tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65487339528291901052024-02-06T21:42:34.502-06:00The Old FaithFairy Faith, Old Faith, Druids, Tuatha Dé Danann, Celtic folklore, Germanic folklore, Norse folklore, Slavic folklore, Mediterranean folklore, Indo-European folklore, New World Fairy Lore, Seers, the Second SightBarry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-17269811698174852892019-08-13T12:05:00.000-05:002019-08-13T12:05:20.791-05:00Lúnasa 2019, in English y Castellano<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://barryrmccain.blogspot.com/2019/08/lunas-2019-castellano.html">Lúnasa 2019... Castellano</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU3m_JjqItt1r4cozvBOU_-jgz3MJPFQhARTcifprtRvuEnqCiqzOSvW_LQzXbVkcz-EbZIYdfUeEmWbyY5QCmXoND0xL_e5usQhqwzBXCrlb2PgEvc8kO4m-lxjDSe3Wnw3FlgACloQ/s1600/L%25C3%25BAnasa+2019+II.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU3m_JjqItt1r4cozvBOU_-jgz3MJPFQhARTcifprtRvuEnqCiqzOSvW_LQzXbVkcz-EbZIYdfUeEmWbyY5QCmXoND0xL_e5usQhqwzBXCrlb2PgEvc8kO4m-lxjDSe3Wnw3FlgACloQ/s320/L%25C3%25BAnasa+2019+II.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es">Lúnasa
es uno de los festivales más antiguos que tenemos en las Islas. En la
ortografía gaélica moderna, es Lúnasa, la ortografía gaélica más antigua
es Lúghnasa, en gaélico escocés, lùnastal y en luanistino gaélico
manés. El festival marca el final de la temporada de crecimiento y la
llegada del otoño. Lugh está presente para bendecir la cosecha y
garantizar su protección.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWbSlefYcYR2NSSr_nOQgWQKWwL-ZE_i_lAY4HlgYgDCaKPhd6QQ95Ebfg3lm3tp2zdvd8ntxlWfSqBnXCYIZUYFOgAfFfsuMez4OFKlOwqA8-vg_gicm856qAqUPJTOF5r5QZvQo_uk/s1600/lugh.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWbSlefYcYR2NSSr_nOQgWQKWwL-ZE_i_lAY4HlgYgDCaKPhd6QQ95Ebfg3lm3tp2zdvd8ntxlWfSqBnXCYIZUYFOgAfFfsuMez4OFKlOwqA8-vg_gicm856qAqUPJTOF5r5QZvQo_uk/s320/lugh.gif" width="109" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lugh</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es">El
festival se observa en Irlanda, Escocia, la Isla de Man y en toda la
diáspora del pueblo gaélico. La etimología de Lúnasa es del antiguo
gaélico Lug (el dios) y násad (asamblea). Lúnasa es el comienzo de la
temporada de cosecha. Lúnasa se ha celebrado durante más de tres mil
años. Tradicionalmente, se celebra el 1 de agosto y los días
circundantes. Este es el tiempo entre el solsticio de verano y el
equinoccio de otoño. Lúnasa es uno de los cuatro festivales de temporada
gaélicos, junto con Samhain, Imbolc y Lá Bealtaine.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"> </span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFZFGk5vn7QQKW9Voz9drLgphf6uo3aJw-tojUNeS6HDiUqeZ5sS_VQbdQ9X7PB7HrZTm7FvCwfey0JcNnVbh3Tme4zwMFLg2z7Z1aud3P76lF-G1iUVtVF6Bu-cDzujBF9w5N_0yjHQ/s1600/raven.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFZFGk5vn7QQKW9Voz9drLgphf6uo3aJw-tojUNeS6HDiUqeZ5sS_VQbdQ9X7PB7HrZTm7FvCwfey0JcNnVbh3Tme4zwMFLg2z7Z1aud3P76lF-G1iUVtVF6Bu-cDzujBF9w5N_0yjHQ/s320/raven.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es">Cuervos y cuervos tótem animales de Lugh</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es">Lúnasa
se menciona en la literatura gaélica más antigua y era antigua incluso
en los primeros tiempos cristianos. El festival lleva el nombre del dios
Lugh, quien es uno de los antiguos dioses del Gael. Lúnasa incluye
ceremonias religiosas, concursos deportivos, emparejamientos, visitas a
pozos sagrados y árboles de hadas, y días especiales de mercado. En la
antigüedad, el festival incluía la degustación de los 'primeros frutos' y
las elaboradas fiestas, el sacrificio de un toro, las porciones de
arándanos y un juego ritual y baile donde Lugh toma y protege la cosecha
para la gente de las tribus.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"> </span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZv-XYROQHeWQGkwtAnTenJ1-xwV15MC34mKaXrXVuVyB1hfQu7phea23ebQdI7y-rFDQ3-MmWdNpcnL11qQnKw8kNhVI7PMO2b0EAuPC3OFdsupBzh4Fm6fM7tKdBReVP6nKP2qG1aE/s1600/Lugh+from+Rheims+France.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZv-XYROQHeWQGkwtAnTenJ1-xwV15MC34mKaXrXVuVyB1hfQu7phea23ebQdI7y-rFDQ3-MmWdNpcnL11qQnKw8kNhVI7PMO2b0EAuPC3OFdsupBzh4Fm6fM7tKdBReVP6nKP2qG1aE/s320/Lugh+from+Rheims+France.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es">Una imagen precristiana de Lugh de Francia</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Lúnasa
disfrutó de una gran popularidad hasta bien entrado el siglo XX, pero
se desvaneció a mediados de siglo, ya que la modernidad y su
materialismo asesino de almas pusieron énfasis en estas viejas
costumbres ... pero, afortunadamente, Lúnasa ha visto un gran
renacimiento en los últimos años. Los festivales, ferias y actividades
de Lúnasa están creciendo en popularidad. El festival y los eventos
relacionados sobreviven bajo diferentes nombres, como Crom Dubh Sunday,
Garland Sunday, Bilberry Sunday, Mountain Sunday. Lúnasa se ha
incorporado al ritual cristiano con San Patricio reemplazando a Crom, en
la peregrinación a la cima de Croagh Patrick el último domingo de
julio. Crom Dubh y Crom Cruach son denominaciones post cristianas, dos
de las muchas nominaciones de Dagda. En parte de la tradición, Dagda
también está presente en Lúnasa.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"><br /><br /><br />En
el mito irlandés, Lúnasa comenzó como una fiesta fúnebre y una
competencia atlética <span style="font-size: large;">para conmemorar la muerte de Tailtiu, la madre
adoptiva de Lugh. Las leyendas nos dicen que murió de agotamiento
después de limpiar los campos de Irlanda para la agricultura. Tailtiu
era la esposa del último rey Fir Bolg de Irlanda, antes de la llegada
del Tuatha Dé Danann.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tlid-translation translation" lang="es"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Disfrute
de su Lúnasa ... Es el momento de comer un plato de carne y algunas de
las frutas y verduras de la nueva cosecha, cocinar un pan y verter la
cerveza. Este es un buen momento para tener un pequeño incendio en el
pozo de fuego esta noche. Recordamos a nuestros antepasados en tales
ocasiones. Y vierta el primer sorbo de su libación en el suelo para
honrar al viejo Lugh. Siempre es algo bueno que hacer.<br /><br />Enlace: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-McCains-Scots-Irish-Odyssey/dp/0985587644/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Finding+the+McCains&qid=1565019854&s=gateway&sr=8-1">Encontrando a los McCains</a></span><br /><br />© Barry R McCain 2019</span></span></div>
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<h2 class="date-header">
<span>Thursday, August 1, 2019</span></h2>
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<a href="https://barryrmccain.blogspot.com/2019/08/lunasa-2019.html">Lúnasa 2019</a>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8Y_xrt2ZQIRPgxfJAG3XMvgBFj1ESIjJwCtfOjimimvJawl0g52bUIDqEYuktTNVx0ofPy_94sgJhJpz9OGJAIqgQp2rxNEPtuzKJc5VREbVLpLd9HfjGFk7RsfhUBDjCvNL7_C4F08/s1600/L%25C3%25BAnasa+2019+II.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8Y_xrt2ZQIRPgxfJAG3XMvgBFj1ESIjJwCtfOjimimvJawl0g52bUIDqEYuktTNVx0ofPy_94sgJhJpz9OGJAIqgQp2rxNEPtuzKJc5VREbVLpLd9HfjGFk7RsfhUBDjCvNL7_C4F08/s320/L%25C3%25BAnasa+2019+II.jpg" width="318" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Advertisement Logo Lúnasa 2019 </span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here we are again, another year and the return of
Lúnasa. Lúnasa is one of the oldest
festivals we have in the Isles. In modern
Gaelic spelling, it is <i>Lúnasa</i>, the older Gaelic spelling is Lúghnasa, in Scots Gaelic, <i>Lùnastal</i>, and in Manx Gaelic
<i>Luanistyn</i></span>. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
festival marks the end of the growing season and the coming of Autumn.
Lugh is present to bless the harvest and ensure its protection. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
festival is observed in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and
throughout the Diaspora of the Gaelic people. The etymology of Lúnasa is
from the old Gaelic Lug (the god) and násad (assembly). Lúnasa is the
start of the harvest season. Lúnasa has been celebrated over three
thousand years. Traditionally, it is held on 1 August and the
surrounding days. This is the time between the summer solstice and the
autumn equinox. Lúnasa is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals,
along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lá Bealtaine. </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaHSpm6Ya5oc2w613V7YML47KYNvZarvvlEyjFLjCRZ3JhDExlEoM-S3LXK5w9lFRUAjqB0z2Y5N9a-jndTu8vNp3zvADC-wgcImseaBcXcJDiwtxTi8a_7OebSrty37rtm-Yb6Yl1ac/s1600/raven.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaHSpm6Ya5oc2w613V7YML47KYNvZarvvlEyjFLjCRZ3JhDExlEoM-S3LXK5w9lFRUAjqB0z2Y5N9a-jndTu8vNp3zvADC-wgcImseaBcXcJDiwtxTi8a_7OebSrty37rtm-Yb6Yl1ac/s320/raven.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravens and Crows totem animals of Lugh</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lúnasa is mentioned in the earliest Gaelic literature
and was ancient even by early Christian times.
The festival is named from the god Lugh, who is one of the ancient gods
of the Gael. Lúnasa includes religious ceremonies, sporting contests, matchmaking, visits to holy wells and
Faery trees, and special market days. In ancient times, the festival included
the tasting of the ‘first fruits' and elaborate feasts, the sacrifice of a
bull, servings of bilberries, and a ritual play and dance where Lugh takes and
protects the harvest for the people of the tribes.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yGDAyKEQDPt9J3xPVOIpA5u7MR7F21toiesQZfEpX5zG_pzu2TcDddy9vwjY1Bu2jif8ReyjKVZfbZdKAqLjA3Qm0RAkQDw37Cm9KWmzbZ5JhZc75t3lHUHM7h9wdn2WVbfTsJUD94A/s1600/Lugh+from+Rheims+France.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="949" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yGDAyKEQDPt9J3xPVOIpA5u7MR7F21toiesQZfEpX5zG_pzu2TcDddy9vwjY1Bu2jif8ReyjKVZfbZdKAqLjA3Qm0RAkQDw37Cm9KWmzbZ5JhZc75t3lHUHM7h9wdn2WVbfTsJUD94A/s400/Lugh+from+Rheims+France.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A pre Christian image of Lugh from France</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lúnasa enjoyed great popularity well into the 20<sup>th</sup>
century, but waned in mid-century, as modernity and its soul killing
materialism, put stress upon these old
customs... but, fortunately, Lúnasa has seen a great revival in the last
few
years. Lúnasa festivals, fairs, and activities are growing in
popularity. The festival and related events survive under
different names, such as Crom Dubh Sunday, Garland Sunday, Bilberry
Sunday,
Mountain Sunday. Lúnasa has been
incorporated in Christian ritual with Saint Patrick filling in for Crom,
in the
pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July. Crom
Dubh and Crom Cruach are post Christian appellations, two of the many
nomina of the Dagda. In some of the lore, Dagda also is present at
Lúnasa.</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Irish myth Lúnasa began as a
funeral feast and athletic competition to commemorate the death of
Tailtiu, the foster mother of Lugh. The legends
tell us that she died of exhaustion after clearing the fields of Ireland for
agriculture. Tailtiu was the wife of the last Fir Bolg king of Ireland, before
the coming of the Tuath Dé Danann. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju41R2okbeO-Kud08-9nnx1sY2K8Eq6wxUXfFhPMSdkBlgGyEcZWQTLnH13E_dvPMFONhqioaeYIgiTSgf6F6p01Qu566zX8hm9Ky5E5K6akYNNqG1UO6VHeqzF9PWr32H8XfAsz4CPs4/s1600/L%25C3%25BAnasa+III.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju41R2okbeO-Kud08-9nnx1sY2K8Eq6wxUXfFhPMSdkBlgGyEcZWQTLnH13E_dvPMFONhqioaeYIgiTSgf6F6p01Qu566zX8hm9Ky5E5K6akYNNqG1UO6VHeqzF9PWr32H8XfAsz4CPs4/s320/L%25C3%25BAnasa+III.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enjoy
your Lúnasa... It is the time to have a plate of beef and some of the
new harvest's fruits and vegetable, to cook a loaf, and pour the beer.
This is a good time to have a wee fire out in the fire pit tonight. We
remember our ancestors
on such occasions. And do pour the first sip of your libation on the
ground to honour the old guy Lugh. Always a good thing to do</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-McCains-Scots-Irish-Odyssey/dp/0985587644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544900821&sr=8-1&keywords=Finding+the+McCains">Finding the McCains</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">© Barry R McCain 2019 </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-92144887523966991172019-02-01T10:23:00.002-06:002019-02-01T10:23:59.407-06:00Imbolc, the Day of Bríd<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<a href="https://barryrmccain.blogspot.com/2019/02/imbolc-day-of-brid.html">Imbolc, the Day of Bríd</a>
</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ot1R-da6g4lLd10fUDxaWFOWsi5Jj6xQCBW0Ifqa21iiznYR_MT0Av7QC7hm-zNSed6G5tvoXegr1tl94CDxQp3JWlrpmWX_Pp8YW6562zLoExwarRtbcMXuNbqzVSB1nIuTHtfuXcw/s1600/bridget.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="251" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ot1R-da6g4lLd10fUDxaWFOWsi5Jj6xQCBW0Ifqa21iiznYR_MT0Av7QC7hm-zNSed6G5tvoXegr1tl94CDxQp3JWlrpmWX_Pp8YW6562zLoExwarRtbcMXuNbqzVSB1nIuTHtfuXcw/s400/bridget.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bríd (artist unknow)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Imbolc... also called Lá Fhéile Bríde. A Gaelic
festival that marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring
equinox. Celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man; Imbolc is one of
the four seasonal festivals along with Beltane, Lughnasa, and Samhain. Bríd (anglized as Bridget) was incorporated
in the early Christian faith as Saint Bríd. Bríd governed moral guidance,
virginity, purity, the household, and livestock, and she was a
patroness of crafts, such as smithing, and grain farming.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpLdtDdyWx0u9aqgUrlcn4YhO976Ss261-HZBAn-XWK0F32Lhb26JqJxuIu5MbCVhhX66i7ygpM_v128u-XjhGOsz5xRUAzZPbw4j5GjSyYG3nKSgYMRvNsLxGVB3fraRH7v_TWGL-qo/s1600/Br%25C3%25ADd+saint.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpLdtDdyWx0u9aqgUrlcn4YhO976Ss261-HZBAn-XWK0F32Lhb26JqJxuIu5MbCVhhX66i7ygpM_v128u-XjhGOsz5xRUAzZPbw4j5GjSyYG3nKSgYMRvNsLxGVB3fraRH7v_TWGL-qo/s400/Br%25C3%25ADd+saint.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Saint Bríd with the her cross icon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Her symbols are the Bríd’s Cross and the Brídeóg, which
was a corn (grain) doll or effigy, that was paraded from house to house by girls,
often with the <i>strawboys</i> joining the procession.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Food
and drink was left out for Bríd on this day and
she was asked to protect the home, family, and livestock and a scared
fire was lit. Holy wells were visited on this day and seers
practiced divination at this time.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Mnx1fbFCY0aZ7aBJSPE8eiAfQJQYs32fUrHoJzOafCPQfYn7H5r5e3iSj9NfIWvPP8467mi6yUA-bNxMjHFHpLoUaXOKA-4iDhutYvPy5hE8rXsziEukA8S_VOhxVnSC-Q4x8P85Mj8/s1600/Museum+of+Brittany%252C+Rennes%252C+probably+depicting+Brigid+or+Brigantia+c.+2nd+century+BC.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Mnx1fbFCY0aZ7aBJSPE8eiAfQJQYs32fUrHoJzOafCPQfYn7H5r5e3iSj9NfIWvPP8467mi6yUA-bNxMjHFHpLoUaXOKA-4iDhutYvPy5hE8rXsziEukA8S_VOhxVnSC-Q4x8P85Mj8/s400/Museum+of+Brittany%252C+Rennes%252C+probably+depicting+Brigid+or+Brigantia+c.+2nd+century+BC.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Statue of Bríd, 2nd Century BC in Brittany France</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">We know of Bríd as a Gaelic goddess, but she was known throughout
the Celtic world from Ireland in the west and across much of western Europe. Part of our heritage and a lovely thing to
celebrate on this cold day. </span></span>
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Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-813238478635831402019-01-18T09:32:00.001-06:002019-01-18T09:34:41.022-06:00Cultural Continuum II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Cultural Continuum II
</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihniqZDY-EZNbwZA89hItWyLrscZo3CB_6fcKfZfdHUPCtWIvL5NijQzcAX5ImrAdoK_AbFXi9NWq5ZfVfBEWMNTlZBGOCnw9_H2hsiV5xW6s7bM0XhoPujYod160CcxaYbx7prQ0kLko/s1600/Barra%2540loughcrew.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1023" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihniqZDY-EZNbwZA89hItWyLrscZo3CB_6fcKfZfdHUPCtWIvL5NijQzcAX5ImrAdoK_AbFXi9NWq5ZfVfBEWMNTlZBGOCnw9_H2hsiV5xW6s7bM0XhoPujYod160CcxaYbx7prQ0kLko/s400/Barra%2540loughcrew.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Walking up to the summit of Loughcrew</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This
photo taken on the same day as I had the strange experience at
Loughcrew in County Meath, at Sliabh na Callí, which is the main hill at
the site. It is the abode of Béara, who is a Bean Sí (faerie woman) and
one of the Tuatha Dé. There is a passage tomb on top, in which at the
equinox sunrise, the rays of the sun shine down and illuminate the inner
chamber. There are the graves of extremely ancient dead kings, queens,
and warriors there. I give a full account of my strange and singular
experience at Loughcrew in my book 'Finding the McCains.' <br />
<br />
These Celtic
faeries are not your wee, cute type, of the Victorian era children's
books. They are not small, and do not have wings, and are not cute.
They are tall, fair, powerful beings of light, that are
dangerous to be around. Mysterious beings from another world of
existence, who occasionally, still have interaction with our world.
There are several interesting theories about their existence. I will go
into these matters in my next book in some detail where I explore the
phenomenon of Faeries from a perspective of quantum physics and morhpic
resonance and self organising fields of existence. <br />
<br />
Béara is remembered throughout Ireland and
Scotland, in the old Gaelic homelands. She is, or has become in legend, a
primordial nature spirit and Queen of Winter. She can appear as an old
woman or as a beautiful young maiden, tall and fair. <br />
<br />
Cailleach Béara is called Cally Berry in
Ulster English and has other names in other regions. You will also
hear Gentle Annie, Old Woman of the Mountains, and she is known as Caill
Bhuere in Argyll. Cailleach is often translated as the Hag or Witch,
but Cailleach really just means the <i>Veiled One</i>. The word
Cailleach is used in several Irish terms. A Cailleach Phráta is a
shrivelled potato and a Cailleach Oiche is an owl. A Cailleach Feasa is
a wise woman or fortune teller and a Cailleach Dhubh is the term for a
nun.<br />
<br />
The mystery of Loughcrew and my
experience there added to my understanding of the people and culture
from which my family originated. Béara is still remembered in
Kilmichael Glassary where the McCain family originated. Stories of her
were told around the McCain hearths for centuries. These stories of the
Old Faith did not please everyone however. <br />
<br />
In 1560s, Seon Carsuel, Bishop and
pastor to the fifth Earl of Argyll, complained about the Gaels in mid
Argyll, where my family lived, just a short couple of miles from the
Bishop's residence. In his writings, Bishop Carsuel cited the stories
of the Tuatha Dé Danann as the survival of paganism among the Gaels
there. Bishop Carsuel lived at Carnasserie Castle, and he could
literally look out to the smoke from the hearth fires of McCain homes
where the stories of Béara and the other Tuatha Dé Danann were being
told. The Bishop was not please with the survival of Gaelic pagan lore .
<br />
<br />
To quote Bishop Carsuel, <i>... darkness
of sin and ignorance and design of those who teach and write and
cultivate Gaelic, that they are more designed, and more accustomed, to
compose vain, seductive, lying and worldly tales about the Tuatha Dé
Danann and the sons of Mil and the heroes and Fionn Mac Cumhail and his
warriors and to cultivated and piece together much else which I will not
enumerate of tell here, for the purpose of winning for themselves the
vain rewards of the world.</i><br />
<br />
Bishop Carsuel wrote that in 1567. Two
short years later my own family left mid Argyll and moved to Donegal.
They were part of the the Gaelic military build up connected with Iníon
Dubh and her marriage to the chief of the Ó Dónaill clan. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE1wI8h0BtBbnCnc3P7-XO7CKLRcob9_D-gcGK2Gt4ew-B4oq1Md3qwtOoFMt9aepdM8naHiugeDUnLOsoa1LtcmsTqGRit7rf0-68cIpRFZB5rKeLJpH0Q1vgQsYiLVkAshU5Ys5cTU/s1600/Boulet_Myrddin%2528Merlin%2529_100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1465" data-original-width="1247" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE1wI8h0BtBbnCnc3P7-XO7CKLRcob9_D-gcGK2Gt4ew-B4oq1Md3qwtOoFMt9aepdM8naHiugeDUnLOsoa1LtcmsTqGRit7rf0-68cIpRFZB5rKeLJpH0Q1vgQsYiLVkAshU5Ys5cTU/s400/Boulet_Myrddin%2528Merlin%2529_100.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myrddin (Merlin) the Druid of the Old Faith</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carsuel, in his writings on the beliefs
of the Gaels, was describing a cultural continuum that was still alive
in the 1500s and had it roots in the Bronze Age (or earlier). At
Loughcrew, I had experienced something that would have been familiar to
my McCain ancestors that lived near him. What would the good Bishop
think if he knew centuries later that at least some Gaels still enjoyed
the 'vain, seductive, lying and worldly tales' of the Tuatha Dé Danann?
No offense meant to the good Bishop, but it is reassuring to know that
tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann still live and I had been fortunate enough
to participate in one. </span><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2338318699173170470#_ftn1" title=""><span style="mso-bookmark: _ftnref1;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "" serif "" , "serif";"></span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _ftnref1;"></span></a></i><span style="mso-bookmark: _ftnref1;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3_abBZQV4brTPTkzmBOey8VFhjJRIwS4pAGMaV1Gl2pNUcUjh-Mftm0zZNKDnGk7tva1QsAcABcMs-UzcIzseKY55lWuLkJMygc3c-dbfdtEoG968glhdap_bex8pkaa8o8LUtDIKs4/s1600/IMG023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3_abBZQV4brTPTkzmBOey8VFhjJRIwS4pAGMaV1Gl2pNUcUjh-Mftm0zZNKDnGk7tva1QsAcABcMs-UzcIzseKY55lWuLkJMygc3c-dbfdtEoG968glhdap_bex8pkaa8o8LUtDIKs4/s400/IMG023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Placing an 'intention' on a Faerie Tree</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have loved Celtic myths since I was a
young boy. It is not only my McCain family that I have this love, the
other lines in my family are also from Ireland on my paternal side and
from Wales on my maternal side. My father's mother's father's line, the
Tweedy family, has the Second Sight. I have been aware of the Second
Sight since I was a young boy. I am researching the Second Sight now
for upcoming writing projects. As many know I had a stroke back in late
September, which laid me low for six months. I am back writing and
researching now and I have another personal experience to include in my
research. A Tweedy cousin of mine had a Second Sight experience last
summer. The vision was a portent about me and related to my health...
and a month or so later, the event happened. This gets into the topic
of morphic resonance, i.e. the nuts and bolts of how Second Sight works.
<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Old beliefs, our tales of our people, our tribes, etc., it still lives after all this time. We are our ancestors</span>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">© 2018 Barry R McCain<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-McCains-Scots-Irish-Odyssey/dp/0985587644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527956690&sr=8-1&keywords=Finding+the+McCains">Barry R McCain on Amazon </a></span></div>
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Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-5823900922007811362018-06-02T11:44:00.001-05:002018-06-02T11:44:05.719-05:00McCain's Corner: Cultural Continuum II<a href="http://barryrmccain.blogspot.com/2018/06/cultural-continuum-ii.html?spref=bl">McCain's Corner: Cultural Continuum II</a>: Walking up to the summit of Loughcrew This photo taken on the same day as I had the strange experience at Loughcrew in County Meath,...Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-11005104858740294912017-07-19T00:34:00.002-05:002018-03-06T06:38:10.953-06:00Fairies and the Old Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Walking up to the summit of Loughcrew</td></tr>
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This photo taken on the same day as we had the strange experience at Loughcrew in County Meath, at Slieve na Callí, which is the main hill at the site. It is the abode of Béara, who is a Bean Sí (fairy woman) and one of the Tuatha Dé. There is a passage tomb on top, in which at the equinox sunrise, the rays of the sun shine down and illuminate the inner chamber. There are the graves of extremely ancient dead kings, queens, and warriors there. I give a full account of my strange and singular experience at Loughcrew in my book 'Finding the McCains.' These Celtic fairies are not your wee, cute type, of the Victorian era children's books. They are tall, fair, powerful beings of light, that are dangerous to be around. Béara is remembered throughout Ireland and Scotland, in the old Gaelic homelands. She is, or has become in legend, a primordial nature spirit and Queen of Winter. She can appear as an old woman or as a beautiful young maiden, tall and fair. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Placing an 'intention' on a Faerie Tree</td></tr>
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The practice of leaving 'wishes' or intentions, on Fairy trees goes back to pre Christian times. A Fairy Tree is often located near a holy well, and a spiritual place of worship for pagans. Many travel, a pilgrimage of sorts, to the Fairy trees, to leave prayers or intentions, to ask a blessing or a favour, from those mysterious, unseen but felt, aspects of nature and the Old Faith that still manage to survive at these locations. When you visit a Fairy Tree you will see an array of objects left in the branches or at the base of the tree. You will see ribbons, messages written on paper, colouful pieces of cloth or foil, photographs, toys, small figurines, and even strips of fabric torn from a visitor's clothing. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">A Fairy Tree near a Holy Well</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">A Fairy Tree is often a Hawthorn tree, but not always. A lone hawthorn standing in the middle of a field or pasture garners both respect and some suspicion by the local communities. A Fairy Tree is thought to bring good fortune, but it is also known to belong to the Otherworld and is part of the Sidhe. For this reason, it was the tradition to never cut nor harm the tree for fear of retribution of the old gods and their allies. The Fairy Tree was, and to some still is, seen as a gateway into the Fairy realms. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">With my old son, Donovan, on Tara Hill at Lia Fáil. </td></tr>
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This photo taken at Tara. My older son, Donovan, and I are standing by the Lia Fáil, a stone of power that was a gift to Ireland from the Tuatha Dé. It is one of the four legendary treasures of Ireland brought to Ireland from the Northern Isles by the Tuatha Dé. The treasures are the Claíomh Solais (sword of light), the Sleá Bua (victory spear of Lugh), the Coire Dagdae (cauldron of Dagda), and the last, the Lia Fáil (stone of Ireland). </div>
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© 2017 Barry R McCain<br />
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Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-64216157097721395722017-06-20T13:47:00.003-05:002017-06-20T13:47:53.889-05:00Summer Solstice 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> The Summer Solstice, aka St John's Day, but, in the Old Faith, the Day of An Dagda (the good god). Feasting and dancing, and bonfires were lit in celebration. So today, raise a glass to An Dagda, if you are lucky enough to have a bonfire, it is tradition to jump it, suggest this be done before taking in ale. Happy Solstice!!!</span></div>
Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-10261249488276284042017-06-09T14:29:00.000-05:002019-04-18T15:50:38.591-05:00Tuatha Dé Danann<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danu</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: large;">Tuatha Dé Danann (tribe of Danu) is the name of the Gaelic ancestral gods. They are also known by the earlier name of Tuath Dé (tribe of gods).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Tuatha Dé are also called the Aos Sí and are the Faeries of later Gaelic folklore. However, they are not the diminutive creatures of the popular Victorian children stories or of modern Hollywood portrayals. They are described in the earliest primary sources as being tall, with red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, and very fair skin. They are luminous beings of great power and strength... and very dangerous to those unfortunate enough to become their enemy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sightings of the Tuatha Dé were common in older times, but have become less frequent in modern times, though there are several eyewitness accounts from the 20th Century. These sightings take place in their traditional homeland of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, however one of the Tuatha Dé, Manannan Mac Lír, was sighted in Canada on Nova Scotia in the early 1900s.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our knowledge of them comes to us from the filter of the Christian monks who first recorded the stories and history of the Tuatha Dé. The stories were embellished and at times given comic aspects to enhance the tale. Some of the Tuatha Dé are obvious cognates with gods in other Indo European deity pantheons. Nuada is a cognate with the Noden, Lugh is a pan Celtic god, Bríd is a cognate to Brigantian, Tuireann with Taran (Taranis), Ogma with Ogmios, and Badbh with Catubodua.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I develop this blog, I will enumerate the Tuatha Dé, discuss their cognates with other Indo-European pantheons, and discuss late examples of, if not worship, at least acknowledgement of, the Tuatha Dé in modern times. </span></span></div>
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Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-49449659148359208842017-06-09T13:36:00.002-05:002017-06-09T13:42:33.366-05:00Oisín and Tír na nÓg<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oisin and Tír na nÓg by by Francois Pascal Simon Gerard</td></tr>
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<br />Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-50460738375335585202017-06-07T15:10:00.001-05:002017-06-07T15:11:41.035-05:00John Duncan... Riders of the Sidhe<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riders of the Sidhe, by John Duncan 1911</td></tr>
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An illustration of the Tuatha Dé Danann by Scottish artist John Duncan. Duncan was born in 1866 in the Hilltown area of Dundee. He submitted his first art work to a local magazine <i>The Wizard of the North </i>at the age of 15. From 1887-88 he worked in London as a commercial artist. After spending time on the Continent to study art he returned to Dundee in 1889. <i> </i> </div>
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In 1892 Duncan moved to Edinburgh to work with urbanist Patrick Geddes and he became part of the Celtic Revival movement. Duncan was the principal artist of Geddes' seasonal magazine <i>The Evergreen</i>. In 1897 Duncan returned to Dundee to exhibit Celtic and symbolist paintings at the Graphic Arts Association and the Royal Scottish Academy. He travelled to America to teach at the Chicago Institute for a short time, before returning to Scotland to stay. He passed away in 1945. </div>
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<br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-5389877055360705052017-06-07T14:09:00.000-05:002017-06-07T14:10:27.077-05:00The Second Sight<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Sarah Pearl Tweedy circa 1905</td></tr>
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The phenomenon of Second sight has fascinated me for many years. I was exposed to the Second Sight early in my life, before I even knew what it was. My grandmother had the Second Sight. She was Sarah Pearl McCain née Tweedy, born in Carbondale, in southern Illinois, in 1883. She passed away in 1962, when I was only twelve years old, but I was close to her and despite her passing when I was young, I remember her countenance and personality well. I also remember she had a unique quality to her; it is hard to describe in words, other than to say she had an <em>other world</em> quality. I found out about her Second Sight through a child's eyes and ears. I heard her friends and relatives talk about it and tell stories. She never mentioned it to me. She had a strong case of it one could say. She 'saw' things and had experience that exist in a world that is not well understood by our sciences.<br />
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The Second Sight is so called because normal vision was regarded as coming first, and with certain individuals a supernormal vision developed. The Gaelic term is An Da Shealladh which means "the two sights," meaning normal sight and the sight of the seer. There are many Gaelic words for the various aspects of second sight, but An Da Shealladh is the one mostly recognized by non Gaidhlig speakers, even though, strictly speaking, it does not really mean second sight. </div>
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Simply put, Second sight is a form of extrasensory perception, the ability to perceive things that are not present to the senses, whereby a person perceives information, in the form of a vision, about future events or events at remote locations. Other manifestations include knowing things about a person just by meeting them, such as their true nature and history, or sometimes by perceiving this by merely handling an object that the person owns. In popular culture it is also called 'the sixth sense.'<br />
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The Second Sight happens in several peoples and cultures, but it is in Scotland perhaps that it is most recognized and studied. My grandmother's Tweedy family originated in Scotland and migrated to Ireland very early in the 1600s or even late in the 1500s. In Scotland, the Tweedys had a penchant for getting into feuds that resulted in legal issues and even their surname was proscribed at one time. Migration from Scotland to Ireland and other parts of the Isles was an often used path for them to 'get out of town.' I have found records of them in the 1620s with a group of native Irish in County Cavan and being listed as 'Irish.' This means the clerk thought them born in Ireland. I know many of the Tweedys spoke Irish and were often Protestant and in the Established Church (the Church of Ireland, i.e. Anglicans).<br />
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Her family migrated to the English Colonies in the late 1600s, oral history remembers the place of entry as Rhode Island. The Tweedys migrated to the Carolinas in the early 1700s. They were what popular history likes to call Scots-Irish. They were an adventurous family as several of them were in Daniel Boone's party that crossed the Cumberland Gap in the 1770s. Their history is one of trailblazing adventures, ferocious battles with Indians, and eventually settling in southern Illinois by 1805. That area was very dangerous and very few white people lived there at that time. Hostile Indians were very active and their family records has accounts of Indian raids and several brutal deaths to members of the extended family.<br />
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As an adult my research discovered that the Second Sight runs in their family. This is not unusual and Scottish families with the Second Sight often report it as an inherited trait. I found records of a Tweedy woman that had been accused of witchcraft in the mid 1600s. I do not know if the woman was a relation to my grandmother's family, but it is very possible. In the mid 1600s people with the Second Sight were sometimes accused of witchcraft and brought to trial. Such was the case of the poor Tweedy woman whose records I read. She was arrested and a trial held. I found the record of the trail, her charges, and also found the brutal method with which she was interrogated. It involved a government paid witch hunter. He would ask questions and then stick her with long metal needles, about the size of a small knitting needle. If the wound bled it meant she was telling the truth, if it did not bleed, this indicated a lie. Yes, I know what you all are thinking, that is insane. She was found guilty and did not survive the ordeal.</div>
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In my work and travels I have discovered many accounts of families that have the Second Sight, particularly in the Southern Uplands and Backsettlments. It was a normal aspect of Scots-Irish culture well into the 1900s and even today it is known. When you read the literature written on the Scots-Irish in their traditional homelands the phenomenon of Second Sight or 'Seers' is a common theme. 'Seer' was a common term for people with the Second Sight in the Uplands from the Ozarks to the Appalachians. I am researching Scots-Irish families that have a tradition of the Second Sight for a new writing project now.</div>
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I am collecting stories from Scots-Irish families now that have experience with the Second Sight, have old tales of it in their family, etc. So, anyone reading this who has a story, do please contact me, I would love to hear your Second Sight experiences.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Sarah Pearl Tweedy circa late 1800s</td></tr>
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Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-19124630078064023922017-06-07T14:05:00.000-05:002017-06-07T14:05:23.883-05:00The Gaelic Wise Woman of Claddagh 1913<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">This is the oldest colour photo of an Irish 'wise woman' and was taken in 1913. The woman's anglicised name is Nan (Anne) O'Toole. She was born in Claddagh, west Galway town in 1877. She was a native 'healer, what we would call a 'granny doctor' in the South. She had cures for many ailments. For infants suffering with bowel problems Nan prescribed sacred well water mixed with burnt turf dust, which was then fed to the child. Babies born prematurely were hung in a fishing net over a basin of hot warm water, as this was said to replicate the womb, providing the greatest comfort to the child. Nan died in 1952. (info via the Galway City Museum, photo: The Albert Kahn Collection ) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">What I find of interest is the connection of these 'Yarb Doctors' (herb doctors), and Granny doctors, to what is a very old cultural continuum that goes to the deep past. It is an example of a Dual Faith, or what some call the Dvoeverie, or 'dual faith.' which is the practice of pre Christian folkways within Christian and even post Christian society. The topic unfortunately has been tainted by the cultural marxists' political theory, i.e. seen as a type of peasant/female resistance to 'elite/patriarchal' Christianity, which is certainly not the case. Such political dogma is a post modern phenomenon and nonsense. The reality is more profound, as these old ways have existed since the Bronze Age, and before for all we know, and their practice has been observed over the centuries. I approach the topic from a Irish, Scottish, and Scots-Irish, perspective, and examples of Dual Faith practices are numerous in those societies. </span></span></span></div>
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Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548733952829190105.post-91227116066267016852017-05-28T20:42:00.001-05:002017-06-07T12:50:58.046-05:00Some Wisdom from Odin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>As a child I discovered the Norse Sagas and the Eddas. They started me on the path, I still love them. The wisdom below, a suggestion from the Allfather.... </em><br />
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Praise day at even, a wife when dead,<br />
a weapon when tried, a maid when married,<br />
ice when 'tis crossed, and ale when 'tis drunk.<br />
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(from the Eddas)Barry R McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12061685131254246076noreply@blogger.com0