t has come to my attention of late that much interest has dawned in the sidhe who have been born here on Gaia concerning the native ecology of the mythic age, especially concerning the existence of several “mythological” beasts. In an effort to spread the knowledge of the past which was so dear to all of us, I have recently returned from an excursion into the Dreaming seeking ancient lore, as well as document research in some of Gaia’s greatest libraries, and many interview with both mundane anthropologists, Classicists, and fae scholars. It has therefore been deemed that the suitable time has arrived to send out my findings in hopes that this may reach all those interested. May the winds carry this collected wisdom far.

Of course, every exercise needs a beginning, and so I begin this one with the great Sacred Steeds: the Pegasus and the Unicorn, of which the greatest of this is, no doubt, the unicorn. For we are Luna’s children, and they are Luna’s steeds. But, in the old tradition of saving the best for last, I shall instead start with the Pegasi.

I doubt any who read this do not know what the Pegasi look like. A great steed, usually white - though I have heard of grey and once a chestnut brown - with great strong feathery wings growing from their sides. Sidhe scholars argue whether the Pegasi originated in the Dreaming and entered the myths of the ancient Greeks, or whether the ancient Greeks originated the myths and the steeds then appeared within the Dreaming. Although my fae pride calls for the former, I find the latter more likely. It also gains credence from the fact that Pegasi have greatly declined in numbers. Indeed, if they remained as more than chimera, they would certainly be on some endangered species list. Also, the fact that they originated in Greek myths, but appeared as sidhe battle horses seems anomalous. If they were born in the Dreaming and then entered the myths of mankind, it would seem more likely that they entered the Celtic mythos, not the Greek.

In the Greek mythos, there was but a single Pegasus. He was birthed from Medusa when Perseus, who also killed the sea monster in Phoenicia, decapitated the gorgon. Pegasus reappears in the tale of Bellerophon who tamed the steed with a golden bridle given him by Athene. With the aid of Pegasus, Bellerophon slew the great Chimera. The irony of using Pegasus to slay Chimera should be readily apparent. I believe this has been balanced by another factor, but I will explain that soon.

It is not known when the sidhe first found the Pegasi, however the legend is thus: The sidhe had come to battle with the Tuatha de Danaan. The Tuatha de Danaan were powerful beings, and the tide of battle was against the sidhe. A knight by the name of Sir Gulrhys set off into the Dreaming in hopes of finding an answer to the war. If he would have accepted an answer of peace is not known, but after a long sojourn in the dreaming he came upon a herd of grazing horses. Each horse was marble white, powerful war stallions - with an equal mix of possible brood mares - and when they turned, Sir Gulrhys could see their exquisite wings. He wished to take the magnificent animals back with him, but could not tame them no matter what he tried. So he wandered longer. When the moon shone full and pregnant one night, he called out, “Why do you not help me, Luna? For what do I wander if my goal is unattainable?” But he was met with silence.

The next day he came to a lone shack. Low on supplies, he decided to ask for food and pleasantries before continuing his quest. Inside was a most peculiar creature. Possibly an ancient boggan, the man was short and busy like the present boggans, but wiry. He gave Sir Gulrhys food to break his fast on, and ale to drink, and sat spinning as he did so. So starved was Sir Gulrhys that he did not wonder for a long time what his host tasked on. Finally he glanced over and saw that the man was hard at work spinning golden thread and weaving a golden harness. Sir Gulrhys asked for what the harness was, to which his host answered, “Why for you. You will need it to tame the great stallion. The others will follow, but you must leave the mares behind, for here there are many stallions, but few mares, and if you take the mares with you, you will invite darkness.” Sir Gulrhys agreed immediately, and hurried back to the Pegasi as soon as his meal was done. The great stallion, impossible to miss for he was a full two hand-spans taller than any other, was tamed easily with the golden bridle, and the others followed. Sir Gulrhys remembered his friends warning, but thought, “If there are few mares, then they should be tended, not ignored,” and so he took the mares as well. With the help of the Pegasi, the sidhe defeated their enemy. Sir Gulrhys was strangely killed shortly after, apparently trampled to death. Witnesses say that a black mare, with wings and breathing flames, came from the night shadows and trampled Sir Gulrhys. So came the first of the Nightmares.

The Nightmares are the other side of the Pegasi. Reports on them differ, from a plain black horse to the one mentioned. Commonly, they are black Pegasi. They can, in effect, be considered the unseelie of the Pegasi, and it is my belief that they appeared first because of Pegasus’s role in the death of Chimera - but that is only one Eshu’s fanciful thinking.

The Pegasi have a social order like many other herd animals for much of the year. The roam during the winter months when food is scarce, and latter summer when the young are ready to move. In the early spring the herd breaks up, although members usually stay relatively close, as expectant parents nest. Pegasi nests can usually be found in high mountainous regions, usually on a sizable outcrop. The young are born in eggs, from which they hatch in two or three days time. Their first lesson of survival must be flight. Rarely do Pegasi walk if they can help it. Even in a low gallop the usually do not touch the ground. Pegasi mate for life, and both parents play an active role in raising the young.

A herd is usually no more than twenty animals. It is ruled by a stallion, usually the largest of the group. This stallion determines migratory paths, and leads the heard from water hole to water hole. The Great Stallion will rule till his death, unless a larger stallion is born. In this case a battle must be fought. Outcomes vary. Sometimes the loser dies, a sad thing considering their lack of numbers, other times he is cast from the herd. A herdless stallion must either find a new herd to join, or somehow create his own. Lone Pegasi seem prone to a melancholia which can prove fatal.

But even greater than the Pegasi, in this author’s humble opinion, is the Unicorn. The great pure white steed with a single spire atop its forehead, reaching towards the sky like a antennae to the heavens, it walks from the moonlight and in the moonlight it walks. Yet the origin of the Unicorn calls for a much fiercer beast than we are accustomed to in this day and age, and it is my belief that, as there is the Pegasi and the Nightmare, so there is the White Unicorn and the Black. Of the black Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, writes, “[it is] the most fell and furious beast . . . one black horne he hath in the midst of his forehead, bearing out two cubits in length: by report, this wild beast cannot possibly be caught alive.” The Black is an animal of ferocious lust - which may possibly be tamed by the touch of a virgin, but not for any reason of purity.

So it is that we are much more familiar with the White Unicorn. The symbol of purity, chastity, and Luna’s noble Steed. This steed need not cause virgins to fear, and it can be tamed by them. The White Unicorn has sometimes been known to offer itself to help others as well, but such is a great gift and should only be accepted with extreme reverence. A breeding pair of Whites is the symbol of love eternal, for Unicorns mate for life. Should one happen upon such a pair, it shall be an omen of good fortune in love. Of course, should one happen upon a White at all, it shall be a good omen. The Black warns of approaching conflict.

It is said that the horn of a Unicorn is magickal and powerful. This is, undoubtedly true. The White horn is known to cure poison, disease and almost any other ailment. Some tales speak of it even having the power to grant life to the dead. The Black Horn carries great powers of destruction. Either horn would most likely be a infinite source of Glamour, for Unicorns are so tied with Arcadia that it is said they can breach all barriers and return at will. It should be noted that a Unicorn can actually change colour, and many legends speak of such an event, just as a fae may switch his court allegiances. The horn too, once removed from the Steed, is said to be able to change colour according to the aura of its new owner.

On the whole, however, Unicorns are to be free. They roam forest, dale, and plain country sides, rejoicing in their freedom. A very few legends remark on a herd of Unicorns being encounter, but I find it much more likely that they travel alone or in pairs, and occasionally as family units. A family unit will consist of the mated pair and their calf, usually a single foal. Once the foal matures, it will leave its parents to find its own mate. Encapturement of a Unicorn is said to bring the wrath of Luna, and we all should know, the moon is a jealous mistress.

One last Steed exists of which I have made no mention. The white hart is the omen of fortune and adventure. They are not to be killed, but to be followed wherever they may lead the lucky one who spies them. Chase on young knights, and may your stories return to our ears!