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Swallowhead Springs

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moss M
moss Feb 27, 2006 11:18:11
Replying to PeterH

"Clouties are fragments of garments worn by those with an ailment. As the rag deteriorates, the ailment lessens. "

Is the definition you will find on the web; in matters of religion and belief one should step warily, and a cloutie at least stretches back into history so has some justification to be there. In the interests of tradition, wells seen as magical or healing places should be continued. But wells fall on a particular cusp; pagan or christianity beliefs are found at the same site its difficult to judge what is being offered. Having said that, the Swallowhead is the natural site of a spring maybe sacred in its time, but is'nt now.

N nigelswift
nigelswift Feb 27, 2006 11:34:39
Replying to moss

I think you're right to point out that wells and springs are a separate case in this issue. It could be argued that there is such a thing as believers' or traditional rights, akin to some ancient rights and customs that form part of the Common Law, that parliament is reluctant to step on, and so should modern antiquarians.

G goffik
goffik Feb 27, 2006 11:37:49
Replying to moss

I dunno - maybe it's still sacred to some... I like it, anyway... :o)

I just think people need to seriously think about what they're doing. Is clagging their shrine up with their crud an act of ritual or worship? I think that is probably is, to them anyway, although rather misguidedly so... I'm not sure it IS pagans, as most of them respect that you can't just put some crappy bit of plastic or metal in a spring, or in a tree, or on the ground that won't biodegrade...

It's probably people doing what they think are pagan rituals, and getting it horribly wrong.

Like the people that burn candles in places like WKLB, they probably don't think they're causing any harm. The notice boards EH have put up are pretty flash, with little bits of information on them already - it wouldn't hurt to put a little bit MORE info on them to help protect these places. It'll save them a lot of work in the long run... And then we won't have the possibility of these places being closed to the public.

G x