Reprinted From Sheela-Na-Gig Magazine
'All that is perverse and horrible among the supernatural powers', A Goddess of battles who appears in the form of a scavenging scald-crow or a ragged winged raven, glorying in death and battle'.
This is the commonly held image of the Morrigan in folklore and story telling and in this form she plays a significant part in both the mythological story cycle, and the Heroic cycle.
Before the Battle of Magh Tuireadh, she promises Lugh that she will pursue any who seek to flee from battle. She draws 'the blood of his heart' from the Formoire leader Innneach stealing his power, and offers two handfuls of this blood to his foes at the Ford of Destruction.
She also prophecies the Tain and seems to be there at significant points, disturbing and troubling its unfolding. In her first meeting with Cuchulain she is revengeful when her advances are rebuffed and she is there at his death.
She is, indeed, portrayed as wild and war loving. One late text describes her as "shrieking triumphantly over fighting soldiers....a lean hag, speedily leaping over the points of their weapons and shields." So she comes down into our time as a figure presiding over death and destruction or dwindled into dark and fearful figure, leading spirits out of the Otherworld cave entrance of Cruachain at Samhain and the dark enemy of children's stories.
But it is not just as a wild haired grey and nimble hag, pouring curses, hailstones and fiery showers on the assembled enemies of her people that she enters into the old stories. She may equally appear as a strong and beautiful woman as when she meets and mates with the Dagda before the battle against the Formoire.
A crimson robed, flame-headed warrior , she appears coming out of the Sid of Cruachain bringing a red eared white heifer to the brown Bull of Cuailnge.
".....a chariot harnessed with a chestnut horse. The horse had but one leg and the pole of its chariot passed through its body,.....Within the chariot was a woman, her eyebrows red and a crimson mantle round her. Her mantle fell behind her between the wheels of the chariot so that it swept along the ground........"
She appears to Cuchulain in similar form calling herself the King of Buan's daughter and offering him her treasure and herself . She is also a powerful shape-shifter appearing as a white heifer, an eel, a wolf, an otter as well as the more usual crow, black bird or raven.
It is generally accepted that Morrigan (Mor Rioghan, Morrigu) has the meaning of Great Queen or possibly Phantom, i.e. Otherworld Queen. It is certainly a title rather than a name. In the glossary to the Battle of Magh Tureadh her names are given as Danu and Ana, (Anu). Now Ana is one of the oldest names of the Great Mother Goddess and in that or similar forms the name appears in mythologies from all over the world. She was Anna-Nin, Lady of Heaven in Sumeria, Anat in Canaan, Anatha in Syria, Nanna in the Norse lands, Hannah, Di-ana, Inanna, Anna Perena, Grandmother time; the list is endless. She is the Great-mother, the Grand-mother and it is hardly surprising that She is remembered in Christian mythology as the Grandmother of Christ.
In Celtic mythology she is remembered as Anu, Danu, Mother of Her people, the Tuatha De Danaan. Her name is commemorated in the landscape, as in the Paps of Anu in Killarney, and elsewhere. (There are small hills known as "The Paps of the Morrigan" in Co. Meat). Anu, Danu, is the giver of Gifts, of inspiration of brightness. but she is also the bring of sleep and darkness. Danu's children revered the night and gave darkness precedence over day. And in folklore she becomes both the bright fairy woman, Erin and the black 'witch' Anis . As Great-Mother she encompasses both light and dark, both giving and receiving back.
If She is the 'Great Queen' of Ireland then the stories will show evidence of her sovereignty. There are many stories of a prospective king who is met and tested by a woman who changes from old to young, from hideous to beautiful These encounters often take place near water so that it is not unexpected to find that the Dagda mates with the Morrigan as she stand bathing with one foot on each bank of the river.
It is interesting that when she offers herself to Cuchulain he refuses her 'queenship'. Is the story seeing Cuchulain as a "solar hero", a patriarchal warrior type who no longer seeks the mating with the Goddess of the land? Perhaps, although other aspects of his myth do not wholly bear this out. Even so the Cuchulain story belongs to the 'heroic' rather than the 'mythological' cycle.
These great Goddesses are always triple and the Morrigan is no exception. She is usually viewed as one of a triad of sisters, including Badhbh, and Macha.
Macha is also a Goddess of the Land. Besides the well known story of her race with the king's horses and her birthing curse on the warriors of Ulster there is also the story of how she laid out the boundaries of Emain Macha with her broach pin. She is the horse Goddess and protector of her people.
Nemain is another known war Goddess as is Fea. At the battle of Magh Tuireadh they are all mentioned as wives of Nuada so perhaps they are all aspects of the Goddess of the land evoked for protection.
And why have they remained, remembered only as Goddesses of war and battle? The Goddesses of the Sacred Land, and all land is sacred, are givers of prosperity and fertility. Their chosen ones were pledged to uphold and cherish the gifts of the Goddess.
Maybe there are clues in the stories. Macha's secrets are raped and her gifts abused through pride and jealousy. When she is forced to race against her own natural cycles and to give birth before her time her blessing becomes a curse. When Cuchulain refuses the Morrigan's gifts he begins a cycle of competition rather than co-operation. Is it any wonder that she is perceived as angry? He wounds her in her shape shifted forms and is only healed when he consents to drink from the teats of her cow and offers a blessing. He accepts her nourishment and healing takes place.
It is clear that in the stories, conquest of the land becomes paramount. and therefore conquest of the Goddess by whatever name she is known. How can it be otherwise when She is the land. Where we seek to abuse, there we also fear. She has become the recipient of our fearful projections and so becomes fearful herself.
So why Morrigan healing? If we regard her as dark and fearful then we will treat the Sacred land in the same way. If we see her as guide and protectress then she will grant us the clear vision of her ravens. Her healing will be cleansing, not easy maybe, because as the earth rots away and transforms all that is dead, or as fire consumes and transmutes static energies, or as the scavengers pick clean, so her cleansing is to the bone. Not easy, but what she transforms is cleansed to health.
Remember that after the Tain, the cattle raid, it is she who tells the trees and the rivers the outcome. It is she, who after the battle of Magh Tuireadh, sings the song of blessing and regeneration.
Peace up to the skies;The skies down to the earth;The earth under the skies;Strength to everyone.
A Goddess of natural cycle then, And with the natural cycles of the land so threatened and damaged the battle aspect cannot be ignored. But if we are cooperating with her and not in competition then any conflict will become part of the healing process, not an end in itself.
The Morrigan; Goddess of no pain, no gain.
And why should I write of her now at this brightening turn on the path of the year? Brightness, energy; She comes armed and crimson robed. But as traditionally the young warrior was armed and blessed by the mother, as Scathach armed Cuchulain, gave him training and focus and let him go, so the Goddess gives us the tools and the focus we need to fulfill our tasks, blesses us and lets us go. We choose how we use them.
She gives us the knowledge; it is our will to survive.

Dream/ experience a few days ago.

Crows came to visit me infact I dreamed I was in a place that was no place surround litteraly by crows and heard the caw caw caw.They were flying around me deocil I could not see anything but this huge flock of crows I felt power power power and the energy omy. I felt not so much fear but an awe and a little bit ogf ohoh what has roused the Morrighan
Now yesterday I was out getting gas there was three huge ravesns sitting and looking at me. so just saoid hello to them and to my Mother
Morrighan. Between the exp of three ravens sitting lit looking at me while I was getting gas and my dream gonna have t meditate .
Yea I hope me not in trouble LOL She definat got my attention so I will later on today or tonight . and The Morrighan when she gets your attention one best listen to Her.
I did try take a pic of the three and then poof the fly like in slow motion and I couldnt take a pic all I could do was watch like they said no pic thank you very much.

This morning about 3 July 11 th I got up from an interesting dream/ experience LOL
I was standing at an opening to a hge door way a portal of some kind it was dark dark and dark It was like an entrance to some kinda of cave I could see rocks bolders all around
As I entered I heard voicesn it was very erie,
Somwe of the voices sounded like " demonic" like what youd hear ina devil move its hard to explain, then I heard one that was loud not screaming I got into this arrea where I could see different passageways
I could see vapors liken to spirits. I could hear water like a slow moving river or streams They enicricled me I head as if they carried sorrow like a moan erie
I saw one that looked like a dark shadow was not me in a cloak
Then I got this thought or a whisper who is to say welcome to the realm of the Phantom Queen....
Then I heard I saw myself an saw on my one arm my tat with the crow and crescent moon it became red like it shone like on fire but not I wish I had words to ex-plain this
I am not sure what is happening or why but I am keeping careful notes on this
I suddenly woke up and said out loud, Yes what what and no one there

Sparks and leaping tongues of flame,Upon the battlefields there came,surrounded by blue darts of fire,The Goddess of the Dark.She came the Morrigu enchanted.proffering misty clouds of darkness,into the soul of every warrior;The hooded crow of the all seeing eye,And on she came.A beautiful woman, a lowly hag,disguised as such, she made them begfor life and limb, she did not care,Tossing young bodies to wind and air.Cuchulainn ignored her warning pleas,She offered him freedom and liberty. He turned from her countenance, all trifold,The Badb, The Macha, The Morrigu.His fate was sealed when he walked away,She washed his clothes in the river’s fray.As she cleaned his clothes in the bloody water,She planned his death, and envisioned slaughter.As he lay dying tied to a tree,A raven perched on his shoulder near,Was she whispering into his failing ear?You heeded no warning, your fate was clear.The past and the future, she read them well,Foretold of a world becoming a hell;Down through the passage of time, we shall hearThe Morrigu hovers, The Raven is near. author unknown

Great Morrigan Might Queen warrior Goddess

Fierce is your Name for terrible is your power

Great Morrigan, you who are Macha, Badb, Nemain/(Anu,Ana)
Restorer of womens, soul and heart.

You who remind us of our dignity and divine worth

Goddess of priestesses , and witches

Great sorceress Dark Goddess of death ,destruction,

prophecy ,justice, vengence belong to you

Goddess of fiery passion
Great Morrigan phantome Queen, Fairy Queen Queen of my heart

Triple Goddess and so much more

I honor you my Mother, my Matron I honor you with my heart

and work.

Your daughter and priestess

MysticMoonCrow)0(

THE ROLE OF THE MORRÍGAN

For modern Pagans, the role of the Morrígan in our religion is different than what it was for our ancestors. Most of us are not involved in life-or-death struggles on a daily basis. The Morrígan is an appropriate deity for strong, independent people, particularly those on a warrior path. SHe teaches women to stand up be counted, confront, no longer be bullied and to rise above the abuse and lies of the past.

RITUALS FOR THE MORRÍGAN

Many devotees, children of of the Morrígan have a permanent shrine set up in Her honor. They use such items as a bowl of brine and blood, a raven or crow feather, or even a piece of red cloth (to symbolize the Washer at the Ford). Some people use menstrual blood, which is very appropriate. Blood, especially menstrual blood, is a symbol of both life and death, fertility and war.
Rituals should be kept simple. Find something that symbolizes the Morrígan and meditate on it. When you feel Her presence, you may wish to offer Her something of value. This can be as simple as some ale or as difficult as spilling your own blood.
As a a quote from a devotee put it..."I meditated on a crow's feather and a candle flame. I called Her name until I could feel Her definite presence. When I offered myself to Her, the flame blazed up and filled the entire room and I felt that my offer had been accepted. "

Hail Great Morrigan

Macha, Badb, Nemain

Ancient Goddess of war and strife

Passionate in your love

Powerful in your magick and words

Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan

Oh how has thou ravished my heart

Great Queen

Thou who makes mens heart tremble

and to drip in fear

I hail and salute thee

My Great Mother., Queen of witches and faery alike

I offer my heart upon thy sacred altar

As a rose plucked for a lover

Morrigan's rose
Here within my heart
Within my darkness
Her rose sits
Morrigan's rose
Blood red in color
Dripping Her essence into my soul
Morrigan's rose
A gift of the Goddess to me
Her perfect love
Which never dies
Morrigan's rose
-------------------------------------
Great Morrigan
Why does thy rose bleed
It drips great drops like of blood

A red rose is an expression of love from the heart
The rose is a symbol of my heart for you
It is not bleeding as you may think
My heart is ever distilling love.
I can not hold it back

for it ever overflows

Mystic)0(

Entering the Circle of the Morrigan

I asked the Morrigan once , would you show me the entrance into your circle?.....................
Through a meditation the answer came.




Under a moonlit sky a path appears.
Leading deep into the woods.
Trees of all sorts along each side.
A chill in the air
A gentle breeze welcomes me.
I walk and walk.

A midst appears infront of me

I know I am to walk through it.
I walk
I hear caws from all around me but see nothing.
I walk
I feel erieness but not dread
I feel a peace.
I walk throu the midst.

I see the moon above me, as the midst clears
I see water as a river in front of me down the path.
I walk.
I hear a howling and suddenly see a greyish wolf come out infront me
not to close
I stand and just stare She is huge.....................





She speaks to me
All who pass this way must go through the waters
Do you wish to pass?

I say yes

I walk near to waters
The wolf speaks again
All who enter must do so naked.
You must must leave your clothing behind.
Everything must be left.

I strip myself of everything.
I am naked, not even any jewerly.

The water is sparkling ,yet dark
The current is strong.

The wolf speaks again
Do you enter without fear in perfect trust?

I do.

You may enter.

I slip into the waters.
They are chilly cold, yet refreshing.
I swim yet feel as if I am being pulled under.
I am going down down in a spiral now
I feel fear arise
Then remember I said I enter in perfect trust and calm myself
I surrounder to the drowning.
I am released
I rise on the other side.
I come out of the water dripping wet and chilled

Somone dressed in black comes over to me with a red towel
She says here dry yourself.
I do.

Suddenly a black horse huge comes out of nowwhere
The one dressed in black and hooded, speaks
You must get on, you will be taken to the entrance from here

If She has called you at this time you be allowed entrance
She helps me onto the horse and I hold on to the main, silky and black
This horse is just gorgeous.

We go into the forrst
I hold on tigh as the horse gallops as if hurrying.
A Mist appears again we go through it
For a time I cannot see even the horse.
We come out of the mist.


The horse stops another one dressed in black and hooded assits me down.
Suddenly this one pulls out a sword dripping in blood pointed at my heart
Why have you come? I am asked

To meet with the Morrigan and see the entrance of Her circle

How do you come?

I recognise some questions as I have been through questions of the like. I answer
In perfect love and perfect trust

She putys sword away and says you may proceed walk this way.
I do and walk down the dark place
The path of the dark Goddess.
I hear the caws and shrieks, and an uncanny laughter
I walk I am in Morrigans presence.
Yet I see no one.
I keep walking
I come to this tower and gate.

It is ancient .
The gate has two swords across it.
The gate opens, I walk through
I see a bonfire and an altar and one who looked as if waiting for me.






I walk suddnely two crows fly over and land upon the altar
I notice familar things on the altar, and a sword.


She turns to me
" I am the High Priestess of the Morrigan...
Do you wish entrance into Her circle?"

Yes

Entrance is by the sword
Do you trust Her?

I thought and carefully answered yes.

You come here naked as you should
One thing now must be done
She takes the sword it is amazing large and powerful.
Points it to my heart
She pierces it through
It feels like a fire yet not pain in how you think of pain.
Your heart she says must be circomcised by Her sword
You must be willing to die first to your old life and be willing to be reborn to a new.

Are you willing
I am
She peirces the sword further all the way
fire and suddenly I am envolpedin great light
Love I feel loved yet so exposed
It slowly fades and just me and the High priestess
I want to faint yet I stand.
Her sword is stioll pointed now at my throat.
Do you understand the circle of the Morrigan is sacred
all who enter are Hers.
I do
Do you unederstand The Morrigan command the very best of you nothing less. Are you willing to give it?
I am
She then asked a few more questions
She spoke the charge of the dark Goddess
With the blade touched the five points of fellowship
Spoke a blessings


She passes chalice with Her finger she lets drop a few drops of blood.
This cup is the cup of the blood of the Goddess
She passes it to me and says May you never thirst
I drink
From the chalice she dips Her finger anoints my head with a pentecle
You now are Hers and She is yours
You are Her daughter , you are Her priestess you are Hers and She is yours so mote it be.

There are other gates and levels to the Morrigan circle and each has its own challenges..She crbs my face and kisses my forehead
I realise it is Badb the Great Mother aspect of the Morrigan.
Now She says
I am with you always but you must now go.......
I hear the caws and two crows I see fly.
I close my eyes and all has faded...................

Mystic)0(.

As I sit here I am given thoughts and I write and I start seeing Five gates,..... and it hits me gates of Morrigan's circle- I am briefly shown the gates.......4/12/09 Mystic)0(

The Morrigans circle
Is a place of death and rebirth
All who enter must pass through Her waters
The Morrigan's circle
No one can lead you to
It is She who summons those She wants
When She calls you will know........

The Morrigans circle
Is not visible to the human eye.
Five are the gates to Her sacred circle
Five are the elements of the witches circle

First Gate is Dedication and new beginings
It is a place of choices and decision
The path of knowledge


Second Gate is Trial by fire
Where dedication and knowledge is tested
It is the path of thy Will ,is it strong.
A place of purification of ones passions and desires

Third Gate is Initiation

For it is the waters of death and rebirth
There are many intiations in life, passages we must go through.
The path of emotion of intuition. dreams, and psychic power


Fourth Gate is Earth
The realm of faery. and all earth spirits
It is a place of natural Magick
Growth, fertility,healing, Ancient wisdom
The path of the Crone It is the path to learn and know to be silentWisdom is not always shared through words.

Fith Gate- Spirit
Elevation
Where now one may be commissioned to teach and mentor others in the ways of the Goddess
Here you will find the seat of the Crone , the true Elder ancient hag.

The Circle of the Morrigan is large in deed.
And whose not to say there is not a circle within a circle within a circle.
For the Morrigan is not simple you see
She is a triplicity.
She is a Lover She is Mother She is Crone
She is Warrior fierce and powerful
She is Queen of witches, faeries and priestess.

Priestess of the Morrigan

Stand in the North (home of the Morrigan). Say the following while you anoint yourself with oil:
Blessed be my feet, that have brought me to the gates of Lir
Blessed be my knees, that kneel at the sacred altar of the Morrigan
Blessed be my womb, which brings (hath brought) life into the world
Blessed be my heart, may it beat in wisdom and strength
Blessed be my arms, that shall wield the power of the Morrigan
Blessed be my lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names and speak only the truth
Close your eyes, raise your arms with palms out and say:
Hail, great Goddess Morrigan, Queen of the Sildhe, ruler of the Uindimagos
I of the realm of Fal salute thee in adoration
The Guardians of the Four Cities lay down their treasures before thee
But all I can offer is my love and trust in you.
Draw an invoking pentagram in the air. Again close your eyes, raise your arms with palms out, and say:
I call upon thee, O Great Morrigan,
Threefold Goddess of Power
From the depths of Lir, from the world of man,
From the reaches of Uindimagos
Do I call on thee
To descend upon my body
Thy servant and priestess
And lend your energies to me this day
As I walk in the human world
Ever seeking balance

****************************************

Morrigu, I feel you here, Tonight. Caught between My waking mind

And my hollowness You’re drowsy And loose Ready to toss back Another good day

To be alive. Morrigu, I could wait for you If you told me You were coming I would be old then And in my bones, But you’d still be Lounging with crows And laughing Like a good woman.
Morrigu, I can smell your hair Something like blood And the wind That rushes over The lakes of Killarney. It’s so tantalizing Just to take a breath.
Anand, I can feel your heart beat Somewhere at the core Of the Universe. The sound is women singing And harps are playing All whispering to me About the night, When we first met Somewhere, Beyond eternity. Heather M.

How I long to dance with the Morrigan
Encircled by the winds of change
To dance with the Great Queen
Beneath Her darkened wings
How I long to dance with the Morrigan
Her sword peircing me through
Melting my heqart
My blood drains into Her chalice
Filling it to full
A sacrifice complete
How I long to dance with the Morrigan
My spirit now free to fly with Her
On the wings of the Morrigan.....

Mystic)0(

Hail, MorriguEvoe Macha ...... Ecco Badb
Caaw ..... Caaw
Triple imaged Morrigan, triple named Morrigan, Mighty Queen, Badb and Macha - it was You who protected the Tuatha De Danann by a cover of fog and rain and cloud so that the people of Danu could land safely upon the coast of Ireland. You are three parts in One, You are the three phases of the silver moon, waxing, full, and waning. You are one of the Three Mothers, The Divine Matronae who sit side by side with cornucopias of abundance upon Your laps.
You are often seen as the vengeful crone, cackling in delight at spilled blood upon a battlefield, drowning enemy princes beneath Your white waves, battling to protect those of the tribe of Danu. You have also appeared as a young woman dressed in brightly colored clothes embroidered with threads of glistening gold. Changing shape and form is but play to You, Mighty Goddess - and poetry and prophesy are Your natural tongue. As the Great Mother you watch over your people. As Queen you guard your tribes.
Loud is Your war cry; sharp are Your spears; powerful are Your enchantments; true are Your grim prophesies - as You fly across battlefields black as the sleek raven, making Yourself visible only to those whose life would soon be over, Your raven caw filling hearts with dread, as death's call slides from Your widespread wings. Welcome, Her, women. Sit and listen as I tell you of stories. For it is not through bloodshed that She battles, but by Her magic does She frighten, confuse, and dismay those who have aroused Her wrath.
How filled with anger were You when the lad named Odras used Your sacred bull to mate with his cow. Gathering up both bull and cow, You took them through the oak woods of Falga and brought them to a cave not far from the river Shannon, where one might enter the Otherworld. Desiring to retrieve his cow, Odras followed as fast as his legs would move but as the fleet footed Morrigan, even with the burden of bull and pregnant cow, You soon outdistanced the exhausted fellow - arriving at the cave while Odras was still far behind. When You later came upon him in the woods, his eyes closed deep in the sleep of his fatigue, You laid a magic spell upon him so that he changed into a pond, his captive spirit in the water of the oak woods of Falga until this very day.
But it was the warrior of Ulster, the arrogant Cu Chulainn, who most aroused the anger of the Mighty Morrigan. Some say that Your feud with him first began on the day that You had watched him bathing by a river bank and upon seeing his bared body, desired him to lay down beside You. It was then that You approached him in Your finest robes, embroidered with all the colors of the rainbow. Though all the other soldiers could hardly look upon You, so filled were they with awe and admiration, Cu refused Your suggestion that he lie with You in love, claiming that he was too weary from the day's battle. Still, it was not this refusal that angered You. You showed much patience and concern for the man that You desired, for You then suggested that You would help him in the battle and with the energy that He would save by Your conquests in the fighting, he would be able to accept Your offer of a loving bed. But he responded to this second offer with great disdain, "the very idea of a woman helping in the battle", and it was his reply that aroused Your wrath - thus making Cu an enemy of the powerful Daughter of Eternity.
Sitting alone in naked puzzlement, he saw another wagon approach, this one drawn by a single bright red horse that was walking upon three legs. Alongside the horse walked a footman, a forked wand of hazel in his hand. And upon the high seat of the wagon sat a woman whose hair and thick brows were the color and brilliance of flame, Your long cloak of blood color spread out about You - as if You sat upon a throne. Ever more puzzled and confused, Cu asked Your name and purpose. But he found that the riddles that he received as answers were far beyond his ken. As he added questions to his questions, the riddles grew in sarcasm so that his confusion soon became frustration. Just as he realized what a fool he must seem, sitting naked and unarmed in his own wagon, puzzled by words of his own language, holding the reins, but ignorant of his intended destination - all disappeared except the woman, who suddenly became a great black bird, cawing in laughter at his plight as Your wings slid off into the morning air!
But You were not satisfied to have shown the man a fool. No! When next the warrior fought upon a battlefield, You gathered fifty white heifers and linking them together with a perfect silver chain, You took the form of a heifer without horns, thus leading the herd across the fields and waters - until the confusion they had caused among the troops gave the advantage to his enemy. You then made Yourself into a long black eel and twisted about the arms and legs of Cu so that he was unable to move in the waters. Just as he was almost able to pull the eel from his body, You became a sharp toothed wolf, cutting deep and painful gashes on his arms.
In this way You battled, until the dark of evening began to cover all. Then You left him on the battlefield - knowing that he would make his way towards home to heal his cut and broken body. You, too had been badly hurt, especially about the face and eyes. Realizing that You could best be healed by the one who had caused the wounds, if You could win three blessings from him, You soon devised a plan. So it was that on the next day, You became an old woman with a milking pail, sitting with a cow by the side of the road, the path that he would have to take upon his journey to his home. When he came along the road, as You knew that he must do, his body, as dry and tired as You suspected, You called out the offer of a cup of milk, suggesting that it might be pleasant to feel the wetness upon his throat.
Not knowing who You were, he came gratefully to Your side and drank the creamy liquid from the cup, blessing You for Your kindness as he took the empty cup from his mouth. When You poured a second time, again he drank and blessed you and yet a third time did he do the same until - thrice blessed - You were healed. Cu Chulainn was startled as You then spread Your raven wings, and more so when You disappeared and the large raven that took Your place perched itself upon a nearby bramble.
It was then that he heard the shrill cawing prophesies of the future, grim and short in time, and watched as the wide black wings of The Morrigan disappeared into the distance - as he stood earthbound and fearful of Your wrath and magical powers.
Women, today the role of Morrigan is different than it was for our ancestors. Most of us are not involved in life or death struggles on a daily basis. The Morrigan is a wonderful Goddess for strong, independent women, especially those on a warrior path. The Morrigan used magic to change her appearance to "one of terror" and caused confusion to help her warriors win their battles through cleverness rather than bloodshed.
Should you wish The Morrigan to come to your aid, She asks that you have a shrine to honor Her. Place upon it a raven or crow feather or a piece of red cloth. She is honored by a sacrifice of your menstrual blood, which is a perfect symbol of both life and death, fertility and war. Offer yourself to Her service, for She will come to your aid when you have need.

Published by Beacon Press, 1979
For an excellent telling of Morrigan please visit
http://americanirishwitch.tripod.com/id2.html

The Tuath De Danannon

Name: Tuatha Dé Danann/ Danaan / Men of Dea
Origin: The Islands of the North - Lochlann (Norway)?
Original Cities: Failias, Gorias, Findias, & Murias
Associated Sites: Magh Tuiredh (Moytura), Brugh na Boinne (Newgrange), Teltown, Co. Meath
Kings: Nuada of the Silver Arm Bres Mac Elatha Lugh the Long-handed, Dagda Bodb Derg
Associated Deities: Danu Medb
Druid: Dagda
Warrior: Oghma
Arts & Crafts: Lugh
Medicine: Dian Cécht
Smithcraft: Goibhniu
Poet: Cairpre son of Oghma
Brazier: Credne
Wright: Luchtaine
Harper: Cas CorachThe Tuatha Dé Danann (which means the people of Danu) arrived in Ireland bearing with them their stone of destiny called the Lia Fail which they placed on the mound of Tara and ever after the rightful kings of Ireland were chosen when it called out. They also brought the spear of Lugh which ensured victory to whoever wielded it, The Sword of Nuada from whom none could escape and the Cauldron of the Dagda from which none would go unsatisfied.
There is a story that they came to Ireland in flying ships but could not land as the Fomorians had set up a great energy field that they could not penetrate. So they had to circle Ireland nine times before finding a breach in the energy field and setting down on Sliabh an Iarainn (The Iron Mountains) in Co. Leitrim.
They clashed with the Fir Bolg (the men of the bags or pot-bellied ones) who they defeated at the first battle of Magh Tuiredh (Moytura) and routed towards the West of Ireland where they allowed them to stay. After defeating the Fir-Bolg they were challenged by the Fomorians and had to fight another battle this time in Co. Roscommon, which became known as the second battle of Magh Tuiredh, they defeated the great Fomorian warrior Balor, and so laid undisputed claim to the land.
They prospered under their two great heroes Nuada of the Silver Arm and Lugh of the Long Arm. They were eventually defeated by the Milesians at Teltown. As they were a magical people they decided to go underground into another dimension of space and time the entrances to which are at many sites around Ireland; one of the most famous being Brugh na Boinne (Newgrange).
It was reputed that only iron weapons could injure them. They became like gods to the later Celtic people and were worshipped as such. They became known as the people of the Sidhe (mounds) and there are many Faery Mounds in existence in Ireland today.

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Banshee

Traditionally, a banshee is a messenger of death who roams Ireland and nearby Islands…so if you’re traveling to those parts, and you hear a piteous moan late at night, beware, especially if you have an Irish heritage. According to legend, every Irish family has their very own banshee that warns them of an impending death.
But do banshee’s really exist or are they mere myth? Well people throughout history have sworn that they are real. Tales of banshees can be traced to the early eighth-century, and even today, belief in banshees is widespread in Ireland. In fact, some pictures were recently taken of a supposed "real" banshee, and I’ve added them to this webpage. However, the person who sent them to me wishes to remain anonymous, and whether they’re the real thing or not remains unknown.
But like in the pictures, the banshee has often been described as a small woman with long white, blond or auburn hair. Normally, she appears in the vicinity of the birthplace of the soon to be deceased. She’s generally seen in the common cl othes of a country woman, usually white, but sometimes grey, brown or red.
According to legend, she’s often seen combing her hair as she laments, but truth be told, she’s heard more often than seen.
The wailing begins as she approaches the home of soon-to-be deceased, and generally occurs late in the evening or during the early morning.
Sometimes the banshee will even perch on a windowsill like a bird, where she’ll remain for several hours or even days—until death comes to call. Often, as the banshee escapes into the darkness witnesses have described a bird-like fluttering sound. Thus, many have thought of banshees as a birdlike creatures.
Of course the banshee also wails in other areas such as in the wood, rivers, and rock formations. In Waterford, Monaghan, and Carlow, there are wedge-shaped rocks which are referred to as "banshee's chairs."
The "bean-si" or Galic, "bean-sid he" actually means, a female dweller of a sidhe, or fairy mound, which implies some sort of fairy being. However, the banshee is very different from what one might think of as a fairy and would more aptly be defined as a ghostly spirit. All alone and wary of human beings, the banshee searches endlessly for the next soul to pass into heaven. But in mythology, the banshee was linked to the fairies as being part of the mystical race Tuatha De'Dannan, which the fairies descended from.
It just shows that though the banshee is a commonly known figure, the familiar spectre remains steeped in mystery, and there are several theories to account for banshee sightings.
Some even speculate that the banshee is some type of a devil or demon-like creature who wails for the souls that are lost to her as they ascend to heaven. It has even been suggested that banshees are familial guardian angels or souls of unbaptized children or even the souls of women who committed the sin of pride in life.
Another outlandish theory is that banshee’s are the spirits of the "keeners," old women who were paid in drink to weep at the graveside of eminent figures in the community during earlier times. Though=2 0the Church didn’t approve of being associated with these women, the keener’s employment was necessary nevertheless, since a person’s status and respect was measured by how much the deceased was mourned after death.
It is thought that these keeners might have been so dutiful, that they followed the family they mourned for even after their own death.
But it’s important to remember that as fearful as the banshee is, she also has a good purpose—to assist the close family through the grieving process by allowing them to accept the upcoming death of a loved one.
Generally, the banshee is heard only by non-relatives and friends, not close family members of the dying. Even friends from a far could hear the dire mourn and could thus travel a great distance to support the family.
Some of the Irish families that emigrated to the USA, seem to have brought their family banshee along with them. However, for the most part, banshee sightings have been limited to Ireland where th e banshee still grieves for the family member near the traditional family home even in that person’s absence.
The Irish aren’t the only ones who have these ghastly harbingers of death. In Scotland, the folks dreaded the feared "bean-nighe," a spectral washing woman, though to have died in childbirth. In death, the poor soul is often seen near bodies of water, washing the shrouds of those who are soon to die. Though, like the Irish banshee, the bean-nigh is a frightful apparition who sings sad dirges and wails hideously, it will also tell passersby who it’s waiting to take to the afterlife if questioned. However, like the banshee, it would be unwise to pester or bother the bean-nighe, and this would lead to horrible misfortune. Well, it they look anything like the spirit depicted in these pictures, who’d dare?

MORRIGAN
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Irish Mythology
Derived from Irish Mhór Rioghain meaning "great queen". In Irish myth she was a goddess of war and death who often took the form of a crow.


The Tain Bo Cuailnge is the text in which the Morrigan and the Hound of Ulster, Cu Chulainn, meet. Angelique Gulermovich Epstein shows that in the Tain, Morrigan's first appearance is giving a phrophetic warning via a poem about war in Ulster. Morrigan's first meeting with Cu Chulaiin is in the form of a crow and she insults himTheir next meeting, she appears in the form of a beautiful woman to seduce him, and he rejects her. Morrigan then shapeshifts into a cow and he shatters one of her eyes. So she appears as an eel, and then as a wolf. After his injuring Morrigan three times, she heals. She condems him by forcing him to violate one of his geasa (taboos). Cu Chulainn is forbidden to eat the flesh of a dog and also to pass a hearth fire where food is offered without having some. He is trapped by a hag, who is Morrigan in desguise cooking over a fire. Angelique Gulermovich Epstein states, " At one point, Morrigan aides him in a battle. She does not want him to go to a battle in which he won't return." On the surface, Morrigan is antagonistic towards Cu Chulainn and yet helps him to seek victory in battle for Ulster. He is eventually wounded in battle and dies. Morrigan in crow form rests on his shoulder to guard his death. Symbolism.
The colors that correspond with Morrigan are red and black. The crow and raven is the animals that most represents her although cows and eels do also. Her season is winter. She takes us through the wheel of life to grow. Death is a part of life and you can not have rebirth without it. For wombyn, menstral blood is symbolic to Morrigan for it is a wombyn's primal power that she draws from. The Crone is the Great White Goddess. The Mother aspect is the Moon Goddess and Queen of the faeries. Her dark aspect deals with war and death. Poem
by Burning Snow
Hear my soul cry out in rage
feel my rage
the trees are torn from my body
my waters are poisioned
humans encaging animals in feces
no room to turn around
slave to the dollar
humans are
why I ask
gauking at circus animals
no pride just greed
look into animals eyes
look I say
feel their fear
does no one care
they ask why
what do I tell them
they are not souls to you
oppress the poor
so you can get rich
slave to the dollar
illusion of freedom
all of the isms
classims
sexismm
racism
and more
all symptoms of your poison
angry am I
feel my anger
I am dying
does anyone care
this earth a dustbowl will be
and yet I love you
I, Goddess, love unconditionally
rise up against the poison
let me know someone hears
the earth and I are one
I am the animals
I am the trees
I am the ocean
I am the air
I am you
free yourself as a slave
break the chains
hear my screams of pleas
wake up before its too late
hear the pleas of nature
calling to you
you are one with them
you do this to yourself
cry with me
then say no more
start anew
build this earth with Goddess love
take my hand
Morrigan I am
end of this filth of man
rebirth comes from destruction
the time of the phoenix is here
silence
dawn is here
feel Her warmth
see her warmth
do Her warmth

Charge of the Dark Goddess
Night is the cloak of the Dark Goddess of Transformation; Wisdom and prophecy are her gifts. She is known to us as Kali, Cerridwen, Lilith, Hecate, Persephone, Arianhod, Tiamat, The Morrigan, or simply The Crone; the Dark One is Infinite. These are the words of the Dark Goddess, heed them well. Hear Me, child, and know Me for who I am. I have been at your side since the day you came to be, and will stay by your side until you come to Me in the final darkening of the light. I am the the passionate, fiery one who inspires the poet to dream of the future. I am She who calls all things back to the Cauldron, who grants Her children blessed rest and peace in Her embrace. I am the Womb, the place which all life springs from. I am the Wild Magess, the sorceress who cannot be ruled, the Weaver of the Rune, the Mistress of Time, the Teacher of Mysteries and Keeper of Secrets. I cut the threads of silver, I slit the throats of the cruel and drink the blood of the coward, I feed My crows with carrion crop. Have no fear when you face me, children, for I am your protector, the one to whom you will turn for peace. Fear is crippling; cast it aside and you shall know inner peace, strength, courage and beauty in the night. I am the fury that rends asunder the unjust heart, the maelstrom that destroys the wicked and the foul. I am the brilliant forge that tempers the Inner Beast, turns disharmony and falsehood to a source of great power. Open yourself to the embrace of the Night-clad Lady, and overcome the demons of your mind. I am the crucible that shapes all; the realm in which all parts of Self are joined, in which All become One. I am the velvet tones of the midnight sky, the swirling mysts of the moonlit vale; I am the Mistress of the Winter Night, She who is shrouded in Mystery and Magick. I am the glinting sword that protects you from harm, the promise of violence that ceases all fighting. I am the Shroud, the chrysalis in which we all must face our fears and conquer them; the place from which we burst forth anew. Seek me at the Crossroads, and you shall be transformed; for once you look upon the face of Death, there is no return to what you have been, only to what you are to become. I am the searing fire that burns away the shackles of ignorance, the Cauldron in which the Waters flow deep and darkening, She who in which all opposites learn truth and tolerance for one another. I am the Healer of all wounds, the Warrior who rights all wrongs in her time. I make the weak strong; I make the arrogant humble. I raise up the oppressed by the Power within them; that of instinct and feral longing that only comes of great need. I am Justice tempered with Wisdom, a Vengeance tempered with Mercy. Most importantly, children, I am you; I am part of and within you all. Look for me within and without, and you will find strength. Come and know Me, for I should not be lost. Light without Dark is blinding, just as Darkness without Light swallows all. Roam into the dark and find yourself, find your balance, and walk in beauty. Take Me with you always, and have the Power to be whatever you wish. These are the words of the Dark Goddess, blessed be Her name

i

The Morrigan- author unknown

When the Morrigan moves through the fields

Only she the white is seen at the sky.

Single dark fogs fly across the heaven

and clothe the great Queen like a splendid robe.

When the Morrigan moves through the fields

She is bare, only her black hair covers her

Followed by a flock of crows

She strides through the world

The crows shriek hurries on ahead of her,

heralding of her harvest

When the Morrigan moves through the fields

She is Destroyess and Mistress of the world

One glance into her mirroring eyes

Leeds you across without pain

Every burning sorrow she takes away

in her cool black boat.

Lady of Crows and Ravens. Lady of Magick and mystery If She calls follow Her

You will never be the same when beneath Her wings She takes you there.

The Morrigan

Blessed be the Morrighan, the Morrigan, the Morrigu
Blessed be the Phantom Queen, Witches Queen
Blessed be the triple One Ana/Anu /Nemain , Badb, and Macha

Daughters of the Morrighan raise your voice

Chant Her Names in a ryhme

Create a place

A sacred place for you and Her

Listen still and hush thy soul

Listen carefully

You may hear
Her whispers in thy ear.

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Morrigan
Resource from CelticPantheons

Name: Morrigan / Morrighan / Morrigu / Morgan / 'Great Queen'/'PhantomQueen'Mor Righ Anu Morrigan or Morrigu Morgan - (MOHR-gahn) from Welsh mor "sea"or mawr "great, big" + can "bright" or cant "circle" or geni "born."
Father: Aed Ernmas
Associated Deities: Fea (Hateful), Badbh (Fury), Nemon (Venomous), Macha(Battle)
Properties: Goddess of War, Life & Death
Totem Bird: The Carrion Crow
Element: Earth
Associated Sites: Battle-Fields
Plain of Muirthemne (near Dundalk, Co. Louth)
River Unshin near Corann (she created the river by urinating)
Realm: The North (Land of the Dead)
Herbs: Mugwort
Trees: Yew : Willow and Blackthorn
Crystals: Clear Quartz
Colors: Red and Black
Offerings: Ale, Crows Feather, Blood {Menstrual Blood} could use raw redmeat and red wine as well







The Morrigan is a goddess of battle, strife, fertility, death, prophecy andpassionate love.Her name translates as either "Great Queen" or "Phantom Queen," and bothepithets are entirely appropriate for her. The Morrigan appears as both asingle goddess and a trio of goddesses. The most common combination who formthe trio are Badb ("Crow"), and either Macha (also connotes "Crow") orNemain ("Frenzy"). Although membership of the triad varies, sometimesincludes Fea, Anann and others.The Morrigan frequently appears in the ornithological guise of a hoodedcrow. She is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann ("Tribe of the goddess Danu") andshe helped defeat the Firbolg at the First Battle of Mag Tuireadh and theFomorians at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh.She is usually seen as a terrifying figure, glossed in medieval Irishmanuscripts as equivalent to Alecto of the Furies, or the child-eatingmonster Lamia, from Greek Mythology (in fact, another text glosses Lamia as"a monster in female form, i.e. a Morrígan"), or the Hebrew demoness Lilith.She is associated with war and death on the battlefield, sometime appearingin the form of a carrion crow, premonitions of doom, and with cattle. She isoften considered a war deity comparable with the Germanic Valkyries,although her association with cattle also suggests a role connected withfertility and the land.
Her Role
The 'Phantom Queen,'s role and cult can easily be identified as remains of amatriarchal cult. She has a lot in common with goddesses like Inanna/Ishtar,the Indian Kali or Hecate.The Morrigu is prophetess of all misfortune in battle and has knowledge ofthe fate of humanity. She is also the messenger of death as the darklady/washer at the ford : Morrigan is seen washing bloody laundry prior tobattle by those destined to die.Her personality is associated with the sometimes frightening aspects offemale energy.As a protectress she empowers an individual to confront challenges withgreat personal strength, even against seemingly overwhelming odds. Romanchroniclers reported that Celts went into battle naked, exposing tattoos tosummon their magical forces.
The Morrigan is a Celtic Goddess who has been known as the Great Queen,Specter Queen, Supreme War Goddess and Queen of Phantoms, Great Mother, MoonGoddess, Great White Goddess, Queen of the Fairie, Patroness of Priestessesand Witches, and Goddess of Magick. She is a trifold Goddess, a Goddess inthree parts, a shape shifter, and a warrior. Yet, the Morrigan Herselfseldom actually killed; rather, She used Her power and magick to stir up thewarriors She favored and to weaken those She wanted to lose. It was believedthat She was the washerwoman who would seen by a lake or river washing outtheir clothing; whoever saw Her was going to die.
Basically, She is a Goddess of battle, strife and fertility. But like allthe Celtic Goddesses, She is not totally evil or good. She is a balance.Like the Greek Goddess Athena, the Morrigan often steps in to wagejustifiable war. She is called upon by warriors, and if She agrees withtheir battle and motives, She aids them.
Remember, war was always important to the Celts; they loved nothing morethan a fight, and built whole cities around schools of warfare. They werefierce warriors who even cowed the Romans for a time. Women fought with menat times, and it is reported that Celtic women, when sending their men offto war, told them "Come back carrying your shield or on it." It was thecustom to carry the dead home on their shields if at all possible, so ineffect the women were saying "win or die".
The Celts looked at nature, saw the fields grow cold and empty, all dead inWinter, and then saw the Earth reawaken and the fields come to life in theSpring. They knew death was necessary for rebirth and worshipped theMorrigan as the one who brought honorable death so there could be rebirth.She was the one who led the armies, the one who brought death, but also lifethrough Her aspect as a fertility Goddess; She was a symbol of life, notnever-ending death.
She is not evil, although She is dark. By bringing death, She causes newlife. This death causes fertility--look at the idea of composting, if youdoubt it--and so She also brings fertility.
(Celtic: Welsh) Sea goddess; Triple Goddess. Names: MORGEN/Morgana/Morgan:(mor, sea; of the sea) Correspondences: Moon/Air/Water Morgen of theNinefold Sisterhood rules death, rebirth, fate, and the sea. She is ashape-shifting shaman, a witch, and a healer. She and her eight sisters areexpert in magic, medicine, and the arts. They are a triple version of theTriple Goddess who dwell in Avalon, the winterless Isle of Apples. It was tothem that King Arthur was taken after his final battle.
Legend has it that he remains there with them, still healing. Morgen wasenvisioned with wings, or as a sea sprite, but she may have originated as adeath and otherworld goddess. Some scholars associate her with the MORRIGAN,or with MODRON. Morgen is said to be Merlin's wife, or the Lady of the Lake,in some traditions. During the Christian Era she devolved into Morgan leFay, the manipulative sorceress of Arthurian legends. Invoke Morgen forenchantment, shamanism, witchcraft, healing, youth, immortality, art, music,shape shifting, lunar magic, and herbal cures.

The Morrigan was the High Queen and goddess of the Tuatha De Dannen, who watched over the welfare and warfare of that fairy folk while they against the Firbolg people for the soil of Ireland. The Morrigan was not one goddess, but a trinity. she was a single spirit of fierce intent, possessing at least three different names and a trio of separate selves.
Macha, they called her when she worked magic with the blood of the slain. Badb, they named her when she took a giantess' form and warned soldiers of their fortunes on the eve of war. And they knew her also as the shape-shifting Neman. All three were wont to slide into the flapping black bodies of carrion crows to haunt battlefields, hungry for the morsels they filched from torn and broken bodies when the fray was done.
Sometimes referred to (in her entirety) as an badb catha, meaning "the battle crow."

O Morrigan, we call your nameAcross the dusty years.You speak to us, of blood and lust.You show us all our fears.You are a goddess, old and wise.Of holy power you have no dearth.Beneath your wings: Black, red and white,We learn of death and birth.You walk about, this ancient land,Your hungers raw and clear.You make the crops, grow rich and strong,As well your geese and deer.A flirting maid, a lusty hag,A mother of great girth:Without the touch, of your black wings,We cannot heal the earth.You float upon, a blood red wave,Of swords and spears and knives.Your voice inspires, fear and dread,That you'll cut short our lives.You try the warriors', courage sore,Our inner souls unearth.Without the touch, of your red wings,We cannot know our worth.You fly above, the silver clouds,To Manannan's shining Gate.You lead the dead, along that path,to meet our final fate.The joke's on us, we find within,A land of laughter and of mirth.Without the touch, of your white wings,We cannot have rebirth.

Isaac BonewitsOriginally published in Druid's Progress #3

Badb / BadbhBy: Tameika
Welcome to the Goddess of a 1000 Names, this is BADB, Celtic Goddess of War,if You Hear Her Call Your Name Respond To the Goddess Within.“Go to your bosom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know”~Shakespeare (1564-1616) ~
TRANSLATION OF BADB:The name of this goddess means boiling, battle raven, scald-crow, Raven(Irish), the cauldron of ever-producing life. Signifies rage, fury, orviolence, and imply a witch, fairy, or goddess. BADB translates to hoodedcrow, and Morrigan translates to Raven-woman.
PRONOUNCIATION:“Bav” or “Bahv”
ALSO KNOWN AS:Bibe (Ireland), Bive, Beev, Cath Bodva or Cauth Bodva (Gaul),Cathubodua,Badhbh, Badb Catha (Battle Raven), The Morrigan, Mhorrigan, Mórrígan, TheThree in One, Our Lady, The Lady of War, The Great Queen, The Queen ofSwords, Battle Fury, Lady of Crows, The Maiden, Mother and Crone. As theTriple War Goddess her name is Fea, “the hateful”, or Badb, “the fury”.Associated Deities: Fea, Ana, Neman, Macha, Morrigu.
APPEARANCE:The BADB is depicted as having either blue or blood-red lips, and is knownfor the hideous noise she makes. Her shriek of joy strikes terror throughthe souls of men. It is in the form of birds that certain of the Tuatha deDanann appear as war-goddesses and directors of battle; for this reasonthese birds are generally avoided. Sometimes, as in "Da Choca's Hostel", theBadb appears as a weird woman uttering prophecies. In this case the Badbwatches over Cormac as his doom comes. She is described as standing on onefoot, and with one eye closed (apparently in a bird's posture), as shechants to Cormac this prophecy: "I wash the harness of a king who willperish."
INFLUENCES:War, Battles, Bloodshed, Confusion, The Feminine Principal, Chaos,Cowardice, Treachery, lack of Persistence in the face of insurmountableodds, The Mother of all Fir Cruthen.
GODDESS OF:Goddess of War & Battles, Death, Chaos, Enlightenment, Inspiration, Life,Wisdom, Blessings, Mother Aspect of the Triple Goddess (Ireland), Queen ofthe Witches, Goddess of Magic.
SYMBOLS:Weapon: Sickle, ScytheColors: Metallic Grey, Black, RedActivites: War, Killing in Her Name, Destruction, Creating Tools of War,Defending Her Children.Animals: Black Crow, Carrion Crow, Raven, Wolf, BearHoliday: SamhainLandmarks: All Battlefields, Magh Tuiredh (Moytura)Call On: To aid you with spirit contact and to learn about past lives.
WHO IS BADB?Morrigan is one of the most complex figures in Irish mythology, not theleast due to her genealogy. In the earliest copies of the Lebor GabálaÉrenn, there are listed three sisters, named BADB, Macha, and Anann. In theBook of Leinster version, Anann is identified with Morrigu, while in theBook of Fermoy version, Macha is identified with Morrigan.
Now, if "Morrigan" means "Mare Queen", the identification of Macha withMorrigu would be a logical identification, as Macha usually identified asone of the Celtic horse goddesses, along with Rhiannon and Epona; moreover,the horse goddess is also the goddess of sovereignty and of the land, and itis through marriage to her that the king derives his legitimacy.
We also learn that the three sisters Badb, Macha, and Morrigu are alsosisters to the three goddesses of the land, Eriu, Fotla, and Banba. However,in one text, Anann--here called Ana--is listed as the seventh daughter,identified as the one "of whom are called the Paps of Ana inUrluachair"--the two mountains south of Killarny called "The Breasts ofAnu". In a yet a different version of the second redaction, Anann is againidentified as Morrigan, and for her the mountains are named.
In the third redaction, her genealogy is given as "The Morrigu, daughter ofDelbaeth, was the mother of the other sons of Delbaeth, Brian, Iucharba, andIuchair: and it is from her addtional name "Danann" the Paps of Ana inLuachair are called, as well as the Tuatha De Danann." Now we have Morriganidentified with Danu, mother of the gods, and with Anann, the goddess of thePaps of Ana. This originates in the identification of Anann with Anu and Anuwith Danu. Anu, according to Cormac's Glossary, was mother of the Irishgods; while Danu was originally the goddess of the Danube (Lat. Danuvius).Finally, in The Second Battle of Magh Turedh, she is identified with Badb,the first sister of the trio.
What is most evident is that from the texts, "Morrigan" or "Morrigu" is atitle applied to different women who for the most part seem to be sisters orrelated in some manner, or sometimes it is the same woman with slightlydiffering names in different manuscripts and redactions. We see thatMorrigan is identified with Badb Macha, Anann, and Danann. The first isusually identified with the raven and battle, the second usually identifiedwith the archetypical Celtic horse goddess, the third with the land godesss,and the forth with a mother goddess (though linguistically perhaps with theDanube River of Europe, and thus to the archetypical Celtic river goddess,like Boann).
What do we make of this? The Morrigan--the Mare Queen and the GreatQueen--is the goddess of war and sovereignty, the goddess of the land andits rivers and its animals. Only through appealing to her can a warriorbecome king or an army succeed. Only through her intercession can Ireland betaken by one tribe or another. She is sister of Eriu, but perhaps in anearlier version may have even been identified with Eriu, thus completing herrole as the Goddess of Sovereignty. When we add her role as the Washer atthe Ford, a war goddess--who with her sisters/other selves are called"springs of craftiness/sources of bitter fighting", we must then look to thelater figure of Medb, whose name means mead and who, like Morrigan, does waragainst Ulster.
Now, we see that the name "Morrigan" is applied to all three sisters--Badb,Macha, and Anann--at some point. Badb is the goddess of war, Macha is thegoddess of sovereignty, and Anann is the mother of the gods. Thus, theMorrigan, like Brigit, also contains the three functions of Indo-Europeansociety: the first function of sovereignty, the second fuction of thewarrior, and the third function of fertility.
Now, if we can agree that Morrigan--whoever she is--is the goddess ofsovreignty, her following actions become clear. In The Second Battle of MaghTuredh, meets the Dagda at the river Unis in Connacht, where they copulateon Samhain, ensuring the Tuatha De Danann's sucess over the Fomorians;again, she cheers the TDD to victory over the Fomorians. In the Tain BoCuailnge, she offers Cu Chulainn her aid, but when he rebukes it, he issowing the seeds of his own eventual death. To refuse Morrigan is to rejectthe land and the gods.
And so it is best to classify Morrigan with those other pan-functionaldeities, Lugh and Brigit, as examples of deities who encompass the entireworld of divine function and motive in Irish mythology.
The BADB is not to be confused with BODB, a male deity. BADB is the motheraspect of the Triple Goddess, one of the three Valkyrie-aspects of theMORRIGAN and symbolizes life. Her cauldron boiled with the ever-producingmixture that produced all life. In Irish mythology, Badb was one of thegiantess forms of Morrigan. She was sufficiently tall to place a foot oneither side of a river.
She assumed variously the guises of a beautiful woman, an old hag, and acarrion crow. Her manifestation in the latter form was an omen of death.Before a battle she would appear in anticipation of the carnage, and as thebattle took place, would flit around the heads of the warriors. Afterwards,she would feed on the corpses strewn across the fields. Like the other twobattle-furies, Macha and the Mórrígan, BADB was both sinister and sexual;she prophesied the end of the world, the fall of the gods and an endlessreign of chaos.BADB embodies war as it is – chaotic, glorious, bloodthirsty and heroic.Celtic women used to accompany their husbands into battle, fightingalongside the men. This might explain why there is a female deity associatedwith a typical male domain. She revels in the gore of battle, reigning overthe battlefield (usually in the form of a crow) to aid either side and toentice warriors into battle madness but she doesn’t actually engage in thecombat. It was customary after battle for those still alive to abandon thefield until dawn, so that she could claim the heads as trophies. She isgenerally thought of as a triple goddess figure, however she has moreaspects than three. There is a lot more to her than meets the eye. Under thenames of Nemain (frenzy), Macha (battle), Fea (conflict), BADB (fury), theWasher at the Ford, she shows the aspects of sorcery, motherhood, teachingand prophecy.
She transformed herself into many shapes including the wolf and bear. Sheoften takes the form of a raven/black crow to incite and encourage thewarriors to blood-thirsty acts. Battlefields were called the land of BADB,and while war broke out BADB would confuse and frighten armies by flyingover the battlefield appearing in the form of a miniature woman with tiny,webbed feet, screeching of death and doom. She would confuse the soldiersin order to move the tide of battle to her favored side. Soldiers prayed toBADB, imagining her as a gigantic and beautiful young woman, imploring herto help them cross over streams and overcome their enemies.
The Morrigan, the BADB Macha, Nemain, Fea and Danu are known as the“daughters of Ernmas”. However, the lines between the relationship shared byBADB and the Morrigan (as well as her other counterparts) are fuzzy to saythe least. Some say the Morrigu is the joint connection between them, whilstothers say they are the same deity’s personality traits. BADB, translatesinto “hooded crow” and the Morrigan “raven-woman”, with both the crow andthe raven being the principal carrion birds in Ireland, feasting on the deadafter battle.
The BADB is associated with the death portent faery, the beansidhe

Morrigan

The Morrígan's Prophecy

Peace to (as high as) the sky
sky to the earth earth beneath sky strength in everyone a cup very full a fullness of honey honour enough summer in winter spear supported by shield shields supported by forts forts fierce eager for battle "sod" (fleece) from sheep woods grown with antler-tips (full of stags) forever destructions have departed mast (nuts) on trees a branch drooping-down drooping from growth wealth for a son a son very learned neck of bull (in yoke) a bull from a song knots in woods (i.e. scrap-wood) wood for a fire fire as wanted palisades new and bright salmon their victory the Boyne (i.e. Newgrange) their hostel hostel with an excellence of length (size) blue (new) growth after spring (in) autumn horses increase the land held secure land recounted with excellence of word Be might to the eternal much excellent woods peace to (as high as the) sky be (this) nine times eternal

:http://inanna.virtualave.net/morrigan.html

http://www.valkyriecordes.com/valkyrie.htm

Valkyrie came from very early Norse legends which changed from the original ghoulish depiction and evolved to a more feminine and beautiful image of the female warriors. The name in Old Norse, valkyrja, means literally, "chooser of the slain." The Valkyrie is related to the Celtic warrior-goddess, the Morrigan. Between the third and eleventh centuries, the Valkyries began to assume much softer and less threatening aspects. Small amulets and pictures on memorial stones had the figure of the beautiful woman welcoming the deceased hero with a horn of mead (early ale or beer) to the afterlife. Valkyries are usually represented as blonde, blue eyed and fair skinned. They wear scarlet corslets and carry shields and spears often riding great winged horses. The Valkyries were suppose to be the daughters of Odin, as foster-daughters, just as the einherjar (the chosen warriors of Odinn) are foster sons . Freyja is said to be the first of the Valkyries, called Valfreyja, "Mistress of the Slain," she pours ale at the feasts of the Aesir .
The Valkyries primary duty was to choose the bravest of those who have been slain, gathering the souls of dying heroes or warriors found deserving of afterlife in Valhalla. They scout the battle ground in search of mortals worthy of the grand hall. If you are deemed by the Valkyries as un-worthy of the hall of Valhalla you will be received after death by the goddess Hel in a cheerless underground world. The Valkyries would visit battlefields and bring dead heroes back to life, and carry them on their winged horses up to Valhalla. Then, each day, the heroes would fight until they were all dead except one, the Valkyries would bring them back to life again, and they'd spend the evening feasting in the great hall. The Valkyries also have duties once back from the battlefield in the great hall. There, having exchanged their armor for pure white robes, they will serve the warriors they have chosen. All this was to get them ready for Ragnarok, the final battle at the end of the world.
Valkyries are also Odinn's messengers and when they ride forth on their errands, their armor causes the strange flickering light that is called the "Aurora Borealis" or more often known as the "Northern Lights". Depending on the writer of the legend the exact number of Odinn's daughters that ride as Valkyries will vary from 3 to 16, and depending on which Norse country the names can vary as well, the best known in most tellings of the story are Freyja and Brunhilda or Brunhilde.
Many Centuries later composer Wagner wrote the Ring Opera, which consisted of 4 Opears one of which was named "The Valkyrie". Wagner's Ring Opera brought back to life the ancient legend of the Valkyrie and wrote a piece that is known by its continual use in modern TV and Movies which is called 'The ride of the Valkyries". Its best remembered in more recent years as background music in the Vietnam War epic, Apocalypse Now. Wagner's part of the Valkyries was based on his interpretation of original Norse Legend of the female warriors on winged horses in the skies over the battlefields.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE MORRÍGAN AND THE VALKYRIESThe Morrígan's role in the Irish cosmology is quite similar to the role played by the Valkyries in Norse cosmology. Both use magic to cast fetters on warriors and choose who will die.
During the Second Battle, the Morrígan "said she would go and destroy Indech son of Dé Domnann and 'deprive him of the blood of his heart and the kidneys of his valor', and she gave two handfuls of that blood to the hosts. When Indech later appeared in the battle, he was already doomed." (Rees 36)
Compare this to the Washer at the Ford, another guise of the Morrígan. The Washer is usually to be found washing the clothes of men about to die in battle. In effect, She is choosing who will die.
An early German spell found in Merseburg mentions the Indisi, who decided the fortunes of war and the fates of warriors. The Scandinavian Song of the Spear, quoted in Njals Saga, gives a detailed description of Valkyries as women weaving on a grisly loom, with severed heads for weights, arrows for shuttles, and entrails for the warp. As they worked, they exulted at the loss of life that would take place. "All is sinister now to see, a cloud of blood moves over the sky, the air is red with the blood of men, and the battle women chant their song." (Davidson 94)
An Old English poem, Exodus, refers to ravens as choosers of the slain. There are links between ravens, choosing of the slain, casting fetters, and female beings in many sources.
"As the Norse and English sources show them to us, the walkurjas are figures of awe and even terror, who delight in the deaths of men. As battlefield scavengers, they are very close to the ravens, who are described as waelceasega, 'picking over the dead'..." (Our Troth)
"The function of the goddess [the Morrígan] here, it may be noted, is not to attack the hero [Cúchulainn] with weapons but to render him helpless at a crucial point in the battle, like the valkyries who cast 'fetters' upon warriors...thus both in Irish and Scandinavian literature we have a conception of female beings associated with battle, both fierce and erotic." (Davidson 97, 100)

http://www.ucc.ie/fecc/Morrigan.html