The Legend of The Tuatha De Danann

 Author: Dalton Riddick

The Tuatha De Danann are the most important figures in Irish mythology. They originally descended from the skies on clouds and inhabited Ireland. Time passes and eventually humans reach Ireland and fight the Tuatha De Danann. Humans claimed victory and the Tuatha De Danann became fairies to influence Irish folklore for good or for bad. The Tuatha De Danann are an example of the people that lived before trying to explain supernatural creatures.

The main figures of the Tuatha De Danann were Dagda, Brigid, Lugh and Morrigan. Dagda, often known as the “Good God,” is a character of duality. He is the largest of the Tuatha De Danann but wields a club that can kill and revive anything it touches. Brigid is known for fertility and flames associated with a forge. Lugh is craftsman and warrior. He is mainly associated with all of the victories that the Tuatha De Danann have won. and lastly Morrigan is usually represented as a crow typically on a battleground. They usually shape the outcome of conflicts and bring about death.

The idea of the Tuatha De Danann still hold relevance in modern day Ireland. For example there are multiple festivals held year round that some of the Tuatha De Danann are directly associated with. Lughnasadh is a festival that has been recorded to have been celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland, and even the Isle of Man. The festival is typically held around August first and is held for the Tuatha De Danann, Lugh. 

Athletic events, feasting, and even trading were held during this festival. Lughnasadh isn’t particularly held anymore but some events like the “Puck Fair” share the same activities as Lughnasadh. Imbolc is another Irish festival that was celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Imbolc was celebrated because the Tuatha De Danann, Brigid. In Christian records Saint Brigid would do everything the Tuatha De Danann Brigid would do. How Imbolc would be celebrated was the night before everyone would weave a Brigids Cross and hang it on their door. It was said that Brigid or Saint Brigid would visit your home and protect it from disease, fire, and even evil fairies trying to invade your home. The tradition has of Imbolc has died but is considered a religious or a cultural holiday.

Even if the Tuatha De Danann don’t hold as much cultural signifigance as they once did they are still historically important from how much the communities of paegans benefited from the organized events. Though we may not be able to say that Lugh brought about the season of Autumn the paegan people of Ireland had a grasp on the events that happened with the Tuatha De Danann.

Works Cited:

“The Mythological Cycle: The Tuatha Dé Danann and the Origins of Ireland.” Irish History, The Mythological Cycle: The Tuatha Dé Danann and the Origins of Ireland -IrishHistory.com.

Sullivan, Kerry. “Tuatha De Danann, The Enchanting Predecessors of Irish Fairies and Elves.” Ancient Origins, 20 July 2019, Tuatha Dé Dannan, the Enchanting Predecessors of Irish Fairies and Elves | Ancient Origins. 

“Who Are The Tuatha De Danann? Demystifying The ‘God-Folk’ of Irish Mythology.” Irish Myths, 15 November 2023, Who Are the Tuatha Dé Danann? Demystifying the “God-Folk” of Irish Mythology - IrishMyths.

Chupacabra, Fact or Fiction?

Author: Joshua Sunderman

A picture of A Chupacabra

Chupacabra, A mass-hysteria creature or real-life horror? As the Chupacabra is a myth that first started in Puerto Rico. Where a farmer had reported his cattle dead by means of their blood being sucked dry. Soon reports of the Chupacabra began appearing all over the North and South America. Where it was unknown exactly what the creature looked-like that cause a feat but many theories it to look like this. A creature, according to “Tracking the Chupacabra” by Benjamin Radford, that has many variations of descriptions leaving it to be cryptid (unidentifiable animal). One description of a Chupacabra being covered in glossy matted hair and has a feral face with long limbs that end in massive claws. Making it able to transverse any terrain at a huge distance and some say the Chupacabra even has wings. Most often though, the creature is described as having red eyes, feathery-like spikes going down its spine.

A Chupacabra with wings by Cristart (2001)

Chupacabra ways of killing its victims could even be described as a vampire as it meets all the classifications to be classified as a vampire. While the stereotypical vampire is more like Count Dracula, a tall, thin, pale, white-haired and or bald man with fangs that can transform into a bat. However, as informed by Benjamin Radford the Greeks described vampires as malevolent undead creatures that stalked the living, bring death and disease. Vampires would also puncture two holes into the victim’s neck as they suck their blood dry and that is exactly what victims of the Chupacabra were found dead two punctured holes in the neck bleed dry. Which scientist examined the puncture wounds and they would be that of canine’s teeth.

A Chupacabra being examined

Upon closer inspection of the Chupacabra lead scientist to logically conclude that it is actually a canine, typically a coyote or a dog, with a disease called mange. Where the hair of the creature is at a loss leaving them bare-skin and more in a weaken state. Which the reason it is so close vampires is that it is the canine’s instincts is to go straight for the neck of its prey. Then the canine would go off and kill another animal for food or sport while the victim dies from suffocation, internal hemorrhaging, and or infection (Benjamin Radford).

So, while the Chupacabra may not have its extreme alien-like features it is most certainly a real creature just in more of a disease that is affecting a canine.

Resource links:

"The Chupacabra & Bigfoot" , Scholastic Scope. 2/14/2011, Vol. 59 Issue 10, p16-16, 1p, Academic Search Premier, http://ezproxy.usca.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=58030972&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Lopez, Lalo “Media-Fueled Chupacabra-Mania Raises ‘Fact or Fiction’ Hysteria.”, Hispanic. Aug1996, Vol. 9 Issue 8, p12. 2p. 1 Color Photograph. Academic Search Premier, http://ezproxy.usca.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9608164065&site=ehost-live&scope=site

“Not a Monster.”, Outdoor Life. Feb2005, Vol. 212 Issue 2, p21-21. 1/7p. 1 Color Photograph, Academic Search Premier, http://ezproxy.usca.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=15632026&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Further Research:

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161109-the-truth-about-a-strange-blood-sucking-monster
A local article that goes into further detail about the Chupacabra explain this monstrous story and even talks about the author who wrote “Tracking the Chupacabra” Benjamin Radford and talks about his research.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XOGILY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Benjamin Radford is someone who has been investigating this mysterious and unusual phenomena for over a decade, and in this chapter “A Brief History of Vampires” it gives off a summary of how there are many vampires in the world ranging from the European, to African, to Latin American.

https://study.com/academy/lesson/quotes-about-count-dracula.html
This is for information for about Count Dracula and their appearance along with some more explanation about his powers he can do.

Glastonbury Abbey

by Taylor Varn

Glastonbury Abbey

The town of Glastonbury has always been a mysterious town full of legend, it has always been identified with the mysterious isle of Avalon since the 12th century. The Glastonbury Church was said to be founded by Joseph pf Armathea. Legend says Joseph was also the keeper of the holy grail, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, cup or vessel that caught Jesus’ blood during his crucifixion. The church was the first christain church of Britain after the death of Christ. The church was destroyed in a fire on 1184. A few years later in 1190 monks of Glastonbury Abbey claimed they had found the grave of Arthur and Guinevere in ruins of the church. Arthur was the guardian of Glastonbury, everyone looked up to him as if he was a hero. They apparently found a stone in the ruins that said, “here lies Arthur, king”, under the stone they found large bones which was claimed to be his Queens. Pilgrims and Historians were drawn to this site. It is a huge attraction from medieval theme right up to this day.
Arthur has always been a big deal associated with Glastonbury for 800 years, though today there are no physical remains of him or his queen in the tomb. The Lady Chapel was built over the remains of first church after it burnt down, though the walls of the old church still remain standing. They reconstructed the tomb so people that visited would understand how the tomb look as it was discovered. Finding this tomb was apparently the first evidence that Glastonbury was the isle of Avalon. The bone where then moved to the south isle of the church, and later moved to the black marble mausoleum in front the high alter.
In this article it details the abbey a lot. It reflects on the history of Joseph and King Arthur and how they built the Abbey. It also tells a lot of information on jesus and how the church burnt down. Not only does it tell that, it also tells what you can see today if you go visit the new church that is built over the old Glastonbury Abbey.

Works Cited 

Hampson, Louise. “The Lady Chapel and Crypt Chapel of Joseph of Arimarthea.” Glastonbury Abbey, Archaeology, 26 Feb. 2018.

Urbanus, Jason. “Legends of Glastonbury Abbey.” Archaeology Magazine, 2016.

Sampson , Jerry. “The Lady Chapel and Crypt Chapel of Joseph of Arimathea.” Glastonbury Abbey Archaeology, 26 Feb. 2018.

Other Leads on topic:

http://www.britannia.com/history/arthur/abbey.html This web article gives you more information on the early Britain and the effects the Glastonbury had on Britain in the medieval time, it also gives more information on the myths of the town and the people to relate with it.

https://www.glastonburyabbey.com/lady-chapel.php This article tells about the Lady Chapel, this was the church they built over the remains of the previous Glastonbury church after it was burnt down years ago. It also tells how they built this chapel to what is today. It also describes the sculptures and monuments that are in the chapel, and how they relate back to the first chapel and the history.

Urban Legends: Suicidal Roommate / Straight A’s

Author: Hal Pierre Livingston

An urban legend is a humorous or horrific story or piece of information circulated as though true. Usually the one purporting around, telling the story, has no clue or is vaguely related to the person who originally told the story. There are thousands of urban legends out in the public right now, some true some false. Some examples of urban legends are Bloody Mary, the belief that Walt Disney’s body isn’t dead and is frozen, and the myth that alligators inhabitant the sewers of New York City.
        According to the Bloody Mary myth, if you turn off the lights and say Bloody Mary three times in a mirror, you will summon the spirit of Mary Worth. Mary Worth was a woman who was said to be killed execution style, for being a witch. The myth about the sewer gators states that several alligators who were brought up from Florida to be kept as pets in New York City, grew too big and violent and escaped into the sewers where they now live freely. This myth dates back to the 1930’s, and has been proven false but is still being circulated around the United States.
The Urban Legend I chose was Suicidal Roommates/ Straight A’s. This myth says that if somehow your roommate or suitemate dies, you receive a 4.0. Prior to this research assignment, I would have argued to the end that this was absolutely true. Coincidentally my suitemates and I were talking about it at the beginning of the year and were making jokes about one another saying that we better watch our back. I personally thought this was a well-known rule. This Urban Legend have been proven false but different versions are still being told to this day. Depending on where you from, the stipulations may be different. Not all versions of the myth specify that the roommate has to die. Some versions actually say that the death of a parent, or other close relative, or anybody who is important in the student's life, also qualifies. Some say that if your roommate commits suicide in front you then you get a 4.0, but if you didn’t witness it then you only receive a 3.4. This just proves how easily things can be manipulated and taken seriously by society.


Work Cited
• http://www.snopes.com/college/admin/suicide.asp  
• http://www.collegebound.net/content/article/college-urban-legendslies-students-love-to-tell/19214/. 
• www.Akorra.com 
• Brunvand, Jan. “The Truth Never Stands In The Way Of A Good Story”. Chicago, Illinois. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data. Year 2000. Web.13 Oct. 2013.
• http://list25.com/25-most-popular-urban-legends-still-being-told/ 

Further Research
http://www.snopes.com/college/admin/suicide.asp - the website gives the most information about the urban legend of getting a 4.0 if your roommate commits suicide specifically.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend - Wikipedia gives the initial origin behind urban legends in general.
http://akorra.com/2010/03/04/top-20-urban-legends - This websites gives a variety of urban legends to read and look into.

The Fountain of Youth

Author:  Matthew Mollo

Nothing seems to captivate the human race more than the idea of eternal life.  Nowhere is this fascination more evident than the idea of The Fountain of Youth.  The Fountain of Youth, a mystical water well that grants rejuvenated youth, is a myth that has consumed people since ancient times.  Even today retailers claim certain lotions and body products will make you look younger or even compare their product to The Fountain of Youth itself.  Centuries after the creation of this myth people are still in search of the fountain and, despite its many rumored locations, still seem to come up empty. Hollywood has even had a hand in adding a new aspect of the myth is the fountains appearance in the modern day blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. 

Perhaps the most elusive of facts involved with The Fountain of Youth myth is the location.  The location of the fountain has been rumored to be in every corner of the world.  People have placed the fountain in: America, a Caribbean Island called Bimini, India, Shangri-La, and even Ethiopia.  Due to exploration in search of the fountain many believe Florida, and other parts of the Americas disputably discovered by Juan Ponce De Leon, were accidentally found by him on a quest while in search of The Fountain of Youth. 

The first mention of The Fountain of Youth, historically speaking, was by the Greek Historian Herodotus who believed the fountain was in Ethiopia.  Throughout time many people have searched for the fountain even some very famous historical figures.  Because of The Alexander Romance, the great Macedonian ruler, Alexander the Great has a link with The Fountain of Youth.  A great part of the popularity of The Fountain of Youth myth is due in part to The Alexander Romance and its great popularity during medieval times.  The greatest figure associated the fountain of youth may not have even been in search of it at all.  Juan Ponce De Leon who, by popular belief, has been thought of for many years as the “father of the fountain” is, it seems, falsely associated with the fountain of youth. 

Juan Ponce De Leon in all his glory

The long held notion that Juan Ponce De Leon’s journey to the Americas was in search of The Fountain of Youth has been proven false.  Due to the fact that the association between Ponce De Leon and the fountain wasn’t published or mentioned until long after his death many historians believe that, like most conquistadors of his day, Ponce De Leon was greedily in search of gold and other worldly riches rather than a magical fountain.  Historians even debate on whether or not Ponce de Leon’s greatest achievement, the discovery of Florida, can be attributed to him.  Despite the false associations with Ponce De Leon and The Fountain of Youth there is an archaeological park founded on the aforementioned disputed facts.

Located in St. Augustine, Florida, The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park  is founded on the seemingly false idea that Ponce De Leon discovered Florida and that his expedition was fueled by his desire to become younger.  There is even a mock Fountain of Youth where thousands of people flock year after year to drink the fabled waters.

The Fountain of Youth myth is one that will outlive us all along with the obsession of becoming younger.  Whether it’s from a face lift or a magical fountain people will always long for youth and rejuvenation as they grow older; and as long people have this desire the concept of The Fountain of Youth will be very real.

Works cited:

 “A Brief History of Immortality.” Popular Science 279.2 (2011): 52-57. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Oct. 2012 

“Engraving of Juan Ponce de Leon” 1858 Engraving. Wikimedia. 25 Feb. 2011. Web. Oct. 23 2012.

"Florida Fountain of Youth Ponce De Leon." Florida Fountain of Youth Ponce De Leon. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

Jennifer. “fountain-of-youth” Photograph. 450 Years. 5 December 2011. 23 October 2012

Lord, Lewis. "In Search of a Passage.” U.S. News & World Report 136.7 (2004): 52-53. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.

Peck, Douglas T. “Anatomy of An Historical Fantasy: The Ponce de Leon-Fountain of Youth Legend” The Pan American Institute of Geography and History  No. 123  (Jan. - Dec., 1998): 63-87.JSTOR. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

Sopp, Brian. "Places of Our Dreams.” U.S. News & World Report 141.6 (2006): 73. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.

“The Quest For The Fountain of Youth” Ancient Mysteries. A&E, 1995. Web

Links for Further Research:
Youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouri5f261oM

This video disproves the common association between The Fountain of Youth and Florida with Juan Ponce De Leon.