The Dance of the Seasons

Religious event

For four days and four nights, four huldra dance upon the slopes of Gleann Chroi, chasing the spirits, until the spirits relent and anoint a Huldra with the power of all the trees, all the beasts, and all the spirits of Caonach.

From across the Vale four wise women gathered, leaders of their villages and clans. They came to Gleann Chroi, the Heart of the Valley, and with dance and song called the spirits of Caonach together. They chased and were chased up and down the slopes of Gleann Chroi, tricked and wooed, fought and triumphed. At the end of four days, the Spirits of the Vale sealed a pact for all time. Each of the four wise women claimed for themselves a mantle — Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. As Seasons Four they called on the valley to choose one Huldra and rest upon them like a cloak of glory.   The name of the first Caonach King is lost, for each time the Vale chooses a new Ri, they cast aside their old name. Ri Gheimhridh was the first, the Winter King, and the Vale gave to him a wooden mask that changed him from Huldra to Something Greater. Now he commanded all the things that grew, all the beasts of wing or claw, the winds and rains and mists of the Caonach Vale.