"Cailleach" derives from the old Irish caillech,
or "the veiled one". The modern word cailleach means "old
woman" or "hag" in Gaelic. The Cailleach is a widespread form
of Celtic hag-goddess tied to the land and the weather who has many variants
in the British Isles.
The Caillagh ny Groamagh ("Gloomy Old Woman", also called the
Caillagh ny Gueshag, "Old Woman of the Spells") of the Isle of Man is a
winter and storm spirit whose actions on the 1st of February are said to foretell
the year's weather--if it is a nice day, She will come out into the sun, which
brings bad luck for the year. The Cailleach Uragaig, of the Isle of Colonsay
in Scotland, is also a winter spirit who holds a young woman captive, away from
her lover.
The theme of winter holding spring captive is also seen in the
tale that the Cailleach imprisons the beautiful young goddess Bride
inside of a mountain over the winter. At Bride's
release, spring comes to the world.
The Cailleach Bheur ("genteel old lady") of Scotland is a blue-faced
hag of winter, who ages in reverse--from old and ugly (symbolizing winter) to
young and lovely (spring). The Cailleach Bhéirre of Ireland represents
sovereignty over the land and is ancestress of many peoples. Like Dame Ragnell
of the Arthurian legends, She appears to the hero as an hideous old woman seeking
love; if She gets it, She becomes a beautiful young woman. In legends dating
from Christian times, She is sometimes said to be a nun, perhaps linked to the
meaning of Her name.
Getting the Cailleach in a reading indicates a time of winter.
Peer into the darkness to find the old and ancient bones. What do they cage?
What new thing can they support? Is the Cailleach holding beautiful Spring captive,
or will time transform the Hag into Spring Herself?
Alternate names: Cailleach Bheur, Cailleach Uragaig, Cailleach
Beinne Bric ("Old Woman of the Speckled Mountain"), Cailleach Mor
("Great Old Woman") (Scotland); Cailleach Bheirre, Cailleach Bolus,
Cailleach Corca Duibhe (Ireland); Caillagh ny Groamagh, Caillagh ny Gueshag
(Isle of Man).
