The Irish Queen Medb: History, Tradition, and Modern Pagan Practice

by Lora O'Brien

Overview

It is told throughout the lands that the jealousy, spite, and arrogance, of Ireland's Queen Medb started the great battle of the Táin Bó Cuailgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley). But is this accurate? Is this the true story of Medb?

Examining this historical and mythological figure - with the guidance of a native expert in Irish heritage and spirituality - exposes a tangled web of cultural context which is missing from most of her tales. While the commonly available stories seem to focus only on the faults and foibles of the ruler of the western province, Connacht, from her seat at Cruachan (Rathcroghan), this work takes us on a deep dive through the core aspects of the information that is available about the Irish Queen - or Goddess - Medb (Maeve), so we can see what was really going on. 

Peppering the book with direct quotes and authentic snippets from the original manuscript source lore, the author also explains and expands upon these often dense and occasionally confusing texts, in ways which make the material approachable and understandable. Given this firm foundation, along with the sharing of unique and personal experiences throughout Ireland at the sites most sacred to Medb, the reader can easily follow where the author has walked. This is a path that leads to solid spiritual connection within a modern Pagan practice, guided by a native Irish Draoí.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913821111
Publisher:	Eel & Otter Press
Publication date:	11/13/2020
Series:	Celtic Pagan Practice Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	202
Sales rank:	771,308
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Lora is an Author, Teacher, and Guide: born and raised in Ireland, with 25+ years personal and professional experience in our history, heritage, archaeology, mythology, and pre-christian Irish Spirituality. She is a modern Draoí - a practitioner and priest of native Irish magic and spirituality. Lora has been consciously following a Pagan path since 1994, and dedicated specifically to the Irish Goddess Mórrígan in 2004. She managed one of Ireland's most important sacred sites - Cruachán/Rathcroghan - for a decade, and is a co-founder and Reverend legal celebrant with Pagan Life Rites Ireland. With her partner, Jon O'Sullivan (An Scéalaí Beag), she runs EelandOtterPress.net, and the IrishPaganSchool.com - an online learning environment where you can connect to the heritage, culture and spirituality of Ireland in an authentic and meaningful way, every day. Lora has three children, one grandchild... but never enough plants in her life to keep her happy. Though she's not really one for a lot of responses to personal private messages - consider that your fair warning - you can find her in the comments section on her YouTube Channel content a couple of times a week, sending regular Irish Resources emails to her busy mailing list at LoraOBrien.ie, engaging with her Patron Members at Patreon.com/LoraOBrien, and personally moderating some very active community groups over on Facebook: The Morrigan's Cave, Learn Ogham, Journeys in the Irish Otherworld, and the Irish Pagan School Community.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One - Who?

Medb of Cruachán, or Medb Lethderg?

Physical Description of Medb

Medb's Mammy & Daddy

Medb's Siblings

Medb's Lovers. And Husbands.

Medb's Children

Chapter Two - When?

The Story Cycles

Manuscript Sources

• Aided Lócha & Aided Lóthair
• Aided Meidbe
• Aided Úaland
• Aislinge Óenguso
• Bruiden Da Choca
• Comrád chindcherchailli
• Conailla Medb míchuru
• Dinnshenchas of Duma Selga
• Dinnshenchas of Fert Medba
• Ferchuitred Medba
• Fled Bricrenn (also Fled Bricrend)
• Formolta Con Culainn
• Goire Conaill Chernaig ocus Aided Ailella ocus Conaill Chernaig
• Scéla mucce Meic Da Thó
• Táin Bó Cúailnge
• Táin Bó Fraích
• Táin Bó Regamain
• Tochmarc Treblainne
• Verba Scáthaige

Chapter Three - Where?

Irish Archaeology

Medb's Places - The Big Three

• Cruachán - Rathcroghan
• Inis Cloithrinn - Inchcleraun
• Cnoc na Riabh or Knocknarea

And a Couple of Others...

• Cnoc Meadha or Knockma
• Rath Medb
• Rath Mór

Other Sites Named for Medb

Chapter Four - What?

Brehon Laws and the Types of Marriage

Cattle in Ireland

Her Name

Sovereignty and Husbands

Queen or Goddess?

Medb's Death

Lakes and Rivers and Wells

Chapter Five - Why & How?

A Cult of Priesthood?

• Journey at Rath Medb, December 2019
• Journey at Inis Cloithrinn, February 2020

The End... And the Beginning

• P.S.

Interview Excerpts - How Others Practice

Pronunciation Guide

Bibliography

Online Resources

Alphabetical List of Texts & Publications Featuring Medb

• TEXTS
• PUBLICATIONS

About the Author

Also by Lora O'Brien