Worldwide, the word fairy can refer to many different types of mysterious, supernatural beings. The Geetoe is a type of Welsh fairy creature with the head of a horse and the body of a goat. Another name for the Geetoe is Gitto. It is also sometimes called Gryphon, Griffin, and Griffith. These creatures possess the power of human speech and laughter. However, they do not like humans at all and go out of their way to cause harm. Their particular brand of maliciousness is to blight crops in the field. A Geetoe’s power arises only at night and extends between Samhain (Halloween) and Beltane (May Day). No one knows where the Geetoe disappears to during the rest of the year. I would say they spend the time in fairyland.
The timeframe is interesting. It means that if crops are brought to harvest at the usual time of year in the late summer and fall, then the Geetoe will not have access to blight them. Bereft of their favorite pastime, Geetoes will then search for other ways to visit their malevolence on humans. In the old tales, children are particularly cautioned not to speak to or try to become friendly with a Geetoe. And never, ever try to ride one! The result can never be good.
The Geetoe is similar to the Irish Phooka or spirit horse. Although Geetoes do not possess wings of the sort that a flying horse such as Pegasus does, they somehow manage to fly for short distances. They are able to fly from field to field in dark, during the months mentioned above, in search of crops to maim.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
In my mind I always associate the term fairy to something good, fragile and pretty.
The “fairy” you bring to us today is a bad fairy. Never heard of them. Interesting how many representations of strange creatures, with slight differences, span all times and countries.
A lot of books talk about the two fairy courts– the light or Seelie Court and the dark or the Unseelie Court. The Geetoe would definitely belong to the latter.
A very interesting, if malicious creature. I’d not heard this name before but their nature does tie in with some of the Irish legends of fairy folk who aren’t benevolent to humans.
Yes, some are just mischievous and some plain evil. The Geetoe would do more harm I think if he could.
I love fairy lore, and the Geetoe is a creature I was not familiar with. In some ways, it does sound like a Phooka, but with an interesting slant all its own. How fascinating that their power is limited by season and to nighttime hours. A malevolent creature for certain!
I thought that aspect was so interesting as well–like nature put in that caveat.
I sense there is a book in the making staring a Geetoe. Hurry…write…write…write!
Heh heh,thanks, Loretta.