Celtic Faeries

From pre-Christian times until the end of the Middle Ages, one of the most important figures in Irish society was the seanachie or storyteller. These learned bards remembered and recited the great early-Irish myths where mortal warriors did battle with a variety of supernatural beings and deadly shape-shifters. These great battle sagas and love-tragedies were first written down by early-Christian monks despite the pagan way of life they depicted. Gradually these myths were replaced as Celtic customs mingled with Christianity, and the Irish grew a rich tradition of fairy tales based on nature spirits, giants, magical sea-folk, and dark figures that augured death. These figures became integrated with Christian tradition, believed to be fallen angels who weren't good enough for heaven but weren't bad enough for hell.

My real name is not Mary Ann Benbow, these are taken from both my maternal and paternal grandmothers. Two wonderful Celtic ladies gave me my roots and a sense of belonging to an ancient race. From them, I inherited my love of Celtic spirituality, and the ability to see and communicate with the gentry or the good people.

During my lessons at school, a teacher would often accuse me of being away with the fairies, if only they had known that I often was.