She ran when you wouldn’t, she heard what they couldn’t. She studied alone in the sanctuary of self. The vanishing ones when intuiting moon cycles, hide in her skirts where no words would dare tell. Only the swiftest will know of these gifts. And only the captive men worship captivity. Only one prince would dare look where she sits, because only the oldest souls know true humility.
Melangell is a beloved figure in Welsh mythology. She is the figure in this collection with whom I feel the closest affinity, and her saint’s day is my birthday. She is the patron saint of hares and wild creatures. Her story is steeped in legend and spirituality, combining early Celtic
Christian practices and local folklore.
The realm of the humans has bred imperfections and blemishes, some of which will linger foe aeons. But there is beauty in these blemishes. There are lessons to be learnt from their imperfections. Speak to the peninsula nymphs and let them teach you how to reclaim the wreckage to make something new: something magical, meaningful and medicinal. Something made for all of us. Something made by only you.
Melangell was an Irish princess from the 7th or 8th century who left her home and crossed the sea to Wales, fleeing an arranged marriage. She sought refuge in a remote forest. There she was discovered by Prince of Powys during a hunt. The frightened hare that he hunted sought refuge under her skirts. The prince interpreted this as her supernatural ability to commune with the forest creatures. The prince granted Melangel the valley to call her home; a place of refuge where she would later establish an Abby of sanctuary.
Reading the Mellangel myths, I felt that the hares who hide in her skirts might represent the secrets or wisdom only accessible to those with the patience to listen and learn from nature.
Time, captivity and freedom all play a role in Melangell’s world. She embodies the idea of seeing beyond the surface, beyond what others can see, and understanding the rhythms of life, time and nature on a deeper level. She represents solitude, always aware and ready to learn from the spiritual insight obtained by deep introspection.
We humans are often bound by a belief in our own limitations. Melangell reminds us that the wisdom and humility that comes from true freedom of mind transcends the limitations that we too often place upon ourselves.
Melangell symbolises the journey toward self-knowledge and inner wisdom. She is a figure who listens to and understands the cycles of the moon. For me, Melangell serves as a reminder that wisdom is not easily obtained but must be sought through patience, introspection and a willingness to look beyond the surface.
