neanderthal paganism
@milbel.bsky.social
Writing about the origins of religious thought, prehistoric ritualism, mythology, and pre/perinatal psychology.
Articles here ➡️ milbel.com
Articles here ➡️ milbel.com
“Our natural magic is but the ancient religion of the world—the ancient worship of nature.”
―W.B. Yeats
―W.B. Yeats
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
“Our natural magic is but the ancient religion of the world—the ancient worship of nature.”
―W.B. Yeats
―W.B. Yeats
Were the ancients ignorant in canonizing the fetal drama as a mythological archetype, or humbly reverent and curious before creation?
November 17, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Were the ancients ignorant in canonizing the fetal drama as a mythological archetype, or humbly reverent and curious before creation?
Symbols repeat across cultures because they’re older than any civilization we know.
November 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Symbols repeat across cultures because they’re older than any civilization we know.
Showing my family what I’ve worked on this year (they don’t care)
November 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Showing my family what I’ve worked on this year (they don’t care)
“Our lives are like the wind, or like sounds. We come into being, resonate with each other, then fade away.”
―Hayao Miyazaki
―Hayao Miyazaki
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
“Our lives are like the wind, or like sounds. We come into being, resonate with each other, then fade away.”
―Hayao Miyazaki
―Hayao Miyazaki
The fairy-tale worldview is Neanderthal.
The folklorists were simply the first to write it down.
The folklorists were simply the first to write it down.
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The fairy-tale worldview is Neanderthal.
The folklorists were simply the first to write it down.
The folklorists were simply the first to write it down.
By the third trimester, fetuses achieve REM sleep, unconsciously logging the earliest memories that will inform their dreams forever.
November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
By the third trimester, fetuses achieve REM sleep, unconsciously logging the earliest memories that will inform their dreams forever.
Every Northern culture shared this common idea: the bear's retreat into the earth promises rebirth in spring.
November 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Every Northern culture shared this common idea: the bear's retreat into the earth promises rebirth in spring.
Neanderthals buried their dead in the fetal curl, returning them to the “womb” for rebirth.
Bodies faced the rising sun. Caves became tomb-temples—thresholds between worlds.
#LegendaryWednesday
Bodies faced the rising sun. Caves became tomb-temples—thresholds between worlds.
#LegendaryWednesday
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Neanderthals buried their dead in the fetal curl, returning them to the “womb” for rebirth.
Bodies faced the rising sun. Caves became tomb-temples—thresholds between worlds.
#LegendaryWednesday
Bodies faced the rising sun. Caves became tomb-temples—thresholds between worlds.
#LegendaryWednesday
“The Irish fairies were not imagined as being very different in form or appearance to the human race, except that they might be somewhat paler in hue and dressed in clothing of silk and satin.”
November 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
“The Irish fairies were not imagined as being very different in form or appearance to the human race, except that they might be somewhat paler in hue and dressed in clothing of silk and satin.”
we've entered the underworld 🫡
November 1, 2025 at 11:39 PM
we've entered the underworld 🫡
"Herbstreigen" (Autumn Dance), Hans Sandreuter
October 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
"Herbstreigen" (Autumn Dance), Hans Sandreuter
"My soul, my journey should continue with you. I will wander with you and ascend to my solitude." ―Jung
October 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
"My soul, my journey should continue with you. I will wander with you and ascend to my solitude." ―Jung
The modern pumpkin, carved and lit from within, is a symbol in perfect continuity with the ancient doctrine of rebirth: a husk or a skull illuminated from within, death animated by the spark of life.
October 30, 2025 at 1:14 AM
The modern pumpkin, carved and lit from within, is a symbol in perfect continuity with the ancient doctrine of rebirth: a husk or a skull illuminated from within, death animated by the spark of life.
me on friday god willing
October 29, 2025 at 7:17 PM
me on friday god willing
The witch in the house is an echo of the bear in the cave:
“Witches have red eyes and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near.” (Hansel and Gretel)
#WyrdWednesday
“Witches have red eyes and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near.” (Hansel and Gretel)
#WyrdWednesday
October 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The witch in the house is an echo of the bear in the cave:
“Witches have red eyes and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near.” (Hansel and Gretel)
#WyrdWednesday
“Witches have red eyes and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near.” (Hansel and Gretel)
#WyrdWednesday
A restoration of "The Voice of the Sacred Tree" litany from the tomb of Qenamun
October 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
A restoration of "The Voice of the Sacred Tree" litany from the tomb of Qenamun
Autumn details 🍂
October 23, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Autumn details 🍂
The annual onset of darkness has always been marked by rituals, from the Paleolithic to Halloween.
October 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The annual onset of darkness has always been marked by rituals, from the Paleolithic to Halloween.
“The willow tree is closely associated with witchcraft – and just happens to be natural source of aspirin."
#WyrdWednesday
#WyrdWednesday
October 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
“The willow tree is closely associated with witchcraft – and just happens to be natural source of aspirin."
#WyrdWednesday
#WyrdWednesday
"Like many societies, early Ireland was faced with the problem of what to do with its combustible young men—those who had reached physical maturity but had not yet inherited property.
The solution was a period of vagrancy, spent in hunting and raiding outside settled society."
The solution was a period of vagrancy, spent in hunting and raiding outside settled society."
October 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
"Like many societies, early Ireland was faced with the problem of what to do with its combustible young men—those who had reached physical maturity but had not yet inherited property.
The solution was a period of vagrancy, spent in hunting and raiding outside settled society."
The solution was a period of vagrancy, spent in hunting and raiding outside settled society."
pythagorean initiates took a five-year vow of silence before admittance.
when knowledge required discipline and secrecy, did it mean more?
when knowledge required discipline and secrecy, did it mean more?
October 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
pythagorean initiates took a five-year vow of silence before admittance.
when knowledge required discipline and secrecy, did it mean more?
when knowledge required discipline and secrecy, did it mean more?
"A solitary tree was often regarded as belonging especially to the fairies."
October 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
"A solitary tree was often regarded as belonging especially to the fairies."