Another Film about Cúchulainn?

Michael Fassbender is to take the lead in a new project written by Ronan Bennett, whose credits include Public Enemies and The Hamburg Cell.

Fassbender will star as Cuchulain, the central hero of the Ulster Myth Cycle in the film (one of the four branches of Irish mythology), which has a working title Irish Myths.

Development funding is already in place for the project which is being produced by Finn McCool Films, the London based production company set up by Fassbender and Bennett.

It is not yet known who will direct the project.

Fassbender is currently in Berlin promoting Haywire. He will next be seen in Prometheus for Ridley Scott.

So says "Screen Daily".

One wonder how this affects the plans for "Hound" being produced by Breakthru Films.

Gaelic Battle Charms

Here is Alexander Carmichael describing the genre of protective charm or seun in Carmina Gadelica ii, 26:

‘Sian’ or ‘seun is occult agency, supernatural power used to ward away injury, and to protect invisibly. Belief in the charm was common, and examples of its efficacy are frequently told.

Go read the Carmichael Watson Project blog on this very intriguing topic.

The Curse of Macha: Pilot Feature Film Production

This project is being funded through donations by the general public, using We Fund.  If you're interested in helping, or are just curious, please click here to read more.

Awakened by the onslaught of an invasion, Emer is forced to succumb to the horror of her children missing and the burning flames of her dying village. Rather than accept her fate, she breaks free of the carnage to find another village and a group of warriors willing to take up her cause and find out the truth of this nightmare.


What unfolds is a daring attempt to reach the ancient city of Emain Macha, the stronghold of the Ulaidh (Ulster) Tribes. But with political and religious influences on the struggle for power over the northern territories of Ireland, our heroes our met with overwhelming odds stacked against them. It is with Emer, that the fate of the Ulaidh tribes lays, and through her courage and strength the promise to embrace her children once more.


Many myths and legends have echoed through Ireland's forests, none so infamous than the Táin Bó Cúailgne, an epic tale of greed, lust and pride. 3 deadly sins that have plagued Ireland's shores for an eternity. Our story focuses on one mother’s nightmare and one peoples plight in a land steeped in religious and political turmoil.  Set in the 4th Century AD, Ireland is a land inconstant upheaval. Kings, Queens, Priestess and Warlords battle among themselves for power. All the while the masses struggle to survive daily life in an Ireland that is one dark environment.


The Film is based on the Irish myths of the Táin Bó Cúailgne, our story is an original screenplay by Chris Lennon and Paul Michael.

Britain's Wicca Man

Britain's Wicca Man - (C) Matchlight from Matchlight on Vimeo.

Apparently, this is to air on Channel 4 on February 20th.

Maelstrom Melody

As the high winds, accompanied by rain, arrived last night I found myself listening to the sounds; imagining the trendils of the Cailleach's hair streaking through the trees.  Being still, being silent and just listening conjured a mass of imagery.  It was uplifting.

The house shook quite a few times from the pressure, but I slept soundly just allowing my mind to drift on the melody of the maelstrom.

Strange Tides

What a strange season it is: The weather, and other natural forces have felt odd in this corner of the land, being very mild, and my free time over the festivities birthed the unexpected. It's hard to explain what has happened or is happening. My plan was to relax and unwind, but I was driven to something else altogether by forces known, familiar, and unknown and unfamiliar.

Something has switched in this tide; and I have started a journey ... to where or what I know not. The why is even less clear. I do know I had a part in calling forth the impetus on solstice night.

Be careful what you wish for.

Imagery

From Trollkona:

Pagan Dating on Facebook

For all the dating sites out there, few are pagan-specific and some are unworkable; however if you are on Facebook, there is a group for Single Pagans of the UK, which is small, but growing, friendly and provides an opportunity to socialise and network, allowing relationships to develop slowly and as naturally as possible over the internet; within a broad pagan context.

Single Pagans of the UK is also a great pagan social network in general.

Winter Solstice 2011 at Newgrange

The 2011 Winter Solstice Sunrise Illumination at the Newgrange World Heritage site will be broadcast live by Heritage Ireland on December 21st from about 8:30am (Ireland time, of course).

http://www.newgrange.com/webcast.htm

Winter Solstice 2011

Tomorrow evening marks the start of the longest night - midwinter solstice.   I shall be doing my usual, which involves spending the night outdoors in contemplation; however this year I will be doing a little more than usual, as circumstances have converged and the timing is ideal.

Although solstice doesn't really mark a formal festival for me, I spend the solstices in contemplation of my ancestors lives. I do this at the solstices partly because there are megaliths which have been shown to be aligned with either the midwinter, or midsummer solstice, so the solstice must have held some significance, even if modern man is not sure what. Generally, Samhainn is considered the time of the ancestors but, as time passes, I feel this is not necessarily the best time for their particular veneration, given in the myths it seems a time of games, boasts of past achievements, feasting and general celebration, though I would agree that, as with Bealltainn, our world and the otherworld seem closer.

I enjoy winter, as with the longer evenings/nights, I find myself more productive, perhaps because I am more focussed on the internal, be it home or dialogue, and not allowing outside distractions allows me to spend time more wisely, even efficiently.  It doesn't matter why though, I just enjoy the season for a number of reasons, including snow.   Winter is definitely my season and I would probably celebrate its zenith, regardless of whether or not a festival had been associated with it - christmas, Eponalia, Saturnalia, Jul, Mother's Night - or the megaliths had no peculiar alignment to the sunrise/sunset at midwinter.

Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, or even if you don't, I should like to wish all readers of my sparsely populated blog, all the best for the holiday season, and a joyous and prosperous 2012.