Podcast Summary: Myths and Legends | Episode 400: Celtic Folklore: The Baddies

Release Date: January 15, 2025

Hosts: Jason Weiser & Carissa Weiser
Publisher: Nextpod

In Episode 400 of Myths and Legends, hosts Jason and Carissa Weiser delve deep into Celtic folklore, unraveling tales that spotlight the enigmatic and often malevolent characters that populate these ancient stories. This episode, titled "Celtic Folklore: The Baddies," presents two compelling narratives that explore themes of choice, morality, and the consequences of aligning with deceptive forces.

1. The Tale of Prince Ian and the Talking Fox

Overview: The first story centers around Prince Ian, a skilled hunter whose life takes a dramatic turn after a missed shot leads him to discover a mysterious blue feather. This seemingly insignificant event sets off a chain of curses, quests, and supernatural encounters that test Ian's integrity and decision-making.

Key Points:

• The Blue Falcon:
  Prince Ian prides himself on his hunting prowess until he misses a shot at a rare blue falcon, marked by a distinctive blue feather. This miss angers his stepmother, leading her to curse him.

  "The queen said he was lying to his king and that was punishable by death. Probably."
  — Prince Ian [07:45]

• The Curse:
  The stepmother grants Ian until the end of autumn to retrieve the blue falcon. Failure would result in him being transformed into a bundle of sticks, along with other degrading curses affecting his daily life.

  "Until then, you will always be cold, wet and dirty. And your shoes will always have pools in them."
  — Stepmother [08:30]

• Encounter with Gille Mairtine:
  Lost and desperate, Ian meets a talking fox named Gille Mairtine, who offers assistance in exchange for help in retrieving the blue falcon from a five-headed giant.

  "I will show you the way to his house, and I counsel you to do his bidding nimbly and cheerfully, and above all, to treat his birds kindly."
  — Gille Mairtine (the Fox) [10:15]

• The Quest:
  Ian embarks on a challenging journey, performing tasks for the giant, including caring for numerous animals. In return, he gains access to the blue falcon, which he attempts to steal, triggering further complications.

  "What in the world. Please stop fighting."
  — King [11:50]

• Confrontation and Revelation:
  Upon being caught, Ian confronts the giant, who reveals that obtaining the blue falcon requires acquiring the white sword of light from the Big Women of Dorad. This revelation leads Ian to undertake additional perilous missions.

  "If Ian wanted the blue Falcon, he only needed to bring the giant the white sword of light from the big women of Dorad."
  — Five-Headed Giant [12:40]

• Final Outcome:
  Despite completing his quests, Ian returns home only to find his stepmother completely transformed by the curse. The fox's true intentions become apparent as Ian grapples with the hollow victory of lifting his curse at significant personal loss.

  "Enjoy the spoils of your victory."
  — Gille Mairtine (the Fox) [56:30]

Notable Quotes:

• "It couldn't have gotten far. After day eight or nine of walking, Ian had to admit that he was wrong and he was in trouble."
  — Narrator [09:20]

• "I'm on this quest. Ian floated after he finished picking the last of the cheek meat, but the fox cut him off."
  — Narrator [12:05]

2. The Story of Guleesh and Princess Isabelle

Overview: The second narrative introduces Guleesh, a farm boy yearning for adventure beyond his rural existence. His encounter with the fey folk propels him into a mission to rescue Princess Isabelle of France, highlighting his bravery and moral compass contrasted against Prince Ian's questionable alliances.

Key Points:

• Guleesh's Longing:
  Guleesh desires a life of adventure, feeling confined by his responsibilities on his father's farm.

  "He would sit and look at the stars and dream of anywhere, anywhere but an Irish hill fort in the country."
  — Narrator [37:50]

• Summoning by the Fey Folk:
  The fey men lure Guleesh into their world, tasking him with rescuing Princess Isabelle from an unwanted marriage to a despised prince.

  "We're in France, transforming back into an animal as Ian stepped onto the shore."
  — Narrator [47:15]

• Rescue Operation:
  Utilizing his wits and newfound allies, Guleesh successfully rescues the princess and brings her back to Ireland, defying the fey's expectations.

  "She would be without speech from now on."
  — Fey Leader [54:22]

• Developing Bonds:
  As Guleesh and Isabelle adapt to life in the Irish countryside, they develop a deep bond, communication evolving through a unique sign language.

  "They became good friends, and after a few more months, he began to worry that his letters might actually make it to the French king."
  — Narrator [56:10]

• Resolution and Choice:
  Offered a return to nobility, Guleesh and Isabelle choose a simple life in Ireland over the trappings of royalty, emphasizing the value of personal happiness over societal expectations.

  "No. No, thanks. There was more to life than riches and fancy parties."
  — Guleesh & Isabelle [58:45]

Notable Quotes:

• "They could have had a little faith in me."
  — Prince Ian [16:50]

• "It's a fairy tale spin, but yeah."
  — Jason Weiser [36:00]

3. Creature of the Week: Le Cheval Bayard

Overview: In a lighter segment, Jason introduces Le Cheval Bayard, a malevolent water horse from French folklore. Unlike traditional horses, Le Cheval Bayard possesses the ability to shapeshift and deceive, targeting the vulnerable to cause chaos.

Key Points:

• Nature of Le Cheval Bayard:
  This creature enjoys dismantling self-respect and disrupting marriages by impersonating attractive young men to lure women away from their spouses.

  "Le Cheval Bayard is a bit more realistic, at least where I'm concerned. Because while it will run off with you, it will just throw you in the water and laugh and not turn sticky and drown you."
  — Jason Weiser [59:30]

• Cunning and Deception:
  Le Cheval Bayard's tactics are deceptively simple, relying on intense stares to manipulate and entice his victims.

  "He would walk into the woman's house and stare at her intensely and that was it."
  — Narrator [59:00]

• Defeating the Creature:
  The folklore warns of strategies to thwart Le Cheval Bayard, such as using superheated girdles to burn the shapeshifter when he attempts to deceive.

  "Who was this woman? The husband who had apparently read the Odyssey cried out myself."
  — Narrator [59:20]

Notable Quotes:

• "Don't try Zoomer slang."
  — The Fox [59:10]

• "It's not. Why didn't you just hold it in front of you? Like grasp it?"
  — The Fox [59:25]

Insights and Conclusions

Moral Lessons: This episode underscores the significance of making righteous choices and the repercussions of aligning with deceitful forces. Prince Ian's journey reflects the pitfalls of yielding to corrupt influences, resulting in personal losses despite apparent successes. In contrast, Guleesh's narrative champions integrity and altruism, highlighting the fulfillment derived from selfless actions.

Character Analysis:

• Prince Ian:
  His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromise and the hollow victories that can arise from morally questionable decisions.

• Guleesh:
  Representing the archetypal hero, Guleesh's unwavering commitment to doing what's right, even at personal cost, presents a stark contrast to Ian's path.

Cultural Reflection: By exploring these Celtic legends, the podcast sheds light on the timeless nature of folklore in conveying ethical dilemmas and human virtues. The stories emphasize that the choices individuals make define their character and destiny, a theme resonant across cultures and eras.

Conclusion: Episode 400 of Myths and Legends masterfully intertwines ancient Celtic folklore with universal themes of choice and morality. Through the contrasting tales of Prince Ian and Guleesh, listeners are invited to reflect on the importance of integrity and the enduring impact of our decisions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "If a talking fox approaches you on the road with solutions to all of your problems and a lamb's head to eat, you should maybe hit the pause button on both of those things."
  — Jason Weiser [00:30]

• "You had one job, the Fox said when he had made it back to camp."
  — Narrator [16:10]

• "It's a cursed looking centasteed from Studson Studio, a YouTube channel we watch with our son."
  — Jason Weiser [52:45]

• "It's freezing out, so right now we're all indoor humans."
  — Carissa Weiser [38:36]

For more engaging storytelling and explorations of myths from around the world, tune into the next episodes of Myths and Legends with Jason and Carissa Weiser.