Today we are back with another cryptid, this one hails from around the area of Ireland and Scotland (which is interesting because it seems like I seem to stumble upon a lot of creatures from that area), this creature is called the Kelpie.
So let’s start at the beginning, which would be, what exactly is kelp? Kelp is a type of seaweed that is large, leafy, and brown and is essential for marine life habitats by providing food and shelter for aquatic animals. It thrives in cool dark places and can grow up to two feet a day, which is convenient considering it is a food source for humans and sea life alike.
Now let’s get to kelpies, kelpies are water spirits known for their shapeshifting abilities, specifically shifting from human to an impressive horse which lends to their nickname of water horse. Kelpies are known to be seen wearing a bridle (which looks similar to a horse version of a muzzle) and this bridle functions as a way to entice unsuspecting victims to try and ride what they seem to think is a noble steed, however once a kelpie has been mounted the victim’s fate is sealed. The skin of a kelpie becomes like a supernatural glue that traps its victim to itself, allowing the kelpie to ride into whatever water source it calls home where it inevitably consumes its victim. Some legends tell of the kelpie being quite a gruesome and down right wasteful creature that leaves a trail of entrails in its wake.
The lore of containing one of these creatures varies with some believing that the best way to ‘tame’ the beast is to trap them with a bridle that is adorned by a cross while others believe that the best time to take on a kelpie is when it emerges without its bridle and that the bridle holds magical properties used by the kelpies. Either way it seems the bridle is essential in the downfall of the kelpie. Once a kelpie is subdued it can be used for manual labor as they are known for having the strength of more than ten horses and the endurance of more but even subdued the kelpie must feast daily. It seems almost easier to kill a kelpie, due to the fact that while kelpies are indeed water spirits, standing water is their kryptonite. So while their skin can turn to almost glue and drag you into a watery grave god forbid they step in a puddle. Some superstitious travelers are known to carry a jar of puddle water for protection, which gives me Pirates of the Caribbean “I’ve got a jar of dirt” vibes.
So let’s back track a little bit, I’ve already discussed that kelpies are shape shifting water spirits, and like most myths and legends there is some discrepancies in the exact lore, meaning that some believe they can only go from horse to human while others tell of a creature with a mane of snakes and hooves that face the opposite directions. Some say if you think someone may be a kelpie, to check their hair for water weeds (which I’m assuming means kelp or they really missed a great opportunity) the fact that it is a shape shifter leads me to this iconic statement “YOU NICKNAMED MY DAUGHTER AFTER THE LOCHNESS MONSTER”. And of course then the question is, is Nessie a kelpie?
Now we all know the general story of Nessie both the sea dwelling cryptid or the creepy half vampire baby who is imprinted on by a guy who had a crush on her mom so I’m not going to go into too much detail on the specifics of Nessie but more so like I said I pose the question if she would be considered a kelpie. So hear me out, she is a water spirit that resides in Scotland and her first written sighting being in the 7th century, though depictions of her go back much farther. In 1933 a couple claimed to see her and that she looked like “a dragon or prehistoric monster”. Between the couple’s statement and the famous picture taken in 1934 Nessie doesn’t fit the physical description of a kelpie, why couldn’t she be? Especially since kelpies are shapeshifters.
So on that note let’s all pretend that Renesseme is actually the Lochness Monster and also a kelpie because that’s just a better plot and stay strange.
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