131 episodes

Explore the world of the Dark Feminine in myth, religion, folklore, and magic.

Chthonia Brigid Burke

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.7 • 47 Ratings

Explore the world of the Dark Feminine in myth, religion, folklore, and magic.

    Yuki-onna: the Spirit of Winter

    Yuki-onna: the Spirit of Winter

    As we head into the winter season, we round out the last few podcasts of the year with a discussion of the Japanese "snow woman" Yuki-onna. Like many of our Dark Feminine figures, she has both gentle and terrifying aspects; she can fall in love and marry, she can bring treasure, but she also freezes people to death and in some instances cannibalizes them. As a snow woman she is a deep embodiment of the yin principle, which we will explore with respect to her stories and attributes.

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Female Jinn: Ghula and Si'lat

    Female Jinn: Ghula and Si'lat

    Jinn are spirits created from fire that are part of Arabic and Islamic folklore. A full discussion of the Jinn would take many episodes, so in this podcast I discuss what Jinn are and what is known about their origins, their place in Islamic cosmogony, and the different types of Jinn, particularly the Ghula and Si'lat, who often appear in feminine form to seduce men. Jinn have free will and be considered good or evil; thus these female Jinn may fall in love with a man and marry him, or may lure him to his death and cannibalize him. I will compare these Jinn to similar creatures in other cultures, and explain how they manifest the negative character of the Mother Archetype.

    • 1 hr 14 min
    Eisheth Zenunim: Female Personification of Sin

    Eisheth Zenunim: Female Personification of Sin

    This week we are talking about Eisheth Zenunim, "queen of harlots" who is considered the personification of sin in the Zohar, and one of the 4 wives of Samael. We discuss Eisheth's relationship to the serpent in the Garden of Eden as well as to Babalon, and her Kabbalistic association with the Qlippoth, the flip side of the Tree of Life consisting of the "husks" of the dead and considered the embodiment of evil. But is she a temptation to sin for the spiritual aspirant, or a neglected part of the fullness of "creation"?

    • 58 min
    Echidna

    Echidna

    This week we look at Echidna, the mother of monsters in Greek mythology. Echnidna is said to be the mother of the Sphinx, the Chimera, the Lernean Hydra, and Cerberus among others. She is identified with Python, the dragon slain by Apollo at what would later be his oracle site at Delphi. As a monster associated with rot and decay, she represents terrors of physical death and depression, but is also an alchemical force for transformation.

    • 48 min
    Anath

    Anath

    This episode looks at the third goddess in our Canaanite trilogy, the warrior goddess Anath, the sister or helpmate of the Canaanite deity Ba'al Hadad. Anath's attributes and role with respect to the Israelites is contested, as is her role as a fertility and hunting goddess. The scholarship has a hard time reconciling this bloodthirsty goddess with a connection to fertility, but the connection is actually very clear. We talk about ancient Earth mother worship, the idea of something that is "anathema" (a term that comes from the name of this goddess), and how her violent nature connects her to the agricultural cycle of life.

    • 58 min
    Asherah

    Asherah

    This week I examine the Canaanite mother goddess represented by a sacred tree, and according to some archaeological evidence and speculation, may have been the wife of the Biblical god Yahweh. The episode looks at this theory as well as the origins of Asherah, her role in ancient Judaic society and her presence in the Bible, and how this is a prime example of valuing logos ("rational philosophy") over eros ("fertility cult"), as well as highlighting the difference between official state religion and local folk beliefs.

    Also, as a refresher on the origins of the god Yahweh, I mention once again the ESOTERICA podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdKst8zeh-U

    • 1 hr 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
47 Ratings

47 Ratings

Ky Russ ,

Mr Russ n Ky

I think more men could benefit from hearing this very insightful podcast. Well thought out, presented and thoroughly researched. Again very highly recommended for all.

Carolina cubanita ,

Please never stop making episodes !

You manage to cover such a broad range of topics to such interesting depths that trigger mental and spiritual awakenings for a lot of people, never stop doing what you do ! we’re all thankful 🙏🏽

Momma Dos ,

Baba Yaga

I found this podcast during a search about Baba Yaga. I’m a so very grateful for Bridig sharing her knowledge of folklore, mythology and the “dark feminine”. I have become obsessed. After listening to the Baba Yaga episode I have started from the very beginning to binge listen to all the episodes. And all I can say is thank you, thank you, over and over again.

Top Podcasts In Religion & Spirituality

Ascension
Tara-Leigh Cobble
Girls Gone Bible
Ascension
AccessMore & Candy Rock
Mark Driscoll

You Might Also Like

Glitch Bottle (Alexander Eth)
Eli Ro
Tamed Wild
Gordon
Chris Brennan
Snap Judgment