Cold winter: Cailleach

CAILLEACH

Category: Gaelic mythology

The Cailleach is a very famous winter figure part of the Gaelic beliefs. “Cailleach” is a Gaelic word meaning “hag” or “old woman”, and it is the most common term to designate this entity – but in the details, she exists split between the two main Gaelic nations. In Scotland she is “Beira, the Queen of Winter”, while in Ireland she is the “Hag of Beara” (An Chailleach Bheara) ; both were originally one same divine figure, but who evolved in two different ways.

I) The Irish Cailleach

In Ireland, the Cailleach is called by some the Hag of Beara because it was said she lived in the Beara Peninsula (County Cork) ; some also call her the “Old Woman of Dingle” because it was said she was born in the city of the same name (County Kerry), at “Teach Mor”, the “Great House”, said to be the house at the further western point of Ireland, on the Dingle promontory. A third of her Irish name is “The White Nun of Beara”, due to a literal reading of “cailleach”, which means “hooded one” or “veiled one” – this gave birth to a legend according to which the Hag wore a veil for a hundred years that had been given to her by Saint Cummine. Appearing in many pieces of Irish literature, the Hag is said to be an ancient entity – though not as old as Ireland itself, but still much older than most living beings – who actually regularly ages and then de-ages before aging again. It seems she always start as a youthful maiden, who “drinks mead and wine with kings”, before becoming a “wretched, shriveled old hag” – usually this aging process is tied to the May Day, implying that it might be a yearly process, as the Hag is young when winter is young, then ages until she becomes a sorrowful, lonely, rag-wearing hag by May Day (aka the end of the “dark season”/winter and the beginning of the “bright season”). But against this “yearly aging” is opposed another tradition that presents the Hag’s successive youths as being actually successive lifetimes – she ages like a regular human, but never dies and keeps regenerating herself. According to this tradition, the Hag is depicted as either the mother or the foster mother of the ancestors of today’s most prominent clans of Ireland: the usual numbers claim that she had fifty foster-children that she raised in Beara/Beare, that she lived seven human lives successfully, saw all of her husbands and lovers die of old age, and that she considers all the “tribes and races” of Ireland her “grandsons and great-grandsons”.

A notable landmark associated with her is a rock by the seashore, at Beara: this rock, called the “Hag of Beara” or the “Hag’s Chair”, is said to mark the location where the Hag waits for the return of Manannan mac Lir, the Irish god of the sea, who is for some her husband, for others her father. But people are conflicted as to what the rock actually is: for some it is the chair the Hag sits in while waiting for Manannan, but for others it is rather the fossilized remains of her body – she waited for so long that she turned to rock.  Numerous other locations in Ireland are associated with her, from the “Hag’s Head” (a bizarrely shaped rock on the Cliffs of Moher) to the “Calliagh Beara’s House”, the top of Slieve Gullion. In fact, a legend claims that there she tricked the mythical Irish warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill: as he was climbing the Slieve Gullion, he found a beautiful young lady crying by the shore of a lake, she claimed her golden ring had fallen into the lake – Fionn, being a true Irish gentleman, jumped into the lake, retrieved the ring and brought it back to the maiden… who had turn into an hideous laughing old hag – she was the Calliagh Berra, a wicked witch, and as Fionn came out of the lake, he saw that he too, from a beautiful young man, had turned into a withered old man. No one in his clan recognized him when he returned – only his faithful hounds recognized his smell, and as the clan realized who he was, they hunted down the witch and forced her to restore his youth. But ever since, Fionn kept his hair white, and it is said that anyone who bathes into the lake will have the same aging curse the hero suffered from.

Various texts give her various names: for some her true name is Digdi/Didge, for others she is Milucra, a third calls her Birog… And one story, “The Hunt of Slieve Cuilin” declares that she has a sister, who is none other than Aine, the Irish goddess of summer and the sun. Finally her association with witchcraft is reinforced by the fact that sorceresses are called “cailleach phiseogach”, while “wise women/fortune-tellers” are “cailleach feasa”.

2) The Scottish Cailleach

While the Irish Cailleach is a more diffuse, unclear and mysterious figure scattered throughout poetic and literary works, the Scottish version of the Hag is much more defined thanks to folklorist work.  

Called “Beira” or “The Queen of Winter”, she is here depicted as a one-eyed giantess with white hair, a dark blue skin, and teeth the color of rust: it is said she brought to existence many of the mountains and hills of Scotland, either by accident (she carried stones in a creel or wicker basket, and they fell out), or willingly (so that she could use them as stepping stones ; and it is said she carries with her a hammer to shape the hills and valleys). Said to be the mother of all the Scottish gods and goddesses, she is an embodiment of winter who has her own herd of deer and owns a staff that is able to freeze the ground it touches. She causes winter by going to the western coast of Scotland and washing there her great plaid in the Gulf of Corryvreckan (which is literally the Gulf of the Cauldron of the Plaid): it takes her three days to wash her plaid, and during these three days the roar of an incoming storm can be heard. After the three days, her plaid is freshly white: she covers the land with it – it is the snow. Another very important day is “La Fheill Brighde”, the 1st of February, Saint Brigid’s Day, halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox: on this day, Beira gathers her firewood for the rest of winter, so if she plans on having a long winter (because she is the one who controls it), she will make the 1st of February a bright and sunny day so that she can gather a lot of firewood, to keep herself warm ; but if the weather is bad on Saint Brigid’s day, it either means that she knows the winter will soon be over, or that she overslept and due to the lack of firewood will shorten winter.

Her presence on Saint Brigid’s day is extremely important, as Saint Brigid is the Christianized version of an older Gaelic deity, Brighde, with who the Cailleach/Beira was associated: whereas Beira ruled the world during the “dark season”, between Samhain on the 1st of November (first day of winter) to Beltaine (1st of May, first day of summer), Brighde/Brigid ruled it during the “bright season” of summer. For some, the two entities are separate goddesses, and the Winter Queen “pass on” her power to her summer counterpart between Saint Brigid’s Day and Beltane (1st of May) ; some versions rather claim that at the end of winter, the Cailleach turns to stone, as the petrification of the divine hag is the only way to let summer come. But a different tradition rather claims that Beira and Brighde are two faces of one same goddess, who changes name and appearance depending on the season: according to this tradition, on the winter solstice (also known as “the longest night”), the reign of Beira as the Queen of Winter stops. She goes to a magical Well of Youth and drink its water – from then on, as the days grow longer, Beira will grow younger, until she finally becomes again the maiden Brigid and the Queen of Summer. But as the summer months go by, Brigid will age again – and when she is an old hag again, it is time for Beira the Queen of Winter to return.

The Ben Nevis mountain was said to be the throne of Beira, while the two mountains of the Isle of Skye were named the “mountains of the Cailleach” because strong rains and brutal storms regularly descended from them onto the lands below. She is also associated with Ben Cruachan, to the point she is sometimes called “Cailleach nan Cruachan”, “The Hag of Ben Cruachan”. She also apparently created by accident the Loch Awe: tired after a long day of herding deer, the Cailleach fell asleep on the Ben Cruachan, and a well she usually took care of overflowed during her nap and flowed the valley nearby, creating the loch.

A final point: some Scottish legends multiply the Cailleach into the “Cailleachan”, the Old Women/the Hags – also called the Storm Hags. These destructive spirits of nature were said to be responsible for the violent windstorms of spring.

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There is also a tradition, shared by both Scotland and Ireland, according to which the first farmer finishing the harvest of the grain has to make a corn dolly. This corn dolly is supposed to represent the Cailleach, and is sometimes called the “Carlin/Carline” (a word from the Lowland Scots, meaning “old woman” or “witch”, and which itself is derived from the Gaelic Cailleach). Made out of the last sheaf of the crop, this “Old Woman doll” is then tossed into the field of another farmer who hasn’t finished his harvest of grain: when the farmer is done, he promptly has to toss it into the field of another one who hasn’t finished – and so forth until the last to finish his harvest gets stuck with the doll. This poor farmer will be forced to take the “Old Woman” into his home and to take care of the doll for the entire year – which is literally housing, feeding and treating as a guest the witch/hag during the entirety of winter. (Given the hag herself is supposed to embody winter… not a great thing). It was a true competition among harvesters, all wanting to avoid the punishment of having to invite the witch of winter into their house.

🐰👊💥May: We wish to everyone; especially to our closest friends a good 👩 🚺International Women’s Day/Month of 2024. Our creator friend here brings us this here unique style look of his choice. We’ll be happy to let Riya Speedster joining as well; since we’re sisters to begin with. Anyways, cheers to everyone and support us throughout 2024. 😉👍

Here’s my note before I’ll get started….

(NO COPYING OR PLAGIARIZING FROM ME AND ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIEND’S WORK! THAT INCLUDES OUR CHARACTERS, DESIGNS, STUFF, ETC. IMPOSTERS AND SEXBOTS ARE NOT WELCOME TO FOLLOW MY BLOG WHATSOEVER! 😡 That will be all….I mean it.)

“Day 2: Imposters 🕷️👉👈🕷️”

I’m back, everyone. Sorry that I’ve went from today’s program just like I said before posting my “late” International Raccoon Day artwork; with Nacho (The Loud House).

But now I’d came back to delivered my saved Inktober artwork for today; as well for my recent progress ones I’m still working on.

Anyways, here’s for 🐻🛩️🚘Bearo and 🐻📚🍭Beara (Bear siblings OCs) in Day 2 through spectacular Inktober week!

As expected or at least unexpected, they’re having a fight because of them wearing both similar “Spider-Man” like costumes. You know how it turned out.

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Well, yeah! She copied my costume idea first before I was even noticed.

🐻📚🍭Beara: No way! He totally copied from me due to my costume is better. And stop pointing at me, Bearo!

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Then just stop pointing at me, sis. Seriously with the “pointing imposter” meme from that 1960s cartoon back then. It’s weird when we doing it, but sheesh! 😬

🐻📚🍭Beara: So much of having “great powers” yet comes with annoyance. 😒

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Hey! That’s not what it said from the comics, you know.

🐻📚🍭Beara: Said the guy who’d copy my costume idea for this year’s Halloween.

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Oh! *facepalm*

Well, that’s brother and sister relationship for ya. 😅 (I should’ve renamed this title “Copycats”.)

Bearo & Beara (in their spider suits) created by me; BryanVelasquez87 (Bryan360)

Previous: ⬇️

“Day 1: Looney 🐰🔨” - Link Here #1

Tagged: @murumokirby360 @carmenramcat @alexander1301 @rafacaz4lisam2k4 @paektu

CS - Beary Sweet Treat

Anthony Fineran (B 1981), Dale Beara, 2022

Ireland (by Patrick)

The Beara-Breifne Way, a walking trail in Ireland which follows the route of O'Sullivan's March during the Nine Years War.

by u/oglach

O'Sullivans March was a famous event during the Nine Years War. Which saw many Irish clans, including the O'Sullivans, rise up against English authority.

The short version is that, after several defeats, Chieftian Domhnall Cam led the O'Sullivans away from their lands in Béarra to link up with the allied O'Rourke clan in Bréifne. A trek of over 500 km through enemy territory. Setting off with around a thousand people, including women and children.

They were basically under constant assault all along the way, and also suffering from starvation. This occured during the middle of winter, and much of the countryside was already decimated by war. Essentially a wasteland of starving people competing for what little food was available. This saw the O'Sullivans facing off against not only the English and their allies, but also bands of equally desperate people.

By the time that they finally reached the O'Rourkes, only 35 of the original 1,000 remained.

☘️ I'm back from Ireland ☘️

And had an absolutely amazing time. It's an overwhelmingly beautiful country and I had so much fun with my friends. ❤️ Here are some photo highlights (for Dublin see my other post).

View of the Irish Sea and Wicklow Mountains from Dalkey Hill

We visited many castles, some more haunted than others 👻

A vegan scone and chai latte in Galway 🥰

We climbed Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park 💪

Found beautiful flowers in the rocky landscape of the Burren

Drove the Ring of Kerry, along with two other peninsula loop drives on different days, and saw loads of gorgeous sights along the way, like at this stop we made at Waterville

Even the view from the rental car was breathtaking most of the time!

Due to weather conditions we did not make it to the top of Devil's Ladder, but it was still a great, if wet, adventure!

Oh and we stayed in some incredible Airbnbs (this one used to be a gatehouse 🤩)

We also went on an AWESOME eco marine tour, but I'll make a separate post about that.

So yeah, I'll miss Ireland, but I'm also glad to be back home. 😊 Time to rest now 😴😴

do u have any info on owen power? i love his vibe

also, this blog adds so much entertainment to my days. thank u for taking ur time on it it's so appreciated <3

he's dating victoria beara!! they've been together quite a while. interesting how she's added a ✝️ to her bio like when on earth did they all convert to christianity this is wild

alsoooo interesting how there's so many pics w her n owen n kaitlyn n kj and now kj and kaitlyn might be broken up

and ty anon i'm glad u enjoy my blog!! 🥰

“Day 2: Imposters 🕷️👉👈🕷️”

I’m back, everyone. Sorry that I’ve went from today’s program just like I said before posting my “late” International Raccoon Day artwork; with Nacho (The Loud House).

But now I’d came back to delivered my saved Inktober artwork for today; as well for my recent progress ones I’m still working on.

Anyways, here’s for 🐻🛩️🚘Bearo and 🐻📚🍭Beara (Bear siblings OCs) in Day 2 through spectacular Inktober week!

As expected or at least unexpected, they’re having a fight because of them wearing both similar “Spider-Man” like costumes. You know how it turned out.

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Well, yeah! She copied my costume idea first before I was even noticed.

🐻📚🍭Beara: No way! He totally copied from me due to my costume is better. And stop pointing at me, Bearo!

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Then just stop pointing at me, sis. Seriously with the “pointing imposter” meme from that 1960s cartoon back then. It’s weird when we doing it, but sheesh! 😬

🐻📚🍭Beara: So much of having “great powers” yet comes with annoyance. 😒

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Hey! That’s not what it said from the comics, you know.

🐻📚🍭Beara: Said the guy who’d copy my costume idea for this year’s Halloween.

🐻🛩️🚘Bearo: Oh! *facepalm*

Here’s my note before I’ll get started….

(DON’T YOU EVER COPY FROM MINE OR MY FRIEND’S WORK, CHARACTERS, AND STUFF IF ONE OF YOU ARE IMPOSTERS WHO HAD HABITS OF PLAGIARISM! I WILL BLOCK YOU FROM MY BLOG IF I SEE YOUR POST WITH MINE OR MY FRIEND’S ORIGINAL WORK BEING EDITED ALL OVER! I’LL EVEN SHARE IT ONTO MY BLOG SO IF EVERYONE WILL SEE THAT YOU TRYING TO COPY MINE OR MY FRIEND’S THINGS FOR NO GOOD REASON WHATSOEVER! That will be all….I mean it.)

🦁🖌Leo: Morning to all, friends! Our creator friend here wanted to send us this celebration share from yesterday; just in time before the day is done. Although apologize at the end after taking hours of getting through for today that I understand it takes time. Nevertheless, very appreciate of showing this art post for us to celebrate our debut years ago.

🐻🏎🛼Bearo: Yeah. Though not yet in full colored that we would like to see sooner or later, but we don’t mind at least. Really did make this comic short to tell our story, by the way.

🐻🍭🛼Beara: Mhm. Like the way of myself grabbing some honey for a snack or just for fun when playing tricks with my brother. 😁

🐻🏎🛼Bearo: Yeah, pretty funny….just “not doing that again while bringing back our honey” kind. 😮‍💨*Ahem* So anyways, here’s to everyone to check this latest art post share on DeviantArt that our creator friend did from yesterday.

Previous DA posts

🐰🖌Maxwell’s Origins - Link Here #1

🐰👊💥May’s Origins - Link Here #2

🦊⚽️Sam’s Origins - Link Here #3

🐶Dog and 🔵🔴🟡Red Pandas Origins - Non Colored - Link Here #4

Tagged: @murumokirby360 @carmenramcat @alexander1301

i can’t do it anymore when is it my turn 😭

they’re so cute though 🫡🫡

Leo and Bearo + Beara

Thanks everyone who came out for Underbear’s Bad Santa party on Xmas Eve’s Eve at Rockbar! Festive music by @dj_shamanlove - dancers @jay_marti and @gogofrancesco. I had the pleasure this year of hosting two Bad Santa parties! Very impressive the ho’s who came out to celebrate at the end of Christopher Street in 9 degree weather! Thanks Rockbar & staff @bear_skn @beefyboyunderwear #holiday #holidayseason #underbear #underwearparty #beara #cubs Photos @justgiveitashot More pics in my stories! Wed furball.nyc (at Rockbar NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmsvdkRu__m/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

btw i LOVE the new doctor ncuti has my heart but also. he and andie would get on like a house on fire they would have so much fun thank you for coming to my ted talk