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Potia's avatar

Lovely to hear of different views of the northern lights. I know there are tales from North Scotland about the lights being "Nimble Men" who are spirits battling or the "Mirrie Dancers" who are dancing spirits.

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Imelda Almqvist's avatar

Thank you! I will educate myself about the "Nimble Men" in our skies!

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Caitlín Matthews's avatar

Thank you. What is attractive to us is often is seen as less so in indigenous tradition, if not dangerous. An Australian elder who came to Britain informed many British women that when the full moon was out, that in her tribe, their women had to hide their hair. This did not go down very well among the Britons who had different cultural values amd associations with the moon!

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Imelda Almqvist's avatar

Well, quite! But in my classes I often cause consternation among women who are heavily into "moon goddesses" by saying that in the Old Norse Tradition the Moon, Máni, is male!

But obviously the Moon is the totality of everything ever attributed to him or her.

My next book is going to be about Inuit traditions and mythology and I am becoming very intrigued by differences and similarities between the Inuit and the Sami, both living "on top of the world"!

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Caitlín Matthews's avatar

Ha,ha,ha! I love the gender swopping of sun and moon!

Very much looking forward to your next book!

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Linda Roan's avatar

Very interesting. Reminded me Grimms’ Fairy Tales, especially the Pied Piper and Hansel and Gretel: other tales which acted as warnings to children. How wonderful that Asa is willing to share her stories.

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