THE COMMENTARY GAZETTE

 “The Ystrad Legend”.

The next legend is taken from Williams’s “Observations on the Snowdon Mountains”.  His work was published in 1802.  He, himself, was born in Anglesey, in 1738, and migrated to Carnarvonshire about the year 1760. It was in this latter county that he became a learned antiquary, and a careful recorder of events that came under his notice.  His “Observations” throw considerable light upon the life, the customs, and the traditions of the inhabitants of the hill parts and secluded glens of Carnarvonshire.  I have thought fit to make these few remarks about the author I quote from, so as to enable the reader to give to him that credence which he is entitled to.  Williams entitles the following story, “A Fairy Tale,” but I will for the sake of reference call it “The Ystrad Legend.”

“In a meadow belonging to Ystrad, bounded by the river which falls from Cwellyn Lake, they say the Fairies used to assemble, and dance on fair moon-light-nights.  One evening a young man, who was the heir and occupier of this farm, hid himself in a thicket close to the spot where they used to gambol; presently they appeared, and when in their merry mood, out he bounced from his covert and seized one of their females; the rest of the company dispersed themselves, and disappeared in an instant…..Read More

THE COMMENTARY GAZETTE

“The Llanfrothen Legend”.

I am indebted to the Rev. R. Jones, Rector of Llanycil, Bala, for the following legend.  I may state that Mr. Jones is a native of Llanfrothen, Merionethshire, a parish in close proximity to the scene of the story. Mr. Jones’s informant was his mother, a lady whose mind was well stored with tales of by-gone times, and my friend and informant inherits his mother’s retentive memory, as well as her love of ancient lore.

A certain man fell in love with a beautiful Fairy lady, and he wished to marry her.  She consented to do so, but warned him that if he ever touched her with iron she would leave him immediately.  This stipulation weighed but lightly on the lover.  They were married, and for many years they lived most happily together, and several children were born to them. A sad mishap, however, one day overtook them.  They were together, crossing Traethmawr, Penrhyndeudraeth, on horseback, when the man’s horse became restive, and jerked his head towards the woman, and the bit of the bridle touched the left arm of the Fairy wife.  She at once told her husband that they must part for ever.  He was greatly distressed, and implored her not to leave him.  She said she could not stay.  Then the man, appealing to a mother’s love for her children, begged that she would for the sake of their offspring continue to dwell with him and them, and, said he, what will become of our children without their mother?  Her answer was:—-Read More

THE COMMENTARY GAZETTE

The Myddfai Legend

No Welsh Taboo story can be complete without the pretty tale of the Van Lake Legend, or, as it is called, “The Myddfai Legend.”  Because of its intrinsic beauty and worth, and for the sake of comparison with the preceding stories, I will relate this legend.  There are several versions extant.  Mr. Wirt Sikes, in his “British Goblins”, has one, the “Cambro-Briton” has one, but the best is that recorded by Professor Rhys, in the “Cymmrodor”, vol. iv., p. 163, in his “Welsh Fairy Tales”.  There are other readings of the legend to be met with.  I will first of all give an epitome of the Professor’s version.

A widow, who had an only son, was obliged, in consequence of the large flocks she possessed, to send, under the care of her son, a portion of her cattle to graze on the Black Mountain near a small lake called Llyn-y-Van-Bach.

One day the son perceived, to his great astonishment, a most beautiful creature with flowing hair sitting on the unruffled surface of the lake combing her tresses, the water serving as a mirror.  Suddenly she beheld the young man standing on the brink of the lake with his eyes rivetted on her, and unconsciously offering to herself the provision of barley bread and cheese with which he had been provided when he left his home.

Bewildered by a feeling of love and admiration for the object before him, he continued to hold out his hand towards the lady, who imperceptibly glided near to him, but gently refused the offer of his provisions.  He attempted to touch her, but she eluded his grasp, saying…..Read More

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Remember all those time when you make three trips to the other room to get something, and before you got there you had already forgotten what it was? Didn’t the thought of age dimming your memory enter your mind at those times?

There’s really no need to waste time thinking that way. It is not the case of a scattered memory, but a skittery mind, jumping from one subject to another with only circumstances to remind you.

And haven’t you awakened sharply in the middle of the night because suddenly you remembered something you should have done, or something you must do? Age again? No, it was the only time your subconscious mind ever found you quiet enough to remind you of something you wanted to remember.

Life would be so much more orderly if we took several minutes night and morning to sit completely away from outside sights and sounds to recall the important things. As long as we are able to see and hear the activity about us we have difficulty thinking soundly. The conscious mind is capable of carrying just so much, and then the debris must be cleared away before the “filed away” things in the subconscious can be remembered.

“Be still and know……”

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – March 8

“We are responsible for the condition of the Earth. We are the ones who are responsible and we can change that. If we wake up, it is possible to change the energy. It is possible to change everything.”

–Hunbatz Men, MAYAN

The environment we want outside will be created by the mental pictures we have inside out heads. We must have the right environmental picture as well as the right values. These values will give the mental picture its true meaning. If we respected Mother Earth, we would not throw garbage on Her, nor would we put poison in Her. We would not misuse Her in any way. Mother Earth is like She is today because of the mental pictures of previous generations as well as the mental pictures of our own generation. If we want the environment to change, each individual must change their mental picture. “As within, so without.”

Great Spirit, today, let me be alert to Your guiding voice.

March 8 – Daily Feast

Never underestimate the power of quiet determination. It changes the most severe circumstances and holds the line against impossible odds. It is the handle by which we make or break our lives. Nothing can stand against quiet determination. When we decide to be well, we will be well. When we decide to prosper, we will prosper. Something as simple as the way the sun sifts through misty leaves, or the quavery call of the screech owl, erases all time but the primitive. Something happens to change all sense of proportion and things slip into their rightful pattern.

~ We saw the Great Spirit’s work in almost everything: sun, moon, trees, wind, and mountains. ~

TATANGA MANI – STONEY INDIAN

“A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II” by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

The Daily Motivator

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Decide exactly

Whether it is easy or difficult is not the issue. What matters is whether you choose to do it or not.

Is the intended result important enough to earn your commitment? Then you’ll carve a path through all the difficulties and complexities.

There is no question you can achieve whatever matters most to you. The question you must answer is, what exactly does matter most to you?

What are you willing to invest the powerful substance of your effort, your time, your resources, to create? Specifically, and in rich detail, what is it?

You are capable of more things than you could ever name. What you must do is precisely name those objectives upon which you wish to expend your amazing and versatile capability.

You’ve successfully lived every day of your life, and now it’s time to do more. Decide exactly what you will achieve, and experience the extraordinary thrill of making it happen.

— Ralph Marston

Read more at The Daily Motivator

Source

The Wisdom of Buddha

To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.