LAEGAIRE, son of the king of Connacht, was out one day with the king his father near Loch na-n Ean, the Lake of Birds, and the men of Connacht with them, and they saw a man coming to them through the mist. Long golden-yellow hair he had, and at his belt a gold-hilled sword, and in his hand two five-barbed darts; a gold-rimmed shield on his back, a five-folded crimson cloak about his shoulders, and it is what he said:
The most beautiful of plains is the Plain of the Two Mists; it is not far from this; the men of its army in good order go out ahead of their beautiful king; they march among blue spears, white troops of fighters with curled hair.
They scatter the troops of their enemies, they destroy every country they make an attack on; they are beautiful in battle, a host with high looks, rushing, avenging.
It is no wonder they to have such strength every one of them is the son of a king and a queen; manes of hair they have of the colour of gold.
Their bodies smooth and comely; their eyes blue and far-seeing; their teeth bright like crystal within their thin red lips.
White shields they have in their hands, with patterns on them of white silver; blue shining swords, red horns set with gold. They are good at killing men in battle; good at song-making, good at chess-playing.
The most beautiful of plains is the Plain of the Two Mists; it is not far from this place.
In the broadest and most abstract sense, the king symbolizes universal
and archetypal Man. As such, according to animistic and astrobiological ways of
thought widespread from India to Ireland (21), he possesses magic and supernatural powers. He also expresses the ruling or governing principle, supreme
consciousness, and the virtues of sound judgement and self-control (56). At the
same time, a coronation is equivalent to achievement, victory and consummation
(33). Hence any man may properly be called a king when he achieves the culminating point in the unfolding of his individual life. Deriving from, and equated
with the king-symbolism are the symbols for gold, the sun and Jupiter. These
symbols imply in essence the idea that the king is Man transposed to the solar
plane, to the ideal or ‘golden’ situation—that is, ‘saved’ and made eternal. The
idea of immortality was passed from god to monarch, and only later was it
vouchsafed to the hero and later still to ordinary mortals in so far as they merited
the ‘crown’ of success, having overcome certain obstacles (usually of a moral
order). The king, quite apart from all this, may also symbolize the ‘royalty’—’or
grandeur—of Man. In this case, he may be subjected to a period of unfavourable
or painful circumstances; when this is so, the particular symbol becomes that of
the ‘sick king’ (like Amfortas in Parsifal), or of the ‘sea-king’ (signifying the
negative aspect of humanity) (32). Love also plays a highly important part in the
symbolism of royalty, since love is held to be one of the most obvious of culminating points in the life of Man. This is why the bride and bridegroom in the
Greek marriage-ceremony wear crowns made of some precious metal. The king
and queen together comprise the perfect image of the hieros gamos, of the union
of heaven and earth, sun and moon, gold and silver, sulphur and mercury; and—
according to Jung—they also signify the spiritual ‘conjunction’ that takes place
when the process of individuation is complete, with the harmonious union of the
unconscious and consciousness. The title of king is bestowed upon the most
outstanding specimen in every species or type: so, the lion is the king of beasts,
as is the eagle of birds or gold among the metals (57). To come back to the
symbolism of the ‘sick king’, he—like such afflicted heroes as Philoctetes—
signifies, on the one hand, the punishment which pursues sin as the shadow
follows the body (given the existence of the light of consciousness), and, on the
other, sterility of spirit. A particularly significant instance of the symbolic process is implied by the king’s projecting his spiritual state on to nature around him,
as happens with Amfortas in Parsifal, in the Waste Land of Eliot, and, to some
extent, the Fall of the House of Usher by Poe. As for the ‘sea-king’, he is symbolic
of the ocean (another version of Neptune) and therefore personifies the deeps of
the unconscious in their regressive and evil form as opposed to the waters of the
‘Upper Ocean’ (the clouds, rain or fresh water) which are fecund (32). The ‘aged
king’—such as Dhritarashtra, the aged monarch of Vedic epics, or king Lear, or all
those aged kings of legends and folktales—is symbolic of the world-memory, or
the collective unconscious in its widest and most all-embracing sense (38). The
king often exhibits, in concentrated form, the characteristics of the father and the
hero, and there is a touch of the Messianic about him; by inversion of the temporal order of things, what is past becomes ‘what is to pass’ and the dead king is
supposed by his subjects to be living a strange existence as a ghost, later to return
to his country when it is in great danger. This legend tends to accrue to the names
of historical monarchs,who have fallen in strange or unhappy circumstances, as in
the case of the Portuguese dom Sebastian or that of don Rodrigo, the last of the
Gothic kings. The supreme example is the mythic king Arthur, called by Malory
Arthurus, rex quondam, rexque futurus (q.v.) (16).
To see a king in your dream, indicates that success and prestige are within reach. You will rise above your problems and adversities. The king is symbolic of power and control. Alternatively, the king symbolizes your father or some father figure. You are looking for support.
To dream that you are the king, represents your masculine power. Alternatively, it indicates that you have attained a high level of authority and power. Perhaps you are becoming too domineering or overly confident.
To dream of a king, you are struggling with your might, and ambition is your master.
To dream that you are crowned king, you will rise above your comrades and co-workers.
If you are censured by a king, you will be reproved for a neglected duty.
For a young woman to be in the presence of a king, she will marry a man whom she will fear. To receive favors from a king, she will rise to exalted positions and be congenially wedded.
To appear before a friendly king is a sign of great success, and before a cruel king is
very unfavourable.
Seeing a king in your dream means much success and prestige to be headed your way. It is symbolic of power and control. Dreaming that you are the king, suggests that you will rise above your problems and adversities. Alternatively, it is an expression of your masculine power.
To see the army in your dream, symbolizes an overpowering force working against you. You may feel outnumbered or pressured and are unable to deal with this situation.
To dream that you join the army, suggests your feelings of superiority. You feel that no one is any match for you.
Dreaming of an army can have two opposite meanings: if you are part of an army, you are feeling strong, protected and superior. But if you are seeing a foreign army and you do not join it, it means that you feel surrounded by hostile presence and you can't measure up to it. You need to have more trust in yourself and in your resources.
The basic theme of an army in one’s dream is a struggle against the forces of evil, against the monsters and demons that threaten us. An army is an overwhelming force, irresistible and indestructible. It is a nameless power. It can represent the forces of our emotions and our basic instincts as a whole. If you dream about an army it is almost always connected with suffering from an internal conflict. A marching army shows that you are about to be overwhelmed by your subconscious. If there are two armies battling each other, it is a clear sign that there is conflict within the dreamer. There is a duality of thoughts, emotional stress and probably anxiety. If you dream that an army is marching forward, you may believe that you will ultimately achieve success, but if it is retreating, it can be a sign that you are afraid that you are doomed to failure.
To see hair in your dream, signifies sexual virility, seduction, sensuality, vanity, and health. It is indicative of your attitudes. If your hair is knotted or tangled, then it is symbolic of uncertainty and confusion in your life. You may be unable to think straight. If you dream that you make a drastic change to your hairstyle, then it means that you are making a drastic, new approach to some issue in your waking life.
To dream that you are cutting your hair, suggests that you are experiencing a loss in strength. You may feel that someone is trying to censor you. Alternatively, you may be reshaping your thinking or ambitions and eliminating unwanted thoughts/habits.
To dream that you are combing, stroking or styling your hair, suggests that you are taking on and evaluating a new idea, concept, outlook, or way of thinking. You may be putting your thoughts in order and getting your facts straight. A more literal interpretation suggests your concerns about your self-image and appearance.
To dream that you have long hair, indicates that you are thinking long and carefully before making some decision. You are concentrating on some plan or situation.
To dream that you are losing your hair, denotes that you are concerned with the notion that you are getting older and losing your sex appeal and virility. You are preoccupied with aging and your appearance. Losing your hair also signifies a lack of strength; you do not have the power to succeed in an undertaking. You may be feeling weak and vulnerable.
To dream that someone is smelling your hair, indicates sexual curiosity and your need for some sensual stimulation. You have a lot to learn about a relationship. The way yours or someone else's hair smell may remind your of a particular person.
To dream that you are reaching for someone's hair, suggests that you are trying to connect with that person on a spiritual or intellectual level. It also refers to sympathy, protectiveness, and fraternal love.
To dream that the wind is blowing through your hair, signifies freedom to express uninhibited feelings. You are "letting your hair down".
To dream that your hair is white or turns white, indicates that something important has just been made aware to you. It is a symbol of wisdom and insight. The dream may also be a metaphor suggesting that you are feeling "light-headed".
If a woman dreams that she has beautiful hair and combs it, she will be careless in her personal affairs, and will lose advancement by neglecting mental application.
For a man to dream that he is thinning his hair, foreshadows that he will become poor by his generosity, and suffer illness through mental worry.
To see your hair turning gray, foretells death and contagion in the family of some relative or some friend.
To see yourself covered with hair, omens indulgence in vices to such an extent as will debar you from the society of refined people. If a woman, she will resolve herself into a world of her own, claiming the right to act for her own pleasure regardless of moral codes
If a man dreams that he has black, curling hair, he will deceive people through his pleasing address. He will very likely deceive the women who trust him. If a woman's hair seems black and curly, she will be threatened with seduction.
If you dream of seeing a woman with golden hair, you will prove a fearless lover and be woman's true friend.
To dream that your sweetheart has red hair, you will be denounced by the woman you love for unfaithfulness. Red hair usually suggests changes
If you see brown hair, you will be unfortunate in choosing a career.
If you see well kept and neatly combed hair, your fortune will improve.
To dream you cut your hair close to the scalp, denotes that you will be generous to lavishness towards a friend. Frugality will be the fruits growing out therefrom.
To see the hair growing out soft and luxuriant, signifies happiness and luxury.
For a woman to compare a white hair with a black one, which she takes from her head, foretells that she will be likely to hesitate between two offers of seeming fortune, and unless she uses great care, will choose the one that will afford her loss or distress instead of pleasant fortune.
To see tangled and unkempt hair, life will be a veritable burden, business will fall off, and the marriage yoke will be troublesome to carry.
If a woman is unsuccessful in combing her hair, she will lose a worthy man's name by needless show of temper and disdain.
For a young woman to dream of women with gray hair, denotes that they will come into her life as rivals in the affection of a male relative, or displace the love of her affianced.
To dream of having your hair cut, denotes serious disappointments.
For a woman to dream that her hair is falling out, and baldness is apparent, she will have to earn her own livelihood, as fortune has passed her by.
For man or woman to dream that they have hair of snowy whiteness, denotes that they will enjoy a pleasing and fortunate journey through life.
For a man to caress the hair of a woman, shows he will enjoy the love and confidence of some worthy woman who will trust him despite the world's condemnation.
To see flowers in your hair, foretells troubles approaching which, when they come, will give you less fear than when viewed from a distance.
For a woman to dream that her hair turns to white flowers, augurs that troubles of a various nature will confront her, and she does well if she strengthens her soul with patience, and endeavors to bear her trials with fortitude.
To dream that a lock of your hair turns gray and falls out, is a sign of trouble and disappointment in your affairs. Sickness will cast gloom over bright expectations.
To see one's hair turn perfectly white in one night, and the face seemingly young, foretells sudden calamity and deep grief. For a young woman to have this dream, signifies that she will lose her lover by a sudden sickness or accident. She will likely come to grief from some indiscretion on her part. She should be careful of her associates.
Seeing hair in your dream means sexual virility, seduction, sensuality, vanity, and health. It is indicative of your attitudes. If your hair is knotted or tangled, then it is symbolic of uncertainty and confusion in your life. You may be unable to think straight. Dreaming that you are cutting your hair, suggests that you are experiencing a loss in strength. You may feel that someone is trying to censor you. Alternatively, you may be reshaping your thinking or ambitions and eliminating unwanted thoughts/habits. Dreaming that you are combing, stroking or styling your hair, suggests that you are taking on and evaluating a new idea, concept, outlook, or way of thinking. You may be putting your thoughts in order and getting your facts straight. A more literal interpretation suggests your concerns about your self-image and appearance. Dreaming that you have long hair indicates that you are thinking long and carefully before making some decision. You are concentrating on some plan or situation. Dreaming that you are losing your hair indicates that you are concerned with the notion that you are getting older and losing your sex appeal/virility. You are preoccupied with aging and your appearance. Losing you hair also signify a lack of strength and that you do not possess the power to succeed in an undertaking. You may be feeling weak and vulnerable. Dreaming that someone is smelling your hair indicates sexual curiosity and your need for some sensual stimulation. You have a lot to learn about a relationship. The way yours or someone else's hair smell may remind your of a particular person. Dreaming that you are reaching for someone's hair, suggests that you are trying to connect with that person on a spiritual or intellectual level. It also refers to sympathy, protectiveness, and fraternal love. Dreaming that the wind is blowing through your hair means freedom to express uninhibited feelings. You are "letting your hair down". Dreaming that your hair is white or turns white indicates that something important has just been made aware to you. It is a symbol of wisdom and insight. The dream may also be a metaphor suggesting that you are feeling "light-headed".
Hair symbolizes vitality. If you dream that your hair is thinning or you are going bald, you may lack confidence. Dreaming that your hair has been cut signifies a fear of emotional or physical castration. Dreaming of healthy and shiny hair may mean that things are going well for you, but it may also be a sign of vanity.
To see men in your dream, represent an authoritative figure or a father figure. If you are a woman and dream that you are in a room full of men, then it highlights the masculine aspect of yourself. The dream forces you to acknowledge your authoritative and aggressive side. Consider also how the men are dressed as this will provide a clue as to what area in your life you need to assert more power.
For a young woman to dream of crossing a plain, denotes that she will be fortunately situated, if the grasses are green and luxuriant; if they are arid, or the grass is dead, she will have much discomfort and loneliness.
Seeing the plains in your dream, represents wholesomeness. and something that is homegrown. Alternatively, it means that you have a clear and smooth path ahead. The dream may also be a metaphor for someone who is plain.
To see the plains in your dream, represent wholesomeness and homegrown goodness. Alternatively, the dream suggests that you have a clear and smooth path ahead. The plains may also be a pun on someone who is plain.
To dream of your son, if you have one, as being handsome and dutiful, foretells that he will afford you proud satisfaction, and will aspire to high honors. If he is maimed, or suffering from illness or accident, there is trouble ahead for you.
For a mother to dream that her son has fallen to the bottom of a well, and she hears cries, it is a sign of deep grief, losses and sickness. If she rescues him, threatened danger will pass away unexpectedly.
Seeing your son in your dream means your ideal, hopes, potential, and the youthful part of yourself. On the other hand, to see your son in your dream might not have any significance and is simply mirroring your waking life. The dream may also be a pun on "sun". If you don't have a son and dream that you are searching for him, represents the undeveloped masculine aspect of your own self. You need to acknowledge the youth and child in you.
(Irish Folklore) The dwellings of fairies. (Pronounced "seeth"). The Irish tradition tells that the fairies are descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient folk that were driven to the Underworld by a wave of invaders, the Gaels, who came from Spain led by chieftain Míl Espáine. The Tuatha had no other choice than to take refuge under the sídhe, a Celtic word which denotes the hills where the long barrows lay. The fairies who live in the mounds are known as the aos sí or the daoine sídhe. All through Ireland legends can be heard about Knocks (from the Irish cnoc), hollow hills which are inhabited by extended fairy communities ruled by a King or a Queen. The best known sídhe sites in Ireland are: Knockma, where the throne of Finvarra (King of the fairies of Connaught) is located, Knockany, ruled by Ainé, Queen of Munster, and Newgrange in county Meath, a megalithic passage tomb which is associated with the deities Boann, Angus Óg and The Dagda. The sídhe can be found by humans in certain times in the year, especially at Midsummer, when the daoine sídhe might be seen dancing under the moonlight. In Brittany and in Asturias similar myths are kept. In the Asturian mythology there are many stories who describe human encounters with xanas (fairies), which are dancing around one of them, the Xana Mega, the Queen of Fairies. The castro of Altamira is said to hide an enormous underground realm which is ruled by a royal couple, and whose entrance is found someplace on the hill.