Flidais is Goddess of the Forest, wild nature and has strong associations to sexuality. She originates from Ireland and is known by the epithet Foltchaín, meaning “beautiful hair”. She had green eyes compared to the most beautiful emeralds in the world.
She is said to be a shape shifter and a healing Goddess. An Earth Mother, nurturing and providing abundance. She is both domestic and wild, maternal and sexual.
Some accounts claim Flidais to be the Celtic “Goddess of the Hunt”and is often toted as the Celtic Artemis. “While her temperament could be prone to ferocity, her classic image is one of a benevolent, poised woman, often accompanied by woodland creatures and her bow, as she herself is considered to be a huntress and an accomplished archer”.
She rides a chariot pulled by Deer, her sacred animal along with cattle. She owns a herd of magical cows that were able to provide her people with milk for many days. Whoever drank the milk would have better health, increased strength and would be healed from all wounds. She tended to and healed the men wounded in battle, her herd supplying an entire army with milk every seven days.
She was part of the Tuath Dé Danann and had 3 daughters, Fand, Be Chuille and Be Teite. Two were considered witches, and one was a fairy queen. Her son, Nia Ségamain, was able to milk wild deer, powers given to him by his Mother.
As an Earth Goddess, she is associated with the colours brown and green. Trees are also sacred to Flidais as she serves as the protector of the trees, wild fauna, flora and the animals of the forest.
She is seen as the protector of the poor and the outcast who called on her when they were in need of safe harbor. She has a soft spot for human outcasts; those marginalized by society; people who, once upon a time, would have been inclined to take shelter in the forest.
“She represents the eternal cycles of growth and rebirth. She embodies both our domestic and wild natures, helping us find that balance within ourselves. Flidais also returns us to our own sense of empowerment. She claims the right to give Her powers of nurturing, abundance, and sensuality to whomever she chooses”.
