Geas

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"Gaesa" redirects here. For the heavy metal band, see Geasa (band)

A geas (also ges, geis, gease, geissi, plural geasa, pronounced /ˈɡɛʃ/) has two interpretations in Irish mythology and folklore.

First, it is a vow or obligation placed upon a person (usually a hero, such as Cuchulainn) in Gaelic mythology. Traditionally, the doom of the hero comes about due to his violation of such geasa, usually by accident.

Later, it took the aspect of a taboo or prohibition. A geas can also be compared with a curse. If someone placed under a geas breaks it, the infractor will suffer dishonour or even death.

There is a considerable similarity between geasa (which are a phenomenon of Gaelic mythology) and the foretold deaths of heroes in Welsh mythology. This is not surprising given the close origins of all the variants of Celtic mythology.

The idea and term have proved popular in fantasy fiction and in role-playing games, often featuring as 'spells'.