Jun 27, 2008
Music, stories, and facts for Midsummer 2008
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Show
Summary:
We celebrate the Midsummer Festival with a massive offering of goodies. So we've divided the episode into two parts. The first part contains a reading from The Religion of the Ancient Celts, another from a modern book called Fairy Healing, some music, and a story by Willie Meikle called The First Silkie.
Running Order:
We hope you enjoy it!
Gary & Ruthie x x x
We talk about Midsummer being celebrated on the 20th, 21st or 22nd of June. Midsummer is traditionally a time for fairies - although it is dangerous to visit the fairy world at this time! We talk about the Solstice and time that the sun appears to wobble in its 'apparent' orbit around the earth.
by J. A.
MacCulloch
We select a passage concerning
the Midsummer rituals from the Religions of the Ancient Celts by J. A.
MacCulloch. This book, which appears for the first time on the
Internet at Sacred Texts, is one of the earliest scholarly
treatments of the ancient Celtic religion. Written early in the
20th Century, Religion of the Ancient
Celts includes extensive treatment of that
perennially fascinating subject, the Druids.
MacCulloch details the Celtic belief
in reincarnation and a spectral otherworld; documents the enormous
pantheon of now-obscure gods and goddesses, including many local
deities; and describes totemistic and animistic beliefs. In
addition, MacCulloch does not flinch (nor sensationalize) when
describing the darker side of Celtic practices, including the
famous 'Burning Man' human sacrifices, cannibalism and exogamous
incest.
by Margie
McArthur
We then present a small section
of a modern book about Fairy Healing: The Lore and
Legacy written by Margie McArthur. The section we
read is from Chapter 5: The Irish Traditions and tells us about the
Fairy Doctor.
Thank you to Margie for allowing us
to read this for you. She has her home on the web at Brigid's Hearth
where you can find out about this and her other books. She also
runs a fairy
healing website. Find out more about Margie McArthur in our
Contributor pages.
by Gaelic Wind
Project
They hail from Essen, Germany. Yet the repertoire of Gaelic Wind Project consists of Irish traditional songs and tunes, but they also perform their own material. This Irish folk band consists of two female lead vocalists who are accompanied by Irish wooden flute, accordion, guitar, Irish bouzouki and percussion. Gaelic Wind Project is a nice addition to any Celtic music collection.
"Our new song Shimmering Wings is inspired by Juliet Marillier´s novel Daughter of the Forest. Here you´ll find more information about the author and her books."
You can find the Gaelic Wind Project on the web at their homesite (now sadly gone). You can also find them on CD Baby.
by Willie
Meikle
Willie Meikle is a Scottish Author who writes Fantasy and Horror Fiction and has eight books published. Many of his stories and books are set in Scotland and are weaved with Mythology and folklore. Willie has had 130 stories published in the genre press, both in paper and on-line magazines and his work has appeared in the UK, Ireland, the USA, India, Greece, Romania and Canada. He has graciously allowed us to present an except from his novel, The Midnight Eye Files: The Sirens and concerns the origins of the Silkie – a fey creature able to shift from seal to human form.
The tale tells us of the origin of the Silkie which concerns Viking Gods, Bold Fishermen and a wager between Gods and Men.
You can find out more about Willie and his work at his website or you can read more details about this fantastic author in our Contributor pages.
by Gary, Ruthie &
friends
With thanks to three young friends of ours, we present our very unprofessional (but fun!) version of the Chant of the Lady. A big Thank You to Stacey, Tania and Jessica. You can download this chant from us by clicking Ladychant.
Lyrics
Lady, spin your Circle bright,
Weave your web of dark and light.
Earth, Air, Fire and Water,
Bind us as one.
Maiden, spin your Circle white,
Weave a web of shinning light.
Stag and Hawk, Bear and Wolf,
Bind us as one.
Mother, spin your Circle red,
Weave a web of glowing thread.
Earth, Air, Fire and Water,
Bind us as one.
Wise one, spin your Circle black,
Weave the wisdom that we lack.
Moonlight, Sunlight, Starlight, Shimmer,
Bind us as one.
Lady, spin your Circle bright,
Weave your web of dark and light.
Earth, Air, Fire and Water,
Bind us as one.
We talk about the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
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For incidental music:
Diane Arkenstone The Secret Garden. See the Contributor page for details.
The Skylark and Haghole, the brilliant Culann's Hounds. See their Contributor page for details.
And, of course, the Awen - inspiration and imagination!
(in Alphabetic order)
Anne Roos Extra
Special thanks go for permission to use any of her masterful music
to Anne
Roos. You can find out more about Anne on her website or on
her Contributor
page.
Caera Extra
Special thanks go for permission to any of her evocative harping
and Gaelic singing to Caera. You can find out more about Caera on
her website or on her Contributor
Page.
Celia Extra
Special Thanks go for permission to use any of her wonderful music
to Celia Farran. You can find out more about Celia on her website or on her
Contributor
Page.
Damh the Bard
Extra Special thanks go to Damh
the Bard for his permission to use any of his music on the
Show. You can find out more about Damh (Dave) on his website or on
his Contributor
page.
The Dolmen Extra
Special thanks also go to
The Dolmen, for their permission to use any of their fantastic
Celtic Folk/Rock music on the Show. You can find out more about The
Dolmen on their website or on our
Contributor page.
Keltoria Extra
Special thanks go for permission to use any of their inspired music
to Keltoria. You can find out more about Keltoria on their website or on their
Contributor
page.
Kevin Skinner
Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of his superb
music to Kevin Skinner. You can find out more about Kevin on his
website or on
his Contributor
page.
Phil Thornton Extra Special Thanks go for permisssion to use any of his astounding ambient music to the Sonic Sorcerer himself, Phil Thornton. You can find out more about Phil on his website or on his Contributor Page.
S.J. Tucker
Extra Special thanks go to Sooj for her permission to use any of
her superb music. You can find out more about Sooj on her website or on her
Contributor page.
Spiral Dance
Extra Special thanks go for permission to use Adrienne and the band
to use any of their music in the show. You can find out more about
Spiral Dance on their website or on their
Contributor page.
We'd like to wish you 'Hwyl fawr!', which is Welsh for Goodbye and have fun, or more literally Wishing a Good Mood on you!