Aengus and the Dream Maiden

Aengus Óg, the golden-haired god of love, fell into a deep sickness for which there was no cure. For a year, a beautiful maiden visited his dreams, playing a silver lute, but she vanished whenever he reached for her. Consumed by longing, Aengus withered until his mother Boann and father the Dagda sought help. They discovered the girl was Caer Ibormeith, daughter of a faerie king from Connacht. Every Samhain, Caer and her handmaidens transformed into swans for a year, returning to human form the next. Aengus traveled to the Lake of the Dragon’s Mouth on the appointed day and found one hundred and fifty swans linked by silver chains. Recognizing Caer by her ethereal grace, he called her name across the water. She agreed to be his if he would join her in her shape. Without hesitation, Aengus transformed into a majestic swan. The pair flew three times around the lake, singing a melody so divine it lulled all of Ireland into a peaceful sleep for three days and nights before they returned to his palace at Newgrange.