Celtic Goddess Edain

[Devin]

Can anyone provide me with information on Goddess Edain?

Leslie

[MammaStar]

I got this tidbit off a site called "Avatars of the Goddess" http://www3.sympatico.ca/chartreuse/AvatarsOfTheGoddess/CelticE.htm

Edain
The Celtic goddess who is associated with horseback riding. She is probably equivalent to the Gaulish goddess Epona.

[Devin]

I got this tidbit off a site called "Avatars of the Goddess" http://www3.sympatico.ca/chartreuse/AvatarsOfTheGoddess/CelticE.htm

Edain
The Celtic goddess who is associated with horseback riding. She is probably equivalent to the Gaulish goddess Epona.


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Does the part EQUIVALENT mean Epona is the same thing as Edain? Is that normal to have certain goddesses with many names?

Leslie

[Siarlas]

Does the part EQUIVALENT mean Epona is the same thing as Edain? Is that normal to have certain goddesses with many names?

Leslie

It means that the properties awarded to the goddess Edain are very similar to what was given to Epona. Now depending on what your beliefs are, you could say that it's the same goddess given different names from different cultures, or you could say that they are two different goddesses who just happen to be very similar.

There are quite a few gods and goddesses who have similar properties throughout the world. One that comes to mind are the goddess Ishtar and Aphrodite. Both are goddesses of love from two different cultures.
Did the Greeks find out about Ishtar and give her a different name? Was it mere coincedence? Or are they two completely seperate entities who chose to appear to different peoples?

The choice is up to you.

[Danustouch]

Here is the legend of Edain (also known as Etain, btw).

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/ali/ali047.htm

There is really not much written about her, besides the legend itsself, and that she is connected with Epona. Thus, if you were trying to decipher her magickal properties, I would think of her as a love/fertility Goddess. Also perhaps, a Goddess of Dreams, since horse imagery is often used for fertility, as well as dreams.

Incidentally, you might want to check out an album Tim Janis recorded inspired by the legend, named, appropriately "Etain". It might add something to your rituals or meditations. I have a copy, and it has certainly added something to mine on occasion. Beautiful music.

http://entertainment.msn.com/album/?album=128629

[Theres]

from R.J Stewart's 'Celtic Gods and Goddesses'...

"The Mare is best known through the worship of the goddess Epona, an eponymous deity known in Britain and Gaul. Her British and Irish equivalents are Rhiannon (Wales) and Etain (Ireland)."

and also (while discussing Celtic bird goddesses)...

"One of the best known legends of a Maiden of Joy and Sorrow is that of Etain, made famous in literature, and the central theme of Fiona Macleod's mystical drama 'The Immortal Hour'.

maybe you can do something with that.

[Devin]

Thank You Danustouch!

Leslie

[Devin]

from R.J Stewart's 'Celtic Gods and Goddesses'...

"The Mare is best known through the worship of the goddess Epona, an eponymous deity known in Britain and Gaul. Her British and Irish equivalents are Rhiannon (Wales) and Etain (Ireland)."

and also (while discussing Celtic bird goddesses)...

"One of the best known legends of a Maiden of Joy and Sorrow is that of Etain, made famous in literature, and the central theme of Fiona Macleod's mystical drama 'The Immortal Hour'.

maybe you can do something with that.

Thank You! The funny thing is I am thinking of using Rhiannon and Edain as my main Goddesses.

Leslie

[Mnemosyne]

Hi Devin! Have you read the myths of Etain? In Irish mythology, she was one of the Tuatha De Danann. She was married to Midir. Midir's first wife was jealous of her, and she was later turned into a pool of water, fly and a worm so Midir could not find her. Well, the warrior Etar's wife swallowed her while she was a fly and became pregnant with Etain. Reborn, she forgot her past existence and married Eochaidh. She eventually remembered her past memories and lived with Midir for a bit more. Finally, she returned to be Eochaidh's queen. Oh, so complicated.

[Devin]

Hi Devin! Have you read the myths of Etain? In Irish mythology, she was one of the Tuatha De Danann. She was married to Midir. Midir's first wife was jealous of her, and she was later turned into a pool of water, fly and a worm so Midir could not find her. Well, the warrior Etar's wife swallowed her while she was a fly and became pregnant with Etain. Reborn, she forgot her past existence and married Eochaidh. She eventually remembered her past memories and lived with Midir for a bit more. Finally, she returned to be Eochaidh's queen. Oh, so complicated.

I couldn't find much about her that is why I asked here.

Leslie

[mol]

Interesting. There really isnt a lot of information about her. Which makes it even more fun to study! :)

[Danustouch]

Interesting. There really isnt a lot of information about her. Which makes it even more fun to study! :)

Oh, definitely, Mol.

Devin, if you feel called to Etain, do not by any means get "Turned off" by the lack of material out there on her. My Matron Goddess is Danu, and there is even far less written about her (in fact, some still debate she was a Goddess at all, thinking instead, she may have been an archetype). She doesn't even have a "Specific" legend revolving around her. At least not a recorded one, like Edains. So there have been times I've been highly frustrated with "trying to know her better". However, what I found was that when I wouldn't allow my faith to flag, when I meditated, prayed, etc...she revealed herself to me in her own unique way. Sometimes, I think the "lesser known" or written about Goddesses actually are more interesting, fun, and fulfilling to work with, because it really does become a very deep process of discovery. Since there is so little "Outward" evidence to contend with, and process, one must really look deep inside themselves, and listen VERY carefully to what she tells them, to devine Her true nature. So...you're on a wonderful process of discovery right now, Devin. And I think you'll really enjoy the walk, as I have, with my own Matron.

PS...That Tim Janis CD..I listen to that often during my meditations, and it really has helped me attune to Danu's spirit, oddly enough, even though it is written about Edain. I'm not TOO surprised, as Edain was a Child of Danu :)

[Devin]

Oh, definitely, Mol.

Devin, if you feel called to Etain, do not by any means get "Turned off" by the lack of material out there on her. My Matron Goddess is Danu, and there is even far less written about her (in fact, some still debate she was a Goddess at all, thinking instead, she may have been an archetype). She doesn't even have a "Specific" legend revolving around her. At least not a recorded one, like Edains. So there have been times I've been highly frustrated with "trying to know her better". However, what I found was that when I wouldn't allow my faith to flag, when I meditated, prayed, etc...she revealed herself to me in her own unique way. Sometimes, I think the "lesser known" or written about Goddesses actually are more interesting, fun, and fulfilling to work with, because it really does become a very deep process of discovery. Since there is so little "Outward" evidence to contend with, and process, one must really look deep inside themselves, and listen VERY carefully to what she tells them, to devine Her true nature. So...you're on a wonderful process of discovery right now, Devin. And I think you'll really enjoy the walk, as I have, with my own Matron.

PS...That Tim Janis CD..I listen to that often during my meditations, and it really has helped me attune to Danu's spirit, oddly enough, even though it is written about Edain. I'm not TOO surprised, as Edain was a Child of Danu :)

Thank You for the insight.

Leslie

[Mnemosyne]

Ok, here's a site that has a bit on the Etain that I mentioned of earlier. It's a different varation of the myth though. http://www.lightcatcher.com/etain.htm

[Devin]

Thank You!

Leslie