Episode 2: Creativity

Art is amazing! The creative impulse has spurred humanity for thousands of years. We naturally want to tell stories, paint pictures, shape metal and stone into beautiful objects, and perform through song, dance, and theatre.

In this episode, we explore the mythological connections to all those ways of expressing creativity! From the Muses of Greece to the Hindu goddess Saraswati, from Anansi the spider to Celtic metalworkers, we'll introduce some of the most epic figures related to arts and crafting.

This episode's interview features Elle Vallejos, daughter of Aphrodite, former Daring Girls Counselor, and current Hiring & Recruiting Manager for Plato Learning! Elle is an illustrator and costumer, and she shares some of her journey as a creative artist.

If you'd like to submit a story or artwork to be featured on Myths & Muses, use this form (with a Mortal Guardian's permission!).

[Transcript for Episode 2]

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Stuff to Read:

• A general overview of the Muses and their family connections
  • Homer's invocations of the Muses
  • A writing prompt! Can you write your own invocation of the Muses?
• Introduction to Anansi (with some tie-in activities!)
  • Fibbed, by Elizabeth Agyemang: A girl who cannot lie gets tangled up with Ananse in this middle-grade novel!
  • "Kwaku Anansi: The only folklore character to travel out of Africa and become a global symbol of resistance", an article by Elizabeth Ofosuah Johnson
• Ancient Celtic Art at World History Encyclopedia
  • Brigid and Lugh at Mythopedia
• Introduction to Saraswati
• Acting and Greek Theatre: Honoring Dionysus, from World History Encyclopedia

Stuff to Watch: Our Episode 2 Youtube playlist! With features on the Muses, Anansi and his stories, Athena, Hephaestus, Lugh and Celtic artwork, Homer and oral storytelling, and Saraswati!

Cool Images: 

Artwork from Elle Vallejos:

The Snettisham Great Torc, Britain, 1st century BCE

The Celtic Lochar Moss torc, Scotland. 1st-2nd century CE.

The god Cernunnos on the Gundestrup Cauldron, Denmark, 1st century BCE: 

Killamery High Cross, Ireland, 9th century CE

Painting of the Goddess Saraswati by Raja Ravi Varma, 1896