The Legend of Befana...

They Are Very Smart! (NEVER Insult A Crow!!!)...

PYE-wacket Song!!!...

The Meaning of Sunflowers...

Hmmm...

Black Cat Familiar...

With Finger Cymbals (Zils)...

Romany Dance Music...

"Misirlou"...

"Misirlou" is a folk song from the Eastern Mediterranean region. The song's original author is unknown, but Arabic, Greek, and Jewish musicians were playing it by the 1920s. The earliest known recording of the song is a 1927 Greek rebetiko/tsifteteli composition. There are also Arabic belly dancing, Albanian, Armenian, Serbian, Persian, Indian and Turkish versions of the song. This song was popular from the 1920s onwards in the Arab American, Armenian American and Greek American communities who settled in the United States. --- Wikepedia.

The Origin of the Romany...

From "King of Thieves"... "My mother was a virtuoso. Her violin playing, my father told me, was breath-taking. Then, there was Sonia…” “Sonia?” “She was a mistress of Peter the Great.” “Wow!” He smiled. “Yes…” I picked up immediately on his words, --- ‘my father told me’. “Your mother is dead?” Alexandre’s dark eyes were huge and sad. “She’s gone. We don’t know if she’s dead, but we strongly suspect it. My mother's name was Lyudmilla Davlovna Kozlov. She was of the Ruska Roma, very wild, strikingly beautiful, an erratic enigmatic, fiercely free spirit. Truly, I picture her as Esmeralda in ‘The Hunchback Of Notre Dame,’ and my father told me that wasn’t far off! My father also told me a priest even condemned my mother like the archdeacon Frollo condemned Esmeralda in ‘The Hunchback Of Notre Dame’!” “I remember the story from the movies, --- the Disney animated movie, and then, the movie with Salma Hayek and Mandy Patakin!” “The book was much darker. Esmeralda is only sixteen in the book. She’s taken advantage of by a captain of the guards, who just wants her. She’s eventually hanged, and Quasimodo is broken-hearted over her death. Esmeralda is the only person who was ever kind to him. He believes he has nothing left to live for, so he dies, clutching her skeleton. Many years later, the two skeletons are found together, Quasimodo’s deformed skeleton with it’s bone-arms around Esmeralda’s ribcage bones. When guards try to separate the two skeletons, Quasimodo’s skeleton crumbles to dust.” “What a tale!” “Yes, there’s very good reason why the story is so famous!” “I should read it!” “Yes, and…” He shrugged, smiled. “My father said that my mother was, --- how did he put it?... ‘Singularly spellbinding, --- like a blue rose’.” “A blue rose?” “Da, --- a blue rose. There’s no such thing as a blue rose. Roses don’t have the gene for the color blue. Blue roses don’t exist. For many, many, many years rose growers have been trying to create a truly blue rose. The best they’ve done is a purplish rose. So, it’s a clever analogy to compare my mother to a blue rose because my father said she was also impossibly beautiful. Practically every man who saw her wanted her, but no man could have her for all her life. My father and my mother ran away together. Then, one day, she told him she was pregnant with me. There was no question of trying to return to her family. They wanted her death for disobedience and my father’s death too, of course. So, my parents kept running and running and running, and hiding and hiding and hiding.” “That’s so romantic!” “It wasn’t too difficult for them to be unfound. Eventually, father's large wealthy family protected them but... When I was about three years old, my mother simply disappeared. She left no note of goodbye but, she did take her violin with her. Maybe, she didn’t run away. Maybe, she was kidnapped and later killed. That’s what my father thinks, and, perhaps, he’s right! But, my stepmother, --- I call her ‘Maman,’ thinks my mother, Lyudmilla, may only be hiding and protecting her ancient violin, the main heirloom of my family, that my mother, Lyudmilla, believed was worth more than her life.” “Wow, you have such a vivid, interesting background!” Alexandre nodded. “But, so do you, Theresa!” “I guess!,” I said. “I think, probably, a lot of people have interesting family backgrounds, if only their family’s care to remember!... So, when my father and stepmother Irina discovered I’d inherited my mother’s talent they made sure I had the finest instruction but, I’ve not only inherited my mother's talent. I’ve also inherited her primitive nature. Oh, well, there is nothing I can do about it.” He shrugged again, looked a little sad again. “Would you like to see a picture of my mother?” “I sure would!,” I said. I followed him into the living room. He opened a drawer in a hutch and took out a photo album. He went through the pages and when he found what he was looking for he passed the album to me. “There,” he said, pointing to a photo. “It’s the only one we have of her. Of course, it doesn’t do her justice. No photo can capture the vibrance of life. Although photographers can try!” I smiled. “You definitely have your mother’s hair, --- and her dark eyes!” “Spasibo! Yes, I have her color eyes, but my father said one of her eyes had a cast in it.” “A cast? You mean an imperfection?” “Yes, a shadow, like a bluish-gray cloud, although her vision in that eye was unimpaired. The Rom believe that meant she’d be, --- a seer said, that she’d be ‘feral’.” “‘Feral’?’” “Yes, my father said that was the exact word the seer used.” “Your mother looks like Hollywood’s version of the ultimate stunningly beautiful Romany woman!” “That’s what I think too. My memory of her is the first thing I can recall. She was singing to me. Then, she picked up her violin and played. The melody was magical, --- an enchantment, like music from a faerie world, or like the music of a jinn…” “A ‘jinn’?” He smiled. “That’s what my father said. Her music was a jinn’s music. A jinn is another word for a genie.” “Oh.” “Yes, her music, my father said, was sweet and light, but, howling of mysteries, lushly fierce and terrible, fraught with ancient and wordless secrets... I could imagine it coming through the mists of a very early morning over the steppes, --- and also, even through time… Those are some of my father’s words about my mother’s music. Of course, he heard a lot of it. I only heard a little. Some of my father’s words that I remembered…” He smiled again, softly and sadly. “Music coming over --- ‘the steppes’?” “Da-da, --- the steppes! They were the vast and fertile grassy plains of Russia, extending across much of northern Europe too, and further, into Asia! Of course, they’re greatly diminished now. The Cossacks lived there, all the Cossacks, establishing their wild, freedom-loving, semi-nomadic way of life there, farming and battling, galloping their herds of horses over the steppes.” “Your ancestors…” “Yes, my ancestors…” “I can almost see it!,” I said. “Yes.”" --- Copyright 2026, by Sorelle Sucere.

Hungary, --- etc. ...

how to make Queen of Hungary Water >>>

This is wonderful!!!... NO MATTER what... JUST KEEP WALKING!!!...

YIPPPPPEEEE!!!!!!!!!... The Robins Are Back!!!!!!!!!!...

Woodland Witchcraft...

The Personality Of A Jezebel & An Excerpt From "King of Thieves"...

The personality of Jezebel is often associated with cunning, manipulation, and control. Key traits include: Manipulation: Jezebel used charm and subtle coercion to achieve her goals, often viewing others as pawns in her schemes. >>> Seduction: She was known for her allure and ability to draw people in with her charisma, often using beauty and charm to her advantage. >>> Control: Jezebel's actions were marked by a desire to dominate and control, often leading others to feel disoriented and confused. >>> Defiance: She challenged divine authority and refused to submit to God's laws, showcasing a spirit of defiance and pride. >>> These traits reflect the complex and often negative aspects of the Jezebel personality type, which has been used in various contexts, including psychology and literature. >>> ***From "King of Thieves"... "He narrowed his eyes, his forearms on the bar. “You’re more beautiful than ever, Sabiha!”

“My mother says I will wish I was more compliant to her suggestions in ten years! She’s getting old and fanciful, always spouting little bits of ‘wisdom’ no one wants to hear!” “Your mother is, very likely, just as sharp as she ever was, or even sharper. Too bad you didn’t inherit her special gifts, --- or is it?” Sabiha scowled. “What do you mean, --- ‘or is it’?” “I think you know. You don’t have a discerning nature, Sabiha!” “You, you!...” “Don’t pretend you’re insulted.” Sabiha chuckled. “Yes, it’s too bad, Soluk aslanim. Maybe because my father Antonio Agrada was a Spaniard and my Erilije blood is diluted. I would charge a good bit for my work in that way if I had even half of my mother’s ability!” “If you took money for reading the cards or doing specials, the gifts would disappear.” “‘Specials’?” “You know exactly what I mean by ‘specials’! Taking money for such work negates it.” “My people don’t believe that!” “They certainly do!” “Will you come for a meal and dancing at our village?” Alexandre began to eat again. “I was hoping you wouldn’t forget to ask me!”’ “Don’t bring that American girl!” “Then, I won’t come!” “You love her!” “I love you too.” He finished with the tavi and bazlama, pushed them away. Sabiha turned her head, kissed him again. He eagerly kissed back. “Don’t do this to me,” he whispered, his lips against her cheek. Sabiha laughed and laughed, kissed the side of his neck. “Such a beautiful man, Alexandre!, --- yakışıklı adam!” Her fingers trailed over his chest, over one pect. She felt the little nipple standing up hard under the thin silk. She knew it was as pink as a bud of a sweet cherry tree. He breathed faster as she opened two buttons of his shirt, slipped her hand inside. “Your skin is so fine, so silky!,” she whispered. Alexandre was looking down at the bar. “Will you take me right here?,” he mumbled. Sabiha grinned. “I think you truly do love me!” His eyes met her’s. There was longing in them. “I just told you. I’ll always, always love you. You’re irresistible, --- to me.” She danced her fingers on his forearm, over the back of his hand. He grabbed them. “Do you want to come to my rooms, --- Sevgilim, later tonight?” “No, Sabiha.” He let go of her fingers. Sabiha scowled. “I won’t beg you! Biliyorsun, --- that little snip of a girl has absolutely, absolutely all your attention!” “Much of the time, she does.” Sabiha slapped his bicep. “Cok Kurnaz!” Her brows drew together. “Seks kopekleri uzerine igrencsin! Alexandre smirked. “I’m not a disgusting over-sexed dog.” Sabiha came haughtily from behind the bar, her hands arrogantly swishing her magenta silk skirt. With her head held high and her back bowed so her beautiful full breasts were thrust out, she went to a group of men seated at a table in a corner of the room. They seemed to know her very well. She sat in the lap of one of the men, laughing and laughing. The man kissed her chest at the edge of her low-cut top. Sabiha laughed and laughed some more, and playfully ruffled the man’s thick and curly brown hair. Alexandre stayed in the Agrada Sara bar until the early hours of the morning, playing cards and eventually drinking raki and dancing with Sabiha to the music from a concertina played by a little old man, one of the regular bar patrons. Her arms wound around his neck as she pressed herself to him, as their hips moved almost as one. Sabiha threw her head back in triumph, grinning." --- Copyright 2026, by Sorelle Sucere.

I will do my best...

49 Urban Legends...

Happy Ostara!!!...

Billy & The Leprechaun...

The Wily Leprechaun >>>

Now, the leprechaun is a very clever little faerie, a faerie shoemaker, actually. But, he only works on one shoe, never two. And, he likes to sit under the big leaves of the burdocks, humming or giggling to himself... Which is exactly what he was doing when a young man from Limerick came upon him. He grabbed the leprechaun by the back of his green coat and lifted him up while the little shoemaker struggled and tried to slug him. "Lemme go!," the leprechaun screamed. "No!," the young man, whose named was Billy, replied. "I know you have a pot of gold hidden somewhere that you'll give to me to get your freedom!" "No! Ye can't have me gold, ye greedy fool!" "I know if I take my eyes off you you'll disappear, so I'll keep looking at you and I'll hold onto you till you tell me where your gold is!" "Never! LEMME GO!" Yet, although he wiggled and wiggled the leprechaun couldn't get free of Billy's strong grip. Finally, he sighed. "Okay. Okay... If ye let me go I'll tell ye where I keep me gold." "No, you show me first, THEN I'll let you go." "Yer a smart lad, Billy. Alright, I'll take ye there." And, the leprechaun told Billy where to carry him, to a field of daisies. In the middle of the field the leprechaun told Billy to stop. He pointed to the ground at Billy's feet. "If ye dig down six feet you'll find me pot o' gold. Now, lemme go! And see, I'll tie me red garter around the stem of this daisy right over the spot so you'll know where to dig when ye come back with yer shovel. Okay?" Billy scratched his chin. "Alright, I guess. I'll let you go." And, he did. Quick as the blink of an eye, the leprechaun disappeared. But, Billy looked down at the red garter and grinned. He'd be rich. He ran back to his shed to get a shovel. When he returned to the field of daisies he threw down the shovel and started to swear mightily as he looked out over the vista of beautiful flowers, spreading as far as the eye could see. Every daisy had a red garter around it's stem. Billy thought he could hear the leprechaun laughing and laughing nearby. "Uh-uh-UH, Fool!!!... Ye can't have me gold!" --- Re-telling of a old tale, copyright 2026, by Sorelle Sucere.

The Hero Cu Chulainn...

From my book, --- "Faeries, Warriors, Kings & Queens," which is yet to be published. >>> The Hero Cu Chulainn & Two Of His Remarkable Adventures... Ancient Celtic women and men too were very proud of their good looks. They were as tall as their supposed ancestors the Scandinavians, handsome and well proportioned with long shapely arms and legs, fair white skins and often golden, red or light brown hair and blue, green or gray eyes. Both women and men wore their hair long, short hair being only seen in slaves or prisoners, and they enjoyed caring for their lustrous locks, braiding and even ornamenting them with jeweled clips. Of course, these descendants of the Viking invaders mingled with the mysterious Picts who might have come from Finland and were shorter, more dark haired, wore heavy beards and were tattooed, usually all over their bodies. The Picts were also said to be excellent horsemen, able to ride with just a saddle blanket and no stirrups, and never used a crop. They seemed to have an intrinsic understanding of the nature of horses. ******************* >>> #1 Cu Chulainn (pronounced "Coo Hoo-lon') was said to be the handsomest, the absolutely most handsome man in all Eire, so marvelously and sensationally good looking that noblemen seriously feared he’d fascinate their wives and they’d lose them forever to his charms! (Cu Chulainn had many, many lovers.) He was said to have very shiny black hair, so shiny that it looked as if a cow had licked it! (Yeah, I know, --- a bit weird!) Some accounts described him as small and beardless. Sometimes, he was said to be blond. He was even reported to be very bizarre in appearance, his hair being golden brown at it’s base, bright red in the middle and golden yellow at the crown. It was wound in three large coils at the nape of his neck and hung down from there, gleaming, deep reddish gold and beautiful, over his shoulders, a hundred red-gold curls showing at his neck. It gets more macabre... He had four dimples in each cheek and they were colored yellow, crimson, blue and green. Each of his eyes had seven pupils in it, gleaming like precious jewels. His feet had seven toes. His hands had seven fingers. (This is interesting because seven is the magical faerie number.) His fingernails were said to be very strong, as if they were a mighty griffon’s talons. Cu Chulainn was gifted at his birth with three marvelous things, --- great understanding, calculation and foresight. His original name was Setanta. His father might have been the mortal Sualtam or the Tuatha De Dannan Lugh. His mother was the black haired, blue eyed Dechtire, beautiful sister of Conchobar Mac Nessa, the King of Ulster. Setanta was brought up in Conchobar’s court along with the sons of the Knights Of The Red Branch, an elite order of warriors. He got his name Cu Chulainn when he killed Culann The Smith’s ferocious guard dog in self defense. Yes, from then on he was known as “Cu Chulainn,” or “Culann’s hound,” since he said he would take the hound’s place as a guard until another dog could be found to replace him. It was prophesied that Cu Chulainn would have a short, but glorious life and great fame. In many ways his nature was impossibly harsh. When he was angry his body would radiate intense heat. In a battle frenzy he was said to be like a monster, strange and even deformed and ugly, like an infuriated wasp, fighting viciously, sometimes from a chariot. The following is my expounding on two of the fantastic adventures of the most unusual Cu Chulainn, said to occur somewhere between 30 B.C.E., and 33 C.E. As I told you, Cu Chulainn was considered to be so extremely handsome that nobles of Erie desperately sought out possible brides for him, since they didn't want to compete with him. But, stubbornly, he only showed interest in Emer, the daughter of chieftain Fogall Monach. Fogall Monach very strongly disapproved of the proposed match. To show Fogall Monach that he was worthy to wed Emer, Cu Chulainn had to perform a number of assignments and tasks... The day was bright and clear now that the heavy mists had disappeared from the little valleys of the Alpae, or “The Alps,” the stunning Highlands of Scotland. Cu Chulainn rode along with Laogaire and Conall Cernach. He was to receive special training from the renowned warrior Domnall. The three handsome and muscular young warriors entered Domnall’s impressive stone residence. Servants made them as comfortable as possible after their long journey, giving them mugs of hot ale and showing them to comfortable chairs before a roaring hearth. Cu Chulainn, Laogaire and Conall Cernach sighed with pleasure, propping their long legs on fur covered rests. Unknown to them, Domnall’s daughter, Eilidh, whose name meant “Radiant One,” was watching the visitors from behind a tapestry. Eilidh’s name might have caused people who had poor manners to snicker because she was anything but radiant and lovely. In fact, there was no getting around it. Eilidh was downright homely. Her face looked, somehow, unfinished. It was pouchy and marred by a sallow and muddy looking complexion. Her sweaty skin had big pores like craters, many of these holes filled with yellowish pustles or big blackheads. Eilidh’s almost lashless eyes were small and light brownish gray. Her nose was large and bulbous, even a little reddish purple because she liked to tipple whiskey far, far too much. Under that nose was a little downy mustache. Eilidh’s mouth was a wide thin and pale line, like a fish’s gaping mouth, her hair mousy brown, coarse, sparse, greasy and straight as a reed. Eilidh’s body was squat and lumpish, her fat arms and legs like overly stuffed sausages. In addition to all this gross ungainliness, she had a deep mannish scratchy voice and a pushy, domineering manner. Eilidh was twenty five, far beyond the age when she should have, as a Celtic maiden, been wed. Of course, it was hard for the widowed Domnall to find suitors for her. His head spun in confusion whenever he thought of the plight of his only child, which wasn’t very often. Still, Domnall would have enjoyed having grandchildren, but no man was found for his extremely unattractive daughter, no matter how much he upped her already large dowry. Elilidh desired Cu Chulainn from the moment she saw him. She sighed, and grinned, twisting her fingers together in excitement. Then, she straightened her clothing, smoothed her hair, licked her lips and sashayed forward to greet the three men, swinging her broad hips. They looked up as she approached. All their faces showed alarm. The’d never seen such a homely woman, but they stood, bowing politely. Cu Chulainn, Laogaire and Conall could see from her emerald green linen gown belted with silver links and her heavy necklace of gold and silver beads and river pearls and agates that she wasn’t a servant. She introduced herself as Domnall’s daughter, saying she was his beloved only child. It was obvious to Cu Chulainn, who was used to being flattered by women, that Elilidh fancied him. He stammered, which he seldom did, and asked if Domnall was at home. Elilidh was instantly insulted that Cu Chulainn didn’t seem to want to chat extensively with her. Elildh’s feelings had become very, very sensitive over the years. She haughtily left the young men’s presence and went to see if she could find her father. She found him with a horse he’d just bought, a beautiful dapple gray mare. There was gentle love in Domnall’s eyes as he stroked the mare’s smooth back. “I’ve decided to call her Muire, --- such a poetic name,” he said, dreamily, without looking at Elilidh. “Yes, yes, yes, Father!” Elilidh scowled, loudly. Sometimes, Domnall wasn’t at all warrior-like. Sometimes, he reminded her of a reculsive scholar or a even, --- yes, even a monk! He didn’t carouse, in drinking matches or rough games like other men did. He was almost too mild tempered for a warrior, who Elilidh thought should have some enticingly rough edges. “The men you were expecting are here, --- the famous Cu Chulainn and two others. They’re waiting for you in the house.” “Oh, really?” Now, Domnall gazed at his daughter. He sighed. “Alright, alright, I’m coming.” He nodded, reluctantly, to the stable boy, Garth, to take yhe lovely Muire. Her father moved quite rapidly when he wanted to. Elilidh had to rush to keep up with him. “Cu Chulainn is very, very dashing and handsome!,” she gasped. Domnall stopped, gazed at his daughter. “Not again, Elilidh, --- please, please, please!” She put her hands on her hips. “And, why not?” “Have you thought of seeking a religious life? You could join an order of druids. I’ve talked to Ishbel, the head Druidess at Green Glen. Ishbel would be willing to take you immediately. Druidry is a delightful and rewarding vocation, the ancient mysteries, the powerful magic done in the light of the full moon, --- just beautiful, so inspiring!...” “My vocation is to be a wife and mother! I have no religious calling! REALLY, REALLY FATHER! YOU KNOW THIS!” “You may want to be a wife and mother, but, face it, it doesn’t seem as if you will ever be! We’ve been trying and trying to find you a husband for how long?” Elilidh looked down at her feet, shuffled her large, splayed feet stuffed into dainty silk slippers in the soft dirt. “How long as it been, Elilidh? Tell me!” Elilidh’s voice, for once, was small. “Since I was fifteen.” She sniffled a bit, a drop of snot fell from her nose. “Yes, it’s been years, ten incredible long years, Elilidh! Give up! And, you don’t want any of the men I’ve suggested!” “They were old, dull and ugly!” Domnall sighed. “You seek the best young men and they don’t want you! If you truly, truly want a husband, Elilidh, you may have to accept less than you think you need!” She stomped her foot. “I have fine qualities and, --- and, and I WON’T TAKE LESS THAN I DESERVE!” “Then, prepare to be disappointed again and again and again!” “I really like this Cu Chulainn! Please, please, ask him for me!” “NO! He’s here to learn combat techniques, not to get a wife! Besides, he’s practically betrothed to Emer, the daughter of Fogall Monach! It’s common knowledge that Fogall Monach’s daughter Emer has captured his heart so that he refuses all others!” “That doesn’t matter.” Domnall was incredulous. “It doesn’t?” “Father, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! I WANT HIM SO BADLY!” “NO, NO, NO! YOU’RE BEING RIDICULOUS, ELILIDH!” Domnall continued on his way to the house. But, Elilidh didn’t give up. She tried to fascinate Cu Chulainn in any way she could. His friends Laogaire and Conall gazed at him with sympathy, but were secretly very glad that Domnall’s incredibly unappealing daughter hadn’t set her nasty cap for them! And, the embarassment of Cu Chulainn’s disinterest in Elilidh went on and on and on... Elilidh missed no opportunity, no matter how small, to meet with Cu Chulainn in private. She even stumbled on him when he was bathing in a stream. Elilidh pretended to be modesty shocked as a tender maiden should be at the sight of a totally nude man, but she was actually thrilled, of course, practically salivating. It was a shame that she had such a strong sex drive. So did Cu Chulainn, but not strong enough that he’d actually want Elilidh! Finally, Elilidh started to be present when Cu Chulainn was practicing his combat skills with Domnall, Laogaire and Conall. Domnall had to speak to her in the strongest possible way to not distract the sparing warriors. Elilidh fluttered her bulging eyes. She’d misunderstood. She thought it was her attractiveness that disturbed the young men! She had begun brushing her sparse hair one hundred strokes every night and using special facial creams and perfumes. Surely, those things were working! She was getting prettier and prettier and prettier! She just knew it! Then, one day, Elilidh surprised Cu Chulainn coming back from the privy. He was adjusting his clothing so he didn’t see her when she jumped out at him. She simpered, and maneuvered him against the barn wall, tried to kiss him. Cu Chulainn pushed her away. She socked him hard on the jaw. He staggered, rubbed his face. “You’re not a nice woman, Elilidh!” “Huh! Do you want me for a wife, or not?,” she asked roughly. “What are you talking about?,” Cu Chulainn asked, puzzled. “I haven’t given you any encouragement!” “You’ve been eyeing me! You know you have! Don’t try to deny it!” “I haven’t! You’re, --- you’re totally mistaken!” “Liar, liar, foul liar! You, --- you villain, you wretched womanizer, you compromised me!” “What! I never, --- I didn’t!” “That doesn’t matter a fig! I’m telling my father that you attacked me, that you raped me! Then, you’ll have to marry me!” “You wouldn’t do that!” Cu Chulainn’s eyes with their many pupils dilated. Yes, --- all seven of his pupils dilated hugely. Then, he narrowed his glittering eyes. “Would you?” “I would! I WOULD! I’m sick of waiting for a husband! I asked around! You’re famous, not only for your prowess as a warrior, but also for your, --- your wonderful skills in bed!” “Your father won’t believe that I seduced and raped you! And, even if he did, I’m not marrying a domineering woman who has a purplish nose that looks just like a, --- like a big old, wrinkled turnip!” Elilidh drew back her knee as if to ram Cu Chulainn in his stones, but he quickly grabbed her leg and twisted it. She went down shrieking with fury. This brought the groom and blacksmith from the barn. Elilidh righted herself, pointed a finger at Cu Chulainn and accused him of taking her maidenhead, and, now, attacking her. The blacksmith and groom were mortified, didn’t know what to say. Cu Chulainn was speechless with fury, shaking as if the wasp rage was about to overpower his senses. Then, he gained control of himself, and scowling, pulled his tunic down over his hips and thighs, stuck his head out like a bull and charged to the house. Elildh wasted no time in telling her father about her confrontation with Cu Chulainn. Of course, Domnall knew what his sly, bold daughter was capable of and called her bluff. He said that if Cu Chulainn was truly guilty of stealing her maidenhood he would, indeed, be honor bound to marry her. Elilidh grinned widely and jumped up and down with joy at hearing this! She thought she had Cu Chulainn! Then, Domnall said there would be one little condition. Elilidh would be immediately examined by Morven, the woman who was head of the household staff. Elilidh gasped, struggled as she was hustled away by two servants, one on either side of her. She was screaming that since she’d already been horribly violated by Cu Chulainn, the examination would be like another violation. Elilidh was taken to her bedroom. Morven checked her, reported that Elilidh was intact, a virgin still. Elilidh stayed in her bedroom until morning feeling positively humiliated. The next day, she came out, acting very proud and very arrogant. She avoided Cu Chulainn and his friends for the rest of the time that they were at her father’s house. Yet, on the day that they left to journey farther into the Highlands to meet with the martial arts teacher and magical goddess Scathach, (pronounced “Scaw-ha”) Elilidh again confronted Cu Chulainn. She got right up in his face. “I’ll get you for what you did to me!,” she hissed. “See if I don’t, you scummy, stinking pig’s ass! You have one last chance to marry me!” “NO! NO! NO!,” Cu Chulainn shouted, knowing Elilidh’s threat was an empty one. Elilidh spat at him, missing entirely, and turned on her heel, leaving for her room. Cu Chulainn shook his head, mounted his horse. Domnall came out of the house to bid the young men farewell, telling them they were welcome to stay again with him, any time. --- Re-telling of an ancient tale, copyright 2026, by Sorelle Sucere. ******************** >>> #2 --- Scathach was one of the gigantic and mgnificent Tuatha De Dannan and a close friend of the goddess Brighid (pronounced "Breehid"). She was a six foot, seven inch warrior beauty with flashing eyes of a glorious golden amber and lush, wavy dark red hair, almost crimson. Her body was firm, yet feminine with a muscular frame. Her skin was as pale and smooth as the petals of a wild white rose. She welcomed Cu Chulainn and his friends to Dun Scaith meaning “The Fortess Of Shadows”, her massive home which was thought to be on the Isle of Skye. There she taught them many wonderful fighting skills, --- including pole vaulting to breach walls and underwater fighting with a special harpoon that Scathach invented. Scathach also emphasized the importance of magic in the life of a unique prince of warriors such as Cu Chulainn most certainly was. Scathach had a beautiful daughter, a daughter who was almost as spectacular looking as she was. The daughter’s name was Uathach. Her stature was also very tall, her eyes green as new apples and her masses of hair were golden auburn, the color of the setting sun. Scathach had given Cu Chulainn her magical, deadly spear, the Gae Bulg. It was when Cu Chulainn was practicing with the spear, showing his great athletic ability that Uathach started to truly appreciate him. They began a torrid affair that was somewhat forbidden because Uathach already had a long time suitor, but a man almost twice her age, whose name was Cochar Croibhe. Cu Chulainn and Uathach were tussling delightfully on the soft furs of her big bed one day. Cu Chulainn was a magnificent lover. Most of the time he was careful with his great strength so as not to overwhelm his paramours, but for some reason, this day he was not as cautious as he usually was. Uathach screamed in sudden pain and shock as his powerful grip, accidentally broke two of her fingers. Uathach’s beautiful eyes went wide. She gasped, threw herself backward against the furs. “You broke my fingers, Cu Chulainn!” He took her hand, stroked it gently, tried to kiss it. “No-no-no, my darling Uathach! Tell me I didn’t!” “Let me go!” She rolled over, her injured hand beneath her. “Please, please, forgive me! I didn’t mean to, lovely one!” “You still did it!” “I’m so, so sorry! I was in the throes of passion!” Uathach groaned. “Cu Chulainn, you adorable brute, sometimes you might think to throe just a little less!” At that moment, Cochar Croibhe, Uathach’s formal suitor, rushed into the room, followed by Scathach. Cochar was infuriated to find Uathach with Cu Chulainn. When he saw his sweetheart Uathach with her lovely hair mussed and her silky cheeks flushed like a pink rose in full bloom, her soft lips seemingly swollen from many passionate kisses and in bed with the famous hero Cu Chulainn he began to stomp around and tear at his hair. And, what really, really upset him was that Uathach didn’t seem a bit abashed. In fact, she was defiant, as if she was even proud to be compromised by Cu Chulainn! The humiliated Cochar immediately challenged Cu Chulainn to a duel to the death. Scathach looked on all this drama impassively. She had a gorgeous daughter who was full of life and vivid emotions. She shrugged, agreed that a single combat between Cochar and Cu Chulainn would take place tomorrow. The next day Cu Chulainn met Cochar Croibhe on the cleared field behind Scathach’s castle. The fight was short. Cu Chulainn hadn’t wanted the contest, but Cochar, in his fury, had insisted. Cochar fought wildly, recklessly. Cu Chulainn dispatched him easily, wiping the blood off his sword with a kind of angry sadness. After that, Uathach accepted Cu Chulainn as her man, but Scathach would give Cu Chulainn no dowry for her daughter. There would be no marriage. Cu Chulainn’s heart was fixed on Emer. It was well known that he would have no other woman. It was unthinkable to him. In the meantime, Aoife, Scathach’s beautiful twin sister and bitter enemy, in fact, her life’s nemesis, mounted an offense against her, seeking her territory. Aoife and her forces lined up in front of Dun Scaith, banging on their shields with their swords and shouting in great fury. Scathach and her warriors yelled their defiance from the walls of her fortress home. Aiofe viciously taunted Scathach, saying that her sister was afraid to come out to face her on the battlefield. Scathach replied that she was unafraid of Aoife, that she would meet her with her forces in the open. It was a long and extremely bloody battle. Scathach was gravely wounded and this was serious because although she was a goddess and a De Dannan, she still could die in battle. Aoife, bleeding too, but not seriously. She raised her sword for the killing blow to her sister. Cu Chulainn, seeing this, charged between Scathach and Aoife. Thrusting his sword, he took the strike meant to kill Scathach on the edge of his blade. “Cu Chulainn, you vile meddler, how dare you interfere with a confrontation between sisters! This is our fight! Our’s, you hear, not your’s! Stay out of it! If my twin sister, Scathach, the disgrace of my family, dies today than it’s fate! Yes, yes, yes, fate that has decreed that only one of us should live and the other, the blasted duplicate, die!” Cu Chulainn gritted his teeth as he smashed his heavy broad sword again and again into Aoife’s. And, Aoife blocked each of his mighty blows, again and again; she was truly and worthy opponent. Another warrior dashed in, pulling the groaning Scathach to safety. Cu Chulainn engaged furious Aoife. They fought a deadly single combat as both sides, Aoife’s forces and Scathach’s, silently and grimly watched. Finally, finally, Cu Chulainn tripped the exhausted Aoife. She went down with the blade of Cu Chulainn’s sword at her throat. “Yield!,” he shouted. “Lay with me, until you are pregnant with my child and I’ll spare your life!” She was silent. “Do you really , really want to die?” “No!,” Aoife yelled. “Then, yield and agree to my demands!” She nodded, resigned. The battle was over. Cu Chulainn removed the blade from Aoife’s throat, reached down a hand, helped her up. He tossed her over his mighty shoulder and walked away with her. Scathach was tended by her skilled physician and wise woman the druidess Siobhan. Scathach spent many days flat on her back, hardly moving while Siobhan fed her beef tea and herbal brews made of wild thyme and marjoram, lavender, fennel, chamomile, and some secret ingredients powerful with magic. And, she continually bathed Scathach’s side which had been deeply gashed by Aiofe’s blade, with the warmed juice of apples that had been set out under the light of the full moon. Siobhan dressed Scathach’s wound with bandages smeared with dark honey, which was known to discourage the forming of pus and putrification. Later she made a cool poutice of caileath mead, or wood anemone, laying it on the wound. Slowly, Scathach recovered. In a only a month she was already beginning to feel like her old self. Fortunately, De Dannan skin didn’t scar, no matter how badly it was gashed or torn and eventually Scathach’s long sleek side would be as silky and unmarred as it ever was. Now, of course, Aoife was just as gorgeous as her twin sister Scathach and once she was cleaned up after her fight with Cu Chulainn and her many cuts tended, she donned a lovely gown made entirely of silver threads and studded with jewels and went, as she promised, his bed. In time, Aoife bore Cu Chulainn a handsome red-headed son who she named Connla, who was to be Cu Chulainn’s only child. --- Re-telling of an ancient tale, copyright 2026, by Sorelle Sucere.

"Leprechaun": Horror Movie...

Now, actually, many of the Fae are NOT sweet! The Fae come in two types, --- the Seelie Court, the Good Faeries, and the Unseelie Court, the Bad Faeries. The word "seelie" is a Scottish one. The Leprechaun is a capricious fellow. He can't be trusted. He is mischevious to the point of madness. Watch out!... (If you are interested in learning more about the Fae may I suggest these outstanding books... "Legends, Superstitions & Tales Of Ireland, " by Lady Jane Wilde. You can find the entire very old text online.And, "Fairies," by Janel Bord. "Fairies" has lots of faerie encounters. Also, "Faeries," by Brian Froud. And, the ultimate faerie book "The Encyclopedia Of Fairies," by Katherine Briggs. I was very fortunate to get a copy of this out of print book at Thriftbooks online store.)

Oisin & Niamha The Faerie Queen...

Niamha came from beyond the sea westwards, riding a white steed, and found the Fianna on a deer hunt near Loch Léin (in County Kerry). She identified herself as Niamha the Golden-headed, daughter of the King of the Land of Youth, and declared her love for Oisín son of Fionn Mac Cumhail, the greatest of the Fianna, the knights who were the protectors of the High King of Ireland. She intended to take him to the Land of Youth (Tír na nÓg), and described the promises it held. Oisín, already in love, consented to the proposition and the two rode off together on the white steed. When they witnessed the maiden of the Land of the Living (Tír Na Nog) being violently pursued by a giant (Fomhor Builleach of Dromloghach), they made a detour to the Land of Virtues, where Oisín championed the maiden and slew the giant. Niamha and Oisín reached the Land of Youth, met the king and queen, and were married. The couple had three children (two sons they named Oscar and Fionn, and the girl Plor na mBan "Flower of Women"). When he had spent 300 years or more, Oisín developed homesickness and wished to see his father and the Fianna back in Ireland. It is reckoned that the 300 years only seemed like only some human years to him. Niamha reluctantly agreed to let Oisín visit his home, allowing him to ride Embarr, her white steed, but she cautioned him not to touch Irish soil, warning that if he did, all his earthly years would come upon him and he would be unable to return to Tir Na Nog. She feared the worst outcome. She wept and told him the trip would be for naught since the Fianna were long gone from Ireland, and Christians now inhabited the land. Oisín returned to Ireland, and searched for the Fianna in vain. At a place called Gleann-an-Smoil (glen of the thrushes), Oisín was asked to help lift a marble flagstone, as the men holding it up underneath were being overcome by the weight. Oisín moved the stone, but in the effort, the horse's belt broke and he fell to ground, turning him into a feeble and blind old man. The faerie horse fled. So, Oisin went to beg in the town squares, which is where Saint Patrick eventually found him. Saint Patrick told Oisin that when he died, which was sure to be soon, he could go to Heaven and live eternally with Jesus in a paradise. Oisin listened. Then, he asked Saint Patrick, --- "Will my brothers, the Fianna who have passed in death, be there?" Saint Patrick said, --- "No, the Fianna were Pagans." Oisin then asked Saint Patrick, --- "Will there be lovely, willing women in this paradise, Heaven?" Saint Patrick replied, --- "Sinful loose women in Heaven? Certainly, not!" Oisin considered this carefully. He could not imagine a paradise that wouldn't welcome the brave Fianna or a paradise without wenching. So, he told Saint Patrick, --- "No, thank you!" And, Oisin died, as he had lived, a pagan to the end. --- Re-telling of an ancient tale, copyright 2026, by Sorelle Sucere. (Btw, --- the gaelic language is known for being not pronounced as it's spelled so... Oisin = Isheen, Fionn Mac Cumhail = Fin Mac Cool, Niamha = Nahmah.)

Hmmm... All Snakes Day!!!...

Happy All Snakes Day 💚🐍💚 Each year this day provokes a little contention, especially in the Pagan community. Everything from blaming St Patrick for the decimation of pagan culture in Ireland to the academic viewpoint that his missionary work had only minimal impact. I think it cannot be approached either with anger or intellect, rather a more esoteric and spiritual approach. But let's start with something... why do witches celebrate of even greet with "Happy St Patrick's Day" at all when clearly the reason for this day is celebrating a historical figure who contributed to cultural suppression, integration by coercion and yes, in some places actual destruction. Many of us steadfast pagans often turned the blame to the Church and rightly so, for its uncontrolled power and wealth, we became angry, but obviously this doesn't belong to just one missionary in Ireland alone. And a lot of the grand feats attributed to St Patrick are said not to be true. However, we can still triumphantly proclaim "Hey St Patrick, you missed one!" because we endured, and we earned it! Most importantly, from what I understood and researched, the story of St Patrick driving the Snakes from Ireland was both true and symbolic in a spiritual sense, a story about the Church's commitment to suppressing and/or removing the ancient primordial spirit of Ireland, the one to whom the pagans honoured in its various forms. At the very heart of this was the soul's connection with the land. Many forgot the land was sacred, they forgot the land had its own energies and personal deities, many of which were Serpent gods. And so the people became disconnected with nature which has led to disasters of all kinds. We can see this among other indigenous cultures throughout the world, particularly those in the Americas and Australia. Sadly here in the British Isles, time and historical propaganda has taken its toll on our pagan heritage, but slowly it has begun to return. Christian missionaries have never shown much, if any, tolerance for the faiths and beliefs of other people in other lands. And once you harm or destroy a people's harmony with the land they become disenchanted and alienated. They lose their innate power, the land is stolen and/or violated, and they then become easier to control and dominate. One example is the ancient sacred wells of Ireland, of which there are thousands, and they continue to be desecrated to this day with many christian artifacts littered around and ruining the sites. "Irish holy wells were, in many cases, pre-Christian, pagan sacred sites repurposed for Christian worship. Known as tobars, these natural springs were associated with Celtic deities, wisdom, and the Otherworld, and were later blessed (desecrated?) and named after saints". Literally hundreds of sacred pagan wells in Ireland are associated with St Patrick. https://www.irishcentral.com/.../best.../ireland-holy-well The focus on 'blessing' the water might actually be a clue in connection with those Snakes since it's likely we could also be missing a vital element in the story... an 'Otherworldly' element. Some state "outlandish" claims are connected to St Patrick's story such as battling monsters, which may not be so outlandish after all. Ireland's serpents were described as a "dangerous legendary personifications of the Old Order – linked strongly to its religious beliefs connecting water with the underworld or otherworld". According to legend, "when the Oilliphéist, (a massive, primordial sea serpent or dragon that inhabits Irish rivers and lakes), heard Saint Patrick was coming to drive out all snakes/serpents, it fled toward the Atlantic Ocean. Its desperate, twisting flight path carved out the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river". There are numerous depictions and mentions of St Patrick driving the snakes out into the sea with the power of his staff. So it would seem there is indeed a lot more to these snakes, or serpents, than we really understand. https://atlanticreligion.com/.../serpents-and-dragons-in.../ "In pre-Christian Ireland, certain trees were legally protected and damaging them carried heavy penalties. The decline of these protections during Christianisation likely contributed to a change in how the landscape was managed". Another otherworldly element to consider is how Ireland was a very different place nearly 2000 years ago. This is in respect to how the realms "beyond the veil" interacted with the human populations back then. The folklore of the time would suggest the veil was more thin with the very real presence of otherworldly creatures. Often this was with the faeries and their close relationship with our world, and particularly in the British Isles when it was somewhat more tangible than it is now. The lands of the British Isles were also more heavily forested in St Patrick's time and the trees offered a 'support network' for faeries (who created a 'field of resonance'), for the otherworldly to thrive. And the Church did play a role in the destruction of many sacred trees and groves, especially sacred to the Druids. "In the theory of critical mass, sometimes called the "99th Monkey Effect" - based on Jung's theory of Collective Consciousness working through Rupert Sheldrake's 'Field of Morphic Resonance' - the collective mind of a race creates a spiritual and cultural Archetype whose field of resonance can be felt in the material world. In the case of the Elves that Archetype was manifest in the Age of Magic. Simply put, when the Elves lived they created a field of magic around them whose power arose from the very sovereignty of the earth itself. However, when the Church killed the Elves, the Earth was silenced and the magic largely died." ~ Nicholas De Vere. There are also some curiosities to be found on medieval maps, the presence of sea serpents in the Atlantic for one (embellishments or actual I really don't know) and also worthy to note on these maps is the fabled island of Hy Brasil west of Ireland. This island was witnessed and documented by sailors and legend states it becomes visible every seven years. https://thedruidscauldron.org/.../the-legend-of-the-lost.../ --- The M ale Witch. ;) ********* He used a cane staff he thought to rule, The religious order tried to move, While many converted, some did not, He tried to drive the snakes, his loss, No empire can reign on country folk, No church or institute erase, they provoke, They voice up and still cast their spells, A Pooka chased a priest to the shore, A fae kind one turned them as a boar, Bridget with fire and armor soars, These Celtics, Druids say no more, No more (no more) No more (no more) They tried to exile, But the Pagans defile, They tried to banish them, But the Witches punish them, They tried to spread the word, But Druids don't follow their book, To drive the snakes out of Ireland? The Pagans, Witches, and Druids mock them. === Cleveland Good Shield.

Mammoth were STILL alive!!!...

Mammoths were still alive when the pyramids were being built!!!... ©PALEONTOLOGY / VIA REDDIT.COM While most people think mammoths vanished during the Ice Age, a small population survived on Wrangel Island until about 1650 BC. At that time, the Great Pyramid of Giza was already a thousand years old and the Egyptian empire was in full swing. It’s a staggering overlap that places prehistoric giants and ancient architects on the same planet at the same time.

Atlantis From Space &The Disney Animated Movie...

The Santorini caldera on 24 June 2022, taken from the International Space Station. From the Minoan eruption event, and the 1964 discovery of Akrotiri on the island, this location is one of many sites purported to have been the location of Atlantis.

El Dorado...

European explorers were obsessed with finding El Dorado, the legendary “city of gold” supposedly hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest. Modern science is breathing new life into the legend. Since 2010, the use of satellite imagery and LiDAR scanning (Light Detection and Ranging) has revealed more than 200 massive, geometric earthworks buried beneath the jungle canopy in the upper Amazon, which point towards the possibilities of a highly sophisticated society that thrived between AD 200 and 1283, which could be El Dorado. --- oldest.org

Sasquatch...

According to Live Science, there have been over 10,000 reported Bigfoot sightings in the continental United States. About one-third of all claims of Bigfoot sightings are located in the Pacific Northwest, with the remaining reports spread throughout the rest of North America. Most reports are considered mistakes or hoaxes, even by those researchers who claim Bigfoot exists. Sightings predominantly occur in the northwestern region of Washington state, Oregon, Northern California, and British Columbia. According to data collected from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization's, Bigfoot sightings database in 2019, Washington has over 2,000 reported sightings, California over 1,600, Pennsylvania over 1,300, New York and Oregon over 1,000, and Texas has just over 8,000. The debate over the legitimacy of Bigfoot sightings reached a peak in the 1970s, and Bigfoot has been regarded as the first widely popularized example of pseudoscience in American culture. Reports of alleged Bigfoot sightings are often featured in news stories throughout the United States. ***WHAT!!!??? >>> In early March of 2026, a series of alleged Bigfoot sightings reported in Northeast Ohio garnered media attention. One of these alleged sightings involved the witnesses reporting it to the Stark County, Ohio sheriff's office, who reported no findings apart from a "musky ammonia" smell. According to Jeremiah Byron, host of the Bigfoot Society podcast, a cluster of alleged and reported sightings in this area occurred in the 1970s, giving rise to the folklore of the "Minerva Monster". --- Wikpedia.

The Yeti...

Folklore from Nepal describes the Yeti as an "abominable Snowman" who resembles an ape, stands higher than the ordinary person, and dwells in the Himalayas, Siberia, Central Asia, and East Asia. Since the 1920s, stories of a ferocious, hairy beast wandering the Himalayas have caught the attention of climbers in Nepal, inspiring many of them to go in search of it. However, Russian lore has a different name for the being. The Chuchuna, according to Russian tradition, is a being that resides in Siberia, characterized as six to seven feet tall and covered in ebony hair. Native stories from the nomadic Yakut and Tungus tribes define it as a man with a well-built body who looks Neanderthal-like and is wearing pelts. It also has a white patch of fur on its forearms. There are reports that it occasionally eats human flesh. --- Bored Panda.

The Tricksters!!!...

Tricksters dance through the stories of cultures around the world, causing chaos, teaching lessons, and making us laugh at their clever antics. These mischievous characters blur the lines between hero and villain, using wit and cunning to outsmart gods, humans, and animals alike. From spiders spinning tales in Africa to shape-shifting gods in Norse lands, tricksters remind us that rules are meant to be questioned and that sometimes breaking them leads to unexpected wisdom... Loki of Norse Mythology >>> No trickster causes more trouble than Loki, the shape-shifting god who constantly tests the patience of Odin and Thor. Born of giants but living among gods, Loki never quite fits anywhere, which might explain his rebellious nature. His pranks range from harmless jokes to catastrophic disasters that shake the foundations of Asgard itself. Loki once cut off the goddess Sif's golden hair as a joke, then had to fix his mistake by commissioning magical treasures from dwarves. He fathered strange children including a giant wolf, a serpent, and a half-dead daughter. His actions eventually lead to Ragnarok, the end of the world in Norse belief. Modern movies portray him as charming and misunderstood, keeping his trickster legacy alive... Coyote of Native American Traditions >>> Coyote runs through Native American stories with wild abandon, creating the world one mistake at a time. Different tribes tell different tales, but most agree Coyote embodies both foolishness and wisdom in equal measure. He might steal fire for humanity one day and get his tail burned while trying to catch fish the next. Among the Navajo people, Coyote appears in ceremonies as a sacred clown who makes people laugh while teaching serious lessons. His failures often prove more instructive than his successes. He represents the chaos that exists alongside order in nature and human life. Coyote reminds us that making mistakes is part of learning and growing... Reynard the Fox >>> Medieval Europe knew Reynard as the fox who made fools of everyone, from kings to clergy. These stories became so popular that people read them aloud in town squares, laughing at how Reynard escaped punishment time after time. He represented the clever peasant outwitting corrupt nobles and greedy churchmen. Reynard lies, cheats, and manipulates his way through life without apology. He frames his uncle the wolf for crimes, tricks the king's court, and always lands on his feet. The stories mock powerful institutions through animal characters, making dangerous criticism safer to express. Modern phrases like "sly as a fox" come directly from Reynard's enduring influence on European culture and language... Sun Wukong the Monkey King >>> Born from a magic stone, Sun Wukong declared himself king of monkeys before his rebellion shook heaven itself. This troublemaker ate the peaches of immortality, drank the elixir of life, and made himself nearly indestructible through sheer audacity. The Jade Emperor sent entire armies to stop him, but the Monkey King defeated them all with his shape-shifting powers and magical staff. Buddha himself had to trap Sun Wukong under a mountain for five hundred years to calm him down. Later, he joined a monk's journey westward, using his trickster skills to fight demons instead of causing chaos. His transformation from rebel to hero makes him complex and fascinating. Chinese opera, movies, and video games continue celebrating his irreverent spirit... Eshu of Yoruba Tradition >>> Standing at the crossroads between gods and humans, Eshu controls communication and fate itself. Yoruba people from West Africa recognize him as the divine messenger who can help or hinder depending on whether you show proper respect. He tests people's character by creating situations that reveal their true nature. One famous story tells how Eshu wore a hat that was red on one side and black on the other while walking between two friends' farms. The friends argued about the hat's color until they nearly fought, proving how easily perspective causes conflict. Eshu traveled to the Americas through the slave trade, where he became known as Papa Legba and other names. His worship continues in various African diaspora religions today... Maui the Polynesian Hero >>> Polynesian islands echo with tales of Maui, the demigod whose tricks benefited all humanity. Abandoned at birth and raised by gods, Maui grew up determined to prove his worth through increasingly bold stunts. He slowed the sun's journey across the sky so his mother's cloth would have time to dry, showing how trickster cleverness solves practical problems. Using his magical fishhook, Maui pulled entire islands from the ocean floor, creating homes for his people. He tried stealing immortality from the goddess of death but failed, explaining why humans remain mortal. His confidence sometimes bordered on arrogance, making his stories entertaining and relatable. Recent animated films introduced Maui to global audiences, keeping Polynesian traditions alive for new generations... Puck from English Folklore >>> English forests once rang with laughter at Puck's pranks on unsuspecting travelers and village folk. This sprite delights in leading people astray with false lights, spoiling milk, and tangling horses' manes during the night. Shakespeare made him famous in A Midsummer Night's Dream, where his love potion causes romantic chaos among mortals and fairies alike. Puck never means serious harm despite his endless mischief. He represents the unpredictable forces of nature that humans cannot control or fully understand. Country folk left out offerings to appease him, hoping to avoid becoming his next target. His famous line, "Lord, what fools these mortals be," captures the trickster's perspective on human foolishness perfectly... Tengu of Japanese Folklore >>> Japanese mountains hide the Tengu, bird-like spirits known for their pride and unpredictable behavior. Originally portrayed as demons who disrupted Buddhist practices, they evolved into complex protectors of forests and teachers of martial arts. Their most recognizable feature is their long red nose or sometimes a bird's beak. Tengu love playing tricks on arrogant priests and samurai who take themselves too seriously. They might kidnap someone and return them years later with no memory of time passing. Some stories describe them as excellent swordsmen who train worthy students in secret mountain dojos. Their dual nature as both troublemakers and guardians reflects the Japanese appreciation for balance between chaos and order in the natural world... Till Eulenspiegel of German Tales >>> Medieval Germany produced Till Eulenspiegel, a peasant trickster who took everything literally to mock his betters. When a baker told him to bake owls and monkeys, Till did exactly that instead of making the traditional shaped bread. His pranks exposed the foolishness of nobles, merchants, and craftsmen through their own words. Till wandered from town to town, never staying long enough to face consequences for his tricks. He represents the common person's revenge against those who abuse power and privilege. His humor relies on wordplay and literal interpretations that reveal hidden truths about society. German composer Richard Strauss wrote a famous orchestral piece capturing Till's merry pranks, ensuring his legacy in both literature and music... Veles the Slavic Shapeshifter >>> Ancient Slavic peoples worshiped Veles as god of earth, waters, livestock, and the underworld, but his trickster side caused constant problems for Perun, the thunder god. Their eternal rivalry explains storms in Slavic mythology, with Perun hurling lightning bolts at shapeshifting Veles who hides as animals, trees, or even stones. Veles once stole Perun's cattle, wife, or children depending on which version you hear, sparking their legendary conflict. Despite his troublemaking, people prayed to Veles for good harvests and healthy animals. He protected merchants and poets too, showing his multifaceted nature. Christianity later transformed Veles into Saint Blaise, but folk traditions quietly preserved his trickster stories throughout Eastern Europe for centuries. ---Angley Numbers.

Sweet & sad, --- but the way things are...

The most beautiful creature has only 7 nights... :( If you see one leave your porch light on. >>>

Teach them!!!... <3

He did a GREAT thing!!!... <3

Bridget Made Me One Like This...

<3 <3 <3 >>>

My big brother is a Goth!!!... <3

I LOVE Robins!!!... ;)

The Highly Intelligent & Intuitive...

Witch's Cottage... ;)

What a good, brave girl!!! >>> I remember when Moonshadow had 10 kittens!!!...

It's time to plant sweet peas!!!...

Spring Magicks...

The Lady Bastet & Her Cats... =^-^=

Hex and Shadow Chronicles March 4 at 8:37 AM · Bastet is often remembered as the sweet cat goddess of Egypt, protector of the home, bringer of music, joy, fertility. But cats were never sacred because they were harmless. They were sacred because they were precise. A cat can sleep in sunlight for hours and still eliminate a threat in seconds. No hesitation. No warning beyond the moment it decides the boundary has been crossed. Bastet embodies that intelligence. She represents feminine power that does not live in constant defense. She is not pacing for battle like Sekhmet. She is not roaring to prove strength. She rests. And that is what unsettles people. Because contained power is harder to predict than aggressive power. Bastet teaches the sovereignty of selective engagement. The ability to enjoy peace without losing the capacity for protection. The understanding that you do not need to react to every provocation. But when the moment arrives the claws are there. In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was punishable by death. Not because the animal was fragile, but because the cat symbolized a sacred balance: grace and lethality in the same body. Bastet represents the feminine archetype that does not feel obligated to perform strength constantly. She knows it is there. She chooses when it matters. The cat does not chase approval. It does not overexplain its boundaries. It simply removes itself from what it does not respect and destroys what threatens its territory. Softness is not the absence of defense. It is confidence that defense is not always required. And Bastet is the quiet reminder that the most dangerous beings in the room are often the ones sleeping peacefully in the corner. Because they are not worried about proving anything. They already know what they are capable of.

Why Do Some Planets Have Rings?...

Rings come from broken material. Rings often form when moons or comets are torn apart by a planet’s gravity. The debris gets trapped in orbit instead of escaping into space, creating the thin, shimmering bands we see. Not every planet has the right conditions to break apart passing bodies, which is why some end up without rings at all. The presence of debris is the starting point for any ring system. Gravity strength plays a part. Gas giants like Saturn and Jupiter have much stronger gravity than rocky planets like Earth or Mars. That means they are more capable of capturing and holding onto the material that forms rings. Smaller planets often cannot generate the pull needed to keep debris in orbit. Instead, it either falls to the surface or drifts away into space. Distance from the Sun plays a role, too. Planets closer to the Sun face more solar radiation and stronger gravitational influence, which can scatter or clear away ring material quickly. This is one reason rocky inner planets lack visible rings. Gas giants further out sit in calmer environments where delicate ring systems can survive. Their distance gives them a better chance of keeping debris in place for billions of years.--- Nature Network.

Black Magick --- White Magick...

The longer you are in the Craft the more you will realize that there is no black magick or white magick. All magick is neutral. The good or bad is in the heart of the witch.