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tiompan wrote:
Not sure if this has been mentioned before but a fine list of wells in Angus .
http://www.fife.50megs.com/scots-folklore-magic-wells.htm
That is a fine list Tiompan with some interesting folk-lore. I like the idea that morning dew is the most sacred water of all and "the lasses around Tayside still rise very early on the first of May to wash their faces in May dew". As I have James Bonwick's book off the shelf I have been reading his chapter on Well Worship; he writes about how the medieval church tried to stamp it out. Here's what he says about Scotland:

As Scotland caught the infection by contact with Ireland, it was needful for the Presbyterian Church to restrain the folly. This was done by the Presbytery of Dingwall in 1656, though even worse practices were then condemned; as, the adoration of stones, the pouring of milk on hills, and the sacrifice of bulls. In 1628 the Assembly, prohibiting visits to Christ’s Well at Falkirk on May mornings, got a law passed sentencing offenders to a fine of twenty pounds Scot, and the exhibition in sackcloth for three Sundays in church. Another act put the offenders in prison for a week on bread and water.
from Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

tjj wrote:
tiompan wrote:
Not sure if this has been mentioned before but a fine list of wells in Angus .
http://www.fife.50megs.com/scots-folklore-magic-wells.htm
That is a fine list Tiompan with some interesting folk-lore. I like the idea that morning dew is the most sacred water of all and "the lasses around Tayside still rise very early on the first of May to wash their faces in May dew". As I have James Bonwick's book off the shelf I have been reading his chapter on Well Worship; he writes about how the medieval church tried to stamp it out. Here's what he says about Scotland:

As Scotland caught the infection by contact with Ireland, it was needful for the Presbyterian Church to restrain the folly. This was done by the Presbytery of Dingwall in 1656, though even worse practices were then condemned; as, the adoration of stones, the pouring of milk on hills, and the sacrifice of bulls. In 1628 the Assembly, prohibiting visits to Christ’s Well at Falkirk on May mornings, got a law passed sentencing offenders to a fine of twenty pounds Scot, and the exhibition in sackcloth for three Sundays in church. Another act put the offenders in prison for a week on bread and water.
from Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

I don't think they are on line but the early ( 17-18th C )Kirk Session minutes , particularly rural parishes , are fascinating reading for similar prohibitions as well as the more typical theft , fornication etc . They were available to be read in the original until about a 15 years ago ,I don't think you can even see them now .

tjj wrote:
I like the idea that morning dew is the most sacred water of all and "the lasses around Tayside still rise very early on the first of May to wash their faces in May dew".
Lots of places have that myth. Ben Ledi and Arthur's Seat off the top of my head. It doesnae work - I should look like a princess by now -and dont.

I've been up Arthurs seat many times for the may dew, on the astrological day and the julian calendar day - I get home and still look like I got up at 4am after a night of astral travel backwards through a hedge.