122 THE PAGAN-CHRISTIAN OVERLAP OF THE WISE BIRD. 



the difference between the ravenous argala and the dainty ibis 1 ? 

 The ba and the Jehu would have been designated by Aristotle the 

 tyux-h and the weD^o, the Nutritive Soul and the Rational Soul ; 

 and St. Paul might have called the fra-bird the o-^/ta ^\>X.IK&" and the 

 /r/itt-bird ff&na irvevna.TiK.6v. In the nutritive soul arose organic 

 .cravings, whilst the rational soul was the seat of intellectual 

 processes. The &a-crane busied itself in carrying food and drink 

 to the mummy ; the Mw-ibis provided itself with mystical infor- 

 mation and protective formularies for its long and perilous journey 

 to the abode of the gods. 



A similar distinction may be perceived between the two wise 

 Ravens of Woden, that were called Huginn and Muninn. The 

 name Huginn is from the noun hugr, " the intellect," and the verb 

 liuga is " to mind, attend to, think out;" whereas Muninn is " the 

 mind " in the sense of " longing, love, delight." " Woden's two 

 ravens," says Grimnis Mai, " fly every day over the mighty earth. 

 I fear for Huginn lest he never come back, yet for Muninn I am 

 more fearful still." In other words, " The thoughts of Woden 

 range far indeed, yet not so far as the wandering of his desire." 

 " There flew two ravens," says the Vuluspa, " from Woden's 

 shoulders ; Huginn to the gallows, Muninn to the carrion." And 

 here carrion represents carnal appetite, devouring slaughtered foes; 

 whilst the mystic gallows, of which Woden was Lord, is the symbol 

 of justice and self-sacrifice. 



A belief that human souls are as birds can be found in Christian 

 writings. In the Book of Lismore we are told of " the preaching 

 which Elijah is wont to make to the souls of the righteous under 

 the Tree of Life in Paradise. Now when Elijah opens the book 

 for the preaching, then come the souls of the righteous in shapes 

 of bright white birds to him from every point. Then he first 

 declares to them the rewards of the righteous and the delights of 

 heaven, and thereupon they are exceedingly rejoiced. Then he 

 declares to them the pains and punishments of hell, and the birds 

 then make a great wailing and beat their wings against their bodies 

 till streams of blood came out of them for dread of Doomsday." 



