Thanks all. Megan, I am particularly interested in the Shetland material for that reason (the old ballad reference).

I have to some extent stayed away from doing too much research, at this point in the process. I am more interested in ballads, songs and stories that carry references to folk healing or folk magic, or lore about the seals.

I do shamanic journeywork (trancework)and it is much more validating to be given information that way first and to have it later validated by research. A Selkie shows up regularly to guide me in the Other World in connection with specific kinds of healing, I am usually directed by him to make a healing song which tells the story of the journey. Initially he was not helping with the healing, other beings were, but he is becoming much more active. Since this has led to some rather powerful healing for some of the people I have worked with, I am eager to know more. The seal first showed up in shamanic ancestor work with my father's line.

Do not know the The People of the Sea reference. Would be interested to know more about this.

Do not know the Boyd's reference either.

I know there are folks on Mudcat interested in all of this stuff-- thought someone might have come across something pertinent and taken notice of it.