An Dagda's First Books Have Launched!

 

Pagan Portals - The Dagda: Meeting the Good God of Ireland by Morgan Daimler (2018)

Harp, Club, and Cauldron - A Harvest of Knowledge: A curated anthology of scholarship, lore, and creative writings on the Dagda in Irish tradition edited by Morpheus Ravenna and Lora O'Brien (2018)

I'm excited. Two separate books on The Good God, An Dagda, father of the goddesses Brigit, are now available. In my time of devotion to Brigit I have come to know her parent somewhat and fallen in love with him. I am thrilled to have these two opportunities to know him more.

Until now, those interested in The Dagda have had to scrape together their information from widely dispersed sources. In late October Morgan Daimler's Pagan Portals book, The Dagda, was released. A slim volume, like all Pagan Portals titles, it is the first book entirely devoted to this important Irish god. I haven't read it yet, but it sits on the table awaiting my attention. I've read several of Morgan's books and have never been disappointed. 

Minutes ago, Morpheus Ravenna and Lora O'Brien launched their anthology Harp, Club, and Cauldron - A Harvest of Knowledge. Many respected (and beloved) writers and artists have contributed to the book: Isolde Carmody and Chris Thompson from Story Archaeology, Anthony Murphy, author of Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past, Segomâros Widugeni, author of Ancient Fire: An Introduction to Gaulish Celtic Polytheism, Valerie Herron, the artist responsible for the delightful works in Ravenna's book on the The Morrigan, The Book of the Great Queen, Morgan Daimler herself, and many others. (I have a poem in there, myself, speaking with Brigit about her father.) Having had a glimpse of the ebook, I am more than ever looking forward to having the book in my hands, .

Now is a great time to have the profile of the Dagda raised. A god of many abilities, protector of his people and linked to the health and balance of his land, he is a powerful ally in a world filled with disharmony and fear. His cauldron of plenty, his harp that can bring sorrow, laughter, or sleep to those who listen, his club which kills with one end and restores to life with the other, his great appetites and his ability to do what needs to be done under any circumstances--An Dagda's influence needs to be felt now more than ever.

It may take a few hours for the anthology to become available--the button is pushed, but Amazon sometimes takes a while to catch up. So if you get a "not currently available" note, fear not. It's on the way.

For those of you who have grown interested in or close with An Dagda, you might also want to join the Facebook group The Dagda's Hearth. I'll see you there, perhaps?

Original Fund-Raising Video for Harp, Club, and Cauldron:

Triple Brigid Talisman by Morpheus Ravenna

Triple Brigid Talisman: Lady of Poetry, Skill, and Fire

$35.00 – $45.00

Description

This talisman honors Brigid, Irish and Scottish Goddess of poetry, healing, smithcraft, fire, and many other bright things. She also called Brig, Brigit, Brid, and is closely related to the Gallo-Brittonic divinities Brigantia and Brigindona.

The name Brigid is thought to derive from the root *brig signifying high or exalted, and is sometimes translated Exalted One. We see this same root in place-names referring to raised hillforts. In Irish and Scottish folklore, Brigid is linked to Saint Brigid and many believe the saint to be a survival of the pre-Christian pagan Goddess. She is often spoken of as a triad, the Three Brigits. She is said to be a midwife and is called upon to bless births of children and animals, to help protect the herds and the milk supply, and for healing. Milk and milk products have a special association with healing and purification in Celtic thought, and She is connected to both. She is associated with craftsmanship, especially blacksmithing, and is seen by many as the embodiment of the fire that heats the forge. She is worshiped at holy wells throughout Ireland, where the upwelling and flowing of waters are also expressions of the deep well of wisdom and its flowing out in the form of inspiration and poetry. Thus, She is also the Lady of poets and poetic inspiration.

The front of this talisman shows Brigid in triple form, the flames of poetic inspiration rising above each of the three faces. She carries a spear and a vessel of milk, reflecting Her role in Celtic warrior culture, as the Goddess who receives the returning warrior bands from their winter raiding, purifying them with milk or butter to wash the warrior’s mark from them and bring them peacefully back into the fold of settled society. Her stance and position within the archway echoes images of Brigantia from Britain. The words here say Duine úallach / Brigit búadach: “Proud lady / Victorious Brigid”.

The back of the talisman displays a triple St. Brigid’s Cross, a folk charm traditionally woven of straw or reeds in honor of the saint and the Goddess. Between its three arms, Her implements are displayed: hammer and anvil as Lady of the Forge; cauldron and flame as Lady of Healing; and harp as Lady of Poetry. These are framed by poetic lines adapted from the Carmina Gadelica: Lasair dhealrach oir / Muime chorr dée / Bride nighinn Daghda; “Radiant flame of gold / Noble foster-mother of Gods / Bride daughter of the Dagda”. (The original lines in the Carmina Gadelica reference Christian ideas associated with St. Brigid; this has been adapted to a more Pagan form).

You may notice a resemblance between the back design of this talisman, and Ian Corrigan’s beautiful Brigid sigil. I respect Ian’s work and certainly wouldn’t copy – this turns out to be one of those divinely inspired synchronicities, as we’ve both arrived at this design independently. You can check out Ian’s books on Brigid and other creations here.

Talisman is etched in 18-gauge copper, in your choice of 1.5″ diameter medallion, or 2″ allowing for much finer detail. Comes strung on a simple natural leather cord.

Our copper talismans are hand etched in small runs with careful attention. Talismans are individually hand-detailed, so each pendant is slightly different and unique. The artist, Morpheus, personally consecrates all the talismans on her altar.

To order.

MORPHEUS RAVENNA

Tattoo Artist, Morrigan Priestess, Spiritworker, and Writer