oh my goodness, a new post already!
Out there in The Fields, where the blackbirds rehearse their joyful courtship songs
Almost spring and the song of the blackbirds and of the sea, – and of Selkies and seals ….
(and The Selkies Lament – my love of Celtic and Icelandic lore accompanied by The Chieftains with the beautiful “Wind from the South” inspired this little video)
(watch full screen)
These are all my own photographic “stills” edited in the magic of a program called Photo Mirage (except for the seal clip) which creates the wonderful motion effect.
A selkie is a legendary shape shifter, a seal in the ocean that can shed it’s skin and become human on land. The males especially were known to seduce human women. It is part of both Celtic and Icelandic lore.
The clan Macodrum on Uist, an island of the Hebrides claim to be descendants of such a union between Selkie and human!!
Post script on Feb 28 : The shape-shifter’s story
“How does one shed their skin and become human?” she asked the great shape-shifter. “The last time I tried to go ashore the dogs howled most frightfully and drove me back into the sea.”
“I don’t know how it happens,” he replied.” It’s not a pleasant experience at all to feel your pelt peel back and to emerge in terrible spasms- but oh! the freedom of having two legs to run with abandon on the shore- not as fluid as diving into the foam, nor as powerful as cresting the wave of course- but strangely exhilarating nonetheless. It was where I first came to understand the power of desire.”
“And yet the surf will always call you back home, so you must leave your skin in a safe place where the gulls and carrion creatures cannot worry it. But mostly, beware of men. They are the most cunning and deceitful of God’s creatures. Their whole lives are consumed by desire. – You must remain vigilant, for if you lose your skin or it is stolen, you can never return to the sea and you will eventually waste away with grieving.”
He sighed, “But then perhaps it is different for the mer folk.
Check out my tale:
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Your stories about selkies and Celtic and Icelandic lore are always fascinating, and this story is no exception. Thank you, Cybele,
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oh I’m not online as much these days. Thank you so much for visiting and for your comment!!
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Beautiful!
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thank you so much!
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It’s a joy to peruse your work, creative and inspiring.
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thank you so much Sally!
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I have a feeling that an idea that came to me about selkies is about to disappear back into the ether from which it came if I don’t type it out here. It came to me in a meditation I did shortly after reading this post. The idea I got is that the skin the selkie woman puts aside when she becomes human is her ‘soul skin’. It’s the deeply spiritual part of all of us but deeply sensitive people are more aware of it than most. Putting it aside is what we often do when we have to do worldly things like go to the supermarket or into the city – all those things where we have de-sensitize ourselves. The husband in the story symbolizes mundane world that doesn’t ‘get’ sensitive people or their intuitive approach to life. In the story I know the selkie woman keeps her seal skin in a box that no one can ever see. In my meditation I got the idea (it was more of an image than words) that, given how crazy the world is now, making a ‘soul box’ might be good way of making sure we can easily connect to our deeper self when we feel overwhelmed by the world. I got an image of a small wooden box in which we keep special objects that remind us of when, how and where we feel most centred within our true self. The idea was that we could open the box and look and touch the things to re-establish our connection with these aspects of ourselves. Don’t know if this resonates with you in anyway but I felt compelled to share it with you. If it means nothing to you please dismiss it. 🙂 – Suzanne
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that is beautiful Suzanne- a soul box! and yes to our true natures. That rings all the prayer bells within!
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Oh good! I am so happy you liked it. It felt like the idea came through as much for you as for me 😊
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Amazing, thank you!
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you are most welcome!!! thank you!
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Reblogged this on Virtually Yours, from the Dune Mouse and commented:
I will be posting on my main blog due to time constraints. You will find virtual, fanciful and RL images and stories. You won’t be disappointed.
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Wonderful and very magical.
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thanks so much Suzanne!
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Loved your post, Cybele, and it was a joy to revisit The Siren’s Bones.
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you are too kind Anita and it’s always a joy to read a comment from you!! Hope all is well!
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Thanks for checking up on me, Cybele! 🙂 I never tire of your evocative images and picturesque words.
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hugs Anita and many thanks!
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almost Autumn here.
nice works.
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oh yes down under!! And you had a terrible time this summer. Very worrisome environmentally!! Blessings and thank you.
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Yes. The fires were dreadful.
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Very nice videos. I watched them on Flickr.
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thanks so much Emilio!! Did you like the little story? ( though a bit fanciful lol)
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Yes . . . it matches my view of humanity.
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awww ,I know, right!!?
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PS I loved your story “Crash” best of all!!
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Sadly, that wasn’t mine. But, that’s OK. I knew that story was going to do well.
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I had seen a documentary about the rhinos and their slaughter for their horns and so it touched me. They were all good tales!!
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Your videos are so magical! Have a beautiful weekend! 😀
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hugs Linda!
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Poetic and creative! Delightful Cybele!!!
Hugs, Glauco
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thank you Glauco!!
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How wonderful! The music and the creative magic you created to go with it are beautiful.
The Red-winged Blackbirds are starting to return here too.
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thank you so much for visiting Deb!!
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You’re welcome!
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Wonderful, fanciful, and most absorbing. And the still photograph is magnificent.
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Many thanks Michael!! I’m happy you enjoyed it!
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Yeaaaa…love the lament video and music
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So pleased!! Thank you Paula!!
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Ah the selkies…. Ah this whole post. Got tah love you Cybele. You re a true Celtic soul and woman.x
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from one Celtic soul to another! Thank you dear Shey!
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Aw…. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Very well done, Cybele! I didn’t know about the selkies.
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part of the wonderful stories of both Ireland and Scotland- Thanks so much Crow!
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