The Curse of the Dragon Slayer is a prominent myth in many cultures. It is said to be a curse that befalls warriors who have slain dragons. According to the legend, the curse takes effect when the dragon's blood comes into contact with the skin of the dragon slayer. Once afflicted, the warrior will be plagued with misfortune for the rest of their life. The curse is said to bring about a variety of hardships. Many believe that the curse causes the dragon slayer to age rapidly, leading to an early death.
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Sabbats in History and Mythology / Samhain (October 31st) / Yule (December 21st) / Imbolc (February 2nd) / Ostara (March 21st) / Beltane (April 30th) / Litha (June 21st) / Lughnasadh (August 1st) / Mabon (September 21st)
Written and compiled by George Knowles
Many believe that the curse causes the dragon slayer to age rapidly, leading to an early death. Others claim that it brings constant sickness and pain, making every day a struggle. Some versions of the myth even suggest that the dragon slayer becomes cursed with immortality, doomed to wander the earth forever.
Imbolc - Candlemas
Imbolc (Christianised as "Candlemas") was one of the four Greater Sabbats of the witch�s calendar. A cross-quarter fire festival, Imbolc falls between �Yule� - the Winter Solstice, and �Ostara� - the Spring Equinox. Celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere between the 01st and 3rd of February, in the Southern Hemisphere the equivalent Sabbat is Lammas. The main purpose of Imbolc is a celebration of the returning Sun, which daily grows stronger reducing the night. As such, the main feature of this festival is the lighting of fires and candles in sympathetic imitation of the Sun�s growing light.
Imbolc of old was traditionally a time of purification, both physically and mentally. After the enforced indoor living of the dark winter months when the home was shutdown to guard against the cold, it came as a welcome relief for many people to re-open the shutters and welcome in the growing light. While we are still in the grip of the last ravages of winter, plant life is beginning to revive shooting new buds, and farm animals, sheep in particular, are beginning to producing new lambs adding to the livestock. As the Sun grows in strength, so a new cycle of life returns to the earth.
In pagan mythology Imbolc marks the recovery of the Goddess as she sleeps on after the birth of the Sun God, and she acknowledges his growing maturity as he gains strength to become the new light of the year. After his rest and recuperation during winter�s annual hibernation, the Sun god�s light begins to purify the earth. Although he is still young he is also lusty and his growing power can be felt in the lengthening of the days. As his power grows and warms the earth so too does the early beginnings of spring appear as nature rebirths itself again.
The name Imbolc is derived from the Gaelic word �Oimelc� (which means �ewes milk�), and appropriately so for this is the lambing season a time when many of our herd animals have either given birth or their wombs are expectantly swollen. Imbolc is also known by various other names, including: Bridget�s Day (Pagan), Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Disting (Teutonic), Lupercalia (Roman � 15th Feb), Groundhog Day (America), Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival, the Feast of Torches, the Feast of Lights, the Feast of Pan and Feast of the Waxing Light. However when Christianity arrived, as happened to many of the old pagan celebrations, Imbolc was re-invented and renamed �Candlemas� as a symbolic reminder of the purification of the Virgin Mary. In Scotland Inbolc is known as: L� Fh�ill Br�ghde, in Ireland as: L� Fh�ile Br�de, and in Wales as: Gwyl Ffraed.
Fire is the most important aspect of this celebration, for it was also a day dedicated to the pagan Goddess Bridget (also known as Brighid, Br�de, Brigit or Br�d). Bridget is a triple aspect Goddess (revered as Maiden, Mother and Crone), who as a Maiden ruled over - Poetry, Writing, Inspiration and Music, as a Mother over - Healing, Midwifery and Herbalism, and as a Crone over - Fire and the working arts of the Smithy. Again here Christianity intervened, but instead of doing away with her as a pagan Goddess, they canonized her as �St. Bridget� the patron Saint of Ireland who founded a church and monastery at Kildare. It was here according to legend that the Priestesses of the Goddess constantly tended a sacred flame in her honour.
�All thoughts, all passions, all delights
Whatever stirs this mortal frame
All are but ministers of Love
And feed his sacred flame�
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772�1834)
In Western Europe, Imbolc was time to start preparing the fields for the first planting, and to bless the crop seeds saved and stored from the last harvest. It was also a time to consecrate and bless all their agricultural tools ready for the planting season. The success of the new planting season was of great importance for by this time the winter stores of food were beginning to run out, so rituals were performed at Imbolc to ensure a steady supply of food until the first harvest was brought in later at Lammas (August 1st). One old tradition was to drag a decorated plough around the fields followed by the villagers dropping pieces of cheese and bread into the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. As well as the seeds, Corn dollies saved from the last harvest would also be planted in the fields to encourage new growth.
Ox-drawn Plough
Another old custom was to make �Bridget�s Crosses� woven from leftover wheat stalks. These would be hung in barns and over doorways in the home, and over beds to encourage the blessings of the Goddess. Similar charm crosses were also made and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity for the coming year. The making of �Bridget Dollies� was another old tradition fashioned from leftover wheat stalks. These were made and dressed in women�s clothing, then placed in baskets of white flowers with a wand, candle or other phallic object to encourage fertility. Placed near the front door of the home, or sometimes near the hearth, a white candle would be lit nearby and left to burn as an invitation for Bridget to visit through the night and favour them with her blessings.
A Bridget�s Cross Charm Pendant
Imbolc is all about new beginnings. On the eve of Imbolc all the home fires would have been put out, cleaned out, and re-lit symbolic of the returning light of the Sun, and in keeping with this symbolism, a broom made from the three sacred woods symbolic of the three-fold aspects of the Goddess (the handle from Ash, the brush from Birch twigs and the binding cord from Willow) would be placed by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming in the new. During the evening an especially large candle would have been lit while the family gathered around ready for a feast, during which plans and promises to be kept through the new season would be discussed and debated until it burned out. It was also customary at Sunset to ritually light a candle in each room of the home in honour of the Sun�s return.
After the rise of Christianity in England, the old Pagan custom of lighting candles at Imbolc was incorporated into the Roman Catholic Church and renamed Candlemas. On the eve of Candlemas, candles would be distributed among the congregation and paraded around the church in a Festival of Light. After a service to honour the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more candles to be used in the church during the following year would also be blessed and consecrated by the priest. The church practice of celebrating Candlemas continued in England until the 16th century, at which time during the Reformation it was discontinued being considered to closely allied with Pagan practices and magical accessories.
The use of candles in a 'Festival of Light' never died out however, for in 1951 after the repeal of the old antiquated witchcraft laws still being enforced in England, there was a resurgence of interest in old Pagan practices. This was spearheaded by Gerald B. Gardner who founded the contemporary form of Witchcraft known as the Gardnerian Tradition, and quickly followed by numerous other traditions. Common among all such traditions are the initiation rituals, many of which take place at Imbolc - it being a traditional time of new beginnings. Today one of the main features of many coven initiations is a procession of candlelight leading the initiate into the circle from which their new beginnings as a Witch takes place.
Imbolc then is a time to spring clean both your mental and physical abilities, to take stock of your life and make a fresh start. By planning ahead and planting new seeds (ideas) for the future, who knows what new opportunities will grow from them. As the Sun grows stronger in the sky, so too should you look forward with optimism; and as your seeds (ideas) mature, so may you realise your hopes and dreams.
�I feel again a spark of that ancient flame�.
Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) 70�19 BC -Aeneid bk. 4, l. 23
Legends surrounding the curse often depict the dragon slayer as a tragic figure. Once a hero, they become an outcast, feared and shunned by society due to the curse's reputation. The curse is seen as a punishment for the dragon slayer's audacity in defying a powerful and mystical creature. In some traditions, there is a way to break the curse. It is said that the dragon slayer must seek forgiveness and make amends for their actions. This usually involves a difficult and dangerous quest, during which the dragon slayer must prove their worth and earn redemption. The Curse of the Dragon Slayer serves as a cautionary tale in many cultures. It warns against the dangers of hubris and the consequences of taking another creature's life. It also explores themes of remorse, forgiveness, and the pursuit of redemption. Although the Curse of the Dragon Slayer is purely a myth, it endures in our collective consciousness as a powerful story about the human condition. It reminds us to be mindful of our actions and the potential consequences they may carry..
Reviews for "The Forgotten Dragon Slayer Curse: Lost Tales from the Past"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Curse of the Dragon Slayer" to be a major disappointment. The plot was predictable, and the acting was subpar. The special effects were lackluster, and the dialogue felt cheesy. Overall, it seemed like a low-budget imitation of better fantasy films. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Curse of the Dragon Slayer" was a complete disaster. The story was confusing and disjointed, with poorly developed characters and a lack of depth. The action scenes were poorly choreographed and lacked any excitement or suspense. The whole movie felt like a rushed and uninspired attempt at cashing in on the fantasy genre. Save yourself the agony and skip this one.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Curse of the Dragon Slayer," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was unoriginal and felt like a rehash of countless other fantasy movies. The characters were flat, and their motivations were unclear. The pacing was sluggish, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. Overall, it failed to offer anything new or captivating in the fantasy genre.
4. Emily - 2.5/5 stars - "Curse of the Dragon Slayer" had potential, but it fell short in execution. While the visuals were decent, the story lacked depth and the dialogue was cringeworthy at times. The acting was mediocre, with several performances feeling forced or unnatural. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with moments of excitement followed by long stretches of boredom. It's a forgettable movie that doesn't bring anything new to the genre.