Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

23 Nov 2022 00:14

Volh’s list of transformations differs from one version from another

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 23:41

The tale of Volh the Shapeshifter

My analysis

Let’s start with the obvious. This tale is very old, ancient even by the standards of epic folk songs. The main character himself is best proof of that. Volh is of non-human (presumably divine) origin and has shamanic abilities taught to him by Pagan priesthood.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 19:06

Volh became the new ruler. He shared all riches and best women with his men. The latter became the new elite. This is how a shapeshifter became a king.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:32

Once inside Volh turned his troops back into human and easily scattered the defenders.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:27

Then Volh turned into an ermine and chewed through all their bowstrings. In stables he turned into a giant wolf and slaughtered all their horses.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:18

The king’s wife said she saw a strange dream which she interprets as the king loosing to a young warrior, but the husband doesn’t believe her.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:09

When Volh’s army got close to the city they saw the great gates and the walls no army could breach.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 16:29

Volh took wolf form to hunt in the woods and brought plenty of wild beasts.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 16:24

That’s how Volh’s military campaign began during which he provided for the troops by using his shapeshifting powers to hunt all kinds of beasts. He turned into a pike and led fish to their nets.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 15:58

When Volh finished his training with the volkhvs he was the youngest master of magic in the world, but this wasn’t enough to satisfy his ambitions.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 15:55

Volh grew up with supernatural speed and showed both power and wisdom far beyond the level of mortals. The volkhvs taught his their secrets.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 15:20

Unlike the majority of heroes (bogatyr) who were mortal men with great physical strength Volh is not human.
One day a young princess was having a walk in the garden. Suddenly, a flying serpent rushed the maiden and coiled itself around her body. Later Volh was born.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 03:26

Today I’ll share another epic song (bylina) with you. This one is the eldest of them all and definitely one of the best. As always, I have to remind you that there’s a lot of minor differences in the versions we have available and I only address them when necessary. Otherwise my retelling will be an attempt at presenting the purest version of the tale, even though my own personality will inevitably leave a mark.
As usual analysis will come a day after the retelling.

With all this clear, let me begin.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

21 Nov 2022 13:01

Charlemagne's mosque
by Carolyn Emerick

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

20 Nov 2022 09:20

Ultimately the myth of the Thunder God fighting the serpent of chaos is present I’m all Aryan traditions even if it was partially forgotten or reimagined

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 23:45

Shapeshifting is something the later folklore associates mostly with evil characters due to demonization of pre-christian tradition which is why Volh is the only hero of Slavic bylinas who uses such powers.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 19:09

This is the end of the tale of Volh, great shaman and chief.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:49

The king was slain by Volh who took both his kingdom and queen.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:28

When all preparations were done he became a bird again and returned to his troops. But the wall was still tall and strong, so instead of a frontal assault Volh decided to turn his men into ants and they just crawled over it.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:27

After that Volh flew to the armory. There he turned back human and bended all the swords, maces and spears.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:10

Volh had a plan. He turned into a bird and flew over the walls. Once there he first visited the palace where he spied on the king and his young wife.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 18:06

On their way to the kingdom Volh’s men had an abundance of game, fowl, and fish due to their leader’s powers.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 16:25

He turned into a falcon and did the same in the sky. His warriors always had good fowl.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 16:17

By his teens Volh has assembled a war band of promising youth (mannerbund) and decided to conquer the neighboring wealthy kingdom.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 15:56

Even as a child Volh could turn into different animals such as: a falcon, a giant wolf, a huge pike and a bull (or a ram) with golden horns.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 15:43

On the day Volh was born the ground was shaking, animals left woods in terror and the moon was full. The whole world trembled before the newborn hero.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 15:16

Volh the Shapeshifter

The eldest and one of the most obscure characters of Slavic epic songs is Volh. A hero from ancient Pagan times which is evident both by his powers and origin of which I will now tell.

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

22 Nov 2022 03:11

Hercules fighting Ladon

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

21 Nov 2022 11:40

🇬🇧 Konstantin Vasiliev - «Fires are burning».

🇩🇪 Konstantin Vasiliev - «Feuer brennen».

🇷🇺 Константин Васильев - «Горят пожары».

#TTN_Art

❄️ @thetruenortherner

Aryan Paganism, Traditions and Art (APTA)

20 Nov 2022 09:13

Apollo and Python is similar and is also a remnant of the Chaoskampf even though it features Apollo rather than Hercules.