Ancient Mythology Is Embedded Within the Constantine TV Series

Constantine is an American TV series that centers around the character of John Constantine, a British exorcist and occult detective who hunts supernatural entities. The entire Constantine series is based upon a vast mythology that encompasses the legends and folklore of many different cultures throughout history.  The present article intends to focus solely on a few of the most relevant mythological elements behind the Constantine TV series.

The Ancient Magical Practice of Scrying

John Constantine is a demonologist and master of the dark arts. In the first episode of the series, he introduces Liv Aberdine to the ancient art of scrying. Scrying is a practice in which an individual looks into a special medium in order to detect various messages or visions. The final objective is usually revelation, inspiration or personal guidance. In the distant past, scrying was also used as a method of divination or fortune-telling. This method remains popular even today in occult circles.

Scrying was often performed by using a pendulum, which was made by taking a wedding ring or a ring often worn and tying it to a long hair or string. Pendulums could also be made out of crystal, silver weights, precious stones or necklaces. The string must not be twisted and it must not have any knots. The ring must pendulate at will above a thick piece of cloth which must be grey, square or round-shaped and with a diameter of approximately 30 centimeters. When using the pendulum, the elbow must move at a height of three centimeters above the table.

In the ancient art of scrying, it was taught that the mind should be focused only on the question to be asked, which should be formulated while the pendulum is still. The questions should be clear and precise. Interpretation of the pendulum’s movement was as follows: clockwise – a positive answer (the person can begin or proceed with one’s plans because they will be successful); counter-clockwise –the person must be careful in his or her plans (it may mean a positive answer but only after having taken cautionary methods); straight line left to right –a clear negative answer; straight line towards and from the person – a clear answer cannot be given (the question must be asked a little later); ellipse – meaning that, for the time being, the question cannot have an answer.

The Crystal Ball by John William Waterhouse ( public domain )

Coblynau, The Gnomes of the Mines

Coblynau are gnome-like entities said to haunt the mines and quarries of Wales. According to descriptions, they are around 1.5 feet (45 cm) tall and quite ugly. Believed to be the spirits of deceased workers, they appear dressed in miniature mining costumes. Even though they work constantly, they never finish their tasks and are said to be capable of causing rockslides.

Folk stories maintain that the Coblynau do not injure humans unless controlled by someone who practices dark magic. Such is the case in the ‘Constantine’ series, where the Coblynau are summoned by a Romani witch, who orders them to kill John Constantine. According to Constantine, Romani witchcraft is the darkest type of magic.

Edited Painting by John Bauer of two trolls ( public domain )

Imbunche, Protector of Warlocks

In the Chilote mythology of the Chiloe Island in the southern part of Chile, the imbunche (also spelt invunche, meaning “short person” or “deformed person”) is a type of monster or demon that protects the entrance to a warlock’s cave.

This entity appears as a deformed humanoid with its head twisted backwards. It also has twisted arms, fingers, nose, mouth and ears. The entity walks either on one foot or on three ‘feet’ (actually one leg and two hands), because one of its legs is attached to the back of its neck. This creature cannot talk, but it can make guttural, rough sounds.

In legends, the imbunche is created when a first-born son, less than nine days old, was kidnapped or sold by his parents to a Brujo Chilote, a Chiloe warlock. If the baby had been christened, the warlock uses special spells to de-baptize him. The Brujo Chilote transforms the child into a deformed hairy monster by breaking his right leg and twisting it over his back. When the boy is three months old, his tongue is forked and the warlock applies a magic cream over the boy’s back to cause thick hairs. During its first months, the imbunche is fed on black cat’s milk and goat flesh, and then with human flesh from cemeteries.

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