My Thoughts on Celtic Mythology

Myths are often considered an aspect of folklore. Even so, mythology might include the belief in the supernatural, where as folklore and folk tales derived when people had the need to explain mysterious events. Pre-Christianity might have had a hand in old world myths and folklore. A people’s yearning to believe in the hereafter, or in some type of entity, lived on through stories passed generation to generation. Once Christianity became widespread, faeries, brownies, and even the belief in the Loch Ness monster faded away.

With a rich Celtic History going back over 2,000 years, it is not surprising that Scotland has an extensive heritage of myths and folklore. Many objects have accumulated their share of myths and legends; circles of stones, cairns, and even castles.

Watching for things that could cause them harm (omens) might have morphed into an ability to come up with causal narratives for natural events (folk tales). Other people had minds of their own with their own beliefs, desires and intentions (mythology and the precursors of organized religion). 

Religion changed everything. Popular Christian beliefs were the norm. Myths and folklore slipped to the back burner, but never disappeared. Many tales are quite popular today. Think of the legend surrounding the Blarney Stone in Ireland or the Loch Ness Monster. Even Girl Scout troops around the world call their youngest recruits ‘Brownies’ after helpful creatures that do good deeds.

Here's hoping March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb (folk tale? Your guess is as good as mine)

Nancy Lee Badger

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Valentine's Day GIVEAWAY!

Valentine's Day is the first romantic holiday of the new year and I am taking full advantage to say 'Thank you' to my readers.

How? By giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate. Actually, you have a chance to WIN $20 worth of books! 

No, I am NOT horsing around! Author Donna Steele and I have pooled our resources together to promote our novels. 

Here's what Donna Steele says about Rth Home and horses:
"I’ve never really been around horses. I read about them and saw how other girls loved them (See the Trixie Belden books!) but had little to no access growing up. I’ve always liked them and have ridden a few times. That said, I knew they needed to be at least a peripheral part of a series on colonizing another planet. Especially when the goal of the colony is not to harm the planet in ways that happened on the original home planet.

In the first book of the series, horses played a small role in the shirking of Davd and Kat. In this final book, their role is expanded with the moving out onto the planet’s surface. Only Ellon, the stallion has a really good time on the trek from Thirdport to Centerport, but you’ll get an explanation of that later.

These animals, while not pets, are cherished and appreciated for what they now offer the growing colony and I wanted to show my appreciation here as well. I hope you enjoy the story.

***********************

Here is my take on SPARK and horses:
I have always loved horses. I helped care for a neighbor's horses and spent several summers at 'horse camp'. When the idea for a shape-shifting family of lovesick Scottish brother dragons popped into my head, so did the idea of shifting into a horse in order to trot among humans. Evan heads to a village to find a way to interact with humans and get close enough to a red-haired beauty to mate with her. The purple dragon shifts into a copper-colored horse and comes to the beauty's aid.

When an unfamiliar horse kicks Toal into the creek, releasing Vika from his roaming hands, her appreciation turns to horror. A sputtering Toal demands that the animal die. Anger makes Vika agree to a wager. A three day hunt will determine the fate of the horse she names Spark. Failure will mean his death, and the loss of her freedom. Pirates, wolves, a wild boar, and a handsome stranger lead her on a wild ride. She discovers her heart is in as much danger as her life.

In celebration of this holiday for lovers and especially horse-lovers SPARK is on sale for $.99 (US) for a limited time. BUY LINKS:

Amazon      AmazonCan      AmazonUK      AmazonAUS   iBooks    Kobo    NOOK Enter to Win an AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE! No purchase necessary

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And don't forget to enter the OTHER

Giveaway at Donna Steele's Blog!

Life's a Beach

I recently spent a couple of days with darling hubby at a hotel on Atlantic Boulevard in Virginia Beach, Virginia and enjoyed the beach. The air was cool, and the wind was not too strong, but there were enough waves to make the half-a-dozen surfers happy. We walked along the boardwalk and in the sand, both damp from an overnight rain, but we didn't care.

Enjoying the ocean air is something I regret I have little chance doing. Raleigh, North Carolina, where I live, is about 3 to 4 hours from the coast. Growing up within walking distance of the north shore of Long Island and a half-hour away from the Jones Beach and Fire Island, I need my *fix* every few months.

Many times I get this from visiting my folks in the Daytona Beach area. However, Dad passed away last February and Mom has sold her house, so we have arrived at the ending of an era. She will enjoy living close to her three daughters in Raleigh, but I will miss her house near the ocean. I guess it is time to get back to writing.

Thanks for listening...   

Nancy at Daytona Beach

 

Bye-the-way,

SPARK is on sale 
for $.99 (US)
Find Buy Links HERE