What are some common animal stories associated with Celtic saints?

They reflect the Celtic respect for nature. The fact that saints had these relationships with animals shows that in Celtic culture, all living things were considered important. For example, the story of Saint Columba and the otter.

Common themes in Celtic Fae adult stories include the concept of fate. The Fae are sometimes seen as agents of fate, guiding or interfering with the destinies of humans. There's also the theme of transformation. The Fae can transform themselves or transform the humans they interact with, which can lead to all sorts of strange and interesting situations. And of course, the theme of the Otherworld, a place that is both beautiful and dangerous, and is often central to these stories.

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.

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.

Many Celtic story endings have a moral or lesson. It might be about the importance of loyalty, as seen when a character stays true to their friends or family and is rewarded in the end. Or it could be about the perils of greed, where a greedy character meets an unfortunate end. These endings are not just about concluding the plot but also about imparting wisdom from the Celtic culture.

Some common words are 'haunted', 'ghost', 'spirit', 'phantom'.

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. 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.

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

Often, persecution is a common element. Saints like Saint Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death because of his faith. Another common element is sacrifice. Saints may sacrifice their comfort, safety, or even their lives for their beliefs, as seen with Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Also, many saints face rejection in their attempts to do good or follow their religious calling, like Saint Rita of Cascia who faced rejection from the convent.