These are from the Fairy Ring tarot deck. On the left is the Blue Hag. On the right is the White Lady.
In Scottish tradition, the Blue Hag also is known as the Calleach. Crone, Grandmother, Wise Woman are several of the many aspects regarding the Hag…
She’s said to walk the mountains in Scotland and spread her snow, ice, and coldness so the quiet of winter can happen. There is a story where She touches her staff onto the land and Winter happens, then when Spring – the beginning of the Light half of year – starts at Imbolc… She transforms into the Maiden aspect of the Goddess.
I felt it appropriate to show the balance of both Dark and Light Ladies in this photo – the Blue Hag reflecting the Dark half of the year and the White Lady representing the Light half of the year. Brigid is another aspect of the White Lady, it feels to me. Why? In Ireland, Brighid is patron of sacred wells among other symbols such as fire, smith work, milk, butter, etc.
White Ladies are seen in many different archetypes and culture stories. Bloudweudd is known as Flower Face in the Welsh tradition. Guinevere is in a way a white lady. Her name is translated via the Welsh version: Gwenhwyfar and the Old Irish, Findabair (www.wikipedia.com).
The Maiden aspect reflects new beginnings, journeys, chapters, and path workings. The Hag or Crone represents endings, closings, releasings, and full circles.
If you’d like to dig a bit deeper with the archetype of the Hag, then I encourage you to check out Emma Restall Orr’s book, “Kissing the Hag: The Datk Goddess and the Unacceptable Nature of Women”. I’ve read this book and can personally recommend it!
If this blog post has piqued your curiosity to know more, then I encourage you to do research and read stories! There’s no better time than now, considering that we are going into a Deep introspection time.
Blessings,
-mr. Thorne