Chapter XXXIII: (pp. 498-524)

Serpent-worship is perhaps the most significant form of _Sabaism_, involving, as it does, the expression of its source. For in the sacred language of _Iran_, whereof Irish is the leading type, the word _Sabh_ (the root of _Sabaism_) has three distinct, yet connected, meanings--(1) _Voluptuousness_, or the _Yoni_; (2) a _Snake_, or sinuosity; (3) _Death_. Through all these runs the central idea of sexual relation, which, as the most elementary part of social life, has been symbolised all over the world in connection with religion. The scriptural reproach, “generation of vipers,” is probably equivalent to _offspring of concupiscence_, as will appear from the indignant repudiation of those to whom it was addressed--“We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.” The part which the serpent plays in Brahminism is well known. In Mexico a widespread faith called Nagualism had the _Culebra_, or snake, for one of its principal deities; whilst the _Gadelglas_ of the ancient Irish (Gadelians) meant simply the _green snake-god_, from which latter, and not from the verdure of its soil, Ireland may have obtained the designation of the _Emerald_ Isle. In fact, Sabaism, Ophiolatry, and Gadelianism were one and the same; and, while purporting to be the worship of the serpent, or of the stars (_vide_ p. 505), were in reality the worship of _Sabh_ or _Yoni_, the representative of female nature. It was, however, masculinity (_Budh_) that was typified in the phallic form of those round towers, which the author now proceeds to describe with more minuteness of detail than heretofore. Incidentally, he disposes of the argument in favour of the Christian origin of these towers, which is based upon the assumption that remains of Christian churches are invariably found in their vicinity, by adducing an instance to the contrary (at Giant’s Ring, County Down).[29]

W. H. C.

DEDICATION OF THE FIRST EDITION

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