The pagan religion had several female idols that were worshipped and revered by its followers. These female idols held significant importance in various aspects of life, ranging from fertility and motherhood to wisdom and warfare. One of the most prominent female idols in pagan religion was Isis, the Egyptian goddess of fertility and magic. She was often depicted as a woman with a headdress in the shape of a throne, symbolizing her role as the queen of all gods. Isis was considered the divine mother and protector of all living creatures, and her worship was widespread throughout the ancient world. Another notable female idol in pagan religion was Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
A woman of power, Tia Dalma resided deep within the bayou swamps of Cuba, in a sprawling wooden shack perched in a treetop by the mouth of the Pantano River. Some believed that judging Tia Dalma by her humble home was a mistake, as she had uncanny powers to foretell the future, to summon up demons, and to look deep into men's souls. She's also able to see into people's heart and mind, know of their destiny, as well as call upon the elements to do her bidding, though her intentions were not always clear. Tia Dalma had devoted her powers to help anyone who needed it. So it was to this mysterious and beautiful mystic that Captain Jack Sparrow occasionally turned to for help, who once provided the infamous pirate with his unique compass. Angelica also had dealings with Tia Dalma, having traded a ring in order to learn the Profane Ritual.
Jones showed them how to bind her to human form using Pieces of Eight; and thus the Brethren captured the Sea Goddess, and bound her in her bones, imprisoning her into the body of a mortal woman. Although Tia seemed pleased to see Jack upon his arrival at her shack, she appeared more interested in Jack s companion, Will Turner, whose boyish good looks instantly charmed Tia.
Another notable female idol in pagan religion was Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She was known for her association with the sensual and romantic aspects of life, and her worship was especially prevalent among the Vikings. Freya was also believed to possess the power of foreknowledge and was revered as a wise and influential deity.
witch doctor
1718 , Francis Hutchinson, “The Tryal before My Lord Chief Baron Hale”, in An Historical Essay Concerning Witchcraft. [ … ] , London: Printed for R. Knaplock, [ … ] , and D. Midwinter, [ … ] , →OCLC, page 110 :
[T]he ſaid Dorothy Durent, having been with a Witch-Doctor, acknowledges upon Oath, that by his Advice, ſhe hang'd up her Child's Blanket in the Chimney, found a Toad in it at Night, had put it into the Fire, and held it there tho' it made a great and horrible Noiſe, and flaſht like Gunpowder, and went off like a Piſtol, and then became inviſible, and that by this the Priſoner was ſcorch'd and burn'd lamentably.
1820 , J[ohn] C. Knowlson, “The Felon”, in The Complete Cow-leech, or Cattle-Doctor; [ … ] , Otley, Yorkshire: Printed for the author by T. F. Bristow, [ … ] , →OCLC, page 104 :
Some people are so foolish as to go to a witch-doctor when they have Cows in this complaint [prematurely parting with their unborn calves]:—they give him some money, and he tells them some frivolous tale, such as that some person that wishes them bad luck, or looks upon them with an evil eye, [. ]
1893 , South African Law Journal , volume 10 , Cape Town: Juta & Co., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 219 :At that consultation, according to the habit of a witch-doctor, he divined and announced the occasion of their attendance, and indicated the complainant, Mdungazwe, as the wizard who had caused Ranise to suffer.
1958 April 1, David Seville [pseudonym; Ross Bagdasarian Sr.] (lyrics and music), “Witch Doctor”, in The Alvin Show :
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you / And then the witch doctor he told me what to do1971 , W. G. Jilek, “From Crazy Witch Doctor to Auxiliary Psychotherapist: The Changing Image of the Medicine Man”, in Psychiatria Clinica , volume 4, number 4, Basel, New York, N.Y.: S[amuel] Karger, →OCLC, abstract, page 200 :
Review of the literature cited in the bibliography of the present paper left this author with the impression that there is indeed a very widespread institution variously labelled by Western observers with epithets such as medicine-man, shaman, witch-doctor, native healer, or with indigenous terms such as angakok (Eskimo), or mganga (Swahili).
1982 , Sudhir Kakar, “Other Shamans”, in Shamans, Mystics and Doctors: A Psychological Inquiry into India and Its Healing Traditions , New York, N.Y.: Knopf, →ISBN; republished New York, N.Y.: Knopf, 2013 , →ISBN:
In much of popular Western literature, the non-Western professional who attends to the relief of distress and alleviation of anxiety in his society is known by many names, none of them exactly respectful. He is a medicine man or a witch doctor, native healer or voodoo sorcerer—the "quack," so to speak, never the "doctor."
1993 , Hama Tuma, The Case of the Socialist Witchdoctor and Other Stories (African Writers Series), Oxford, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann, →ISBN, page 36 :
The man being led into the Cage did not strike me as a witchdoctor. Slim and tall, he was a middle-aged man with a fuzzy Afro which made him look even younger.
Alternative forms [ edit ]
- witch-doctor , witchdoctor
Hypernyms [ edit ]
Hyponyms [ edit ]
- curandero ( Central America )
- dukun ( Malay )
- mganga ( Africa )
- ngaka ( Sotho )
- obeah ( Africa , Caribbean )
- sadet ( Jarai (Vietnam) )
- sangoma ( South Africa )
Don't look for a Witch Doctor in the familiar meadows of Arcadia — you will instead find him in an exotic jungle near a tribe of Hollywood Natives. There he will practice spooky Hollywood Voodoo, eager to add yours to his grim collection of Shrunken Heads. In stories (especially older ones) where The Missionary or Gentleman Adventurer is the hero, this figure neatly fits the villain role: a sinister pagan Evil Sorcerer who intends to stop the Mighty Whitey and wants to keep the poor natives trapped in ignorance and superstition. This type of portrayal is mostly a Dead Horse Trope.
In addition to Isis and Freya, there were various other female idols in the pagan religion, each representing different aspects of femininity and spirituality. These idols were worshipped and sought after for their guidance, blessings, and protection. For many pagans, the female idols provided a source of strength, inspiration, and connection to the divine feminine energy. Today, while the pagan religion may not be as widely practiced as it once was, some individuals still venerate and honor these powerful female idols as symbols of empowerment and spirituality..
Reviews for "Beyond Gender: The Influence of Female Idols in Pagan Worship"
- John Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Female idols of the pagan religion". The book felt very biased and one-sided, constantly trying to degrade the pagan religion and its female idols. I was hoping for a more objective and informative read, but this just seemed like an attack on a belief system. It lacked in-depth analysis and failed to mention the positive aspects of the pagan religion. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a fair and balanced perspective.
- Emily Johnson - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. It portrayed the female idols of the pagan religion in a demeaning and disrespectful way. As someone who practices paganism, I was appalled by the author's lack of understanding and empathy. The book was filled with generalizations and stereotypes, completely disregarding the rich history and significance of these idols. It felt like a cheap attempt to sensationalize and criticize a religion that the author clearly doesn't even try to understand. I strongly advise against reading this book if you're looking for accurate and respectful information.
- Sarah Thompson - 3 stars - While "Female idols of the pagan religion" had some interesting points and historical information, I found it to be too critical and negative towards the subject matter. The author seemed to have a biased view against pagan beliefs, and it overshadowed the potential for an insightful exploration of female idols. I appreciate the effort put into research, but the constant negativity made it difficult to fully engage with the book. I would recommend approaching this book with caution and seeking additional sources for a more well-rounded understanding.