The Myths and Legends at Glastonbury

 

There are many Myths and Legends at Glastonbury, two of which deal with Bible stories - one directly and one indirectly. Glastonbury’s tales are often told singularly, as if each telling were the one and only myth of the land, but when taken together they form many connections, like the varied twigs and branches of one great, ancient tree.

King Arthur

The Arthurian legends stretch out across many lands, but in Glastonbury there seems to be a nexus of sorts. Indeed many believe that this is where fabled Camelot once existed, the backdrop of the famous Knights of the Round Table, Merlin the wizard and the tragic and heroic figure of Arthur himself.

In nearby South Cadbury there is a hill fort, a possible ancient remnant of Camelot proper. There is proof that the hill fort dates back to the early 6th century and this is when many believe the time of Camelot was.

There are more physical hints to possible legendary connections between Glastonbury and famed Camelot. The enchanting hill that rises above the lands of Glastonbury known as the Glastonbury Tor -- is believed by some to be the mythical Isle of Avalon. At first blush it seems like a silly link; after all, shouldn’t an Isle be surrounded by water? But upon further examination it isn’t as silly as it sounds.

In the 6th century the water levels of the region were much higher, which could very well have turned the Tor into an Isle; an Isle often referred to the “Island of Glass” - a possible etymological connection to the word “Glastonbury?”

Indeed the very structures of the land are often linked to Arthurian legend. One such myth suggests that the varying architecture was laid out in conjunction with the landscape to provide a sort of celestial zodiac calendar with Arthurian imagery. Also at the Glastonbury Abby monks claimed in the 12th century to have found a stone marked “Here likes Arthur, king” and under it a man and woman’s skeletons - the bones of Arthur and his wife, Queen Guinevere? 

The Grail

The Holy Grail features prominently in Arthurian legend, which links to another set of myths around a biblical figure - Joseph of Arimathea. Believed to be Jesus’ uncle, this Joseph was supposedly the bearer of the grail from the Holy Land - along with, according to legend - the body of the Messiah.

The grail was supposed to contain a few drops of Jesus’ blood, and legend has it that Joseph buried it at the foot of the Glastonbury Tor, from which sprang a spring of blood. To this day there is the Chalice Well, where the water often has a reddish cast.

Also it was said that when Joseph of Arimathea arrived in Glastonbury he stuck his thorn staff into the ground and it turned into a thorn tree and blossomed. A cutting was taken from that tree and planted in the Glastonbury Abby, where to this day a thorn tree from Palestine blossoms every Christmas.

The Stonehenge Myth

Most people know Stonehenge as the man made ring of ancient stones in England and attribute to it some association with the ancient Druidic and pagan people of that land. What they may not know are the various legends ascribed to the stone ring legends that link its construction to Ireland and even Africa, not to mention wizards and giants.

The Stonehenge Myth

While Stonehenge itself is clearly not a myth, there are myths that surround the origins of the stone ring, especially concerning how, exactly, ancient man was able to lift and move individual stones weighing 50 tons apiece.

Stonehenge is not simply a circle of standing stones, although that is certainly what is the most apparent. The stones stand in a ditch carved out around 3,000 BC, and as the stones themselves (or at least their placement) date to around 2,200 BC, the construction of Stonehenge was not an overnight accomplishment. This is one factor that many legends do not take into account, as they ascribe the erection of the stones to magic or as the work of massive giants, the one myth suggests that King Arthur was responsible for the creation of the stone circle, harnessing the power of 15,000 knights and one wizard to do so. The stones were in Ireland, and obtaining them necessitated the killing of 7,000 Irish, who didn’t want to give up their stones. All the king’s men couldn’t move the stones, however, but Merlin managed to magic them to their resting place in Wiltshire.

And how did the rocks end up in Ireland? According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the author to first put Arthurian Legend to narration, they were moved from Africa to Ireland by giants, brought to the Emerald Isle because of special healing properties. Geoffrey was known to inject a good deal of his own imagination into his “historical” writings.

The Origin of the Stonehenge Myth

The presence of such a monumental stone circle in the countryside dating back as far as living memory, and for generations, practically demands a myth. With no express explanation in written history for their presence, and thanks to the obvious purpose with which they were placed, Stonehenge was bound to be a place of mystery and legend. The sheer massiveness of each stone demands an explanation that is not forthcoming, and so the myths came about to fill the void.

Today the Stonehenge circle and earthworks are associated with—and used by—many groups claiming there is a magical or spiritual significance there, a power that can be tapped into and harnessed. Historians try to point out, often in vain, that the Druids who may have used Stonehenge in antiquity have very little in common with those that claim that connection today.

Final Thoughts

The Stonehenge myths and legends are in danger of being permanently affected by modern day tourism. Around the turn of the last century many of the stones had fallen or were leaning precariously. A great undertaking restored the monuments, but now a fight is on to move two major roadways that pass right by the ancient site, without damaging it in the process.Things that one would assume would not take thousands of years.

Three thousand years old the Uffington White Horse is one of the more distinct of the many hill figures and chalk figures that dot the English countryside. The White Horse has given rise to many a theory as to the reason it was created; everything from a mystic symbol of power to a road-side advert for a horse market, all contributing to the overall air of mystery for the White Horse Myth.

The Loch Ness

In 1934 a grainy black and white photograph gave the world the first apparent proof that the age old legend of a monstrous creature inhabiting Scotland’s Loch Ness was indeed real. The swan-like neck the head reminiscent of a water dinosaur, the hump suggesting a long, powerful body; how could it not be the fabled Loch Ness Monster?

The Loch Ness Monster Myth

Among the legendary creatures of the world there are a few that stand out and are considered well known regardless of where in the world the tale is told. One of the most endearing—and enduring—is the myth of Nessie, the affectionate nickname of what is better known as the Loch Ness Monster. Said to inhabit Great Britain’s largest freshwater lake, Scotland’s Loch Ness, Nessie has been the subject of a great deal of speculation and scrutiny over the years. While it may seem a fairly modern myth, some references to an unusual creature have been made in writings as early the 7th Century. Sightings are reported by locals, scientists, tourists, and monster hunters, all of whom hope to be the one to provide conclusive proof that the famous Loch Ness Monster is as real as the loch itself.

The Origin of the Loch Ness Monster Myth

That first mention of a monster in the loch came by 7th century writer Adamnan, who was recounting the adventures of Saint Columbia in the year 565. While critics point out that the “Life of St. Columbia” depicts the holy man as something of a monster slayer and use that to discount the reference to the loch monster, it does remain as some proof that the legends of Nessie began long before the “evidence” began to surface.

The Sightings Begin

While tales of water monsters are not unique to Scotland—which in fact has reports of other loch monsters such as “Morag” from Loch Morar—it seemed that Loch Ness had more than its fair share of reported sightings. Naturally many are simple hoaxes, people having a bit of fun and coming along with a popular fantasy. Others are more serious on the part of the reporters, people who claim to have seen either bits and pieces of the monster (a head and neck rising swan-like from the loch, seen at a great distance) or something more fantastic (a couple claiming a creature described much like a dinosaur crossing the road in front of their car before disappearing into the loch). Evidence of the photographic kind began to appear as the technology to support it came along, the most famous of which is the “Surgeon’s Photograph”, taken by Dr. Robert Kenneth Wilson.

This photo, taken in 1934, is often shown cropped down to isolate the image of a head, neck and hump of a back in the water. The effect makes the creature imaged seem much larger than it actually is. Wilson, who never claimed it to be a photo of Nessie but rather “something” he saw in the loch, remained stoic in the face of accusations that it was a fake. Analysis of the ripples in the photo resulted in experts claiming that the “creature” was very small indeed. In the end Wilson admitted, decades later, that it was indeed a fake, so to speak. The “creature” in the photograph was a toy submarine with a crafted head and neck attached.

 

Final Thoughts

Theories have been floated to support sightings in Loch Ness from gassy submerged logs to boat wakes to an actual dinosaur surviving the march of time. In the end, it hardly matters if no evidence to prove the Loch Ness Monster is real ever surfaces, because the legend of Nessie is real enough.

Jack The Ripper

Jack the ripper is a nickname for a misterious murderer in England at 19th century.
In 31st august 1888 midnight, at East End district in london as known as
Whitechapel, surprised by murdered some prostitutes. The identity from the murder
is never known. The police is just know that the nickname of the murder is "Jack the
Ripper".

Jack the ripper never leave a trace, the format of the murder is randomly happened.
The same trace is just the woman that he killed is a prostitutes.
He killed his victim very terrify. He cut the neck and mutilated the victim.Jack the
ripper like a shadow in the night, no one knows who he is.
Even though he killed his victim in one year, the victim is so lot and be the one of top
urban legend.

Many people suppose that the murderer is a doctor or something like that.
Because he sliced his victim very neat and just can be done by medical tools with
high skill.

The identity of jack the ripper is never known eventouhgh for this time.
The professional have a prediction that he cross the Atlantic Ocean and stay in
America after that.

The Flying Dutchman

I will tell you a story about a ghost ship named Flying Dutchman.
This is very famous story and it is a Holland Folktale.
Many books, movies, and even cartoon was isnpired by this story.
So, let's check this out!

The Flying Dutchman is a ghost ship and it can't anchor but it must sailing seven ocean forever.
Many depend source was told in 17th century there was a captain named Bernard Foke is sailing around the sea.
He sailing very fast, he suspected that he was sailing with the help of the devil.
Went he was in Cape of Good Hope the storm is coming, and the ship is getting stranded.
A crew from the ship is suggested to stop the ship, but the captain is refuse it.
And he swore "I swear to never get back and never give up before I get to the my destiny town!
I and my crew will cursed forever!"
Suddenly the lightning  struck the ship.
And the ship cursed to around the seven oceans.

At this time, the myth is told if a modern ship see this cursed ship, they will be sink.
The way to shield it is put a horseshoe on mast.

There is some evidence of the ghost ship appearance :

In 1823 : Captain Oweb, HMS Leven said he was seeing a empty ship in the ocean and suddenly  disappeared.
In 1879 : The sailor of SS Pretoria confess see the ghost ship.
In 1939 : This ship is appeared in Mulkzenberg, many people surprised by this ghost ship and suddenly disappeared.
In 1941 : Several eyewitnesses reported Glencairn beach a ship that crashed into a rock battered and divided, but after an investigation at the scene, there are no signs of the wreck.
In 1942 : Four witnesses have seen an empty vessel into the waters of Table Bay and then disappeared. An employee has documented these discovery in his diary.

So, be careful if you want to sailing around the world!

The Lady In White

Did you lose someone you love?
Did you really miss them?
Don't be sad because I have the solution.
The lady in white will help you to meet them.
This is the way to meet them again :

1 Enter the bath room lonely and turn off the light
2 Stand up in front of the mirror and say 'lady in white' in five time
3 Then turned your body and say name the person you love
4 And then they will appear in your mirror

N.B: But,don't be surprised if they looked not necessarily as good as we usually see in time of our life.