Bendith and Mamau are a clan of Welsh Færies. These ugly creatures (which could be the result of interbreeding between Færies and goblins) are known to kidnap children. In doing this, they replace the kidnapped child with one of their own, called a crimbil. If a child is recovered from the Bendith Y Mamau, they do not remember anything, except notions of sweet music.
Anyone that has ever done Magick knows that it involves resonances and associations. Magick has many color associations as well as musical associations. We have all experienced the magick of music in contemporary music. Sometimes this can be in the form of attending a concert, othertimes it can be when we are alone and listening to our favorites tunes. Modern day religious services take advantage of the Magick inherit to music to enhance their worship services. This can be in singing hymns or hearing organ and choral anthems. I’m sure that we will all agree that music in such sitruarions alters our state of being. We are uplifted and changed by the ritual music we experience. It should be no surprise that the ancient Celts used music in a similar manner. In Morgan Llwellyn’s “Druids” we find an example of such a Druidic use of music in Magick. The chief Druid of a village would greet the Sun with song and lead the village each day in welcoming the Sun back from the Underworld. When the Sun set, another farewell song was enjoined. This practice is still followed by some in Celtic lands to this day. Examples of such incantations and greetings to the Sun may be found in the “Carmenica Gadetica” a vast resources of ancient and rercent Celtic verse and song.
Surrendered to Divine Mother I be
Pouring river of thy love supreme
Light born from thy dark womb
I gathered fury of thy reign.
Given to thy smile eternal
Womb of thy heart manifesting
Music of thy string cheering
Notes of thy flute singing
Given to thy majesty supreme
Hole that knows no end
I, atoms of thy nucleus bursting
Surrendered all of life to thee
Every corner of my turn thy will supreme
To thee highest huntress / enchantress
I fling myself to thy bosom
Suck thy nectar of life
I be born to thee magick
Sweet fruit of my breath
Thru thy nostrils breathe I
Thy sight my eyes humbly do see
Mother Divine, thy son,
Does rest forever,
In thy well shot forward
Lightning bolt of fate
I thy gathered light
finger into darkness
Thy writes my fate
Holy Mother Divine.
by Brandy Williams
One: Matching Representations
In studying magic I’ve been exposed to a lot of related fields–history, mythology, music–which enrich my understanding of my vocation. One of the most helpful series of books I’ve encountered is a set of five volumes starting with The Structure of Magic I. and II. which focus on… psychology.
‘…with the sound of music’ I hear you all chant, grimacing at the thought of Julie Andrews’ grin permanently putting paid to Switzerland’s credibility. But, as good pagans all, we know the hills are alive and, as I hope to show, they should resound to music.
by Dr Anthony E. Smart
According to the myth she was the inventor of the Irish harp. She had a disagreement with a lover, and so she left his bed to wander the night. Hearing beautiful music, she stopped and sat down; soon she fell asleep in the open air. Wakening to daylight, Canola discovered the music had been made by the wind, blowing through the rotted sinews clinging to the skeleton of a whale. Inspired by the sight and remembering its magical sound, she built the first harp.
Witch's Well 