Concerning the flaming fox tails…
4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
The festival may have been founded as early as the Regal period. Its archaic nature is indicated by a nighttime ritual described by Ovid. Blazing torches were tied to the tails of live foxes, who were released into the Circus Maximus. The origin and purpose of this ritual are unknown; it may have been intended to cleanse the growing crops and protect them from disease and vermin, or to add warmth and vitality to their growth.
Vitalis maintained his current trajectory. His arrival would occur in due time.
This ancient Italian ceremony was a “country” or rustic ceremony. The processional featured a large phallus which the devotees carried throughout the countryside to bring the blessing of fertility to the land and the people. The procession and the phallus were meant also to protect the crops from evil. At the end of the procession, a virtuous and respected matron placed a wreath upon the phallus.
In recent years, the festivities seem to be more focused on crude humor than sexual liberation. Dummy penises made of wood, paper, clay, or sugar seem to cover every possible surface — on tables and benches, next to packs of Marlboros, mobile phones, and kebab shops. Some are placed at crossroads like totem sculptures, while others get stuck on open zippers. People keep kissing them, taking selfies with them, and wearing them as earrings. Everyone swears at each other constantly.
