Folklore, Fantasy and Myth are all things that have always been very important to me. Growing up, I read many Greek and Norse myths, though admittedly of the most dime store varieties (ie poor translations and dummied down).

Over the years I have grown to love old tales of the fantastic a great deal, and though many contemporary fantasy novels fail to surprise me much nowadays, the old tales still grab me. Perhaps its the layers of meaning and cultural intent hidden within such stories that does it, for no bit of folklore is ever *just* what it seems to be.

Sincerity, truth and substance should thicken and grow new roots as the reader reads on and again an old piece. Storytellers and actors should always give a new depth to old lore.

Much of what we encounter of old myths were originally meant to be read aloud, or even acted out by a storyteller/actor. These stories are meant to share and discuss aloud, and we do a disservice to them when we do not do so.

So get out there and share a story.

Cad Goddeu

These are the englyns that were sung at the Cad Goddeu (the Battle of the Trees), or, as others call it, the Battle of Achren which was on account of a white roebuck and a welp; and they came from Hell, and Amathaon ab Don brought them. And therefore Amathaon ab Don, and Arawn, King of Annwn (Hell), fought. And there was a man in that battle, unless his name were known he could not be overcome; and there was on the other side a woman called Achren, and unless her name were known her party could not be overcome. And Gwydion ab Don guessed the name of the man, and sang the two Englyns following:

"Sure-hoofed is my steed impelled by the spur;
The high sprigs of alder are on thy shield;
Bran art thou called, of the glittering branches."

And thus,

"Sure-hoofed is my steed in the day of battle:
The high sprigs of alder are on thy hand:
Bran by the branch thou bearest
Has Amathaon the good prevailed."