Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "gods"

Sail Away with "The Journey of Ulysses": A Modern Spin on a Timeless Epic

Hey there, fellow mythology buffs!

I've always been fascinated by the rich tapestry of myths and legends, especially those that have stood the test of time. This passion led me to embark on a special project that I'm excited to complete and share with you all. My latest book, "The Journey of Ulysses," is finally here, offering a fresh and modern take on Homer's classic, "The Odyssey."

In "The Journey of Ulysses," I invite you to join me on an adventure across ancient seas through the eyes of one of literature's most enduring heroes. This isn't your high school textbook's Odyssey. Imagine all the cunning of Ulysses, the battles with mythical creatures, and the longing for home, but told in a way that is easier to read and makes sure the gods are Greek gods, as they should be, and not Roman gods, as they were in many English retellings. It was originally written in Greek, so why not bring it into modern English prose instead of something translated or retold well over a century ago?

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the original epic or looking for an exhilarating story that combines ancient lore with a contemporary twist, this book is for you. I've poured my heart and soul (and a fair bit of modern-day lingo) into retelling Ulysses's legendary journey. So, if you're up for an adventure that blends the old with the new in a tale as timeless as it is relevant, "The Journey of Ulysses" awaits.

Set sail into a story that bridges worlds and weaves the past into the present. It's a story about resilience, the power of the human spirit, and the endless pursuit of home, no matter the obstacles.

I had a wonderful time revisiting the story myself as I retold it!

Catch the wave,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on February 21, 2024 13:35 Tags: folklore, gods, greek, homer, myth, mythology, odyssey, tale, ulysses, zeus

Discover ancient Egyptian gods with "Tales From the Divine Nile"

Hello, explorers of the ancient and the divine!

In "Tales From the Divine Nile," I beckon you to traverse the sands of time back to the land of pharaohs, pyramids, and deities whose stories are woven into the fabric of the universe itself. Sail along the life-giving waters of the Nile, where gods and goddesses play their roles in the grand tapestry of creation, love, betrayal, and mystery. Join me as we uncover the tales of Isis's boundless magic, Osiris's eternal reign in the underworld, and Horus's sky-high adventures. Each narrative is a portal into the heart of ancient Egypt, a civilization that has captivated the human imagination for millennia, promising an odyssey that spans the realms of history, mythology, and spirituality.

Strap on your sandals for a voyage into the enchanting, where the ancient world echoes the complexities of the human spirit. Here's to the journeys that enlighten, to the legends that have shaped civilizations, and to the stories that remind us of the timeless essence that connects us to the past, present, and future.

Embark on this adventure, where every whisper of the Nile tells a story waiting to be rediscovered.

Until we meet under the gaze of the Sphinx,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on February 28, 2024 06:08 Tags: egypt, gods, legends, myth, mythology, nile

Journey into the Heart of Mayan Myth with "Tales from the Mayan Divine"

Greetings, lovers of the ancient and mystical!

With "Tales from the Mayan Divine," I invite you to step into the verdant jungles and towering pyramids of the ancient Maya, a civilization whose deities and legends are intricately woven into the cosmos's very essence. Embark on a voyage through time to a world where gods and mortals intertwine in stories of creation, destruction, wisdom, and whimsy. Join me as we explore the sagas of the Feathered Serpent Kukulkan, the nurturing Moon Goddess Ixchel, and the revered Goddess of Bees, Coleb Cal. Each story opens a gateway to understanding the profound spirituality and rich cultural heritage of the Maya, promising an expedition that spans the domains of history, mythology, and the human spirit.

Tighten your hiking boots for an expedition into the enchanting heart of Mesoamerica, where the ancient world unveils the complexities and depth of the human experience. Embark on this captivating journey, where every stone carving and every star in the Mayan sky narrates a tale eager to be told.

See you under the great Ceiba tree,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on March 07, 2024 11:23 Tags: ancient, gods, legends, maya, mayan, mesoamerica, myth, mythology

Ascend Mount Olympus with "Tales from the Greek Pantheon"

Greetings, seekers of myth and legacy!

With my latest literary adventure, "Tales from the Greek Pantheon," I invite you to climb the mythical Mount Olympus and delve into the lives of the gods and goddesses whose epics have stood the test of time. Let us navigate the cloud-wreathed peaks where Zeus thunders, Athena strategizes, and Apollo illuminates the arts. This collection of tales is a reinvigoration of the stories that have laid the foundation for much of Western culture and thought.

So lace up your sandals, fellow adventurers, for an odyssey amongst the stars and the spirits of antiquity. Here's to the odysseys that inspire, to the myths that mold our moral compass, and to the stories that remind us of the grandeur and folly of the human condition as seen through the eyes of the gods.

Join me on this epic voyage, where each chapter is a hymn to the ancient powers and the timeless tales that resonate with the echo of Olympus.

Until our paths cross in the shadow of the Acropolis,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on March 11, 2024 13:07 Tags: folklore, gods, greece, greek, homer, myth, mythology, odyssey, pantheon, tale, ulysses, zeus

Feast in Norse mythology with "Tales from the Halls of Valhalla"

In my latest literary voyage, "Tales from the Halls of Valhalla," I invite readers to traverse the mystical boundary that separates our world from the ancient realms of Norse mythology. Journey from the majestic halls of Asgard to the depths of Midgard's mysteries, we encounter gods and mortals locked in the timeless dance of fate. Odin's wisdom, Thor's might, and Loki's guile are but a few of the vibrant threads woven into this tapestry of tales. Each story is a window into the Norse soul, revealing a world where the lines between bravery and recklessness, honor and tragedy, are as intertwined as the roots of Yggdrasil.

This endeavor has been a pilgrimage back to the spiritual homeland of the Viking spirit, exploring the narratives that have sculpted the Norse worldview. Through "Tales from the Halls of Valhalla," I aspire to resurrect these ancient sagas, presenting them not just as myths but as the embodiment of a people's ethos, where valor and destiny are as crucial as the air we breathe.

Join me on this expedition across the frostbitten landscapes of the North, through tales of creation and cataclysm, of gods walking among us, and of the end of days — Ragnarök. Together, let's drink from the well of Urd, battling alongside the Einherjar, and feast in Valhalla, where the echoes of the past live on in the stories we tell today.

See you in Valhalla,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on April 04, 2024 19:20 Tags: folklore, gods, loki, myth, mythology, norse, odin, tale, thor, valhalla

Discover the Soul of Spain in "Tales from the Hills of Hispania"

Saludos, seekers of the storied and sublime!

With my latest endeavor, "Tales from the Hills of Hispania," I beckon you to traverse the rugged landscapes and whispering forests of Spain's richest provinces. Here, the ancient mythos are inseparably intertwined with the very threads of nature. Together, we shall voyage across time to a realm where the deeds of the Anjanas, the footsteps of Basajaun, and the silent processions of the Santa Compaña dwell in every hill and valley.

Each narrative is a doorway, opening to the vast, undulating spirit and profound cultural legacy of Cantabria, Basque Country, Galicia, and Asturias—inviting an odyssey that spans the contours of history, mythology, and the depths of the soul.

Lace up your walking shoes for a journey into the enchanting soul of Iberia, where the ancient world is a living, breathing presence. Embark on this captivating odyssey, where every cobbled path and rolling riverbank is steeped in tales longing to be recounted.

See you in the verdant valleys of Spain,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on April 16, 2024 06:27 Tags: ancient, folk-lore, gods, legends, myth, mythology, spain, tales

Travel Through the Enchanted Realms of the Ancient Celts

Dear wanderers of the wondrous and the arcane,

As the year's wheel turns again, my latest literary venture, "Tales from the Celtic Druids," emerges from the verdant glens and mist-veiled highlands, rich with the fruits of my pilgrimage into the ancient past. In this collection, we journey through the fabled realms where the legacies of druids, heroes, and ethereal beings intertwine with the forces of nature and the echoes of ancestors.

These tales, steeped in the mystique of the Celtic twilight, are the legacies of druids, heroes, and the ethereal Aos Sí. Together, we will tread the secret pathways that weave through the Otherworld and back again to where the mysteries of nature and the whispers of the ancestors dance with the present.

Each tale is a tapestry woven with the golden threads of myth and the silver strands of legend, a lattice that spans the breadth of human emotion and the depths of the earth’s own memory. From the fiery forge of Govannon to the sacred wells of Brigid, we will encounter deities and demigods whose stories are as enduring as the standing stones silhouetted against the Celtic dawn.

Pull on your cloaks and ready your spirit for an expedition into the heart of the isles, where the old ways still murmur in the rustling oak leaves and the rivers sing the language of the land. Join me on this captivating odyssey where every stone circle and ancient grove is a portal to tales eager to be awakened.

Until our paths cross in verdant glens,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on April 24, 2024 11:58 Tags: ancient, celtic, folk-lore, gods, ireland, irish, myth, mythology, scotland, scottish, tales, wales, welsh

Voyage Across the Mythic Landscapes of Hawaii

Aloha, wanderers of the wondrous and the arcane,

As the tides ebb and flow, I am delighted to share with you my latest literary voyage, "Tales from the Hawaiian Islands," which has emerged from the lush valleys and vibrant coral reefs, rich with the fruits of my exploration into the deep and ancient past. In this collection, I traverse the sacred realms where the stories of gods, legendary heroes, and mystical spirits meld seamlessly with the elemental forces of the islands and the resonant voices of ancestors.

These narratives, infused with the spirit of the Pacific and the mystical allure of old Hawaii, are legacies of deities, demigods, and revered ancestors. Together, we will navigate the hidden paths that thread through the spiritual world and back again, where the mysteries of the natural world and the whispers of the past resonate with the present.

Each story is a tapestry woven with the lush greens of the tropics and the deep blues of the ocean, a lattice that spans the breadth of human emotion and the depths of the earth’s own memory. From the fiery eruptions of Pele to the tranquil depths guarded by Kanaloa, we will meet divine beings whose tales are as enduring as the volcanic landscapes that frame the Hawaiian horizon.

Don your lei and ready your spirit for a journey into the heart of the Pacific, where the ancient ways still echo in the rustling palm fronds and the language of the islands is carried on the ocean breeze. Join me on this captivating odyssey where every wave and every mountain peak is a portal to stories eager to be told.

Aloha,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on April 26, 2024 07:13 Tags: ancient, folk-lore, gods, hawaii, hawaiian, islands, myth, mythology, tales

Delving into the Mythos in "Tales from the Slavic Realms"

Hello, enthusiasts of myths and legends!

I am proud to announce the publication of my latest book, Tales from the Slavic Realms, a collection that delves deep into the enchanting world of Slavic mythology. Each story offers a glimpse into a realm where gods, spirits, and mythical creatures coexist, reflecting the wisdom and wonder of ancient traditions.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of writing this book was bringing these ancient legends to life while staying true to their cultural essence. From the formidable thunder god Perun to the mysterious water nymph Rusalka, each chapter breathes life into these fascinating characters, making them resonate with readers of all ages. My goal was to honor the depth and diversity of Slavic mythology, capturing the essence of these tales in an engaging and authentic way.

Within the "Tales from the Slavic Realms" pages, you will find stories brimming with heroism, magic, and profound insights. Whether it's the protective presence of Domovoy or the fearsome challenge posed by Zmey Gorynych, each tale immerses you in the vibrant and mystical world of Slavic folklore. I invite you to join me on this enchanting journey through the legends that have shaped the cultural and spiritual fabric of the Slavic people.

Warm regards,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on June 18, 2024 15:33 Tags: ancient, gods, legends, myth, mythology, russian, slavic, tales, ukraine

Unveiling Ancient Wisdom in "Tales from the Chinese Empire"

Hello, enthusiasts of mythology and ancient lore!

I am proud to announce the release of my latest book, "Tales from the Chinese Empire," a captivating journey into the heart of Chinese mythology. This collection offers a deep dive into the legendary world of ancient China, where gods, mythical creatures, and heroic figures come to life, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of one of the world's oldest civilizations.

Within these pages, you will encounter majestic dragons that symbolize strength and good fortune, as well as mystical beings like the benevolent Phoenix (Fenghuang) and the wise Jade Emperor. Each narrative is filled with adventure, moral lessons, and timeless themes that resonate across generations. The tales offer not just entertainment but also a window into the beliefs and traditions that have shaped Chinese society for millennia.

I have strived to honor the profound wisdom and cultural heritage embedded in these tales while making them accessible and engaging for modern readers. From the compassionate Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, to the mischievous and powerful Monkey King, Sun Wukong, each story illuminates Chinese mythology's intricate and enchanting world.

I invite you to immerse yourself in these legendary stories that have inspired countless generations and continue to captivate today. Discover the mythical world of ancient China and experience the enduring legacy of its cultural heritage.

Warm regards,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on July 10, 2024 10:11 Tags: china, chinese, folklore, gods, heros, legends, myth, mythology, tales

The Road to 1,440

Samuel DenHartog
I'm Samuel DenHartog, and at 51, at the end of November of 2023, I've embarked on a remarkable journey as a writer. My diverse background in computer programming, video game development, and film prod ...more
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