From Chaucer to Walt Disney, the fairies have been with us for a very long time
These mythological creatures have worked their way through the centuries with their enticing and metaphysical appearances still attracting much acclaim today. To many, fairies or the fair folk are connected to a place under the outer crust of the world. Others say they may only be seen in certain light spectrums.
From Celtic to Slavic, Germanic, and French folk law it seems our fascination with the fairy folk suggests there must be something more to the tales we have been told.
Some years ago I came across Mr Davies's book on holiday in Wales. The shop owner wrote down the title and I ordered it once back home. And there the tales began thick, and believable real-life stories passed on through generations of Welsh families of supernatural goings-on.
The image on the front of the book is of three-super-imposed bridges at Pontarfynach, alias Devil Bridge
"The legend states that the first of these bridges was built by the devil for a woman in exchange for the first soul to cross it. As soon as the devil had completed his work, the woman threw a piece of bread that sent her dog running across the bridge, "
What is fascinating about Mr Davies's book is that it does not prove or disprove the Celtic legends and stories it passes on, but it does leave you deeply interested in the subject.
Jonothan Ceredig Davies returned to Wales in 1901 after spending many years in the Welsh Colony, Patagonia working for the Anglican Church. His accurate interpretations and knowledge of the Welsh language bring to life stories that would otherwise be lost forever. And perhaps this is why those of us who are fascinated by ancient history find books like this so inviting.
Davies states in the introduction that he has not embellished the stories or added anything to the information given to him by 350 people. He has a passion and drive for these tales, customs, and traditions to be passed on to new generations. And that is where this book shines. You may believe that fairies arrive in sparkles or in globes, but it seems the fair folk, witches, and warlocks we hear about within this book are as real as the sun in the sky.
Funeral and Wedding Customs are covered in the book, but also witches and wizards. But this is not some airy-fairy explanation, this is real stuff. The stories told to Mr Davies by those present or children, and relatives.
Intriguing headings encourage you to read, such as, Love Customs and Omen Seeking. Wake-Night. Then we move on to Fairies Marrying Mortals. The whole book is fascinating. In one recollection we hear of a priest who went and lived with the fairies underground. After many human years, he decided to return to ground level and return to his community, No one recognized him, apart from one elderly chap, who remembered his disappearance all those years ago.
So have I made you want to read this book? I hope so. If you are a Lord Of The Rings fan or a Harry Potter lover you will find this book reels you in. You see, it is not fictional, it is a rich history of the Welsh people are their very distant yet magical past...
Sonya Lawrence. Sonya Vukomanovic © 15.04. 2024
Folklore Of West And Mid-Wales: Jonothan Ceredig Davies. ISBN:1897853009 Llanerch Press
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