Faerie Quote by W.B. Yeats
““On November Eve they are at their gloomiest, for according to the old Gaelic reckoning, this is the first night of winter. This night they dance with the ghosts, and the pooka is abroad, and witches make their spells, and girls set a table with food in the name of the devil, that the fetch of their future lover may come through the window and eat of the food. After November Eve the blackberries are no longer wholesome, for the pooka has spoiled them.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Stolen Child” (excerpt), 1889, Irish folklore collection
The verse describes a mystical night where supernatural beings dance and cast spells, hoping to lure a lover’s spirit through a ritual feast, marking the onset of winter.
In simple terms: A magical night of dances, spells, and a ritual to summon a future lover.
Key Takeaway
Embrace tradition and mystery in seasonal change.
Themes
folklore
ritual
winter
supernatural
love
ritual
Mood
mysterious
evocative
Type
mythic
cultural
When to use this quote
- festivals
- rituals
- storytelling
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
mythic symbolism
seasonal cycles
cultural tradition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the ritual reveal about human desire for connection?
- How do seasonal myths shape cultural identity?
A Different Perspective
The literal belief in summoning a lover may seem fanciful to modern readers.
