Saturday, July 21, 2007

Wishing for magic rain

Gente sin oficio vs. Gente crédula

The Times
July 21, 2007

Pagans fail to see the joke as giant finds company from the Simpsons

Pagan Homer

CERNE ABBAS Pagans have pledged to perform "rain magic" to wash away a giant picture of Homer Simpson that has been painted next to the Cerne Abbas Giant, their famous fertility symbol.

The image of the Simpsons character, which is 180ft (55 metres) tall, appeared next to the giant as part of a publicity stunt to promote The Simpsons Movie, which is due to be released this month.

The 17th-century chalk outline of the naked, aroused, club-wielding giant is believed by many to be a symbol of ancient spirituality. Many couples also believe that the Giant, which is carved in the hillside above Cerne Abbas, Dorset, is an aid to fertility.

The Simpsons figure, brandishing a doughnut, has been painted with water-based biodegradable paint that will wash away with rain. However, Ann Bryn-Evans, joint Wessex district manager for the Pagan Federation, said: "It's very disrespectful and not at all aesthetically pleasing. We'll be doing some rain magic to bring the rain and wash it away."

The Cerne Abbas Giant has previously been used to promote products such as as condoms, jeans and bicycles. He receives a full rechalking every 25 years.

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