Observations placeholder
Seven Ages of Man - Thomas Keightley et al - General nature and disposition
Identifier
021846
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Grans Barrow on Toyd Down, Hampshire, U.K. The long barrow mound is 60 metres long, 20 metres wide and over 2 metres high
Every story, every legend depicts the previous ages of Man besides our own, but especially the Dwarfs, as kind, generous, good natured, good humoured, patient, hard working and trusting. They had a strong sense of joy. They did not appear to be possessive or greedy and freely lent things to the incoming peoples.
But they did appear to have quite a fearsome temper if they felt in any way slighted or taken advantage of. Their rage appears to have been almost entirely occasioned by acts of unkindness, dishonesty, malevolance, slyness or greed by the newcomers. And they had no trouble in spotting this sort of action when it did occur, which again tends to reinforce the hypothesis that they were intelligent but with a sort of innocence and goodness that was not a product of stupidity or gullibility.
It also appears they had a natural in-built sense of justice and fairness.
Apart from their short fuse, the only other unusual characteristic they possessed was an inability to grasp the concept of ownership. In their culture things were not owned they were created and then used, and anyone could use them. They did not place a value on things either, having little sense of the value homo sapiens placed on goods and services. Very often the myths and legends have stories of them being 'tricked' on the value of things, when in fact they had no concept that they were being tricked because the things were just things to them. They were also accused a number of times of 'stealing', however, stealing only becomes meaningful when ownership means something. Our concept of thieving is derived from our use of possessions, but a people who have no concept of ownership would not have any concept of theft.
As an extension of this sense of the unity of all creatures, they appeared to be prepared to help others without any promise of reward or payment.
The All Cannings long barrow
A description of the experience
Source The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People compiled by Thomas Keightley
People used to often see the children of the man who lived in the hill of Kund, in Jutland, climbing up the hill and rolling down after one another, with shouts of laughter
Grimm's Deutsche Sagen Source Thomas Keightley
“Many of these Dwarfs were good natured and on particular occasions, were obliging to the inhabitants, who used, for instance, in case of a wedding or christening to borrow various articles for the table out of the caves of the Dwarfs.
From The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People compiled by Thomas Keightley
“The Dwarfs of Switzerland are described [in the stories of the country] as of a lively joyous disposition, fond of strolling through the valleys and viewing and partaking in the labours of agriculture. Kind and generous, they are represented as driving home stray lambs and leaving brushwood and berries in the way of poor children”.
Idyllen, Volkssagen, Legenden und Erzahlungen aus Der Schweitz – Professor J Rud Wyss 1813 Source; Thomas Keightley
from Gertude and Rosy
Tis plain, however of itself and well
Wise folks can see, that such an active race
Would never with their hands before them sit
Ah! a right merry lively thing, and full
Of roguish tricks, the little Hill-man is
And quickly too he gets into a rage
If you behave not towards him mannerly
And be not frank and delicate in your acts
Ecclesiastical History of Iceland by Finnus Johannaeus source: Thomas Keightley
“This nation is reported to cultivate justice and equity above all other virtues, and hence although they are very potent, especially with words and imprecations, they very rarely unless provoked or injured, do any mischief to man. But when irritated they avenge themselves on their enemies with dreadful curses and punishments”
Idyllen, Volkssagen, Legenden und Erzahlungen aus Der Schweitz – Professor J Rud Wyss 1813 Source; Thomas Keightley
from Curiosity punished
In old times men lived in the valley and around them in the clefts and holes of the rocks dwelt the Dwarfs. They were kind and friendly to the people, often performing hard and heavy work for them in the night; and when the country people came early in the morning with their carts and tools, they saw, to their astonishment that the work was already done.
from The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People compiled by Thomas Keightley
“In Ouroe, a little island close to Zealand, there is a hill whence the Trolls used to come down and supply themselves with provisions out of the farmer's pantries]
The Edda [from The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People compiled by Thomas Keightley
They are obliging and neighbourly; freely lending and borrowing and elsewise keeping up a friendly intercourse with mankind. But they have a sad propensity to thieving, not only stealing provisions, but even women …..
Gussage_down_long_barrow