forum Celtic/Scottish Lore

Started June 19, 2020 by @ElderGod-Winter-The-Renegade-Legionnaire book

tune

There's this one, and more, if you're looking for something different! Hope you like it!

this is cool thank you!

Would you like any more stories?

I feel like you mentioned something about shapeshifters being their own group? Are there any interesting stories about them?

There's the one about changlings kidnapping babies, or the other one about a kelpie falling in love with a human and changing into one to marry her. Whick one do you want to hear?

Oooh the first one pls!

Alright the babies.
Changelings, who are thieves of the young and the fair. Here's the story. (And ways to get rid of and keep a changling away…)
While most people nowadays believe fairies to be gentle creatures, prone to mischief perhaps and capricious by their natures yet well intended for all that, in Ireland they have a more sinister reputation. Some say, and some still believe, that the fairies will take small children and young people, leaving in their place creatures known as changelings or Sibhreach, or other names which will not be spoken!
Often a baby might become ill, or take on a strange appearance, or a person might be left unable to move their limbs, fairy-struck as they called it, and the local people would begin to suspect fairy work.
And it didn't stop with that – the family under whose roof a changeling dwelt would have no luck from that day forward, but still they must care for and love the changeling if they ever wanted to see their own child again! For the fairies would treat their hostage in the same manner or worse.
Babies are most at risk, although the Sidhe fear nothing more than iron and fire, so a pair of scissors or tongs may be left near to the crib, or the crib left close to a fireplace, and draping a garment belonging to the father of the child over the baby as it sleeps is also said to be a preventative.
Sometimes they won't even leave one of their own behind but rather a lump of wood or bundle of twigs called a stock, enchanted to seem like a baby, which will sicken and die before its parents eyes!
But what, you may ask, will the fairies do with abducted children? And well you may ask, but the truth is nobody knows. Some say they are offered to dark powers once every seven years in exchange for freedom to walk the earth, others that fairies need new blood from sturdy humans to keep their lines strong – even with all their carousing they don't have many young, and birth is difficult for them – and yet others that changelings are old fairies, near to death, and the children are meant to take their place.
Looking upon a baby with envy, called “overlooking the baby” is frowned upon in Ireland unless it is also accompanied by a blessing and a prayer, for such a gaze may also draw the attention of less kindly eyes.
Babies alone were not in peril from the fairies mind you, any young gentleman or maiden, fair of form and sound of mind and body was at risk, for the wee folk crave beauty with the jealousy of a lover. Although tales do tell of the odd individual who voluntarily went went them, and returned years later with a gift, whether that be an understanding of herbs or some other more eldritch knowledge.
The signs by which the old folk knew a changeling were several, but mainly a change in demeanour was noted, from happy to sullen, and a wizened appearance came upon the person, and an appetite that grew while they lost weight. Innocence would fade from their eyes to be replaced with darkness and a shifty look.
So great is the love of music among the fairies that leaving an instrument near a crib and listening for a virtuoso performance was a good way to confirm any suspicions.
Changelings were crafty sorts as well so you had to have your thinking cap on when dealing with them. One young mother by the name of Maureen Doherty felt something was amiss with her child, so she went to consult with a wise man, a storyteller who lived several miles away.
When she returned, taking his advice, she emptied out the yolks from several eggs and filled them with water, seeing out of the corner of her eyes that the babe watched her every move closely.
“What are you about, ma?” asked the baby.
Her heart lurched in her bosom then for what child could speak at that age.
“I'm brewing, my lovely child,” she said hoarsely, placing the eggshells in the fire.
“What's that you're brewing then, mother,” said the babe, craning out of its crib with narrowed eyes.
“Why eggshells of course,” she replied, upon which the child burst out in a great gust of dry high laughter, like an old man who's seen a dancing chicken wearing a bow tie.
“My eyes have seen the burning of Rome and London, but they haven't yet seen the likes of this!” the creature cackled, and Maureen turned with her heavy iron ladle in hand, raised as if to strike, and rushed at the crib! But she tripped over and hit her head, awaking to find the changeling gone and her son back safe and sound.
Not all stories end so happily of course, there are as many ways to restore a lost child or person as there are tales of their stealing. Some say a dunking in foxglove water will do the trick, while others advise waiting outside the nearest fairy mound for when they go a-trooping, which they do several times a year. If you know the right words, you can give them back their own.
Feeding the person the first milk of a cow after calving, supposed to be like ambrosia to the fairies, was meant to return the original to their rightful place.
Fairies are terrified of fire, so holding a burning brand next to the mouth of one suspected of being a changeling and asking their true names three times may drive them forth. (It shouldn't need saying, I am sure that much of this was before our modern understanding of afflictions both of the mind and body, and please do not make the mistake of Michael Cleary of Tipperary, who burned his wife to death in 1895 under the foolish belief that she was a changeling. He served fifteen years in prison and fled the country upon his release. It was a bad time…)
If after all a changeling is left unaccounted for, they may grow up to become a person slow of wits and of poor manners, what was called an ouphe or oaf, while their human counterparts either pined away under the hill or lived quite happily among the dancing folk.
(Song time!)
“The summer sun was sinking
With a mild light, calm and mellow,
It shone on my little boy's bonny cheeks,
And his loose locks of yellow.
The robin was singing sweetly,
And his song was sad and tender;
And my little boy's eyes as he heard the song,
Smiled with sweet soft splendour.
My little boy lay on my bosom,
While his soul the song was quaffing;
The joy of his soul had ting'd his cheek,
And his heart and his eye were laughing.
I sat alone in my cottage,
The midnight needle plying;
I fear'd for my child, for the rush's light
In the socket now was dying.
There came a hand to my lonely latch,
Like the wind at midnight moaning,
I knelt to pray–but rose again–
For I heard my little boy groaning!
I crossed my brow, and I crossed my breast,
But that night my child departed!
They left a weakling in his stead,
And I am broken-hearted!
Oh! it cannot be my own sweet boy,
For his eyes are dim and hollow,
My little boy is gone to God,
And his mother soon will follow.
The dirge for the dead will be sung for me,
And the mass be chaunted sweetly;
And I will sleep with my little boy,
In the moonlight church-yard meetly.”

Very interesting! Thanks, I've always been curious about changelings ^^

No problem! Come back if ya have any more questions!

So, I feel like soon someone is going to ask about the Celtic gods and goddesses before Catholicism. I'm going to name as many as I can remember, just for the sake of my sanity. Enjoy!

Major Deities
Dagda was chief of the Irish Tuatha dé Danann, god of life and death, agriculture and fertility. A learned advisor and master of druidic magic, he possessed a cauldron that provided plenty, a massive club that granted life or death, and an enchanted harp that ordered the seasons.
Morrigan The fearful Phantom Queen known as Morrígan was the Irish goddess of death, discord, and war. She was portrayed both as a single entity and as three sisters who could issue terrifying prophecy and foretell the deaths of warriors and kings.
Lugh of the Long Arm was a young Irish god who sought revenge for his father’s unjust death. A master of all skills, he lead the Tuatha dé Danann to victory against the Fomorians. His death marked the decline of his tribe’s presence in Ireland.
Cu Chulainn The great hero of the Ulster Cycle, was a man of great passions whose skills were rarely matched in battle. A proud warrior, he could fight back hordes of enemies with unmatched rage.
Danu was the mysterious Celtic mother goddess and ancestor of the Irish Tuatha dé Danann. It was from her that the tribe took its name. Little is known about Danu, though she may have some connection to the Danube River. Other theories hold that she was a wind or earth goddess that looked after her nomadic tribe.
Cernunnos The Horned God was a mysterious Gaelic deity associated with the woodlands. Though little is known about Cernunnos’ role in Celtic mythology, folklorists and neopagans have constructed a new mythic tradition around his image.
Brigid the Exalted One, was the Irish goddess of spring, fertility, and life. She reigned over Imbolc, a winter holiday that marked the beginning of the Irish year. Tales of Brigid were told in every corner of Ireland, and aspects of her lived on in the figure of St. Brigid of Kildare.
Aengus was the chief poet of the Tuatha dé Danann and son of the Dagda. His music and poetry charmed women, inspired kings, and won his enemies’ property from under their noses. He was later charmed himself by Caer Ibormeith, the woman of his dreams.
Cailleach was a mysterious ancient figure in Scottish and Irish lore. In addition to being the goddess of winter and old age, she was a trickster who assisted those dwelling in the harsh winters of the north.
(Gwydion) fab Dôn was a magician in the Mabinogi, an advisor and father figure to his nephew Lleu whose magic often helped those around him but frequently had unintended consequences in the long-term.
Medb was the Queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle, whose passions and ambition put her well above most men in Ireland. She clashed with King Conchobar of Ulster, grandfather of Cúchulain.
Badb the Battle-Crow was one of the three sisters of Morrígan, Irish goddess of war and death, who sowed fear and discord in combat and could turn the tide of battle.
Nuada of the Silver-Hand was the first King of the Tuatha dé Danann, well liked and wise, yet he was forced to give up the throne after he lost his hand. His successor, however, was so unjust that a silver hand was made for him, so he could retake the throne.
Minor Deities
Herne the Hunter A fearful figure in British folklore, Herne the Hunter was a phantom that hunted and killed people just for the fun of it.
Taranis was the pan-Celtic god of thunder, a booming deity whose club represented his strength and whose other symbol, the wheel, represented not just the speed of storms but the speed of his warriors in battle.
Taliesin was known as the great Chief of Bards. Taliesin was a poet, historian, and strategist of the British Isles. Famed for his beauty, as well as his powers of poetry and prophecy, the mythic Taliesin was based on a 6th century historical figure of the same name. He served many kings, including the legendary king Arthur.
Neit was the Irish god of war, a discerning deity who joined the Tuatha dé Danann to fight his own kin, the Fomorian, at the ferocious Second Battle of Moytura.
@Owen, I did this just for ya. I had some free time. Good luck!)

Oh my gods (hah) thank you SO much! I'm a bit behind, still on the merrow story. I'll catch up soon!

No problem! There's more out there than that, but I have to go find them. There somewhere in the archives. I'll let you know when I find them!

It might take another day, though, Father's Day Festivities are keeping me offline. But really dude, I am eternally grateful. You're like the village elder of Notebook, and I love learning these about these stories and myths.

Well that's nice to know that I'm like a village Elder. I'll always have a story ready! Just ask whenever you want to hear them!

The merrow story was pretty neat. I have two questions-

1. It describes Coomara as having a fishtail for legs, if this is so, how can he walk on the dry sea floor and dance in Jack's house? Do the caps give them that ability too?
2. Jack calls the merrow "your honour" a lot. Is this because humans revere merrows, or is it just common formality?

Right when that Sprite said “whoever comes to us, must drink with us!”, my playlist went from a vibey song to a dark and broody song, so that was fitting.

Imagine your mom back then calling you an oaf and muttering that she always knew you weren't her real child.
That'd suck lmao.

Imagine your mom back then calling you an oaf and muttering that she always knew you weren't her real child.
That'd suck lmao.

Imagine being a younger sibling and your older siblings teasing you by going "You're a changeling, you're a changeling" or something lmao

So is the Tuatha dé Danann like a super-tribe?

And are any of the deities related to each other? Besides Aengus being Dagda's son. It seems like Danu and Dagda would be a couple or something. And if Dagda was the chief, but Nuada was the first king, what's the difference? Is chief a step above?

I went to go get pizza for a solid and I come back to this? 😂 Let me get started real quick.

Imagine your mom back then calling you an oaf and muttering that she always knew you weren't her real child.
That'd suck lmao.

Imagine being a younger sibling and your older siblings teasing you by going "You're a changeling, you're a changeling" or something lmao

and then they repel you with fire

The merrow story was pretty neat. I have two questions-

1. It describes Coomara as having a fishtail for legs, if this is so, how can he walk on the dry sea floor and dance in Jack's house? Do the caps give them that ability too?
2. Jack calls the merrow "your honour" a lot. Is this because humans revere merrows, or is it just common formality?

1. Okay all I can say is that the cap is like their transformation thing. Like it turns them into a human with some weird characteristics. Or in other stories, some weird magic from the cap gives them the ability to walk on their tail, and it's just so confusing, just think of it as how you want. No one really cares, unless you're in your 80's telling grandkids.
2. Common formality. Everyone is really nice. But in this story, it's both because od the fact that Coo served Jack's grandfater, and family is a big deal over there.

Right when that Sprite said “whoever comes to us, must drink with us!”, my playlist went from a vibey song to a dark and broody song, so that was fitting.

Nice! That happens a lot whem I'm listening to music, so I just roll with it now and let whatever is messing with me, just mess with me.