Full Version: Being Pagan
While reading Being Pagan by Ellen Evert Hopman & Lawrence Bond, I was introduced to the concept of the sacred prostitute. Is this strictly a female path or open to men as well?
Haven't read it hon, care to elaborate?
I can't help but be curious as to why you ask.
Sorry no specific info on it.
Sorry no specific info on it.
I don't know quite why I'm responding, but heigh ho... 
Be warned, you might not like it - the prized quality of the sacred prostitute was to act as a receptacle. Male as well as female prostitutes were seen as metaphorical fertile ground...
Devadasi (Dev = God, dasi = worship) are the brides of the God in the Hindu religion. Although it was more common for young girls to be given as devadasi, boys were, and still are, also offered to the Brahmin (priests). The Eunuch class, particularly in the ancient Mediterranean, are maintained by many historians to have offered themselves as sacred prostitutes to Priests and male worshippers following their castration. Since they retained their youthful good looks for longer, they also retained a certain femininity and, as we know from the example of ancient Greece, homosexual sex was not necessarily considered taboo.
In Revelations, there is a reference to Dogs, sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood not being allowed into the holy city. What it leaves out is that, at the time, male sacred prostitutes were commonly referred to as dogs... Deuteronomy makes reference to 'teovah' (male sacred prostitutes) - during Caananite worship rituals, men would dress as women and take the role of the receptacle as described above.
That enough to be going on with? Or have I put you off that particular career path...?
Be warned, you might not like it - the prized quality of the sacred prostitute was to act as a receptacle. Male as well as female prostitutes were seen as metaphorical fertile ground...Devadasi (Dev = God, dasi = worship) are the brides of the God in the Hindu religion. Although it was more common for young girls to be given as devadasi, boys were, and still are, also offered to the Brahmin (priests). The Eunuch class, particularly in the ancient Mediterranean, are maintained by many historians to have offered themselves as sacred prostitutes to Priests and male worshippers following their castration. Since they retained their youthful good looks for longer, they also retained a certain femininity and, as we know from the example of ancient Greece, homosexual sex was not necessarily considered taboo.
In Revelations, there is a reference to Dogs, sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood not being allowed into the holy city. What it leaves out is that, at the time, male sacred prostitutes were commonly referred to as dogs... Deuteronomy makes reference to 'teovah' (male sacred prostitutes) - during Caananite worship rituals, men would dress as women and take the role of the receptacle as described above.
That enough to be going on with? Or have I put you off that particular career path...?
I knew you were good but.....
How do you always manage to be so specific on the spur of the moment ?
Have you got an encyclopoedic memory or just some good favourite sites ?
How do you always manage to be so specific on the spur of the moment ?
Have you got an encyclopoedic memory or just some good favourite sites ?
she's good, you gotta give her that much 
Excellent Oxon, Wikkid hon - for my sake - no castration! 
Combination of excellent memory for 'useless' information and excellent research skills - if I know my starting point and have a fairly good idea of what I want to quote I can generally find it in a few seconds...
So a combination of both, Dave
So a combination of both, Dave
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