Ancient rites and ceremonies from "summary" of The Golden Bough by James George Frazer
The customs of rude or savage tribes which have been practiced from time immemorial in connection with certain natural phenomena, such as the change of seasons, the succession of day and night, the waxing and waning of the moon, and the growth of vegetation, are known as ancient rites and ceremonies. These rites and ceremonies are performed with the object of influencing these natural processes in such a way as to promote the welfare of mankind, especially in the way of providing food, securing protection against danger, and ensuring health and prosperity. The belief underlying these rites and ceremonies is that the forces of nature are animated by conscious beings, who can be influenced by human activities, particularly by the performance of certain rites and ceremonies. This belief is based on the idea that there is a close connection between man and nature, and that by performing certain actions man can control the forces of nature and thereby secure the desired outcome. Thus, the ancient rites and ceremonies are essentially magical in nature, being based on the belief in the efficacy of certain actions to produce certain results. The performance of these rites and ceremonies is usually entrusted to a special class of persons, known as priests or medicine men, who are believed to possess special powers or knowledge enabling them to control the ...
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