The Black Sheep

Of course, there's the English nursery rhyme. There is a Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, Oregon every year. One of my favorite ales is Black Sheep, from North Yorkshire. There are yarn shops all over the world that have Black Sheep in their names, and there's an eco-lodge in Ecuador. People have founded Black Sheep Societies and Clubs, named bands and songs after the black sheep and flocked together at numerous festivals, reunions and charity events.

The black sheep. My affinity for these is no surprise, and yet when I read about the history of the Black Sheep lore, I am surprised by just how fitting that connection is. Paradoxical, just like the sometimes salty shepherd. The original records and uses of the 'black sheep' were derogatory in nature, some dating back to the 1700s (and apparently as recently as the 1930s!).  The commonly accepted belief is that black sheep were clumped together with all dark, death-like symbols and thus were considered worthless. However, there are contradictory notions as well; in many places throughout Europe, black sheep are considered good luck. The shepherds in Sussex believe that having black sheep in your flock is an omen of good things to come. While I grew up feeling more like the proverbial black sheep (which I do believe is pretty common for many adolescents), I have grown up to value and to hold on to the positive connotation - regardless of popular opinion. Alas, the black sheep.

This duality is fitting for The Salty Ewe and all black sheep who reside here. Baa ram ewe.