wild hunt

treeseed commented on the word wild hunt

The Wild Hunt was a folk myth prevalent in former times across Northern, Western and Central Europe. The fundamental premise in all instances is the same: a phantasmal group of huntsmen with the accoutrements of hunting, horses, hounds, etc., in mad pursuit across the skies or along the ground, or just above it. It is often a way to explain thunderstorms.

The hunters may be the dead, or the fairies (often in folklore connected with the dead). The hunter may be an unidentified lost soul, a deity or spirit of either gender, or may be a historical or legendary figure like Dietrich of Berne, the Danish king Valdemar Atterdag, Satan, Odin (or other reflexes of the same god, such as Alemannic Wuodan in Wuotis Heer of Central Switzerland, etc.), or Arawn. Women may also be the hunters, as in related cult of Diana or Holda . The hunt is often for a woman, who is captured or killed, or a moss maiden.

It has been variably referred to as the Wild Hunt, Woden's Hunt, the Raging Host (Germany), Herlathing (England), Mesnee d'Hellequin (Northern France), Cŵn Annwn (Wales) Cain's Hunt, Ghost Riders (North America), Herod's Hunt, Gabriel's Hounds, Asgardreia (Asgard ride) and even in Cornwall "the devil's dandy dogs."

_Wikipedia

Jane Yolen wrote a wonderful children's book called The Wild Hunt that does the legend proud and brings it into the modern world with skill and originality.

February 11, 2008

frindley commented on the word wild hunt

This is the fourth scent in a series of primal smells.

Wild Hunt is the scent of an ancient forest in the heat of a summer afternoon. It is a blend of Torn Leaves, Crushed Twigs, Flowing Sap, Fallen Branches, Old Leaves, Green Moss, Fir, Pine and Tiny Mushrooms.

September 26, 2008