Huldufólk: The Hidden People

Grand tidings! On this episode, we take a journey into the hollow hills and learn all about Iceland's mysterious indigenous beings. Filled with storytelling, folklore, and facts, it will leave you not only wiser, but also hungrier for more.

Instagram: @beyondtheseaspodcast
Tarot Collaboration: @thefeatherwitchnyc
Ticket Link for "Route 66" @ Actors Theatre of Indiana: atistage.org
Podcast website: https://beyondtheseas.buzzsprout.com/
More info: https://www.kierandanaan.com/beyond-the-seas

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This week's book: The Eagle and the Raven, by Pauline Gedge

Sources
-Bedell, J.M. Hildur, Queen of the Elves, and Other Icelandic Legends. Massachusetts, Interlink Books, 1 March 2016.
-Kyzer, Larissa. “Hidden People: They’re Just Like Us (Kind Of).” The Reykjavík Grapevine, 15 August 2014, grapevine.is/mag/articles/2014/08/15/hidden-people-theyre-just-like-us-kind-of/. Accessed 22 January 2024. 
-Sallustio, Michael. “Huldufólk: The Truth Behind Iceland’s Obsession with Elves.” The Portalist, 21 December 2018, theportalist.com/huldufolk-the-truth-behind-icelands-obsession-with-elves. Accessed 22 January 2024. 

Music
"Discovery (Sweden)" by Hans Johnson
"Last Leaf on the Tree" by Hans Johnson
"Up the Hill Over the Mountain" by Will Van De Crommert
"Love2016" by Ben Winwood

Cheers,
Kieran

Transcript

Let the doorway between the worlds be open.

Through the ancient entrances, we journey into the hills and mountains. 

To the land of the Fayerie and Elves.

That indescribable world of legend, myth, and magick.

To the world that holds our hearts forever in wonder.

And our minds in awe.

As we close our eyes and step sideways,

Through a veil that is thin and amorphous,

Separating worlds that lie only just out of sight,

May we ask the Powers one simple request:

May what is hidden reveal itself—

And we in the present be open to receive. 

For the wonders of the Ancients call to us still,

As we travel courageously through doorways both arcane and mysterious.

As we pour our offerings to the Spirits of Nature:

The Elves,

The Fae,

The Huldufólk.

May we build the foundations of reciprocity and relationship,

And incur favor from the Powers of Nature,

To safeguard the pathway to the future.

For as we enact all these powers in our daily lives and practices,

There is no other possible outcome than success and growth.

For as folklorists,

Students,

Scholars, 

And Witches:

We know that our work…

Has only just begun.

 (transition music)

            Grand tidings and welcome to you on this, the fourteenth episode, of Beyond the Seas. My name is Kieran and here we are again, back at it for another week. You very well may notice how this episode came quickly after the thirteenth! Well, for those of you who have been keeping up with the daily Instagram posts, you saw a recent reel showcasing me not only behind the mic, but also behind the scenes of music rehearsal for the Equity show I am currently rehearsing for. It is none other than Route 66 for Actors Theatre of Indiana, here in Indy. I, alone with my three castmates, have over thirty songs to sing and prepare for opening night, February 2nd, and we have sooooooo many words to memorize! Hahahaha, which is why I want to make extra sure that we keep ourselves on top of the podcast game throughout the show’s process. So two things here: if you are listening in Indianapolis, go to Actors Theatre of Indiana’s website and buy yourself a ticket to the show: it is going to be a wonderful time and I could not be more excited. Also, as always, like, comment, review, and share the show with your nearest and dearest as we continue the growth process of this amazing show. And, I cannot thank you enough for listening. 

            And now, some exciting news! We have our first collaboration with the podcast! AHHHH!! It is so amazing to connect not only members of the community together, but also all the seekers and searchers involved in their own particular niches. Claudia Smith, @thefeatherwitchnyc, who has our first guest on the show, will discuss the entirety of the Tarot over the next 72 weeks—which, yes you surmised correctly, means one card per week. Over the next year and change, which means the next 72 episodes of the podcast, we will take a dive into Claudia’s collaboration and meaning of the cards, as to work our way through their storytelling nature and inherent journeys. I cannot wait to see where this journey takes not only we collaborators, but also you—the listeners. Strap in, witches, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

            Claudia made her first post on Instagram on the 23rd of this month, so make sure to head over to her handle and watch that reel. The first card we will look at is the Ten of Cups. Claudia is so, so wise because she has gifted so many fabulous meanings and interpretations in her reel: the magick of water and intuition, the fact that every ending is a new beginning and a new ending and a new beginning and so on, the vine that connects all these emotions and moments in time together. The number ten itself being the “happily ever after” moment in the minor arcana. I pulled the same card from my deck and saw three ghostly figurines from Mexico’s The Day of the Dead, all holding and surrounded by ten chalices. A cloud of mist and shadow surround them, making them both a part of and apart from our world. Now, in terms of this week’s topic, I want you to put on your back burners this idea: if water is in and of itself a veil, a separation between worlds right—think about it, it separates the surface world from the depths of the ocean—if it acts as a veil…how many worlds are connected right now, through the magick of water? How might we use this power to travel in and among them? Who might exist in tandem alongside our world right now? 

            Now, back to Pauline Gedge’s The Eagle and The Raven. I…am going to be honest: I have been so busy prepping the show that I have not had the time to sit down and read—except the script and score for the show. Hahaha. So the Celts and the Roman Invasion of Britain is on a slight hold, probably until next week. Suffice it to say that you should have no fears: the story will be read and my review will come out soon. And we all know: we have lives and things come up that take time and care and attention, right? 

            And now, duh duh duh DUNNNNNNN: the Wine of the Week! So, about two weeks ago, I spent time with a dear, dear friend at her apartment in Queens: she helped me film a callback for a theatre down in Florida and we went to dinner afterwards. But she was so incredibly gracious to bring out some bottles of wine that she was not going to drink and said, “You can some or all of them because I will not be drinking these!” Soooo I did end up taking the two bottles of red she had. The first bottle that I want to review this week is Chateau Donjon de Bruignac’s Premium Bordeaux. It is a rating of 90 points with the Gilbert & Gaillard 2022 International Challenge and a 2023 Medaille D’or from good ol’ Paris, so this wine…ain’t bad! AND!! It’s not too expensive! It sells for $19.99 here in the States and it is such a good treat for Friday night in-house dinner parties—or as a gift for special occasions. It is definitely dry, so get your tastebuds prepped and ready for that. I really, really, reallyyyyyyy enjoyed this one—I opened it with my roommates in New York City, as a last night hurrah before I flew out for my show here in Indy. It has strong notes of oak, cherry, pine, smoky air, and deep winter nights. It is a red blend, with 73% Merlot and 27% Cab Franc grapes used. It is aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, which brings out that strong taste and high tannic quality. If you want to dive into the deep, dark depths of wine—this bottle is for you. Pair it with a night of baneful magick, deep introspection, tough conversations, last night farewells, and a sinister smile in the dark.

            And, finally, this week’s topic. I first heard about these beings on a podcast, actually, many years ago, during my grad school years. The notion of The Huldufólk have always stuck with me and I am finally going to present them to all of you, on my show, today. Who are these beings? Where do they live? What stories and legends surround them? Do people still interact with them today—and if so, how might we? What lesson sthey do they have to teach, for the betterment of our tomorrow?

            For now, grab your favorite bottle of red, find a comfy chair, and close your eyes as I tell you the tale of The Huldufólk—and take you…

            Beyond the Seas.

            (transition music)

            Iceland. Land of Fire and Ice. Land of the eruptive lava beds and volcanoes—and the dancing, sky beings: the Northern Lights. The terrain is rocky, barren, cold, and fiery—an amalgamation of opposites. There are biomes both visible and invisible, surface dwelling and internally awaiting. From the images, videos, stories, and research I have encountered about Iceland, the mood is stark and bleak—but uplifting, and free. Think about and imagine it: stretching before you is nothing but white-capped mountains, shrouded with mist and fog at their base. The only sounds you hear are the whistling wind and the running of small streams over rocky fields and small, shrub-enwrapped hills. This is Iceland. The home of so many myths and legends—including, predominantly, the tales of the Hidden People of the Rocks, Hills, and Mountains. 

            The Huldufólk translates to “the hidden people” in Icelandic, referencing the belief in the supernatural beings that exist in tandem with human beings in the land of ice and fire. The following information comes from Larissa Kyzer’s article on The Reykjavík Grapevine. “In his introduction to J.M. Bedell’s folktale collection ‘Hildur, Queen of the Elves,’ Terry Gunnell notes that much like their counterparts in Norwegian mythology, Iceland’s Hidden People ‘represent a mixture of the early álfar (elves) and nátturuvættir (nature spirits) mentioned in the Icelandic sagas and ancient Eddic poems.’ Nevertheless, Iceland’s Hidden People are unique in that by the time their stories began to be recorded in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they had basically become ‘mirror-images of those humans who told stories about them—except that they were usually beautiful, powerful, alluring, and free from care, while the Icelanders were often starving and struggling for existence.’

            “Indeed, in their stories, Hidden People are fishermen and farmers, with their own superior, but indistinguishable breeds of livestock, and a far more attuned instinct for when and where the best catches can be had at sea. They get married and have children (often after difficult labours which can only be alleviated with the assistance of humans), sell their goods in marketplaces, move house (usually on New Year’s night), and host grand celebrations (often in co-opted human dwellings). They have their own bureaucrats and religious officials, and although their homes are often found in rocks and hillsides, they are generally described as being tidy and warm, with many of the trappings of a normal—if more comfortable—human home.

            “While humans and Hidden People started as relative contemporaries—wearing the same clothing and having the same occupations and lifestyles—it is interesting to note, per Terry Gunnell again, that “in the common view today, they live in turf houses, ride horses, and wear nineteenth-century national dress.” Terry attributes this to the fact that the first and formative legends were all printed around that time, “underlining in black and white what the Huldufólk were supposed to look like […] Had the legends never been published, perhaps the Huldufólk would have attained cell phones, cars, and internet connections by now,” rather than becoming representations of Iceland’s not-so-distant rural past.”

            Here are two stories that also appear in her article, that she herself adapted from the works by Jacqueline Simpson and J.M. Bedell. “The first story finds Adam and Eve at home in their beautiful garden. One day, God comes to visit and asks to meet all the couple’s children. However, Eve had only finished bathing a few of her children, and was embarrassed to show her Creator the dirty ones. So, she introduced the clean children and hid the others.

            “‘Are there any children I haven’t met yet?’ God asked. Eve said no.

            “Of course, being omniscient, God knew that he was being tricked and declared, “Those who you hide from me shall also be hidden from men.”

            “And so, the hidden children became invisible, taking to the hills and moors and rocks. It is from these children that the Hidden People are descended, while humankind is descended from the children whom Eve showed to God. Hidden People can only be seen by human eyes if they want to be.

            “In the second story, a traveller gets lost and stumbles onto a farm that he doesn’t recognize. He knocks on the door and is greeted by an old woman who invites him in. He is given food and drink and introduced to the woman’s two beautiful daughters. Shown to a bed later, he asks if one of the girls will keep him company for the evening and is told yes. But when they lie down together, the man is unable to touch his companion, even though she is right in front of him. Rather, his hand passes right through her when he tries to embrace her. He asks her why this is.

            “‘I am a spirit without a body,’ the girl replies. ‘Long ago, the devil and his army revolted in heaven. He and his supporters were driven out of heaven and into the darkness. But those of us who neither fought with him nor opposed him were driven to earth and forced to live in the rocks and hills. We are called the Hidden People.’

            “Hidden People can only live with those of their kind, the girl explained. “We can do both good and evil, and excel at whichever we choose. We have no physical bodies, but take human form when we want to be seen. I am one of these spirits,” she finished, “so you’ll never be able to embrace me.”

            “Resigned, the man went to sleep and lived to tell the story.”

            Kyzer continues on. “Christianity became the predominant religion in Iceland as early as the year 1000, and to this day, Iceland has a state-sponsored church, to which the vast majority of Icelanders belong. And yet, as a rule, Icelanders have no particular difficulty reconciling folk beliefs with modern religious beliefs, allowing Biblical scripture and folktales to coexist in the national imagination.

            “In his memoir ‘Faðir og móðir og dulmagn bernskunnar’ (‘Father And Mother And The Mysteries Of Childhood’), author Guðberger Bergsson writes that in his family, a belief in Hidden People was in no way at odds with a belief in a Christian god. For instance, ‘In [my grandmother’s] eyes, god was distant and impersonal, but supernatural beings were everywhere; it was the Hidden Women who played various little tricks on her and did her great favours, rather than god.’

            “…It seems, however, that there is easily more to it than that, particularly given that increasingly, Hidden People and their stories have—as Terry Gunnell writes—“come to represent the old rural world, with its values and close connections to nature.” A respect of nature verging on awe is easily a religion in and of itself in Iceland, where surviving the elements was, for centuries, basically a matter of luck. And then here are these beings who literally live in nature, who dwell and flourish in the rocks and hillsides and barren landscapes where, to this day, people get lost and die. It makes a lot of sense that the mythology behind them still resonates.”

            Ya know, what intrigues me so much about The Huldufólk is the sense of them always being there. Clearly, they are a specific type of Nature spirit—much like the Sidhe in Ireland or the kami in Japan. They exist, in tandem, all around those who dwell in Iceland: within the rocks, mountains, lava beds, and earthy terrains may be found their homes, dwellings, and “churches.” I find it interesting to note the blend of old and new world ideologies: the inclusion of The Huldufólk having churches is such a perfect synergy between indigenous belief and the onset of Christianity. 

            With The Huldufólk, there also comes the notion of never being alone—of always being watched. Aptly, another name for these beings very well may be The Watchers. Imagine the memories they hold, and the knowledge and wisdom that stems from them. Inevitably, if one is undying and has seen many ages of the world pass them by, what insight would they bring to our world today?

            Refill your goblets, your drinking horns, your chalices, for the second half of The Huldufólk after this brief break. 

            (transition music)

            And we’re back. Speaking of names, these beings we discuss today are known by more than a few—one of which is The Elves. Now, we in the States have a particular notion of what Elves are, most commonly influenced not only by Hollywood, but also Tolkien. But another interesting article, that includes more specific details and information surrounding The Huldufólk, stems from our dear friend, The Portalist—and sheds light on how Elves exist in Icelandic culture today. 

            “In Iceland, elves, ('alfar' in Icelandic), are beings thought to be smaller than most humans. Elves are thought to live outdoors, and to rarely speak. While some Icelanders believe elves to be a very distinct group, many have come to see them as synonymous with another group of mythical beings known as the huldufólk, or Hidden People. 

            “Like elves, huldufólk also live outdoors, making their homes in Iceland's rocks and cliffs. According to a study done in 2006, 32% of Icelanders believe the existence of these beings to be possible, while 24% believe their existence is either likely or an outright certainty.  

            “Celebrating elves and huldufólk is common in Iceland. For instance, it is customary for Icelanders to clean and leave food for elves as it's believed they hold parties late at night. On New Year's Eve, it is thought that huldufólk move to new locations. As a result, it's traditional to leave candles out to help them find their way. Finally, Þrettándinn, or Thirteenth Night, is celebrated on January 6th and marks the last day of Christmas in Iceland. On this day, bonfires called álfabrennur, of Elf Fires, are commonly lit.   

            “The most interesting huldufólk holiday might be Midsummer’s Night, when it is believed that standing at a crossroads during the late hours may bring wandering huldufólk who will lure you with gifts and money. It's believed that taking these gifts will lead to misfortune. 

            “Even outside the holidays, first-hand experiences of huldufólk sightings have been noted by citizens of Iceland—and these stories extend beyond the occasional anecdote. Tales of elves and huldufólk extracting revenge on those who disturb their homes are well documented.

            “The most famous story involves Álfhólsvegur (Elf Hill Road), a road that was at one point intended to run through Álfhóll, a hill where elves are believed to live. Construction was begun on this road on two separate occasions, but each time a collection of misfortunes and thefts prevented it from being completed.

            “The widespread belief that elves and huldufólk live within the rocks and mountainsides of Iceland sometimes complicates things for non-Icelandic organizations trying to set up shop. Sometimes, new construction will be halted by concerned Icelanders who wish to protect the habitats of elves and huldufólk. 

            “For instance, in 1982, over a hundred Icelanders protested at a NATO base and demanded to inspect the area for any elf dwellings. In 2004, ALCOA, a company that specializes in aluminum, had to halt construction of a smelter and hire a government official to inspect the area for elven ruins.    

            “While much of the world likes to poke fun at the idea of wacky Icelanders getting worked up over fairytales, belief in elves and huldufólk may be about more than simple superstition. It's possible that belief in the supernatural in Iceland may be related to modern day environmentalism.

            “To better understand this theory, we have to take a look back at early Nordic history. According to Alaric Hall, a researcher of medieval Icelandic beliefs, Iceland's elves may have been created by early Viking conquerors who were disappointed to find that there was not much to conquer on the barren island of Iceland. 

            “Hall notes, “Like everyone else in Western Europe in the Middle Ages and in the early modern period, they really wanted to be invaders. So, what elves did is they provide ... this kind of earlier indigenous population that can allow you to feel like a conqueror.”  

            “These early folk legends evolved as the Vikings became more familiar with their new home. As they began to colonize the island, legends persisted of indigenous "people" who still inhabited the earth. These legends taught the Vikings to respect the land, lest they anger its indigenous inhabitants, and almost acted as an early manifestation of modern-day environmentalism.

            “In some ways modern-day Icelanders are still adopting these ancient beliefs, continuing the practices of their ancestors. Just as the worship of Zeus allowed Greeks to feel connected to the sky, Iceland’s belief in elves could be a way for the people of Iceland to connect with the earth. For Icelanders, these beliefs have manifested into a culture stressing a deep respect for their environment and the importance of protecting it.”

            Finally, I have one more tale to share with all of you today, one that is both tragic and heartwarming. It is none other than Hildur, Queen of the Elves, as found on Icelandic Roots and printed with permission from J.M. Bedell. 

            “Long ago, in the land where elves dwell, there lived a girl of common birth. Now it happened that the King of the elves fell in love with her.  His mother was outraged, but the king married her anyway.  After the marriage ceremony, the king’s mother placed a curse on their union.  She said to her son, “This is my curse and it shall be carried out.  This fair queen you love shall become a servant in the upper world.  You’ll see her but once a year on Christmas Eve.  Each time she visits, there will be a great price to pay.”

            “Far from the land of the elves, in a mountainous region, there lived a farmer whose name we do not know. He was not married but had a clean and thrifty housekeeper named Hildur.  Although she offered no information about her previous life or her family, the farmer trusted her and placed her in charge of his household. The woman was kind and gentle. The farmhands, as well as the farmer himself, were very fond of her.

            “Unfortunately, this farmer had a problem keeping the shepherds he hired.  It was not that he treated the shepherds unkindly, or that housekeeper failed to provide for their every comfort.  The problem was that every Christmas Day morning, one of the newly hired shepherds would be found dead in his bed.  Neither the farmer nor any member of his household was ever suspected of causing these deaths because no wounds were found on the bodies.

            “Eventually, the farmer decided that he could no longer hire shepherds since he knew they were destined for certain death. He would let luck take care of the sheep or the sheep take care of themselves.

            “One day a determined, strong, and healthy young man offered to shepherd his sheep.

            “‘I will not hire you,’ the farmer said to the stranger. ‘I can get along without your help.’

            “The stranger asked, ‘Have you already hired a shepherd for this winter?’

            “‘No,’ the farmer replied, ‘and I will not. Every shepherd I hire ends up dead.’

            “‘I heard about that,’ said the stranger. ‘But I have no fear of death, and I will take good care of your sheep. Please change your mind.’

            “The farmer shook his head in wonder. ‘It is a pity that so fine a young man is willing to lose his life. Go away. Find work on some other farm.’

            “The stranger repeated over and over that he did not fear the Christmas Eve horror. Eventually, the farmer gave in and hired him.

            “Now in those days, it was the custom to spend Christmas Eve in church. Since the farmer's cottage was a great distance away from the fields, the herdsmen did not return with the flocks until very late in the evening. So when the family left for church, Hildur always stayed behind to take care of the house and finish preparing the Christmas Day feast. When the family returned from the church and the herdsman returned from the fields, they always found Hildur busy with her tasks.

            “On this Christmas Eve, the farmer and his family left for church. Later in the evening the shepherd returned from the flock, ate his supper, and retired for the night. As he snuggled down between the sheets, he remembered what night it was. He recalled the fate of the other shepherds and knew it was important that he stay awake.

            “As he lay there, he heard the family return from church, enter the house, eat their supper and go to bed. Knowing that he could be in great danger, he struggled to keep his eyes open. Whenever they closed for even a moment, a strange and deadly faintness overcame him. The sensation only increased his determination to stay awake.

            “Late into the night, the shepherd heard someone quietly approach his bed. He thought it was the housekeeper so he pretended to be asleep. Hildur placed the bit of a magic bridle into the shepherd's mouth. Using the power of the bridle, she dragged the shepherd from his bed and out the cottage door. The shepherd could not resist when Hildur climbed onto his back and made him rise into the air as though he had wings. She rode as fast as she could until they came upon a great cliff that opened up into the very depths of the earth.

            “Hildur dismounted, fastened the reins to a stone, and disappeared over the cliff. The shepherd knew he was powerless to follow her as long as the bit remained in his mouth. So he hit his head against the stone and struggled until the bridle fell off. 

            “Even knowing that he might pay for his curiosity with his life, the shepherd leaped over the cliff and sank deep into the darkness. When he reached the bottom, he spotted the housekeeper and followed her to the edge of a beautiful green meadow. Since he could not pursue her across the field without being seen, he took a magic stone, which he happened to carry with him wherever he went, from his pocket. He placed the stone in his left hand and ran after the housekeeper.

            “In the distance stood a magnificent palace. As Hildur approached the gate, she was greeted by a great crowd. A man, dressed like a king, led them. When the king reached Hildur, he embraced her as a wife and the crowd bowed to her as their queen. Beside the king stood two grown children who, with tears of joy, embraced their mother.

            “The invisible shepherd followed the crowd into the palace. They gathered in a room that had magnificent hangings on the walls and rows of tables loaded with golden dishes and delicious foods and wines. He found a safe spot to hide where he was out of the way yet could see all the activities.

            “A short time later, Hildur entered the Great Hall. She was dressed in royal garments and her hands were adorned with golden rings and bracelets. The assembled guests took their seats around the tables and a great feast began. The lords and ladies danced and entertained themselves while the royal couple spoke quietly together. The herdsmen saw that they were very much in love and very sad.

            “While he stood watching, three small children ran into the room and embraced their mother. Hildur returned their embraces with all the love in a mother's heart. She set the youngest of the three on her lap and hugged him close. When he became restless, as most young ones do, she set him on the floor and handed him one of her rings. The boy played with the ring for a short time but soon lost interest. The shepherd quickly snatched it up and placed it in his pocket. Later on, the guests searched for the ring, but it was nowhere to be found.

            “As the evening progressed, the shepherd noticed an ugly old woman sitting in the corner. She did not greet the queen with joy nor when Hildur prepared for her departure, did she raise her voice in protest as the others did.

            “He watched as the king approached the woman and said, ‘Take away your curse, Mother. Allow my queen to remain in her home and not be apart from me. These visits are too short. They bring me joy when she arrives and great pain when she departs.’

            “‘Never!’ the old woman replied. ‘My curse stays. I will not change my mind.’

            “When the king saw the hopelessness of his plea, he turned to Hildur, embraced her, and begged her to remain with him.

            “‘Your mother's curse forces me to go,’ she said. ‘I am afraid that this may be my final visit. Soon it will be impossible to keep the murders a secret.” Smiling through her tears she said, “Once I am discovered, I will face the full penalty for the crimes I have committed against my will.’

            ‘While the housekeeper was speaking these words, the shepherd ran from the palace, back to where he had entered the darkness. Placing the magic stone into his pocket, he slipped the bridle onto his head and waited for Hildur’s return.

            “When she arrived, she grabbed the bridle and rode the shepherd back to the cottage. Once there, she removed the bridle and gently laid him on his bed. The shepherd knew that it was safe for him to sleep and he did not wake up until late Christmas morning.

            “The farmer woke up early, his heart filled with fear for the shepherd. He quickly dressed, woke the others in the house, and sneaked up to the shepherd's bed. Gently placing a hand on his chest, the farmer realized that the man was alive. Everyone rejoiced.

            “When the shepherd finally rose from his slumber, the farmer asked him if anything strange had happened in the night. ‘No,’ he said. ‘But I had a very strange dream.’ and he related to his master all the events of the previous night.

            “When he was finished, Hildur said, ‘Everything he says is a lie. Before you believe him, make him prove by some token that he speaks the truth.’

            “The shepherd reached into his pocket and presented the golden ring. ‘Here is proof that I was among the elves last night. Is this not your ring, Queen Hildur?’

            “‘The ring is mine,’ she said. ‘You are a lucky man. You will prosper in all you do. That is my gift to you.’

            “She recounted her story for all to hear and when she was finished said, “it took a courageous man willing to follow me into the land of the elves and somehow prove that he was there, to free me from my mother-in-law's curse. I long for my home and my family.” And she vanished from their sight never to be seen again.

            “As for the shepherd, he married, built a house, and became the most prosperous farmer in the district. People often turned to him for advice and for the rest of his life he gave thanks to Hildur, Queen of the Elves.

            And thus, the telling of the tales of The Huldufólk is complete. It is rather remarkable to see the survival of a strongly animistic and pagan belief surviving into modern day—and how it champions environmentalism. For Icelanders know that these beings inhabit the terrain around them, and how their land is not only theirs. In terms of their connection to the Ten of Cups, they emulate and express the understanding we hold towards Nature and the environment. They remind us to live abundantly, confidently, joyously, and harmoniously—both without and within. As time passes and our world changes, including the gateways between our reality and theirs, we know that our magick and intuition will guide the maintenance of relationship we hold with them. As a result, we grow more grounded and centered within ourselves, knowing our emotions and inner health are exuberant and free. 

            For when we perceive the world around us in such a way, we come to understand that—as Robin Artisson describes it—the world is a spirit-saturated place. There is a reciprocity and relationship between human and land, human and spirit, which is the ultimate cure for the ails of the modern age. As we grow in our magick and understanding, scholarship and spells, we grow closer to touching the world just beyond sight.

            To reaching The Huldufólk, The Hidden People.

            And traveling far beyond the realms of human comprehension.

            To the lands betwixt and between.

            Underneath the hollow hills,

            And far beyond the farthest reaches of the seas,

            Our spirits and minds will travel.

            To one day, again, be as one with these ancient and powerful beings.

            And when that day arrives,

            We will know that all of our work will have been worth it.

            And as we look towards our posterity and successors,

            We trust in the knowledge that all will be well with what we left behind.

            As we look towards the Light of the Otherworld.

            And deep within our spirits, we will know:

            That all of our magick will be stronger…

            Because of it. 

            (transition music)

The stories, research, and production elements were done and edited, respectively, by me, Kieran, with sources attached in the description. Be sure to hit the follow button, on whichever platform you enjoy the podcast, and look forward to more content next week. Until then, seek the veil between the worlds and allow yourself to travel Beyond the Seas….