06/08/2020
“The places between the worlds where humans and faeries might meet are frequently the threshold zones: where water meets land, where mountains rise from valleys, where springs gush out, where two trees make a gateway. All of these are ‘doors to faeryland’. Negotiating these threshold zones by walking between worlds in dream, vision or on foot, was the work of seers and visionaries. Sometimes people strayed into Faery regions at their peril. This invocation was made by 14th century Welsh seers when they needed to enter the forest where Faery spirits lived:
‘To the King of the Kindly Ones
and to his Queen:
Gwyn up Nudd, who lives within
the forest yonder.
For love of your lady, permit us
to enter your dwelling.’ *
Gwyn ap Nudd is the Faery king whose spirit is seen in the Neath Valley of South Wales, and who has his dwelling in Glastonbury Tor. He is also a leader of the Wild Hunt, a retributive band of spirits who come to chase those who have broken faith with the faeries, or violated their unseen boundaries.”
~“Celtic Visions: Seership, Omens and Dreams of the Otherworld”; Caitlin Matthews, (Watkins Publishing, London, 2012); Pgs 44-45
*Medieval Folklore: an Encyclopedia of Myths, Legends, Tales, Beliefs and Customs; Carl Lindhal, John McNamara, John Lindow, (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002), p. 190, CM trans
Photo taken myself, Kim Cecero Brown at Mackworth Island, Maine ; 01/30/2018
