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Temple of Nemi

10/12/2019

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Roman Folkway.
On the shores of Lake Nemi there was a temple of Diana unique from other divine sanctuaries, in that the priest role was typically held by an escaped slave.
​
 The legend goes, a runaway Slave of Rome might escape his master by serving as a priest of Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt, in her Lake Nemi temple. But to earn the office of priest, he must first kill his predecessor in single combat. And to keep it, he must remain ever vigilant of the next slave looking for freedom.
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Lwa (Loa)

10/7/2019

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Haitian Creole. 
Also known as the Mysteres and The Invisibles. Lwa comes from the French word Les Lois meaning The Laws.

The Lwa are spirits, intermediaries for the Supreme Creator Bondye (from French Bon Dieu, meaning Good God.)

Each Lwa is distinct with a unique personality. They have their own likes and dislikes, their own sacred rhythms, sigils, objects, colours, songs and dances.  
They belong to families or nanchons (nations), which are similar to pantheons. 
For example the Rada family come from the West African kingdom of Dahomey (which is now in the country Benin), whereas the Kongo family comes from the Congo region of Central Africa.

Unlike other intermediary beings, such as angels, Lwa are not prayed to. They are summoned into a perisyle (ritual space) by either a hounagn/mambo (priest/priestess) or a bokor/caplata (male witch/female witch) and served.

During the ritual, the Lwa will mount (possess) one of the participants. The mounted ritualist is called a horse, and is ridden by the visiting Lwa. This process can sometimes appear violent with horses flailing and convulsing. It has been likened to when Evangelists are filled with the Holy Spirit, but depending on the rider there is the risk of self-harm.

Once mounted, the horse's demeanour and speech will take on the characteristics of the rider. The ritualist in charge will identify the Lew and give them objects they're associated with,, such as a cane and pipe for the Lwa Legba.

During their visit, the Lwa is served and given offerings, they may give help or advice before departing.
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Lorica

10/4/2019

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Early Christian.
A Latin word meaning
breastplate, Lorica is a type of prayer recited for protection. It comes from the early Christian monastic tradition, though some lorica may have older pagan roots and resemble charms used by pagans.

Loricas

Brigit Bé Bithmaith / Brigit's Lorica (9th century) Irish
Fáeth Fiada / St Patrick's Breastplate (5th-8th century) Irish
Lorica of St Fursey (7th century) Irish
Alexander's Breastplate (10th -14th century) Welsh

Lorica of Gildas / Lorica of Loding
Lorica of Columba / Lorica of Mugron

Also see

Aldhelm’s Lorica  (1st century) Saxon [Riddle]
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    FOLKLORE GLOSSARY

    An ABCs of Gods, Myths,  and Superstitions. 

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"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." 

- Horace
Roman Poet
(65 bce - 8 bce)

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