Eochu, Eochaid Ollathair, (Horseman, Great Father, All Father). Ruad Rofhessa (“mighty one/lord of great knowledge”)
Samildánach (“many-skilled”)
Aed Abaid of Ess Ruad, Fer Benn (“horned man” or “man of the peak”), Cera (possibly “creator”), Cerrce (possibly “striker”), Easal, Eogabal, Crom-Eocha, Dáire
one end of the club killed the living and the other end revived the dead) , Undry (His bottomless cauldron), Uaithne (Living oak harp which caused the seasons to change in their order and also played three types of music, the music of sorrow, the music of joy and the music of dreaming. Other accounts tell of it being used to command the order of battle.) He possessed two pigs, one of which was always growing whilst the other was always roasting, and ever-laden fruit trees.
Description –
He was a beautiful god of the heathens, for the Tuatha Dé Danann worshipped him: for he was an earth-god to them because of the greatness of his power. A warrior. He was portrayed as wearing a brown low-necked tunic which just reached his hips and a hooded cape. On his feet were horse-hide boots. Behind him he pulled his eight pronged war club on a wheel, and when it was dragged behind him it left a track as deep as the boundary ditch between two provinces. Some of the more exaggerated and comical descriptions are believed to be embellishments added later when Christianity was spreading throughout ireland to make him more offish.
Notable Legends –
The Dagda was a High King of the Tuatha Dé Danann after his predecessor Nuada was injured in battle. The Tuatha Dé Danann are the race of supernatural beings who conquered the Fomorians, who inhabited Ireland previously, prior to the coming of the Milesians. His lover was Boann and his daughter was Breg. Prior to the battle with the Fomorians, he coupled with the goddess of war, the Mórrígan, on Samhain in exchange for a plan of battle
In one famous tale, the Fomorians–rivals of the Tuatha Dé Danaan–try to trick the Dagda. They make him a mammoth pot of porridge made with grotesque ingredients like live goats. Bound by the laws of hospitality, the Dagda must eat it or risk offending them. He slurps down the entire bowl of porridge with a gigantic spoon described as big enough for a man and woman to lie inside. Once finished, the Dagda finds his belly to be as large as a whale’s. This shames him not one bit and he promptly attempts to sleep with the daughter of his enemy. (The morrigan)
The Dagda had an affair with Bóand, wife of Elcmar. In order to hide their affair, Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months; therefore their son, Aengus, was conceived, gestated and born in one day. He, along with Bóand, helped Aengus search for his love.
In a poem about Mag Muirthemne (Plain of the Darkness of the Sea or Plain Under the Sea’s Roof), the Dagda banishes an Octopus with his “mace of wrath” using the following words: “Turn thy hollow head! Turn thy ravening body! Turn thy resorbent forehead! Avaunt! Begone!”
He is credited with a seventy or eighty-year reign (depending on source) over the Tuatha Dé Danann, before dying at the Brú na Bóinne, finally succumbing to a wound inflicted by Cethlenn during the second battle of Magh Tuiredh
In many tales, the Dagda finds himself bound by the laws of hospitality and he never fails to oblige. He unabashedly allows himself physical comforts, particularly food and sex.
Sacred Associations – Yew tree, The physical, Porridge, Hospitality, oak, harp, pigs, cauldrons, clubs, agriculture, the seasons, the sun (as a passage of time)
Through the Dagda we learn, confidence, to act generously and selflessly. We learn to respect our physical needs and to honor our commitments
where the sea meets the shore is your domain; and where the sea meets the sky also. walk the pathways of light over water. let the mists roll out of your hands until they’re so thick you can touch them. play tricks; play games; give a home to monsters and misfits. and when the seas grow stormy, do not fear–for, son of the sea, the ocean could never harm you: there are tides in your blood.
Selkie women are the women you don’t understand. They are the women who know that they belong to another tribe, in another element. And so they seem as though they don’t belong in yours — and they don’t. They are the women who live by other rules and values, because their rules and values are different from those of this world. They are the women who sometimes seem to be listening to other voices, or music you can’t hear, or the call of distant bells. There is a faraway look in their eyes.
Selkie women are the ones who look as though they came out of fairy tales, because they did. The ones who look at the sea longingly, who look at the sky as their home. They do not fear death. They only fear imprisonment.
“A lot of Gaelic Polytheists tend to wait until the fruits are
ready for harvesting as a signal that it is time to celebrate Lùnastal.
If you are able to grow your own vegetables then now is a good time to
aim for them to be ready for harvesting – something to bear in mind when
you start growing.
In the run-up to Lùnastal, clean and tidy the house so everything is
in order. Return any items borrowed and make sure you have food in your
cupboards.
Decorate the house (or just your shrine area, if you prefer) with
seasonally appropriate greenery. You could make some garlands or flowers
and ribbons (traditionally made by unmarried girls) if you like, “to
mark the end of summer.”
You’ll need to plan out a few things in advance – a feast (or a
special meal) is traditional so you’ll want to decide what you’re having
and make sure you have everything beforehand. You’ll also want to
decide what kind of offerings you’re going to give; if you’re making a bonnach Lùnastain (or
several) then you’ll need to make it/them ready for the evening. You’ll
also want to make sure you have any candles and other necessary items
at the ready.
Try finding some wild fruits to pick, or ones grown in your garden –
bilberries/blueberries are most traditional but gooseberries,
strawberries, wild raspberries, and all types of currants can also be
picked (often served freshly mashed with fresh cream and sweetened with
sugar). Sometimes it’s a little too early in the season for blackberries
in Ireland, Scotland, and Man (depending on how good or bad the
summer’s been), but these are good for picking, too.
Now is the time to dig up some potatoes, if you’ve grown some of
your own, and whatever else is ready. Don’t forget to leave aside some
for offerings.
Make the bonnach Lunastain – the traditional oatcake type
works well, and these can be eaten with freshly made crowdie cheese
spread generously over them. Alternatively you could crumble the
oatcakes and mix in with plenty of melted butter to make Butter
Brughtins to serve at the feast.
Prepare a feast of traditional seasonal foods, with the emphasis
being on potatoes or (as is felt to have been the original dish before
potatoes came to be the staple food) bread or porridge made from the
freshly harvested crop. Cabbage, onions, fish, chicken, beef, lamb and
bacon are all appropriate to serve, too, so mashed potatoes or colcannon
are a good dish to make, nice and buttery with plenty of garlic, along
with a roast. Try making some Fraughan cakes with the bilberries you have picked (or bought, if necessary). Offerings should be set aside for the beloved dead.
Light a bonfire for the feast, if possible, or else light a candle
on your central hearth/shrine. Make your opening offerings and prayers.
It is especially approptiate to address Lugh and Tailltiu, and/or
perhaps Macha.
Dance, sing and be merry, with lots of music. Fortunes can be told
at this time too, friendly competitions – like races – can be held.
Ideally it would be appropriate to celebrate on a hilltop or near a
lake (though a bonfire may not be possible here), or at least make an
outing to such a place to leave offerings. Bear in mind the words: “I
leave corn and milk in your land, and mast in your woods, and increase
in your soil.”
Sain the house and the boundaries of your properties, and those within it.
Also on the eve, if you prefer to make rowan crosses for warding
each quarter (rather than annually, every Bealltainn), make and then
hang the crosses at the thresholds and move any old ones to different
places – to rooms that are not yet warded, or up into the roof-space,
the car, the garage etc.”
Áine is the Irish goddess of summer, love, protection, fertility, wealth and sovereignty. A Faery Queen, Áine is a goddess of the earth and nature, and it was believed she brought luck and good fortune to her worshippers. Both a sun and moon goddess, she displayed the varying characteristics belonging to each.
Above all else, Áine was the people’s goddess, who gave much to them and received their love and worship in return. She was honored at Midsummer celebrations by farmers asking her blessings for an abundant harvest.
Ocean's Meadow 