effulgentpoet:mythology aestheticsKELPIESIn Celtic folklore, a kelpie is a shape-shifting water spir
effulgentpoet:mythology aestheticsKELPIESIn Celtic folklore, a kelpie is a shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting the lochs and pools of Scotland. It is usually described as a horselike creature, able to adopt human form. Some accounts state that the kelpie retains its hooves when appearing as a human. The Germanic neck or nixie and the Scandinavian bäckahäst have been seen as counterparts. When a kelpie appeared in its equine persona without any tack, it could be captured using a halter stamped with the sign of a cross, and its strength could then be harnessed in tasks such as the transportation of heavy mill stones. One folk tale describes how the Laird of Morphie captured a kelpie and used it to carry stones to build his castle. Once the work was complete, the laird released the kelpie, which was evidently unhappy about its treatment. The curse it issued before leaving was popularly believed to have resulted in the extinction of the laird’s family. Some kelpies were said to be equipped with a bridle and sometimes a saddle, and appeared invitingly ready to ride, but if mounted they would run off and drown their riders. A bridle taken from a kelpie was endowed with magical properties, and if brandished towards someone, was able to transform that person into a horse. The origin of the belief in malevolent water horses has been proposed as originating in human sacrifices once made to appease gods associated with water, but narratives about the kelpie also served a practical purpose in keeping children away from dangerous stretches of water. -- source link