Danu, Gaelic Goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Danu and Riders of the Sidhe
I love mythologies of the world. All the gods and goddesses are fascinating. It is the Gaelic stories and legends I study the most, and it is the goddess Danu I connect to with my own spiritual truths. She is the Mother Goddess of the Tuatha De Danann, the pagan gods whose legends are based on the Vikings. The Vikings are my paternal ancestor’s who migrated to and settled in Ireland around 800. My father, during times of meditation, spoke the Gaelic language, but could not remember the words to interpret them.
The main attributes of Danu are water (especially rivers), nature, and creative expression. I am devoted to these same interests. Water and Earth are my elements and creative expression is in my soul.
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Danu, beloved Mother of the Tuatha De Danann,
You blessed your people with the love of creativity,
Nurtured them to strength and shared your
Esoteric wisdom with them.
May your legends live forever in the hearts of
The people of Ireland, the Irish diaspora,
And their descendants in the world of today.
In ancient times you were honored,
Respected and looked to for protection
Of the land and people who loved you.
Goddess of the rivers that nourish the Earth,
Rivers in nature which help us to learn about
The flow of life, as the water passes by like
Moments in time, no moment the same,
And never to return.
This tells us to live each moment with love,
Harmony and balance, for that moment,
Like the water that passes, cannot be relived.
You instilled in your people the art of magic,
Magical tools to strengthen their already
Powerful abilities, like the Spear of Lugh
Which struck its mark when Lugh released
It from his hand, its target found each time.
The Dagda’s Cauldron never runs empty,
The Stone of Destiny, to endow kings with long reigns,
Nuada’s Sword of Light kept its keeper from defeat.
These are the four legendary treasures of Ireland,
Brought by the Tuath Dé in antiquity
To the new home you guided them to,
With these tools in the hands of mighty warriors,
Many battles they fought and won,
For 150 years they reigned in peace,
Till they were defeated by the Milesians,
Who take Ireland and the Tuath Dé
Take the land below, the Otherworld,
To become part of the Sidhe,
Where they still abide today.
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© 2017 Phyllis Doyle Burns
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“It is God who suffered them, though He restrained them
they landed with horror, with lofty deed,
in their cloud of mighty combat of spectres,
upon a mountain of Conmaicne of Connacht.
Without distinction to descerning Ireland,
Without ships, a ruthless course
the truth was not known beneath the sky of stars,
whether they were of heaven or of earth.”
– Lebor Gabála Érenn,
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Critiques are Welcome
I have always liked to write.It is important to me that writing comes from my heart and soul. When writing poetry, if I do not feel a spiritual connection to what I am writing on, I will discard it and go on to something I can connect with on a spiritual level. I live in the moment, I write from the past or beyond the veil. When writing fiction I go with whatever inspires me at the moment - it could be funny, sorrowful, romantic or sometimes done with the use of colloquial language from mountain folk or other cultural regions.
I began writing content online in 2007, starting with BellaOnline - A Voice For Women, where I was the Native American Editor, Folklore & Mythology Editor, and the Appalachian Editor. I also wrote articles forThe Examiner, Daily Two Cents, and Yahoo. I am currently an author on HubPages.
Most of what I write takes a lot of research and I love it. Even if it is a fictional story, I will research for accuracy in whatever it takes to make my characters, their era, their location, etc. become realistic to the reader.
I hope you enjoy my works. Thank you for visiting.
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I too love mythologies Phyllis, but certainly haven’t the knowledge that you have. I know your an old soul and that it plays a big part in your completeness as a person. Mythology has always intrigued me, I remember as a small boy watching Hercules and wanted to grow up with his strength and character. Everything Roman and Greek enthralled me. Being from an Irish British ancestry the first grand parent to leave for Canada departed in 1754 from Yorkshire, England. My father’s mother is Irish, born in Dublin. The British is from my grandfather and my mothers side. I love things all IRISH;-)) Its on my bucket list to visit the Emerald Eyre. One of my favorite Irish movies was the Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and the fiery red head, Maureen O’Hara. This work you posted here is absolutely wonderful Phyllis, I was entranced by your knowledge and love of it too.
Another wonderful write about mythology and the tales of our predecessors. Beautifully researched and penned as always. You really have a flare for this kind of knowledge and expression. Great work Phyllis, love it!
Thank you, Tony. I appreciate the compliment.
What a beautiful tribute to Irish Mythology, Phyllis. I really enjoyed the reference to the Goddess of the river to remind us of the flow of life, ever fluid and changing as life does. It’s remarkable how this legends are timeless and passed down within the hearts of it’s people, providing strength and enhancing purpose. Just lovely, enjoyed the piece as well as the way you crafted the format, including a brief history and ending with a thoughtful quote.
Best,
Mel
Thank you so much, Mel. I am glad you like it so much. I could disappear for days when wandering into ancient lands and mythology. The beauty of legends like this is how they so accurately reflect on life today, for they are abundant with metaphors and life lessons. Thanks again. Take care.
I have no previous knowledge of this Irish/ Gaelic mythological tale, Phyllis. Thank you for sharing so elequaintly.
Thank you, John. There is very little written about Danu. One has to study the Tuatha de Danann and Viking history to pull out Danu’s story. Her history is deeply embedded in ancient Irish and Welsh history, but as with many godesses, she was lost in time. Thanks again, John.
I enjoyed reading this excellent piece Phyllis, but then having Irish blood and a well written page of news from home ensured it would be well liked. Well done, I thought I must read more of your works. One minor oversight in your edit (if you don’t mind me saying) “with long reins,” or reigns? Either way f-f-fits. Lovely.
Thank you so much, Rob. I am glad you enjoyed it. My father was a great storyteller and loved to treat us to beautiful legends in mythologies – with his Irish ancestry he instilled in me the beauty of and love for Celtic, as well as Greek mythology. Long ago I wrote a trilogy about the Vikings history in Ireland, the third was the ‘Final Destination of the Gods’. I will see if I can dig those up from some old files. Thanks again, Rob. (I corrected ‘reins’ – funny how I missed that without a backwards glance. 🙂 ). Take care.