Morgan Le Fay | Magus #4
The Three Ravens PodcastPlay episode
Show notes
We peer back through the mists of time, to a time of myth, to investigate the origins, theoretical biography, and symbolic meanings of an Arthurian icon: Morgan Le Fay!
From the first mention of Morgan in writing, care of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century, we explore how The Anarchy created a need for 'The Once and Future King' to return.At that point, Morgan was more a good fairy and mysterious Otherworld Queen, rather than King Arthur's dark shadow.
Considering how Morgan was re-framed by 15th century French authors like Chretien De Troyes, we establish that only after the Vulgate Cycle is complete does the 'Dark Goddess' of ancient mythology find a new form.
We look back into the deep past - to the birth of the universe, out of the cosmic womb of Classical feminine deities like Nyx and the Ancient Egyptian goddess Nephthys, and forward, via the Celtic (and monstrous) Morrigan, Modron, and Morgen, to peel back the layers of Morgan Le Fay's identity.
A shapeshifter, scorned lover, embodiment of justice, and so much more, even after the death of King Arthur - and Mordred, the incestuous product of the love affair between Morgan and Arthur - she lives on.
Part pantomime villain, part nightmare queen, part maiden, part mother, part crone, she is, in a sense, all things to all men.
But what is Morgan Le Fay to herself? Does she even know? And how much of the story of her life was ever her choice, or does it all come back to the nebulous actions of the wizard Merlin?
With answers to these questions and more, it's a pretty epic episode, so clothe yourself in darkness and head with us down to the ford in the river, where there's a strange lady waiting with a message we have no choice but to hear...
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Three Ravens is a completely independent English myth and folklore podcast where we share stories, celebrate folk culture, and fall backwards through the hedgerows of history.
Hosted by real-life couple Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux, and mostly recorded at our home in rural Sussex in southern England, Three Ravens is rated 4.8/5 from over 500 reviews and has grown by word of mouth care of our lovely listener community ‘The Conspiracy of Ravens.’
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