COUSINS ISSUE #3 - February 1992 A place for the Witches, pagans, nature spirits, fey-folk, and assorted elder kin of Sherwood to share ideas, challenges, dreams, and projects, and to stir up a little magic of our own contact Susan Gavula, sjgavula@terminator.rs.itd.umich.edu for more information. This Issue's Fun Word: TANIST The successor apparent to a Celtic chief, usually the most vigorous adult of his kin, elected during the lifetime of the chief. I picked this one because Murry Hope's incessant references to "the Sun King and the Dark Tanist" in his otherwise lucid and fascinating book Practical Celtic Magic were driving me crazy! If you don't mind single-source theory and constant attributions of legends and cultural traits to Atlantis and Mu/Lemuria, check this one out. WARNING: Don't spend money on the book if homophobia bothers you. There's only one example of it in there, but it's a doozy! If you choose to borrow it, be warned - there's a nifty little spell in there for getting back at people who don't return borrowed books. By the way, where is Mu/Lemuria? * * * LETTERS Kitty Laust-Gamarra I enjoyed the contradictions in Ariel's article [Issue #1] - on the one hand, she thinks Robin is too magical, heroes need to be more human. Then she turns around and wants Robert to be more magical. The truth is, the story divisions are logical. Those fans who are less interested in magic gravitate towards Robert, whose episodes had less magic and more action. Loxley fans are attracted to the mysticism and magic implied in his episodes. However, I have seen action Loxley stories and magical Robert stories. As to originality, this is a touchy area. What is original? No matter what plot line you come up with, someone, somewhere, sometime has done the same. And when you start with a preconceived universe, similar themes and ideas are bound to come out. Perhaps we come out with the same details or conclusions because they are implicit in the show, which should be the only real "canon" in the fanfiction - what was actually said or shown on screen. How you interpret that is up to you as a writer. Commentary on Issue #2: I want to start off by saying what a great job I think Hilda is doing with this letterzine. As an editor of two literary zines, I know exactly how much work goes into a publication. Like Hilda, I will only mention those points that my opinion either adamantly agrees with or differs greatly, otherwise I accept what was put forth. Now, on to Issue #2. Woodswalker: Yes! I agree wholeheartedly, let's not get too literal with our interpretations. It would be far too restricting to say, Robin is the Green Man, he can only act one certain way. It also is unfair to Kip's creative abilities to force his characters into certain molds that we desire. Perhaps he based them loosely upon archetypes, but they are his own creations. Which brings me to the next point, making the characters more than what they are in the show. Sorry, but as a writer I strongly disagree here. (This goes for you too, Janet R.) These characters were created by Kip and should remain within the bounds he created. True, he does not have ownership of the legendary characters, but as they are represented in RoS, yes he does. Generously, he has given his permission for us to play in his universe as long as we remain true to what he created (he told us this at Son of Herne's Con). Therefore, a writer must tread very carefully when attributing to a character abilities that were never manifested in the show. Robin had "the sight" and invoked Herne to help him on occasion. He never demonstrated any true "magical" powers on his own so it is wrong of writers to give him the ability to read minds or call upon the wind to help him, except when he asks it through Herne. Unless you keep the characters true to the show, then you are creating your own characters and panning them off as RoS. Unfortunately, the idea of Robin as "god" perfect seems to have taken over the fandom, at least among many Loxley fans. However, on the show he did show insecurities ("Children of Israel") and he did make mistakes ("Witch of Elsdon" or "Alan a Dale"). Many of them were real lulus ("King's Fool/King Richard"). But he usually managed to get himself out of any troubles that resulted on his own, calling upon Herne only as a last resort. For more stories about Robin, try finding copies of the older zines - they had more Loxley stories. They also had the more negative Robert stories. (Suggestions if you can find them - Arrow Flight, Tales from Sherwood, Sherwood Tunnels, or any of the earliest issues of Herne's Son, Legend, Longbow, or Albion.) As to Robert's reason for going to Sherwood, I believe what he tells Little John in "Herne's Son" - he's seen injustice all his life and now Herne has called upon him to right the wrongs. Perhaps we all overlook Herne's abilities here, he has called Robert, mentally and emotionally. The call of a god must be hard to resist, especially when that god wants you to do exactly what you'd like to do. Isn't it possible that when David refuses to help Marion, Robert finally sees that even as Earl, he won't be able to help the oppressed? Wouldn't Herne's call then seem much more attractive? Become a crusader for justice rather than one of the oppressors he hates. Janet V: Yes, yes, yes! Sherwood is the Mother, the Goddess. Even the show tells us that "strange" things happen there, especially at night. Isn't Herne really there to protect the forest and her creatures as well as the old ways? Continuing on the female counterpart theme, I don't think there truly needs to be one. After all, we don't see any of the other male gods either. Possibly, Herne is the last of a dying race (or the others have already given up on the humans who are turning more and more away from them). But if there is a counterpart, she needn't have horns, Tina, merely be a consort. The horns are symbols of his reign and his consort would have different abilities. Lynn: very good point about former Robin Hoods becoming Herne. After all, the old man came from somewhere (remember the man is not Herne). As he says in the first episode, "When the horned-one possesses me..." and later, "We can all of us be gods". Is this a sort of school, gods-in- training? In which case, any female the man had might not necessarily be the counterpart of Herne. The same as Marion. There is no real reason to assume that she is the goddess or any other counterpart to Robin. Nor to think that she followed the old ways, none of the merries other than Robin seemed too involved in that. In fact, they appeared to follow him more than Herne. Perhaps this is why she didn't know when Samhain was, there was no one to tell her. (Then again, maybe she was actually trying to remind the priests without coming right out and saying, "wake up, guys" - this was a very male-dominated world.) Ariel: To lay to rest once and for all the 6' fairy point - try reading any of the Irish stories about the Sidhe. Good references are A Celtic Miscellany translated by Kenneth H. Jackson, Great Fairy Tales of Ireland by Mary McGarry, Myths and Folklore of Ireland by Jeremiah Curtin and even The Story of the Irish Race by Seumas MacManus. For the Welsh version, read the "Mabinogion" which is talking about the "Fair Folk". [And mightn't it be talking a wee bit like you? -H] Evangeline Walton has done an excellent four part retelling of this great mythical cycle. Janet R: Certainly Beltein customs were performed, but knowingly? We follow many ancient traditions without knowing where they came from or what their original meaning was. The vast majority of peasants probably celebrated the holidays their ancestors had because that's what was always done, in the same manner that we put up a Christmas tree because that's what you do around the 25th of December, not out of any attempt to honor the gods for giving you fire. As to Owen's brood, let's remember that these people are a mixture of Celtic, Anglo, Saxon and Viking invaders. Each new group would contribute to the whole and thus the "Anglo-Saxons" who were invaded by the "Normans" would not be the same culture as the "Saxons" who came over from Germany nor the "Celts" who lived in Britain at the time of the Roman invasion. One society does not cease to exit completely when invaders come over, but rather blends to create a new one. Even our own culture is a mixture of various elements, each introduced separately. The English language itself reflects the many and varied roots of Britain's evolution. However, I do agree that Castle Clun could not be typical of the Welsh at that time. I think Gulnar's influence over Owen was perhaps the base of their strange behavior. I strongly disagree about Marion's apparent breakdown. Remember, when Owen kidnapped her she had to assume that there was no one to rescue her - her husband was dead, his men scattered and her father without men-at- arms. Who was left, the Earl of Huntingdon? He wouldn't even stand up for her in his own castle. Later, she rallied and tried to do something for herself, but her initial reaction is understandable. Besides, even in first and second season she was known to cry ("Witch of Elsdon" or "Enchantment") when things looked bleak. Hilda: You wonderful person you. Such an eye for detail and so much knowledge! By the way, the old meaning of maid would better translate as "unlaid" than "unmarried" because once you had sex, even unwillingly, you were no longer a maid (traditionally, only maids wore their hair loose, binding it once they were deflowered). And wasn't the Green Man story in an early issue of either Legend or Herne's Son? Help us out here, Janet. I disagree about the show's representation of black magic. Incantations and the use of demon familiars is a practice that started in the Middle East and was brought into England by the returning Crusaders, which means it would have been installed sometime after the first Crusades (the end of the 11th Century). Thus, it is perfectly reasonable that de Belleme (who fought in the Holy Lands) would practice this type of magic and he is after only one thing, personal power. If he must use Azael to get it, then that's fine with him. Morgwyn wants the same thing. Only Gulnar appears to be a fanatic about his god and then only when he's trying to ruin Robert. Hmm, perhaps the old "I'll do anything for revenge" scenario? Great insights on Druids! The bardic tradition comes from them and yes, it was oral apparently to keep the secrets truly secret. A lifetime was needed to become a druid priest (shades of Herne being an "old" man), training usually beginning at a very young age, as soon as one could leave mother (probably around 6 or 7). Believe it or not, in Spain people still use the "conciliatory diminutives" for loved ones (Joaquinito is literally "little Joaquin") and it definitely does not refer to size. [Ahem! Oh, we're not all- ages? OK, as you were... -H] Anyone who is cared for deeply is called "little". Perhaps this goes on in other European countries as well. Which brings me to my last point (I thought I could be brief, ha, ha). Does anyone have interest or knowledge about divining with a pendulum? I know it's not in RoS, but I would love to discuss it and learn more about it. In Spain the technique is called "radioestologia" and is considered a science. In fact, throughout most European countries, all paranormal studies have university courses (with diplomas) and are widely accepted as fact. If you know something of the subject (commonly called waterwitching), drop me a line. ...I had one more thought on the "Herne's Counterpart" debate. Celts, and Druids in particular, associated magical powers with sexual prowess. So, for one to be strengthened, the other was repressed. Most high druids were solitary, celibate people (male or female) often living like hermits (just like Herne). As a priest possessed by a god's spirit, the old man was probably celibate so there would be no consort. It's also quite possible there was no counterpart per se as the hunt and the forest were "man's" domain. At one time, Rhiannon may have fulfilled that role (back when the worship was still female oriented), but her place was diminished as the male oriented society developed. Herne protect. Morgana Dear COUSINS: Loved the first two issues! What a packed house of info, speculation, & plain ol' fun! My response this time has to do with some questions about spirituality & symbols touched on in #2. Janet: You're right; some places did consider the Sun feminine & the Moon masculine. Most notably Akewa (Argentina), the Sun Goddess of Arinna (Amazonian/Anatolian), Sun Sister (Eskimo/Inuit), Amaterasu (Japanese) for the Lady. Also Tsukiyomi (Japanese), Bahloo (Australian), Sin (Sumerian) & Yarikh (Canaanite) as Lord. In other cultures it's always been the "typical" Sun God & Moon Goddess but Hilda's Man on the Moon statement makes a lot of historical sense! [Even if it was Janet V's... Nonetheless, He can moon me whenever He wants to! -H] Tina: I've thought about it & researched throughout my 11 years in the Craft but have yet to find mention of a horned female figure. Can anyone else help? Ariel: Ah, Earth magick...essentially it's the use of Nature & the elements in ma@ick, everything from herbs to the stars. This type of magick can help you change your life for the better but also help you find out who you are & what your place is in the universe. In a way, it's intensely Shamanistic as Shamans utilize all things Natural in their medicine (magick). It's true folk magick, & since Loxley, his companions, and the Wickham villagers are true peasants, this could lend credence to Robin's use of this type of work. Janet R.: Interesting what you say about the faerie! I've heard all heights, tall and short. The faerie folk have also been referred to as Nature spirits such as dryads (tree spirits) and those spirits of herbs, rocks, minerals, flowers, etc. These apparently do and do not take on human form. I've seen photos of dryads that were no more than white light "blobs" for lack of a better word! (I myself have never seen any fay folk but only sensed them.) In another idea, the green dye from the alder tree was allegedly used to color the clothes of those remains of the dispossessed tribes who took to the hills and woods for protection against other invading tribes. This could be one explanation why Robin's often portrayed in movies and other media as perpetually clad in green (who could forget Errol Flynn?) Another tale puts Robin as a derivation of Hodskin, and Anglo- Saxon wood sprite. Hilda: Getting out my trusty dictionary, I looked up the etymological meaning of "maiden." It means "young person of either sex" (??) The suffixed form "magho-ti-" in Germanic "magadi" with Old English "maegden," virgin. While on the subject, "virgin," aside from the obvious sexual implication, also means "one who belongs only to herself." The Goddess Artemis is often described in this manner, as she's not dependent on any man for her happiness or well- being, but on herself only. Maiden or Virgin has also been given to the Craft High Priest's partner in the coven. Marion is certainly seen as Robin's consort, and she independently decided to leave Kirklees for Sherwood, and also to enter Halstead. Just for the amusement of our readers, there are a number of Herne place names in the UK. They are: Cerne Abbas in Dorset (home of that hillside Giant), a few Herne Hills, two Herne villages, Herne Bay, Hern Drove, Hernebridge, Herne Common, Herne Pound, and on it goes... Here endeth the lesson. P.S. - Sorry I couldn't find anything on the Rotary Club wheel! Laura Woodswalker Todd Dear Cousins, Greetings! It was great to receive the 2nd issue of Cousins so quickly, and it was a fascinating read with the discussions of human sacrifice, quaint British customs, etc. I advise you to check out the book Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets if you already haven't. Unfortunately this is a rather expensive book and hard to find. But if you can find it, you'll learn the most incredible things (such as the "goddess" origins of practically everything.) You say that "Robin" is "Welsh male anatomical slang?" Well, this book refers to the rhyme "Cock Robin" and says that the term "cock" means exactly what we think it means. "In Cornwall, Robin meant...a penis. His surname Hood or Hud referred to the symbolic pine log planted in Mother Earth as a sacred pillar." So there you are!! There must be a side of him we didn't see on HTV. Which reminds me: I just got a copy of Jan and Kitty's zine Forbidden Forest, which sheds a little more light on this side of Robin!! It's a great zine to curl up in bed with...good job, Jan and Kitty! And it was nice to see some of you in print there. Back to Pagan stuff: Since it is so difficult to know what happened so long ago, all this new information about ancient Wiccan connections makes me wonder. The question has been raised concerning the "ancient matriarchal religion": how much is true, and how much is the wishful thinking of today's pagans? The same can be asked concerning Robin Hood's Wiccan connections. To my knowledge the earliest source material about Robin consists of a lot of ballads which tell of his fights, scrapes, escapes from the Sheriff, etc. Little mention is made of his "giving to the poor" in the way that our ROS heroes do, and no mention at all is made of the Pagan connections. So how do we know? Is it "wishful thinking?" After all, I recently heard someone came out with a book stating that Gerald Gardner "made up" a lot of his "ancient rituals." (Though some would say it doesn't matter, if people find the rituals effective.) [And I say it's an outright lie - he swiped them from Doreen Valiente! -H] As to the Goddess in ROS: I think we are putting more baggage onto this show than it actually has. I just don't see the Goddess portrayed in ROS. I found this somewhat disappointing at first when I was looking for Pagan references with a magnifying glass. Perhaps we don't see it because even among pagans, patriarchy had dominated the earlier matrifocal culture. Anyway...I wonder what "feminists" would say about this show. Most likely it is not "politically correct." Marion is a good character, but a feminist friend of mine remarked on the fact that she is the only woman among 6 men, and therefore is sort of a token. She asked whether that bothered me and I replied that if I wanted to watch something "Liberating" for women I would watch something else; this show appeals to other feminine impulses than the urge for liberation. (I need not spell out which impulses I mean.) But to elaborate, prior to this year I was very involved with Goddess and feminist things. All the major characters in my stories were these super women. Then I discovered ROS and found there were indeed a few males worthy to inhabit my fantasy world! As to magic in ROS: Some of it is pretty murky. What exactly was Gulnar trying to accomplish in Cromm Cruac? If he just wanted revenge on Robin, couldn't he have done something simpler? Then in Time of the Wolf Gulnar is out to kill Herne. This makes me wonder about Herne's true nature. Is he just a human who puts on a little magic now and then, and can be killed? If he is a god, why does Gulnar believe he can be killed? Can Fenris be killed too? What magical power does Isadora's Round Table possess? Another interesting form of magic which hasn't been discussed is the psychic visions occasionally seen through Albion. Does this happen all the time, or just when it's a plot convenience? And what about the Silver Arrow: exactly what does it do? Are any of you into Tarot cards? I used to have the Hanson Roberts deck and we would just go through and note which ones looked like various ROS characters or were particularly apropos. The Ten of Swords was the all too appropriate Loxley "death" card. "Magician" matched him as well. I think the five of wands, showing a blonde boy battling a horde of bullies, was the definitive Robert card. The "bullies" stand for all the problems Robert has to overcome (mentioned in the last letter.) One time I got the idea of designing a ROS tarot deck, but of course it would be way too ambitious a project for me. Another comment on the analysis of Robert/Robin. I just read a story called Legend where Loxley's ghost visits Robert and "tells him the score." In this story Robert seems definitely "at sea" when it comes to magical ability. In a lot of other stories he is playing second fiddle as well. Sometimes I wonder why he even bothers! (Oh, well, if he's No. 2, he "tries harder.") Janet: Yeah, I'd like to have seen Robert speak of his reason for becoming an outlaw. There was a serious credibility gap there. In general the TV series seemed to not want to probe past the surfaces. Is this a general failing of TV...they want the characters to stay the same cardboard cutouts week after week? They seem to avoid any references to past events, as if they're afraid to offend some viewer who hasn't seen the earlier episodes. For instance--the series seems to want us to forget there ever was a Loxley as quickly as possible: once he is gone, no references are ever made to him. Oh well...the good side of all this is that the very shallowness of TV plotting is what drives us to write fan stories. I suppose this is as good a place as any to put in a pitch for a writing penpal. I would love to swap stories with other writers just to get feedback on "does this story work, or is it full of stupid mistakes." So if there are any of you who would like to get into critiquing [Criticizing! "Critique" is a noun! -H] or mutual "workshopping," let me know. After all, once the story is written, it sits around for months until it finally comes out in a zine. So why not use that time to make the story as perfect as you can get it! Herne protect. Todd Parrish Hello Hilda and everyone, I meant to get something in for your first issue, but you know, procrastination set in. Hilda, thanks for getting me involved in this effort. It seems like a lot of fun. Like Kitty, I don't consider myself a Witch. But I have been fascinated with "magic" ever since I was small (it must have been an overdose of Bewitched -- I still watch it faithfully, by the way). Being raised Mormon, I was taught that belief in magic and Witches was evil. Completely. My father taught me that all Witches were Satan worshipers. I didn't know the difference. They are two completely different things. I discovered this, in the main, from my involvement with RoS. From being in contact with people like you Hilda, I realized that Pagans (Witches) were nice people just like everybody else. I was so relieved that this cloud of confusion was dispelled and that my interests could be attributed to positive rather than negative influences. I have opened up a lot to other people and beliefs. I don't feel uncomfortable now with discussing magic because I realize Witches heal (Satan worshippers are another ball of wax -- ugh!) [Stuck full of pins - ugh! -H] It is really neat to meet so many people with different beliefs -- Janet Van Meter being raised Methodist... and other people of traditional Christian or Jewish religions. I found Hilda's statement, "... I am really glad that there are so many Christians, and Jews and atheists and who- knows-what-all-else in our community, because they give so many more cultural parallels and contrasts to enliven and give texture..." really neat! One parallel that I found when reading about Witchcraft was that some believed Robin and his men (13 according to some legends) formed a coven, with Marion as the 13th, the High Priestess. I find that the number 13 seems to be found in many instances throughout History including Christ and the 12 apostles -- Christ forms the 13th member, and thus, a coven. It is interesting for me to note that the Mormon church has 12 apostles and the prophet is the 13th -- a coven. This blew my mind! Why is the number 13 so significant? I know it has something to do with numerology and drawing down the powers of heaven. Anybody else with more insights? Also, the founding father of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, had a "seer stone" (a crystal of some sort) and found water with a divining rod. Early Mormons (especially Joseph Smith and the Smith family) wore magic amulets, and they also built astrological phases on the moon and sun (incl. pentagrams) into the brickwork of their temples. Interestingly enough, which most Mormons don't talk about, there is a secret belief in a Goddess too! I'm sure people being raised in different religions have also found Pagan elements in their own religions. It does seem sad though, that religions have grown apart from their roots. Where magic and mystical spiritualism used to be more accepted, in time, many religions wrote this chapter of their history out. From my understanding, Christians (mainly Catholics) needed to unite and represent the negative, so, they used Pagans as a scapegoat for their aspirations of expansion. So, many positive beliefs, such as Herne the Hunter, became the devil. I found out that the horns really symbolized our connection with nature and the animals. It is sad that the horns became something evil and eventually ended up on Lucifer's head as a mark of wickedness. I am not attempting to slam Christians (including myself despite I don't subscribe to any particular religion now, although I'm becoming more "Pagan" day by day), but studying history has been very helpful in sorting out my feelings about Paganism. I am so glad that I am no longer prone to judge all Witches Satanists: Witches are Witches and Satanists are reversed form of Christ worship. It became clear that Paganism has nothing to do with the concept of a traditional Christian god, so how in the heck could they be Satanists? Beats me! Ariel, I was reading about Witches when I discovered that wearing a garter meant that you belonged to a coven. Also, a silver buckle means that you are a coven leader. True? I think that the history behind this whole legacy was interesting... especially the founding of the saying, "evil to him who thinketh evil." Apparently this happened when a noble woman showed her garter at formal function and the count coined this phrase indicating that he too was a Witch. I'll have to rewatch my episodes of RoS to see that shot of Loxley's knee... hmmm, might be. Is Kip Carpenter a "Pagan"? He was wearing a pentagram around his neck at son of Herne's Con. However, he does sure seem to know a lot about the Old Religion due to his research. Could he have incorporated this into the show? He might just think we are reading things into the series, but I don't know -- is it just a coincidence? Ariel, when you talked about Marion having to ask about Samhain (Cromm Cruac episode) and that if she were a practicing Wiccan she should have known about it -- Isn't Wicca a relatively new and encompassing form of Paganism? Not all Pagans are Wiccans, from my understanding and according to Scott Cunningham's book: Wicca, a solitary guide to the practitioner. Just a little minute point I thought I would bring up. Wow! I just read that Barbara Walker wrote a woman's dictionary of symbols and sacred objects. I was actually looking through this book and was thoroughly fascinated by it. As it turns out even though I was unaware of it, I purchased a Barbara Walker pack of tarot cards. I felt very attracted to them. Cool. Why should I read The Spiral Dance? Why is this book a must? I read that several people mentioned this. I'd better close. Hilda, you might not want to print this epistle. Well, at least, this is an epistle for me I usually scratch just a few lines. Blessed be the tie that binds! Phil Kramer I have a viewpoint that some people might share, based on Richard Carpenter's Robin of Sherwood series. Robin Hood was chosen by his God (Herne) because of his abilities, his strength, and his psychic powers. He became his "son," working to end injustices for those who couldn't fight for themselves. Robin was able to hand pick people who could best aid him and he didn't discriminate against their religious beliefs. I feel that being pagan means treating all religions as One, getting along to the best of my ability with all races and creeds and living in productive harmony. Robin Hood is more a title than a person, and I feel this was a position filled by various people, as needed. In a sense Robin and Marion are the Father and Mother of workingclass England, and beyond. They represent the fight of Good against Corruption, as well as the belief that if we were all to treat each other fairly there would be peace. Blessed be. Julianne Dear Cousins, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to send my response in. As some of you know, my life is more than a bit hectic. I just wish the universe would EASE UP! Well, at least this gives me the chance to respond to issues 1 and 2 at once . ISSUE #1: Raven - I absolutely agree with you about the Goddess aspect, but as I believe someone remarked, "Goddess" is a wordy dirt to the masses, [To the what? Convince me that wasn't intentional! -H] so we get a woman lead who isn't as strong as she could be. Also, according to Marketypes, Marion is the "Flower Bride," like "Blodeuwedd" in Welsh mythology - not that I necessarily agree with Mr. Ryan here. I tend to think of Marion as fulfilling all of the Goddess roles - Maiden, Mother, and Crone - for don't we all take on different aspects of Her to meet different situations? Next topic: I, too would love to chase down those references to Craft groups who use "Robin Hood" as a tradition. I recommend reading D.J. Conway's Celtic Magic and The Witches' God by Stewart and Janet Farrar, as well as The Western Way, Volume 1 by Caitlin & John Matthews. All of these give some information about the background, but you're going to have a rough time making connections with any active groups. Jan & I have been trying to reconstruct a tradition based on Robin Hood, and we're using the characters from the show. The Quarters are easy and fun: in the East we have Nasir - it's where he's from, after all. South is obviously Scarlet. A more fiery individual would be difficult to find. West is Much for emotions and North is Little John's towering strength. And for those of you who use a 5th point, Spirit, that's obviously Tuck. Which leaves Robin as Young Lord and Marion as Maiden (so, we're stretching a bit.) Herne would be Father, but who'd be Mother? As for Sage & Crone, we're open to ideas. Rituals - haven't figured any out yet. Speaking of which, Jan and Hilda and I have been discussing a "celebration" at "Weekend in Sherwood," incorporating some elements from the show, like the blessing bowl, and possibly a guided meditation into the Sherwood in our hearts (which I have yet to write) or a spiral dance and/or some singing. We'd welcome any input from anybody on this idea! One last thing. I've done a bit of work with the RoS folk as foci. These tend to take the form of inner promptings. Robin has been known to help me get un-lost in the woods across the street from my house faster than I could have...or even when I wanted to go the other way! Mary Ann - Since nobody took on your questions in #1, I figured I'd give it a shot. As far as I can recall, the word "witchcraft" comes from the Anglo-Saxon "wicce" meaning "to bend." Don't ask me what this has to do With modern-day or even RoS religion. I don't have a clue. Early paganism and early Christianity got along rather well. Note: paganus (Latin) means country-dweller. Christianity was generally a religion of cities, where churches could be built. More than likely, there weren't churches in each village in the 1100's. There was probably a "circuit priest," like there were "circuit judges" in the Old West. As for getting along, there's an encyclical letter from some early Pope (I forget which one) which explicitly states that institutional Christianity should a) build churches on sites that were already considered holy by local people, and b) take over local feast days, which is why Christmas and Yule coincide, as do Easter and Beltane, Candlemas and Oimelc, All Saints' Day and Samhain, etc. In short, the missionary priests made sure that pagan holidays were subsumed into Christian holy-days. Most of the villagers managed to keep their old traditions alongside the new. From my reading, it seems as though there are some isolated villages in England which still manage this feat. As for what the Church called "witchcraft," I rather like Hugo's description from the show: "As long as they have their children baptized and are married and buried as Christians, I don't much care what they get up to." He was smart enough to know what he was dealing with. It has been said that the God of the Old Religion becomes the Devil of the New. It certainly makes sense in this case - horned god...Of course, occasionally accusations of the "w" word were excuses to gain lands, money, whatever, because an accused and convicted witch's property was forfeit to the lord (or state.) At least England was relatively civilized. They never burned anyone at the stake. Sorry, I'll stop ranting. I suspect that there would have been people who worshipped Lucifer/Satan, but they would not have been Witches (whatever the Church called them.) They would have been ex-Christians reacting against Christianity by choosing to worship the Christian principle of Evil, something Wiccans/ pagans would not do. Still with me? I know - it's a matter of historical record - that there was a "witchcraft plot" to kill James of Scotland, and I seem to recall that the French nobility were into the Dark Arts, as well, but they were pretty barmy from being inbred. Anyway, there is a basis in history for Evil practitioners. You brought up Druids. Now there's a whole different kettle o' fish. Wish I knew more about them. Nobody really knows a great deal, because their traditions were transmitted orally. Also, they likely wouldn't have been around in the 1100's, because some Christian saint earned his sainthood by eliminating the Druids' College on an island in the 900's - I think. [The island was Mona, now called Anglesey, but the culprit's name escapes me. -H] For Beltain customs, I suggest you check out A Witches' Bible Compleat by the Farrars or West Country Wicca by Ryall. Good sources of interesting info, if you can get around the emphasis on sex. Pity we had censored Beltain customs on HTV... Dear Nansi - I love "nerdopagan!" That's what I sit there and yell at stupid shows - "they wouldn't have done it that way! Grrowl!" Hello, kindred spirit! Janet - and everyone else. In case you couldn't tell by the above, I'm a halfbreed, caught between my Christian upbringing and adult vows and my pagan feelings. Christ said and did some very fine things. I have no quarrel with him. The institutional Church is a very different matter...Anyway, it's nice to see someone else like me. ISSUE #2 - Whee! This is FUN! Amber - Check out my answer to Mary Ann about pagan/Christian customs. Laura: Wanna giggle? You know that rag on Robin's pants that we all thought was a garter denoting rank in the Old Religion? Get this. I have it on good authority that Michael's legs were so skinny they had to stuff his pants. The "garter" was to hold the stuffing in place! [Sob...sniff...Julianne, I won't edit out what you're saying about Michael, but you owe me an ice cream! Naah, I don't need any extra padding...-H] So much for garters, even though it makes a fine coincidence. Coincidence? Ain't no such animal. I'm glad you mentioned writing and artwork as forms of magical practice. It seems those are among the few types I have time for, these days. Thanks for pointing it out. Your point about all the RoS characters being human beings as well as archetypes is well taken. I think most of us forget this in the joy of working with and writing about and playing with them. Making any of the characters more "magical" gives the writer a chance to explore issues in a slightly different light - as well as being just plain fun. Magic is fun to fool around with in stories. You can do all sorts of things you can't do in real life. [Or at least on a limited special- effects budget! -H] It's a great way to get around and over problems, as well as taking guesses at what a human mind can do. I wonder how many of us like Lord of the Trees as an episode. Personally, it's one of my favorites. I love the laidback air which permeates the pagan elements. Translation: it feels relaxed and easy, natural, part of their lives. You asked about "good" witches - well, there's Jennet of Elsdon in episode 2, but she seems more of an herbalist. I think it's hat "bad" witches are so much more available to the common mind. We can all think of rotten things, and good folks fighting horrible things make good stories. Maybe, the prevalence of "bad" witches is because our entire group of "good" folks are under the leadership of Herne, who is portrayed as Good. Interesting, because the mythological Herne who leads the Wild Hunt is not exactly a comfortable being to deal with and the only hint we get of this aspect is in LoT. I'd love to see you expand on your ideas about why Robert would leave his comfortable home to become an outlaw! Maybe a story? I think the notion that Robert isn't as psi- null as a log is coming into being in the fandom, as is the idea that he must have been exposed to the Old Religion. As has been noted, even the nobility may have been only nominally Christian and may have secretly kept their traditional ways. It's times like those that make me wish I had a time machine so someone could go check! Janet Van Meter: Hi! Neato idea about the Lady being Sherwood. Hey, why not? She is the Earth Mother, after all. Tina: Also neato! I'd never heard about any female horned figures. I hope someone out there has more info on this topic. Bless you for mentioning the Matthews' upcoming book on Robin Hood. I can't wait to see it. I've written to them about a RH esoteric tradition - I even enclosed International Reply Coupons -but I received no response. I went through the publisher. I hope someone else has better luck getting through, 'cuz I bet they have some good info to share. Lynn: You have a fascinating perspective on magical partners and initiation. I'd never heard of "a year and a day" in Craft tradition, but I'm primarily a solitary, self-taught. There's a bunch of stuff I've never encountered. I look forward to learning more all the time. I would have liked to have seen Robert paired with a magically-talented woman. I really would like to see a story where the Goddess takes precedence in Sherwood. Any takers? Ariel: I'd like to disagree with you about paganism in Robin's time probably being male-oriented. According to my research, the first religious impulse in humanity was directed towards the Mother picture. And even then, agriculture was considered the work of the Mother. I think it more likely that paganism was more balanced, with Mother Goddess and Father God, by whichever name they were called. Besides, didn't Herne go on and on about balance in the series? Do feel free to disagree with me. I love to argue, er, I mean discuss all points! Next topic. I think we've read the same book suggesting that the nobility may have retained touch with its roots. I strongly suggest reading Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz, an author I trust to do her research properly. She discusses the foundation of the Order of the Garter, as well as the possibility of the Sacred King cycle persisting into this century. She makes some excellent points in this book. It's well worth reading. I have a copy I'm willing to loan out. Druids by Stewart Piggot is a good source for info on them. Janet R. - Hi, again, Geez, you're good at putting together lots of neat info. Note: you misted a "rig" reference: "Ard Righ" or in modern English "Ardry," which means "High King." Ever read Patricia Kenneally? Where did you ever find out it's "Carnun" in Gaelic? The books I have don't mention the Gaelic, only the Latinized version; and they never mentioned to whom the Gundestrup bog was sacred. Hmf. Selective editing by scholars. How annoying. Interesting idea. Robert Graves said that the cult of the Virgin "fulfilled a goddess-shaped yearning." The men who ran the institutional Church realized they were missing something that the common folk picked up on, so they began to write the Lady into Church stuff. She wasn't fully accepted until 1880, when the doctrine of Immaculate Conception was...er...ratified. But she's still supposed to subordinate to God the Father/Son, which is where the institution would like to place women. On another note, I picked up a cool book at Christmas Revels this year, called Customs and Ceremonies of Britain by Kightly, which mentions a bunch of the stuff you discussed. Fascinating reading. Also, thanks for reminding us that ancient peoples weren't too terribly much shorter than we are. Common misconception. Hilda - Last word, eh? Only a few notes. How would an Egyptian Priestess of Bast offer a glimpse of the Divine? I'm not up on my Egyptian pantheon. Who/what is the Lindow Man? We read the same book about "Little People," "Good Folk," etc. being intended to conciliate the fey folk who could be tricksters and not very kindly disposed towards humans. I believe it was also intended to be used (by humans) to diminish the threat they felt from faery. Calling the "Fair Folk" by that name tends to reduce one's fear of them. The Composite Pagans from Wherever are an incredible group: Thor, Fenris, Arianrhod and later Cromm Cruach...Gee, guys, can't make up our minds which country's god/desses we want to worship? Let's be promiscuous instead and pick a bunch of deities, any name, shape, or form, so long as they fit the current needs. They're a bunch of religious opportunists, who likely wouldn't get the full effect of any deity, since they kept pantheon- hopping so much! Mike Morton ...Although I have not seen RoS (yet!) I am a Wiccan, and my special area of interest is collecting and studying the lore and traditions of Wicca and Paganism in the British Isles. I am especially interested in Celtic mythologies, the Arthurian legend and Grail cycle, Robin Hood, and other related areas. There seems to be a lot of interest in whether Robin and his group were a coven of witches, and in Issue 2, Ariel points out that Margaret Murray discusses this in The God of the Witches. Her books are controversial, and have drawn a lot of criticism. Unfortunately, while most of her materials are excellent, her detractors tend to want to "toss the baby with the bath water." Unfortunately, one of her pet theories was that Europe was filled with covens that met regularly for Sabbats. There is little to substantiate this position above and beyond the confessions made under torture by the victims of the witch hysteria that raged in Europe. However, this does not mean that all of her works are wrong - nor that isolated groups did not gather on occasion to celebrate the pagan festivals that still ran in the hearts and blood of the people. In spite of her detractors, I still find her books very worthwhile and recommend them highly. In her century long life, she left us a legacy that demands our respect - and gratitude. Other references I have found to Robin Hood in relation to Witchcraft are in The White Goddess by Robert Graves, The Witch's Bible Compleat by Janet and Stewart Farrar, and most recently, an article by Amber K in the 1992 Llewellyn's Magic Almanac. I believe Starhawk also refers to him in The Spiral Dance. I have read other references and will try to research them. Also, I had read about covens that use the traditions of Robin Hood as a basis for their activities. I looked through my collection of books - and am still looking - but will send all of this information along as soon as I find it. Janet Reedman Amber: It was definitely not 'Christian only' in the 12th and 13th centuries! For many centuries the Church was still decrying those who worshipped idols, stones, holy wells, etc. Of course, many Christian rituals absorbed pagan ones - some of this may have been an attempt by the Church to lure converts who weren't too eager to give up time- hallowed ways. Laura: 'Lord of the Trees' was also one of the first episodes I ever saw of RoS, way back in '84. The pagan aspect was one of the things that captivated me from the start (besides Michael, that is!) I was impressed that the paganism was actually presented in a positive manner - I was used to seeing fantasy programs where the 'pagans' were portrayed as 'blood thirsty devil- worshippers,' where there were evil wizards but not positive magic-men (save Gandalf-clones) to counterbalance. I, too, tend to flee the screen when Gulnar comes into view. He's just a bit too 'over the top' for me, and doesn't feel authentic. I prefer Belleme, for that he seems to me the 'classic' medieval sorcerer. I also agree with what you say about Robert needing 'intense personal factors' in order to make his sacrifice and become the Hooded Man. I really wish his motivation had been strengthened in the series. I have also noticed that Marion doesn't seem to get a fair shake in some of the fanfic. I'd be interested in others' opinions about why this is. Janet: You're absolutely correct about the sun being considered feminine in some cultures! In Norse mythology, the sun was considered feminine, the moon masculine. The sun was also known as 'Glory of Elves.' Prehistorian Aubrey Burl also suggested some of the Neolithic peoples may have considered it this way also - and sacrificed to a grim 'man in the moon' at the recumbent stone circles such as Loahhead of Daviot (Scotland.) Tina: I wouldn't hesitate to think for a moment that Herne is the equivalent to Cernunnos, a name whose remnants survive in 'Cerne Abbas' (site of a gigantic hill-carving of unknown origin.) This figure was probably sacred all over Europe at one time, as evidenced by 'Dhul Khurnain' (the two horned,) the name of (I believe) a Moorish sect, also 'Cornovii," an early British tribe. Yes, I have no doubt that Odin/Woden and Herne bear some similarities, and over the centuries one may have assimilated the qualities of the other. The oak was certainly sacred to both. Robert Graves, incidentally, derived the name 'Robin Hood' as coming from 'Rofbreht Whoden,' 'Shining One of Woden.' Lynn: I believe your theories about Herne and the Sacred King sacrifice. Maybe Robin of Loxley's death wasn't literal, either - after there was no body. DeRainault's excuses weren't plausible - even if he thought the peasants would believe Robin alive no matter what he did with the body, King John would demand some physical proof. After, Herne did not tell Robin he was going to die - he said 'meet the Greatest Enemy.' Facing death doesn't necessarily mean dying. Perhaps Robin must make 'sacrifice' to eventually assume Herne's mantle... Ariel: By any chance could you/would you lend me Margaret Murray's God of the Witches? I'd pay for postage, etc. and return it promptly. I've been searching for that book for years and can't find it in town! As for Lammas being a time of sacrifice, I would guess it probably was at one time. William Rufus, an early Norman king hated by the church (and suspected of being 'heathen') for his mannerisms and very long hair, was killed under strange circumstances in the New Forest on Aug. 1, 1100 (auspicious both because of the Lammas date and the fact it happened in a new century.) He was shot in the heart by an arrow fired by one of his own men. Apparently a mysterious antlered buck leapt out before them, and he turned to William Tyrel shouting, "Shoot, for the love of God, shoot!" Tyrel shot him in the chest. The hunting party immediately fled, leaving Rufus lying in the forest. He was found by a local carter who put his body on his cart and took it to Winchester, letting blood drip on the road as he went. (Local legend says the roads still run red with Rufus' blood!) Interestingly, a nephew of the King died in hauntingly similar circumstances earlier that year in May. The king was supposed to have been on that hunt, too, but he begged off sick. There is some evidence of Beltaine human sacrifice as well. The bogmen of both Britain and Europe have had the pollens/grains of springtime meals in their stomachs when analysed. In most cases, these men are found to have eaten a ritual bannock before their demise. Hilda - Absolutely right about all those saints. Many, many saints were in reality pagan gods and goddesses - most of the weirdly-named Cornish 'saints' are of spurious derivation at best, and 'saints' such as St. Clair and St. Ann came from Sinclair and Santam, Sacred Light and Sacred Fire. 'Robin' is indeed a term for a part of the male anatomy in old Welsh and Cornish. 'Robin' is of course also a name for the 'God of the Witches,' and in depictions of the time he appears naked and horned. I'm not surprised the home of the Lindow man was a place where witch burning never caught on. In its day it was very remote, bordering on the edge of the Peale District - where people still die on the moors in winter if they're not careful and wanderers in caves often end up disappearing down uncharted potholes... The 'old ways' seem to have lingered here longer too - the Castleton 'Green Man,' the Well Dressings, the Celtic place names of Mam Tor, Fin Cop and Lindow (Llyn Dhu - Black Lake, or even Darkmere!) Well, I guess that's about it for this time! Take care! Hilda Kitty - But how do you judge who's simply rejecting overly restrictive archetypes and who's violating the basic essence of one of Kip's characters? Where do you draw the line? One of the most wonderful things about RoS is that the characters are simultaneously well- defined and appealing to the imagination. What if Tuck never turned to the saints for help during the perilous situations portrayed in the episodes, but found time for a pilgrimage when times were easier? What if Marion were too spooked by the Sight to use it until Herne accused her of endangering the others by refusing? "What if" is our lifeblood, and even if you're AB+ and I'm O- I'm still not in a position to tell you that your "what ifs" are less valid than mine. Kip certainly doesn't seem to mind, as long as we stay away from out-of-character slash. If your conjectures are just too far off the wall, you'll get your triple bounce-back in the form of incredulous laughter or the dreaded LoC. And if I send you a poem in which Robin calls upon the wind to help him and you think it's ridiculous - don't print it! As Tina Evans mentioned last issue, Herne as portrayed in the show (rather than Cernunnos or any broader archetype) may be primarily a local deity, and he could have been the only male deity we saw because Sherwood was his sole territory/consort/whatever. How apt that Gulnar the raving fanatic is the one who can't decide between Arianrhod and Cromm Cruac! In answer to Woodswalker as well, it seems obvious to me that Gulnar is a howling loony - kind of a motivational wild card, and the sort of character Richard O'Brien can bring to life as no one else can. Wanna meet a really cool Druid? His name is Vidorix, and he's the sole survivor of the Romans' destruction of Mona. You can conjure him via Dangerous Times, c/o Evolution Comics, P.O. Box 1028, Gracie Station, New York, NY 10028 ($11.50 for 6 issues, back issues 1-4 $2.00 apiece.) You wouldn't believe the situations he ends up in while trying to protect the 13 Treasures of Ancient Britain! Definitely someone to have on your side. Tell them you saw it in Cousins! Morgana - the only Horned Goddess I can think of is Hathor, whose lunar horns cradle the Sun Disc in the familiar symbol of Isis (of whom She is an aspect, as well as a Goddess in Her own right.) I've heard that there are certain kinds of sheep whose females also bear horns, but I guess it's only natural given animal examples that most horned deities are male. After all, neolithic artists never see me in the morning before I comb my hair! Yet more musings on the name "Herne/Cerne" - how about "kernel," for seed? Or "Kernow," the old name for Cornwall? Alexei Kondratiev, in his article "Basic Elements of Celtic Ritual" (Moonrise, 1:3:29, Lammas 1989) elaborates on Cernunnos as the "cornuto" or cuckold: "The antlers are a very rich and multi-layered symbol, but one meaning is 'wearing the horns,' the mark of the cuckold. He is dismissed by the Goddess who takes somebody else - the Summer God...In summer he is deprived of his female counterpart and he is forced to find this counterpart within himself." As Janet VanMeter might have advised Him... perhaps while combing His blond hair and gazing wisely into His grey-blue eyes... There's a thought, Robert as the Sun King deserted for the Dying God, or His Israeli equivalent! Anyway, anybody who would like a reprint of this fascinating and fact- filled article, send me a SASE. It's guaranteed to give you a whole new perspective on the Celtic worldview! Woodswalker - "Hood" meaning a sacred pillar reminds me of this excerpt from the New Moon Musings by Joann Keesey, December (of I think 1987 or 1988, but the year's not on here anywhere. It's the third issue, anyway.) Here she describes the Lincolnshire Haxey Hood Game: "The 'hood' is a very rough kind of football. It's a length of thick rope encased in leather, and may originally have been the head of a bull sacrificed in an agricultural fertility ritual. The bull, so sexually energetic, is a particularly potent source of fertility, and just as he could fertilize cows, so his blood could fertilize the earth. The 'hood' as a fertility symbol, might well have been the bull's penis, his most vital organ. This fits with the similar associations to Robin Hood." What do you think of that, Jan and Kitty? What do you get when you combine a bunch of illiterate and often drunk storytellers, a few exaggerated accounts of a ballsy and much-admired highwayman, and a downtrodden people's need for a hero, and mix it all up in a cultural cauldron forged in the ancient flames of sylvan/agricultural fertility magic? Mmm - it sure tastes good! Now, I happen to like the magic part, so while nobody's looking I'm going to throw in a few hawthorn blossoms and some oakmoss, and Ariel here's going to stir it with a sword, and Helen and Laura are over there in the corner flipping madly through the cookbooks to make sure we don't make it blow up... We're letting our imaginations run away with us. Giddyap! You don't have to create a Tarot deck alone, you know. I have a wonderful deck called the Fantasy Showcase Deck in which each card was designed by a different artist! It's available from Elayne Pelz, 15931 Kalisher St., Grand Hills, CA 91344. Just send $19 ($15 plus $4 postage and handling.) Talk about the bargain of the century! Hint: Wayland fans will really like it. Todd: Glad we dispelled your cloud! And a twitch of the nose to you for sending me your letter on a MACINTOSH FLOPPY DISK!!! Thirteen is, among other things, the number of lunar months in a year. It's also just a really good number for group dynamics - big enough so that a clique or two won't destroy the group, but small enough so that a Lone Wolf doesn't get lost in the shuffle. (For more on Lone Wolves, Stars, Clowns, and the Rock of Gibraltar, check out Starhawk's Dreaming the Dark - a nice practical look at the psychosocial dynamics of working magic in a group.) What's the Mormon Goddess' name? The Christians had Sophia, who got restyled the Holy Spirit (and represented as a dove - a creature sacred to the Goddess since way back,) and the Jews had the Shekhina. Bring out your living! Goddess-worship, with its acknowledgement of the divine feminine principle within all women, and mysticism, with its emphasis on individual participation in the Divine, could probably make things difficult for an artificially created upper class. When the nobility dropped divine responsibility but clung to divine right, or later when industrialists sought to use other people's labor to their own benefit, hierarchical religions denigrating to the individual probably proved far more convenient to those in a position to enforce religion. The moral? Experience divinity whenever possible, I guess. We're all on the God Committee, but it's up to us to decide whether to show up for the meetings! As to whether Kip Carpenter's a Pagan - he's confirmed for Weekend in Sherwood. Ask him. (And while you're at it, ask him if he thinks Cousins is silly! Not that I care...) Barbara Walker has written A Woman's Dictionary of Myths and Secrets and A Woman's Encyclopedia of Symbols and Sacred Objects. I have the latter, as I'm stubbornly holding out for when Dictionary comes out in hardback. Encyclopedia gets a regular workout! Check out Woodswalker's letter. Personally, I find Ms. Walker's Tarot deck too cataclysmic for comfort, and I don't like her use of color, but the book that accompanies it is unparalleled for historical and cross-linguistic parallels. The Spiral Dance is well-organized and entertaining, and covers all of the basics without being too vague (as I'm afraid I find Cunningham) or too insistent on form (as, say, D. J. Conway). It's also a smallish book, and affordable; and she illustrates her points with examples. Julianne - Groan...another person who likes D. J. Conway...I'm afraid I find her accessible, well-organized, and hardly Celtic at all! Half of the time she doesn't even specify whether she's using Celtic or Wiccan correspondences (with the exception of directional colors,) and although the one poem she includes in her book is lovely, her rituals just don't incorporate the dance of rhythm and alliteration that I almost need to get me back into Celtic space. Her ideas about stones, wands, jewelry, and the like are good solid foundations for working magic - but Celtic? Sorry. I personally don't like using specific characters from the show as directional spirits - it's like cramming them into shoes that don't fit (although Will and John look comfy enough.) Ahem - about that celebration at Weekend in Sherwood - HAS ANYBODY MENTIONED IT TO CHRIS AND DENISE? If not, this will be the umpteenth time something goes out on the grapevine before they hear Word 1. This isn't just by way of information to Julianne, dudes and dudettes! We've been offered a precious gift in Spirit of Sherwood, and like any magical tool would, it's getting less and less predictable through disuse. I set a fine example by being too paranoid to send them a Cousins flyer at the outset. I hereby resign as Role Model. My first teacher, Andras Corban Arthen, suggested that the name "wicce" was a reference to bending or twisting reality (kind of like working wicker), but then he's a shaman. I personally like the idea that the name Witch describes us as people who bend or redirect the currents of living energy in the universe (as opposed to celebratory Pagans, who seem largely content to simply ride them). I'm not much of a biblical scholar, but I once heard from a local fellow named Mark Amidon that there's no real description of the Devil in actual scripture, except that he is said to have wings (as an evicted angel, that does seem to suit him.) I expect that if most of the indigenous gods of the lands conquered by Rome had been aviform (bird- shaped,) we'd have lots of classical art depicting the Devil with a beak! But it looks like the first persistent local divinity with whom the Romans had to deal was Pan. I saw Herne in RoS as being more concerned with balance than with Good per se. This would fit well enough with the Wild Hunt coming around to pick up the souls of the year's dead, or at least the ones who kind of got lost in the shuffle and are still kicking around acting confused or angry or sad. In RoS Herne struggled incessantly on the part of Good simply because at the time things were, well, rotten. Good had to bust tail just to keep up. I can just see it...Nottinghamshire Courier headline: "Horned God On Sabbatical, Leafy Lady On Rampage. The not-particularly-bereaved associates of the late Sir Guy of Gisburne report..." A Priestess of Bast would lift her skirts to show her congregation the Divine Portal of Life. The body of the "Lindow Man" was found in 1983 in a bog near Manchester. His stomach contained scorched grain and some mistletoe pollen, suggesting that he'd eaten a bit of burnt bannock and had a mistletoe drink before his evident triple death by having his throat slit, his neck broken by garotting, and his head struck three times with a narrow- bladed axe. He had the moderate musculature and neatly-trimmed fingernails of an aristocrat and the heavily seamed brow of a scholar, and he wore only a band of fox fur over his shoulder. Perhaps his triple death corresponded to the Druids' three elements of air, land, and sea (fire was more of a direct aspect of divinity for them); or perhaps he was simultaneously dedicated to the Celtic deities Taranis, Esus, and Teutates. I learned all this from the Celtic History Museum, a fascinating shareware HyperCard stack compiled by Michael Newton (40522 Eady Lane, Boulevard, CA). For those of you without computer access, Mr. Newton suggests The Lindow Bog Man by Lynn Sibley (Reaction Times, 1991), The Elements of Celtic Tradition by Caitlin Matthews (Element Books, 1989), and The Life and Death of a Druid Prince by Anne Ross and Don Robbins (Simon and Schuster, 1989). AHA! The Green Man story I was trying to locate, which took place in Hathersage, was Green Magic by Janet Reedman, in Legend 2. Thanks, Janet! I have an idea as to why Marion so seldom gets treated fairly in the fanfic, by the way. Aside from pure envy, Marion is in many ways a Mary Sue. Fanfic readers have met many female characters in the RoS universe who not only weep occasionally when their lives and the lives of the ones they love are endangered - they act as we would, and occasionally fall apart completely when they're tortured or when their families are cruelly slaughtered before their eyes. Marion is not only an unusually strong character; she was raised an aristocrat. Given her circumstances, Marion is working with considerable advantages. If a fan writer wanted to live the RoS story through Marion, that writer would have to really mess her up to come up with anything even half-familiar. This is obviously the biggest problem with having only one persistent female character. She has to swing all of the female archetypic stuff on her own. To avoid slighting female viewers, she has to be not only skillful and clever; she has to be loving and nurturing, and also wise and experienced. If only feisty Meg or world-wise Margaret or honorable Isadora or Mab with her secrets had spent more time on the screen, poor Marion might have been spared some of her superheroine status in the original plot and a lot of compensatory denigration in print! I can more easily see Robin losing to the "Greatest Enemy" than leaving Marion for anything. Perhaps he survived to take up the Horns, but not knowingly (at least at first,) and not without a lot of divine intervention! Editor's Notes STAND UP AND BE COUNTED! Woodswalker asks: "What's your favorite RoS quote?" Let us know! PLEASE, FOLKS - I can be a bit slow (but not a halfwit) at figuring out what's personal correspondence and what's intended for publication. If there's something in your letter that you'd like me to print, please let me know! RoS folk are always so clever and full of ideas that I've been spoiled by brilliant correspondence and might not automatically understand that you're talking to all of us and not just to me. Put asterisks or arrows or something on the parts that are for general consumption, and you'll see them in these pages! Thank you. Also: Please feel free to photocopy Cousins as much as you want and give copies to people who you think might enjoy it. I only ask that when you give someone a copy, it be a copy of a whole issue so that people can get a good solid feel for what we're about and have the address in case they want it; and PLEASE cover the "Who We Are" section with a sheet of white paper when copying. Herne, Lord of the Trees, doesn't want us encouraging unsolicited mail! I listed the addresses of Friends of Robin of Sherwood and Spirit of Sherwood last issue, but (gasp!) f-f-f-forgot to include the address of the letterzine Herne's Stepchildren: c/o One Handed Press, 3628 Tibbett Ave., Riverdale, NY 10463. This is definitely not one to miss - and they (unlike your Scroogely cousin Hilda) will accept the occasional poem or bit of fiction. In fact, they hogged a good bit of the available exceptional poetry in Issue #8. So exactly what does Broom-Hilda deign to print? Letters, requests for books/reprints/ information, book reviews, announcements (text only, no graphics), and addresses. Anything else small within reason will be considered. I'd rather have Cousins be a pointer to text resources than reprint each source in its entirety. Brevity is not only the soul of wit, it's a lot easier on the budget! Case in point: For all of you Herne fans, Julianne Toomey has sent me a copy of her article Just Who Is This Herne, Anyway (first printed in the Journal of the Friends of Robin of Sherwood, Issue #1.) Send me a SASE if you'd like a copy - she explores many facets of both Herne as presented in RoS and his cousins (!) in folklore and art through the ages. I found it fascinating. Also available for the price of a SASE is Alexei Kondratiev's article Basic Elements of Celtic Ritual. I can't recommend this one enough. Check out my reply to Morgana for a sneak preview! Anyone else who wants to offer copies or reprints of articles, I'll gladly list your address and what you have to share. But please get written permission from both the author and the publisher first! And tell me that you got both OK's so that I can print your listing without stepping on anyone's toes or invoking a plague of lawyers. Even if your best friend wrote it for your mother's zine, get written permission. People take such things surprisingly seriously. Well, no matter what I do, this issue seems to come out 13 pages long. Here's a special welcome to those Cousins carrying Y-chromosomes who finally offered to grace us with their presence. May your participation serve the Balance! And may we all continue to enjoy the dance that is learning. Blessed be.