Monday, May 27, 2013

Morphing of Words

Of course we all know that words change their meaning over time. One of those that always amuses Gavin is virgin. In the (Welsh) Laws of Hywel Dda given in the White House on the River Taff, it is decreed that a nobleman may marry only a virgin with two healthy children. Obviously virgin didn't mean intact, as it has come to mean currently in the United States.
A simple little word such as nice might confuse you when it is applied to an adolescent, for it means exact, as in a nice distinction ... that is, if any distinction can be exact.
When it comes to other words such as hag (see Yvonne's thoughts below on hq/crone) the Christians have had a field day. Crone also falls into the same category, although of course Chronos is the elder god, the god preceding all others.
Yvonne muses:
Only Mecca itself surpasses Hagia Sophia in the reverence it receives from worshippers and tourists. Sophia means wisdom, but what does hagia mean? Hagia means holy! A word from ancient Egypt gives the clue: hq or hk is a holy woman.
Because of assorted malevolent propaganda masters working through the centuries, hk/hq has morphed into hag. Likewise with crone: one crowned (cf corona) with wisdom and maturity, meriting our deep respect.
My thinking is prompted by reflection on hk/hq and on crone. If I'm perceiving everything wrong, please give me information (specific information with sources, not just vituperation) that will set me straight.

25 comments:

Jevaud said...

In Modern Arabic the work Haq means 'truth', giving that Arabic is a sister of Hebrew and the ancient Hebrews spent a lot of time in Egypt as captives, it would seem that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as far as etymology goes. Perhaps Arabic's modern version is an aspect of that which is Holy, as what is Holy is often seen as Truth.

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stefan duncan said...

Trying to contact Yvonne and Gavin who initiated me. I am Stefan Duncan, was a reporter for the WASHINGTON Daily News. Inducted during Atlantic Beach Gathering mid 1990's and received a doctorate degree. I wanted to say hello, touch base with you. My degree was misplaced and wanted to know if I could pay for a replacement? I'm writing fantasy novels and making a living as an artist. Http://www.stefanduncan.com . Are you still offering doctorate program's? Do you have an active group like in New Bern?

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Unknown said...

I started to study Wicca around 1997. Information was so scarce and there were very few books on the subject. over the years I drifted away and would always return and would marvel at the changes in the community and the amount of 'information' Now, as I'm in my 40's and ready to settle down and dedicate myself...I marvel at the immense amount of...crap available. so I'm curious about what books you would recommend to someone who wants to know more. I'm a history fanatic and want very much to understand the religion from that perspective...and not from a $12 book mass produced by Ravenwolf.

Unknown said...

I started to study Wicca around 1997. Information was so scarce and there were very few books on the subject. over the years I drifted away and would always return and would marvel at the changes in the community and the amount of 'information' Now, as I'm in my 40's and ready to settle down and dedicate myself...I marvel at the immense amount of...crap available. so I'm curious about what books you would recommend to someone who wants to know more. I'm a history fanatic and want very much to understand the religion from that perspective...and not from a $12 book mass produced by Ravenwolf.