Wilweorthunga

Ƿilƿeorþunga is the Old English practice of fountain or well worship. This belief was banned in the 16th Canon Law enacted under King Edgar of England (939–946) in the tenth century. Alternatively, in the translation by Jim Duyer, the word is thil-theorfunga, broken into three parts: thil= orator or chant, theorf = fresh water = and funga or funda = to find, discover. In other words, one who finds water sources, much as the early Americans did with a divining rod, and this word is certainly not tied to any theme of worship.

See also[]

• Clootie well
• Well dressing

External links[]

• An English Heathenism glossary
• A description of the practice