Celtic Folklore’s Shapeshifting Harvest Spirit
Shapeshifters are always a lil tough to describe, but fun as hell to draw cause really there’s no rules. Plus it’s getting on harvest time so I figure we should get with the season… So let’s do this.
A Puca can take the form of a horse, cat, rabbit, raven, fox, wolf, goat etc, or as a human. But in human form it almost always carries with it some of it’s animal features (rabbit ears, goat legs etc… you know the routine). And as a bonus, supposedly most any shape it takes, it’s dark and mysterious.
Now there’s lots of literature out there, discussing whether or not Pucas bring good or bad fortune to those they encounter in their day to day lives… seems the answer to that argument is both. But we’re going to concern ourselves specifically with the harvest season. Because dammit I wanna know what “Puca Blasted” means. What’s Puca Blasted you ask? Well I’m not sure… but i can tell you that, during the Samhain harvest festival, a certain percentage of the crops were left in the fields as gift to the Pucas as hope that it would improve the next years offerings. After the festival, all those crops left out, were considered Puca blasted (or fairy sprayed or any number of spirit names associated with a tainting process). If you wish, I’ll let you the drawer decide!
Now here’s a few descriptors for those who hate paragraphs:
- An old Irish spirit
- Can shapeshift into any number of things including a horse, cat, rabbit, raven, fox, wolf, goat
- It can also take human form, but almost always carries with it some animal attributes
- Regardless of the shape it’s always dark and mysterious
- Capable of bringing good fortune or bad luck
- Potentially does something hideous to crops left to it as an offering after Samhain
That’s what you’ve got! We’ve been hurting for drawings, so if you’re here, reading this, give it a try! All I ask is you don’t try too hard and have fun! We’ll close off submissions for judgement midnight of Friday the 6th… As always, We’ll gather the judges council and pick one to win a shirt, so get your asses doodling!
The Judge’s Council has convened! And here’s how judgement played out!
Judge Mona – Friggin#2!!! Because holy hell if that’s what a Puca looks like, I have a new irrational fear to contend with and expect that this one will star in several of my upcoming nightmares. Thanks g ball.
Judge Ken – I pick dave (#1) …the innocent looking fox (is it really innocent ken?)
Judge Cody – I’m going with Sneu’s (#6) because of those sweet spider legs!
Judge Sarah – I have to give it to G-Ball. Everything from the floppy ears, to the cold, dead eyes, to the little paws (just found out about spider paws, btw), wrapped up in luxurious fuzzy coat. Everything about this is a winner in my book.
Judge Me – I’m going with Dan’s cause I know him and like to pretend he owns that vest, and used himself in the mirror as reference! Plus it’s nice to see an old drawer stop back in!
Disagree if you must but know that judgement is law and to the winner a shirt will go…. Thanks to drawers and judges alike. And even though the contest is done we’ll always welcome new Puca drawings for the archives! So draw on, and remember, 25 beasts drawn earns you a shirt!
