The Toppled Ash

It was several years after I began writing The Toppled Ash that I learned the ash tree is the sacred Tree of Life in Norse mythology, named Yggdrasil, dating back to the 13th century. With its branches in the heavens and its roots in the underworld, it represents aspects of our human realms as well as the cyclical nature of time. I was already deeply immersed in the chapters of my book, but I could now draw on facets of this myth to guide further choices.  

The story is set in several Scandinavian coastal towns in the mid-1800’s. Landmarks along the seaside cliffs hearken back to the era when Viking marauders raided the coastline. In the Villages of Roserock, named for the reddish granite in the region, the tall gristmill was formerly a watch tower with a crenelated parapet. Farther up the Coast Road, a small fort with its high vantage point had also been used for sightings. A third and imposing landmark, shaped from a column of glossy black tourmaline, was not a watch-tower, but a monument serving an ancient purpose fraught with a grim history.

At the local Inn and Tavern, villagers share their day-to-day triumphs and minor disasters over tankards of ale and tureens of fish stew. Ritual celebrations also take place at the Tavern. One of these is the yearly enactment of their legendary Stag, its eyes the color of amber and carnelian, its antlers bedecked with wayward stars gathered each night in its leap among the constellations. Their legendary Stag, invincible, is the Guardian of them all.

Among the many villagers, there is the miller providing flour for the daily bread, and as well, writes stories and poetry guided by rhythms of the mill-stone and the turning water-wheel; a child who risks his life to protect the toppled ash from axe-wielding wood cutters; and a self-exiled villager redeemed by an injured wolf he rescues. 

The sequel to The Toppled Ash will continue with many of the same villagers, as well as ones yet to be met, waiting to step forth.