Results: Pooka
Published on 03/23/2023
It's really the wrong season for this, but TCM is streaming "Harvey," my favorite Jimmy Stewart movie. As I write, it's St. Patrick's Day. And while on her morning walk, the dog saw a rabbit for the first time.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
The sight of that bunny stopped the dog in her tracks. The two stared at each other for a little minute. Daisy stood, head tilting quizzically from one side to the other as if listening hard. The animals seemed to reach some kind of mutual agreement, turned away from each other, and went on their merry ways. Do you find yourself wondering- as I did- if we had just encountered a Pooka?
Yes
10%
226 votes
No
19%
414 votes
What exactly is a Pooka?
55%
1205 votes
Not Applicable
16%
355 votes
2.
2.
Mind you, it's not likely a mischievous (sometimes downright malicious), shape-shifting rural Irish spirit would appear in my neighborhood. Especially in the morning as they are creatures of the night. But if one did, I'd like most to chat with a rabbit- because Pooka have the gift of gab and are known to talk to humans. Which of these common Pooka forms would you most like to talk to?
Horse (just remember not to accept his offer of a ride- there's no telling where you might end up)
7%
157 votes
Cat
13%
288 votes
Dog
17%
365 votes
Goat
3%
56 votes
Rabbit/Hare
5%
107 votes
Nope. None of the above. None ever.
21%
456 votes
Other
1%
32 votes
Not Applicable
34%
739 votes
3.
3.
While it is unlikely many of us have met a Pooka while out walking our neighborhoods, it is possible you have run into one (or more) in literature or film. Are you familiar with...
Shakespeare's character Puck from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
17%
382 votes
Harvey, a six foot two-and-a-half-inch tall rabbit who is invisible to all but Elwood P. Dowd played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1950 film based on a play by Mary Chase.
28%
620 votes
The Pooka who causes Darby to fall down the well in the "Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959).
10%
219 votes
The Pooka in rabbit form who encourages Donnie's malicious acts in "Donnie Darko" (2001)
8%
183 votes
Pooka in the "Spiderwick" series of children's fantasy books
3%
76 votes
Pooka featured in the works of Sheridan Le Fanu's short story, "The White Cat of Drumgunniol" (1870)
2%
46 votes
Other (please comment below)
1%
12 votes
Not Applicable
54%
1190 votes
4.
4.
Pooka are most closely associated with harvest time. The wise farmer knew to leave a bit of their crop- known as the Pooka's share- in the field to placate these pranksters. In fact, November 1st is considered Pooka's Day. Will you be marking this on your calendar?
Yes
6%
129 votes
No
50%
1106 votes
Undecided
12%
255 votes
Not Applicable
32%
710 votes
5.
5.
If it rains on a sunny day, you can bet Pooka will be out and about that night. But "cold iron" can protect you from Pooka and other fey creatures. Did you know...
An iron bedstead will prevent faeries from stealing a child
5%
109 votes
Burying an iron knife in your yard is said to protect you from witches
5%
107 votes
The Lucky Horseshoe idea is an off-shoot of the belief that an iron horseshoe nailed over the doorway will keep faeries, brownies, goblins and other creatures out of your home
16%
348 votes
Iron fences around cemeteries are meant to keep the ghosts from wandering
11%
241 votes
Other (please share!)
1%
16 votes
Not Applicable
72%
1578 votes
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