Joint-eater

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In Celtic mythology, a Joint-eater is a type of fairy who sits invisibly and consumes half of their victim's food.[1]

It is also known as an Alp-luachra in Ireland. A man haunted by a joint-eater will never grow fat, because the pith or quintessence of the food is consumed by the fairy.[2] People who consume newts are thought to be plagued in this way.

A folk remedy states that to rid one's self of an Alp-Luachra, one should eat a large quantity of salt beef, without drinking anything, and then lay by a running stream with mouth wide open. After a long wait, the Alp-Luachra will become thirsty, and will jump into the stream to drink.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Briggs, Katharine Mary (1976) An Encyclopedia of Fairies. New York, Pantheon Books. "Joint-eater" p. 243 ISBN 0-394-73467-X.
  2. ↑ Kirk, Robert; Lang, Andrew (28 December 2007). The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies. Easy Reading Series. Aberfoyle, Scotland: Forgotten Books. p. 71. 


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