The wheel of the year is just about to turn and we will be welcoming in the first of the Harvest festivals, Lughnasadh, on August 1st. Lughnasadh is roughly translated to mean Lugh's Assembly (Lugh being one of the High Kings or Ireland and member of the Tuatha Dé Danann) and so we commonly associate this time of year with the many skilled God Lugh. However, Lugh's Assembly was actually founded in honour of his foster mother Tailtiu who died on August 1st. The story of TailtiuTailtiu (pronounced Tal-chew) was the daughter of the king of Spain and the wife of Eochaid mac Eirc - the last of the Fir Bolg kings of Ireland. Tailtiu was a beautiful and beloved Queen and Druidess - she was known as one of the most learned women in Europe. She reminds me of Hypatia, dedicated to knowledge of science and the mysteries. When Ireland was invaded by the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Fir Bolg were defeated and Tailtiu's husband was killed. Tailtiu survived and remarried Eochu Garb of the Danann and became foster mother to high born Lugh who was of Tuatha Dé Danann and Formorian heritage. Fosterage was very common in Ireland at this time, in particular in Royal families as a way of gaining alliances. Tailtiu being so skilled in the arts herself, then trained Lugh in all that she knew as well as battle and he went on to become a High King of Ireland and known as Samildánach, one who is skilled in all the arts. Tailtiu dedicated her life to the land and to her foster son Lugh. She worked tirelessly to clear and prepare the land for farming and in the end it claimed her life. "When the fair wood was cut down by her, roots and all, out of the ground, before the year's end it became Bregmag, it became a plain blossoming with clover. Her heart burst in her body from the strain beneath her royal vest; not wholesome, truly, is a face like the coal, for the sake of woods or pride of timber. Long was the sorrow, long the weariness of Tailtiu, in sickness after heavy toil; the men of the island of Erin to whom she was in bondage came to receive her last behest. She told them in her sickness (feeble she was but not speechless) that they should hold funeral games to lament her - zealous the deed." - https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T106500D/text033.html Lugh was so devoted to Tailtiu that when she died he was devastated and worked hard to carry out her wishes. Before her death, Tailtiu had already chosen her place of burial at Teltown and this is where the funeral rites and celebrations took place. As mentioned previously, Lughnasadh roughly translates to Lugh's Assembly and was the funeral rites and celebrations that he set up in honour of his foster Mother. This went on to be called Áenach Tailteann and was a festival that took place each year on August 1st (which was the day she died) and lasted for many weeks. These festivals were mostly famous for their sporting and art competitions - the sporting part of this event became so famous throughout Europe it is thought to have inspired the Greek Olympic games. The festivals also comprised of chants and laments sung by the druids to honour the dead, handfastings and arranged marriages, and fairs selling food and wears. This also became a time when laws were decided and disputes settled. Áenach Tailteann was also to be a time of peace as declared by Tailtiu herself:
In terms of the wheel of the year, Tailtiu's death signifies the death of the growing season and the start of harvest. Hers is a story of motherly love, sacrifice for the greater good and dignified and loving rulership. Tailtiu teaches us the importance of grace in the face of adversity and the importance of leaving a legacy of peace. Tailtiu's name is thought to mean 'Great one of the earth'; she is Queen, Mother, Protectress, Druidess, Teacher, and Goddess of the arts.
I really hope you enjoy connecting to Tailtiu this Lughnasadh and that she blesses you with her wisdom, grace and abundance!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Welcometo the sisters of the moon blog. Here we get to share with you moon magic, astrology insights, seasonal inspirations and much more. JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
MembershipJOIN US IN THE LUNAR TEMPLE FOR 2022
E-ZineOnline CoursesWOMEN'S CIRCLE FACILITATOR TRAINING
Archives
May 2022
CategoriesFree Online Bookclub |