The Society of the Horseman’s Word
The Society of Esoteric Endeavour
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.
Deluxe 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.
One of 100 deluxe copies. costs 100 UK Pounds
One of 900 copies, hardback with dustwrapper costs 25 UK Pounds.
