Gille Decair

The Bad Servant

Using the tales of the Fianna of Erin as examples, I will attempt to introduce
the reader to some of the symbolism of the Celtic legends and the importance of
their contents which contains the beliefs, culture and essence of the Celtic
people. It is a vast subject having constant references to the conscious and
subconscious level of man, both being inextricably linked.
Link being a very appropriate word to use at this point. For it is when these
twin aspects of ourselves touch that we are in a position to perhaps grasp the
concept of symbol and how they affect us. The symbols we will look at are those
of natural forces; powers which flow and ebb around us all the time.
The power of the land, the flow, being the linking factor or common denominator
within the craft system, makes it plausible to consider that the Fianna were
also versed, as it were, in the practice of manipulating natural forces and that
the defence of Ireland was on all three levels not just the physical and the
mental but the spiritual too. Hence the need for the warriors of the Fianna to
be familiar with all levels of defence.
For confirmation of this we need only take a closer look at the invaders who the
Fianna had to defend Erin against. These invaders invariably came from Lochlann,
more commonly known in some of the legends as the Land beneath the Sea.
Lochlann, of course, is where that race of beings known as the Fomoire dwell.
Always representative of the darker aspects of things the Fomoire are constantly
threatening to take over the ordered land of mortals.
The Fomoire can also be representative of chaos, the unknown factor that is
never predictable and is destructive to the ordered levels. These we put man
made borders upon in the hope of making the infinite finite and thus
understandable.
The ancient Celtic scholars had the same difficulty in finding out about our
existence as modern philosophers do. Though being great observers of the cycles
of the world they would weave their knowledge into the tapestry known as Celtic
myth.
These tales for the most part take place in Ireland which, as with everything
else, exists on three levels. So the five divisions that Fintan made in Eire can
be projected onto the different levels. Hence the places mentioned in the story
are also applied to the three levels. So where Finn himself sat in Tara can be
seen as the centre of all these levels.
However, now focussing on the spiritual realms we can see with little effort
that these place names are all important in finding direction on all three
levels of Ireland. Where the adventures of the Fenians take place to be a
willful magician in this context is clearly an advantage, for you need to have
absolute control to venture successfully.
The argument that says the Ossianic tales mainly take place in the otherworld is

further backed up by the fact that there is so much contact with the gods
themselves. Mannanan MacLir and Oengus Og being two of many that feature
prominently in the texts.
One tale in particular springs to mind, entitled The Bad Servant. this tale
begins with the appearance of a somewhat malformed man dragging behind him by
the iron bit a dilapidated horse so awkward in its walk it was a wonder it did
not fall over.
Association is the keyword here and malformity is frequently joined with things
of a Fomorian aspect. These two characters fit the bill nicely. Note the
emphasis placed on the mention of the iron bit. This being the metal known to be
repulsive to Sidhe beings. However, it can also be binding and thus offer
control over this type of manifestation.
We are also told that the crooked man gave the horse many blows with an iron
cudgel, the metal highlighted once more. Every time the cudgel was used it gave
off the sound of crashing waves. A very poetic description, also very graphic.
but when scrutinised it gives a clue to the identity of the man.
Our speculation is confirmed when he announces he is a man of the Fomoire and
that his name is the Gille-Decair (the bad servant). Upon meeting Finn he also
asks for employment within the Fianna and states that he is seeking wages from
the kings of the earth. Suggesting perhaps, that he is not of earthly
countenance.
If the very appearance of this pair sounds disturbing then their deeds and
actions must be positively shocking. After insulting some of the Fenians and
demanding double wages because he claims to be a horseman and they are higher
paid. His horse then sets about maiming and killing the other horses of the
Fianna. Destructive forces already at work here.
Conan, son of Morna, tried to stop this trouble by jumping on the horse and
trying to gain control of it but as with so many legends he was enticed into
partaking on a journey he had not counted on. This was no ordinary horse for it
was from the Land Under Sea itself. The horse is Aonvarr, Lugh's gallant steed.
The reader will have noticed that the description of the horse given earlier
bears no resemblance whatsoever to the usual descriptions given of the sun-god's
horse. A brilliant white charger, rampant in energy and beautiful in splendour.
However, things are often the exact opposite in the otherworld to how they
appear in this world. This fact should always be bourne in mind whilst perusing
the legends as some snippet of information you've been looking for could be
sitting right underneath your nose. Unnoticed, because you haven't been careful
enough.
Back to the story. Through one way and another a total of fourteen men ended up
on the back of this horse and all of them had no way of knowing where they would
end up. This, of course, left Finn MacCumhal himself with a great dilemma. How
could he possibly save his men.
He was resolved however that he would bring them back by any means possible.
Such was his loyalty. Finn then used a gift that had been given to the Children

of the Gael by that mystical race known as the Tuatha De Danaan. A gift quite
simply known as a spell, and summoned otherworld aid to help him in his quest.
The aid came to him in the form of two men, one of whom could with three blows
create a ship to hold thirty hundred men. All he asked was that the men of the
Fianna bowed their heads whilst he performed his task. The three blows are
representative of the three levels of existence and thus we can conclude that
this was a vehicle capable of travelling on all these planes. The bowing of
heads signifies humility and acknowledgment of higher forces at work.
So, the boats now created for their special journey, Finn and his men set off on
the tracks of the Gille-Decair. For three nights and three days the sea was
relentless in its wildness and fury, giving no easy passage to man nor beast.
Though the Fenians carried on as if it were but a mild ripple in the water.
A new aspect of
mountain rising
plain there was
the path to any

the journey was ahead of them now in the form of a huge grey
out of the sea. However, when the mountain was reached it was
no way forward but to negotiate a huge smooth rock which blocked
other progress.

It is at this point that Dairmid O'Duibhne plays a major role in this tale. He
is a man who was reared by and got his learning from Mannanan MacLir and Oengus
Og. Needles to say he was not inefficient in the art of magic and by using
Mannanan's staves of power that were with him, he rose on top of them and gave a
huge leap and found himself a foothold on top of the overhanging rock. But no
matter how hard he tried he could not bring his comrades with him. Once more we
see the use of staves to bring about the desire of will.
Alone now, Dairmid continues and comes face to face with a sight not uncommon in
otherworld realms, a huge tree with many branches. A horn hanging from one of
the branches and a well at the foot of the tree. The tree in itself being the
centre point of this discovery. It marks a turning point with many possibilities
attached to it, represented by the many branches. The horn mentioned is usually
to call on something. But how it affects the traveller is entirely up to the
individual. Whether it is the summoning of a spiritual guide or a new level of
awareness or understanding it is often beneficial.
The well is frequently equated with otherworld knowledge and can give
inspiration or insight. Places like these are very sacred though and often have
a guardian, described in this case as a man of enchantments. He challenges
Dairmid's presence there, however, our hero is adamant to partake in this
glorious find and ends up in combat with the guardian.
This says that this type of knowledge is never easy to come by and a battle of
some sort is usually necessary, whether it is the fevered study of the student
or the insane bravery of a warrior, only those who excel shall be honoured with
high knowledge. On that note I wish you many hours of fascinating study.

Copyright: 1992 Steve Soyka

[First published in Dalriada magazine]