The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Fenian Heroes

The noblest warriors of the Tuatha De Danann joined forces with the honorable fiana, the greatest fighting force of ancient Ireland. They retained some of their magick and power, and greatly enhanced the respected group, contributing their sorcery and their wisdom. Those De Danann who chose to join the fiana became known as the Fenian Heroes. The remainder became the Daoine Sidhe.

The Fenian Heroes and Finn mac Cumaill

The fiana (Irish war bands) were led by Finn mac Cumaill. He was the last and greatest leader of the fiana, and the son of Cumhal mac Baiscne. Cumhal was also head of the fiana in his time, but was killed by the sons of Morna, who wanted to assume his leadership. Finn’s mother was Muirne, the granddaughter of Nuada of the Silver Hand and Ethlinn. Ethlinn was the mother of Lugh of the Long Hand. Both Nuada and Ethlinn were powerful members of the Tuatha De Danann, so Finn himself was of the Faery, and somewhat god-like in stature.

As a child, Finn was sent away in secret. As he grew, he was trained in poetry, weaponry, and magick. At one point during his training, he accidentally drank a mouthful of water from the Well of the Moon and gained the power of prophecy. This power, combined with the Sidhe blood running through his veins, is one of the many reasons the Tuatha De Danann were said to willingly follow him, even though it meant diminishing themselves.

What Became of the Fenian Heroes?

When old age finally killed Finn mac Cumaill, his fiana fell apart. When this happened, the Tuatha De Danann who had become the Fenian Heroes drifted away, searching for a just and honourable High King to serve in battle once more. Some Irish legends indicate that they never found what they were looking for. Others suggest that perhaps they traveled to Britain and followed the legendary King Arthur.

Regardless, the Fenian Heroes diminished in stature and power, but the Faery Lineage of Ireland did not end with the Fenian Heroes. They survived into medieval times as the Medieval Fairy, beginning to spread to the rest of Europe, and would one day lead to the modern vision of tiny little fairies with gossamer wings.

The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Tuatha De Danann

The Tuatha De Danann, which is often translated to mean ‘tribe of Dana,’ were the people of the Goddess Dana. Sometimes, they were considered to be the people of the god whose mother was Dana. The ancient Celts called them the Sidhe, the spirit-race of ancient Ireland. They are the source of the Faery Lineage.

Who Were the Tuatha De Danann?

The origins of the Tuatha De Danann are quite unclear. However, according to the traditional history of Ireland, specifically the Mythological Cycle, the Tuatha De Danann were the fourth waves of invaders to come to Ireland, conquering the Fir Bolg. Eventually, they would be challenged by the Milesians, and take refuge in the Underworld. They were to become the gods and goddesses of Ireland, worshipped, respected, and sometimes feared.

When they retreated, they moulded the Underworld to suit themselves. Their country of choice was Tir na nOg, the Land of Perpetual Youth. They lived here in beauty and joy, never aging, and never knowing pain, disease, or death. They were masters of sorcery and magick, and the Celts often said that the Tuatha De Danann had been sent from the stars to teach humanity about love and living in harmony with nature.

The Tuatha De Danann and the Faery Lineage

The Tuatha De Danann became a Faery people of Ireland, and many were great warriors under the High Kings of ancient Eire (another name for Ireland). Some of them even became a part of the legendary fiana. However, in time and with the changing beliefs of the people of Ireland, they began to dwindle.

Eventually, they lost the awesome power they had once possessed. They shifted with the Celts, and became the Daoine Sidhe and the Fenian Heroes. The Daoine Sidhe retained some of their god-like stature, while the Fenian Heroes were the poets, the romantics, and the warriors of the Tuatha De Danann. In time, even these incarnations would shift and change, eventually resulting in the modern view of the fairy.

These immortal characters greatly enriched the lives of the Celts. As fantastical creatures of magick, the Tuatha De Danann were the focus of songs and tales for thousands of years, and eventually became the stuff of legends and fairy tales, even into the modern era.

Wiccan Sabbat Ritual Recipes — Butterflied Lamb Recipe

One of the traditional foods for Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st, is lamb. Lamb can be prepared in many different ways and using many different herbs and spices. This recipe, which is designed to be prepared on a grill or barbeque, has been created specifically with Wiccans and Pagans in mind, using some of the spices of the season to make this dish more festive.

Ingredients For Butterflied Lamb

Have the following ingredients close at hand:

• 4 lbs boneless leg of lamb
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup mustard, coarse grained
• 8 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

To make preparing the lamb easier, ensure you have gathered all ingredients beforehand.

 

Preparing Butterflied Lamb

 

Before you begin your preparation, you will have to butterfly your leg of lamb. This is a simple enough process and can be done in just minutes. Slice the lamb approximately every inch or so, but only cut about halfway through the meat. Certainly do not cut any deeper than three-quarters through, or the meat will fall apart on the grill. Not only does this enhance the presentation of your dish, but it decreases cooking time. At some supermarkets and many butchers, you can purchase lamb that is already butterflied.

 

Combine the vinegar, mustard, garlic, rosemary, salt, black pepper, and olive oil in a large glass dish. This dish should be large enough that the entire leg of lamb can rest comfortably. Add the leg of lamb, and turn to coat completely and evenly. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least eight hours. The flavor of the lamb will be enhanced if you let it marinade longer, perhaps as long as two days.

 

When you are ready to cook the leg of lamb, remove it from the marinade. For health reasons, discard any remaining marinade. Grill the leg of lamb on a covered grill over medium briquettes for twenty-five to thirty minutes. Turn the leg of lamb at least four times during the cooking process. Before removing it from the grill, check the thickest portion of the lamb for desired doneness.

 

This recipe makes eight to ten servings. Butterflied Lamb is a favorite of many Wiccans and Pagans around the time of Imbolc. Though it can be served all year round, it is especially appropriate in the winter, as it is warm and savory. It will make a wonderful addition to any table, especially when paired with young fresh vegetables or omelets.

Types of Animal Totems

Totem animals are sacred spiritual guides who will instruct and protect you when you need them most. They have skills and abilities that can help to deepen your understanding of yourself and your own inner strength. However, most people do not realize that there are different types of totem animals, and that each has something unique to contribute. In general, there are four types of animal guides:

• Life totem;
• Message totem;
• Journey totem; and
• Shadow totem.

The Life Animal Totem and Its Significance

 

A life totem is the animal that follows your throughout your life, in a spiritual sense. This animal’s primary purpose is to protect a child, guide an adolescent, and wait for instruction from an adult. Its purpose will change as you grow and expand, but usually, your life totem will not change as you mature.

 

There is an exception to this, however. Emotional trauma that alters your very nature can sometimes cause a shift in life totems. For example, a child who loses a parent will sometimes change life totems. A parent who loses a child will almost always receive a new totem. Divorce is another common trigger.

 

This is not to say that these events will cause your life totem to change. But it could, so if you know who your life totem is, and you do experience emotional trauma, you would be wise to search within yourself to determine if your life totem is still the same.

 

The Significance of the Journey Totem Animal

 

Not everyone has a journey totem all of the time. This is because everyone undergoes different journeys at different times, and the purpose of the journey totem is to guide you through these journeys. For example, if you are recently divorced, the panther may become your journey totem animal until you are through this difficult time, and then it will fade away until it is needed again.

 

The purpose of the journey totem is to aid and assist you in completing your task. If you listen to your journey totem, you will find that you receive advice that can help you, but only if you heed it. If a journey totem is ignored completely, it may abandon you before your journey is complete, so make sure you respect and honor your journey totem.

 

The Immediacy of the Message Animal Guide

 

If you receive a surprise message from an animal spirit that does not usually visit you, then you have just received a message from your message totem. Message totems are very short-term, and usually only stay long enough to deliver their messages.

 

Some people experience these types of ‘visitations’ every day, others much less frequently. If you do receive a message from an unexpected totem, then you should heed it immediately, for the message is probably important to the present, not the future. These messages are usually received at the tail end of a dream, or sometimes immediately upon waking.

 

The Importance of the Shadow Totem Animal

 

The shadow totem is perhaps the totem that has the most impact on an ongoing basis. This is the totem that hunts and stalks you throughout life, trying to bring you down as a hunter would its prey. If you hide from or ignore this totem, it will continue to haunt you, looking for an opportunity to strike. The shadow totem can describe fears and anxieties, and is often an animal that truly frightens you.

 

If you wish to be free of it, you must discover the identity of your shadow totem. Confront what this totem represents, face your fears, and accept this totem as a part of you. If you can do this, then the shadow totem becomes a friend and companion, instead of a threat.

 

Each of these totems has a lesson to teach. And each of them is important in its own way. These totems should not be ignored, but should be sought out for their guidance and their wisdom. If you can find your animal totems, you can access their ancient knowledge.