The Golden Bough

"A wide-ranging, comparative study of mythology and religion, written by the Scottish anthropologist James George Frazer. The Golden Bough was first published in two volumes in 1890; in three volumes in 1900; and in twelve volumes in the third edition, published 1906–1915... Frazer attempted to define the shared elements of religious belief and scientific thought, discussing fertility rites, human sacrifice, the dying god, the scapegoat, and many other symbols and practices whose influences had extended into 20th-century culture. His thesis is that the most ancient religions were fertility cults that revolved around the worship and periodic sacrifice of a sacred king in accordance with the cycle of the seasons. Frazer proposed that mankind's understanding of the natural world progresses from magic through religious belief to scientific thought. Although highly influential in literature and early anthropology, Frazer's theories are now largely rejected by modern scholars." [The Golden Bough, Wikipedia]

George Gammell Angell's notes on secret cults included references to the Golden Bough. [HPL Call (online text)]

There is no mention of the worship of Nyarlathotep in the Golden Bough. [RB Faceless]

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