Midsummer 2008 with a story from William Russeth

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Show Summary:

We celebrate the Midsummer Festival with a massive offering of goodies. The second half contains an amazing poem called The Shadow House of Lugh, a story from The Fire of Belenus by William Russeth and some music.

Running Order:

• Intro 0:40
  
• News & Views 1:37
  
• The Shadow House of Lugh by Ethna Carberry 2:50
  
• The Fires of Belenus by William Russeth 6:07
• Tuttle Caislean an Oir by Cady Finlayson 33:03
  
• Listener Feedback 36:01
• Outtakes 39:34

We hope you enjoy it!

Gary & Ruthie x x x

 

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News & Views

We talk about Stonehenge's new visitor centre and the Cerne Abbas giant's new haircut!

 

The Shadow House of Lugh

by Ethna Carberry

This poem is a translation of an 8th Century Irish verse. It was translated by Ethna Carberry and published in Padraic Colum's (1881–1972) Anthology of Irish Verse, 1922.

Lugh is the Celtic divinity whose name is most widely known. In mythology he is the Sun God. In the mythological cycle he is the deliverer of the De Danaans from the Fomorian oppression. He is the slayer of Balor, the glance of whose eye is death. But Lugh is also kin to Balor, his mother being Eithlinn, the daughter whom Balor had immured like Danae in a tower. There are actually another two verses to this poem, but the version we found and recorded didn't have them. So here are the extra two verses for your pleasure. This version can be found at Bartleby's. 

He plays for her soothing the Slumber-song:
Fine and faint as any dream it glides along:
She sleeps until the magic of his kiss shall rouse;    
And all her world is quiet in the Shadow-house.

His days glide to night, and his nights glide to day:
With circling of the amber mead, and feasting gay;
In the yellow of her hair his dreams lie curled,
And her arms make the rim of his rainbow world.

 

The Fires of Belenus

by William Russeth

A thousand years before the Romans, Celtic people cultivated the Rhone Valley. Celtic languages were spoken from Asia Minor to Spain and from Northern Italy to Ireland. By the third century BC, their culture had evolved into a complex civilization with sophisticated social structures, laws, and folklore that are the roots of modern European culture. But the Celtic world was a violent world, controlled by mystical Druids and warrior chieftains, ready to take the heads of their rivals over the most trifling insult.

Fires of Belenus is a romantic tale, that tantalizes readers with rational portrayals of mythical events found in the CuChulainn and Arthurian legends. Written by William Russeth, the chapter we read is exciting and contains wonderful symbology. Many, many thanks to William for allowing us to present Chapter Thirty-Six.

The Sword in the Stone, Lady of Lake, and CuChulainn's stand at the river ford are brought to life in plausible new ways that make the work unique. It is a tale of Historical Fantasy, made believable by accurately portraying ancient Celtic culture. Available from Wings Press and Amazon. Find out more about William in our Contributor pages.

 

Tuttle Caislean an Oir

by Cady Finlayson

Called "one of America's top Celtic fiddlers" by New Age Voice magazine and "bursting with pure and natural talent" by HotIndieNews.com, Cady Finlayson offers a spirited fiddle show with a global twist. Cady's music blends traditional Irish tunes with worldbeat rhythms and American folk, creating a signature sound that appeals to a variety of audiences. "I love to bring Irish music to people who might not normally hear it," she says.

"I was in Limerick, Ireland in 2003, where I had the chance to meet some of the great Irish fiddle players. What impressed me the most was how individual each person's style was, and how "tradition" meant different things to different people."

 

Listener Feedback

Cory, Ancestral Celt

We talk about the dates of Midsummer and an answer from Ancestral Celt. Thanks to Cory for her wonderful email and link to Wikipedia. You can download The Ladychant that we made with the children if you'd like a copy.

 

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