The Fetch
Your own doppelgänger—seeing it means death is near. The Fetch appears to warn you. Sometimes others see your Fetch walking while you sleep. Ireland's death omen walks in your form.
The Fetch is an Irish and British supernatural phenomenon—a ghostly double of a living person whose appearance portends death.
The Legend
According to documented folklore, the Fetch is a spirit double that looks exactly like you. Seeing it portends death. It may be seen by others, making it a classic death omen.
Appearance
The Fetch is identical to the living person and may appear translucent. It’s often seen at a distance, sometimes mimics actions, and is usually silent.
The Warning
Seeing your own Fetch has specific meanings. In the morning, it means long life. In the evening, death is near. Some say any sighting means death within hours or days that cannot be avoided.
Others Seeing Your Fetch
Sometimes friends see your Fetch when you’re elsewhere. This means you’re near death. The Fetch wanders while you sleep, which is a very bad sign.
Related Concepts
The Fetch is similar to the Doppelgänger (German), Vardøger (Norwegian), Ka (Egyptian), and other spirit doubles found worldwide.
Famous Cases
Historical examples include Queen Elizabeth I, who allegedly saw hers, Percy Bysshe Shelley, who saw his, and many accounts in folklore. Cases are still reported today.
Sources
Your face in the mirror when you’re not there. Your form walking down the street while you sleep. The Fetch is death’s announcement, arriving in your shape to warn that the end approaches. In Ireland and Britain, they still watch for the double, the fetch, the spirit self that means your time has come.