The Tale of Morwen, the Enchantress Sow
Once upon a time, in the forgotten ages when magic was as common as the wind and the rain, there lived a mighty black sow named Morwen. She was no ordinary animal; she was an enchantress, gifted with the power to shape destinies. Morwen was as beautiful as she was ominous, her ebony coat shimmering under the moonlight, and her eyes, two pools of liquid gold that held secrets as ancient as time itself.
Morwen was born to the Earth goddess Ceredwen and was said to possess her mother’s potent power of transformation. Like her mother, Morwen too was a symbol of mystery and magic, revered and feared in equal measure by the mortal folks. To encounter Morwen in the silent woods was believed to bring either great fortune or doom. Such was the capricious nature of her power.
Morwen lived deep within the heart of the enchanted Thicket of Shadows, a place where sunlight never dared to venture. By night, Morwen would venture out, her graceful, silent strides echoing the whisper of the wind, her silhouette appearing and disappearing among the ancient trees.
One chilly night, beneath a sky sparkling with stars, she came across a young man, lost and afraid. He was Gillian, the son of a humble farmer, who had been bewitched and led astray by mischievous forest spirits. He stared at the imposing black sow, fear etched on his face.
“Great Morwen,” he implored, “I seek your aid to return to my kin. I promise to offer you the first fruit of our harvest in return.”
Morwen, her gaze penetrating the depths of the young man’s soul, nodded in agreement. She led him through the winding paths, past the lurking shadows, and brought him safely to the edge of the forest by the first light of dawn. True to his word, Gillian returned at harvest with a basket of the most luscious fruits as an offering to Morwen.
Years went by, and the tale of Morwen and Gillian passed into legend. Every harvest, the villagers would leave an offering at the forest edge for Morwen, their protectress, their divine enchantress. Yet, in time, the villagers grew complacent and forgot the pact their forefathers had made.
One fateful night, under a blood-red moon, the villagers failed to leave an offering. Enraged and disrespected, Morwen emerged from the Thicket of Shadows. She brought with her a wave of chaos and calamity, destroying crops and causing livestock to vanish into thin air.
When the sun rose, it revealed the extent of devastation Morwen’s wrath had caused. The villagers, realizing their grave mistake, hastily prepared an offering and pleaded for Morwen’s forgiveness. The black sow, from the heart of the Thicket, accepted their sincere apology but left them with a stern warning about the importance of respect and promises.
From that day forth, the village never again forgot the offering, ensuring that Morwen’s wrath remained at bay. And so the black sow returned to her mythical existence, watching from the shadows, a symbol of power, respect, and the haunting beauty of the unknown.
So goes the tale of Morwen, the enchantress of the Thicket of Shadows – a whimsically dark saga that speaks of our collective promises and respect for the old ways. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between man and nature, and of the enchanting, dangerous power that lurks within the dark coat of a black sow.
Photography by Milo Dlouhy
Museum Prints available in the SHOP
In the Shadow of the Black Sow: An Obsession Fueled by Myth and Mystery
As a child growing up in the countryside, my fascination with black sows has been a constant companion. These formidable, dark-coated creatures have inspired a profound sense of wonder and curiosity, which eventually evolved into what I now proudly call an obsession. It’s not just their physical presence that fascinates me, but the intriguing connotations and historical significance they hold. The black sow, particularly, is steeped in mythology, its dark coat a symbol of various powerful and often contradictory themes.
The black sow has found its way into many world mythologies, sometimes as a symbol of nurturing, abundance, and fertility, at other times as an omen of darkness, mystery, and danger. This dual imagery draws a compelling picture, reflecting the multifaceted nature of this fascinating creature and adding fuel to my fascination.
In Celtic mythology, for example, the sow was regarded as a sacred creature. The goddess Cerridwen, known for her magical cauldron of inspiration and knowledge, was often symbolically depicted as a white sow, but the black sow held an equally potent significance. It was associated with Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter, a period often linked with death and the supernatural. Tales spoke of the spectral black sow appearing on Samhain night, instilling fear and respect in the hearts of those who believed in its potent symbolism.
Greek mythology too makes mention of the black sow, but in a much different context. The story of the Caledonian Boar, a gigantic creature sent by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, to ravage the region of Calydon, includes a black sow and her litter. Here, the black sow is a symbol of retribution and the destructive power of nature when disrespected.
These, among many other mythological references, paint the black sow as an intriguing enigma. A creature of both sustenance and terror, of fertility and death, of the natural world and the mystical realm. It’s this complex persona that the black sow presents, that keeps my obsession alive.
With every new piece of information, my fascination for the black sow only deepens, propelling me to dig deeper into folklore, historical texts, and anthropological studies. Each narrative around the black sow becomes a thread in a grand tapestry, woven over centuries and across cultures. Through understanding these stories, I feel a connection to our shared human past and a heightened appreciation for the complex symbolism these animals hold.
In exploring my black sow obsession, I have found a wealth of mythology, history, and symbolism that stretches far beyond a simple fascination with a farm animal. This exploration has taken me on a journey through time and cultures, unearthing fascinating insights about human nature, our fears, our hopes, and our relationship with the natural world. As I continue this journey, the black sow remains at the center, a powerful symbol of my quest for knowledge and understanding.
In essence, my obsession is less about the black sow itself, and more about what it represents. It’s a symbol that bridges the gap between the physical and the mystical, the mundane and the extraordinary. In the eyes of the black sow, we glimpse both the simplest aspects of farm life and the most profound depths of mythology and symbolism. And for that, my fascination will always remain.
