Like ice crystals frozen in time- Leandra stands firm as a tall eloquent Sidhe. How then did our dear Roland find her? I’ll tell you- in Hibbs realm of dream and myth. Today Fairy friends we embark on a great adventure to reality where author Roland Yeoman’s has created The bear with two Shadows. Let us see what our mortal friend has to say.
Summer: First I must ask, Roland do you believe in fairies?
Roland: I am not only part Lakota but part Irish as well. Mother taught me to look for them out of the corner of my eyes. "But do be polite," she said. "No one likes to be stared at!"
Summer: How much research did you put into the Sidhe before writing up Leandra in your book?
Roland: I put quite a bit of research into the Sidhe. My mother's use of them in her tales to me in that frigid Detroit basement apartment quickened my curiosity about them.
In Irish mythology, the aosthol sí (Irish pronunciation: i-s-fi) older form aes sídhe [e-s-fi-a) are a supernatural race comparable to the fairies or elves.
They are said to live underground in the fairy mounds, across the western sea, or in an invisible world that coexists with the world of humans.
This world is described in "The Book of Invasions" (recorded in the Book of Leinster) as a parallel universe in which the aos sí walk amongst the living.
In the Irish language, aos sí means "people of the mounds" (the mounds are known in Irish as "the sídhe"). In Irish literature the people of the mounds are also referred to as the daoine sídhe ("deena shee"),
and in Scottish Gaelic literature as the daoine sìth or daoine sìdh. They are said to be the ancestors, spirits of nature, or goddesses and gods.
Some later English texts have referred to the aos sí as "the sídhe". While this is incorrect it has become a widespread usage in English.
And I decided sometimes it is better to be understood than to be absolutely, but confusingly, correct.
I thought I would use the Australian concept of the DreamTime to bring Hibbs first into contact with the parallel universe of the Sidhe -- which in truth exists in the twin islands of New Zealand, which they call Aotearoa, "The Land of the Long White Cloud." {Which in fact is what the Maori natives of that land call their islands.}
For Hibbs' second trip to the Sidhe and into the past, I used my own take on the Sidhe Mounds -- ancient portals of mystic and scientific design, drawn from the knowledge of angels and The Great Mystery.
Summer: I know the fairies are pleased with your research. How did you come about the Sidhe’s name of Leandra? Did it have anything to do with the potentially poisonous oleander flower?
Roland: Mother used only "the Sidhe of Snow and Sorrows" in describing Leandra. But the oleander flower with its color always looked cold to me as if its blossoms were bluing with frostbite. And since Oleander is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants, and can be very toxic if ingested in sufficient quantity -- I thought warping its sound a bit to Leandra would be fitting. Leandra is, indeed, toxic to all around her -- but Hibbs, who, because of his being bonded to the Turquoise Woman (Gaia) can no more be hurt by poison than a fish can get wet.
But Leandra does draw him to death. Yet, is that not the way of love in myth and legend?
Summer: Love often finds its way through myth and legend. I did notice a word in your story “Diatheke,” in the Greek lexicon, Diatheke is translated as covenant or testament or pact, there is even a reference that it means “an arrangement of any sort which one wishes to be valid.” Did this translation of the word play any part in how you used it in your book with reference to the Sidhe?
Roland: Wow. You are definitely correct in your research. Though Hibbs only nibbles at the edges of the Diatheke in this first book of his adventures, it does symbolize the Great Mystery's covenant with Mankind -- which in the Mirror World, as in our world, must be sealed in blood -- Hibbs' blood. But as in our world, Hibbs gets better. And yes, Hibbs in these adventures is a Christ-figure -- but also a Fisher King figure. Yet, he is his own hero with his own unique character and final destiny.
Summer: What an interesting take on the word, I like that. Now my last question is Which Myth of the Sidhe is your favorite and why?
Roland:
Wow. My favorite, huh?
That's hard since the origin of the Sidhe myths are closely tied to the ancient history of Ireland.
The story goes that the Fir-Bolgs, a relatively uncivilized people, and the Formorians were in control of the island until the Tuatha De’ Danann (the people of Danu) landed. The Tuatha De’ Danann brought with them technology and culture far beyond the Fir-Bolgs, which made up for their fewer numbers, and they were able to gain control of Ireland.
Perhaps because of the gap in sophistication between the Tuatha De’ Danann and the other populations, many legends and superstitions began to spring up concerning the newcomers. They could only be hurt by weapons of iron, it was said, and they possessed artifacts of great and wondrous power, such as the Caludrun of Dagda, which could never be emptied of stew.
The Tuatha De’ Danann were eventually defeated by another group, the Miesians. Of course, the Tuatha De’ Danann were so infused with myth and power that they could not truly be defeated, and so the legend goes they left Ireland by slipping into another time and space, to rule the Otherworld.
I like that concept. I think they just became past irritated at fighting with savages. Sometimes the best way to win is to not to be at the place of battle.
At their passing, all the supplies had been laid in store for the poets and storytellers of Ireland to use in creating the stories of the Sidhe.
The Banshee (ban-shee, or woman of the shee) and her wailing song that signified the death of one of the major families in Ireland.
The Leprechaun, who some speculate was inspired by the gold-working, diminutive Fir-Bolg in ages passed.
And the spectral riders of the Sidhe, a ghostly host that would catch up any mortal foolish enough to be out in the dark of night and carry them on a wild, frightening ride they would not soon forget.
I used all three legends in my tale, THE BEAR WITH TWO SHADOWS.
But I cannot say which is my favorite.
The legends and myths of the Sidhe are countless and creative, and all carry with them a reverence to times long passed. And that appeals to the Lakota in me.
Not all Sidhe stories are scary stories, nor are they all pleasant stories. They all, however, have the unique flavor of Irish myth.
Have a great, magical day, Summer. And thanks so much!
Thank you Roland for being here today and giving us such great details! Your answers were amazing!
Don't forget if you Leave a comment you get entered for signed copies of these fabulous book:
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The drawing will be held April 1st.
