A meditation on the significance of the Welsh river Hafren.
The Severn, or Afon Hafren in Welsh, is a mighty river. She has shaped many histories and is part of many folk stories. In Celtic traditions, water is a source of wisdom. In a time of ecological crisis, how can we listen to the wisdom of Hafren?
Sarah Siân Chave takes us on a journey from Hafren’s source to the sea, following Hafren’s route from Pumlumon in Wales and meandering through England, before she finds her way back home to Wales and to the sea. The journey weaves together Celtic myths, historical and personal narratives, as well as Welsh words and ideas. Hafren not only speaks to the wisdom of this river, but of all rivers, encouraging readers to better understand their place as part of nature. This book will appeal to those interested in nature, sustainability, and ecology, as well as to those interested in Celtic and Welsh traditions, histories, and myths. The book is evocatively illustrated by Chave’s sister, Rachel Collis.
The Severn, or Afon Hafren in Welsh, is a mighty river. She has shaped many histories and is part of many folk stories. In Celtic traditions, water is a source of wisdom. In a time of ecological crisis, how can we listen to the wisdom of Hafren?
Sarah Siân Chave takes us on a journey from Hafren’s source to the sea, following Hafren’s route from Pumlumon in Wales and meandering through England, before she finds her way back home to Wales and to the sea. The journey weaves together Celtic myths, historical and personal narratives, as well as Welsh words and ideas. Hafren not only speaks to the wisdom of this river, but of all rivers, encouraging readers to better understand their place as part of nature. This book will appeal to those interested in nature, sustainability, and ecology, as well as to those interested in Celtic and Welsh traditions, histories, and myths. The book is evocatively illustrated by Chave’s sister, Rachel Collis.
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Table of Contents
Opening
Chapter1: Seeking the Source - Pumlumon, Powys
Chapter 2: Growing - from Llanidloes, Powys to Caersws, Powys
Chapter 3: Powering - Newtown, Powys
Chapter 4: Bordering and Crossing- from Rhyd Chwima, Powys to Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Chapter 5: Meandering – Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Chapter 6: Meandering, entwinning, industrializing - from Shrewsbury to Ironbridge, Shropshire
Chapter 7: Caring - from Shrewsbury to Weston-Under-Lizard, Shropshire
Chapter 8: Carving new routes - Western-under-Lizard, Shropshire and beyond
Chapter 9: Travelling onwards- from Upton Ham, Worcestershire to Deerhurst, Gloucestershire
Chapter 10: Feeling the pull of the tide, the pull of home: from Gloucester to Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
Chapter 11: Reuniting, returning, moving onwards - Sharpness, Gloucestershire to Aust, South Gloucestershire and Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Reflecting
Chapter1: Seeking the Source - Pumlumon, Powys
Chapter 2: Growing - from Llanidloes, Powys to Caersws, Powys
Chapter 3: Powering - Newtown, Powys
Chapter 4: Bordering and Crossing- from Rhyd Chwima, Powys to Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Chapter 5: Meandering – Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Chapter 6: Meandering, entwinning, industrializing - from Shrewsbury to Ironbridge, Shropshire
Chapter 7: Caring - from Shrewsbury to Weston-Under-Lizard, Shropshire
Chapter 8: Carving new routes - Western-under-Lizard, Shropshire and beyond
Chapter 9: Travelling onwards- from Upton Ham, Worcestershire to Deerhurst, Gloucestershire
Chapter 10: Feeling the pull of the tide, the pull of home: from Gloucester to Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
Chapter 11: Reuniting, returning, moving onwards - Sharpness, Gloucestershire to Aust, South Gloucestershire and Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Reflecting