Tag Archives: Omen

The Banshee: Ghost of the Celts

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Shanon Sinn

The Banshee’s arguably the most famous ghost of them all, and probably the least understood. “When the Banshee calls she sings the spirit home. In some houses still a soft low music is heard at death.” – George Henderson 1911 … Continue reading →

Posted in Ghosts | Tagged Apparition, Banshee, Banshee Howl, Banshee Meaning, Banshee Wail, Canada, Death, Eleanor Hull, Fairy, Fairytale, Folklore, Ghost, Ghost Servant, Haunting, Irish, James MacKillop, Katherine Briggs, Lady Wilde, Myth, Omen, Poltergeist, Scottish, spell, United States, W.Y. Evans-Wentz, Watcher at Ford | 16 Comments

Owl of the Celts: Ancient Bride of the Dead

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Shanon Sinn

The Owl in Celtic lore is a creature of shadows and the Otherworld. It’s rarely mentioned in myth, legend, or folklore, but when it is it’s usually spoken of in hushed whispers – accompanied by a warning. In Lady Charlotte Guest’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bestiary, Ghosts | Tagged Blodeuedd, Blodeuwedd, Cailleach, Death, Gwydion, oldest animal, Omen, Owl | 18 Comments

Ohn (Gorse or Broom) II

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Shanon Sinn

“When the broom and the whin were rich in blossom it was looked upon as an indication of a good crop.” – Waltor Gregor (Notes on the Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland. 1881) 1) The Roots: Background information 2) … Continue reading →

Posted in Tree Ogham | Tagged Broom, Celtic, Gorse, Ogam, Ogham, Ohn, Omen, spell, Witchcraft | Leave a comment

Ruis (Elder) II

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Shanon Sinn

“The soul of the dead was believed to pass into the tree. Herbs and flowers were fabled to grow from the blood of the dead and so to re-embody his spirit.” – George Henderson (Survivals in Belief Amongst Celts. 1911) … Continue reading →

Posted in Tree Ogham | Tagged Celtic, Elder, Folklore, Myth, Ogam, Ogham, Omen, Ruis, spell | Leave a comment

Straif (Blackthorn) II

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Shanon Sinn

“If the Hawthorn and Blackthorn have many berries, the ensuing winter is expected to be severe.” – A.W. Moore (Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man. 1891) The Roots: The fourteenth letter of the Ogham, in its tree form, is Straif. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tree Ogham | Tagged Blackthorn, Fairy, Myth, Ogam, Ogham, Omen, spell, Straif, Witchcraft | Leave a comment

Ngetal (Reed Grass) II

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Shanon Sinn

“When a cow hesitates to cross, the person driving her throws a stalk or a twig into the ditch before the unwilling animal and sings the ‘Feith Mhoire,’ Vein of Mary, to encourage her to cross, and to assure her … Continue reading →