Western-Iberian Halloween: Cult of the Severed Heads

[@jennabassil6108]

Such a perfect place to talk about fertility and croucas! Sitting under a tree, next to the lake shore, with a bridge over the waters, and a tiny rowboat framed by mountainous croucas in the sky. This is a reach, maybe, but even the umbrellas could have or be croucas, since they look like witchs’ hats. Well done. When I was little, my mom used to bounce me on her knee and sing, “Mamma’s lilla kråka”… I love your channel, thank you for all you do 🙏🏻

[@angelaarsenault]

Thank you so much for these videos. I recently found out, through DNA results, that I’m a descendant of the people of Aquitaine, who are genetically similar to the Basque people. Since rejecting Christianity, I’ve been trying to learn about the beliefs of my pre-Christian ancestors. Your videos are sent by the gods! Thank you so much!

[@sboloshis1188]

Leaving Christianity is a mistake, please come back to Jesus.

[@angelaarsenault]

@@sboloshis1188 Um, no. You can keep your storm god of death and flies….

[@rebeccamartin2399]

@@angelaarsenault You GO girl!

[@christownsend7552]

Angela Arsenault HEAR HEAR!

[@MagklJellyBeanPastelLucidDream]

@@angelaarsenault alongside hypocrisy, genocide, and jealousy. Elohim is not a deity I want to follow.

[@kwasibediako5980]

17:30 Even in brazilian folklore we have a female creature named Cuca. Second the lore, it's a witch that inhabit the forest and protect it. I'm not really sure about the link between the terms originated from iberian folklore and the brazilian one but, of course, they have the same spelling, pronunciation and the semantic occurrence since both terms talks about the fantastic. Thanks for the content. It will be useful in my classes

[@colinp2238]

Is that from the Portuguese or the indigenous side?

[@victor_silva6142]

Wait. Wasn't the witch some kind of anthropomorphic crocodile with a cool hairstyle? Or that was Monty Lovato's fanon?

[@violaodesafinado]

The cuca is a disfigured cutout from the Iberian folklore of Coca. Cuca was a character created by Brazilian writer Monteiro Loubato, who was inspired by the folkloric figure of Coca.

[@AndreyPRocha]

It is the same origin, the Cuca comes from the Iberian Peninsula and its desfiguration, as said by Mr. Braga above, was popularized by Monteiro Lobato. I'd just correct pointing that it was not created by Lobato, but it was present possibly since colonization in the form of lullabies - some of them very well preserved in some regions like the Northeastern part of Brazil.

[@violaodesafinado]

@@AndreyPRocha Indeed

[@fenrierulven5723]

Really interesting video and I found the etymologic of coconut and the reference of the Portuguese goblin specially interesting too, here in Mexico also long a go kids were told " if you don't behave the Coco will come for you at night" as a way to scared them, so I will love to hear more about that goblin and some other Portuguese creatures.

[@irina9846]

Wow, this is not very hard now, when you explained, but I haven't figured out the connection between heads of ancestors and faces on pumpkins. Now it has much more sence. This series about pre roman iberian gods is very interesting, please, continue. Also the place is very beautiful and ducks are adorable)

[@beingfrank40]

Wow, I didn't watch for a while, and now I see several Iberian videos! This is so excellent! The language lesson about some root words is a joy to learn as well. Much gratitude!

[@viomusardathefluffysealgas9347]

Yay more pre christian pre roman Iberian peninsula content ✨ I like it very much cause even thou there is the internet you have to dig to find info about pre christian pre roman Iberian peninsula belief systems that is detailed and thorough, it's so great to have the information coming from someone who is well versed in ancient cultures. As someone with Iberian peninsula ancestry I thank you very much💜💜✨✨✨ As a Mexican person I have definitely heard of the coco before.

[@naturvaket]

We have à bird called “kråka” sounds like the mountain god as you pronounce it “Crouga”

[@bernadettetormey4452]

Thank you so much for all the knowledge on Iberian magical history. I am a hedge witch from Ireland, living in Porto for a couple of years now and these video's really help me to practise and connect to the land here in Portugal 🇵🇹 😊

[@ArithHärger]

With pleasure, and my honour. Thank you for being in there. Just been to Porto 3 weeks ago :D cheers!

[@bernadettetormey4452]

@@ArithHärger If you are around Porto in the future, we can grab a coffee and a chat

[@ArithHärger]

@@bernadettetormey4452 certainly 🤗

[@bernadettetormey4452]

@@ArithHärger wonderful 😊

[@MrEnaric]

Thank you for this wonderful insight! You brought 'Halloween/Samhain' back to my home here in the (north of) Netherlands through a long leap in time in place. Severed heads from the Iron Age buried single or in a group baffled me. A circle of eight heads placed on a floor of cowdung was a puzzle, but I think I see a link with other Iron Age rituals you described. Tige tank and have a blessed Samhain yourself!

[@tonimello3684]

Thank You Arith! Since I'm a quarter Portuguese I always love it when you do these kinds of videos!

[@josesousa2737]

I follow your youybe videos and enjoy them...for a bit now. Today you amazed me with this content. I AM from the castrejo área of my contry .love históry and my ancestry. I have been reading along the years what i can about the castrejos and the calcolitic on the ares and i can say this is quality information and i have learned somethings about my culture from an icelander :) thank you for that :) In my home town the Coca bichinhos is our "mascote" btw..and my grandmother would still tell US stories at night to keep the Kids on check :) Remarcable pronuntiation also.

[@danythrinbell1596]

anyone from a pure lusitanian background knows or has lived in that present state of paganism parallel to the christian faith , shaymans ( feiticeiros ) were part and still i suppose part of the lusitanians life since thousands of years

[@ThisIsYourGodNow]

Been waiting for you to talk about Crom Cruach, one of my biggest fascinations

[@watsonlitchfield2306]

The Lord of the Mound.

[@samlloyd8582]

I agree with previous comments - it is rare to find such thoughtful and knowledgable treatment of pre Christian belief systems that is not just some pop-culture influenced fantasy. Thank you for your videos.

[@igorgangrel]

Eu assisti seus vídeos que falam da figura ritual, espiritual e social dos lobisomens (werewolves) e fiquei encantado com tais origens! Eu gostaria que você me informasse a bibliografia usada, pois fiquei muito curioso pelo tema. Essa visão xamã sobre o tema é apaixonante! Ficarei imensamente grato pelo favor.

[@erikaaltensee5358]

Thank you so much for sharing. I learned so much to consider. Definitely adds fun to selecting stories for the days before Halloween next week! Again, thanks so much for keeping learning alive and well. 💜

[@danielpiedecasas1346]

I've enjoyed your talk very very much, being myself of Galician heritage I know something about its celtic roots but I have no idea about the specific subject of the Croucas. I'm a new fan of yours, my first conection with your videos was with a video in which you talk about ancient body postures for trance, since I usually lead groups of that practice and we practice a diverse numer of postures and even study new ones, some of the results are completely beyond our comprenhension ability. Thank you again from Argentina.

[@cyclicallivingoz]

Always fascinating. Thank you Arith!

[@alicecarmin6646]

Absolutely fantastic! Thanks Mr. Arith

[@spookymulder945]

I love how he says they might be phallic as it crosses his face. Lol

[@MagklJellyBeanPastelLucidDream]

I’d like to get a copy of the note books. 🤗 Hehe, kinda like a white vellum. The interesting things you have written down on those pages, makes the mind wander.

[@morriganwitch]

Thank you for this xxx

[@lalunasweet]

Thank you Arith.

[@endovelicus74]

Cult of Cabaças survives in Portugal and Spain. And in Ibero-America as well in less degree. The "Cuca" in Brazil is echo from this cult from Galician-Lusosphere.

[@leonardogomes7165]

Very wise and enlightening! Every 7 videos I watch a day for less than 7 days I want to see more and learn. Always looking forward to Wednesdays with new videos and learning. Thanks for existing. ARITH. HUG LEONARDO GOMES DE SOURE ISLAND OF MARAJÓ PARÁ BRAZIL

[@fernandoafonso5663]

As a Portuguese I loved this video! Can you recommend any books about pre-Christian faith and believes on Portugal/Iberia? Thanks for all your videos!

[@danythrinbell1596]

os livros de Moisés Espirito Santo , sao bem explicitos acerca das raizes pagas lusitanas , sao open source podem ser download gratis da internet

[@danythrinbell1596]

CINCO MIL ANOS DA CULTURA A OESTE e um livro cheio de referências ao paganismo em portugal

[@fernandoafonso5663]

@@danythrinbell1596 obrigado! estou mesmo super interessado e estava com dificuldade em encontrar referências!

[@joaquimteixeira8297]

You really are a mountain of knowledge 😁

[@beingfrank40]

Fascinating!

[@stewartthomas2642]

Love your stuff kick on love it

[@frost8077]

Hey, Arith, Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio uploaded a video called "Santa Muerte, The Death Goddess" you'd enjoy.

[@soSo-ml8dv]

Très intéressant . Merci .

[@eldron29-a54]

In Galicia, they still have Samhain celebrations.

[@Tipi_Dan]

Fantastic.

[@roseblossom3048]

👍🎃💀🏞 Nice background.

[@katrina917]

Olá Arith, Podes dar-me algumas informações sobre o paganismo no Algarve? Os teus vídeos focam-se mais no norte e centro parece-me. Tens vídeos sobre Évora?

[@annalisalundberg4561]

Finally I was able to watch this video!!! First of all, it's quite interesting to hear about traditions different from the more mainstream ones, so obrigada!! And now a small thought, maybe stupid or wrong, that I had while hearing you talking about "coco". In Rome one of the words you use to designate the head is "coccia". I had always thought that it was just a short for "capoccia" (word for head, in Italian "capo"), but now I have some doubts...might have been some common root? Or my first idea, the one about the shortening of the word (romans are lazy while speaking), is the right one? Might be worth some research!

[@TheHumanFloyd]

Cruachan (the band) rocks! 🤘

[@musamba101]

My Caribbean maternal grandpa always told me as a kid that, if I didn't behave, the Cuco would get me. :-) His ancestry was Canarian.

[@mar3869]

Do you have any sources for the central tribes of Iberia (modern Castille) like the Vaccaei, Vettones, and Astures?

[@soulburntarotllc8155]

It sounds like you're saying "Karen" and it makes this that much more entertaining. I was watching your runestave videos from four years ago and your English has improved so much! Thankyou as always for your research into these topics and bringing them to us. 💛🙏

[@leonardogomes7165]

@igorgangrel boa tarde. Você é de qual cidade nortista? Abraço, Leonardo de Soure Marajó Pará

[@marineta8360]

What bibliography would your recommend us for beginners in celtiberian cults?

[@ruthanneseven]

Through a DNA analysis, I've discovered that I have ancestors from the Iberian Peninsula, which I suspected, and now have proof. Thank you Arith! I was completely ignorant of pre-xtian practices there. When my most beloved cat went to Spirit, I took his carefully Egyptian styled remain to a mountain, and built a cairn over them. His grave goods were simple: a can of Fancy Feast, and his Yule cap, with flower petals. His gauze wrappings hid his jewels and silver pentagram. It was early February. A great mist lay over the ancient volcano as I searched for the perfect place. I stopped my car to think. The mist parted momentarily, and that's when I saw him; the biggest coyote imaginable, standing there, regarding me. He whispered, "If you bury him, I will dig him up.". I thanked him, and shortly found the perfect spot. Coyote made it clear what must be done, but so did the mountain. The cairn was quite large, as were the boulders strewn about the area. Sad, but amazing day to say good bye to my best friend. From CA. 🇺🇸

[@MagklJellyBeanPastelLucidDream]

These are the things most people forget, the animistic style of life and death. Where we bind our souls to the natural world around us. So we will never leave or be forgotten by those who see our remains.

[@ruthanneseven]

@@MagklJellyBeanPastelLucidDream Absolutely, and so well said. 💖🌹

[@leonardogomes7165]

@@ruthanneseven please. Talk to me. What's happened?

[@leonardogomes7165]

@@ruthanneseven help me I need to be focused and willing to think about not living Leonardo

[@leonardogomes7165]

help me I need to be focused and willing to think about not living Leonardo

[@phooey91]

In Irish croi is the word for heart. And ceirtlin is body.

[@colinp2238]

Nice vid Arith but was the costume necessary? Have a great Samhain, my friend and stay safe from ghost, ghoulies and viruses.

[@ArithHärger]

You mean my hair style? It was whatever the wind wanted. I'll try to keep safe my friend. Hope you do the same. This season opens many ways,.that's how I got Mr. Thorstein :b

[@colinp2238]

@@ArithHärger I thought it was split personality?

[@basquait2704]

Boys and girls of every age.. would U like to see something strange... come with us and you will see this our town of Halloween🎃🌙⚰️

[@fellipecarvalho1479]

This all relates to the Dullahan doesn`t it?

[@leonardogomes7165]

help me I need to be focused and willing to think about not living Leonardo

[@emmalouie1663]

The oldest record of beheading is Egyptian in other words essentially Arabs promulgated it. There has even been a beheading in my neighborhood what a great modern era we live in.

[@AG-ug3lb]

I've watched half of the video and suddenly I'm thinking of two Pokémon: exeggcute and exeggutor. Maybe too far off topic. Sorry, I'll continue watching.

[@leonardogomes7165]

I think that it all boils down to how each people, person, egregores, cultures, religions etc interpret and mainly manifest their particular and collective reality dogmatized in rites, mythology, symbols etc. caring in regional, temporal, vibrational, multidimensional, planetary, universal, multiuniversal and without definitions beyond the cognizable of infinity. Nobody's right or shouted: everything in the whole is timeless, indefinable, unpronounceable and interconnected through the inner self and each other. Just insights.... Sorry for the outburst. LEONARDO GOMES from Ilha do Marajó Pará Brazil

[@sboloshis1188]

There are inferior, and disgusting cultures. The west is superior to cultures that accept cannibalism; because that can cause a serious prion disease. The superior culture is the one that doesn’t eat people for even the Darwinian evolutionary reasons. Feed cow to cow; mad cow. This head thing of the Iberian peninsula reminds me of Aztec culture some for some reason. I can’t place it exactly.

[@leonardogomes7165]

@@sboloshis1188 great pointed!

[@sboloshis1188]

@@ruthanneseven what book?

[@leonardogomes7165]

@@ruthanneseven many thanks 🙏🙏🙏😊

[@leonardogomes7165]

@@ruthanneseven Hi. I know the state of Kundallini... chakras and so on I worked with it in black magic and unlocked it in color vibrations, for example, which they also did for me in works of DISOBSESSION.... There are blockages of dense entities and energies preventing me from progressing and taking veils and clouds around me revealed to me and attracting them... difficult and painful. I will be waiting for your reply.

[@leonardogomes7165]

Great, Atheist. As a biological researcher and entomologist we can talk about....

[@leonardogomes7165]

@igorgangrel boa tarde. Você é de qual cidade nortista? Abraço, Leonardo de Soure Marajó Pará