With most prehistoric Faiths, the connection between the People of the Land and their Deity is through their environment. As with the Native Peoples of North America and the buffalo, the common connection between the folk of Northern Europe and the Almighty Powers that lay beneath the surfaces of reality was through their source of food, the Deer: personified as Herne through out North Western Europe. In Italy He was known as the King of the Woods or the Stag God of ancient times. Images of a “Half Man/ Half Stag” is depicted in many works of art, often attributed to Cernunnos: another version of the Stag-Man.
The first literary mention of Herne is in Shakespeare’s Play the Merry Wives of Windsor, however in more recent times, the image of Herne is brought to screen by the Showtime’s presentation of the BBC Robin in the Hood with the beloved soundtrack by Clannad. In this version of the Mythos, Robin is more of a station or role: Herne’s Son, an interface between the Man-God Herne and his people. During the end of the Crusades when the clash of solders returning from the Middle East to find the laws had changed for the worse; Robin depended on Herne for vision and guidance.
Although the sources’ opinions tend to vary, the song “Lord of the Dance” in its “original form” is attributed Herne: He beckons all to rise up and dance with him at the Beltane Feast. As with many songs form the British Isles, the words were changed for the Man/God to be portrayed by Christ.
Today, the return of Herne is apparent in the Neo-Pagan movement, recalling from ancient times our deep connection to our environment, how the very food we eat are gifts of the Gods and should not be taken lightly. The study of Herne reminds us that all things are sacred, even the sacrifice of the plants and animals on which we live, the earth on which we walk, even the very air we breath is sacred.
The image of The Stag Amulet is a simple Stag Head set upon a chain leading from the tips of his antlers. Deeply sculpted and very lifelike, Herne gazes upon you with calm repose. No symbols are carved into the piece so it may be worn outwardly in public as the Stag it is. Like Herne himself, only those that actually know and understand this Deity’s place will comprehend his significance.
I found this history of the Herne fascinating…and I had no idea about the Robin Hood connection, although now that it has been brought to light it is easy to see the connection. The sculpting work you have done on the stag is excellent and I especially like how the antlers flow into the chain. In a world that really needs to learn more appreciation for the gifts of nature I believe that amulets like the Herne can help focus our thoughts and ground us in a very positive way. Keep up the great work Merlin!
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