Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #55

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

55.) Labrys
-noun singular

a.) A double-edged axe.*

[Origin: From the Lydian (or Carian) word labrys, the name for the Greek πέλεκυς, or double-edged axe.]

*The people of ancient Crete held the labrys in high standing. A most amazing discovery on the island was the palace of Knossos along with its 35,000 square foot maze of rooms and hallways linked to the myth of the minotaur. This maze was prolifically decorated with a double-axe motif, especially the principal reception room, and the term labrys has given rise to the word labyrinth.
The great matriarchal Minoan society worshiped a bare-breasted Goddess who is believed to have been a protector of women. This goddess (known as potnia theron or “mistress of the animals”) is often shown holding snakes in her hands (a symbol of both fertility and agriculture), and is surrounded by female worshipers with double-edged axes which were used for tilling soil. The labrys is also said to be the weapon of choice of the mysterious Amazon women. Its image has been resurrected as a female symbol by a number of lesbian and feminist organizations.

Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #54

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

54.) Ramiferous
-adjective

a.) Bearing branches.*

[Origin: [From the Latin ramus, meaning "branch" and ferous, meaning "bearing."]

*The magic and taboo that surrounds sacred boughs and branches is manifold and longstanding. The joyful giving of a branch of May and the festive hanging of the mistletoe are contemporary vestiges of quite ancient Goddess worship. Beware those bearing splendid branches, for they are most likely not of this world, and thus have the means to bewitch one and to open portals from this world to theirs. Beautiful evidence of this can be found in both Cormac’s Adventure in the Land of Promise and The Voyage of Bran. Says a strange woman to Bran after he has taken up such a branch:

“a branch of the apple-tree from Emain
I bring, like those one knows;
Twigs of white silver are on it,
Crystal brows with blossoms.
There is a distant isle,
Around which sea-horses glisten:
A fair course against the white-swelling surge,
Four feet uphold it.”

Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #53

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

53.) Embrocate
-transitive verb

a.) To apply lotion to. To lubricate.

b.) To moisten and rub a part of the body with a liniment or lotion.*

[Origin: From the Latin embrocha, or "lotion" which yielded the verb embrocare, and from the Greek embrekhein, or "to foment" from en meaning "in" and brekhein, meaning "to wet."]

*For which part of the body and for what purpose I shall leave up to the imagination of all those inclined to speculate.

Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #52

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

52.) Hircine
-adjective

a.) Of or characteristic of a goat, especially in strong odor.

b.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling a goat. Goat-like.

c.) Lustful or libidinous.*

[Origin: From the Middle English hircyne, originally from the Latin hircnus or hircus, meaning "goat."]

*If goats have always been considered horny, just imagine how ridiculously hircine the celebrated antics of those goat and human hybrids of old, the satyrs, must have been. Whether engaged in wild orgies or lusty revels, these are creatures to whom members of the tribe no doubt wholly and salaciously relate.

Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #51

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

51.) Thurifer
-noun singular

a.) An acolyte or server who carries a thurible.

b.) The altar boy who carries the censer in a liturgical service.*

[Origin: From a combination of the Latin thus meaning "frankincense" (an alteration of the Greek thyos, meaning "incense") and ferre "to bear." ]

*The thurifer’s duties include holding the thurible while the priest is blessing the incense inside it and carrying the thurible in procession (gently swinging if needed to keep the charcoal burning).  The ceremonial role of the thirufer reminds me of the longstanding tradition of pretty cup or arms bearing companion members of the tribe such as Ganymede, and Hylas.