VISIONS OF THE CAILLEACH
Exploring the Myths, Folklore and Legends of the pre-eminent Celtic Hag Goddess
By Sorita d’Este and David Rankine
Standing astride the British landscape looms the giant blue form of the Cailleach. Whether she is seen as a benevolent earth-shaping giantess, harsh winter hag goddess, shape-shifting crone, guardian of sacred wells and animals, or ancient bestower of sovereignty; the Cailleach appears in many roles and manifestations in myths and legends across the British Isles.
The authors have tracked the Cailleach across thousands of years through folklore, literature and place names, uncovering startling references which hint at a hidden priestess cult worshipping the Cailleach from ancient times through into the twentieth century. By exploring her myths and legends, they demonstrate the hugely significant role of the Cailleach in the early history of the British Isles. The demonization of the Cailleach through the Middle Ages by the Christian Church paralleled that of women and witches, and is reflected in various other supernatural hag figures possibly derived from her and discussed in detail, such as Black Annis, Gyre Carling, Mia Lia, Nicneven and the Old Woman of the Mountain.
Looking beyond the veil of the sacred landscape, the vision of the Cailleach confronts the seeker in hills and rocks, lakes and wells, burial chambers and stormy skies. Now finally the primal elemental power of the Cailleach is revealed in her full glory, in the tales and places of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man; as well as in traces of her presence in England, Wales, Jersey, Brittany, Spain and Norway. This unique and ground-breaking work brings together for the first time the wealth of folklore, stories and legends regarding this most significant of British supernatural figures, whose myths and wisdom are as relevant today as they have ever been.
2009, 148 pages. Paperback & Kindle editions available.
ISBN 978-1-905297-24-5
B&W 5.5 x 8.5 in or 216 x 140 mm (Demy 8vo) Perfect Bound on White w/Gloss Lam
Visions of the Cailleach by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine
Introduction
CHAPTER 1: Origins Set in Stone
The European Origins of the Cailleach
From Spain to Ireland
A Maltese Origin?
The Irish Manuscripts
Name Connections
Goddess or Spirit?
The Different Names of the Cailleach
The Possibility of a Priestess Cult
CHAPTER 2: Earth Shaper
The Cailleach in Scotland
The Cailleach in Ireland
The Cailleach in England
The Cailleach in Wales
The Cailleach on the Isle of Man
The Cailleach in Jersey
The Cailleach in Brittany
The Cailleach in Norway
CHAPTER 3: Water Witch
Predicting the Weather
The Cailleach in the Carmina Gadelica
Summoning the Water
CHAPTER 4: Crone of Winter
Winter Customs
The Cailleach and Bride
The Woman of the Mist
CHAPTER 5: Oldest Spirit
The Cally-Berry
The Cold May-day Monday
The Cailleach Bhéarthach and the Walker
The Cailleach Béarra’s Box
Never Ask A Woman Her Age
CHAPTER 6: Lady of the Beasts
The Lucky Poachers
The Cailleach and the Stupid Deer
The Cailleach’s Song
The Story of Mongan
The Old Woman Outwits the Devil
The Cailleach Ends the Viking Age
The mark left by Cailleach Béarra
CHAPTER 7: Shapeshifter
The Cailleach Bheur and Loch Bà (I)
The Cailleach Bheur and Loch Bà (II)
Thomas the Rhymer
CHAPTER 8: Bestower of Sovereignty
Princess Beara
Niall of the Nine Hostages
The Adventure of Daire’s Sons
The Daughter of the King under the Waves
CHAPTER 9: Seer & Foreteller of Doom
The Caillagh ny Gueshag
The Golden Apples of Lough-Erne
Foreteller of Doom
CHAPTER 10: Malevolent Cailleach
The Gyre Carling
The Cailleach of Gleann na mBiorach and the Black Bull
The Cailleach Bhéarthach and Donnchadh Mór Mac Mánais
The Cailleach Mhore of Cilbrick
The Heron of Lock a-na-Cailleach
CHAPTER 11: Possible Cailleach derivatives
Black Annis
Glaistig
Juan White
Mala Lia
Muilidheartach
Nicneven
St Bronagh
Bibliography