Hiraeth Landscape #012 - Lungs of Her Eminence

The stone towers of Hiraeth are idols of duality-- something so anchored to the ground but aloft in the air is where earth and sky meet in harmony and life thrives in the firmament. A mountain range rising from the southeast is an ornate fixture on the landscape and a holy place for pilgrims across Hiraeth. These spires are known as the Lungs of Her Eminence, home to massive temples and fertile peaks of grass and trees. Who "Her Eminence" is has been debated for years: some say she is a forgotten wind goddess from ages long ago, others say a queenly giant reigned over the mountains, the tallest cliffs acting as her throne, and another theory is that it refers to the Earthen Maiden at the centre of the world, the mountains being her way of reaching up into the sky. The towering crystals sprouting from summit seem to imply the Earthen Maiden, as she is known for her love to decorate the world. Generations ago passed into myth, and at some point temples were built around these glowing crystals, acting as sanctuary and lighthouses for those riding on the winds, their vibrant glow painted against the somber purples and subtle blues of the mountain walls.

When trekking and standing on these mountains, it is immediate how powerful and chilling the howling winds are. Strong and fast, the winds go back and forth in all directions as wind spirits dance through the air, powerful enough to billow against you, but still refreshing, never toppling you off your feet. With the whistling of the wind and the ringing of Wind-Chime Trees across the mountains, one can't help but imagine some divine beast breathing and murmuring in its sleep. Those attuned with magic can even feel a singing in the crystals, emphasizing why this place is often refereed to as "The Lungs".  The land is in balance in what seems furious energy, but harnessed and smooth against your skin. The unspoken significance of this place is why pilgrims flock here, either climbing the zigzagging paths or by some means of flight.

Hiraeth - A World Within (BOOK UPDATE)