The Chronicles of the Sidhe

by Steve Blamires

For a thirteen-year period, the reclusive Scottish writer Fiona Macleod enthralled the Victorian reading public with a deluge of stories, novels, poems and essays drawn from the wildly romantic Highland and Island landscape. Although it was later revealed that these works had issued from the pen of William Sharp, it was clear that Fiona Macleod was more than a pseudonym; to Sharp she was very much an autonomous entity. What's more, the wealth of previously unknown and unheard of myths, names, traditions and beliefs in her writings, while shone through a Celtic prism, show every sign of having emanated from the Realm of Faery.

Steve Blamires presents a ground-breaking assessment of the Faery lore within Fiona Macleod's literary output as part of his ongoing study of this enigmatic writer. Building on the established groundwork of his biography of Sharp, The Little Book of the Great Enchantment, he explores the mythology and traditions of Faery, their symbolic and magical significance, and the devices employed by Fiona in the transmission of Faery teachings and inspirations. Using examples from Fiona's rich and resonant body of work, his detailed interpretation will enable the reader to tease out the Faery gems that are still to be found woven into the lines and verse of her writings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2012

About the author

Steve Blamires was born in the West of Scotland where the Celtic culture and the Gaelic language are both still strong. He now lives in New York State but prior to emigrating to the States he lived on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, a place considered by the ancient Gaelic Celts as the mystical Otherworld. He has taken a passionate interest in his indigenous Celtic culture since his early teens. Steve has published several books to much critical acclaim on Celtic mythology and belief. His most recent book is a biography of the Scottish writer William Sharp (1855-1905) who also wrote under the name Fiona Macleod. He has made numerous radio and TV appearances on both sides of the Atlantic, gives regular presentations and workshops throughout the US and UK on all aspects of Celtic culture and tradition. When he is not enjoying his home in the Hudson Valley he travels the world as a historian, presenter and tour-guide on National Geographic expedition ships. "

Reviews

[Steve Cran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles Of the Sidhe

Author , Steven Blamires examines the work of Fiona Mcloid/ William Sharp and examined it for deeper meaning.

The first chapter informs the reader about William Sharp's life William Sharp was born in 1855 in Scottland . While growing up his family would take outing to the country. It was in these country excursions that William became initiated into the ways of Faerie. Baraban a nanny taught him Gaelic lore and facts about the country. Another teacher was Seamus Mcloud, A sScottish fisherman was credited as being Fiona's father. Fiona was considered a walk on or alter ego. As a faery she used William to get her message out to human kind. Her works of literature serve as a verbal gateway into the realm of the fae. The seeker must read her works carefully.

When the seeker travels into the realm of the fae they must abandon all preconcieded notions of what to expect . One cannot expect instant enlightenment . The faery will not be there at the persons beck and call . The seeker has to sort of go with it.

Many things are different for the fae then they are for us .They have different morals, deities, times, magic and elements. What we might perceive as cruel, detached or even prankesterish the faeries consider normal. They are used to ecstasy in ways we find sinful. They are not burdened with the concept of sin like we are. Fiona used William to get her teachings out but had no consideration about the effects it would have on his health . The seekers must set limits with the fae they contact and not let the fae overwhelm their life. The result of Williams death ultimately lead to the demise of Fiona for once Elizabeth Sharp let the secret out. Fiona ceased to exist.

Their deities are different . Truth be told there is some crossover. Mannan , the Celtic Sea God was one of ours , the Tuatga D'Danan had him secure their mounds for them. Angus, a god if fertility became one of ours . If one wishes to work with the fae Angus is a good place to start. Dalua is a dark trickster and best avoided. Keithos is a fertility nature god like Pan but his powers are diminished. Orchin is a weaver of destiny.

The fae do magics but they do not cast circles rather they work from a three sided pyramid. Their element are light, fire and water.

Fae and Tuatha D D'Danan are not the same but they are very similiar. Supposedly they have fled back to their arctic origins which had four cities corresponding to four elements of Ceremonial Magic. In the center was a valley of stones which contained a green diamond that restored life. The fae and Sidhe have returned their .
Many believe the fae are moving further away due to Christianity , our degraded image of them and the way we destroy the environment .

Whether it was an alter ego or walk in I will leave that for you to decide. This book was a compelling read and very enjoyable . In the last chapter there is a ritual that can be adapted towards individuals or groups.

[Rua Brithem · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Sidhe, of course I was interested in getting my hands on this book. Having read The Irish Celtic Magical Tradition' nearly 20 years ago, I have a very high regard for Blamires' work. That book changed the course of my life in ways that I could never have imagined.

I had never heard of Fiona Macleod or William Sharp before reading this account of their relationship and the mythology Fiona imparted on the world. Their relationship doesn't seem as strange as one might think, and even Sharp's relationship with his wife, his lover, and his lover's husband is very Sidhe. So in Fiona's view on how her wisdom might or might not be accepted by the human world.

There I are some points with which I unequivocally disagree with Blamires. You can't tell me that the Celts did not have a cosmology, that they didn't look up into the sky. The book 'Caer Sidhe' by Michael Bailey traces this astrology and astronomy from both Celtic and classical sources. Newgrange in Ireland is aligned with the winter solstice sun. They were keen observers of the seasons and the lunar cycles. They had their own names for the constellations.

However, there are many points where I agree with Blamires. The methods of contact is EXACTLY right, so is the Sidhe view on gods and goddesses being no more special than the next 'person'. That's a very difficult concept to get across to a world where people are looking for personal absolution and faith in a higher power.' Blamires explanation is perfect.

This book has also introduced me to a host of characters - both saints and sinners - whom had contact with the Sidhe, and also the exquisite 'Carmina Gadelica' Again, I owe Steve Blamires for a life-altering experience. Thanks Steve.

[Mary Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book that is making me try to get hold of the author to ask questions!

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and fresh interpretation of the work of Fiona Macleod / William Sharp, drawing on folkloric traditions and new insights.