Post by Lorekeeper on Jan 16, 2012 15:53:21 GMT -8
In Celtic folklore, the Irish: leannán sí "Barrow-Lover" (Scottish Gaelic: leannan sìth; Manx: lhiannan shee; [lʲan̴̪-an ˈʃiː]) is a beautiful woman of the Aos Sí (people of the barrow or the fairy folk) who takes a human lover. Lovers of the leannán sídhe are said to live brief, though highly inspired, lives. The name comes from the Gaelic words for a sweetheart, lover, or concubine and the term for a barrow or fairy-mound.
The leanan sídhe is generally depicted as a beautiful muse, who offers inspiration to an artist in exchange for their love and devotion; however, this frequently results in madness for the artist, as well as premature death. W. B. Yeats popularized a slightly different perspective on these spirits with emphasis on their vampiric tendencies:
The Leanhaun Shee (fairy mistress) seeks the love of mortals. If they refuse, she must be their slave; if they consent, they are hers, and can only escape by finding another to take their place. The fairy lives on their life, and they waste away. Death is no escape from her. She is the Gaelic muse, for she gives inspiration to those she persecutes. The Gaelic poets die young, for she is restless, and will not let them remain long on earth - this malignant phantom.
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The leanan sídhe is generally depicted as a beautiful muse, who offers inspiration to an artist in exchange for their love and devotion; however, this frequently results in madness for the artist, as well as premature death. W. B. Yeats popularized a slightly different perspective on these spirits with emphasis on their vampiric tendencies:
The Leanhaun Shee (fairy mistress) seeks the love of mortals. If they refuse, she must be their slave; if they consent, they are hers, and can only escape by finding another to take their place. The fairy lives on their life, and they waste away. Death is no escape from her. She is the Gaelic muse, for she gives inspiration to those she persecutes. The Gaelic poets die young, for she is restless, and will not let them remain long on earth - this malignant phantom.
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Leannan Sidhe
by ~nightsneverland
When darkness draws her velvet veil across a sun filled sky,
The wind sweepeth across the hills to cause the grass to sigh,
Loch doth glisten ‘neath the trees, bathed in silver light,
A hush lay deep upon the land this dark enchanted night.
Upon sacred hill within dark Glen, night breeze doth serenade,
Many men hath come before and vows to Her hath made,
Their moistened lips procure the wish, inspiration they doth crave,
Scarlet tears run strong and true and mark their early graves.
Creating works of voice and pen like remembered bards of yore -
Shunning all thou once held close, Her gifts thou hunger for,
Kneeling in wait upon the earth, before thou She appears,
Resplendent in ethereal visage, thou eyes sting fast with tears.
Haunting lament of lovers spent, deep sorrow thou shalt weave,
Impassioned voice doth mesmerise, all that hear shalt deeply grieve,
Of ancient lore and glories past, heroes tales shalt be awoken,
Legends of the Kingdoms Fae are reverently spoken.
If thou shalt dare to call Her muse, thou life shalt swiftly wane,
Inspiration hath a deathly cost, into cauldron thy blood shalt drain.
Dependent on thou Fae Mistress, thy soul is lost to She,
Will thou avoid the price of death to live in Her captivity?