Zelos her grandfather was considered to be Poseidon though since her parents are both Titans this is odd, in another version she is the daughter of Ares. In the latter period of Greek antiquity Nike became to intertwined with Athena as to be considered another aspect of Athena. What is Victory to you?  What are some goals you hope to achieve in life and be Victorious? 

The Hearth Part 1/3: It's been a common stereotype of our women especially online for them to have closets full of candles. Different shapes, sizes, scents. It's been the butt of many a punchline, but they seem to just do it, and when we just do something there is usually something deeper, something innate. Maybe, just maybe it's a memory of the eternal flame. Our women for thousands of years kept a flame going both for the spiritual purpose of the Hearth, but also for the practicality in a time without matches or lighters a quick fire could be the difference between life or death. Every frostbitten babe, every hungry mouth, every small burn while learning to cook, every candle by the window to lead us home, every lantern lit for the spirits of kin long gone. In every chilly night and dark winter the fire was there, they tended it for years innumerable. That doesn't go away so easily, it leaves a mark deep in the souls of people. Especially the keepers of the flame. All the homemade cookies, or scent of wood in the stove, every healing tincture and every warmth and light a story was told by. They were there with the fire, their fire. Something like that is not to be mocked it is to be lauded in a time of darkness we find them reaching once more for the light, for the scents of home of pine, and autumn leaves, of fresh baked pie and sheets in the wind. Most of us have so little of a home, in the very blood of our women they try to make a little magic and warmth, without even thinking about it. How much more noble an instinct could you witness? This has been part 1 of 3 To be continued...

The Hearth Part 2/3: The Hearth is the heart of the home, its light and warmth enveloped many a shivering child and warmed many a meal for a family. The fire was safety it was warmth and comfort, it was home. From this most basic tenant the home could be built. The fire expanded stewarded by our women kept burning, sacral and holy yes, but sweet and homey as well. To this day clustered around a fires light stories are told, food is roasted, and a family is made. The fire expands from mother to daughter from family to clan to all our people. Its heat bakes bread, and warms stew, it comes upon our stoves as much as our fireplaces. It is where memories are made, it is the light in the window to lead us home, it is the memories of holidays and the place where secrets and gifts are passed mother to child. The warmth of more fires than stars in the sky have been made by our women their tender touch taking the harsh wildness of the flames and keeping them as nourishing embers. The women brought the flames and gave them a home, she tamed them as beauty doth tame the beast. Its sharp edges kept but kept sheathed for its talents becomes only truly harnessed in the gifts it gives the home, its home as much as ours. The Hearth was brought from the woman to the man as she gifted him the fire for his forge so he too could create, and honor her gift and his people. From the darkest nights campfires in caves and longhouses, to a snow covered mountain where the hot chocolate is spooned into cups for wide eyed children. The Hearth is still the heart, nurtured and tended by the one who makes the home. This has been part 2 of 3 Finale tomorrow......