H is for High Priestess Morgana

"She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to your love." 

-Merlin-

Morgana has come to be one of the most well known figures in all of Arthurian Legend. Rightly so, she is also one of the most complex, almost overwhelmingly so. The spelling of her name often indicates to which reference to this figure is being used. Morgan, the Welsh sea goddess, Morgana, the Arthurian High Priestess, Morgause, the Breton mention of the Arthurian Legend, and Morrigan or Morrigu, the Triple Crone Goddess. All of these figures have become one, forever linking both the Goddess, and the Arthurian Legends to each other. Celtic legends have been forever changed and shaped by this character. It is Morgana, that the Arthurian Tales speak of though.

Morgana is the daughter of Igraine and Gorlois of Cornwall, and half sister to Arthur. She is sent to a monastery, to become a nun. It is here that legend says Morgana learned the magical arts, rather than that of Christianity. This forever links Morgana to Avalon, as does her name, which means sea. Morgana becomes the link between this life, and the next. In the Arthurian Legends, it is Morgana that takes Arthur to Avalon. Whether she is at odds with Arthur, or the one bringing prosperity to his kingdom, her magical power is steadfast. Morgana is a powerful High Priestess in the Arthurian world, and the legends speak volumes to show her cleverness and devotion to her magic.

In some tales, Morgana is set completely again her brother Arthur. Whether she is caught with one of Arthur's knights by Guinevere, or gives birth to Mordred, the conflict is ever present. In some cases, the challenges presented to Arthur and his Knights only brings prosperity in the end. Part of this overwhelming complex mix of good and bad, no doubt has to do with the Morrigan. Morgana has always been a representation of this Triple Goddess. Whenever Morgana is seen with a raven or crow, this is a good indication of the Goddess aspect. In the Arthurian Legends though, it can be as simple as a name alteration or added title. Apparently, names really do mean something, even back then.

I've spent quite a few posts dedicated to the different aspects of the Morrigan already, but to understand Morgana it's important. The Morrigan is a War Goddess, and brings about war, death, and destruction. While these forces might seem evil or negative, they are also sacred and meaningful. For many, the Morrigan is the representation of the next stage in our existence. Certain aspects of the Morrigan bring comfort to those affected by death. It is important to remember when dealing with the Morrigan that there is a sense of mystery, as it is the nature of the Morrigan. Many fear the Morrigan, but others embrace this Goddess. Within the Arthurian Legends, is a way to deeper understand the Morrigan.

For myself, Morgana is one of the most important figures of the Arthurian Legends. It was the Morrigan that first lead my initial curiosity about Celtic Traditions. The name that I have chosen for myself in magic communities is Morgaine. There is a deep sense of my life being shaped by the Morrigan, and with it then Morgana. As I study more and more of Arthurian characters, none seem to shape women more than Morgana. She's often depicted as dark, mysterious, and overwhelmingly powerful. There could be no greater representation of the Dark Goddess than that, at least not in today's society. To study and talk of Morgana, is almost like that of coming home.

In practice today, Morgana is a source of great mystery. She is not easily understood, but her information is vast. With her presence, comes the transformation that awaits us all. We become shaped by what we do not know, as much as we are shaped by what we do. The raven, the crow, the dark moon, and the night are all a sense of the Morrigan. Through Morgana we come to understand Avalon, or the Other World that awaits us. She is an embodiment of wisdom, power, and cunning, traits that can suit anyone well. In the deepest connection to Morgana, we get a sense of her earlier self. We pour ourselves into the books of ancient wisdom, and learn what we can. We shape our own paths, and our destiny at the end of it.

G is for Grainne Ni Malley

"Somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me, my lover stands on golden sands, and watches the ships that go sailing." 

-Beyond the Sea-

Grainne Ni Malley is one of those unique tales found studying Celtic myths and origins. She grew up at a much later time in Celtic history, when King Henry VIII was Lord of Ireland. As the daughter of a chieftain, Grainne was also educated. Upon adulthood, she would marry twice in her lifetime. These marriages produced her at least four children. Grainne grew to be quite wealthy, both through her family inheritances and her first husband's death. At first glance, she appears almost forgettable, and perhaps she would be if her family had not been seafarers. For Grainne Ni Malley would become one of the most famous pirates of her time. Legends abound, as can only be expected with female pirates. 

As a young girl, Grainne was no stranger to ships, and the trading business along with it. Legend says that it was while she was still young, that she asked to join her father on his fleet. It wasn't until her first husband's death though, that legends of piracy started. Grainne was accused of imposing taxes on passing ships, any resistance was rumored to met with violence. This continued until Grainne returned to Clare Island, where she recruited men, and began transporting mercenaries between Ireland and Scotland. Along the way, she'd stop to loot outlying islands. Altogether, Grainne was a wealthy woman by the time she met the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Rumor states, that she made quite an impression, and a favorable one. 

The most legendary event about Grainne however, is her meeting with Queen Elizabeth I. Two of Grainne's sons, and her brother, had been taken captive by the English. Upon their meeting, Grainne was said to wear a fine gown, and refused to bow to Queen Elizabeth I. This was because Grainne refused to view Ireland as England's territory, and with it Queen Elizabeth's power. Rumors also indicate that Grainne concealed a dagger, though only for her own protection. During the meeting it was discovered, removed, but hadn't phased the Queen. The two struck an agreement, which would later turn out to be useless. Both Grainne and Elizabeth would later go on to die about ten years later. 

When I first started out researching about the Celtic origins of Paganism, I never thought it'd lead to piracy. There's almost that initial instinct to forget how connected Ireland is to the sea. Much of its culture is shaped and dedicated to those seafaring roots. For women, Grainne is one of many strong examples of powerful women that make up Celtic history. Grainne's views were more than likely not Pagan at all, and were most likely Christian. Her influence though within the Celtic culture now, makes her religion unimportant. She's become a symbol, a legend, and a figure for what women can strive for. Grainne was wealthy, educated, and made an important name for herself. 

There's a bit of a surprise that Ireland had pirates, but it shows the vastness and diversity of a single culture. Paganism very much so embraces that same sense of surprise repeatedly. The Goddess and God take forms that are new and unfamiliar to us. Discovering them can be as rewarding as the information that we come to learn as well. As we study our roots, whether Pagan, ancestral, or culturally, we come to realize a sense of unity. At times our histories can seem unconnected, and the links broken. Grainne is one of those examples that links our history. She grew up in a time where England and Ireland not only met, but clashed. Like so many people of that time period too, she did something to support her own views. 

Today, for many Pagans, Grainne has come to symbolize the divine feminine power within each of us. She acts as a source for us to give back to our country. In general, Grainne has come to share many attribute with the Goddess herself. Interestly, Grainne gives us all an opportunity to work with her symbols in ritual. The Jolly Roger would otherwise never make into many of our rituals. For those who may find that strange, the chalice is also another representation of Grainne. Her very name actually is a form of grace, which can be a strong connection for those today who share in that same name. Whether she is a symbol of power, or worshipped as herself, Grainne is a wonderful source to include in magical workings.