Kennings Searles Sat Aug 8 13:58:18 1998 The "cattle of Tethra" is a "kenning." It is used in the poem, commonly referenced as "The Mystery" by the Fili Amergin, upon the arrival in Ireland of the Sons of Mil and their families. This is an Irish mystical saying, representing one thing for another and is a part, perhaps, of the Secret Language of the Poets that was taught in the schools of the Filidh. At times theses "cattle" are said to be the fish of the sea, or the stars of the sky. The most scholarly interpretation that I've seen is that they are the waves of the sea. Tethra was a Fomorii and a lord of the Happy Otherworld (much like Mananna/n Mac Lir). He possessed the talking sword Orna (that was found by Ogma following the Second Battle of Moytura).. He is the great uncle of Cu/Chulainn's wife, Emer.*p*Perhaps we can find and discuss other kennings from the poems and traditions?*p*Searles*br*