COUSINS ISSUE #7 - August 1992 pt1
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.
for more information about Cousins, contact Susan Gavula,
[email protected]
This Issue's Fun Word: CUCULLATUS
Latin for Hooded Man. Genius Cucullatus is what the Romans called the
statues of Hooded Men that they found throughout Celtic Europe. In
Britain, they tended to be triple Hooded Men. They also tended to be
phallic. Sometimes they carried eggs, making them fertility images, but
one Hooded Man statue was found who was clearly a prosperity image that
carried a moneybag. (See "Genius Cucullatus" in The Dictionary of
Celtic Myth and Legend by Miranda Green, obtainable from Book of the
Month Club.)
(Thanks to: Linda Frankel)
LETTERS
Christine Haire
Dear Cousins,
Slow down, Hilda - you're too efficient! I'm forever gonna be 2 issues
behind, it seems. Well, here I go again...
Denise and I just returned from a magical journey to England. Our heads
are still in the clouds and our hearts are still there. Between our
jobs, running the club, and the convention, we were suffering from a
major case of burnout, so we decided to run away and try to rekindle the
flame. We spent 12 days there. The first place we went was Bodiam Castle
in Kent, which was a location used in RoS and home of a big archery
tournament which used to have RoS guests. We attended the tournament on
our last trip to England in 1988, so it felt like returning home.
Bodiam is an extraordinarily beautiful, fairy tale, moated castle often
overlooked by tourists. We stayed at The Castle Inn B&B/Pub right
across the road. We got in, walked around a bit, and then crashed from
jet lag. We woke up at 11:30 PM! So we got dressed and decided to go for
a moonlight walk near the castle. It was pitch black and misty outside.
We had to dodge sheep as we made our way up the winding path to the
castle. It was still except for the night sounds of the woods around us.
There was a wondrous full moon which reflected off the moat. We climbed
over the gate and walked slowly up the drawbridge but didn't dare to
touch the great door. We sat on a bench facing the castle and absorbed
the great magic and atmosphere of the place. Suddenly, the distant
church bells chimed 1 o'clock and we ended our midnight adventure and
went back to our beds like good little pumpkins. That was the first
night...
From there we went to London and saw Michael in Aspects of Love and
Clive in Pocket Dream and SHOPPED! We next picked up our rental car and
drove to Hathersage where we stayed in a haunted B&B next to, literally,
where Little John is buried. We then saw all the Robin Hood stuff in
Edwinstowe and Nottingham. Next, we were off to Wales where we saw
lovely Tintern Abbey, Chepstow, and Caldicot Castles. Then, we went to a
beautiful B&B in Chewton Mendip and visited Cheddar Gorge (another RoS
filming location) and Glastonbury from there.
Glastonbury seems to be a mecca for pagans, new agers, hippies,
Christians, etc. We found two great stores there called Gothic Image
Books and next door was The Goddess and the Green Man! We visited the
Chalice Well, Glastonbury Abbey, and walked the Tor. The view from the
top of the Tor is beyond comparison.
Just before we left for England, we received information on "A
Celebration of Beltane, Robin Hood, The Green Man and Lady" which was an
event being held in London. The lady who organized it was kind enough to
hold tickets for us and even invited us to stay with her and her husband
over the weekend. The event was held at a lovely Jacobean-style manor
house converted into a community centre. Unbeknownst to them when they
booked the hall, there turned out to be a gorgeous green man carving
over the fireplace and a green lady in the ceiling in the room they
used! the morning of the event we helped them decorate the room with
real ivy. Mark Ryan was one of the scheduled speakers and also opened
the celebration. The other speakers were: Steve Wilson, who gave a
fascinating talk on Robin Hood's connection to Mayday and comparative
myths; John Matthews, who guided a meditation on finding your totem
beats; Chesca Potter, a brilliant artist who is working with Mark and
Mike Grell on The Wildwood Tarot, gave an illustrated talk on the
Goddess of the Greenwood and ancient forests; Mark talked about the
research he has done, historical and mythological, into Robin Hood and
the Green Man; and Andrew Collins, author of The Seventh Sword, talked
about the links between the Green Man, Robin Hood, Mayday, the Knights
Templar, and Roslin Chapel in Scotland. We'll have more details about
these talks, hopefully, in upcoming issues of On Target. There were
tables set up in the back of the room selling books, Wiccan material,
art prints, vegetarian food, and Spirit of Sherwood memberships. (The
generous folks who ran the event gave us a table!) We were floored when
a lady walked in with a Spirit of Sherwood T-shirt. She turned out to be
one of our active British members. We also got to meet several other
British fans of the series.
Another activity was a Guardians of the Woodland visualization which was
very effective. It was eloquent in its plea to save the woodlands but
simple enough to be accessible to the uninitiated. The Guardians
represented included Herne, Artemis, and Elen. The lady who organized
the circle wanted me to portray Elen but I declined, finding that idea a
bit overwhelming. It was a very successful visualization. They also
showed the RoS bloopers and had folk songs by a group called Fire and
Ice. Mark brought Nasir's swords and bow and passed them around. It sort
of felt like being at a con. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The folks
running it and Mark treated us like visiting royalty but made us feel
like part of the family. I also got to meet and chat with one of my
favorite authors, John Matthews. He came by our table and said he was
glad we made it to the event and did we get his letter in time? We said
no, but we'd had another letter with the details and here we were. (His
very nice letter was waiting for us when we got home as well as one from
Mark - figures, huh?!) John asked if he could buy some back issues of On
Target. No, we of course told him, we would just send him them when we
got home. He is researching his book Robin Hood - Lord of the Greenwood
which should be published in Spring of '93, and he said he will keep us
posted. Mark saw us talking to John and very sweetly popped over to make
introductions. Everyone was just so nice to us.
We spent Sunday in London with our friends and did more shopping. Then
Monday we spent the day with Richard Carpenter and his wife Annie. They
are doing very well, and Richard is looking forward to seeing everyone
in August. All in all, it was a glorious, rejuvenating journey for us
and we're back alive and kicking.
At the Beltane event, I bought 2 issues of a little 'zine called
Tradition which has articles about keeping traditions and customs alive.
Topics included: Robin Hood, the Green Man, the Celts, May Day and the
Maypole, the Rite of Spring, the English Bagpipe, Boadicea's Revolt,
Greek customs, etc. I read them on the plane back and they were a good
read. Subscriptions are from Paul Salmon (Exec. Editor), Tradition, P.O.
Box 57, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 1DU. Send an IRC for rates. I also bought
an excellent book called Greenmantle by Charles De Lint, which I
understand is available here, but I'd never seen it. The blurb on the
back of the book says, "Not far from the City lies an ancient wood,
forgotten by the rest of the world, where mystery walks in the
moonlight. He wears the shape of a stag.. a goat.. a horned man wearing
a cloak of leaves. He is summoned by the music of the pipes, or a fire
of bones on Midsummer's Evening. He is chased by the hunt, and shadowed
by the wild girl. When he touches your dreams, your life will never be
the same again." Sound good? I also bought Caitlin & John Matthews' new
book, Ladies of the Lake, which should be out here this month.
Julianne: Arrowflight has apparently been resurrected. It was out at
Mediawest in reprinted form. I think Deb Walsh was selling it with Anne
Wortham and Leah Rosenthal. We'll try to get more details.
You are right about exploring and developing the characters as seen on
the show. But the point is not to make them into some completely
different, alternate version of the character by totally disregarding
the series and doing something so removed from what that character as
seen on the show would do. Does that make sense?
The ritual sounds a bit complicated, "showy" and inaccessible to the
uninitiated. Simplicity may make it more accessible and physically
easier to conduct in a hotel room.
You mentioned the term "paganoChristian." You may enjoy a book called
Celtic Fire which is about that very time of transition in British
history (ISBN 0-385-41958-9), edited by Robert Van de Weyer.
Nansi Loser: Thank you so much for the nice compliments about On Target.
We need a pat on the back from time to time and we are so proud of our
contributors we thank you on their behalf as well. Why can't you skip
part of Pennsic and come to Michigan? (Whine-whine!) We'll miss you!
Oh, boy, did I push the wrong button with the word "converted" - oops!
Each religion has its examples and non-examples, including paganism.
I've run across my share of pagans who act very superior and look down
their noses at those "poor, backwards, unenlightened Christians, Jews,
etc." and try to make people feel stupid for still holding the same
beliefs that they were raised with. So, I guess that's the attitude I
meant - no personal offense to anyone intended. I've seen Christian RoS
fans put on the defensive. I just can't imagine you having to worry
about anyone in the RoS fandom. If you show them you are tolerant, they
should reciprocate. It's a very tolerant bunch of folks in RoS fandom.
Ariel: Why were you referring me to the library?! I was responding to
Mary Ann McKinnon with regard to historical questions. I have my own
historical library.
My point about the possibility of Loxley carrying on Herne's role was
meant as an idea of an alternate explanation for The Greatest Enemy. If
he were taken by Herne to be his apprentice but thought to be dead, he
would have time. Just an apocryphal fan-fiction idea - no big deal.
There is no garter in RoS.
You're right about the anti-Christian vibes in fan-fic. You make a very
good point about some folks taking it too far.
Cousins is a LETTERZINE. By its nature then, it should discuss whatever
its letters contain, and I agree that it should not be boxed into any
limited topics of discussion.
Raven: Wow, if your friends are that closed-minded that they wouldn't
respect your religious beliefs, how do you cope? It must be extremely
hard play-acting for them. True friends should respect your beliefs as
you respect theirs.
Hilda: The circle seems a bit complicated to me too. Yes, I for one am
allergic to some incense. It also may not be a good idea to burn incense
in a hotel due to fire laws, smoke alarms, and the smell lingers in the
carpets and curtains.
The geographical area of the country really bears little significance.
We are having a convention for a British TV show called Robin of
Sherwood, not a religious gathering. It is the first time in this hotel.
There will be mundanes around. People walking around in garb will be
enough for the hotel folks and the mundanes to take in. We do appreciate
your discretion. How many folks can you fit comfortably in a hotel room
for a circle? You may want to have that first as a smaller gathering and
a party later.
Paucity of RoS conventions? It's all we can do to make it to Visions,
MediaWest and Weekend - all of which have RoS related activities. We
also have "mini-con" get-togethers with our friends on a regular basis,
which is great fun!
I really will shut up now, at long last! Keep up the good work and
Blessed Be!
Todd Parrish
Dear Cousins, I am sorry to have skipped the last issue, but my
Macintosh disk storing my literary genius crashed unexpectedly (so much
for good intentions, aye?) Then, I couldn't remember what I wrote since
I was busy with other projects. Oh, well... I would like to add my ideas
to the already bewildering array of others.
I was very impressed with the size of this newsletter! Huge! It is
interesting for me to see what Craft people have to say since I know
relatively so little about it.
I was especially grateful to Richard Carpenter for his information on
Robin of Sherwood. I can understand why the VCR would be a curse for a
writer, since it gives the opportunity for ideas, etc. to be
scrutinized. I wondered about the Goddess too, since there was so much
of a to-do about it - the Goddess is very important to pagans. I can see
why; there needs to be a balance between the God and Goddess to achieve
harmony. However, I think that stating that this was a matter of choice
(Herne as the deity) rather than an oversight helps settle some
concerns. I also thought the part of Herne dressing as a the Goddess was
amusing - I think Richard was right. Audiences would have a hard time
accepting this. It is a hysterical concept having Herne dress in drag. I
can just see Matthew of Wickham asking Alison, "Why does Herne dress up
like a girl and talk in a high voice?" I mean, what could a mother say?
This sounds like an interesting apocryphal story, really... You know, I
agree, we can't know everything about everything, no matter how well-
versed we are in a particular subject. I would like to know more about
Belleme (learning black magic during the Crusades). I think it was a
great touch having him run around in Saracen robes instead of the stuffy
English getup. Also, I feel rather vague about the Silver Arrow. Sorry,
Richard. I would like to know a little more about it - perhaps someone
can make up a plausible fanzine story? I tend to agree with Julianne on
this subject. I also enjoyed Richard's suggestions about tarot cards - I
think I will make up my own deck! Sounds like fun...
Speaking of watching the tapes over and over (RoS), I've been watching
Jason's performance as compared to Michael's. You know how when you
watch things over and over again, the actors' performances become
stilted and mechanical? Well, I never realized it the first time through
(because I was so ecstatic that the series would continue after Loxley's
demise), but I really feel that Jason's acting paled in comparison to
Michael's (gads, I'm gonna piss people off here). Michael's lines were
delivered naturally, and always seemed unrehearsed. However, Connery was
really stiff and seemed to deliver them with weaker conviction. I think
this is why I tend to like Loxley more, although I'm moving on to
explore more story ideas with Jason. Could this have something to do
with his being a former earl's son (conservative demeanor)? However, I
think that Jason just didn't have the spark that Michael had to endear
me to the character. Well, having to mutter lines through false teeth
didn't help, either (poor Jason). [Fangs for reminding us! -H] Is there
anyone who feels the same way I do, or am I alone in this?
I also don't understand this double standard with Marion not being able
to have sex with anyone other than her husband. Did it ever occur to
anyone that she might have found a lover in the convent? There were
plenty of stories about nuns becoming pregnant and deferring
responsibility to the Devil. We really know what those priests and nuns
were up to anyway, don't we? (I must qualify this by saying that not all
the nuns and priests were unchaste, but many of them were.) I see so
many Beltane stories with Robert getting laid, why not Marion in the
convent? She could be getting some attention too. She could have had a
lover before Jason rescued her from Owen of Clun (when she was at
Leaford), although that's unlikely. We understand that she was quite
devastated, but why not take comfort in the arms of a man? I guess we
tend to see Marion as more faithful and pure, while we see Jason being
available and capable of performing (depends on your own motives in a
way, I think). I don't think this is entirely accurate, although it is
one way of looking at it. Marion wouldn't have to commit to a
relationship other than to God. Plus, she could have the physical
comfort of a man too. O.K., we have some problems with religion, but
when did that ever stop anybody? Are women so different from men that
they would not have needs and desires? We sure can suspect that the
monks and priests satisfied themselves in various ways. I know I am
going to create a little bit of uproar, but it is a thought... I am
almost certain that a person writing a story like this would be flogged
whereas a person writing a sexy Robert story would be applauded. If so,
why do you think that is? I'm sorry, but I feel that there is a double
standard here, and why is it that there are so many women in this fandom
so quick to defend Marion's "honor" when they eagerly accept Jason's
Beltane rompings? I'm puzzled over this...
Julie: Sir Guy of Gisburne is my favorite character. I feel so sorry for
him; he's a blunderer, and also at the same time, sometimes cleverer
than the Sheriff. Poor Gizzy never does get any credit for trying.
However, it deeply disturbs me that he was also a murderer. I want to
like him, but I'm torn. I think that is his allure. One can't help but
like Much. Again, he's a little slow, but he's really such a nice guy.
I'm attracted to John's love of others, his strength, and his tenderness
for Meg. Will is the comic relief, and I really despise him. I know I'd
run the other way if I met him in real life. I don't like loud-mouthed
bullies (O.K., I really did like him, I'll admit it). I'm not completely
riveted by Marion, although she is cute and I did cry when she lost her
husband. Nasir is too silent for me to really like him. Most of my close
friends tend to babble and I love them for it. I like Michael more since
he's more mysterious and mystical than Robert. I think Herne is really
irritating and intriguing. Phil Rose is the perfect Tuck. I have a
really hard time accepting anyone else in the role. Of course, I love to
hate the Sheriff. He's avaricious and thoroughly fascinating.
Who asked me about Kinesiology? [I did. -H] Yikes, I can't find you, but
I know the question was asked. Kinesiology is the psychological study of
muscles and movements. However, it isn't all as boring as that.
Basically, the study demonstrates, rather non-empirically, what
medicines, etc. are good for your body. This washes over into personal
relationships, etc. It means becoming in tune with yourself and
recognizing what your body needs. It demonstrates what makes you strong
and weak. It ties in also with the psyche, and touches on magic. Well,
most psychology does if you really look at it...
Got to sign off or I never will get this in the mail. Please remember
(about the above), I'm trying to understand more, and not trying to
cause conflict!
Linda Frankel (Issue 1)
I can report, in response to Raven's question about using RoS characters
in Pagan practice, that when my women's circle did a ritual this past
March for the purpose of mourning the Dying God to coincide with the
Roman mourning of Adonis, the God I mourned was Robin. I said that
through him I mourned the loss of responsible and caring leadership.
Later in the ritual there was a meditation in which the God was re-born.
I imagined Robert bursting from a giant egg and stepping out of the
shell fully formed. What a great joy it was to see that sun- haired
youth after the darkness of mourning Robin! Some will object that Robin
and Robert are not Gods. It is my belief that all of us share in the
divine and are part of it. The beings we call Gods are thought
projections that we give power through worship. Richard Carpenter has
given Robin Hood more power in the modern world than he's ever had
before, and we feed that power each time we call on him in circle or
write about him in zines.
Ariel says that Marion's choice to stay in a convent is surprising. I
don't think it's possible that she would even stay an entire year. She's
not a stupid woman. Why would she deliberately put herself in Hugo de
Rainault's clutches? Fan writers underestimate the power of a man in his
position. He would move as quickly as he could to destroy Marion, and if
the Abbess of Halstead tried to protect her, he'd destroy Halstead's
reputation. It would be relatively easy to do this. Nuns were always
suspected of slipping the leash in the Medieval Church. Then there's the
Interdict. If we accept the timeline in In The Shadow of the Wheel,
Marion went into Halstead in August of 1207. In march of 1208 the Pope
declared all of England under Interdict. (Haven't any other RoS fans
picked up on the Interdict? I've never seen any reference to it in RoS
fan fiction.) The sacraments couldn't be administered to anyone in the
entire kingdom during that period of time. If Marion believed that the
Church was any help at all to the people of England, she'd be singing a
different tune when the Church offered them nothing for five years. Even
if she was willing to risk Hugo de Rainault's venom for some reason, she
couldn't in conscience stay in a Church that serves no one. It's also my
belief that her Goddess wouldn't let her stay at Halstead. Although
Marion could serve the Lady secretly at Halstead, she could not be
Maiden of Sherwood there. Do we believe in the importance of Marion's
office? Well, if we do, then she must return.
When I started reading the section that Ariel wrote on Robert, I wanted
to cheer. I'd been under the impression that all of RoS fandom suffered
from Will Scarlet Fever, the sad condition of believing every rude word
that Will ever flung at Robert. There are questions about Robert's
background that have been answered too facilely. Why would a nobleman
want to learn a peasant's weapon like the quarterstaff? The longbow is
an even more inappropriate weapon for a nobleman. Some scholars say it
was used in this period for hunting, but it was the shortbow that was
used for that purpose. I've read that the longbow had actually been
banned, and was only in use as an outlaw's weapon! The fact that Robert
went out of his way to learn the quarterstaff and the longbow tells me
that he was a rebel against established authority long before he became
Hooded Man. I agree that David of Huntingdon would have been cynical
about the Church. He would have contributed vast sums to the Church,
attended mass regularly, given lip service to Christian beliefs, and
counted himself as a good Christian while being a thoroughgoing
hypocrite. At the same time, like many other noblemen of the time, he
would probably be superstitious - fearing plots involving witches,
demons, and vengeful ghosts. People who fear vengeful ghosts have
usually done something that consumes them with guilt, and a Norman Lord
usually had more than enough crimes on his conscience. In order to
protect himself, he would become the patron of astrologers and
sorcerers. I see Robert as becoming a devout Christian in rebellion
against his father. I believe that Robert has a strong ascetic streak
that would incline him to the monastery and harsh penances. This would
have frightened Earl David badly. The last thing he'd want is for his
son and heir to become a celibate monk, but Robert, the man who resigned
his heritage, is obviously given to extremes. He'd want to be a saint
and martyr, and I feel that this would strongly influence him to become
Hooded Man. It's a very public sacrifice. Obviously, he would also have
to be a Pagan, but this was a time when the two religions were being
combined. I posit that he's had the opportunity to study ceremonial
magic of the Hermetic type with a Moorish astrologer who was part of his
father's household for a while. This style of magic is much more formal
than anything Robin would have done. So I see Robert as a totally
syncretic heretic. If you want to read a story about Robert as a
Pagan/Christian, see my slash story, The Successor, in No Holds Barred
#1. (Available now from Kathy Resch, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA
91780.) There are two other RoS slash stories in the issue which deal
with De Rainault and Gisburne as lovers. Mine is about Robert being
secretly initiated by Robin as Hooded Man five years before Robin's
death. They become lovers in the course of the story. For Robin this is
an interlude. He does care about Robert, and having a good successor is
important to him. Yet his main commitment is to Marion. Robert's
emotions and reactions are quite different, however. To specify any
further would reveal too much of the plot.
(Issue 3) To Kitty Gamarra: I feel that Richard Carpenter opened the
door to variant interpretations of his characters when he created
Rhiannon's Wheel. Any alternate universe versions of the characters are
thus fair play. Why not write professional RoS instead? Well, I do feel
that what I write is within the spirit of Richard Carpenter's RoS, and
too close to his vision to be considered totally original.
To Janet Reedman re: William Rufus: Like King John, William Rufus
alienated his entire kingdom. It wasn't only the Church who hated him.
He was cruel, selfish, and irresponsible. I wouldn't consider him worthy
of being a Sacred King. Since he died during a hunt (for pleasure, I
might add), it could well be that Herne claimed him as prey, called down
the Wild Hunt, and possessed the assassin to make sure that William
Rufus was slaughtered like the rabid dog that he was.
To Hilda: Why is slash more out of character than anything else? This
implies certain prejudices about the character traits of gay men and
lesbians. I don't believe that my slash stories are any more out of
character than anyone else's RoS fiction, and a good deal less out of
character than some of the lulus I've read about Robert leaving
Sherwood. Why isn't slash a valid alternate universe?
Re: favorite quotes - A favorite quote of mine is from Outlaws of
Sherwood by Robin McKinley. "Depend on a Norman not to know the
difference between a Saxon and a Saracen." There's an idea for a story
about Nasir there, but I can't put my finger on the plot. Maybe someone
else will read this and make good use of that quote.
(Issue 4) To Christine Haire re: Guy turning good - Yes, it does require
a great deal of work to make such major change in Guy convincing. That's
why my Guy-turns-good story has become a novel (The Shadow Twin) still
unfinished. I take Robert and Guy through a series of telepathically
shared dreams (a gift of Herne to help them through reconciliation) that
follow the Wheel of the Year with appropriate dreams for each festival.
The novel is a sequel to The Successor and is also slash. Robert and Guy
eventually become lovers when their reconciliation is completed. I don't
believe that incest is abusive when the partners weren't brought up
together.
To Ariel re: the patriarchal Anglo-Saxons - You're absolutely right, but
Richard Carpenter apparently made a decision that he was going to
address contemporary needs and give us a Marion who is a modern
feminist. If she can be a feminist, then she can also be a Priestess of
the Goddess.
To Laura Todd: - How did Robert win over the band and the people? It's
hard not to be won over by a man who's so desperate to please that he'll
do anything for your sake. On a spiritual level this translates into a
desire to imitate Christ. Robert's ambivalent and conflicted
relationship with his father is what causes Robert's desperation. On the
one hand he rebels against his father, and on the other he needs his
blessing. I think Robert's relationships to Herne and the band are also
motivated by a similar conflicted dynamic.
To Laura re: the reasons why writers torture their characters - this
phenomenon is called hurt/comfort. We hurt them terribly for the sake of
the comfort that happens later. In some cases, hurt/comfort is a
repressed need to depict a slash relationship, yet some slash writers
(such as myself) are still engaged in the hurt/comfort syndrome. I
torture my characters to test them to their limits and reveal their
strength. I don't believe in villains, and I can't get interested in
characters who don't have complex motivations. The worst torture scenes
I've ever written are Guy's memories of what his mother's husband did to
him in The Shadow Twin. I dredge up these memories from the depth of
Guy's mind in order to help him recover from his abuse. There is always
an important narrative purpose in what I do to my characters.
To Kathy Allard re: "How do we know that Robin was a Pagan?" - Hooded
Men with money bags, images of Cernunnos spitting out coins, and other
very suggestive Celtic artifacts convince me that Robin Hood is a very
ancient and pre-Christian myth. Yet I do agree that Richard Carpenter's
RoS is revisionist and modern in its concerns. This is only to be
expected, and it's the reason why we respond to it so strongly.
To Kathy re: scholars who think that they know who the "real" Robin Hood
was - I believe that the men who called themselves Robin Hood in
historic times were bringing an ancient legend to life for their own
reasons - whether they were Sons of Herne, secular revolutionaries, or
simply thieves. The tourists who visit Sherwood today are being told
that the only "real" Robin Hood was Robert Hood of Wakefield in the
reign of Edward II. (See Time Traveler's Guide to Robin Hood's England
by Stephen Davis,) However, I have also read that a family with the
surname Robinhood had lived in Wakefield for centuries before Edward II.
This implies that my position about Robin Hood being an ancient legend
is correct, or there had to have been at least one "real" Robin Hood who
was a good deal earlier than the one in Wakefield.
General question: Are Richard Carpenter's novelizations available in the
United States? How do I obtain them?
To Hilda - The Sacrifice is of very central importance to ancient Pagan
theology. Ancient Pagans believed that all life came from death in an
endless cycle. My Robin tells Tuck in The Successor that if the Sacred
King doesn't die, people will forget the cycle and will give nothing
back to the Land. This is meant to be prophetic, and it's obviously been
borne out in modern times (with my 20/20 hindsight). I believe that the
concept of the Sacrifice therefore has a great deal to teach us today.
To us it is a Mystery. We don't understand it. The trouble with
NeoPagans is that we want our religion safe and moderate, but that rids
us of the ecstasy that was possible in eras when religion was dangerous
and extreme. Now we can revive that ecstasy in RoS fan fiction, and have
our characters do things that modern Pagans consider politically
incorrect or too difficult. Fannish RoS stories can be about a more
rigorous and demanding Paganism that is more exciting than our own
modern practices.
(Issue 5) To Julianne re: where the idea that all Christians are priests
got lost - I have my Tuck realize during his Grail initiation in The
Shadow Twin that this idea got lost due to infant baptism. If baptism is
Christian priestly initiation, then it shouldn't be administered to
infants. Only adults could experience the transformation that was
originally intended.
To Nansi re: fiction dealing with the Sacred King sacrifice - For a
novel that takes place chronologically very close to RoS, see The Swords
of December by Robert York. It's about Thomas a Becket dying as a
substitute for Henry II. Becket's struggle over becoming a Pagan
sacrifice in this novel is a strong influence on what I've written
concerning Tuck's conflicts over becoming Robert's substitute in both
The Successor and The Shadow Twin. Yet I don't believe a word of The
Swords of December. If Becket died a willing sacrifice, then why was
Henry II so guilty about it that he bound himself over to be publicly
scourged before Becket's tomb? And in RoS terms, it's clear that
Becket's sacrifice couldn't have been valid, or Ailric wouldn't have had
to die. It is my belief that an unwilling sacrifice is poison to the
Land, making a true and valid one all the more necessary.
To Nansi: re: the joy of the Sacrifice - Oh, absolutely! The term Sacred
King has to mean something. He must feel like a King when he goes to his
death - not a victim. This is a very prominent theme in the RoS I've
been writing. Robin tells Robert in The Successor that the Land gets the
best - a hero at the height of his powers. Herne's Son must always
strive to be the wheat and not the chaff.
To Ariel re: liking characters because they're bad - To me, this is like
Satanism. Perpetrators of evil usually turn out to be victims. If you
accept the surface of their evil actions and don't delve within, you
will never find this out. I admire Robert de Rainault because he's
smooth, charming, and witty - not because he's evil. His childhood was
undoubtedly horrific.
To Ariel re: training to become Herne - Robin might have been getting
this training as a ghost on the astral plane from his "death" in 1201 to
whenever the writer decides to manifest him on the material plane again.
On the other hand, if the man called Herne is truly possessed by the
God, he needs a rare gift, not training. In The Shadow Twin, I intend to
be very strict about the resurrected Robin speaking Herne's words and
not his own unless Herne allows Robin to express his personality for
Herne's purposes. I think that fans who bring Robin back as Herne
sometimes forget that he really is supposed to be representing Herne
rather than himself. When I began my novel I hadn't planned to bring
Robin back, but when it became clear to me that it would provide for
some wonderful dramatic conflict, I couldn't resist. King Stag also told
me in a dream that He needed Robin to be resurrected, and I can't deny
the God any more than Robin could.
To Ariel re: Robert not having a garter because he needs to decide what
he believes - Now why would Herne choose someone like that? Doesn't
Herne know what He's doing? A religious skeptic can't properly preside
over the village rites and can't fulfill the Blessing, let alone the
Sacrifice. Robert really doesn't strike me as a religious skeptic type
at all. A religious skeptic wouldn't be capable of hearing Herne's
voice. A religious skeptic wouldn't have Tuck so totally devoted to him
that Tuck stayed and waited in Sherwood long after the rest of the band
had given up on Robert. I'm sorry, but that doesn't make sense to me.
To Raven re: Robert as a "wimp" - Ah, I see. You think that repressing
feelings makes a man better somehow. Guy represses his feelings. He
never cries, though he certainly has good reason to do it, and all those
repressed feelings curdle into violence inside of him. Guy's so strong
and aggressive, isn't he? Bah humbug!
(Issue 6) To Sharon Wells re: the Dagda - The Dagda is large, laughs a
great deal, likes good food and drink, and continually stuffs heroes
into His cauldron of death and rebirth. I decided to introduce Tuck to
Him as the culmination of Tuck's Grail initiation in The Shadow Twin. I
think they would get along famously.
To Chris Haire re: Gisburne as the Moon - I'd say that Guy in the series
is clearly the Chariot. Guy accomplishes nothing because his horses are
pulling in opposite directions. In The Shadow Twin I would call Guy the
Sun in eclipse or reverse. When Guy is transformed, he becomes the Sun
more truly than Robert could ever be. I think that the Hanged Man is
actually more appropriate for Robert. His drive to prove himself through
sacrifice is never far from the surface. Will should be the Knight of
Swords both because he's a swordsman, and because he charges impetuously
into danger.
To Chris re: Arthurian material - Read Persia Woolley's Guinevere
trilogy. Persia Woolley's Guinevere imagined herself as a Queen
Sacrifice, and it bothered me very much. If the Queen who represents the
Lady dies, then what about the Land? The Queen is the Land, stability,
and the cycle of the seasons. She can't be spared. Why, there would then
be no stability and the sacred cycle would be broken - just as if blood
had been shed during The Blessing Time. I know this is a prejudice, but
I can't help feeling that way.
To Richard Carpenter re: the Round Table being given to the heirs of
Agrivaine - As a result of many years in science fiction fandom, I have
learned that any seeming inconsistency can be explained, and I can deal
with this one easily. Suppose that Agrivaine became remorseful about his
actions before he died. The guardianship of Caerleon and the Round Table
was then given to his descendants in perpetuity as a penance. (I also
believe that the Grail is in their keeping, but that it's too precious
to display openly.) It may seem like a great honor, but consider that it
also restricts their freedom considerably.
To Richard Carpenter re: Palomides as a lesbian - I believe, sir, that I
have been doing you a grave injustice. I had assumed that you
disapproved of homosexuality in RoS because you are homophobic. That is
obviously not the case. Please accept my apology. Could you articulate
your objection more clearly?
To Kitty Gamarra re: who sent Marion the vision of Robert dead that sent
her to Halstead - I decided in The Shadow Twin that Marion's own Goddess
did it to teach Robert a lesson. You see, my Robert was still thinking
in terms of fathering a son to present to David of Huntingdon as an
heir. There are several things wrong with this. 1) Robert had sworn to
give up his heritage. 2) You don't use a Priestess of the Goddess that
way. 3) A Priestess' son belongs to her, and it's she who will make the
decisions about the child. Unfortunately, the Goddess' action also hurt
Marion badly. Later in the narrative, Marion finds out that the Goddess
was responsible, and she's absolutely livid.
To Kitty re: why save Marion's life, but not Robin's - I believe that is
excellent evidence of Marion being a Priestess of the Goddess. As I said
above to Morgana, the Queen/Priestess represents the Land itself. The
Sacrifice exists for the Land, not vice versa. That is why it's his role
to perform the Sacrifice, not hers. Her death was a mistake. His was
part of Herne's plan.
To Ariel re: Reuben of Sherwood: a good Jew couldn't have heard the
voice of a Pagan God calling him, so this must be a very bad Jew indeed.
However, what Robin Hood does is not condemned by Jewish religious law.
The Talmud says that stealing from a thief (and the Normans were clearly
thieves) is not wrong. The Talmud also sanctions stealing for survival.
Finally finished! You don't have to print it all in one issue. Can I
have a copy of Basic Elements of Celtic Ritual by Alexei Kondratiev in
the enclosed SASE? [On the way! -H] Herne protect you and yours. Blessed
Be!
Julie Phipps
Hello everyone! Thought I'd write now, while the newsletter is still
fresh in my mind, and while I'm off work sick trying to catch up on
letters. (I'm not sick of work, honest!!!) [I am! -H] I've got a bad
cold (ARGHH, I'm not after sympathy either!)
Sharon Wells: I liked your comments regarding Loxley, about him not
being perfect. (I know that Janet R. and Hilda disagree!!) [I've told
you a million times not to exaggerate... -H] but what I mean is that
it's nice to have him make mistakes; it makes characters more
believable. After all, if Loxley is so perfect, then why was there such
a rift between him and Will (re: Children of Israel).
I also liked it when you said about being a MICHAEL-LITE, nice pun!! I
tend to think that Robert is rather na�ve when it comes to anything
'fey' or Magical; perhaps like Will he could be a touch skeptical??
Tara: Hello! Thanks for your letter, will write soon. I promise!! I was
fascinated when I saw Kenneth Branagh's Henry V. I've seen it three
times, live on stage!! I love it. Have you read his autobiography
entitled Beginning? It's a brilliant book. I've still not seen Dead
Again. I'll have to wait till it comes out on video!! I like most
Shakespeare, by the way, and I'm about 1 1/2 hours from Stratford-upon-
Avon. Ask Janet R. about the time we nearly got stranded in Stratford by
the EVIL EXPRESS.
I don't think there's anything wrong with Michael's legs! Except when I
met him, I felt like a dwarf against him, but that's nothing new. I felt
like a dwarf against Robert Addie and Kenneth Branagh!! I'm only 4'11",
can anyone beat that?
Amber: As far as I know, Kip didn't know that there wasn't going to be a
fourth series when he was filming Time of the Teeth. I remember him
saying at Greenwood that, had he known, he would have tidied everything
up and Robin would have married Marion!!
I was also thinking, perhaps the Silver Arrow could be like a Holy
Grail. Just a thought!!
Julianne: Hello! I suppose by now Hilda will have told you that Rob and
I have postponed our trip to Boston. We're now hoping to come in May
'93, but we will meet, I promise!!
I'd love to have seen Robert meet Belleme. Interesting material for
writers, huh? Also, I wonder how Loxley would have handled Gulnar.
Chris Haire: Hello! I was wondering if you'd sent my membership kit for
Spirit. I've still not received it yet, nor my pic of Michael and Jason.
I know 'St.' Helena has received hers. I just wondered if you'd sent
mine, knowing what the post is like.
Todd: Just thought I'd let you know I've received my copy of Tree of
Life. Thanks! Also, I wondered if you had any ideas for what I could do
in a follow-up to my story Sense and Nobility?? Please write and let me
know!!
Janet R.: Hello! How are you?? Glad you received my pic's of Michael and
my tape. Glad you liked The Pilgrimage, too. Sorry we couldn't meet up
when you last came over, but I hope to see you a lot when you lodge with
my brother!
Hilda: Namesake Saints (sounds like a tongue-twister!!) My friend's name
is Helena and we know of a St. Helena because they spoke of her at A
Celebration of Beltane. As for a St. Julie, I like it! but I'm not sure
if there is one, but I'd like to find out. Julie is my full name. My
middle name is Amanda. I wonder if there was a St. Amanda?? Julie means
'Young.' I just looked up 'Hilda,' and (you're gonna love this) Hilda
means 'Battle-maid!'
Oh, and what's wrong with Guy's black undies? Not that he would have
worn Y-fronts in those times - the mind boggles. Will got it right, he
didn't wear any at all!! (Not that Julianne and I mind, do we, huh??)
Well, I'm going to close now before I write a novel. Take care and
Blessed Be.
Wyvern
Greetings, Cousins! There are some extremely interesting discussions
going on in the pages of your zine. I have a couple of questions. If
Herne is Merlin and Robin is Arthur, would that make Marion Guinevere?
And if it does, then who would be Lancelot (or Bedwyr, depending on
whose interpretation you believe)? Why does Marion even have to
represent an aspect of the Goddess? Couldn't it be possible that she
represents another aspect of Herne? OK, so it's more than a couple.
Mr. Carpenter certainly had a great deal of information to impart. Since
I am ignorant, I had to look up the black cat reference. They mean good
luck, while white cats mean bad luck. What is this stuff about a King
Arthur series? Is it just an idea or is it actually in production? I
would love to see something like that on HBO or Showtime.
Thank you, Hilda, for the back issues of Cousins. I would have been
completely lost in the discussions without them. I have enclosed a
couple (this time I mean it) of cartoons I thought you might like. I got
a good chuckle from them. [I did - they're funny. I'll copy them for
anyone who asks. -H] Just for the record, I don't think there's anything
wrong with skinny thighs either.
To Chris Haire: Have you read Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur by Stephen
Lawhead? I just finished those and loved them. Mists of Avalon by Marion
Zimmer Bradley is also very good. Persia Woolley has a trilogy out. They
are: Child of the Northern Spring, Queen of the Summer Stars, and
Guinevere: the Legend in Autumn. They are told from Guinevere's point of
view and are excellent. There is a book called The Last Pendragon and it
is about Mordred's son. I don't remember the author's name. Has anyone
heard of or read, In the Shadow of the Oak King? That's the first book
in a new Arthurian trilogy. I was wondering if it was any good. I hear
it has Merlin in the role of blacksmith.
I rather like the idea of an all-female cast. If you were to do it as a
joke storyline, you could have some hilarious PMS plotlines. You might
have a little difficulty with it as a serious story for pretty much the
same reason.
Did we all see "Marion" and "Much" in issue #180 of Starlog? As long as
I'm asking questions again, does anyone know what they did with the
bodies of stillborn babies in the middle ages? And what would you think
of a story that had Marion leading the Merries? Sort of a Herne's
Daughter thing.
Hilda, are fuzzy wuzzums anything like warm fuzzies or little fuzzies?
My curiosity runs rampant sometimes.
I have just one more question, then I will close this letter. Have any
of you heard of Elfquest?
Shade and sweetwater.
Morgana Good day, one and all! Nice to be back with you once more.
Kip: Hey ho! So glad to see you gracing our pages! Before I want to say
what I want, that Graves poem Broken Images you included last time did
indeed speak volumes. Both beautiful and very wise.
Anyway, you said something about rabbis turning to black magick. I'm not
sure if this counts, and while not black magick per se, early patriarchs
turned Lilith (the Jewish Goddess and purportedly Adam's first wife)
into a demoness when she wouldn't subordinate herself to him. I'll get
into her more with Kitty's letter, but couldn't a rabbi or group of them
who wanted to revolt for whatever reasons against Judaism and worship
her in her malefic aspect? While I have a little bit of Hebrew blood in
me, I never heard of Lilith till I found the Craft twelve years ago. It
makes me wonder about her true origins to see past the patriarchal
hogwash and worship her in the primary form. What I said before about
invoking her as a demoness is very similar to Morgwyn summoning the
demon and not the full-blown Black Mass.
Julianne: About the Triple Jesus theory: I don't know how much credence
you place on channeled material, but in Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts,
Seth (Jane's channeled entity) explains that there were three separate
individuals whose history blended and became a collective Christ.
Apparently that's why the Biblical records are full of discrepancies.
These individuals were all males because, as Seth tells it, at that
period of our development, we wouldn't have accepted a female
counterpart. Also, that the crucifixion was a psychic and not a physical
event. All this roughly corresponds to information I channeled through
the Ouija nearly a year before I read that book.
How close was Mary Magdalene to Jesus? Holy Blood, Holy Grail makes her
out to be his wife, but since there's no real proof and you doubt the
authors' "findings," who really knows?
I did hear about Jesus' supposed journeys to India, China, and Tibet for
esoteric wisdom. Were you aware that he was also to have spent time with
the Druids in the Glastonbury and Stonehenge areas? This during the
missing eighteen years and not after his escape with his family after
the crucifixion.
Kitty: Congrats on your newborn! Blessings to him and all your family!
Okay, Lilith: As I explained to Kip earlier, she was originally Adam's
first wife, co-created and co-equal. She refused to subordinate herself
to Adam and a male god, even in the physical sense: she declined to lay
beneath Adam in the missionary position (hence becoming a "lesser" woman
- obedient, subservient, her sexuality confined to procreation.) She
cursed him, flew off, and made her home by the Red Sea. God sent angels
to fetch her back but she ignored them and cursed God's command and
coupled with "demons," giving birth to 100 children every day.
Lilith was an early rabbinical attempt to assimilate the Sumero-
Babylonian Goddess Belit-ili into Jewish mythology. To the Canaanites
she was Baalat, "Divine Lady." On a tablet from Ur, she was Lillake. She
also acquired identification with Lilitu, which appears to be her
original name. In the Bible she's "screech-owl" or "night monster." The
word lullaby is a derivation of "Lilla, abi!" - a Jewish banishing spell
meaning "Lilith, avaunt!"
She's apparently a far older concept than Eve. Lilith was unacceptable
to Hebrew patriarchalism whether she was co-equal with the First Man, or
as the Goddess who births the First Man (or the Male God). Basically,
Eve was invented to counteract this rebel and femme fatale, and become
not only from man and therefore unequal but docile and "kept in her
place." Jean Markale makes an interesting statement in Women of the
Celts: "Eve, the mother of mankind, is merely the castrated version of
Adam."
If you have the Farrars' Witches' Goddess, there's a nifty little Lilith
and Eve play in the chapter of the same name that unites these two
aspects.
Hilda: A yeoman was an independent farmer, especially a member of a
former class of small free-holding farmers in England. "King" is derived
from -gene (to birth, beget; aspects and results of procreation and to
familial and tribal groups). From the Germanic it's "kuningaz" and from
Old English "cyning," "son of the royal kin."
For anyone's interest: Cromm Cruach is an Irish god, "The Bowed One of
the Mound." Also called "The Black Bowed One." He's a sacrificial god
associated with Lughnasad. The last Sunday in July is called Domhnach
Chrom Dubh (Crom Dubh's Sunday). It's been Christianized as the day of a
pilgrimage up St. Patrick's mountain, 2,410-foot Croagh Patrick in Co.
Mayo. The 11th century Book of Leinster says: ...
They did evilly
Beat on their palms, thumped their bodies,
Wailing to the monster who enslaved them,
Their tears falling in showers.
In rank stood twelve idols of st
That about does it for me this time round the Wheel. Blessings and love
to you all.
Janet VanMeter
Merry Meet Again! Thanks, Kip, for writing and trying to "set the record
straight." We all can really complicate things, can't we. Well, now on
to the usual stuff... oh no!
Sharon - I can concede that perhaps some costume person may have
"slipped" it in under most people's noses, but I still think too much
emphasis is being placed on that garter as a symbol of leadership in
RoS. I know I've already touched on this once before... hmm... wouldn't
we all like to touch that garter... hmmm. Anyway, the obvious symbol
used in RoS is the hood! Hence Robin HOOD, Robin i' the HOOD, the HOODED
Man, etc. Leave the other costume accessory for the Order of the Garter.
The hood was both the 'sacred mantle' of the man chosen to be Herne's
Son and also the role- marking "mask." In The Greatest Enemy, everyone
in Wickham assumed it was Loxley rescuing the others. It was because the
rescuer was wearing a hood - the identifiable mark of the Hooded Man.
And they only knew of one Hooded Man - Robin of Loxley. The opposition
Robert faced by most everyone who knew Loxley was because, to them, he
"dared" take the role of the "Hood." This was difficult to overcome. But
Robert admitted that he couldn't replace Loxley, only continue. By Time
of the Wolf, it seemed obvious that except for a small group of people,
Robert was now the only Hooded Man to the people. Maybe this is why we
may never know the historical man behind the Legend of Robin Hood. It is
the role history remembers.
An interesting sidelight to all this is the following: in some cultures,
a baby born with a caul - part of the afterbirth over its heal like a
hood - was considered specially marked and the caul would be kept as a
talisman for the child.
Tara - In answer to your confusion as to how Robin Hood met his death,
in the traditional ballads Robin Hood died by being bled to death by the
prioress of Kirklees Abbey. In the movie Robin and Marian with Sean
Connery and Audrey Hepburn, Robin dies by a "mercy poisoning" by Marian
who had become the prioress of Kirklees. She does this so he would have
a relatively painless death instead of either dying painfully by the
wounds he had received, or if he indeed survived that, living an empty,
unexciting life, unable to recapture the magic of his youth. Much as I
love this movie, I still don't like Marian making that decision for
Robin.
Kip - As the owner of a black cat, and a tabby, and a half Siamese, I've
got to say that the black one is the biggest baby and brat of the three.
I'm not sure how anyone else feels, but it's the white�ones that give me
the creeps when they cross my path. Maybe this has something to do with
the white/albino equals supernatural/death folklore traditions. Does
anybody else have any insights on this, I wonder?
Herne Protect.
Blythe Esan
Howdy, Cousins! So glad I could join in this time around and carve a
niche for myself among you folks. I'm amazed at the constant display of
intelligence you all show, which is a refreshing change from the seeming
madness surrounding us!
I'm assuming this issue will be mailed or completed about the time we're
at Weekend but I wanted to report the results of the proposed RoS ritual
for the Cousins circle. I wanted to experience it for myself so I
performed it as a solo ritual in my sacred space out in the woods. Let
me heartily recommend it for solitary workings! I did the 6, 4, 5
sequence and it was powerful. Both Robins were invoked as peasant and
noble, with Will and Nasir having come in very strongly (not just
because they're my faves..!) John gave a satisfied little grin and Much
scampered away into the West. The overall effect was quite pleasing.
Now on to the business at hand!
Julianne: If you'd like, I'd be more than happy to loan you my copy of
The Wicker Man (book) so you can see what it's like. Contact me through
these pages or feel free to write me at my address and we'll see what
can be arranged. By any chance would you have Lammas Night? I've heard
so many good things about it that my curiosity's piqued! If you do have
it, may I pretty please borrow it? I swear on Herne's antlers I'll treat
it like gold!
Debbi: Hi, pal! I recently picked up Sherwood by Parke Godwin, and while
it looks quite good, I'll have to wait a while before starting it. I'm
reading a couple of other books right now, including being heavily into
Foucault's Pendulum (Mark, thank you so much for recommending it.
You're a dear. I love it.) I for one would like to see more of those
entries from Brewer's Dictionary. You find the neatest books!
Kip: Hello and welcome, Oh Creative One! So good to hear from you. Gotta
thank you for responding to Cousins and clearing up items concerning
RoS. While I can understand your impatience with us at times, I hope you
also realize that we Americans have been conditioned since Day 1 to
scrutinize, analyze (plus any other -ize you can think of), probe, etc.
to the bare bones until there's nothing left, which naturally kills
whatever we're digging. You're correct on that point. To quote someone:
"Because of its simplicity, it is often difficult to understand, as most
students prefer complexity and complications to this simplicity." I also
believe we tend to overlook the forest for the trees. But artistic
license was mentioned last time, and that gives those of us in fanfic
leeway to come up with the "what ifs" and "suppose thats." I guess in a
way that kills all the mystery for certain things, but also lets us
create our own mystery. Which could lead to something else, and
something else...
I hope some of this made coherent sense. It's you we have to thank for
creating a wonderful series that's truly the life's blood of all the
zines and fanfic circulating in our Sherwood universe. We fen appreciate
it to no end! You united us in the Herne Spirit of love and Light and
for that we are grateful. Many Blessings to you always!
P.S. - Good luck with King Arthur! I can't begin to count the number of
zines and fiction sprouting from that!
It's been a lot of fun, Hilda and everybody! Talk to you later!
Laura Woodswalker Todd
Dear Cousins, Ooh, I never thought that my flaky meanderings would be
read by the Source Himself! I'm so embarrassed! I must confess that that
was probably my remark about "cardboard cutouts" and the TV series "not
wanting to probe past the surface." Ooh, yes, that was an unfair remark,
because most likely a lot of the shortcomings I mentioned are the fault
of the TV industry, which doesn't seem to encourage character
development, continuity, etc. Also, just the nature of the screen
medium, which handles action and visual details better than stuff like
"what makes people tick." Certainly the RoS characters are far more 3-
dimensional and interesting than anything else I've ever seen onscreen.
That's why I'm a fan!
If Mr. Carpenter is still listening, I would just like to tell him that
any critical remarks I made about the show were made in a spirit of "I
care enough to criticize because I love it so much." RoS is the only
show I've ever cared about to this extent; most shows I could care less
about, and I very rarely watch TV at all. In my previous life (prior to
becoming a fan) I was a hopeful pro novelist, which is why I tend to
yammer about "characterization" and "motivation" and other Writers'
Workshop stuff.
Anyway, Kip, at the risk of sounding mawkish, I have to confess that RoS
has become far more than a mere TV show to me; it's a whole alternate
universe which I share with my children and new friends that I've met
from all over the country. It has given me incredible amounts of
inspiration for stories and art, inspired me to take up archery, and
gotten me interested in real medieval history (as opposed to the generic
Sword & Sorcery stuff). Oh, and now my daughter and I want to go to
England in the worst way. Pretty impressive, isn't it?
My remarks about Loxley's psychic abilities (or lack of them) were made
partially out of ignorance: I had missed the first season and hadn't
seen The Witch of Elsdon, where Robin experiences a lot of visions,
intuition, etc. The first episode I ever saw was The Prophecy, where a
spy infiltrates Robin's band and he's completely unaware! Well, I
finally did get to see those first season episodes, and they're a real
eye-opener (thanks, Nansi and Nancy, for the tape loan). I'd have to say
they're some of the best episodes in the series.
Not to be argumentative, but I don't see Robert as on the same level as
Patty Hearst. Patty was kidnapped, brainwashed into joining the
terrorists, and once she'd regained her emotional balance she renounced
the whole thing. Perhaps a more apt comparison would be with some of the
60's radicals who came from wealthy families and espoused Marxism
because they were overwhelmed with "liberal guilt." It's difficult to be
a young, idealistic person and to realize that your own class is
indirectly responsible for the suffering of others.
However, I wouldn't carry this analogy too far, because in our own time
our society pays lip service to ideals of Justice and encourages young
people to think for themselves, whereas I don't believe this was true in
medieval times.
I do agree with Kip's remark that "ancient beliefs are not an organized
religion." I've had this feeling too - the reason I stopped going to
organized Wicca stuff was just because it was too planned and organized
and the feeling was leaching out. My idea of "true religion" is to go
out in the woods and watch the deer. (We live near Valley Forge Park,
where the deer are protected, so you can see groups of as many as 8 or
10 deer and they'll just stand and look at you. What a great place to
get ideas for stories about Herne, Robin Hood, etc.)
Morgana: The "Sherwood Amazons?" I love that concept. Only I'd rather
seen them as individuals in their own right, rather than direct
analogues of the RoS band. Actually this is a concept I'd thought of
too... I've got it scrawled somewhere in my book of story ideas. It's
fascinating to try to come up with several believable models of medieval
women who broke free of the societal constraints. But they have to be
believable. No Mary Sues! So if I ever do write them into a story I hope
you won't think I copied it from you. (For someone who came from
Darkover fandom like me, it's really a natural crossover idea. Darkover
is frighteningly close to medieval England/ Scotland.) By the way... a
lot of people have been suggesting neat story ideas in here. Does this
mean that you are putting the idea into the "public domain" for other
fan writers to pick up on?? Because you never know, it just might
happen. (Consider that a threat.)
This might not come out before the Con, but if it does, I'd just like to
comment concerning the proposed Cousins ritual. (Yes - I AM going!!
Yippee!!) Don't get too complicated and caught up in structural hassles.
Keep it simple! Do a nice spiral dance if there's room; there's no
better way to get everyone all mixed up and laughing and relaxed. (Now
if we could do it in the woods, that would be best. But we can't have
everything.)
Ariel: You mentioned that 'in stories where bad things happen to Robin
it's because of some external event that he can't control, while with
Robert, bad things happen because of some inherent flaw in his
character.' I wouldn't put it quite that way - I'd say not so much
"character flaws" as problems arising from his background and situation.
I've noticed something similar; in a lot of the Loxley stories I've read
he is up against an external danger like Belleme, the Sheriff, or
something supernatural. Whereas the Robert stories often deal with his
problems fitting into his role, being accepted by the others, or his
relationships with Gisburne, Marion, his father, etc. I've also noticed
a slight preponderance of Robert stories (maybe 1/3 more). Is that
because Robert has more problems to write about? (Perhaps I'm just
reading the wrong zines. Specifically I'm thinking of Albion.) Oh: also,
I've found that it's easier to write Robert stories for naughty zines
like Forbidden Forest. Why? Because Robin of Loxley is already "taken"
by Marion, but once she leaves for Halstead, Robert is kind of...
available!!
Linda: Actually, I don't recall any debates about "which Robin has nicer
buns." (Although we have been hearing a lot about Michael's legs.) But
while we're on the subject... which one does???? Oooh, this uncovers a
whole new area for discussion. Perhaps I'll have to watch all the
episodes again, with my finger on the Pause button, to thoroughly
research this subject.
Donna Meinking
HELLO, ALL YOU COUSINS! After I got Issues #1 through #5, I told Hilda
I'd read everybody's ideas and write some of my own. I didn't get very
far. I ordered some of the books suggested by various Cousins and
started reading. Starhawk's books are very absorbing; so is that Woman's
Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. These books hit the right spot with
me. Call me a "pilgrim." I believe in a divine being. I was raised a
Roman Catholic, and was in a nunnery for several years. But organized
religion, especially if it's run by males, leaves me cold these days.
Forgive us, Kip, if we talk about THE GODDESS. Some of us may have
drifted away or just recently escaped from male-dominated religions
where we were told to pray, pay, and obey, and otherwise shut up.
Jesus isn't such a bad guy. He can't help what his followers did with
his ideas. Also, nunneries aren't dull and dreary. A woman can have fun
and get mental stimulation. In the Middle Ages, it sometimes was a
better alternative than a forced marriage to a brutal creep who only
wanted your dowry. But I agree, Marion wouldn't have spent too much time
in the convent before she would have been longing for the freedom of the
forest. I left the good nuns because I'm an independent "cuss." Now I
only have to put up with a husband; likewise, he puts up with me.
Tuck appeals to me. He is wise and kind, but very strong. He
participates in the festivals and blessings with Robin, yet does not
reject good customs from Christianity. Maybe I see in him an integration
that I want for myself.
One thing I've learned from any reading I've done is to be more
suspicious of the author claiming to be "fair and objective." Stephen
Jay Gould, a biologist, teacher, and science writer, has shown that no
one is completely objective and unbiased in their research and published
work. We all have an "ax to grind." Sometimes it's easier to read a
believer's or a fan's writing. You know where they are coming from and
you can see where their biases color their work.
Final comment: Our culture is so print-oriented that we're afraid of
oral tradition. Oral tradition is not evil, dirty, or false! Sure it
gets embellished: just listen to a bunch of war veterans sit around
telling battle stories. You know there is a core of facts in there, and
the color gives you the feelings of the story-teller(s).
Thanks so much, Cousins, for being who you are! I have very few folks in
my town I can discuss science fiction and fantasy with. I usually travel
50 or 60 miles once a month to be with my fannish friends. We have a
great time, but we don't get much time to discuss philosophical,
mythological ideas. It's great that Hilda started this letterzine! Bless
and blessed be!
Judi Kincaid
Hello Everyone! I've really enjoyed the past issues of Cousins, even if
I couldn't answer in any of them due to international moving. (Yes, the
first question I asked the apt. manager was "Where's the Mail?") Since
Hilda has now deemed this a bimonthly production, I now have time to
write a few thoughts of my own. Course I love reading everyone's ideas -
what a creative group! Issue 4/5 -
Julianne and Tara: Thought I'd add another tidbit on Serpent symbolism.
In the ancient Neolithic cultures the Goddess was often worshipped as
the Serpent Lady. The snake was revered as female, and linked to wisdom
and prophetic counsel as well as the Creatrix of several myths. In
Egypt, the picture of a cobra was the hieroglyphic sign for the word
Goddess. The cobra was also known as the Eye - mystic wisdom and
insight... hmmm, the Third Eye? Another thought... if the serpent
represented the Goddess, then could the legend of St. Patrick also be a
metaphor for the banishment of the Old Religion from Ireland as well?
Nansi Loser: Thanks for recommending Lammas Night. What an extraordinary
book - her other novels are also well worth reading. It is still in
print for anyone who might be searching for it. I saw it last week in a
B. Dalton's bookstore. I think that's a national chain?
Raven: Hi! I also enjoyed Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Have you read the
sequel, Messianic Legacy? This time the authors are in pursuit of the
history behind the Gospels, Pauline Christianity, and even have a theory
of Jesus being a twin! Another fascinating voyage of theoretical what-
ifs.
Issue 6 - Sharon: You brought up an interesting question about de
Rainault and magic. He was terrified upon gazing at de Belleme's
apparent resurrection, but who wouldn't be? Actually, I've never thought
of the Sheriff as being afraid of magic. I think of him as a well-read,
fairly educated man, for his time. Pity he never put it to a worthy
cause! Skeptical, but very aware of the Old Religion. He badgered Hugo
to "read more" as he related the history and significance of the Silver
Arrow and the Prophecy of Gildas. De Rainault was aware of Beltaine and
even remarked to de Belleme, "Superstitions are a hobby horse of mine."
His remark to Gisburne that "...he can prance around Sherwood Forest and
worship Herne the Hunter.... he can paint himself blue for all I
care..." seems to indicate some interest in ancient lore and what the
medieval church would call "occulta." After some consideration, he was
willing to ruthlessly hand Marion over to the Baron in what was
certainly going to be a "sacrifice." Maybe the Sheriff had studied
magic. He did look a little edgy during the last flight of arrows in the
tournament. My theory is that de Rainault was more afraid of the Baron
than of magic in general. As for de Talmont's Book, he'd been duly
warned, but he brushed it off. While under the power of the Book, he
seemed very afraid, but after Robin hauled off and slapped him, he
reverted back to his sneering self (especially when he learned he
wouldn't be murdered on the spot).
Linda: What a beautiful expression of who we all are in this wonderful
fandom!
Tara: Love your theory on heaven needing a shadow!! By the time Middle
Ages had rolled around, the Church was portraying Jesus as a divine,
pure, and spotless being whom all should aspire to emulate. However, at
the same time, the Church also decreed that all those "baser" human
emotions (lust, greed, hate, anger, fear) were wrong and to be
categorically denied. The human psyche must be balanced - light and
shadow. The Devil as he has come to be portrayed is basically a medieval
"invention." Nowhere in the Bible (correct me if I'm wrong, folks; I
don't profess to be a scholar by a long shot!) is there a description of
a "being" with cleft feet, forked tail, and horns (beats me where the
pitchfork came in) running around. Basically, to the medieval mind, if
one force was all good then there had to be an opposing force for all
the evil of the world.
There was incredible amount of human suffering in medieval times, and
the Church needed someone to lay the blame on. It was at this time that
the Crusaders were returning from the East with tales of Persian deities
of darkness, manlike in form with horns. These Persian deities seemed to
resemble the Horned God still being worshipped in Europe. The Church had
found its scapegoat. [OUCH! Was that intentional? -H] Evidently, "Satan"
can be translated as "adversary," and may also indicate a military
appointment. In any event, I agree that the Morningstar was pushed, and
crowned King of Hell on the downward tumble.
Kitty: Congratulations!! Thought I'd take a stab at one of your thought-
provoking questions about who sent Marion the vision of Robert "dead" in
the Circle of the Nine Maidens. Was it really a vision, or more of a
really specific premonition? As Ariel pointed out way back in Issue #1,
Marion appears to be clairvoyant when those she loves are in danger.
Herne's warning to her in The Witch of Elsdon and Albion's showing her
Robert being wounded in Power of Albion are probably visions, as they
were "sent." The experiences in Halstead and Castle Gwydion after the
outlaws are bespelled are very similar. Dark magic has been unleashed
and Marion both times awakens as if from a bad dream. We don't know what
all she saw in her "horrible dream" at Halstead, only that she saw
Robert at the Ring. Did she see all of what Gulnar had been up to?? She
may have been so psychically in tune with Robert through her love for
him that she had this "dream." Like the people one reads about who have
these foretelling, realistic dreams, and then the "dream sequence"
actually occurs just as they saw it. Maybe this is what Marion
experienced?
About the ladies dancing and turning to stone... Geoffry Ashe in
Mythology of the British Isles tells of beliefs that standing stones may
be humans turned to stone for their sins. He cites the Merry Maidens at
St. Buryan in Cornwall as having danced on a Sunday... also turned to
stone for dancing on a Sunday were the Nine Ladies at Stanton,
Derbyshire. Legends say that the stones come back to life and resume
dancing at certain times. He didn't state when. Anyone know if the Nine
Ladies is our Ring of Nine Maidens??
Kip: What a terrific surprise!! Glad you like Cousins. It was wonderful
to read all your comments and ideas. Would love to hear more about your
Atlantis in the Pacific theory. I don't pooh-pooh it, I just think it
might have been elsewhere. Course I haven't spoken with anyone who
thought they had been there. Anyway, welcome, and hope you find time to
chat with us again quite soon!
I do believe I have chattered on quite long enough. I do wish I could
meet you all at Weekend - sounds like a tremendous amount of fun - and
I've never been to a Con *sigh*. I'll be wearing flowers in my hair and
marrying my dark-haired love that weekend!! So I shall be with you in
"spirit." Maybe I'll catch up with some of you at Visions? Blessed be,
and may Herne protect you all.
Catherine Austein Greetings! I've really enjoyed all the letters I've
read in Cousins. Thanks, Hilda.
Tara: I am interested in Celtic languages, particularly Irish. I took a
semester of Old Irish at college. I looked up the words you mentioned
and got different meanings. "Muin" means "upper part," "back" or "upper
back" in old Irish and "top" in the modern. Vine is "f�ni�in," and wine
is "f�n" in the old Irish and "f�on" in the modern.
Kitty: In issue 6 you said something about Gulnar driving Owen to his
death. Perhaps Gulnar did because he saw his own death imminent if Owen
didn't die.
