Aspects of Anglo-Saxon Magic"With the arrival of Christianity in England there was a convergence of the new religion with the old. Many of the heathen customs, superstitions, and festivals were adopted to the needs of the Church, which sought, where it could, to preserve continuity with the past. Communities came together to celebrate seasonal festivals in much the same way as before but the meaning of the events and customs was given a Christian gloss. So, while many heathen practices were outlawed, others were absorbed into Christian tradition and preserved. Thus Yuletide, Easter and harvest festivals are still with us." --book jacket. |
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Ælfric ancestors Anglo-Saxon England animal associated astrology augury Augustine of Hippo Bede Bede's belief Beowulf blood body burial mounds byð cemeteries century charm Christian Church concept context cult Cuthbert dead demons Derolez divination dreams ealle early earth element Ellis Davidson elves evil example Foote & Wilson Germania Germanic Godes gods Greek Grimm heora herbs holy Homilies human ibid Icelandic imply Indiculus Superstitionum King Latin magic Meaney moon names Nine Herbs Charm notes oððe Odin ofer Old English Old English texts origin pagan Penitential perhaps planets practical Prose Edda ritual role Roman Rune Poem rune-names sacrifice Saga saints Saxo seems seiðr sort soul spirits stone suggesting Sutton Hoo symbols Tacitus Thor thunder tradition trans Vigfusson & Powell Viking wære wæs wið Woden word worship Ynglinga Saga þære þæs þæt þæt bið þam þan þonne