Offerings:
Time, Effort, Energy
Sound, Voice, Fire, Incense, Alcohol
Personal Gifting, Written Words, Works of Service
Credit to Lora O'Brien for this concept: From the divine center OM grows deity ODIN, ISIS, YHWH, and the MORRIGAN. At the root is the dark goddess (but yang exists within the yin; also, formlessness is her form) who emerges in the light, water, nutrient, and cultivation of cultures and the nurture of different personalities, such as Hecate, Baba Yaga, and Kali. The long Irish origin and deep experience of someone devoted for many years should give some humility to new initiates do who have a right to their own contracts and unverifiable personal gnosis (UPG). The Morrigan is everything: primal and all-encompassing as an all-deity.
Because it's a plant that becomes hardy when all around it is dying, Blackthorn is associated with the Dark Mother, the Crone aspect of the Goddess, particularly the Cailleach in some parts of Scotland and Ireland. There is also a strong connection to the Morrighan, because of Blackthorn's association with the blood and death of warriors. In fact, in early Celtic culture, the Blackthorn was popular for its use in the cudgel shillelagh. -LearnReligions.com
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Samhain 2019: The Morrigan's Calling of Me
She was first mentioned as being present for me with Hecate during a professional tarot card reading. I had encounters with Hecate around October 31 and November 11, but by the end of the month started experiencing repeated synchronicity with what I took to be the Celtic five-pointed star.
1. Driving home from work I saw a truck with the logo "Morgan" next to a star, which led my thoughts to the Morrigan--although I knew nothing about her at all.
2. Walking my routine of nine laps around our house, I saw the forgotten chimes left hanging in the carport by our landlord. I gave them a ring on laps three, five, and seven in case a response was called for.
3. At work the next day, I saw the forgotten five-pointed star made of foil and left by the previous occupant of my office.
4. Researching the Morrigan online, I saw several Celtic stars on websites and images (including the one copied above). Lori O'Brian, a priest of the Morrigan, identified the star as a common symbol also used by Irish pagans.
5. On my Morgan-Greer Tarot deck and Archeon Tarot, which I was dedicating to the Morrigan because of the name and Queen of Swords pictured on the former and because of crows featured in the later, I discovered the five-pointed stars. Also on my altar, I found a similar star on my incense holder.
I asked the Empress of Tarot of the Vampyres to guide me as she had with Odin, Isis, and Hecate, drawing a rune stone and three tarot cards.
The rune Othalan spoke to me of home, heritage, hearth, and Odin--similar to the sense of coming home I have felt in other spiritual expansion.
The Lovers card from Tarot of Vampyres speaks of archetypal and earthly love, harmony, balance, communion, and perhaps a kind of marriage. The Six of Skulls in this deck also portrays balance as the figure is connected to the moon and sun, earth through the elemental wolf, and with deity through her talisman. The Hanged Man speaks of suspension and initiation as the old departs and the new arrives, the serpent showing a sharing in mysteries and kundalini energy. The Hanged Man also speaks of dissolution and Odin's hanging nine days on the World Tree.
I found two authentic priesthood sources online, caught two dark figures in my peripheral vision while walking, and had two gentle but visceral nightmares that I associated with the Morrigan. Before church one Sunday, I felt very strong Chakra vibrations in forehead, solar plexus and spine, and could not sake the trance completely all morning. I saw two crows flying across the street after church. Kristin caught me with things she doesn't like twice, and I felt challenged by the Morrigan both times to discussions and breakthroughs with Kristin. Two razors falling added gravitas to this guidance of the goddess.
I have seen three strong woman on screen recently: Madam Secretary, who is wife and warrior, Captain Marvel, who is friend and super hero, and a star on The Code, who is general and mother. Several of my tarot spreads, dreams, and trance journeys are given in more detail on this page at the Cartomancy Forum . I have been watching three "Irish connections" on YouTube and have had several comments acknowledged with heart emoji: Lora O'Brien, 'Aine Orga, and Joey Morris--with traditionalist, pantheist, and eclectic approaches, respectively.
The professional tarot reading in December featured all earth and water cards as well as the challenge to "seek what is called for in sacrifice to deity and what is offered from deity." The reader says she rarely sees the Morrigan deal so softly or gently through the cards.
The Morrigan course by Lori O'Brian that I have been following challenges devotees to "show up every day"; to offer sound, voice, fire, alcohol, service, and study--time, attention, and skill set to the Morrigan. There is the warning to remember free will, autonomy, personal gnosis, and boundaries. As a priest, Lori says to negotiate a clear contract--so I have asked to keep my family, faith, and path acquired so far as well as for my age and stage of life to be considered in any demands. Later, I realized I should account for the changeableness of human nature, and not make a lifetime commitment.
1. Driving home from work I saw a truck with the logo "Morgan" next to a star, which led my thoughts to the Morrigan--although I knew nothing about her at all.
2. Walking my routine of nine laps around our house, I saw the forgotten chimes left hanging in the carport by our landlord. I gave them a ring on laps three, five, and seven in case a response was called for.
3. At work the next day, I saw the forgotten five-pointed star made of foil and left by the previous occupant of my office.
4. Researching the Morrigan online, I saw several Celtic stars on websites and images (including the one copied above). Lori O'Brian, a priest of the Morrigan, identified the star as a common symbol also used by Irish pagans.
5. On my Morgan-Greer Tarot deck and Archeon Tarot, which I was dedicating to the Morrigan because of the name and Queen of Swords pictured on the former and because of crows featured in the later, I discovered the five-pointed stars. Also on my altar, I found a similar star on my incense holder.
I asked the Empress of Tarot of the Vampyres to guide me as she had with Odin, Isis, and Hecate, drawing a rune stone and three tarot cards.
The rune Othalan spoke to me of home, heritage, hearth, and Odin--similar to the sense of coming home I have felt in other spiritual expansion.
The Lovers card from Tarot of Vampyres speaks of archetypal and earthly love, harmony, balance, communion, and perhaps a kind of marriage. The Six of Skulls in this deck also portrays balance as the figure is connected to the moon and sun, earth through the elemental wolf, and with deity through her talisman. The Hanged Man speaks of suspension and initiation as the old departs and the new arrives, the serpent showing a sharing in mysteries and kundalini energy. The Hanged Man also speaks of dissolution and Odin's hanging nine days on the World Tree.
I found two authentic priesthood sources online, caught two dark figures in my peripheral vision while walking, and had two gentle but visceral nightmares that I associated with the Morrigan. Before church one Sunday, I felt very strong Chakra vibrations in forehead, solar plexus and spine, and could not sake the trance completely all morning. I saw two crows flying across the street after church. Kristin caught me with things she doesn't like twice, and I felt challenged by the Morrigan both times to discussions and breakthroughs with Kristin. Two razors falling added gravitas to this guidance of the goddess.
I have seen three strong woman on screen recently: Madam Secretary, who is wife and warrior, Captain Marvel, who is friend and super hero, and a star on The Code, who is general and mother. Several of my tarot spreads, dreams, and trance journeys are given in more detail on this page at the Cartomancy Forum . I have been watching three "Irish connections" on YouTube and have had several comments acknowledged with heart emoji: Lora O'Brien, 'Aine Orga, and Joey Morris--with traditionalist, pantheist, and eclectic approaches, respectively.
The professional tarot reading in December featured all earth and water cards as well as the challenge to "seek what is called for in sacrifice to deity and what is offered from deity." The reader says she rarely sees the Morrigan deal so softly or gently through the cards.
The Morrigan course by Lori O'Brian that I have been following challenges devotees to "show up every day"; to offer sound, voice, fire, alcohol, service, and study--time, attention, and skill set to the Morrigan. There is the warning to remember free will, autonomy, personal gnosis, and boundaries. As a priest, Lori says to negotiate a clear contract--so I have asked to keep my family, faith, and path acquired so far as well as for my age and stage of life to be considered in any demands. Later, I realized I should account for the changeableness of human nature, and not make a lifetime commitment.
All day, I felt a distinct lack of presence of the Morrigan. Although I have hills and valleys in my feelings of connection, only on the Monday after Thanksgiving, the weekend I had been caught by Kristin twice, had I felt such distance. However, this time I could feel some gentle waves as from a distant radio and did not feel under scrutiny. I remembered that on my Christian path my honeymoon period and early years contained more direct experiences than later and also remembered that Lora O'Brien says we need to show up for the Morrigan daily before she shows up for us.
As I changed into walking clothes for my 9-lap walk, the big screen TV in our bedroom cycled through a promo picture of the show The Queen, the beauty of the Queen of England arresting me as her husband stood dimly with head bowed in the background. Another promo pictured flashed for The Week Of, showing a wedding in the background, as if to remind me of ceremony, timing, and process.
On my walk, the moon was hidden by clouds as a soft rain began to sprinkle. I revised the words from the hymn: "when darkness hides her lovely face, I lean on her unchanging face. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil." I speculated that formal religion is stronger on the written promises and that esoteric spirituality is stronger on being Spirit led. There are words and principles for pagans, simply less, and with contracts it seems rather than covenants. ???
I noted a green light shining through the trees next to a flashing yellow light on an early lap. Then the wind blew the fence gate closed with a slam as I approached. I paused in the midst of an object lesson, praying that I was willing to stop walking and yet also willing to go on. With no certain prompting, I opened the gate and walked on, reflecting that both the lights and the closing gate carried a message of proceeding with caution, going on but with care--something several priests and advocates of the Morrigan recommend.
As I changed into walking clothes for my 9-lap walk, the big screen TV in our bedroom cycled through a promo picture of the show The Queen, the beauty of the Queen of England arresting me as her husband stood dimly with head bowed in the background. Another promo pictured flashed for The Week Of, showing a wedding in the background, as if to remind me of ceremony, timing, and process.
On my walk, the moon was hidden by clouds as a soft rain began to sprinkle. I revised the words from the hymn: "when darkness hides her lovely face, I lean on her unchanging face. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil." I speculated that formal religion is stronger on the written promises and that esoteric spirituality is stronger on being Spirit led. There are words and principles for pagans, simply less, and with contracts it seems rather than covenants. ???
I noted a green light shining through the trees next to a flashing yellow light on an early lap. Then the wind blew the fence gate closed with a slam as I approached. I paused in the midst of an object lesson, praying that I was willing to stop walking and yet also willing to go on. With no certain prompting, I opened the gate and walked on, reflecting that both the lights and the closing gate carried a message of proceeding with caution, going on but with care--something several priests and advocates of the Morrigan recommend.
Solstice on 12-22-2019 with Yule to 1-2-2020
The veil felt thin again today before and after church as I seemed to be able to easily slip into trance. Three Ogham symbols came strongly to mind: Duir signifies the strength and confidence of an Oak Tree, sacred to the Druids, whose name comes from the same root as "door." There may be a door of opportunity today or the Morrigan may present to me an open door of service. Muin signifies words flowing like wine, the fruit of the Vine, prophesy, inward journey, and lessons learned. Fearn is associated with the Alder Tree and Bran, who lay himself down as a bridge for others to cross the river. According to legend his head was an oracle, and the symbol can suggest mediation or a medium between heaven and earth.
I tried a short shamanic journey. At first I simply envisioned mist and moved forward in faith, seeing the mist become trees, which seemed at first to be a woods moving like wheels and then seemed to be a truck composed of trees. I sensed the truck was similar in meaning to the all-white eighteen-wheelers I had encountered recently, generic vehicles that could be ODIN, ISIS, or YHWH. However, this time the word PANTHEISM came to mind.
As I pushed myself forward in faith, not knowing if any other images would emerge, I saw below a group of people sitting in a circle. They each were wearing very different almost tribal costumes, seeming to represent a great variety of cultures and personalities. They sat around a burning fire, sharing the energy and warmth. It came to mind that they were mainly concerned with practice and practical matters--simply seeking what the fire provided--in an earth-based spirituality.
Later, laying down after church, the trance state returned easily and my heart cried out to the Morrigan to establish an anchor within me and to plant me within her as well. I prayed that I would enter her as an open door--with her entering me as well--and that I would flow in words and journeys that might bring healing or gather broken pieces together. Taking care to express boundaries as a human that can change in time and that has previous commitments, I still cried out to be taught, trained, and initiated by the Morrigan.
I tried a short shamanic journey. At first I simply envisioned mist and moved forward in faith, seeing the mist become trees, which seemed at first to be a woods moving like wheels and then seemed to be a truck composed of trees. I sensed the truck was similar in meaning to the all-white eighteen-wheelers I had encountered recently, generic vehicles that could be ODIN, ISIS, or YHWH. However, this time the word PANTHEISM came to mind.
As I pushed myself forward in faith, not knowing if any other images would emerge, I saw below a group of people sitting in a circle. They each were wearing very different almost tribal costumes, seeming to represent a great variety of cultures and personalities. They sat around a burning fire, sharing the energy and warmth. It came to mind that they were mainly concerned with practice and practical matters--simply seeking what the fire provided--in an earth-based spirituality.
Later, laying down after church, the trance state returned easily and my heart cried out to the Morrigan to establish an anchor within me and to plant me within her as well. I prayed that I would enter her as an open door--with her entering me as well--and that I would flow in words and journeys that might bring healing or gather broken pieces together. Taking care to express boundaries as a human that can change in time and that has previous commitments, I still cried out to be taught, trained, and initiated by the Morrigan.
Writer and video creator 'Aine Orga beside altar space:
'Aine Orga has helpfully provided the perspective of a soft polytheist and scientific pantheist. She has an altar space and spiritual practices but does not seem to reconstruct a pagan past nor identify with authentic pagan roots. Although I suspect the traditions are important, if not necessary, to following deity, her example provides a great balance for me as I suspect the gods often get out of their boxes.
Images of Engagement: February 2020
As I think about the next stage of working with the Morrigan, I wonder if she will become my primary focus to help me distill strength and insight from the glimmering rainbows of polycentric polytheism. A priestess suggested that, although the Morrigan does not seem to be pushing out other deities, she may require my special attention during this season. Perhaps out of the pantheons, to use the super heroes as an analogy, she will be as Catwoman, Batman, my Crow, who my spirit follows like an eager puppy dog. The Black Widow, in a new movie of her own, reminds me of the energy of the Queen of Swords or the Dark Goddess. I happened upon the picture of her actor at the Oscars on the same day my ring shipped, which I ordered in honor of the Morrigan.
In taking her ring, perhaps I join her as I joined the Empress in stages of development. The highest point on the star reminds me that her spirit is in the highest place, and she is with me even when I dip into darkness, the point swinging downward as on the Devil card in tarot, always returning to the highest place. Perhaps this is the Dove of spirit, the archetypal dove among all earthly loves of earth, water, air, and fire in the lower points of the star.
This so-called engagement, which could really be considered the creation of a sacred space or altar of devotion and remembrance. My dedication progressed with the style of the Great Queen in the liminal space between my wife Kristin's spiritual birthday on 2-10 and Valentine's day, the day we were engaged in 2002. At work, I received notifications that the star ring pictured above was out for delivery and had arrived as I encountered synchronicity at work: two Asian girls came into my office as yet another e-mailed me--all about a test. Simultaneously Kristin, who had taught English with me in China and who had one of the girls in her class last semester also e-mailed me this picture of Hannah both exercising and reading for my World Literature class, which she is taking. The second notification came as my daughter Hannah came into my office to pick up a book for Kristin. With all of this build up, the ring turned out to be too small, but it turned out Hannah loves stars and it fit her. I felt the disappointment worked out for a greater good, and I ordered a perhaps more appropriate oak-leaf pentacle ring.
In taking her ring, perhaps I join her as I joined the Empress in stages of development. The highest point on the star reminds me that her spirit is in the highest place, and she is with me even when I dip into darkness, the point swinging downward as on the Devil card in tarot, always returning to the highest place. Perhaps this is the Dove of spirit, the archetypal dove among all earthly loves of earth, water, air, and fire in the lower points of the star.
This so-called engagement, which could really be considered the creation of a sacred space or altar of devotion and remembrance. My dedication progressed with the style of the Great Queen in the liminal space between my wife Kristin's spiritual birthday on 2-10 and Valentine's day, the day we were engaged in 2002. At work, I received notifications that the star ring pictured above was out for delivery and had arrived as I encountered synchronicity at work: two Asian girls came into my office as yet another e-mailed me--all about a test. Simultaneously Kristin, who had taught English with me in China and who had one of the girls in her class last semester also e-mailed me this picture of Hannah both exercising and reading for my World Literature class, which she is taking. The second notification came as my daughter Hannah came into my office to pick up a book for Kristin. With all of this build up, the ring turned out to be too small, but it turned out Hannah loves stars and it fit her. I felt the disappointment worked out for a greater good, and I ordered a perhaps more appropriate oak-leaf pentacle ring.
A few other symbolic events have attended my relationship with the Morrigan. During the only snow here for 2020, I found rainbow skull cups for my altars at work and home: they represent to me the more inclusive communion of the Morrigan as she protects the marginalized and grants sovereignty to the excluded. When I went to the February Reiki meeting at the Unity Spiritual Center, to my surprise, I saw two large stars on the stage. The more appropriate ring with druid-like oak leaves arrived around the new moon on 2-22-2020.
Simultaneous with the ring's arrival, the thought came strongly to me that I should add a statue of the Morrigan to my altar. I dismissed the idea because of the way I believed Kristin would react; however, I formed the strategy that perhaps if she would agree by the time of my birthday in July, the purchase could seal my relationship with the Morrigan, a kind of marriage or covenant with her gaining my family of deity--Odin, Loki, Isis, Venus, Hecate, and so on--and I perhaps gaining hers. In the meantime, I purchased the Celtic Tree Oracle as recommended by the Woodland Hag on YouTube. Finally, the day I decided to purchase some obsidian prayer beads in honor of the Morrigan, my sister called saying she had found something for my birthday and was wondering if she could remember if she hid the gift until July or should give it to me now. The strange call prompted me to work up my courage and ask Kristin's permission to order the statue. As I asked her, I found myself repeating something that I had said with tears at our Friday night gathering: there are people who will never be able to come to God by the name of Jesus but who do not have hard hearts to the Spirit. I told Kristin the statue would be a reminder to me to always fight for the outsiders, those who are excluded. In the end, she agreed.