Kelpies, Water Nymphs and Nixies

What with all the rain and wild weather, I’ve been contemplating water nymphs, curses, three wishes and uncanny rivers birling dark peaty pools.  Once upon a time, every fresh water spring and river had its own water goddess.  River Clyde’s goddess was ‘Clota’, or ‘Clutha’.  A carving of a water deity was found near here, origin unknown.  She has two fish tails and is similar to one in the Pictish Museum in Meigle.  Later, springs and their deities became wells dedicated to saints.  So unromantic.

Thrills and swirls of the Corryvrecken whirlpool, where the Cailleach washes her plaid before covering the hills with its winter cloth.  Glorious paintings by Waterhouse, I’ve admired since a teenager.  (Mostly because I longed to be pond-eyed, willowy, and painted as a Pre-Raphaelite ‘stunner’.  At long last, I feel such affection for her, that gal I once was.)

These watery ponderings led me down the white rabbit hole to the wonderful wizard of Wiki.  All Hail!  It doesn’t matter if anything on it is true or not, in fact, better if it’s not, it is a mesmerising source for sparking inspiration.  I once read that the great thaumaturge himself, Nick Cave, bows to the wizard of Wiki for a spark or two.

Researching water myths and fairy tales is a fine way to while away a stormy afternoon, while the thunder and lightning dance their dance.  Just the words; Mermaid, Ondine, Nixie, Kelpie, Selkie, Siren.

I chanced upon a Scottish author of Fairy Tales, who, shamefully, I’d never heard of before.  George MacDonald (1824-1905).  Who influenced writers such as Lewis Carroll, WH Auden, JRR Tolkien, Walter de la Mare, and CS Lewis.

Mending my ways, audiobook choice this month is ‘Fairy Tales’ by George MacDonald. 

Why must audiobook readers make such silly voices.

Hate that.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/meigle-sculptured-stone-museum-p299621

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Siren_(Waterhouse_painting)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach