The Romantic Shadows of Avalon

In the Mists of Avalon, life seemed so romantic. Both natural beauty and magic combined to make an enchanting world not a bit like mine. The Mists of Avalon is a tale set in mythical, ancient Camelot. The author, Marion Zimmer Bradley, has told the story from the point of view of the women: Gwenhwyfar, Igraine, and Morgause, instead of the men: Lancelot, King Arthur, and Merlin. In the original story of Camelot these men were the main characters, but in the Mists of Avalon, they were supporting characters for the women.

The spiritual lives of the women of Camelot were shown in contrast to the lives of the men. The men were occupied with war and obtaining power, while the women worshipped their deities, both Christian and pagan, with a devotion rarely seen in our time. Religion was truly part of their lives. Although Christianity had just been introduced, the main religion was Wicca. This is a pagan religion centered around a female deity known by many names. In this book she is referred to as Lady Ceridwen. We know her as "Mother Nature." In Camelot, the rituals took place on the equinoxes and phases of the moon. During these rituals, the worshippers paid reverence to their god and goddess and communed with them through dance and meditation. Lately there has been a renewal of interest in Wicca, Shamanism, and other pagan beliefs. Very likely the reason for this renewed interest is that we have come to understand that the earth is fragile, and holy, and therefore must be cared for. Pagan groups are once again using rituals to demonstrate reverence for the earth. To preserve the Earth, we must change our way of life and our values so that they include the needs of Nature.

At that time clothing was hand-made of wool or linen, buildings were stone or wood, and herbs were gathered for healing and magic. Nature, not science, was the source of useful materials. People who knew the use of herbs were revered and considered special members of society. Herbs were gathered and prepared for healing and rituals. A tea of chamomile was used to heal upset stomachs. Today we turn to a bottle of prepared, colored syrup. Herbs were considered sacred gifts from the Goddess, and when picked, a blessing or invocation would be made. They were regarded as holy and special.

In the Mists of Avalon, the women would swoop around with their richly colored cloaks, hanging gracefully to the ankle. Their cloaks were hand-dyed in colors of saffron and deep wode blue. The women hand-picked the herbs needed to dye the soft woolen fabric. These herbs gave colors that were earthy and natural, unlike the garish neon pinks and oranges in the clothing worn today. These natural colors did not intrude upon the simplicity and beauty of nature, instead they complemented nature. My own jacket is made of the man-made fabric "Thinsulate." It keeps me warm, but I do not cut a romantic figure like the ladies in their elegant cloaks. The cloaks gave them a willowy, wispy form, as they moved through the dark stone halls.

The ladies in Camelot would often wear a piece of jewelry that had a personal, or magical, value. The main character of the story, Morgaine, was a priestess of Avalon. She worshipped and represented the goddess, who represented Nature. She received a honey colored amber necklace from her trainer, Viviane. She wore it every day because it reminded her of Viviane, who had trained her to be a priestess. The necklace was in the shape of a drop of water and hung on an unpolished silver chain, so that it dipped attractively at her chest. Today my favorite piece of jewelry is a ring that I picked up for twenty dollars in New York. I bought it because it was pretty. It holds no memories or unusual powers. It's just a decoration, nothing more.

Even the land of Camelot had a romantic atmosphere. The landscape was hilly and gently undulating like a calm and inviting sea. In the morning a mist would...