Celtic Goddesses in a Guided Meditation
Celtic Goddesses
in a Guided Meditation Seattle Scottish Highland Games Heritage Speakers Series in 2014.
Greetings from Celtic Goddesses who surround you! And welcome to the Scottish Heritage tent! I hope you enjoyed the massing of the pipes and drums and our whole wonderful Scottish family. Did you all feel the Celtic energy and sound resonating down to your bones? I know I did.
I am Linda Anderson Stern, and I am blessed to have Scottish heritage on both sides of my family- from two different clans- both of which were in the colonies before the revolutionary war. One of my clans is Anderson and when I first saw the clan tent here at Enumclaw several years ago, and saw their vast array of weaponry, suddenly, my family’s history with fighting in every war in the history of America became understandable.
As an introduction of myself- I am an associate minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Ballard where one of my areas of expertise is the Divine Feminine face of Creator as She shows her face all over the world- now and in ages past… and this includes Celtic Goddesses. Also, besides having Scottish Celtic heritage, I have other Celtic lineages from Wales, Ireland, England, and France so I’m sort of a Heinz 57 Celtic Mutt. So, when I speak about Celtic matters, I am speaking from my roots, and I feel it in my bones- like we can feel the bagpipes.
Before we get to talking about Celtic Goddesses, I want to ask are you having a good time here at the Games? If you are having a great time, one of the reasons might be that for 1000s of years this is the time of a Celtic celebration- this is the eve of Lughnasadh! Lughnasadh is a Celtic Holy Day which celebrates the first harvests of the season - which was traditionally barley, wheat, and corn.
With Lughnasadh, we give thanks to Mother Earth for her beauty and abundance because - it is from these harvests that we eat through the upcoming winter. This is true on a physical level, but it is also true on an emotional and spiritual level. In Scotland, (and Ireland and Wales) we have always honored Lughnasadh and the first harvests……by making the best of alcoholic beverages- beer, ale, and THE BEST SINGLE MALT WHISKEY on Earth - SCOTCH!
So back in the day- the first stalks of corn are called "John Barleycorn" and were used to make some of these beverages. Many an ode or drinking song has been written to John Barleycorn, then and now. The earliest one was from 1465. Now a-days there is a version by Traffic, Joe Walsh, and Steve Wynwood.
So perhaps later…. tip back a few to the festivals past and present, to the Goddesses that live in your life now and to celebrate Lughnasadh and our earth’s harvest with joy and gratitude.
Lughnasadh is named in honor of the Celtic Sun God, Lugh, but it’s really a celebration of a warrior woman, Tailtiu the last Queen of Fir Bolg. History is peppered with many real-life warrior women. For her people’s survival, she single-handedly cleared fields for agricultural use for her people’s survival and then died from the difficult work. On her deathbed, she told those gathered to hold games in her honor- like the one you are at today. As long as these games were held, she prophesied that the area would never be without happiness and song. And as you can see and hear at these games- that prophesy is true.
Before I share about Celtic Goddesses, I want to say a little about the system they exist in - Celtic system of spirituality. The Celtic system of spirituality is vast and is deeply tied to the earth, the cycles of the year and to the cycles of our own body. The Celtic form of spirituality acknowledges beliefs and practices to become aware of the spiritual world around us and in us and our relationship that exists with all there is. Celtic Gods and Goddesses are a part of that system of spirituality – much like that Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu faith or Gods and Goddesses of indigenous people. All part of a larger whole.
There are so many Celtic goddesses and gods that you can think about them as aspects of a larger whole, or parts of a puzzle. If you look at the gods and goddesses as a whole, they balance each other out. And the goddesses balance each other out too. Balance is an important factor in our natural world and in Celtic spirituality. There are goddesses of love and vengeance, birth and death, joy and sorrow, sun, and rain and so on- you get my point- balance.
There are so many goddesses including but not limited to wisdom, love, war, fertility, death, birth, the wind, the sun, the rain, birds, animals, the cycles of the earth, the cycles of the universe- the cycles of our bodies- anything you can think of, and that aspect will have a god and a goddess. So naturally this includes goddesses that can assist us in fulfilling our destiny.
I want you to know there really are no soft and fuzzy Goddesses. Like, for instance, there aren’t Goddesses of Love as we might think of it today as the soft, fuzzy, sweet item- they all had more depth or umph…. like Goddess of Love and Nature or Goddess of Love and Spring, of Goddess of Love and Duty…or Love and War. All elements that require strength, like we do to thrive.
One of the major features of Celtic Goddesses is a fusion of powers, like love and war. Goddesses were in effect, the Openers and Closers of Life. The Givers and Takers. Many of the old-world Goddesses, encompass both light and dark and the Celtic people knew these there were 2 sides of one coin. The Celts knew that death comes from life and life from death.
Each of the goddesses has their own area of expertise. And each of the goddesses I will speak about today has a story or a reason you are attracted to one more than another. Your attraction to her may have nothing to do with their area of expertise by the way. I really want to get you out of your logical mind today and into your state of “Blink” perceptions. I want you to feel something about one of these goddesses and go with it- take a chance! Build a relationship with her not just for today- but also as a guide in your life path.
Many centuries ago, I know, that in my ancestors practiced Celtic spirituality, as Celtic Spirituality was an everyday approach to life- like eating or breathing. So, it’s no wonder that sometimes when I need guidance, I return to my Celtic roots. At certain times in our lives, we need to step into our power to walk our personal journeys and Celtic Goddesses and spirituality can help us all along our way. I am going to talk about a small number of Celtic Goddesses that you may connect to now and in your future.
The traits of Celtic Goddesses are already a part of our collective human psyche. Anything we need is already inside us but with this Goddess connection we may re-awaken it or give it a kick-start. At a deep level we are already perfect and whole and strong and powerful but sometimes it helps to remind ourselves of that. It’s an understanding of who you are, standing in your center and moving towards your next step with power.
This is just a brief introduction to these powerful Goddesses. It was so difficult to select just these few. Remember- each of the aspects of these Goddesses already resides within you, whether you are male or female, young or old, Scottish, or other, Celtic or not. The aspects are a part of your Higher Inner self. It is not an outside concept that you are acquiring. You have it already and just need to awaken it. Awaken it to help you step into your path with power.
These Goddesses are not weak or flowery- they are strong with the vibrancy of the Cycle of Life and the power it takes to birth something on this earth in this reality. So, listen to the names and aspects of each of these Goddesses that represent aspects of the Divine Feminine that reside in your own higher self and decide which one of them calls to you.
Anu- Mother Earth Goddess of fertility, prosperity, comfort. In the beginning it was Anu who watered the first Oak tree from the heavens and granted life to the earth. From the oak tree fell two acorns, which She nurtured as her own and in turn they became the God Dagda and the Goddess Bridget. If you ever desire assistance in nurturing a person or an idea or strength in the role of mother, Anu is the Goddess to connect with.
Áine- One of the most beautiful, feminine, and powerful Celtic goddesses was Aine, the goddess of love, light, and fertility. As a muse she has inspired great works of poetry. However, if her writers failed her, it is said that she would drive them mad. Give and take, light and dark.
Aine is often credited with creation. Some even claimed that she had life-restoring powers, which earned her yet another title- that of the goddess of life and death- another presentation of how light and dark live naturally with each other.
Aine's blatant sexuality brought her into disfavor when Christianity began to take hold. The goddess, like many of her Roman and Greek counterparts, believed in free love and wasn't about to be bound by the ties of matrimony. Many stories sprung up about the belief that Aine used enchantment to mate with mortal men. Spellbound by the goddess, these men were said to do whatever she commanded. Unfortunately, the attraction was always fatal for her lovers.
It was believed that she regulated the vital spark of life, which, circulated through the body in our blood every 24 hours. If bloodletting occurred on her sacred days, which were the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday prior to Lughnasadh, it was believed that the sacred spark of life would flow from the body and the person would die- And just to be aware, if you are thinking about doing any bloodletting –these are those very days…...so wait a couple of days!
At this point in our story telling, you can start to see that love goddesses can indeed have a dark side to them, right? That perhaps Light needs Dark and Dark needs light. That no one - not even Goddesses of Love – are all Light- and in fact that would limit their power and ours.
As I said before, Celtic Goddesses fuse fertility powers. These goddesses knew they opened and closed life. The apparent conflict between a goddess ruling both fertility and death presents no problem as death comes from life and life from death.
Airmid- She was a member of Tuatha De Danaan the most ancient race of deities and just as they did, she had great powers.
One of the stories told about Airmid, is when her kings’ arm was severed. Her father, the Chief Healer and Magician, decided to replace it with an arm made of silver. Airmid did not like this plan because she knew she could regenerate the King’s own arm to perfect working order. So, she did and then her brother, using his surgical skills, took the regenerated arm and re-attached it to the King’s body.
Airmid, along with her brother and father, built the Well of Health. They then caste spells over it, so that the well’s magical waters could not only restore life to warriors. It could actually return them to perfect health so they could return to battle. Water is often times present with healing.
Airmid also knew the secret healing life of herbs. After her brother died and she would frequently visit his grave. One day, when she arrived at his grave, she was amazed to find 365 healing herbs growing on and around that grave, with one herb for every joint and organ of his body.
Methodically, Airmid began to gather up the herbs and quite amazingly, the herbs began to speak to her, telling her of the full range of their healing powers. Airmid then separated and arranged the herbs, according to the uses or special properties. With the knowledge she gained from the herbs, she healed people who needed help.
If you are ever in need of healing, appeal to Airmid for help. She is powerful and helps with healing herbs but also in perfecting our mind and body connection to create perfect health.
Bridget- is the Triple Goddess who represents healing, strength, and inspiration, shown in the painting.
I’d like to teach you a song about Bride. The words are on the chalkboard.
Bridget’s fire is burning, burning
Bridget’s fire is lighting my way.
Bridget’s fire is burning, burning
Bridget’s fire is lighting my way
I see the light
I feel the light
I know the light
I am the light.
I see the light
I feel the light
I know the light
I am the light.
I want to also teach you a Scot Gaelic prayer to Bride that asks for her protection you can use at any time: Which means in “Oh, Bridget, spread above my head your mantle bright to guide me.” (Phonetically) A Bat Breed, share osh mo keon- Go vrat fion gom ankal.
Here is one of the stories about healing and Brigit: Brigit was at her sacred well and 2 lepers appeared and asked to be healed. "Bathe yourself in my well," said Bridget to the first man. At every point that Bridget's waters touched, the man's skin turned whole again.
"Now bathe your friend," said Bridget to the first man.
Turning to see the second man he was repulsed and backed away from his friend. "I cannot touch him,” he said.
"Then you are not truly healed," said the goddess. And she gave the first man back his leprosy and healed the second man by placing her mantle around his shoulders.
"Return to me with compassion," she said to the first man. "There you will find your healing." So, here was not only the element of healing in the form of sacred water of a well bubbling up out of the earth, but also wisdom, compassion and a mind set to not put up with foolishness.
Symbolically, water, especially water that rises up from the earth, is seen as a portal to the Otherworld by the Celts and was a source of wisdom and healing.
Bridget is a Celtic Goddess of Healing Waters, Wells and Springs. Many wells are dedicated to Brigit and the waters are believed to be blessed with her healing graces. Because Bridget is a goddess of water and fire, sparkling light that dances on the water’s surface is associated with her and believed to have healing attributes, especially healing for the eyes.
Brigit is celebrated on Imbolc, usually February 1 or 2, celebrating the return of the light and the coming of the spring. So, this is another area of healing that she brings- the energy of HOPE, renewed enthusiasm, renewal, and new beginnings.
Also, as a Fertility Goddess, Brigit’s Green Mantle is associated with the green fertile earth, reminding us of our own innate ability to grow and regenerate ----which is another form or part of healing.
Brigit is associated with Fire being the Lady of the Sacred Flame. This bright, fiery energy is the energy of the creative power of our consciousness and also that of transformation. The ancients believed in the power of positive thought and of taking command of your health and fate.
In fact, it is known that the mind is a powerful part of healing. Fire also has the power to transform things from one state to another. What do you want to believe in enough to change in your life, to heal in your life?
In Fire aspect the ancient mystery of Alchemy is found hidden in the fire knowledge of The Forge. Wisdom gained through strength- like strengthening metal with fire, the fire of life strengthens us. Celtic Warriors appealed to her for the strength needed to
fight their battles with their swords and their spirit. Transformation is associated with the forge of the fire – thru sitting in the fire with your true authentic self.
Bridget is teaching us, that sometimes we need to feel the fire, to react to the fire, to be changed and charged by the fire. … into a lioness, into a warrior, into the strength needed to put one foot in front of the other to walk our own particular path. Fire is Light that burns brightly in us and in the dark to show the way. Sometimes if we get too close to the flames, we may just get burned --but the strength that it takes to jump into the flame transforms us into something new, and much stronger.
Cailleach Bheur- is a Scottish Goddess- The Veiled One- The destroyer Goddess who rules over disease, death, wisdom, the weather, and winter.
In Scotland, she is credited with making large mountains to use as her steppingstones which is formed with a hammer. The Cailleach rules Winter- by herding animals and bringing cold weather with her staff freezes the ground. In partnership and in balance with the goddess Bridget -the Cailleach is seen as ruling the winter while Bridget rules the summer months.
Ceridwen- Goddess of herbs, nature, science, inspiration, intelligence, and knowledge. She embodies all three lunar aspects of the Goddess- Maiden, Mother and Crone but is primarily worshipped in her Wise Crone aspect. She is associated with the Cauldron of Wisdom, Inspiration, Rebirth and Transformation. The cauldron has an intimate association with femininity, justice, wisdom, and intelligence and goes back to ancient times.
Coventina- is a Celtic River Goddess. She is associated with childbirth, the womb of the Earth, abundance, new beginnings, life cycles, and inspiration. There are shrines to her near wells that represent the earth’s womb. Again, the Celts felt her power could most strongly be felt at wells and springs, which bridged the inner and outer Earth.
From Scotland comes her association with the underworld, where she was the Goddess of featherless flying creatures- -dragons- which could pass between the 2 worlds giving knowledge, power, and healing. Being a river goddess, she is connected the ebb and flow of time, and this is associated with magical powers.
Creiddylad- a Goddess of Flowers and Love, she is celebrated at Beltane, which is May 1st. She is the eternal May Queen, always seeking peace and stability. She is the promise of love- love enduring through all hardship.
Here is the story of Creiddylad. She was promised in marriage to her heart’s desire. But before the marriage could be consummated, she was abducted, by a man who possessed many dark aspects.
Her beloved then gathered together his warriors and set out to rescue her. A fierce battle ensued, during which, unfortunately, the dark lord emerged as the victor.
King Arthur heard of this and marched off to settle the matter. He declared that neither man could marry Creiddylad and returned her to her father. An arrangement was made forcing the two men to battle each other for the hand of Creiddylad every year on May 1st at Beltane-- the Forces of Light and Forces of Dark in battle-- the Darkness of Winter in battle with the Light of Spring. Creiddylad’s destiny was set; she would remain an eternal maiden; living with her father, until the final battle on Judgment Day. Now that’s a long engagement!
Beltane reminds us of the wisdom of Creiddylad. She emerges when the earth is filled with sweetness and flowers and bestows her gifts of abundance on us all. Not only does She gift humanity with an abundant earth, She gifts us with the ability to receive that abundance. And yet she reminds us of the cycle of the earth that will return to darkness.
Cymidei Cymeinfoll- is the Goddess of War is the Supreme Welsh warrior who is always paired in stories with her husband- in balance. Together they own a magical cauldron into which they would cast warriors killed in battle. From the cauldron these dead soldiers would come to life….. minus their power of speech. Cymidei Cymeinfoll means “big belly of battle” is in reference to the fact that she could give birth to a Fully Armed warrior every six weeks. Ouch! Wonder if she gave a war cry with the birthings! So, with the cauldron and her birth abilities she could stock an army with Warriors.
Grainne- is a Scottish Goddess of herbs and sun/fire purification.
This poem can give you an idea of her-
My golden hair is wheat and oats,
My cloak the ever-changing sky will be,
The ladybird my finger bears,
My eyes shine forth in lake and sea.
From the depths of earth my inner sun
Glows through the hearts of all.
Stars and planets- creatures that grow,
Know me as Mother yours to call.
My breath inspires every breath:
The healing rays are mine.
Look upwards, roundabout and down,
For I am there to find."
Now on to my favorite story of a powerful, lustful, light and dark filled Goddess of Love and War, Light and Dark…. Maeve.
Maeve is a Celtic Goddess of Earth, fertility, personal power, war, and sovereignty of the land. She was a great conqueror and enjoyed enslaving the men of the Armies that she defeated…. as spoils of war to pleasure her. A lusty woman, it was said she needed 30 men a day to ease…. her sexual appetite.
Queen Maeve was infamous for her beauty and her sexual prowess. She had an array of lovers, most of who were officers in her army... thereby ensuring the loyalty of her troops. Her bravest warriors were granted sexual favors, so the men fought hard and courageously on the battlefield for a chance to enjoy Maeve's "willing thighs."
It is said that all ancient kings of Ireland married this Goddess when they took their place of power. She would bestow her many gifts upon them, and they could claim their sovereignty over the land.
Women, real life women, of the ancient Celts held much power. In the Celtic nations, women's rights equaled those of men. They owned property and occupied powerful positions within the society. Whomever brought MORE wealth and property into a marriage was considered the ruler of the household, be it man or woman. This is important to this story.
So, In the Irish kingdom of Connaught, sovereignty of the land passed to a woman, Queen Maeve. Her consort was Ailill, who received his royal status only by marrying the queen.
One morning after Alill and Maeve lay in bed basking in the afterglow of lovemaking, he began taunting her, claiming that she was more fortunate for marrying him because of the power and wealth he brought into their partnership. Well… Maeve laughed and retorted by saying she possessed great wealth and power without him, and he was nothing but her "kept" man. The quarrel escalated as they began comparing their wealth, assets, and influence...matching one another, until Maeve discovered that Al-ill had a bull of superior breeding the likes of which she did not own- making him, technically, the ruler of their household.
This was unacceptable to the proud warrior Queen, so she found a bull of similar quality that was owned by the King and Queen of Ulster. When they refused to sell the bull, Queen Maeve took her army and invaded their land with the intent of stealing the prized beast. Her troops were met by the infamous red knights of Ulster and their great hero, Cuchulainn, who was trained on the Isle of Skye by another Warrior Goddess Skacthack and thus the famous battle ensued.
It was said that Maeve could outrun the swiftest of horses, she rode at the head of her battalion, and her presence and power made her army invincible. She was so powerful that battles would stop while she was menstruating.
So, in this particular clash- Maeve rode into battle in an open car, with four chariots surrounding her. She was so beautiful that she could slay the armies of any land just by looking at her because no man could look on Maeve without falling down in a frenzy of desire. What a way to go!
One version of the end of the story states that both armies suffered great losses, but Maeve eventually got the bull of Ulster- It seemed she always got her Bull. BUT when Maeve’s’ and Al-ill’s bulls were penned together, the two beasts killed each other. And so, after all the death, Queen Maeve and King Al-ill finally had equal wealth...BUT not equal power. So, Al-ill eventually left Connaught rather than live in the shadow of Queen Maeve.
Maeve was a love-goddesses that was equally associated with war. The goddess Maeve is the intoxicating power of passion...the passion we feel in love, desire, sex, as well as in anger and battle- two sides of one coin. Perhaps there really is a thin line between love and hate. If we lose control of that passion and are not mindful of our intent, or honorable in our actions, we can easily cross a line.
Also, when Maeve lost a battle- whether in bed or on the battlefields, she did not dwell in the negative aspects, and she moved forward in the present moment. She teaches us to do the same in our life. To not make excuses for why certain things happen, and to learn to accept things the way they are and move on strongly. Maeve is a confident and strong Lover and warrior Goddess who tells us to accept ourselves the way we are and to become a warrior in our own life.
Scathach- of Scotland; goddess of healing, magic, martial arts, prophesy, and protection. Called the Shadowy One, She Who Strikes Fear, she was a warrior woman and prophetess who lived in Alba- ancient Scotland, on the Isle of Skye, where she taught martial arts there with her sister and daughter.
She was the Gaelic Goddess of the Dead, who searched the battlefields for the souls of the slain and guided them along their Death Journey or "Journey of the Soul", to Tir Nan Og, The Land of Eternal Youth. It is also the duty of Scathach to drop those who acted poorly in life on one of the islands of the other world, where they pay their debts and learn their folly. These actions took an amazing form of love in the Warrior Goddess.
Scathach was a formidable being, a teacher of war-craft and a Druid prophetess. She was reputed to be the matron of self-defense and female independence as well as the guardian of young people who seek to know their full potential. It is to her that CuChulainn, the greatest Celtic warrior comes in his youth to learn his craft. It was from Scathach that CuChulainn received his formidable, barbed spear whose thrust was always fatal.
So.........which one of the Goddesses does your intuition connect you with? All of these Goddesses are strong and can assist you on your life path. Choose one with a sense of adventure and gratitude head off!
I’m going to guide you so let’s set up- get comfy, put your feet on the earth, take some deep cleansing breaths and relax. You can close your eyes, or you can focus on the Sacred Portals that represent your Goddess. Slip into the frame of spirit and of mind that allows you to be open. There are going to be many noises around you –that’s ok- let these go and let them flow around you and remain calm and centered.
Listen to your heartbeat and breath and center in your perfection. Listen to your own breath, listen to the breath of the drum, listen to the breath of the earth, listen to the breath of the Goddess. Listen to your heartbeat. Listen to the heartbeat of the drum, listen to the heartbeat of the earth, listen to the heartbeat of the Goddess. Like this we can slip from this state of being into one where we can gain assistance.
I will guide you - You find yourself walking in a glen that has a stand of great oak trees that are in a circle. Walk into the circle of trees and you look around at each tree. The circle of oaks is suffused with sunlight, light is dappling onto the leaves, onto the ground and the air is a twinkle with anticipation. There is a slight breeze that moves the leaves and makes a delightful sound. You can hear birds calling to each other. Walk into the middle of the stand of oaks and admire their strength, their beauty. You find yourself being filled with the sunlight when ----do your eyes deceive you? Are the oak trees transforming into new shapes?
That’s right, the trees are transforming into Goddesses. You turn and acknowledge all of them, but you feel your direction, as sure as you are standing there or sitting here. One of the Goddesses steps towards you as you step towards her. You greet her and make a connection in your own special way. It may be a look, a touch, a word, or a knowing. Now just Be with The Goddess. Be with Her in spirit, in joy, and in gratitude for this precious moment. Connect with Her and ask Her to guide you now in the next best step for you to reach your potential that you were born to Be- Powerfully. Ask Her for a step to fulfill your destiny. Or just grant yourself the possibility that this will happen. You can remember this ritual and do it again in private and deepen the connection and ask for guidance again and again. If nothing has come know that this too is just right for timing is always important. Just accept the possibility – that it is a possibility.
Be grateful for your guidance and connection to the Goddess and express your gratitude. They wait to be asked for assistance and they appreciate being thanked, as we all do. Say good-bye for now as She returns to the circle around you where all the Goddesses are standing. And then all the Goddesses return to the shape of giant oak trees.
You say thank you to the trees, to the Goddesses and thank you to Mother Earth and Father Sky and walk out of the circle of trees into the glen. It is time to return here so slowly take some deep breaths and return to this reality. Feel your feet on the ground and open your eyes or perhaps wiggle your hands and feet.
Celtic Goddesses can help us to step into our power to walk our path towards our destiny. Coupling that with this time of year, Lughnasadh, that is meant to celebrate our bounty, assess our deeds, and look at options for our future… well…. it’s a formula for success. And I wish you success on your road.
I’m going to end with a traditional Scottish Blessing
May the blessing of light be on you.
Light from within and light from without.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire, so that stranger and friend may come and be warmed by you.
And may light shine out of the two eyes of you, like a candle set in the window of a house, bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm.
And may the blessing of rain be on you,
may it beat upon your Spirit and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines, and sometimes a star.
Thank you and Blessings of your Road.