02/26/2013
SPELL OF THE DAY: (Tuesday) INVOCATION TO THE MORRIGAN
"Tuesday is a
Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magics to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you…” (from http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/710)
“The Morrigan is a goddess of battle, strife, and fertility. 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. She is often depicted as a triple goddess, although membership of the triad varies; the most common combination is the Badb, Macha and Nemain, but other accounts name Fea, Anann, and others.
The Morrigan and Cu Chulainn
She appeared to the hero Cu Chulainn (son of the god Lugh) and offered her love to him. When he failed to recognize her and rejected her, she told him that she would hinder him when he was in battle. When Cu Chulainn was eventually killed, she settled on his shoulder in the form of a crow. Cu’s misfortune was that he never recognized the feminine power of sovereignty that she offered to him.
She appeared to him on at least four occasions and each time he failed to recognize her.
1) When she appeared to him and declared her love for him.
2) After he had wounded her, she appeared to him as an old hag and he offered his blessings to her, which caused her to be healed.
3) On his way to his final battle, he saw the Washer at the Ford, who declared that she was washing the clothes and arms of Cu Chulainn, who would soon be dead.
4) When he was forced by three hags (the Morrigan in her triple aspect) to break a taboo of eating dogflesh.”
“The information on Morrigan is vast, and at times contradictory. It would take many, many webpages to tell all of her stories and it was very difficult to narrow this down! From maiden to mother to crone, from the destruction of war and death, to the beauty of the river of rebirth, Morrigan shows us the full circle of life. As with many Divine Feminine images, time can distort, and different cultures take on different attributes. What I have found that is close to the truth in my experience with her follows.
Morrigan is an Irish and Celtic Goddess. She can shapeshift into a crow or raven. It is said that she would take this form and fly over battlefields “calling upon the spirits of slain warriors.” (p. 252, McCoy) She is a triple goddess, with the aspects of the “virgin Ana, flowering fertility- goddess; the mother Babd, “Boiling” the cauldron perpetually producing life; and the crone Macha, “great Queen of the Phantoms” or Mother Death.” (p. 675, Walker). I believe she was also originally connected to the Great Irish Mother Goddess, Anu (later called Danu). In her aspect of Macha she was so powerful her name was the ancient capital of Ireland (p. 186, Kimball).
In the tales of the first people of Ireland, the Tuatha De Danann (literally the people of the Goddess Danu, pg. 189 Kimball), Morrigan was said to have blown a protective fog over all of the land, so that they would not be invaded. This shows the strength of Morrigan, and the protection the people received from her. Morrigan is also connected with death and destruction and battles. One story tells that Macha was forced to race while pregnant with twins, and when she (easily) won she gave birth to the twins. She was so angry at her tormentors for giving birth in public that way, she cursed them with the pain of childbirth before enemies were closing in. For nine generations when Ulster came under attack the men would experience the pains of childbirth (p. 192 Kimball).
Morrigan is a “Goddess of rivers, lakes and freshwaters”, and she was seen by Cu Chulain before his death, washing the clothes and arms. It is said that if one sees Morrigan by the river washing their clothes or body, it is a prediction of death before going into battle. Looking at this story, one can see the river or water as a place of rebirth, that Morrigan as the Goddess washing, anointing the body before being reborn.
Calling upon the strength of a woman that can fight off armies, and wash the dead is very powerful. Darkness, death, is a natural part of life, and brewing in the cauldron of rebirth is new life. But what I have found is to recognize that over time most Goddesses have been demonized… made to be solely focused on s*x or death. Taking out pieces of the cycle, and turning them into something evil. Just as the wise crone was turned to hag.”
(From http://witchesofthecraft.com/2012/01/12/the-goddess-morrigan/)
INVOCATION TO MORRIGAN
“I call, Oh Great Morrigan, Glorious Mother!Sovereignty, Covetousness, Indomitable Force, Sidereal Crow. You who struck terror in the enemies of your sons, you who bestow gifts of courage and determination. You embrace that you welcome into your souls from the Middle World and accompany you in your realm populated by shadows without sleep. For your hair down in the howling wind of the storm, for your hair that emanates merciless glare of flames, I call you, Mother Crow! (We invoke thee Glorious Morrigan) Courage, Kingship, Lust, Shining Darkness. You who know the most arcane mysteries, You who reigns supreme on the battlefield. You who have the threads of fate. For your eyes full of dark secrets, for your eyes red with tears and blood, I call you, Oh Beautiful! (We invoke thee Glorious Morrigan) Frenzy, Terror, Knowledge, Wisdom Supreme. You fly over the world on those magnificent wings of ravens, that you call your children by name to fight by your side, the trials of life. You cannot be stopped by ropes and chains. For the mouth of your darkness and fire that has devoured our pain, for seduction hidden between your lips, I call you, the Great Warrior! (We invoke thee Glorious Morrigan) Liberty, Fury, Passion, Relentless Justice. You are traveling in the worlds of the living and the dead, thou timeless and boundless. You who console the weeping and your children wear the veil of mourning for the death of each one. For your hands grip indestructible weapons against the enemy, for your hands in an embrace that will wipe the tears of those who love you, I call you, Oh my only Queen! (We invoke thee Glorious Morrigan) Coldness, Penalty, Mystery, Infinite Love. You who fear the gates in the hearts of men, you who possess the power to make and unmake. You who reigns victorious over death. For your wings of darkness that give freedom to the spirit, for your feathers burned with anguish, I call you, Queen of ghosts. (We invoke thee Glorious Morrigan)
Come to us, Messenger of Prophecies, in raising the children of your face to the sky and its glorious stars. (Come to us) Come to us, oh great, for us to be born again, with bright eyes to see you in the dark, with a strong heart for your courage and fiery power of your love for the beauty of your creatures and, with a body made for dancing in your image your secrets in the night, in a spirit of pride in the glory of your fire. (Come to us)
I will invoke Morrigan Oh Great! Warrior Furious come to me, (Come to us) Come to Me Mother Crow, (Come to us) Come to me Glorious Lady (Come to us) Come to me, the Triple Goddess of Power, the sound of whose name the wicked tremble. (Come to us) My cry is raised showing faith in a loud voice, full swing and unconditional devotion. Now, Crow Mother, wake up! (Crow Mother Awake, awake!) In this place at this very moment I'll call you. Come down between us and fill my heart and my spirit of your presence. (Crow Mother Awake, awake!)
(http://allonewicca.blogspot.com/2011/09/invocation-of-morrigan.html) (Rendering of The Morrigan by LeValeur)
Enjoy and Bright Blessings!!!
Lady Thalestris
