Grotesquerie Apotropaic magic

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a 12th-century sheela na gig on church @ kilpeck, herefordshire


people believed doorways , windows of buildings particularly vulnerable entry or passage of evil. on churches , castles, gargoyles or other grotesque faces , figures such sheela na gigs , hunky punks carved frighten away witches , other malign influences. figures may have been carved @ fireplaces or chimneys; in cases, simple geometric or letter carvings used these. when wooden post used support chimney opening, easier material amateur carving. discourage witchcraft, rowan wood may have been chosen post or mantel.


similarly grotesque faces carved pumpkin lanterns (and earlier counterparts, made turnips, swedes or beets) @ halloween meant avert evil: season samhain, celtic new year. time between times , believed period when souls of dead , other dangerous spirits walked earth. many european peoples had such associations period following harvest in fall. (see also: celtic calendar)








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