The goddess Cailleach is said to decide the coming of If she makes a bright, sunny day on Feb. 2, there will be six more weeks of winter. If she makes the day gray and sunless, there will be an early spring.

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There’s folklore around today that says if it’s dry and mild then winter isn’t done with us yet - the Cailleach is out collecting more wood for her fire. If it’s wet she can’t - so spring is really on the way. It’s raining out my window 🙌🏻 Brigid can take over any time she likes

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In my poem “The Fires of Ecstasy at Samhuinn”, I wrote of the goddess Brìghde’s transformation into the Cailleach, or Queen of Winter. ’s illustration for my poem captures that metamorphosis.



https://t.co/shuYkZ4OId

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The winter season has been associated with numerous deities: the Greek god, Boreas; Norse god, Ullr; Celtic goddesses Cailleach and Beira. Over time, the old gods and goddesses were often transformed into a more generalised 'Jack Frost'.

art: Baklaher

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The Cailleach is the Ancient Earth herself. She is the lichen-covered rocks and the mountain peaks. She is the bared earth covered with snow and frost. She is the Deep Ancestress, veiled by the passage of time. - Liesens, H.

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To celebrate the Winter Solstice (grian-stad geamhraidh), it was customary to carve the face of the Cailleach - an old woman associated with winter - into a log and burn it in the hopes of banishing the cold, dark nights.

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Beira, Queen of Winter is, according to Gaelic folklore, the goddess of winter. Also known as the Cailleach/Veiled One, & depicted as an old blue hag . She is a wise old woman, acquiring her wisdom by observing the cycles of life & death.
🎨Baraka Robin Berger

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In myth, the winter season has been associated with numerous deities - Greek god of winter, Boreas; Norse god, Ullr; Celtic goddesses Cailleach and Beira. Over time, the old gods and goddesses of winter transformed into Old Man Winter/ Jack Frost
art: baklaher

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Winter is the Cailleach's, the first snow her cloak laid down. She travels the Gaelic Celtic world, often with her husband, the trickster Bodach, and their children. Often seen as cruel and harsh, she gives blessings and wisdom too, to those who are kind to her.

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Winter Folklore: Traditions and Customs of the Cailleach Bheur https://t.co/kHr2v3nS7h

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On May Day Eve, Irish folk used to gather yellow flowers, such as buttercups & marigolds, to spread around the outside of their homes. It was believed these flowers would repel Cailleachs, old witches who stole milk & butter from households on May Day morning.

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This past month I've been researching and illustrating various stories relating to the Cailleach. I'll be giving the talk tomorrow evening as part of my VDS, which launches tonight; https://t.co/YcNaMu7cU9

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The Old Woman of Winter and Wise Woman is the Cailleach, a trickster spirit of Gaelic-speaking regions. Frost is her coat laid on the ground, for winter is her time, and she can spite you or bless you if you are kind. Don't fear her: embrace her

🖼: J. Brideson

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A lovely bath, great way to start the morn.
Quick M’lady, yersel’!
What’s the rush, Elsie?
Their back, them Elders, a bunch o dirty auld men.
Have no fear, I’ve called for the Cailleach - 2 toads please 🐸.
As you wish lass, the price has increased £50 each!

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I'm very torn if I want one of my doll OCs or one of my... well. OC-OCs xD You can choose!
Either my Cailleach or my idiot son Diego

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The Cailleach's reign has begun. Master of winter, she is stern and hard but she is a wisdom-giver. The weight of wisdom is a stone about the neck, but those willing to use winter to reflect and plan, and are generous, gain wisdom and bounty.

🖼: M.T. Caya

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Caraleen and Cailleach deserve to be here too

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Thank goodness you are here.
I didn’t expect you to let me in so willing, who were you expecting?
Are you not one of the folk? I sent a message, she is possessed.
She is not possessed just very spoiled but I’ll take her anyway, no charged. hissed the Cailleach

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