*An Mórrígan is pronounced ‘On Mor-ig-awn’.
It was my pleasure (and a challenge) to try and do justice to The Morrigan in paint. To me, she is not just a powerful figure from Irish mythology; she also symbolizes many aspects of the modern female psyche.
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Gicleé is a process that keeps colours vibrant for 150 years + before fading starts. A4 prints are on rich, thick Hanuman photo rag paper (308 gsm). Five signed limited edition copies available. €80 each plus post. Contact me here to order and make sure to send your full address so that I can work out the postage rate.
The Morrigan is one of the most important goddesses of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Anand is another name for her. Here in Kerry, Munster, she is an earth Goddess associated with The Paps of Anú mountains (Dá Chích Anann or ‘the breasts of Anu’).
SIX INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MORRIGAN
- The Morrigan is a shapeshifter and gifted in prophecy. In in most of the literature she takes the form of a woman or a crow.
- When it comes to sovereignty, The Morrigan plays an active role as a guardian of territory and its people.
- In some Irish manuscripts her name is directly defined as a type of crow (Hooded, Royston, Scald Crow). In some texts she is referred to as Badb Catha which means ‘battle crow’.
- Her relationship with CúChulainn is ambiguous. They clash, and yet she tries to protect him and respects his freedom to choose his path. When he dies “she perches on his shoulder, partly in mourning, partly in triumph; partly in announcement of his death but chiefly in recognition and respect” [1]
- Another name given is Macha, who is connected to motherhood, childbirth, and horses. Through these associtions the Morrigan is sometimes referred to as a fertility Goddess.
- She is associated with change, death, battle, warfare, magic, change, prophecy and fate. In stories, The Morrigan has the power to infuse armies with terror and confusion so that they die from fear.
- Beliefs and fads have evolved, however in the Irish Pagan tradition The Morrigan does not have a ‘Maiden, Mother, and Crone’ aspect or function. [2]
THANKS FOR READING
Check out my poem about the The Morrigan here.
Sources
[1] Rosalind Clark (1987), ‘Aspects of the Morrígan in Early Irish Literature’, Irish University Review Vol. 17, No. 2.
[2] Lora O’Brien, pagan author, guide, and educator. Former manager of The Mórrígan’s sacred site, the Cave of the Cats at Cruachán (Rathcroghan).
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