My immediate association with this word is Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, where widdershins is one of the four directions (along with turnwise, hubwards and rimwards).
In this world it generally means anti-clockwise, the opposite way to the sun, or just the other way to the usual one. I also found a few interesting warnings about what can happen if you do things widdershins... walking widdershins round a church is very unlucky and might whizz you off to goodness-knows-where, and dancing that way round a ring of toadstools could result in falling under the power of fairy people.
Consider yourselves warned! And visit Carmen (although possibly not till Sunday) to see who else is playing this week.
Excellent. And as a big Terry Pratchett fan I am embarrassed to say I didn't remember the connection.
ReplyDeleteThanks John - I'm pleased to have reminded you!
DeleteI've never read any Terry Pratchett, but have heard a lot about it from my other fantasy reading friends. I absolutely LOVE this sketch-and the wonderful mushrooms! Thanks for playing and would you be so kind as to be our hostess next week?
ReplyDeleteOh, you should definitely try some Pratchett Carmen - I'd recommend him to anyone! And of course I'll host this week.
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