– haunted woodlands, enchanted children, forest paths, secret coves, gates, old stones, tea by the oasis and falling in the garden.
(Known as Cybele Moon, Dagmar Productions, or Hana H. (The Dune Mouse and not always here and never all there – open the damn pod door Hal!)
“Not all who wander are lost” – or have attention deficit disorder!
Inara Pey: living in a modem world says: “Cybele’s work is haunting and emotional, full of depth and narrative – some of the most poignant images I have viewed”
Tales of a Winter Sun
Echoes and Whispers
I am a rather simple soul, somewhat introverted (but passionate), now living on an island in the Pacific Northwest. Though college educated with a major in English Lit, way back when, I remain an enthusiast without many credentials. However, I am a traveler in many realms, where I still seek old bones, tomes, and philosopher’s stones,- and other such nonsense and treasures.
“She once wandered through the Mediterranean area, Italy, Africa… and lived for a while in Greece on Leonard Cohen’s former haunt, the island of Hydra….
Hearing the call of ancient valour, the pipes and old standing stones, today she has followed the wind back again to more northern climes where her heart lies in both the Hebrides and Ireland.”- from an Interview by Sue Vincent
Listen to the beautiful dark island (ant’eileann dorcha) sung by Mary Duff
I often wander off the beaten path in search of adventure and am a great friend of Murphy who states “when all else fails, read the instructions” -or in this case refer to the map (GPS). Just ask my daughter, the navigator, and keeper of time, who, by the way, is a grand travel companion, never misses a train- and keeps me on “track.”
I am largely self taught with an interest in history, astronomy and paleontology (adventures in the time machine). My blogging first began a few years back with a story of a virtual world which then morphed into the more creative Following Sister Moon and Gateways and Journeys. I like to create visions and tales that compliment each other so if you like storytelling and photography, welcome to my world and let’s share a tale!!
The Lagoon, Vancouver Island
Ross Castle Killarney
Dunvegan Castle and fine Scottish weather
wishes- Fairy Land
A few travels and family
crossing the pentland firth
Inverness, near the Black Isle
stones of stenness
bro
Havana with Miss T!
Gap of Dunloe, Kerry
two Heiland Coos
the photographers
Down with the ship
Rana in Paris
Dublin’s fair city
Venice and Rome
endorsements!
guest storyteller on Sarahpotterwrites – Tales of the Tuatha de Danaan
Leanne Cole’s Introductions (of the dune mouse) in July, 2014
Hot off the Press -Around the world in 10 photos
New World Notes Cajsa Lilliehook and Wagner James Au Reports on Virtual Worlds
Published on Rez Magazine, The Hitchhiker’s Handbook, Three Drops of the Cauldron, FairyTalez and more
and some flattering and lovely testimonials ( squeaking loudly) on my photography
Metaverse Roadmap says: “a gothic seduction beside the image of the radiant angel!”
“Words fail me, Cybele! These images are so MAGICAL!“ Ali Isaac, Guardian of Irish Mythology
John Hayduke: there is a small hint of darkness and you have a wonderful gift bringing that darkness out into the light yet letting the subject matter remain innocent and untouched.
Owl Dragonash: Her work is, in a word ethereal; there is a beauty and depth to it which is magnificently and hauntingly moving. Cybele or Hana creates a mythic portal with her photos and stories. She draws you into a enchanted realm where you cannot help but find yourself in awe of this master storytellers art! – Laura L. aka Owl Dragonash
and short stories:
Ed Mooney, author at The Ruin Hunter (Ireland) says–
“There are very few authors that can draw the reader into the story, where time ceases to exist and you feel like you are part of the tale. You Cybele are one such writer. Thank you so much for sharing these stories with me. In ancient Ireland you would have been known as a Seanchaí “– re: A Canticle for Meg and Tales of the Caravanserai
A graceful, gothic swell to the storytelling, laced with sudden tragic turns, lovely phrasing, and poetic moments– Stephen Thom
Peter Nena, author of An Anthology of African Stories says :“There is a traditional wholeheartedness in the way you tell stories. Your characters have a strong moral significance, and the spirituality, the essence, is affecting and deep. You know those kind of stories you read and something tells you that there is more to them than just the wonderfully woven words, something deeper, sometimes subtle, but certainly magnetic and powerful. That’s how it is with your stories–Niamh’s Journey and the rest, even the Arabian one. I love the quality–simple, captivating, profound.”- (re: The Sacrifice of Smoke Jaguar and Tales of the Tuatha)
More here
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Cybele I’ve been trying to get in touch with you ..its sheldon..i hope all is well as can’t wait to hear from you
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hi Sheldon!! Where are you these days and how are you doing!!
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WOW – what a beautiful blog!
Thank you for the Follow — so glad it led me to your inspired site! 🙂
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thanks so much for your follow and enthusiasm!! I’m honoured. Blessings!!
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Your photos are absolutely beautiful! x
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Many thanks Dino!!! Please stop by any time! May I ask how you found me?
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I definitely will be keeping an eye on your blog. 🙂 It was through someone blog. I can’t remember who’s it was though. x
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🙂 Glad to make a new WP friend!!
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Thank you for the follow on the Eye of Seoirse, Hope you enjoy your time there.
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you are welcome and thank you too! I do enjoy your great photos and blog and now the eye of Seoirse!! Lovely and poetic thoughts.
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I wanted to tell you how much I loved your “Monochrome Madness” on Leanne Cole’s site this week — the one with the lighthouse and shoreline. So dramatic!
I’ve barely been keeping up with my own blog the last few months, much less reading anyone else’s. But I’m going to make some time right now to scroll through your imaginative site again!
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thank you so much Merry!! I’m a bit behind these days. I so appreciate your support whenever you can pop over!
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“the runes of the gatekeeper’s daughter” – there was something about the tag line of your blog that rang a dim and distant bell and I wondered if perchance you were a former resident of the Lemurian abbey and a visitor to Heather Blakey’s Soul food café? If yes, allow me to re-introduce myself – I was Traveller in that world.
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I wish I could say yes, it sounds like a wonderful place, but alas no. However, it is good to meet you fellow traveler and feel free to take a wander through my own journeys and tales.
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I’m enjoying exploring your blog. You have a definite creative style to your photos. I love the whimsy you bring to them.
Thanks for following my blog! I hope if you can find the time that you will stop by my page called “Reasons to Smile” and leave a comment. It’s a list of things people are thankful for, just to encourage each other. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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thanks and will do!! I hope you might read some of my tales too!
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Hi Cybele, It’s been a while, so I went to your page to see what has been going on. Your pictures actually capture, more than the mood, the inner mood – the soul! Divinely beautiful!! x
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Many thanks Anica, It’s good to see your work again too! What a beautiful compliment!
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beautiful photography and you are a true teller of tales! You really engage the reader and your stories are so lyrical, and often poignant! Someone else here called you a “seanchai” and I agree.
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Thanks so much Joy!! that means a lot to me!
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A lovely, personal About page, Cybele. I really enjoy reading about people and their journeys through life and their aspirations for the future. You certainly have a lot of interests, and as a geologist myself, I can fully understand your interest in paleontology! Nowadays, I delve more into history and, like Louise, love ancient civilisations. I’ll browse through some of your stories over the next few days, once I’ve satisfied myself with my writing targets for the time being. I’ve never heard of some of the challenges you do, so I’ll be interested to see what they’re about. It’s a pleasure to meet you! 🙂
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Many thanks Millie! Bear in mind, though I get some lovely feedback here, I’m strictly amateur!! Short stories seem all I can manage! A novel seems daunting but who knows!! Yours sounds like something I would enjoy as I love historical drama on TV and reading biographies and history. I’ve followed that series “Vikings” which I do love. I think there is some of that in my blood as well because I love Norse mythology (the elder edda etc). Apparently the MacLeods (my grandmother) were originally the sons of Liot so they say! Those vikings did get around. So many Norse names on Skye and the Orkneys.
Take your time. My stories are varied in content- but much borrowed from myth and old tales. One or two based on real life stories. Blessings!
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Many people in Canada and the U.S. have Scottish or Irish ancestry. Whenever we’ve been visiting either, there have been coach-loads of Americans trying to find their roots. It must be quite an exciting thing to do. I’m part Irish, part Welsh and part English – quite a mongrel, really. 🙂
Norse mythology is fascinating, I agree. I needed to delve into it for my trilogy. And yes, it was mostly the Norwegian vikings that settled in the far north of Scotland and the islands. In England it was more the Danes (sons of Ragnar Lothbrok who features in the ‘Vikings’ series you mentioned. Totally brutal bunch, the lot of tham! Lol Not that the Anglo-Saxons had been any different when they invaded.
Keep writing your short stories – you may find that you suddenly want to extend one of them into a novel. I’ve found that, even with some of the flash fiction pieces I write. They all get the brain ticking.
Talk again soon.
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oh I know about the tourists- I hate to think of myself as one lol . Fortunately I have relatives there and we always drive around (rent a car). We have been back so many times it’s second home. And thanks for the encouragement re: stories! 🙂
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It’s funny how, when we are tourists ourselves, we seem to disassociate ourselves from all the other ‘tourists’! So many times, I’ve heard people (i.e. tourists) saying silly things like ‘Flippin’ tourists everywhere!’ It’s so funny.
Well, you can’t really classify yourselves as ‘tourists’ if you’re visiting family, can you? 🙂 Both Scotland and Ireland are wonderful countries to visit, so I don’t blame your for coming back so often. (Mind you, we have Canada on our ‘to visit’ list! You have some amazing scenery!).
Where would we be without stories…? 🙂
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oh you would love Canada too. Quebec is so French, Nova Scotia Scottish, The Newfoundland accents reminiscent of Irish- varied wild and beautiful landscapes and the west coast is breathtaking! Not as much or as old in history of course but some of it interesting too!
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My husband has wanted to tour Canada for a long time, especially the western provinces and the Rockies. Canada’s so big, though, so I suppose it would have to be one area at a time! (Lol) Our youngest son spends most of his working life in Montreal. He’s loved Canada since he went skiing there with the school in the ‘9os. Thank you, Cybele.
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you’d love it!
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I have just run across your site and do love both photography (although I do not take good ones myself) and storytelling. You need not be outgoing to convey a story and I do believe that those who are not tell the very best stories and are willing to share.
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very happy to meet you and will visit your site as well!! I hope you enjoy some of my short stories along with the photography! Thank you for your visit and lovely comment!!
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Hello,
I’ve nominated you for the Respect Award…
You don’t have to do a thing…
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much appreciated Robert! thank you!
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You’re welcome!
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So glad to meet a kismet inclined whimsy bound fellow travel of the virtually unknown! Owl is a wise friend to me, I am glad you have a spot there as well! Perhaps in our undirected wanderings we shall pass a while in another realm 🙂
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oh I think we will! Virtual pilgrims all! (some of us a bit sporadic perhaps lol) Blessings!
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