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FAERIES
The Faeries
One of the most important aspects of Gaelic folklore is the preservation of
the 'Fairy Tradition' in story and song. The belief in fairies was widespread
until very recently in Celtic countries. In Scotland, the most famous incidents
involving the taking of mortals to Fairyland are of Thomas the Rhymer, Tam
Lin and the Rev. Robert Kirk, author of the remarkable book 'The Secret Commonwealth
of Elves, Fauns and Fairies'. There are several schools of thought as to the
origin of the belief in fairies:
o Some say the fairies are a folk memory of a former race of people (such
as the Fir Bolgs), slightly smaller and stockier than us in stature, who lived
underground in mound-like dwellings.
o Others see the fairies as 'Fallen Angels', who were denied a place in Heaven
through some misdeed or other. This is obviously a later, christianised explanation.
o Many people see the fairies as a non-human race of nature spirits, and also
as the spirits of the Departed. Most fairy hills would seem to be associated
with ancient burial places.
o The fairies are also said to be the Gods of an older, Earth based religion
that have diminished in stature only as a result of the bias against their
worship by the Church.
Faeryland
This is the magical dwelling place of the fairy folk, which is in essence
the same as the Celtic Otherworld. Glimpses of the Otherworld can be had through
the 'Second Sight'. Entrances to this land are often 'over the sea' to an
island beneath the waves, or subterranean as in caves, mounds, etc. Fairy
women often come in boats to take mortal men away to these lands, hence it
is considered unlucky for seafaring men to see a woman before setting out
on a journey by boat.
Faery Gifts
Many folk stories tell of fairies giving gifts to mortals, for example gold,
but this often turns to withered leaves or muck. Other gifts to various Scottish
clans are fairy flags and fairy chanters.
Second Sight
The Highlanders are famed for this gift, but few will speak openly about it,
for they have such a superstitious fear of it. Visions usually come to the
seer uninvited, and often against the will of the person. Seeing a person's
double, or seeing the death shroud about someone, meant that their death was
imminent. Those with Second Sight can also see events happening to living
people who are great distances away at that particular time.
The Evil Eye
The 'Droch shuil' - this is a very potent Highland belief, which clearly has
its origins in the Celtic legend of the Fomorian God 'Balor of the Evil Eye'.
It is believed that certain people have the ability to blight things on which
they cast their gaze; people with no evil intent can also possess this unfortunate
gift, and consider themselves cursed by it. Stale urine is a powerful antidote
for the Evil Eye. Another way to combat this is to drink three mouthfuls of
water which has been poured over silver
Faeries
o Gruagach
A woman who guarded livestock by night in return for a daily offering of milk
(often poured onto a gruagach stone, specially in Skye).
o Changeling
Often the faeries would take a new born baby, leaving a sick and dying infant
in its place.
o Ban Sidh
Equivalent to the Irish Banshee, her howling could be heard before great misfortune,
especially death. In the Highlands she was called Glaistig Uaine, the Green
Woman.
o Ban Nigh
The Washer of the Ford, seen at night washing the shroud of someone about
to die
.
o Uruisg
Forest spirits, half human, half goat, ragged and hairy. They are savage but
it is possible to form friendships with them. They attach themselves to households
and work for little reward, but are easily offended.