On the spindle side

On the spindle side   

Introduction      

This poem set in late Saxon times draws on the fear that dark elves lurk in various places especially deep woodlands and may be a source of illness. Many remedies recorded in the Lacnunga circa 1050 (LXXIX-LXXX and LXXXI-LXXXII ‘the lay of the nine herbs’) and Leech Book 3 circa 950 manuscripts refer to illnesses attributed to elfin influence and give remedies to affect a cure. These cures involved detailed descriptions of how the herbs must be gathered, prepared and applied. The use of magic throughout is apparent. See also glossary below.

On the spindle side

Late damp August day, deep within the wood,

With time betwixt the harvests, Leola stood.

Gathering mushrooms, of various kinds,

Rustle in the bush, did not see the signs.

Middangeard realm of folk, Leola did leave,

Searching for mushrooms, elves they did deceive.

Now with the Smithas, be forging elf shot,

Leola be elfadled, spinning out their plot.

Night visitations, incubus was here,

Morning pains in side, feeling quite severe.

Leola goes to temple, feeling quite ill,

Praying to the goddess, on the hill.

 

Ethelind the Wise, oft to her did stride,

Best to keep it close, on the spindle side.

Wise woman sees elf, pricking at her side,

Strong spell to cast, wood elf to be denied.

She must gather herbs, in a unique way,

First a special sign, then nine times to pray.

Once charms are cast, the herbs she can lift,

By the whole root ball, she must work quite swift.

In goddess temple, with the sacred spring,

Herbs under the altar, nine times to sing.

On the spear side, men folk are mowing meads,

Off to her thatched hut, to finish her deeds.

The herbs first be boiled, in butter and fat,

Then add blessed salt, guarded by her cat.

Through a clean cloth, the concoction to strain,

In running water, purify again.

By Leola’s bedside, incense all around,

Her face and eyes salved, the power well bound.

The elf shot be out! the wise woman cried,

Appling the salve to, the painful side.

Night walkers gone, no place for elves to hide,

With charm well cast, mischief can be denied.

She wilst dance full oft, in many a mead,

Ripe apples to pick, her feller to feed.

Copyright Andrew Rea 2009

Glossary:

Middangeard is the realm of humans

Smithas forge weapons for the elves

Elfadled refers to an illness caused by Elves

‘on the spindle side’ within the realm of woman

elf shot refers to a sudden sharp pain caused by elves