In the sessions we the completed the topic of Odysseus, and started themes associated with the British Landscape.
1/. Odysseus
Odysseus was part of the Greek Army which besieged Troy for 10 years. After Troy fell Odysseus set off for Ithaca, however there was a prophecy that it would take him another 10 years to return. He fell foul of Poseidon by blinding one of Poseidon’s sons and gloating about it. That enabled Poseidon to curse him so that he would arrive home with nothing, on a borrowed ship.
On the journey back he annoyed a number of other gods and was beset by storms and lost his men and his ship. He landed on the Island of Ogygia where Calypso a sea nymph fell in love with him at first sight. She offered him a place to stay and immortality if he stayed with her. They had 2 children and he stayed for 7 years but he stilled dreamed of Ithaca.
Not all the gods and goddesses were against him and with the help of them including Leucothoe and Athene he made it back to Ithaca as foretold. Here he was reunited with the faithful Penelope but not before more intervention from the gods where he fought off suitors. She had been expecting him back after the siege of Troy had been broken. She had been pursued for marriage and had kept her suitors at bay as she waited for the prophecy of his return to be fulfilled.
There are two versions of Odysseus’s death, one where he died peacefully and the other, after intervention from the gods, he was killed by his son Telgonus who did not know who he was.
Odysseus was a complicated character. He was at times loyal, resourceful, silver tongued, wise and cunning as well as having warrior characteristics. He was also a leader with no respect for his men, and a liar.
The ancient Greeks liked this though and regarded him as a tactician and heroic warrior.
The Greek gods and goddesses were very hands on with him and impacted his life.
2/. Exploring the British Landscape
We looked at folklore about how the landscape was used and the impact on the landscape starting with rocks.
Rocks have always been regarded as special places, sacred with associations with old gods.
This is the same all over the world with examples such as Mount Fuji, Uluru and Everest.
The links to giants and the devil may have been the pagan gods venerated at the time, downgraded and surviving in folklore.
We broke the topic into 3
- i/. Natural Rocks and Rock Formations & Stones with Healing Powers
- ii/. Natural Rock Formations & Stones with Powers of Fertility
- iii/. Natural Rock Formations & Stones connected to Oath taking etc.
i/. Natural Rocks and Rock Formations & Stones with Healing Powers
We looked in detail at a number of these which are spread across the country.
These could be rocks with holes in which could be passed through. Not all had holes or arches
Sympathetic magic where the strength of the rock can be transferred by contact with it by squeezing through, touching.
By following exacting rituals, it has to be difficult, or it wouldn’t work. Repeating actions a number of times, in the direction of the sun etc..
These may be preserving folklore memory at these sites. Some sun worship. Similar beliefs could be attached to man-made structures.
Last Updated on June 14, 2023