Sachairi Mac Cabá @sachairi-maccaba - Tumblr Blog

woolandcoffee-deactivated201712

Brighid is waking up early, when the sun has just risen, and taking a walk through the dew-drenched streets, listening to the birds beginning to sing.

Brighid is hiking up a hill or mountain on a hot summer’s day, just to dip your sweat-soaked body into the cool spring at the top.

Brighid is filling your kitchen with cooking smells, and eating warm, potato leek soup on a cold winter day.

Brighid is handknit socks, shawls, mittens, and sweaters.

Brighid is cotton sundresses with gaudy floral prints.

Brighid is opening your home to your friends, and proudly offering them food, drink, love, and comfort.

Brighid is. Brighid is. Brighid is.

breelandwalker

Brighid is friend and guardian and teacher and endless inspiration.

Brighid is the well that never runs dry and the flame that never wavers.

Brighid is the first light of dawn and the glow of the hearthfire at sunset.

Brighid is the lady standing upon two shores and the bridge that spans the distance between them.

Brighid is the candle in the window and the lantern held aloft.

Brighid is a kind word spoken to a stranger and a kind deed done for its’ own sake.

Brighid is the frost on the snowdrops and the first warm day of spring.

Brighid is a warm breeze on a cold day, the lowing of the cattle, the scent of the first flowers, the song of the robins, the cheerful blaze, the abundant hearth, the ringing forge, the poet’s verse, and foster mother to all new life.

Brighid is the heart that endures with courage and kindness and patience, and encourages all of us to do likewise.

Brighid is the voice that whispers, “No matter how dark the night, soon will come the dawn.”

forfeda-project

SAMHAIN

By far the best known Gaelic festival, Samhain marked the end of summer in Ireland, when assemblies were held and the cattle were brought to winter pastures. The traditional (though contested) date is usually given as November 1st, with festivities beginning at dusk on October 31st. Like with Bealtaine, the festival of Samhain is marked by bonfires and an emphasis on protection from Otherworldly forces. Syncretism with All Hallow's Eve resulted in many traditions involving the dead or the Daoine Sidhe roaming the lands on Samhain, looking to snatch away or otherwise harm those who did not observe the proper rites. As such, the wearing of disguises and the creation of charms were meant to ward away unwanted attention. Divination games were also common on Samhain, primarily concerning matters of love and marriage. Hiding trinkets such as coins or rings in plates of food and loaves of bread was the most popular method, although apples and hazelnuts were also employed. Samhain is also the setting for many of Irish mythology's most famous tales, especially stories of wooings and conceptions. Modern Scottish tradition associates Samhain with the Cailleach, the hag of winter, who rules over the colder months. The Brugh na Boinne was particularly associated with Samhain, and modern folklore describes it as the site of battles, feasts, and games carried out by the Daoine Sidhe on Samhain night. This piece features a deer skull to evoke the deer herd of the Cailleach and the traditions surrounding death, with crossed swords and the Brugh na Boinne for the Daoine Sidhe. Loaves of bannock and barmbrack, along with nuts and apples, encompass the culinary aspects of the holiday, and the quaich cup (a common sight at weddings) and divinatory trinkets hint at its more romantic overtones. Finally, bonfire flames, a carved tumshie lantern, and a parshell cross serve as charms to ward away Otherworldly dangers. Lá Fhéile Shamhna sona daoibh!

lebornaciar

iii. prayer to sovereignty

it is said thus of rulers: kingship is a man but sovereignty a woman without her blessing, he must sicken and die on through the ages, the phantom queen moves from lord to lord outlasting them all

in her is the power of the land: as she is battle and blood so is she also the abundance of a just and prosperous reign great queen, by your strength are we made great when we too stand against oppression

sisters of the badb, let ferocity be our watchword when the skies grow dark around us let us not fear: for we know that you have summoned this storm mórrígan, who foretells the death of champions let no man stand against you may we take the bit between our teeth and learn how to run

mnemoli

Nuada, king of the Tuatha De Danann: Hey guys, we’d really like to settle in Ireland, but I see you folks are already living here. How about we go 50/50 and share? :)

The Fir Bolg: How about fuck you

Nuada:

witchofhollyhill

Unearthing Ireland’s deepest fairy secrets and darkest myths

A fairy fort, with corn stooks of four sheaves each, in Loughinisland, Co Down, in 1962. Photograph: Michael J Murphy/duchas.ie

“A worldwide crowdsourcing movement is currently unearthing Ireland’s deepest fairy secrets and darkest myths. A voluntary collective online is working its way through transcribing 700,000 pages of folklore that were collected throughout Ireland between 1937 and 1939. This mass of previously inaccessible material was gathered by more than 100,000 children who were sent to seek out the oldest person in their community just before second World War to root out the darkest, oddest and weirdest traditional beliefs, secrets and customs, which were then logged into 1,128 volumes, titled the Schools’ Manuscripts Collection.

Half a million pages have been digitised by the National Folklore Collection, of which more than 100,000 pages have now been transcribed by volunteers, revealing the fairy situation in every townland, the types of leprechaun and butter churn common to each area, the names of people who tried to steal gold and what happened to them, or who had relationships with mermaids. There is material on local cures, holy wells, strange animals, travelling folk and spirits.”

The Irish Times

OMG. THIS IS AMAZING.

irisharchaeology

An Irish fox and wolf depicted in ‘Topographia Hiberniae’ by Giraldus Cambrenisis, circa late 12th century AD

aeondeug

We must always remember, first and foremost, that Tailtiu died and that the games were started by her foster son in honor of her. We must always remember how very much the day is hers and how much of it is centered around the fact that she died to feed her people. We must always remember that Lugh would not be Lugh were it not for her raising him.

Tailtiu is important. Tailtiu is honored. Tailtiu is remembered.

bogganbeliefs

One of the things I really hate about being on Tumblr during pagan celebrations and holidays is the sheer volume of bullshit and misinformation posts I see making the rounds.

Great, it’s Lughnasadh. Do some damned research on what you are celebrating, what is actually about and what the cultural context is and don’t just call it whatever the hell some Llewyllyn published “Celtic shamanism new age” shit book told it was and expect that to be the truth.

Research, kids. If you are gonna celebrate something, know what it is you are celebrating and not just enjoying the misinformation that is flung like so much shit by New Age authors and reblogged unsourced posts.

P.S: Lughnasadh has nothing to do with the Horned God. For fuck sake.

aeondeug

Also it’s Lughnasad, bitches. Time for us all to remember the time when Lugh defeated his grandfather and took the secrets of farming from that coward Bres before banishing him, fulfilling the last of Cairbre’s curse on the bastard. And let us all especially remember how Tailtiu, Lugh’s beloved foster mother, died using those secrets to prepare Ireland for harvest.

Eat bread. Compete. Play sportsball. And never, ever forget her death.

domhnall-na-feannaig

Found a horror book for children in Doune Castle today.

carasidhe

Cautions For Dealing With Modern Fair Folk

Based on some actual experiences

- When a stranger comes to your apartment door on May day morning asking to borrow some butter or milk, don’t lend any…all your luck will go with it. Never give any stranger a light for their cigarette on May day either - giving out fire is giving away your luck as well.

- When you are walking at night and you hear music, no matter how beautiful, or voices inviting you to join them don’t acknowledge that you can hear them and turn back towards home.

- When you are out walking at night and you hear the sound of horses or hounds or riders find shelter indoors or in your car quickly. The Wild Hunt (we call them Ghost Riders in America) is mercurial and if it’s the Slua Sí passing by they will do you harm if they can.

- Never run from the Fair Folk, if you see Fairy hounds or anything uncanny that frightens you. Running is what prey does and you do not want to be prey. Don’t acknowledge seeing them, if possible, but leave as quickly as you can.

- If you are being pixy-led, if you have lost your way in familiar territory, turn your socks or coat outside in or laugh and joke about how much fun you are having. this will free you from the enchantment.

- Never speak ill of the Good Neighbours aloud, nor express disbelief in them. They take insults badly and if they happen to be nearby and hear you they may respond. You will not enjoy their reaction.

gefdreamsofthesea

Hey I know because it’s St. Paddy’s Day let’s take a look at some “Celtic” stuff the Pagan community is in love with that are in fact made of lies.

The Celtic Tree Calendar was made up by Robert Graves. His own grandfather dismissed the idea of a “tree alphabet” as spurious.

Here is an entertaining review of The 21 Lessons of Merlyn which is so horribly inaccurate (and sexist) that it’s funny.

“Wicca is not Celtic and Other Simple Truths” by Kaathryn MacMorgan, an article about how Wicca is not Celtic.

The CR FAQ, “Misconceptions”, which debunks some myths related to “Celtic” stuff in Paganism and Wicca.

Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch by Lora O’Brien. This book was recommended to me by an Irish tumblog (I forget which one). It is a book of non-Wiccan Irish witchcraft from an Irish witch living in Ireland. A pain in the ass to find at a decent price but apparently worth it.

Please feel free to add your own points.

glumshoe

The Fair Folk: “I can’t believe this. Twenty years I’ve cleaned your house and you DARE to try to REPAY me with GIFTS. This is such an insult. Fuck you, you insolent humans. I’m leaving here and never returning because you have insulted me so deeply.”

Also the Fair Folk: “Remember that one time you pulled a thorn out of a cat’s foot? That was me. To show my gratitude, here is a house made of solid gold, a life-debt, my daughter’s hand in marriage, and a promise that all your children will be gorgeous and successful at all that they do. I can also throw in a blow job if you want. I hope this is enough. I don’t want to seem ungrateful.”

pallidprincess

ship are you making a callout post for faeries

elvensemi

#now to be fair #i have always interpreted this dichotomy as#you can leave them gifts #but not as repayment#because otherwise you’re just paying them to clean your house#and so the insult is to imply that they are servants performing labor for compensation#when in reality they are Magnanimous Bros#totally just cleaning your nasty house out of the goodness of their good good hearts#and if you want to also be a bro #and give them some uncurdled milk and honey#that’s cool because that’s what bros do#but if you’re like ‘here’s some food for cleaning my house’ it’s like #EXCUSE ME#ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT YOU’RE ONLY GIVING ME THIS BECAUSE I DID SOMETHING FOR YOU#WHAT KIND OF FRIEND ARE YOU#FUCK OFF WITH THAT THEN I THOUGHT WE WERE BROS