Haunted Irish Fetch – a living ghost

Haunted Irish Fetch – a living ghost
21 January 2025 J.W.H
ghosts

The Irish Fetch is a spirit from the underworld who appears as an evil omen to warn the living of impending death. It is said that a ghost takes the form of a person who is about to die.

In the prosperous tapestry of Irish folklore and mythology, the mysterious concept of “fetching” has captured the imagination of generations. This supernatural phenomenon, deeply rooted in Irish lore, represents an uncanny duality – an apparition or ghostly double of a living person that often portends impending doom and is seen as a deadly omen. Seeing a fetch is an announcement of the imminent departure of its living counterpart.

The Phantom Twin and the Bad Omen

The download is described as an exact, ghostly replica of a living human being. His appearance is eerily similar to his Earth counterpart, causing an eerie sense of déjà vu to those who encounter him.

The presence of a fetch is usually seen as an omen of the person it reflects approaching the end of their life's journey. If a person dies in a fire, the item will appear burned. If a person drowns, they will not be able to breathe.

However, there is an intriguing twist to this belief. According to Jan and Michał Banim, if the apparition appears in the morning rather than in the evening, it is interpreted as a sign of a long and extended life that awaits the person. This dual nature of the fetch marks it as a bearer of both hope and fear, recalling the Germanic doppelgänger and certain interpretations of the British specter.

Sometimes the fetch won't look like your mirror, but sometimes it looks like someone who just died, just walking among the living and their loved ones. Although they appear as they did in life, they are apparently very distant and will vanish into lean air in Edna.

The origin of the name is unclear

The etymology and origin of the term “fetch” remain shrouded in mystery. Although it is often suggested that it may be related to the verb “to download”, the true origin of this enigmatic word remains elusive.

Compounding the mystery is the existence of the Old English word “feecce,” which can be found in the Corpus Glossary and the First Cleopatra Dictionary. Although “feecce” is believed to be a Latin word, it defies classification because there is no such Latin term. This puzzle has led some scholars to propose that “feces” may actually be an Old Irish word, shedding featherlight on a potential connection between Old Irish and Hiberno-English retrieval traditions. The ambiguity surrounding the term continues to confuse researchers, and a final consensus has not yet been reached.

Fetch-like characters in early Irish literature

While fetching may be a unique and intriguing concept, echoes of similar portents of death can be found in early Irish literature. These dire predictions were associated with the Old Irish term “faith”, meaning seer or prophetess.

In legendary stories such as the Táin Bó Cuailnge, individuals such as Fedelm had prophetic visions of impending death. Cormac Connloinges witnessed sinister visions at Bruiden Da Choca, including a mysterious woman washing bloody chariot wheels. The witch foretold Conaire's death in Togail Bruidne Da Derga, while in Cath Maige Tuired, Mórrigán herself foretold his death.

These early Irish traditions, steeped in mysticism and foreboding, laid the foundation for the development of the concept of fetch.

The Norse Connection: Fylgja and the Vikings in Ireland

To better understand Irish fetch, it is necessary to examine the Norse influence on Irish tradition. In Nordic mythology, there is the concept of “fylgja” – a personal alter ego, often taking the form of an animal, intricately linked to the individual's fate.

Unlike the Irish retriever, the fylgja is almost always depicted as a female. The importance of the Vikings in Ireland in this era makes the Norse connection very relevant. Scholar William Sayers has proposed a fascinating theory that the term “fetch” may have evolved from a Hiberno-English adaptation of the Old Irish word “fáith.”

Another thing that makes them different is that Fetch, although scary and brings bad news, doesn't actually hurt anyone. However, it is said that the Icelandic Fylgja killed people out of revenge or simply to gain a companion.

Mirror Spirit

The Irish retrieve remains a mysterious and captivating aspect of Irish folklore, interwoven with centuries-old traditions and beliefs. Its duality as a bringer of life and death, unrecognized origins, and connections to early Irish prophecy and Norse influences imbued it with a sense of intrigue that continues to captivate those who dare to delve into the realm of the supernatural.

While the true origins of the term “fetch” may remain elusive, the phenomenon itself is a testament to the enduring power of folklore and human fascination with the inexplicable.

Reference:

Download | Gods and monsters of the Emerald Isle

Fetch (folklore) – Wikipedia

Why is fetch seen in Irish folklore as an omen of death?

Image Source: Pixabay.com

  • J.W.H

    About John:

    John Williams is a Reincarnationist paranormal Intuitive freelance writer...he is living proof of reincarnation existence, through his personal exploration, he has confirmed its authenticity through visits to the very lands where these events transpired.

    Through guided meditation/s using hemi-sync technology he has managed to recollect 3 previous lives to his own, that go back to the Mid to Late 19th century.

    JWH - "You are the GODS! - Inclusion of the Eternal Light of Love and you shall never die”.

    “Death is Just the Beginning of Life”