celtic fairies – Joe Ayres Cares

June 19, 2020 / 0 Comments

Grogoch: A Northern Ireland Fairy

The Grogoch (also called Pecht) is found in Northern Ireland. This half human/half fairy is thought to have come from Scotland. In general, Grogoch are helpful fellows. They will help a person do chores.

Like other fairies they can only be seen by humans if the Grogoch allows it. Those who have seen Grogoch report them to be small, hairy and unkempt. They are very hard working and, in some cases, try to be so helpful that they get in the way. If so and one wants to drive them out of the house, invite a clergyman in. It is said they will not stay in such a house.

If they are underfoot outside, offer to pay them. Grogoch get highly offended if offered payment for their assistance and will leave if one persists in paying them. If you want to reward them, they love cream and will down whatever is offered in one gulp.

As you might expect, the Grogoch live in remote areas under rocks, in caves, and hollows. They can sometimes be seen relaxing and smoking late at night.

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June 18, 2020 / 0 Comments

Grey Man Fairy

The Grey Man (also known as Old Boneless among other things) is a relatively formless fairy incapable of speech. He keeps his shape by hanging around chimney fires and in mists. It is said that you can tell when the Grey Man has passed due to the lingering smell of smoke.

This fairy causes lots of problems for humans. He hides rocks so that boats collide with them, hides curves on roads causing cars to miss turns, blights potatoes, and so forth.

The Grey Man can be kept at bay for a while by crying out “God Bless You!” and by carrying a crucifix or other holy medal (especially ones blessed by a church authority).

June 17, 2020 / 0 Comments

Merrows Fairy

In most parts of the world Merrows fairies appear as Mermaids. However in Ireland, they appear in human form with flatter feet and webbed hands. Merrows love the sea but can live ashore. There are many instances reported of unions between men and Merrows. One of the reasons for this is that Merrows have to shed their cloaks to come ashore. They need these cloaks to return to the sea. Anyone who finds such a cloak has power over the Merrow to whom the cloak belongs.

Some men steal these cloaks and leave Merrows little choice but to marry them. Merrows make good wives in the sense that they attend to all their duties. However, they are not affectionate and only want to return to the sea. If they find their cloaks, the urge to return to the sea is so strong they walk out on their husbands and children and do so.

Some Merrows are not Merrows at all. They are humans taken by Merrows to raise as their own. If these children ever stand on land they regain their human roots and can never return to the sea. It is also said that sighting a Merrow can bring ill fortune…. fishermen who see them immediately return to port. They also have a tendency to attack those who fall asleep on the shore and attempt to drown them. As with other fairies, a crucifix will ward off such attack as will the sound of a church bell.

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June 16, 2020 / 0 Comments

Pooka Fairy

Many fear the Pooka Fairy. It is a shape shifter and is out and about most nights. One usual form is as a horse. In this form, it rampages around the country scaring livestock, tearing down fences, and causing havoc.

In other forms, it demands shares of crops…. people who do not share suffer the consequences. Pooka has the power of speech and can let its wishes be known. In some cases, it has been known to be helpful by letting people know what the future holds.

One legend has it that the High King of Ireland Brian Boru only rode the Pooka in horse form. He rode the horse to submission and got the Pooka to promise never to bother the Irish again unless they were drunk or lawbreakers. However, the years seem to have eroded the promise because Pooka’s antics continue to this day with no regard given to your situation (sober or drunk, law breaking or not, Irish or not).

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June 15, 2020 / 0 Comments

Butter Spirit Fairy

Butter Spirits are thought to be related to Leprechauns but more focused in their pursuits. They are small men (less than 2 feet tall) and are found throughout the Emerald Isle and England. In general, they are mischievous and steal anything not nailed down. Their first love is fresh butter (thus the name) and will get it out of fresh milk even before it is churned. It is claimed they only steal from the rich.

These fairies are very resourceful and can reach inaccessible places. The best way to keep them away is to mark things with the sign of a cross.

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June 14, 2020 / 0 Comments

Dullahan Fairy

The Dullahan Fairy rampages about the countryside on festival/feast days. He is a headless horseman who carries his head in his hand. The head glows and can be used to light the way.

The head can only speak once on a journey and does so to call out the name of the soul it is out to collect. The Dullahan Fairy follows a family and forewarns of death and brings the fact of death. Some say the Dullahan is the legacy of the time when beheading was an acceptable form of sacrifice to the gods and represents the remains of the Celtic god Crom Dubh (or Black Crom).

There is really no way to avoid encountering this fairy if you are the one sought. He can go anywhere and go rapidly. However, to avoid encountering him, stay indoors with the curtains drawn (if you look at him and you are not the one sought, you may be blinded or worse). Some believe that he fears gold so always have a bit of gold on hand on festival/feast days.

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June 13, 2020 / 0 Comments

Far Darrig (Red Man)

The Far Darrig (Red Man) tends to be restricted to Donegal in Ireland. He is very elusive and no reliable description of him exists. The reports on sightings of him range from him being a small man dressed in red to a gray giant.

However, it is agreed that he likes play some pretty wicked pranks on mortals. He has a tendency to show up at a home on cold nights demanding shelter. Those turning him away are said to regret it because he takes the luck of the house with him. Those admitting him are reminded of his visit for days because his smell lingers for days. The Red Man is not known for good personal hygiene.

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June 12, 2020 / 0 Comments

Sheerie Fairy

Sheerie Fairies are phosphorescent glimmers of light that move from cover to cover. They combine elements of fairy and human nature. It is thought that Sheerie Fairies are the souls of unbaptized children trying to gain entry to the mortal world.

Given this problem, they tend to be very jealous of and angry toward humans. This may be the reason that they are believed to be behind human misfortune.

These fairies can be found on land or water. For instance, the water types confuse humans into thinking bogs are safe when they are not (and other misfortunes associated with water). Land fairies do similar things to humans like getting them to wander off cliffs.

These fairies do not have the power of speech but do put out a mewling sort of sound. They can be warded off with iron, a crucifix, or holy water.

June 11, 2020 / 0 Comments

Watershee Fairy

The Watershee Fairy looks very much like the image many people have of fairies. This fairy appears as a small, delicate, attractive, female with gossamer-wings (she might also appear as a beautiful woman). Unfortunately, this appearance is deceiving. Watershee Fairies lure the innocent into water with their beautiful appearance and mesmerizing singing. Once a person falls into this trap, they drown and the Watershee devours their souls. The best defense against falling under the Watershee’s spell is to wear a cross (or other holy object) and to pray.

Interestingly, images of fairies that look like the Watershee Fairy are quite popular in jewelry, on calendars, statues, and so forth.

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June 10, 2020 / 0 Comments

Tree Fairies

Tree fairies (called a variety of names) act as guardians of trees/bushes. They often protect lone trees. If the unwary inflict harm on a fairy tree, woe betide them. Tree fairies are capable of serving up all sorts of retributions to those who kill or damage the tree/bush they are guarding. The offending party might be visited by poverty, illness, or other misfortunes. If the fairy is angry enough, the punishment might extend to the person’s family. So, before undertaking any landscape alterations, be sure a fairy tree is not in your way.

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