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Celebrating the Autumn Equinox Called Mabon

August 10, 2022August 10, 2022 The Irish Jewelry Company

The Celtic festival known as Mabon takes place on the Autumn Equinox. Mea’n Fo’mhair is the name that the Druids give to this festival, during which they pay homage to the Green Man, who is considered to be the God of the Forest, by pouring libations for the trees. At this time, it is permissible to make offerings of ciders and wines, as well as herbs and fertilizer. Mabon, like Ostara, is an equinox festival, but unlike Ostara, the emphasis of Mabon is on balance. This is because the vernal equinox is one of the few occasions throughout the year when genuine balance can be seen in nature. Day and night are on par with one another. At Mabon, the chopping down of John Barleycorn is symbolized by the use of three stalks of locally gathered barley that are knotted together with rafia and a little bit of red wool. The folk tale and song known as “The Ritual of John Barleycorn” is meant to symbolize the planting, growth, and final “sacrifice” or harvesting of corn. The story is told in the form of a ritual. Mabon is known as a period when mysteries may be revealed. It is appropriate to pay homage to the Spirit World at this time. It is a time that is considered to be a time of equilibrium, and it is during this time that we take a break, relax, and take pleasure in what we have produced as a result of our individual labors, whether those labors have been directed toward the care of our gardens, our families, or any projects that we have been working on.

After the toil and labor of harvesting, the festival of Mabon ushers in a period of leisure and relaxation. In terms of one’s life path, it is the season of reaping what one has sown; it is the time to look back at the goals and ambitions of Imbolc and Ostara and reflect on how those hopes and aspirations have come to fruition. As we get ready to start our descent, now is the time to wrap up any unfinished business, clean house, and let go of everything that is no longer desired or required so that we may make the most of the quiet and reflective season that winter brings. And now is the moment to sow the seeds of fresh thoughts and dreams, which will remain dormant but be nurtured in the darkness until the coming of spring.

About the Autumn Equinox also known as Mabon

How do you pronounce Mabon?

The word Mabon is pronounced MA-bun with the “a” like in cat. It is a modern word to describe the Fall Equinox.

What is the Meaning of Mabon?

The name “Mabon” comes from the sun deity of the same name who was worshiped in the Celtic religion. Mabon, also known as the Fall or Autumn Equinox, is also known as the Festival of Dionysus, the Harvest of First Fruits, and the Wine Harvest.

What is the celebration of Mabon?

The Autumnal Equinox marks the beginning of Mabon, a pagan harvest festival that is held annually around September 21st and continues until September 24th. This celebration, which is also known as Harvest Home, takes place in the midst of the harvest season, at the point in time when the days and nights are of equal duration. Pagans and ancient Celts observed this day as a time to express gratitude to the natural world for a bountiful harvest and to pray to their deities and goddesses for the continuation of the harvest during the colder months.

What exactly is the story of John Barleycorn?

John Barleycorn is a figure that appears in English mythology. He is said to personify the harvest of barley that takes place in the fall. In addition to this, he is symbolic of the magnificent beers and whiskeys that can be produced from barley, as well as the benefits that these beverages have.

What is the term given by the Celts to the Autumn Equinox?

Mabon is the name of the Celtic festival that celebrates the autumn equinox and takes place when the summer heat gives way to the crisp air of autumn. This event is held every year as a part of the traditional Celtic festivals, which trace back to ancient times.

What is the Autumn Equinox?

The autumnal equinox, when the Sun travels south over the celestial equator, occurs on September 21 or September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere. As the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading northward on March 20 or 21, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the equinox. Peasants in Christianized parts of Europe observed the autumn equinox as the Feast of the Archangel Michael throughout the Middle Ages.

When Exactly does the Autumn Equinox take place?

What exactly is the equinox that occurs in autumn? The sun is aligned such that it shines squarely on the equator at the fall equinox, and this ensures that both the northern and southern hemispheres get an equal quantity of sunlight. At exactly 2:21 p.m. on Wednesday, the alignment will take place formally. Regardless of whether or not there are clouds in the sky, Austin will get around 12 hours and 8 minutes of daylight.

Mabon Celtic Mythology

In Celtic mythology, Mabon is the period when, according to folklore, the God of Light was vanquished by the God of Darkness, which resulted in the lengthening of the night. Mabon is the son of Modron, the Great Goddess of the Earth, according to Celtic tradition. After his birth, Mabon was abducted for three days, which caused light to go into hiding. In addition, Mabon represents the masculine character that is associated with the harvest.

Mabon Signs and Symbols

The symbols we identify with Thanksgiving are very similar to those associated with Mabon symbols.

Apples: The apple is used to represent the Fruit Harvest as a symbol. In a great number of spiritual practices, the apple plays a crucial role. It is a symbol of healing, rejuvenation, regeneration, and completeness in addition to representing life and immortality. It is said to restore youth, add years to your life, and make you more beautiful. The apple is known in Ogham as “Quert,” which is also the name of a character who exemplifies health and energy. The apple, which represents the origin of life, may be found in the center of the Ogham grove. The pagan belief is that the apple harbors a “secret.” If you cut an apple lengthwise, you will find that it has the shape of a pentagram and contains five seeds. It is a beloved representation of the Pagan religion. As a result, the five points also symbolize the cardinal directions of east, south, west, north, and inside in addition to the elements of earth, air, fire, and water, with spirit at the top of the list.
The Cornucopia: Mabon is traditionally represented by the cornucopia, also known as the Horn of Plenty. It is a magnificent sign of the prosperity that harvest brings, and it is a beautifully balanced symbol that has both masculine (phallic) and feminine elements (hollow and receptive).

Colors of Mabon:

The colors of autumn foliage are the ones most often associated with the Mabon Celebration, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

dark green
red
orange
yellow
brown
gold

The Autumn Equinox and Mabon is a time of celebration as well as leisure after the toil and labor of the harvest. In terms of one’s life path, it is the season of reaping what one has sown; it is the time to look back at the goals and ambitions of Imbolc and Ostara and reflect on how those hopes and aspirations have come to fruition. As we get ready to start our descent, now is the time to wrap up any unfinished business, clean house, and let go of everything that is no longer desired or required so that we may make the most of the quiet and reflective season that winter brings. And now is the moment to sow the seeds of fresh thoughts and dreams, which will remain dormant but be nurtured in the darkness until the coming of spring.

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Origins of Samhain the True Story of Halloween

July 23, 2022July 23, 2022 The Irish Jewelry Company

The idea of night and day was central to everyday existence in Celtic culture. Bealtaine and Samhain were two of their most important holidays. Their year was split between a dark half and a light half, and the transition from one to the other was celebrated with festivities. Samhain is a term that is often translated to mean “summer’s end,” and it was certainly a festival that took place during the darker half of the year.

It was considered more important than Bealtaine (and another two lesser festivals known as Imbolc and Lughnasadh) because the dark half of the year was more dangerous and more likely to be sorrowful. A 24-hour festival was held from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st to say goodbye to the light and welcome the dark.

The Celts also held the belief that during this time of twenty-four hours, the deceased were able to travel between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Because of this, it was very necessary to treat the dead with respect and refrain from doing anything that would offend them.

Samhain was a festival that was observed not just by Irish Celts but also by their equivalents in Scotland and Manx, as well as by numerous variants of the festival with subtle modifications in Wales and Brittany. It is mentioned in some of Ireland’s earliest written documents, which date back to the 10th century, although it had already been in existence for a significant amount of time before then.

According to the opinions of those knowledgeable in the subject, it most likely began while the Celts were still pastoral people. They would have spent the summer cultivating crops and raising animals, and the winter gathering food and going into hibernation. Their life would have revolved around the seasons.

It was a crucial time of year for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the end of October would have been the period when commerce and fighting would have paused until the weather improved again. The date was often selected for the holding of significant tribal meetings and was also used as a jumping-off point for the creation of myths and stories.

The Hill of Tara

Tiachtga and the Hill of Tara are two hills in the Boyne Valley that are especially linked with Samhain. Of the two, Tiachtga is considered to be the more significant hill. The Great Fire festival, which was held there, was by a significant margin the largest event of its kind in the surrounding region. When the massive fire at Tiachtga was finally set ablaze, it was an indication that everything was in order and that further flames could be constructed.

In addition, it signaled the beginning of the enormous feast. Nevertheless, Tara was thought to be noteworthy due to the fact that the Mound of Hostages, which was located towards the top of the hill, was aligned with the rising sun during that time of year.

Celebration of the Festival of the Dead

It was believed that the veil that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead was at its thinnest during the holiday of Samhain. This allowed otherworldly spirits, both good and bad, to move freely back and forth between the two worlds. Because of this, things were fairly difficult for the surviving Celts, as they wanted to both welcome back their loved ones and keep off the bad spirits, which was a challenge given the circumstances.

It was stated that the time from sunset to sunset was “between years,” which simply means that time did not pass during that period of time, making it possible for anything to take place. Around this period, the many different legendary beings and spirits from Irish mythology, such as the banshee, the pooka, and of course, the fairies, were all quite active.

According to urban legend, if a human apprehended a banshee at Samhain, they would be able to put an end to her suffering and ensure that she would never inflict it on another human again.

The homes of the fairies in the underworld as well as the fairies themselves were completely visible to humans, and humans were fully able to interact with them. However, if humans did anything that was considered offensive or disrespectful, or if they broke any rules, they would be cast into the “other” world and would never be allowed to return.

The walking dead also have the ability to converse with the living and to demand payment for obligations that had previously been owed. Burial grounds, as well as crossroads, bridges, and the borders of neighboring lands, served as portals for ghosts to go between dimensions as they passed through the area. Because of this, many individuals decided it was safer to remain indoors and face their fears than to go out into the world.

What exactly took place during the Samhain celebration?

It doesn’t seem like a very joyous holiday when you think about it, yet most of the Samhain events revolved around the fire and the dead. Every fire that was burning in people’s houses was extinguished, and a large bonfire was erected in the middle of each hamlet. It was believed that the fire has curative and protecting properties, and it served as the focal point of the celebration.

Afterward, everybody who want to carry this holiness into their own houses was required to start their fire using flames taken from the bonfire.

There were many other ceremonies that took place around the campfire, including the sacrifice of animals, music, and dancing.

According to some versions of the story, a purification ceremony consisted of individuals stepping in between two flames that had been constructed next to one other and guiding their animals through the process as well. Along with the skeletons of killed cattle, ‘wicker men’ were also thrown over the fire. Wicker men were composed of food, bones, or even animals (or maybe even people) enclosed in wicker cages.

A massive feast was another important component of the festivities, and it was held over the course of more than one day on either side of the actual day of the festival itself. It was a good chance to get rid of perishable items before the winter set in, and as it was often a time when large groups of people got together for big meetings, it made sense to host a feast regardless of the reason for coming together.

The rural Celts had a lot of work to do around the time of Samhain since they needed to bring their cows in from the pasture for the winter, decide which ones to the butcher for food, and get ready for the harvest. After all of that had been completed, it is safe to assume that all they want was a delicious lunch that was still warm.

All of the doorways to a house would have been left open so that the spirits may come and go as they pleased. A specific quantity of food and a seat at the table was reserved for any deceased family members who chose to come back to their homes for the celebration.

The food that was meant for the dead was not allowed to be touched by human hands between the hours of sunset and sunset because this was considered to be a terrible act of sacrilege and meant that the person who committed it would become a hungry spirit after they passed away and would never be allowed to participate in the Samhain celebration again.

The rituals and traditions of Samhain

There were also plenty of odd practices that were carried out throughout the time of Samhain. The Celts had an irrational dread of fairies, and since they were believed to be at their most powerful around Samhain, food offerings were often placed outside of people’s homes in the hope that the fairies would remain in a good mood. It was also standard practice for people to disguise themselves by wearing masks and switching up their wardrobes so that the fairies would have a difficult time distinguishing between individuals in the event that they chose to take any souls.

As a part of the festivities, the individuals in disguise would go from house to house singing in exchange for a small token of food; if the homeowner was not obliging, they threatened to cause all kinds of mischief in the vein of an evil spirit descending on the house. This sounds a little bit like trick or treating, doesn’t it?

In addition to hiding their identities with masks, pranksters would carry lanterns manufactured from vegetables such as turnips that had been hollowed out. These lanterns had two purposes: they provided light and offered safety (those evil spirits and fairies had no mercy). They would often carve monstrous faces onto their lanterns so that anyone walking by would think the lanterns belonged to demons.

Children and adults alike would participate in a variety of activities designed to keep the dead entertained. These activities would include rehashing the events of the previous year, with the hope that the dead would maintain an interest in the goings-on of the living, as well as incorporating a number of child’s games into the ritual practices themselves.

Additionally, obligations owed to both the living and the deceased were settled during the Samhain holiday. There was a general ceasefire observed, and during that time, conversations and amicable contests took place amongst tribes who would not have interacted with each other outside of the battlefield otherwise.

People from the communities in the area would remove some of the ashes that were left behind after the bonfires burned out because they believed that doing so would bring about a bountiful crop. The ashes did, in fact, make the soil better in spite of everything, so this was one notion that was proven correct each year.

How did the celebration of Samhain become Halloween?

Once Christianity was introduced to Ireland, traditional Celtic holidays such as Samhain and others were “Christianized.” Samhain, also known as the Festival of the Dead, was renamed the Festival of All Saints and Martyrs, also known as All Saints Day because the early Christians on the island were determined to do all in their power to eradicate pagan ceremonies and spread their religion all across the island.

When the Pope of the time moved it to November 1st, he did so in order to ‘incorporate’ the pagan feast, which had previously been celebrated in March. Even though people adopted the new holiday as their own, the traditional rituals and practices that were linked with Samhain continued to be practiced for many decades after the holiday had been replaced. There were even a few of them that survived all the way up to the current day!

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Top 10 Scary Irish Mythological Creatures

July 6, 2022July 6, 2022 The Irish Jewelry Company

Addressing Scary Irish Mythological Creatures or Celtic Mythological Creatures is the topic of one of the most frequent inquiries that we receive in connection with Irish mythology.

However, once you’ve spent enough time reading about Irish folklore, you’ll know that there are quite a few Irish mythical creatures out there and that they differ in the sort of creatures that they are. This is something that you’ll know if you’ve spent any time reading about Irish folklore. Some of the animals that may be found in Irish mythology, such as the Pooka, are associated with a charming and humorous story, whilst others, are very terrible!

Since the beginning of Celtic mythology, old Irish creatures and demons have been used to scare members of the general public, particularly around the time of Halloween.

The Irish term for demon is “deamhan,” and it is surely widely utilized since bad powers, monsters, demons, and ghosts have long been feared in Celtic mythology. The word “deamhan” comes from the Irish language.

The ancient Celts believed in hundreds of different Irish legendary deities, but much like other nations, their society also had its share of demons. Some of the “monsters” who were worshiped in Celtic culture were, in fact, formerly gods who were subsequently recast as evil pagan beings when many Celts converted to Christianity.

The list of most terrifying beasts and spirits from Celtic mythology, just in time for Halloween.

Dearg Due – the Irish vampire
The Cailleach – the Celtic witch
Púca – the Irish Ghost
The Bánánach – Demons
Balor – Celtic demon king
The Sluagh – Celtic monster
Banshee – the Irish wailing ghost
Merrow– Sea fairy
The Dullahan – the Irish headless horseman
Ellén Trechend – Three headed monster

Dearg Due – the Irish Vampire

There is a vampire that dwells smack dab in the center of Ireland, but Dracula himself was created in Ireland (the monster was written about in Bram Stoker’s classic book, which was also written by an Irishman).

Dearg-due is an Irish word for a female demon that first seduces men and then drains them of their blood. The name literally translates to “red bloodsucker.” An Irish lady who was famous across the land for her beauty and who fell in love with a local peasant against her father’s disapproval is said to have been the subject of a tale that originated in Celtic culture.

Her father coerced her into entering into an arranged marriage with a wealthy guy who mistreated her, which led to her taking her own life in the end. She was laid to rest next to Strongbow’s Tree in Waterford, but one night she arose from her grave to exact her vengeance on her father and husband. She drank their blood until they were no longer able to breathe, and then she ate their bodies.

The vampire, who is now known as Dearg-due, comes to life once a year and uses her alluring appearance to entice men to their deaths. There is, however, a strategy that may be used to successfully combat Dearg-due. It is sufficient to construct a mound of stones on top of her grave in order to forestall the resuscitation of the dead. No, it won’t be enough to kill her, but at least it will buy you some time till the new year!

The Cailleach – Celtic Witch

The Cailleach, often known as the Celtic witch, is mentioned in a number of the old tales that have been passed down from generation to generation in Ireland. This particular school of witchcraft gets its name from the fact that its practitioners base their rituals and rites on numerous elements of Celtic folklore and mythology.

There are many legends told about the Cailleach, often known as the Celtic witch, in the folklore of Ireland. At Samhain, she would make her descent from the mountains, and from then until Beltaine, she would govern the earth. The oldest of all the tales comes from Celtic culture. The name Cailleach translates to “Old Wife,” and she is considered to be one of the most important figures in Celtic mythology. The Cailleach was worshiped as the goddess of the cold and the winds. The duration and severity of winter were both within the Cailleach’s control. She was also sometimes referred to as the Veiled One of the Queen of Winter. She is a heavenly hag and a creative goddess at the same time.

Púca or Pooka – the Irish Ghost

Púca is an Irish term that literally translates to “spirit” or “ghost,” and these legendary beings hail from Irish mythology. These legendary beings hailing from Irish folklore are fairies that are capable of assuming the form of a horse, goat, cat, dog, or hare. They are also capable of assuming a human shape, but one that retains certain animal characteristics such as a tail or ears.

They are said to have white or black fur or hair, and they are harbingers of both good and ill fortune, as well as communities that are either rural or sea. They may assist or harm these communities. They like playing tricks on people and will often try to get them to ride on their backs, after which they will take them on a wild and dangerous excursion before delivering them back to the location from whence they originally picked them up. It is stated that a rider may tame a Púca if they wear sharp spurs to either prevent themselves from being abducted by the monster or to direct it if they are already riding on its back. This story originates from the Irish tradition. It is stated that Brian Boru, the last High King of Ireland, was the only man who ever rode a Púca.

Traditionally, the Púca is celebrated at Samhain, the harvest festival that takes place when the harvests are brought indoors. Anything that is left in the fields after harvesting is set aside for the Púca and is not fit for human consumption. There were some farmers who would appease the Púca by leaving some of the harvests out for it to eat.

There are further legends connected to the Púca, and allusions may be found in a variety of forms of literature, including poetry, music, and more. You could also come across the term phouka or pooka being used to refer to it.

The Bánánach – Irish Demons

The Bánánach brings us right back to the eerie beasts of Celtic mythology with their next appearance. The Bánánach is a supernatural race that is mentioned in Irish mythology. They are said to be able to be seen haunting battlefields.

These terrifying screeching demons that lived in the air may have had the appearance of goats. They were linked to acts of murder and death.

Balor- Celtic Demon King

In Celtic mythology, Balor is the name of the evil version of the god of death. The malevolent monster had only one eye and a single huge leg, yet it held the title of King of the Fomori, a race of demons who inhabited the murky depths of lakes and oceans. Because Balor can murder someone just by glancing at them with his evil eye, he kept it closed most of the time so he wouldn’t have to keep stumbling across dead corpses all the time.

This is one of a few mythological monsters from Ireland that actually terrified me as a youngster after hearing tales about them from my pals. These Celtic creatures were claimed to be restless souls that were considered to be neither accepted in hell nor heaven, therefore it was believed that they were permitted to wander the countryside on their own.

The Sluagh

According to folklore, the Sluaghs were bitter about their plight and would steal the soul of anybody they came into contact with if given the opportunity.

The Banshee- A wailing ghost

Banshee is an Irish word for a ghost that howls. The Banshee is a well-known Irish monster, and legend has it that it often works in conjunction with the Dullahan.

The banshee is a female ghost whose scream, if heard outside of a home, foretells the death of one of its occupants. It is one of the most known Celtic monsters, having made a guest appearance in “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” and all.

According to a number of retellings of the Banshee tale, the terrifying specter traveled accompanied the Dullahan in a dark cart that was pulled by six black horses. It is stated that the two of them would beat the horses with a human spinal cord.

But the majority of tales agree that the Banshee, on her own, was already terrible enough. Her appearance has been described as anything from an ugly old hag to a lovely young lady; yet, everyone agrees that the creature’s bloodcurdling howl will be heard three times before someone passes away.

Merrow – Sea Fairy

When it comes to monsters from myth and legend, Ireland is home to a handful that aren’t as terrifying as others that have been described. It seems that one of them is a Merrow. In Irish tradition, a merman or mermaid might take the form of a merrow. It is stated that in order for them to move freely between the water and dry ground, they must first don a magical cap, which derives from the Irish term murch.

The term is used in two different stories; in the first, a Kerry man steals a green-haired merrow’s red magical cap so that he might marry her, and in the second, a green-bodied hideous male merrow who entertains a fisherman at his house beneath the sea uses the term to describe himself.

The merrow is often referred to as sea fairies and is sometimes shown as having the upper body of a woman but the lower body of a fish. The male merrow did not come close to matching the beauty of its female counterparts. They were generally gentle, but they may become hostile against those who were rude to them or who scared them.

The Dullahan – the Irish headless horseman

The Dullahan is another fabled Irish monster, and its name, which literally translates to “dark man,” describes this creature well. This grim reaper is the equivalent of the headless horseman in Irish folklore and is often featured in modern works of fantasy literature as well as in video games.

The head of the Dullahan is carried under one arm as he rides a headless black horse with burning eyes. When he finally gets off his horse, a person will be killed. In some telling’s of this tale, the Dullahan is said to attack those he passes by hurling buckets of blood at them, while in others, it is said that he merely yells out the name of the person who is about to pass away.

Gold is the Dullahan’s Achilles’ heel, as is the case with most malevolent powers. Because the monster shies away from the material, lone travelers would be advised to bring some with them just in case they come across this headless monstrosity and find themselves face to face with it!

Ellén Trechend – Three headed monster

Ellén Trechend was a genuine monster with Celtic roots. In point of fact, it was a Celtic monster with three heads! Now, the appearance of Ellén Trechend varies from story to tale, much like the appearances of other Irish legendary beings. In some versions of the tale, the beast is described as having the appearance of a vulture, while in others, it is a dragon that breathes fire.

In a story referred to as the Cath Maige Mucrama, it is said that Ellén Trechend would emerge from a cave and go on a rampage that will cause much damage.

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The Irish Legend of the Banshee

May 14, 2022 The Irish Jewelry Company

The image that comes to most people’s minds when they hear the word “banshee” is that of a floating ghostly figure that wails and is in general quite terrifying. You might also be familiar with the age-old concept that banshees are considered to be portents of impending death. The whole account of the Banshee may be found here.

The Banshee, pronounced bean-sidhe is the woman of the fairies and maybe an ancestral spirit appointed to forewarn members of certain ancient Irish families of their time of death. According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O’Neills, the O’Briens, the O’Connors, the O’Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list.
Whatever her origins, the banshe e chiefly appears in one of three guises: a young woman, a stately matron or a raddled old hag. These represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain.) She usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. She may also appear as a washer-woman, and is seen apparently washing the blood stained clothes of those who are about to die. In this guise she is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman).
Although not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die.

Irish families of their time of death. According to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O’Neills, the O’Briens, the O’Connors, the O’Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Intermarriage has since extended this select list.
Whatever her origins, the banshee chiefly appears in one of three guises: a young woman, a stately matron or a raddled old hag. These represent the triple aspects of the Celtic goddess of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha and Mor-Rioghain.) She usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. She may also appear as a washer-woman, and is seen apparently washing the blood stained clothes of those who are about to die. In this guise she is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman).
Although not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die.

A banshee is a spirit that does not have a physical body and can take any one of the following forms:

A stunning woman who was wrapped in a shroud.
A slender woman with a white outfit, long red hair, and a red lipstick.
A woman who is silver-haired and wears a long garment of silver.
A headless lady who is completely nude from the waist up and is carrying a dish of blood.
An elderly lady with eerie red eyes, a green outfit, and long white hair was standing there.
A geriatric lady who was clothed entirely in black and had long, gray hair. She wore a veil over her face.

Origins of the Banshee Folklore

According to historians, the first accounts of the Irish Banshee date back to the eighth century and were based on a ritual in which ladies sung a mournful song to express their condolences over the passing of a loved one. These ladies were known as “keeners,” and because they took alcoholic beverages as payment, they were considered to be sinners. As a result, they were condemned to a life as banshees as their punishment. It is said that if a Banshee is seen, she would quickly disappear into a cloud of mist while making a sound that is comparable to the sound of a bird flapping its wings. This is a part of the legend surrounding the Banshee. According to urban legend, banshees do not bring about death; rather, they just serve as a warning of impending doom.

Banshees Are Both Good and Bad

There are a few banshees that had deep links to their family in life and remained to look after them after death. These banshees are the exception to the rule that banshees are monsters filled with hatred. When they make their appearance, these Banshees take the form of beautiful, entrancing ladies who perform a mournful, eerie song that is full of care and love for their family. This song can be heard a few days before a member of the family passes away, and in the vast majority of instances, the song can only be heard by the individual for whom it was written.

On the other hand, there is the Banshee, a terrifying creature that most of us are familiar with. She is furious and terrifying. These ladies, throughout the course of their lives, had reasons to despise their family, and now they emerge as grotesque and terrifying apparitions that are full with animosity. The howls that are coming from these banshees are enough to give you the chills all the way down to your bones, and rather than appearing to warn a member of the family, these banshees are rejoicing in the impending death of someone who they despised.

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Autumnal Equinox the Celebration of Mabon

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 The Irish Jewelry Company

Today is the first day of autumn. The fall equinox will occur today, September 22, 2021, at 3:21 p.m. Eastern.

The Sun will be exactly above the Earth’s equator at that time, appearing overhead at noon as seen from the equator. Every year, around the same time, the Sun shines directly over the equator, distributing the same amount of light on both sides of the planet.

This is the start of shorter days and colder weather in the Northern Hemisphere.

This month marks Mabon, the Celtic name for the autumn equinox. Mabon is the second of three Celtic harvest festivals: Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain, which takes place next month. Mabon represents the heavy harvest, whereas Samhain represents the harvest of the dead and what remains from this month’s efforts.

Mabon was originally a harvest festival (Lughnasadh was the first), when farmers gathered hearty foods such as gourds, pumpkins, grapes, and apples. Modern Mabon celebrations are a time to express gratitude to Mother Earth for her abundance, both literally and spiritually.

This is also known as Mea’n Fo’mhair by the Druids, and it honors the Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of cider, wine, herbs, and fertilizer are appropriate. Mabon (like Ostara) emphasizes balance because it is one of the few times during the year when true balance can be observed in nature. There is no distinction between day and night.

Happy Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bone)

Celtic Holidays, Celtic Jewelry, Celtic Legends, Halloween, Irish Jewelry, News

Have you Ever Heard of the Legend of the Celtic Cat?

October 11, 2020 The Irish Jewelry Company

The Legend of the Celtic Cat

In Celtic folklore there is a magical set of cats or “fairy cats”. In Scotland they are known as the cait sith. In Ireland they are called cait sidhe. Whether Gaelic or Scotch Gaelic they are both pronounced as “caught shee”. The cait sidhe aren’t your ordinary felines, they are thought as fairies, even witches, and as spirit creatures that merely take the form of a cat. Those that have seen them describe them as being unusually large, all black cats with a spot of white fur on their chest. Generally, the cait sidhe is viewed as fearsome and was used as a symbol by Celtic warriors.

Celtic Cat Pendant by The Irish Jewelry Company

Our Celtic Cat Pendant is absolutely purrrr-fect! This beautifully diamond accented Celtic Cat Pendant with black enamel pays tribute to the cait sidhe. The cait sidhe is a mythical fairy creature in Scottish and Irish folklore.

Read more about Celtic Halloween Origins, Samhain Traditions, and Halloween Superstitions online at The Irish Jewelry Company.

Shop Halloween Celtic jewelry like the Celtic Cat Pendant , Celtic Fairy Pendant and the Celtic Owl Jewelry at The Irish Jewelry Jewelry Company

Celtic Holidays, Celtic Legends, Halloween, Interesting Stories, Irish Traditions, News

The Celtic Origins of Halloween and Halloween Traditions

October 11, 2020October 13, 2020 The Irish Jewelry Company

As children and adults around the world take part in the spooky festivities of Halloween on the night of October 31st, All Hallows Eve, few know of its ancient Irish Celtic roots in the Samhain (Samain) festival.

Read more about Celtic Halloween Origins, Samhain Traditions, and Halloween Superstitions online at The Irish Jewelry Company.

Shop Halloween jewelry like the Celtic Cat Pendant , Celtic Fairy Pendant and the Celtic Owl Jewelry at The Irish Jewelry Jewelry Company

Irish Halloween Traditions and Halloween Origins. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2020, from https://www.theirishjewelrycompany.com/irish_halloween_traditions_halloween_origins.

Halloween, Interesting Stories, Irish Traditions

IRISH HALLOWEEN TRADITION – BARMBRACK

October 4, 2018October 4, 2018 The Irish Jewelry Company

There are many Irish Halloween traditions in Ireland. One of my favorites is barmbrack.
Barmbrack is at the very core of the Irish Halloween traditions. The Halloween Brack, much like Christmas pudding traditionally contained various objects baked into the sweet bread. These various items were used as fortune-telling. In the barmbrack items like a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a small coin (originally a silver sixpence) and a ring were traditionally used. When an item is received in the slice, had a meaning for that person. For instance if you got the pea, the person would not marry that year, the stick, you’ll have an unhappy marriage , the cloth or rag meant bad luck or you’ll be poor; the coin of course meant you’ll have good fortune or be rich and the ring, meant you would be wed within the year. Other items also added to the brack were medals, usually of the Virgin Mary to symbolize going into the priesthood or becoming a nun, although this tradition isn’t very popular today.

Recipe
INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon dry active yeast
⅔ cup/158 milliliters lightly warmed milk
1 egg, beaten
1 ⅔ cups/214 grams all-purpose flour, plus flour for dusting
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon clove
¼ teaspoon mace ( Mace is made from the lacy, red outer coating that covers the shell around the nutmeg kernel. )
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons/28 grams unsalted butter, softened, more for greasing pan
¼ cup/50 grams granulated sugar
½ cup/75 grams golden raisins
½ cup/75 grams black raisins
½ cup/75 grams currants
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

In a small bowl, whisk the yeast and milk together. Leave it to bubble slowly in a warm spot 10 minutes, then whisk in the beaten egg.
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, put the flour, cinnamon, clove, mace, salt, butter and sugar. Mix well, incorporating butter with fingertips (or paddle, if using mixer) until absorbed.
Pour the yeast-milk-egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon (or dough hook, with mixer).
When the dough begins to come together, add the raisins, currants, lemon zest and orange zest, then mix to combine. It will be somewhat sticky dough. Dust lightly with flour, turn out onto a floured surface and knead for a few minutes until the dough feels smooth. Pat dough into a rectangle.
Butter a loaf pan and lay in the dough, pushing down so dough covers bottom of pan. Stretch plastic wrap loosely over pan and put in a warm place, covered with a kitchen towel, for about an hour, until doubled in size. Uncover.
Heat oven to 350 degrees and center a rack in the oven. Bake loaf on the centered rack for 45 minutes, until well browned. Carefully tip the loaf out of the pan onto a cooling rack. To tell whether it’s done, thump the bottom of the loaf with your fingertips; it should sound hollow. Let cool to room temperature before slicing, if possible. ( NYT recipe)

Happy Halloween!

To wish someone a happy Halloween, you can say:

Oíche Shamhna Shona Duit (EE-hyeh HOW-nuh HUN-uh ditch*)

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Celtic Legends, Halloween, Irish Traditions

The Origins of Halloween Costumes

October 16, 2017July 17, 2022 The Irish Jewelry Company

On Halloween night children would dress up in scary costumes and go house to house. ‘Help the Halloween Party’ and ‘Trick or Treat’ were the cries to be heard at each door.

This tradition of wearing costumes also dates back to Celtic times. On the special night when the living and the dead were at their closest the Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costume

On Halloween night children would dress up in scary costumes and go house to house. Phrases like “Help the Halloween Party” and “Trick or Treat” were the cries to be heard at each door. Halloween beliefs, customs, and costumes migrated with the first wave of Irish and Scottish immigrants that arrived in the United States in the 18th century. These immigrants came from Ireland and Scotland.

Immigrants from Ireland who were escaping a potato famine brought the tradition of Halloween to the United States in the 1840s. At that time, some of the most popular pranks in New England consisted of knocking down outhouses and removing fence gates off their hinges.

According to Irish folklore, Samhain was a time when the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld — the place where the souls of the deceased and other spirits reside — were at their most porous or even completely disintegrated. By the time the year 1500 rolled around, it can be said for certain that two customs were already in place: guising and mumming. Mumming is a term that refers to the plays performed by mummers. These plays often contain some type of conflict and the resurrection of a figure who has previously died. Guising was an early version of trick-or-treating that included youngsters dressing up in costumes and going door to door in search of presents like food or money. Some sources link the practice of guising to the belief that dressing up as monsters or spirits would protect one from them if they crossed over from Otherworld. It was believed that these beings would avoid humans because they wouldn’t be able to tell humans apart from other types of creatures if they wore masks or costumes.

Around the start of the nineteenth century, Halloween began to transition into being seen as a holiday that was more appropriate for the whole family.

Following the adoption of trick-or-treating and neighborhood Halloween parades throughout the United States, it was only a matter of time before commercial enterprises began to capitalize on the holiday’s growing popularity. During World War I, greeting cards with Halloween imagery first became available. In 1919, Ruth Edna Kelley published her seminal work titled The Book of Hallowe’en, which brought together a lot of the history and folklore of Halloween for the first time in one place. The following year, the Beistle Company began to introduce a range of Halloween decorations, such as paper skeletons. Today, Halloween is celebrated all over the world. During this same time period, new archetypes for Halloween costumes started to emerge, such as children dressing up as soldiers, police officers, or firefighters. In the 1930s, the A.S. Fishbach, Inc. firm raised the bar by being the first to get a license from Walt Disney to manufacture costumes based on characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Where did the custom of dressing up in costumes for Halloween originate?

The custom dates back to the ancient Celtic holiday known as Samhain, during which time people lit bonfires and dressed up in costumes in an effort to fend off spirits. Pope Gregory III, who reigned in the seventh century, established November 1 as the day on which all saints are honored.

Who was the one who created the very first Halloween costume?

It is thought that the first reference to dressing up for Halloween occurred in Scotland in 1585; however, it is most probable that the practice was a common occurrence before that time. The ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain is credited with being the origin of the custom of dressing up in costumes. During this time, people would burn bonfires and dress up in costumes in order to fend off spirits.

This tradition of wearing Halloween costumes also dates back to Celtic times. On the special night when the living and the dead were at their closest, the Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costumes to disguise themselves as spirits and devils in case they encountered other devils and spirits during the night. By disguising they hoped that they would be able to avoid being carried away at the end of the night. This explains why witches, goblins, and ghosts remain the most popular choices for costumes.

When did people in the United States first start dressing up for Halloween?

As trick-or-treating gained popularity throughout North America in the 1930s, a number of companies, including A.S. Fishbach and Ben Cooper, Inc., started mass-producing Halloween costumes for retail sale. These costumes could be found in shops. At Halloween, people often dress up as monsters and otherworldly creatures to scare their friends.

Saint Patrick’s Day Survival Guide

The Dullahan, the Irish Headless Horseman

to disguise themselves as spirits and devils in case they encountered other devils and spirits during the night. By disguising they hoped that they would be able to avoid being carried away at the end of the night. This explains why witches, goblins and ghosts remain the most popular choices for the costumes.

On Halloween night children would dress up in scary costumes and go house to house. ‘Help the Halloween Party’ and ‘Trick or Treat’ were the cries to be heard at each door.

This tradition of wearing costumes also dates back to Celtic times. On the special night when the living and the dead were at their closest the Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costume

Around the start of the nineteenth century, Halloween began to transition into being seen as a holiday that was more appropriate for the whole family.

Where did the custom of dressing up in costumes for Halloween originate?

Who was the one who created the very first Halloween costume?

When did people in the United States first start dressing up for Halloween?

Saint Patrick’s Day Survival Guide

The Dullahan, the Irish Headless Horseman

Celtic Legends, Halloween, Irish Traditions

The Dullahan, the Irish Headless Horseman

October 16, 2017September 28, 2020 The Irish Jewelry Company

Have you ever heard about “The Dullahan”, the Irish Headless Horseman?

The Irish legend of the Dullahan, or English translation “dark man” is unnerving. The Headless Horseman or Dullahan is the Irish foreteller of death. The Dullahan rides a jet black horse with flames shooting from its eyes, carrying his head under one arm. Irish folklore says that when he stops riding, a human dies.
There are many versions of this scary tale. Some say that the Dullahan throws buckets of blood at people he passes, while other say he simply calls out the name of the mortal that will soon die.

But as with most evil entities the Dullahan has a weakness. The Dullahan can not stand the sight of GOLD. So you would be wise when traveling on this Halloween to carry a wee bit of in case you have a run-in with this headless horror!