� 2001-2006 by Shiloh
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okThe Land of Standing Stones is above the Faraway Tree now, hovering magically, comfortably, in the sky, while a small host of travelers wander within its ancient mystical boundaries, in and out of the gauzy mists coming from its borders. Our purpose here, it seems, is to revitalize our creativity by warming and reviving an ancient stone woman and asking her questions about the very nature of creativity itself--which I hope to do later. And by warming and reviving the other people, frozen in Time and turned into stone, either by wrathful deities or by powerful magicians who've deemed this state a just and/or well-deserved punishment.
Here in the Land of Standing Stones it's hard not to become immersed in the folklore surrounding the antiquated, curiously placed "standing stones." Steeped deeply in the Mists of Time and ranging widely culturally, from Scandinavia to Germany to the British Isles--even to Easter Island in...the South Pacific--these strange stones have long held a strong fascination for many, many people. Myself included.
There are numerous myths and just as many theories surrounding their true and forgotten origins. Some say (of Stonehenge and other similar stone circles) that they were built by the ancient and original Druids. Others say it was the Romans--but somehow I can't see them building such a monument. It/they just don't seem like the Romans' style in architecture. Still yet, other people claim they were constructed by aliens, Atlantians, Merlin himself and/or King Arthur, that famous beloved ruler of Camelot. Even Boadicca, the Icenii Warrior Queen. As to Stonehenge's purpose and perhaps that of other circles? It/they could have been an age-old astronomical calendar or calculator; a sacred site or "temple" for sacrifices or other rites; a burial ground for fallen ancient warriors or for King Arthur's father and uncle; there are those who even say Queen Boadicca built Stonehenge as a monument to herself.
My thoughts on these theories? If ya wanna know and prove yourself correct--or incorrect as the case may be--the obvious answer (however sacrilegious and horrifying this sounds) is to begin an archaeological dig there at Stonehenge. I'm sure the soil there and subsequent layers have interesting and possibly enlightening clues and probably even more mysteries to behold once they're unearthed. *hearing scandalized gasps and apoplectic sounds as people struggle to take in air while bodily thuds come from the floor as others faint dead away at the mere thought*
But, like that's going to happen. Because Stonehenge is an historical national monument/treasure of modern day England. So take a few deep breaths and relax. Stonehenge is safe from me--for the moment--but unfortunately, not from the ravages of Time or the tourist industry. But c'mon, admit it. Wouldn't it be interesting and exciting to know what untold secrets Stonehenge is keeping?
Not far from the borders of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and within the latter county, is the pretty village of Rollright and near the village, up a hill, stands a circle of small stones, and one larger stone, such as our Celtic antiquaries say were raised by the Druids.
As soon as the Druids left them, the fairies, who never failed to take possession of their deserted shrines, seemed to have had an especial care over these stones, and anyone who ventures in to meddle with them is sure to meet with some very great misfortune.
The legend says that all the stones in this area were once human beings: a king and his army. They were met by a witch who owned the land over which the ambitious conqueror marched. She said to the king:
The witch cried:
The King Stone may originally have been somewhat bigger than it is now; people used to chip pieces off of it as good luck charms. They included soldiers who took the chips into battle, and Welsh drovers who came by with their herds of cattle. There are many other legends attached to the King Stone. It is said that dreadful noises were heard when a man, using 24 horses, removed the stone to his house; when he took it back only two horses were needed for the return journey. Another story tells how the King Stone goes down to a spring in Little Rollright spinney to drink, but only when he hears the Long Compton church clock strike midnight.
According to the 18th century antiquarian William Stukeley, near the King Stone was a flat area of turf where "young people meet at a special time and make merry with cakes and ale." People also used to gather there on Midsummer Eve. In 1895 A.J. Evans reported that they stood in a circle round the King Stone, and when the elder (the eldern as the witch said) tree was cut and it bled, the stone was said to move his head.
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