What are the common features of the endings of Celtic stories?

Celtic stories' endings often display the value of nature. Sometimes, the resolution involves nature being healed or respected. For instance, if there was a drought caused by an evil force, the ending might show the land becoming fertile again. This connection to nature in the endings is a way of showing that the Celts held nature in high regard and saw it as an integral part of their lives and stories.

Isolation is another theme. Many of these stories take place in remote areas, away from the safety of the village or town. For instance, a person might be alone in the forest and encounter a terrifying creature. This isolation heightens the sense of fear as there is no immediate help available. It also makes the characters more vulnerable to the supernatural forces that lurk in these lonely places.

Death is a very common theme. Many Celtic ghost stories involve spirits that are related to death, like the banshee that warns of impending death. Another common theme is the idea of the otherworld. Ghosts often seem to belong to a different realm and sometimes cross over into the human world. For example, the shape - shifting Pooka can move between different states of existence.

Magic is a very common theme. Many Celtic bedtime stories involve magical creatures like fairies, selkies, and giants. For example, the stories of fairies often show their magical powers to grant wishes or play tricks on humans.

Fate is a common theme. In many stories like Tristan and Isolde, their love was not of their own choosing at first due to the love potion, but fate intertwined their lives in a complex way. Another theme is the conflict with social norms. Couples often faced difficulties because their love went against the arranged marriages or the will of the rulers.

Magic is a very common theme. For example, in many stories there are magical creatures like fairies or druids with special powers.

Happy endings are quite common, like the hero defeating the villain and getting the princess. Another common one is a bittersweet ending, where there is a sense of loss but also some gain. For example, in some war stories, the main character survives but loses friends.

Happy endings are quite common. For example, in fairy tales like 'Cinderella', she marries the prince and lives happily ever after. Another common ending is the bittersweet one, where there is a sense of both loss and gain. For instance, in some war stories, the hero survives but has lost many comrades. Also, there are tragic endings, such as in 'Romeo and Juliet' where the two lovers die.

One common feature is a sense of finality and doom. His endings often leave no hope for the characters involved. For example, in his stories, death is usually the ultimate outcome for many of the main characters, like in 'The Masque of the Red Death' where everyone succumbs to the plague in the end.

Saint Brigid is also associated with animal stories. She was said to have a special bond with cows. In some tales, the cows would give an abundance of milk when she was near. This might be seen as a sign of her blessed nature in Celtic traditions. Animals in these stories often served as a way to highlight the saint's holiness and the miraculous nature of their existence.