Posted on 02/18/2019 7:51:16 AM PST by ETL
The oldest cave art in England was created during the last Ice Age, when our ancient ancestors drew images of birds, mammals and other creatures to describe the world around them.
Now, newly discovered images tell an entirely different story – witches' marks.
Located in Creswell Crags, a limestone gorge that sits between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, the carvings were discovered by a pair of "enthusiasts" during a cave tour and were found in "plain sight," John Charlesworth, Heritage Facilitator and the tour leader at the time of the discovery, said in a statement.
In 2016, Historic England, a government-sponsored organization that aims to preserve the country’s historic buildings and monuments, asked members of the public hunt for so-called “witches’ marks” that were carved into old buildings to protect against witchcraft.
Witches' marks are commonly found in historic churches and houses, the statement added, noting they are "scribed to protect the inhabitants from evil spirits."
Apotropaic marks, which aim to ward off evil, have been found in medieval houses dating from about 1550 to 1750.
They have, for example, been recorded at Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, as well as in medieval barns, where they were etched into the ancient timber to protect crops.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
And here I am, a fool, for thinking all this time that Witch’s Mark was a brand of really potent Scotch Whiskey.
It reads, “Here I sit, broken-hearted...”
_________________________________________________________
The Cave of Caerbannog is the home of the Legendary Black Beast of Arrrghhh (named for the last utterance of anyone who ever saw it).
It is guarded by a monster which is initially unknown.
King Arthur and his knights are led to the cave by Tim the Enchanter and find that they must face this guardian beast.
Tim verbally paints a picture of a terrible monster with "nasty, big, pointy teeth!", so terrifying that Sir Robin soils his armour at the mere description.
When the guardian appears to be an innocuous white rabbit, surrounded by the bones of the fallen, Arthur and his knights no longer take it seriously.
Ignoring Tim's warnings ("a vicious streak a mile wide!"), King Arthur orders Bors to chop the rabbit's head off.
Bors confidently approaches it, sword drawn, and is immediately decapitated by the rabbit biting clean through his neck, to the sound of a can opener.
Despite their initial shock, Sir Robin soiling his armor again, and Tim's loud scoffing, the knights attack in force.
But the rabbit injures several of the knights and kills Gawain and Ector with ease.
The knights themselves have no hope of killing or injuring the rabbit.
Arthur panics and shouts for the knights to "Run away!".
Knowing they cannot risk attacking again, they try to find another way to defeat the beast. The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch is ultimately used to kill the rabbit and allow the quest to proceed.
They look like runes.
I’d be careful.
That place looks like it may have an attack bunny inside it.
Why go to all that trouble?
Just ask Nancy
They sure do... Why is it the first “go to” is always ignorant pagan religious superstition?
Witches’ marks? Hogwash. It clearly says “Drink your Ovaltine.”
It clearly says “Kilroy was here”.
Oh it just was Hillary carving her name in the bar counter again.
Thanks ETL.
The Creswell Crags keyword -- c'mon, you know we had one:
Moon runes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Witch_(band)
I deciphered it.
The guy furthest right looks like one of the members of Head East, or maybe Keith Emerson. It is neither I think.
White Witch Its So Nice To Be Stoned
LOL
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