Hang on to your hats. This is another WILD RIDE! Lots of twists and turns and surprises. NOT JUST CATS!
There is a story in the news of late that probably was just overlooked by most people. It caught my attention for several reasons. Mostly because I lived in Corsicana, Texas for a while. I saw an article in the news a few years back that caught me the same way. I was driven to learn more. My efforts were not in vain. I learned a lot.
This latest Corsica story has taken me on an even deeper dive. This is another long post. I apologize, but I promise that if you stay through to the end, you will at the very least learn a few things. Hopefully, your curiosity will be stirred.
SPACER
CORSICA – What a CRAZY Place!
I had no idea what I was getting into when I took this journey with the Holy Spirit. Since Corsicana is my home for some years now, I have often wondered about the roots of the name. Bearing in mind that the root of a thing tells you what you need to know. This journey … Click Here to Read More
CORSAIRS a LOOMING GLOBAL THREAT
Pirates are bloodthirsty thieves, brutal rapists, and vicious murderers, concerned only with indulging their every whim and amassing as much wealth as possible, forever living at the expense of others. Over the past 10 years, there have been a great efforts to promote the romanticized version of Pirates and Mermaids. In a world where so … Click Here to Read More
Mysterious Corsican Cat Finally Recognized as Unique Species
These elusive felines were the stuff of myth and legend for some 200 years, with stories of them attacking livestock in the Corsican hills. Many doubted their existence as a separate species.
Now, after years of dedicated research, French authorities have officially confirmed what islanders have long believed: the fox-cat is indeed a unique species. The French government’s biodiversity agency OFB made the announcement on March 23, 2023.
A Researcher’s Lifelong Quest
Pierre Benedetti, who leads a small team from the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS), has been studying these mysterious cats since 2008. For him, the journey began much earlier.
“I had heard about this animal since I was a child but we never saw it. There was this mythology surrounding it,” Benedetti explained. His dedication has finally paid off, with his team capturing and studying about 20 fox-cats over the past decade.
“Of course, it’s a job I’m passionate about,” Benedetti remarked. “Without passion, a job like this is impossible, especially since nobody believed in the fox-cat.”
Distinctive Features of the Corsican cat
The fox-cat stands apart from domestic cats in several key ways. Measuring around 85 centimeters (33 inches) long including its tail, it’s significantly larger than household cats.
Its distinctive coat pattern, fur texture, and ear width all contribute to its unique appearance. “It’s not the size that differentiates it,” notes Benedetti. “There is the color of the coat, the texture, the width of the ears… a lot of elements that differentiate it from a domestic animal.”
Tracking the Elusive Mountain Dweller
The research team has fitted nine fox-cats with GPS collars, revealing fascinating details about their behavior and habitat. These trackers show the cats travel enormous distances and climb to impressive altitudes of up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in Corsica’s mountainous terrain.
These tracking efforts have helped scientists better understand the species’ range, hunting patterns, and territory size. The animals appear well-adapted to Corsica’s diverse landscapes, from lowland scrub to high mountain regions.
The fox-cat’s remarkable climbing abilities and extensive range help explain why the species remained largely hidden from scientific observation for so long, despite featuring prominently in local folklore.
The French biodiversity agency OFB is leading efforts for full scientific classification of the fox-cat. The organization plans to publish comprehensive research findings next year in a scientific article.
This documentation will be submitted to the International Institute for Species Exploration for official consideration. The process is highly competitive – only 10 new species are added to the official list each year, from approximately 18,000 applications worldwide.
For Benedetti, official recognition would represent the culmination of a lifelong quest. “It will only be a true success when it is on the recognized list of wild species,” he said.
The confirmation of the fox-cat’s unique status represents an exciting development for biologists, highlighting how even in well-explored regions like Europe, distinctive species can remain scientifically undocumented despite being known to local communities for generations.
The post Mysterious Corsican Cat Finally Recognized as Unique Species appeared first on felinefam.com.
SPACER‘
You know it is a very funny thing, they keep saying that there is a long history of mythology and legend connected with this fox-cat. They say that local shepherds claim their livestock have been attacked and their genitals were ripped to shreds. YET, I have never seen a single news article or story about the Corsicana Fox-Cat. I went searching throughout the internet to find ANY reference to such a cat anytime before 2019. I found none. I looked a post after post on the mythology and folk tales of Corsica and found not one single reference to the ghjattu-volpe or fox-cat.
What do you make of the?? To me it appears as thought they have created a “new species” and they are trying to get it “recognized” as having existed in hidding for centuries. One can surely find tons of evidence that scientists are creating new speicies on the regular since the introduction of CRSPR Technology. We can also show you evidence that they have been creating new species supposedly using DNA from long extinct animals like the Whooly Mammoth and Sabertooth Tiger and claiming to have brought them back from extinction.
In the field of science the competition is steep. You are nothing if you are not making amazing discoveries or creating some phenomenal drug or technology, or feeding AI with greater and greater amounts of data.
The “ghjattu-volpe”, “cat-fox”, known for a long time to Corsican shepherds and which has intrigued scientists for years, is indeed an animal specific to the Mediterranean island, the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) announced on Thursday 16 March.
The latest genetic analyses have “demonstrated a specific genetic lineage of wild cat in Corsica”. The analysis “clearly makes it possible to separate the samples of Corsican wild cats from the samples of continental forest cats, domestic cats (from Corsica and the mainland) and Sardinian cats”. Thefeline
, known locally by the Corsican name “ghjattu volpe” because of the length of its body and tail, has long been part of the mythology of the local shepherds. “They said that these forest cats attacked the udders of their sheep and goats. It is from these stories, passed down from generation to generation, that we began our research,” explained Carlu-Antone Cecchini, forest cat project manager at the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS), now part of the OFB, in 2019.
For scientists, the story began more recently, after the accidental capture of a wild-type cat in a chicken coop in Olcani, Cap Corse, in 2008.
spaer
Here is a good one for you. I found an article from 2019 that actually gave the history of their “reseach” on the fox-cat including years on the project and how many they “found’. When tried to go back to it to copy and paste it was gone. Erased from the internet and ERASED FROM MY laptop’s HISTORY!!
List of mammals of Corsica
Order: Carnivora (carnivorans
African wildcat
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
- Suborder: Feliformia
- Suborder: Caniformia
Corsican wildcat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Corsican wildcat is an isolated cat population of uncertain taxonomic status that has been variously regarded as a separate species of its own (as Felis reyi), a subspecies of the African wildcat (as Felis lybica reyi), or a population of feral house cats (Felis catus) that were introduced to Corsica around the beginning of the first millennium.
In 2019, several newspapers reported on the supposed discovery of the Corsican wildcat as a previously unknown cat species, calling it “cat-fox” (Corsican: ghjattu-volpe).[1][2][3] As of 2021, a description for this animal as a potential new species was being drafted,[4] and other research was ongoing.[5]
History and taxonomy
History and taxonomyIn February 1929, M. Rey-Jouvin collected the skin and skull of a female wildcat from the Aunes forest at the border of the Étang de Biguglia. In that same year, it was examined and described by Louis Lavauden, who named it the holotype of the new species Felis reyi, the Corsican wildcat. The specific name reyi honored M. Rey-Jouvin.[6]
It was provisionally suggested to be a synonym of Felis lybica sarda by Reginald Innes Pocock who reviewed Felis skins in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London, but he admitted to not being able to review any specimens from Corsica himself, and based his suggestion off of Lavauden’s description.[7]
Following zooarchaeological research in Corsica, it was regarded to have been introduced to the island during the Roman Empire, likely originating from domestic cat stock.[8] As of 2017, it was no longer considered a valid species or subspecies.[9]
However, in January 2023, a scientific paper was published with results of genetic testing on Corsican wildcats, finding they were genetically distinct from both the European wildcat and domestic cat species.[10]
Description
The Corsican wildcat was described as being darker than the African wildcat with a shorter tail and dark brown on the backs of the ears.[6][9]
Further description detailed that the Corsican wildcat is approximately 90 centimetres (35 in) from head to tail. The front legs are striped, the hind legs are very dark brown, and the stomach fur is russet; the whole of the coat is dense and silky. The tail is the most distinctive: ringed and black-tipped.[11]
In culture
The Corsican wildcat features in the local shepherds’ folklore as forest cats who would attack the udders of their ewes and goats.[11]
U Ghjattu Volpe: Four cat-foxes of this Corsican endemic species identified in the Agriate
Nicole Mari on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 8:30 PM
During the day dedicated to the protection of the sensitive natural sites of Saleccia and Agriate, the President of the Corsican Executive, Gilles Simeoni, representatives of the Conservatoire du Littoral and agents of the Collectivity of Corsica visited sites where monitoring devices for the “Ghjattu Volpe” have been installed. The objective is to better understand this Corsican endemic species, already present in Ascu and Bavellu, and to find its origin. Since February, four “cat-foxes” have already been identified in the massif.
“We can imagine that there are other forest cats that occupy the Agriate territory”
Le Chat Corse Ghjattu Volpe
For the moment, no study covers the whole island: “There are a few characteristic points: Ascu, Moltifau, Bavellu and now Agriate. We try to see what habitat it can settle in. You start to know what you’re looking for: a rock, a tree, a stream, a waterhole. But it is not known exactly how it moves. Maybe here, he finds everything on the spot and doesn’t need to travel any further. Its diet will be studied later, but we already know that it feeds on mammals, rodents and amphibians,” says Paul-Vincent Ferrandi. “In Ascu, the camera traps put over a year revealed dens and a female with a litter. But since then, we have not been able to observe it. On the other sites, we have not had any confirmation of birth.” The latest samples taken in February from individuals may allow the veil to be lifted. “We will see after a year what Agriate’s map looks like. The goal is to know the species as an endemic species and to find its origin.” Paul-Vincent Ferrandi is delighted with the work already accomplished: “The result is satisfactory today and the team’s mobilization makes us a partner of the OFB for the Agriate territory.” A partnership scheduled for three years.
NM.
New Feline Species Dubbed A “Fox Cat” Found On French Island
The National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS) are handling a study dedicated specifically to the fox cat feline.
According to their researchers:
“It could’ve arrived at the time of the second human colonisation which dates back 6,500 years before our era. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it’s origin would be considered middle-eastern,” suggests Pierre Benedetti, one of the researchers and chief environmental technician with the ONCFS
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. Many Corsicans have long since believed myths of these cats. Now, modern data collected and recent findings of these “forest cats” prove they are more fact than fiction.
As you can see, Corsica is ridiculously beautiful!
Check out this cool video of the recently discovered “fox cat” up close:
VIDEO: In the Asco forest in Corsica, two agents of the National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS) show AFP what they think is a new feline species pic.twitter.com/txeLeqzjhw
— AFP news agency (@AFP) June 14, 2019
There is still much to be discovered about the cat fox. Officials will do their very best to be sure that this new addition to the feline species is both respected and protected:
“Ultimately, we would like to see this cat recognised and protected,” says Benedetti.
You may find yourself looking at this pretty boy and thinking that it doesn’t look all that different from a tabby cat.
But think again!
The cat fox is nearly twice the length of your typical housecat, clocking in at an impressive 90 centimeters. If you look carefully, you will see that the ears are somewhat larger than that of a domesticated feline. The canines are also more pronounced, and there is a black tuft of hair at end of its tail.
“It’s their length and their tail that has earned them the name of fox-cat from one end to the other of the island.”
According to a French news outlet, the feline has the DNA of the European wildcat, as well as genetics very close to the African forest cat, but its full lineage remains to be determined.
“For us it is a natural wild species. It was known but not listed, because it is an extremely discreet animal, with nocturnal manners. It is an extraordinary discovery.”
Agence France-Presse (AFP), an international news agency headquartered out of France, covered the recent findings in a news conference. They shared with the world the probability and likeliness of more fox cats. It’s not a far reach for the steep mountainous region of Corsica where this fox cat was discovered.
“The ONCFS has identified 16 fox-cats and has captured 12, including a female.” (We’re happy to know that all were released back to the wild immediately following a quick review.)
It’s hypothesized that the fox cat spends its time hiding from eagles, hidden by the trees high. For the fox cat it’s likely that this is the only predator they must watch for in the area.
For now, they’ve successfully microchipped the feline and released him back to the wild where he rightfully belongs. This male feline (thought to be 4-6 years of age) has been captured a few times for routine health examinations. As you can see in the images and video, he has a green eye and a brown eye. The researchers believe this happened as a result of damage to his eye. Likely, he was involved in a fight with another male fox cat.
AFP’s Carlu-Antone Cecchini and Benedetti both explained the special meaning behind these cats of Corsica:
“For us, the story begins in 2008 with the unexpected capture of a cat in a hen house in Olcani, in Cap Cors”, says Pierre Benedetti. [Who]has dedicated more than ten years of his life to observing these lovely felines. And Cecchini adds that: “This animal belongs to the mythology of our shepherds. [Who] told us that these forest cats attacked the teats of their sheep and goats, and that from these stories, passed down from generation to generation, we began our search.”
We wish him, and the other fox cats of Corsica, long and happy lives in the wild where they belong!
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP, MICROCHIP YOUR PETS & SPAY AND NEUTER!
A NEW SPECIES OF CAT-FOX HAS BEEN FOUND IN CORSICA THAT WAS THOUGHT OF AS A MYTH FOR A LONG TIME
Posted On 19 Jun 2019 By Editorial Staff CODE HIDDEN 344 © ←→
Once considered a myth among shepherds, seen only by fearful farmers in the dead of night, an ongoing project on the Mediterranean island of Corsica set out to uncover the mystery of the ghjattu-volpe, translated as “cat-fox.”
Recent genetic analysis of the elusive wild cat has shown that the ghjattu-volpe could in fact be a previously unrecognized species of wild cat, as reported by the AFP news agency.
While its status as a new species has yet to be officially recognized, France’s National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS) hopes its work can aid efforts to protect the species and raise awareness of its status.
Pierre Benedetti, ONCFS’s chief environmental technician in Corsica, said in a conversation with AFP
We believe that it is a wild natural species known but not scientifically identified because it is an extremely discreet animal with nocturnal habits.”
Feral cats There are currently two species of wild cats that are little recognized in the world: the European wild cat (Felis silvestris silvestris) and the African wild cat (F. silvestris lybica), although there is some controversy about their exact classification. There are also numerous subspecies of these wildcats, including the Sardinian wild cat (F. lybica sarda) found on the island of Sardinia, neighboring Corsica. The scientific analysis of ghjattu-volpe has not yet been concluded, however, researchers hope that its genetics can be clear enough to be recognized as a new subspecies, if not a new species.
Benedetti added: By looking at its DNA, we could distinguish it from the European feline, Felis silvestris silvestris. It is close to the African forest cat, Felis silvestris lybica, but its exact identity is yet to be determined.”
The fox cat can only be found in a small strip of the Asco forest in Corsica, a mountainous island in the Mediterranean located southeast of the French mainland. It may resemble a domestic pet, but it possesses some unique features that set it apart from both domestic cats and other wildcats, particularly its long ringed tail with a black tip.
It was given the name “fox cat” because of its slender body and reddish-red fur. Felines are thought to have been brought to Corsica for the first time by humans during the Neolithic era, more than 8,000 years ago, probably as a way of controlling pests that feed on rats.
Surprisingly, people only saw the cat for the first time in 2008, Benedetti told AFP. Scientists analyzed the first specimens about eight years later, in 2016, after ONCFS captured a dozen individuals on the island. However, this little wild cat is still a mysterious beast. Conservationists have very little idea about their behavior and diet, and they don’t know the size of the population. Source: IFL Science
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Cats
Cats have been associated with the supernatural since ancient times. Cats are associated with either good or bad luck, healing or harm. In folklore, the cat is one of the favoured animal companions of witches, sorcerers (see sorcery) and fortune-tellers. Superstitions about cats abound.
The cat was sacred to the ancient Egyptians, who associated it with the Moon and Bast, the goddess of marriage. It also was associated with the Mother Goddess, Isis. In Egyptian art, the sun god, Ra, was personified as a cat slaying the Serpent of Darkness. Black cats were associated with darkness and death.
According to lore, virtually every sorcerer, witch and Gypsy fortune-teller was supposed to have a cat — and sometimes an owl and a toad as well. During the witch hunts, cats were familiars; they embodied Demons who performed the witches’ tasks of maleficia against their neighbors. Elizabeth Francis of Chelmsford, England, convicted as a witch in 1556, said she kept a white spotted cat named Sathan, which, whenever it performed a job for her, demanded a reward of a drop of her blood (see Chelmsford witches).
Witches were said to be able to assume the shape of a cat nine times, presumably because a cat has nine lives. Black cats were said to be the Devil himself. Throughout medieval Europe, black cats were routinely hunted down and burned, especially on Shrove Tuesday and Easter. A cat accused of being a witch’s familiar usually was killed by being burned alive. Cats were also used in witches’ Spells. In the trial of John Fian, Scotland’s most famous witch, in 1590-91, Fian and his coven were accused of trying to drown James VI (James I) and Queen Anne on their voyage to Denmark. The witches allegedly christened a cat, tied it to a dismembered human corpse and threw the bundle into the sea while they recited incantations. A great storm arose and forced the royal ship to return to Scotland, but the king and queen were unharmed.
In the lore of the Scottish Highlands, a large breed of wild cats, called Elfin Cats, are said to be witches in dis- guise. The Elfin Cats are about the size of dogs and are black with a white spot on the breast. They have arched backs and erect bristles — the stereotypical Halloween cat.
Though the black cat is associated with witchcraft, it is nevertheless considered good luck to own one in parts of Europe, England and the United States. But having one’s path crossed by a black cat is always bad luck. In other folklore, if a cat jumps over a corpse, the corpse will become a vampire. To prevent this, the cat must be killed. Cats are fertility charms — a cat buried in a field will ensure a bountiful crop.
The cat plays a role in Vodun in the southern United States. Cat charms, particularly those made with cats’ whiskers, can bring bad luck, disease and death to the victim. Conversely, in folklore cats have many healing properties. A broth made from a black cat is said to cure consumption. In the 17th century, a whole cat boiled in oil was held to be good for dressing wounds. Illnesses could be transferred to cats, who were then driven from homes.
Cats’ eyes are supposed to be able to see ghosts. In western Asia, a stone called the Cat’s Eye — dull red with a white mark — is associated with trouble and evil. In Wicca, the cat is a favoured companion or familiar, valued for its psychic sensitivity and assistance in Magic and ritual.
SPACER
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FOX? FOR SOME REASON THEY NAMED THIS CORSICA CAT A FOX-CAT. WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM CONNECTED TO FOXES?
Throughout history, the fox has captivated human imagination with its cunning and mysterious nature. This intriguing animal appears in many cultures, symbolizing various traits from wisdom to trickery. By exploring the fox’s role in folklore, mythology, and art, we can uncover the deeper spiritual meanings and symbolism that make the fox a fascinating figure.
Key Takeaways
- In Japanese folklore, the kitsune is a shape-shifting fox spirit known for its wisdom and mischievous nature.
- Native American traditions view the fox as a spiritual messenger and protector between the human and spirit realms.
- European folklore often portrays the fox as a symbol of wit and intelligence, frequently outsmarting larger animals.
- In mythology, the fox represents adaptability and intelligence, teaching us to navigate life’s challenges with cleverness.
- Foxes are depicted in literature and art as symbols of mystery, transformation, and cunning, reflecting their complex nature.
The Fox in Japanese Folklore: Kitsune’s Dual Nature
In Japanese folklore, the kitsune is a fascinating creature known for its shape-shifting abilities and dual nature. These fox spirits are often depicted as both wise and mischievous, embodying a complex blend of traits that make them both revered and feared.
Shape-Shifting Abilities
Kitsune are famous for their ability to transform into humans or other forms. This power, known as bakeru, allows them to bewitch people and navigate between the mortal and spirit worlds. The number of tails a kitsune has indicates its age and wisdom, with nine-tailed foxes being the most powerful.
Symbol of Wisdom and Mischief
Kitsune are closely associated with Inari, a significant Shinto kami. As messengers of Inari, they are revered for their wisdom and magical powers. However, their mischievous side often leads them to trick humans, creating a duality that is both intriguing and unsettling.
Kitsune as Divine Messengers
Inari’s foxes, or kitsune, are pure white and act as their messengers. They are believed to bring good fortune and protect homes. This divine role adds another layer to their complex nature, making them both guardians and tricksters.
Native American Views on the Fox: A Spiritual Messenger
In Native American cultures, the fox is seen as a spiritual messenger. This animal is often viewed as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, delivering important messages and guidance to the people. The fox’s presence is a sign of upcoming changes or opportunities, urging individuals to stay alert to the subtle signs of the universe. Through its cunning and adaptability, the fox teaches valuable lessons of survival and resilience.
The Fox as a Symbol of Adaptability and Intelligence
Navigating Life’s Challenges
The fox is known for its keen intellect and ability to adapt to various environments. This animal symbolizes agility and resourcefulness, often navigating life’s challenges with finesse and wit. In many cultures, the fox is seen as a guide, showing us how to be flexible and clever in our endeavors.
Inspiring Flexibility and Cleverness
Foxes are highly adaptable creatures, thriving in different situations. They inspire us to embrace flexibility and cleverness, encouraging us to think on our feet and find creative solutions to problems. This adaptability is a key trait that helps foxes survive and flourish in diverse environments.
Guardian of Secrets: The Fox in Mythology
The fox is often seen as a guardian of secrets and mysteries in various mythologies. Its elusive nature and affinity for darkness have led many to associate it with hidden knowledge and ancient wisdom. The fox’s role as a trickster or shape-shifter further cements its place as a keeper of secrets.
Role as a Trickster
In many cultures, the fox is depicted as a trickster figure. In Japanese folklore, the kitsune is known for its cunning and ability to deceive humans. These fox spirits can transform into beautiful women or priests to trick people. Similarly, in European tales, Reynard the Fox is a clever character who uses his wit to outsmart others.
Association with Hidden Knowledge (OCCULT)
The fox’s connection to hidden knowledge is evident in its portrayal across different cultures. In Dogon mythology, the fox is seen as a messenger for the gods, representing chaos and mystery. In Greek mythology, the fox is linked to Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, both embodying trickery and disguise.
Spiritual Teachings
Foxes are often seen as guides in spiritual teachings, helping individuals unlock the mysteries of the universe. Their ability to move between the physical and spiritual realms makes them powerful symbols of transformation and enlightenment. In Celtic mythology, the fox is revered as a wise guide of the forest, possessing otherworldly knowledge and the ability to navigate hidden paths.
Fox Deities and Divinities Across Cultures
Foxes hold a special place in the mythologies of many cultures, often linked to gods and goddesses. Their mystical roles highlight their esteemed status in the realm of spirituality and mythology.
The Fox’s Symbolic Role in Celtic Legend
The Celts held the fox in high regard, seeing it as a powerful symbol of transformation and rebirth. The fox’s ability to shed its old coat and grow a new one each year was a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life. This process of renewal and regeneration was celebrated in various rituals and ceremonies.
Spirit Guide of the Forest
In Celtic mythology, the fox was seen as a wise and cunning guide of the forest. It was believed to possess otherworldly knowledge and could navigate the hidden paths of the forest with ease. The fox was not just a physical creature but a spiritual one, acting as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.
Shape-Shifting Abilities
The fox was also known for its shape-shifting abilities. It could take on different forms to move unnoticed, play pranks, or observe the world. This ability to change form made the fox a symbol of adaptability and cleverness.
Provider of Wisdom and Advice
The fox was often seen as a provider of wisdom and advice. It was believed to offer guidance to those who sought it, even if it meant angering higher powers. The fox’s deep connection to the natural world and its understanding of the interconnectedness of all things made it a revered figure in Celtic spirituality.
The Fox in Christianity and the Bible
Negative Metaphors
In Christianity, foxes often carry negative connotations. They are frequently compared to wolves, symbolizing deceit and cunning. For instance, in the Song of Solomon 2:15, foxes are described as ruining vineyards in bloom, representing sins like pride, jealousy, and gossip.
Encouraging Mistrust
Foxes in the Bible also encourage mistrust. They are seen as symbols of abuse and exploitation. This negative view is evident in various passages where foxes are used to illustrate the dangers of deceit and treachery.
Biblical References
Foxes appear in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, they are often associated with destruction and mischief. For example, in Judges 15:4, Samson ties torches to foxes’ tails to burn the Philistines’ fields, showcasing their role in causing chaos. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to King Herod as a “fox” in Luke, highlighting his sly and cunning nature.
The fox’s role in the Bible underscores its symbolic power in matters of faith and values. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the dangers of deceit.
As a spirit animal, the fox offers guidance and protection. It encourages quick action, sharpens mental skills, and is considered a symbol of good luck and nobility.
I do want to point out that the CORSICAN FOX-CAT is not the only new species of cats suddenly popping up out of nowhere. Neither are scientists the only ones creating new species. It is open season on DNA since CRSPR hit the scene. Anywhere that money can be made you can bet the slime of the earth will be busy getting their share.
Local Legendary Big Cat, “The Beast Of St Albans”, May Have Finally Been Caught On Film!
Photo: St Albans – www.groupaccommodation.com
But the most recent video, shot just this week, clearly confirms what is NOT a domestic animal, roaming the land.
While working last Thursday, March 14th, local business owner Olly Fairbrother, received a distressed call from his wife. She had just seen a large, spotted cat in their back garden near their rabbit cages. Seeing the animal going after their rabbits, she quickly ran outside to scare it off. They discovered some damage to one of their fences and the roof of the enclosure.
Screenshot from Olly Fairbrother Video
Pulling the rabbit to safety, she had run back inside and immediately called her husband. The incident had left her obviously shaken as the couple have children that play in the yard. The animal had been over a foot tall and had spots like a “leopard”.
Residents in their area have reported seeing large cats in the fields near the home in the past. This was the first sighting so close to the human establishments though.
The last thing they expected was to see the feline again so soon.
It was just the next day that it made an appearance again, but this time Olly was ready with his camera. Luckily he is quick, because the cat flashed across the screen for just a moment!
But this time, it wasn’t fast enough to evade being caught on film.
Incredible footage shows Big Cat leaping through back garden. MailOnlineVideo
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From the still shots of this latest footage, the “beast” may be mysterious, but may not be a mystery for much longer.
In June of 2017, a taxi driver by the name of Jahid Choudhury had an odd-feline run-in that he also captured on film.
He had been headed home around 4:30 am and was approaching a wooded area in St. Albans. As he drove, he stumbled upon a large tan cat sitting on the side of the road. Shocked that it remained still even with the vehicle closing in, Jahid slowed the car to a stop. The intimidating cat just simply stared Choudhury down, before slowly walking into the woods.
Human SacrificeAt the time of the incident, an article from the Mirror.co.uk shared the report. They might have laid on the sensationalism a bit thick for this one.
Jahid Choudhury dramatically snapped the wild beast – said to look like a deadly puma.
Although Jahid is adamant that the cat was larger than a normal domestic cat, many believe differently. From the YouTube video it looks like nothing more than a large stray or feral tabby cat.
Is not cat! Is filigree Siberian hamster! Only one in shop, special price, five pounds!
With Olly’s video, locals can be more confident in what they are looking at.
Over the past 7 years, more than 30 “big cat” reports have been called into local police stations. Large pawprints have been found within the sand traps of nearby golf courses–be glad it wasn’t used as a litter box. Drivers often see felines darting across traffic or in-and-out of foliage along the roads. Oaklands College staff members spotted “a large, sandy-colored cat” in January of 2017 too.
SPACER
Big cat sighting in St Albans captured on film
None of those claims show the animal in question though, like this video finally does. It may not be a large puma or a mythical creature, but is still a unique cat to be stalking the town.
Some of the most common felines used in big cat breeding for sale are Bengals, Chausie and Savannah cats.
Bengal crossbreeds are the result of the mating between an Asian Leopard cat with domestic house. These have the spotted coat Olly and his wife saw. Researching more on the domestication and selling of the Bengal, I came across a ridiculous statement. Clearly that means they’re not one in the same.
Photo: Bengal cat
Bengals today are considered to be one and the same with domestic cats. Any Bengal purchased should be at least four generations removed from any ancestors with wild bloodlines.
Photo: F1 Bengal Cat
Another cat with spots often used in breeding is the Savannah cat, a cross between the wild Serval and domestic cat. These cats are given classification levels for the amount of “wild” in them; F1-F5.
Photo: Savannah Cat
F1 and F2 generations are usually the largest, due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor. As with other hybrid cats such as the Chausie and Bengal cat, most first generation cats will possess many or all of the serval’s exotic looking traits, while these traits often diminish in later generations. Male Savannahs tend to be larger than females.
Photo: This Serval Cat is Bigger than It Looks, Maybe 24 Inches Long and 14 Inches High
What of those who saw a large tan cat though? This could be the Chausie cat, the result of a jungle cat mating with a domestic cat. This looks more like what was in Jahid’s video if not a basic stray cat.
Chausies are bred to be medium to large in size, as compared to traditional domestic breeds. However, because Chausies are built for running and jumping, they are long-bodied and leggy with medium boning.
Photo: Chausie Cat
What happens though when these cats don’t follow the “behavioral guidelines” of your true domestic cat?
What of them when they are no longer “breed-able? There are so many unfortunately endings for these poor animals. If locals near the Fairbrothers end up trapping the animal, will it be put down? Will it go to a sanctuary where it can live as close to the wild as possible?
If this video truly captured the Beast of St Albon, the town may want to look into any human “beasts” discarding breeder cats. Especially if there are multiple sightings of reportedly different colored large cats. There may be more terrifying things happening then a strange oversized feline in someones backyard!
Photo: St Albans Cathedral
Related Story: Trapper Asked To Help Catch A Stray Cat; Who Just Happens To Look Like A Wolf!
The Exciting Mystique Of Corsica And What You Can Learn From Them?
If you delve deeper into the Corsican mystiques, the contrapuntal island with its complex enigmas, anomalies, paradox, and defiance towards invaders will be brought before your eyes.
The Corsican mystique is depicted through various symbols, artifacts, rituals, images and even natural aspects. To put it simple, the metaphysical and physical values are interwoven in the native Corsican minds and they are inseparable.
Know more such interesting facts about Corsica. Apart from the traditional symbols, there are modern symbols too like the pendant depicting the Corsican geographical outline. Let’s have a look at these mystiques –
Moor’s head
Moor’s headThe black moor’s head with white bandeau is the national emblem of Corsica and is featured on the national flag.
Also called A Testa di Moru, this emblem has been a symbol of freedom and removal of slavery.
It depicts the Aragonese conquest during Middle Age.
The Moors, sometimes also called Saracens, were pirates from the Maghreb who ravaged the Mediterranean coasts throughout the Middle Ages.
Bandits, criminals and marauders: all wanted the treasures of the Isle of Beauty, and raids were common.
In all, thousands of Corsicans (and more broadly Europeans) were reduced to slavery.
The Corsican fighters were valiant but, for centuries, the Berbers and other invaders from North Africa caused terror.
It was precisely to mark the victory over the Moorish pirates that the “Moor’s head” flag was created.
Since only the head was there, such a standard represented a decapitation, and frightened approaching pirates and barbarians.
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Spiral
SpiralThe snail shaped labyrinthine Lay Brotherhood processions on Good Friday are formed in honor of Christ and the procession starts from the cathedral and passes through traditional shops of the town.
A Granětula also symbolizes space enclosed by time, traversing from darkness to light, passing of seasons and expressing circle of life, love and knowledge.
Corsican town has 5 churches and 5 “brotherhoods”
This town boasts five churches, which host the five confréries (confraternities or brotherhoods) that form the fabric of spiritual life for people here.
Bonifacio is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots in Corsica. The dramatic white limestone cliffs and natural harbor of the southern tip of the French island are awe-inspiring Corsican masterpieces. The strong Italian influence in the town’s architecture is equally striking, as are its Roman Catholic churches and Catholic culture in general. This is not surprising, as the French island’s oldest town is only 56 miles from Northwestern Italy.
Bonifacio has 5 significant churches associated with confréries, some dating back to the 13th century. This medieval city boasts the largest number of confréries in Corsica — a movement that began in the 12th century and burgeoned during a period that saw significant epidemics and the Council of Trent (1545 -1563).
The citadel town of Bonifacio on the island of Corsica.
Confrérie: A strong bond among inhabitants
A confrérie is a non-profit association of lay faithful authorized by the church and supervised by the bishop. In English confrérie translates to brotherhood or confraternity. Members are not part of the clergy; they are valued members of the Catholic community, devoted to God and united in their Catholic faith. Despite the name, “brotherhoods” can be open to women as well as men.
In Bonifacio, the confrérie movement isn’t just about religious roles; it functions as a solid social bond among inhabitants, with each confraternity representing a specific trade or corporation, just as in the days of the medieval guilds that protected artisans.
Similar to these medieval associations, the five “brotherhoods” provide mutual aid and conviviality, which is of utmost importance for the tradition to continue.
View the PHOTO GALLERY at the end of the article to see images of the 5 “brotherhoods” and their home churches.
Easter processions in Bonifacio
Easter is an especially busy time for the confréries: Holy Week processions, Masses, and ceremonies must be organized. The five confraternities, each dedicated to a patron saint, start preparing for Easter a month or so beforehand.
Altars are prepared and each brotherhood has a dress code distinguishable by the color of their albs, hoods, and collars.
The members all meet on Holy Thursday at Sainte Marie Majeure church for a Tenebrae Service. On Good Friday, the processions start at 8 in the morning with songs and visits to the five churches. The confréries and their followers traverse the port and the old town: their processions sometimes cross paths with each other.
Confraternity of St. Erasmus
The brothers and sisters of St. Erasmus dress in white and purple: they unite fishermen and sailors. This most recent confraternity of Bonifacio was created in 1893. The brothers go out to sea on June 2, the feast of St. Erasmus.
Their home parish, Saint Erasmus Church, is located at Bonifacio’s port.
Confraternity of St. Mary Magdalene
This group, recognized in their green albs and blue camails, consists of farmers, winegrowers, and land cultivators. They are based at Eglise Sainte Marie Majeure. This is Bonifacio’s main church, reputed to be Bonifacio’s oldest church. It dates to the 12th century. Situated in the citadel, Sainte Marie Majeure was the leading center for city life in medieval times.
Confraternity of St. Bartholomew
This community, comprised of Bonifaccio’s masons and artisans, wear white albs and red camails. They are associated with St. Dominique church. Built of white limestone, Saint Dominique is around 700 years old.
Confraternity of St. John the Baptist
Carpenters and artisans unite this confrérie, also known as the Brothers of Mercy. Their mission is to provide material help for the most needy and ensure everyone has a decent burial. They dress entirely in black.
The Church of St. John the Baptist is also called the Chapelle de la Mesércorde.
Confraternity of Saint Croix
This community represents the city’s health professions, caring for the sick. Unlike the other confraternities, they do not honor a particular saint but instead venerate the cross of Christ’s martyrdom. It is said to be the oldest confraternity in Bonifacio, along with the Confraternity of St. John the Baptist. They wear white albs and black camails.
Their home parish, Eglise Saint Croix, dates back to the 13th century. It is reputed to house a shrine containing a fragment of the true cross.
Upkeeping tradition while taking pride in their heritage, the five confréries encompass a real spiritual bond in Bonifacio. As one member of the Confraternity of St. Mary Magdalene explained:
“We pray while making vows of charity and helping our neighbors. We walk in the footsteps of Christ and under the protection of the saint we venerate.”
Editor’s note: Aleteia would like to thank Hélène Battaglini from the Bonifacio Tourist Board for her help in preparing this story.
Launch the slideshow
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You Got me Going In Circles – OHHHH Round and Round I go.
UPDATE: Added 12/13/22 Like Circle in a Spiral; Like a Wheel within a Wheel; Never Ending or Beginning on an Ever Spinning Reel. There is a phenomenon occurring across the Earth, you may have heard about it. I nearly shrugged it off, but upon research discovered it is deserving of recognition. I decided to post … Click Here to Read More
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Eye Of St Lucie
The spiral patterned 1.2cm oval shaped operculum of the Astrea rugosa is called L’Ochju di Santa Lucia and it is often bound with gold for a pendant.
It is believed that the operculum is like a protector of eyesight just like the Mother Of Light or Juno Lucina who was believed to bestow enlightenment and keep away evil eyes.
Saint Lucia’s eye in Corsica
Posted on 21/03/2019, Updated 1 months
Significance and origin of the eye of Saint Lucia
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The representation of Saint Lucia’s eye refers to the martyrdom of Lucia of Syracuse – Patron Saint of several Corsican villages – in the 6th century. Legend has it that the beauty of her eyes prevented her executioner from confronting her gaze, and he had them gouged out.
Her devotion to God was a source of admiration for believers throughout the Mediterranean region, Syracuse being an Italian city in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily.
Eye of Saint Lucy – The jewel
The Oeil de Sainte Lucie is the name given to the operculum of the rough aster, a shellfish widely found in the Mediterranean. Its white operculum forms a spiral reminiscent of the cycles of time also represented during the Granìtula, while its coral-red face evokes the Virgin and Child.
Measuring between 2 and 3 cm, the operculum allows the shell to close; if removed, it will reform once back in the water.
L’ochju di Santa Lucia – Symbolism and ritual
Saint Lucia is considered the protector of the eyes, and the Latin etymology of the proper name Lucia means “Light”, which brings with it a wealth of symbolism for eye diseases. This belief is widespread on the island, where the water from certain fountains was used to rinse the eyes and rid them of impurities. In fact, a spring named l’ochju di Santa Lucia at Ciamanaccia in the Taravu region was used for this purpose during the procession.
In Corsica, Saint Lucia’s eye is said to ward off the evil eye, and is one of the illustrations of the interweaving of ancient island mysticism and religion.
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Why is St Lucia suddenly so popular?
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia,; Venite all’agile barchetta mia…Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia … You know, my dad used to go around the house singing that chorus. Naturally, I picked it up. I guess I have belted it out off and on throughout my life, not even knowing what it really meant or embodied or symbolized, or … Click Here to Read More
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Horns And The ‘Eye’
Clenched fist with little finger and index stuck out as horns creates the E Corne or Horns and clenched fist with thumb between other fingers creates the Eye or l’ochju.
They are often carved on red corals or as coral tip to wear as talismans and keep the evil or malice away from loved ones.
Horned Hand, Corsica
Mouflon
Also called the Muvra, the Mouflon is an endemic mountain sheep of Corsica that is under the threat of poaching for coats and meat.
Mouflons have been part of Coprsican life since Stone Age and now, their decrease in number has been a concern for animal welfare societies.
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The end of the nineteenth century saw a multiplication of nationalist movements in all European areas. In Corsica, an autonomist current emerged in this period. In 1923 Petru Rocca, inspired by the Sardinian Action Party, created the Partitu Corsu d’Azione which later took the name of Autonomist Corsican Party. The leaders claim that they are not separatists. This party, born within a circle of intellectuals, denounced the French political system as the cause of the island’s problems and defended the Corsican language and culture. The political newspaper “A Muvra”, founded in 1920 – and partly written in the Corsican language – serves as the tribune of the PCA. Over the years, the political content of the newspaper became more circumstantial until it arrived, in 1927, at a definition of autonomy. He fought to defend the interests of Corsica by fighting against forced “Frenchization”; To reach the countryside, the newspaper publishes theatrical performances and literature in the Corsican language, but, at the same time, inserts a cartoon on the front page, whose task is to reach the general public: it is entrusted with the task of synthesizing the thoughts of the students.
Keywords: autonomism, caricature, Corsica, Corsican language, Corsican press. |
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The Corsican Dog
Also called Cursinu, the Corsican national dog is used as guard dogs and as companions apart from as assistant in boar hunting.
A frugal eater, they can be well trained. They have medium thick coat and the color varies from black to tan.
This dog from Corsica has been present since the 16th century. We find traces of its existence through writings or illustrations of the time. He was a primitive shepherd dog at that time and accompanied the flocks or guarded the sheepfolds and houses. He was a versatile and highly valued working dog.
At the end of the 17th century, a rabies epidemic decimated most of the Cursinus. Fortunately, in 1984, thanks to the impulse of fans of the breed, a Cursinu Safeguarding Association was added. With the support of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica and the island’s hunting associations, the association then undertook measures to protect the breed through censuses and photographs. Doctor Michelle Riera published the first results of this study in 1989. The Cursinu then became a true hallmark of Corsican identity and was part of the living heritage.
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Conch U Culombu
The U Columbo Conch is also known as le Triton and its cut-off form or U Cornu Marinu has been a coveted equipment of a shepherd or fisherman. Its anthropological value lies in its figure featured on various decorative objects.
Horn / 1st half of the twentieth century
 Museum of Corsica (Corte, Haute-Corse) |
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Vendetta in Corsica: Myth and Reality – Vanessa …
Jan 27, 2016 · Dorothy Carrington’s authoritative Granite Island: A Portrait of Corsica includes a thoughtful and erudite account of vendetta and its history. Today, vendetta is seen as a picturesque illustration of a troubled past and it’s …
| Olmeto – Colomba Carabelli plaque | Olmeto – Colomba’s house |
We’ve visited Corsica six times. L’Île de Beauté is a captivating place, with a savage beauty and a culture all its own and I strongly advise a visit. In 2014, we went to Olmeto, once the home of a woman who was the inspiration for Prosper Mérimée’s Colomba. His novel is about vendetta, an integral feature of Corsican history and culture.
Vendetta, honour and revenge
Corsica has been under foreign rule for most of its history.It’s been part of France only since 1768. The themes of honour, murder and revenge run like a bloody fault line through the island’s past. In the absence of a regular or consistent justice system, the Corsicans developed their own method of dispute resolution: the vendetta.
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Bitter, destructive feud
Vendetta is a term that refers to a bitter, destructive feud, often between two families, clans or factions, in which each injury or slaying is revenged. It can also refer to an often prolonged series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts or exchange of such acts. Vendetta can be motivated by political reasons or feelings of hate. In Italian, vendetta means revenge.
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The Corsican code of honour demanded that the men of the family had to repay insults and murders in blood. Causes of vendetta could be as serious as a killing or as trivial as a goat straying into someone else’s vegetable patch. Since the rival family reciprocated, the result was a vicious spiral of violence and murder that often continued for generations.
The family kept the blood-stained shirt of the vendetta victim until they had avenged his death. Meanwhile, the men abstained from cutting their hair or shaving until they had taken revenge.
Major cause of death
Vendetta incidents reached a peak during the 18th century.Up to 900 people per year were murdered out of a total population of little more than 100,000.The leader of the island’s short-lived republic, Pascal Paoli, tried to stamp out the practice but was only partially successful.
During the 19th century, one vendetta even threatened to degenerate into civil war, but 100 feuding families were persuaded to sign a peace treaty in 1879.The last recorded vendetta incident took place in 1954 after rival families swapped insults at a funeral and started a brawl in which several people were killed.
Olmeto and Colomba Carabelli
It’s not hard to see how warring factions might have developed in the mountain villages. Few of them have a proper centre: they are often built down the side of a hill, with steep lanes or staircases connecting the quartiers. The austere granite houses, with their small windows and lack of ornament, are almost like fortresses.
Olmeto in the southwest of the island is no exception. This atmospheric town is now somewhat marred by a main road slicing through it. But you soon leave that behind if you go up or down the terraced levels.
Colomba Carabelli lived in a house opposite the church and died aged 96 (or 86 according to some accounts) in 1861. She had moved to Olmeto from Fozzano, where Prosper Mérimée met her.
Colomba’s family was involved in a particularly bloody vendetta at Fozzano, in which her son was killed. Hearing shots in the valley, she assumed that her son’s ambush of their enemies had been successful. She shouted to a member of the opposing family:
“There’s fresh meat for you down there.”
Knowing that her son was also dead, he replied, “And for you, too!”
Vendetta in literature
Prosper Mérimée fictionalised her story.The heroine of Colomba is young and beautiful but bloodthirsty and formidable. Following the murder of her father, she tries to incite her reluctant brother, recently returned from the Napoleonic Wars, to avenge his death.
Colomba is also a voceratrice,who improvised mourning songs at funerals.She uses the death of a neighbour to stir up the menfolk with her song calling for revenge.
| The word “vocératrice”refers to a woman who practices vocération, that is to say, who expresses her mourning or pain through cries or laments. |
Balzac (La Vendetta) and Dumas (Les Frères Corses) also wrote about vendetta.Both novels dealt with the theme of expatriate Corsicans who were unable to escape from the cultural traditions of their homeland.
| La Vendetta La Vendetta (The Vendetta) is a novel by the French writer Honoré de Balzac. It is the eighth of the Scènes de la vie privée (Scenes of Private Life) in La Comédie humaine. The novel was first published in 1830 by Mame et Delaunay-Vallée. In 1842 it appeared in the first Furne edition of La Comédie humaine. La Vendetta was the fourth work in Volume 1, making it the fourth of the Scènes de la vie privée.[1]Balzac may have been inspired to write La Vendetta by Prosper Mérimée, whose novel Mateo Falcone, which was serialized by the Revue de Paris in 1829, also deals with the subject of Corsican vengeance and family honour. |
| Les Frères Corses The Corsican Brothers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas published in 1844. It tells the story of two twins separated at birth, but who can still feel each other’s physical stress.The novel has been adapted for stage and cinema. |
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The stuff of novels?
Given this powerful topic, I’m surprised that more writers in English have not chosen to write novels about it. TheHouse at Zaronza, mentions vendetta but, since it is based in early 20th-century Corsica, the practice was no longer so common. However, inspired by Mérimée’s description, I did include a voceratrice at a funeral.The strong Corsican concept of family honour is also an integral part of my book.
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Dorothy Carrington’s authoritative Granite Island: A Portrait of Corsica includes a thoughtful and erudite account of vendetta and its history. Today, vendetta is seen as a picturesque illustration of a troubled past and it’s easy to make a cliché of it in fictional accounts.But it demonstrates the deep and lasting conflicts in Corsican society.
Maison de Colomba 
Histoire d’une Vendetta
Fozzano, FranceFozzano is a beautiful village of character that is mainly known through the novel by Prosper Mérimée, dedicated to Columba, retracing the bloody vendetta that took place there at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
This typical Corsican village is also the village of the Carabelli and the Durazzo who opposed each other at the beginning of the nineteenth century. In 1830, the dispute was in full swing and the Carabelli family, led by Colomba Bartoli (née Carabelli) stood up more than ever against its enemies. Colomba’s son, François Bartoli, was killed in an ambush in 1833. This act, which marked the epic of the vendetta, had such an impact that the highest authorities of the island ended up interposing themselves between the families until they gave up their settling of scores.
After many years of struggle, Colomba only agreed to lay down her arms with the signing of a peace treaty in the presence of the bishop and the prefect. When her husband died, she went to live with her daughter in Olmeto, where she ended her days. She was buried in the family tomb near her home in Fozzano, which still exists. You can still see the houses with their imposing granite walls that opposed the clan of the Durazzo (from the upper district) to that of the Carabelli (from the lower district), to which Colomba belonged, who inspired Prosper Mérimée for his novel.
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AMERICA
RESTORED 4/26/25 I have never bought into the contrived fable we were fed about the origin of the name AMERICA. I never even really understood why our nation is called by multiple names. I knew that there was spiritual significance to the ROOT of the word AMERICA. Now I find that research proves there certainly … Click Here to Read More
The Ancient Mystery Religion – The MAGI(CIANS)
This topic is hugely overwhelming. So much information to review, sort through, gather together and put into a format that is easy to view and enlightening. I pray that I am a faithful servant and have followed God’s leading. Only when He speaks are lives changed. Stay with me through this series. We will dig … Click Here to Read More
The goal of the project is to reveal the Mythology of the Corsica Island, which has been buried under thousand years of invasions.
More than 6000 years ago, Corsica, an island of the west Mediterranean basin saw the emergence of megaliths all over the island territory. These megaliths are signs that define a sacred space linked with a very old mythology. This forgotten mythology is also highlighted through toponyms, beliefs and legends. The
Furthermore Corsican shamans (named Mazzeriin Corsican language) who are linked with this old mythology are still living in Corsica nowadays. Their presence and secrets are other information, which have to be taken into account For example they have prophetic visions through wild boar hunting dreams, which allow
The megalithic civilization is demonstrated bythe appearance of megaliths such as chests, dolmens,menhirs and statues whose number proved to be the highest in the Mediterranean basin.
Between 1800 and 565 B.C. (Bronze and Iron Age) fortified villages (calledthe “castellis”) were growing in number and were fortified by circular
From 534 Corsica was incorporated in the Byzantine Empire. This domination was interrupted, 549–553 by an Ostrogothic invasion.
Pope Gregory the Great, 590–604 encouraged the evangelization of the interior.
By 725 Corsica was annexed to the Lombard kingdom of Italy. Later, Corsica was ruled by Charlemagne (774). Saracens raided the
To replace the domination of Pisa Pope Bonifacio VIII invested the kings of Aragon with the sovereignty of Corsica. But Genoa and Aragon attempts to
Meanwhile warring seigneurs controlled Corsica. Sambuccucciu d’Alandu, elected leader by the people, led a revolt against the seigneurs.
At the same period the Giovannali, members of a heresy in the Franciscan Third Order, gained many converts to their doctrines. They
Meanwhile Sambuccuciu defeated seigneurs in the north and east and solicited Genoese protection. The Cirnachesi seigneurs remained in control of the south and
After a period of anarchy and confusion Genoa assigned Corsica (1453) to the Office of St George, a powerful corporation with its own army. The rule of the Office was opposed in a succession of rebellions led by the Cinarchesi seigneurs.
In 1729 was initiated the War of Independence for Corsica. This war was really the Corsican Revolution and forced Genoa which to repeatedly call on the intervention of Austria and then looked to France for help. Four insurrections supported by the feeling of belonging to a nation and the desire to win Independence allowed
Unity was accomplished in 1755 centered on the leadership of Pascal Paoli, general of a Corsica, which would be Independent for 14 years. Pasquale Paoli, who was
Corsica and its main fervent democrat, features in the books of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (“The Social Contract, or “Principles of Political Right”, “Project de Constitution”) and above all in the books of the Scottish writer James Boswell (Account of a tour to Corsica). Pasquale Paoli gave Corsica a capital – Corte – a university and he set up the structures of a state in which the “Corsican nation” is sovereign.
In 1796, Napoleon sent an expedition to Corsica to re-establish French control. France has held the island since then, except for a brief occupation by British soldiers in 1814, and the occupation by Italians and Germans during World War II. Allied forces freed the island in 1943, and it again became part of France.
In 1982, the French Parliament created a Corsican regional assembly.Corsican voters elect the assembly,which controls local spending and the development of the island’s economy, education, and culture.
One bond which held Corsica together was the Church, which was deeply embedded on the island. So it is not surprising that a new chapter in the history of the island was opened by the church. Pope Gregory I reclaimed the island during his pontificate (590-604), as a missionary area. In accordance with his command, the populace were further indoctrinated, the church organisation of the island was revised, and canon law was introduced. The long-vacant bishop’s seat was permanently re-established and an administrative structure introduced, which even had some impact in the island’s interior. Where the decaying Byzantine government intensified social conflict, the church proved a stabilising element and the bishops became the true leaders of the populace. source
Corsica has been under the protection of the Virgin Mary, who is queen of Corsica, since the 18th century. source
Pope Francis made the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica135. During his visit, he prayed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major and entrusted his visit to the Blessed Virgin Mary2. He praised the island people’s deep faith and tradition of popular piety source
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Take the LOG from Your Eye – Part 3 – Veneration of Mary
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Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God on January 1. ‘Calling Mary mother of God is the highest honor we can give Mary. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the Prince of Peace, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God honors Mary as the Queen of Peace.” Catholics will vehemently argue that they … Click Here to Read MoreDo You Believe In Magick? Part 13 – Pantheism
PANTHEISM Posted 1/30/16; Updated 6/2018; Updated 8/10/21 Question: “What is pantheism?” Answer: Pantheism is the view that God is everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God. Pantheism is similar to polytheism (the belief in many gods), but goes beyond polytheism to teach that everything is God. A tree is God, … Click Here to Read More
Why Pirates and Mermaids – Part 10 – MamiWata the Root behind the Craze. Restored
RESTORED 6/2/223 MEET THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE MERMAID CRAZE. I am telling you if you are not already aware, that there is an evil agenda behind all this Mermaid phenomenon that is being advanced and promoted by the LameStream Media and the Illumined Ones. I learned about the history of this Spirit when I happened … Click Here to Read More
Updated 2:48 PM EDT, December 15, 2024
AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.
Francis appeared relaxed and energized during the one-day visit, just two days before his 88th birthday, still displaying a faded bruise from a fall a week ago.
He frequently deviated from his prepared homily during Mass at the outdoor La Place d’Austerlitz, remarking at one point that he had never seen so many children as in Corsica — except, he added, in East Timor on his recent Asian tour.
“Make children,″ he implored. ”They will be your joy and your consolation in the future.”
Earlier, at the close of a Mediterranean conference on popular piety, Papa Francescu, as he is called in Corsican, described a concept of secularity “that is not static and fixed, but evolving and dynamic,” that can adapt to “unforeseen situations” and promote cooperation “between civil and ecclesial authorities.”
The pontiff said that expressions of popular piety, including processions and communal prayer of the Holy Rosary “can nurture constructive citizenship” on the part of Christians. At the same time, he warned against such manifestations being seen only in terms of folklore, or even superstition.
The visit to Corsica’s capital Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon, is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. Francis met privately with Macron at the airport before flying back to Rome.
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Often specific to the places where they are practiced, popular piety in Corsica includes the cult of the Virgin Mary, known locally as the “Madunnuccia,” which protected the island from the plague in 1656 when it was still under Genoa.
| Madunnuccia, patron saint of the city of Ajaccio, who saved the inhabitants of the pneumonic plague when the epidemic struck in the seventeenth century in Italy and which seemed to threaten the island coasts. When the city of Genoa was struck by the plague, the Council of Elders decided to put the city of Ajaccio under the protection of the miraculous virgin of Savona, Our Lady of Mercy. The streets of the imperial city were the site of an endless procession, and the miracle happened, the winds pushed the plague-infested Genoese ships away from the coast of Corsica. The city of Ajaccio and Corsica were not affected by the epidemic. It was on March 16, 1656 that the Magnifica Comunità and the Council of Elders, gathered in the hall of the public palace, proclaimed the Virgin of Mercy, protector of the city. Since these times, the Madunnuccia has always been celebrated according to the same rituals in the seventeenth century. It is the desire of the “Magnificent Elders”. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy built in the cathedral of Ajaccio. |
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Corsica stands out from the rest of secularized France as a particularly devout region, with 92 confraternities, or lay associations dedicated to works of charity or piety, with over 4,000 members.
| A confraternity (Spanish: cofradía; Portuguese: confraria) is generally a Christian voluntary association of laypeople created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy. They are most common among Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and the Western Orthodox. When a Catholic confraternity has received the authority to aggregate to itself groups erected in other localities, it is called an archconfraternity.[1] Examples include the various confraternities of penitents and the confraternities of the cord, as well as the Confraternity of the Holy Guardian Angels and the Confraternity of the Rosary. |
“It means that there is a beautiful, mature, adult and responsible collaboration between civil authorities, mayors, deputies, senators, officials and religious authorities,’’ Bustillo told The Associated Press ahead of the visit. “There is no hostility between the two. And that is a very positive aspect because in Corsica there is no ideological hostility.”
The visit was awash in signs of popular piety. The pope was greeted by children in traditional garb and was continually serenaded by bands, choruses and singing troupes that are central to Corsican culture from the airport, to the motorcade route, convention center and cathedral. Thousands stood along the roadside to greet the pontiff and more waved from windows.
Renè Colombani traveled with 2,000 others by ship from northern Corsica to Ajaccio, on the western coast, to see the pope.
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| René is a French masculine name from the Latin Renatus meaning “reborn”. The name was used by early Christians in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection or in reference to spiritual rebirth through baptism. René and Renée both became popularized in medieval France and usage had continued to this day. One of the earliest known uses of the name Rene was in the 4th century when a Christian saint named Renatus became a martyr in North Africa. In the 12th century, the name became popular in France when it was bestowed upon the famous French statesman and writer Rene of Anjou. Source: Oh Baby! Names+1 |
| The surname Colombani is believed to have Italian origins, with ties to the word “colomba,” which translates to “dove” in English. This symbolic bird often represents peace and purity, and its presence in family names suggests a historical connection to values of tranquility and potentially a religious connotation. |
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“It is an event that we will not see again in several years. It may be the only time that the pope will come to Corsica. And since we wanted to be a part of it, we have come a long way″ Colombani said.
The island, which Genoa ceded to France in 1768, is located closer to the Italian mainland than France.
From the conference, the pope traveled to the 17th-century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to meet with clergy, stopping along the way at the statue of the Madunnuccia where he lit a devotional candle.
The pope celebrated Mass beneath a looming statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor whose armies in 1808 annexed the papal states and imprisoned two of Francis’ predecessors — Popes Pius VI and VII — before being excommunicated and eventually defeated on the battlefield. Thousands packed the esplanade where Napoleon is said to have played as a child.
Francis met with Macron at the airport before departing for the 50-minute flight back to Rome.
They discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Middle East and security issues in Africa’s Sahel and Great Lakes regions, Haiti and Sudan, Macron’s office said in a statement. Macron welcomed the pope’s “calls for peace, non-violence and respect for human rights,” the statement said.
Both Macron and Francis expressed their “deep concern” regarding the situation in Gaza and called for “an immediate and lasting ceasefire” and “the massive delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid,” according to Macron’s office. On Syria, they reiterated their wish to see a “fair and inclusive political transition,” the statement said.
Macron presented the pope with two books about Notre Dame Cathedral.
The pontiff pointedly did not make the trip to Paris earlier this month for the pomp surrounding the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral following the devastating 2019 fire. The visit to Corsica seems far more suited to Francis’ priorities than a grand cathedral reopening, emphasizing the “church of the peripheries.”
It was Francis’ third trip to France, each time avoiding Paris and the protocols that a state visit entails. He visited the port of Marseille in 2023, on an overnight visit to participate in an annual summit of Mediterranean bishops, and went to Strasbourg in 2014 to address the European Parliament and Council of Europe.
Corsica is home to more than 340,000 people and has been part of France since 1768. But the island has also seen pro-independence violence and has an influential nationalist movement. Last year, Macron proposed granting it limited autonomy.
Given the short flight back to Rome, Francis didn’t hold an airborne press conference en route home, the first time he has skipped the traditional briefing in 47 foreign trips as pope. Francis did come to the back of the plane though to greet reporters and receive a pretend birthday cake.__
Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.__
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NOTE: IN THE FAR RIGHT IMAGE BELOW, THERE ARE THREE ANCHORS DISPLAYED. THE LARGE ONE BEHIND THE POPE (ONLY THE BOTTOM IS VISIBLE) THE SMALL GOLD ONE ABOVE HIS THRONE, AND THE ONE SUPPER IMPOSED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE IMAGE.
IN THE IMAGE ON THE FAR LEFT WE SEE POPE FRANCIS CARRYING A STRANGLY MISHAPPEN/BROKEN CROSS (HE OFTEN CARRIES ONE LIKE IT WITH THE LIFELESS BODY OF CHRIST HANGING ON IT/CRUCIFIX)
i FOUND IT SO VERY INTERESTING THAT THEY SO DELIBERATELY ARE DISPLAYING THE IMAGE OF AN ANCHOR. THEN I NOTICED THAT THE CROSS HE IS CARRYING LOOKS LIKE AN ANCHOR WHEN YOU TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN.
THE ANCHOR IN THIS CASE SYMBOLIZING MARITIME LAW AND THE COMING ROMAN EMPIRE.
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What to do in the Ajaccio area?
Place d’Austerlitz, known as Casone in memory of an old building, is the place where, according to legend, Napoleon used to go during his childhood. Sheltered under large rocks, hence the term “Napoleon’s Cave,” this young boy, fascinated by great historical figures, dreamed of conquests and glory... The statue of Napoleon in the uniform of a colonel of the guard is the work of the sculptor Seurre. It is a replica of the statue located at Les Invalides. The monument, inaugurated in 1938, recalls the victories and achievements of the Emperor on its inclined plane.
Far Right: Image of the statue of Napoleon Statue of Napoleon overlooking the Courtyard Honor at Les Invalides
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Seurre
Etymology: Brasseur : French Walloon and English (of Norman origin): occupational name from French brasseur ‘brewer’. Compare Brashear Brashears Brashier and Brasseaux. |
The Hôtel des Invalides (French pronunciation: [o.tɛl dez ɛ̃valid]; lit. ‘House of the Invalids‘), commonly called Les Invalides (French pronunciation: [lez ɛ̃valid]; lit. ‘The Invalids‘), is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and an old soldiers’ retirement home, the building’s original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l’Armée, the museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine. The complex also includes the Cathedral of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, the national cathedral of the French military. It is adjacent to the Royal Chapel known as the Dôme des Invalides, the tallest church building in Paris at a height of 107 meters.[1] The latter has been converted into a shrine to some of France’s leading military figures, most notably the tomb of Napoleon.[2]
 The Esplanade des Invalides, the expansive green space in front of the historic Hôtel des Invalides, was a key venue for multiple sports during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. It hosted archery, para-archery, road cycling, and marathon events, with the Invalides buildings providing a unique backdrop for athletes to compete.[7]
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Austerlitz: Napoleon’s greatest victory / Battle of the Three EmperorsThe French victory at Austerlitz was Napoleon’s masterpiece. It dramatically reversed his militarily and politically dangerous situation and secured his imperial regime (Austerlitz took place on the one-year anniversary of his coronation as emperor). It effectively spelled the end of the Third Coalition and gave Napoleon the initiative in Europe with which he was soon to obtain his greatest triumphs. Austrian Emperor Francis I signed an armistice on December 6, and the broken Russian army was withdrawn under a truce. Source |
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I could not read what is inscribed in the bricks on the far right, but one word caught my eye for sure CONCODAT
A concordat (French pronunciation: [kɔ̃kɔʁda]) is a convention between the Holy See and a sovereign state that defines the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state in matters that concern both,[1] i.e. the recognition and privileges of the Catholic Church in a particular country and with secular matters that affect church interests.
According to P. W. Brown the use of the term “concordat” does not appear “until the pontificate of Pope Martin V (1413–1431) in a work by Nicholas de Cusa, entitled De Concordantia Catholica.[2] The first concordat dates from 1098, and from then to the beginning of the First World War the Holy See signed 74 concordats.[1] Due to the substantial remapping of Europe that took place after the war, new concordats with legal successor states were necessary.[1] The post–World War I era saw the greatest proliferation of concordats in history.[1]
Although for a time after the Second Vatican Council, which ended in 1965, the term ‘concordat’ was dropped, it reappeared with the Polish Concordat of 1993 and the Portuguese Concordat of 2004. A different mode of relations between the Vatican and various states is still evolving,[3] often contentiously, in the wake of a growing secularism and religious pluralism in the western world. Check out my posts on CONCORDIA
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Do You Believe In Magick? Part 12 – Gnosticism
Originally Posted 1/30/16; Updated 12/17/18; Updated 3/31/19; RESTORED 6/17/23 Gnosticism is a personal religious experience, based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence (a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience) arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Its world view is stated in myth rather than in … Click Here to Read More
Concordia – BIZARRE Any way you look at it.
UPDATE ADDED 12/29/23 This post is an indepth look at the baffling tale of the Costa Concordia collision with THE ROCK on FRIDAY 13th of January, 2012 at 9.44 pm near the Isle of Giglio. Yes, this is an old story, and you may think you know all that you care to know about it. … Click Here to Read More
CONCORDIA – CONNECTED IN WAYS I BET YOU NEVER KNEW
This is one of the most important posts I have ever done. It serves to connect a lot of the dots. Don’t miss it. I understand that historically the average person has had a seriously difficult time believing that a small group of people were conspiring against he rest of us. Meeting in remote resorts … Click Here to Read More
THE CONCORDIA IS ORANGE
The world today is screaming out for a concordance. For a world where everyone and everything is embraced. Whatever the belief, whatever the desire, whatever the fantasy…its all good. Love is for everyone. We can all get along if we just choose to do so. What a lovely notion, but childish and extremely naïve. For … Click Here to Read More
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When I first saw the figure of Napoleon behind the Pope in photos…I thought it was the following statue.
This statue was bought by Cardinal Fesch who subsequently bequeathed it to the town of Ajaccio. It was erected in 1827 on a raised pedestal oramented with bas-reliefs as the central part of the Fontaine aux Lions. Bonaparte is dressed in a Roman toga. Lions as symbolic of Lyon, France?
The Statue of the First Consul is located in Ajaccio, Corsica. It depicts Napoleon Bonaparte dressed in a Roman toga as the First Consul. The statue stands on a raised pedestal ornamented with bas-reliefs in the Fontaine aux Lions. Surrounding it are four marble lions and various fountains. The statue is located on Place Marechal Foch12. Source
Place de Foch
Que faire en Pays d’Ajaccio ?
Built at the beginning of the 19th century, Place Foch (known as Place des Palmiers) links the old town to what was the suburb (now Rue Fesch). At the top of the square, the statue of Napoleon Bonaparte as a Roman consul is a work in white marble by the Italian sculptor Massimiliano Laboureur (1767-1831), and stands on a pedestal decorated with allegorical figures. The fountain of the four lions, in granite, is the work of the architect Jerome Maglioli. On the left of rue Bonaparte, in a niche, the statue of the Virgin of Mercy (A Madonuccia), protector of Ajaccio, celebrated on 18 March.
December 15, 2023
Ancient Corsica – Wikipedia
The history of Corsica in ancient times was characterised by contests for control of the island among various foreign powers. The successors of the Neolithic cultures of the island were able to maintain their distinctive traditions even into Roman times, despite the successive interventions of Etruscans, Carthaginians … See more
In Roman times the sea surrounding Corsica on the north and west was called the Mare Ligusticum, that to the east was the Mare Tyrrhenum and the strait separating the island from Sardinia to the south was the See more
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 Chronology of the Corsican megaliths. |
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| Corsica in Roman times. Praesidium was the seat of the governors, but Aleria was the largest and most important city. | Island of Corsica on Google Maps 2025 |
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THE FINGER FORMED BY THE NORTHERN SIDE OF CORSICA ISLAND POINTS TO THE AREA WHERE THE ANCIENT GOD CERRNUNOUS WAS WORSHIPPED, WHERE THE UNITED NATIONS WAS FORMED AND IS CENTERED, WHERE THE ELITE MEET YEARLY TO DECIDE OUR FATE, WHERE THE GOTHARD TUNNEL WAS BUILT AND CELEBRATED, AND WHERE CERN IS DESTROYING THE BARRIERS BETWEEN OUR REALM AND THE DEMONIC. NOT ONLY DOES POINT TO THAT AREA. BUT, I BELIVED THAT WHOLE AREA IS LOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NEW CERN SUPER COLLIDER.
MAP OF THE NEW CERN COLLIDER
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The Mysterious Horned Warrior — Torreans of the Isle of Corsica.
Jul 27, 2013
RECENT WORKS IN CORSICA
By ROGER GROSJEAN
(The following Article is reproduced in whole from the 1966 Antiquity Journal Vol.XL., for the benefit of the reader, and introduces the less well known though equally mysterious people from the Isle of Corsica in the Western Mediterranean whom we know as the Torreans and their possible connection with the Horned Warriors of the Sea Battle frieze at Medinet-Habu, Egypt).
Monsieur Grosjean is a former pupil of the late Abbe Breuil and has, since 1954, been excavating and conducting fieldwork and research in the prehistory and protohistory of Corsica. He is a member of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique attached to the Laboratoire de Palethnologie in theInstitut de Paleontologie Humaine. His work during twelve years has revealed a wide variety of antiquities in Corsica and has removed the feeling that Corsica was archaeologically unknown and was a gap in our knowledge of wet Mediterranean prehistory. Recently he described to the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres the discovery of an important alignment of statue-menhirs in the south-west of Corsica, and he summarizes these discoveries here and evaluates the light they throw on the Megalthic and Torrean cultures of the island.
CORSICA is now, without any doubt, regarded in the Mediterranean as ‘the island of statue-menhirs’. These Corsican monumental statues are 2 to 3m. in height — well above the size of a normal human being — and are the work of artists belonging to the last phase of the island’s megalithic culture which we would date from the middle of the 2nd millennium B.C. [1].
These statue-menhirs of which at least 60 are now known from all over the island, are almost all of a very hard granite: all worked without the use of metal tools.
Since the first publication of the important site of Filitosa [2] there have been many excavations, and we can now see clearly the succession of cultures in prehistoric Corsica, and particularly the succession and interrelation of the two important cultures which interest all prehistorians so much, namely the Megalithic Culture, that is to say the culture of the builders of the megaliths, and the Torrean Culture, that is to say the builders of the torre or stone towers.
This latter, the civilisation torreenne as it is described in French was entirely unknown in Corsica before 1954.
Since then tens of sites have been excavated and studied of the Torrean cultures-cult-sites, fortified towers, and living sites — of which at least a hundred are known south of a line from Ajaccio to Solenzara [3].
The present writer has already proposed [4] the division of the Corsican megalithic culture into three periods, and the subdivision of the third period into four phases. It may be convenient to summize these here for the benefit of English and American readers.
THE TORREAN CULTURE AND ITS ORIGINS
Two of the new statue-menhirs of Cauria, and they are both surprisingly alike, give us information about the people who were the invading Torreans. In front view (PL. XXXb) in side view (FIG.5.) and from the back (FIG.6.) the representation is clear, accurate and unmistakable. The weapons, the equipment and the clothing are very well represented.
Fig.5. An impression of the statue-menhirs Cauria II and IV with horns in place.
The short sword, of the type B rather than type A in our classification [10], is slung in a scabbard from the shoulder. Lower down the statue at right-angles to the tip of the sword, a sort of loincloth or girdle has been carved round the statue and beneath the belly there appears to be a vest or devanteau, and on the backside, a curvilinear motif suggesting another garment.
Fig.6. A suggested reconstruction, from the back, of the northern end of the I Stantare alignment. The details of 3 and 5 (from the left) have not yet been established.
On the backs of these statue-menhirs there is engraved the vertebral column (or is it perhaps just a Lanyon joining the baldrick to the girdle?).
The treatment of the faces suggests a beard as we have already argued for the statue-menhirs of Filitosa V, VI, VII AND XIII and those of Petra-Pinzuta and Valle. But the most remarkable feature is on the top of the head where, as can readily be seen (PL. XXXa) there are lateral holes 7cm. in diameter and 3cm. deep, (Among all the Corsican statue-menhirs, only Scalsa-Murta has cupules on both sides of the top of the head as well as two others at the back of the head).
These could never have had any function save as the receptacles for horns (whether true oxhorns or models is not important), so that the statue-menhirs appeared to be wearing horned helmets (FIGS.5, 6).
Our research in the origins of the Torrean culture force us to consider the origin of comparable and synchronous cultures such as the Nuragic culture of Sardinia and Talayotic culture of the Balearic Islands [11].
These three groups — the builders of the torre, of the nuraghi, and of the talayotos, suggest close comparison with one of the Peoples of the Sea who threatened Egypt in the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries B.C. They also suggest reconsideration of the Shardana whom many have thought as the founders of the Nuragic civilization of Sardinia. Most writers have been influenced by the similarity of the names Shardana and Sardinia, and forget that the archaeological evidence in Sardinia of long swords, round shields, and horned helmets, shown so clearly in the bronze statuettes, dates from the 8th century B.C., four to six centuries after the invasion of Corsica and Sardinia by the Torrean-Nuragic peoples.
There is a very great difference between the daggers represented on the Sardinian Nuragic bronze figures and those worn by the Shardana in the Medinet-Habu reliefs, and this is most striking.
It is a fact that when one speaks of the problems posed by the Peoples of the Sea one is hampered by our ignorance of them: our sole near-contemporary archaeological witness is the relief at Medinet-Habu.
But now we have from the Corsican statues, and particularly those of Cauria, evidence from the very time that the Torreans landed in Corsica and, it would appear, evidence of people who at the same time, namely the second half of the 2nd millennium B.C, occupied Sardinia — although, admittedly, this is not yet firmly established.
Legends, Megaliths And Astronomy In Corsica Island
RECORDED HISTORY OF THE EXISTENCE OF GIANTS
HAL Id: hal-00183310 https://hal.science/hal-00183310v1
Submitted on 30 Oct 2007
HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
The goal of the project is to reveal the Mythology of the Corsica Island, which has been buried under thousand years of invasions. More than 6000 years ago, Corsica, an island of the west …
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Magic and the Supernatural in Corsica
Menhir at the prehistoric site of Filitosa. Did they invest their statues with supernatural powers?
The Corsican people have always held strong beliefs in the supernatural and magic, which predate the modern Catholic religion by a long way. The spirit world was, Corsicans believed, never very far from ours and the two coincided at certain times.
The dead had to be appeased and bad omens banished with spells to avert mishaps to the living. Corsicans wore amulets, uttered protective charms and called on people with special powers to cure illnesses supposedly caused by supernatural forces.
These ancestral beliefs were common throughout the island and have undoubtedly persisted since prehistoric times. But the rites, traditions and terminology also varied from place to place. The mountainous backbone of the island formed a natural barrier and the difficulties of getting around helped to nourish the multitude of beliefs.
I have incorporated some of them into my novel, The Corsican Widow, which was published in 2018. It’s set in Corsica and Marseille during the 18th century.
The Evil Eye
Pisan church at Murato. Ancient rites dated from long before Christianity.
Mal d’ochju, the Evil Eye, is held responsible for various maladies, especially those of children. It is always looking for a way in. It’s enough to praise a child without adding the precautionary, “May God bless him/her,” for the Eye to take hold. People who are too self-satisfied or conceited are also potential victims. It’s a sinister incarnation of the adage “pride comes before a fall”.
Exorcists of the Evil Eye are known as signadore. They are female healers who practice a precise and curious ritual (although this also varies from place to place). After crossing themselves thrice, with their index finger, they drip hot oil from a lamp into cold water in a deep plate. If the globules of oil fail to coalesce, it is evidence of the Eye’s presence. They mutter incantations and stir the oil about until it forms a single blob and the Eye has left.
Signadore can only transmit their secret knowledge and formulae orally to an “apprentice” on Christmas Eve while the church bell rings. In some places, this period extends to the New Year.
Here is a short extract from The Corsican Widow, in which a signadora makes a last-ditch attempt to cure someone who is mortally sick.
Valeria hurried to find the items the signadora had asked for. The woman lit the lamp and poured water into the plate. She made the sign of the cross over it three times and cast nine drops of hot olive oil from the lamp into the water, muttering inaudible words at the same time. She frowned and stirred the water with her finger several times.
“It is the Eye,” she said. “The drops of oil will not merge together. This shows that the Eye is present and will not be cast out until they do.”
Valeria looked into the dish. The oil had spread out in small globules over the water. She glanced at Santucci, whose eyes widened as if he looked on Death itself.
“How are you going to get rid of it?” he said.
“I must repeat the procedure until it works.”
The woman made the sign of the cross and poured the oil into the water again and again. Each time, she shook her head and started afresh. Deep lines appeared on her forehead and she closed her eyes tight when she repeated the incantations and pushed the oil drops with her finger. At last, she exhaled and showed Valeria the plate. In the centre was a compact globule. Valeria closed her eyes and relaxed her clenched fists.
“It has gone, by the grace of God. Now you are free of the Eye. You will sleep and then you will feel better.”
Mazzeri – dream-hunters
River Restonica near Corte. Streams and rivers were places of veneration as well as superstition
The distinction between good and bad is often blurred in the spirit world. So, other people with supernatural powers are named mazzeri, or dream hunters, and can be either male or female.
Mazzeri roam at night, armed with a heavy staff known as a mazza. Curiously, they are often seen asleep in bed at the same time. During the nocturnal wanderings, they kill an animal and in its face they see that of a person known to them, who will invariably die within a short time. If the animal is only wounded, the person concerned may fall ill or suffer an accident, but will not die.
Mazzeri, it seems, choose neither their calling nor their victims. And while they might be shunned by their neighbours, they live alongside them, although somewhat remotely. A mazzeru can only be released from their vocation through exorcism by a priest in an archaic rite that must surely date back well beyond Christianity.
Prophesying with a sheep’s bone
The remote Niolu Valley, stamping ground of herdsmen
Corsicans have a strong belief in destiny. Predicting the future is simply to foretell what will happen, which can rarely be averted. Nomadic shepherds, who spent long periods in the summer isolated from their communities, were the most inclined to soothsaying.
They stripped a sheep’s shoulder blade of skin and flesh and held it up to the light, often rubbing it at the same time. The sun shining through the bone showed a vision of the future. Apparently, Niolan herdsmen predicted various historical events, including the rise and fall of Napoleon.
In the early part of The Corsican Widow, the main character asks her elderly friend Margherita to read her future in a sheep’s bone. Margherita had learned the skill from a male forebear.
These ancestral beliefs have now passed into memory, but they played a very influential role in Corsican life as recently as the mid-20th century.
You can purchase The Corsican Widow on Amazon, where it’s available in Kindle and paperback formats, and free to read if you belong to Kindle Unlimited.
Further reading:
The Dream Hunters of Corsica, Dorothy Carrington
Le Folklore Magique de la Corse, Rocco Multedo
Guide de la Corse Mystérieuse, Gaston d’Angelis & Georges Grelou
You might also like:
Vendetta in Corsica: Myth and Reality
Women in Traditional Corsican Society
Why Corsica Should be Happy Hunting Ground for Authors
Copyright © Vanessa Couchman 2017, all rights reserved.
Dorothy Carrington: The Dream-hunters of Corsica
Mazzeri, Finzioni, Signadori
Part 4: Signadori
Various aspects of the mazzeri’s activities are enigmatic, obscure, belonging, as they do, to the world of dream.The signadori, on the other hand, much more numerous at the present time, perform their function openly, in “real life”, in their homes, and are still be met in almost every village. They are generally regarded as antithetic to the mazzeri. They are held to represent the element of light in the Corsican occult world, while the mazzeri are shrouded in shadow.
Belief in the Evil Eye is worldwide; the Corsican signadori have parallels the world over.It is here to describe the particular Corsican reactions to a universal fear.
In Corsica the Eye, “l’occhiu“, manifests itself in persistent headaches, nausea, lack of appetite, unaccountable tears, while at the same time cruelly depriving its victim of the vital energy needed for resisting it.
A person afflicted with the Eye slides into a state of physical and mental depression. It attacks preferably those who are in themselves weak, especially children. It may also assault domestic animals.
It is thought an influence transmitted by the Eye of a person motivated by jealousy: envious old women are stereotyped authors of the Eye. But it may be also harmless individuals who are unaware of doing so.
Precautions must constantly be taken. It is unwise, for instance, to compliment anyone for fear that the words will attract the attention of the Eye. A remark as “What a beautiful baby you have” must immediately be followed by a protective formula: “May God bless it” or “God bless you”.
Another gesture, still seen, is to “make the horns” (of the Devil), by pointing a clench fist downwards with the first and little finger extended.
Conspicuous wealth is resented as an aggression. The Corsicans were thus predisposed to welcome the Franciscan cult of poverty that penetrated the island from the lifetime of the saint. Yet Envy, un-Christian Envy, remained unsubdued. Curiously it is less reproved by the Corsicans than pride, the opposing attitude in the same complexe of behaviour, as though pride were the excuse for Envy, its justification.
The signadori are so-called because their function is to sign, in Corsican signa, the particular signing that consists of pointing to the four extremities of the holy cross.
The plate containing the water and oil is sometimes held over the patient’s head, sometimes laid on top of a lock of his hair on a table, or placed on a table where he clasps it between his hands. The rite is performed in a ceremonial silence during which the signadora, her eyes half-closed, seems to be entering a state of trance. In fact she is inaudibly reciting one of her appropriate prayers. This must be learnt at or near midnight on Christmas Eve , that sacred night when God comes to visit men and evil influences are inoperative. They may also, Dorothy Carrington has heard, be transmitted on the eve of New Year’s Day. Taught by grandparents to grandchildren, they are thought to be inspired by the spirits of ancestors. If divulged by the signadori they lose their power.
The pattern made by the oil in the water reveals the patient’s condition, his physical and mental health and whether or not he is suffering from the Eye. The Eye is shown when the oil disperses in little blobs and refuses to coalesce in spite of the prodding of the signadora’s finger. If it is the consequence of an imbuscada the oil flows all over the plate. The rite sometimes operates in such a way as to transfer the illness from patient to healer. The signadora is suddenly stricken with headache, nausea, tears: she is infected by the Eye until it is captured in the oil and water and expelled after she has broken the pattern with her finger and thrown the contents of the plate out of doors, or into the heart./
According to Roccu Multedo the postulant must be a practising Catholic, the mother of a family and over forty. The great majority of feminine signadori are indeed middle-aged or elderly, as though they had adopted their profession after their children had grown up and left home.
 The signadori, devout Catholics, were not prosecuted by the Inquisition that operated in Corsica between the mid-sixteenth and mid-seventeenth centuries, even though it had no hesitation in condemning women for trying to heal. They survived and continued to perform their mission; perhaps precisely because, like the mazzeri, they were too well respected to be denounced.Signadori are not fortune-tellers. They can read thoughts and see into the present, but only a very few of the most gifted can see the future, and then only the general drift of the patient’s life, without circumstantial detail. Corsicans other than signadori tend to see only death in the future, albeit without seeking that knowledge. A cultured town-dwelling friend of Dorothy Carrington detected in an egg-shell the outline of a crucifix of a funeral wreath; news of the death of a relative came the next day. Many people claim that the future can be seen in the shell of an egg laid on the day of the Ascension, which is supposed to keep fresh for a year and to possess a protective magic against illness and accident. Magic is likewise attributed to a certain herb – Sedum stellatum L. – which must be picked on that morning before dawn and nailed to an inner wall of the house, where it will remain forty days in flower. It is often seen in shepherds’ cabins. The shepherds are the people in Corsica most given to predicting the future, and who deliberately practise this art. The occult faculties of the Corsicans, paradoxically, tend to wipe out their awareness of the future; what will happen has for them already occurred./ The signadori do much to appease conflicts on the island, unobtrusively, using their own chosen methods. They take no part in local quarrels, even when they well know what is going on in their communities. Their action is not directed against individuals, but against the Eye, the Envy that is working throught them. Their aim is to restore a harmony, psychic or physical, broken by the forces of destruction, by invoking those of Christianity.
Their prayers appeal to the great figures of the Christian religion: “Le père Sauveur”, God the Father; “Le Saint Sauveur”, Jesus Christ; John the Baptist; the Virgin Mary ( see also article about The Cult of the Virgin Mary); Saint Joseph and Saint Anne. The meaning of their prayers is often evasive.
A prayer to stanch blood is cast in sequence of declarations which pay tribute to the Virgin Mary and to the magical quality of the number three:
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Madre Maria per mare venia
Tre lancia d’oro in manu tenia
Una lanciaia, l’altra feria
è l’altra u sangue stancia faciaMother Mary came by sea
She held three lances in her hand
One cut, the other wounded
And the other stopped the flow of blood
Roccu Multedo has found incantations in Italy. Incantations are used as well in the Scottish Highlands both in their lack of adornment and their form. So the Holy Trinity is pitted against the Evil Eye.
The slow, painful penetration of Christianity was later threatened by Vandal and Saracen invasions, which must have left deep scars on the Corsican psyche. The urgency and violence of the signadori’s incantations might suggest that they derive from such heroic times.
It was the Franciscans, seeking to mitigate the harshness of island life, who propagated the cult of the Virgin Mary, so often appealed to by the signadori.
Today, some throw into the water grains of wheat, or scraps of heather, or salt, reputedly magical, or melted wax or lead. Berries of the lentisk, common in the Corsican maquis, can be crushed to produce oil, the so-called “oil of the poor”. Certain signadori can operate ” a secca“: “dry”, by making the sign of the cross on the patient’s forehead, or in the air, standing in front of him so as to indicate his entire physical configuration.
However there is overlapping of roles. Dorothy Carrington heard of a woman of the southern Sartenais who some twenty years ago practised as a mazzera by night and as a signadora by day, to rid herself, she admitted, of a sense of guilt. Guilt such as not infrequently torments the mazzeri, as has been told.
Mazzeri and signadori, it seems, once collaborated as weather-controllers. The technique of the signadori in this matter is perpetuated by the shepherds-practitioners of the Niolu. The incantations she presents are not, strangely enough, designed to bring rain, but to avert it, rain storms being more dreaded in that mountain area than drought.Their main occupation is naturally the welfare of their livestock.
At the moment of the blessing of the flocks, water is sprinkled over the animals. But then the water is not regarded as the abode of evil spirits, because it has been blessed, so that it has a holy virtue akin to that of baptism.
Only one misfortune is not susceptible to magic: against death there is no appeal.
*) lamenti: laments for an unhappy situation, misfortune
Postscript:
There is so much more to know about these subjects, such as interesting stories told by mazzeri, finzioni, signadori, and Corsicans who met them, and comparisons with other cultures. If you are really interested, you shouldn’t deprive yourself of the chance to read Dorothy Carrington’s fascinating book to know more about the magico-religious aspects of Corsican culture!
SPACER
No matter what the elite were using this story for this week, the ultimate motive behind it is CONTROL. Just like they are using our Health/Medical Industry to control our lives and bodies, they are using animals like the tree frog, the grey fox, the polar bear, the giant squid to take control over all of the land and water in the world. The ultimate goal of ALL SCIENCE IS CONTROL.
In the name of Environmentalism and “SAVING THE PLANET” they can take away all of your rights, put you in jail, or kill you. All of which they are already doing to people across the Earth.
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Cat Fox: Unusual Hybrid or Internet Hoax?
The cat-fox, a unique creature living in Corsican forests, has intrigued scientists with its distinctive features, prompting research since 2008, and was declared a unique species in 2023.
Scientific Research and Recognition
Ongoing Studies
Researchers from the National Hunting and Wildlife Office have been working hard to learn more about the cat-fox. They’ve been catching and tagging these animals to track their movements and habits.
The team has also been collecting DNA samples. These samples are being used in a genetic study to figure out how the cat-fox is related to other wild cats.
Scientists are looking at the cat-fox’s diet, habitat, and behavior too. They want to know how many cat-foxes there are and if their numbers are going up or down.
Gaining Recognition as a Species
The cat-fox is getting closer to being officially recognized as its own species. This is a big deal in the world of animal science!
For a long time, people thought the cat-fox was just a myth. But now, thanks to all the research, it’s being taken seriously by scientists.
In 2019, the National Hunting and Wildlife Office said the cat-fox might be a new species. They based this on its unique looks and DNA.
If it becomes officially recognized, it would help protect the cat-fox and its home on Corsica. This would be great news for animal lovers and scientists alike!
Lore and Culture Surrounding the Cat-Fox
Corsican Tales
On the island of Corsica, the cat-fox is known as ghjattu volpe. Local shepherds have passed down stories about this mysterious animal for generations.
The creature plays a big role in shepherd mythology. Many believe it sneaks into goat pens at night to milk the animals. Some even say it can hypnotize goats with its eyes!
These tales have kept the cat-fox alive in people’s minds long before scientists confirmed its existence. The stories show how deeply the animal is woven into Corsican culture.
Global Fascination
The cat-fox’s charm has spread far beyond Corsica’s shores. Animal lovers and mystery fans around the world are captivated by this unique feline.
Its mix of familiar cat features and fox-like traits makes it seem almost magical. People wonder about its origins and how it stayed hidden for so long.
Scientists are excited too. They hope studying the cat-fox will teach them more about how animals evolve on islands. The creature’s story shows how local folklore can point to real, undiscovered species.
Conservation Efforts
The cat-fox in Corsica faces challenges, but people are working to protect it. Some key actions include giving it legal protection and watching over its habitat.
The Corsican cat-fox is not yet on official endangered species lists. This is because scientists have only recently confirmed it as a unique species.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) hasn’t evaluated its status yet. Local laws in Corsica offer some protection, but more may be needed.
Experts are pushing for stronger safeguards. They want to list the cat-fox as a protected species. This would make it illegal to harm or capture these animals.
Wildlife Preservation Actions
Wildlife rangers play a big role in protecting the cat-fox. They patrol the Corsican forests where these animals live. Their job is to stop poaching and keep the habitat safe.
Scientists are studying the cat-fox to learn more about it. This research helps create better conservation plans. They use special cameras to watch the animals without disturbing them.
Local communities are getting involved too. They help by reporting sightings and respecting the cat-fox’s habitat. Education programs teach people about these unique animals and why they matter.
The Ecosystem of Corsica
Corsica’s unique ecosystem is home to diverse plants and animals. The island’s landscape shapes the lives of its creatures and impacts the environment.
Native Fauna
Corsica boasts a rich array of native animals. The island’s forests are home to the mysterious cat-fox. This creature looks like a mix between a cat and a fox, with big ears and sharp teeth.
Birds like the Corsican nuthatch are found only on this Mediterranean island. In the waters around Corsica, you can spot dolphins and whales.
Environmental Impact
Human activity affects Corsica’s delicate ecosystem. Farmers and their livestock play a big role. Goats help keep the underbrush in check, which can prevent wildfires.
But overgrazing can harm native plants, which might lead to soil erosion on the steep slopes.
Tourism brings money to the island. It also puts pressure on natural resources. More people means more waste and water use.
Climate change is a growing concern. It may alter rainfall patterns and affect the plants and animals that live here.
Efforts to protect Corsica’s unique ecosystem are ongoing. These include creating nature reserves and studying rare species like the cat-fox.
Cat-Fox Genetics and Evolution
The cat-fox’s unique genetic makeup and evolutionary history have puzzled scientists for years. Recent studies have shed light on its distinct lineage and possible origins.
Genetic Profiles and Lineage
The cat-fox’s DNA reveals a fascinating genetic identity. Scientists have found it to be different from other known wildcats.
It shares some traits with Felis silvestris lybica, the ancestor of domestic cats. But it also has unique genetic markers.
These markers suggest the cat-fox might be a new subspecies. Its genes show a mix of wildcat and domestic cat features.
The cat-fox’s DNA tells a story of long isolation on Corsica. This isolation allowed it to develop its special traits.
Evolutionary Theories
Scientists think the cat-fox’s ancestors may have come from the Middle East. They likely arrived on Corsica thousands of years ago.
One theory suggests they came with early farmers. Another idea is that they were brought by traders.
The cat-fox’s unique features probably evolved to suit Corsica’s rugged terrain. Its large ears and keen night vision help it hunt in dense forests.
Its thick fur and ringed tail may have developed to help it survive in the island’s varied climate.
The cat-fox’s reproductive patterns are still being studied. They might offer clues about how it adapted to its island home over time.
Human Interactions with Cat-Foxes
From Myth to Protection
Cat-foxes were once thought to be legendary creatures. Local shepherds told tales of strange feline-like animals roaming the hills. As sightings increased, scientists became interested.
In recent years, researchers have studied cat-foxes closely. They’ve used tagging to track their movements and behaviors. This research has led to better understanding of these animals.
Now, cat-foxes are protected by law in some areas. People have learned to appreciate their uniqueness and importance to local ecosystems.
Cat-foxes have adapted to live near human settlements. They sometimes visit farms and villages looking for food. This can cause issues with local farmers.
Some cat-foxes have been known to raid chicken coops. To prevent this, farmers have improved coop security. They use stronger fences and lock chickens up at night.
Despite occasional conflicts, many people enjoy seeing cat-foxes. Some areas have even started cat-fox watching tours. This helps locals learn about and appreciate these special animals.
Coexistence between humans and cat-foxes is possible with the right approach. Education about cat-fox behavior and needs is key to reducing conflicts.
Future Research Directions
The cat-fox of Corsica fascinates scientists and wildlife enthusiasts. More studies are needed to fully understand this unique feline. New tools and methods could reveal exciting discoveries about the cat-fox.
Advancements in Wildcat Research
Molecular ecology offers promising avenues for cat-fox research. DNA analysis can uncover genetic links to other wildcat populations. It may help determine if the cat-fox is a new subspecies.
Scientists hope to learn more about the cat-fox’s diet and behavior. Camera traps could capture footage of these elusive animals in their natural habitat. This data would shed light on their daily routines and social interactions.
The French Office for Biodiversity plays a key role in protecting the cat-fox. They aim to estimate population size and track breeding patterns. This information is crucial for conservation efforts.
GPS collars have changed the game for tracking cat-foxes. These devices can map their movements and home ranges. Researchers can learn about the cats’ preferred habitats and migration patterns.
Drones equipped with thermal cameras might spot cat-foxes from above. This technology could help count individuals and locate dens. It’s especially useful in Corsica’s rugged terrain.
Advanced audio recording devices may capture cat-fox vocalizations. Studying these sounds could reveal communication patterns and social structures. It might also help researchers locate individuals in dense forest areas.
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