Cursing Stones

[Michael C. Page]

Anybody have any more information on this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-18130259

[Scylla]

Very interesting, I´m also looking forward to know more.

Thanks for the link

[Kishi]

This is interesting. Those stones look to be older than 800AD to me. Wonder if they radio-carbon dated. Somehow doubt it. I can see how the 'experts' see a Christian crucifix on a hill, but it's not what I see. I see the (really) ancient symbol for a solar year - shadows at sunrise/sunset on the solstices - with a sun. Canna is at 57 degrees N, which would be close to shadows at 90 degree angles. I can't think of any biblical reference to crucifix being turned. Anyone know why the pilgrims turn the stone?

[DaRC]

It does seem to be related to older, pre-christian practice.
I know of the Norse Nithing Poles which seem to have had a similar function.

I also found this...

Cursing Stones
The largest of the altars inside the compound is the Clocha Breacha commonly known as the Cursing or Speckled Stones. The power of the stones was said to have been invoked at the Clocha Breacha by the islanders in the early 1800’s against some men connected with the coast guard who had aroused the wrath of the Inishmurray people. The men in question ‘all perished at sea a short time after’. In more recent times it was used by a woman from the mainland who travelled to the island to invoke the dark powers against Hitler. Proof indeed of the efficacy of the stones!

The moss covered stones of Cashel keep their counsel now, but we know that long ago they resounded, not always to the caress of prayer and hymns of praise but, on occasion, to the screams of dying men martyred by marauding Danes:
‘Wasting fire and dying groan,
And priests slain on the altar stone.’

at http://www.sligoheritage.com/archInish.htm

[SonicRed]

I found this site in the subject of Clocha Breacha (Cursing Stones)
http://www.voicesfromthedawn.com/?p=1025
It offered a bit more information as well as cited several interesting sources.
According to these sources it is more than possible that the Clocha Breacha predated Christianity and as a significant aspect of the practices and beliefs of the autochthonous populations in such places were 'Christianized' with the arrival of the Church. This they suggest, might explain both the markings on the stone (The supposed Cross) as well as the heart-shaped stones resting near St Brigid's Altar.
It is interesting to discover the differing manners in which they suggest Clocha Breacha were employed; was each method utilized due to differing curses, cursers, cursees, or sites? Or is it simply that accurate translation has been lost with time?

[Michael C. Page]

Thank you for all the links folks.