Artemis

Artemis

Interestingly, the name Artemis is very similar to various Indo-European names which mean "Bear", such as Arthur, Ardal, Arturo, Auberon, and the ancient Greek word "arktos", but various variations, such as Artemas, meaning "follower" and Artemesia meaning "Perfect" don't bear out this speculation. However, these names may have changed meaning over the years (one source tells me Artemas originally meant "blessed of Artemis" and later came to mean "follower" after someone bearing the name became a follower of the disciples). I have also seen speculation that the name derived from the Greek artemes meaning "Strong limbed"- but I have not been able to find this word in any of my lexicons. I have seen artemes traslated as "safe" or "uninjured" however and the word artamos which means "a butcher". That all being said, young women who stayed at the temple of Artemis, where they were said to "Play at being She-bears", were refered to as Arkteia.

Artemis is said to be the daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin sister to Apollo, God of Enlightemenment. However, Artemis and Apollo were both firmly established deities in the area long before the arrival of Zeus. This is another case of the conquering God being married off to or otherwise identified with the existing Gods and Goddesses to justify His rule (and that of His subjects) over those who were there before. Artemis was born on the sixth day of the month and immediately assisted her mother in bearing her brother Apollo, who was born a day later. The worship of Apollo and Artemis is believed to have come from the Hyperboreans.

Another story has Artemis and Apollo born to Demeter by Poseidon. It actually makes sense for Artemis to be the child of Poseidon than Zeus since her companions are Oceanids and her cursei on Agammemnon resulted in the delay of the Trojan war due to the inability of a fleet to sail. However, this story isn't oft repeated and whomever Her father may be (it being of no real consequence anyway) Leto is pretty firmly in place as Her mother.

Artemis and Apollo both ruled over healing, but also over plague and sudden death. Artemis was both a protector of small children and women in childbirth and credited with the death of women in childbirth. Likewise, she was both a huntress and the protectress of the woodland creatures.

According to legend, Artemis asked Zeus, and was granted, the priveledge of remaining unmarried and though she had many companions, did not seek out or accept the touch of any male, mortal or God. In addition to her chastity, Artemis was granted four stags with golden horns to draw her chariot, and lop-eared hounds, gifted to her by Pan and nymphs, the daughters of Oceanus, to be her companions and a silver bow and arrows made by Hephaestus.

Folklore implies that she expected all of her followers to also remain chaste. History implies also that her Priests and Priestesses took vows of chastity and were severely punished if these were broken.

The story of Orion says that he was a hunter. In some versions he was a companion to Artemis who was seduced by Selene, the Goddess of the Moon. Furious that Orion had betrayed his chastity, she sent a scorpion to kill him. Selene then put Orion and the scorpion into the sky- thus we have the two constellations and Orion's dog, Sirius, the Dog Star. Another version says that Orion tried to rape Artemis and thus received his fate. Yet another version says that Artemis fell in love with Orion and her brother Apollo tricked her into killing him, so as to protect her maidenhood. (I could really go on all day with versions of this story.)

In another story, one of Artemis's companions, a nymph by the name of Callisto, fell prey to the wiles of the mighty Zeus. Zeus had come to her with Artemis's form. When the girl could no longer hide her pregnancy, she confessed and Artemis turned her into a bear. Her son was Arcas and while hunting as a young man, he came upon the bear that was his mother and nearly killed her, but Artemis (or Zeus) stopped him and Callisto was then put into the sky as a constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, also known as the Plough. Some versions say that Arcas was also put into the sky at this time (Ursa Minor) but he has more story of his own.

In another story, Actaeon was caught spying on Artemis and her companions as she bathed. Enraged, she turned him into a stag and as he fled through the forest, his own hounds caught his scent, pursued him and killed him. Another man, Siproites, was caught in a similar situation, but he was turned into a woman.

Perhaps one of the most famous stories of Artemis is the story of Niobe. She boasted that she was a better mother than Leto because she had six sons and six daughters, rather than just one of each. Artemis and Apollo came to their mother's defense and killed all of her children. Artemis then turned Niobe to stone.

Another story, that I rather like, is the story of the Gigantes. It happened at the tail end of the war between the Titans and the Olympians. Gaia whispered to the Gigantes Otis and Ephialtes that since they were so strong that nothing could harm them, they should be the rulers of Olympus. So they rose up and built a mountain as tall as Olympus and laid seige demanding Hera and Artemis as wives. Ares came out to engage them, but they trapped him in a jar. The other Gods could not harm them. Finally, Artemis turned into a deer and ran between them. They each hurled a spear at the deer, but She was too quick and they each speared each other instead!

During the Roman period, Artemis became associated with Diana, a Roman Moon Goddess and thus became associated with the moon. By extension, her brother Apollo was associated with the sun. However, there is no such association found in any of the pre-Roman lore- besides her obvious tendancy of turning people into constellations. They are both known as "Shining", but this provides and tenuous link at best. In most classical Greek literature in which both Apollo and Artemis are referenced, Selene and Helios (the Classical Moon and Sun of Titan descent) are also referenced.

Her Etruscan equivalent is Artume. She is also associated with the Lady of Ephesus, though some rather associate Her with Cybele. (She is quite magnificent and now resides in the Vatican. If you ever go to Rome, do not pass up the chance to go to the Vatican museum!)This Goddess seems to be very different from the Greek Artemis, but the association may be due to both Goddesses association with animals.

Artemis was worshipped of old in Delos, Sparta, Brauron and Mounikhia and eventually throughout the rest of the Greek world. In some areas She (or the Goddesses whom She replaced) was once associated with bloody rituali sacrifice. In Tauris early Greek legends say there was a Goddess to whom all men who washed up on their shore were sacrificed. In Sparta, boys were flogged at Artemis's altar until it was sprinkled with their blood- perhaps a replacement for earlier blood sacrifices. The sacrifice of Iphogenea took place at Aulis, and she was the daughter of a Spartan and a Myceneaen.

Artemis represents the unpredictable nature of, well, Nature, and the wilderness. Those who embark upon a hunting trip are at Her mercy. Will She bless you with a good kill? Will She amuse Herself by leaving you wandering lost for days? Or will She visit tragedy upon you and your party? It's all up to Her whim, for She is the embodiment of all that is Wild. Children are beloved of Her while they are still wild and She protects young girls until they have given up their maidenhood. Artemis is also the Goddess of the nymphs, all the delicate spirits of Nature and at Her command will they rise up against those who abuse them- but mostly they dance and hunt and enjoy themselves.

Sacred Animals: Bear, Dogs, Deer, Lion, Boar
Sacred Plants: Alli Artemesias, cypress, bay laurel
Sacred Places: All wild places
Sacred Objects: Bow and arrow, herbs, antlers
Protectress of: Wilderness areas, hunters, children, young girls, women in childbirth, women's fertility, female athletes
Epithets: Agrotera- Patron of hunters (and also warriors), Potnia Theron, Mistress of the Animals, Kourotropos- nurse of youths, Locheia- goddess of childbirth and midwives, Cynthia- From Mounth Cynthus on Delos, Amarynthia after her festival Amarythus, Phoebe- Shining one, feminine of Apollo's epithet Pheobus, Parthenos Iokheaira- the virgin who delights in arrows, Hekatebolon- far shooter (also shared with Apollo),
Sacred Days- The 6th of the Month (Artemis was born on the 6th day of the month)
Astrological Sign- Cancer

Brigid

There were many Goddesses throughout Celtic, Germanic and Gaulish lands that used to the root of the name Brigid, which means "exalted feminine spirit", though in all likelihood, these were honorifics rather than the actual name of the Goddess. Much like Australian Aborigines, and Native American tribes, each Celtic tribe had its own collection of Gods either inhabiting local natural features with which they interacted on a regular basis, such as rivers, springs and forests, or ancestral deities associated with tribal legend. There was some continuity in archetypes though, that is, the tribes generally had the same types of Gods. It follows reasonably, therefore, that a number of these would have been female, and would have been granted the honorific "exalted feminine spirit"- Brigid, Brigit, Brighit, Brid, Bride (Scotland), Ffraid (Wales), Breo Saighead (fiery arrow), Berecyntia (Gaul), Brigan, Brigandu (Gaul), Brigantis (Britain), Brigando (Switzerland), Brigida (The Netherlands), Brigantia and Bricta. However, we must not assume that any of these Goddesses, just because they had similar titles, they all embodied similar characteristics, though many seemed to.

Brigantia was the ancestor Goddess of the Brigantes, a coalition of tribes that once dwelt in Northern England. She was similar to the Greek Goddess Athene in that she was concerned primarily with the protection of the tribe through defensive warfare, protection of the hearth and home and ensuring fertility. She was also concerned with
the gaining of knowledge, especially that of bards and of handicrafts. (Athene was also a Goddess of wisdom, and was quite skilled with the loom). Like so many Goddesses, she was also associated with springs and rivers. The Romans, upon encountering Her, associated Her with Minerva. In modern times, Her image is associated with Britannia, the personification and patroness of the British Empire and appears on coins of the realm.

Gaulish inscriptions have been found honoring Brigindo. She also seems to be associated with fertility, healing and crafts, but there are no surviving stories about her, so we don't know much about her personality or how she was worshipped.

An ancient Celtic hot springs and healing center in France (Saone valley, Luxeuil) reveals images of Bricta, identified as the consort of the healing God Luxovius (possibly a Sun God, may be associated with Lugh) and also of Sirona, a popular healing Goddess associated with bodies of water among the mainland Celts. It seems likely in this case that rather than being a separate Goddess, Bricta is a title or honorific used for Sirona.

The Goddess Brig of Ireland does not appear to be linked to any specific tribal group and the name has been found all throughout Ireland. She appears to have been associated with the functions and values of the common people. That is, the scholars and bards(poetry, art, insipiration), the craftsmen (the forge) and the keepers of the hearth (healers and housewives). She was also associated with protecting livestock, helping women conceive and bear children safely, bringing new growth to the land, protecting children, and blessing new brides. Some sources also associate her with warriors under the title Brig ambue.

She has been associated with Danu, the Mother Goddess of Ireland, and is also reported to be the daughter of the Dagda, the "Good God" of Ireland (Son of Danu). She was the wife of Bres, the half-Fomorian (the Fomorians were the people who came to Ireland before the Tuatha de Dannan) leader of the Tuatha de Dannan (People of Danu) and it is said that the first lamentation heard in Ireland was hers, when her son died in battle.

Brig appears to be the protectress Goddess of all of Ireland, and is quite probably a title that was applied to several different Goddesses remembered as one in modern times. It is also quite possible that the same Goddess was simply worshiped in different forms in different parts of the country, her mythology and associations changing as the stories were retold in isolation from other retellings.

After the conquest of Ireland, the Holy Roman Empire wisely canonized her, thus making St. Brigid the patroness saint of Ireland, although even stories associated with this Saint, are jumbled and leave one wondering just how many St. Brigids there could have been. Many of these stories were originally probably folktales about various Goddesses or faerie women retold with St. Brigid as the main character. It should be noted here that some scholars insist that St. Brigid was a real person who simply became associated with the old stories, while others insist that she never existed as a mortal woman.

There are many wells in Ireland associated with St. Brigid. It is generally believed that these were dedicated to various Goddesses at one point. She is also associated with fire. The Sacred Flame of Kildare was tended by St. Brigid and 19 maidens each taking it in turns to tend the flame through the night. On the 20th night, it was Brigid's turn, and she never let the flame go out. The flame burned from the sixth to the 13th century and it is said, never went out in all that time, but the Archbishop of London ordered it extinguished in 1220. It was relit a few times since then, most recently in 1993 and burns still today, tended by the Brigidine Sisters, no longer just maidens, but crones and even men tend it today.

Brigid survives in NeoPagan theology as a fire Goddess of triple aspect common to many distinct neo-Pagan religions. She is the Goddess of the Hearth fire, associated with healing, marriage, fertility, mothers and children. She is the Goddess of the forge fire, associated with all manner of useful crafts and She is the Goddess of the fire of inspiration, patroness of poets and bards. As a fire Goddess, she is occasionally worshiped as a sun Goddess but she is more often honored as a Hearth Goddess, similar to Hestia or Vesta. She is also associated with the maiden aspect of the Goddess in Wiccan and other theologies that utilize the theme of the aging Goddess, and is thus associated with the young year, the springtime, and the growth of new things.

Dancing with the Morrigu

The Morrigu was dancing. I saw Her dressed in black. Leather or suede it perhaps. A short leggings and a snug top. She had on a headdress shaped like the head of a black bird with yellow eyes and a long cloak of black feathers that attached to Her wrist so it looked like wings. She was dancing and I watched Her, then I danced with Her and then we danced together and were one.

We danced a war dance, we danced for victory and as we danced Her voice was in my mind and She said to me- What do you dance for?

And I said that I dance for victory and that I dance for peace.

And She said no, your fight is not their fight.

And I insisted that yes it was. And she showed me people standing out in the cold holding picket signs and said to me, you were not among them.

And I said, It was cold...

And She showed me soldiers crouched in the desert with dust masks over their faces, She did not respond in words. I felt ashamed.

She danced on and I knew I had no business talking to Her.

What is my fight then, if this isn't? I asked Her and She glanced at me and said, You are not ready. You will know.

Why am I not ready? I asked Her. How can I be ready?

She said, You tell me. What do you need?

And suddenly I was swept onto my back and the nine lions bounded up and began walking in a circlei about me. She approached and entered the circle, still dancing and as She did she turned into a large blackbird. The lions stopped circling and came to rest. They roared very loudly and two more black birds came into the circle or perhaps the one turned into three.

I am afraid! I cried out. And the first blackbird lit upon my belly and pecked it open. From inside he pulled some black thing and carried it away to eat it.

I am so sad! I cried out and the second blackbird lit upon my chest and pulled a similar black thing out of my chest.

I am tired! I cried out and the third tore open my wrist and pulled out long strands of icky blackness.

Then, I lost consiousness and I floated about the world.

I saw Rob, sleeping, wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants. He had a gray cover sort of half on him and white sheets. There were many other men around him.

I saw President Bush and I entered his thoughts. He lay in bed, tossing and turning. His mind was filled with doubt. He believed that he must act to destroy this evil force he believed in almost religiously. But he was afraid.

He is afraid! I said to Her and I knew She nodded, though I couldn't see Her and told me to watch.

His dreams were filled with accusations and fears. That he should fail and lose face was the greatest of these fears. I was disgusted.

Will he fail? I asked Her and She said, If he falters, he will fail. .

But he's wrong! I insisted and She smiled and I knew that War didn't care if you were right or wrong. War only cared that you fought for your beliefs. She laughed at my astonisment. Failure, little one, is not the worst that can happen, is it?

I opened my eyes then and all was quiet.

Recorded from my own vision, the end of March, 2003
Dawn Black

Golden Aphrodite

Her name means Born of Sea Foam.

Other names and accolades
Acidalia, Anadyomene (She who emerges), Cytherea, Despina, Kypris, Pandemos, Urania

Role
Goddess of love, beauty, sexual ecstasy, consuming passion of all sorts, fertility, the marriage bed, romantic love, protective love, desire, vengeance for lovers scorned or deceived.

Symbols
Scepter, dolphins, doves, swans, sparrows, pomegranates, apples, myrtle, rose & lime trees.

Festival
The Festival Aphrodesia was celebrated in February throughout Greece and especially in Athens and Corninth. It was celebrated by the sacrifice of doves, dancing and athletic games. Women may also have cut off their hair as a sacrifice to Aphrodite.

She has been associated with Ishtar, Astarte, Hathor, Turan and Venus.

At her simplest, Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of love, physical beauty, desire, sexual rapture and fertility. She is also a sea Goddess, and patroness of sailors, a war Goddess and the Goddess of all passions, not just lustful ones. She had important cults in Crete, Cyprus, Corinth and Sicily and was generally worshipped throughout much of Greece. The center of her cult was Cythera and her priestesses offered their favors to the faithful as a form of communion with the Goddess.

According to Homer, Cronus, son of Gaia and Uranus, castrated his father and threw his genitals into the sea. Aphrodite then rose from the sea foam near Paphos. In this version she was attended by Eros and Himeros when she stepped forth from the sea, but other stories say she was their mother.

According to Homer, she was the child of Zeus and Dione. (However, Dione simply means “Goddess” and could have referred to any divine female entity, even the Earthmother herself. In fact, Aphrodite was often referred to herself as Dione.)

Other stories have her as the daughter of Thalassa (the sea) and Zeus.

Plato decided she was two Goddesses: Urania, daughter of Uranus, the Goddess of pure love, and Pandemos, daughter of Zeus and Dione, Goddess of "common" love. However, if you really think about it, the two stories aren't that contradictory.

She was married to Hephaestus (though he’d rather have been with Athene) as Zeus feared this great beauty if left single would be the cause of strife on Olympus, but she bore him no children. In fact, she didn’t seem very interested in him at all though he adored her and showered her with gifts, including a girdle that made the wearer irresistible to men (as if she needed help). If she was unfaithful, and she was, his gift certainly didn’t discourage her.

To Ares, God of War, she bore Harmonia, Deimos and Phobos. In some stories she also bore Eros, Himeros and Anteros to him, but other stories say that Eros existed before any of the other Gods save Gaia Herself and Chaos. Hephaestus once forged an unbreakable net of chains to catch her in bed with Ares and brought the other Gods together to mock them, but they just envied Ares! He wasn’t going to release them, but Poseidon talked him into it.

By Hermes, she bore Hermaphroditus, Eunomia, Peitho, Rhodos, and Tyche.

To Dionysus she bore the Charites; Aglaea, Euphrosyne and Thalia, Hymenaios, and Priapus.

After she bragged that she was the most powerful of the Gods because she had caused them all to chase mortals and she herself had never done so, Zeus caused her to fall in love with the shepherd Anchises and to him she bore the Trojan hero Aeneas.

She also loved Adonis (translates at "My Lord) with the same ferocity boarding on madness that she had inspired in his mother, Myrrha (or Smyrna), for his grandfather and father, Theias. In fact, he was perhaps her greatest love. To Adonis she bore Beroe, but Adonis was gored by a bull (or boar) while out hunting, even though she had warned him not to go. She flew to his rescue, but too late, she arrived just in time to hear his dying breath. Persephone also adored this handsome boy and would not give in to Aphrodite's pleas to return him from the underworld. Zeus intervened and ordered that each Goddess would have him for half the year. Women in Byblos would ceremonial mourn Adonis at harvest time (?) and (according to Frazier whose scholarship is admittedly questionable) a spring rituali consisted of casting a figure of Adonis into the ocean as a sacrifice symbolic of that of the plants that would be harvested for food.

Aphrodite also bore Eryx to the mortal Butes.

She is credited also with starting the Trojan War by encouraging the affair between Helen and Paris and she is said to have participated actively on the side of Troy, even sustaining a wound in battle.

Aphrodite is often depicted as being selfish and vain, but she also loves fiercely and protectively. To scorn her gifts means eventual punishment and she will often respond to aid in the revenge of a woman scorned. But the passion of Aphrodite isn’t limited to the realm of love as the common man thinks of it.

The energy of Aphrodite is the fire, the passion, the spark that is the beginning of all mortal creation. It is every passion, every worldly obsession, everything that we pursue thoughtlessly and tirelessly until it is gained, achieved or completed. It is not just the desire for the touch of another human, but also the desire to create the finest piece of art, the passion behind the concerto, the drive that makes the dream come true. Every new thing that comes into existence, whether it be a new baby, human or animal, or a fantastic new invention or a brilliant new idea, began with the spark of desire that is Aphrodite- And it is the ferocity of passion fueled by this desire that also makes her a War Goddess.

Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author whose work is featured at Motorcitypagans.net and many other sites. Dawn can be reached at dawn.black@gmail.com. Watch for new book, Simply Magick:Beginnings, coming soon to a bookseller near you.

Pachimama

Pachi Mama, Patchi-Mama or Pachamama is the Quechan or Inca word for “Mother Earth” or literally “our mother in space and time”. Most cultures have an Earth Mother concept and those of South America are no exception. But the word “Pachamama” goes beyond the name of a single Goddess, it encompasses a entire world view and way of life. It involves the belief that the Earth is a living being and the mother of all of Earth's life. In traditional societies, grown children were expected to take care of their parents and thus, it should be expected that we all care for Pachamama. Pachamama cares for her children as a mother cares for her young and does not turn away from them. If she fails to provide, it is because she is not well.

In modern times, Pachamama is often associated with the Virgin Mary and the median between the polar opposites of Heaven and Hell, God and Satan in the blended Catholic and Native traditions of South America. Unfortunately, many Evengelical groups are still today working very hard to wipe Pachamama from their theology altogether.

Images of Pachamama often have three heads, a turtle on her front, a frog on her back, and a snake around her legs. She is the Patron of las brujas (witches/herbalists/traditional healers) of Bolivia.

The growing season- spring through fall, is associated with Pachamama, while the dry season (or winter, depending on your latitude) is assiciated with Pachatata.

Appropriate offerings to Pachamama include corn and grains, bread, and sweet pastries, as well as herding animals (llamas in Bolivia) but She is most pleased by those who live in accordance with Her ways. The golden rule of the Inca is Ama suwa, ama llula, ama q'ella "Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy". Honoring Pachamama needs no mention.

These concepts are exemplified by these worthy organizations bearing Her name, which I was pleased to find in my web wanderings.

The Pachamama Alliance
Dedicated to preserving the Earth's rainforests and the indegenous cultures within, and creating a new global vision of equity and sustainability.
http://www.pachamama.org/index.htm

Pachamama, A world of artisans
A fair trade organization dedicated to bring the work of traditional peoples to the Western consumer.
http://www.pachamamaworld.com/

Here is a teaching guide for these concepts prepared by UNEP for school teachers and homeschoolers
http://www.unep.org/GEO/geo3/pdfs/teacher.pdf#search='pachamama'

I found this account on the web of a tourists visit to a shrine of Pacha Mama and Pacha Tata in Peru http://www.ancientenergies.com/rules.htm

Here is an account of an Aymara woman's worship (The Aymara and Inca have lived side by side for millinia. The Aymara may have been there first. They are traditional herding people of the Andes).
http://www.theculturedtraveler.com/Archives/Oct2001/Print/Mamma_Cult.htm

Here is a little song to use when worshipping Pachamama

Huaca Pacha Mama
Huaca Saqsaywaman
Huaca Yachaq runa
Huaca Munaq Runa

Translation;

Temple of the Earth Mother
Temple of the Speckled Hawk
Temple of the Wise One
Temple of the Loving One

Copyright 2004 Dawn Black. Dawn Black is featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com and may be reached at dawn.black@gmail.com This article may be redistributed in electronic format only.

The River

I found myself sitting on a mountain peak that jutted out of an endless ocean. The water surrounded me and went on to the horizon in every direction.

She sat beside me, and I didn’t know here name. I called her only Dawn, which struck me as strange because I call myself Dawn as well. But she was like the dawn, far more than I, for she was golden, and quiet and vibrant and she smelled of ends and new beginnings and I felt that this place where we sat, looking over the endless sea, was the place of the Dawn. A place of new beginnings, a place that only existed for that moment, and then would be gone again.

I turned to her with many unanswered questions and found that She was known to me, but I couldn’t remember from where. She just smiled and didn’t answer, but instead she pointed.

I saw then the River. It encompassed all things. It flowed in a mighty circlei, ever forward into this great sea and then back out again. Alli things were in the River and were the River and the River was born in the Sea and returned to it again and again through eternity.

She handed me a rock. It was a good sized skipping stone. Smooth and it fit well in my palm. I flung it far into the sea and I saw that wherever it hit the water a ripple moved out, again and again, until it finally sank below the surface with a plunk, and the greatest ripple of all and the wave that slapped against the rock on which we stood was a little higher than the last.

Everything you do, She said to me, is a stone upon the water. There are larger stones and smaller stones, but every one touches this water and the water is all. You see ripples on the surface, but there are also ripples below. You will never know all that the stone touches beneath the surface and you will never know what the next wave will bring you.

She raised Her arms and the rock on which we stood grew and we rose higher and higher into the air until we could see the entire world. I saw that the river encompassed it entirely and it turned peacefully in the gentle currents.

What is the river? I asked her.

The river is time, it is life, it is fate, it is death. The water is all.

I watched in silence for awhile working it out in my mind. Then the river pushes us forward. It keeps time going strait.

She just looked at me, there was no expression. I knew that I was right, but not completely.

So, I went on, We could go back in time if we swam against the current?

She laughed at the thought and gave me a picture of my self flailing and splashing in the water trying to fight the current but finally she said, Yes, of course. She left the rest unsaid, but I knew she would have said it if it hadn’t dawned on me first, what waves that would cause!

The rock shrank again and we returned once more to our original position. I looked into the sea and I noticed for the first time that it was teaming with activity. Not so much that the water was full of living things, but the water was living things. It was entirely composed of beings that seemed to be made of the water itself. They were constantly in motion, swirling about one another until you could hardly distinguish one from another, joining together and then separating into watery beings quite different from the ones that had first been. I leaned closer and closer, trying to get a good look, I thought I saw someone I knew, or had known.. there was something familiari at any rate.

I lost my grip and tumbled headfirst into the water.

I opened my eyes and found myself safely in my room.

A vision by Dawn Black 2000

The Story of Adonis

Adonis is a seasonal life/death/rebirth God associated with Tammuz, Atunis, Baldr, Osirus, Attis and Jesus.
The name means “Lord”
His feast day is the Adonia, celebrated in what is now August. Young women mourn him on this day and plant seeds of quick blooming, short lived flowers in his honor.

King Theias (or Cinyras) of Syria (or Smyrna) had a daughter named Myrrha (or Smyrna if you prefer). She was quite lovely and he bragged that she was lovelier even than Aphrodite. Aphrodite decided that a man who was so enamoured by a girl’s beauty, certainly deserved her love, and caused poor Myrrha to fall madly in love with her own father.

Of course, she was horrified at the thought that she should be feeling this way about her father and did her very best to ignore her feelings. But she pined for his touch. She swooned at his smile and shuddered at his touch. She woke sweating in the night from dreams of him and then sobbed at the shame of it. She became depressed, spoke little and ate less. Her nurse, who had served her since birth could tell that something was wrong and pressed the girl until she finally revealed her horrible secret.

At first her nurse urged her to continue to suppress her feelings and tried to treat her with sleeping druaghs and appetite stimulants and by diverting her attention with entertaining games, outings and stories. She even attempted to arouse her interest in other men, but to no avail. Myrrha was pining, and she was wasting away. Her nurse was certain she would die if something wasn’t done soon.

On a certain evening, when Myrrha’s mother had gone to celebrate the festival of Demeter, the nurse noticed the King was quite drunk. She led him to bed, and then led Myrrha to his side. Myrrha lay by her father in the darkness and they knew a night of passion like none known since. He was enamoured, and begged to know who she was, but she would not tell him and promised to return only when it was quite dark. He agreed, and she returned night after night under cover of darkness.

One night, after they had made love she fell asleep. He lit a lamp and held it up and was horrified to see his own daughter laying naked beside him! He bellowed his rage and went for his sword, determined to kill her, but she fled outside and Aphrodite, took pity on her and turned her into a tree before he could reach her. Myrrha’s pain was so great, having lost her father’s love and her lover and having given in to shameful temptation that even as a tree, the girl wept sweet smelling resin that came to be known as Myrrh.

Sometime later, a boar came by and rubbed its tusks on the tree, causing it to split and the young Adonis emerged. Fearful that his father/grandfather would certainly kill him if he discovered him, Aphrodite scooped him up and took him to the underworld and asked its Queen, Persephone, to look after him.

Adonis grew in beauty and strength and both Goddesses fell in love with him. When Aphrodite wanted him back, Persephone refused and she kept him as her own lover in the Underworld.

Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, settled the argument, giving each Goddess his custody for one third of the year, and granting him a third of the year to himself. He chose, however, to stay with Aphrodite.

Aphrodite warned Adonis to stay by her side, but the boy loved to hunt and inevitabley, he went out into the forest alone one day. Discovering his absence, Aphrodite rushed to his side, but too late. He lay dying having been gored in the groin by a boar. She arrived in time to catch his last breath. She sprinkled him with nector, and red anemones sprang up where his blood stained the ground. For the first time, Aphrodite wished she wasn't mortal, and cried out her lament to the skies that she could join Adonis in the underworld, but she knew it could not be.

Now Persephone had him, but not all year, for she must still return to Olympus to spend her alloted time with her mother. So Aphrodite beseeched Zeus to return Adonis to her, just for half the year, and Zeus relented so that when Persephone returned to Olympus, Adonis might be brought with her, but he would return with her when she returned to her husband's side in Hades.

Copyright 2004 Dawn Black. Dawn Black is featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com and may be reached at dawn.black@gmail.com This article may be redistributed in electronic format only.

Beltane

Beltain is the opposite of Samhain on the traditional, Celtic-based Wheel of the Year and like Samhain, the night when the veil between the worlds is quite thin. Some say the faeries return from their winter hideaway and the night is filled with magic and beauty. Others say the spirits of those who will be born the coming year return to the land of the living this day.

In some traditions, this is the night that the God expresses his love for the lovely Goddess and they will consummate their union in the Divine Marriage resulting in the conception of the Divine Child. It is considered terribly bad manners to upstage the God and Goddess with a mortal wedding, but announcing a betrothal is perfectly acceptable. In other traditions, the God and/or Goddess of Love and His/Her consort are celebrated and possibly invoked. One particular example is Aphrodite and Adonis, another pair is Anghus Mac Og and Caer Iborméith. On this night of passion, many couples will wander off alone to make a little magic of their own. Children conceived on this night are gifted of the Gods and are known as Merry-be-gots.

The May Pole dance is a traditional part of the Beltaine festival, with the pole representing the male and the ribbons female. May baskets are exchanged, in quite the opposite way that gifts are exchanged on Samhain. Instead of going door to door collecting gifts, people hang May baskets filled with goodies from the doorknobs of their friends and neighbors.

Beltain is one of the fire festivals of the Wiccan calendar. In ancient times this may (or may not) have been a time of sacrifice, including human sacrifice. The traditioni of leaping over the fire may be a reflection of this, or it may be similar to the custom of passing livestock through two bonfires for blessings and fertility.

Date- When the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus or April 30 - May 1

Names- Beltane, Beltain, Beltaine, May Day, Walburga, Galan Mai, Shenn de Boaldyn, Bealtinne, Beltine, Beal-tine, Rudemas, Roodmas, Cetsamhain, Walpurgisnacht. May Eve, Tana's Day, La Giornata di Tana, Samhradh, La Baal Tinne, Whitsun, Aphrodesia

Incense- Frankincense, lilac, rose
Colors- green, pink, blue, yellow
Stones-
Herbs- Honeysuckle, St. John's Wort, Hawthorn, all flowers
Symbols- Maypole, wreathes of flowers, strings of beads, ribbons, phallic symbols, cauldroni
Food- Dairy, oat cakes, cherries, strawberries, May wine, salad greens

Gods and Goddesses
Bel, Belanos, Aphrodite, Achilles, Arianhrod, Ariel, Artemis, Astarte, Anghus Og, Cybele, Diana, Freya, Rhiannon, Shiela-na-gig, Skadi, Var, Venus, Xochiquetzal, Apollo, Bacchus, Cernnunos, Cupid, Eros, Faunus, Frey, the Horned God, Herne, Odin, Orion, Pan, Puck, Robin Goodfellow

First Harvest

Date- Varies, anywhere from July 31 to August 7th. Or the first full moon in Leo or the end of the first harvest.

Names- Lughnassadh, Lughnassa, Lammas, Loafmass, Nos Gwyl Awst, First Harvest, Sabbat of the First Fruits, August Eve, Lammastide, Harvest Home, Ceresalia, Feast of Bread, Festival of Green Corn, Feast of Cardenas, Cornucopia, Thingtide, Elembiuos.

About-

According to Celtic mythology, Lugh established the Lughnasadh games and festival in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu who died of exhaustion clearing a field for him, in order that their people could be fed. Thus, in many traditions, the festival includes games of skill. It is also traditionally a time to begin trial marriages to be made permanent, or terminated at the following year's festival.

Now is the time of ripening. The new life within the mother is now noticeable and not to be denied. The Great Father is weakening and will soon die. But within the Mother and all around the Earth there is nothing but the evidence of abundant life. It is through his sacrifice that it is all possible.

Some Pagan faiths do not visualize the God and Goddess in this particular way, but they may still honor the Grain God in one form or another. He is slain, cut down with the harvest and his body transformed into life-giving sustenance for his people. The first harvest, and/or the first loaf of bread from the first harvest is blessed and shared among the people.

This day marks the beginning of autumn. Though the Sun still shines strong, blanketing the Earth in his warmth, we know that winter is right around the corner.

Incense- Rose, rosemary, chamomile, passionflower, frankincense, sandalwood
Colors- Red, orange, gold, yellow, green, brown
Stones- Yellow diamonds, aventurine, sardonyx, peridot, citrine
Animals- Roosters, calves, pheonix, griffons, basilisks, centaurs
Plants and Herbs- Corn, rice, wheat, rye, ginseng, acacia, aloe, cyclamen, fenugreek, heather, hollyhock, myrtle, oak leaves, sunflower, rose hips
Symbols- Corn, grains, corn dollies, sun discs, loaves of bread, harvesting tools, the full moon
Food- Corn, rice, homemade bread, fresh fruits & vegetables, berries, nuts, barley cakes, roasted lamb, summer squash, turnips, oats, elderberry wine, ale, meadowsweet tea, cider.

Gods and Goddesses
Lugh, Llew, Ceres, Demeter, John Barleycorn, Adonis, Tammuz

Imbolc

Date February 2
Also called Imbolc, Imbolg, Oimealg, The Feast of St. Brigid, Brigid's Day, Bride's Feast, Ground Hog Day, Imbolgc Brigantia, Imbolic, Disting, Lubercus, Candlemas, Candlelaria, the Snowdrop Festival, The Festival of Lights, the Feast of the Virgin, February Eve

While winter is still going strong, there are signs that spring is on its way. The livestock begin to give birth and there is a promise for the future. The world Oimealg means "ewe's milk", a hint to the significance of this day.
It is also the feast of Brigid, the Pan-Celtic fire Goddess of healing and inspiration and one of the Patron (matron?) Saints of Ireland. A Brideo'gas, a corn dolly image of the Goddess, may be passed between the people and gifts and offerings are bestowed upon it. Since Brigid is the Goddess of Inspiration, the gift may be a poem or song, rather than a material item. Brigid's crosses are made from wheat stalks and exchanged and hung in the home to protect from fire damage.

One very fun traditioni is the Bride'og. The Brideo'gas is carried from home to home at dawn and much noise is made on various instruments, including pots and pans and tin cans, in order to awaken the sleeping spirits of springtime. The group is then welcomed inside and offered refreshments before they move on to torment the next house.

The plough is also associated with this holiday. In some areas, a plough was decorated and taken from house to house and children sang and asked for treats and gifts. If the homeowner did not comply, their front yard was ploughed up.

Imbolc is another fire festival and hearth fires may be relit, especially using Yule greenery, as keeping this too long invites the faerie folk to stay in the house beyond their welcome. Candles are placed in windows to welcome the spring and spring cleaning and household purification rituals are common.

In neo-Hellenic traditions, this is a time to prepare for the return of Persephone and to offer support for Demeter who is growing frustrated and weary at Her daughters absence. February is a sacred month in Greco-Roman traditioni. It is a time for getting rid of old garbage, real and metaphorical. The word Februar means to purge. For some neo-Hellenic Pagans, Imbolc may represent the starti of a period of fasting, cleaning and house blessing rituals. It was recently pointed out to me that this is very similar to the Fat Tuesday and Lent celebrations in the Christian traditions.
Symbols of Imbolc

You may wish to use some of the following items to decorate your altar or your home or to plan a rituali for this holiday.
Incense Basil, bay, wisteria, cinnamon, violet, vanilla
Colors white, pink, red, yellow, green, brown
Stones bloodstone, garnet, ruby, onyx, turquoise, amethyst
Herbs angelica, basil, bay, blackberry, crocus, celandine, coltsfoot, holly, iris, tansy, violets, thyme
Symbols Brideo'gas, besoms, white flowers, candle wheels, brigid's cross, priapic wands, ploughs, corn dolly
Food Dairy products, spicy food, lamb and food that was stored through the winter; smoked meats, dried fruit & nuts
Gods and Goddesses Brigid, the Muses, Persephone, Demeter
Activities Rite of Awakening, Brid's Cross Rite

Midsummer

Date- The Summer Solstice, June 20-22 or the fixed date of June 21.

Names- Midsummer, Summer Solstice, Gathering Day, Herb Night, Longest Day, Shortest Night, Litha, Feill-Sheathain, First Day of Summer, Midsummer's Eve, St. John's Eve, Aine's Day, Aine's Festival, Hefin, Alban Heruin, Alban Hefin, Heiros Gamos

About-

After the passion of Beltaine, Midsummer is a great time to get married. There are plenty of flowers for bouquets and the beautiful air holds promise for the future, and for a fine day for a reception.

The Sun has reached his greatest strength and this longest day proves that he has triumphed over darkness. The earth is bursting with promise for the coming harvest and the Goddess is feeling the stirrings of the Divine Child within.

But we know that the Sun was weakened in his struggle with darkness, evidenced by the shortening days that follow. However, his essence will go into the harvest, to be consumed by the people and ensure our continued existence, and the child the Goddess carries will be born again at Midwinter to carry on the cycle.

Even if our faith does not associate such meanings these cycles, it remains the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its peak. It is a time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine! Have a picnic, give thanks for warm sunny days and friends to share them with, and perform divinationi for future romance and longevity.

Because the Sun God's power is at its peak on this day, the herbs that gather strength from him are also at peak potency. It is traditional to gather herbs for magical use on this day. It is also a good time for divination, healing rituals and gathering materials for rods and wands.

In some traditions the Sacred Marriage or Heiros Gamos is celebrated on this day rather than at Beltane.

Incense- lavender, musk, patchouli
Colors- Green, yellow, blue, gold, white, red
Stones- Tiger's eye, clear quartz, topaz, amber
Herbs- St. John's Wort, Mistletoe, vervaine, Yarrow, lavender, Rose, fern, Rosemary, Thyme, sunflower, Sage, mint, Basil, chive, Parsley, lily
Symbols- Fire, sundials, swords, feathers, all rayed flowers (sunflowers, daisies, mums, marigold, calendula), equal armed cross, rosettes, sun wheels, Catherine wheels, torches, solar disks
Food- Honey, Mead, Dandelions, Seasonal berries

Gods, Goddesses, Saints and Spirits
Matuta, Anahita, Kupala, St. John, the Oak King, the Holly King, Aine, Sul, Dia Griene, Grian, Brid, Lugh, Llew, Gaia, Freya, Litha, Vivian, Cerridwen, Ishtar, Astarte, Aphrodite, Yemaya, Oshun, Frigga, Pan, Cernunnos, Tammuz, Balder, Apollo, Ra, Bel, Belanos, Helios, Hera and Zeus

Ostara

Date

The Vernal Equinox, March 20-22 or the fixed date of March 25.

Names

Ostara, Alban Eiler, Maen Erraigh, Festival of the Trees, Vernal Equinox, First day of Spring, Premeira, Spring Equinox

About

Ostara is a time to celebrate the coming of spring. With the equinox, all forces are in balance, dark/light, male/female, yin/yang. The name for this holiday comes from that of a Teutonic lunar Goddess. Her chief symbols were the hare, a symbol of fertility and an image seen in the moon by her followers, and the egg, also symbolizing fertility and creation.

During this time, we focus on the renewal of the earth and, in turn, ways that we can bring about renewal in ourselves. It is a good time for spring cleaining and gardening.

Incense
Jasmine, Rose, Sage, Strawberry

Colors
Pale green, pink, yellow, gold

Stones
Jasper, bloodstone, amethyst

Herbs
Violets, honeysuckle, iris, peony, crocus

Symbols
Egg, hare/rabbit, eggs, baby animals, yingyang

Food
Seeds, green veggies, spiced wine, fruits, eggs, hot cross buns

Gods and Goddesses
Aphrodite, Astarte, Eostre, Eos, Ostara, Demeter, Persephone, Hathor, Kali, Eostra, Attis, Cybele, Dionysis, Isis, Osiris

Samhain

Date- October 31 through November 2

Names- Halloween, Hallowe'en, Alli Hallows Eve, El Dia De Los Muertes, The Day of the Dead, All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Hallowmas, Martinmas, Last Harvest, Third Harvest, Calan Gaeaf

2,000 years ago, the Celts ruled what is now Britain, Ireland and Northern France. They were largely herders and farmers and, as such, they were ruled by the seasons. The winter was a time of great dread and literal darkness in that part of the world, closely associated with human death. November 1st (or thereabouts) was the end of their year. It marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the long, cold winter. The herds were brought in and the people came together. The living, and the dead.

On this night, called Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), spirits could easily cross over between the realm of the living in the dead. Some spirits were quite welcome. Some were beloved ancestors and heroes and offerings were prepared in their honor. Some helped the Priests or Druids to perform divinationi about the coming season and what sort of weather or misfortunes were to be expected. Others, however, were troublesome and must be guarded against.

The people held grand parties in which whole clans participated. Large bonfires were built and those animals that were weak and not likely to make it through the winter were slaughtered and sacrificed and feasted upon. People danced and wore costumes, usually consisting of animal heads and skins, and told stories and each other’s fortunes. At the end of the celebration, people took a coal from the bonfire home to
light their hearth fires to protect them in the coming season.

By BCE 43, the Romans had conquered most of the Celtic territory. As Romans were wont to do, they blended much of their culture with the culture that already existed in the region. Two festivals of note were Feralia and the festival of Pomona. Feralia was the Roman commemoration of the passage of the dead into the underworld and Pomona was the Goddess of Fruit. Thus, her festival was a harvest celebration.

Pomona’s symbol is the apple. Perhaps this is where the traditioni of bobbing for apples comes from.

Christianity had spread through much of Europe by 800 CE when Pope Boniface IV designated Nov 1st of All Saints Day, perhaps in an effort to replace the pagan festival. Later, All Souls Day was added on November 2nd. October 31st, Hallows Eve through November 2nd turned into a three-day festival in honor of the dead, which was called Hallowmas. This was celebrated by lighting bonfires, having parades and
dressing up as Saints, Devils and Angels. During the Hallowmas parades, the poor would beg for food and be given cakes in exchange for promising to pray for dead relatives. Soon, children picked up on this idea as well.

Since the first colonists in America were Protestant, Halloween wasn’t widely celebrated in Colonial America, though harvest festivals were quite common. It wasn’t until the second half of the 19th century, when Irish Immigrants fleeing the potato famine of 1846 arrived that the holiday really took hold in the US.

El Dia De Los Muertos

El Dia De Los Muertos, translated the Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Mexico, Spain and Latin America. It is a three-day holiday, beginning on October 31st and running through November 2nd. On these days, it is believed that the dead return to the family home. The family goes through a great deal of preparation to prepare for these honored guests, preparing an altar with flowers, candy, photographs and their ancestor’s favorite food and drink. Relatives also visit and tend gravesites and decorate them with streamers and flowers. Picnics are held right there in the graveyard where the families get together to reminisce and tell stories. These aren’t melancholy gatherings. These are joyful family reunions with dancing, feasting and (sometimes) drinking.

Incense- Apple, mint, sage, nutmeg

Colors- Black, orange, white, red, silver

Stones- Onyx, jet

Herbs- Cinnamon, allspice, sage, apples, pumpkins, gourds, pomegranates, acorn/oak, hazel, nightshade, turnip, wormwood
Symbols- Jack O'Lanterns, pumpkins, gourds, indian corn, cauldrons, bonfires

Food Gingerbread, apples, pomegranates, cider, muffins, colcannon, pan de muerte, all soul's bread

Gods and Goddesses

All Crone Goddesses, the Dying or Dead God, All Ancestor Spirits, Hecate, Hel, Innana, Macha, Mari, Psyche, Ishtar, Lilith, Morrigu, Rhiannon, Ceridwen, Arawn, Hades, Mannanan, Persephone, Demeter, Hades, Hermes, Dionysus

Note- There is no God called Samhain and no evidence that such a God was ever worshipped.

Second Harvest

Date- The Autumn Equinox or the fixed date of September 21.

Names- Mabon, Second Harvest, Autumn Equinox, Mea'n Fo'mhair, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno, Alben Elfed, Cornucopia, Winter Finding

About-

Mabon is the second harvest and the autumn equinox. It is awesome referred to as "Pagan Thanksgiving". The day and night are equally divided and it is time to pay homage to the waning light and honor the coming darkness. In preparation, we gather and preserve our harvest and make preparations for the coming winter. Now is the time to winterize your car and house, get your furnace serviced, etc.

Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone and the God as he prepares for death. Grain men may be burned or ritually eaten in many faiths.

It is not a time for sorrow though, but a time for feasting and celebration. Put on your best clothes, decorate your home with indian corn and gourds and have a party.

Incense- Myrrh, sage
Colors- red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, gold
Stones- Sapphire, lapis lazuli, yellow agate
Herbs- Benzoin, ferns, honeysuckle, grains, marigold, milkweed, thyme, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle
Symbols- Wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grain, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines, grapes, horns of plenty, dried seeds
Food- Bread, nuts, apples, pomegranates, potatoes, carrots, onions

Gods and Goddesses
The Green Man, The Stag King, Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pomona, the Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes

Yule

Date- The Winter Solstice or December 21

Names- Yule, Christmas, An Fheill-Shlinnein, Alban Arthan, Giula, Geola

About-

Yule is probably one of the best known Pagan festivals, so there's probably not much point in going on about it. It is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. But we know that after a long struggle, the light will overtake the darkness. The Divine Child of the Goddess is born at dawn and he will bring the light back to the earth.

Incense- Frankinscense, myrrh, pine
Animals- Stags, squirrels, wrens, robins, juncoes, cardinals
Colors- red, green, gold, silver and white
Herbs- Holly, mistletoe, evergreens, yew, fir, birch, oak, ivy, bay, pine, ginger, cinnamon, valerian
Symbols- Yule log (birch), evergreen trees, mistletoe, holly, sun, star, even-armed cross, wreaths, candles, any sort of light or lamp, animals with their winter coats on
Food- Cider, apples, pork, nuts, citrus, dried fruit, fruit cakes, mincemeat pies, figgy pudding
(Check out my recipes for Yams and cranberry sauce)

Gods and Goddesses
The Oak King, The Holly King, the Dagda, Brighid, Angeronam, Eve, Pandora, Zvezda, Metzli, Yachimato-Hime, Tiamat, NuKua, Isis, Demeter, Gaia, Diana, Holle, Holda, Apollo, Balder, Saturn, Helios, Ukko, Odin, Lugh, The Horned God, The Green Man, Mabon, Frey, Jesus

See Also:
Yule Entertaining
Herbs of the Season

Brigid's Cross

Brigid's Cross

Brigid’s cross predates the Christian cross. It is a woven, equal-armed cross. Some say the equal arms represent the solstices and equinoxes and the square in the middle the cross-quarter days. Hanging this cross in your home invites the Celtic Hearth Goddess Brigid to enjoy your hospitality and offer her protection to your home. Folklore says that hanging a Brigid’s Cross over the door, will protect your home from fires.

This is a wonderful craft for Imbolc, or Brigid’s Feast. You can burn last year’s cross in the offering fire every Imbolc when you make a new one. See the the Brigid's Cross Rite.

A Brigid's Cross also makes a great housewarming gift.

The cross is made from some sort of stalk. You can use reeds or rushes or grain stalks. I use wheat stalks which can be purchased at any craft store or gathered the fall before, dried and stored. In most cases, you'll have to soak these overnight or until they're soft enough to bend double without breaking.

Each arm consists of about 7 straws, depending on the size you're looking for. You could keep going indefinately, but it does get to be a hassle after about 6 or 7. So, you'll need 28 straws.

Using two straws, make a + shape with the vertical straw on the bottom and the horizontal straw on top. Fold to vertical straw down over the horizontal straw, making a sort of T shape.

Turn the whole thing 90 degrees so that the horizontal (not yet folded) straw is not vertical. Fold it down over itself.

Turn it 90 degrees again. Add a third straw placing it perpendicular to the horizontal straw, underneath of it and to the right of the vertical straw. Fold this straw down over itself so that it is folded over the horizontal straw. Turn 90 degrees again, and repeat. You should have a cross shape again.

Repeat this process building the weave outward. Be careful to always turn it 90 degrees the same way, place the new straws to the right of the old vertical straw, under all the horizontal straws and fold up so that all of the horizontal straws are encompassed in the fold.

When your cross looks the way you want it, tie off each arm with a bit of thread. I use red embroidery floss for this. You can then trim off the ends, or leave them looking shaggy, whichever you like best. Add a red ribbon for hanging and you're done!

Clay

These recipes are not for eating!

Cinnamon Clay

¾ Cups Applesauce
2 Tbsp White Glue
1 ounce Cinnamon
1 ounce Ground Cloves
1 ounce Ground Nutmeg
1 ounce Ground Ginger
More Cinnamon

In a medium bowl, stir together cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. Mix in the applesauce and glue. Work the mixture with hands for 2-3 minutes to form a firm ball. If it’s too wet, add more cinnamon, if it’s too dry, add more applesauce.

Lightly dust a surface with cinnamon. Roll the dough ¼ inch thick if cutting shapes. Or mold with hands.

Dry in the oven at 200 degrees for several hours or air dry in a sunny spot for a week.

Salt Dough

1/4 cup salt
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp powdered alum (look in the drugstore or grocery)
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
food coloring if desired

Mix salt, flour and alum in a saucepan. Add water slowly, breaking up the lumps. Heat slowly, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes rubbery. Add vegetable oil and blend. Turn out onto plate to cool. When it is cool enough to handle, knead in food coloring until blended, if desired. If the clay is too sticky, kneed in more flour.

Store in a sealed, airtight container.

Use like any clay. Your crafts will harden in a few days. Do not fire.

Cornhusk Dollies

Corn as we know it, or maize, is a Native American grain. Traditional corn dollies were elaborately woven affairs made of other grains, which were referred to as corn before maize took over the name and they weren't always person-shaped either. Of course, modern times calls for modern adaptations and I personally don't have the hand-eye coordination required for a proper corn dolly. We can use corn husks instead and make a reasonable dolly as follows.

You will need

string
scissors
dried and cleaned cornhusks, soaked in water

Arrange four cornhusks into a flat overlapping bundle with the wider ends near the top and the narrow parts toward the bottom.

Tie a bit of string firmly around the bundle, about an inch from the wide end. Trim and round out the edges of the wide ends, then flip the bundle upside down. Fold the pointy ends of the cornhusks down over the trimmed ends. Tie another bit of string around the bundle to form a head. The folded over part is the top of the head.

Take another husk, flatten it and roll it into a tight cylander. Tie each end of the cylander with a string. Slide this under the cornhusks beneath the head. Tie another bit of string beneath the arms, to make the waist.

Drape two more cornhusks over the shoulders in a crisscross pattern. Take a few more and bind them at the waist, this makes the doll's dress.

If you prefer your doll to have legs, gather equal sized bundles of the cornhusk that made up your skirt and bind with string at the ankles and knees.

You can color your doll with markers, or dress it up however you like. Enjoy!

Dream Catcher

According to legend, the hole in the center of the dreamcatcher allows good dreams in, while the net traps bad dreams until they disappear with the first light of day. If your little ones have bad dreams, try making a dreamcatcher with them and hang it over their beds.

You will need

A round basketweaving reed
string or twine
yarn
beads and feathers for decoration
Glue gun

Form the reed into a circlei (soaking it in water for a half hour might help with this). Use the glue gun to secure the ends with a bit of overlap. Wrap the entire circle with colorful yarn for additional stability.

Using a single piece of twine, tie nine hitch knots spaced evenly around the circle, leaving a bit of a loop in between.

Continuing with the same piece of twine, tie a hitch knot in the center of each of the loops created in the last step. Repeat.

When the opening in the center is the size you want, tie a double knot and cut off the excess twine.

Attach twine to the top of the dreamcatcher for hanging. Additional yarn or twine can be hung from the bottom for attaching beads and/or feathers.

Snow Candles

For many groups, Imbolc is a traditional time to make candles. If there is still snow on the ground, you can make snow candles!
You may have made sand candles in the past. This is the same concept.

You'll need:
Several large containers (buckets, bowls, pans, coffee cans) for snow
A large pot of water
A can for melting wax
Wicks
Wax (You can buy wax at the craft store or use leftover bits of old candles)
Toothpicks

Place the wax in the can and place the can in the pot of water. Slowly heat to a simmer. Don't boil it. As the wax begins to melt, stir it constantly.
Meanwhile, send the kids out with containers to gather snow. Tell them to pack the snow into the containers as tightly as they can.
Poke a hole, or make shape in the snow. Tie one end of the wick to a pencil and suspend it over the hole with the wick dangling down into the hole all the way to the bottom. Pour the wax into the snow and wait for it to cool. Tug on the pencil and pull out your candle. Cut the wick off the pencil.

Stones

Many stones have magical properties. Here are a few for your consideration.

Apache Creation Story

In the beginning nothing existed--no earth, no sky, no sun, no moon, only darkness was everywhere.

Suddenly from the darkness emerged a thin disc, one side yellow and the other side white, appearing suspended in midair. Within the disc sat a small bearded man, Creator, the One Who Lives Above. As if waking from a long nap, he rubbed his eyes and face with both hands.
When he looked into the endless darkness, light appeared above. He looked down and it became a sea of light. To the east, he created yellow streaks of dawn. To the west, tints of many colours appeared everywhere. There were also clouds of different colours.

Creator wiped his sweating face and rubbed his hands together, thrusting them downward. Behold! A shining cloud upon which sat a little girl.

"Stand up and tell me where are you going," said Creator. But she did not reply. He rubbed his eyes again and offered his right hand to the Girl-Without-Parents.

"Where did you come from?" she asked, grasping his hand.

"From the east where it is now light," he replied, stepping upon her cloud.

"Where is the earth?" she asked.

"Where is the sky?" he asked, and sang, "I am thinking, thinking, thinking what I shall create next." He sang four times, which was the magic number.

Creator brushed his face with his hands, rubbed them together, then flung them wide open! Before them stood Sun-God. Again Creator rubbed his sweaty brow and from his hands dropped Small- Boy.

Alli four gods sat in deep thought upon the small cloud.

"What shall we make next?" asked Creator. "This cloud is much too small for us to live upon."

Then he created Tarantula, Big Dipper, Wind, Lightning-Maker, and some western clouds in which to house Lightning-Rumbler, which he just finished.

Creator sang, "Let us make earth. I am thinking of the earth, earth, earth; I am thinking of the earth," he sang four times.

All four gods shook hands. In doing so, their sweat mixed together and Creator rubbed his palms, from which fell a small round, brown ball, not much larger than a bean.

Creator kicked it, and it expanded. Girl-Without-Parents kicked the ball, and it enlarged more. Sun-God and Small-Boy took turns giving it hard kicks, and each time the ball expanded. Creator told Wind to go inside the ball and to blow it up.

Tarantula spun a black cord and, attaching it to the ball, crawled away fast to the east, pulling on the cord with all his strength. Tarantula repeated with a blue cord to the south, a yellow cord to the west, and a white cord to the north. With mighty pulls in each direction, the brown ball stretched to immeasurable size--it became the earth! No hills, mountains, or rivers were visible; only smooth, treeless, brown plains appeared.

Creator scratched his chest and rubbed his fingers together and there appeared Hummingbird.

"Fly north, south, east, and west and tell us what you see," said Creator.

"All is well," reported Hummingbird upon his return. "The earth is most beautiful, with water on the west side."

But the earth kept rolling and dancing up and down. So Creator made four giant posts--black, blue, yellow, and white to support the earth. Wind carried the four posts, placing them beneath the four cardinal points of the earth. The earth sat still.

Creator sang, "World is now made and now sits still," which he repeated four times.

Then he began a song about the sky. None existed, but he thought there should be one. After singing about it four times, twenty- eight people appeared to help make a sky above the earth. Creator chanted about making chiefs for the earth and sky.

He sent Lightning-Maker to encircle the world, and he returned with three uncouth creatures, two girls and a boy found in a turquoise shell. They had no eyes, ears, hair, mouths, noses, or teeth. They had arms and legs, but no fingers or toes.

Sun-God sent for Fly to come and build a sweathouse. Girl- Without-Parents covered it with four heavy clouds. In front of the east doorway she placed a soft, red cloud for a foot-blanket to be used after the sweat.

Four stones were heated by the fire inside the sweathouse. The three uncouth creatures were placed inside. The others sang songs of healing on the outside, until it was time for the sweat to be finished.

Out came the three strangers who stood upon the magic red cloud-blanket. Creator then shook his hands toward them, giving each one fingers, toes, mouths, eyes, ears, noses and hair.

Creator named the boy, Sky-Boy, to be chief of the Sky-People. One girl he named Earth-Daughter, to take chargeii of the earth and its crops. The other girl he named Pollen-Girl, and gave her charge of health care for all Earth-People.

Since the earth was flat and barren, Creator thought it fun to create animals, birds, trees, and a hill. He sent Pigeon to see how the world looked. Four days later, he returned and reported, "All is beautiful around the world. But four days from now, the water on the other side of the earth will rise and cause a mighty flood."

Creator made a very tall pinon tree. Girl-Without-Parents covered the tree framework with pinon gum, creating a large, tight ball.

In four days, the flood occurred. Creator went up on a cloud, taking his twenty-eight helpers with him. Girl-Without-Parents put the others into the large, hollow ball, closing it tight at the top.

In twelve days, the water receded, leaving the float-ball high on a hilltop. The rushing floodwater changed the plains into mountains, hills, valleys, and rivers. Girl-Without-Parents led the gods out from the float-ball onto the new earth. She took them upon her cloud, drifting upward until they met Creator with his helpers, who had completed their work making the sky during the flood time on earth.

Together the two clouds descended to a valley below. There, Girl- Without-Parents gathered everyone together to listen to Creator.

"I am planning to leave you," he said. "I wish each of you to do your best toward making a perfect, happy world.

"You, Lightning-Rumbler, shall have charge of clouds and water.

"You, Sky-Boy, look after all Sky-People.

"You, Earth-Daughter, take charge of all crops and Earth-People.

"You, Pollen-Girl, care for their health and guide them.

"You, Girl-Without-Parents, I leave you in charge over all."

Creator then turned toward Girl-Without-Parents and together they rubbed their legs with their hands and quickly cast them forcefully downward. Immediately between them arose a great pile of wood, over which Creator waved a hand, creating fire.

Great billowy clouds of smoke at once drifted skyward. Into this cloud, Creator disappeared. The other gods followed him in other clouds of smoke, leaving the twenty-eight workers to people the earth.
Sun-God went east to live and travel with the Sun. Girl-Without- Parents departed westward to live on the far horizon. Small-Boy and Pollen-Girl made cloud homes in the south. Big Dipper can still be seen in the northern sky at night, a reliable guide to all.

Found it at - http://www.indians.org/welker/creation.htm

Balder and the Mistletoe

Long ago in the cold lands of the far North, Balder, the God of Light once had a dream that he was going to die. He shared this dream with his mother, Freya, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Frantic, she extracted oaths from every object in Nature of earth, water, fire and air, that it would never harm her son. Each gave its promise. And so, though a spear might be thrown at him, it would turn away because the wood had given its oath, and though a knife may be thrown at him, it too would turn away because the metal had given its word not to harm him. The Gods, of course, had great sport in throwing things at Balder.

Loki, the mischief-maker, soon found a loophole, however. For mistletoe, which has no roots of its own, did not fit into any of the realms from which Freya had extracted promises. So, Loki made a dart from a bit of mistletoe and gave it to Hoder, the God of Darkness, Balder’s blind brother and guided his hand so that the dart struck true and Balder was slain.

The Goddess Hel took Balder’s soul to the underworld, and despite Freya’s pleading, would not agree to release him. Finally, she said that if all of earth would cry for him, she’d let him go. So all the world cried for Balder for three days, but Loki transformed himself into a Giantess and when she (he) was asked to cry for Balder, he (she) flatly refused.

Here many folklorists would end the story, but there is an alternate, happier ending…

But the tears of Freya so touched the mistletoe, that its red berries turned white, bringing Balder back to life. Freya was so overjoyed that thereafter she kissed everyone who walked under the mistletoe out of gratitude for getting her son back.

As for Loki; he’s been chained underground ever since and there he will remain until the time of Ragnorak.

Cybele and Attis

The daemon Agdistis was an androgynous creature, who could bear children of its own making, with no help from another. Its powers of creature were unrivaled and its temper was unparalleled. The Gods of Olympus feared the harm it might cause and determined that it must be stopped.

Dionysus turned the water of a spring into wine, and when the daemon drank deeply, it became drunk and soon fell fast asleep. He crept up on it as it slumbered, and tied its male parts to its arms. When it awoke and stretched, the male parts were torn off and flung far into the air. Where they landed, an almond tree sprang up. The Daemon, thus emasculated, still powerful, was now an entirely female deity and She was called Cybele.

Years later, Nana, nymph of the Sangarius river, who had never known the touch of a man, came upon the almond tree and ate the fruit. Not long after, she bore a son. Frightened and confused, she abandoned him. But he did not die. His Father and Grandmother, the Goddess Cybele, the Great Mother Goddess, had seen all that had happened and, under her guidance, shepherds soon found the boy and cared for him to adulthood.

He was a beautiful youth, and the Goddess Cybele loved him dearly. She asked him to serve her by watching over her temple, making him promise that he should always devote himself only to her. He promised, willingly, for he was fond of her as well. “If I lie,” said he, “May the love for whom I break my faith be the last love of all.”

Time went by and Attis performed his duties well. One day, as he wandered alone in the peaceful wood, he came upon a dryad. She was the loveliest creature he had ever seen and after speaking with her awhile, he soon fell deeply in love with her. In the days that followed, he stole away to be with his newfound love as often as he could, no longer keeping his vow of celibacy, but always keeping his secret. But, one can’t keep secrets from a Goddess. Cybele knew what was going on from the starti.

One day, Cybele decided it had all gone on long enough, and she would put a stop to it. Striking the dryad’s tree, she struck the dryad a mortal blow. Attis arrived at his lover’s side too late and she died in his arms. He was driven mad with his sorrow and remorse and he remembered his promise. "This shall be the last love of all! No more shall my lust cause me to turn away from my promises!" and with that he castrated himself with a sharp rock. He fell to his knees at the foot of the tree, his arms around its trunk, and there he bled to death. Where his blood fell upon the ground, violets sprang up.

Cybele was, of course, heartbroken and overcome with guilt. The whole world felt her sorrow for the death of her son and lover. No one had ever felt such sorrow over death before, but now this sorrow was known to all and would never be forgotten. She buried him in a cave and for two days she mourned over his body and on the third went to beg the other Gods to help her bring him back. They refused, and so Cybele turned Attis into a pine tree and he lived thus thereafter for many years.

Hermaphroditus

Child of Hermes and Aphrodite, this boy was more beautiful than either man or woman and was interested in neither. He was raised by his mother's companions, the naiads of Mt. Ida and spent his youth surrounded by peace and beauty. When still buy young, he decided to travel the world in search of adventure.

He travelled to Lyca and then to Caria. In the woods of Caria, he knelt to drink by the fountain of Salmacis. Salmacis, the nymph was gathering flowers nearby when he approached and curiousity moved her to see who was kneeling by her pool. When she saw him, she was charmed by his beauty and attempted to seduce him, but he rejected her. Hurt, she turned away with her head held high and disappeared into the forest.

Hermaphroditus then disrobed and entered the cool water to bathe, but Salmacis appeared under the water, caressing him and stealing kisses. When he attempted to escape, she clung to him tightly. Would the son of Aphrodite escape the fate of so many that she had punished for turning away her gifts? Would the sassy nymph escape her own punishment for accosting the child of this fearsome goddess?

"Oh Gods, let this boy never part from me!" Was the nymph's prayer. "Oh Gods, let me escape this wanton caress!" Cried he. And so as he struggled and she clung so tightly she seemed wrapped about him like a cloak, the Gods answered both of their prayers and their bodies melded into one. No more was there Salmacis the nymph and Hermaphroditus, no longer a young man, stood alone there in the cool spring no longer clung to, as was his wish, but Salmacis had her wish too. For now they resided in one body, both man and woman, and yet they were neither.

And Hermaphroditus, both minds in one head and both hearts in one body, wept bitter tears that their wishes should be thus fulfilled and cursed the pool that any who bathed there should be thus changed as well.

Adapted (and dressed up a bit) from Ovid's Metamorphosis IV

Jack O'the Lantern

Once upon a time, a man name Jack encountered Death. To postpone the inevitable, d he invited him out for a drink. But Jack didn’t bring along any money. He convinced Death to turn himself into a coin in order to trick the bar tender.

But Jack, the wicked boy that he was, didn’t pay for his drink. Instead he slipped out the back door and put the coin in his pocket. Death, thus trapped in Jack’s pocket, found himself in a very bad spot. Finally, after much undignified pleading on Death's part, Jack agreed to set him free if he would promise not to ever claim his soul. Death agreed and was set free.

Jack continued to grow older and older, soon a shadow of his former self; a horrible, frightening vision, withered and bent, that caused women to faint, men to turn pale and small children to burst into tears at the sight of him. Death, keeping his word, did not claim his soul and, further, refused to allow him passage into the underworld, no matter how much he begged. Jack was doomed to wander the earth forever, confined to the shadows, where his ghastly appearance would frighten no one. But, Death is really not such a bad guy. He took pity on Jack and gave him a bit of coal to light his way. Jack put the piece of coal into a carved out turnip, which he carries to this day.

Over the years, people in Ireland and Scotland have claimed to have seen Jack out wandering at night with his turnip lantern. He was called “Jack of the Lantern” or “Jack O’ Lantern”. People began to make their own versions of Jack's lantern with turnips, potatoes and beets. After they came to the New World, bringing their traditions with them, they found pumpkins (a native American fruit) worked even better for the purpose!

retold by Dawn Black

Pwyll and Rhiannon

One evening, after a large meal, Pwyll decided to go for a walk. He began to climb to the top of a mound behind his palace, but one of his Court stopped him saying, “My Lord, it is said that no one can sit upon that mound without either coming to injury or beholding a wonder.”

“What injury will befall me with all my friends about to protect me?” Asked Pwyll, “But a wonder, I would like to see.”

And so he climbed up to the top of the mound and sat upon it, looking around expectantly. Off in the distance he saw a lady, seated upon a very large white horse. The horse was walking slowly and seemed to be coming toward him.

He jumped up and pointed. “My men, do any of you know that Lady?”

They responded, “We do not. Let’s go and find out who she is.”

One of them volunteered and ran down quickly to meet her, but she passed right by him and he followed her, but the faster he followed, the further away she was, though her horse never picked up its pace. Finally, he gave up and returned to Pwyll.

“My Lord,” He said, “It is impossible to overtake her on foot.”

“Well then, go to the stables and get you a horse man!” Said Pwyll and the man quickly ran to obey.

The man came out of the stable and came up the road, and soon had his horse at an all-out run. But the faster they went, the further away they were from the Lady, though her horse never seemed to pick up speed. He followed her as best he could till his horse was exhausted, and then out of pity he returned it to the stable and went back to Pwyll.

“My Lord,” He said, “It is no good following her. No horse is as swift as hers.”

“I see that.” Said Pwyll, “But there must be some illusion here. Let’s just forget it for now.”

And so they went back to the Palace and made themselves ready for sleep.

The next day after dinner Pwyll said to his men, “Let’s go back up to the mound, but before we go, I want this man to be already out on the field with the swiftest horse we have.”

So up the mound they went again and there he saw the Lady off in the distance again on her white horse.

“Go and find out who she is!” He yelled to the young man on the horse and he immediately hurried to do so.

But again, the faster he went, the further away she was, and yet her horse never seemed to go any faster than it had at first.

Finally, the young man gave up and came back and they all went inside and made ready for sleep.

The next day after dinner they went again to the top of the mound, and this time Pwyll brought with him his own horse. And there they saw the Lady again, riding on the large white horse, walking slowly along.

But no sooner had he mounted his horse, but she passed him, and he hurried after her, but it did no good. She was further and further ahead of him, though her horse never seemed to pick up its pace. Finally, in desperation he called out, “Oh Lady, for the sake of whomever you love most, please stop and speak with me.”

“I will gladly,” She replied, stopping and turning to him, “And it would have been better if you’d asked sooner.”

And she turned to him, and he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever yet seen.

“Tell me Lady, who are you and what is your errand?” He asked her.

“I am Rhiannon, daughter of Heveydd Hen, I have come to seek you out, Lord Pwyll.”

At this he was, understandably astonished. “That is very pleasing to me. But you must tell me why!” He said.

“My father seeks to wed me against my will, but I would take no husband because of my love for you. And I never will unless you refuse me. So I have come to seek your answer, will you have me or no?”

“My Lady, if I were to choose among all the damsels of the world, I would choose you!” He declared.

“Well then, promise to meet me.” She said to him.

“I will meet you anywhere you wish!” He promised.

“Then in a year and a day, meet me at my father’s house. There our wedding feast will be ready for you when you come.” She told him.

“I will be there.” He promised.

At that she turned and was gone and he returned to his men, but was not inclined to answer their questions.

When the time came, he went with a host of 100 Knights to the Palace of Heveydd Hen. There he found that many preparations had been made and a great feast awaited him. At the table Haveydd Hen was seated at one side of him and Rhiannon on the other. As they ate, a young, royally dressed man with auburn hair entered the hall.

“Greetings! You are welcome here.” Said Pwyll, who was in a very good mood, “Come and sit down.”

“No, I come on an errand. I seek a boon of you.” Replied the young man.

“Whatever boon you ask, you shall have.” Said Pwyll, who was in an exceptionally good mood.

“Ohh.” Moaned Rhiannon, “That was a bad answer.”

“The Lady you take as your bride this night is the one I love. I ask her of you.” Replied the man, smiling.

Pwyll was silent, for he was bound to his word.

“Yes, be silent.” Snapped Rhiannon, “Never has anyone’s mouth caused more trouble than yours has this night.”

“Lady,” He said miserably, “I didn’t know.”

“This is the man that they would have given me against my will.” She explained. “This is Gwawl, son of Clud. One of our own kind and a man of great power. Because of your word, you must give me to him or we will both be shamed.”

“I can’t do this!” He declared, even more miserable.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan. Do as I say and everything will be alright.” And she whispered to him for awhile and then gave him a small bag.

Finally they rose and stood before Gwawl and Rhiannon said, “My husband has bid me go with you and I shall obey, but it isn’t right that this feast be yours and not his. Let my father’s household prepare a feast just for you.”

And so they all went away to return in a year and a day.

When the time came, and Gwawl returned to the house of Heveydd Hen to claim his bride. After the feast was underway, Pwyll, dressed as a beggar and carrying only a small cloth bag came to the Palace and approached Gwawl.

Gwawl, who was in a very good mood, said, “Welcome man, join us.”

But Pwyll shook his head, “I only wish a boon.”

“You are welcome to ask!” Said Gwawl, who was in an extremely good mood.

“I ask only for you to fill this bag with food.” Said Pwyll.

So Gwawl called his attendants to fill the bag with food, but no matter how much food they brought, the bag could not be filled.

“Will that bag ever be full?” Asked Gwawl in amazement.

“Not until a man of very great worth should put both feet in the bag and say, “Enough the bag is full”. Replied Pwyll.

Then, at Rhiannon’s urging, Gwawl stood up and put his two feet in the bag. Then Pwyll quickly pulled up the sides of the bag so that it was over Gwawl’s head and tied a knot in the top so he couldn’t escape. Then he blew his horn and a hundred knights came through the great palace doors and fell to fighting with the Knights of Gwawl until they’d all been driven out.

Then a knight came upon the bag lying on the floor and gave it a poke and said, “What is in this bag?”

And someone answered, “A badger!” and all the knights came around the bag and kicked it and poked it and laughed until Gwawl cried out from within and Pwyll called them off.

“Please!” Cried out Gwawl. “I don’t want to be killed in a bag!”

And Pwyll would have let him out right away but Rhiannon stopped him. “Before you let him out, make him promise not to seek revenge and to relieve you of your boon.”

“You have my word!” Shouted Gwawl, before Pwyll could even ask. And so he let him out and he and his men fled and were never seen again.

That very night Rhiannon and Pwyll were wed and the next day they went home to Dyfed. They ruled long and prosperously and never was a Queen more loved than Rhiannon.

Pwyll's Descent to Annwn

In a land called Dyfed there reined a king named Pwyll. Pwyll was a young man, and as young men are wont to do, he enjoyed a bit of entertainment now and again. One thing he rather enjoyed was hunting and, being wealthy as kings are, never had a shortage of fine horses, dogs or friends to accompany him.

One fine day gathered his friends on their fine steeds and set out to spend the day at his favorite sport. They loosed the dogs and the hunt was on. But it wasn’t long before, as Pwyll followed the hounds, he found himself seperated from his companions in the dark forest. Soon, he’d lost sight of the hounds as well, but he could hear them baying in the distance. He also heard the sound of other hounds, further away, in the opposite direction.

He hurried on to follow the sound of his own hounds and soon came upon them as they approached a lovely glade in the woods. There a great stag was locked in battle with another pack of hounds. These hounds like none he’d ever seen, were powerful and beautiful with white bodies that shone in the fading light and bright red ears. They quickly brought the stag down, but he drove them off and set his own dogs upon it.

Just then he saw another man coming toward him on a steel gray horse, dressed all in gray with a hunting horn about his neck.

The man drew near and looked on him with his head held high and said, “Lord King, I have not met you before, and I don’t welcome our meeting now.”

Pwyll was insulted and replied, “Who are you sir, that has the authority to speak so rudely to me?”
And the man replied, “It is not my authority that affects my manners.”

“Well then, what is it?” Pwyll demanded to know.

“Your own rudeness, sir, is the cause of mine.” Replied the man quite calmly.

“My rudeness?” Asked Pwyll, “How have I offended you?”

“Why sir, I have never seen such rudeness in a man.” Replied the man, “To drive my dogs away from their kill and take it for your own. I would be within my rights to take revenge on you, but I am not the sort. Of course, I owe you no courtesy for it either.”

“Oh!” Said Pwyll dismayed, “I am sorry. How may I redeem myself in your eyes?”

The man looked at Pwyll a long time and then spoke.

“I am King in the land I come from.” He said.

“What land do you come from, Noble Lord?” Asked Pwyll.

“I come from Annwn. I am Arawn, King of the Underworld.”

Pwyll was very astonished and afraid when he realized who this man was, but he stood tall and retained his composure.

“Noble Lord, how may I redeem myself of the wrong I have done you?” He asked again.

“Long has my dominion been under threat from another King, Havgan whose lands lie opposite mine. But, alas, he can only be slain by a single stroke from a mortal hand. If you can rid me of him, you will have my eternal friendship.” Said Arawn.

“Gladly I will do this!” Said Pwyll, “Just show me the way.”

“I will show you.” Said Arawn. “Listen carefully. I will send you to Annwn in my place. I will make you look just like me, and you will have the fairest of ladies for your companion. I will take on your appearance and go to your own home and not a page of your court will know that it is not you who rules over him. For a year and a day we will carry on this charade and then we will meet again here.”

“Yes.” Said Pwyll, “This I will do, but how will it help me to vanquish your foe?”

“One year from this night,” Arawn told him, “Havgan and I are to meet at the Ford. You will go instead, in my likeness, and you will slay him with one stroke from your blade. Even if he begs for another, do not give it to him, and he will die.”

This sounded very simple to Pwyll and he agreed to the plan. And so, using his powerful magic, Arawn placed his own appearance upon Pwyll and Pwyll’s appearance upon himself, and he stepped down from his horse and mounted Pwyll’s instead. With a wave of his hand, he opened a path through the forest to his Underworld home and Pwyll made his way to the castle upon the gray steed, with the white hounds of Annwn.

The court of Arawn was the most beautiful place Pwyll had ever been. The buildings and rooms and furniture were the finest he’d seen. As he entered he was immediately attended by knights and pages who helped him off with his hunting things and dressed him in the finest silks. He saw that all of the household were well-mannered, very respectful, well-dressed and his knights bore the finest weapons he’d ever seen. But nothing could prepare him for the sight of the Queen who awaited him at supper. She wore a robe of yellow silk and was the loveliest woman he had ever yet beheld. And as they ate she asked him about his day and as they conversed he thought she was the most entertaining and intelligent woman he’d ever known. The meal was delicious and the food plentiful. They were entertained by the finest musicians and dancers and it was one of the merriest meals he’d ever had the pleasure of attending.

But when the meal was over, as they prepared for bed, the Queen came to embrace him and, in alarm, he turned her away. She was hurt and ran from his sight and though he followed her and attempted to explain and apologize in every way he could think of that wouldn’t reveal his secret, she remained inconsolable. So the year was spent in hunting and feasting and grand entertainment and every day he conversed with the beautiful Queen, but every time she tried to embrace him, he turned her away and she would wail in misery and hurl abuses at him for his cruelty.

And when the day finally came for him to meet with Havgan, he gathered his knights and his nobles and off they went to the meeting place. And when they got there, he rose up and spoke to all those gathered saying, “This fight is between two Kings and between them only. Alli of you stand aside and do not interfere, no matter what happens."

The two Kings faced one another on their mighty steeds, with their javelines at the ready. They came at each other with a mighty crash and Havgan was wounded and thrown far. Pwyll dismounted and approached him, his sword drawn.

“Oh please Cheiftain!” Begged Havgan, “Please finish what you have begun and slay me with your sharp sword.”

“Though I suspect I will regret it.” Said Pwyll, “I will not do as you ask.”

“Alas!” Wailed Havgan, “My death has come. My nobles, come and bear me home.” And his nobles came onto the field and carried him away.

“My trusty Lords!” Announced Pwyll who looked like Arawn, “Let us go and tell all of Annwn who shall be their King!”

And they shouted “Hail Arawn! Long live the King of all the lands of Annwn.”

And so they road out all about the land to tell the people what had happened, and they all swore homage to Arawn. And when this was done, he left them and went to his meeting place to keep his word to Arawn.

When he came there, Arawn was waiting for him and they were overjoyed to see each other.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me.” Said Arawn, “When you return home, you will see that I have also done much for you.”</