Of pooka, phouka or pookas (2 Replies) pookha - 06/25/1998 - 09:32:39 P   pookha, pooka, phouka, or puck A Celtic spirit often said to be mischievous but also helpful. Featured in such places as the Jimmy Stewart film " Harvey", where the pooka was a 6 ft tall invisible white rabbit and friend to Stewart's Dowd. also in Emma Bull's " The War of the Oaks" I am part Irish and my friends gave me the name after the Hallmark presentation of Harvey. Jimmy Stewart plays a very eccentric but very charming man who lives is live is on way enjoying the sunset etc... His family embarrassed by him decides to have him committed.. Harvey has to step in to save his friend. "Well, I wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it."-- as Elwood P. Dowd in HARVEY. 1950

RE: Of pooka, phouka or pookas (1 Reply) mab - 06/26/1998 - 09:16:42 A   That's wonderful, pookha. We all need a mischievous presence in our lives to remind us what a delicious joke reality really is! mab

RE: Of pooka, phouka or pookas (0 Replies) pookha - 06/29/1998 - 01:32:30 P    Thank you mab

Anne McCaffrey's Rowan Saga (1 Reply) The Patient Gardener - 06/25/1998 - 10:19:11 P  had a pookha as an important device in the first book. It was a comforter, an alter ago, and an imaginary friend to the severely traumatized Rowan. When I saw your name I was reminded of the pookha. I could not find the word in the dictionary. I guessed at it from context. Thank you for your definition. I really do need to watch Harvey. Gardener

RE: Anne McCaffrey's Rowan Saga (1 Reply) pookha - 06/25/1998 - 10:25:52 P I wouldn't be surprised if McCaffrey was a little influenced by Harvey. Most of the time pookhas are not invisible. Read a lot of McCaffrey but missed that one. Than again she knows a lot about Irish folklore. I believe she lives in Ireland. A really good video store should have a copy of Harvey.

I am taking this as a good sign. (0 Replies) Damia_Gwyn_Lyon - 06/26/1998 My first visit to the board and there is post about Anne McCaffrey. Do you mean invisible or visible? >>>I believe she lives in Ireland. She does. I think the place is called DragonHold. Nifty! Damia ...........................................