fascinated by folklore of all kinds. I know to throw salt over my left shoulder if I spill it, I understand that if I drop a comb I must step on it, and I know that when the rain crow (mourning dove) cries it will surely rain in a few days. So anytime I come upon another collection of such information, I am first in line to read it. Ruth Binney is an Englishwoman, but her collection is international in scope. A section on animal lore ranges from owls to wolves to snakes, beetles and cats. For example, did you know that for many people a snake represents eternity because it can coil into a circle and take its tail in its mouth? (p.50)
The section on plants is fascinating in its variety. Lilies supposedly sprang from Eve's tears; Elizabethans used rose petals to disguise odors; and a laurel leaf under a pillow is thought to inspire poets (I need one of those!).
Other chapters cover herbal cures, superstitions, and beliefs in spirits and monsters.
One of the nice things about this book is that it can be read in small bites. Even when time is limited, a reader can learn in a few minutes' time that whooping cough can be cured by hanging a frog in the chimney, or read a poem by Tennyson about a sea monster. Eclectic, intriguing, and a great source for writers and storytellers looking for that extra something to add to a story.
Nature's Ways: Lore, Legend, Fact and Fiction. By Ruth Binney. Great Britain, David and Charles Limited, 2006.
Okay... You definitely convinced me. I want this book. I actually knew about the snake and there is a symbol that represents this, I think it starts with an O, but for the life of me I can't remember the name. I'll have to look it up.
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to Ouroboros? It's the ancient symbol of the coiled snake eating its tail, symbolizing the vicious circle of life.
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