Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - In Irish mythology, we come across a number of stories about shape-shifting beings. These shape-shifters are often gods, goddesses, magicians, witches, fairies, and other supernatural creatures.
In ancient times, it was believed that it was possible to transform humans into animals by using magic. Such transformation often occurred against the will of those affected, but there are also many stories of powerful gods and goddesses who simply possessed the ability to shapeshift into basically anything.
Credit: Adobe Stock - Andrey Burmakin
Morrígan, whose name translates to “great queen” or “phantom queen” was the Celtic goddess of war. She represented the circle of life and was associated with both birth and death. She is also described as being the patroness of revenge, magic, priestesses, night, prophecy, and witches.
Goddess Morrígan Meets Cuchulainn
Morrígan was a remarkable shapeshifter who watched over rivers, freshwater, and lakes. Her astonishing ability to shapeshift was demonstrated during her meeting with the mythical Irish hero Cuchulainn.
Among all of the Irish legends about adventures, voyages, great battles, invasions, and gods, perhaps Cuchulainn is the main hero of the Ulster Cycle.
Morrígan’s encounter with Cuchulainn is described in detail in the Cattle Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge).
Cuchulainn: Irish Mythical Hero And His Cruel Magical Spear Gae Bolg
In this account, the following conversation revealed her ability to both change form and threaten.
When her advances were rejected she replied: ‘I’ll get under your feet in the ford in the shape of an eel and make sure you fall.’
Cuchulainn answered: ‘I’ll get you between my toes and I’ll break your ribs . . .’ To this the Morrígan replied: ‘I’ll come as a grey she-wolf, and stampede cattle into the ford against you.’
Cuchulainn was undeterred, saying: ‘I’ll put your eye out with a stone from my sling . . .’
Finally, the Morrígan revealed her last threat: ‘I’ll come as a hornless red heifer, and lead the cattle to surge against you in the waters, whether ford or pool, and you’ll not know me.’
To which Cuchulainn responded: ‘I’ll fire a stone at you . . . and break the leg from under you . . .’
All of these things eventually happened as Cú Chulainn battled opponents at the ford of Áth Traiged.
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The Morrígan too was injured in this battle but was healed through another shape-shifting, when she appeared as an old woman milking a cow and the exhausted Cuchulainn was tricked into blessing her in return for three sips of milk.
Why Goddess Morrígan Was Similar To The Valkyries And Norns
Goddess Morrígan’s identity is still shrouded in mystery. She was one of the triple Goddesses in Celtic mythology. Some historians have suggested she was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Irish race of gods, founded by the goddess Danu.
Morrígan was associated with fate, especially with foretelling doom and death in battle. It’s only natural she appeared as a crow, flying above the battlefield. This is also the reason why Goddess Morrígan is associated with the Valkyries and Norns of Norse mythology.
Valkyrie (1869) by Peter Nicolai Arbo
In Norse mythology, the Valkyries were the choosers of the slain. The Valkyries were females riding on horses armed with helmets and spears. They would decide who would die in battle and drift over the battleground to find their prey.
In Old Norse mythology, the Norns were known as ‘Shapers of Destiny’. The Norns were goddesses who ruled the fates of people and determined the destinies and lifespans of individuals.
So, the stories of Morrígan certainly demonstrate many similarities between Irish and Norse mythology.
Updated onMarch 14, 2024
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
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