Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth

In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.

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When Statues Speak

 They have mouths, but cannot speak.

 

So wrote a dyspeptic 7th century Hebrew poet concerning the so-called “idols” of the pagans.

But of course (as anyone who has ever actually lived with one for very long can tell you), he was wrong.

***

The little clay goddess sits elegantly on her throne on the coffee table in the living room.

A few days ago, I acquired a reproduction of a little bronze votive bull. Not having had in mind a specific location for him, I set him down for the time being next to the lady of the coffee table.

Yesterday, I thought I'd try him out someplace else, and moved him up to my bedside table.

This morning, the living room goddess spoke to me, clear as spring water:

Where's my bull?

 ***

Pagan lore is filled with stories of statues that speak.

And when they do, I mean, really: what else can you do?

I moved the bull back, of course.

After all, when statues speak, pagans listen.

 

 

 

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Tagged in: idolatry idols
Poet, scholar and storyteller Steven Posch was raised in the hardwood forests of western Pennsylvania by white-tailed deer. (That's the story, anyway.) He emigrated to Paganistan in 1979 and by sheer dint of personality has become one of Lake Country's foremost men-in-black. He is current keeper of the Minnesota Ooser.

Comments

  • Molly
    Molly Thursday, 20 October 2016

    I make goddess sculptures for a living and I totally identify with this experience. I'd modify the quote for mine to: "they do not have mouths, but they speak." Thanks. :)

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