Aos Sí, Sidhe, Aes Sith and other Underworld Fae

Riders of the Sidhe (1911), by John Duncan

Most of what we know, comes from oral traditions, about the Aos Sí, or the Sidhe, or Aes Sith, all names given to a supernatural race in Celtic mythology, very closely related to the fae or elvan races. They are said to descend from fallen angels or the Tuatha Dé Danann, depending on who you ask.

They live underground, in fairy forts, or “mounds.” The mounds are little hills centered in forests and meadows throughout Ireland and Scotland. The Aos sí are known in both places, as “the people of the mounds.”

Even in modern times, people fear the curses of treading upon their space and avoid the mounds at all costs. Expensive highways have been redesigned to drive around these sacred hills. These areas are protected by law today, and not for environmental reasons. So when people say, “Fairies don’t exist.” I like to promptly remind them that according to the Irish government, they do.

Aerial video and photographs revealed the mounds have mysterious geometric configurations, often guarded by hawthorn or oak trees, and are considered to be gateways to another realm. Each magickal and special in their own way.

There are many examples and stories throughout literature of underworld fae. So if you find yourself working with a fairy energy that isn’t the least bit attracted to cakes, glitter, or pastels, it could likely be an underwordling. They’re not energies that can be easily manipulated to bring luck and prosperity our way. On the contrary, these beings live parallel to humans and are likely to interact only when it serves them.

Irish historian, Geoffrey Keating in the 17 th century, suggested that the Aos sí come from the land of the dead. In the 19 th and 20 th century writings about the Aos sí include stories of animal shapeshifting, and the race evolved into fables of Changelings who were said to kidnap or even take the place of unattended new born babies.

Illustration of a brownie by Alice B. Woodward.

The Scots also attribute Brownies, or Broonies, to the Aos Sí, as they are known to mingle between the human realm and the underworld. Brownies are household spirits, said to only come out at night and perform various household chores if favored by the home owner, or mischievous pranks if unfavored.

Hobgoblins appear later in English folklore as part of the underground race, they are small hairy little men who are related to the Brownies. Boggarts, or Bogeymen, too are related to the Brownies, inhabiting dark dank places, often causing mischief. The Dullahan, is a creature in mythical Irish lore depicted as a headless rider, on a black horse, carrying his own head. That cousin of the Aos sí inspired “The Legend of Sleepy Hallow.” The “Coach-da-bower” is a headless coach driver, also considered to be a Dullahan, that carries the spirit of the living to the underworld when someone passes away.

My favorite of the Aos Sí are the Bean Sith, or Bean Sidhe, better known as the Banshee. Ghost-like fairy women who foretell of death.

They are darkened figures, often dressed in gray shrouds, and can be an unwelcomed presence. It is said that if you hear the wailing cries of the Banshee, death is unavoidable for a family member. It’s also written about the death of King Arthur, who was brought to Avalon by Morgan le Fay, the Bean Sith were the women who sang to the dying to bring them to the other side.

There are particular people who believe that banshees are attached to them, and their family lineage, and that the banshee will appear upon someone’s deathbed, even if the family member was far away and the news had not yet come of their death. It is said that when several banshees appear at once, it is the death of someone very great or holy.

What’s particularly fascinating about the banshee, is the wailing, and this is because wailing women have been well documented throughout ancient history. Many cultures, Egyptian, Chinese, throughout the Mediterranean and many other areas, including Celtic traditions, had professional mourners or similar occupations. Women were hired, to perform the act of mourning, as it was more socially acceptable for women to express grief. These women not only performed the aesthetic act of mourning, they often facilitated empathetic mourning in a therapeutic fashion, allowing the family to truly grieve without disturbance. In some traditions, these professional mourners would wail, or let out long notes of sorrow like a song or chant. This is called “keening” and if you want to listen to a modern example I suggest the song Zombie by The Cranberries, and the vocals Dolores O’Riordan was famous for.

If you find yourself drawn to the banshee, it is likely that grieving is essential in your life. Not necessarily grieving the death of a loved one, though that is thought to be the most commonly accepted form of grief, but perhaps also the grief of a broken relationship, changes in the body, missed opportunities, or the death of former hopes or dreams. There are lots of good and healthy reasons to grieve or purge held emotion, the shadow side is natural.

There are several practices to help get in touch with grief, such as meditations, breath-work, journaling, but if you find that you are struggling please consider seeking the help of a licensed therapist.