The Morrigan & Brigid -- Celeberties of the Celtic Pantheon

[Morr]

I'll admit.

I dont like the fact that one of my Patron Goddess.... Actually, both of them -- The Morrigan and Brigid -- Have SO MANY followers, and seem to be the "celeberty" Goddesses amongst Pagans and Wiccans.

I have been drawn to Celtic Spirituality since I first encountered Paganism at age 17, and I've been drawn to Ireland and its history since I was a kid.

I've been called by The Morrigan, first, when I was 20, after settling in Celtic Wicca. Later on I moved to Irish Reconstructionism.

Maybe its the Reconstructionist in me, but I dont like the fluffy bunnies claim "Oh The Morrigan chose ME!!!".

Mother doesnt choose fluffs.
Mother doesnt do "light & love".
Mother doesnt do "an ye harm none".

Brigid herself is "light", but a dark shade of light.
She is motherly and loving, yes. But she is fire and temper as well.

I gues this is sort of a rant.
I dont even know if I have a right to rant about this.
I have a feeling I might not put my words in the correct context.

I was wondering if anyone else out there, followers of The Morrigan & Brigid, or of other Dieties who have become SO popular, have anything to say about this issue.




:rant:

[DandelionDame]

I think I understand what you're saying, and there have been times when I've felt similarly. But I guess for anyone drawn to an Irish path, there's simply far more information available about these two Goddesses than most, so there's a historical springboard there, already in place. That's probably what makes them "celebrities" - I really dig Flidais, but there's incredibly little information about Her, whereas The Morrigan shows up in bunches of the myths, showing different sides to Her personality in each, and of course, Brigit is there throughout the Carmina Gadelica, and many myths of Her own.

I guess my point is, to people drawn to Irish ways, The Morrigan and Brigit are the two Goddesses most hear about first; whether they're really chosen by either will become clear in time. I've had to move past taking others' accounts of these two (and believe me, it's not been easy to move past!), not letting others' experiences color my own, or else I'd probably just throw my hands up and say "Forget it! These two obviously don't even know I exist! What was I thinking? I give up!" Not that I haven't had days in which I've come thiiiiiis close to doing that (earlier this week, even!), but I guess I'm too enthralled with the Irish Ever-Living Ones to really consider that an option.

Sure, it's annoying to see the Irish Ones, the culture, and everything, watered down by people who don't really know much about it, but I figure they'll either learn and become enriched, like I like to think I have via studies over the many years, or they'll move on to something else. Being star-struck only lasts so long; after that is when the real work comes in.

I did have a point when I started posting this, really I did! Maybe the coherent words will occur to me later. Hope this makes some sort of sense.

[-Sky-]

I cannot really tell about the Morrigan since i have not worked with her or studied her myths enough.But i always thought that she was dark and associated with war.It seems disrespectful for me for people to see her as a goody goody Goddess.

I've worked with Brigid a lot though and for the past two years i feel connected to her.For me,she's the Mother.But i very much agree with you Morr that Brigid is a dark shade of light.And this is why i believe that me and her get along.Because she's gentle but as the same time fiery.

So i think that your rant is reasonable.

[CelticMoon11]

Dark goddesses seem to be the "in thing" and "cool" to be associated with, it's like "piss me off and I'll sick my dark lady on you!" In the end they'll prolly get bitten on the b-hind.

People are always going to have problems with other peoples beliefs hmm some Al-quida dude is dead *goes and watches news*

[Morr]

Thanks guys :)

It feels good to know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way :)

[Meadhbh]

No your not. I actually had a conversation where this teenage girl (no ofense teens), was telling me that the Morrigan had called her but she didn't believe in war. I wasn't sure rather to laugh or cry. What it amounts is people picking some diety that they think will make them look powerful or scary or whatever to the person on the street that doesn't know any better. You end up with these faux goth fluffy pagans going around attempting to worship a god/ess they know nothing about really because it makes them seem dark, and comes off completly laughable. I've worked with both the Morrigan and Bridget and neither of them are the brightest of goddesses. Though like it has been said Bridget is not as dark because of her mothery side. Which got me thinking, is there really any goddess that you can say with all honesty is totally bright and happy fluff? I can't think of any so if any one else can feel free to share.

[Morr]

Every mother has to dicipline her children once in a while. Otherwise they dont learn.

Therefore, no, I dont think there is any Goddess out there who is completely "light" with no shade of darkness.

And hey, I'm GOTH!

LOL but I know what you're mean, so no offense taken.. Dont even get me started on those young Goth wannabes... *mutters*

[-Sky-]

Every mother has to dicipline her children once in a while. Otherwise they dont learn.


This is a very wise thought!I've never thought about it this way but you are indeed right.Brigid knows when to praise and when to discipline.I think that she's a wonderful mother.

And i can't think of a totally "light" Goddess either...All the ones that came in my mind have a darker side too,even from different pantheons.Isis,Demeter,Danu etc All have a darker side that shows up one way or another.

[siamesegoth2]

Every mother has to dicipline her children once in a while. Otherwise they dont learn.


I am just begining to learn that the hard way. Brigit is my patron goddess, and i've had my fingres burned many a time because i didnt shut up and listen properly. And thats one hell of a time out.

Im reserching The Morrigan, so that i know what im getting into, hell im still reserching brigit, as best i can with limited resources.

[Tadrith]

Heh, while I do pay homage to The Morrighan and Brigit, my liège is Lugh (and to the odd ocassion, The Dagda); and his welsh equivalent, Lleu (and Gwyddion).

And Morr, I can understand your exasperation. There's a coven nearby that randomly invokes gods for their various festivals. Sometimes its The Morrighan because she is "dark and creepy", or they'll invoke Aphrodite and Taranus. That brings me upon another pet peeve of mine. I HATE it when people take random gods from different cultures! Argh!!!

[_Banbha_]

I'll admit.

I dont like the fact that one of my Patron Goddess.... Actually, both of them -- The Morrigan and Brigid -- Have SO MANY followers, and seem to be the "celeberty" Goddesses amongst Pagans and Wiccans.

I have been drawn to Celtic Spirituality since I first encountered Paganism at age 17, and I've been drawn to Ireland and its history since I was a kid.

I've been called by The Morrigan, first, when I was 20, after settling in Celtic Wicca. Later on I moved to Irish Reconstructionism.

Maybe its the Reconstructionist in me, but I dont like the fluffy bunnies claim "Oh The Morrigan chose ME!!!".

Mother doesnt choose fluffs.
Mother doesnt do "light & love".
Mother doesnt do "an ye harm none".

Brigid herself is "light", but a dark shade of light.
She is motherly and loving, yes. But she is fire and temper as well.

I gues this is sort of a rant.
I dont even know if I have a right to rant about this.
I have a feeling I might not put my words in the correct context.

I was wondering if anyone else out there, followers of The Morrigan & Brigid, or of other Dieties who have become SO popular, have anything to say about this issue.




:rant:Ha, ha, I've had the same feelings. Look at it this way: Mother chooses many because she's Mother! Many recognize this, as they should... (just kidding...sort of...8O). I think not everyone is prepared to earn the privilage or pay the price of truely knowing Her. Maybe that's part of the test as well. She gives much; but much has to be earned.

[Philosophia]

This is going to be quick cause I've got exams...
Hecate and Nyx both called be on several occasions, and I had my fingers severely burnt and chopped to thousands of pieces because I disobeyed them.
Minerva is different. She tends to sit back and say "I told you so".
One of the biggest pieces of advice to any "newbie" is to research, research, research, and research. I can't tell you how important it is to get your background information corrects.
On the "gods from different cultures", mine span a huge range of histories, from Roman, British, Celtic, Egyptian, and Indian. So while some do find it offensive, I don't because of research and honoring in aspects that they feel comfortable in.
I don't know if this makes any sense at all.

[Gwydion000]

well I can't speak for the Irish deities since I honor the Welsh, but I think a similar case happens with the Welsh pantheon too. Enter: Rhiannon and Arianrhod lol. Arianrhod is by no means a "motherly" moon and star goddess; read the story of Llew and you'll see why :)

Rhiannon is a multi-faceted goddess, with light and dark sides throughout her mythos.

I guess it just depends on what you choose to base your spirituality upon, since these days religions like Wicca and Eclectic paths are popular, so naturally their way of looking at deities and pantheons are going to be popular among many pagans.

We recons are not at numerous and not as well known so our beliefs are not as easy to come by and learn about, though ironically I'm sure most pagans already know (or should know) ancient peoples weren't a bunch of "Wiccans and Witches and Druids," they had their own unique traditions that have long since been gone. Those traditions are what we recons are seeking to revive, rather than new age beliefs that feel uncomfortable to what we're trying to accomplish.

This is not a disrespect to any religion or path, it is about rediscovering the spirit of our ancestors and to honor their gods as our own. We like it just the way it was traditionally so, rather than changing to a whole new set of beliefs that seem to distant our ancestral ways more than bring us closer.

But Eclectics will see it differently and that's fine. I think it's just important to recognize and respect both sides and all their differences, despite all the disagreements and conflict of beliefs. If an Eclectic pagan wishes to worship Rhiannon or Llew I'll honor that decision as long as they know who those deities are :)

[Qeniheru]

Hmm. I have yet to work with The Morrigan, but Brigid was the first deity I was ever called by. She is still with me, helping me along my path, but seems to feel content letting me feel things out on my own rather than hold my hand the whole way through.
As far as her dark side goes, one example is I have felt her become rather upset with how I was allowing myself to be treated in my last relationship. If she hadn't given me the proverbial smack on the back of the head and asked me why one of her children would stand for such nonsense, I would probably still be in that relationship.
8O Definitely a wonderful Mother!

[Zephyrstorm]

Being a daughter of Bast has had some similar drawbacks (though Brighid was in my life for several years before Egypt smacked me upside the head.)

People tend to categorize her as a "happy sex kitten moon goddess" There's even an atrocious godlist site that lists her as the goddess of marijuana and lesbians. argh!
The reality is that Bast is an Eye of Ra, meaning that She's the vengeance of the Gods against those who threaten the balance of things. She was called the Tearer. She's a Solar Goddess, and is sensual rather than sexual (not that some people get the difference.)
And She's incredibly loving in that "Alright, here's the tools you need to succeed right over there - what are you going to do with them?" and then letting you make the mistakes and take the consequences. I've even gotten the "You asked for it."

But then I've never read of any God that was as one-dimensional as some seem to paint them.
Z

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

I have also seen people describe Bast along the lines of a rattle-shaking kitten-herder. I mean, OK, she has the head of a cat. Does that mean it's OK to mindlessly do cat things in connection with Bast or (worse) naming your cat after her?

[Meadhbh]

I've had yet another thought about Brighid and her motherly side. Just because she's your mother doesn't mean she's going to be nice to you all the time. How many times when we were children did our mother put her foot down and stopped us from doing something no matter how badly we wanted to. At the time I'm sure she seemed like this horrible person who was out to make our lives as miserable as she could. Then when we got a bit older it occured to us how stupid that ideal of ours was and looking back are glad we didn't do it. Brighid does the same thing if we are doing something that isn't good for she'll stop you from doing it for your own good. You might not like and it may bother you that you can't but in the end it turns out to be the right thing that you listened to her.

[~Elise~]

That brings me upon another pet peeve of mine. I HATE it when people take random gods from different cultures! Argh!!!

Someone here last year termed it McWicca. I hate mix and matchers, as well. To me, it is the height of rude to take a bit from here and a bit from there, and oh, one from over here.

Pick a path, already... study it, immerse yourself in it for a LEAST a year. If it doesn't work for you, THEN try a different one and do the same thing. Live it, wear it... give it a good trial.

JMO

Elise

Now, that said... If a God or Goddess from another pantheon comes knocking on your door, whatcha gonna do?

It happened to me, so I know it does happen. I'm Feri and that is my Path. But, Freyja came knocking and I'm not gonna be the one to say no to Her. And, look what came out of it... Rick. So, alls well that ends well.

Elise

[CelticMoon11]

Yes don't like the McWicca concept, each to their own..

EDIT: I meant the Mix n' Match not the term, terms vera funny :)

[Philosophia]

Just a little thing, most cultures interlap and mix with others already. For example, Roman culture mixes with Egyptian, British and many others. Also, many can trace the linage of particular Gods/Goddesses through different cultures.
So I don't know whether that can be described as "McWiccan".

[CelticMoon11]

Would you like some fries with that patheon? :lol: jks :)

[Philosophia]

Yep, and a large coke too ;)

[CelticMoon11]

Supersize me :D

[Philosophia]

:p

[Nitefalle]

Ya, I was always a little loathe to work with Freya just because she's so "trendy" and usually pigeonholed as a sexy-witchy-magic-night goddess and usually associated with cats (I'm not really a cat person). I just think lots of pagans have an unhealthy obsession with cats, but that's another rant :hehehehe: But this past Beltane my group elected to work with her (after asking permission, of course) and I was surprised by how wrong my preconceptions about her were!!! She is a golden hawk, she is fiery and passionate and is teaching me to appreciate life, she is sensual and fierce and wonderful. And she's got a hell of a sense of humor. I realize now that she cannot be summed up, she cannot be pigeonholed. I think she's amazing and am now trying to build a relationship with her. It's very unfair to the gods when they get categorized as something because that may keep people from working with them or may make people resistant to their call.

[Iris]

The Morrigan kinda scares me _inabox_

[Morr]

The Morrigan kinda scares me _inabox_


There is no need to be scared of the Mrs. unless you do something to piss her off or insult her ;)

[lightdragon]

Just a little thing, most cultures interlap and mix with others already. For example, Roman culture mixes with Egyptian, British and many others. Also, many can trace the linage of particular Gods/Goddesses through different cultures.
So I don't know whether that can be described as "McWiccan".like the Gardnerians,Cernunnos and Aradia. Anyhow I worked with Brigit. She told me i can only worship her at Imbolc since she is not my goddess. so far I`m working with Rhiannon. The energy is different. Very dificult to research her. I`m still working with her. She seem very giddy and playful with me. I ask her something and she just giggles and runs