Artemis, mistress of animals and protector of the young.
Just wanted more Apollo with puppies in my life.
“Thou hast no power against me," said Cúchulainn. "I have power indeed," said the woman; "it is at the guarding of thy death that I am; and I shall be," said she. The Cattle-Raid of Regamna, from the Yellow Book of Lecan
The Morrígan is depicted in the Irish cycles as a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the wife* of the Dagda, and a goddess ruling over the spheres of fate, death, war, and land. She is often associated with ravens, crows, and heifers, whose forms she takes.
Name & Epithets: Morrígan, Morrígu, Mórrígan (Middle Irish— “Great Queen”), Mór-Ríoghain (Modern Irish)
Role as a Goddess of War
The Morrígan is seen in the Cycles as bringing victory in war, or foretelling death in battle. In the Cath Mage Tuired, which describes how the Tuatha Dé Danann overthrew the tyrannical Fomorians, she proclaims the victory of the gods over their enemy and foretells the end of the world. In the Ulster Cycle, she is the sometimes-patron, sometimes-enemy of the hero Cúchulainn, whose death she prophesies after he offends her, and then reminded of his fate by taking the form of an old woman washing his bloodied clothes in a creek.
Role as a Sovereignty Goddess
Sovereignty goddesses in Irish tradition represent the land itself, and thus marriage to one creates a legitimate rule or guardianship over that land. In Early Medieval Ireland (and perhaps before), a king’s coronation would include a symbolic marriage to the land, thereby granting himself power and legitimacy. The Morrígan is one such sovereignty goddess, or at least perceived as one by the 12th Century, as the Book of Invasions names her the sister of Ériu, Banba, and Fódla, personifications of Ireland married to each of her three kings.
Role as a Triplicate Goddess
The Morrígan is inconsistently referred to as one of three or a combination of three figures. In the Mythological cycle, she is named as the sister of Badb (’crow’), a war goddess, and Macha, a land goddess. Together, they are called the three Morrígna. Macha is also the name of several other figures, and Badb appears barely distinguishable from the Morrígan. Whatever the case, the names appear less like the archetypal ‘Maiden, Mother, Crone’, and more like simply different aspects of the goddess given different titles, as is common in Irish religion.
*Marriage with the Dagda
The fact of her “marriage” with the Dagda is contentious but well-supported by the texts we have access to. One of her best-known stories from the Cath Mage Tuired is the Dagda’s pact with her before the battle against the Formorians. This part of the text is often mistranslated as the Dagda meeting her [for the first time] at a certain point in the year, when really a perhaps more accurate translation would be “On this day [near Samhain] the Dagda met her yearly.” Additionally, the “union” described between her and the Dagda does not appear to be purely sexual. The word used, ‘oentaith’ is difficult to translate but probably also refers to a general agreement/pact [dil.ie/33541], not unlike a modern marriage. Additionally, as a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a ceremonial marriage to a sovereignty and agricultural goddess such as the Morrígan would be appropriate for the Dagda and make sense to an early Irish audience.
My UPG with the Morrígan
Recommended reading + Sources
Cath Mage Tuired [Translation] [Original]
Book of Invasions
The Cattle-Raid of Regamna
Ingredients:
A black candle
A piece of paper
A pen
A protective herb, such as rosemary, basil, or lavender
Instructions:
Light the black candle.
Write your name on the piece of paper.
Fold the paper in half and place it under the candle.
Sprinkle the protective herb over the paper.
Close your eyes and visualize a protective shield surrounding you.
Say the following incantation:
“I am protected from all harm. No evil can touch me. I am safe and sound. I am surrounded by love and light.”
Open your eyes and let the candle burn out.
This spell can be used to protect yourself from negative energy, harm, and danger. It can also be used to protect your home, your loved ones, and your belongings.
Here are some additional tips for using this spell:
You can use any protective herb that you like.
You can say the incantation in your own words.
You can perform this spell at any time of day or night.
You can repeat this spell as often as you need to.
This spell is a simple and effective way to protect yourself from harm. By following these tips, you can make sure that the spell is as effective as possible.
jack grayle, the hekataeon
1. The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread
Gives you a comprehensive answer to any question
2. The Soulmate Conversation
Tells you everything about your soulmate
3. The Three Wishes Tarot Spread
Tells you which of your wishes will come true
4. The Two Paths Tarot Spread
Guides you towards making the right decision
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Shows you a person's true colors
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Shows you the full year ahead
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Tells you how long you will live
19. The High Priestess Tarot Spread
Answers any question about the future
20. The Time Prediction Method
Reveals the timing of any event
Thinking about him.
Missing him.
Tide Pool (1980) by Jeremy Miranda
"I don't have a religion therefore you can't either" isn't any less colonialist than "my religion is valid and yours is not", by the way, people.
I need the swagness that Robert Plant had while singing stairway to heaven live at earls court in 1975