Yule traditions, a great story and some rockin' music for the holidays! In this our Midwinter, Yule, Holiday Special we bring you a piece about the meanings of Yule and its traditions, some poems, four great pieces of music and an excerpt from Priestess of the Forest by Ellen Evert Hopman. The story is set in 3rd Century Ireland and tells of the meeting of Ethne, a Druid Healer and Ruadh, a member of the Fianna. Full show notes, details and Contributor pages over at our main Website at http://celticmythpodshow.com/yule2008 Running Order: Intro 0:41 News & Views 1:15 The Meanings of Yule 3:01 Lords & Ladies by Kim Thompsett 9:08 Ogma's Lament by Dr. Joe Christopher 12:56 The Standing Stone by The Bards of Mystic 15:41 Priestess of the Forest by Ellen Evert Hopman 19:12 Up Ye Rock Ye by Saor Patrol 35:40 Call to the Fey by Gary 40:08 Listener Feedback - Arlene 42:33 On Midwinter's Day by Damh the Bard 34:08 Appeal for Sacred Texts 48:40 Promo - Contagious 49:38 Promo - The Dark Side of the Fey 51:19 Outtakes 53:38 We hope you enjoy it! Gary & Ruthie x x Released: 20th December 2008, 56m   We love to hear from you! Please email garyandruth@celticmythpodshow.com, or call us using Speakpipe News & Views We talk about some more amazing new fairy art that has been submitted to us by renowned artist, Justin Russell, and describe the new book he is writing. Both of us have been interviewed by Christopher Blackmore for Action magazine for the AREN organisation.   The Meanings of Yule We then discuss the meanings and traditions of Yule with a reading from the Golden Bough.   Lords & Ladies by Kim Thompsett Kim Thompsett is a musician and songwriter living and working in the South East of England. She plays guitar, flute, native American flute and zither. Her songs have an escapist quality which evokes the England of old with hints of Celtic, medieval and the classic folk artists of the ‘60’s and 70’s. The album Songs from the Uglee Meadow is due for release on 30th November 2008. The album title is inspired by a serene and beautiful place in East Sussex called the Uglee Meadow. The album features musicians such as Will Summers from Circulus on recorders, flutes and crumhorn and Philip Martin (alias Drohne) on hurdy gurdy. You can find out more about Kim on Myspace, last.fm or our Contributor Page.   Ogma's Lament by Dr. Joe Christopher We wrongly ascribe this wonderful sonnet to Professor Joe Christopher instead of the Doctor Joe Christopher in the show. Apologies for this! Joe Christopher of Tarleton, Texas, author of 'C. S. Lewis', Twayne English Authors Series, writes - 'I don't know that the enclosed sonnet is appropriate for the C. S. Lewis Newsletter, for the Church of Ireland may have doubts about a work that has only one brief allusion to Lewis's Christianity and is otherwise pagan. Further, the sonnet has one weak rhyme and certainly counts on a reader having knowledge of Irish legend (for the argument by analogy in the last tercet) and Irish myth. On the other hand, it certainly ties to Ulster!' Find out more about Joe Christopher on our Contributor page. [Source]   The Standing Stone by The Bards of Mystic William, the Captain of the Bards of Mystic, says: I was inspired to write that one after personally wandering through the fields of standing stones in Carnac, as well as visiting many dozens of sites throughout north western France. Find out more about the Bards of Mystic on Myspace. More details will also be found on our Contributor Page.   Priestess of the Forest by Ellen Evert Hopman This tale is set in third century Ireland where Christianity is sweeping across the Celtic Isles. The book recreates the daily life, magical practices, politics and spiritual lives of the Ancient Celts during this historic turning point. During this time of crisis, love blooms between Ethne, a Druid healer, and her patient, a Fennid warrior. Their passionate affair suffers a tragic blow when Ethne is called upon to become the High Que