Votive offerings

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Littlestone L
Littlestone Aug 31, 2009 20:48:56

Apologies if this is a bit off topic.

The question of votive offerings left at places like the Swallowhead Spring and West Kennet Long Barrow has been discussed on TMA and elsewhere before. Heritage Action's recent feature on its Journal here - http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/votive-offerings-and-dondo-yaki/ compares the Western, neo-pagan tradition of leaving offerings at places like the Swallowhead Spring and West Kennet Long Barrow with older, similar traditions in the Far East. "The leaving of ribbons, dolls, articles of clothing, crystals, t-lights, even food and drink, at such places is now generally frowned on and regarded by many as an unwelcome blot on the environment, or at the site of historic interest where they are left. There are, however, countries where the leaving of offerings in the form of ribbons, prayers written on paper which are then tied to the branches of trees or left at the base of stones, is commonplace and forms part of that country’s religion or cultural tradition."

People will want, and will continue to leave, votive offerings at places which are important to them - satisfying some and infuriating others. What's the answer? The Heritage Action feature suggest that the Japanese Dondo Yaki ceremony, where votive offerings are burnt annually to herald in the New Year, might be one way round the problem - embracing the idea of votive offerings while at the same time encouraging people who leave them to either think a little more carefully before doing so or, if they do leave such offerings, to adopt a more responsible attitude to their later disposal.

T tiompan
tiompan Aug 31, 2009 20:56:23
Replying to Littlestone

Littlestone wrote:
Apologies if this is a bit off topic.

The question of votive offerings left at places like the Swallowhead Spring and West Kennet Long Barrow has been discussed on TMA and elsewhere before. Heritage Action's recent feature on its Journal here - http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/votive-offerings-and-dondo-yaki/ compares the Western, neo-pagan tradition of leaving offerings at places like the Swallowhead Spring and West Kennet Long Barrow with older, similar traditions in the Far East. "The leaving of ribbons, dolls, articles of clothing, crystals, t-lights, even food and drink, at such places is now generally frowned on and regarded by many as an unwelcome blot on the environment, or at the site of historic interest where they are left. There are, however, countries where the leaving of offerings in the form of ribbons, prayers written on paper which are then tied to the branches of trees or left at the base of stones, is commonplace and forms part of that country’s religion or cultural tradition."

People will want, and will continue to leave, votive offerings at places which are important to them - satisfying some and infuriating others. What's the answer? The Heritage Action feature suggest that the Japanese Dondo Yaki ceremony, where votive offerings are burnt annually to herald in the New Year, might be one way round the problem - embracing the idea of votive offerings while at the same time encouraging people who leave them to either think a little more carefully before doing so or, if they do leave such offerings, to adopt a more responsible attitude to their later disposal.

I quite like that .

P Psychostevouk
Psychostevouk Aug 31, 2009 23:08:42
Replying to Littlestone

I used to live in Japan and attended a few Dondo Matsuri's each year. The difference between what the article suggests and what happens in Japan, is that people take their own New Year decorations from their homes and burn them at the festival. It's a way of cleaning out their past year. People don't tend to leave these particular decorations anywhere.

I've always kinda liked the tree on the path to West Kennet Long Barrow, it reminds me of wishes tied to trees at temples and shrines all across Japan.

F FourWinds
FourWinds Sep 1, 2009 07:50:34
Replying to Littlestone

Where it can be shown that the process started in the last 20 years it should be banned.

Many wells in Irland have rag trees. They're great. When they're traditional. People now tie things to trees at stone circles. That's litter to me.

The Irish tradition is to leave something that's close to the affected part of the body: a sock if you have a bad foot; a strip torn off your shirt for a chest problem etc. I once saw a tampon (unused) hanging from a tree at a holy well. Who knows what that lady was going through. More recently the offerings are getting 'commercial': little plastic Jesuses and suchlike. To me that's litter, even at traditional sites.

I can't remember where it is, but there's one well that was known for cures to leg injuries. There was a stack of walking sticks and crutches beside it once, but they were all cleared away. This pile had been there for hundreds of years and probably went back much further.

Leaving bits of plants with berries is highly irresponsible. It runs the risk of introducing foreign flora to a site, which could be invasive.

I once found an open pot of honey in a tree at Castleruddery.

H hotaire
hotaire Sep 29, 2009 06:43:38
Replying to Littlestone

I don't much mind votive offerings - I once found a very pretty bunch of carnations laid at the bottom on the tallest of the High Bridestones. What is objectionable is wedging coins into crevices on old standing stones - I found that at the High Bridestones, too! In summer the metal coins expand faster than the stone - and sooner or later, it's going to crack the ancient monument.

The best votive offering is food of some kind. It's traditional, and the birds and small creatures will get a meal from it. The gods will surely think more kindly of you for that - yes?

If you must leave coins, just lay them on top or round the base of these stones. Please.