Bumblebee on the flowers of a Blackthorn.
Bumblebee. Bumbóg.
Buff-Tailed Bumblebee nests can be found in the hedgerows. The bees may be seen coming and going through a hole in the ground. The nest will be hard to see as bees are very private individuals but if you listen carefully you may hear them buzzing away quite happily. Sometimes the Queen may decide to occupy an old abandoned mouse nest as
these are usually warm and well insulated. She may also nest underneath sheds, decking, in compost bags, in hedge clippings or even in attics or under floor boards. You could move a nest if it was causing you problems but it may not fully recover therefore leave it alone if it is doing you no harm. Like all bumblebees, they need to be greatly provoked before they sting. As bees are becoming victim to an ever changing world that threatens their habitat you can do your bit to help the survive. Plant suitable flowers in your garden, window boxes, containers or even along the hedgerow Provide a nest box, these are now becoming increasingly available in any good garden centre or make your own, they are very easy and you can Google plans. Remember they are a gardener’s friend and we need bees to pollinate our plants.
There is a superstition that if a bumblebee buzzes at the window it is a sign of a coming visitor. A servant girl was standing at the kitchen window, in flew a bumblebee ‘Oh!’ she said, ‘a visitor is coming! Has the bee got a red tail or white? Red for a man and white for a lady’.
Irish folklore tells us how easily the bees take offence and this will cause them to cease producing honey, desert their hives and die. You must treat them as you would a member of your own family. They must be told all the news, in particular births, deaths and marriages. In the event of a death their hive must be adorned with a black cloth or ribbon and they must be given their share of the funeral food. You may then hear them gently hum in contentment and they will stay with you.
Other beliefs were that if the bees heard you quarrelling or swearing they would leave so you must talk to them in a gentle manner.
They cannot tolerate the presence of a woman of loose morals or one that was menstruating but would sting her and drive her away (sounds like Christian influence here).
You must never buy bees with normal money, only with gold coin although you may obtain them through gift, loan or barter.
It was also believed that if a single bee entered your house it was a sign of good luck on the way, usually in the form of wealth.
When bees swarmed, it was the women and children of the household that had to follow them, making a noise with pots and pans. This was supposed to make them settle or maybe it was really just to warn people to get out of the way? It was accepted that in these circumstances you could follow them onto someone else’s land without being accused of trespassing.
The law on bees (Brehon Law) was that bees taking nectar from plants growing on your neighbours land were guilty of grazing trespass in the same way a cow or sheep would be if they were on your neighbours land. They could even be accused of leaping trespass in the same way as poultry. The way this law was observed was that a beekeeper was allowed three years of freedom during which time the bees were allowed free reign, on the fourth year the first swarm to issue from the hive had to be given to your neighbour as payment. On the following years other swarms were given in turn to other neighbours, in this way everyone was happy. From all accounts it seemed to work. Another issue the Bechbretha (Law governing bees) was enacted was in the event of stings. As long as you swore you had not retaliated by killing the bee you would be entitled to a meal of honey from the bee keeper. However if the unfortunate person died from a sting then two hives had to be paid in compensation to their family.
It was a bad omen if a swarm settled on a dead branch for it meant death for someone in the bee keeper’s family or for the person who witnessed the swarm settling.
Popularfolklore also suggested that bee stings aide in the relief of arthritis and rheumatism in much the same way as nettle stings and recently bee venom has been revived as a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis.
In Celtic myth, bees were regarded as beings of great wisdom and as spirit messengers between worlds.
Honey was treated as a magical substance and used in many rituals. It was made into mead and was considered to have prophetic powers and it may have been this that was called ‘nectar of the gods’. The rivers that lead to the summer lands are said to be rivers of mead.
“Telling the Bees” was extremely important, whether good news or bad or just everyday gossip. As stated earlier you had to tell the bees about a death in the family or the bees would die too. Bad news was given before sunrise of the following day for all to be well. You may even formally invite the bees to attend the funeral or you could turn the beehives round as the coffin was carried out of the house and past the hives. In ancient European folklore, bees were regarded as messengers of the gods and so the custom of “Telling the Bees” may be a throwback to the idea of keeping the gods informed of human affairs.
Eóstre celtic hare goddess
Rabbit . Coinín. Irish Hare. Giorria Eireannach.
A hare was a dreaded animal to see on a May morn. An old Irish legend tells of a hare being spotted sucking milk from a cow. The hare was chased by hounds andreceived a bad wound and it made its way into an old house to hide. When the house was searched all that was found was an old woman hiding a wound. The woman of the house had a central role in dairy production. From this fact springs the idea that women were those essentially involved in the theft of the farmers
"profit". Old, widowed, unmarried or independent women were usually pinpointed as the main
culprits.
Hares feature in Irish folklore, and the hare is older than our island’s culture itself. The Irish hare has been immortalised as the animal gracing the Irish pre-decimal three pence piece. Hare mythology exists throughout almost every ancient culture and when the first settlers colonised Ireland, the Irish hare was already an iconic figure. There are many examples in Celtic mythology, and storytellers still relate tales of women who can shape-change into hares. The cry of the Banshee foretelling death might belegend but it may have parallels with the Irish hare of today as it struggles to avoid extinction in modern times.
Fertility ritual: place a rabbit skin under your bed to bring fertility and abundance to your sexual activities. If you'reopposed to the use of real fur, use some other symbol of the rabbit that you're more comfortable with.
The obvious one -- a rabbit's foot is said to bring good luck to those who carry it, although one might argue that it's not so
lucky for the rabbit.
To bring yourself boundless energy, carry a talisman engraved or painted with a rabbit's image.
If you have wild rabbits or hares that live in your yard, leave them an offering of lettuce, shredded carrots, cabbage, or other fresh greens. In some magical traditions, the wild rabbit is associated with the deities of spring.
Rabbits and hares are able to go to ground quickly if in danger. Add a few rabbit hairs to a witch bottle for protection magic.
In some legends, rabbits and hares are the messengers of the underworld -- after all, they come and go out ofthe earth as
they please. If you're doing a meditation that involves an underworld journey, call upon the rabbit to be your guide.
Eostre, the Celtic version of Ostara, was a goddess also associated with the moon, and with mythic stories of death,
redemption, and resurrection during the turning of winter to spring. Eostre, too, was a shape–shifter, taking the shape of a hare at each full moon; all hares were sacred to her, and acted as her messengers. Cesaer recorded that rabbits and hares were taboo foods to the Celtic tribes. In Ireland, it was said that eating a hare was like eating one’s own grandmother — perhaps due to the sacred connection between hares and various goddesses, warrior queens, and female faeries, or else due to the belief that old "wise women" could shape–shift into hares by moonlight. The Celts used rabbits and hares for divination and other
shamanic practices by studying the patterns of their tracks, the rituals of their mating dances, and mystic signs within their entrails. It was believed that rabbits burrowed underground in order to better commune with the spirit world, and that they could carry messages from the living to the dead and from humankind to the faeries.
As Christianity took hold in western Europe, hares and rabbits, so firmly associated with the Goddess, came to be seen in a
less favourable light — viewed suspiciously as the familiars of witches, or as witches themselves in animal form. Numerous folk
tales tell of men led astray by hares who are really witches in disguise, or of old women revealed as witches when they are wounded in their animal shape.
Although rabbits, in the Christian era, were still sometimes known as good luck symbols (hence the tradition of carrying a
"lucky rabbit’s foot"), they also came to be seen as witch–associated portents of disaster.Despite this suspicious view of rabbits and their association with fertility and sexuality, Renaissance painters used the symbol of a white rabbit to convey a different
meaning altogether: one of chastity and purity. It was generally believed that female rabbits could conceive and give birth without contact with the male of the species, and thus virginal white rabbits appear in biblical pictures of the Madonna and Child. The gentle timidity of rabbits also represented unquestioningfaith in Christ’s Holy Church in paintings such as Titian’s Madonna with Rabbit (1530).
From 1893 edition of Folklore: “Country people in Kerry don’t eat hares; the souls of their grandmothers are supposed to have
entered into them.
Hares were strongly associated with witches. The hare is quiet and goes about its business in secret. They are usually solitary, but occasionally they gather in large groups and act very strangely, much like a group of people having a conference. A hare can stand on its hind legs like a person; in distress, it utters a strange, almost human cry which is very disconcerting to the listener. Watching such behavior, people claimed that a witch could change her form at night and become a Hare. In this shape she stole milk or food, or destroyed crops. Others insisted that hares were only witches' familiars. These associations caused many people to believe hares were bad luck, and best avoided. A hare crossing one's path, particularly when the person was
riding a horse, caused much distress. Still, the exact opposite superstition claimed that carrying a rabbit's or hare's foot brought
good luck. There is no logic to be found in superstitions.
The Hare
Hares are considered unlucky, as the witches constantly assume their form in order to gain entrance to a field where they can
bewitch the cattle. A man once fired at a hare he met in the early morning, and having wounded it, followed the track of the blood till it disappeared within a cabin. On entering he found Nancy Molony, the greatest witch in all the county, sitting by the fire, groaning and holding her side. And then the man knew that she had been out in the form of a hare, and he rejoiced over
her discomfiture.
Or:
A tailor one time returning home very late at night from a wake, or better, very early in the morning, saw a hare sitting on the path before him, and not inclined to run away. He approached, with his stick raised to strike her, as he did so he distinctly heard a voice saying, "Don't kill it." However, he struck the hare three times, and each time heard the voice say, "Don't kill it." The
last blow knocked the poor hare quite dead and immediately a great big weasel sat up, and began to spit at him. This greatly frightened the tailor who, grabbed the hare, and ran off as fast as he could. Seeing him look so pale and frightened, his wife asked the cause, on which he told her the whole story; and they both knew he had done wrong, and offended some powerful witch, who would be avenged. However, they dug a grave for the hare and buried it; for they were afraid to eat it, and thought that now perhaps the danger was over. However, the next day the man became suddenly speechless, and died before the
seventh day was over, without a word evermore passing his lips; and then all the neighbours knew that the witch-woman had taken her revenge.
The Badger.
The Badger. Broc.
Some people thought that badgers could bring bad luck. This rhyme dates from about
200 years ago:
Should one hear a badger call, and then an ullot cry. Make thy peace with God, good soul,
for thou shall shortly die.
So,
according to this bit of folklore, if you hear a badger call, then hear an "Ullot" (an owl) hoot, you are not long for this world.
Some people used to say that badgers had legs that were shorter on one side than the other. This was supposed to be because badgers often walked on sloping ground on the sides of hills.
Another 200-year-old story says that badgers - like black cats - can bring bad luck or good luck. If the badger walks across the path that you have just walked on, you are in for very good luck. However, if the badger walks across the path in front of you, and if it happens to scrape up a bit of earth as it goes, then it is time for you to choose your coffin! The old rhyme goes like this:
Should a badger cross the path
Which thou hast taken, then
Good luck is thine, so it be said
Beyond the luck of men.
But if it cross in front of thee,
Beyond where thou shalt tread,
And if by chance doth turn the mould,
Thou art numbered with the dead.
The hair is used in the making of shaving brushes and also for artists brushes.
This animal is unyielding in the face of danger and is noted for its tenacity and courage.
The badger was an animal that was always favoured by the gambling fraternity.
If you wear a Badgers tooth around your neck you will be lucky in whatever you gamble on especially cards.
Highlanders, on the other hand, had rather more regard for the badger, admiring its strength and tough hide. Badger faces were used to cover sporran’s, badger teeth employed as buttons, and even badger penises given as fertility charms to bridegrooms from brides' fathers (I never got one from my father in law).
Badger fat was used for cooking and also rubbing on the chest as a cure for rheumatism.
Henry Smith, author of 'The Master Book of Poultry and Game', which was published shortly after the end of World War Two, declares "the flesh can be treated as young pig in every respect, it being just as rich and having the flavour of a young pig".
In the middle of the 20th century they were thought to be the carrier of tuberculosis, which was subsequently transmitted to cattle. Their persecution was relentless and their numbers in Ireland dipped as a result. Protection was afforded to badgers in the 1970s and since then their numbers have started to recovered.
Their home, referred to as a ‘set’, is a complicated tunnel construction where the female or ‘sow’ raises up to three cubs each year during February or March. A Badger set can be as much as twenty metres long and be several metres below the surface.
The Badger (Broc) connects to perseverance, along with the patience and persistence this requires. He is considered self-reliant, determined, assertive and willing to work, with an earthy wisdom. Brocan was a name for Pictish wise men.
That said, the Badger was not always treated with respect - the game 'Badger in the Bag' started, according to legend, with the celtic hero Pwyll tricking a rival into a bag and each of his men having a turn at kicking the supposed 'badger' he had trapped. Bagging badgers before dealing with them (or indeed baiting them) also has to do with their aggression and fighting skills
Some people thought that badgers could bring bad luck. This rhyme dates from about
200 years ago:
Should one hear a badger call, and then an ullot cry. Make thy peace with God, good soul,
for thou shall shortly die.
So,
according to this bit of folklore, if you hear a badger call, then hear an "Ullot" (an owl) hoot, you are not long for this world.
Some people used to say that badgers had legs that were shorter on one side than the other. This was supposed to be because badgers often walked on sloping ground on the sides of hills.
Another 200-year-old story says that badgers - like black cats - can bring bad luck or good luck. If the badger walks across the path that you have just walked on, you are in for very good luck. However, if the badger walks across the path in front of you, and if it happens to scrape up a bit of earth as it goes, then it is time for you to choose your coffin! The old rhyme goes like this:
Should a badger cross the path
Which thou hast taken, then
Good luck is thine, so it be said
Beyond the luck of men.
But if it cross in front of thee,
Beyond where thou shalt tread,
And if by chance doth turn the mould,
Thou art numbered with the dead.
The hair is used in the making of shaving brushes and also for artists brushes.
This animal is unyielding in the face of danger and is noted for its tenacity and courage.
The badger was an animal that was always favoured by the gambling fraternity.
If you wear a Badgers tooth around your neck you will be lucky in whatever you gamble on especially cards.
Highlanders, on the other hand, had rather more regard for the badger, admiring its strength and tough hide. Badger faces were used to cover sporran’s, badger teeth employed as buttons, and even badger penises given as fertility charms to bridegrooms from brides' fathers (I never got one from my father in law).
Badger fat was used for cooking and also rubbing on the chest as a cure for rheumatism.
Henry Smith, author of 'The Master Book of Poultry and Game', which was published shortly after the end of World War Two, declares "the flesh can be treated as young pig in every respect, it being just as rich and having the flavour of a young pig".
In the middle of the 20th century they were thought to be the carrier of tuberculosis, which was subsequently transmitted to cattle. Their persecution was relentless and their numbers in Ireland dipped as a result. Protection was afforded to badgers in the 1970s and since then their numbers have started to recovered.
Their home, referred to as a ‘set’, is a complicated tunnel construction where the female or ‘sow’ raises up to three cubs each year during February or March. A Badger set can be as much as twenty metres long and be several metres below the surface.
The Badger (Broc) connects to perseverance, along with the patience and persistence this requires. He is considered self-reliant, determined, assertive and willing to work, with an earthy wisdom. Brocan was a name for Pictish wise men.
That said, the Badger was not always treated with respect - the game 'Badger in the Bag' started, according to legend, with the celtic hero Pwyll tricking a rival into a bag and each of his men having a turn at kicking the supposed 'badger' he had trapped. Bagging badgers before dealing with them (or indeed baiting them) also has to do with their aggression and fighting skills
The Hedgehog.
The Hedgehog, also called the Gráinneog in Irish (Little ugly thing).
However it is not a native Irish mammal having been introduced round the 13th century by the Normans.
There are many stories concerning the hedgehog. In the first century, Pliny the Elder, in his Historia Naturalis, told a story about how the hedgehog would climb apple trees, knock the fruit off, and then roll on the apples impaling them on its spikes and carrying them down to their burrows. Now not only do hedgehogs not climb trees but they don’t store food in their burrows either. Although it didn’t stop some people trying to prove he was right (they never succeeded).
In ancient Rome, the hedgehog was used to forecast spring. If during hibernation it looks out of its burrow around the start of February and sees its shadow then it meant there was a clear moon and this was believed to herald six more weeks of winter and so it would return to its sleep.
In medieval Britain, farmers believed that hedgehogs stole milk from cows by sucking on them at night, they were even said
to be witches in disguise. In 1566, the Elizabethan parliament put a three pence bounty on the head of every hedgehog that was caught and killed. Even the church got involved offering bounties of their own. Hedgehogs certainly enjoy milk and some vets have reported damage to cow’s udders which may have been caused by a hedgehog’s distinctive teeth marks so it would appear that the odd hedgehog has had a nibble. Thousands were slaughtered as a result.
The poor hedgehog was then accused of being egg thieves, now while it’s true they will eat the odd egg; most of these have
already been cracked or damaged. It has been suggested that hedgehogs would actually find it difficult to break open an egg as they don’t have the physical capability. However, thousands more were hunted down and killed as a result of this, a practice which is still carried on today.
The hedgehog has even been considered a food by some people. The common method of cooking is to roll them in clay (spines and all) you then bake it in a fire, once cooked remove the hardened clay taking the spike with it. I know it sounds disgusting but at one time it was believed that eating hedgehogs would cure the sick of a variety of ailments including leprosy, boils and even poor vision. It has been suggested that certain gypsies will still eat hedgehogs as a cure for poisoning and removing evil spells but I cannot swear to this.
In the past folklore says that hedgehog’s can predict a change in the weather (the Roman’s knew this), they were said to alter
the entrance to their burrow accordingly. The hedgehog was also worshipped by some cultures; some thought that a figure representing Mother Earth would take the form of a hedgehog. In particular, they were associated with the Babylonian
Goddess Ishtar (also known by her Greek name Asorte) who was the Goddess of love and war. To the ancient Egyptians,
the hedgehog symbolised reincarnation because they were said to have interpreted the hedgehog’s hibernation cycle as if it was dying in the autumn and being reborn in the spring.
However it is not a native Irish mammal having been introduced round the 13th century by the Normans.
There are many stories concerning the hedgehog. In the first century, Pliny the Elder, in his Historia Naturalis, told a story about how the hedgehog would climb apple trees, knock the fruit off, and then roll on the apples impaling them on its spikes and carrying them down to their burrows. Now not only do hedgehogs not climb trees but they don’t store food in their burrows either. Although it didn’t stop some people trying to prove he was right (they never succeeded).
In ancient Rome, the hedgehog was used to forecast spring. If during hibernation it looks out of its burrow around the start of February and sees its shadow then it meant there was a clear moon and this was believed to herald six more weeks of winter and so it would return to its sleep.
In medieval Britain, farmers believed that hedgehogs stole milk from cows by sucking on them at night, they were even said
to be witches in disguise. In 1566, the Elizabethan parliament put a three pence bounty on the head of every hedgehog that was caught and killed. Even the church got involved offering bounties of their own. Hedgehogs certainly enjoy milk and some vets have reported damage to cow’s udders which may have been caused by a hedgehog’s distinctive teeth marks so it would appear that the odd hedgehog has had a nibble. Thousands were slaughtered as a result.
The poor hedgehog was then accused of being egg thieves, now while it’s true they will eat the odd egg; most of these have
already been cracked or damaged. It has been suggested that hedgehogs would actually find it difficult to break open an egg as they don’t have the physical capability. However, thousands more were hunted down and killed as a result of this, a practice which is still carried on today.
The hedgehog has even been considered a food by some people. The common method of cooking is to roll them in clay (spines and all) you then bake it in a fire, once cooked remove the hardened clay taking the spike with it. I know it sounds disgusting but at one time it was believed that eating hedgehogs would cure the sick of a variety of ailments including leprosy, boils and even poor vision. It has been suggested that certain gypsies will still eat hedgehogs as a cure for poisoning and removing evil spells but I cannot swear to this.
In the past folklore says that hedgehog’s can predict a change in the weather (the Roman’s knew this), they were said to alter
the entrance to their burrow accordingly. The hedgehog was also worshipped by some cultures; some thought that a figure representing Mother Earth would take the form of a hedgehog. In particular, they were associated with the Babylonian
Goddess Ishtar (also known by her Greek name Asorte) who was the Goddess of love and war. To the ancient Egyptians,
the hedgehog symbolised reincarnation because they were said to have interpreted the hedgehog’s hibernation cycle as if it was dying in the autumn and being reborn in the spring.
Blackbird (druids oracle).
Blackbird. Lon Dubh.
Place blackbird feathers under someone's pillow and they will tell you their innermost secrets. Blackbirds symbolize reincarnation. Blackbirds are linked to the element of Water.Two blackbirds seen together mean good luck. The sight of two together is unusual as they are quite territorial. If they nest near your house you will be lucky throughout the year and will experience good fortune. They are also regarded as messengers of the dead.
Blackbirds make their nests in trees from moss, grass and hair. A European tradition says that if human hair is used, the unfortunate unknowing donor will continue to suffer from headaches and possibly even boils and skin complaints until the nest is destroyed, so old hair should be disposed of carefully.
The beautiful song of the blackbird makes it a symbol of temptations, especially sexual ones. The devil once took on the shape of a blackbird and flew into St Benedict's face, thereby causing him to be troubled by an intense desire for a beautiful girl he had once seen. In order to save himself, the saint tore off his clothes and jumped into a thorn bush. This painful act is said to have freed him from sexual temptations for the rest of his life. Now if you believe that you’ll believe anything.
Like the crow and the raven, the blackbird is often considered a bad omen. Dreaming of a blackbird may be a sign of misfortune
for you in the coming weeks. It also means you lack motivation and that you are not utilising your full potential. Dreaming of a flying blackbird is said to bring good fortune.
One story concerning the blackbird is about St.Kevin, an Irish 7th century Saint who loved wildlife. It is said that in the temple of the rock at Glendalough, St.Kevin was praying with his hand outstretched upwards when a blackbird flew down and laid her eggs in his palm. The story goes on to say that the saint remained still for as long as it tookfor the eggs to hatch and the brood to fly the nest.
Among the Celts the blackbird is thought to be one of the three oldest animals in the world. The other two being the trout
and the stag. They are said to represent the water, air and earth.
Legend says that the birds of Rhiannon are three blackbirds, which sit and sing in the World Tree of the Otherworlds. Their
singing puts the listener in to a sleep or trance which enables her/him to go to the Otherworlds. It was said to impart mystic
secrets.
In Ireland in the nineteenth century, blackbirds were supposed to hold the souls of those in purgatory until judgement day. It was said that whenever the birds voices were particularly shrill, it was those souls, parched and burning, calling for rain. The rain always followed.
The whistle of the blackbird at dawn warned of rain and mist for the coming day.
Bottom in a Midsummer’s dream sings; “The ouzel cock so black of hue With orange tawny bill…” (Ouzel being an old name for blackbird.)
A Dunnock at rest.
The Dunnock. Bráthair an Dreoilín.
Known more popularly as the “Irish Nightingale,” the dunnock is the object of a most tender superstition. By day it is a happy little bird that tries to outdo every other bird with its song. However, at night particularly at midnight their sad and tender songs are said to reflect the cries of unbaptised babies that have returned from the spirit world in search of their parents. The dunnock’s blue-green eggs were regarded as charms against witches spells when strung out along the hob. They were especially good for keeping witches and spirits from coming down the chimney.
It was in fact Linnaeus who gave the Dunnock the name Accentor which means ‘one who sings with another’. Chaucer made notes on how the cuckoo uses the dunnock to rear its young. Cuckoos which use dunnocks in this way can imitate the colour of the dunnock eggs whereas other cuckoos which may use another species of bird, say a meadow pipit, will imitate the colour of the meadow pipit eggs. Chaucer refers to the Dunnock as Hegesugge which means‘flutterer in the hedges’. Hegesugge is the Old English name for Dunnock/Hedge Sparrow.
Song Thrush.
The Thrush. Smólach.
There are many superstitions associated with Song thrushes, including the notion that they dispose of their old legs and acquire new ones when they are about 10 years old. Another superstition is that they are believed to be deaf. All sorts of things have also been said and written about Mistle thrushes also. In the fourth century Aristotle was already writing about its fondness for mistletoe and there is an old belief that Mistle thrushes could speak seven languages!
In Ireland it was believed that the faeries made sure that the thrush built its nest low down near the fairies home in the grass so that they could enjoy the birds song. If the thrush built its nest high up in a thorn-bush it was a sure sign that the faeries were unhappy and misfortune would come to the neighbourhood.
It was believed that the flesh of the song thrush would cure sickness and convulsions.
There are many superstitions associated with Song thrushes, including the notion that they dispose of their old legs and acquire new ones when they are about 10 years old. Another superstition is that they are believed to be deaf. All sorts of things have also been said and written about Mistle thrushes also. In the fourth century Aristotle was already writing about its fondness for mistletoe and there is an old belief that Mistle thrushes could speak seven languages!
In Ireland it was believed that the faeries made sure that the thrush built its nest low down near the fairies home in the grass so that they could enjoy the birds song. If the thrush built its nest high up in a thorn-bush it was a sure sign that the faeries were unhappy and misfortune would come to the neighbourhood.
It was believed that the flesh of the song thrush would cure sickness and convulsions.
The Robin.
Robin. Spideóg.
If you harm a robin's nest, you will be struck by lightning. There is also an old saying "Kill a robin or a wren, never prosper, boy or man."
A robin entering the house foretells of a death to come.
If a robin stays close to the house in autumn, a harsh winter can be
expected.
Robins are thought to be helpful to humans, occasionally granting favours.
Robins are a sure sign of spring and if you make a wish on the first robin of spring before it flies off, you'll have luck throughout the following year.
Robins with their cheery red breasts adorn many of our Christmas cards and decorations, and there are several stories as to
how the robin acquired its red breast feathers. In the Christian tradition, it is thought that a robin tried to remove the thorns from Jesus’ head during the Crucifixion, and that drops of his blood fell onto the bird and stained his breast feathers red forever. In another myth, the robin gained his red breast from flying into the fiery wastes of hell to carry water to the stricken sinners
who were suffering there for all eternity. It’s enough to give you nightmares.
The robin is another bird where it is believed that if they are seen tapping on the window or flying into a room that a member of the household will soon be dead. However, we often have Robins flying into our cottage and we look on them as our friends not as harbingers of death.
If you break a robin’s eggs expect something important of yours to be broken very soon.
Note that if you see a robin singing in the open that good weather is on its way, but that if the robin is seen sheltering among the branches of a tree that it will soon rain. Also, if the first bird that you see on St Valentine’s Day is a robin, it means that you are
destined to marry a sailor!
It is said to be extremely unlucky to kill this bird. The hand that does so will continue to shake thereafter. Traditionally the Irish believe that a large lump will appear on the right hand if you kill one. It is said that whatever you do to a robin you will suffer the same tragedy. Some believe that the robin will not be chased by a cat.
It was widely believed that if a robin came across a dead body it would carefully cover the body with leaves and vegetation
until it was completely hidden.
Robins were believed to provide a cure for depression. The remedy suggests a robin must be killed and its heart removed.
The heart should then be stitched into a sachet and worn around the neck on a cord. I think that would give me depression.
In the south east of Ireland they believed that if a robin entered a house it was a sign of snow or frost.
A robin singing indicated a coming storm.
How Robin got his Red Breast.
One winter, a long time ago, Jack Frost was very cruel. He made the snow fall thickly upon the ground, and he put ice on the ponds and frost on the window panes.The birds found it very hard to get food and soon they began to get hungry.Then, one day, the birds were sitting in a ring under a hedge, trying to think what was to be done. After a while a little brown, bird, called Robin, got up to speak. "I have an idea," he said. "I will go into the gardens and try to get people to give us a lot more crumbs!"
Now Robin had a way all of his own of making friends. He went along to the houses where people lived and in one of the gardens he saw a man clearing away the snow from a path, so he hopped up very close to the man. Most birds are very much afraid of men, but Robin was brave. He had to be, if he was to help the other birds. When the man saw how friendly Robin was, and how hungry he seemed to be, he went into his house and fetched a tray full of crumbs.Robin was glad, and he flew off to fetch the other birds, and soon there were crowds of them in the kind man's garden.
The best way they could say "Thank you" to the kind man was to eat the crumbs out of his hand. Robin then flew away into other gardens, and wherever he went he made friends. So, while the snow stayed on the ground the birds were
able to feed after all. At last Jack Frost sent the snow away, and then the happy birds wanted to thank Robin so they made him a little red waistcoat, which he still wears. That is why he is now called Robin Redbreast.
OR
Many years ago, late in the year, a cruel wind brought biting cold weather; making the night more difficult for a father and son who had travelled so far and yet still had farther to go. They looked for a cottage, a barn, or even a tree, anywhere they might find shelter. However, there was nothing to be seen or found, except for a bush, and at last the father built a fire and told his
son to try and sleep a little. When the father's eyes began to droop he woke his son and told him to watch the fire.
Well how the boy tried to stay awake! He hadn't really slept while lying on the frozen ground and he was still exhausted from the walk. His eyes got lower. His head got lower. The fire got lower. So low in fact that a starving wolf began to inch near the sleeping pair. However, there was one who was awake. There was one who saw everything from the middle of an old bush; a little bird who was as gray as the brambly wood.
The bird hopped down and began fanning the flickering embers until the flames began to lick out hungrily; nor did the little bird stop, despite the pain on his breast, until the flames were dancing with strength. The heat from the flames changed the colour
of his breast feathers and from that day onwards the Robin has proudly worn a red breast.
Robins feature in ‘Babes in the Woods’ when the little bird buried the children, who had died of cold, with leaves. The ballad ‘Who Killed Cock Robin’ was first published in 1744 and Drayton in 1604 referred to the robin in his work entitled ‘The Owlet’. In fact there are many writers who have been inspired by the dear old robin.
If you harm a robin's nest, you will be struck by lightning. There is also an old saying "Kill a robin or a wren, never prosper, boy or man."
A robin entering the house foretells of a death to come.
If a robin stays close to the house in autumn, a harsh winter can be
expected.
Robins are thought to be helpful to humans, occasionally granting favours.
Robins are a sure sign of spring and if you make a wish on the first robin of spring before it flies off, you'll have luck throughout the following year.
Robins with their cheery red breasts adorn many of our Christmas cards and decorations, and there are several stories as to
how the robin acquired its red breast feathers. In the Christian tradition, it is thought that a robin tried to remove the thorns from Jesus’ head during the Crucifixion, and that drops of his blood fell onto the bird and stained his breast feathers red forever. In another myth, the robin gained his red breast from flying into the fiery wastes of hell to carry water to the stricken sinners
who were suffering there for all eternity. It’s enough to give you nightmares.
The robin is another bird where it is believed that if they are seen tapping on the window or flying into a room that a member of the household will soon be dead. However, we often have Robins flying into our cottage and we look on them as our friends not as harbingers of death.
If you break a robin’s eggs expect something important of yours to be broken very soon.
Note that if you see a robin singing in the open that good weather is on its way, but that if the robin is seen sheltering among the branches of a tree that it will soon rain. Also, if the first bird that you see on St Valentine’s Day is a robin, it means that you are
destined to marry a sailor!
It is said to be extremely unlucky to kill this bird. The hand that does so will continue to shake thereafter. Traditionally the Irish believe that a large lump will appear on the right hand if you kill one. It is said that whatever you do to a robin you will suffer the same tragedy. Some believe that the robin will not be chased by a cat.
It was widely believed that if a robin came across a dead body it would carefully cover the body with leaves and vegetation
until it was completely hidden.
Robins were believed to provide a cure for depression. The remedy suggests a robin must be killed and its heart removed.
The heart should then be stitched into a sachet and worn around the neck on a cord. I think that would give me depression.
In the south east of Ireland they believed that if a robin entered a house it was a sign of snow or frost.
A robin singing indicated a coming storm.
How Robin got his Red Breast.
One winter, a long time ago, Jack Frost was very cruel. He made the snow fall thickly upon the ground, and he put ice on the ponds and frost on the window panes.The birds found it very hard to get food and soon they began to get hungry.Then, one day, the birds were sitting in a ring under a hedge, trying to think what was to be done. After a while a little brown, bird, called Robin, got up to speak. "I have an idea," he said. "I will go into the gardens and try to get people to give us a lot more crumbs!"
Now Robin had a way all of his own of making friends. He went along to the houses where people lived and in one of the gardens he saw a man clearing away the snow from a path, so he hopped up very close to the man. Most birds are very much afraid of men, but Robin was brave. He had to be, if he was to help the other birds. When the man saw how friendly Robin was, and how hungry he seemed to be, he went into his house and fetched a tray full of crumbs.Robin was glad, and he flew off to fetch the other birds, and soon there were crowds of them in the kind man's garden.
The best way they could say "Thank you" to the kind man was to eat the crumbs out of his hand. Robin then flew away into other gardens, and wherever he went he made friends. So, while the snow stayed on the ground the birds were
able to feed after all. At last Jack Frost sent the snow away, and then the happy birds wanted to thank Robin so they made him a little red waistcoat, which he still wears. That is why he is now called Robin Redbreast.
OR
Many years ago, late in the year, a cruel wind brought biting cold weather; making the night more difficult for a father and son who had travelled so far and yet still had farther to go. They looked for a cottage, a barn, or even a tree, anywhere they might find shelter. However, there was nothing to be seen or found, except for a bush, and at last the father built a fire and told his
son to try and sleep a little. When the father's eyes began to droop he woke his son and told him to watch the fire.
Well how the boy tried to stay awake! He hadn't really slept while lying on the frozen ground and he was still exhausted from the walk. His eyes got lower. His head got lower. The fire got lower. So low in fact that a starving wolf began to inch near the sleeping pair. However, there was one who was awake. There was one who saw everything from the middle of an old bush; a little bird who was as gray as the brambly wood.
The bird hopped down and began fanning the flickering embers until the flames began to lick out hungrily; nor did the little bird stop, despite the pain on his breast, until the flames were dancing with strength. The heat from the flames changed the colour
of his breast feathers and from that day onwards the Robin has proudly worn a red breast.
Robins feature in ‘Babes in the Woods’ when the little bird buried the children, who had died of cold, with leaves. The ballad ‘Who Killed Cock Robin’ was first published in 1744 and Drayton in 1604 referred to the robin in his work entitled ‘The Owlet’. In fact there are many writers who have been inspired by the dear old robin.
The Wren.
Wren. Dreoilín.
Associated with the druids of Ireland who consider the wren a sacred bird and used their musical notes for divination. They were called magus avium (the magic or druid bird).
This poor unfortunate bird was for many years hunted and killed although today is respected. The main day for hunting was December 26 when the cruel practice was carried out by young boys. The boys would receive money as they paraded the dead birds from house to house. The wren was seen as a sacred bird to the early Druids and therefore was the target by Christian believers as Pagan purges were frequent and all-embracing. This unfortunate set of circumstances may also have come about as the feathers were thought to prevent a person from drowning, and because of this the feathers
were traditionally very popular with sailors.
A traditional French belief tells that children should not touch the nest of a wren or the child will suffer from pimples. In the same way as a robin is revered, if anyone harms the bird then the person will suffer the same fate.
The Breton druids have given the wren an honoured role in their folklore, they believe that it was the wren that brought fire from the gods but as she flew back down to earth her wings began to burn so she passed her gift to the robin, whose chest plumage began to burst into flames. The lark came to the rescue, finally bringing the gift of fire to the world.
The wren’s eggs are said to be protected by lightning. Whoever tries to steal wren’s eggs or even baby wrens would find their house struck by lightning and their hands would shrivel up.
During the winter wren’s lose their body heat rapidly and therefore will often roost together to keep warm. Remember an odd nest box left up occasionally during the winter months will often be used for roosting. It is not unusual for several wrens to cuddle up together in one box during cold times.
The male bird builds two or three ball-shaped nests for the female to inspect. She decides which one she likes best and will then proceed to line the chosen nest ready for egg laying. The wren is a mouse-like little bird for it scurries here and there hiding in ivy leaves and picking up insects in all sorts of hideaway places.
WHY THE WREN FLIES CLOSE TO THE
EARTH.
ONE day when the birds were all together, one of them said, "I have been watching men, and I saw that they had a king. Let us too have a king."
"Why?" asked the others.
"Oh, I do not know, but men have
one."
"Which bird shall it be? How shall we choose a king?"
"Let
us choose the bird that flies farthest," said one.
"No, the bird that
flies most swiftly."
"The most beautiful bird."
"The bird that
sings best."
"The strongest bird."
The owl sat a little way off on a great oak-tree. He said nothing, but he looked so wise that all the birds cried, "Let us ask the owl to choose for us."
"The bird that flies highest should be our king," said the owl with a wiser look than before, and the others said, "Yes, we will choose the bird that flies highest."
The wren is very small, but she cried even more eagerly than the others, "Let us choose the bird that flies highest," for she said to herself, "They think the owl is wise, but I am wiser than he, and I know which bird can fly highest."
Then the birds tried their wings. They flew high, high up above the earth, but one by one they had to come back to their homes. It was soon seen which could fly highest, for when all the others had come back, there was the eagle rising higher and higher.
"The eagle is our king," cried the birds on the earth, and the eagle gave a loud cry of happiness. But look! A little bird had
been hidden in the feathers on the eagle's back, and when the eagle had gone as high as he could, the wren flew up from his back still higher.
"Now which bird is king?" cried the wren. "The one that flew highest should be king, and I flew highest."
The eagle was angry, but not a word did he say, and the two birds came down to the earth together.
"I am the king," said the wren, "for I flew higher than the eagle."
The other birds did not know which of the two to choose. At last they went to the oak-tree and asked the owl. He looked to the east, the west, the south, and the north, and then he said, "The wren did not fly at all, for she was carried on the eagle's back. The eagle is king, for he not only flew highest, but carried the wren on his back."
"Good, good !" cried the other birds. "The owl is the wisest bird that flies. We will do as he says, and the eagle shall be our king."
The wren crept away. She thought she was wise before, but now she is really wise, for she always flies close to the earth, and never tries to do what she cannot.
.
"That’s what you get for cheating"
Wordsworth writes about the wren’s song in Book II of The Prelude. Whilst most people find the wrens song a little harsh, he favoured its song and celebrates it in his writing. Good old Wordsworth!
Associated with the druids of Ireland who consider the wren a sacred bird and used their musical notes for divination. They were called magus avium (the magic or druid bird).
This poor unfortunate bird was for many years hunted and killed although today is respected. The main day for hunting was December 26 when the cruel practice was carried out by young boys. The boys would receive money as they paraded the dead birds from house to house. The wren was seen as a sacred bird to the early Druids and therefore was the target by Christian believers as Pagan purges were frequent and all-embracing. This unfortunate set of circumstances may also have come about as the feathers were thought to prevent a person from drowning, and because of this the feathers
were traditionally very popular with sailors.
A traditional French belief tells that children should not touch the nest of a wren or the child will suffer from pimples. In the same way as a robin is revered, if anyone harms the bird then the person will suffer the same fate.
The Breton druids have given the wren an honoured role in their folklore, they believe that it was the wren that brought fire from the gods but as she flew back down to earth her wings began to burn so she passed her gift to the robin, whose chest plumage began to burst into flames. The lark came to the rescue, finally bringing the gift of fire to the world.
The wren’s eggs are said to be protected by lightning. Whoever tries to steal wren’s eggs or even baby wrens would find their house struck by lightning and their hands would shrivel up.
During the winter wren’s lose their body heat rapidly and therefore will often roost together to keep warm. Remember an odd nest box left up occasionally during the winter months will often be used for roosting. It is not unusual for several wrens to cuddle up together in one box during cold times.
The male bird builds two or three ball-shaped nests for the female to inspect. She decides which one she likes best and will then proceed to line the chosen nest ready for egg laying. The wren is a mouse-like little bird for it scurries here and there hiding in ivy leaves and picking up insects in all sorts of hideaway places.
WHY THE WREN FLIES CLOSE TO THE
EARTH.
ONE day when the birds were all together, one of them said, "I have been watching men, and I saw that they had a king. Let us too have a king."
"Why?" asked the others.
"Oh, I do not know, but men have
one."
"Which bird shall it be? How shall we choose a king?"
"Let
us choose the bird that flies farthest," said one.
"No, the bird that
flies most swiftly."
"The most beautiful bird."
"The bird that
sings best."
"The strongest bird."
The owl sat a little way off on a great oak-tree. He said nothing, but he looked so wise that all the birds cried, "Let us ask the owl to choose for us."
"The bird that flies highest should be our king," said the owl with a wiser look than before, and the others said, "Yes, we will choose the bird that flies highest."
The wren is very small, but she cried even more eagerly than the others, "Let us choose the bird that flies highest," for she said to herself, "They think the owl is wise, but I am wiser than he, and I know which bird can fly highest."
Then the birds tried their wings. They flew high, high up above the earth, but one by one they had to come back to their homes. It was soon seen which could fly highest, for when all the others had come back, there was the eagle rising higher and higher.
"The eagle is our king," cried the birds on the earth, and the eagle gave a loud cry of happiness. But look! A little bird had
been hidden in the feathers on the eagle's back, and when the eagle had gone as high as he could, the wren flew up from his back still higher.
"Now which bird is king?" cried the wren. "The one that flew highest should be king, and I flew highest."
The eagle was angry, but not a word did he say, and the two birds came down to the earth together.
"I am the king," said the wren, "for I flew higher than the eagle."
The other birds did not know which of the two to choose. At last they went to the oak-tree and asked the owl. He looked to the east, the west, the south, and the north, and then he said, "The wren did not fly at all, for she was carried on the eagle's back. The eagle is king, for he not only flew highest, but carried the wren on his back."
"Good, good !" cried the other birds. "The owl is the wisest bird that flies. We will do as he says, and the eagle shall be our king."
The wren crept away. She thought she was wise before, but now she is really wise, for she always flies close to the earth, and never tries to do what she cannot.
.
"That’s what you get for cheating"
Wordsworth writes about the wren’s song in Book II of The Prelude. Whilst most people find the wrens song a little harsh, he favoured its song and celebrates it in his writing. Good old Wordsworth!
Barn Owl (Scréachóg reilge)
Tale of the Owl (barefootpavee.blogspot.com) Ulchabhán l'esko
A very short traditional tale....The night they say was still when the voice was heard, calling through the branches of a juniper tree to those that sat in the circle about a fire, kindled with hopes of holding back the hungry hands of winter.
From under the sheltering arms of the tree arose an owl, feathers silver like the moon, soft as the first breath of morning wind, with eyes like obsidian that caught and shimmered in the flickering flames of the fire.
“Death is coming” said the owl, with a voice that echoed through the air. “Death is coming...”.
Those that heard arose to their feet, fear raised, horror was in their footing as they ran away. They ran to the high lands and the low lands, they ran to the burnt lands and to the altars of the stone church. For a day they shook hands, forgive grudges, held each other
tight, lit candles against their own shadows and sung loud of hopes and the glory of life.
That night death did not visit but again the Owl came and again the Owl spoke... “Death is coming. Death is coming....”
Like before the people found the winter chill kiss their bones and fear dance in their mind and once again they held each other tight through the night, speaking words of hope, of kindness, of love...
Again death did not visit....
On the third night the ruffle of feathers against the night air was heard and like before the owl arose and spoke to the Pavees as they sat about the freshly kindled fire.
“Death is coming, death is coming...”
This time though the Pavee's let the words fall on empty ears, some shouted“away with you owl, we will have no more of you!”, others still threw stones and filled the air with cries of anger. With that the Owl took to the wind and spoke no more to the Pavees by the fire.
In the days that followed most talked of the Owl as a liar and a fool but as the days turned to years and years to decades those who had the hearts to listen, understood the message of the Owl.
Death is coming... be it in the coming dawn or in the far off horizon...however kindness, hope and love is already here.
So, go on, ask yourself... do you need an Owl in your life? Would you listen or throw stones?
*Lʹesko is thought to arise from the Gaelic 'sgēal'.
This bird has a reputation for being the wisest of birds and yet it has also developed a bad reputation that stems from the fact that it is a solitary bird that has a nocturnal existence. It has been suggested that it is for this reason that it has been associated with the hours of night time when the darker forces are said to walk the earth. It has even been said that to see one during the day is a sign of bad luck. The Barn Owl is now on the Red List as a threatened species due to many factors such as loss of habitat, road accidents and changes in agricultural practice. They mate for life so the loss of a mate is devastating.
Should an owl brush its wings against a window pain or be seen perching for a considerable length of time on a roof then it is
traditionally believed that illness and even death is present within.
To look into an owl's nest is reputed to leave the observer with a sad and morose soul.
According to an old Welsh tradition if you hear an owl hooting amongst a densely built up area then a female in the locality is said to have just lost her virginity! (must be awful quiet these days)
A dead owl has served many purposes including mixing some of the flesh with boar's grease as an ointment to ease the pain of
gout.
Owl broth was once used to feed children to avoid whooping cough according to tradition.
The eggs were also once thought to help prevent epilepsy, bad sight (for obvious reasons) and to bring drunks back to their
senses.
An Owl that enters the house must be killed at once, for if it flies away it will take the luck of the house with it.
To counter evil owl power put irons in your fire. Or throw salt, hot peppers or vinegar into the fire, the owl will get a sore tongue, hoot no more, and no one close to you will be in trouble.
When you hear an owl, take off your clothes, turn them inside out and put them back on. You might not want to do this if you are in public.
Any man who eats roasted owl will be obedient and a slave to his wife. Be sure to check the turkey??
Many people used to believe that owls swooped down to eat the souls of the dying. If they heard an owl hooting, they
would become frightened. A common remedy was thought to be turning your pockets inside out and you would be safe.
Due to the Barn Owls eerie appearance, its habit of screeching and nesting in old abandoned buildings and churches
people believed it was associated with ghosts and death.
Witches were thought to transform into owls and suck the blood of babies.
It was believed you could discover a person's secrets by placing a feather or part of an owl on him while sleeping.
The Custom of nailing an Owl to a barn door to ward off evil and lightning persisted into the 19th century.
I Talk With the Moon.
I talk with
the moon, said the owl
While she lingers over my tree
I talk with the
moon, said the owl
And the night belongs to me.
I talk with the sun, said
the wren
As soon as he starts to shine
I talk with the sun, said the
wren
And the day is mine.
~ Anonymous
The Irish Fox. Sionnach.
The Fox. Sionnach.
A popular belief concerning the origin of the fox was held in Ireland. It was believed that they were the dogs of the Norsemen who were supposed to have brought them to Ireland.
Foxes are very good at concealing themselves. Their ability to hide and move swiftly through the hedgerow corridors is legendary. It is this ability together with their skill and cunning when it comes to taking poultry and small animals that has resulted in a reputation that we know today.
The Celtic druids admired the fox for this skill and cunning. In 1984 the two thousand year old body of a man who had been garrotted was found in a bog near Manchester, England (Lindow man). He was wearing a fox fur amulet and had traces of mistletoe pollen in his gut,
and his death by three causes, led Dr. Anne Ross to suggest that he may have been a druid prince slaughtered in a ritual.
In common with the otter, the fox is said to carry a magical pearl, which brings good luck to whoever finds it.
The fox is associated with adaptability, and was thought to be a shape-shifter. There are many stories showing the cunning of the Fox, not always to its credit, but it should be remembered that ‘cunning’ comes from kenning, meaning ‘to know’, without necessarily carrying slyness. This is the fox’s great secret. In folklore all over the world it’s described as "sly", "clever", and “cunning" – and it is. It’s clever at adapting so that it assimilates into its environment even when this environment is changing rapidly.
That cunning may, however, be associated with the false trails a fox can leave in order to deceive its hunters - and foxes were hunted for their pelts, perhaps in a ritual manner. Like the Deer, the Fox was often part of burial rituals, found now in excavations.
The fox was said to be able to foresee events including the weather and its barking was said to be a sure sign of rain.
It is thought to be unlucky to meet a woman with red hair or a fox when setting out in the morning, especially if you were a
fisherman.
One cure for infertility was for a woman to sprinkle sugar on the testicles of a fox and roast them in an oven. She should
then eat them before her main meal for three days in succession. It does not mention whether the fox was dead or not but I certainly hope so.
An Irish cure for gallstones and kidney stones was to rub the affected area with foxe’s blood.
The tongue of a fox was also thought to be able to remove a stubborn thorn from the foot, when all else has failed.
Brigid and the Fox.
Brigid had a wonderful way with animals. One day a friend of the monastery workmen came to her with a sad tale that the friend had accidentally killed the king of Leinster's pet fox, thinking that it was a wild animal. The man was arrested. His wife and children begged the king to spare his life to no avail. The workman asked Brigid to intercede.
Although Brigid loved animals, she thought it was wrong that a man's life should be demanded in return for the fox's, so she ordered her horse and cart to be made ready and she set out for the court. The way lay through a wood, where the road was a mere track and the horse had to walk. Brigid prayed for the right words to speak to the angry king to save the life of the woodsman.
Suddenly she saw a little fox peeping shyly at her around a tree and she had an idea. She told her driver to stop and called the animal to her. Immediately it sprang into the cart beside her and nestled happily in the folds of her cloak. Brigid stroked its head and spoke to it gently. The little fox licked her hand and looked at her with its big brown eyes.
When she reached the king's castle, the fox trotted after her. She found the king still in a mighty rage. "Nothing," he told her angrily, "nothing in the world could make up to me for the loss of my beloved pet. Death is too good for that idiot who killed him. He must die as a warning to others. Let him die."
The king stormed on, "It is no use asking for mercy. That little fox was my companion, and my friend. That idiot brutally killed him for no reason. What harm did I do to that man? Do you have any idea how much I loved that little fox, I cared for him from the first day he was born?"
The king's furious eyes met Brigid's loving ones. Yes, indeed, she could well understand it. She was truly sorry for his loss for she loved all animals and especially tame little foxes. Look here . . . she beckoned forward her new pet from the woods that had been crouching behind her.
The king forgot his anger in this new interest. He and his household looked on delightedly while Brigid proceeded to put the fox through all kinds of clever tricks. It obeyed her voice and tried so hard to please her that the onlookers were delighted. Soon she was surrounded by laughing faces.
The king told her what his own little fox used to do. "See, it used to jump through this hoop, even at this height." Well, so could Brigid's. When the king's fox wanted a titbit, it used to stand on its hind legs with its fore paws joined as though it were praying, and so could Brigid's. Could anything be more amusing? When his mood had completely changed, Brigid offered her fox to the king in exchange for the prisoner's life. Now the king agreed and he even promised Brigid that never again would he inflict any kind of punishment on that idiot workman, whose misdeed he would soon forget.
Brigid was very happy when the prisoner was restored to his wife and children and she went back home to the monastery. However, the little fox missed her and became restless and unhappy. It didn’t care when Brigid led him into the castle, but without her the castle was a prison. After a while the king left on business and no one else bothered much about the new pet. The fox waited for its chance and when it found an open door, it made good its escape back to the woods.
Presently the king returned and there was commotion when the pet was missed. The whole household was sent flying out to search for it. When they failed to find the fox, the king's hounds were sent to help in the search, their keen noses snuffing over the ground for the fox's scent. Then the king summoned out his whole army, both horsemen and footmen, to follow the hounds in every direction. It was all no use. When night fell, they all returned wearily to their king with news of failure. Brigid's little pet fox was never found again.
So if you are walking through the woods one day and see a little fox with big brown eyes say “hello”. You never know it might be related to Brigid’s fox.
A popular belief concerning the origin of the fox was held in Ireland. It was believed that they were the dogs of the Norsemen who were supposed to have brought them to Ireland.
Foxes are very good at concealing themselves. Their ability to hide and move swiftly through the hedgerow corridors is legendary. It is this ability together with their skill and cunning when it comes to taking poultry and small animals that has resulted in a reputation that we know today.
The Celtic druids admired the fox for this skill and cunning. In 1984 the two thousand year old body of a man who had been garrotted was found in a bog near Manchester, England (Lindow man). He was wearing a fox fur amulet and had traces of mistletoe pollen in his gut,
and his death by three causes, led Dr. Anne Ross to suggest that he may have been a druid prince slaughtered in a ritual.
In common with the otter, the fox is said to carry a magical pearl, which brings good luck to whoever finds it.
The fox is associated with adaptability, and was thought to be a shape-shifter. There are many stories showing the cunning of the Fox, not always to its credit, but it should be remembered that ‘cunning’ comes from kenning, meaning ‘to know’, without necessarily carrying slyness. This is the fox’s great secret. In folklore all over the world it’s described as "sly", "clever", and “cunning" – and it is. It’s clever at adapting so that it assimilates into its environment even when this environment is changing rapidly.
That cunning may, however, be associated with the false trails a fox can leave in order to deceive its hunters - and foxes were hunted for their pelts, perhaps in a ritual manner. Like the Deer, the Fox was often part of burial rituals, found now in excavations.
The fox was said to be able to foresee events including the weather and its barking was said to be a sure sign of rain.
It is thought to be unlucky to meet a woman with red hair or a fox when setting out in the morning, especially if you were a
fisherman.
One cure for infertility was for a woman to sprinkle sugar on the testicles of a fox and roast them in an oven. She should
then eat them before her main meal for three days in succession. It does not mention whether the fox was dead or not but I certainly hope so.
An Irish cure for gallstones and kidney stones was to rub the affected area with foxe’s blood.
The tongue of a fox was also thought to be able to remove a stubborn thorn from the foot, when all else has failed.
Brigid and the Fox.
Brigid had a wonderful way with animals. One day a friend of the monastery workmen came to her with a sad tale that the friend had accidentally killed the king of Leinster's pet fox, thinking that it was a wild animal. The man was arrested. His wife and children begged the king to spare his life to no avail. The workman asked Brigid to intercede.
Although Brigid loved animals, she thought it was wrong that a man's life should be demanded in return for the fox's, so she ordered her horse and cart to be made ready and she set out for the court. The way lay through a wood, where the road was a mere track and the horse had to walk. Brigid prayed for the right words to speak to the angry king to save the life of the woodsman.
Suddenly she saw a little fox peeping shyly at her around a tree and she had an idea. She told her driver to stop and called the animal to her. Immediately it sprang into the cart beside her and nestled happily in the folds of her cloak. Brigid stroked its head and spoke to it gently. The little fox licked her hand and looked at her with its big brown eyes.
When she reached the king's castle, the fox trotted after her. She found the king still in a mighty rage. "Nothing," he told her angrily, "nothing in the world could make up to me for the loss of my beloved pet. Death is too good for that idiot who killed him. He must die as a warning to others. Let him die."
The king stormed on, "It is no use asking for mercy. That little fox was my companion, and my friend. That idiot brutally killed him for no reason. What harm did I do to that man? Do you have any idea how much I loved that little fox, I cared for him from the first day he was born?"
The king's furious eyes met Brigid's loving ones. Yes, indeed, she could well understand it. She was truly sorry for his loss for she loved all animals and especially tame little foxes. Look here . . . she beckoned forward her new pet from the woods that had been crouching behind her.
The king forgot his anger in this new interest. He and his household looked on delightedly while Brigid proceeded to put the fox through all kinds of clever tricks. It obeyed her voice and tried so hard to please her that the onlookers were delighted. Soon she was surrounded by laughing faces.
The king told her what his own little fox used to do. "See, it used to jump through this hoop, even at this height." Well, so could Brigid's. When the king's fox wanted a titbit, it used to stand on its hind legs with its fore paws joined as though it were praying, and so could Brigid's. Could anything be more amusing? When his mood had completely changed, Brigid offered her fox to the king in exchange for the prisoner's life. Now the king agreed and he even promised Brigid that never again would he inflict any kind of punishment on that idiot workman, whose misdeed he would soon forget.
Brigid was very happy when the prisoner was restored to his wife and children and she went back home to the monastery. However, the little fox missed her and became restless and unhappy. It didn’t care when Brigid led him into the castle, but without her the castle was a prison. After a while the king left on business and no one else bothered much about the new pet. The fox waited for its chance and when it found an open door, it made good its escape back to the woods.
Presently the king returned and there was commotion when the pet was missed. The whole household was sent flying out to search for it. When they failed to find the fox, the king's hounds were sent to help in the search, their keen noses snuffing over the ground for the fox's scent. Then the king summoned out his whole army, both horsemen and footmen, to follow the hounds in every direction. It was all no use. When night fell, they all returned wearily to their king with news of failure. Brigid's little pet fox was never found again.
So if you are walking through the woods one day and see a little fox with big brown eyes say “hello”. You never know it might be related to Brigid’s fox.
The Common Frog. Losgann.
The Frog. Losgann.
Frogs are quite recent additions to the fauna of the Irish hedgerow and its exact method of introduction is unknown. Some suggest it was introduced by the Anglo-Normans yet others believe they were introduced sometime during the late 1500s early 1600s by students of Trinity College Dublin who had brought them here from England. They released the frogs into ponds and ditches that were around Trinity at that time, from
there they spread to all parts of Ireland and the rest is history. However, it is harmless and well thought of and appears to have found its niche in the rich habitat of the hedgerow.
Water is considered sacred to druids and all water has its guardian spirits or deity. Frogs and their close relative’s toads may be found in ditches at the edge of hedgerows or where riverine hedges grow. They are spawned in water and will return to the place of their birth in order to carry out the cycle of life and for this reason they were thought to be representatives of the water spirits. Some even believed that a frog was the earthly manifestation of water spirits that lived in sacred wells.
Frogs were seen as creatures of the underworld and for this reason they became associated with witches and the supernatural to be used in the preparation of potions and spells. They were also believed to be one of the witch’s familiars who would give
warning to its mistress by loud croaking. As a familiar of the witch or indeed some druids the frog was looked upon as a messenger of the water god/goddess who brought blessings of rain and purification.
The ashes of a cremated frog was thought to stop bleeding, its spawn was considered a cure for rheumatism and inflammatory diseases. Sore eyes could be cured by getting someone to lick the eye of a frog then licking the eye of the affected sufferer.
The frog, through its connection to Mother earth was considered lucky to have living in the dairy for it protected the milk.
If you look at the colour of the frog you can predict the weather, dark coloured frogs are a sign of rain, light brown or yellow means that dry weather is on the way. There may be some truth in it as rain does make frogs darker and good dry sunny weather makes their skin a lighter colour so who knows?
It is considered bad luck if a frog comes into your house although we have had many a frog come into our cottage and it never did us any harm. Having said that I have never won millions on the lotto so again who knows?
If you put a live frog in your mouth it will cure toothache. You had to rub the frog on the tooth or chew its leg.
It will cure a cold if you hold a frog by its legs and place it in the sufferer’s mouth for a moment (you’ll be too busy vomiting to
cough).
If a child had whooping cough it could be cured by bringing it to running water, putting a frog into the child’s mouth three times and then letting te frog swim away uninjured. It would take the whooping cough with it. Is this where the saying“I’ve got a frog in my throat” came from?
A love charm—Bury a live frog in a box and after a few days dig it up. Take the skeleton apart and select a particular bone, place the bone in the clothing of the intended and they will fall madly in love with you.
Why do the English call the French ‘Frogs’?
The main reason is that three frogs have been depicted on the heraldic device of Paris since ancient times; probably dating
back to when Paris was a swamp. In pre-revolutionary France the common people of France were called grenouilles, or
frogs, and the same name was later extended to include all the French people (By the English). Although some people will still believe it’s because they eat frog’s legs.
Frogs are quite recent additions to the fauna of the Irish hedgerow and its exact method of introduction is unknown. Some suggest it was introduced by the Anglo-Normans yet others believe they were introduced sometime during the late 1500s early 1600s by students of Trinity College Dublin who had brought them here from England. They released the frogs into ponds and ditches that were around Trinity at that time, from
there they spread to all parts of Ireland and the rest is history. However, it is harmless and well thought of and appears to have found its niche in the rich habitat of the hedgerow.
Water is considered sacred to druids and all water has its guardian spirits or deity. Frogs and their close relative’s toads may be found in ditches at the edge of hedgerows or where riverine hedges grow. They are spawned in water and will return to the place of their birth in order to carry out the cycle of life and for this reason they were thought to be representatives of the water spirits. Some even believed that a frog was the earthly manifestation of water spirits that lived in sacred wells.
Frogs were seen as creatures of the underworld and for this reason they became associated with witches and the supernatural to be used in the preparation of potions and spells. They were also believed to be one of the witch’s familiars who would give
warning to its mistress by loud croaking. As a familiar of the witch or indeed some druids the frog was looked upon as a messenger of the water god/goddess who brought blessings of rain and purification.
The ashes of a cremated frog was thought to stop bleeding, its spawn was considered a cure for rheumatism and inflammatory diseases. Sore eyes could be cured by getting someone to lick the eye of a frog then licking the eye of the affected sufferer.
The frog, through its connection to Mother earth was considered lucky to have living in the dairy for it protected the milk.
If you look at the colour of the frog you can predict the weather, dark coloured frogs are a sign of rain, light brown or yellow means that dry weather is on the way. There may be some truth in it as rain does make frogs darker and good dry sunny weather makes their skin a lighter colour so who knows?
It is considered bad luck if a frog comes into your house although we have had many a frog come into our cottage and it never did us any harm. Having said that I have never won millions on the lotto so again who knows?
If you put a live frog in your mouth it will cure toothache. You had to rub the frog on the tooth or chew its leg.
It will cure a cold if you hold a frog by its legs and place it in the sufferer’s mouth for a moment (you’ll be too busy vomiting to
cough).
If a child had whooping cough it could be cured by bringing it to running water, putting a frog into the child’s mouth three times and then letting te frog swim away uninjured. It would take the whooping cough with it. Is this where the saying“I’ve got a frog in my throat” came from?
A love charm—Bury a live frog in a box and after a few days dig it up. Take the skeleton apart and select a particular bone, place the bone in the clothing of the intended and they will fall madly in love with you.
Why do the English call the French ‘Frogs’?
The main reason is that three frogs have been depicted on the heraldic device of Paris since ancient times; probably dating
back to when Paris was a swamp. In pre-revolutionary France the common people of France were called grenouilles, or
frogs, and the same name was later extended to include all the French people (By the English). Although some people will still believe it’s because they eat frog’s legs.
Irish Butterfly/Moth. Féileacán.
Butterfly/Moth. Féileacán.
A butterfly or moth will hover for a time in one place or fly in a fleeting, hesitant manner, suggesting a soul that is reluctant to move on to the next world. The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly seems to provide the ultimate model for our ideas of death, burial, and resurrection. This imagery is still implicit in Christianity when people speak of being “born again.” The chrysalis of a butterfly may have even inspired the splendour of many coffins from antiquity. Many cocoons are very finely woven, with some threads that are golden or silver in colour. The Greek word “psyche” means soul, but it can also designate a butterfly or moth. The Latin word “anima” has the same dual meaning.
The custom of scattering flowers at funerals is very ancient, and the flowers attract butterflies, which appear to have emerged from a corpse.
Up to the 1600s it was against common law in Ireland to kill a white butterfly because they were believed to hold the souls of dead children.
In Irish folklore, they were the souls of dead people who return to visit their favourite place and their loved ones and it was unlucky to harm one. The red admiral butterfly, however, was thought to be the devil and was persecuted.
Old Irish saying: "Butterflies are souls of the dead waiting to pass through Purgatory"
The significance of the butterfly in Irish folklore attributes it as the soul and thus it has the ability to cross into the Otherworld. It is also a symbol of transformation and creation.
"For Christians, the butterfly's three steps of metamorphosis -- as caterpillar, pupa and then winged insect -- are reminiscent of spiritual transformation"
An Irish blessing: "May the wings of thebutterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light upon. To bring you luck,happiness and riches today and beyond".
Butterfly - If the first butterfly you see in the year is white, you will have good luck all year. Three butterflies together mean a child will soon be born.
Moth - A white moth inside the house or trying to enter the house means death. A brown moth means an important letter is coming.
A big black moth in the house means a deceased one is just visiting reincarnated through that moth.
According to superstition, the death's head hawk moth, with its skull and crossbones markings and loud squeak, was a
harbinger of death, war and disease. The moth uses its tough proboscis to crack through beehives and suck out honey and in some parts of Ireland is known as a bee robber.
Few people know how the butterfly got its name. The witch was supposed to change her shape into this insect. She then flew
to the dairy, and stole milk, cheese and, of course, butter!
THE PRIEST'S SOUL (a story about the first butterfly).
Once upon a time far back in the mist of time Ireland was known as the land of saints and scholars. Kings and Queens would send their sons here to be educated.
At this time there was a poor young boy who was known to everyone for his intelligence and although his parents were but lowly labourers he came to the attention of one of the priests who taught those of wealth that were sent to him. This is his story.
This priest was the cleverest priest in Ireland, however, he had grown very vain and proud, he had forgotten his own lowly beginnings and even forgotten his god whom his faith had taught him was the one who had made him what he was. His pride of winning every argument led him to believe that he could prove there was no purgatory, no hell, indeed no heaven, and so logically there was no god and no soul. In fact we were no better than the beast of the field and when we died there was no rebirth or resurrection.
“Who ever saw a soul?" he would say. "If you can show me one, I will believe." No one could make any answer to this; and at last they all came to believe that as there was no other world, you might as well do as you liked in this one; the priest set the
example, for he took a beautiful young girl as his wife. However, as no priest or bishop in the whole land could be got to marry them, he was obliged to read the service himself. It was a great scandal, yet no one dared to say a word, for all the kings' sons were on his side, and would have slaughtered anyone who tried to prevent his wicked goings-on.
One night an angel appeared to him just as he was going to bed. He told the priest that he had twenty four hours to live.
“Give me more time” said the priest, the angel refused.
“Have pity on my poor soul” said the priest.
“But you have no soul, isn’t that what you have taught others?” replied the angel.
“I have a soul, I can feel it fluttering in my chest ever since you appeared, I was just being a fool before” answered the priest.
“A fool you are” said the angel “What good was all your learning when you forgot your soul?”
“If I am to die will I go to heaven?” asked the priest,
“No, for you denied heaven” replied the angel.
“Well, how about purgatory then?”
“No, you denied that as well, so it’s straight to hell for you me boy” said the angel,
“Ah now hang on a minute, didn’t I also deny there was a hell? So you can’t send me there either”.
The angel was a little puzzled.
"Well," said he, "I'll tell you what I can do for you. You may either live now on earth for a hundred years enjoying every pleasure, and then be cast into Hell for ever; or you may die in twenty-four hours in the most horrible torments, and pass through
Purgatory, there to remain till the Day of Judgment, if only you can find some one person that believes, and through his belief mercy will be given to you and your soul will be saved."
The priest just took a few seconds to make up his mind. "I will have death in the twenty-four hours," he said, "so that my soul may be saved at last." So the angel gave him directions as to what he was to do, and left him.
Then, immediately, the priest entered the large room where all his scholars and the kings' sons were seated. The priest asked them “Have men souls?” They answered “Once we believed they did but you convinced us otherwise”. The priest replied “I taught you a lie, now I believe there is a god and we do have an immortal soul” they all laughed at him for they thought this was just a trick to start another argument.
“Prove it” they said.
Next he went to his wife but she also laughed at him. He ran from the house and asked every person he met if they believed but they also laughed at him. Just as despair seemed to rise up all around him a little boy came by.
“God save you” said the child,
The priest jumped up “Do you believe in God child?”
“Of course, I’ve travelled far to learn about him, will you direct me to the best place to learn about him?” answered the child.
“The best place and the best teacher is here” said the priest and pointed to himself.
When the priest told the boy his name he said,
“Aren't you the priest who does not believe in a soul because it cannot be seen?
“I was” replied the priest.
“Well that’s stupid for I can tell you that the soul does exist” said the boy,
“How can you be so sure?” the priest inquired,
“I would say to you show me life if you believe you have life” replied the boy.
“But that is not possible; life cannot be seen for it is invisible” said the priest,
The boy replied “So is the soul”.
When the priest heard him speak these words he fell down on his knees before him, now he knew his soul would go to heaven for he had found one who believed and he told the child his whole story.
“Now, take my knife and drive it through my chest and keep stabbing until you see death upon my face, then watch as my soul ascends into heaven. When you see this happen run and tell everyone you see that man has an immortal soul and heaven does
exist”
The boy stabbed the priest but he did not die straight away for the angel had said he would live for 24 hours but at last the time came and death settled upon him. The child saw a beautiful living creature with four snow white wings rise up from the middle of
the priest’s chest and flutter around his head. He ran and brought back some of those that he met and when they saw it they all knew it was the soul of the priest and they watched in wonder as it passed from sight and disappeared into the clouds.
It is said that this was the first butterfly to be seen in Ireland and now it has entered Irish folklore as the belief that the butterfly is the soul of one who has passed off this mortal coil and is just waiting for the moment the doors of heaven open so they may pass through into eternal peace.
You see sometimes it’s enough to have the simple belief of a child.
A butterfly or moth will hover for a time in one place or fly in a fleeting, hesitant manner, suggesting a soul that is reluctant to move on to the next world. The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly seems to provide the ultimate model for our ideas of death, burial, and resurrection. This imagery is still implicit in Christianity when people speak of being “born again.” The chrysalis of a butterfly may have even inspired the splendour of many coffins from antiquity. Many cocoons are very finely woven, with some threads that are golden or silver in colour. The Greek word “psyche” means soul, but it can also designate a butterfly or moth. The Latin word “anima” has the same dual meaning.
The custom of scattering flowers at funerals is very ancient, and the flowers attract butterflies, which appear to have emerged from a corpse.
Up to the 1600s it was against common law in Ireland to kill a white butterfly because they were believed to hold the souls of dead children.
In Irish folklore, they were the souls of dead people who return to visit their favourite place and their loved ones and it was unlucky to harm one. The red admiral butterfly, however, was thought to be the devil and was persecuted.
Old Irish saying: "Butterflies are souls of the dead waiting to pass through Purgatory"
The significance of the butterfly in Irish folklore attributes it as the soul and thus it has the ability to cross into the Otherworld. It is also a symbol of transformation and creation.
"For Christians, the butterfly's three steps of metamorphosis -- as caterpillar, pupa and then winged insect -- are reminiscent of spiritual transformation"
An Irish blessing: "May the wings of thebutterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light upon. To bring you luck,happiness and riches today and beyond".
Butterfly - If the first butterfly you see in the year is white, you will have good luck all year. Three butterflies together mean a child will soon be born.
Moth - A white moth inside the house or trying to enter the house means death. A brown moth means an important letter is coming.
A big black moth in the house means a deceased one is just visiting reincarnated through that moth.
According to superstition, the death's head hawk moth, with its skull and crossbones markings and loud squeak, was a
harbinger of death, war and disease. The moth uses its tough proboscis to crack through beehives and suck out honey and in some parts of Ireland is known as a bee robber.
Few people know how the butterfly got its name. The witch was supposed to change her shape into this insect. She then flew
to the dairy, and stole milk, cheese and, of course, butter!
THE PRIEST'S SOUL (a story about the first butterfly).
Once upon a time far back in the mist of time Ireland was known as the land of saints and scholars. Kings and Queens would send their sons here to be educated.
At this time there was a poor young boy who was known to everyone for his intelligence and although his parents were but lowly labourers he came to the attention of one of the priests who taught those of wealth that were sent to him. This is his story.
This priest was the cleverest priest in Ireland, however, he had grown very vain and proud, he had forgotten his own lowly beginnings and even forgotten his god whom his faith had taught him was the one who had made him what he was. His pride of winning every argument led him to believe that he could prove there was no purgatory, no hell, indeed no heaven, and so logically there was no god and no soul. In fact we were no better than the beast of the field and when we died there was no rebirth or resurrection.
“Who ever saw a soul?" he would say. "If you can show me one, I will believe." No one could make any answer to this; and at last they all came to believe that as there was no other world, you might as well do as you liked in this one; the priest set the
example, for he took a beautiful young girl as his wife. However, as no priest or bishop in the whole land could be got to marry them, he was obliged to read the service himself. It was a great scandal, yet no one dared to say a word, for all the kings' sons were on his side, and would have slaughtered anyone who tried to prevent his wicked goings-on.
One night an angel appeared to him just as he was going to bed. He told the priest that he had twenty four hours to live.
“Give me more time” said the priest, the angel refused.
“Have pity on my poor soul” said the priest.
“But you have no soul, isn’t that what you have taught others?” replied the angel.
“I have a soul, I can feel it fluttering in my chest ever since you appeared, I was just being a fool before” answered the priest.
“A fool you are” said the angel “What good was all your learning when you forgot your soul?”
“If I am to die will I go to heaven?” asked the priest,
“No, for you denied heaven” replied the angel.
“Well, how about purgatory then?”
“No, you denied that as well, so it’s straight to hell for you me boy” said the angel,
“Ah now hang on a minute, didn’t I also deny there was a hell? So you can’t send me there either”.
The angel was a little puzzled.
"Well," said he, "I'll tell you what I can do for you. You may either live now on earth for a hundred years enjoying every pleasure, and then be cast into Hell for ever; or you may die in twenty-four hours in the most horrible torments, and pass through
Purgatory, there to remain till the Day of Judgment, if only you can find some one person that believes, and through his belief mercy will be given to you and your soul will be saved."
The priest just took a few seconds to make up his mind. "I will have death in the twenty-four hours," he said, "so that my soul may be saved at last." So the angel gave him directions as to what he was to do, and left him.
Then, immediately, the priest entered the large room where all his scholars and the kings' sons were seated. The priest asked them “Have men souls?” They answered “Once we believed they did but you convinced us otherwise”. The priest replied “I taught you a lie, now I believe there is a god and we do have an immortal soul” they all laughed at him for they thought this was just a trick to start another argument.
“Prove it” they said.
Next he went to his wife but she also laughed at him. He ran from the house and asked every person he met if they believed but they also laughed at him. Just as despair seemed to rise up all around him a little boy came by.
“God save you” said the child,
The priest jumped up “Do you believe in God child?”
“Of course, I’ve travelled far to learn about him, will you direct me to the best place to learn about him?” answered the child.
“The best place and the best teacher is here” said the priest and pointed to himself.
When the priest told the boy his name he said,
“Aren't you the priest who does not believe in a soul because it cannot be seen?
“I was” replied the priest.
“Well that’s stupid for I can tell you that the soul does exist” said the boy,
“How can you be so sure?” the priest inquired,
“I would say to you show me life if you believe you have life” replied the boy.
“But that is not possible; life cannot be seen for it is invisible” said the priest,
The boy replied “So is the soul”.
When the priest heard him speak these words he fell down on his knees before him, now he knew his soul would go to heaven for he had found one who believed and he told the child his whole story.
“Now, take my knife and drive it through my chest and keep stabbing until you see death upon my face, then watch as my soul ascends into heaven. When you see this happen run and tell everyone you see that man has an immortal soul and heaven does
exist”
The boy stabbed the priest but he did not die straight away for the angel had said he would live for 24 hours but at last the time came and death settled upon him. The child saw a beautiful living creature with four snow white wings rise up from the middle of
the priest’s chest and flutter around his head. He ran and brought back some of those that he met and when they saw it they all knew it was the soul of the priest and they watched in wonder as it passed from sight and disappeared into the clouds.
It is said that this was the first butterfly to be seen in Ireland and now it has entered Irish folklore as the belief that the butterfly is the soul of one who has passed off this mortal coil and is just waiting for the moment the doors of heaven open so they may pass through into eternal peace.
You see sometimes it’s enough to have the simple belief of a child.
The Leisler's Bat.
The Bat. Laltóg.
Feared as creatures of the night associated with death, sickness and witchcraft. Made famous as the familiars of vampires by the cinema.
They sleep hanging upside down by their feet. They live in shelters such as caves or hollow trees, but they also take advantage of human structures. Like most small animals that are drawn to human habitations, bats have often been identified in folk belief with the souls of the dead. As a result, in cultures that venerate ancestral spirits, bats are often considered sacred or beloved. When spirits are expected to pass on rather than return, bats appear as demons or, at best, souls unable to find peace.
According to one well-known fable, popularly attributed to Aesop, the birds and beasts were once preparing for war. The birds said to the bat, “Come with us,” but he replied, “I am a beast.”The beasts said to the bat, “Come with us,” but he replied, “I am a bird.” At the last moment a peace was made, but ever since, all creatures have shunned the bat.
In relation to bats the learned folklorist Joseph Jacobs said “He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends”
Revulsion against them, however, is far from universal, and their quizzical faces have often inspired affection. There were
no glass windows in the ancient world, and so people had little choice but to share their homes with bats.
In Ireland if a bat was seen near the house it was taken as a sign of an impending death for a member of the household. However, we have bats in our roof space (they came in last winter). We are quite happy with them and they cause us no problems whatever.
A common bat seen in and around hedgerows at dusk is the Pipistrelle Bat. Their Irish name is Laltog Fheascrach which means
'bat of the evening'.
But do you know why the bat fly’s at night?
Once upon a time, long long ago when the world was first made it was never dark or cold. The sun shone bright and yellow all day and all the animals were lovely and warm and it was always light. At night time the moon shone bright and silvery, in fact it was nearly as bright as day time.
One day Mother Nature asked the bat if he could be trusted to go on a mysterious journey for her. She wanted bat to carry a basket up to the moon as he had wings to fly and strong teeth to hold onto the handle of the basket. Inside the basket was all the black darkness in the world, but of course the bat didn’t know this.
Bat flew off carrying the basket between his teeth but it soon became too heavy and he thought to himself:
“Oh dear this basket is very heavy and I’m tired and hungry”
So the bat flew down and went to find some food and have a little sleep (lazy thing). As he hung upside down in a nearby tree some animals came walking along and saw the basket. They thought someone had lost it.
“That’s a large basket” said one of them, “I wonder if it’s full of nice things to eat?”
“Let’s open it and have a look” said another.
Just as the animals were peeking under the lid bat came back.
“Hey, what are you doing to my basket” shouted the bat
The animals dropped the basket in shock, bat tried to catch it but it was too late, it hit the ground and the lid fell off. All the darkness escaped. Ever since that time the bat sleeps during the day and gets plenty of rest so he is ready to fly when the sun goes to bed and the moon comes out. When night time comes and it gets dark you will see him rushing about everywhere.
Do you know why?
Well, he is trying to catch all the pieces of the dark to put them back in the basket so he can take them to the moon.
That is the story of the bat.
Feared as creatures of the night associated with death, sickness and witchcraft. Made famous as the familiars of vampires by the cinema.
They sleep hanging upside down by their feet. They live in shelters such as caves or hollow trees, but they also take advantage of human structures. Like most small animals that are drawn to human habitations, bats have often been identified in folk belief with the souls of the dead. As a result, in cultures that venerate ancestral spirits, bats are often considered sacred or beloved. When spirits are expected to pass on rather than return, bats appear as demons or, at best, souls unable to find peace.
According to one well-known fable, popularly attributed to Aesop, the birds and beasts were once preparing for war. The birds said to the bat, “Come with us,” but he replied, “I am a beast.”The beasts said to the bat, “Come with us,” but he replied, “I am a bird.” At the last moment a peace was made, but ever since, all creatures have shunned the bat.
In relation to bats the learned folklorist Joseph Jacobs said “He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends”
Revulsion against them, however, is far from universal, and their quizzical faces have often inspired affection. There were
no glass windows in the ancient world, and so people had little choice but to share their homes with bats.
In Ireland if a bat was seen near the house it was taken as a sign of an impending death for a member of the household. However, we have bats in our roof space (they came in last winter). We are quite happy with them and they cause us no problems whatever.
A common bat seen in and around hedgerows at dusk is the Pipistrelle Bat. Their Irish name is Laltog Fheascrach which means
'bat of the evening'.
But do you know why the bat fly’s at night?
Once upon a time, long long ago when the world was first made it was never dark or cold. The sun shone bright and yellow all day and all the animals were lovely and warm and it was always light. At night time the moon shone bright and silvery, in fact it was nearly as bright as day time.
One day Mother Nature asked the bat if he could be trusted to go on a mysterious journey for her. She wanted bat to carry a basket up to the moon as he had wings to fly and strong teeth to hold onto the handle of the basket. Inside the basket was all the black darkness in the world, but of course the bat didn’t know this.
Bat flew off carrying the basket between his teeth but it soon became too heavy and he thought to himself:
“Oh dear this basket is very heavy and I’m tired and hungry”
So the bat flew down and went to find some food and have a little sleep (lazy thing). As he hung upside down in a nearby tree some animals came walking along and saw the basket. They thought someone had lost it.
“That’s a large basket” said one of them, “I wonder if it’s full of nice things to eat?”
“Let’s open it and have a look” said another.
Just as the animals were peeking under the lid bat came back.
“Hey, what are you doing to my basket” shouted the bat
The animals dropped the basket in shock, bat tried to catch it but it was too late, it hit the ground and the lid fell off. All the darkness escaped. Ever since that time the bat sleeps during the day and gets plenty of rest so he is ready to fly when the sun goes to bed and the moon comes out. When night time comes and it gets dark you will see him rushing about everywhere.
Do you know why?
Well, he is trying to catch all the pieces of the dark to put them back in the basket so he can take them to the moon.
That is the story of the bat.
Woodmouse. Luch fhéir/Luchóg.
Wood mouse. Luch fhéir / Luchóg.
The earliest remains of wood mice in Ireland, date to the Stone Age, 7600 years ago. It is believed that more wood mice came to Ireland with humans at various times, giving a certain genetic variability. The wood mouse is a very important part of the Irish food web.
Many Irish predators eat wood mice, including owls, kestrels, stoats, foxes, badgers, pine martens, and domestic cats. Wood mice are susceptible to pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, and to the burning of straw. A decline in wood mice numbers can effect predator numbers, especially owls.
To hear a mouse squeaking anywhere near someone who is ill is a sign that the person will die, and much of the abhorrence towards mice (who are actually far cleaner creatures than generally imagined) probably stems from the old superstition that they are the souls of people who have been murdered. If they nibble anyone's clothing during the night, that person will suffer some misfortune, while no journey undertaken after seeing one is likely to be successful.
In Ireland boiled mice were given to infants to cure their incontinence and were also a cure for whooping cough.
Mice were used as a cure for baldness. Fill a pot with mice and leave it under the hearth for a year. You then spread the contents of the pot over your scalp. If for some reason you couldn’t wait then you moved the pot to the back of the hearth, light a fire in front of it then after six days you spread the contents onto the scalp.
The earliest remains of wood mice in Ireland, date to the Stone Age, 7600 years ago. It is believed that more wood mice came to Ireland with humans at various times, giving a certain genetic variability. The wood mouse is a very important part of the Irish food web.
Many Irish predators eat wood mice, including owls, kestrels, stoats, foxes, badgers, pine martens, and domestic cats. Wood mice are susceptible to pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, and to the burning of straw. A decline in wood mice numbers can effect predator numbers, especially owls.
To hear a mouse squeaking anywhere near someone who is ill is a sign that the person will die, and much of the abhorrence towards mice (who are actually far cleaner creatures than generally imagined) probably stems from the old superstition that they are the souls of people who have been murdered. If they nibble anyone's clothing during the night, that person will suffer some misfortune, while no journey undertaken after seeing one is likely to be successful.
In Ireland boiled mice were given to infants to cure their incontinence and were also a cure for whooping cough.
Mice were used as a cure for baldness. Fill a pot with mice and leave it under the hearth for a year. You then spread the contents of the pot over your scalp. If for some reason you couldn’t wait then you moved the pot to the back of the hearth, light a fire in front of it then after six days you spread the contents onto the scalp.
