Bean Nighe
Bean Nighe : The Little Washer Woman
The Bean Nighe is witnessed in lonely places beside streams or pools of water washing the linens of those fated to die soon. The Bean Nighe is a category of spirits, not a single individual. According to one tradition, the Bean Nighe are women who died in childbirth, thus dying before their originally allotted time. They are fated to keep laundering clothes until the time originally allotted for their true lifespan arrives and they are released. Needless to say, they are grouchy spirits. Would you wish to spend what seems like eternity doing laundry?
Seeing the Bean Nighe is a harbinger of death, possibly but not necessarily for the person who sees them. The doomed may be the eyewitness or someone who is known to them, possibly family or friends but also someone famous who is familiar although not personally known.
People fear seeing the Bean Nighe because of her associations with death, but the true danger lies in whether or not she sees you. Allegedly if she sees you before you see her, she may inflict serious bodily harm. On the other hand, some welcome a sight of the Bean Nighe, even prowling the highlands looking for her as she is a wish-giving spirit providing proper rituals are performed. Various versions exist:
• Catch hold of her with your left hand before she sees you, and she will grant your wish.
• Catch hold of her but don’t stop there: nursing at her breast transforms you into her foster child. Not only will she grant your wish but she will be your guardian spirit.
• Catching hold of her from the back garners you one wish, but if you can get between herand the water and catch hold of her with your left hand, she will grant you three.
There’s yet another variant: She’ll grant three wishes but in exchange you must truthfully answer three questions. If you lie or are somehow less than fully honest, she will know and those wishes are forfeit. Plus you’re stuck beside this very grouchy spirit.
The Bean Nighe of the Isle of Skye does not grant wishes, but if you catch and hold on to her, she will reveal your own fate and destiny.
ORIGIN:
Scottish Highlands, Ireland
CLASSIFICATION:
Washer at the Ford
MANIFESTATION:
Not every Bean Nighe is identical. In general, they are described as petite women usually dressed in green. She may have red webbed feet; long, pendulous breasts; or swollen breasts leaking milk like a woman who has just given birth. She may be very pretty but there is a grotesque quality to many Bean Nighe: she may have one nostril or one incredibly large, protruding front tooth.
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.