The story of The Physicians of Myddfai

January 12 2007

The Physicians of Myddfai

It was another spring morning and the farmer of Blaensawdde was watching his flocks on the shores of Llyn-y-Fan Fach on the slopes of the Black Mountain.

As the first rays of sunlight hit the shimmering waters there was a strange rippling on the surface of the lake and then he saw, sitting on a small rock the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The farmer gave his heart ..... he could think of only to share his barley bread but with a smile she refused

Cras dy fara Hard baked is thy bread
Nid hawdd fy nala It is not easy to catch me

With that there came a gentle breeze and as the waters on the lake rippled the sun glinted. For a moment he was blinded and as he looked again there was no rock and no maiden....

Twice more he came to the lake and twice more he was refused in the same manner. The third time he waited all day until the day cooled as the sun dropped from the western sky.... One by one the stars appeared mirrored on the lake ..... he felt despair.. with a sigh he threw the bread onto the water.

" I have no gold, silver or riches to offer thee, just the bread grown by my own hands from the rich earth. It is all I have to offer , save myself which is yours forever".

and threw the last bit of bread into the water as the moon rose over the mountain tops and laid a cold light over the broken waters.
He turned to give one last look and there standing on the lakeside was the lady of Llyn-y- Fan
laughing gaily.... " Truly I will have you for you offer as much s any true man many. But, beware, if you strike me three causeless blows no matter how gentle I will return to the lake and never more be with you..."

They were married and three sons were born...........sadly, three causeless blows were struck by the husband on three occasions which on the last occasion the faerie lady returned to the lake from whence she came. Their sons grew strong and wise and it was the fairy blood still flowed through their veins for they succeeded in all that they turned their hands to. It is said that had they chosen they could have become the richest and most powerful men in all Wales, but they had other purposes and turned instead to healing. Maybe it was the fairy blood within them, and maybe their mother visited oft-times to give them advice, for their herbs and remedies were renowned. They were the first of a long line of physicians.

excerpts from Lancaster University Alan Dix
edited by Janita Haan Morris
sourced from Myths & Legends of Wales by Tony Roberts
Welsh Legends and Folk Tales by Gwen Jones

note: The 14th century manuscripts that survive show the physicians access to European medical writing of their day as well as their sophisticated use of plant medicines.

Preparing the Way

january 11 2007

Had a good day in preparation for work... A basket file for all the current research and lists for the flowers of Myddfai. We had no electricity for the best part of the day .... so the fire was lit with logs and candles burned.... rather beautiful.

Thought on and off about Natashas perfume Kite... I will collect the authentic Linden from Caroline Monday and then will reblend (yup that naughty Linden got in my current work.....) I have given it to Caroline Ingraham now for her work with animals so that is the end of that. White Thyme and( green mandarin) marry together well. I have just come back to edit as since this has been posted there has been IFRA banning mandarin or its component..... So now I will have to look at an alternative and explain to Natasha why..... great...:-( Sharp and fresh. I shall have to put my thinking cap on. Natasha liked rosewood which I love too, but with endangerment I may replace it with Quinesssences rather beautiful linaloe wood. The balance between those three will have to be examined and with linaloe and rosewood the aroma is soft woody and round and may clutter the clean sharpness to the other two.... However, I will ascertain and assess their dry down times and adjust accordingly. Recheck the safety .... I am undecided whether to add the pink grapefruit I had in earlier..... but it will unfold when next I blend... I may make up an accord first and add a small amount to the top note to augment the others but I will see and think on for a bit. I will have to sit and think for a heck of alot more thanks to these IFRA 40th amendment issues..... time to download and assess it's potentail damage.

I have sent Kristina an email at the apothecaries garden about the dried material and am waiting for her response. It is now 2.16am and time for sleep.