 |
 |
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture In a message dated 31/01/2006 23:40:40 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: <<The practice known as incubation was particularly widespread in classical Greece (especially in the cult of Aesculapius), and 'more recently' in the Mediterranean basin (as far as I'm aware). The main aspects of incubation were: night sleep in a holy place; visionary dreams during that sleep; and resulting curative miracles.>> In this part of the world (i.e. Cornwall), it is sleeping near a holy well which is reputed to have this effect: the precise cure sought depending upon the well. It is supposed to be a remnant of Celtic Christianity, if not Celtic pre-Christian belief. There are holy wells elsewhere in the British Isles (though not so many survive per acre as in Cornwall), but I do not know whether these beliefs are remembered there. Susan [log in to unmask] ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html