Chickens are humble animals. They’re heavy, mostly earthbound birds, spending their days pecking at the ground, clucking or crowing, bobbing their heads as they strut around the farmyard. They don’t exactly radiate mysterious elegance in the way that cats and rabbits do. However, when we look closely at European folk tales and medieval lore, we see that chickens very much had a significant place in European folk magic, especially as creatures of protection and sacrifice.
In lore about the river-dwelling Nickelman, or Nixie, Benjamin Thorpe notes that “in Thale they were formerly obliged annually to throw a black cock into the Bode [River]; for if they omitted to do so, someone would certainly die within the year” (87). Claude Lecouteux makes note of this kind of sacrifice several times in The Tradition of Household Spirits, one example being:
What does Chernobyl look like decades after the deadly nuclear accident? Can chocolate help prevent heart disease? And how can we stop the assault on science in our culture? These questions and others considered in Earthy Thursday, our segment on science and Earth-related news! All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!
Iceland preps for a new renewable energy project. A look at how "green roofs" are taking over the world's cities. And just how big is the newly discovered planet orbiting our nearest stellar neighbor? It's Earthy Thursday, our weekly segment on science and Earth-related news. All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!
Jamie
Mr. Posch,Hear, hear!There is a silver lining to the dark cloud of the past 4 years for me, though. When Sarah Palin declared that New England wasn't ...
Jamie
Mr. Posch,Maybe it really happened, and he got re-animated by the Q-Anon Shaman...with his magical American flag spear.I can totally see the Underworl...
