The Streetwalking Scarecrow of Celtic Lore
Ahh you gotta love the Celts and their nearly impossible to pronounce beasts! I found this one in a book, nestled right up next to the english house spirits in a section called simply “Road Spirits” which chronicles the many dangers of traveling alone or at night, or without smothering yourself in goats blood, or whatever the most current method of protection was.
Now I’ll probably need one of you English slang knowing Europeans to confirm, but I believe (as most english slang is sorta reversed) it is pronounced “tat” like his tattered clothes vs “tate” like potato (the vegetable field for which he is obviously named… to that point… do birds eat potatoes?)… But hell maybe both are right?
I do know that a Bogle is essentially a ghost. So what we’re dealing with here, is a field ghost or put simply, a living scarecrow!
Now what brings a crucified looking, framework of sticks, straws and old clothes to life? Witchery is a commonly blamed cause… Vengeance, another… hell maybe his legs were just stiff (10 self awarded points for the dad pun). Maybe there’s a whole bunch of valid reasons? I leave that to you!
Now for those of you who ignore the above. Here’s some descriptors to work with, feel free to use, exaggerate or completely ignore:
- Because it starts as one, it looks a hell of a lot like a scarecrow (or as some of you weirdos call them, a hay, or tatter man)
- Walks from it’s field, to parts unknown, under it’s own, or some magical power
- Generally made from some combination of sticks, straw, fabric, buttons and yarn
- Relatively slow to move and generally shuffle awkwardly as it’s limbs are often tied to cross braces
- While perhaps unsettling, they tend to be harmless… (still scary to birds!)
- Given the era and locale of their legend, pretty safe to assume, they’d speak with a comically strong accent and smell vaguely of Black Death
This is our first Judgement via “council” so you get comments from five veteran beast drawing judges now… enjoy:
Cody
#8 – His placid acceptance of his fate seems peaceful, but betrayed by the wincing eye – is the pole up his ass? Devastatingly emotional. The inevitable sadness of the whole scene is really amplified by the fact that he could never fit his hand in that tiny, tiny pocket on his shirt.
Ken
#7 – I really like the flower in his hat, a reminder that spring is just around the corner. Plus hobos are cool, and I’d totally split a can of beans with that dude.
Sarah
#5 – I’m digging the ensemble. That scarecrow knows they look good and is giving SO MUCH FACE!
Mona
#7 – Reminds me of that bizarre episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force where Shake picks up hypno-germs from a toilet seat, causing him to hallucinate… An acid trip about to go really wrong, and I’m betting those adorable, nubby peg legs of his are gonna be tricky to maneuver when he has to make a hasty exit from the willow the wisps that keep taunting him.
Chip
#3 – Cause ghost birds
So by my math that’s a win for #7! Congrats to Midwestern Tanuki I’ll be in touch!
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 Tatty Bogle drawings for the archives! So draw on and remember, 25 beasts drawn earns you a shirt!
