In my experience such groups often change greatly from decade to
decade. With the recent popularity of Wiccan "philosophy," especially
among teenage girls, the society may have moved from one that in previous
years just had a fascination with that sort of thing to actually practicing the
religion. The history and developments over the years of such groups
are fascinating, but often not well documented. Best wishes for
your research. >>> "Beth S. Harris" <bharris@HOLLINS.EDU> 08/26/02 03:38PM >>> Dear Colleagues: I am doing some exhibit research on the history of our yearbook, The Spinster. We have a secret service organization, Freya, that has been in existence for approximately 100 years. (Membership hasn't always been secret, however. In the early days, the group put on plays on May Day and called themselves the "Fairies of Freya.") It's hard to get in touch with these folks due to the secrecy so I thought I would turn to the List for help. According to Britannica, Freya was a Viking goddess of love, fertility, etc. A Google search pulled up some Wicca (and related sites). The yearbook illustrations for this organization during the first 30 years or so were really creepy looking. So there are four aspects: creepy images (hooded figures, fire, bats, snakes, skulls), Viking fertility, service, and secrecy. I'm not sure what the connection between the idea of service and these images. A co-worker of mine says that some of these are universal symbols and are not particularly connected to the goddess or Wicca. What are these weird images doing in a yearbook of a nice Southern genteel ladies college and what do they mean? Does anyone know of other similar organization that used such imagery? For a sample, go to http://www.hollins.edu/academics/library/services/freya.htm Thanks so much for your help! ********************************************************************************************************************** Beth S. Harris, Special Collections Management Librarian Wyndham Robertson Library / Hollins University POB 9000 / 7950 E. Campus Drive Roanoke, VA 24020-1000 Phone: 540.362.6237 / Fax: 540.362.6756 Web:http://www.hollins.edu/academics/library/libtoc.htm A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List! To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu> |