THE WASTING LAND

 

The destitute inhabitants travel their wasting lands.

The Wasteland is the name given to the barren country that surrounds the Grail castle. Due to the sacred bond between land and king, the once lush and fertile realm suffers as of a consequence of the wound inflicted upon her king.

In her wasting state, the land is stripped of her vegetation, she bears no animals nor crops. Her rivers run dry and her childless inhabitants live in grief and fear.

The concept of the Wasteland is thought to be of Celtic origin, and is not limited to being the result of a wounded king. The suffering land can reflect the king's overall inadequacy to rule. In the sacred marraaie of king to land, he swears to serve her before all else. If the king should ever forsake his vow, whether it be by abusing his power, neglect, or through making poor choices, the land was destined to waste and the people to suffer. At times the Wasteland is said to mirror the illness or extreme old age of the king. Other times it is said to be result of the knight's failure to ask the appropriate questions. And in some instances it is the effect of prolonged war, or the death of a much-loved knight upon whom the land depends.


Only when the Quest is achieved--when the hero asks the appropriate questions and restores the king--shall the land be free of the curse which rests upon her.





Ferguson, Anna-Marie. "Keeper of Words." 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota. (255)

 

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