Here be dragons part 5

 Here Be Dragons!

Part 5: how did we come to believe in dragons?

How and when were the myths and legends originally  conceived?

The question of what may have inspired dragon legends has fascinated historians, archaeologists, and folklorists for centuries. While no single explanation accounts for every dragon myth, several real-world phenomena could have contributed to the widespread belief in dragons.

Fossils and Ancient Bones

One of the most widely accepted theories is that ancient people discovered large fossilised bones and interpreted them as the remains of dragons.

Examples include:

• Dinosaur fossils
• Mammoth bones
• Woolly rhinoceros remains
• Giant prehistoric marine reptiles

Without knowledge of extinct species, enormous fossil bones would naturally seem to belong to gigantic monsters.

In China, fossils were traditionally called “dragon bones” and were collected for medicinal use for centuries. Some scholars believe these discoveries helped reinforce existing dragon traditions.

Crocodiles and Large Reptiles

Travelers returning from distant lands often described unfamiliar animals in exaggerated ways.

A crocodile possesses many dragon-like features:

• Armored scales
• Powerful jaws
• Sharp teeth
• Large size
• Semi-aquatic habits

Ancient Europeans who had never seen crocodiles may have interpreted second-hand accounts as descriptions of dragons.

The word “dragon” itself was sometimes applied to crocodiles in medieval writings.

Giant Snakes

Many of the oldest dragons were actually enormous serpents.

Creatures such as:

• Pythons
• Anacondas
• King cobras

could easily inspire tales of monstrous dragons. In many cultures, there is little distinction between dragons and giant snakes.

The ancient dragon often looked far more like a serpent than the winged fire-breathing dragons popular today.

Whale and Marine Animal Remains

Storms occasionally washed whale skeletons onto beaches.

To people unfamiliar with whale anatomy, the bones could appear monstrous and alien.

Large skulls and ribs scattered along a shoreline might inspire stories of:

• Sea dragons
• Sea serpents
• Ocean monsters

Many coastal dragon legends may have originated from such discoveries.

Giant Squid and Sea Serpents

Sailors have long reported sightings of enormous sea creatures.

Real animals that may have contributed include:

• Giant squid
• Oarfish
• Whale sharks
• Basking sharks

An oarfish, for example, can grow over 8 meters (26 feet) long and undulates through the water in a serpent-like manner. A brief glimpse in rough seas could easily become a tale of a sea dragon.

Cave Discoveries

Many dragon stories place dragons in caves.

Ancient people entering caves sometimes found:

• Bear skeletons
• Fossil deposits
• Strange mineral formations

Discovering massive bones in a dark cavern could naturally lead to stories of a dragon’s lair.

Some European dragon caves have later yielded remains of extinct cave bears.

Volcanic and Geological Activity

Before modern geology, natural disasters often seemed like the work of living creatures.

Volcanoes could resemble dragons because they:

• Breathed smoke
• Emitted fire
• Shook the ground
• Produced thunderous sounds

Earthquakes, hot springs, and fumaroles were also sometimes attributed to dragons moving beneath the earth.

This may explain why dragons are frequently associated with mountains and underground realms.

Misidentified Animals and Traveler’s Tales

Ancient and medieval travelers often exaggerated their encounters.

A story might begin with:

• A large snake
• A crocodile
• A monitor lizard

and become increasingly fantastic as it spread.

The medieval practice of copying earlier texts sometimes amplified these descriptions further, producing dragons that grew larger and more supernatural with each retelling.

Whether viewed as literal energy currents, symbolic pathways, or poetic metaphors, dragon lines express a recurring belief found around the world: that the Earth itself is alive, interconnected, and infused with spiritual significance.

I hope that you have found this series enjoyable and interesting. However you feel about dragons I hope this has encouraged you to research more into their existence and folklore. Who knows? Maybe there’s a dragon sleeping right under a hill or mountain near you!

Divination: The Pagan Tarot by Gina M Pace

 

The Pagan Tarot

By Gina M. Pace ( Wicce)

The Pagan Tarot by Gina M. Pace (known in the Pagan community by the name Wicce) is one of the most respected modern Wiccan-themed tarot decks. First published by Lo Scarabeo in the early 2000s, it was created to portray the life of a contemporary Pagan woman whose spiritual practice is woven naturally into her everyday life. The artwork was illustrated by Luca Raimondo and coloured by Cristiano Spadoni. 

Unlike many “fantasy” Pagan decks filled with medieval castles, elves, or mythical landscapes, the Pagan Tarot is grounded firmly in the modern world. The cards depict apartments, parks, city streets, cars, computers, coffee shops, and everyday relationships. Rituals are performed in living rooms or gardens rather than enchanted forests. This realism makes the deck feel accessible and authentic, particularly to modern practitioners of Wicca and Paganism. 

Theme and Story

One of the deck’s unique features is that it tells the story of a single young witch as she progresses through both ordinary life and her spiritual path.

Rather than each card standing entirely alone, many cards feel like chapters in an unfolding narrative. Across the Major Arcana, the protagonist experiences:

• discovering her spiritual calling
• learning magical practice
• forming relationships
• facing personal challenges
• celebrating Sabbats
• growing into wisdom

The Minor Arcana continue this narrative by showing daily experiences involving work, friendships, family life, coven activities, rituals, and personal development. This creates an immersive experience that many readers find emotionally engaging. 

Artwork

The artwork is realistic rather than highly symbolic.

Instead of relying heavily on esoteric imagery, the symbolism is conveyed through familiar Pagan objects such as:

• athames
• chalices
• pentacles
• ritual candles
• cauldrons
• altars
• seasonal decorations
• circles cast for ritual

The colours are warm and vibrant, with expressive human figures that make emotions easy to read.

Tarot System

The deck follows the classic Rider–Waite–Smith structure closely, making it straightforward for readers already familiar with traditional tarot.

It contains:

• 22 Major Arcana
• 56 Minor Arcana
• Wands
• Swords
• Chalices (instead of Cups)
• Pentacles

One interesting difference lies in the Court Cards

Traditional	Pagan Tarot
Page	Novice
Knight	Initiate
Queen	Elemental
King	Elder

These names reflect stages of magical development rather than social rank, reinforcing the deck’s initiatory theme. 

Wiccan Influence

The deck is strongly influenced by modern Wicca, although it isn’t tied to any single tradition.

Throughout the cards you’ll encounter themes including:

• the Wheel of the Year
• the four elements
• Goddess and God symbolism
• moon rituals
• magical circles
• seasonal festivals
• personal responsibility
• harmony with nature

However, the imagery remains subtle enough that non-Wiccans can still use the deck comfortably.

Reading Style

Many readers find this deck particularly effective for questions involving:

• personal growth
• spirituality
• relationships
• finding one’s life path
• magical practice
• everyday decision-making

Its contemporary imagery often makes intuitive readings easier because the situations resemble modern life rather than historical allegories.

Guidebook

The companion guidebook written by Gina M. Pace provides more than standard card meanings. It discusses the symbolism, explains the story behind each image, and offers interpretations rooted in modern Pagan spirituality. The expanded boxed editions include a much more detailed guide than the standard booklet. 

Reception

Within the tarot community, the Pagan Tarot is often regarded as something of an underrated classic. Reviewers and readers frequently praise its coherent storytelling and its realistic portrayal of contemporary Pagan life. Some note that the card backs are not fully reversible, making reversed cards easier to spot, and a few readers prefer more archetypal symbolism, but many appreciate the deck precisely because it feels grounded and relatable. 

If you are interested in Wicca, modern witchcraft, or contemporary Pagan spirituality, this is an excellent deck. It bridges traditional Rider–Waite symbolism with modern Pagan practice without becoming overly esoteric. Because it tells the story of a practising witch navigating ordinary life alongside her spiritual path, it can feel especially meaningful to readers who see tarot as a tool for self-development and spiritual reflection rather than solely for divination.

The deck is readily available new or used.

Tarot Pagano/Pagan TarotLo Scarabeo (Editor)

Language: English

ISBN 13: 9780738702438

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/pagan-tarot/author/gina-pace/

https://mysticalandmagical.co.uk/products/pagan-tarot-card-deck-by-gina-m-pace-wicce

About the deck creator
Gina M. Pace

Before creating the deck, Pace had already spent more than 25 years reading and teaching tarot. She also ran the influential website wicce.com, which became a popular resource for tarot reviews, deck information, and discussions of Wiccan spirituality during the early years of the internet. 

One of Pace’s guiding beliefs is that spirituality should be integrated into ordinary daily life rather than kept separate from it. This philosophy shaped the Pagan Tarot, where the cards depict modern witches balancing work, relationships, family, and magical practice. Instead of castles and medieval imagery, the cards feature apartments, cars, parks, computers, and urban settings alongside altars, rituals, and seasonal celebrations. 

In interviews, Pace has explained that the idea for the deck grew from years of reading with the Rider–Waite–Smith tarot. She often found herself thinking, “If this were my deck, here’s how I would illustrate this card.” As an openly practising Wiccan who was reviewing tarot decks for the Pagan community, she wanted to create a deck that reflected how contemporary witches actually live and practise. 

Although the deck is firmly rooted in modern Wicca, Pace deliberately kept the underlying tarot structure close to the Rider–Waite–Smith system. This makes it familiar to experienced readers while allowing Wiccan symbolism to enrich, rather than replace, the traditional meanings. She also renamed the Court Cards to reflect stages of spiritual development:

• Elemental (Page)
• Novice (Knight)
• Initiate (Queen)
• Elder (King)

These titles emphasise learning, experience, and wisdom instead of rank or gender.  Beyond the Pagan Tarot, Gina M. Pace has also created the Pagan Lenormand Oracle, applying the same philosophy of presenting Pagan spirituality in a contemporary, accessible way. 

Her influence

While Gina M. Pace is not as widely known as creators such as Rachel Pollack or Mary K. Greer, she has had a significant influence within the modern Pagan and Wiccan tarot community. Her work helped demonstrate that tarot could authentically reflect twenty-first-century Pagan practice without losing its traditional symbolic foundations.

https://www.llewellyn.com/author.php?author_id=5722&srsltid=AfmBOoqSoD-xhjCouI8CHQonUSPozuyEtg7nHL2fT0S80ZqKqCeKkRli