Online Reference For Body, Mind & Spirit

Term: Leannan Sith

DEFINITION:
A term from Celtic shamanism (especially from Scotland) meaning "spirit mate" or "fairy sweetheart." Traditionally, as long as such a spiritual partner was pleased with a mortal mate, everything would go well. But if offended or spurned the spirit could take action with unpleasant results. Some people today, however, relate leannan sith to the spiritual aspect of the relationship of soul mates. According to one source, when the Bible was translated into Scots Gaelic, the translators used the term leannan sith. This resulted in some Scots claiming biblical proof for the existence of fairies. Should not be confused with leannan-sidhe a type of beautiful vampire (Isle of Man) or muse to poets and minstrels (Ireland).
AUTHOR:  Donald Michael Kraig