The Morrígan (“terror” or “phantom queen”) or Mórrígan (“great queen”) (also known as Morrígu, Morríghan, Mor-Ríoghain, sometimes given in the plural as Morrígna) is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have once been a goddess, although she is not explicitly referred to as such in the texts.
She is associated with sovereignty, prophecy, war, and death on the battlefield. She sometimes appears in the form of a crow, flying above the warriors, and in the Ulster cycle she also takes the form of an eel, a wolf, and a cow. She is generally considered a war deity comparable with the Germanic Valkyries, although her association with cattle also suggests a role connected with fertility, wealth, and the land.
Ahh, the Scald Crow :o) Hmmm, I don’t remember who wrote it, but there was a great little poem I read once, an ivocation to Morrigan… Hmmm…
Morrigan Morrigan three times three, Hear the words I ask of thee. Grant me vision. Grant me power. Cheer me in my darkest hour. As the night o’er takes the day, Morrigan Morrigan light my way. Morrigan Morrigan Raven Queen, round and round the Hawthorn green. Queen of beauty, Queen of art, yours my body yours my heart. All my trust I place in thee, Morrigan Morrigan, be with me.
Like many potent figures from ancient Ireland, there is a lot of controversy over Morrigan. To me, she is the “dark” or “Crone” aspect of the triple Goddess. Brighid would be the “Bright Mother” aspect. Fierce, powerful, relentless… best stay on the Morrigan’s good side, eh?
Beautiful coupling of words and image, the soft glow of lighting in this capture really enlivens a lovely moment… I love that you caught the bird in the act of alighting on the tree… gives the scene a feel of perpetual hope, of the moment of receptivity before fulifillment… Great work! :o) wishing you laughter
Great words Quinn..love it!! thanks!! Love the poem! ;)
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Ahh, the Scald Crow :o) Hmmm, I don’t remember who wrote it, but there was a great little poem I read once, an ivocation to Morrigan… Hmmm…
Morrigan Morrigan
three times three,
Hear the words
I ask of thee.
Grant me vision.
Grant me power.
Cheer me in my darkest hour.
As the night o’er takes the day,
Morrigan Morrigan
light my way.
Morrigan Morrigan
Raven Queen,
round and round
the Hawthorn green.
Queen of beauty,
Queen of art,
yours my body
yours my heart.
All my trust
I place in thee,
Morrigan Morrigan,
be with me.
Like many potent figures from ancient Ireland, there is a lot of controversy over Morrigan. To me, she is the “dark” or “Crone” aspect of the triple Goddess. Brighid would be the “Bright Mother” aspect. Fierce, powerful, relentless… best stay on the Morrigan’s good side, eh?
Beautiful coupling of words and image, the soft glow of lighting in this capture really enlivens a lovely moment… I love that you caught the bird in the act of alighting on the tree… gives the scene a feel of perpetual hope, of the moment of receptivity before fulifillment… Great work! :o) wishing you laughter
Great words Quinn..love it!! thanks!! Love the poem! ;)
Jonathan.
– Jonathan Fletcher