Banshee ATC (Folklore ATC #5)

Are you a fan of folklore? Would you like to create (and receive) ATCs of creatures from folklore from around the world? Then welcome to the Folklore ATC series!

ATC #5 features the banshee (AKA bean sí, bean sidhe). The banshee is from Irish folklore, and her name roughly means "woman of the fairy mound/fairy woman." She is a spirit who heralds death -- if a family member is going to die soon, she appears and wails or shrieks -- something similar to the role of what a keening woman does during a period of mourning. The banshee can also, on occasion, warn someone if they are about to enter a situation where death may ensue. She is usually depicted with long, flowing garments and long hair, though her age and other features vary. Sometimes she is an old hag in funerary garments, other times she is young and beautiful. But she is always wailing, and someone is gonna die.

You may enjoy reading more about the banshee, fairies, and more about her origins at her Wikipedia page or New World Encyclopedia article. I'm not great at folklore from this part of the world, so really, you might! I definitely will in the weeks upcoming. Some interesting stuff is in there about burial mounds and surnames!

Swap rules!

• 1 ATC to one partner

• standard 2.5" x 3.5" size

• ATC can be any medium, please just put in effort. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN ARTIST. You just have to be willing to make art. The card you receive may reflect this.

• use a sturdy backing

• on the back, write your name, date, and the name of the swap. Make sure you include your username somewhere in the package (on the back of the card is fine).

• send the card in a protective sleeve -- you can buy trading card sleeves for cheap, or make one out of things like sticker cellophane, thin paper, etc

• open to newbies with full profiles, no unexplained 1's or 3's. Message me if you have any concern. I reserve the right to remove anyone for any reason. I will angel, but please give 8 weeks after send date for your ATC to arrive! If the time is coming near and you know you're going to flake for whatever reason, honestly just let me know so I can get it done sooner.

Don't be shy to ask me anything you're unsure about. Also, feel free to leave suggestions for future subjects for the series in the comments.

Past Folklore Swaps

#1 - Baba Yaga

#2 - Yōkai

#3 - Gremlins

#4 - Shadow People

Upcoming Folklore Swaps

#6 - Dragon

#7 - Anansi

#8 - Medusa

#9 - The Monster of Lake Tota

#10 - Wendigo

While it's not officially part of the series, you may enjoy sharing a bit of your own magic with Family Folklore Swap - ATC + Letter -- an international swap open to everyone.

While this ATC series will continue for the foreseeable future, join Monsters, Myths, & Legends -- US ATC Swappers! if you want more swaps, a wider array of subjects and themes, art challenges, and to get in on hosting! MM&L: we're not just ATCs, but SB won't let you change a group name!