Celtic Mythology Blog
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The Ways of Harming are Easy. The Ways of Healing are Hard.
Before their arrival in Ireland the Tuatha Dé Danann were said to have traveled far and wide, learning all manner of skill, druidry and other occult practices. The power of this tribe was such that their movements were noted in visions of prophecy long before their ships ever graced the skies -
The Three Strains
One of the most welcomed people in this skilled society were the bard's whose performances added much needed cheer in tales songs and music. Of course there are many who could turn their hand to an instrument, but there were few who could claim true mastery of it. -
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. -
Manannán Missionary - Have you heard the Good Word of our Lord Manannán Mac Lír
In the time before the Tuatha Dé Danánn came into Ireland there were other tribes in the land and indeed older Gods. Lír is the name of one such ancient deity and he was a being of some importance to the island nation as he was the God of the sea itself. Yet for all of his power and influence, we seem to have no tales about him, but we do have many tales concerning his son, the Mac Lír, known as Manannán. -
Sound and Matter are the Mother and Father of the Ogham.
The creation of this script was as a proof of Ogma's own ingenuity and that the knowing of this should be kept for only the most learned to pursue the truths that the Ogham may reveal. The act of crafting ogham is one of capturing the very essence of a sound, which could also be said as the naming of a thing and binding it to a physical form. -
'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. -
With Great God Comes Great Responsibility!
The Lebor Gabála Eireann, or Book of Invasions tells of the coming to Ireland of the Tuatha Dé Dannan. As this tribe struggled to establish themselves upon the land and then defend it from invasion and war, there was one among the heroes who offered to do all that any other could volunteer. The lore tells us that they called him An Dagda as he was their Great God of druidry and magic. -
It's Not Over Until a Goddess of Poetry and Battle Composes a Poem About it
What deeds could there be had if there were no one to record and remember them? Who would recall the names of the slain in times to come if not for the observation of their passing? Who could stand and gaze into the harming and slaying with a will to see, with a mind to recall every detail, and with a heart that could not be broken? -
Brighid - Drop the Hammer
No matter which Brighid you choose to explore you will find someone who is not adverse to doing what's needed, bringing about the change whether it's with the airs of poetic inspiration, the turning of a cursed word, or with the pounding purifying works of the forge. Whatever your personal view of this Goddess, there can be no doubt that when time comes, Brighid can drop the hammer. -
It's Not Over Until a Goddess of Poetry and Battle Composes a Poem About it
In the ancient past of Ireland the art of crafting poetry was highly regarded as one of the greatest skills. There was not a Hero who could call themselves such if they could not recite certain stanzas from memory as well as display the mental agility to create their own words right there upon the spot. Though of all of the famous poets and poems of Ireland's past there can be none that compare to the Morrigan. -
Oghma. Warrior, Scholar, Champion of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Whatever version of the tales you choose to follow, one thing cannot be denied. Oghma has always had a significant impact on the world around him. Battling oppression for his people. Serving the needs of his tribe. Pushing the scope of learning in new ways. To this day ogham, the script bears the name of the intellect, poet, warrior and word smith that created it. To this day, Ogham can be found carved upon the rock, some might say the very bones, of Ireland.
What kind of person could the Tuatha Dé Danann choose as their Champion?
For an answer one must simply look to Oghma.
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