The Old European doctrine of the relationships with nature in modern times

In the previous blog we discussed the relationship with nature in the Old European Goddess religion, where the essential feature is that man or the culture he created is not seen in myths or rituals as the opposite of nature or its forces, but as part of the cycle of life, creation, destruction and rebirth. In a world ruled by Mother Earth or the Great Goddess, balance was important. Not only did humans live in a natural environment, but the rhythm of life adapted to the rhythms of nature (the earth or the seed). This means that they did not need to protect nature - nature protected them. 

Cyclicity provided active periods from spring to autumn, but also a period of rest, winter. During the rest period, people's energy resources could be balanced and strengthened. This important lesson is sometimes completely lost in modern times. We try to live independently of the rhythms of nature, so to speak, with our lamps always on so that we don't need the light of the sun. Understanding the importance of the rhythms of nature seems to be increasing. Nowadays, people talk about the healing and restorative power of the forest or nature as an aid to burnout and stress symptoms. A knowledge of Old Europe can help us to revitalise our relationship with nature. 

After the arrival of the Indo-Europeans (around 3100 BC), a peaceful period came to an end and our relationship with nature changed radically. It seems that when the Great Goddess, Mother Earth, was worshipped, the relationship with nature was more balanced. For example, when comparing the role of women in Eastern Finnish and Germanic myths, one can see that in both, women are associated with nature and natural forces. However, in Germanic myths, women are mediators of disputes and schemers whose domain is fertility and magic. Conversely, in the Kalevala epic, Louhi and her folk counterparts are resolute, independent agents and rulers of their own locality. Their domains are not confined to a particular region but are everywhere (Siikala, 286).

It seems that in Old Europe, culture and nature were not set in opposition, just as femininity was not set in opposition to masculinity. Traditionally, in European myths, female actors and deities represent nature, creation, magic, the cycle of birth, life and death; female actors also guard or protect the boundaries of the worlds. Male deities, on the other hand, are concerned with cosmological structures, power relations and cultural organisation. Deities in myths were hierarchical, as were the sexes. In the Old European world, gender hierarchies seem to have been absent. The Goddess, or rather the Great Mother, was seen as nature herself. This suggests gender equality, as the myth reflects the socio-economic conditions of the time. The Goddess was seen everywhere and her influence extended to all aspects of life and culture. 

Over time, harmony was lost under the pressure of patriarchal, male-dominated social hierarchies and destructive, exploitative structures. Somewhere along the way, the idea of exploiting natural resources for economic gain emerged. The cultural and human disconnection from nature has been gradual. A decisive factor in the change in the relationship with nature was the decline of the cult of the Goddess. The deities began to be perceived as separate from nature or as forces of nature fighting among themselves and against man. 

In their blog, Haarmann and Vassallo have reflected on the persistence of the cult of the goddess and the implications of undermining gender equality. The question has challenged scientific research for years. It is important to identify the factors that caused the imbalance and led to the alienation of humans from each other and from the natural rhythm of life. A natural rhythm of life means a state in which nature is not seen as separate or opposed to man, but rather as a state in which both man and his environment thrive. Our current rhythm of life causes harm and damage to both humans and the environment alike. 

One of the missions of the Archaeomythological Institute is to explore the lessons that mythology and history have taught us, and to use the insights that emerge to help us return to a natural flow of energy and rhythm of life. 

References:

Gimbutas, Marija 1989: The Language of the Goddess, Harper & Row

Haarmann, Harald & Maya Vassallo: The goddess cult in relation to gender equality -

The dynamic process of cultural transition from the One-ness to the many female divinities under patriarchal pressure, (blogi 14.06.2023 https://www.autricidicivilta.it/the-goddess-cult-in-relation-to-gender-equalit/)

Haarmann, Harald, 2019: The Mystery of the Danube Civilisation, Matrix Verlag

Haarmann, Harald & Marler, John, 2008: Introducing the Mythological Crescent. Ancient beliefs and

imagery connecting Eurasia with Anatolia, Harrasowitz Verlag

Kailo, Kaarina, 2024: Karhu-mytologia – Luola uskonnosta Saunapyhäkköön, Basam Books

Siikala, Anna-Leena, 2014: Itämeren suomalainen mytologia, SKS