Sightseeing in The Unseen World

Though I will not be doing the typical sightseeing in Ireland, I pretty much know what I will see once I get to this northwestern region in Ireland.  It's easy to imagine with the internet. Lots of green, spectacular scenery, ancient stone structures, rugged Atlantic coastline, cold, wet, windy, early spring weather, quaint villages...and the Irish people of course!  I do not expect to run into any of the "little people" or catch a fabled leprechaun to grant me three wishes.  Nor do I expect to be magically transported if I accidentally step into a fairy ring or stone circle.  Call me faithless for not clapping my hands and shouting, "I do believe in fairies!  I do!"  

I know I am not alone in my modern-day perception. Yet anciently, when people relied on oral traditions and storytellers for their information, it was common practice to believe that one's health and well-being were tied to the will of unseen beings.  All sorts of superstitions and rituals arose to appease the Aos Si/Sidhe or Fae Folk.  Forget about the Leprechaun's pot of gold- you'd best show some respect and not disturb their dwellings or get in their way or you might receive a curse instead of a blessing!  Better pay attention and not fall asleep at the beach, lest the leprechauns drag you into the sea like Fergus.  Better find those elusive lucky charms and protect your newborns lest the Fae abduct them and switch the babe with a changeling.  No wonder the Irish need some luck! But that wasn't the handiwork of magically delicious leprechauns though related to the higher class of fairies, the Aos Si/Sidhe.

The Aos Si/Sidhe are purported to come from the fallen angels or the defeated tribe of the Tuatha de Danann forced underground becoming the "people of the mound."  With the coming of Christianity, paganism would also be forced underground with its' leading heroes becoming unseeable, magical, diminutive fanciful creatures.  Some have proposed, Lugh, the leader of the Tuath de Dannan, in his diminished form became the leprechaun or"Lugh-chromatin" meaning 'stooping Lugh' relegated to the underground world of the sidh. Remember this is the guy from my last blog entry that stuck Balor in the eye.  Lugh, a Celtic sun god, was the original renaissance man-good at everything whose name means light.  Regardless of how the Aos Si came to be, they can be really scary, especially if they are mixed with Lucifer's fallen angels.  Don't mess around.  So now what can we do about all of that?

Superstitions and ritual practices allowed people to address their anxiety and fear of these supernatural forces and exercise control to do something and improve their chances with them. Celts lit up the sky to chase away darkness with their celebratory bonfires representing the sun's power for growth and protection.  People lit torches from this communal bonfire to bring to their own homes. Ashes from the sacred bonfire were spread around village houses and thresholds.  Many Halloween rituals descend from the Celts, with terrifying turnips as protection spells.  Throwing salt over the shoulder was common practice to ward off evil influences.  Scoring a cross on their soda bread gave similar protection.  People wove Brigid's crosses from straw or rushes for protection and blessings of fertility. The ritual practice of hunkering down for the winter, and gathering livestock and foodstuffs helped people prepare and take control for the best chance to survive harsh, weather conditions.  Celts also engaged in tests of bravery including fast and furious nighttime horse races holding torches and tying ribbons/ropes around corpses newly hanging from gallows.  Talk about taking the reigns of control and facing one's fears!

Actively driving spiritual beings out of their presence wasn't always the best way for the Irish to improve relationships with the unseen world. One such practice was offerings to the Fae placed outside the door encouraging them to take what they needed and then get on their way.  These offerings included milk, bread, liquor, and vegetables. Ancestors were also thought to visit earth searching for their descendants' hospitality.  Ancestors were welcomed by setting an extra place at the table so they could enjoy the sights and smells of familiar foods. This is similar to the Native American practice of leaving gifts of sacred tobacco for the ancestors or reports of fairies emptying their tobacco pouches to get at it because they love it so much.    

  Lest I make fun, I engage in the same ritualistic behaviors every time I leave a little gift on someone's doorstep or enjoy a meal with relatives and friends to build relationships.  The ancient Irish engaged in these practices to gain favor and spiritual protection from spiritual beings, much like a guardian angel or ministering angel to help them out in their daily life.   I DO believe in the unseen world.  I believe my spirit lived before I came to earth and received a body.  I believe after I die, my spirit will continue to live.  I guess I should re-examine my stance on fairies.  

 

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