Dunhelm, of course, does not truly exist, although it is an amalgamation of many Scottish castles I have had the good fortune to visit. In my mind’s eye, it occupies the northwest tip of the island of Rousay in the Orkney Islands, though—of course—you won’t find it there.
Nor will you find a description of the Picts in any book as they appear here. As Talorc’s fictional book indicates, there is very little actually known of the Picts, other than their apparent preference for tattoos and for carving monumental stones. Aurelia’s stone is consistent with the symbolism of Pictish stones—with the exception of the image of Aurelia herself—though the interpretation is entirely my own. When in doubt, I’ve given the Picts characteristics and/or habits known of the Celts, since the prevalent theory is that the Picts are descendants of the Celts.
Since the Picts left no records other than their List of Kings, their religious beliefs are also unknown. I’ve taken the liberty of making them pagans, like the Celts, and their religion Goddess-based, as was common throughout Europe before the wave of conversions to Christianity. Neo-pagans and students of European paganism will recognize the triple aspect of the Goddess, as well as Her association with the moon.
The Stones of Stemness on the Orkney Islands are as described, though no interpretation of their positioning exists as explained in the text. These stones form the oldest ‘henge’ in Europe, though, and studies of others like them—for example, Stonehenge—have revealed their ancient use as observatories. Aurelia’s name for the Stones of Stemness and the nearby Ring of Brodgar are my own invention—both circles were named in the nineteenth century, so needs demanded she call them something else.
The fertility festival of Eostre was celebrated by European pagans, most particularly the Saxons (who passed the event to the Norse). The Moon of Eostre began on the first full moon after the spring equinox, and was the time when the Goddess was “pregnant” with the promise of the growing season. The festival also marked the Goddess’ victory over the underworld and her triumphant return to the land of the living—bringing spring and rebirth in her wake—an aspect echoed in the Christian celebration of Easter.
In addition, Christianity adopted the timing of Easter (which is still calculated on Roman calendars as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox) from this festival, as well as the fertility symbols of the egg and the bunny.
The egg as a symbol of birth and renewal is pretty self-explanatory, but the bunny’s symbolism has nothing to do with the creature’s reproductive abilities! Many ancient cultures saw a Moon-hare in the full moon instead what we commonly call the Man in the Moon. Since the full moon symbolized the Goddess at the height of her power, the hare (or bunny) became sacred to Her.
So, next time the moon is full, take a good look at those dark marks and decide what you see!
