Cuiteog, the Worm God

[Dozus]

Had this idea the other day whilst planting a sapling. Earthworms generally have an icky connotation, but any horticulturist will tell you they're absolutely essential for maintaining healthy soil. I had the idea of a earthworm deity, some ancient pagan god worshiped by farmers during tough growing years. Given the common association of worms and ickiness, the Church (pick your favorite) would certainly have banned the cultus of the worm god centuries before, but he/she/it continues to be worshipped in secret, the rites carried on by old country wisemen and shamans. Turning to the worm god would be a last resort and seen as a form of witchcraft, but farmers desparate to save their crops would seek out the god's diviners. The rituals and rites associated with it are weird (in the classical sense), though not evil or wicked; enough to make one raise an eyebrow and feel a chill.

So! What thoughts have you on the worm god? Suggestions for tales, rituals, priesthood, etc.?

(BTW, "Cuiteog" is merely the Irish Gaelic word for earthworm, a placeholder for whatever name is settled [though I like it as a possibility])

[Scrasamax]

Perhaps the cult of the worm god are avid composters? The Standing Dominant Faith might not have an anti-composting stance, but they would be curious about compost shrines and buried offerings. They could also demonize Cuiteog as a devourer of the dead, a demon worm, blame the god for zombies not raised by necromancy, and other ills that come from the earth. Another thing is that the god of the worms could be blames for disease and illnesses from unwholesome vapors it releases from deep in the earth.

[Strolen]

Which the church grasped onto and blended the harmless worshiping of the worms for good crops and came up with the propaganda that the worshipers had to sacrifice a body to the worm lord in order to ask for its favor. The rumor caught on in the cities whose close support of the church made it easy for them to accept anything they passed. The farmers were outmaneuvered before they even knew what was going on. Before too long they had to underground (snicker) with their worship. This could have caused a mutual distrust and tension between the cityfolk and the farmfolk. Farmers think cityfolk are ignorant beasts swayed by any sweet tongue and the cityfolk think the farmers are almost savages that worship worms of all things.

[Scrasamax]

You slick cityfolk have some queer ideas, your {insert predominant deity} is fine and all, and no offence. But Cuiteog is of the earth, and the crops come from the earth, not from the sky, not from law, not from justice, but the ground. The soil, boy, you understand that? Soil.

[Dozus]

The first and most essential ritual of a field curing is to "read the dirt". The priest/shaman will give the requesting farmer a large glass jar to fill with earth from his field. The priest reads the dirt as a augur would read the sky, looking for signs of the Worm God's blessings. Parts of the reading are practical, examining soil quality and content. Others, such as the shape of worm casings, clitellum length, and whether the worms are easier caught by head or tail are more superstitious in their meanings. From this fortune telling, the priest can determine the proper course of prayers, rituals, and sacrifice that Cuiteog must be offered to bless the land.

[Murometz]

perhaps they also (lovingly) carry worm cocoons on their person in small pouches, "blessing" the soil with them, wherever worms are needed. "Worm-seeds" or "Lemonworm Drops"  the rurals call them...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Earthworm_-_L._terrestris_cocoons.jpg

[Strolen]

Sweet, I like that Muro.

I like this whole concept Dozus!!

[Cheka Man]

Perhaps in the distant past there really were human sacrafices to the worm god, which stopped centuries ago when another deity took over?