The Morrigan is a triple goddess from Irish mythology who is associated with war, fate, and sovereignty. According to myth, she is often depicted as a crow or raven, and is said to appear in both a positive and negative guise, sometimes as a nurturing mother and other times as a destructive force. She is said to be the phantom queen of the Danaan People, the ancestral spirits of Ireland, and is sometimes depicted as a powerful seer or prophetic figure.
Appearance: the Morrigan is often depicted as a fierce and powerful woman wearing a long, flowing black cloak or gown, and sometimes with feathers or a crown of feathers. She is also commonly associated with a black crow, which is said to be her messenger and the vessel of her power. Her appearance is usually associated with darkness and mystery, embodying the enigma and unpredictability of war and fate.
Personality: she has a complex and multi-faceted personality, often embodying multiple aspects of femininity. She is said to encompass aspects of the traditional maiden, mother, and crone archetypes, representing youthful zeal, maternal nurturing, and wise counsel, respectively. She is also known for her vengeful and bloodthirsty streak, embodying the brutal and ruthless nature of war and the chaos of fate. Despite her fierce and sometimes fearsome reputation, she is also viewed as a powerful protector and defender of the Irish people.
Symbols: cloak, spear, chariot, sword, and shield
Goddess of: magic, war, battle, life, death, sovereignty, fresh water, destiny, prophecy, and fate
Plants and trees: willow, aspen, rowan, snapdragon, hawthorn, yew, belladonna, mugwort, rose, and nightshade (do not consume, handle with care!)
Crystals: ravenite, yeomanite, schorl, arsenopyrite, harlequin opal, black opal, skye marble, pyrolusite, biotite, feldspar, black agate, hematite, smoky quartz, bloodstone, onyx, charoite, black obsidian, labradorite, shungite, and black tourmaline
Animals: crow, raven, horse, eel, rook, serpent, and wolf
Incense: frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, rose, cedar, juniper, and dragon’s blood
Practices: death witchcraft, spirit work, divination, shadow work, ancestor worship, psychic abilities, and necromancy
Colours: red, black, white, blue, and green
Tarot: The High Priestess, The Tower, Queen of Swords, The Devil, Justice, and Death
Days: Monday, Imbolc, Lammas, Mabon, Samhain, Halloween, and full moons
Parents: Cailitin and Ernmas
Siblings: Ériu, Banba, Fódla, Gnim, Coscar, Fiacha, and Oll
Partner: The Dagda and an unnamed shapeshifting goddess
Crows and ravens: the Morrigan is often associated with crows or ravens due to her nature as a deity of death, fate, and transformation. In Irish mythology, crows or ravens were often seen as messengers between the worlds of the living and the dead, and could be seen as omens of impending change or transformation. For the Morrigan, these birds served as her messengers and helped her carry out her duties as a deity of war, fate, and the supernatural. Additionally, the Morrigan herself was sometimes depicted as a crow or raven in the form of a woman.
Death: she is often associated with death because she is seen as a deity of fate and transformation, which can include death and rebirth. In Irish mythology, she is often depicted as a battle goddess who wields a spear or sword, and is seen as a bringer of violence and change. She is also associated with the concept of death as a natural and inevitable part of life, and is sometimes seen as a guide for the souls of the dead as they cross over to the afterlife.
War: in Irish mythology, she was often seen as a fierce and powerful warrior, who would appear in the form of a crow or raven to guide and aid the soldiers of the Tuatha de Danann, a group of gods and mythological beings. She was often invoked by soldiers in order to bring them victory in battle and could also be seen as a symbol of the chaos and destruction that can occur during war.
Triple goddess: she is often associated with the triple goddess archetype due to her connection with the number three and her role as a goddess of transformation and female empowerment. In Celtic mythology, the number three was often seen as sacred and powerful, and the Morrigan is sometimes depicted as embodying these three aspects of femininity: maiden, mother, and crone. This association reflects her nature as a powerful and multifaceted deity who encompasses the different phases of a woman's life, from youth and fertility to wisdom and maturity.
Samhain: in Celtic mythology, Samhain is believed to be a time when the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead becomes thin, allowing the spirits of the deceased to return to the world of the living. The Morrigan, as a goddess of death and transformation, is seen as playing an important role during this time, guiding and assisting the souls of the dead on their journey to the afterlife.
Magic: was seen as a powerful force that could wield the energy and power of these natural forces, and the Morrigan was often invoked as a source of magical power and insight during certain rituals and spells. Additionally, the Morrigan is sometimes depicted as a sorcerous figure in some myths, casting spells or curses and using her supernatural abilities to influence events on the mortal plane.
FACTS ABOUT THE MORRIGAN:
She owns a herd of enchanted and magical cattle.
Contrary to some interpretations, the Morrigan is not necessarily seen as an evil or destructive deity. In many myths, she is depicted as a protective and wise figure who aids and guides heroes on their journeys.
She is sometimes portrayed as a shape-shifter, able to take on the form of a crow or other animals.
The Morrigan is often associated with the number three, representing the three aspects of maiden, mother, and crone.
She is also associated with the Fae and the Banshee—a creature that generally takes on the form of an old woman who wails in mourning to announce the coming death of someone in the family.
The name "Morrigan" comes from Old Irish and means "phantom queen" or "great queen."
She is often associated with ravens or crows, which were seen as her messengers between the worlds of the living and the dead.
The Morrigan is known for appearing in the form of a woman with long, flowing hair, sometimes carrying a spear and/or a shield.
HOW TO INVOKE THE MORRIGAN:
Working with the Morrigan often involves building a relationship of mutual respect and trust with her. You can approach working with her in the following ways:
Research and study her mythology, folklore, and symbology to gain a deeper understanding of her nature and characteristics.
Set up an altar or sacred space dedicated to the Morrigan, and make regular offerings to her.
Perform rituals or spells in her honor to seek her guidance and power.
Meditate or visualize her presence in your life, and work on developing a direct channel of communication with her.
Hail Morrigan, maiden, mother, and crone. We call upon you, great and powerful deity, to guide us on our path, and protect us from harm. Teach us to be strong and fearless in the face of adversity and help us to find balance in our lives.
Bless our endeavors, and grant us success in all we do. In your name, I give thanks for your presence in our lives. Hail to you, the Morrigan.
SIGNS THAT THE MORRIGAN IS CALLING YOU:
Repeatedly seeing signs of crows or ravens, which are associated with the Morrigan.
Feeling a strong connection to the themes of war, fate, and sovereignty.
Having vivid dreams or visions of the Morrigan or her symbols (e.g. a raven, a battle flag, etc).
Feeling drawn to read or learn about the Morrigan or Celtic mythology.
Experiencing strong emotions or changes in behavior that feel linked to the energy of the Morrigan.
Feeling the urge to explore or embrace warlike or competitive activities (e.g. sports, martial arts, strategy games).
Finding yourself drawn to stories of powerful women, goddesses, or wanting to honour and empower yourself.
Having a sudden urge to explore your own shadow or unconscious and to confront and transform it.
A sudden urge to create or engage in art, poetry, or music that connects to the Morrigan’s energy and symbolism.
Red wine poured into the ground.
Deep green, black and red stones/crystals.
Studying Celtic mythology.
Blood (especially menstrual blood).
Creating sigils or magickal symbols associated with the Morrigan and her aspects (such as battle, war, death, etc) and charging them with your intention and energy.
Performing war dances, warrior rites, and ceremonies of protection and victory.
Paint your nails black or red while thinking of her.
Exploring magic and divination related to the Morrigan, including the use of rune stones, scrying, and spirit communication.
Participating in activities where you are willing to take risks and venture into the unknown, as the Morrigan is known for pushing individuals to embrace their destiny and seize control of their life.
Working to protect and uphold your own personal sovereignty and destiny, and resisting outside influence or control.
Make a playlist that is dedicated to her, or listen to music that reminds you of her.
Feeding your local murder (crows).
Celebrating the changing of the seasons and honoring the cycles of life and death.
Praying and making offerings to the Morrigan, seeking her guidance and power for your magical and spiritual practice.
Screaming your heart out when alone in the woods.
Performing blessings and healing rituals for fresh water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and streams, to honor the Morrigan’s association with water.
Standing up for yourself.
Exercising (especially if it’s challenging).
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