THOMAS
THE RHYMER
It
is the thirteenth century and Thomas Learmont,
laird of the castle of Ercildoune, is having a
walk around Huntly burn in his grounds one fine
May morning. The scene was beautiful, tender
leaves bursting from their sheaves, covering all
the forest with a mantle of green, bluebells
forming a carpet of blue haze underfoot. Thomas
sat down on the root of a large oak to take it
all in.
It
was then he heard a horse in the distance, coming
closer he could make out the features of a
beautiful lady, with golden hair and jewels
sparkled all over her spring green cloak. She
stopped by him and introduced herself as the
Queen of Fairyland. He begged her for a kiss and
it was this that was to change his life forever.
For
it was at this point she changed into an old
crone and sentenced him to seven years in
Fairyland. It should be noted at this point that
the woman has changed into the hag aspect of the
Celtic muse. The Fomorian side or darker aspect
of the queen is that which is bringing Thomas
down into realms strange and unknown to him, yet
it is here where he shall learn more than in all
his years in the world above. Also it should be
noted that the author of the story starts
specifically in summertime. So the contrast to
the subterranean realm where he is about to
journey is even more stark. It is as if his life
up until this point has been too much summer, he
has spent too much time appreciating the
summertime of life. He will now learn of the way
life truly is and in this way he will gain
wisdom.
It
is intriguing to note that the start of his
descent or fall is marked by the kiss of a
beautiful maiden. He is positively intoxicated,
perhaps a mark of his naivety, showing his
willingness to go head on into a situation and
obviously not realising or indeed having any
inkling of the outcome. However, it is only after
his commitment to this fool's path does he
uncover the true identity of this mysterious
rider.
A
couple of the Fool's attributes are naivety and
intoxication. People on this path are often
oblivious to situations harmful to them, and
often pursue foolish endeavours of this nature
wholeheartedly and with abandon. Often a short,
sharp shock is necessary to sober them up. Enter
the Faerie Queen.
Poor
Thomas is beckoned onto the back of the Queen's
horse and with much ado and deliberation he does
so, knowing now that he is about to embark on a
journey which has been decreed by fate and
apparently he cannot avoid. Then he is taken by
this hag like being to a place where three paths
are possible to continue this journey. It is at
this point I think we realise that the hag
herself is most definitely a guide and teacher as
opposed to the hideous crone first described
which hinted at some form of malevolent
influence. For she tells him of the three paths
ahead and explains the meaning to him whereas she
could easily have left him to the winds of fate,
blown precariously along instead of taken in
hand.
Back
to the story. The first path is almost desert,
flat, wide and straight as far as the eye can
see. This path, the hag says, has an unhappy and
fruitless ending. Although easy to journey on it
is of absolutely no consequence. A reference most
definitely to an occupation of study that is easy
and so has no rewards at the end of it, expanding
neither knowledge nor skill and certainly not
spiritual value.
The
second path is narrow, winding and treacherous
with thorny hedges encroaching on both sides.
Definitely some risk of wounding or injury here.
Altogether unsavoury! This the hag informs him is
the path of righteousness. Hazardous in the
extreme, yet at the end there is a good ending.
Obviously worthwhile on all levels. For at its
end is the city of the kings. Again here some
explanation is required for as we know the king
is always at the centre and in control. It
suggests that after all the trials and
tribulations of endangering oneself and surviving
on a path that is not at all easy, and upon which
many obstacles are encountered, and enemies met
and defeated, we have proven ourselves to be
righteous and are permitted entrance to the king,
an honour indeed.
The
third path is a very green path, lush with
foliage and vegetation, meandering into forest
and glade. A wild place where one could easily
get lost. The hag gives no explanation of this
and quite simply says "This is the path to
Fairy Land, and do not utter a word whilst in
this land, or you end up staying forever."
This suggests that anything spoken in the
otherworld is to be taken very seriously indeed.
So
they set off, though shortly after the journey
begins they ride at full pelt into a river valley
and from there into a cave where no sunlight can
penetrate. Thomas sees strange things from the
corners of his eyes in this dark passage and he
is in desperate need of nourishment when suddenly
so many tempting juicy fruits start appearing
along the way.
Some
analogies then. Again poor Thomas has no real
choice in his direction, careering along into the
river. Here we see an association with Celtic
myth, with water being associated with the west
and usually denoting that a later stage in a
journey has been reached. Leading into a cave
which is associated with earth in Celtic myth
frequently signifies the final stage in a
journey. It is the abode of the Ancient Ones whom
the Rhymer is about to encounter.
He
is told not to eat any of the fruits he sees or
he will remain in this realm forever which will
be to his detriment, showing us that this is a
phase to experience for the mortal and it would
not be natural for him to stay. He would be back
on the Fool's path, only much further along it
and with no return possible. However, he is told
that his hunger for sustenance will be satisfied
with an apple in a short while.
Apples
appear to be a common theme within myth also,
symbolic of spiritual nourishment. The hero or
character is often led to, or introduced to such
apples by an otherworld woman. A main tie in here
with Celtic myth is when Niamh brought a branch
from the Apple tree of Emhain Abhlach to Bran.
These otherworld apples, like the three golden
apples of the garden of Hesperides brought by the
sons of Tuirenn from the edge of the Western
world, when a bite was taken out of them they
would instantly become whole again. It is as if
one can be fulfilled by them yet their goodness
will always be there, as long as we are fortunate
enough to know where they are.
The
old hag in the story reaches a certain spot and
climbs down off the horse and offers Thomas an
apple from a small yet perfectly formed tree
laden with fruit. She tells him that after eating
it he will be graced with the gift of Truth. His
endurance once more rewarded. Though Tom has had
many frightening experiences up until this point
and has been places few mortals have seen,
perhaps it is only now that his perception has
widened. Is he ready for Truth? Again proof that
the hag has been his teacher.
The
queen's castle was at hand now, and a
transformation took place with the hag once more
turning into a beautiful maiden. Perhaps she was
beautiful all along and indeed the inner beauty
of her wisdom and gifts would certainly signify
this. Thomas too has his attire transformed into
that of a nobleman, while with the divine gift of
Truth he is indeed a noble man.
Thomas
and the queen enter the castle together and for
three days and nights he witnesses the continual
feasting of those beings who know only pleasure
or pain. He has never seen such a colourful
people; although he was fascinated he was at the
same time lonely, for he knew these people were
not quite of his race.
The
queen told him it was time to leave, and said the
seven years were over. Tom looked astonished at
this but was informed that time moves quickly in
the queen's realm. he was given the gifts of
foresight and also poetry before he left. His
teaching was now complete.
The
only material thing Thomas was given on his
journey was an enchanted harp and it was used as
a link between this world and the otherworld,
showing its timeless and mystical qualities.
Thomas utilised this and all his other gifts and
became a very wise laird. Truthful and noble and
poetic. So he remained until he was called back
to the realms of the Sidhe by two white deers,
forest children, who came to take their new
brother back home. Home it must have been, for he
was never seen again.
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