Lizard Legacy
She mused on the notion that humans and stars shared the same components... It gave her solace to think that something that seemed so dull and uninteresting up close could be see by others, even at a distance to shine with an inner brilliance. Perhaps someday, she hoped, someone might see a glimmer of her inner brilliance and not always to have her dull grey exterior continually pointed out to her.
Chapter 21
The carnivorous garden chair.
Cornish magic?
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In their understanding of the world around them, the ancient Celts placed a huge emphasis on the power of the number three, believing it to be a source of spiritual significance. Many things, they thought were present in threes such as land, sea and sky, body mind and spirit, equinox, solstice, equinox... to name but a few. To this day, one of the early Celtic symbols, the Awen, is held as an emblem, by the Cornish bardic heritage and comprises three divergent lines, like rays of light.
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The early Celts were pagans, and much of their understanding about life came through their close connection with nature. Many of their practices were deemed as witchcraft, by the early Christian monks who were keen to impose the new ideas of faith as determined by Rome. A very obvious example of this is the Celtic cross. In the very early days of the Lizard settlers, burial mounds were marked with huge stones, like those found near Goonhilly moors. Later, the stone cross began to be seen, but this was a simple circle to represent the moon and sun as the governing deities of the pagan people. In a bid to introduce the Latin Christian Cross, the early monks agreed a compromise to combine both , thus the Celtic cross was formed. Both spiritualities found a way to co exist and adopted some of each other's beliefs which we still enjoy today as feasts such as Christmas and Midsummer's night, to mark each of the solstices. Although, many Celtic crosses, standing on lonely clifftops were probably waymarkers, it is nice to think that perhaps, as some thought, they were magic portals!
An area of the Lizard is known as The Meneage - which means The land of the monks, and many of the churches are named after these very early Christian monks who either originated from - or settled on The Lizard. I liked the idea that perhaps the early Christian monks were also wizards and that, by drawing magic from the rare Serpentine rock on the Lizard, they were able to perform feats of life-saving around this treacherous Cornish coastline so synonymous with shipwrecks. I took the liberty to bend their own legends to suit my imaginary notions, involving Corentyn and the flooded island of Ys, lying on the sea bed between The Lizard and Brittany; and rock formations such as St Michael's Mount, or Mont St Michel, cut off from the mainland by the tide, possible having been similar to the early dwellings of monks such as Winwalloe, whose understanding of tidal patterns would have meant the difference between life and death . They were magical monks.... 'pystrior' priests... sage-like seers... coastline curates... and Serpentine Sorcerers .
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Similarly, the reliance on the natural cycle of the year, such as the phases of the moon and its relation to the tides,; together with the significance the early Celts placed on the advent of the equinoxes, and the solstices, it seems a small leap to believe that it would have felt magical for them for such inexplicable celestial, or environmental events to take place.
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Whilst science, technology and innovation has made it possible for us to have a greater understanding of what makes our world work, it has simultaneously lessened our need to engage with it directly, which when by the sea, can have tragic effects. To not understand the tidal changes, the impact of the wind direction and speed, the moon phases and the specific perils of a piece of land or its potential for erosion can all lead to avoidable accidents. I wanted my story to highlight the fact that there was once a time that our forebears had this knowledge instinctively, and whether we follow their lead and read the clues of nature in the land, sea and sky - or whether we check them out on our phones, apps or laptops, we must seek to ensure that we are the sages in our own coastal odysseys, so that there is no need for our Serpentine Sorcerers .
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The Awen can represent a number of things - to some it means a flowing spirit - a source of inspiration or creativity. For others it signifies harmony and balance with many wearing it in jewellery form as a reminder to keep life in equilibrium. For the Cornish bardic tradition, the three lines represent important qualities in life - such as Furneth, Gwir and Kerensa - which is Cornish for Wisdom , Truth and Love.
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Nature, nurture & New Age?
"How on earth, in this tiny village, are we going to find the one who holds dominion over death?" Bobby asked.
Why did I choose to write it for young adults?
When I first began to write Lizard Legacy, I was going to call it The Wizard on The Lizard, not least because that rhyme is such a gift; but staying true to the power of three, having three of them would have changed it to The Wizards on The Lizard which didn't have such a satisfying nomenclature. Also, I decided that there had to be three protagonists and they had to be teenagers.
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It has always been difficult to navigate the waters between childhood and adulthood, but it seems that it is even more so now with the influence of social media. With content pouring on the heads and shoulders of teenagers, like the torrents of a waterfall, it seems virtually impossible for young people to find the space and freedom to pursue their own interests, dreams and passions without the persuasive, suggestive and corrosive influence of those content producers who seek to determine who you should be, what you should care about, what you should think, wear, do and feel. Whilst there might be some positive aspects of having access to information at the mere swipe of a finger or thumb, there is also access to a world that is damaging and destructive to body, mind and spirit. A limiting and oppressive world that seems to suggest that only certain ideas or opinions are worth posting, sharing and following.
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Who better to demonstrate that a life with connection to nature might not only provide a secure background for good mental and physical and emotional health but could also lead them to engage with others to resolve an intriguing quest - without any help from social media?
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In a world where the pursuit of self is promoted, and hurtful and thoughtless words are hidden behind the cowardice of online posts and trolling, it has become necessary to remind people to "Be Kind". How disappointing. We know, if we have ever been on the receiving end, that demonstrating compassion can make a huge difference to someone's life, and it is often the really tiny acts , or moments, that can have the greatest impact and let us know that we are cared for. There is much cruelty that circulates within the lives of teenagers and I wanted to champion the young people who do make a difference by simply showing care and kindness. However, sometimes this can take courage. Again, when the pervading posts of social media invite you to follow the crowd, it is difficult to be the one who doesn't. Whilst my book might be magical, I hope it still conveys the huge respect I have for young people who are trying to find the courage to get through each day. It may not feel like it now, but all too quickly, these difficult teen years pass and you will see what a credit your strength, values and integrity will be to your future.
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Using my own power of three, Alex, Andy Bobby, and their own personal qualities of knowledge, compassion and courage, I hoped that they would tell my Lizard story whilst also suggesting that wizards can be found in the most unlikely places.
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Alex is a surfer and loves the oceans, both riding above it, and studying the marine life amongst the depths of it. His other passion is Greek mythology, yet no matter how much he has immersed himself in the classical legends in the past, nothing could have prepared him being drawn into one of his own. His best friend, Andy, is an astronomer and birdwatcher. An only child with parents who are often away on business, she finds that the constellations, moon phases, and the coastal birds of her clifftop home offer her a sense of constancy, companionship and reliability that she lacks within her family life. The world through her telescope provides some small solace that, as difficult as things are for her at home and school, and as awkward and uncomfortable as she feels about herself, the vastness of the spectacular universe, and the freedom of the open sky must have some place for her. Roberta, on the other hand, couldn't be more different. With a Cornish mother and Irish father, she has Celtic blood flowing through her veins,. Bright, fun, easy-going and shining with an inherent self-confidence, Bobby 's lightness of heart and spirit connect her to the land of The Lizard through its flora and fauna, and to its people, both present and past.
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All three of them are drawn deeply into the things that they care about, and whilst they may not be perceived as cool, or on trend, their interests bring them joy, fulfilment, comfort and gratitude, respectively. I think it is hugely important for young people to try to find pursuits that offer these supporting qualities and to be proud that, whatever anyone thinks about it, engaging in something that it good for your mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is worth ten times that which you can find on a thirty second content reel.
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The Lizard has an integral relationship with the sea. Battered by huge Atlantic waves in winter, and enveloping quiet coves of turquoise water in the summer, the spectacular and foreboding cliffs of Serpentine are the bedrock of this dramatic Cornish coastline. The sea of this rocky, jagged shore is, at once, a source of livelihood, a natural playground, and an opportunity for peril. For many, particularly in the summer months, what starts out as an exciting holiday, can soon take a dark turn as coastal-related accidents occur. The sad thing is that so many are avoidable, if only people had a little bit of knowledge and sea-safety awareness before they venture into beach-bound pursuits.
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My purpose in writing Lizard Legacy was to create a fun, mystical novel, with a quest that included elements of life-saving in the sea, It was important to me to illustrate that by taking the time to learn some sea safety knowledge and engaging with the natural world to get a greater understanding of it, it is very possible for many coastal accidents to be avoided.
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We are incredibly fortunate to have selfless, dedicated individuals such as the RNLI lifeboat crews, the RNLI beach lifeguard patrol, the Search and Rescue air helicopter, HM Coastguard, The National Coastwatch Institute, Blood Bikes, Cornwall air ambulance... to name but a few, who face extreme danger, often leaving their own families to go out and rescue others in incredibly difficult conditions. Sometimes shouts aren't avoidable and their rapid response is the difference between life and death.
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I hope that through my romp around The Lizard peninsula, amongst the mystery and magic, local history and legend, you get to know and love The Serpentine Sorcerers as much as I do, but also, that some of the sea safety awareness will be absorbed and that next time you are near the sea, the voice of Andy, Alex or Bobby will whispers in your ear and keep you safe.
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Surrounded by sea
Sarah
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