strathspey@strathspey.org:28044

Fiona

Re: Lead up - which hand?

Nov. 5, 2001, 2:19 p.m. (Message 28044, in reply to message 28041)

Since we are just past Samhain, (or Hallowe'en as the Christianised version
became known),  those interested in the mysterious origins of the spirit of
traditional dance might remember that it would be tempting evil fate to
offer the sinister hand before the right hand had been given; and contrary
to the natural way of the world to move widdershins round in the celtic
circle before travelling sunwise and thereby asserting the precedence of the
forces of Right.

Dance as an artistic form of the expression of religious belief appears to
be a common characteristic of many human societies, and I hope that even
today what we are trying to do is to use technique to bring the spirit of
the dance alive in a set rather than calcify it.


Fiona