A Shave Too Close

Far too often now have the grooming rituals been overlooked. There is nothing more important than keeping yourself properly groomed, in both the eyes of fellow men and God himself. The fact that so many times there are knights who forget the most basic fundamentals of good and decent behavior, especially in the presence of good and honorable people. We see a many times throughout my lord's kingdom the grooming rituals being forsaken, but it was a relief to see that Ysbaddaden got the shave that he needed, even if it wasn't of the most favorable circumstances for him. The fact that it was the last one he recieved and that they took off a little more than he preferred is not lost on me, it's a fitting shave for the terrible behemoth. Though if I was Culhwch, I wouldn't have needed the assistance of Arthur to complete the quests that that insideous beast laid out before me. No, just a dedication to completing them would be all that I would need, though I could do without the prize he received. Inspite of Culhwch's inability to complete all the quests on his own without assistance from Arthur and his brave and talented men, his success and his triumph are glorious and may he be blessed for his victory.

Lives of Pain and Struggle for Possession

So many have fallen to the rage of Ysbaddaden in their pretension to have me as their own. For years, I have loyally kept my pledge to my father for his sake that I will not leave his protection without his endorsement. I have neither encouraged nor discouraged of the many poor men that have taken the foolish task of attempting to win me from my father. Why these men attempt this, I cannot understand. I wonder why they do not go for some other easier catch so they may spare themselves the suffering of confronting Ysbaddaden or performing a task for a madman which is designed only to result in their failure. Perhaps I will never understand the absence of mind required to brave such obstacles only to win me. Does the prize they seek exist only in their mind or must I prove worthy of all their toils? I only wish to live without having to see anyone peril because of me. My pledge must be upheld though I am loyal to whatever man relieves me of this burden. I have never held hope for any man taking me as his wife without bloodshed.
My loyalty to my father is only by virtue of family. The arrogance of his abnormal stature and his selfish need to preserve himself and care for me has only caused me to be unhappy for a long time. The arrogance of whoever frees me of him mist rival that of his. If the rules of completion must be bent to the point where the man who attempts to win me has a legendary kind and his knights to aid him, so be it. I fear however that I am fated always to live in the shade of man's arrogance.

Concerning The Grail Quest

Youth, I know, is lost on the young. After the inexorable turning of the seasons, after many, many moons, once flesh has aged and clings pallid to the bone, then one might finally see. It seems to be the way of the world and the Will of the Lord Almighty.

I was blessed with a dream sent from Heaven on High - and so I know. The poorest man is he who, with avarice, guards the gold-hoard and regards his fellow man with suspicion and scorn. Charity by giving gold will not suffice; giving a gold piece to a leper, while loathing the sight of him, is not charity at all. Men are known to slay one another for far less than a gold piece. True charity comes from within he who delights in others, who fills the cups of his brothers and sisters even as he drinks from his own. The richest is the one who knows this - and his or her wealth is an everlasting summer of the soul, which no winter can wither.

And this is one of the Secrets of the Grail. Glorious deeds of arms will avail thee not in attaining the Sacred Vessel of Our Lord. Not the resources of earthly wealth nor a bloodline of noble bearing bring thee closer - these gain thee not a glimpse.

The Grail is everywhere - and yet it is nowhere. Those whose hands, hearts, and minds toil vainly beyond the Grace and Blessing of our Almighty Father in Heaven will seek fruitlessly until the days of their lives are spent utterly.

But those who see need not seek at all - and the fires in their hearths burn all the brighter, all the warmer in their halls, for, having taken joy of others, they have already partaken from His Heavenly Chalice - and know a happiness that outspans the sorrows and injustices of this world.

Tale of Love or Pride?

The story of Culhwch and his Olwen. This was a beautiful story, for the most part. The premise reminded me much of my own life. The young, beautiful Olwen and I had much in common. Fair beauties that where the cause of such calamity and malice. My husband was killed by a King who held such a passion for me which could never cease or nor be satisfied until we were together. This parallels with a young woman with beauty which drove men to risk their lives on many quests for only a chance at having her hand. In this comparison, this story replenishes me with memory. However, the days of my youth have long passed me and I am much reluctant of unbridled butchery so that aspect of the story itself may have been too much. Speaking from my new heart behind the cloistered walls, I see this as, rather than the love story it was destined to be, more of an amoral quest of self satisfaction. Instead of the premise being a man searching for his love, it became a heavy depiction of gore and masculine pride. I feel like there was no real love between any other the characters. The intentions of the quest were more for honor and glory than for the love of Olwen, though I no doubt praise the ultimate success of their lives together. Nevertheless I will close in a positive manner, and so express how remarkably proud I am to have such an honorable son. Though our distance has been great, every time his name glorified, I take pride. Not only is my son Arthur so praised as a warrior, but his bloodline is so exalted that even the young Culhwch was more admirable just for his relation. How honored I am.

Blog Schedule

Below is the blog schedule for the semester.  Please read the instructions carefully.  Happy blogging!