The Pooka

The Pooka is a cryptid and a creature of legends. They're found throughout folklore in England, Ireland and the Channel Isles. Also called Phouka, Puca, Puck, Pookah, pwca and pucai. 

They're understood to be shapeshifters that take on many forms, from various animals and people. In human form, they may have animalistic traits such as a pair of fox ears, antlers or a bushy tail. These are a type of fairy, of the goblin variety. They are mischievous and play pranks, but they can be bringers of good luck. It really much depends on how they're treated.

For their description, they have large shining gold eyes. They can be either dark haired or very light blonde haired. When taking on beastly forms, they can have either black fur or white fur. It's said that they have a contradictory relationship with humans, as they can help people and look after agriculture, protect livestock and crops. Or they can be dangerous to farms and fishing communities.   

It's believed that the Pooka taint blackberries during Samhain by spitting on them, so people are warned not to eat them. Halloween is also named "Pooka Night". More mischief games of the Pooka is taking form of talking horses, luring people to mount them just so they can give them scary wild rides. Sometimes those people are never seen again. To protect oneself from this happening, people have carried sharp metal spurs so that if they might end up on the backs of Pooka, they can use the spurs to take control and get off safely. 

The Pooka has a much darker side. It's believed they have traits of vampires, as they have a big craving for blood. Oh and they're very carnivorous and like eating human flesh! Whatever you do when you're out, make sure that you don't get on the backs of strange horses!   

Extra tales of Pooka found at the Emerald Isles website here.

She Wolf Night