This is more of an announcement than an article. I'm excited about my new site which contains images I've made from various interests of mine. This month is an extension of the last as the new site has not only the images of Sheila na Gigs from France, but those from Ireland. On the site are also images of items found in a Masonic Lodge, images from Rosslyn Chapel, and images of grafitti by the Knights Templar in Domme, France.
I have worked extremely hard gathering these images; especially the Irish Sheila na Gigs, e.g. I have been chased by bulls and been electrocuted around the genital area when carelessly putting a leg over the cattle fences leading to briar covered, wet, grounds filled with cow pies and nettles in order to discover a remote ruin alleged to have a vulgar female adorning it. I have patiently listened to people I've stopped on the road for directions who had absolutely no idea but still wanted to give the impression they had - or just wanted to bend my ear for several minutes. I'm obsessed and I love it. I never want to find all the Sheilas out there; what a horrible anti-climax. The thrill after a long search and finally finding her is addictive. Sometimes I'm looking right at her without knowing it because she blends in so well with the surrounding stone. That's why I have isolated many by cutting them out in PhotoShop.
Okay, you can google 'Sheela na Gig' and get all kinds of theory; but, I suppose I should stick my neck out by giving my own take on why she existed. She could be a symbol of the power of the female and how she receives from and gives to the world. Perhaps churches incorporated her as a message to procreate; OR, it was the Church's way of saying 'here is temptation - avoid it!'. Also, tradition held that a woman's sex would keep the Devil away. With all the information we have been force fed about Islam recently she would definitely either prevent or provoke a Muslim attack. Anyway, she's Norman; she's Celtic, she's often grouped geographically, and she's usually 12th century. Feel free to e-mail me any comments.
Please either click on this site's newest button with the Templar Cross in red and gold to the right or go here: Eurarcanus