From the beginning of time, the physical characteristics of the world around us have shaped the way we think and live. Early cultures felt closer to nature than society does today, and the most vivid imagery of the physical world is to be found often in ancient myths from throughout the world. This reference work should help to rejuvenate the imagination through documenting the mythological expression of an age-old desire to interpret and control the natural phenomena of the earth, sea and sky. In more than 350 entries, the connections between myths and natural phenomena are illuminated. The entries include: Apollo; clouds; forests; harvest moon; Japan; lightning bird; nymphs; Poseidon; rainbows and rainbow gods; Taurus; volcanoes; whirlpools; and Zodiac.