The Morrigan

The Many Aspects of An Morrigu.

Her name means great queen or phantom queen. It is spelled in several different ways including Morrigu, Morgane, Morrighan and Morgan le Fay in the Arthurian legends.

She is one of the triple Goddesses, her different aspects are represented by Anu or Anand (the fertility maiden), Badh (the boiling mother cauldron) and either Macha (the death crone) or Nemain. The Goddess Morrigan represented the circle of life, she was associated with both birth and death.

Morrigan is also a water Goddess, ruling over rivers and lakes. In one myth she appears as an elderly washer woman at the ford and offering her love to Cu Chulainne. He failed to recognize Morrigan on this occasion and on several others. Enraged she threated to hinder him in battle, when he is killed as a result of this she appears on his shoulder as a crow.

This Goddess also grants monarchs the power of sovereignty.

Origins and Genealogy: Morrigan was also one of the Tuatha de Danann , the original tribe of Gods (who later were known as the Sidhe) of the Goddess Danu. (Danu being the Sanskrit translation of river goddess). She protected her people by blowing a fog over the land, the lack of visibility discouraged invading armies. She is said said to be the consort of Dadga.

There is a great deal of information about Morrigan and her individual aspects. Each Aspect has its own stories, symbolism and energy. This Goddess is an infinite source to just about anything you find you may need in your life. She is deeply rich in all personalities as many women are and to attempt to pigeon-hole her is against the temperament of her ever changing self. This page attempts to provide a generalization of The Morrigan when considering her as a whole without going deeply into her individual facets.

Symbolism

Festival: As is a symbol of death the Goddess Morrigan is linked with the festival of Samhain.

Sacred Animals: Crows and ravens, mare, heifer, and wolves.

Sacred Plants: Mugwort, blackthorn, yew and willow.

Sacred Colors: Red and Black

Sacred Elements: Fire, Water, Blood

Strengths: Fearsome and strong.

Weaknesses: She is vindictive, killing the person she loves when he fails to recognize her.

Objects: Spear, Sword, Shield

Archetypes

The Celtic Goddess Morrigan has several powerful archetypes.

Shape-Shifter:

The Shape Shifter has the ability to change her physical appearance. They are also able to adapt easily to different environments by altering there behavior.

Shadow Shape Shifter is fickle, lacking conviction and constantly reinventing themselves, like politicians trying to appeal to more people.

Morrigan is a bird Goddess who shape-shifts into the form of a hooded crow and a washer woman at the ford.

The Crone:

The Crone represents the wise old woman whose child bearing days are behind her. Other associations with this Archetype include: compassion, transformation, healing and bawdiness death and endings. She is the respected older woman or grand-parent at the heart of family who enjoys life and sharing her experience.

Unfortunately the word Crone or Hag often has negative connotations as many wise woman and midwives were persecuted as witches in the middle ages.

Shadow Crone is the bitter, old woman who has failed to learn from her life. She blames all her failings and unhappiness on a society that no longer respects the elders. As a result she becomes increasingly isolated and fearful.

Morrigan is the washer at the ford, who by washing the bloody armor foretells the death of great warriors.

The Warrior:

Warrior represents physical strength, and the ability to protect and fight for your rights and those of of others.

Whilst the shadow side of the Warrior reflects the need to win at all costs, abandoning ethical principals to prove your supremacy.

As the battle Goddess she appeared on the battlefield in the form of a crow and returned later to feed on the dead.

As the head is seen as the home of the soul she collects heads in her role to escort fallen heros into her realm.

The Morrígan's Prophecy

Peace to (as high as) the sky
sky to the earth
earth beneath sky
strength in everyone
a cup very full
a fullness of honey
honour enough
summer in winter
spear supported by shield
shields supported by forts
forts fierce eager for battle
"sod" (fleece) from sheep
woods grown with antler-tips (full of stags)
forever destructions have departed
mast (nuts) on trees
a branch drooping-down
drooping from growth
wealth for a son
a son very learned
neck of bull (in yoke)
a bull from a song
knots in woods (i.e. scrap-wood)
wood for a fire
fire as wanted
palisades new and bright
salmon their victory
the Boyne (i.e. Newgrange) their hostel
hostel with an excellence of length (size)
blue (new) growth after spring
(in) autumn horses increase
the land held secure
land recounted with excellence of word
Be might to the eternal much excellent woods
peace to (as high as the) sky
be (this) nine times eternal

Invoking the Morrigan.

A Ritual

Warrior Woman Ritual with the Morrigan (The Goddess Connections Workbook)

As the Goddess of Battle, The Morrigan teaches us to protect what we hold dear and fight for what we think is right. She directs us towards change, and helps us to confront our inner demons in order to overcome the battles in our lives. In this exercise you will reclaim your inner warrior woman, and ask The Morrigan to help you to fight with passion and strength.

On a piece of paper, write down what it is you need to be strong or, stand up for, protect, whatever you need to invoke The Warrior Goddess power for. This ritual should be performed on the waning moon.

Items Needed:

One red chime candle
cauldron
Anthame
Black obsidian stone
Small goblet of red wine
Incense of dragon blood mixed with juniper berries

Now set up your altar how you with and cleanse yourself and your space as you normally would. Take a few deep breaths in and out to center yourself. Light your candle and incense, and take your black obsidian in your hand. Make sure your paper with your wish from the Warrior Goddess is near.
Now invoke The Morrigan while holding your black obsidian stone over the candle flame:

Dark Mistress of Battle and Strife
I invoke your id on this waning moon night,
Lend me your strength to end my battle within
Empower me Great Goddess help me to win
Ancient Woman, I hear your battle cry,
Help me to be rid of these negativities tonight!

Now read what you wrote on your paper, and place your obsidian back on the altar. Take your anthame and make an X over the paper, burn it in the candle flame, and throw it in the fireproof dish. Watch it burn and imagine your problem dissipating like the smoke. Meditate for a few minutes. Then take your goblet of red wine, hold it up and thank The Morrigan for her help. Now take a sip and place it back on your altar. Open your circle and ground. Let your candle burn down completely. Take your wine outside and pour in onto the earth as your offering. Keep your obsidian stone in your pocket, or near you when you need strength of The Morrigan. Make sure you record everything in your journal and bury the ashes from your paper outside.

References

The MORRIGAN

BADB MACHA ANAND

THe dark goddess

The Many Aspects of An Morrigu.

Symbolism

Archetypes

The Morrígan's Prophecy

Invoking the Morrigan.

Hail the Phantom Queen