Re: a few questions

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Posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on May 8, 2001 at 03:19:30:

In reply to: a few questions posted by kristin on May 8, 2001 at 02:01:51:

: 1. what kind of religious practices was henna used for?
In 7000 - 500 BCE in the eastern Mediterranean, henna was used in
fertility festivals in honor of the Goddess Anath. Since then ....
henna has been largely a secular household practice. Though henna has
used within Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and several other
religions... it is NOT a sacrament, it is NOT applied by an ordained
person, it is NOT prescribed in recognized sacred text as a part of
ritual, it is NOT done in sanctified space (temple or such). Henna is
done in households by ordinary women. It is, at best, household
magic. I regard that as separate from religious practice PARTICULARLY
as in those religions women tend to be excluded from the established
religious hierarchy! There is a reasonable argument that women hold
to henna as a favored slightly-magical practice BECAUSE they are
excluded from formal religious practice!

: 2. was henna used for religious practices or beautification
processes
: first?
It was first used for utilitarian purposes. There is clearly more
than one origin of henna .... I think there are 4. 3 of them are
entirely practical .. or at best a vaugely lucky cosmetic. One other,
beginning in the eastern Mediterranian views henna as a metaphor for
blood, and that became quasi-magical.

: 3. did men use henna when it began or was this use recent?
Men and women used henna approximatly equally in India prior to 800
BCE. Men certainly used henna in other countries ..... but I really
couldn't say for certain that the use was equal Seems everywhere else
it was primarilly female.

: 4. is henna still used for religious practices?

Though the goddess Kali prefers that devotees be hennaed when
presenting offerings .... and henna is part of the social behaviour
surrounding many religious festivals, both Hindu and Muslim..... I'm
reluctant to call it a religious practice. Christmas trees go up at
Christmas, but that's a non-religious social practice, IMHO. Henna
falls into that category. Unless someone's still worshipping Anath
.... probably not.
Some people seem quite invested in making henna out to be a spiritual
thing... but careful research just does NOT support that!

Follow Ups

I think henna is spiritual Darlahood 05:41:55 5/8/2001 (3)
- Re: I think henna is spiritual Theadora Sideras 17:53:15 5/8/2001 (0)
- long rant on creative blissyness as disticnt from spiritual experience Catherine Cartwright Jones 14:15:26 5/8/2001 (1)
  - thanks for clearing that up, you said it better than me! (n/t) Darlahood 00:31:55 5/9/2001 (0)

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: : 1. what kind of religious practices was henna used for? : In 7000 - 500 BCE in the eastern Mediterranean, henna was used in : fertility festivals in honor of the Goddess Anath. Since then .... : henna has been largely a secular household practice. Though henna has : used within Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and several other : religions... it is NOT a sacrament, it is NOT applied by an ordained : person, it is NOT prescribed in recognized sacred text as a part of : ritual, it is NOT done in sanctified space (temple or such). Henna is : done in households by ordinary women. It is, at best, household : magic. I regard that as separate from religious practice PARTICULARLY : as in those religions women tend to be excluded from the established : religious hierarchy! There is a reasonable argument that women hold : to henna as a favored slightly-magical practice BECAUSE they are : excluded from formal religious practice! : : : : 2. was henna used for religious practices or beautification : processes : : first? : It was first used for utilitarian purposes. There is clearly more : than one origin of henna .... I think there are 4. 3 of them are : entirely practical .. or at best a vaugely lucky cosmetic. One other, : beginning in the eastern Mediterranian views henna as a metaphor for : blood, and that became quasi-magical. : : : 3. did men use henna when it began or was this use recent? : Men and women used henna approximatly equally in India prior to 800 : BCE. Men certainly used henna in other countries ..... but I really : couldn't say for certain that the use was equal Seems everywhere else : it was primarilly female. : : : 4. is henna still used for religious practices? : : Though the goddess Kali prefers that devotees be hennaed when : presenting offerings .... and henna is part of the social behaviour : surrounding many religious festivals, both Hindu and Muslim..... I'm : reluctant to call it a religious practice. Christmas trees go up at : Christmas, but that's a non-religious social practice, IMHO. Henna : falls into that category. Unless someone's still worshipping Anath : .... probably not. : Some people seem quite invested in making henna out to be a spiritual : thing... but careful research just does NOT support that!
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