THE POST BEGINS BENEATH THE APOLOGY
[Apology to My International Readers: To my beloved neighbors in Canada as well as to my neighbors to the south, specifically in Mexico, to the people of Ukraine whom my country has betrayed, to the people of Greenland, and to all of the long-time allies of the U.S., I apologize deeply for the policies and actions of the current executive administration of the United States. Please know that I and at least half of the citizens of this country do not agree with and, in fact, vehemently oppose the current administration’s hostile and bullying behavior.
To any of my U.S. readers who take issue with this apology: We can—as long as we continue to be a democratic republic—agree to disagree. If you feel no one should speak against the current POTUS, you do not understand the 19th article of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The original reason for the Freedom of Speech article was entirely to protect a citizen’s right to criticize the government without fear of reprisals. I usually avoid discussing politics on this blog but I cannot stand by silent while our democracy is torn down and our neighbors and good friends are threatened and mistreated.]
Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, described Celtic women as pretty doggone scary:
[When] in rage her neck veins swell, she gnashes her teeth, and brandishes her snow-white robust arms. She begins to strike blows mingled with kicks, as if they were so many missiles sent from the string of a catapult (https://markfisherauthor.com/2016/07/celtic-women-ancient-ireland-part/ ).
Of course, that was likely propaganda. He was writing for the audience back in Rome. Even so, Celtic women have a reputation for fierce independence and feistiness. The historical fact is that Celtic women on Britannia and the island of Eire were warriors alongside the men. Some even taught the men how to fight. It should be no surprise then that women in Celtic folklore are not helpless princesses waiting to be rescued.
Today’s post looks at a few strong—and occasionally scary—females of Scottish folklore. Ghost, faerie, or mythic teacher, these are women you best not mess with!
Green Lady / Glastig: The terms “Glastig” and “Green Lady” are often presented as referring to the same folklore being. However, the two have distinct differences.
Green Ladies are ghosts of noble women who appear dressed in green clothes. Several castles throughout Scotland have a resident Green Lady. Almost all are said to be women who died young, usually violently. One was even walled up! Her skeleton was found generations later during construction on the castle. These apparitions vary in temperament from benevolent protectors to disruptive poltergeists. One example is Lilas Drummond, the Green Lady of Fyvie Castle. You can read about her in my post “Spooky Tales from Scotland.”
Glastig: Some sources say the glastig is a faerie. Others say she is a human woman suffering from a faerie’s curse. Still others claim she’s a ghostly figure. In all cases, her physical
description is the same. The upper half of her body is that of a woman with long blonde hair. Her lower half is that of a goat. She wears a green dress and her face is grey.
The glastig is said to be protective of cattle and deer. She also seems fond of children. But she likes to play tricks on humans and, sometimes, even turns malicious. The glastig has a reputation for throwing stones at human adults as well as causing them to get lost in the woods. As with any Otherworldly being, you should avoid angering her. If she has been looking after the cattle and children on your farm and you offend her, she might simply leave, never to return. Or she might take revenge on you. Spurring a faerie or a ghost to wrath never turns out well—for the human.
Nicneven and Scottish Faerie Queens: I love faerie queens. The main character of the novel I’m currently writing is the great-granddaughter of a faerie queen (She’s also the daughter of a banshee. Her life’s complicated). One of my favorite faerie queens of Ireland is Cliodhna. She has an interesting life story and is responsible for the Blarney stone. You can read about her here. But this topic—Scottish faerie queens—frustrates me! This is mostly because their elusive, very much beyond the veil.
Although faerie queens are mentioned in Scottish folklore (usually as the Queen of Elfhame or Elfland), it is difficult to find stories about specific faerie queens. Nicneven is the one most often mentioned, but stories about her come primarily from the records of 18th century witchcraft trials.
My sense as a scholar in my former life (as a college professor) is that faerie queens existed in the folklore of the pre-Christian inhabitants of Alba but that the Calvinistic bend of the powerful Presbyterian church in Scotland filtered them out. At least it colored the way faerie queens are portrayed. Nicneven is presented as a Queen of the Witches character rather than a faerie. She is said to be in league with the devil, capturing humans then giving them to the devil as tribute or a tithe.
Scottish folklore and Irish folklore are similar in many ways. There are even some crossover
characters, such as the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Scottish warrior Scàthach (see below). Faeries are featured in both folk traditions. It’s important to note, however, that the traditions differ in their origin stories about faeries.
The Irish version names faeries as the magical race, the Tuatha de Danaan, who inhabited the island of Eire prior to the coming of human Milesians. A war ensued between the faeries and the newcomers. Ultimately, the two races agreed to share the island. The faeries went underground (although they haven’t stayed there).
The Good People are not huge fans of humans, and they delight in causing mischief, but most Irish faeries are not, by nature, bad.
In Scottish folk belief, faeries are either fallen angels or unbaptized souls. They are not good enough to enter heaven (a decided Christian element to this folk tradition) yet they are not bad enough to deserve hell. So, they exist in the misty in-between. I think this accounts for the accusation in historical documents that some of those people tried for witchcraft had had dealings with Nicneven. She is a symbol of wickedness.
Scàthach and Aoife of Alba, the Warrior Women: According to both Scottish and Irish mythology, Scàthach was the founder of a school for warriors. She is known for teaching warrior skills to one of Irish mythology’s most renowned heroes, Cu Chulainn.
Her greatest rival as a warrior is her sister, Aífe or Aoife. When Aoife engages in a battle against Scàthach, Cu Chulainn steps in to champion his mentor. Aoife not only holds her own against him, ultimately, she breaks his sword. But Cu Chulainn tricks her by saying her horse and chariot are about to go over a cliff. When Aoife turns to look, Chulainn grabs her, puts his sword to her throat, and makes she promise to end her hostility towards Scàthach.
This bit of folklore is a reminder that, in ancient Celtic society, women had the right to be warriors along with Celtic men. They could teach the men and even best them. Maybe Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus’ depiction of Celtic women wasn’t that much of an exaggeration after all.
Maggie Muloch, Brownie Mother: Brownies are faeries who help humans by doing housework (cleaning dishes and so forth) at night while the family they’ve adopted sleeps. Pretty cool, huh? Overall, these small-sized (about two feet tall) faeries are benevolent. But don’t insult or upset them. One farmer whom Maggie was helping out criticized her work. She went ballistic on him, throwing things about and making a mess of the farm.
Maggie had a son who was well-intentioned but not terribly bright. While he and his mother were taking care of a family that lived in Tullochgorm Castle, a young woman encountered him and—for an unknown reason—threw water in his face. Hearing about this, Maggie went in search of the young woman, found her, and struck her. The young women fell down dead. Again: never upset a faerie, especially a faerie mother!
Bean Nighe: Be careful going near streams and rivers in Scotland. You may encounter a Bean Nighe. Also known as the Washerwoman, she is a faerie and a banshee-type character. She appears as an old woman washing blood-stained clothes at river fords. Like the Irish banshee, she is an omen of death. The Bean Nighe may grant wishes or reveal the names of those who are about to die. But don’t get too close to her. She has been known to hit people with her stick and paralyze them!
Caointeach (The Weeper): Another banshee-like character, her name is related to the Scots Gaelic word a’ caoineadh (crying). She foretells the death of a human by wailing near a stream or waterfall. Usually, only her lament is heard. She remains unseen. However, at times, she will appear outside of the house where a sick person lays. At those times, she takes on a visible form, wearing a green shawl, and crying at the door of the house.
The Caointeach doesn’t kill people or harm them. She is compassionate. Still, she’s a Scottish folklore character you never want to encounter. After all, she’s a messenger of death.
Beira, Goddess of Winter: In addition to being the goddess of winter, Beira (aka the Cailleach and aka the Veiled Lady) is also a creator goddess. According to Scottish mythology, she made the mountains of Scotland. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and all of the UK, is said to be her throne. Stories about her exist in the myth and folklore of Ireland and the Isle of Man as well.
She isn’t pretty. A shapeshifter, this goddess most often appears as a veiled old hag. Her skin is deathly pale or even blue. Her teeth are red or decayed, and her clothes are adorned with skulls. Don’t let her frail appearance fool you. She can leap across mountains and ride storm waves.
Beira carries a magic hammer with which she controls the weather and the wind. She also has control over rivers and has been said to cause floods when humans have won her displeasure. Trust me. This is a Celtic female you don’t want to displease.
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All artwork for this post (except for the Ukranian flag and the GIF) by Christine Dorman via Bing Image Creator.
Slán go fóill
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