Changes

*3: a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow  

*3: a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow  

==Description==

==Description==

In the past, '''spittle''' was generally believed to have [[magical]] properties. Early [[humans]], seeing themselves at the [[center]] of the [[universe]], [[perceived]] [[connections]] between their own [[bodies]] and cosmic bodies, gods, and [[demons]]. They related parts of their bodies to [[colors]], [[plants]], [[elements]], and directions. Spittle, [[blood]], sperm, sweat, nails, and hair became magical substances not only as a result of this [[unity]] but also because, after leaving the [[body]], they would retain some [[essence]] of that [[person]]. Spittle could therefore be [[positive]] or [[negative]], depending on the [[intent]] of the spitter. Spitting and [[blood]] [[rites]] have many [[parallels]], since both involve [[holy]] fluids that signify [[psychic]] [[energy]] and are [[necessary]] for sustaining [[physical]] life. Connections are still made between [[body]] fluids and [[feelings]]: anger makes one's [[blood]] "boil"; people spit from [[contempt]] or "spit out" [[words]] in [[hatred]]; and our mouths [[water]] at the [[thought]] of some delight or become dry from [[fear]].

In the [[past]], '''spittle''' was generally believed to have [[magical]] properties. Early [[humans]], seeing themselves at the [[center]] of the [[universe]], [[perceived]] [[connections]] between their own [[bodies]] and cosmic bodies, gods, and [[demons]]. They related parts of their bodies to [[colors]], [[plants]], [[elements]], and directions. Spittle, [[blood]], sperm, sweat, nails, and hair became magical substances not only as a result of this [[unity]] but also because, after leaving the [[body]], they would retain some [[essence]] of that [[person]]. Spittle could therefore be [[positive]] or [[negative]], depending on the [[intent]] of the spitter. Spitting and [[blood]] [[rites]] have many [[parallels]], since both involve [[holy]] fluids that signify [[psychic]] [[energy]] and are [[necessary]] for sustaining [[physical]] life. Connections are still made between [[body]] fluids and [[feelings]]: anger makes one's [[blood]] "boil"; people spit from [[contempt]] or "spit out" [[words]] in [[hatred]]; and our mouths [[water]] at the [[thought]] of some delight or become dry from [[fear]].

In early [[myths]], life created by spitting is [[equivalent]] to the [[breath]] of the [[creator]] or the [[divine]] [[word]]. In one version of an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_Religion Egyptian creation myth], the primeval god [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atum Atum] spits out his children [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_(Egyptian_deity) Shu] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tefnut Tefnut]. Shu was the god of air (e.g., [[breath]]), Tefnut was the goddess of [[moisture]] (e.g., spittle), and the mouth was their place of [[birth]].

In early [[myths]], life created by spitting is [[equivalent]] to the [[breath]] of the [[creator]] or the [[divine]] [[word]]. In one version of an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_Religion Egyptian creation myth], the primeval god [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atum Atum] spits out his children [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_(Egyptian_deity) Shu] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tefnut Tefnut]. Shu was the god of air (e.g., [[breath]]), Tefnut was the goddess of [[moisture]] (e.g., spittle), and the mouth was their place of [[birth]].