Celtic Mythology Blog
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Boot Camp with the Badb
The Badb is listed as a Goddess of battle and death in Ireland's ancient lore. Said to take the form of a hooded or scald crow the Badhbh flies over the battle fields of Éire, and that her raucous cries cause the weak of heart to quail in terror. -
Macha - Justice Always Follows
In ancient times Ireland was ruled by chieftains and kings, but the rule of land was not a birth right. One had to prove ones worth by skill of thought, word and deed even to be considered for such a role. Even those aspirants were not guaranteed to rule for the last, and some might say most important, step in the process was to connect with the sovereignty of the land itself, for only in a union with the Goddesses of the land could a rightful chieftain rule. -
Peace to the Sky - The Morrigan's Prophesy Poetry
The Tuatha Dé Danann came into Ireland as the descendants of those who had emigrated to avoid oppression. They took rule of the land and began to prosper, yet there were dark times in their future. Something which could not have escaped the notice of those gifted in prophecy. -
'Níl fadhb agam. Tá Badhbh agam' - 'I don't have a problem. I have a Badhbh'.
Amongst the Tuatha Dé Danann we find mention of the Badb, or Badhbh in modern Irish. She is listed, along with her sisters Macha and The Mórrígan, as a Goddess of battle and death. Said to take the form of a hooded or scald crow the Badhbh flies over the battle fields of Eireann and that her raucous cries cause the weak of heart to quail in terror. -
Brighid - Forged by Fire
Brighid is an expert at what she does and knows exactly how much her material can take, even though we may not. Those who come through this process can truly be considered forged by fire. -
Seal an Cailleach - Season of the Witch.
In Irish, the word Cailleach originally signified a nun, coming from the latin word 'pallium' which means veil. Over time it came to mean 'old woman' or 'hag'. MAybe its not hard to see how this, added to the ancient beliefs of power and mysticism, then filtered through the lens of the popular media representation, leads us to it's current use for 'witch'. -
The Foretelling of Fedelm: "Crimson-red from blood they are; I behold them bathed in red!"
The Táin Bó Cúailnge or Cattle Raid of Cooley is one of Ireland's most famous epic sagas. Forming a core element of the Ulster Cycle of Ireland's ancient lore, it plays out with Medb, the Mórrígan, Conchobhar and many other well known characters, one of the most interesting and engaging conflicts between provinces, Otherworldly powers, and rival rulers. -
Medb of Cruachán - Warrior, Queen, Priestess, Judge of Heroes.
Medb is a multi-faceted figure of Irish lore, linked with priestess work in the Otherworld, the sovereignty of Ireland itself as a goddess, and the rites of judgement and right rule. The Banshenchus (the Lore of Woman) manuscript, may have described her best; "Glorious, perverse, extravagant and liberal". -
Go Deep with the Mórrígan - When Working with the Great Queen, Be Prepared
The Mórrígan is an expert at the long game - for her perspective is not measured in days or months, but in decades and indeed centuries. She will always take that which is of use to Her, but for those she calls there is greater personal work required. To achieve that which She expects, one must gather their valour and be ready to gaze upon the battlefield, for in Her service we can gain glimpses of fate to aid in the manifestation of Her design.
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Goibhniu - Warrior Smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Goibhniu's story is one of the power of creation; for in the act of crafting an item is the intimate knowledge of that item, as it comes into being with your own hand. When one possesses complete and intimate knowledge of a thing, then there is no mystery to it... and in a way, no harm that can come from it. -
A Body Made of Daggers - The Mórrígan by An Scéalaí Beag
We had a recent question from our community regarding the source of the text for one of our best selling T-Shirts and I realized that, though it stands on its own, sometimes the back story adds to the appreciation.
So, 'What is the background to this quote?'...
“A Body Made Of Daggers. Forged In The Heat Of Her Rage. Sharpened Upon The Wheel Of Her Intent.”
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The Mórrígan - A Beginners Guide to Irish Celtic Mythology
The Morrigan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, is an Irish (Celtic) Goddess associated with battle and destiny, fate, or change. She is seen in t...
