The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

St Samson-sur-Rance

Standing Stone / Menhir

Folklore

In Brittany are monoliths about which women dance in a state of nudity, and rub themselves against them in hopes of thereby becoming mothers.

Near Dinan is the stone of St Samson. Girls slide down it, as it is on an incline, and if they can reach the bottom without a hitch, they believe that they will be happy mothers when married.

Some of these stones are pitted with artificially cut hollows. The stones are washed, to produce rain, are anointed, and the cup-marks filled with butter and honey. Most in France are now surmounted with crucifixes, or have a niche cut in their faces into which an image of the Virgin is inserted.
From p37 of Sabine Baring-Gould's 'Book of Folklore' (1911).

Also see
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/67112/folklore/illeetvilaine_35.html

Thanks Moth for matching this to its geographical location!
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
15th January 2008ce
Edited 25th June 2008ce

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