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coinandcandle · 2 years
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The Morrigan Deity Guide
This is a re-do in the "deity deep dive" format of my original Morrigan post!
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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!)
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fernthewhimsical · 6 months
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Prayer to the Morrigan
Your cry of anger rings clear across the battlefield, Your cry of anguish settles in their hearts as a curse, Your cry of power brings storms of blood and fear You cry the cry of thousands, of rage and despair, of protest and frenzy Your cry mingles with ours, spurs us on, and validates, tempers, soothes Thank you for crying with me, Mother, both raising my voice and drying my tears Your thrice-beating heart a shield to protect mine. Fierce with love and fierce with justice, our hearts ever entwined
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trantheist · 1 month
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Brigid shrine with offerings and prayer beads
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The Morrigan: not a death goddess
Based off reading lore, my view is that it is unfair to say the Morrigan is a death goddess.
The other members of the Tuatha kill people in battle probably more so than she does.
The following list is compiled from the different goddeses that make up the Morrigan, namely Badb, Macha, and the singular Morrigan.
Features of the Morrigan according to what I've read in lore:
She does magic to thwart the tribe's enemies
She prophesizes the outcome of battle
Announces ones death
Incites the tribe to battle
Prophesizes the future through poetry
Instills fear in the enemy
Initiates the events that lead to Cu Chulainn's fate and death
Flies over the battle field in the form of a crow
Fights in war
Bestows sovereignty
Possibly grants success in battle.
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thecraftycailleach · 7 months
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youtube
Finally back to content creation! In this video, I explore the harvest associations of the Irish Celtic goddess An Cailleach. From her origins and prevalence in folklore to her specific associations with the harvest period.
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15pantheons · 1 year
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Cú Chulainn: *falls down the stairs*  Ferdiad: Are you okay?  Emer: Stop falling down the stairs!  Morrigan: How’d the ground taste? 
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moonlightsdelights · 10 months
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The Lady of Light throwback Aíne of Limerick
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Bridget by Janine Triskelle
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allmythologies · 4 months
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irish mythology: danu
danu is known as the mother of irish gods. she is the mother goddess of the tuatha dé danann – in fact, these supernatural beings take their name from Ddnu, as the name tuatha dé danann translates to ‘the peoples of the goddess danu.' she is strongly associated with nature, as well as regeneration, wisdom, death, and prosperity. it’s thought that she passed on her own wisdom to members of the tuatha dé danann, as well as her creative and crafty talents.
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aodhan-art · 5 months
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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.
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amylouioc · 1 year
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Painted Brigid because ofc
This is my January monthly postcard if anyone wants one btw! Sign up here before February 6th
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marsprincess889 · 7 months
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NAKSHATRAS AS GODDESSES
3/27
🔪KRITTIKA🔥
DISCLAIMER: This is based solely on my research and the patterns that I saw. I can't promise that I'm gonna be sure in all the coorelations, but I'm going to attribute each nakshatra a goddess that I think fits it the closest. If you're dissapointed, to make up for it, I'm going to list some other deities in the end that I think also fit the nakshatra. Don't come for me if you think I'm wrong, be respectful in the comments if you think so and have fun 🤍
This was easy and almost immidiate. The associations between this goddess and Krittika are so apparent I didn't hesitate for a second. Look out for other deities similar to her in the end.
Brigid
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Pantheon: Celtic (Irish)
Name meaning: "the exalted one", "strength"
Associations: fire, spring, poetry and inspiration, healing and herbalism, smithcraft, agriculture, cattle and sheep.
Symbols: Brigid's cross, holy wells, eternal flame.
Brigid is one of the most highly- revered and widely worshipped Celtic goddesses. She'a triple goddess, representing the maiden, the mother and the crone. As a Maiden, she rules over poetry, music and ispiration. As a Mother, she's presiding over healing. As a Crone, she's the goddess of fire and smithcraft.
Frequently depicted with fiery red hair, she is no simple goddess, also ruling over waters and serenity. She's a protector of women and children, presiding over childbirth and motherhood. Also frequengly depicted with lambs and sheep (krittika's yoni animal) and swans. She's closely connected to agriculture and farm animals.
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Brigid, also being connected to wells and rivers, has many landmarks in Ireland with a body of water. The most famous one is a well in Kildare, Ireland. Water from that well is said to have healing properties.
Her father was Dagda (good, great god), leader of the Irish tribe Tuatha Dé Danann ("people of goddess Danu"), which consisted of Irish deities who lived there before the ancestors of the modern Irish had arrived. Dagda was a wise man, an all-father and a Druid. Brigid married Bres, another member of that tribe and together they had three children. One of them, Ruadán, died and Brigid mourned him with profound and painful sadness. She's very devoted to protecting children and this might be a reason why.
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In honor of her, there's a sacred fire lit in Kildare and is guarded by the Sisters of St. Brigid. There has been a fire in Kildare since the time Brigid was worshipped. It has been put out several times, but has been re-lit and is still burning. This suggests that the worship of Brigid has endured as she she survived and was made a Catholic saint when Christianity came to Europe.
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I want to talk about why I chose her for Krittika while comparing her to very similar goddesses.
First one is the Roman Vesta. Virgins were chosen to keep the fire of vesta burning and it was said that if even one of them gave their virginity, the fire would burn out. In those instances when fire burned out by itself, the poor Vestal Virgins were to blame. Vesta is also the Roman Equivalent of the Greek Hestia, both being goddesses of the hearth, fire and home.
Krittika is the nakshatra that burns impurities through being precise and cutting away all that is not nessecary, hence a sharp object and a flame being its symbols. Bridging the signs of Aries and Taurus, it's often fiery and passionate but also feminine and nurturing.
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An Indian deity ruling over Krittika is Agni_ God of fire. An Indian goddess that is coorelated to Krittika (and also Purva Phalguni) is Tripura Sundari, meaning "the most beautiful in three worlds". This three world- triple goddess coorelation is apparent to me, besides the obvious fire associations, as well as nurturing, fertility and agriculture.
In the lunar mansion of Krittika, there's a constellation called the Pleiades, often called "the seven sisters". This is another confirmation of Krittika's very feminine nature, despite also representing the birth of the cosmic man and being very fiery and passionate in general.
Some other deities that I'd coorelate with Krittika:
Hestia- another virginal goddess of fire, also associated with home and hearth
Tripura Sundari- Indian goddess, "the most beautiful in the worlds"
Vesta- Roman goddess of fire and virgins
Bel- Celtic sun and fire god, also associated with healing, thunder and purification.
That's it! I hope you enjoyed reading about Brigid. This is a very condensed post but I said pretty much everything I wanted to say. I hope you understood Brigid's energy and made the coorelation between her and Krittika. If you're Krittika, even if you're not, COMMENT, like and reblog. Love u, take care ❤🔥
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solargeist · 3 months
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i cant get over how perfect Grian's name is for him, like. It means the Sun in Irish, and slang for trolling/pranking in Thai
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awinterrosesstuff · 3 months
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Irish mythology : Morrigan - Goddess of war, battle and death
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forfeda-project · 2 months
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THE LIVES OF ÉTAÍN
This piece depicts the themes and symbols around the character of Étaín from Tochmarc Étaíne and her various transformations throughout the tale. The two faces depict Étaín's two incarnations a thousand years apart, flanked by suns and moons to represent that "all time is made up of days and nights." The swan and fly represent Étaín's two animal forms, while the cup and pitcher represent the cup of the wife of Étar, and Étaín's skill at serving drink, by which Eochaid seeks to recognize her. Finally, the vegetation and swirling billows on the outside of the frame symbolize the "fragrant and wonderous herbs" of Aengus's crystal sun-bower, and Fuamnach's magical winds.  This was my submission to the late Ralph Kenna's EÍRÍ art project through the Irish Post in 2022, based on the prompt of Evoking Ireland's Resiliant Female Icons. The Wooing of Étaín is one of my favorite Irish myths, and I've always wanted to take a crack at representing some of the themes of the story. Hello everyone, it's been quite a while! I've been on a bit of an impromptu hiatus due to general life stuff and a bit of artistic burnout in the last year or so, but I've got a few works in progress that I'm hoping will help get me back into the swing of things!
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15pantheons · 2 years
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Cú Chulainn: Time for plan G.
Lugh: Don’t you mean plan B?
Cú Chulainn: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties.
Laeg: What about plan D?
Cú Chulainn: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago.
Ferdiad: What about plan E?
Cú Chulainn: I’m hoping not to use it. Emer dies in plan E.
Fand: I like plan E.
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