I recently became reacquainted with the album, “Tales of Camelot” by singer-songwriter Wyllow Ravenscroft. I first heard this 2005 release about eight to ten years ago and just loved it back then. She describes her music as Celtic genre and this album definitely has that sound in the lovely harps (Danielle Franklin), pennywhistle (Ravenscroft), and violin (Michi Regier). It is also very reminiscent of late ‘60s folk rock, which is a genre I love. Wyllow Ravenscroft’s voice is a lovely soprano and she sings very nice harmonies. She is also the songwriter and plays guitar, pennywhistle, and zils. Percussion is provided by Kevin Brushes.
paintng by Lancelot Speed
I think my favorite song on the album is “The Lady of the Lake.” It begins as a beautiful Goddess chant and transforms into the words of the Lady of the Lake, herself. “Tristan and Isolde” is a wonderful Renaissance-inspired tune and comes in at a close second for me.
“Tales of Camelot” also includes spoken word, not something that is very common, which is why I wanted to point them out. They are valuable to Wyllow Ravenscroft’s storytelling and vision, so I appreciate them.
Wyllow Ravenscroft made all 25 tracks available on YouTube, as the CD seems to no longer be available from CD Baby, which is what is linked on her website. I suggest listening to it at your leisure and letting the wonderful mix of folk rock, Celtic, and Renaissance sounds lull you into its magic.
~My Arthurian reviews include those things that I think Witches and Priestesses will appreciate. These include divination systems, music, novels and other fiction, films, and nonfiction. I have quite a list already, but if there is a product you think I’ll like, feel free to let me know about it in the comments.
It may seem funny that on my Arthurian/ Avalonian blog, I decide to post about the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre. Perhaps, you think, she is an odd choice because the Saxons were the ultimate scourge of Dark Ages Britain? Well, we know that there was a comingling of peoples, right? Well, yeah, of course, and I don’t think the Goddesses care about a lot of things that people do. I’ve written here in the past that I include other Celtic deities in my “personal” pantheon and, over the years, I’ve increasingly included a couple of Anglo-Saxon Goddesses, as well. Eostre is the primary Goddess I honor at this point on the Wheel of the Year. She “works well” with Celtic Goddesses and I believe she doesn’t mind being part of an eclectic mix of Goddesses who are actively honored. At any rate, there is a legend that, at some point, Arthur had a Saxon lover or wife.
I feel that Eostre is an embodiment of the springtime Earth. There is something about her that just keeps me near. (I don;t want to rehash what others have so eloquently written, so please be sure to check out the hyperlinks I’ve included.) Eostre is a Goddess who I introduced to my son when he was quite young, so once again, I am having a fun, child-friendly Ostara celebration. I like to make a point of doing something at each point of the Wheel for my son, but Ostara is such an easy one for me since I grew up with all the springtime trappings of Easter.
Here is my invocation that I wrote several years ago for the Goddess. Happy Equinox!!
Goddess Eostre Lady of spring With voices full it is to you we sing! Oh, Maiden of blossoms In colors of every hue As bees buzz and waters flow Be with us now and wherever we go! Queen of sunshine, clouds, and rain Come to our celebration and here remain! Lady of rabbit, deer, and fox Be here with us now at our equinox!
Blessings of the Green, ~Hayley
Parade of Rabbits of the Rainbow by Pamela Silin-Palmer I have this card framed in my home. I just love it!
This is a partial retelling of the Arthurian romance, “Gereint and Enid,” which can be found in copies of The Mabiniogon. In the story, Gereint decides to go on a quest to prove himself a fit and true ruler to Enid. I’ve written this poem from the perspective of Enid, Gereint’s wife, who, in the original, is berated by him to remain silent unless he directly speaks to her. “Gereint and Enid” is a weird story. I know, not very analytical or poetic of me, but when I first read it many years ago this is what I thought. I felt compelled to write a poem from Enid’s perspective because it is weird and I felt like she needed to take control of the narrative. If you’re familiar with the story, you’ll notice I excluded large parts, but I wanted to show Enid’s strength during this part when she is seemingly powerless. I specifically wanted this poem to be alliterative because alliteration is a very vocal form. Enid is literally silenced throughout the tale and I felt that allowing her to narrate her story in this way made her very vocal and purposeful.
Geraint and Enid by Arthur Hughes
ENID Silence purposefully surrounds, Not at all serene. We wander, not wistfully, Waiting for word Or deed to do the dutiful. I incite his passions, you accuse But blissful bondage is had by both. Come, come follow us on our way We know the direction to take. We’ll talk, or not, as we may You mustn’t think us fake.
I was held up ahead by hearty men Who heard, as heralds, Of my mien and measure. My man, meant to be nearby, Knew not of their knavery. Leaning, leopard-like, he lobbed his lance And through their torsos it took its way. And never did we endeavor To leave behind a trace We really were that clever, Or was it God’s own grace?
We fled, fueled not by fear Through forest, through bracken, and fern. But a weeping beauty barked her cries. She crawled beside a body, “They killed him, oh, they killed my love And now I’ve got nobody!” My own love looked upon her woe And led her o’er to me. I liked her well, ‘twas no lie, But we tarried there too long. The giant struck my own dear groom, He groaned and fell upon the ground. I took his feet, she took his hands We fled the awful scene And made our way through unknown lands Till we came to a hidden ravine.
Down in the darkened depths I spied a country castle. Hopes of hospitality Were rampant in my party. A knight knew my own knight’s face And nodded us in. We entered eagerly, exhausted. “Come down and find your respite here Yon knight looks dead, fair maid. Yet, ladies, please, have no fear Your place, though, I’d not trade.”
Dead he looked, and dead he seemed, yet, Did despair drape o’er me? I would not wander from my wounded warrior. Perseverance and persuasive powers Left my haughty host holding himself at night alone. Till, a tentative tightening of his hand in mine Told me that my lover lived. I kissed his cheek And wiped his brow He could not speak But my own words spoke our vow.
With my words as weapons I brandished a blow, (My weapon is my words where once before was weeping) And sought our escape. Without hesitation, my harangued husband Fought off the host of the hidden hostel Who would make me wife. Together, our treaty stood against Them that treated us so vilely. Violence was our valediction, As our host heretofore hailed only havoc, And in violence was our victory. We left that castle and made way back to our own, The three of us went back on the road. Homeward we have rightfully flown And nowhere else would we lay down our load.
Presently, our party was pursued. So, we stopped on the side of the road. It was a sympathizing king and crew Who’d heard of our harassments. He encouraged us to enter his domain And follow his entourage forward to his fortress. There, we’d find respite, rest, and treatments for our rugged lot. We took our rest and ate our fill, We finally slept a whole night through. We wondered when our nights would still And when we’d be given our just due.
Daybreak delights but brings with it burdens. A choice can be a burden when unknown factors are faced. Gereint chose the crossroad leading to the games. Lovers can lose themselves in their love But my man manages to lose himself in battles and manly deeds. Surrounded by soulless heads on spikes, To the tent behind the hedge he took his way. Behind the hedge I could not follow. I feared his head would soon, likewise, be disconnected. But, sooner, then, I heard a ghostly horn bellow And feared the unsuspected.
Beauty, ringed by apple blossoms, behind the hedge of mist, Beheld my bridegroom best long-held miseries. Gereint, great knight, knew he was champion And sounded the horn. Returning to me, maiden and defeated knight in tow, We all delighted in the end of death and decapitations. We dined and danced; festive feasting was had by all attendants. After much celebration, my man and I departed; Good deeds and championships behind us. On horses, together, we made our way, delighted, Our hands and hearts, forevermore, bound in trust.
Green groves and gardens were Gereint’s own And Enid, his only love. Epochs could pass: They espoused their everlasting affections. In silence they sought serenity But forsook solemnity for solidarity And pleasurable past times. When words before could not be spoken Together they walked the Fool’s Path. Now, they let deeds be their token Of affection when words, they know, can’t last.
*For more info, read the story in the Mabinogion. I first read the translation by Jones and Jones, but my favorite Mabinogion is that by Sioned Davies, published by Oxford press. A favorite book of mine (which I will soon write a review on) is King Arthur and the Goddess of the Land: The Divine Feminine in The Mabinogion by Caitlín Matthews, which discusses the Native Tales and Arthurian Romances found alongside the Four Branches. Her chapter on “Gereint and Enid” is very illuminating.
I was invited to be a guest on The Wheel for their segment Ask a Path. I spoke on my devotional writing process, my love for Arthurian and other myth, and why I think it’s important to center Goddesses in my poetry. Jenny and Hazel were wonderful hosts and I really enjoyed meeting with them. The whole episode is a delight to listen to, so do yourself a favor and take a listen.
Books I recommend at the end
Episode description: “This week we talk about older stories that have had their influence on modern pagans, including the Mabinogion, King Arthur and the Wife of Bath. Our guest is Hayley Arrington who has the Loathly Lady website which she calls Arthurian musings from a feminist witch.”
Loathly Lady 