After finishing reading Drums of Autumn recently, many thoughts about Claire have been circulating in my mind. The concept of Claire as an asgina ageli is one of them. Here is a description of an asgina ageli according to Stephen Bonnet.
Asgina ageli is a term that the red savages employ – the Cherokee of the mountains; I heard it from one I had as guide one time. It means ‘half-ghost,’ one who should have died by right, but yet remains on the earth; a woman who survives a mortal illness, a man fallen into his enemies’ hands who escapes. They say an asgina ageli has one foot on the earth and the other in the spirit world. He can talk to the spirits and see the Nunnahee – the Little People. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 2)
There is evidence in Drums of Autumn that identifies Claire as an Asgina ageli. Claire is able to communicate with spirits. The best instance of this is that of the aboriginal time traveller. Basically, she sees the ghost of this time traveller; she acknowledges it as something supernatural immediately. Of course, she is scared initially until she realizes that she has had some sort of communication with the spectral entity.
“Whatever do you want?” I said, and only then realized that we had been in some sort of communication for some time. Whatever this was, it had no words. Nothing coherent passed between us – but something passed, nonetheless. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 23)
Nothing moved, no words were spoken. But quite clearly the thought formed in my mind, in a voice that was not my own.
That’s enough, it said. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 23)
Another instance of Claire being able to communicate with spirits is when she is discussing with her daughter, Brianna, how to go back to the 20th Century. Due to Brianna’s pregnancy, Claire suggests Abandawe, the cave in Haiti, in order to avoid the long trip to Scotland. This conversation leads to the topic of Geillis, and, of course, Claire remembering her.
Sometimes I thought of her, of Geillis, when I was alone in the forest. Sometimes I thought I heard her voice behind me, and turned around swiftly, but saw no more than the hemlock branches, soughing in the wind. But now and then I felt her eyes on me, green and bright as the springtime wood. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 45)
It seems that Claire is able to establish some contact with the realm of the dead. The interesting aspect of this is that it is something that she was not able to do before. I think this is a set of skills that comes with aging. Both Ishmael and Nayawenne confirmed that Claire’s power would increase after her last menstrual cycle.
My husband’s grandmother says that you have medicine now, but you will have more. When your hair is white like hers, that is when you will find your full power. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 20)
“A woman bleeds, she kill magic. You bleed, got your woman-power, the magic don’t work for you. The old women do magic; witch someone, call the loas, make sick, make well.” He gave me a long appraising look, and shook his head. (Voyager, ch. 61)
Concerning Nayawenne, Claire also has an interaction with her similar to the one she will have with the aboriginal time traveller. Of course, the only difference is that Nayawenne is alive during this interaction.
I had the odd feeling that she was talking to me – and I to her – without the exchange of a single spoken word. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 20)
This similarity of interaction used by both aboriginal characters may be a foreshadowing device for Nayawenne’s death later on. Personally I hope that Claire establishes contact with Nayawenne in subsequent books. My optimism about this is based on the following comment made by Pollyanne (translated by Young Ian):
“She says that in that case the ghost walks with you, Auntie. She says you should not show it to anyone here – they will be frightened.” (Drums of Autumn, ch. 53)
Claire is also able to establish communication with Frank, somebody who will die in the future, after the birth of her grandson. Here is what Claire says to Jamie before going to sleep after the big event of that day.
“So am I – Grandpa. Hush up and go to sleep. ‘Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.'” (Drums of Autumn, ch. 64)
Claire realizes that the last quotation was used by Frank to soothe both her and Brianna. Claire even tries to communicate with Frank.
“Do you know?” I whispered, soundless. “Do you know she has a son?” (Drums of Autumn, ch. 64)
Communication with Frank continues into the first chapter of The Fiery Cross. It seems that time does not exist in this form of communication and that it is possible for Claire to establish contact with any entity from the past or future.
Shouldn’t I come to see her married?
I couldn’t tell whether the words had formed themselves in my thoughts, or whether they – and that kiss -were merely the product of my own subconscious. (The Fiery Cross, ch. 1)
I guess that part of this communication between Claire and her first husband is due to his sudden death. There were things in their relationship that required sincerity and clarification and that never took place.
Which event in Claire’s life is the one in which she could had died but survived? I think it is when she miscarried Faith. She was feverish for a while and nothing seemed to work until Master Raymond cured her.
But I was large enough, healthy as well – and twenty-five years before, I had lost a stillborn child at six months, and nearly died myself. (Drums of Autumn, ch. 64)
Going through the stones is also dangerous; not everybody survives the passage, and Claire, in this case, is exceptional since she has made it alive three times so far. Of course, opinions may vary here but I am open and flexible to them.
There are also other characters that could qualify as asgina ageli. I will be discussing them in more detail in subsequent posts.
Excerpts from
Gabaldon, Diana. Voyager. New York: Bantam Dell. 1994. Print
Gabaldon, Diana. Drums of Autumn. New York: Dell Publishing. 1997. Print.
Gabaldon, Diana. The Fiery Cross. New York: Bantam Dell. 2001. Print.
Great blog!
Asgina ageli (more commonly ayeli) would suggest “half ghost”, more “half demon”. The cedar tree is called “demon tree” in Cherokee because it was (and still is) used to defeat their malevolent power. The same expression can mean, more mundanely, “in the midst of cedars”.
Sgi!
The interpretation of the “half demon” could also be applied to Claire since the ways she is perceived by others is variable. Some characters are just simply afraid of her and Jamie. Thanks for this detail. In regards to the cedar tree, I have to check whether there is a strong reference to them in the books. In book 5 of the series, The Fiery Cross, it is mentioned that the rowan tree is planted to repel evil and charms in Scotland, and that it is related to the American ash tree (ch. 29).
what a great thought process! Interesting and now I am going to have to read the books, for the 12th time.
In regards to times she nearly died, I would also consider the first time through the stones without a gemstone. Also, the car accident that she was in when she is describing what time travel felt like. And whatever killed her parents?
Absolutely! They are many cases and situations detailed throughout the series. I have written a published essay about half-ghosts. It is in an anthology called Adoring Outlander.
Her parents died in a car accident.
I wondered the same. I also wonder what full powers Claire will have. It’s very curious.
The most popular topic in my blog is about the symbolism of the blue colour. This colour is associated with healers. The sapphire is an indicator that Claire might be able to heal people by simply touching them (similar to the way in which Master Raymond healed her when she miscarried Faith). She might be able to cure Roger’s injured vocal cords. I also speculate in that post that she might be buried in Lallybroch when she dies (the blue butterfly in book 7 seems to symbolize that).
I believe Ms. Gabaldon intends for Claire to have Raymond’s gift. I have been reading her Facebook daily lines posts, and some of them have touched on it a little. I know that what she writes there is not guaranteed to be in the final print on her next novel, but I hope so.
I agree with this. The most popular post in my blog is about the blue colour symbolism and I do believe Claire is heading that way. She might heal Roger’s injured vocal cords. When I wrote this post, it was like a year ago. I just finished reading the whole series recently. Based on what I have read, it seems that it is the gift of healing by touching that Claire will evolve.
I have been re reading the series backwards from book 6 and just finished Drums in Autumn. It’s interesting reading backwards; you get a different perspective
I don’t think any of these*gifts* would have manifested if she hadn’t gone through the stones. I think they are the trigger
This is highly possible.
I’m curious about Jamie being something like this too, though – not just Claire. In subsequent books, there’s passages about Jamie being told by a fortune teller that he had 9 lives, like a cat, and he speculates how many he’s used. He also communicates with those who have passed – his father, his mother (I think), Dougal, Ian Sr.,…. He also has the varied reactions that Claire gets (think ‘Red Jamie’) though perhaps not to the same extent (though his gender may protect him more than Claire’s does). And then we can’t forget his ghost in Outlander…..
I wrote an essay about half-ghosts that is currently published in an anthology. I have extended the concept to include Roger MacKenzie. There is a post also in this blog about Jamie being a half-ghost. My essay deals with a lot of Jamie’s visions of Black Jack and his OBEs.
I forgot to mention that my essay is an anthology currently on sale called Adoring Outlander. Here is the link. Adoring Outlander: Essays on Fandom, Genre and the Female Audience .
I think that too! Don’t forget about his dreams: 1. watching Claire in her time Sitting at a desk possibly writing while he was watching her outside. He recalled that he knew it was her time because of the quality of the lighting he thought it was what electricity must be like. 2. When he tells Claire about a dream he had referencing then manse’s dome lights in the hallway. 3. That he dreamt about Bree and he had kissed her behind the ear where she has a birthmark, in which Claire had never mentioned.
I’ve been trying to tie those ends together. This blog will definitely help!
Fascinating post!
Super interesting theme to this post and great book research for the quotes. Well done!
I believe Claire was present in the car and survived the car crash that killed her parents. The clue in Outlander is the reference to the car that took a turn too fast and sent her reeling, weightless. She uses it as an analogy to explain what traveling thru the stones felt like. She was destined to be a half-ghost, even as a child.
This is possible. Even Roger MacKenzie (who is also a half-ghost) has a hard time remembering how he survived that event in which both her mother and grandmother died. Similarly Claire might feel the same way. She was present but does not remember much due to her young age or trauma.
I think the whole family has some kind of power; Jamie Claire Bree Rodger Jemmy and Mandy! Remember Jemmy can telepathically talk to his sister and both kids hear gems sing or emit sound!
My theory on the kids and Bree is that they are all half-ghosts. Reasoning thus, they were born in the 18th century, or in Bree’s case, conceived in the 18th century. When they go through the stones into the 20th century, they have essentially escaped death because by the 20th century they would all have been long dead. This may give them their half-ghost abilities, because they have all been alive across time that would be an impossibility if not for having gone through the stones.
You have definitely gotten me thinking and I’m sure Jamie is asgina ageli as well. Would explain his ghost. I also just read the part where he knows about Bree’s birthmark, even though he’s never been told about it.
I have written an essay about half-ghosts that is currently published in an anthology. I discuss not only Claire but Jamie and Roger MacKenzie in essay. Adoring Outlander: Essays on Fandom, Genre and the Female Audience I also have a blog post about Jamie being a half-ghost. It is an introductory post. The essay deals with his condition as half-ghost in more detail. I think that Jamie’s ghosts are mostly in his mind. I also tend to think that the ghost that Frank sees in book 1 is an astral body projection of Jamie from the past. He has a lot of OBEs. The only thing that I am not sure about this theory is that I am not sure whether it is possible for a somebody in the future (Frank) to see an astral body projection of somebody who is dreaming in the past (Jamie). Jamie is able to see both Brianna and Claire in the future when he is dreaming. Is it possible that somebody from the future can see his astral body projection? Brianna was able to do it. I recommend you to read this post that I wrote which is also popular when you have some time. http://www.porcelainthunderbird.com/?p=2007. Here are other posts that you might like. http://www.porcelainthunderbird.com/?p=635 and http://www.porcelainthunderbird.com/?p=638.
What interesting ideas. Any thoughts on Jenny seeing Claire’s “fetch” at Jamie’ wedding to Lagohaire ?
I am not sure much about the fetch. However, since the concept of the fetch has been introduced, it seems that we might see one of the characters seeing his or her own fetch. The fetch foreshadows that the character might die soon. The fetch could also be an astral body projections (and Jamie is pretty good at creating his own body double).
Fascinating and intriguing ideas that you have posited here Piolina. I’m from South Africa and amongst the Xhosa people post-menopausal women’s status changes and they are able to participate in male discussions and decision-making similar to what you described above. I think it is a very widespread custom amongst native peoples around the world. The idea of women becoming more spiritually powerful as they age and acquire wisdom is founded upon a reality. Also, they are no longer tied down in the same way by the demands of children, husband and the home and this frees them to explore parts of themselves they previously had no time for. It will be interesting to see how these ideas are explored by Diana in books 9 and 10.
Absolutely! This concept of women acquiring more “power” in society as they age is typical of many tribal communities regardless of where they are originally from.
I have just discovered your blog, and thoroughly enjoy the essays. I have learned so much on the topic of half-ghost, etc., and other aspects of Outlander, that I have long suspected, but could not put into words.