Posted on 03/02/2005 6:59:10 PM PST by nickcarraway
IT IS an ancient curse brought up to date, and residents in the northern British city of Carlisle claim it has brought them disasters from disease to the relegation of the local soccer team.
Since the installation of the sculpted granite "Cursing Stone" inscribed with a 16th century curse in one of Carlisle's museums in 2001 misfortune has plagued the city. Livestock herds around the city on the border with Scotland were wiped out by foot-and-mouth disease, there has been a devastating flood, factories have closed, a boy was murdered in a local bakery and Carlisle United soccer team dropped a league.
Local councillor Jim Tootle insists the stone, designed by artist Andy Altman who arranged the inscription of the 1069 word-long curse against robbers, blackmailers and highwaymen who plagued the area 500 years ago, be destroyed or removed.
But Mr Altman bridled at the demand.
"It is just illustrating a historical past," he told Reuters.
"Bad things are always going to happen, aren't they?"
It is not THAT easy to remove the hex; mechanical destruction of the suspected source object normally does not work; burning (and scattering the ashes in the wind or over the running water) could, but stones do not burn. The stone could lose its powers, though, if sunk in running water (any brook or river would do).
The fountains are normally set inside a pool (pools count as a bodies of stagnant water, together with lakes, bogs and marshes), that's why it wouldn't work. Is there some brook nearby?
Would that work on my mother-in-law?
If she's anything like mine, no it wouldn't work. Trolls require different enchantments entirely.
ROFL
Any chance of getting the text? I need to...uhh...share it with some people. (Evil grin!)
Text of the Curse on the Border Reivers: link
Most American "rednecks" are descended, at least in part, from the Border Reivers of Scotland, and this yet-unbroken curse plagues us still. There are Christian groups in Britain trying to get it reversed to this very day.
It ought to, according to the book ("Malleus Maleficarum", English translation ca. 1926).
Could it be the proximity to Scotland?
Maintain an element of surprise with such a potion? you're kidding, right?
It stands to reason that it would not be easy.
"Trolls require different enchantments entirely."
Ancient Chinese sources recommend using a semi-liquid concoction of manure and garlic, which concoction was to be suddenly splashed on a warlock - it was claimed that if the element of surprise is maintained, the warlock loses his powers. You may wish to try it..."
A dagger or sword made with your own hands and with a wodden handle after being suitably blessed may be used to good effect. providing, of course, you have the will to use it.
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