Chapter 1

Orpheus (ancient Greece)

The demigod Orpheus was one of Greek mythology's greatest musicians. His music charmed not just humans and animals, but plants and minerals as well. To hear his music, trees pulled up their roots; rivers changed their courses.

Orpheus had many adventures. The best known is his love-inspired journey to the Underworld, the land of the dead, where he sought to reclaim his wife, Euridice. Success depended upon the seemingly impossible; he needed to convince Hades (the ruler of that gloomy realm) to free her soul. So great was Orpheus's musical power that he got his wish. But there was one condition. Orpheus could lead Euridice out of the Underworld, but only if he did not gaze upon her until both have reached the planet's surface.

Alas, though Orpheus conquered the gods, he could not conquer himself. When he saw the light of the sun above, he glanced backwards. Euridice was drawn back into the Underworld. There are alternate endings to the story. In one, Orpheus is torn apart by wild dogs. In another, he survives and forswears the love of women. In yet another, the gods reunite the couple in the stars.

Tawa and the Spider Women (Hopi)

According to Hopi tradition, in the beginning there were two beings: Tawa, the Father Sun God, and Spider Woman, who controlled the underworld, home of the gods. At first, there were no creatures or humans. But then Tawa and Spider Woman had “The Great Thought,” which created the Earth. Tawa was not done, however. He continued to think, and Spider Woman gave these new thoughts form. She molded animals from clay. When covered in a life-giving blanket, they began to breath. Next she molded clay human beings. But the blanket's power was insufficient. To quicken them, Spider Woman held the figures to her breast as she and Tawa sang them to life.

Shiva (Hindu)

One of the Hindu Trinity (with Brahma and Vishnu), Shiva is closely associated with dance and music. In his dancing incarnation the many-limbed god is known as Nataraja (King of the Dance). Here he is depicted dancing in a circle of flames. His upper right hand holds a drum, representing the rhythmic flow upon which creation is hung; his upper left hand holds a flame, the symbol of destruction. Nataraja’s dance, the Tandava, is vigorous and quick, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction, birth and death.