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
News & Views
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.
The Religion of the Ancient Celts
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.
Fairy Healing: the Lore and Legacy
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.
Shimmering Wings
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.
The First Silkie
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.
The Ladychant
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.
Winter Solstice 'Down Under'
We talk about the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Special Thanks
For incidental music:
Diane Arkenstone The Secret Garden. See the Contributor page for details.
For our Theme Music:
The Skylark and Haghole, the brilliant Culann's Hounds. See their Contributor page for details.
Additional Sources
OBOD
And, of course, the Awen - inspiration and imagination!
Extra Special Thanks for Unrestricted Access to Wonderful Music
(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!
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