Forwarded from Wild Folk
In the wild, albino creatures have a significantly higher than average mortality rate. Their inability to blend into their natural habitats means juvenile prey species such as deer are much more likely to be picked off by predators, and never make it to adulthood.
Adult white stags must therefore be the most cunning, the most quick, the most hardy and the most well adapted in order to overcome their inherent handicap. In making it to adulthood, these animals have to overcome the toughest conditions their species will ever face, and therefore represent a supreme specimen amongst their kind.
A pox upon the Merseyside Police who will no doubt pay a high price for what they have done.
Adult white stags must therefore be the most cunning, the most quick, the most hardy and the most well adapted in order to overcome their inherent handicap. In making it to adulthood, these animals have to overcome the toughest conditions their species will ever face, and therefore represent a supreme specimen amongst their kind.
A pox upon the Merseyside Police who will no doubt pay a high price for what they have done.
Forwarded from PRIMAL NOISE
The White Stag in British Legend and Symbolism
Today Merseyside Police shot and killed a White Hart in Bootle. Now sometimes a spade is a spade and one might be forgiven for taking a basic reading of this: police grunt shoots beautiful wild animal dead in built up area due to ‘threat’ posed to the urbanites thick and jittery enough to interfere/get spooked by it. But this is almost certainly no accident. The sighting of a White Stag is never an accident and the attempts to kill it never end well. So one can either view this as a noble and rare creature being put down in an urban landscape because people are too disconnected from wildlife to cope with it, or, what is more likely is that this was a sacrifice. This Stag, a White Hart which is symbolic across Europe and more specifically these isles, steeped in Celtic, Arthurian, Marian, Royal and Christian motifs and lore -was shot dead in order to taunt us. Those that know. In fact I imagine many people regardless of whether or not they know these various myths, legends and associations will recognise it as a mystical and divine creature. To both mark the disgusting despatching of this symbolic Lord of the Forest and to give you an idea of just why this was no ordinary form of ‘pest control’ on the part of the police here is a brief overview of what the White Hart is and the lore surrounding it.
Deer are revered the world over wherever they roam. They are among the most noble of woodland creatures and cut an impressive figure on the landscape, their hides are fine and venison is a delicious meat.. Yet they were particularly looked to by our ancestors, men of the North, be they of Germanic or Celtic stock. Much of our lore regarding the White Stag draws from the well of Celtic tradition, where one of the better attested and depicted deities is Cernunnos -the horned one, usually taking the form of a stag-horned man. Within the Celtic tradition the a White Stag takes the role of a messenger from the Annwn or ‘Otherworld’ and this is most attested in the tales of the Welsh. The Mabinogion uses the White Stag to mark a transgression on the part of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed for hunting in the grounds of the Lord of the Otherworld, Arawn. A white stag also appears in the story of the Welsh hero Peredur fab Efrawg, where he is told to kill the creature by a ‘black maiden’. In wider Arthurian legend, white stags frequently appear in the hunting grounds of Arthur’s Court at Camelot, signifying the beginning of events that would lead to a great quest. All in all, the white stag can be interpreted as a divine creature and messenger, an omen both good and bad.
In the British Isles however it is not just Brythonic Lore that holds a monopoly on white stag symbology. The Anglo-Saxons, though often better associated with boars and horses, certainly held stags in high regard. Heorot, the Grendel-ravaged mead-hall in the English national epic Beowulf takes is name from Deer and one can imagine it well adorned with great sets of antlers and hind pelts. King Rædwald’s sceptre unearthed at Sutton Hoo, possibly a symbol of office denoting his lordship over much of Britain as Bretwalda features a stag on top. And in comparatively recent English lore Herne the Hunter, an antler-headed haunt of Berkshire’s forests is often associated with white harts, he too appearing before great events such as the coming and goings of kings. Indeed Richard II took a white hart as his heraldic symbol from his mother the Fair Maid of Kent.
Today Merseyside Police shot and killed a White Hart in Bootle. Now sometimes a spade is a spade and one might be forgiven for taking a basic reading of this: police grunt shoots beautiful wild animal dead in built up area due to ‘threat’ posed to the urbanites thick and jittery enough to interfere/get spooked by it. But this is almost certainly no accident. The sighting of a White Stag is never an accident and the attempts to kill it never end well. So one can either view this as a noble and rare creature being put down in an urban landscape because people are too disconnected from wildlife to cope with it, or, what is more likely is that this was a sacrifice. This Stag, a White Hart which is symbolic across Europe and more specifically these isles, steeped in Celtic, Arthurian, Marian, Royal and Christian motifs and lore -was shot dead in order to taunt us. Those that know. In fact I imagine many people regardless of whether or not they know these various myths, legends and associations will recognise it as a mystical and divine creature. To both mark the disgusting despatching of this symbolic Lord of the Forest and to give you an idea of just why this was no ordinary form of ‘pest control’ on the part of the police here is a brief overview of what the White Hart is and the lore surrounding it.
Deer are revered the world over wherever they roam. They are among the most noble of woodland creatures and cut an impressive figure on the landscape, their hides are fine and venison is a delicious meat.. Yet they were particularly looked to by our ancestors, men of the North, be they of Germanic or Celtic stock. Much of our lore regarding the White Stag draws from the well of Celtic tradition, where one of the better attested and depicted deities is Cernunnos -the horned one, usually taking the form of a stag-horned man. Within the Celtic tradition the a White Stag takes the role of a messenger from the Annwn or ‘Otherworld’ and this is most attested in the tales of the Welsh. The Mabinogion uses the White Stag to mark a transgression on the part of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed for hunting in the grounds of the Lord of the Otherworld, Arawn. A white stag also appears in the story of the Welsh hero Peredur fab Efrawg, where he is told to kill the creature by a ‘black maiden’. In wider Arthurian legend, white stags frequently appear in the hunting grounds of Arthur’s Court at Camelot, signifying the beginning of events that would lead to a great quest. All in all, the white stag can be interpreted as a divine creature and messenger, an omen both good and bad.
In the British Isles however it is not just Brythonic Lore that holds a monopoly on white stag symbology. The Anglo-Saxons, though often better associated with boars and horses, certainly held stags in high regard. Heorot, the Grendel-ravaged mead-hall in the English national epic Beowulf takes is name from Deer and one can imagine it well adorned with great sets of antlers and hind pelts. King Rædwald’s sceptre unearthed at Sutton Hoo, possibly a symbol of office denoting his lordship over much of Britain as Bretwalda features a stag on top. And in comparatively recent English lore Herne the Hunter, an antler-headed haunt of Berkshire’s forests is often associated with white harts, he too appearing before great events such as the coming and goings of kings. Indeed Richard II took a white hart as his heraldic symbol from his mother the Fair Maid of Kent.
Forwarded from PRIMAL NOISE
Yet as such things do, the symbolism of the white Stag was not lost on our ancestors attempting to straddle the Old Ways and the new religion; Christianity. The whiteness of the stag came to symbolise purity and as such, came to be associated with the Virgin Mary, and it is depicted as a brooch for her in numerous occasions. The white hart came to be used in conversion and important saintly stories across Europe, notably those of Saints Eustace and Hubert, but was also well used here. King David I of Scotland built Holyrood palace (Rood meaning cross) on the site where he had tried to hunt a white stag but had instead almost been killed by it before divine intercession, a cross appearing over the stag’s head before it disappeared. And at Llangar, Denbighshire a white stag leads builders of a church to a better spot after their work keeps being destroyed by poor weather.
On account of its rare and pure colour, aristocratic countenance and difficulty in trying to pursue, the White Stag is a deeply significant creature in the British Legendary Bestiary. They appear in our tales across the land, appearing before great events, leading people to their destiny be it doom or glory and their association is desirous and coveted. This is a sign, a divine sign. As many have said, its death will not and should not be taken lightly. A fine creature was felled today and it should repulse anyone who knows what it means.
On account of its rare and pure colour, aristocratic countenance and difficulty in trying to pursue, the White Stag is a deeply significant creature in the British Legendary Bestiary. They appear in our tales across the land, appearing before great events, leading people to their destiny be it doom or glory and their association is desirous and coveted. This is a sign, a divine sign. As many have said, its death will not and should not be taken lightly. A fine creature was felled today and it should repulse anyone who knows what it means.
Forwarded from PRIMAL NOISE
St Kilda islanders photographed by George Washington Wilson in the 1880s at their weekly 'parliament', which was attended by all adult males of the island. This 'parliament' distributed labour and resources amongst the island families according to each ones need and ability. It had no chairman, each islander was permitted equal opportunity to speak, and they arrived to the meeting in their own time.
In 1899, the island school master John Ross commented that:
"Very much resembles our Honourable British Parliament in being able to waste any amount of precious time over a very small matter while on the other hand they can pass a Bill before it is well introduced".
The islanders of St Kilda were forced to evacuate their home in 1930 and the isle has known no permanent inhabitants since.
In 1899, the island school master John Ross commented that:
"Very much resembles our Honourable British Parliament in being able to waste any amount of precious time over a very small matter while on the other hand they can pass a Bill before it is well introduced".
The islanders of St Kilda were forced to evacuate their home in 1930 and the isle has known no permanent inhabitants since.
Forwarded from PRIMAL NOISE
The cù-sìth is a mythological hound found in the folklore of Scotland. A similar creature exists in Irish folklore (spelled cú sÃdhe), and it also bears some resemblance to the Welsh Cŵn Annwn.
The cù-sìth is thought to make its home in the clefts of rocks and to roam the moors of the Highlands. It is usually described as having a shaggy, dark green coat and being as large as a small cow.
According to legend, the creature was capable of hunting silently, but would occasionally let out three terrifying barks, and only three, that could be heard for miles by those listening for it, even far out at sea. Those who hear the barking of the Cù-Sìth must reach safety by the third bark or be overcome with terror to the point of death.
The cù-sìth is thought to make its home in the clefts of rocks and to roam the moors of the Highlands. It is usually described as having a shaggy, dark green coat and being as large as a small cow.
According to legend, the creature was capable of hunting silently, but would occasionally let out three terrifying barks, and only three, that could be heard for miles by those listening for it, even far out at sea. Those who hear the barking of the Cù-Sìth must reach safety by the third bark or be overcome with terror to the point of death.
Forwarded from PRIMAL NOISE (D.W. McDonnell)
Sueno's Stone is a Picto-Scottish Class III standing stone on the north-easterly edge of Forres in Moray and is the largest surviving Pictish style cross-slab stone of its type in Scotland, standing 6.5 metres (21 feet) in height. It is situated on a raised bank on a now isolated section of the former road to Findhorn. The stone is named after Sweyn Forkbeard, but this association has been challenged and it has also been associated with the killing of King Dubh mac Ailpin in Forres in 966. The stone was erected c. 850–950 but by whom and for what, is unknown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTmDAEJHFps&list=PLX-bh0d4htPGtnt9QgLFb0hOFmJok_hyM&index=11
Amser blin orchfygiad mor greulon
Pwy a freddrwydiodd y diwedd hyn
Cyrff ym mhobman yn dangos ei dewder
Yn rhoi ei bywydau rhyddid ei plant
Adladd y frwdyr
Gwaed yn ei dagrau
Drewdod marwolaeth yn yr air
Beth wnawn yn awr Arglwyddes
Dangos y fford i'n dyfodol
Rhaid cadw'r ffydd er mwyn y plant
Pham wnaethost ein gadael
Pan oedd dy angen
Y dydd yn dwyll, i ni gyd
Translation :
A time of grief, defeat so cruel
Who sould have dreamt such an ending ?
Everywhere, the dead showing courage
Giving their lives for the freedom of children
After the battle
Blood in their tears
The smell of death in the air
What do we do now, oh Goddess ?
Show us the way to the future
We must keep faith for the children
Why did you leave us
In our hour of need ?
Dark is the day for us all
Amser blin orchfygiad mor greulon
Pwy a freddrwydiodd y diwedd hyn
Cyrff ym mhobman yn dangos ei dewder
Yn rhoi ei bywydau rhyddid ei plant
Adladd y frwdyr
Gwaed yn ei dagrau
Drewdod marwolaeth yn yr air
Beth wnawn yn awr Arglwyddes
Dangos y fford i'n dyfodol
Rhaid cadw'r ffydd er mwyn y plant
Pham wnaethost ein gadael
Pan oedd dy angen
Y dydd yn dwyll, i ni gyd
Translation :
A time of grief, defeat so cruel
Who sould have dreamt such an ending ?
Everywhere, the dead showing courage
Giving their lives for the freedom of children
After the battle
Blood in their tears
The smell of death in the air
What do we do now, oh Goddess ?
Show us the way to the future
We must keep faith for the children
Why did you leave us
In our hour of need ?
Dark is the day for us all
YouTube
Er Mwyn y Plant (For the Children): Welsh Song by Ceredwen
Beautiful piece of Welsh duo Ceredwen. Describes the defeat of Boudicca's army, and their lamentation
Amser blin orchfygiad mor greulon
Pwy a freddrwydiodd y diwedd hyn
Cyrff ym mhobman yn dangos ei dewder
Yn rhoi ei bywydau rhyddid ei plant
…
Amser blin orchfygiad mor greulon
Pwy a freddrwydiodd y diwedd hyn
Cyrff ym mhobman yn dangos ei dewder
Yn rhoi ei bywydau rhyddid ei plant
…
Forwarded from Thuletide
Results of a re-wilding project in Scotland.
I've visited Scotland and can say that while it has beautiful forested areas, most of the country is quite desolate due to thousands of years of deforestation.
As this image shows, it only takes 20 years to bring the countryside back to life.
I've visited Scotland and can say that while it has beautiful forested areas, most of the country is quite desolate due to thousands of years of deforestation.
As this image shows, it only takes 20 years to bring the countryside back to life.
Forwarded from Western Heritage
Take a virtual walk through the streets of Perth in 1440, through a new history interpretation project from
@Open Virtual Worlds https://scot.sh/3mAltS3 @HistoryScotland
@Open Virtual Worlds https://scot.sh/3mAltS3 @HistoryScotland
Forwarded from PRIMAL NOISE
Shire-to-Shire Series: County Waterford (Contae Phort Láirge) & The Ogham Stones of Ardmore
Tucked away in the Oratory of St. Declan's Monastery in Munster Province is a stone bearing an inscription in Ogham, a monument to St. Declan's great grandfather Lugud. St Declan was one of the early Irish Saints and had been sent to convert the Deisi to Christianity. The Ogham Stone is actually thought to be Pre-Christian but it's inclusion in the Church is emblematic of the syncretism used by the missionaries to create a religion not totally cut off from the Old Ways. St. Declan was from a royal lineage and to our ancestors ones pedigree was extremely important thus the incorporation of this stone, bearing the name and deeds of the Saint's ancestor is a legitimising monument.St. Declan built the monastery in Waterford on the orders of St. Patrick and supported by the King of Tara.
Waterford is named after the Norse Veðrafjǫrðr, which contrary to the Anglicised rendering actually refers to a Wether's (ram) Fjord.
Tucked away in the Oratory of St. Declan's Monastery in Munster Province is a stone bearing an inscription in Ogham, a monument to St. Declan's great grandfather Lugud. St Declan was one of the early Irish Saints and had been sent to convert the Deisi to Christianity. The Ogham Stone is actually thought to be Pre-Christian but it's inclusion in the Church is emblematic of the syncretism used by the missionaries to create a religion not totally cut off from the Old Ways. St. Declan was from a royal lineage and to our ancestors ones pedigree was extremely important thus the incorporation of this stone, bearing the name and deeds of the Saint's ancestor is a legitimising monument.St. Declan built the monastery in Waterford on the orders of St. Patrick and supported by the King of Tara.
Waterford is named after the Norse Veðrafjǫrðr, which contrary to the Anglicised rendering actually refers to a Wether's (ram) Fjord.