The Following is an Excerpt from my book Pagan Portals Gods and Goddesses of Ireland
Cliodhna –
Cliodhna, also known as Clíona, is considered both one of the Tuatha Dé Danann in older mythology and a Fairy Queen in modern folk lore. Her name may mean ‘the territorial one’, likely reflecting her earlier role as a sovereignty Goddess; her epithet is Ceannfhionn (fair headed or fair haired)…
This is an excerpt from a 14th century poem; this portion is telling about Lugh’s arrival at Temhair during the larger story of the Cath Maige Tuired. It’s short but very interesting and worth a read I think. I’ve included the original Irish and then my translation.
Crow perched on signpost in front of the Duma na nGaill, Teamhair, Ireland
Tabhás do Lugh, leannán Teamhrathoir i nEamhain,dá…
Several people have asked me to write a short story that gives some more backstory for a few of the characters in my fiction series, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. In the spirit of that one person suggested incorporating ‘strip chess’, and since I love a challenge here you go.
This story would take place after the fifth novel. Some caveats for those who don’t read my fiction it…
If you mention the subject of fairies to most people and ask them to name a type of fairy being, many immediately jump to Leprechauns. For a variety of reasons they have become well-known, or at least people believe they know them well and certainly every March there will be the requisite pop-culture article on Leprechaun lore. What is presented there though is often a shallow view of a much…
When it comes to holidays in my personal practice I’ve always focused most on the fire festivals, Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa, and Samhain, but for many years midsummer has played a role as well. Specifically it has been a time for me to honor the fairy Queen Àine, but last year I found that starting to shift a bit as I was drawn to celebrating on June 24th – Lá Fhéile Eóin – rather than on…
I have recently signed a contract for a new book, a third in my Fairycraft series, and for today’s blog I wanted to offer an excerpt from the draft,to give people a taste of where this one is going. It’s much more personal than the others, and while it does quote sources and include the usual references (I am the one writing it after all) it also offers insight into the deeper layers of my own…
Last weekend was the 4th annual Morrigan’s Call Retreat in Connecticut, an event that I have participated in since its inception. Founded by Stephanie Woodfield and Morrigu’s Daughters the Retreat offers people a chance to get together and honor the Great Queen(s). It has always been somewhat unique in that its purpose is so specific to one group of deities – the Morrigan and her sisters, Badb…
According to folklore there are two fairies who are more dangerous than others, because their touch brings madness that cannot be cured: the Fairy Queen and the Fairy Fool. The Fairy Queen may be the more well-known, with a good amount of folklore to be found about her under either the title or a specific name, but the Fairy Fool is a more obscure figure. I thought it would be interesting to…
I’ve had a lot going on lately, some of which I’ve written about here. One thing I think I haven’t discussed yet is that next year is going to be a big travel year for me; I’m not planning to do many events or conferences but I do have two bigger trips planned.
The first, ‘Bealtaine; Kindling the Flame of Devotion’, will be happening in April and May of 2018. It’s a sacred sites tour of…
Yesterday I posted a call for submission for two fiction anthologies; the response has been good even in a short time. However several people have asked if non-fiction would also be accepted and thus the third anthology was born. Really three is a much more fitting number for anything Fey anyway….
Call for Submissions:
Fifty Shades of Fay: Modern Encounters with the Other Crowd – An anthology…