Tales of the Tuatha de danaan and Other Stories

Tales of the Tuatha (chapter8 of the keep it sweet and short tales)

Posted by the dune mouse on 22 Mar 201423 Sep 2016

this is chapter 8 of my 100 word tales ( click on Tales of the Tuatha on sidebar for all)

The Raven’s Dream

Niamh could not bring herself to go down to the river. She was not ready for more memories. She looked back and it seemed as though bridge and hillside were dissolving into the setting sun. Was she still dreaming or under a deep enchantment? As one of the Tuatha, she was sensitive to the touch of the veil between two worlds and to the messages brought on a bird’s wing or from a salmon calling in the sacred spring.

It was then she saw the tree. A raven suddenly perched, holding one of her shining dreams in it’s beak.

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background:

Birds and salmon figured prominently in Celtic mythology as did other animals. The raven was often associated with Morrigan, goddess of battle and strife. Morrigan appeared as a raven on the hero Cuchulainn’s shoulder at his death. They could also be providers of omens and oracles. Salmon was said to impart poetic insight and magical powers.

(The bridge photo was taken in Scotland)

6 Comments Add yours

lizziegudkov says:

23 Mar 2014 at 1:20 pm

The imagery in your writing is extremely powerful! “A raven suddenly perched, holding one of her shining dreams in its beak.” That could be a whole book right there!! Perhaps it will be! *hint, hint* 😀 I’ll be here to read it!

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infraredrobert says:

22 Mar 2014 at 9:59 am

I like the birds flying out of the standard frame on the second shot. Very nice work.

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1. the dune mouse (CybeleMoon) says:
  
  22 Mar 2014 at 8:21 pm
  
  Thank you Robert!!!!
  
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♡eM says:

22 Mar 2014 at 5:09 am

Dune Mouse,
These two photos and the story are hauntingly beautiful. I saw a raven in the woods the other day, and I haven’t seen one for such a long time, it brought such stories to my mind. The raven, as we know, has been the character of many a tale. I did not know, though, that salmon were so symbolic in Celtic stories. Do you happen to know the symbolism of salmon in the Pacific Northwest? I know that salmon have long been a major source of food, but wonder if they represent more than sustenance.
You’ve inspired me!

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1. the dune mouse (CybeleMoon) says:
  
  22 Mar 2014 at 5:39 am
  
  thank you Em for stopping by!! It’s very interesting isn’t it? I know Ravens were often messengers as in Norse myth as well. Odin had two ravens on his shoulder. In Pacific Northwest culture Raven was the trickster. I had to look up salmon in the pacific northwest and all I could find was that they were sacred and represented abundance, the cycle of life and renewal. In Celtic myth they could impart magical powers and wisdom. But they do swim in deep waters which in Jungian thought denotes the subconscious. Oh I could go on forever lol.
  I am pleased that you like the stories and photos!! Namaste!
  
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  1. ♡eM says:
    
    22 Mar 2014 at 3:59 pm
    
    Thanks again. Your sharing is appreciated.
    
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