#irish deity

[coinandcandle]

Airmed Deity Guide

Who is Airmed?

Airmed, also spelled Airmid is a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann and an Irish goddess with all of the knowledge of herbalism. She is mentioned in the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh as she healed those who were injured in the battle. Airmed is one of the deities whose incantations was said to resurrect the dead when sung over the Well of Sláine.

Parents and Siblings

Her father is Dian Cecht, the god of medicine and healing

Her brother is Miach

Cu

Cethen

Cian

Étan the poet

Ochtriullach (Octriuil)

Lovers or Partners

None or not mentioned

Children

None or not mentioned

Epithets

None mentioned, though her name may be an epithet of a forgotten name itself

Notes

Following the death of her brother caused by their own father due to his jealousy over his son’s healing talents, Airmed goes to visit the grave of Miach. There she found 365 herbs and was taught their secrets to healing. She spread out her cloak and began to organize them but before she could finish the task her father found her. Jealous again of his child’s talents he picked up the cloak and scattered the herbs, leaving their sacred knowledge lost to history. Only Airmed remembers all of the herbalist knowledge.

The significance of the number 365 may have been as such: “one for each of his joints and sinews, one for each day of the year, one for each illness that ever had been or ever would be.” (Story Archeology)

Well of Sláine essentially translates to “Well of Health”

Airmed and Miach are both etymologically linked to measurements of grain or cereal. Airmed is more of a measurement and Miach is more of the thing being measured (Story Archeology).

In Old Irish, there were no distinctions made between herbs and vegetables and they were generally all considered “useful plants”.

This would make sense as Airmed’s story involves her organizing and counting these useful plants.

I HIGHLY suggest you look into Story Archeology because the hosts of the podcast go into detail about the etymology and possible meanings behind the story of Airmed.

Modern Deity Work

Keep in mind that due to the very little information left about Airmed, most of this modern deity work will be influenced by those who work with her in modern times.

Correspondences

Rocks/Stone/Crystals

Quartz, amethyst, opal, agate (moss agate), jasper, silver

Herbs/Plants

You could argue that all of them—or at least 365 of them—correspond to Airmed as she is an herbalist

Healing herbs specifically

Self Heal (prunella vulgaris)

Animals

Snakes (sometimes associated with healing as well as waters in Celtic mythology)

Symbol

Mortar and Pestle

Healing Wells

Offerings

Herbs, especially those native to Ireland

Donate to local medical facilities

Any of the above

Acts of Devotion

Learn Herbalism

Practice healing or medicine

Pay respects to those in medical careers

Volunteer at medical centers

Possibly looking into necromancy as she is known to bring the dead back to life (though this is a stretch)

References and Further Reading

Most of these are going to be UPG or similar and not based much in history but I’m trying to add as many as possible for those interested in further looking into this diety.

Airmid (Wiki)

Airmed the Celtic Goddess (Claudia Merill)

Airmid (Amino)

Mythical Women 04: The Story of Airmed (Story Archeology Podcast)

The Celtic Goddess Airmid (The Cottage Mystic)

#Airmed #Airmid #Airmedh #deity deep dive #deity guide #Irish deity #Irish pagansim #Celtic paganism

[thegoodfellowpuck]

Sometimes I approach my shrines and just sort of stand there. Like, I don't pray, make offerings, or anything. I'll just stand there and look at it. Or sit next to it.

For a while, this made me feel strange and a little guilty, even. But now I look to how I do similarly with my parents. I'll just go and sit quietly with them, or go lean on them. Just take comfort in their presence.

The Gods ARE our divine parents, after all.

#hellenic deities #hellenic polytheism #pagan #hellenismos #greek polytheism #hellenic gods #altar #irish paganism #polytheism #irish mythology #celtic paganism #celtic polytheism

[reejindeed]

Been wanting to make more work based on Irish paganism and its stories (sort of a blending of jobs hahaha), so I started with an obvious option for me.

Lugh, master of many skills! The "many skills" bit comes in handy for work and an endless sea of special interests, for sure.

#lugh #lugh deity #irish paganism #celtic polytheism #irish polytheism #polytheism #deity work #paganism #illustration #digital art #doodles

[aodhan-art]

A commission of Brigid for @bloodtreachery (awww, it was SUCH a pleasure to do it!). I put an emphasis on her aspect as a poet, hence the fire of poetry ablaze! The poem in the flames is a liberal translation of these lines from The Hosting of the Sidhe into Old Irish (courtesy of my wonderful husband):

...if any gaze on our rushing band, We come between him and the deed of his hand, We come between him and the hope of his heart.

#artists on tumblr #irish mythology #brighid #brigid #celtic paganism #gaelpol #paganblr #pagan art #illustration #commission #commissions open #tuatha de danann #irish goddesses #goddess brigid #druidism #celtic deities #aodhan erbnen

[wolfhowlwitch]

pro deity worship/low energy tip:

you CAN watch tv with/for your deities! and devote it to Them! and use that devoted time as an offering!

your offerings don’t exclusively HAVE to be physical or even only “things that would have been offered at the inception of the religion”. quality time is an offering. and TV (or movies!) can be quality time. as someone who is autistic/disabled, sometimes that’s all I can give (and I’m biased in that TV is my special interest, lol.)

examples:

for The Morrigan, I watch shows about killers, mediums, ghosts, and powerful groups of women. if I’m watching movies, I lean towards Irish horror movies or movies about spirits. sometimes just general dark fantasy movies. examples include Practical Magic (movie), The Hallow (movie), Hannibal (movie series or show but especially show), Psychic Kids* (reality show)

for Hermes, I watch things that are both funny and interesting/educational/informative. if I’m watching movies, I lean towards comedy romps (especially that involve travel) or biopics. examples include We Are The Millers (movie), Rocketman (biopic movie), Hart to Heart (comedy/interview show), Jeopardy!* (educational game show)

for Hades, I watch any and all horror movies, especially those with an afterlife component. if I’m watching shows, I tend to lean towards dark/kooky spooky cartoons. examples include Beetlejuice (movie or show but especially movie), The Cleansing Hour (movie), The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (cartoon show), Courage the Cowardly Dog* (cartoon show)

for Persephone, I tend to watch anything old, spooky, heartfelt, and aesthetically beautiful. if I’m watching movies, I lean towards dark musical films or romantic movies with a horror twist (bonus points for horror, comedy, and romance all in one). examples include Deathgasm (movie), The Corpse Bride (cartoon musical movie), Elvira’s Movie Macabre (horror movie commentary show), The Munsters* (show)

I put a * next to the programs that I feel They’ve loved the most and have felt truly deep connection with Them over! please feel free to get weird with it, experiment, find what works for your worship. and maybe in the reblogs or tags, tell me what you’ve been watching and who you’ve been watching it with!

#the wolf speaks #paganblr #pagan #paganism #eclectic paganism #helpol #hellenic paganism #hellenic pagan #hellenic polytheism #polytheism #irish paganism #celtic paganism #irish pagan #celtic pagan #the morrigan #hades #persephone #hermes #the morrigan deity #hades deity #persephone deity #hermes deity

[the-purvashadha]

Your deities want you to love and value your self

#apollo deity #apollo devotion #aphrodite deity #aphrodite devotion #hermes devotee #hermes devotion #hellenic polytheism #hellenic deities #deity devotion #hellenic pagan #paganism #norse deities #norse paganism #celtic deities #celtic paganism #hellenic paganism #irish polytheism #irish paganism #kemetic polytheism #kemeticism #self love #self worth #self acceptance #deity work #deity worship

[that--witchling]

Quick question, is Celtic Paganism open, closed, or partially both? Because I've heard all different angles and honestly I'm so confused now.

I am not Welsh by blood but have citizenship and have lived here for the majority of my life since I was a child so does it count if I practice? I do consider myself Welsh as I've lived here for so long.

#Please be nice I'm trying to figure this out #witchblr #witchcraft #witch #deity work #deity #deity worship #deity witchcraft #irish paganism #welsh paganism #celtic paganism #celtic pantheon #celtic polytheism #welsh witch #Pagan #pagan witch #paganism #paganblr

[blackcrowing]

So as far as I'm aware in the Celtic umbrella of deities we don't have any deities SPECIFICALLY related to weaving/textiles or pottery. Which in the grand pattern of Indo-European branches (or even humanity as a whole) seems.... very odd...

What are the community's thoughts on these acts falling under the purview of Brigit or her other language counter parts? Are there other deities that would make more sense for these activities? What are our thoughts?

#gaelpol #gaelic paganism #gaelic polytheism #gaelic deities #celtic #celtic paganism #celtic polytheism #celtic deities #Irish #irish paganism #irish polytheism #irish deities #gaulish #gaulish polytheism #Gaulish paganism #Gaulish deities #brigid #brighid #brigit #bríg #bríd #*Brigantī #Brigantia #Brigindo

[forfeda-project]

PHANTOM AT THE FORD

"I will come against you in the form of an eel about your feet in the ford, so that you shall fall… I will drive the cattle on the ford to you, in the form of a grey she-wolf… I will come to you in the form of a hornless red heifer before the cattle. They will rush on you on the plains and on the fords, and on the pools, and you will not see me before you…" - The Morrígan to Cú Chulainn, Táin Bó Cúailnge

In the Táin Bó Cúailnge ("the Cattle Raid of Cooley"), the warrior Cú Chulainn is able to stave off the advances of Queen Medb's army by invoking his right to single combat at the fords, singlehandedly defeating each of Medb's champions in turn. But when Cú Chulainn refuses help from the Morrígan, a powerful goddess, she resolves to instead be a hindrance to him, taking different animal forms to disrupt his battles - an eel to trip him, and a wolf and a heifer to drive the cattle over the ford.

This piece depicts the three forms of the Morrígan surrounded by the thorns and flowers of the hawthorn, a tree connected to terror, baneful magic, and the powers of the Otherworld in Gaelic folklore.

#celtic #celticart #mythology #irish mythology #celtic mythology #folklore #morrigan #cu chulainn #shapeshifter #tain bo cuailgne #ulster cycle #hawthorn #deity #gaelpol #pagan #pagan art #goddess #forfedaproject

[fiantacleasai]

What are some daily rituals you try to do every day? - however short and simple or long and complex they might be. I would love to hear them!

I’m trying to build my own daily and weekly rituals where I set aside time for my deities.. And I’m having trouble figuring out the “best” way to do so. Just looking to see what other’s experiences are like.

#Gaelpol #Polytheism #lokean #brighidine #irish polytheism #gaelic paganism #gaelic polytheism #deity worship #deity work #paganblr #heathenry #Loki #Brighid #loki deity #brighid deity #rituals

[runningwithfawns]

If I see one more of those cheesy aesthetic witch infographics saying Lugh is a celtic deity and only a celtic deity I'm going to lose my mind, why do you all refuse to say Irish why is specifying so hard

#lugh #lugh deity #lughnasadh #irish mythology #irish polytheism #tuatha de danann

[coinandcandle]

The Morrigan Deity Guide

This is a re-do in the "deity deep dive" format of my original Morrigan post!

Who is The Morrigan?

The Morrigan is the ancient Irish Triple, or tripartite, of war and death, but she is also goddess of sovereignty, the land, and prophecy.

The name Morrigan, or Morrigu, is the anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mór-Ríoghain, which means "Great Queen" in modern Irish.

The old name has been linked to the proto-indo-european word Mór (terror) and Ríoghain could relate to the Latin word Regina (queen). (Wiktionary)

It’s debated whether she is one deity with three aspects or if these three aspects are sisters that create a triple goddess.

If they are sisters, their names are likely Macha, Nemain, and The Morrigan, their collective title being The Morrigu or The Morrigna. (The spelling of these will differ throughout your research if you choose to do your own after this post)

Their names could also be Macha, Nemain, and Badb, though the name “Badb” may have been a title for spirits/gods who wrought havoc on the battlefields and incited terror in the opposing side. (See “The Ancient Irish Goddess of War” in references for more info).

Other names involved with these sisters are Anand and Fea.

It’s not unlikely that The Morrigan’s identity would change between the many different groups in Ireland throughout time.

Parents and Siblings

Her mother is Ernmas, father is unknown.

Siblings have included Ériu, Banba, and Fódla, who make up the triple goddess of spirit and sovereignty of Ireland.

As well as Gnim, Coscar, Fiacha, and Ollom, as her brothers.

Lovers or Partners

The Dagda, with whom her relationship is of great importance for the Irish holiday Samhain.

In some iterations of her lore the Morrigan falls for Irish Hero Cú Chulainn but her feelings are not returned.

Children

Mechi, who has three hearts that each contain a serpent.

Epithets

The Goddess of Death

Morrígu

The Morrighan

The Great Queen

Phantom Queen

Badb-Catha

Nightmare Queen

The Washer at the Ford

Notes

Due to the many myths and legends surrounding The Morrigan and she is also associated with the Fae and the Banshee—a creature that generally takes on the form of an old woman who wails in mourning to announce the coming death of someone in the family.

The Morrigan is most notoriously a shape shifter and deity of magic.

In modern day paganism and witchcraft, some choose to worship The Morrigan as one deity with the sisters as aspects, others choose to worship her as a triple goddess consisting of three sisters. Neither of these can be said to be entirely right or wrong and vary from person to person, even from an academic point of view.

Though there are similar beings throughout Celtic mythology, The Morrigan is unique to Irish mythology.

Stories that prominently feature the Morrígan include Táin Bó Cúailgne (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), Cath Maige Tuired (The First and Second Battles of Moytura), and Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland). (Mythopedia)

Fulacht na Mór Ríoghna (Cooking Pit of the Morrígan) in County Tipperary, and two hills in County Meath known as Da Cích na Morrígna (Two Breasts of the Morrígan) are both locations in Ireland linked to The Morrigan.

Modern Deity Work

Correspondences

Disclaimer - Many of these are not traditional or historic correspondences nor do they need to be. However, any correspondence that can be considered traditional will be marked with a (T).

Rocks/Stone/Crystals

Obsidian

Onyx

Silver

Carnelian

Deep green, black and red stones/crystals

Herbs/Plants

Dragon’s Blood

Apples

Nightshade

Roses

Cedar

Cloves

Mugwort

Belladonna

Juniper

Animals

Crow (T)

Eel (T)

Cow (T)

Horse (T)

Wolf (T)

Raven

Symbols

Triple spiral

Crow

Offerings

Blood (be careful with this please!!)

Wine or Mead

The stones and herbs listed above

Imagery of the animals or symbols listed above

Food that you’ve made or a portion of your meal

Jewelry

Art made of her or inspired by her

Coins

Honey

Dark chocolate

Candles and/or wax melts; incense

Meat

Milk

Note: If you’d like your offering to be a bit more traditional, try burying it or sending it down a stream, but only if it is safe for the environment if you do so!

Acts of Devotion

Exercise/Work out (especially if it's challenging!)

Activism

Read/write poetry for her

Research her

Celebrate Samhain

Take up a competitive sport or activity

Standing up for yourself

Keep in mind that these are only some ideas for offerings and correspondences! Items and activities that connect you to her in a more personal way are just as good, and often better, than those you find on the internet. As with any relationship, feel it out, ask questions, and be attentive and receptive!

References and Further Reading

The Morrigan - World History Encyclopedia

The Ancient Irish Goddess of War by WM Hennessey (via Sacred-Texts)

The Morrigan - Druidry.org

The Book of the Great Queen by Morpheus Ravenna

The Morrigan - Mythopedia (Mythopedia also has a bunch of references and further reading of their own that I suggest you look at if you’d like to do your own research!)

#the morrigan #deity deep dive #irish goddess #paganism #deity work #deity guide #witchcraft #grimoire #witchblr

[fernthewhimsical]

Prayer to Brighid

You who breathes innovation, and ignites that spark within us You who forges with steel, as well as with words You who kindles the fires, and stokes our passions high Brighid, Lady of the Amber Forge, I honour you.

#prayer a day #day 12 #deity #brighid #bríde #Brigid #goddess #irish myth #irish mythology #prayer #poem #pagan #paganblr #paganism

[reejindeed]

Trying to keep things a little looser

#lugh #lugh deity #irish paganism #irish folklore #celtic mythology #doodles #lugh lamhfada #I like the one on the left a whole hell of a lot #but I feel like if I ever tried to ‘finish’ it that’d ruin it #so here it stays

[aodhan-art]

pov: Lugh Samildánach offers you a game of fidchell. your bet?

#artists on tumblr #lugh #lugh samildanach #lugh lamfada #irish mythology #celtic paganism #tuatha de danann #sidhe #irish paganism #irish folklore #celtic mythology #celtic deities #aodhan erbnen

[cherrycolaboy]

Hey y’all I’m looking for info on Celtic paganism and the Celtic god Lugh does anyone have any good sources, posts, or even little tidbits? Anything helps, thanks!!!

#pagan #paganism #polytheism #pagan witch #deity devotion #paganblr #pagans of tumblr #witchcraft #deity worship #deity #devotional #deity work #deities #celtic paganism #celtic #irish paganism #celtic mythology #irish mythology #eclectic pagan #pagan blog #pagan community #witchblr