Celtic Mythology

The Bad Servant

As a continuance of previous articles on the Fianna of Erin I will attempt to introduce the reader to some of the symbolism of the Celtic legends and the importance of their contents which contain the beliefs, culture and essence of the Celtic people. It is a vast subject having constant references to the conscious and subconscious level of man, both being inextricably linked.

Link being a very appropriate word to use at this point. For it is when these twin aspects of ourselves touch that we are in a position to perhaps grasp the concept of symbol and how they affect us. The symbols we will look at are those of natural forces; powers which flow and ebb around us all the time.

The power of the land, the flow, being the linking factor or common denominator, makes it plausible to consider that the Fianna were also versed, as it were, in the practice of manipulating natural forces and that the defence of Ireland and Scotland was on all three levels not just the physical and the mental but the spiritual too. Hence the need for the warriors of the Fianna to be familiar with all levels of defence.

For confirmation of this we need only take a closer look at the invaders who the Fianna had to defend Alba and Erin against. These invaders invariably came from Lochlann, more commonly known in some of the legends as the Land beneath the Sea. Lochlann, of course, is where that race of beings known as the Fomoire dwell. Always representative of the darker aspects of things the Fomoire are constantly threatening to take over the ordered land of mortals.

The Fomoire can also be representative of chaos, the unknown factor that is never predictable and is destructive to the ordered levels. These we put man made borders upon in the hope of making the infinite finite and thus understandable.

The ancient Celtic scholars had the same difficulty in finding out about our existence as modern philosophers do. Though being great observers of the cycles of the world they would weave their knowledge into the tapestry known as Celtic myth.

These tales for the most part take place in Ireland and Scotland which, as with everything else, exists on three levels. So the five divisions that Fintan made in Eire can be projected onto the different levels. Hence the places mentioned in the story are also applied to the three levels. So where Finn himself sat in Tara can be seen as the centre of all these levels.

However, now focussing on the spiritual realms we can see with little effort that these place names are all important in finding direction on all three levels of Ireland. Where the adventures of the Fenians take place you need to have absolute control to venture successfully.

The argument that says the Ossianic tales mainly take place in the otherworld is further backed up by the fact that there is so much contact with the gods themselves. Mannanan MacLir and Oengus Og being two of many that feature prominently in the texts.

One tale in particular springs to mind, entitled The Bad Servant. This tale begins with the appearance of a somewhat malformed man dragging behind him by the iron bit a dilapidated horse so awkward in its walk it was a wonder it did not fall over.

Association is the keyword here and malformity is frequently joined with things of a Fomorian aspect. These two characters fit the bill nicely. Note the emphasis placed on the mention of the iron bit. This being the metal known to be repulsive to Sidhe beings. However, it can also be binding and thus offer control over this type of manifestation.

We are also told that the crooked man gave the horse many blows with an iron cudgel, the metal highlighted once more. Every time the cudgel was used it gave off the sound of crashing waves. A very poetic description, also very graphic. But when scrutinised it gives a clue to the identity of the man.

Our speculation is confirmed when he announces he is a man of the Fomoire and that his name is the Gille-Decair (the bad servant). Upon meeting Finn he also asks for employment within the Fianna and states that he is seeking wages from the kings of the earth. Suggesting perhaps, that he is not of earthly countenance.

If the very appearance of this pair sounds disturbing then their deeds and actions must be positively shocking. After insulting some of the Fenians and demanding double wages because he claims to be a horseman and they are higher paid. His horse then sets about maiming and killing the other horses of the Fianna. Destructive forces already at work here.

Conan, son of Morna, tried to stop this trouble by jumping on the horse and trying to gain control of it but as with so many legends he was enticed into partaking on a journey he had not counted on. This was no ordinary horse for it was from the Land Under Sea itself. The horse is Aonbharr, Lugh's gallant steed.

The reader will have noticed that the description of the horse given earlier bears no resemblance whatsoever to the usual descriptions given of the sun-god's horse. A brilliant white charger, rampant in energy and beautiful in splendour. However, things are often the exact opposite in the other-world to how they appear in this world. This fact should always be borne in mind whilst perusing the legends as some snippet of information you've been looking for could be sitting right underneath your nose. Unnoticed, because you haven't been careful enough.

Back to the story. Through one way and another a total of fourteen men ended up on the back of this horse and all of them had no way of knowing where they would end up. This, of course, left Finn MacCumhal himself with a great dilemma. How could he possibly save his men.

He was resolved however that he would bring them back by any means possible. Such was his loyalty. Finn then used a gift that had been given to the Children of the Gael by that mystical race known as the Tuatha De Danaan. A gift quite simply known as magic, and he then summoned otherworld aid to help him in his quest.

The aid came to him in the form of two men, one of whom could with three blows create a ship to hold thirty hundred men. All he asked was that the men of the Fianna bowed their heads whilst he performed his task. The three blows are representative of the three levels of existence and thus we can conclude that this was a vehicle capable of travelling on all these planes. The bowing of heads signifies humility and acknowledgment of higher forces at work.

So, the boats now created for their special journey, Finn and his men set off on the tracks of the Gille-Decair. For three nights and three days the sea was relentless in its wildness and fury, giving no easy passage to man nor beast. Though the Fenians carried on as if it were but a mild ripple in the water.

A new aspect of the journey was ahead of them now in the form of a huge grey mountain rising out of the sea. However, when the mountain was reached it was plain there was no way forward but to negotiate a huge smooth rock which blocked the path to any other progress.

It is at this point that Diarmaid O'Duibhne plays a major role in this tale. He is a man who was reared by and got his learning from Mannanan MacLir and Oengus Og. Needles to say he was not inefficient in the art of magic and by using Mannanan's staves of power that were with him, he rose on top of them and gave a huge leap and found himself a foothold on top of the overhanging rock. But no matter how hard he tried he could not bring his comrades with him. Once more we see the use of staves to bring about the desire of will.

Alone now, Diarmaid continues and comes face to face with a sight not uncommon in otherworld realms, a huge tree with many branches. A horn hanging from one of the branches and a well at the foot of the tree. The tree in itself being the centre point of this discovery. It marks a turning point with many possibilities attached to it, represented by the many branches. The horn mentioned is usually to call on something. But how it affects the traveller is entirely up to the individual. Whether it is the summoning of a spiritual guide or a new level of awareness or understanding it is often beneficial.

The well is frequently equated with otherworld knowledge and can give inspiration or insight. Places like these are very sacred though and often have a guardian, described in this case as a man of enchantments. He challenges Diarmaid's presence there, however, our hero is adamant to partake in this glorious find and ends up in combat with the guardian.

This says that this type of knowledge is never easy to come by and a battle of some sort is usually necessary, whether it is the fevered study of the student or the insane bravery of a warrior, only those who excel shall be honoured with high knowledge.

The tale itself is very lengthy and to delve into every aspect of its symbology would take a whole book. However, I hope I have shown some of the key points and signs within the legends which are multi-layered. On that note I wish you many hours of fascinating study.

[(c) Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust]

[Author: S. Soyka DALRIADA MAGAZINE 1993]

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