Pantheon of Goddesses: Arnamentia

Hello boys and girls! Long time no blog. Things at the ol’ Day Job have quieted down now, so before they pick back up let’s get to it

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

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**Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in Goddesses of all flavors!**

Photo Credit: Naviana

Arnamentia

Not much is known about this ancient goddess.  What we do know comes from the inscriptions the ancient Celtic people left on stones.

A solar deity, Arnamentia is the goddess of flowing water, spiritual healing and purification.  She rules over all bodies of water, from the largest oceans and lakes to the smallest rivers and streams.  It is said in times of despondency or peril she offers renewal of the mind, body and soul.

Attributes

Healing; Oceans, Rivers and Bodies of Water; Purification;

Colors

Green, Blue & White

Element

Water

Sabbats or Festivals

Yule, Imbolc, Samhain

 So talk to me.  What do you think of Arnamentia? Who is your favorite Goddess?

Don’t see your favorite goddess here? Leave me a comment and tell me who you’d like featured

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Be sure you stop by on Thursday and celebrate Beauty of a Woman with me!

Pantheon of Goddesses: Cailleach

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

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**Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in Goddesses of all flavors!**

Courtesy: GlobalGoddessOracle.com

Cailleach

In the spirit of this Samhain [SOW-en] season, I thought it only fitting to introduce the goddess Cailleach [KAU-lauk (Give the end “k” a little phlegm. It sounds like “ick” or like the ch in loch)].

Cailleach is Scottish for “hag.” Nice, huh? Skeletal, blue-faced and carrying a staff or hammer, she rules winder from Samhain to Bealltainn [BYAUL-tinn (soft on the "t")].

It is said Cailleach created the mountains, hills and valleys by dropping rocks from her apron as she passed by. She then began using these formations as stepping-stones during her travels.

She is the protectress of wolves and deer, and in some traditions is considered to be counter-part to the goddess, Brighid, ruler of spring from Bealltainn to Samhain.

While Cailleach is known as a great sorceress, healer and midwife, she conversely is also bringer of nightmares, terrors and death. Best to stay on her good side.

Attributes

Confidence; Darkness; Death; Destruction; Disease; Magical Brewing; Mountains; Night; Power; Seasons; Spell casting; Transformation; The Underworld; Weather; and Wisdom

Colors

Blue, Purple, Black, & Silver

Elements

Air & Water

Sabbats or festivals

Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, & Ostara

So talk to me.  What do you think of Cailleach? Who is your favorite Goddess?

Don’t see your favorite goddess here? Have something in particular you’d like me to share? Leave me a comment!

Happy New Year!

A special post today.. I’d wanted to share this two weeks ago. Fate had other plans for me.

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Hallowe’en, All Souls Day, Day of the Dead, Hallowtide, Lá Samhna, Old Hallowmas…

Credit: Navanna

In Celtic tradition, each day begins at sundown just as each year begins with the onset of winter. The eve of October 30th through the eve of November 1st marks the end of one year, and the beginning of another. The Celts celebrate this ending and beginning with one of their most important ancient festivals, or Sabbats ~ Samhain [SOW-en].

Samhain is Irish, meaning “summer’s end.” It represents the third and final harvest of the year. It is a time of celebrating hard work, of deep reflection, and of releasing that which no longer holds value.

In the season of Samhain, roughly October 31st through December 20th, the Horned God passes from one world to the next and awaits his rebirth through The Mother Goddess. In Crone form, The Goddess prepares for her birthing of the Horned God during the Winter Solstice. In some traditions, the god Dagda and goddess Morrígan come together, and through their intercourse, provide well-being for that particular tribe and fertility for the surrounding lands.

The night of Samhain is also the time of the wild hunt, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and the faeries, the dead, and otherworldly spirits roam the land. This is the time when the faeries plot to steal away humans, and the dead visit their loved ones still living. Those who were murdered, wronged or awaiting justice that had not been given them in life can exact their revenge on Samhain night.

It is said that one of the reasons for such a sense of mysticism and fear on Samhain was the difficulty in predicting the weather during this time of year. Regardless how well they planned, the Celts could never be sure they had enough food and other provisions to see them through the winter. In the years that had early snows, it was believed the spirits had expressed their anger toward the mortals by ruining the surrounding flora.

Many of you know that it is from this ancient Sabbat that our Halloween came from. Other cultures had similar festivals, such as Calan Gaeaf in Wales, Ancestor Night or Feast of the Dead in Britain, Oidhche Shamna in Scotland, and Hollantide Day in Isle of Man.

Samhain night, or even during the season, was not only a time of reflection and reverence, it was also a time to ask the gods and goddesses for guidance and protection. Some of the fun rituals practiced were:

• Bobbling for Apples ~ This symbolizes the apples of eternal life found on Manannán mac Lir‘s sacred isle
• Burning Nuts in the Hearth ~ Your future husband or occupation could be determined based upon which nuts explode and which do not
• Interpretations ~ Pour molten lead into cool water – the different shapes swirling around will tell you different things about your future
• Soddag Valloo, or dumb cakes ~ Baking and eating these on Samhain night will bring prophetic dreams

Some other superstitions prevalent on Samhain night include turning your clothes inside out to prevent faerie mischief, and wearing a stone found near water with a natural hole in it to ward off evil spirits. For those that experienced various mishaps, remember this for next year.

Fun fact ~ Babies born on Samhain night are thought to possess prophetic powers

So talk to me. Were you born on Samhain night? Do you have stories of Samhain traditions, folklore or rituals? What did you do on Halloween? Did anything interesting happen that night?

Pantheon of Godesses: Danu

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

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**Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in Goddesses of all flavors!**

Credit: Navanna Janne Eikeblad

Danu, Dana, Danand, Anu, Don

Danu (meaning: knowledge) is the mother of all gods.  She is predominately an Irish goddess, though she also appears in Hindu mythology.  An entire race of people was descended from her ~ the Tuatha Dé Danann, or People of Danu.  More on them in a later post

A goddess of the rivers and of the earth, it is said the rivers Danube and Don are named for her.  But she didn’t stop there—a mountainous region on the planet Venus was named Danu Montes, and you’ll see there she’s in good company.

I love a woman with ambition.

The goddess Danu is the Creation Goddess.  She is all-encompassing: the beginning and the end, the Maiden and the Crone, the Light and the Dark, the known and the unknown.

Danu rules over the following attributes:

Abundance; Chaos; Cosmos; Creation & Creativity; Fertility; Healing; Heaven; Learning; Light Magic; Manifestation; Motherhood; Mysteries; Nature; New Beginnings; Oceans, Rivers & Bodies of Water; Prosperity; Sky; Sorceress; Students & Studying; Transformation; The Underworld; War & Battles; and Wisdom

Danu’s colors are Orange, Green, Blue, Black, White, and Silver

Danu rules over the elements of Water, Earth & Air

Danu is associated with the following Sabbats or festivals: Yule, Imbolc, Lammas, & Mabon

So talk to me.  What do you think of Danu? Who is your favorite Goddess?

If you have a specific Goddess you would like to see featured here ~ even if she isn’t Celtic ~ let me know!

Pantheon of Goddesses: Momu

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

**Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in goddesses of all flavors!**

I have a special treat for you today ~ a little-known goddess, who goes by the name Momu…

Source: vampgyrl420.hubpages.com

Momu

Momu, a minor goddess in Scotland, rules the land, specifically hillsides and mountains.  Earthy caves and wells are symbols for Momu as power within the female form.

Part of Faery, Momu has authority over elemental earth and water.

Momu rules over the following attributes:

Bodies of Water (including Oceans & Rivers), Magical Brewing, Mysteries, and Purification

Momu’s colors are Red, Green, Blue, Black, and Brown

So, now the next time you’re curled up watching Braveheart you know who to thank for those incredible panoramic scenes

So talk to me.  I enjoy not only finding new information on well-known deities, but also sharing those that are not so well-known.  Are you familiar with the Scottish goddess, Momu?

If you have a specific Goddess you would like to see featured here ~ even if she isn’t Celtic ~ let me know!

Pantheon of Goddesses: Cerridwen

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

In honor of a good friend, our next goddess in this series is Cerridwen.

**Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in Goddesses of all flavors!**

fineartamerica.com

Cerridwen, Ceridwen, Caridwen, Kyrridwen

Cerridwen, Keeper of the Sacred Cauldron, is the goddess of rebirth, transformation and inspiration. With her magical cauldron, Cerridwen brews potions of divine wisdom and vision.

One of the five goddesses of Avalon, she is the guardian of spiritual transformation, and the dispenser of righteous council and ultimate justice.

Blodeuwedd (Maiden), Arianrhod (Mother), and Cerridwen (Crone) form the Welsh Triple Goddess triad; though Cerridwen embodies all three aspects within herself, as do many goddesses. Cerridwen is goddess of the moon and rules the gifts of prophecy and magic, as well as the powers of death and rebirth.

According to the late medieval Tale of Taliesin, Cerridwen had a son named Morfran who was hideously ugly. Out of love for her child, she brewed a potion in the Sacred Cauldron to make him wise. Cerridwen’s young servant boy, Gwion Bach, stirred the concoction. Three hot drops spilled onto Gwion’s thumb as he stirred, burning him. He instinctively put his thumb in his mouth, and instantly gained great wisdom and knowledge.

Hmm…is anyone else reminded of the legend of how Fionn mac Cumhaill gained his second sight?  Interesting, no?

Cerridwen, realizing what had happened, chased Gwion. He turned himself into a hare. She became a greyhound. He became a fish and jumped into a river. She turned into an otter. He turned into a bird; she became a hawk. Finally, Gwion turned into a single grain of corn. Cerridwen then became a hen and ate him.

The Sword In The Stone, anyone?

Later, when Cerridwen became pregnant, she knew it was Gwion and resolved to kill the child when he was born. However, when he was born, he was so beautiful that she couldn’t do it. Instead, she sewed him inside a leather-skin bag, and threw him in the ocean. The baby survived and was rescued by Prince Elffin ap Gwyddno; the reborn infant grew to become the legendary bard Taliesin.

The part of this tale where Cerridwen eats Gwion and then gives birth to him reminds me of a portion of the tale, The Wooing of Etain. Is anyone familiar with that one?

Cerridwen rules over the following attributes:

Aging; Animals; Arts & Crafts; Astral Travel; Brewing (Magical); Cemeteries; Chaos; Clarity; Creation & Creativity; Crossroads; Darkness; Death; Destruction; Discipline; Disease & Illness; Divination; Dreams; Eclipse; Enchantments; Endings; Enlightenment; Exorcism; Fate; Fear; Fertility; Foresight; Gates, Caves, Portals & Doorways; Grief & Sadness; Guidance; Healing; Health (Physical); Herbs; Hindsight; Illusions; Initiation; Inspiration; Intuitive Abilities; Inventions; Judgment; Justice; Karma; Law; Learning; Longevity; Magic (Light, Dark, Lunar); Meditation; Memory; Menopause; Miracles; Moon; Mysteries; Oaths; Obstacles (Removing); Opportunities; Overcoming Negative Habits; Poetry; Power; Prophecy; Protection; Psychic Abilities; Rebirth; Regeneration; Reincarnation; Renewing; Retribution; Rituals & Ceremonies; Sciences & Alchemy; Seasons; Shapeshifting; Sky; Sorceress; Spiritual Connection & Illumination; Storms; Tarot; Time; Transformation; Truth; the Underworld; Vengeance & Revenge; Violence; Weather; Weight Loss; Wisdom; Witchcraft; Women & Femininity; Woodlands & Forests; Writing

Cerridwen’s colors are Blue, Purple, Black, Grey, White, and Silver

Cerridwen rules over the element of Water

Cerridwen is associated with the following Sabbats or festivals: Yule & Samhain

I didn’t know much about Cerridwen before I began my research ~ I can see why she’s my friend’s favorite goddess

So talk to me.  What about you? Do you connect with Cerridwen? Who is your favorite goddess?

If you have a specific goddess you would like to see featured here ~ even if she isn’t Celtic ~ let me know!

Pantheon of Goddesses: Mórrígan

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

Today’s post kicks off my new series on Celtic goddesses. Mórrígan, or Morrígu, is my personal favorite so of course I’ll begin with her.

You may recall my last post featuring this powerful deity. I’ve taken the bit of information there and expanded. Enjoy!

Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in Goddesses of all flavors!

The Morrígan, Mórrígan, Morrígu, Morrígna, Morríghan or Mórríoghain

The Mórrígan, or Great Queen, is the Irish warrior goddess of prophecy, battle, strife and fertility. Also called the Witch Queen of Death, she is known for being one of the most beautiful and sexual of all Goddesses, as well as being quite deadly. She has no problem using her sexuality to get what she wants, and can be ruthless in her pursuits. She can determine the outcome of wars, as well as predict when warriors will meet their end.

There is some debate over whether Mórrígan is part of a triple deity or the sum of three separate deities (Morrígna). Many believe that she, along with her sisters Macha and Anu make up the Great Goddess, or The Goddess, the Great Mother of all the land. Still others say Mórrígan is a triple goddess made by the aspects Badb, Macha, and Nemain.

Mórrígan is a shapeshifter; she can take the forms of raven, eel, cow, or wolf. The raven, or Carrion Crow, is a harbinger of death. It can frequently be seen flying above a battlefield, circling and casting spells to determine the victor. She will use the other animal forms in whatever way best benefits her agenda.

Mórrígan can also take different human forms. She can appear as a Crone, bringing news of death and destruction, or warnings of such. Less well-known is her form as a young maiden. Here, she will cast praise and love upon her chosen hero. Turns out she has a softer side…

She is the great sorceress of the Celts, her magical powers of prediction and enchantment are beyond compare. Mórrígan rules passionate love and sex, predominately affairs that tend to have negative consequences.

So maybe that side isn’t so soft.

 Mórrígan rules over the following attributes:

Addictions, Arts & Crafts, Authority, Blood, Brewing (Magical), Cemeteries, Courage, Crossroads, Darkness, Death, Deceit, Decisions, Destruction, Diplomacy, Disaster, Divination, Dreams, Enchantments, Endings, Exorcism, Fate, Fear, Fertility, Foresight, Grief & Sadness, Hindsight, Illusions, Initiation, Intuitive Abilities, Jealousy, Judgment, Justice, Love (Healing a Broken Heart), Magick (Dark), Magick (Light), Magick (Lunar), Magickal Arts, Memory, Men, Menopause, Mischief, Moon, Mysteries, Negative Habits (to Overcome), Night, Oaths, Oceans (Rivers & Bodies of Water), Pleasure, Poetry, Power, Prophecy, Protection, Regeneration, Retribution, Revenge, Seduction, Sensuality, Sexuality & Sexual Activities, Shapeshifting, Sorceress, Spirits & Ghosts, Strength, Vengeance, Victory, Violence, War & Battles, Warrior Goddesses, Wisdom, Witchcraft, Women & Femininity

Mórrígan’s colors are Red, Blue, Purple, Black, and Silver ~ All of my favorite colors

Mórrígan rules over the elements of Fire and Water.

Mórrígan is associated with the following sabbats or festivals: Midsummer & Samhain

See…don’t you just dig her?

So talk to me. What do you think of Mórrígan? If anyone knows of any symbols associated with her, please let me know…I’m researching art for my blank canvas.

If you have a specific Goddess you would like to see featured here ~ even if she isn’t Celtic ~ let me know!

And for Thursday, it’s Author Spotlight: James Hutchings. Don’t miss it!

Express Yourself

Welcome to Rudan Thursdays where we talk about…things! Anything from books and movies, to blog posts and authors, to food and drink.

Tattoos and tattooing have been around for probably as long as we have walked the earth. They are part of many cultures, and can be an artistic expression of self, an expression of belief such as religion or spirituality, or a way to memorialize values, people, or events.

“…the island of Great Britain takes its name from tattooing, with Britons translating as ‘people of the designs’ and the Picts, who originally inhabited the northern part of Britain, which literally means ‘the painted people’. British people remain the most tattooed in Europe. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world.” ~ Wikipedia

My good friend Diana Murdock blogged about tattooing and body art several months ago, and that post has stayed with me since. Definitely check it out; there are several beautiful photos, including one pretty badass triskele 

I’ve always wanted tattoos. Not one. Many. I have just never been able to figure out what I wanted to express. A tattoo is for life. My thought is, if you’re going to ink your body you’d better make sure what you choose is meaningful, and that ‘meaning’ is going to last – forever.

I’m a Sagittarius. For those who know and understand the signs, you right away see my dilemma. My thoughts, opinions, interests…they change with the wind! I’m constantly growing, learning, evolving. So for me, the decision of getting inked is a fairly monumental one.

Discovering the depth of my passion for the Celtic traditions has provided a starting point for me in this particular area. This passion (or obsession, depending on how you look at it) is soul deep. It is so much a part of me that no matter what happens in my life or how many times I change my opinions ~ this will never change.

Normally I cringe at words like “never,” “always,” “forever” because those are too confining for me. I like room to move, room to change…I’m like Baby – no one puts me in a corner

But this…saying “this will never change” is like giving myself a gift. I am free to express myself in such a way that will always bring me joy and comfort. Plus, there are SO many aspects to the Celtic tradition that there is plenty of room for me to grow and stretch and evolve.

                                       

So…I’m getting inked! I haven’t quite decided where to start or exactly what to get first ~ I have so many ideas, they’re all crowding my mind, vying to be chosen first. But I’ll share my ideas with you as I move forward…and maybe you can give me some ideas

So talk to me. What is your opinion on tattoos? How do you express yourself?

~*~ Psst…remember that Author Spotlight I hinted at several weeks ago? Well, stay tuned, it’s happening soon! ~*~

Celts were…RICH!!

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

We’re continuing with Terry Jones’ series on Ancient Celts. Below is part 3. In case you missed them, here’s Part 1 and Part 2.

Terry picks up where he left off in Part 2 talking about the great Celtic roadways. Apparently, there were Celtic roads all across Europe! He goes on to explain the reasons behind Caesar’s justifications for “protecting” the Celts…interesting, that.

And wait until you find out about the mines, and the burial chamber!

Ok, I’m gonna go pack for the move while you guys watch.

Stay tuned…we’ll finish up with Part 4 next week

So talk to me.  What did you think about the Helvetii, and Caesar’s massacre? Did you know the Celts were so rich ~ both in culture, and in gold? 400 mines in Gaul alone, whew!!  How ’bout that wine vessel? Had you seen anything like it before?

Celts were…Master Craftsmen and Engineers?!

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

As promised, below is Part 2 of Terry Jones’ series on Ancient Celts.

If you thought the Coligny Calendar was interesting, wait ‘til you find out about the Celtic town of Bibracte, which clearly demonstrates the Celts’ sophistication and wealth, and the Celtic roadway, Corlea Trackway, which predates Roman road building!

Hm…guess Caesar and his buddies weren’t the first road builders after all…

Stay tuned…we’ll check out Part 3 is next week

So talk to me. What did you think of the second installment of The Ancient Celts? How ‘bout that Colony Calendar, eh? I had no idea that the Roman calendar had been so inaccurate!

Did you know that the Celts had such sophisticated towns, with two-storey buildings and even a ‘Main Street’ running right through the heart of them?

I am blown away by the discovery of the road in Kenagh, County Longford in Ireland! Did you know that the Celts in Germany had constructed the exact same thing and had been using it at the exact same time? The Celts engineering and technology really was on an international scale!