Fertility Cults
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Transcript of Fertility Cults
Fertility Cults An Ancient Practice & Pedigree
Wide Anthropological Appeal The Basis of Human Life Reproduction
Varieties of Fertility
Human, Agricultural, Livestock Rituals & Times
Examples of Pagan & Medieval Cults
Cult of Diana/Venus/Perchta/etc. The Furious Horde
Association of Fertility with Witchcraft
Female Reproduction Natural (+) Carnal Lusts of Women (-) Demonization of the Fertility Cult Venus of Willendorf, Fertility
Symbol, ca 23,000 BCE
An Ancient Practice & Pedigree Wide Anthropological Appeal
Fertility Gods Everywhere in Myth Armenian: Anahit Baltic: Laima Celtic: Epona Catholic: St. Anne (X’s Gma) Greco-Roman: Demeter/Ceres Norse: Freyja Slavic: Svetovid Fertility Often Associated w/ War
The Basis of Human Life
Reproduction of the Species Dependent upon Food Sources Looking to Gods for Assistance Divine Favor for Obedience
Cerne Abbas Giant, Dorset, England
Varieties of Fertility Human
Ability to Produce Offspring From Insemination to Growth General Health of the Population
Agricultural
Sowing & Reaping the Harvest Dependent on Land (Mother Earth)
Livestock
Propagation of the Herd Food Source – Protein, Calories Source of Income – Trade, Wealth
Rituals & Times
Sacrifice; Festivals w/ Dance & Music Turning Points of the Calendar & Stars
The Ember Days Roman Festivals/Oblations July: Good Harvest September: Good Vintage December: Good Seeding Christian Adaptation/Fasting Wed/Fri/Sat. After: March: 1st Sunday in Lent June(ish): Pentecost Sept: Holy Cross Day December: St. Lucy’s Day
Fertility Festivals Transformed Redirecting Devotion to God(s)
Examples of Pagan & Medieval Cults Cult of Diana/Abundia/Perchta/etc.
Diana Goddess of the Hunt & Moon Virgin, but Associated w/ Birthing Abundia/Perchta & Followers at Night Associated with Abundant Life Nocturnal, Female, Life/Fertility Greek, Roman, Germanic, Nordic, etc.
The Furious Horde
Wild Hunt of Women on Animals Good Acts & Providing for Community
Various Others
Croatian Shaman vs. Vampires Serbian Weathermen Protecting Crops Hungarian Táltos Curing Illnesses Livonian Werewolves Protecting Seed Grain
Diana, Greek Goddess, One of Many, Louvre
Association of Fertility with Witchcraft Female Reproduction Natural (+)
Mothers of Society; Nursing Health Many Children a Strong Signal Symbolism of Womb & Milk Fathers of Power; Virility Strong Phallic Symbolism “Be Fruitful & Multiply” (Gen. 1:28)
Carnal Lusts of Women (-)
Women the Weaker Sex Prone to Sensual Temptation Looking for New Power Position Seduction & Love Potions
Demonization of the Fertility Cult
Fornication for Pleasure w/ the Devil Immoral Orgies Multiplying the Conspiracy
Washington Monument, Obelisk