The Spirit of Albion The Movie  Pic: By Gary Andrews

Author Clare Hamilton raises some excellent points about the story of Arianrhod from the Welsh Mabinogi tales in this wonderful article from The Goddess Alive Ezine. Arianrhod was a Welsh Goddess who lived on an island off the west coast of Wales. At the centre of her castle was a turning glass tower, which contained the mystical Seat of Poetic Inspiration. Her name Arianrhod means ‘starry wheel’.

She is obviously a very powerful Celtic Goddess even though she apparently completely disgraces herself as a mother within her story.

Let us go to the bones of the story. A virgin births a child, apparently miraculously. The child grows up, is betrayed, killed, hangs on a tree in agony, then is resurrected by his uncle/father’s magic.

Sounds vaguely familiar? Here we have the prototype of  the central Christian story, the story of the Virgin Mary and the boy Jesus. And of course  behind that story lies the Mother/Son duo, the Mother Goddess and the King  Child, most  anciently  portrayed of course by Isis and   Horus.  So it seems we are dealing here with far more than would at first appear. For  here we have the heart of the great mystical Mother/Son relationship. This  should certainly give us pause for thought and make us look closely at the  apparent strange behaviour of Arianrhod.

Arianrhod, as we have noted, is a  very powerful Goddess, guardian of the Seat of Poetic Inspiration and linked  with the sea, the moon and the stars. She is also the prototype of the Virgin  Mary. There are many  depictions  of the Virgin Mary with a wheel of stars about her head, and she is also often  portrayed standing on a new moon, and at other times with the sea all around  her. We are looking here at the ancient figure of Arianrhod, her feet on the  new moon of Virginity; the wheel of stars, which is her name,  circling  her head; and the sea, which her tower commands, stretching away from her  island castle.

So why does she Deny her Son his Rights?

So let’s look at some of the  difficult questions arising out of her story.   If  Arianrhod  really is the great mother of the Sacred King child, then why does she seem so  vindictive? What are these so-called curses about? Why does she seem to be  denying her son his rights?

And why  is she so powerful that Gwydion has to work so hard to outwit her?

In addressing these questions, we  should first bear in mind the strong  possibility  that by the time her tale was written down by the Welsh monks, they had spotted  her  pagan  power and  decided  to deliberately slander her name. There are three injunctions that she  pronounces, a mystical number, and they represent her power over her son. They therefore have all the hallmarks of magic about them.

The first thing to notice is that  her pronouncements  are not curses at all. What she actually says (translated from the Welsh) is:

“I swear a fate, a destiny, upon the boy”.

This is very suggestive,  very magical, and her words in themselves are not even particularly contentious  – it is only the reaction of Gwydion that makes them appear so. In the first  injunction, on discovering that her boy hasn’t yet been named, she says that

 he  will have no name until she gives him one, not that she is denying him a  name.

In ancient  times, a name was a very magical  thing, and in native American cultures names are often not given until the  inner nature of the child is understood. Arianrhod sees him hit a wren with  extreme accuracy with his sling, and then names him ‘Lleu of the Skilful Hand’  He grows up to become the Welsh sun-God, counterpart of the Irish Lugh. He has  killed a wren, in ancient Welsh tradition  the King of the Birds, triumphing over the Eagle, so this is an act of  sacrificial kingship. We have here on Arianrhod’s  part not an act of wilful withholding  but the vestiges of an ancient  female rite of Naming.    To read more of this fascinating article  visit  Goddess Alive Magazine

Claire Hamilton’s  Amazing book  Maiden, Mother, Crone is  available  at either Amazon.co.uk  or Amazon.com

We also recommend  another book by Claire Called   Tales of the Celtic Bards available at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

You can subscribe to Goddess Alive ezine at http://www.goddessalive.co.uk/subs_info.html

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

The CMP Logo

This episode is the second episode in our Welsh Mythology series and continues with the story of Pwyll, the Prince of Dyfed.In the last episode, Pwyll had gone hunting in the Woods of Glyn Cuch and had been beaten to the kill by a stranger pack comprising even stranger dogs. Having decided that the kill was rightfully his, he had driven off the other pack and set his own dogs upon the prey. It was at that moment that a stranger, the Shadowed Hunter, has appeared and was even now turning his dread gaze upon Pwyll.

We’d also like to introduce our Special Surprise Guest Actor, Damh the Bard, who plays an important role in this show!

How to Listen

The Episode is available for subscribers on the feed, or you can download it or listen to it from our Episodes page. You can find the Shownotes for this episode in the Shownotes section.

If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Hope you enjoy it,

Gary & Ruthie x x x

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

We’re very proud to be able to show you our Guest Blogger, iantoPF, in action reading out the Welsh Alphabet poem as written by Lorin Morgan-Richards and telling stories at the same time. A true bard in action!

The Welsh Alphabet

This is a part of my presentation of “A Welsh Alphabet” written by Lorin Morgan-Richards, illustrated by a group of amazing and inspired artists with a preface and notes by me.
The presentation takes place at the West Coast Eisteddfod 2011. Each page contains a stanza from a poem where each verse speaks of a character from Welsh Myth and Legend.
The book can be purchased on Amazon or from my blog;  http://themagicneverends.blogspot.com/

The Los Angeles St. David’s Day Festival

iantoPF, aka known as Peter Freeman, works with Lorin in making a truly Welsh event occur for St. David’s Day in Los Angeles. Lorin is of Amish and Welsh descent, is an author of dark literature and music.

Richards books are 100% handmade, crafted using pen and ink illustrations and encompass fictional short stories and poetry. In 2009, A Raven Above Press published his first book ‘Simon Snootle and OTHER small stories’.

Richards has incorporated visually into his live performances; modern dance, elaborate stage sets, film, and theatrical drama.

Album releases include ENKI (1999) based on Zecharia Sitchin’s book The Twelfth Planet, We See but Dimly (2002, re-released in 2008), and An Occurrence Remembered (2001, re-released in 2008) based on the Civil War short stories of Ambrose Bierce. In 2010, an EP entitled Orpheus was released. Musically, his vocals have been compared to Gary Numan and Wolfgang Thums, while the music reminds reviewers of early Dead Can Dance or Clan of Xymox with modern day electronica akin to Wolfsheim. Select album tracks have appeared on compilations with Invisible Records. Goto lorinrichards.com for more information.

Aside from curating art shows, Richards is also actively involved in supporting and promoting Indigenous/First Nation cultures from around the world. In Los Angeles, he curates a collaborative free film series entitled ‘Bringing the Circle Together’. Richards was also the LA event coordinator for the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts.

A Welsh Alphabet

Contains over 30 artistic interpretations of Welsh mythology and legend set to the poetic work of author Lorin Morgan-Richards. Includes a special preface and notes throughout the book by Welsh storyteller Peter Anthony Freeman and artist contributions by Jen Delyth, Monica Richards, Casey Ruic, Frankie Babylon, John Charles, Gina Turcios (rabbit), Phresha Le Vandale, David Richardson, Adrien Burke, Spinestealer, Nicole Josephian, Kelly McCartin, Gaabriel Becket, Nicolas Caesar, Rick Dienzo Blanco, Meiling Chen, Nichola Hope, Chris Mann, Andrea Gutierrez, Calan Ree, Kimberly Wlassak, Sarah Hope, Jo Mazelis, Rochelle Shelly Rosenkild, Michele Witchipoo, Lorin Morgan-Richards, Xavier Lopez Jr., Rhys Jones, Liam O’Connor, Jeremy Cross, and Jason Shepherd.It can be bought directly from A Raven Above. The audio version is available from Amazon for only $0.89!

Amazon Cover Pic: Amazon

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Do you fancy playing an online game as an ancient celt in the worldof the Mabinogion? Nexus are developing a computer game called ”Mabinogi” in which you can play online with thousands of other people also trying to survive and better themselves. These types of games are known as MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game), the most famous probably being World of Warcraft. The English closed beta of this game has been started and so we can only wait to start hearing the news of its success or failure. It is an anime style game, with a version scheduled for release on the XBox.

I”m not a computer gamer, but my son informs me that this is a very exciting release and enables its players to accomplish some ”pretty neat” things – such as aging. I notice that players can create their own music and their online personas can play it – virtual bards, I guess.

In-game characters age over the course of weeks, and can engage in numerous activities besides the hack and slash of gameplay. Alternate games include actual music composition, cooking, farming, and working with a spouse to maintain a household.

says www.massively.com. A slightly worrying aspect to the imminent launch of this game is that it already appears to have been hacked – see here.

I would appreciate if any of our members who do have experience of this type of modernmedia as well as being fans of Celtic Myth would comment in the Modern Survivals section of our forums.

To me, it is good to see Celtic Myth still being re-told but how far away fro the core can we take the symbols and stories without losing its unique identity? I don”t know.

Originally posted 2008-01-30 20:53:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The CMP Logo

This episode is the first episode in our Welsh Mythology, the Mabinogion series: Pwyll, the Prince of Dyfed. We start with the First Branch, which tells the tale of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed and his encounter with a strange other-worldy being. In this episode, our Lord is touring his lands and stays awhile at his favbourite Court at Arberth. One of his favourite pastimes is hunting, and he and his men set of for a hunt in the forests around the Valley of the River Cuch, Glyn Cuch.

How to Listen

The Episode is available for subscribers on the feed, or you can download it or listen to it from our Episodes page. You can find the Shownotes for this episode in the Shownotes section.

If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Hope you enjoy it,

Gary & Ruthie x x x

———————————

You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Sir Tristram Pic: explore-parliament.net

This is the fifth part in our new series of animated stories of King Arthur based on artwork found around the Houses of Parliament, courtesy of a wonderful Virtual Tour found at explore-parliament.net. In this piece, called Courtesy, we can see Sir Tristram here exemplifies the knightly virtue of Courtesy. Renowned for his skill in playing the harp, Tristram wins the love of the fair Isoud (or Isolde), daughter of the King of Ireland. He had come to Ireland so that she could heal him of a wound.

She was a noble surgeon, and she found in the bottom of his wound that therein was poison, and so she healed him. She was at that time the fairest maid and lady in the world. And there he learned her to harp, and she began to have a great fancy unto him.
- Malory

The painter, Dyce, was far from pleased at being required to fit into this narrow space such a scene as Malory describes.

I should say it was impossible to make a graceful composition of many figures in an upright space, unless the figures are so diminished as to render the picture an oblong.
- Dyce

He solved the problem by dividing the composition in half horizontally. The lower half – the foreground – holds the principal characters, while the background – the upper half – shows two young men hawking.

Sir Charles Eastlake, Secretary of the Fine Arts Commission, paid this painting a high compliment when he wrote to Cope, another artist who was at work on paintings for the Peers’ Corridor:

The best modern example of fresco that I know is Mr Dyce’s in the Queen’s Robing Room, next to the window. I speak of the economical use of darks and the clearness and brilliance which are the result.
- Sir Charles Eastlake

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Live Welsh Pic: Y Lolfa

Like millions of others, Ruthie and I are trying to learn Welsh. It’s a beautiful Celtic language and as we are writing the new Welsh episodes and planning Holiday trips into Wales, spoken Welsh is a very attractive goal. We’ve been following the excellent podcasts found in our Celtic Language Podcasts section, and still will, but imagine our delight when Wales Online reported that a revolutionary new book was set to upset traditional Welsh language teachers by teaching Welsh as the language is spoken today – and that is with very little grammatical consideration! The book is published by the Aberystwyth based publisher Y Lolfa, who publish a wide range of books, many of them bi-lingual and at a very reasonable priced – so controversial or not – we had to buy a copy

Wales Online report that:

Live Welsh

It’s a revolutionary Welsh language course that might get traditionalist Welsh teachers balking at its disregard for grammar.

The new Live Welsh book has been dubbed the book “learners will love and grammarians will hate”.

But its author, Welsh teacher and university lecturer Heini Gruffudd, said its key incentive is get Welsh learners speaking, rather than being bogged down by complexities.

And publishers Y Lolfa claim it teaches “real spoken Welsh fast”. Mr Gruffudd, a prolific author and expert on language planning, said:

The purpose of this book is to allow learners to learn the Welsh that is used by many ordinary Welsh speakers.

The book does not dwell on the niceties of grammar, indeed it avoids or disregards them intentionally.

He said much of the fundamental Welsh that learners are taught initially is never really used in colloquial speech.

When speaking Welsh, many Welsh speakers don’t use verbs, use a lot of English words, change English words into Welsh ones and don’t mutate according to the rules. I appreciate that some traditionalist balk at this idea, but the fact of the matter is not everyone speaks grammatically correctly.

The important thing is that we give learners the cornerstones of basic conversational Welsh and are given the confidence to engage in a Welsh conversation.

I am not saying that grammar is not important but in a language that has been described as in crisis and one which people are not using in everyday life, I feel this is a way of encouraging those who would like to take up Welsh.

According to the book, learners should put in English words if they don’t remember the Welsh. There is also a handy list of 120 words that are similar to English.

Language expert Dr Tess Fitzpatrick, who lectures at Swansea University, said individual learner differences play a huge part in how different people learn a language successfully.

She said there is evidence to show that those who want to learn Welsh primarily for conversation will benefit from a focus on colloquial Welsh.

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/03/02/new-book-teaching-real-spoken-welsh-set-to-upset-grammarians-91466-30442918/#ixzz1rPuAEUaU

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Triquetra on one of the Funbo Runestones, located in the park of Uppsala University. Pic: IantoPF

The Circles of Existence, sometimes called the Triquetra became popular as a result of the television series “Charmed“. In that television series it is represented on the cover of the Hallowell sister’s “Book of Shadows” A book containing spells and incantations passed down by generations of witches.The Triquetra has a much older representation. The word “Triquetra” is a Latin word that translates as “Three cornered” However for the ancient Celtic people it had a sacred and special meaning. The Symbol has been found carved on stones in various parts of North West Europe and is found on the Irish Book of Kells. Its widespread use marks it as something more than decoration. We find the answer to the question of its meaning in ancient story and legend.

The three points have led to some in the modern Pagan movement claiming it as a representation of the Goddess in her three manifestations of Maiden, Mother and Crone or as a representation of the God in his manifestations of Youth, Warrior and Sage.

Here is a much older definition. Welsh words are used. There are literal translations of these words but they do not sufficiently convey the meanings. Certainly not in the context they are used in the old Welsh Myth and legend.

Abred, Our Mortal Home

The first Circle is called “Abred“.This is mortal existence. This is where we are now. Abred encompasses this Earth and all the other Worlds that exist on this material plane. We are born to live out our mortal lives here in Abred. This mortal plane, this Middle Earth, is not some punishment nor is it a testing ground. It just is. It’s the place where we live a mortal existence and experience the “Cause and Effect” laws. Here our actions, whether good or bad have an effect and we must keep coming back here until we have wiped out all of our footprints. When we have learned to live without disturbing the flow of the universe then we will be ready to move on. Until then we are caught in the circle of our mortality. This story illustrates the dilemma:-

Our Mortal Home as seen from Apollo 17 Pic: Wiki

“There was once a priest whose duty it was to sacrifice goats. One day while preparing a goat for sacrifice he heard the goat laugh, a very human laugh. Surprised, he asked the goat why he was laughing. The goat explained that for the past 500 years he had been born as a sacrificial goat, to die on the altar and be reborn only to be sacrificed again but this time he was to be reborn as a man. The priest was pleased for the goat but then he saw a tear in the goat’s eye. He asked why the goat was sad. The goat replied; “Because 500 years ago I was a priest who sacrificed goats.”

Annwn, the Otherworld

We journey from this life to return again. Pic: IantoPF

The second Circle is “Annwn“.When we pass from this mortal existence our spirit, that essence of us that is truly us, enters Annwn. For those who die bravely and honorably in battle this is a place similar to the halls of Odin in Scandinavian legend. Annwn is also a place of rest and reflection; it can be a home of joy and delight for those of a less warlike nature or for those who wish to rest from war. For the wicked it can be a grim and forbidding place but it is not an eternal resting place for anyone.

After we absorb what we have learned and experienced we prepare for our re-birth.

We die into Annwn and are born into Abred to die into Annwn and so on.

Gwynfyd, the “White Life”

The third Circle is called “Gwynfyd“When we have passed all the trials of Abred it is time to move on. Now we go to Gwynfyd, known in Irish as “Tir na Nog” the land of youth. Here, in these undying lands, we face other adventures. Little is known of this Circle. Only that in each transition from Abred to Annwn we become better prepared for Gwynfyd.

Gwynfyd, literally “White Life” Pic: Wiki

The Ceugant

We journey from this life to return again. Pic: srpllc

Now it is time to add the three Circles together, where they intersect forms a sacred symbol that we have come to know as the Tri-Quetra.There are beings that are able to travel freely between all three Circles or spheres of existence. These beings are said to live in the “Ceugant” Sometimes a fourth Circle is added to symbolize the Ceugant itself and the wanderers travelling through the three Circles. This is the symbol of the Ceugant and the travelers of the Multiverse.

inatoPF (‘Pete’) Biography

Born in Wales, I left school when I was 15 and never looked back. Worked on farms and construction sites until I got a job working for a local bus company, South Wales Transport. Just a stopgap until I could find something better. I’ve been driving buses ever since.

Now I live in California. Married to an Apache we have two wonderful sons with brown skin and blue eyes. Yes, trouble all the way. On-line writing is how I fulfill my life time dream of being an author. If you have the same dream join HubPages and start making it a reality.

Though I write about a variety of subjects, my main interests lie in Myths and legends from the past and opinions about the shenanigans of today.

I love the art of driving, Some of my hubs will reflect that.

We’re a Pagan family and our lives are truly Goddess blessed.

We’re also a very fun loving bunch.

My latest project is telling the old Welsh legends the way they were always told with the poetry. The tales were meant to be listened to, not read, studied and analyzed. They are here to be enjoyed and my aim is to tell them before the old ways are lost forever.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Daibanjo47?feature=mhum

I also have a Blog Where the magic never ends;

http://themagicneverends.blogspot.com/

I just found Twitter and I think it’s cool.

Thank to Ianto for this fantastic post. You can find our more about him and his other posts about Welsh Myth on his blog.

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Gawaine Swearing Mercy Pic: explore-parliament.net

This is the fourth part in our new series of animated stories of King Arthur based on artwork found around the Houses of Parliament, courtesy of a wonderful Virtual Tour found at explore-parliament.net. In this piece, called Mercy, we can see Sir Gawaine swearing never to refuse ‘Mercy’. Sir Gawaine represents the knightly virtue of Mercy in a strange tale in which he fought a knight who had killed Sir Gawaine’s hounds, after they had slain that knight’s white hart.

Why have you slain my hounds?’ said Sir Gawaine. ‘For they did but their kind.’ And he smote the knight so hard that he fell to the earth, and then he cried mercy and besought him as he were a knight and a gentleman to save his life. Sir Gawaine would no mercy have, but unlaced his helm to have stricken off his head. Right so came his lady out of a chamber and fell on him, and so he smote her head off by misadventure.
- Malory

Gawaine returned to Camelot with the lady’s body on his horse, and her head hung about his neck.

And there by ordnance of the queen it was judged upon Sir Gawaine for ever after he should be with all ladies, and fight their quarrels, and that he should never refuse mercy to him that asketh mercy. Thus was Gawaine sworn upon the four Evangelists.
- Malory

Prince Albert made frequent visits to the Robing Room to view Dyce’s progress. His active interest in and support of the fine arts schemes in the Palace of Westminster could express themselves in both criticism and praise.

Personal Note

As we noted before in Part 3. of this series, Sir Galahad, the hart represented Christ,  ‘a white hart without spot’, so the potential interpretations of this strange story are innumerable.

I noted in that piece that the White Hart has an earlier origin than as a symbol for Christ, and the first part of this story is so reminiscent of the First Branch of the Mabinogion and the slaying or taking of Arawn’s stag, that we may be not only seeing evidence of that cross-fertilisation we have spoken of before, but also the archetypal nature of the symbols that makes them remain as an essential part of stories, culture and tradition for well over 1400 years – and that is only recorded history! How old is the story and its images before that?? I’d give a body part to have been there at the beginning!

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

The CMP Logo

In this show, we hope to bring you a wonderful gift for Ostara, or Easter, with our first ever documentary show. Starting from conception as a play performed by young actors to a film about to hit our screens, the Spirit of Albion Movie promises to bring the Celtic Gods to the World of Film for possibly the first time! We bring you the long-awaited, full story of ‘the Spirit of Albion the Movie’ along with interviews with all the actors.

We also include many ‘Behind the Scenes’ audio clips to bring you a feel of what it was like to be on the set of the film as it was being made.

How to Listen

The Episode is available for subscribers on the feed, or you can download it or listen to it from our Episodes page. You can find the Shownotes for this episode in the Shownotes section.

If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Hope you enjoy it,

Gary & Ruthie x x x

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Handster at http://www.handster.com/celtic_myth.html or by using the QR code opposite. It’s als found on the Opera Marketplace as well as AppBrain in the US.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.