Various, Society of the Horseman’s Word, Society of Esoteric
Endeavour 2009 23cm x 23cm 184pp Frontispiece and some illustrations.
This clandestine esoteric society flourished amongst ploughmen in Scotland from
the end of the 18th Century until the early 20th. Its
members were believed to have supernatural control over horses, and also women
and were also associated with witchcraft. This book takes the reader on a
journey into the mysteries of the brotherhood. First context is provided.
Forget notions of dour Victorian morality. We learn from the disapproving pen
of the one Scottish ploughman who left a substantial written record that his
work mates drank hard, played hard and chased women. A ranting, hostile exposure
is reproduced which is actually really instructive, providing what appears to
be a 17th Century version of the ritual, very different from the
full version. Then follows some surprisingly informative newspaper accounts
written by members, an early (ranting but useful) exposure, an eyewitness
account, relevant folksongs sung by the ploughmen and then the ceremony and
lore of the Society.
The ceremony, which has never been previously
published, is a surprise, as are the teachings of the Society. The ritual shows
a transformation of freemasonry to the nature of ploughing with horses. The
legend of Solomon’s temple is replaced with references to Hercules and other
figures from Greek mythology as well as Gabriel, Lucifer and Old Nick, the
classical references sometimes being very well informed. Also incorporated are
folk traditions about the domestication of horses. It could be an extreme
experience, being very rough, physically arduous and potentially very scary,
involving an encounter with the Devil and mock execution. In the earliest form
of the ritual Adam, after the fall, is given as the originator of ploughing, an
important gives Cain and in the secret rituals and teachings it is Tubal Cain
who, it is said, was the first horseman though he, we are told, was instructed
by a woman! An appendices explores the nature and significance of Tubal Cain
and his relevance to ploughmen, finding expressions of rebellion against the
status quo. Whilst one comes to understand why the horseman’s word was
associated with control of horses and power over women, true mysteries emerge.
In East Anglia supernatural control of horses was
attributed to possession of a toad bone obtained though a frightful ritual.
Whilst we learn that members of the Society of the Horsemen’s Word were accused
of similar spellcraft, and some would aver to such practice, it is clear that
the nature of the Society is very different. The candidate is repeatedly
exhorted to treat his animals well (i.e not like he is treated in the ritual!)
and is even required to challenge any brother mistreating a horse. His
initiator also says “You might have been told before that Mankind was made in
the image of the Almighty but his horsemen know that all creatures, great and
small, were also made in the Allmighty’s image” As it flourished long
before the R.S.P.C.A. was founded it may be, despite being entirely
clandestine, the Society was the first British organisation to have an animal
welfare agenda.
However the Society of the Horsmean’s Word is not
entirely alien to the East Anglian tradition. An extract from the writings of
an anonymous East Anglian poacher is included, as it evinces a similar
celebration of Cain as found in the Scottish traditionm, the same write is also
an important source concerniung the Toad Bone ritual.
The Society of Horsemen was multifunctional. To
some degree it was an early form of trade union. Thus, it was a criminal
conspiracy, contravening the same laws that saw the Tolpuddle Martyrs
transported and numerous workers imprisoned. It had to be clandestine. Strikes
were impossible, but they had sabotage. Possession of the Horseman’s Word
was a mask for the use of scents and smells to control horses, so the farmer
would literally be unable to get a horse out of stable or into harness, if a
horseman in dispute had “reasted” the horse by means of secreting an aromatic
substance.
Unlike other Society of Esoteric Endeavour
publications it is possioble there may be further editions of the trade edition
of this title (only one batch of 100 copies of the leather bound deluxe copies
- details below) though. Another book is planned which will deal with the
English, and also overseas, traditions of esoteric horsemanship. I would like
to take this opportunity to issue invitation to those who have information they
wish to contribute, whether about horse whispering, the Toad Bone rite, the
Bonesmen, Toadsmen, supernatural control of horses and other animals smithing
and farriery and related areas. The Society of the Horseman’s Word carries a
similar invitation iun the text and on the dustwrapper. It will be promoted in
equestrian circles as an way of asking folk in those scenes what information,
not generally known, may survive in those scenes.
The book Society of the Horseman’s Word is
available in two formats.
Deluse limited edition of 100 numbered copies
signed by Billy Rennie who is an initiated member of the Society. 120 gsm
cartridge paper, 4 tipped in plates. These copies have a full leather limp
binding, using the same kind of leather that is used for horse harness. The
front cover is decorated with a horse shoe design blocked in iron foil using a
real horseshoe as a dye. The nail holes are picked out in genuine gold, as
these have a significance to Society members, as explained in the book.
The title is blocked in genuine gold. A young horseman would be invited
to join the Society by finding an envelope, of the sort in which he received
his wages, on his bed. It contained the hair from a horses tail, knotted
in a special way, so it would be known to be truly an invitation from the
Society. The deluxe copies have such a wages envelope tipped in on the front
pastedown, enclosed is the horsehair knotted in the special way (that is
referred to, but not given, in the text of the book.
The deluxe is currently in preparation, copies will
be despatched by special delivery in about a month’s time.
One of 100 deluxe copies. costs 100 UK Pounds
plus postage and insurance at cost (in UK Pounds):-
One of 900 copies, hardback with dustwrapper costs
25 UK Pounds. Printed on 120 gsm
cartridge paper. Some illustrations.
UK
2.
24
Europe
4.97
Rest of the World
Airmail 9.50
Surface
anywhere
4.89
If no preference is stated these will be sent
airmail