Does anyone know the myths about King Arthur and the witch in the lake or any other Norse/Celtic Myths???

Question

i want to know about the myth itself. i heard about it but i don't know it.

i know it has something to do with arthurs sword....but i dont know

Answer 1

I have two excellent books pertaining to Norse mythology and Celtic Mythology. The Norse book is called Children of Odin. It's written in an easy to read format but nevertheless a wonderful book by Padraic Colum. The second is called The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom, a very good book as well. As an Asatruar, Scandinavian mythologies deeply interest me. Below are some good links regarding that. In addition, there's a great book list at the Viking Answer Lady's website.

Answer 2

Yes. As was the Pagan and Christian Religions. Many of the Churches were built on Pagan Sacred Groves, groves that were destroyed and where Churches were built. Churches built by pagan craftsmen with the green men as decoration. So the conversion of the Pagans to Christianity wasn't immediate just the compliance. Read Ellen Cannnon Reed Mists of Avalon, it is great. Movie ok but the book explained more. All holidays are pagan based even researching into Jewish Holidays all are around harvest days and this is the heart of the Pagan Religion. (NOT Satan worship)

Answer 3

A really GREAT book to read is called " The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley . It is about Paganism and Christianity in the era of King Arthur and gives a good picture of whats and whys.

I enjoyed the book so much I couldn't put it down and I'm not a big reader.
Have fun with it.

Answer 4

Ancient Origins: Water deities were extremely popular with Celtic Society for they controlled the essential essence of life itself. The spontaneous movement of springs, rivers and lakes clearly showed the supernatural powers of the goddesses who lived within; and offerings at such aquatic features were commonplace, especially of weapons and other valuables. The practice continues today at wishing wells across the country, and the Lady of the Lake is remembered as "Lady Luck"!

Her names clearly reveal this Lady to have been the Celtic Water-Goddess Coventina (presumably identified by the Romans with their Mnemosyne). This lady was worshipped throughout the Western Roman Empire, in Britain, the Narbonne area of Gaul and North-Western Iberia too. She is most celebrated for her shrine at Brocolitia (Carrawburgh) on Hadrian's Wall. Here a quadrangular temple surrounded a central pool fed by a sacred spring. Coin, jewellery and small bronze figurine offerings have been excavated as well as numerous altars dedicated by the local soldiers.

Since the Lady of the Lake's place as Merlin's student and lover was largely overtaken by Morgan Le Fay, a lady whose very name in Breton indicates a water-nymph, it seems that the two were aspects of the same character. Indeed, as both appear among the three queens who escort Arthur to Avalon, she no doubt had a third aspect making up the well-known theme of a Celtic Triple-Goddess.

Answer 5

there is an older book called " Norse Stories " which has been out of print for years. was so good I xeroxed the entire book and never regretted this. there is another book titled " Celtic Legends " which has quite a few interesting stories as well.

Answer 6

Try http://www.arthuriana.co.uk/, Arthurian resources.

Encyclopedia Mythica is also a great help. Try http://www.pantheon.org/areas/folklore/arthurian/ and the links in the right column for the Arthur legends and http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/norse/ for Norse mythology.

Answer 7

For a beautiful poetic treatment of the Arthurian legends be sure and read Alfred Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" one of the most famous being "The Lady of Shalott" to be found at http://charon.sfsu.edu/TENNYSON/TENNLADY.HTML

Answer 8

Yes. Any specific question you're looking to have answered?

Answer 9

Tons of info on the internet....

Answer 10

read the book the mists of avalon....it's all about it...