Broken Bones and Ancient Magical Spells

The Indo-Europeans used their cosmogonic beliefs to influence their magic and charms, allowing the to heal those who had injury to their limbs. From the well-known Second Merseburg Charm we follow it back in time, and forward, to understand its origin and influence, and find out why these spells began, a time of the first man.
🌍 Links
Patreon: / crecganford
Twitter: / crecganford
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Instagram: crecganford...
Mythology Database: www.mythologydatabase.com/
🧡 Please respect other's cultures and beliefs. Racism, discrimination or threatening speech will not be tolerated.
📚 References
Adalbert Kuhn, "Indische und germanische Segensspruch," Zeitschrift
für vergleichende Sprachforschung 13
Oskar Ebermann, "Blut - und Wundsegen," Palaestra 24
Bruce Lincoln. Myth, Cosmos, and Society
📑 Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:11 The Proto Indo-European Creation Myth
4:38 Healing Charms
9:19 The Origin of the Merseburg Charm
21:06 Spells, Magic, and Cosmogony

[@jarodmasci3445]

I am a physician and I love your channel. All of these charms appear to be instructions for HOW to set and splint a broken bone. Literal instructions for healers and non-healers, put into poetic/prayer/magic verse to facilitate remembering it. In med school there are still many mnemonic devices to this day that accomplish the same thing.

[@eserkarma4617]

Sounds to me like the knife correspond to surgery, the plants refer to pharmacology, and the spells refer to lifestyle changes. Pretty good summary of major approaches to medicine we still use today.

[@zipperpillow]

In my case, a stone broke my bone, tore my flesh and splattered my blood, and a plant (cotton bandage) was used to wrap the wound. A charm was uttered over the wound (she said solemly: do you have any insurance?) and more plants were brought out by me (linen-paper money) and sacrificed for the benefit of influencing a good outcome. She then asked: "Do you have any cosmogonic beliefs?" and I answered: "Of course I do, I'm an Indo-European". "Good, In that case then" she said with grave ceremony, "we must now press flesh to flesh in a magical ritual, or your swelling will not go down properly." I asked, "Are you trained in casting spells and the medical arts?" She said, "Oh no, this is a home remedy".

[@Sheepdog1314]

haha...I see what you did there

[@zipperpillow]

@@Sheepdog1314 I'm just saying the old myths still live, the actors just wear different clothes.

[@JonnoPlays]

Well said lad. Well said 🥂

[@robinpresleywoodward]

Lol Natural Medicine

[@viciouslady1340]

While visiting Ireland in 2016 I resprained my ankle so our inkeeper suggested visiting Dan O Neil a traditional bone setter . He treats race horses ,dogs and people and its first come first serve by donation. He definitely saved my holiday .

[@francisfischer7620]

Wow! Like to hear more!!

[@user-vi3bw3fl5s]

He passed awsy peacefully on March 13 this year.

[@thomasbrown4791]

It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant our ancient ancestors were.

[@AzureSkyCiel]

Instructions unclear: got ripped apart by my brother and made into a new cosmos.

[@francisfischer7620]

LOL!!

[@JonnoPlays]

Good one

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

Everytime i see a notification that you put out a new video, i smile and know I'm going to watch a really good video. Thanks!

[@Crecganford]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

@@Crecganford You're welcome!

[@aariley2]

I'm old now and I say "ger" all the time. Mainly when I am trying to get up!😂😂😂

[@kathywolf4558]

Fire was probably used as a cauterizing option.

[@ergezinger]

This is exactly what i was thinking

[@Crecganford]

Are there any charms or spells that you would like to know more about, or want to share?

[@Karatop420]

Yeah, the spell chanted by Odin to heal the leg of baldr's horse.

[@spocksdaughter9641]

Snake Stones plz

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

I don't know if this totally fits, but have you ever done a video about skull cults? If not, I would love to see one about that.

[@meisteremm]

A lady that I used to know told me a way to ward off hexes, which was to walk around with 3 bay leaves in your right shoe. And of course, there are probably a lot of Greek folks who could tell stories about getting spat at by Giagiá to ward off the evil eye.

[@jamesgwoodwork]

I was raised very Catholic, and the rite of transubstantiation always seemed like a magic spell (*edited to change ritual to rite*)

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

I love how healing magic links back to the creation of the world

[@crissyhutto8409]

Sounds like comfrey is a likely culprit.

[@timothygervais9036]

Another ausome lesson Jon. On the healing of the bones, reminded me of a book that I read back in the 80's called (Mutant Message down under). The author traveled to Australia and went on a walk about. On her journey one of the group members broke his leg, they performed a healing process/ritual over the person. He was up and walking in days. If you get the chance check it out, I think you will find the book most interesting. Thanks again for sharing another wonderful video. Looking forward to your next video. Have a great weekend.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@tonicastel2390]

The charm about Jesus which ends “flesh to flesh” is interesting in light of Augustine’s De Trinitate (On the Trinity) in which he writes that Jesus, as the Son of God, was incarnated as the Son of Man, a human, in order to save humankind; that Christ was like a medicine applied to a wound or disease, which was humanity’s sin; and that, for the cure to be most effective, the method of salvation had to match or correspond with the disease. Therefore, in order to save humankind (the disease), Christ had to become human (the medicine). Hence “flesh to flesh”.

[@drewn1753]

We got limb-healing incantations before GTA 6

[@john-ic5pz]

it never ceases to amaze me how similar traditional beliefs were across the world. I'm Thailand (from India), mantras that heal broken bones typically also stop bleeding as well. that these two styles of healing are grouped together in both cultures is not a coincidence imo 👍

[@spocksdaughter9641]

I agree that is why I am so attracted to human culture history

[@kittykat6421]

I feel lucky that the algorithm god's showed me the way to Creganford. So soothing too

[@coldone5048]

Just want to say that I ordered, and received, my Crecganford tea mug. The pictures on the website don't do it justice. Also, I LOVE your channel. Amazing content.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you so much! Your support is appreciated!

[@ava.artemis]

So interesting. I’ve heard amazing stories about Australian Aboriginal healing techniques, specifically with regard to broken bones. All peoples who commune with nature hold such wisdom that we’ve lost. ♥️

[@EmL-kg5gn]

Same! One story was from a nurse who says she’s never seen anyone heal a wound heal as fast. All I know about it is that some of the women went into the bush and came back with plants that they applied to the wound (no broken bones but it was pretty big) and it healed in less than half the time we’d expect with western medicine. Their medicinal knowledge is incredible!!!

[@JM-The_Curious]

I've not heard of the ennead before. It's interesting that the old words for things like week or two week that we have and had in English are based on number of nights, not number of days. We still use "fortnight" in British English, and in historical novels I've seen the word "sennight". Fourteen nights and seven nights respectively, though in the modern day we use fortnight to mean "two weeks". So ennead sounds like it is literally "nine nights"? It's interesting how all this backs up what is now being said that it was the nights, not the days, that were focused on in ancient times, and it even shows in how they counted time and named portions of time. But also, regarding the Irish Celtic, the number 9 seems to crop up a lot. Is it a sacred number like 7? What are the origins of these sacred numbers, if that's what they are?

[@MrChristianDT]

Can't say for 100% that it came from culture mixing, but 9 is sacred in Norse religion. With so much shifting in culture through conquest between the Roman Empire & the Dark Ages, it's hard to know what all came from where, but it's a topic I'm enjoying so far.

[@codewordslinkydog]

Sticks and stone may brake my bone I wish that words can heal me😢

[@Sheepdog1314]

I'm a medic. It all makes sense.

[@-Thauma-]

Thank you dear 👍 You are an a amazing teacher ❤

[@Crecganford]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@NosaintPatrick]

This man has helped kindle more magic and understanding than many. He's helped on my journey into a more peaceful yet purposeful existence. Plus I do have a few cups of Moroccan mint as I digest information more and more. A great gratitude goes out to him. Slainté brother

[@Crecganford]

Thank you for your kind words, they are appreciated.

[@gaufrid1956]

Another excellent video Jon. It's obvious that the healing arts go back a very long time.

[@Crecganford]

Thank you, I’m glad you found it interesting.

[@Bjorn_Algiz]

Ah definitely a must watch and delight. 😊 This kind of knowledge and topics are just fascinating! ❤

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@annamaria-ly6hx]

Great work, thank you!!

[@ecopis]

you do a wonderfull work thanks

[@Crecganford]

Thank you.

[@wizworldlive]

Medical magick is such an interesting area! Glad to see coverage of it. May ye find the glory-twigs in thy garden soon...

[@rossdiggle]

The prayer is a simple way of teaching medicine. As a nurse I can see it as how we reset broken limbs. The most important being the marrow to avoid blood poisoning and the splint with the leaves to hold it in place.

[@rafaels.3969]

I am very intrigued of Eirenean Biblical and Gaelic insights. Thank you.

[@ernestschroeder9762]

Another great show.

[@hottentotgulch]

that final ebermann quote its very powerfull indeed. i would also like to think that even early egiptian civilizations or maybe even further back people from neo and paleolitic eras used bones and similar objects as a way or conjure to cure their loved ones. but who knows right? 😅

[@user-vi3bw3fl5s]

I broke my ankle at the top of Loughcrew megalithic site in Meath Ireland. It was February and staryed to snow ehike i was at the summit with only my young daughter and sheep to help me! I crawled down on all fours with the sheep 😅

[@dylc5604]

The second T in Tuatha is silent. Some people even treat the H silent. For similarities in Gaeilge see Dublin's name in Irish; Átha Cliath. Both Ts are silent.

[@SuperRobinjames]

Thanks

[@viciouslady1340]

While visiting Ireland in 2016 i resprained my ankle so I visited a traditional Bone Setter names Dan Smith

[@hugespinner4890]

there is a book available online about healing herbs by Nickolas Culpeper think it dates to the 16th century i have read bits of it but can't recall reading about healing bones. although now I'm curious if any of those herbs were used with incantations in years past

[@jamiegallier2106]

❤❤❤

[@KedgeDragon]

PIE *med // *mend- "take appropriate measures" // "physical defect, fault" To take appropriate measures to correct a physical defect connected? seems along cladistic possiblities

[@rupertthebusdriver8997]

It's amazing, how often these spells/charms are still used in some form or another ,,, bone to bone,,,,,,,, We have all been to a funeral, Ashes to ashes,,, Well how about this for an example of influence Spok , your mind to my mind, 😂 haha or is that just coincidence! 🤪

[@intellectually_lazy]

wow, the root for medical goes all the way back to proto- european, and we know about it? what an amazing world! thank you for that trivial, yet fascinating tidbit

[@burcu7677]

Could you talk about alcemhy too öne day. Nicolas flame ör furcanelli mystery things. Thanks

[@luciabaschirotto429]

Will you make a video about the ouroborus?

[@Crecganford]

I’m not sure I have to much I can say about this iconography, but if there is something then yes, I would try.

[@KedgeDragon]

One way I have commented to those who deride 'witch-doctors' is to say that 'The villagers do not give their chickens to the unsuccessful witchdoctor'. An evidence of this is the vast number of healed broken bones of the previous peoples around the world; One does not see [very often] healed bones of aurochs or dinosaurs.

[@karinschultz5409]

Interesting that you mention Nuada the King of the Tuatha de Danann. My understanding is when Nuada lost his arm at the Battle of Mag Tuired, he lost the kingship as the Tuatha de had a custom that a king had to be whole to rule. He only regained the kingship when Dian Cecht fashioned a silver arm, hence he was named, Nuada Airgetlam. I wonder if this practise were a person's status was affected by losing a body part was widespread in was this just confined to the Irish myths?

[@Crecganford]

Yes, the king and the land is one, and so if the king loses a body part the land will become poorer or sick.

[@karinschultz5409]

Makes sense. But if the land is afflicted, say by drought, then would human sacrifice be seen as a solution?

[@Karatop420]

Omg, definitely playing hamrer hippyer by heilung as background music. Hangadyr Hamingja!!!!

[@barbarathanks5483]

I’d watch more of your videos if I could understand you better. I like to listen before bed, and I have to concentrate too much for my liking.

[@Crecganford]

Alas, my accent and dialect are pretty much non-movable now, and so there is not much I can do to improve this for now.

[@guidosalescalvano9862]

Is medic related to mead (the drink) or to fear (Medo in Portuguese )?

[@Crecganford]

It's not linked to mead, I'm not sure about the Portuguese, it may well be.

[@darren.mcauliffe]

If Ger means Old, does that mean German means Old Man? Like Odin? I realise man is an English word, but is there any connection there?

[@Crecganford]

I do not believe there is any direct etymological connection as it comes from a Latin term.

[@darren.mcauliffe]

@@Crecganford German comes from Latin? Then the Germanic Tribes didn't call themselves that?

[@NC-bm3uy]

Are you related to Kent Survival ?

[@Crecganford]

I've never heard of them, I will check just in case I have a long lost brother.

[@scallopohare9431]

I think any healing is a combination of genuinely mystical event or thinking, deliberate intervention not always understood, and will of the patient.

[@kennethmullen-qe9hg]

And just what do YOU KNOW about baldness...? LmMFaO! (Everything!)

[@kennethmullen-qe9hg]

I took "fire" to mean "controlled burning," which, heals the Earth (though ERADICATES whatever life(ves) call(s) that area home) LmMFaO! ;) :P :o)

[@burcu7677]

Can you answer me please. Why Baldur went to downside. He was good and nice so he should be go to upside to the stars to another Planet something. But not down. İ guess somethings not telling the truth or stories changed after time. What do you think bro??? Sorry for English im wrote from Turkey loves. B.S.

[@Crecganford]

There was no judgement in the time of Baldur, you only went to one place, the Otherworld.

[@BlueSkys23]

Would type of stone have mattered? Like should you avoid softer stones?

[@MrChristianDT]

My first thought was, maybe, a snake stone or other stone from an animal. A lot of old cultures think weird bits of bone, or hard things pulled from confusing places of an animal had some sort of mystical, healing properties.

[@BlueSkys23]

@@MrChristianDT or like would color have been connected? Maybe you’d want white stones or red ones

[@MrChristianDT]

@@BlueSkys23 I have no idea.

[@vigortheone3527]

The song Nesso, by Heilung has a similar spell in it’s lyrics. In that song they speak of a dragon, or worm, If I’m not mistaken. How would that fit within this context?