GRAIL MYTH

  King Pellinore had made a camp in the forest not far from Arthur's court. There he challenged and bested each of Arthur's knights who passed his way. Pellinore found great amusement in his pastime, but Arthur's patience was wearing thin. And so he rose early one morning and rode alone (or so he thought) to meet this Pennlnore and take up the challenge himself. The battle was fierce and both were gravely wounded. Pellinore was a seasoned valiant warrior and in his rage might have killed the young king. Hidden from view, Merlin recognized the danger and cast a spell which hung heavy on Pellinore bringing him to the ground in a deep sleep. The king lay unconscious and his sword (that which he had pulled from the stone) lay in pieces. Merlin had Arthur moved to a hermitage to be healed of his wounds, leaving Pellinore to recover in peace. When well enough to travel, Merlin led the king on a journey farr from teh court. For many days they rode until they reached a strange ...

the name Lleu means "bright" or "fair." Like the Irish god Lug, he was believed to be a solar deity and the model of a divine king. He was the master of many skills--a talented carpenter, poet, musician, healer, and magician. As a High Celtic God concerned with the land's fertility and welfare, it was Lleu's responsibility to oversee the saacred marriage between land and king. Buiding on the tradition established by Lleu, it is supposed that the coronation ritual of a king involved a druid-seer who prophesized the coming succession of kings. In this context the words of the soothsayer were thought to be teh words of Lleu and it is clear how Lleu's poetry and prophecy were held to bring peace and harmony out of chaos. The festival of Lleu or Lug is known as Lughmasa, occuring on the first day of August. This celebration would take place amidst standing stones. Aside from the relevant rituals, there would be horse races, plays, dancing and games, a...

  Gwynn, son of Nudd, is the Welsh Wild Huntsman, God of the Dead. Hunter and warrior, he is Lord of the Underworld. The sight of the Wild Hunt Streaking through the sky was believed to foretell a coming death. His ghostly fleet was said to be made up of men fallen in battle. Some rode horses, others stags, all accompanied by the red-eared hounds of the Otherworld (cwn Wyhir) Clastonbury was reputed to be the home of Gwyn, housing him and his spectral host within its hollow hill. It was said that one could access the Otherworld by way of this tor. (tower) According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle , Arthur accompanied Gwyn on his wild hunt. They also cross paths in the story of Greiddylad. Gwyn is in love with Creiddylad. Despite his affection, arrangements have been made fo rher to marry Gwythr, son of Gwreidawl. Desperate to prevent the marriage, Gwyn abduts the fair Creiddylad. Arthur pursues Gwyn and lays siege to his fortress. He insists that Creiddylad be released, bu...

The powerful and archaic image of the horned God dates back to the paleolithic age. The Lor of the Animals was a nature deity and god of the Hunt. The Celts were a people whose lives were intrinsically woven with the natural worldand teh animals that surrounded them. Animal gods were especially popular. since their survival depended on teh welfare of the animals they hunted, they Stag God was particularly revered. The success of the hunt depended on his favour, as he governed not only the animals, but also humanity's relationship to nature, ,ensuring the ecological balance of preservation and harvest of the wild game. Frightening yet fasscinating, the appearance of Cernunnos echoes the threatening yet irresistible power contained in teh primordial self. This is a reminder of the challenge we face when encountering our animal impulses. Aggression mating, and herding instincts are but a few of the traits that reside here. To repress them can create unhealthy , distored pe...