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A BansheeIn Ireland, there is this mythical creature called the Banshee , she is an omen of death and a message for the Underworld. Her name means "fairy of sidhe" or "woman of the fairy mounds. Sidhe can refer to "places of ghostly being" and fairy mounds possible refers to dwelling with the ability to protect the good people from evil.

Banshees are also believed by some to be spirts of nature or pre-Christian Gaelic deities. In Theosophy and in Celtic Christian religion, they are commonly called "fallen angels". In English, they are described as a "fairy" or "fairy woman".

The Banshee is also said to be tasked with the job of warning warning selected members of ancient Irish families of the time of their death. According to tradition, the banshee was only said to cry for four major families but this list seems to have been extended due to marriage.

Apparently in terms of clothing, she either wears a grey, hooded cloak or a grave robe meant for the unshriven dead. Those who where not allowed to find "absolution".

Banshee usually come in three of many forms, the first being a young woman, the second being a rich middle-aged lady or matron, and the third being of a fraglie old woman. Another being, the bean-nighe (washing woman), in this form, she is apparently seen washing the bloodstains out of the fated person clothes.

Rarely seen but heard, her mourning call is often given at night when someone is about to die. In 1437, Scottish King James the I is said to have been approached by one such being. There have been numerous reports of same thing happening to members of the royal court and other high-profile members of Irish society.

The quality of her voice varies to region to region. Some describe it as 'low and pleasant' and others as 'a mix of a wail of a woman and a moan of an owl'. Regardless of what the sound is like, the banshee's cry also signals one thing: death.

When several banshee appear at once, it is said that a person great or holy has died. Banshee are commonly decipted as having long, fair hair which they comb with a silver comb. If one is to see such a comb, it is suggested not to pick it up or that person might be spirited away.

Banshee are fairly popular and enjoy the same status (in Ireland) as leprechauns. One possible origins of the Banshee are keeners. Womam in Ireland that sing songs of lament at funerals.



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Anonymous banshee 0 Aug 14 2010, 2:10 PM EDT by Anonymous
 
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A banshee scream, when heard is a warning of death soon to come by the one who heard her scream.
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Anonymous Screams? 1 Aug 14 2010, 4:28 AM EDT by Dous777
 
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I thought that Banshees could also kill people with their screams...
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Anonymous Interesting... 1 Aug 7 2010, 2:06 AM EDT by Anonymous
 
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It really is so interesting to read about this sort of stuff, because I can really say that I believe in this stuff. My aunt grew up on a small farm in Ireland and she swore she saw a Banshee when she was about 10 years old, the night before her grandfather passed away. I'm so fascinated by some of the things she tells me sometimes, like how her and her siblings weren't allowed to walk into the fairy ring in her yard or just the many stories and legends she tells me about these mythical creatures that once lived in Ireland. I can't help but wonder, how could someone come up with all of these strange creatures right off the top of their heads if there were no living proff to back it up?
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