Celtic goddess of war, fate, the cycle of life and death, rebirth, sovereignty, wisdom, prophecy, destruction, bloodshed, fertility, and fresh waters
The Morrígan (also called Morrigu) has her name translate from Irish as ‘Great Queen’. This name is a key to her nature, showing that sovereignty and queenship are core aspects of her identity and power. Though some scholars have given the name an alternate etymology, translating it as ‘Phantom Queen’. As one of the Celtic sovereignty Goddesses, The Morrígan has an association with the land itself, and the rulership and protection of the land and its people. A recent belief has risen from Wicca claiming that The Morrígan is a triple goddess, but this is not so and is inaccurate to her myths. The Morrígan has several different aspects but none represent the stages of one’s life, and she only appears elderly when she is presenting herself as a death omen to warriors.
The Morrígan is deeply associated in her source lore with incitement of heroes toward glory in battle, with the granting of victory, and with their deaths; in her own words, she says to the great hero Cú Chulainn, “I am guarding your death”. In battle, she takes part in the action primarily through the use of sorcery, Druidic magic, shapeshifting, terrorizing the enemy, and giving aid and strategic information to her people. She shapeshifts into many forms in her tales, including crows, ravens, cows, wolves, and eels. The Morrígan also appears as a sexual figure, offering victory and prophetic aid to her chosen war-leader. She also fulfills important roles with regard to poetry and prophecy, giving poetic incitements to the heroes of the Tuatha Dé Danann to rise to their hour of need, giving prophetic pronouncements of victory or of doom on the eve of decisive battles, and announcing the victories and the tales of great deeds afterward. She was also believed to hold the power over life and death, being able to revive fallen warriors in order to allow them to fight again.
The Morrígan has several aspects to depict her power which are Badb Catha- the Battle Crow of destruction, Némain- frenzy and terror, Macha- the land, fertility, protection, and Féa- combat. Though there is also a likelihood that the mother goddess Anu is another aspect of The Morrigan. It is said that The Morrígan was so terrifying in battle, that her shrieking war-cries could frighten her enemies to death. Though despite her bloodlust and terror, The Morrígan is also deeply protective and strives to teach her followers courage, independence, and enlightenment. She is passionately heroic and never backs down, causing her to seem utterly fearless in any challenge.
In my experiences with this goddess, she is very queen-like, elegant, cunning, sarcastic, and intense. She has a deep strong energy that is also sensual and her warm, shadowy presence embraces everything around her. The Morrígan speaks in a low but sometimes commanding voice that can be intimidating to some, but she means well and is immensely wise and compassionate. Though she wishes to guide her followers to their highest potential to show them their strength, she will not hold your hand since she expects independence. Although she can be more gentle depending on what each devotee needs. She is a mysterious and fiery mother who defends all who are in need, though her wrath is not to be taken lightly. Appearance-wise, The Morrígan has come to me in the form of a woman in her early thirties with very long black hair, piercing eyes, pronounced cheekbones, and wears dark clothing with raven feathers attached at her shoulders.
| Symbolism of The Morrígan |
She Who Makes Armies Tremble
Fruit, chocolate, black tea, red wine, whiskey, mead, pomegranate juice, strong tobacco, crow/raven feathers or skulls, swords, daggers, blood, graveyard dirt (properly obtained), fresh water, dragon’s blood incense, red or black candles, black scrying mirrors, silver jewelry, canine teeth, vulture feathers/skulls, ashes, belladonna, roses, chili peppers, bones, onyx, obsidian, garnet, rubies, bloodstone, amethyst, cream, divination tools, dead flowers, strong perfume, black/red/purple silks, black pearls, masques, poetry, artwork, imagery of her sacred animals
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