mycorrhiza
Well-Known Member
In the nordic countries, in the Great Britain, Ireland and other places, these practices were widespread.
People drank the water and sacrificed items (often coins, but also food) to become healed of disease. The water was supposedly "magic" and often a gift from the Gods.
Later on, Christians built churches next to these springs (sometimes even around the springs) and christianized the springs, dedicating them to Catholic saints. This, however, did not stop people from using them. Not much is documented, other than the springs themselves, but the Church has documented "pagan" or heretical use of these springs, so most of what we know about them is based on the Church archives.
Wishing wells are to some extent based on these practices. The drinking of water for health reasons (mineral water from certain wells) might also be based on this practice.
This is a subject that intrigues me. Why are we taught nothing in school about these quite widespread practices? How long did the practice live on? (the last use that I can find was at the end of the 1600s, but the practice probably lived on longer). Is there any revivalist value in the practice?
People drank the water and sacrificed items (often coins, but also food) to become healed of disease. The water was supposedly "magic" and often a gift from the Gods.
Later on, Christians built churches next to these springs (sometimes even around the springs) and christianized the springs, dedicating them to Catholic saints. This, however, did not stop people from using them. Not much is documented, other than the springs themselves, but the Church has documented "pagan" or heretical use of these springs, so most of what we know about them is based on the Church archives.
Wishing wells are to some extent based on these practices. The drinking of water for health reasons (mineral water from certain wells) might also be based on this practice.
This is a subject that intrigues me. Why are we taught nothing in school about these quite widespread practices? How long did the practice live on? (the last use that I can find was at the end of the 1600s, but the practice probably lived on longer). Is there any revivalist value in the practice?