Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Job for Worms and Music

Lawrence Besserman writes that one widespread practice in the middle ages was the veneration of Job as the patron saint of those who suffered from worms, various skin diseases, venereal disease, and melancholy. In fact, if one wanted, one might find a number of Latin and German charms against worms, in which Saint Job is invoked.

And somewhat mysteriously, Job was also the patron saint of musicians. Figure that one out.

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