Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Leanan Sidhe

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Leanan Sidhe (shee) is a faery or spirit who inspires artists, poets, writers, and musicians. You can think of her as a faery muse, but she isn't your average muse. She will bring you great genius but can cause you to go mad or die young.

There are a few artists I can think of who might have been touched by The Leanan Sidhe.

Vincent van Gogh: Great artist. Went mad and cut off his own ear(maybe). Died at the age of 37 from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Genius composer. I'm not sure if he was mad or just deliciously crazy. Died at the age of 35.

Elvis: King of Rock and Roll. One of the greatest singers ever. Died at the age of 42 after a great career as a singer and actor.

Michael Jackson: King of Pop. Another great singer. Died at the age of 50 after a turbulent life.

There are many more artists that I can name that may have been touched by The Leanan Sidhe. These artists names will live on forever.

Can you think of anymore artists who may have been touched by The Leanan Sidhe? If she came to visit you, would you let her in or would you tell her "No Thank You"?

SIS BJ aka Aleena Ravenwood

18 comments:

Beth Ciotta said...

What an interesting post, BJ. The Leanan Sidhe sounds wondrous and frightening at the same time. To be blessed with the genius as some of the artists you mentioned above would be thrilling, to say the least. But the price is awfully high.

I'm not sure that it would be worth it to me to live as a tortured soul in order to create brilliant art. At the same time those balls of fire burned out early so their suffering was short lived. That's something. Hmmm.

Okay. I've decided. It would be a tempting prospect--very tempting--but I'll pass. What about you?

SIS Beth

SIS BJ said...

Hi Beth

If I didn't have children I would invite her in. To be that talented for even just a little while would be very exciting.

Malcolm R. Campbell said...

If she appeared on my doorstep, I'd invite her in for a bottle or two of red wine. In fact, that might have already happened.

Malcolm

Chris Behrens said...

I would suggest that Edgar Allen Poe was touched by The Leanan Sidhe, and since I'm reasonably sure that I'm much closer to insanity than I am genius, I would have to politely decline the pleasure of her company. Unfortunately, any brilliance she might inspire in me would most likely be way too short lived for me to enjoy. But that begs another question: Would what I accomplish under her guidance be more important to me, or to those people then and in the future that may also be inspired/moved by what I produced?

SIS BJ said...

Malcolm

I hear she likes Absinthe as well. Absinthe is also known as "la fee verte (the green faery).

SIS BJ said...

Chris

I agree on Edgar Allen Poe. Of course he is one of my favorite poets. I would like to think that what we can accomplish under her guidance would be important and inspiring to many people.

SIS Brandy said...

I would have to turn her away. Sure it would be great to be greatly genius and overly talented, but I wouldn't want the turmoil that she gives with it. I would rather be "normal." The insanity, craziness, and short life is too much of a sacrifice for me.

SIS BJ said...

Hi Brandy

Normal? I don't think any of us Sisters are normal. I like it that way.

Chris Behrens said...

My wife just suggested Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd. Classic example!

BJ - I would like to think so as well, I just wouldn't want to be the exception.

SIS BJ said...

Chris

Syd Barrett is another great example.

Tori Lennox said...

I think I'd have to politely decline, too. She makes me kind of nervous.

Alyson Reuben said...

I'm with Tori. Just the thought of sweet little Leanan paying me a visit makes me want to chew my fingernails down to the quick - and I'm not even a nail biter! Oh sure, I'd love to be a genius author with a gazillion books on the best seller list, a movie version for every one of them, and for my name to be as easily recognized as, oh let's say, Stephen King's. On the other hand, do I really want to die young or lose the mind that I value so much? It might not be much, but at least it's mine!

On a different note, how many of these same people who've been 'blessed' by Leanan Sidhe had to die before they actually became famous? Take for example, many of our most famous artists. Really, when you think about it, how sad is that? They didn't even KNOW how famous they were going to be. What a bummer.

To be immortalized has its merit, I'll wager. But I'll have to pass.

Great topic, btw!

SIS BJ said...

Tori

I would be nervous as well, but I would still love to meet her.

SIS BJ said...

Alyson

Van Gogh died before he was famous. I feel sorry for him that he never knew how much his work would be loved.

Beth Ciotta said...

Love reading every one's thoughts! What an interesting topic.

Malcolm.... you adventurous guy, you!

SIS Beth

Elle J Rossi said...

BJ,

I see bring her on, but I want another faery to counteract the insanity. Simply said, I want it all.

Some would say Kurt Cobain was touched by Leanan Sidhe. I'll throw another name into the mix, though I can't say how old he is/was. The designer Alexander McQueen. Simply brilliant and gone too soon. I couldn't afford his clothing line before and I bet it went way up after his death.

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

SIS BJ said...

Hi Barb

You are so right about Kurt Cobain and Alexander McQueen. I'm sure we'll never be able to afford his clothing.

I'm not sure what other faery could counteract The Leanan Sidhe's inspiration. Maybe your Guardian Spirit could help.

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi BJ,

I want nothing to do with her. Yes, sometimes I envy the talent of say Elvis, or MJ or the Beatles, but then I think of the curse they have all had and I want no part of it. I'm pretty content with my very minor talents. They're enough to make me happy.

SIS Bren

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