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Artwork and contents copyright of Glenn James 1994-2011 © (All Rights Reserved). Skaler is a Registered Trademark ™
No copying or reproduction without prior permission given by Glenn James. Site Design © 2008-2011 Angela James
Artwork and contents copyright of Glenn James 1994-2011 © (All Rights Reserved). Skaler is a Registered Trademark ™
No copying or reproduction without prior permission given by Glenn James. Site Design © 2008-2011 Angela James
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John Barleycorn Spirit of the Cornfields It was believed in ancient times that there was a spirit of the Cornfields, who was sacrificed every year as the harvest took place, and his body was made into food and drink. This represents the turning cycle of life, through the growth, harvesting and rebirth of the corn. The spirit was given the name John Barleycorn, and his sacrifice, suffering and rebirth were sung of in the ancient lay 'John Barleycorn Must Die'. Drawn for the Festival of Lughnasadh, one of Glenn's most evocative drawings personifies John as having skin the colour of ripe corn, ancient Celtic tattoos, a golden torc around his neck and through his earlobes, and has corn for his beard and hair. He smiles ironically and holds a sickle, as he knows that his sacrifice is coming. John is wearing Victorian mourning, and in recognising the bounty following his death, he also holds a stone bottle of beer and a spirit cage, or Corn Dolly. These were made as a home for the corn spirit until the next spring, when they were ploughed into the first furrow. Some of our ancestors also had a tradition of setting a wheel on fire at the end of the harvest, and rolling it down into the fields, and Glenn has included these in his design. (It was probably related to burning off the stubble after the harvest.) Purchase this Print |
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