CAILLEACH
Irish Magic Arts Spirit
Also known as Cailleach Beara, Cailleach Bheur, Caillech, Cailliach, Callech, Cally Berry
An extremely busy hag deity
She comes from ancient antiquity, an old woman with boar tusks, a single piercing eye and a surprising line in rock-throwing. Legends about her abound all over Ireland and Scotland where she has many local names and foibles.
Cailleach is a busy hag — among her duties she deals in harvests and fertility as well as protection. Having sex with kings is apparently a perk of the job.
Eventually she turns to stone and is reborn — we imagine as a pebble. So look for a very haggard piece of rock on Beltane or a chip off the old block on Samhain.
We are hoping to interview her for a more in-depth article soon.
Cailleach Facts and Figures
Name: Cailleach
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Cailleach Beara, Cailleach Bheur, Caillech, Cailliach, Callech, Cally Berry
Gender: Female
Type: Spirit
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present
Role:
In charge of: Sorcery and Witchcraft
Area of expertise: Sorcery
Good/Evil Rating: NOT OKAY, be careful
Popularity index: 7401
Cite this article
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Article last revised on May 19, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders
References: Coming soon.