‘Miguel shifted his attention to the miniature train chasing itself around the mountain. He stared at it intensely while he spoke: “Goddess Mari. She is our Mother. Of the Basque mythology. Leonie was one of the ‘Sorginak.’ An assistant.” The train scurried about, seemingly ignorant; the mountain, seemingly self-assured. . .’ ~ An excerpt from my book Ace Egos

Legend of the Enchanted - España

So, you're standing and staring out the window. Looking at the streets below. Drinking a glass of water. It’s early night time. Mild to hot climate. Now imagine you are some hot movie star doing it. Does what you are doing feel completely different?

As kids, we loved pretending to be characters. Now we are no longer kids, what might be some valued ‘kids ways’ of doing things that we could keep? Or play around with? I think ‘placing ourselves inside a Story’ is a key keeper. In fact, we are a living Story. We are under the immersive enchantment of our own Story. Look around, and see all the beauty and detail of this Story. We don’t have to imagine ourselves as a hot movie star inside our own story, but when we do we see that our story is indeed quite a magical display! It is a good exercise and reminder of the legend that we are all living.

‘Leyenda de la Encantada’ is a tradition in Spain. It reminds us of how strongly we connect with Myth and Story. Through the telling of stories, an oral tradition. Many towns and regions in Spain had their own version of the ‘enchanted legend.’ There would be Goddesses in these stories, and offer challenges to anyone who encountered them. These Goddesses carried golden combs. The combing of their hair, and their beauty, casted an enchantment over others. 

In Basque Country, Goddess Mari winds herself through many stories like this. She also represents so much more in Basque Mythology. She is the mythology’s central figure. Mari leads and guides all other deities within the pantheon.

The Lady of Anboto

Goddess Mari dwells in Mountain caves. Her main cave, the one she calls home, is in Mount Anboto, north of Vitoria-Gasteiz. She has power over storms and droughts. In a lot of ways, she is a chthonic goddess – inhabiting the underworld. She takes care of the environment and dispenses justice. She is also seen as a woman of fire, a woman-tree, and as a thunderbolt. Her consort is Sugaar, a serpent-dragon-man. Mari has a court of assistants – witches and shamans – who are called the Sorginak.

Goddess Mari can divide into different manifestations. These different versions can have unique superpowers. Interactions with Mari can be chaotic and transformative, presenting states of euphoria, deep meditation or hallucinations. In many ways she is similar to Tara, or the Dakini – Goddesses in Tibetan Buddhism. Goddess Mari has a seductive quality to her. People can confuse her with the Lamiak. The Lamiak are mermaid siren-type women, who are known in legends to build bridges, and help rivers run freely. These women are also bridges themselves, for enlightened states. They seduce people by running their golden comb through their hair - Yes! The stories of these figures are a form of the Leyenda de la Encantada. 

‍Our Own Encantada

What enchants you? This is the heart of our Story. We can think about our Story. Dream about it. View other people’s stories. But most important is how we sing and dance our own Story. Our expression. The enchantment is the underlying richness of the Story. The richness that we can find in any moment, in any thing. The enchantment illuminates us. And lifts our spirit into a state of joy. We can relax and allow ourselves to be enchanted. By the ocean breeze. A calypso beat. Gathering with family. Exceptional tasting food. And then we can express our joy in connecting with that enchantment.

Enchantments can sometimes be hard to see, because they feel more like challenges. Like they are against us. Road-blocks. Obstacles. That’s why we have Ganesha, the elephant-God. Or Kali, the fierce dancing Goddess. When our challenges arise they are wonderful opportunities for growth. Growth as a brave human; and as a lighter, more peaceful being.

Whatever your expression may be, it is an expression of the Divine. And a celebration of Life. Of the ways Life plays with you. And seduces you. Enlightens you. It is the golden comb making waves of appearances, which our senses interact with. Ultimately, how we receive these appearances becomes another thread in the Legends of the Enchanted. We all have a legend. And we each have something that enchants us. May you find great enchantment in what delights you, and hold it dear to your heart. Let it guide your way.

Photos:
~* Top photo - RDNE Stock project
~* Rainbow and Waterfall - Amelia Pickering
~* Lightning Bolt - Tom Nolan