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- [00:01]
Aaron Manke
Hey, folks, Aaron here, you've probably heard that I have a new book coming out in August. If not, give me a few seconds to sum it up. And to do that, I need you to think back to the very first episode of this show, an episode called they Made a Tonic. That episode spends a little bit of time on the story of Mercy Brown, a young woman who died in rhode island in 1892. And then when her brother became sick with tuberculosis, her community had her body dug up so they could look for proof that she was draining his life from the ground grave. The book I've written to explore that event is called Exhumed, and it comes out on August 4th. Now, to celebrate the release, I'm going to be heading to Boston that night to take the stage at the Wilbur Theater alongside my good pal Alana Urquhart
- [00:47]
Alana Urquhart
from Morbid to talk about the book,
- [00:50]
Aaron Manke
do a reading from it, some Q and A, and then sign books. It's a ticketed event, but every ticket gets you a seat in the theater and a hardcover copy of Exhumed. And I would really love to see you there. Okay, that was a lot of information, and you're probably driving or doing laundry or walking the dog. So just do this for me. When you have a moment, tap the link that's in this episode's description to head over to aaronmanke.com exhumed and click on the big green button for the Boston release event. I can't think of a better way to kick off my Exhumed book tour than by spending the evening with a thousand of you in my favorite theater. It's going to be a blast. So grab your tickets now before they're gone. And with that, on with the show. A lot can go wrong on the open sea. Storms and scurvy, mutinous crews and towering icebergs. But the most dangerous threat of all, why, that would be simply getting lost. Now, sure, even before computerized tools, any seasoned sailor could navigate by the sun. But what about at night or in the midst of a thick fog? It didn't take much to get off course. And by the time you figured out the mistake, your whole crew was doomed. Lucky for the Vikings, though, they had protection at least. So the old Norse myths claimed it took the form of a magical gemstone. And according to the tales, one simply had to peer through the glassy enchanted stone and it would reveal the position of the sun even in the dark. Quite a story, right? And for centuries, that's exactly what people thought it was, just a story. But then, in 2011, some amazing information came to light. Literally. While studying a certain calcite based crystal common in Viking territories, researchers were amazed to find that the stone had the power to locate the hidden sun. That's right, the mythical Viking sun stone may have been real all along. Basically, they figured out that the stone worked because of the way calcite bends light. Even when the sun is hidden behind clouds, the crystal splits what little light remains into two images. When the stone is slowly rotated and those images darkened to the same degree, the sun's true position is revealed with startling precision. In the end, what seemed like fairy tale magic was really just good ol human ingenuity. After all, the Vikings weren't master seafarers by accident. But beware, because there are some places in history so disorienting, so beguiling, that not even the finest compass in the world could lead the lost to safety. I'm Aaron Manke, and this is lore. The scent of wood smoke hangs in the autumn air as you wend your way through the cornfield, papery leaves rustling underfoot. The crops are so tall you can't see over them. And you swallow the eerie sensation that someone, something is hiding just around the next corner. You turn once, then again, and suddenly you realize you're more lost than ever. But that's okay. You're supposed to be. After all, what else are corn mazes for? They've become a Halloween season classic. And I say become because believe it or not, corn mazes were only invented in the 1980s. Then again, their inspiration is much older. So old in fact, that when traversing those maize mazes on October nights, hot cider in hand, you're actually participating in a ritual thousands of years old. That's right. Long before the maze ever came to be, there was the labyrinth. Now, before you ask, yes, a labyrinth and a maze are technically two different things. A maze is a multi cursor puzzle, meaning there are multiple paths that a person can follow while hunting for the right one to beat the game. Labyrinths, on the other hand, which predate mazes, are unicursal, meaning that just a single meandering path leads to the center and then back out again. There are no choices to be made and no wrong turns. And like I said, labyrinths have been around for a while, as in at least 4,000 years. But here's the wildest part. No matter where you go in the world, from India and the Americas to Sumatra and all across Europe, most ancient labyrinths were built in the same specific shape. It's called the classical labyrinth pattern and consists of a single pathway that loops back and forth to form exactly seven circuits bounded by eight walls, all, all surrounding a central destination.
- [05:46]
Alana Urquhart
That's right.
- [05:47]
Aaron Manke
Disparate cultures all around the world all building the exact same thing. Some of these ancient labyrinths were simply stone patterns laid on the ground, others, a motif carved into stone. But sometimes, well, they were something far grander. In the 5th century BCE, Herodotus wrote of visiting a labyrinth in Egypt. It was intricately painted and comprised of 3,000 rooms, half above ground, half and half below. While the upper level was open to visitors, the lower levels were sealed off to the living. At least they served as tombs for both pharaohs and sacred crocodiles. In awe. Herodotus basically said the pyramids were lame in comparison and that I quote, all of the works and buildings of the Greeks put together would certainly be inferior to this labyrinth. And before you argue that this sounds far too marvelous to be real, Herodotus wasn't the only witness on record. Several other historians wrote of visiting the exact same place. But all this raises a pretty important question, right? If the same pattern was appearing all over the ancient world, why? What was it for? Well, to tell the truth, we don't fully know. But there are some theories. Some people believe that the classical labyrinth shape originally documented the steps of a group dance in which a chain of dancers followed a specific path. Each.
- [07:10]
Alana Urquhart
In fact, the traditional name for labyrinth
- [07:13]
Aaron Manke
in some Scandinavian countries even translates to maiden's dance. Then again, there are also bloodier theories, because in some cases, labyrinths may have less to do with art and more to do with war. For example, one Indian variant on the classical labyrinth is called the chakravya, or spinning wheel formation, and contains a spiral in the center. According to the 4th century Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, this design was once a deadly military formation. Apparently, soldiers would assume the shape of the labyrinth and swirl around the enemy, entrapping them within. Terrifying, right? And then again, other labyrinths were less about murder and more about magic. For shepherds and hunters, walking a labyrinth was said to protect against wolves. In the Baltics, fishermen would lay out a labyrinth of stones on the ground, which they would traverse before heading out to sea. Why? Well, they believed unfavorable winds would follow them in and become trapped, leaving only good winds to fill their sails. Meanwhile, in northern Sweden, fishermen were out to trick more than just the wind. They told legends of a meddling troll known as the Smigobar, who, if left untended, would track their boats and bring bad luck. The Solution? Lure the troll into a labyrinth and trap it there, of course. And by the way, this theme of entrapping creatures in a labyrinth is found across countless cultures. Some folklorists believe it's tied to the idea that demons and evil spirits can only travel in straight lines, thus becoming totally bamboozled by even the simplest of labyrinths. Now, when a tradition is prevalent enough, especially a magical one, it's only a matter of time before Christianity tries to co opt it. The labyrinths are no different. In medieval Europe, churches and cathedrals began inlaying labyrinths into their tile floors. And these weren't just for show. No, just like the labyrinths of old, they were used for dancing. Starting around the 1300s in the French city of Auxerre, clergy would join hands and perform a ring dance in the labyrinth. Every Easter Monday, they would chant hymns, all while the cathedral's dean tossed a leather ball back and forth to the dancers. And if you're thinking that this all sounds rather pagan, well, you aren't alone. In 1538, the dance was banned for exactly that reason. Now, banning a dance is one thing, but tearing out a bunch of cathedral floors is quite another. And so, rather than hiring a demolition crew, the Church simply decided to treat labyrinth lore to a little dose of revisionist history. By the 18th century, the church had begun convincing people that those curvy things on the floor were symbolic and that walking along them represented a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. As a result, the pagan overtones were gone. This rebrand was so successful that even today, many people will insist that church labyrinths were built with Christian symbolism in mind in the first place. I think it's fair to say that even historical accuracy has a way of getting lost within those winding trails. Be it ill winds or demons, opposing armies or troublesome trolls, labyrinths have a way of separating those within from those, without sealing its wanderers away from the outside world forever. And no story exemplifies this better than that of the dreaded Minotaur. He never asked to be born. According to Greek mythology, it all began when a man named Minos started vying for the throne of Crete. Now, in order to become king, Minos had to prove that he was favored by the gods. Basically, the ancient Greek version of securing the party nomination. And so agreeing to help Poseidon put on a big show of gifting Minos a beautiful white bull that rose right out of the sea. In exchange, Minos was supposed to sacrifice the bull to Poseidon once the king's stuff was all squared away. Did Minos become king yes. Did he sacrifice that bull? No, he did not. Which, yeah, was a big mistake. As vengeance, Poseidon filled Minos wife with an uncontrollable lust for that aforementioned white bull. Which seems a little unfair, given that none of this was actually her fault. The result of this unholy union was a pretty freaky human bodied bull headed baby. And thus the Minotaur, meaning bull of Minos, came to be. Somehow this kid had a pretty normal childhood. He was raised in the palace where he romped and played like any normal child. But as he grew, things began to change. He became violent, terrorizing palace visitors. Oh, and he developed a pesky taste for blood. And so Minos decided to take a normal, rational approach to solving his problem of a stepson. That is, by hiring a famous architect name Daedalus to create a vast subterranean labyrinth in which the boy would be imprisoned forever. And let me just add here that I know I just gave you a whole spiel about the difference between a labyrinth and a maze, but ignore that for a bit. Because despite being known as the Labyrinth of Crete, this thing sounded suspiciously like a maze. It was so winding and strange, so filled with false turns and optical illusions, that even the architect himself had trouble finding his way out. Some versions of the story even claim that the walls themselves could move, blocking the escape route. Just as you thought you were about to be free. Suffice to say, the Minotaur wasn't going anywhere. But hey, at least he had plenty of snacks. Every few years, you see, a tribute of seven Athenian boys and seven Athenian girls were locked up in the labyrinth to serve as the Minotaurs dinner. And if that sounds familiar, yes, Suzanne Collins did draw from this myth while writing the Hunger Games. Enter a teenager named Theseus, who, just like Katniss Everdeen, stepped forward and volunteered as tribute. Lucky for Theseus, though, one of King Minos daughters, Ariadne, took a shine to him and smuggled him a tool to use in the maze. No, not a weapon. And not a key or a map. Theseus only defense was a ball of yarn. Which it turns out, was all he needed. While the other tributes stumbled blindly through the baffling corridors, Theseus plodded methodically toward the center, letting the ball of yarn unravel behind him. Eventually, he found the Minotaur. The two battled it out and miraculously, Theseus won. And from there, well, he simply had to follow the trail of thread back to the entrance, escaping safe and sound. Honestly, it's hard to express just how famous this story is. References to the labyrinth of Crete pop up just about everywhere. Heck, in the wreckage of Pompeii, the words labyrinth, here lives the Minotaur were discovered scratched in Latin onto some guy's wall. Because even 2,000 people loved graffiti ing each other's houses with insults. Some things never change. I wish I could tell you where the legend started, but with a story that old, it's impossible to track. Some think the Minotaur story was an attempt to make sense of Crete's frequent earthquakes. After all, the idea of a beast trapped underground shaking the earth and roaring is a pretty good explanation. It's a good theory, but it's just that, a theory. And the truth is there is basically no evidence to back it up. So if the story wasn't a metaphor, could it possibly have been literally true? Okay, sure, hopefully not the whole bull headed man monster thing. But might there have been a real life physical maze? Now, surprisingly, that theory has some solid foundations. Some historians believe that an elaborate cave system in Scotino might have served as the inspiration for the tale. It does appear the spot once played host to some sort of ancient rituals. Others, though, think that a quarry near the Cretan city of Gorten is the labyrinth. But it's hard to accurately excavate because the quarry was damaged during World War II when Nazis used it to store their munitions. But it's a third theory that really makes my treasure hunting heart beat faster. Because you see, starting in 1900, a British archaeologist named Arthur Evans began excavating the ancient Cretan city of Knossos. And as he dug, he made the kind of discovery most archaeologists could only dream of. It was a palace. And not just any palace. Vast and winding, the palace corridors twisted and turned, linking room after countless room, just like a labyrinth. Arthur was convinced. This, he believed, was it none other than the labyrinth of Crete. And the thing is, there's data to back up that hunch. Most early versions of the Minotaur myth locate the labyrinth right there in Knossos. In fact, Greek coins minted in the city dating from the 5th century BCE often featured a labyrinth pattern. And some even depict the Minotaur. The clues are all right there. Oh, and speaking of which, that word clue, we have the labyrinth of Crete to thank for that as well. Because clue, you see, comes from the Old English C L E w. But it doesn't mean a hint or a lead. Not yet, no. You see, the word clew originally referred to to a ball of yarn. We may never be sure whether the labyrinth of Crete Ever actually existed or not. But that's okay, because guess what? Despite being the most famous labyrinth under a castle, and it sure wasn't the only one. And even better, some are still there. In the heart of Hungary lies the capital city of Budapest. In the heart of Budapest sits a grand baroque palace known as Buda Castle. Beneath that castle sits a hill. And deep within that hill lies a geothermal spring. For thousands of years, long before the castle ever became a castle, Water from that spring trickled over underground rocks. And as it flowed, bits of stone and mineral chipped away little by little at a time, until eventually, what began as small cracks in the earth had widened into a vast network of interconnected underground caves. Welcome to the mysteries of the Buda Castle labyrinth. Now, the first humans to discover and use these caves probably lived during the Stone age. But it was in the 13th century when construction on the castle first began that this subterranean layer really became the hottest spot in town. It started simply enough as a place to store grain and wine, but people have a way of taking something benign and turning it into, well, kind of evil. Which is exactly what happened when folks turned part of the cave into a prison. I can only imagine how horrifying it must have been for the inmates held in those cold, dark tunnels first to be shackled and dragged down a narrow staircase to go deeper and deeper into the earth, as if descending into hell itself. The light of day snuffing out behind you until finally, your captors abandon you in what looks like nothing short of a tomb. Anyway, over the next two centuries, people continued to connect the snaking corridors to one another, Expanding the labyrinth's reach beneath the city. They dug wells, unearthing a human skull or two in the process. They built further storage. Some caves even led to the basements of regular homes. In other words, people actually took up residence there. And, of course, there were always the darker uses. It's said that when 16th century Turkish diplomats grew bored of the ladies in their harem, they would lure them deep into the caves and throw them down a well. Some whispered that they even bricked the women up alive, which was probably just anti Turkish propaganda. Although the later discovery of several real female skeletons sure does make you wonder. And the dangers didn't end there. Criminals ran amok, hiding in the tangled corridors to evade the law. The caves played host to air raid shelters during World War II, and in 1944, even housed a hospital where soldiers lived and died on dingy underground operating tables.
- [19:58]
Alana Urquhart
During the 1956 Hungarian uprising, the space
- [20:02]
Aaron Manke
was Briefly used by revolutionary forces before becoming a prison for those very same rebels when the revolution failed. It held nuclear bunkers during the Cold War, when no one knew if there would even be a world above to return to. And all the while, that grand palace sat firmly on top, a sparkling jewel balanced on an anthill. Today, the labyrinth is still there, stretching a good six miles below Castle Hill. Of course, it's mostly a tourist trap these days, stuffed with its fair share of ghost tours. Which makes sense, right? Given all the imprisonment, suffering and death that took place in the Buda Castle labyrinth over the years, there are bound to be a few hauntings in the mix. Over the years, visitors have claimed to hear unexplained noises and see ghostly figures while exploring the labyrinth. Some believe that these spirits were awakened in the 1800s, when some of the tunnels collapsed, shaking the dead from their slumber. But of all the spooks and specters supposedly wafting through the caverns, there's one phantom more famous than the rest. His name is the Black Count. And allegedly his story is rooted in real history. There are two main theories about who this guy was. The first, that he'd been a very real Hungarian count, who, during the 1800s, fell on hard times. He may not have had money anymore, but what he did have was one of those houses with a cave adjacent cellar. And so, eager to make a quick buck, the Count allowed bandits to use this basement to slip in and out of the tunnels unseen. For a price, of course. And it seems it worked out just fine. While he was alive, that is. It was only in death that he got his comeuppance, doomed to wander the various corridors from which he'd made a dirty profit. As for the second theory, well, some believe that the Black Count was none other than a real 15th century political prisoner named Vlad Tepes. Now, old Tepes was a prince of Wallachia, and unfortunately for him, he ticked off the King of Hungary, earning him a cozy little cell in the Buda Castle, Labyri. Far from the sunlight.
- [22:10]
Alana Urquhart
He rotted away year after year, for
- [22:12]
Aaron Manke
some say up to a decade. Eventually, Vlad Tepes was set free. But some legends claim that he came back eventually, or at least his body did. It's said that after Tepes death, his corpse was buried right back there in the underground caves, missing one vital part, that is the man's head. And I'll admit, while it's true that the man was imprisoned in the caves, the whole thing about Vlad Tepe's body having been buried there after his death is probably just in an invention of the Labyrinth's very booming haunted tourism industry. In reality, Vlad Tepes has a grave at an island monastery in Romania. Or, well, so everyone thought. It turns out, when excavators opened that supposed Romanian grave, years later, it contained nothing but horse bones. Which means the real body of Vlad Tepes is still missing. As J.R.R. tolkien famously wrote, not all who wander are lost. And the same is true when it comes to the ancient, mysterious art of the Labyrinth. For thousands of years, pilgrims have walked these winding paths as an act of meditation, ritual, and even, in the case of those superstitious Swedish fishermen, for safety. But it's a fine line between walking a labyrinth and being trapped inside one. And you know what they say, one man's contemplative, spiritual space is another man's horrible torture prison. Perhaps this is part of the Labyrinth's enduring appeal, the fact that it can help or harm, it can lead to salvation or certain doom. And honestly, maybe that's intentional. You see, when we get lost, something strange happens in the human brain with the smallest tinge of panic. Our frontal lobe, the part that processes logic, basically turns off while blood rushes to the mid and hind brain, where we process emotion. In other words, the labyrinth, with its perfect cocktail of occult, mystery, blind corners and unreachable exits, turns us from thinking creatures into feeling ones, the same mindset from which supernatural belief is born. By the way, I recommend looking up an image of a classical labyrinth. You'll find it looks suspiciously like a drawing of the human brain. In 2011, there was a police raid in the Buda Castle caves. After that, the government shut off some of the tunnels to the public. And here's the thing, no one knows why any of this happened. Could the authorities have found something down there that they're trying to keep hidden? Are the caves being used for a secret government operation? Were more bodies discovered? Even perhaps, the headless corpse of Vlad Tepes? Anything is possible. Oh, and by the way, you probably know of the Wallachian prince Vlad Tepes by another name. His more famous moniker, you see, was Vlad the Impaler, also known as Count Dracula. I hope you've enjoyed this journey through the twists and turns of labyrinth lore throughout the age. Admit, I'm glad that the chance of being imprisoned in one of these things is pretty low in this day and age, so we should be safe, right? Well, according to one final story, even if we make it to our deathbeds labyrinth free, there might just be a whole new one waiting for us after we die. Stick around through this brief sponsor break to hear all about it. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. People often say that life is a
- [26:02]
Alana Urquhart
journey, and they're right. Some days feel good and others feel overwhelming. Whatever's keeping you up at night, it's easy to feel like you have to figure it all out on your own. But the truth is, no one has
- [26:13]
Aaron Manke
all the answers and no journey should be alone.
- [26:15]
Alana Urquhart
Having someone with you to listen, understand and support you can make all the
- [26:20]
Aaron Manke
difference in the world.
- [26:21]
Alana Urquhart
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a great opportunity to check in with yourself and understand where you are right now. And if you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious or unsure, those feelings are common and we don't have to navigate them alone. And that's where BetterHelp comes in. BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences and their industry leading match fulfillment rate means they typically get it right the first time. And with over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 6 million people globally. And it works too, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for a live session based on over 1.7 million client reviews. You don't have to be on this journey alone, find support and have someone
- [27:09]
Aaron Manke
with you in therapy.
- [27:10]
Alana Urquhart
Sign up and get 10% off@betterhelp.com Lore
- [27:14]
Aaron Manke
that's betterhelp.com Lore this episode was made possible by Squarespace.
- [27:21]
Alana Urquhart
Back in the days before I started Lore, I was a branding designer helping businesses craft a professional presence that customers could trust. Because if you don't put your best foot forward, it's hard to start your business journey, which is something that Squarespace allows anyone to do with ease. Squarespace is the all in one website platform that's designed to help you stand out and succeed online. Whether you're just starting out or scaling a growing business, Squarespace has you covered, giving you everything you need all in one place. From selling consultations or services to physical goods and digital downloads.
- [27:54]
Aaron Manke
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- [27:56]
Alana Urquhart
customizable website that that's designed to attract clients and grow your business. Squarespace helps you get paid on time with professional on brand invoices and online payments, and they streamline your workflow with built in appointment scheduling and email marketing tools built right into your website. Plus, by using basic information about your industry goals and personality, Squarespace can generate personalized design recommendations so that your digital home perfectly represents you. Get started today. Head over to squarespace.com lore for a free trial website and when you're ready to launch, use the offer code LORE to save 10% off your first purchase
- [28:34]
Aaron Manke
of a website or domain. Squarespace Build something Beautiful this episode was made possible by HomeServe.
- [28:42]
Alana Urquhart
I think it's fair to say that owning a home is amazing. Until it's not. One minute you're sipping coffee and the next you're ankle deep in water from a burst pipe. Because repairs don't care about timing and they definitely don't care about your budget, regular homeowner's insurance usually doesn't cover a
- [28:58]
Aaron Manke
lot of the day to day wear and tear.
- [29:00]
Alana Urquhart
Things like plumbing failures, H Vac breakdowns, electrical issues. You get the idea you're often on your own for those, and that's where HomeServe comes in. It's like a subscription for your home. For as little as $4.99 a month,
- [29:13]
Aaron Manke
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- [29:13]
Alana Urquhart
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- [29:18]
Aaron Manke
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- [29:19]
Alana Urquhart
I remember my first home repair emergency all too well. Broken hot water heater that was leaking on the basement floor and having home serve on my side would have made
- [29:28]
Aaron Manke
dealing with that emergency so much easier and more reassuring.
- [29:31]
Alana Urquhart
Never mind how expensive that ended up being for me. They've helped homeowners like you for over 20 years. With a trusted national network of 2,600 local contractors and with 4.5 million customers and a 4.8 out of 5 star post repair rating as well as an A Better Business Bureau rating, they are the real deal. Help protect your home systems and your wallet with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a go to HomeServe.com to find a plan that's right for you. That's HomeServe.com not available everywhere. Most plans range between 499 and $11.99 per month. Your first year terms apply on covered repairs.
- [30:12]
Aaron Manke
This episode was made possible by gusto.
- [30:14]
Alana Urquhart
Look, the economy is a lot right now, and if you're a small business owner, you probably feel it. You can't control interest rates or tariffs, but you can control how efficiently your business operates. Automating, payroll and HR with gusto is one of the fastest ways to cut friction and focus on what actually moves the needle. Way back in 2020, I started my own production company, Grim and Mild, and I needed a way to manage payroll, benefits and all the rest without having to take night classes to learn how to do all that stuff. Gusto was the clear winner six years ago and I have been using them happily every day since long before they
- [30:49]
Aaron Manke
ever sponsored this show.
- [30:51]
Alana Urquhart
Gusto is online payroll and benefits software that's built for small businesses. It's all in one remote, friendly and incredibly easy.
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Aaron Manke
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Alana Urquhart
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- [31:50]
Aaron Manke
It's probably best to think of it as the world's most upsetting escape room. The place is called Xibala, which translates to Place of Fear. Although if you happened to be born as a pre colonial Mayan person, you would probably know it as the Underworld. Now let's be clear here, this doesn't function like our modern idea of hell where only sinners go for punishment. No amount of good deeds could keep you out of Shibala. In fact, the only people who weren't sent there were those who died a particularly violent death which which seems like a real damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Literally, just like Dante's Inferno, Xybala consists of nine distinct levels which together form a vast labyrinthine network of caves. And I mean vast. These caves contain countless roads leading everywhere and nowhere. There are palaces in the caves, sprawling gardens and snaking rivers. But don't get too dazzled here because this underworld also includes cozy little spots like the so called Torture Dome and elsewhere, a window that when looked out reveals what has only been described as unbearable darkness. Now Shibala is ruled by a whole oodle of gods. The two most important are named Death 1 and Death 7. But trust me, I wouldn't overlook the others if I were you. We've got Flying Scab and Blood Gatherer who while on earth are in charge of humanity's bloodborne illnesses. Then there's the ever charming Puss Master and Jaundiced Demon Kings of Bodily Swelling and Oozing, and their good friends Bone Scepter and Skull Scepter who make people wither away to skin and bone. Not to be outdone, though, the Gods Wing and Pack Strap are a jaunty duo who make you cough up blood. And finally, last but certainly not least, the disturbingly specific Sweepings Demon and Stabbing Demon, who have a pesky habit of stabbing you to death if your house gets too messy. In short, the most metal supervillain lineup in history. When this crew isn't busy making your time on Earth actively awful, they're chilling on a throne of bones down in Shibala. But as for you, well, let's just say once your soul reaches Shibala, it tends to stay very, very busy. You see, souls aren't just blindly wandering through this underworld. No, as soon as you arrive, a series of trials and tribulations await you. You may have to cross a river made of blood or scorpions, or my least favorite, a river of pus. Then again, you may be tasked with surviving the Blood sucking House of bats or flesh eating house of jaguars. The House of Tremors is freezing cold.
- [34:33]
Alana Urquhart
The House of Fire burning hot.
- [34:35]
Aaron Manke
And the House of Razors. Well, I'll let that one speak for itself. Oh, and don't be fooled if the lords of the underworld invite you to rest your weary feet and sit down. Apparently, one of their favorite pranks is replacing all of the chairs in Qibala with hot stoves. So let's say you somehow survive all these trials. What exactly do you win? Well, as far as we know, the prize is pretty darn good. That is reincarnation. Now, look, I say as far as we know, because the truth is, I'm doing some guesswork here, and not only because I'm not, well, dead yet. No, the reason we don't have a clear answer is because the Mayan culture was intentionally and systematically destroyed. Destroyed by Spanish colonizers. They burned thousands upon thousands of Mayan texts and artwork. And when the smoke cleared, vast swathes of Mayan knowledge was lost forever, just as the colonizers intended. In fact, most of what we know about the Place of Fear comes from one single text called the Popol Vuh. It was first written in the 1500s, transcribed from oral tradition into Latin script by Franciscan friars. But in 1577, King Philip II ordered all copies of the manuscript to be destroyed. By some miracle, though, one copy of the Popol Vu survived King Philip's purge. And in the early 1700s, a Dominican friar in Guatemala found it and translated it into Spanish before it too, vanished forever. In other words, all we have left of the Mayan underworld is a translation of a translation of a of an oral tradition, which sounds to me an awful lot like a labyrinth. This episode of Lore was produced by me, Erin Manke, with writing by Jenna Rose Nethercott, research by Cassandra d' Alba, and music by Chad Lawson. Just a reminder folks, I have a brand new history book that is coming out on August 4th. It's called Exhumed and it explores the roots of the New England vampire Panic and the story of Mercy Brown through the lens of centuries of folklore, medical advancements and pseudoscience. It's available for pre order right now and if you pre order the hardcover, my publisher has a webpage set up
- [36:57]
Alana Urquhart
where you can submit your receipts and
- [36:59]
Aaron Manke
get a free gorgeous tote bag. Head over to aaronmanke.com exhume to see the gorgeous cover and lock in your copy of the book today. If you don't like hearing ads on Lore, there is a paid version available on Apple Podcasts and patreon that is 100% AD free. Paid subscribers also get weekly mini bonus episodes called Lore Bytes and Patreon members specifically get discounts on Lore merchandise. Learn more over@lorepodcast.com support follow the show on Blue Sky Threads, YouTube and Instagram. Just search for Lore podcast podcast all one word and then click that follow button. And when you do, say hi. I like it when people say hi. And as always, thanks for listening.
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