The Morrigan

Danu is considered the mother of the Tuatha de Dannan and a primordial mother. However, I am reading the Lebor Gabala Erenn, and if I use that as my source, Danu is not the entire tribe's ancestor. According to this text, they are descendants of Noah (the writers of the manuscripts this text is based on were Christians creating a history for Ireland and altered the myths to fit a Christian lense.) The text, though, says the Tuatha took their name from three specific gods who were the [three] gods of "Dana," their mother being "Donand" or Donann. So we have a "Danu" figure, mother of three gods. Her father is also a "descendant of Noah."

On the other hand, in the Welsh tales of the Mabinogion, there is a Goddess Don who is a mother to several figures, not just three male gods like the Irish Dana. In Hinduism, there is a water Goddess named Danu who gives birth to a whole race of asuras, called the Danavans, enemies to the devas.

I've been told that deities of the same etymology etc. are not the same deity, but if she is the same figure repeated in different cultures, perhaps the Irish Dana can be constructed as the mother of the tribe of Irish gods.

What do you all think?

*Note. I am using the Lebor Gabala Erenn as my source here and know there is much more research, culture, material, etc. to this situation. I would love more knowledge and perspective.

So...

The Lebor Gabala Erenn has been criticized has being completely fictious by many scholars and also loosely based on true events by others (mostly regarding Celtic migration). I only did a brief look through of what this book is and I find it most interesting that it’s making in the 11th century was seemingly more for the Christianization of Europe (which you pointed out that it’s a Christian remaking of Irish history). This book isn’t the only pseudo-historical piece created for theological gain.

https://www.ancient.eu/Lebor_Gabala_Erenn/

This source was just the first one I came across among others, but I would suggest searching the purpose of this book more because it’s really intriguing. The Irish archaeologist R.A. Stewart Macalister who focused on biblical archaeologist and translated/edited the Lebor Gabala Erenn in 1939 was either amused or annoyed after all his work. Here’s a quote from him on pg. 252 of the source below:

“It must be understood quite clearly that there is not a single element of genuine historical detail, in the strict sense of the word, anywhere in the whole compilation. After many efforts, I find myself forced to the conclusion that it is all together chimerical to attempt to draw any correlation between the successive waves of historical immigration, to which Archaeology and Ethnology introduce us, and the wild tales contained in this book.”

But to be fair, as Wikipedia kinda flubbed this, this quote is specifically about an “independent narrative” regarding the Milesian Invasion. The book in its entirety is described as taking accounts of multiple invasions which is probably why other scholars have mixed feelings about the work itself.

https://archive.org/details/LeborGablarennTheBookOfTheTakingOfIreland-Volume21939/page/n131/mode/2up

To conclude, this source seems like a controversial mess in Irish history, but I think it’s still worth the read if you’re interested. Was it for Christianization purely? Who knows lol. Would I take it as a legitamate source for Celtic folklore? Definitely not. I know many belief systems overlap in history, but rewriting any country’s history for any nonfictional reason is suspicious to me.

Sorry for writing a book, but that’s my take. I had a lot of fun learning about this and I hope I’m not coming off as snooty. I’m still learning about Celtic folklore myself so I had to dive in. Thank you for sharing information about this book. I’ll have to look into the Mabinogion!

🌾Brigid🌾

From my Grimoire: 

Brigid, the Triple Goddess

Brigid, an ancient Celtic goddess, goes by many names: Bride, Bridey, Brighid, Brigit, Briggidda, Brigantia, Breo-Saighead. There are many pronunciations, but I use Breet. Brigid means “exalted one” and the most ancient Celtic name, Breo-Saighead, means “fiery power” or “fiery arrow”.

Brigid is said to be the daughter of the Dagda and was born at sunrise to the earth god with rays of sunshine or flame shooting out of her head into the universe. She is part of the Tuatha Dé Danann. As a baby it is said she drank the milk of a sacred cow. Brigid is one of the solar goddesses often depicted with rays coming from her head. It is said that Brigid invented “keening” as she mourned for her lost son Ruadan as he fell in the Battle of Moytura. 

Brigid is traditionally known as the triple goddess of healing and fertility, poetry and smithcraft, all practical applications that inspire wisdom, arts and crafts. Her main symbols are fire and water, two elements essential in each of her three specialties. 

As a goddess of healing and fertility she was concerned equally with humans, animals and vegetation. Wherever she walked flowers sprang up under her feet. It was an eternal springtime in her presence. Herds never ran dry of milk. As a healer she is associated with water and it was tradition to bring those sick and ailing to springs and water for healing. Associations include medicine, spiritual healing and fertility, midwifery, inner healing and vital energy. 

Brigid is the keeper and dispenser of information. She is the goddess of poets and artists. Known as the fire of the soul she is the goddess of self expression and she lends grace and inspiration to all creative endeavors. Associations include poetry, learning, divination, occult knowledge and prophecy. 

As the goddess of the forge, Brigid is known for her cauldron used for melting metals, she may even date back to pottery and it’s firing. As a smith she creates new and mends the broken. While she is generally known as the peaceful smith she can also be seen as the warrior forging spears and arrows. Associations include blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and housecrafts.  

Brigid’s feast Day is February 1st, Imbolc (i-MOLG). At this time, Brigid, or the bride makes herself present, ushering out the old crone of winter and letting the sunshine in. Imbolc was marked by the milk of the Ewes beginning to flow, marking growth and fertility. Imbolc was traditionally celebrated by making Brigid crosses to protect the hearth and home. During festivities she was often symbolized as a straw doll in a white dress with a crystal in the center of chest. Corn cakes were made from the first and last harvest and distributed between townsfolk. Brigid’s corn doll was carried by maidens dressed in white. Gifts of food were presented at a feast where young men were invited for the purpose of ritual mating to ensure new souls were brought into the world to replace those lost to the cold. 

ASSOCIATIONS: 

General - Fire, hearth, forge, harp, light, candles, sunrise, springs and wells, poetry, whistling, embroidery, arrows, bells, thresholds and doorways, sandstone rock formations like Stonehenge, Brigid’s cross, corn dolls, midwifery

Animals - Lambs and ewes, dairy cows, bees, owls, serpents, hibernating animals

Plants - Dandelions, snowdrops, crocus, trilliums, acorns and oak trees, corn, oats, sage, pumpkin seeds, heather, chamomile, blackberries, shamrock, rushes, straw and all field flowers

Scents - Heather, wisteria, violet, lavender, lemon verbena, and heliotrope

Crystals - amethyst, bloodstone, red garnets, moonstone, quartz, onyx, peridot, ruby, turquoise, and clear quartz

Colors - Red, White, Green, Gold, Blue

DEVOTIONALS TO BRIGID: 

Offer fresh baked bread with butter, honey, and/or blackberry Jam, oat cakes, milk, and blackberries.

Make and put a Brigid’s cross at your threshold to invite her healing, protective powers in. 

Write a poem, create a work of art.

Embroider, cross stitch, sew.

Set intentions.

Take a healing, cleansing bath. 

Accomplish spring cleaning.

Make a flower crown.

Do something with your hands and take your time focusing on your craft.

Make honey cakes, bake bread. 

Fix, cleanse, clean your tools.

Plant new growth.

Draw, dance, sing. 

Stand under the sun and meditate.