Re: First visit to Avebury - question | Forum

B

bladup Aug 29, 2012 14:37:26

Replying to Emma A

Emma A wrote:

They do it at Nine Ladies too and sometimes leave messages - prayers I suppose - a bit like lighting a candle in a church.

I think Scottish healing wells are called Clootie wells where people tie things to the trees nearby:
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/6458/clootie_well.html

And some trees get coins pressed into the bark like the wishing tree in Argyll. A friend of mine says he often finds coins in the hollows of standing stones (especially in the Peak District), but I've never found any. Anyone else?

HI, I thought it was to do with water, that's why you get them a lot at wells and springs, and when no water is visable it's over a blind spring [ a spring under the ground ], so is therefore a bit of a water cult, gypsies do it a lot.

J

juamei Aug 29, 2012 14:39:32

Replying to Emma A

Emma A wrote:

And some trees get coins pressed into the bark like the wishing tree in Argyll. A friend of mine says he often finds coins in the hollows of standing stones (especially in the Peak District), but I've never found any. Anyone else?

Rempstone in Dorset is a good spot if you need a few pence. We've always found money there, normally I make about 30-50p. I don't need to be paid to visit stone circles but who am I to refuse.

L

Littlestone Aug 29, 2012 14:47:06

Replying to Emma A

Emma A wrote:

They do it at Nine Ladies too and sometimes leave messages - prayers I suppose - a bit like lighting a candle in a church.

I think Scottish healing wells are called Clootie wells where people tie things to the trees nearby:
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/6458/clootie_well.html

And some trees get coins pressed into the bark like the wishing tree in Argyll. A friend of mine says he often finds coins in the hollows of standing stones (especially in the Peak District), but I've never found any. Anyone else?

There’s this one on the North York Moors – it has about a dozen coins pushed into its cracks. The coins can (and do) cause damage – expanding when hot and possibly causing the stone to crack.

Candles, t-lights, incense and fires in places like West Kennet Long Barrow are another source of damage to monuments – not to mention edible offerings and the vermin (non-human ;-) they attract.

It’s been said a thousand times here and elsewhere – Leave nothing, take only memories.

First visit to Avebury — question