Croatian Tales of Long Ago - Vodan

Having created Heaven and Earth, all in Heaven and on Earth, Svarog looked at his work. He looked at the fertile lowlands, sharp mountains, clear blue skies, silver rivers and azure seas. He winced. Black eyes and a withered forehead, both framed with strands of seaweed, watched him from the depths of the Ancient Sea. “Who are you,” he and the toothless mouth that belonged to those black eyes uttered. Suddenly, with his fist he snatched toward the reflection trying to grab it by the throat. Long fingers of someone else’s hand wrapped themselves around his neck. Long nails pierced its skin. For a moment, he feared that the force emanating from the reflection might suffocate him. Him, Svarog! He released his grip. Through the fog he noticed that the reflection was smiling at him, that it turned the back to him and left. Svarog rolled onto his side and fainted.

From that day on, Svarog ruled the Earth and the Sky, and Vodan ruled the Seas. Svarog never looked for him. Never. Even though the old renegade, reining over his glass prison at the bottom of the Ancient Sea, made waves and raised storms to capture Svarog’s subjects. In fear of himself, Svarog never challenged Vodan. Self-satisfied, Vodan was pleased to remind Svarog of himself from time to time.

New week new snippet from Croatian Mythology. This time his name is Vodan.