WILD HUNT (PART II)

And they'll come riding across the sky on the back of black steeds...Yesterday I told you about the romantic side of the Wild Hunt, but to understand this myth you have to go further. Its origin have been lost over time, in Germanic lands, but the legend spread throughout Europe, even reaching Scotland and Wales. In ancient Norway it was called Gandreið (riding in the sky with a staff). Gand comes from Old Norse stav (staff) and reið (to ride). Juhlfolket for the Lapps, Oskoreia (Odin's hunt) for the Norwegians or Asgardsreien (Asgard's Ride). The first written record of the Wild Hunt dates back to 1127 in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Then in 1673 Johannes Scheffer wrote Lapponia, where he tells the Sami stories about the Wild Hunt. But it wasn't until 1835 that the myth spread to other lands by the hand of Jacob Grimm. He wrote 'German Mythology', and the Wild Hunt is in that work. Jacob compiled traditional folklore along with modern and Middle Ages beliefs and wrote his own idea of the Wild Hunt. Despite being criticized for his method, it was his work that caused the Wild Hunt to ride across Europe. The leader of this army is Odin, in most places, but in others it is adapted to the culture of the country. In Wales the leader of the Hunt is Gwynn ap Nudd, in some areas of Germany it's a devil or dragon, in Scotland the Wild Hunt is linked to evil fairies and spirits without rest.... Thousands of versions, different leaders, distant times...The army will once again ride over our heads, making us remember how insignificant we are, the wind will bring the howls and screams of the souls in pain. Don't be afraid, they are our dark side..

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