The selkie story; beautiful and heart-breaking. A story about power, sacrifice love, liberation and coming back to yourself- my own interpretation...

I first heard this story when I lived in Orkney, a wonderful woman shared it with me when I was at Scapa Bay, one of the most beautiful wee beaches I have ever visited. I randomly retold the story to six lovely older women I worked with at the food bank and one girl I went to uni with, no-one had heard the story before, which insipred me to do a wee podcast on it.

Story-telling, mythology, and folklore are still a big part of the Orcadian culture. Its how people connect, celebrate, and keep stories/history alive.

There are versions of the story all across the world, it is thought to have roots in Celtic mythology but who knows. The meaning of the story is left for your own interpretation.

Books mentioned: 

If Women Rose Rooted: The Power of the Celtic Woman, Sharon Blackie

Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Bothy Tales: Footsteps in the Scottish hills, John Burns

Podcast mentioned: 

Scots Whay Hae! Podcast episode with John Burns and Aleister Crowley

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jvjfVcvep3nSaGtFUUmal?si=bNlS6gS6SUqGbcQlNUweUA

Music played: Stephen Wake, The Old Copperplate

Image used:The Seal Woman statue at Mikladalur's harbor, Fareo Islands