White Rose of Avalon

Faery

  • The Arthurian White Hart

    In Arthurian tales, and by extension, the Arthurian Tarot the White Hart is a symbol of magic, love, and lovers.   The white hart is also sometimes called the white stag, since the word hart is an archaic term for stag.   In this post I will use stag and hart interchangeably.    White animals…

  • Ancestral Mythology

    The concept of ancestral mythology is a very intriguing one.   This is the mythology that our physical ancestors would have believed in.   We each have a deeper connection to the myths and folktales of our own ancestors than to those of other cultures.   This makes for an innate feeling of interest (for…

  • The Blodeuwedd and Guinevere Connection

    Blodeuwedd and Guinevere have many commonalities in their tales.   Both could be seen as sovereignty goddesses that had marriages that gave kingship to their husbands.   Both had marriages that began as happy, but devolved into unhappiness on the part of the wives.   Both found true love when they were already married, and…

  • Faeries as Fallen Angels

    There was a common belief held into the early modern times (circa the turn of the 20th century) that the fae were actually fallen angels.   This particular belief was among many beliefs that were held onto by citizens of Ireland.    One version of the story goes that during the fall from grace angels…

  • Symbolism of the Color White in Tales of the Supernatural

    Since ancient times colors have had deep symbolism.   Today I want to look at the symbolism of the color white, and its association with the supernatural!   In ancient Celtic tales white was a symbol of faeries.    This symbolism of white with faeries and the Faery realm carried over into Arthurian legends.  …

  • Blodeuwedd and Flower Brides

    Blodeuwedd is a faerie bride, and Celtic goddess, who appeared in the fourth branch of the Welsh Mabinogion.   She was also known as “Flower Face” (the meaning of her name), “May Queen”, and “May Bride.”   Since I will soon be a May bride myself, I could not resist doing a post on this…

  • Camelot: The Musical

    In 1960 Lerner and Loewe premiered a new musical entitled Camelot.   The musical was based on the successful Arthurian novel Once and Future King by T.H. White.   On stage the role of Arthur was originated by the great Richard Burton, and the role of Guinevere was originated by Julie Andrews.  On an interesting…

  • Excalibur

    Excalibur is the mystical sword of Arthur.    Gifted to him by the Lady of the Lake, the sword helped Arthur win many a battle.   The television show Once Upon a Time took a unique look at this sword.   In that series Excalibur was part of the blade of the dark one, the…

  • Faerie Queen Maeve

    The Faerie Queen Maeve is an Irish goddess.   She is strong willed and glamorous deity!   Maeve is often described by other name such as Medb.    In poetry and plays she is often simply called Mab.    Percy Shelley and William Shakespeare have both utilized the name Mab for Faerie Queens.    Legends…

  • Beauty in Fairytales

    The subject of beauty in fairytales is one that is present in many folk tales.   The word beauty even appears on titles of fairytales like Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty. In Snow White the Wicked Queen is a prime example of vanity in a woman who is aging.   The Queen is…