If you see or hear a Banshee, then pray your family is safe. This creature from Irish Folklore is a harbinger of death, so this means one of your family members will be joining her. She doesn't actually cause the death, she just warns you of an impending one.
This creature is usually depicted as an old hag or witch, who wails or shrieks to warn the family of an impending death. As she is a disembodied spirit she can also take the form of a beautiful who wears a veil, white flowing dress and has white or red hair and piercing red eyes. She is sometimes seen without her head, or carrying a bowl of blood. Other depiction include an old hag wearing a green dress.
In Ireland she is known by many names including, Little Washerwoman, Hag of the Mist, and Hag of the Black Head. The origins of the Banshee date back to the 8th century and is based on an old Irish tradition where women called keeners would sing to mourn the dead. Usually these women were sinners who were paid in alcohol and were then doomed to become banshees as punishment.
The origin of the word “Banshee” can be traced back to the Old Irish words “ben sÃde” or “bean sÃdhe,” which mean “woman of the fairy mound.”
When a Banshee screams it is called keening. This is a traditional form of expressing grief for your departed family members or dying loved ones.
The word “keen” comes from the Gaelic word “caoineadh,” meaning “to weep.”
As legend goes, the scream or cry of the banshee is an omen of death. The scream or keen warns the family that a close relative is going to pass away soon. Some believe that each Irish family has its own banshee. These spirits develop strong ties to the family, and will continue to keep an eye on then even in death. This banshee will appear differently, showing herself as a beautiful woman. Their song will be one of love and concern for their family. This song will be heard usually a few days before the death of the family member, typically by the person who the banshee chooses.
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