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