Night of the Piskies

Description

Some say… 

Beltane night on the moors when the veil is thin and magick is afoot, the Piskies come out from their grassy mounds to celebrate the coming of summer. 

They ride the wild horses through the night, while the people drum and dance in the great Stone circles. Together they wake the land and bless the herds so all may thrive and grow with another turning of the great wheel.

Some say…

Night of the Piskies 

In the west Country, especially across the moorlands of Devon and Cornwall, Piskies (also known as Pixies) are a kind of mischievous fairy and known to lead astray folk travelling across the moors. To be confused and disorientated on the moors is known as being Pisky led. 

This piece depicts how I imagined the people of Dartmoor would have celebrated and revered the land, the animals supported by it and the spirit within it.

Below are the words from the poem ‘Moor Horse’ which also inspired this piece:

Shadow horses

Have unseen riders;

At dusk

The fairies are mounted…

The dreamers ride

Through unbridled skies,

Across the wild…

(excerpt from the book Queens of Avalon)

The rest of the poem and many more old tales and artwork can be found in the Queens of Avalon book.