#Cormac mac Art

[thefugitivesaint]

Ian Miller, 'The Wolf King of Tara', ''Spectrum'' #2, 1995

[curtvilescomic]

Robert E Howard group shot by Rafael Kayanan 

Howard (1906 - 1936) has been one of my favourite authors for over forty years. Longer than he lived. Amount he created in his thirty years is amazing.  Conan The Barbarian is best known of these, but all are worth reading.

[craigfernandez]

[caraecethrae]

"I take it that the “lack” relates to the king’s relationship with the land, and that due to some sort of lapse in Cormac’s ability to make true judgments decay and gloom have come into the land. The “lack” that Cormac experiences is a yearning lo bring the perfection of the Otherworld to his own realm. What Cormac especially desires, then, is the “truth” of the Otherworld. Such a scenario is especially appropriate in light of Cormac’s fundamental characteristic, the one that brought him to the kingship of Tara in the first place, his ability to pass good judgments. That Cormac was ill at ease, that there was some sort of crisis in his kingdom, is indicated by the fact that he was out alone on Mur Tea in the early morning of that particular day. (We are left with the image of a king, unable to sleep, escaping from the worries of office by taking a long lonely early morning ramble up into the hills). The abduction of Cormac’s family, is a secondary consequence of this original “lack” and tums out to be merely a device used by Manannán in order to get Cormac into the Land of Promise, so that he might teach him not to be fooled by appearances but lo penetrate mysteries and to effectively discern between truth and falsehood, reality and illusion (this is almost identical to his lesson lo Bran in IB [Immram Brain]). By giving him these lessons along with the cup of truth, Manannán supplies Cormac’s “lack”—which is implicit in the story from the very beginning.

According to Ó Cathasaigh, “Cormac’s judgment, the climax of his heroic biography, is an instance of the Act of Truth motif which Professor Dillon has argued is an inheritance from Indo-European culture.” It is typical of Indo-European heroes that the special abilities which they possess, be they martial (second function) as with Beowulf or intellectual (first function) as with Njall, are challenged on a number of occasions. Cormac’s truth-telling powers, which are first tested, as Ó Cathasaigh points out, in the original act of truth which brings him the kingship, are re-tested by Manannán. Cormac fails the first part of the lest by agreeing lo a bad bargain which results in the loss of his family. Afterwards he is given a sort of refresher course and tested yet again in the Otherworld. Eventually, after he listens lo and then relates a “true” story his powers of discernment are restored to him (along with his family) by Manannán. Even as a second function hero might seek a magical weapon or special martial training in order to defeat a powerful opponent, Cormac goes into the Otherworld to be instructed by Manannán and to attain the cup of truth so that he will be able to make good judgments and thus return the land to prosperity."

— The Waves of Manannán mac Lir by Charles McQuarrie

[thefinalsnart]

Happy Hoglidays from the Bon Frères!!

My #naddpodgifting present for @annieruokay_ (twt) @anniemurphs.bsky.social (bsky) !! I can’t pass up an opportunity to draw my favourite boys ❤️‍🔥

[ IMAGE ID:

A drawing of the Bon Frères from Not Another D & D podcast. The boys are sitting around a kotatsu table that has a cushioned back rest around it like a couch. Mavrus and Mac are arguing, Mavrus is leaning on one of his knees and smirking while Mac waves his hands in the air in frustration. Hungry Dave is napping while holding a pillow. Tread is leaning over the back rest and singing to himself, turned away from the other Bon Frères. Carl lays on the floor with his head on his arms, he smiles as he listens to his friend’s shenanigans. On the table are a beer mug, Alanis’s drinking boot, several plates and wrappers, and a White Claw can.

END ID. ]

[tomoleary]

Ken Kelly - Cormac Mac Art: The Robert E. Howard Library #1 Paperback Cover Painting Original Art (Baen, 1994)

Source

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 6.18

Holidays

Academy Day (Scientology)

Autistic Pride Day

Clark Kent Day

Clean Your Aquarium Day

Count Your $$ Day

Drone Safety Day

Festival of Invisible Pornography

Finest Hour Speech Day

Foundation Day (Benguet, Philippines)

Go Fishing Day

Hand Cart Day (French Republic)

Horned Poppy Day

Human Rights Day (Azerbaijan)

International Day for Countering Hate Speech

International Declaration of Human Rights Day

International Panic Day

Jack Herer Day

Justice Institution Employees Day (Turkmenistan)

Mela Khir Bhawani (Kashmir, India)

National Black America’s Day of Repentance

National Internet Cat Day

National Jesse Day

National Relationship Day

National Splurge Day

National Wanna Get Away Day

National Wear Blue Day

Neurodiversity Pride Day (Netherlands)

No Headline Day

Police Inspector’s Day (Ukraine)

Queen Mother’s Day (Cambodia)

618 Day

Sustainable Gastronomy Day

Tabasco Day (Mali)

Trouser Day

Veterinary Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Veterinarian Appreciation Day)

Waterloo Day (UK)

Wild Den Dancing Day

World Day Against Incarceration

World Wide Knit in Public Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Insalata Day (Italy)

International Picnic Day

International Sushi Day

National Cheesemaker’s Day

National Cherry Tart Day

Independence & Related Days

Aldrodnia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Bacolod City Charter Day (Philippines)

Constitution Day (Seychelles)

Egypt (a.k.a. Eid el-Galaa, evacuation of foreign troops, 1954)

Flinders (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Jailavera (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Leprechia (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Naga City Charter Day (Philippines)

Onontakeka (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Snagov (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

3rd Tuesday in June

National Accounts Payable Appreciation Day [3rd Tuesday]

National Cherry Tart Day [3rd Tuesday]

Royal Ascot begins (UK) [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning June 18 (3rd Full Week)

National Water Safety Week (Ireland) [thru 6.25]

Royal Ascot (thru 6.22)

Festivals Beginning June 18, 2024

Marysville Strawberry Festival (Marysville, Washington) [thru 6.23]

RMA Convention (Maui, Hawaii) [thru 6.21]

Taste of Little Italy (San Diego, California) [thru 6.19]

Feast Days

Amandus, Bishop of Bordeaux (Christian; Saint)

Andim Day (Pastafarian)

Bernard Mizeki (Anglican and Episcopal Church)

Chris Van Allsburg (Artology)

Elisabeth of Schönau (Christian; Saint)

Elvis Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ephraem (Christian; Saint)

Erik Ortvad (Artology)

Festival of Anna (Ancient Rome; Everyday Wicca)

Going Forth of Neith Along the River (Ancient Egypt’ Goddess of War and Hunting)

Gregorio Barbarigo (Christian; Saint)

Gregory of Fragalata (Christian; Saint)

Into Raymi Festival begins (Inca Sun Worship Festival; until 24th)

James Montgomery Flagg (Artology)

John Bellany (Artology)

Joseph-Marie Vien (Artology)

Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus (Christian; Saints)

Leroy (Muppetism)

Marina the Monk (Maronite Church, Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria)

Mark and Marcellian (Christian; Martyrs)

Media Ver XI (Pagan)

National Splurge Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Now Panic Day (Pastafarian)

Osanna Andreasi (Christian; Saint)

Theodoric the Great (Positivist; Saint)

Three Lasting Things of Cormac Mac Art: Grass, Copper and Yew (Celtic Book of Days)

Tiger-Get-By’s Birthday (Shamanism)

Islamic Lunar Holidays

Eid al-Adha, Day 3 [Muslim Feast of Sacrifice] (a.k.a. ... 

Al Adha (Bahrain)

Corban Bairam (Sudan)

Eid al Adha (Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen)

Eid e-Ghorban

Eid ul-Ad’haa (Maldives)

Feast of Sacrifice (Uzbekistan)

Gurban Bayram (Azerbaijan)

Hari Arafat (Malaysia)

Hari Raya Qurban (Malaysia)

Id el Kabir (Nigeria)

Kurban Bayram (North Cyprus)

Kurban Bayramy (Turkey)

Qurbon Hayit (Uzbekistan)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [36 of 57]

Premieres

The Adventures of Ellery Queen (Radio Series; 1939)

The Bully (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog Cartoon; 1932)

Casey Bats Again (Disney Cartoon; 1954)

Dangerous When Wet (Film; 1953)

Dare To Be Stupid, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 1985)

Day & Night (Pixar Cartoon; 2010)

Der Freischütz (or The Marksman), by Carl Maria von Weber (Opera; 1821)

DodgeBall (Film: 2004)

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You, by Bryan Adams (Song; 1991)

Eyes in Outer Space (Disney Cartoon; 1959)

Goodbye Cruel World, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1984)

The House with a Clock in Its Walls, by John Bellairs (Novel; 1973)

Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train (Documentary Film; 2004)

Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean (Novel; 1963)

An Ideal Husband (Film; 1999)

Inside, Outside, by Herman Wouk (History Book; 1985)

Lady and the Lamp (Disney Cartoon; 1979)

Last Action Hero (Film; 1993)

Le Marteau sans Maître, by Pierre Boulez (Chamber Cantata; 1955)

Luca (Animated Film; 2021)

Morning, Noon and Nightclub (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

My Cousin Rachel, by Daphne du Maurier (Novel; 1952)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman (Novel; 2013)

Odelay, by Beck (Album; 1996)

Once Upon a Forest (Hanna-Barbera Animated Film; 1993)

Origin of Symmetry, by Muse (Album; 2001)

Polar Fright (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1966)

Popeye Meets Hercules (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1948)

The Sparks Brothers (Documentary Film; 2021)

Suppressed Duck (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

Tarzan (Animated Disney Film; 1999)

Toy Story 3 (Animated Pixar Film; 2010)

The Underground World (Fleischer Cartoon; 1943) [#16]

The Wild Bunch (Film; 1969)

Wouldn’t It Be Nice, by The Beach Boys (Song; 1966)

Today’s Name Days

Elisabeth, Ilsa, Marina (Austria)

Asen, Chavdar (Bulgaria)

Elizabeta, Marcel, Ozana, Paul (Croatia)

Milan (Czech Republic)

Leontius (Denmark)

Auli, Aurelia, Auri, Reeli, Reelika, Reili (Estonia)

Tapio (Finland)

Léonce (France)

Elisabeth, Ilsa, Isabella, Marina (Germany)

Erasmos, Leontios (Greece)

Arnold, Levente (Hungary)

Gregorio, Marina, Marinella, Marinetta (Italy)

Alberts, Madis (Latvia)

Arnulfas, Ginbutas, Marina, Vaiva (Lithuania)

Bjarne, Bjørn (Norway)

Efrem, Elżbieta, Gerwazy, Leonia, Marek, Marina, Paula (Poland)

Ipatie, Leontie, Teodul (România)

Vratislav (Slovakia)

Marcelino, Marcos (Spain)

Bjarne, Björn (Sweden)

Leo, Leon (Ukraine)

Effie, Efrain, Eph, Ephraim, Marina, Marnie, Nevaeh (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 170 of 2024; 196 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 25 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Geng-Wu), Day 13 (Gui-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 12 Sivan 5784

Islamic: 11 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445

J Cal: 20 Blue; Sixday [20 of 30]

Julian: 5 June 2024

Moon: 88%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Theodoric the Great]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 92 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of June)

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 29 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Charlemagne (Feudal Civilization) [Month 7 of 13; Positivist]

[ancestorsalive]

There are no wolves remaining in Ireland now, bar in zoos so it’s hard to believe that they were once so numerous here, that outsiders often referred to Ireland as “Wolfland”. The name for Wolf in Irish is Mac Tíre which literally means son of the countryside which shows how the people considered this magnificent animal to be so integrated into the fabric of our land. They were feared however, and many of our early iron age forts were well guarded against wolves, as much as against human enemies, and the Irish Wolfhound was especially bred to hunt this fearsome predator. There has always been a connection to wolves in Irish folklore. It is said that Cormac Mac Airt, one of the most famous of the High Kings, was raised by wolves and it also makes an appertaining in the famous epic tale of the Táin Bó Cúallgne.

There were stories of half man/half wolf men, such as the Laignach Faelad, a band of warriors who would fight with any king, but only for a terrifying price. Interestingly, there was also the concept of werewolves, such as the werewolves of Ossory (Laois/Kilkenny), who were a clan cursed by a supposed holy man whereby a couple of the clan would have to live as a wolves for seven years, only to be replaced by another couple once that time had passed.

Unfortunately, the last wolf was killed on Mt. Leinster in 1786, hundreds of years after the last wolf in Britain and 100 years after the Scottish wolves became extinct.

The wolf covers the period 28th Oct-24th Nov (in the 13 month lunar calender) and is available on my website celticmyths.ie. I will very shortly have my new 2024 animal lore calendar on sale, so keep an eye out!

- Margaret McKenna

Via Celtic Myths, Art of Irish Lore

[brookston]

Holidays 6.18

Holidays

Academy Day (Scientology)

Autistic Pride Day

Clark Kent Day

Clean Your Aquarium Day

Count Your $$ Day

Drone Safety Day

Festival of Invisible Pornography

Finest Hour Speech Day

Foundation Day (Benguet, Philippines)

Go Fishing Day

Hand Cart Day (French Republic)

Horned Poppy Day

Human Rights Day (Azerbaijan)

International Day for Countering Hate Speech

International Declaration of Human Rights Day

International Panic Day

Jack Herer Day

Justice Institution Employees Day (Turkmenistan)

Mela Khir Bhawani (Kashmir, India)

National Black America’s Day of Repentance

National Internet Cat Day

National Jesse Day

National Relationship Day

National Splurge Day

National Wanna Get Away Day

National Wear Blue Day

Neurodiversity Pride Day (Netherlands)

No Headline Day

Police Inspector’s Day (Ukraine)

Queen Mother’s Day (Cambodia)

618 Day

Sustainable Gastronomy Day

Tabasco Day (Mali)

Trouser Day

Veterinary Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Veterinarian Appreciation Day)

Waterloo Day (UK)

Wild Den Dancing Day

World Day Against Incarceration

World Wide Knit in Public Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Insalata Day (Italy)

International Picnic Day

International Sushi Day

National Cheesemaker’s Day

National Cherry Tart Day

Independence & Related Days

Aldrodnia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Bacolod City Charter Day (Philippines)

Constitution Day (Seychelles)

Egypt (a.k.a. Eid el-Galaa, evacuation of foreign troops, 1954)

Flinders (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Jailavera (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Leprechia (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Naga City Charter Day (Philippines)

Onontakeka (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Snagov (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

3rd Tuesday in June

National Accounts Payable Appreciation Day [3rd Tuesday]

National Cherry Tart Day [3rd Tuesday]

Royal Ascot begins (UK) [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning June 18 (3rd Full Week)

National Water Safety Week (Ireland) [thru 6.25]

Royal Ascot (thru 6.22)

Festivals Beginning June 18, 2024

Marysville Strawberry Festival (Marysville, Washington) [thru 6.23]

RMA Convention (Maui, Hawaii) [thru 6.21]

Taste of Little Italy (San Diego, California) [thru 6.19]

Feast Days

Amandus, Bishop of Bordeaux (Christian; Saint)

Andim Day (Pastafarian)

Bernard Mizeki (Anglican and Episcopal Church)

Chris Van Allsburg (Artology)

Elisabeth of Schönau (Christian; Saint)

Elvis Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ephraem (Christian; Saint)

Erik Ortvad (Artology)

Festival of Anna (Ancient Rome; Everyday Wicca)

Going Forth of Neith Along the River (Ancient Egypt’ Goddess of War and Hunting)

Gregorio Barbarigo (Christian; Saint)

Gregory of Fragalata (Christian; Saint)

Into Raymi Festival begins (Inca Sun Worship Festival; until 24th)

James Montgomery Flagg (Artology)

John Bellany (Artology)

Joseph-Marie Vien (Artology)

Leontius, Hypatius and Theodulus (Christian; Saints)

Leroy (Muppetism)

Marina the Monk (Maronite Church, Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria)

Mark and Marcellian (Christian; Martyrs)

Media Ver XI (Pagan)

National Splurge Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Now Panic Day (Pastafarian)

Osanna Andreasi (Christian; Saint)

Theodoric the Great (Positivist; Saint)

Three Lasting Things of Cormac Mac Art: Grass, Copper and Yew (Celtic Book of Days)

Tiger-Get-By’s Birthday (Shamanism)

Islamic Lunar Holidays

Eid al-Adha, Day 3 [Muslim Feast of Sacrifice] (a.k.a. ... 

Al Adha (Bahrain)

Corban Bairam (Sudan)

Eid al Adha (Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen)

Eid e-Ghorban

Eid ul-Ad’haa (Maldives)

Feast of Sacrifice (Uzbekistan)

Gurban Bayram (Azerbaijan)

Hari Arafat (Malaysia)

Hari Raya Qurban (Malaysia)

Id el Kabir (Nigeria)

Kurban Bayram (North Cyprus)

Kurban Bayramy (Turkey)

Qurbon Hayit (Uzbekistan)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [36 of 57]

Premieres

The Adventures of Ellery Queen (Radio Series; 1939)

The Bully (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog Cartoon; 1932)

Casey Bats Again (Disney Cartoon; 1954)

Dangerous When Wet (Film; 1953)

Dare To Be Stupid, by Weird Al Yankovic (Album; 1985)

Day & Night (Pixar Cartoon; 2010)

Der Freischütz (or The Marksman), by Carl Maria von Weber (Opera; 1821)

DodgeBall (Film: 2004)

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You, by Bryan Adams (Song; 1991)

Eyes in Outer Space (Disney Cartoon; 1959)

Goodbye Cruel World, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1984)

The House with a Clock in Its Walls, by John Bellairs (Novel; 1973)

Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train (Documentary Film; 2004)

Ice Station Zebra, by Alistair MacLean (Novel; 1963)

An Ideal Husband (Film; 1999)

Inside, Outside, by Herman Wouk (History Book; 1985)

Lady and the Lamp (Disney Cartoon; 1979)

Last Action Hero (Film; 1993)

Le Marteau sans Maître, by Pierre Boulez (Chamber Cantata; 1955)

Luca (Animated Film; 2021)

Morning, Noon and Nightclub (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

My Cousin Rachel, by Daphne du Maurier (Novel; 1952)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman (Novel; 2013)

Odelay, by Beck (Album; 1996)

Once Upon a Forest (Hanna-Barbera Animated Film; 1993)

Origin of Symmetry, by Muse (Album; 2001)

Polar Fright (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1966)

Popeye Meets Hercules (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1948)

The Sparks Brothers (Documentary Film; 2021)

Suppressed Duck (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

Tarzan (Animated Disney Film; 1999)

Toy Story 3 (Animated Pixar Film; 2010)

The Underground World (Fleischer Cartoon; 1943) [#16]

The Wild Bunch (Film; 1969)

Wouldn’t It Be Nice, by The Beach Boys (Song; 1966)

Today’s Name Days

Elisabeth, Ilsa, Marina (Austria)

Asen, Chavdar (Bulgaria)

Elizabeta, Marcel, Ozana, Paul (Croatia)

Milan (Czech Republic)

Leontius (Denmark)

Auli, Aurelia, Auri, Reeli, Reelika, Reili (Estonia)

Tapio (Finland)

Léonce (France)

Elisabeth, Ilsa, Isabella, Marina (Germany)

Erasmos, Leontios (Greece)

Arnold, Levente (Hungary)

Gregorio, Marina, Marinella, Marinetta (Italy)

Alberts, Madis (Latvia)

Arnulfas, Ginbutas, Marina, Vaiva (Lithuania)

Bjarne, Bjørn (Norway)

Efrem, Elżbieta, Gerwazy, Leonia, Marek, Marina, Paula (Poland)

Ipatie, Leontie, Teodul (România)

Vratislav (Slovakia)

Marcelino, Marcos (Spain)

Bjarne, Björn (Sweden)

Leo, Leon (Ukraine)

Effie, Efrain, Eph, Ephraim, Marina, Marnie, Nevaeh (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 170 of 2024; 196 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 25 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Geng-Wu), Day 13 (Gui-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 12 Sivan 5784

Islamic: 11 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445

J Cal: 20 Blue; Sixday [20 of 30]

Julian: 5 June 2024

Moon: 88%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Theodoric the Great]

Runic Half Month: Dag (Day) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 92 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of June)

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 29 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Charlemagne (Feudal Civilization) [Month 7 of 13; Positivist]

[deepdarkspaceblog]

Cormac Mac Art: The Sword Of The Gael

[boghermit]

Some vampires!

Anja

art by @astfut

Hurt by Johnny Cash

Just One Fix by Ministry

Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie

That's My Jam by Skindred

Catgroove by Parov Stelar

Cormac

art by @astfut again!

Bloodline by Northlane

Momma Sed by Puscifer

Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode

Happy Song by Bring Me The Horizon

Judith by A Perfect Circle

Only two outfits for Mac because he honest to god just dresses however he wants, whenever he wants. No rules, just right.

Johnny

(art by me)

The Old Man's Tale by The Dubliners

Another Man's Grave by Amigo the Devil

One by Metallica

X-Ray Vision by Clutch

Passchendaele by Iron Maiden

Montey

(art by me)

The Remedy by Puscifer

Domino the Destitute by Coheed & Cambria

Seal the Deal by Volbeat

What Makes A Good Man by The Heavy

Dying to Live by Sevendust (warning for violent music vid - I couldn't find a non-vid version of it)

Tagged by @omgkalyppso, thank you for the tag!

Post five songs associated with your OC, followed by three outfits they would wear.

The Poet and the Pendulum by Nightwish

Priest by Lord of the Lost

Ocean by Goldfrapp

Darker Thoughts by Paradise Lost

I'll Keep Coming by Low Roar

The outfits were pretty hard to pick because outside the heavy metal leather, ratty druidic robes, and medieval doctor shit he just dresses like some guy you'd find stoned off his gourd at a grunge concert.

[voidwulv]

[laraleecupcake]

Vintage fantasy novel for sale at my Ebay Store! 

[fate-magical-girls]

Yeah! I know about that myth! Arthur went off to try and steal Fionn's dogs and got walloped for his trouble. Fionn is in the employ of Cormac Mac Art, who's generally held to have ruled Ireland during the 200s and 300s AD, a century or two before Arthur's time. However, Fionn has his own version of Avalon going on, where he and many of his men are hibernating in a cave. So minus mythology playing hard and fast with timelines, Arthur had so many magical adventures he absolutely could have met Fionn.

Maybe it was even the magic of good old Gloriana the Faerie Queene.

Given how the Fianna must've been legends in Arthur's time, I'm sure he must've loved his time as the Fianna's prisoner/tagalong in the immediate aftermath of trying to steal those dogs.

I was today years old when I remembered that Beowulf, Hrolf Kraki, some of the Irish King cycle characters and Dietrich von Bern (Theodoric the Great) all lived together during the reign of King Arthur.

500 A.D./Early 6th Century was a wild time.

[forfeda-project]

"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Carbre, "what were your habits when you were a lad?" "Not hard to tell," said Cormac. "I was a listener in woods, I was a gazer at stars, I was blind where secrets were concerned, I was silent in a wilderness…

~ Tecosca Cormaic

Tecosca Cormaic, or the Instructions of Cormac Mac Airt, is an Old Irish wisdom text where the legendary high king Cormac provides judgements and advice to his son Carbre on how to be a good man and a wise king. Upon being asked about his conduct as a young man, Cormac recounts, among other things, time spent in the woods and wilds of Ireland, saying "it is through these habits that the young become old and kingly warriors."

This piece is built around my favorite line from the Tecosca, and features far more knotwork than I ever want to draw again (but probaly will). Wanted to illustrate this quote for a while, so I'm very pleased with how it's turned out.

[irelandseyeonmythology]

Does Old Irish have a word for bear? If so, did they refer to a bear by traits rather than it's name, as in some european languages? Did bears ever get mentioned in any of the manuscripts you've studied? I find myself wondering where this creature now-extinct in Ireland fit into the language. Maybe from there, I'd be able to imagine what the irish landscape with bears in it would've been like?

Thank you! We do have a few words for bears!

Bears often show up in the names of warriors and kings, similarly to how we often see names that are clearly taken from dogs, wolves, and horses. ("Conall", "Eochu", etc.)

One of the most famous would, of course, be the word, no longer in usage in the present language, "art." Famous examples include Art mac Cuinn (father of the more famous Cormac mac Airt), Art Imlech, and, of course....king Arthur. (Who isn't strictly Irish, but whose name comes from a similar root.) We know that this word goes back at least to the time of the Gauls, with the goddess "Artio" being attested, and Proto-Celtic *artos, which in turn derives from PIE *h₂ŕ̥ḱtos. What is perhaps most interesting, for reasons I'll note in about a paragraph, is that it in itself SEEMS to be derived from a PIE word meaning "destruction." This PIE word's descendants include Latin "ursus" and Greek "arktós."

But, as you guessed, there's another name for bear, and that is the one that survives into the present language: Originally it is just "Math", "Good", though that ends up becoming "mathgamain", "the good calf", which, in the present language, becomes "mathúin". (Though as far as I'm aware, it's more common to just use the English loan word"béar.") The most popular holder of this name was probably the 10th century Munster king Mathgamain mac Cennétig, ill-fated elder brother to Brian Boru.

So, what appears to have happened is that, at first, you had them using a euphemism to describe the bear as a way of avoiding the Indo European Bear Taboo (to speak of something is to summon that thing), but then, as time goes on and THAT word becomes the technical word for the bear, you replace it with something else. "GOOD BEAR. GOOD BOY. NICE BEAR."

Not unlike what you see with the Sidhe, when you think about it. And, of course, wolves, who are known in the modern language as "mictíre", "sons of the land". There is another word for wolf, "faolchú", which is derived, in turn, from the word "fáel", which has roots in Proto Celtic and PIE, but, as far as I know, it isn't the popular word to describe a wolf.

To my knowledge, we don't have any actual bears appearing in the literary material, though, as J.P Mallory discusses in "In Search of the Irish Dreamtime", we have a number of cases where heroes are likened to bears. (It's particularly interesting to me because, while there could be a negative tint to metaphors concerning wolves, though NOT a unanimous thing, there doesn't seem, as far as I know, to have been one regarding being likened to a bear. Perhaps because, like how the Fianna only became really prominent in the literary tradition after the decline of actual Fianna bands, it was easier to admire something you didn't have to deal with on the regular.)