September 18, 2005

• This God guy, he really needs an upgrade
• It's all about the Jody.
• "This world, for aught he knows, is faulty and imperfect, compared to a superior standard, and was only the first rude essay of some infant deity who afterwards abandoned it, ashamed of his lame performance; it is the work of some dependent, inferior deity; and is the object of derision to his superiors; it is the product of old age and dotage in some superannuated deity and ever since his death has run on at adventures..."
• In the beginning all was dark and void. A bag hung in space. In time it opened out into two halves. From one half came coyote (isil), from the other came wild cat (tukut). They immediately fell to arguing as to whcih was the older. Coyote was the older because he spoke first. People had been created but they could not see. They were in mud and darkness. They heard coyote call first and they knew that he was older. The people were not in the bag with coyote and wild cat. They arose from the mud and started to sing. Shamans today understand coyote, because people heard him first. -- Creation tale from the Cupeno tribe of California, from Primal Myths: Creation Myths Around the World
• The part about his mood swings alienating the other gods, and leaving him alone and loney is an interesting take on monotheism.
• This seems like as good of place as any to ask a question that has been pestering me. Does anyone know where I can find a piece of text satirizing the Judeo/Christian concept of god? It is a question and answer thing where you are informed that you are supposed to "kiss (bob, rodger, frank, somebody's...) ass", you never see (bob, rodger, frank, somebody) and by performing all these silly actions you'd eventually get into heaven. I'm sorry I don't have much more than that, otherwise I'd google it. Anyone, Bueller, anyone...?
• Some creation myths seem more sophisticated than others. In this one, Havaiki is the land of the spirits or ancetors. It is said that Kiho dwelt in the Void. It was said that Kiho dwelt beneath the foundations of Havaiki (in a place) which was called the Black-gleamless-realm-of-Havaiki. Dwelling there below Kiho had no parents; he had no friend; he had no mate; there was none but him; he was not the root; he was the stability. It was said that, at that time, Kiho conversed only with his Astral-double (Activating Self). His musings were within himself; his actions were performed by his Activating Self. That place wherein Kiho dwelt was said to be the Nonexistence-of-the-land; the name of that place was the Black-gleamelss-realm-of-Havaiki. It was here that Kiho dwelt; indeed, in that place he created all things whatsoever. -- Creation tale fromn the Tuamotu Islands, south of the Marquesas, same source as my previous comment
• The Raven figures prominently in west native coast mythology - Long ago no divisions existed between humans, animals and spirits. All things of the earth, sky, and, water were connected and all beings could pass freely between them. The Raven was a trickster full of supernatural power. He stole the sun from his grandfather Nasshahkeeyalhl and made the moon and stars from it. The Raven created lakes, rivers and filled the lands with trees. He divided night and day, then pulled the tides into a rhythm. He filled the streams with fresh water, scattered the eggs of salmon and trout, and placed animals in the forests. The first human was hiding in a giant clamshell and Raven released them onto the beaches and gave humans fire. Raven disappeared and took with him the power of the spirit world to communicate and connect with humans. - One version of the Haida creation tale.
• squid: Kiss Hank's ass.
• Excellent. I be thankin' ye rocket88. Arrr.