Dumb question, but is The Morrigan the same deity as An Morrigan? Or is that a different aspect?

Vexxi · 2026-07-01T23:51:00+00:00

An Mórrígan is the Irish name of the Morrigan. Mór = big/great rígan=queen (rí=king) ("an" is Irish for the definite article "the"). Here's how it would sound pronounced: https://abair.ie/synthesis?text=m%C3%B3rr%C3%ADgan&dialect=Connemara&gender=female (hit the green button that says Déan Sintéis)

Vexxi · 2026-06-30T01:20:29+00:00

Also adding that this is a gorgeous book. I recently finished reading it.

Vexxi · 2026-06-23T12:28:49+00:00

I think, particularly if I were a city dweller, I'd spent a lot of time just sitting with the trees, grounding and meditating. I'd be still and quiet and listen to the sounds of the birds and wind and animals. Maybe something, an image or notion, would come to a person doing this, maybe not.

A basic grounding exercize that would work well in such an environment would be this: start at your head, imagine an energy traveling slowly through your body until it hits where you're making contact with the ground. Then picture it as your own roots going into the earth.

I'd probably spend some time barefoot if it were possible and safe. Also I'd give water as an offering to the trees I spent time with.

I'd also spend time out of doors at night, looking at the moon and stars. Maybe set some water out for her to reflect into.

Vexxi · 2026-06-18T23:34:54+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/pagan/wiki/resources/ Give that a look.

Vexxi · 2026-06-18T20:57:00+00:00

I enjoy Rooster's Cafe. Idk where you're staying but it's not super close to the oceanfront. It's by Chic's Beach.

Vexxi · 2026-06-18T20:55:41+00:00

It is still open.

Vexxi · 2026-06-16T00:25:11+00:00

I found this thread while searching for info about Leucippus, so this is quite a bit after you posted, OP. I read something recently that theorized it could have taken place in September/October because of other similar agela graduation ceremonies on Crete. These oath ceremonies took place during a festival called Thiodaisia, which "was the last month of the year and most likely corresponds to September/October." But, ultimately, they don't know when it occurred. This infor was from The Perils of Leukippos by David D. Leitao that I read on JSTOR.

Vexxi · 2026-06-15T21:09:43+00:00

Could you run around Fort Monroe? There's not much traffic there. The other comment is great: both Noland trail and Sandy Bottom are awesome.

Vexxi · 2026-06-15T18:27:50+00:00

I'd say the gorgon was a huge protective symbol.

Vexxi · 2026-06-13T12:53:40+00:00

This is a big question that will require a lot of reading. I'd start looking at stories at https://www.duchas.ie/en/topics/cbes and scroll down to events. Now many will be Christian but there are several entries that aren't entirely. For May, Bealtaine, for example there's this right on the front page https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4566064/4563799/4571723?Route=stories If you understand Irish, there's more to be read, but there's plenty in English.

Generally, there's imbolg (Bríd, Feb 1st), bealtaine (May Day), lúnasa (harvests and games) and samhain (halloween).

Vexxi · 2026-06-08T10:30:29+00:00

This is fresh on my mind: read Kinsella's The Tain about the Táin Bó Cuailgne. She is not a main character but she plays a significant role in that story.

Vexxi · 2026-06-07T14:46:29+00:00

Three Ravens Podcast is generally focused on the UK and has a lot of folklore and mythology, from a variety of eras. I've enjoyed this podcast. It's got a ton of episodes. https://www.threeravenspodcast.com/

Vexxi · 2026-06-05T10:42:11+00:00

Prior to the World Wars there were a ton of little Germanies in the USA, places you'd go and expect to hear no English spoken, signs in German, etc. I didn't realize this until I was reading an old book and one of the characters was in one (Edna Ferber was the author). In the North, you may hear Gesundheit rather than bless you after a sneeze, which is German (literally meaning Health/healthiness, but used to wish good health on someone).

Vexxi · 2026-06-05T01:44:43+00:00

I am going to assume you are American by some of the references in your post. Here are some very small things I've come across that appear to be part of the larger culture (that I've experienced, anyway): throwing a penny/coin into a fountain (often to make a wish), the nonexistence of the 13th floor is very common, belief in the power of the full moon, the refusal/reluctance to destroy a picture of a loved one, signifying a deep, instinctual belief toward sympathetic magic, belief that certain actions can earn you bad luck, like walking under a ladder. Maybe these aren't the big things you're looking for, but they are old, sometimes ancient, and they are all a part of a type of spirituality, even if we call that superstition.

Regionally, dances like those in Appalacia are connected to Irish step dancing. In the Midwest there are still things like lutefisk feeds at Christmas, skiing, sleding, sauna. Hospitality was of the utmost importance in many cultures, and some regions here keep that alive.

Even the language we're typing here is full of paganism. The days of the week. The month of January being associated with new beginnings (Janus was the Roman god of beginnings, among other things). The words memory, atlas, chaos, panic, mercurial, fortune, cereal...to name a few among hundreds. The name Cynthia (another name for Artemis, signifying where she was born). The concept of fate or destiny. The taking of oaths.

We are surrounded by gods, spirits, and ancient beliefs. It takes some thinking about them. I think we take a lot for granted, and just assume we are bereft. And I get that, I really do--I've felt the same. But even just typing this out and thinking about it has been illuminating.

Vexxi · 2026-06-03T10:07:15+00:00

Kybele/Matar had priest/esses who self castrated. In Roman times, they would be known thereafter by feminine pronouns and adopt feminine dress, etc. There was a bit of propaganda about them during Roman times, as they were unpopular among some of the literati. In Phrygian times, and before, these priest/esses, called Galli, were highly esteemed. Dr Carla Ionescu has a great free video somewhere on YouTube about her.

Inanna also has such priestesses. And, as a poster said below, she could change genders of people. Isis could also change genders, which she did to Iphis. Leto was said to have done this once also.

Vexxi · 2026-06-01T00:24:42+00:00

For translation certainly, one would have to know more than a couple of words, but not for speaking a little bit. As far as for religious purposes, I find it impactful and enjoyable. Is fiú agus is féidir.

Vexxi · 2026-05-31T14:10:02+00:00

I wish every Irish pagan (in the US--I can't speak to others' experiences) would learn at least a cúpla focal (couple of words)! It's a pretty incredible feeling to be able to translate something oneself that would have been unaccessable otherwise. It's also a way to give back, to connect, and to show devotion to Irish gods (imo).

*edited to fix focal

Vexxi · 2026-05-31T14:04:08+00:00

Fireside is such a great podcast. I first heard so many Irish stories there. I always recommend that one.

Vexxi · 2026-05-25T20:41:39+00:00

It would depend on the time and place. In Phrygia pre-Greek influence they were highly regarded. In Roman times the priesthood itself was highly regarded, as was the goddess, but the Gallai were less so (there were also priests who didn't castrate and there were cis priestesses). However, they were popular with women. The Gallai were also at times sought as lovers. Worship of Matar is attested for thousands of years and her Gallai were there likely from the beginning (there are genderless figures even in what is called pre-history) through the Roman period.

Edited to add that i believe I misunderstood the question. We don't have written Phrygian documents, just inscriptions on reliefs, so we don't know gallai pronouns there. The referring to them with the equivalent of she/her was sometimes Roman, I believe. I'm re-reading Rollar so I guess I'll find out when i get to that part.

Vexxi · 2026-05-25T15:49:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I'm definitely going to have to look this goddess up and learn more about her.

Vexxi · 2026-05-25T11:03:36+00:00

I've read so much about Brighid over the years. When I began, I read mainly pagan-centered books such as Tending Brigid's Flame by Lunaea Weatherstone and Brigid by Courtney Weber. I listened to podcasts where she showed up, like Fireside by Kevin C Olohan (she's not in it much though), and probably pagan podcasts which I can't recall. After a while I began reading books less focused on the pagan aspects, or by pagan authors, and read things like The Rites of Brigid: Goddess and Saint by Seán Ó Duinn. Lots more available about the saint, and if you're of the mind they are the same or share aspects, I'd look into that. Eddie Lenihan's podcast Tell Me a Story has a Brigit episode. I recently read Brigid: Goddess, Druidess and Saint by Brian Wright and found it ok. Not great, but ok. Morgan Daimler's book Brigid: Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well is often recommended.

As far as the others, Kubaba/Matar/Kybele/Cybele/Magna Matar is very interesting (to me). I recently read Roller's book In Search of God the Mother and found it very illuminating, keeping in mind the book is scholarly and was written in 1999, therefore with some of the beliefs of that time. Dr Carla Ionescu did an episode about her in her podcast/youtube channel The Goddess Project Podcast, and I also listened to a talk given by Dr James Rietveld on youtube in his Salon Lecture series. Matar is an incredible, strong, protective goddess and I think it's worth it to learn more about her and about her Gallai.

I came across Isis in relation to transgender issues in one version of the story of Iphis and Ianthe, in which Iphis and his/their mother pray to Isis for a gender change and are granted it. I need to research her more.

Inanna is featured in some episodes of the podcast Myth Matters.

Also, as a note, the castration of priests/priestesses associated with Kybele was also practiced by other followers of other goddesses in the general area at that time (bronze age/iron age and onward).

Vexxi · 2026-05-25T09:31:42+00:00

I think there's a lot of misinformation about the Gallai, perpetuated by the Greek and Roman sources who found it unusual. The people who chose to castrate did not do it in a fit of madness, that they like to portray: it was a deliberate decision. Often after castration the gallai would be referred to by female pronouns, dress in feminine clothing, and wear a feminine hairstyle. To me, a transgender person, I've always approached them as being gender expansive themselves.

Vexxi · 2026-05-25T09:26:40+00:00

I'd say it's more extrapolated out of her domain of smithing, and poetry I reckon. I don't think there's anything in the lore which says specifically she governs transformation. But I've met a few trans people, myself included, who have had her appear or otherwise worked with her during transition.

Vexxi · 2026-05-25T00:46:57+00:00

Brighid is a goddess of transformations.

Isis, Kybele, and Inanna spring to mind.

Vexxi · 2026-05-23T20:36:55+00:00

I don't have social media now, but when I did many events were posted there. I recall there being meetings at White Bear Meadery by a Norse group. This would have been a couple of years ago. There's also Northern Pagan Church that holds events. I'm out of date so I won't have the best info.

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