| Is there a mystery here to be unravelled? Is | | | | descended from the Scythic race and when the |
| there a serpent code being held by the Grail | | | | Brahmins invaded India they found a race of wise |
| myths? Can we uncover this code by taking a | | | | men, half gods, half demons (snakes). These men |
| look at the Lady of Lake? The answer is yes to | | | | were said to be teachers of other nations and |
| all these questions, for held within the folds of the | | | | themselves instructed the Hindu's and Brahmans.In |
| coiled snake we shall discover the truth of the | | | | the Bhagavata Purana there is a description of the |
| origin of the Arthurian tales and the strange | | | | Bila-svarga or the regions of the Nagas said to be |
| watery Lady who was to give Arthur his | | | | subterranean. Some of the names associated with |
| sword.There are various names attributed to the | | | | this place relate remarkably to the Mesoamerican |
| 'Lady of the Lake;' Nimue and Vivienne are the | | | | and South American terms such as Tlaloc. "My |
| two most used, but most pertinent to us here is | | | | dear king, beneath this earth are seven other |
| 'White Serpent.' Nimue is probably Mneme or | | | | planets [seven is important in Atlantean myths - |
| Mnemosyne, who is one of the Muses or 'water | | | | seven islands!], known as Atala, Vitala, Sutala, |
| nymphs' from Roman and Greek mythology and | | | | Talatala, Mahatala, Rstala and Patala... the residents |
| who gave out weapons - just as the Lady of the | | | | are known as Daityas, Danavas and Nagas . . . |
| Lake did. Vivienne in all likelihood comes from | | | | brilliantly decorated cities . . . wonderful houses, |
| Vi-Vianna or Co-Vianna the 'water goddess' or | | | | walls, gates, assembly houses, temples, yards and |
| Coventina of Celtic origin ('Coventina's Well' also | | | | temple compounds . . . The houses for the leaders |
| had a skull offering discovered which is important | | | | of these planets are constructed with the most |
| in the worship of snakes and wisdom [1].)These | | | | valuable jewels, and are always crowded with the |
| water deities are strongly related to the story of | | | | living entities known as Nagas and Asuras . . . |
| serpent worship, and united with the tale of the | | | | Many great serpents reside there with gems on |
| sword or weaponry, it introduces the duality of | | | | their hoods, and the effulgence of these gems |
| peace and war so well known in the serpent | | | | dissipates the darkness in all directions. Since the |
| myths. The sword pierces and strikes and | | | | residents of these planets drink and bathe in |
| involves contemporaneously, the image of the | | | | juices and elixirs made from wonderful herbs, |
| serpent upon the blade via the unique metallurgy | | | | they are freed from all anxieties and physical |
| employed. This wonderful metallurgy of the Middle | | | | diseases. They have no experience of gray hair, |
| Ages and beyond reveals to us in actual artefacts | | | | wrinkles or invalidity." (Bhagavata Purana)There is |
| that the serpent itself was fashioned into the | | | | currently a lot of debate about the original |
| blade as part of the process. This of course | | | | inhabitants of India - whether Aryan or Naga, but |
| relates to the fact that Arthur's sword was said | | | | the fact remains, whether the Nagas were |
| to be a fiery serpent in the Dream of Rhonabwy. | | | | Aryans or not, they were an ancient inhabitant. |
| When Arthur's sword is drawn it was said that | | | | The very fact that they were mentioned in the |
| two flames of fire burst out of the jaws of the | | | | ancient Rig Vedas shows this to be true. They |
| two serpents, and so wonderful was the sword | | | | also intermarried with the Royal families, hence |
| that it was hard for anyone to gaze at it. It is | | | | the popular myths of serpent kings."Then come |
| necessary for Arthur to maintain ownership of | | | | the Naaga, the Siren serpents, whose worship has |
| the sword, whether it is the sword from the | | | | been so important a factor in the folklore, |
| stone or Excalibur, as it ensures his victory and | | | | superstition, and poetry of India from the earliest |
| his life. The infamous Arthurian writer, Malory, | | | | times down to-day. Cobras in their ordinary shape, |
| indicates the brightness of the sword and its fiery | | | | they lived, like mermen and mermaids, more |
| aspect, writing: "but it was so bright in his enemies | | | | beneath the water, in a great luxury and wealth, |
| eyes, that it gave light like thirty torches." But the | | | | more especially of germ, and sometimes, as we |
| sword in the stone does not last long and the | | | | shall see, the name is used of the Dryads, the |
| Lady of the Lake gives Arthur his Excalibur, and | | | | tree-spirits, equally wealthy and powerful. They |
| also a serpent scabbard, which ensures eternal life. | | | | could at will and often did, adopt the human form |
| Malory states quite clearly "for whiles ye have the | | | | and though terrible if angered, were kindly and |
| scabbard upon you, ye shall never lose no blood, | | | | mild by nature. Not mentioned either in the Veda |
| be ye never so sore wounded; therefore keep | | | | or in the pre-Buddhist Upanishads, the myth |
| well the scabbard always with you." It is only | | | | seems to be a strange jumble of beliefs, not |
| when Arthur's half sister Morgan le Fay steals the | | | | altogether pleasant, about a strangely gifted race |
| scabbard and replaces it that Arthur becomes | | | | of actual men; combined with notions derived |
| susceptible to the deadly blows of Mordred. The | | | | from previously existing theories of tree worship, |
| once prized sword is then returned to the water, | | | | and serpent worship, and river worship. But the |
| the home of the Lady of the Lake - the serpent | | | | history of the idea has still to be written. The |
| spirit.There is a remarkable resemblance between | | | | Naagas are represented on the ancient bas-reliefs |
| the tales of Arthur's sword and an unsuspecting | | | | as men or women either with cobra's hoods rising |
| Chinese legend. A hero from the 6th century BC | | | | behind their heads or with serpentine forms from |
| named Wu Tzu-hsu threw his sword into a river | | | | their waist downwards." Rhys Davies, Buddhist |
| "It shot forth like a spirit-glow, sparkling brightly as | | | | India, p.223.These tree deities were Nagas |
| it thrice sank and thrice came to the surface with | | | | anyway as Rhys Davies continues on page 223 |
| a great gush and then hovered above the water. | | | | "The tree-deities were called Naagas, and were |
| The god of the river . . . heard the swords roar . . | | | | able at will, like the Naagas, to assume the human |
| . he rolled in the waters in a great and frothing | | | | form and in one story the spirit of a Nunyan tree |
| frenzy . . . Dragons raced along the waves and | | | | who reduced the merchants to ashes is called a |
| leaped out of the water. The river god held the | | | | Naaga-raja, the tree itself is a dwelling place of |
| sword in his hand and, frightened, told Wu | | | | Naaga. It seems that they also left behind myths |
| Tzu-hsu to take it back." (Mair 1983, 141 and 286.) | | | | of healing as a story in the Journal of the Bombay |
| This story related in the 8th century AD simply | | | | Branch of the Asiatic Society demonstrates. |
| cannot differ from Malory's tale of the sword. In | | | | When there was an epidemic among the children, |
| China there were tales of great swords such as | | | | it seems the only answer was to bring them to a |
| Dragon Spring and others still that leap into the | | | | snake skin which was hung on a pole and allow |
| waters surrounded by dragons, which churn up | | | | them to touch it - reminding us of the idea of the |
| the water. Wu Tzu-hsu's sword is also called | | | | Brazen Serpent of Moses, which was upon a pole |
| Dragon Spring. [2]And this Dragon Spring carries | | | | and for the healing of the "children" of Israel. This |
| us back again to the water nymphs who were | | | | may explain why it is that the tree-gods are not |
| seen universally as controlling the essential | | | | specially and separately mentioned in the Maha |
| essence of life via their relationship with the | | | | Samaya list of deities who are there said by the |
| healing waters, springs and lakes. Coventina was | | | | poet to have come to pay reverence to the |
| worshipped widely and it is highly likely that the | | | | Buddha."The history of the Nagas that we do |
| Arthurian Morgan Le Fay is associated with her, | | | | have, textually beginning around the 7th century |
| as her name implies water nymph. There are also | | | | BC is an amazing history of ups and downs. It |
| elements, which introduce her into the 'Triple | | | | parallels the rise and fall of the serpent |
| Goddess' of the Celtic religion and therefore | | | | worshipped by the Semites, with the Brazen |
| relating her to Bridgid. She was a great goddess | | | | Serpent being raised in the wilderness and then |
| of healing; linked strongly with water nymphs - | | | | broken up in the temple. Like Melusine and Sibillia, |
| and in relation to the sword she was also a great | | | | Tante Arie also loved to plunge into cool pools in |
| smith.She also owned an apple orchard, which | | | | her caverns of Milandre where she changed into a |
| relates nicely to Avalon, the isle of apples. Her day | | | | vouivre or serpent; bringing to mind the concept |
| is called Imbolc - around the 2nd February - but it | | | | that the shape-shifting Nagas of India which were |
| is also known as Oimelc, Candlemas and in the | | | | said to reside in the underwater realms. Surely |
| USA as 'Groundhog Day.' This special event in the | | | | these ladies of ancient lore are folk memories of |
| American calendar involves of course the mass | | | | serpent worshipping leaders from the past - and a |
| killing of snakes, and relates to the tale of Bridgid's | | | | positively feminine one at that. The Nagas were |
| snake, which comes out of the mound from | | | | also said to have jewels in their foreheads, like |
| which it had been hibernating.At Oimelc it is said | | | | many other serpents from legend. As if knowing |
| that the singers cry, "The day of Bride, the | | | | this, the vouivre too wears a jewel in the middle |
| birthday of spring, The serpent emerges from | | | | of her forehead. The Nagas are also said to |
| the knoll." And in winter, Scottish folk poems still | | | | protect great treasure, so too do the ladies of |
| speak of the serpent that dwells in the hillside.As | | | | European lore.We know that the Scythians were |
| the 'Lady of the Lake' forged Arthur's sword, so | | | | great worshippers of the serpent from many |
| too the various parts of these ancient goddesses | | | | sources - as in the bracelets found, which the |
| simply must have been collated together in the | | | | women wore as symbols of fertility. The |
| form of this Arthurian water goddess - a new | | | | Scythians were intimately linked with the Naga, |
| deity forged.These goddesses, all basically the | | | | serpent worshippers of India via trade and war. |
| same, are also related to Sibyl or the Sibillia who | | | | They came to Europe via several means - one of |
| presides over witches; and in the Ukraine one of | | | | them as hired hands of the Romans, and in this |
| the names for 'witch' actually means 'snake,' and | | | | way crept into the Arthurian legend. Herodotus |
| in Russia it was believed that witches had snake | | | | tells us of an account of the Scythian snake |
| tails. This sheds more light on the idea that | | | | goddess who was mistress of the land where the |
| witches mixed their famous brews and elixirs in | | | | Dniepr flowed into the Black Sea. This Scythian |
| their cauldrons, very much like the cauldron such | | | | serpent goddess was also a cave dweller.The |
| as the one discovered at Gundestrup. For if it is | | | | xana serpent goddesses of Asturias even had a |
| true what we uncovered in The Serpent Grail, | | | | sacred and valuable chalice stolen by a human, |
| then this brew was serpent venom and | | | | only to eventually deposit the famed cup in a |
| blood.Sibillia has the 'power over life' and touches | | | | Church - thus taking the sacred cup from the |
| baskets and bottles with her wand to restore | | | | serpent and giving it to Christianity. These xana's |
| them afresh. Sibillia taught magical arts in her | | | | kept their treasures in a "serpent cave" immersed |
| serpent grotto where shape-shifting fairies | | | | in pools, remarkably like the Patala of the Nagas. |
| reminiscent of the naginis (female serpents) of | | | | In Wales the serpents were said to emerge and |
| India emerge and dance around. These fairies are | | | | congregate on Midsummer's Eve to blow into the |
| said to turn into snakes each Saturday. Anyone | | | | Serpent Stones / Eggs or Glain Neidr which is |
| who wished to enter this Sybil Cave must love | | | | reminiscent of Pliny's tale of this activity amongst |
| snakes or suffer the consequences. Sibillia is also | | | | the Gauls. The snakes are said to create eggs or |
| seen in the Life of Robin Goodfellow (similar to | | | | alternatively 'new life.' In Wales these serpent |
| Robin Hood and which means "bright or shining | | | | stones were said to be coloured pebbles, which |
| hood") as Sib, who speaks for the fairies. She | | | | gave 'second sight' and healing.Midsummer's Eve |
| says that they live in "some great hill, and from | | | | was the night when the serpents would role |
| thence we do lend money to any poore man or | | | | themselves into hissing balls and create the glain |
| woman that hath need." In the 15th century, | | | | egg, also known as 'snake stone' or 'Druid's egg.' |
| Perceforest has her as the 'Lady of the Lake.'In | | | | In Welsh myth even Merlin himself went in search |
| Scottish myth one of these fairies lived inside a | | | | of them.Victor H. Mair of the University of |
| tree and often appeared holding a limpet shell | | | | Pennsylvania also points to the association |
| containing the 'milk of wisdom' which was called | | | | between the Scythian and the Arthurian tales: |
| the "copan Moire" or "Cup of Mary" in her hands - | | | | "The Nart sagas [repositories of Scythian |
| an obvious allusion to the 'life-giving' element and | | | | traditions] contain parallels with Arthurian legend so |
| wisdom of these snake, shape-shifters | | | | numerous and so uncannily close that it is |
| remembered in legend.There are many other | | | | impossible they are unrelated."Interestingly, |
| tales, which link these European snake | | | | remains of these Scythians have been found on |
| shape-shifters to the Nagas of India and we | | | | the Silk Road to China. Remains here of |
| would just like to break off for a moment to | | | | Caucasians dates back even before that and at |
| take a look at these peculiar deities.Naga is a | | | | present stand somewhere in the region of 3,000 |
| Sanskrit term meaning literally Serpent (especially | | | | years BC, with female Shaman being buried in full |
| cobra) but it also holds the meanings - a tree; a | | | | regalia, tattoos of spirals and zig zags and long |
| mountain; the sun; the number seven; wisdom | | | | finger nails. This in itself shows the widespread |
| and initiate - all symbols and emblems we will | | | | travel of these Scythians or those like them and |
| become familiar with in the worship of the | | | | the transport of ideas, possible many thousands |
| serpent. They are said to reside in Patala, | | | | of years ago. In China of course, we find the |
| however this has a meaning similar to antipodes, | | | | serpents or dragons as friendly creatures who |
| the same name given by the ancients to the | | | | become the ancestors of the very Emperor's |
| America's. It is a similar term to the Mexican | | | | themselves and seep into Chinese alchemy as |
| Nagals, the medicine (healers) and sorcerers who | | | | symbols of the Elixir.So, in summing up, what do |
| always kept a god in the shape of a serpent. In | | | | we have? We have serpent deities, across the |
| Burma they are Nats or serpent gods. Esoterically | | | | world, living in underwater kingdoms, making great |
| Naga is a term for wise men. There is a folk | | | | weapons and guarding wondrous treasures. We |
| tradition that Nagas washed Gautama (Buddha) at | | | | have etymology linking them to the Lady of the |
| his birth - the wise men visiting the deity on Earth | | | | Lake and we have Arthurian links and Grail |
| and cleansing the enlightened one. They are also | | | | connections through the mighty warrior race of |
| said to have guarded him and the relics of his | | | | the Scythians. In short, we have here, the truth |
| body after his death.According to H. P. Blavatsky | | | | of the Lady herself and the origin of the Grail |
| in Theosophical Glossary, the Naga were | | | | mythos is yet again to be found within the tale of |
| descended from Rishi Kasyapa who had twelve | | | | the snake. History, it seems, needs |
| wives (therefore he is the sun), by whom he had | | | | re-appraising.Notes |
| numerous Nagas (serpents) and was the father | | | | 1 See The Serpent Grail by Philip Gardiner and |
| of all animals. Rishi Kasyapa can therefore be none | | | | Gary Osborn, Watkins, 2005. |
| other than a progenitor of the Green Man, and | | | | 2 See for more information about the serpent |
| this explains the reasons for the appearance of | | | | sword or visit and go to articles.Permission to |
| the snake in images of the Green Man and | | | | re-print this article is hereby given by Philip |
| Horned God, such as the Gundestrup | | | | Gardiner and Gary Osborn, Sept 2005. |
| Cauldron.There is also a theory that the Nagas | | | | |