Faery Loves And Faery Lais

The Breton lai is a narrative poem, usually accompanied by music, that appeared in France about the middle of the 12th century, carried by travelling musicians and storytellers called jongleurs. What is important about them is that they contain a great deal of faery and supernatural lore deriving from Celtic myth, legend and folktale. This collection of twelve tales focuses on faery lore in the lai tradition. Nine are taken from anonymous medieval jongleur sources; the other three are from the more courtly tales collected by Marie de France in the late 12th century. Gareth Knight, a scholar of medieval French as well as an established author on esoteric faery lore, provides a vivid and lively translation of each lai along with a commentary which takes a perspective both historic and esoteric.

Springing from the heart of medieval France, The Romance of the Faery Melusine tells the story of Raymondin of Poitiers who accidentally kills his uncle while out hunting, and fleeing deep into the forest, encounters a faery by a fountain. Falling deeply into a mutual soul-love, the faery Melusine agrees to help Raymondin and to become his wife, on condition that he makes no attempt to see her between dusk and dawn each Saturday. On this basis the house of Lusignan thrives and prospers, until a series of treacherous events tempt Raymondin to violate his promise and shatter the magic which holds his faery wife to the human world. First rendered into written form in a text by Jean d'Arras in 1393, the legend of the Faery Melusine is well established in France, where she is credited with having founded the family, town and castle of Lusignan. However, it is very little known in the English-speaking world, despite the fact that Melusine originally hailed from Scotland. This new retelling by Gareth Knight translated from Andre Lebey's 1920s novel Le Roman de la Melusine captures the freshness of Lebey's telling of the legend and brings the benefit of Knight's expertise both in French literature and in the esoteric faery tradition.

The long-awaited magical autobiography of Gareth Knight covers a long career in pursuit of the Mysteries, from the adventures of New Dimensions magazine to the calling of King Arthur, from the rituals of Sherwood Forest to the Somme, from the wrath of fellow ritual magicians to the shining allure of Faery.

A collection of essays tracing the historical importance and esoteric influence of Merlin and the Grail tradition, from its mythological beginnings right down to its relevance in modern magical practice.

This book examines magic's generally maleficent effect on humans from ancient Egypt through the Middle Ages, including tales from classical mythology, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures. It shows that certain magical motifs lived on from age to age, but that it took until the Italian Renaissance for magic tales to become fairy tales.

When I was seven years old, although my parents came to the ancient town of Fusheng, here, the folk customs were honest and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Every step I took, I looked up and found that everyone passing by me had a smiling face like me.

Thomas Keightley's 'The Fairy Legends' is a captivating collection of folklore and mythology surrounding fairies, highlighting their significance in various cultural traditions. Keightley meticulously explores the history and origins of fairy tales, providing readers with an in-depth analysis of these magical beings. Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, the book delves into the literary context of fairy legends, showcasing their evolution over time. Keightley's attention to detail and comprehensive research make this work a valuable resource for readers interested in folklore and mythological studies. Thomas Keightley, a renowned scholar of folk legends and mythology, brings his expertise to 'The Fairy Legends,' drawing upon his extensive knowledge of fairy lore to create a comprehensive and engaging collection. His passion for uncovering the mysteries behind fairy tales shines through in this meticulously researched book, offering readers a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of fairies in storytelling. I highly recommend 'The Fairy Legends' to anyone interested in folklore, mythology, or literary studies. Keightley's insightful exploration of fairy legends is sure to fascinate and educate readers seeking a deeper understanding of these enchanting creatures.