Post by Fool Coyote on Mar 27, 2008 14:58:39 GMT -5
The Bull
[/i][/u][/center]It probably won't come as much of a suprize for some to learn that the bull is one of my totems, it is my totem of the land. The Bull/cow was so important to the Celts that they had around 100 words which translate to cow or Bull, the bull also had many symbolisms attatched to it. Firstly its association is with wealth. In Pagan Celtic countries the measure of a person's wealth was shown by how many cattle someone would own, as given evidence in the Táin Bó Cúailnge with the pillow talk between Maev and Ailill. This Irish epic is based on a marriage between two people who prided their relationship as being on of equality, but later, when the couple find that Ailill has a bull of which cannot be matched by Queen Maev, the epic battle with Ulster begins.
Cow's milk is also important as it was believed to have healing qualities, for men and women in their sexual potency. The bull was also a strong sexual totem for men, as the cow was for women. The Bull and cow could be seen above the bed chambers as well as on robes, and sheets and the like. The Bull is said to enhance the mental expieriance thus creating a strong sexual mentality.
Also in certain texts there were said to be three Bulls arose from the sea, their colors white, red, and black called Bo-finn, Bo-ruadh, and Bo-dhubh. There are entire collections of lore based on the Crodh Shith (Faery cows) who were believed to live benieth the sea. Like dogs and cats they were often speckled in color or white in color with red ears, and sometimes hornless.
"Black cow, brown cow, crooked horn, Progeny of the red hornless cow,
That never left the fold alone
White headed cow, O white of face"
Now, let's not forget the term "bull headedness". As the Bull certainly represents that little trait as well. More than anything the bull represents unbending strong will. The Bull is an uncomprimizing creature when his mind is made up. It represents stubborn personality traits...Go figure.
Anyway, the Bull had many representations to divination as well, especially since Druids would wrap themselves in Bull hides to have a vision of future kings called Tarb Fes.
Is amlaid dognithe in tarbfes sin .i. tarb find do marbad & óenfer do cathim a satha día eóil & da enbruithi. & cotlud dó fón saith sin. & ór firindi do cantain do cethri druidib fair & atchíthe dó i n-aslingi innas ind fir no fígfaide and asa deilb & asa turascbail & innas ind oprid dognith (LU 3450-3454).
This is how that bull-feast used to be made: to kill a white bull, and for one man to eat his fill of its flesh and its broth, and to sleep after that meal; and for four druids to chant a spell of truth over him. And the form of the man to be made king used to be shown to him in a dream, his shape and his description, and the manner of work that he was doing.
(From Dillon, Myles. "The Wasting Sickness of Cú Chulainn." Scottish Gaelic Studies VII (1953): 47-89. 56).
The bull is is a totem of many flows, it is a complex individual which has many associations which still resonate within our being today. The bull can be hard to know at times, but by putting yourself in his place and "becoming" as the Poet Amergin became one with his three cosmos's one can lean to use this totem in a very powerful way.
Senbecc