Also called Maighdean Uaine, the green lady.
The tale
The glaistig is a Highland spirit, often a woman of the house who was put under a fairy spell, who wears green and has the legs of a goat. She tends the cattle and keeps them from straying, and people poured milk for her into a hollow stone every night. If she was not given her share, the calves would be found loose or the milk would be spoilt. Some glaistigs were said to be dangerous to travellers.
When they are met
- every evening at milking time
- Samhain
Staying on their good side
- milk poured into a hollowed stone
- respect for animals in your care
- never mock her
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Pour a little milk on the earth or on a stone for her after caring for animals.
- Treat farm animals well in her name.
What their tales teach
- care of animals
- protection of the home
- the rewards of respect
Symbols
- the green dress
- goat's legs hidden by her skirt
- the glaistig stone
Sources
- Campbell, Superstitions of the Scottish Highlands
- Briggs, A Dictionary of Fairies
More Celtic folklore
- The Banshee The keening woman of the fairy mound
- Selkies The seal folk who come ashore
- The Púca The shape-shifter of November
- The Aos Sí The people of the fairy mounds
- The Kelpie The water horse of the lochs
- The Tylwyth Teg The Fair Family of Wales
- Leprechaun The solitary fairy shoemaker
- Clurichaun The fairy of the wine cellar