The Guises of the Morrigan by David Rankine and Sorita d'Este
THE GUISES OF THE MORRIGAN The Celtic Irish Goddess of Battle & Sovereignty: Her Myths, Powers and Mysteries By David Rankine and Sorita d’Este The Morrígan is probably one of the most magical, formidable and mysterious figures among the Irish gods. She embodies female power and frequently employs her sexuality in the stories told of her. The prevalent image of the Morrígan as a powerful goddess of battle and sovereignty only scratches the surface of this complex and popular goddess. She is the earth goddess, the lady of the beasts and the faerie queen; she is the shapeshifter, an enchantress and the goddess of war. More than any other Celtic deity the Morrígan embodies the resurgence of the divine feminine, appearing in a wide variety of guises to express the full spectrum of feminine power. The strength and control the Morrígan displays, as well as her ferocity and tenacity, and her ability to control events to ensure the desired result are all displayed repeatedly in the myths. As a liminal goddess, the Morrígan connects not only the different realms of earth, sky, sea and otherworld but also many of the legends of the British Isles through her numerous forms. The Guises of the Morrígan presents a collection gathered from folklore, mythology and literature about the attributes of this formidable, resilient and timeless goddess. Her legends, history and presence in the landscape and folklore of Ireland (and further afield) continue to inspire strength and admiration today. “…it is our hope that this book will awaken a renewed interest in the Morrígan” – Rankine & d’Este, 2005 2019, 180 pages. Paperback & Kindle editions available. ISBN 978-1-910191-27-9 B&W 6.14 x 9.21 in or 234 x 156 mm (Royal 8vo) Perfect Bound on Creme w/Gloss Lam
"Few Celtic deities have captured the modern pagan imagination as powerfully as the Morrigan, and few books do her justice as thoroughly as this one. Rankine and d'Este peel back layer after layer of myth, folklore and literature to reveal a goddess of breathtaking complexity - shapeshifter, sovereign, prophetess, battle crow, and faerie queen. Tracing her many guises from Badb and Macha to Morgan le Fay and the Cailleach, this is a richly researched and endlessly rewarding study that belongs on the shelf of every devotee of the Celtic mysteries. Now available in a new updated edition, this classic work remains the essential companion for anyone walking the path of the Morrigan." C.S.
Table of Contents
Introduction Who is the Morrígan? The Morrígan in Celtic mythology The war with the Fir Bolgs The war with the Fomorians The victory prophecy Encounters with Cú Chulainn Badb‘s mockery Scáthach The Morrígan‘s offer The cow theft The battle of Cú Chulainn and Lóch Nemain’s assistance The downfall of Cú Chulainn The breaking of Cú Chulainn‘s geis The morrígan’s last attempt to save Cú Chulainn The death of Cú Chulainn Cú Chulainn‘s demise The avenging of Cú Chulainn Nemain, Badb & Macha Badb Macha Nemain Wise crone: tales of the Cailleach Cailleach Bearra Winter goddess Wells, water, stones Mistress of animals & birds Gyre carling Three silver rods The queen of battle The Morrígan’s landscape Scotland The cooking spit Shaping the land Goddess of earth The faerie queen Táin bulls The banshee’s comb Baobhan sith Faerie birds Faerie ravens Glaistig Leanan sídhe The morgens Princess Mis Queen Mab Tales of Thomas the Rhymer or True Thomas Liminal goddess Lady of the beasts Bestower of sovereignty Ériu as sovereignty The lover & the mother The witch goddess Shape-shifter Magical use of words The geis Magical warfare The Washer at the Ford Banshee Bean nighe Caointeach Cyhyraeth Gwrach-y-rhybin The laundresses of night The washer The prophetess The prophecy Fedelm Scáthach‘s prophecy Morgan le Fay and Arthurian myths Divine disguises? Áine Andraste The Morrígan and Danu Aoibheall Banshee Bean Nighe Bé néit Black Annis Boand & Bovinda Búanann Cailleach Cathobodua Don Epona Ériu Fea Fedelm Glaistig Grián Gwrach-y-rhybin Gyre carling Lamia Mab Mala lia Medb Modron Morgan le Fay Muilidheartach Nantosuelta Rhiannon Scáthach Valkyries Appendices 1. Cailleach to Sheela-na-gig 2. Lacnunga 3. Flint arrowheads 4. Corvid lore 5. Numbers of the Morrígan Bibliography Index
About the Authors
David is an author, researcher and qabalist based in Glastonbury, UK. He is the author or co-author of numerous books published by Avalonia, including The Complete Grimoire of Pope Honorius, The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet, A Collection of Magical Secrets, The Book of Treasure Spirits, The Book of Gold, Climbing the Tree of Life, The Cosmic Shekinah, Practical Qabalah Magick, The Isles of the Many Gods, and The Guises of the Morrigan.
