"John Croft" includes (re Arthurian links to the east):
>and "Arth" is seen as linked to the word for Bear in a number of IE
tongues.
"Artemis" shares a bear link early (even in mainland Greece), before stags
and bulls occupy her symbology. She was also a "female slaughteress". What
better animal symbol for a slaughteress (in Europe) that is also affiliated
with childbirth..than a she bear protecting cubs.
La Revedere;
Rex H. McTyeire
Bucharest, Romania
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rexbo@...>