There is something magical and special about venturing into an old growth forest. When you cross the threshold into its depths, the sounds change as the familiar drifts away. The colours more vibrant as your eyes adjust. The wind is different, the smells are equally primal and calming.

As Midsummer and solstice approach, let us not neglect to venture into places such as these, where mighty and ancient spirits await within.

Gods love you

Brigid was the Celtic Goddess of knowledge, healing, poetry, agriculture and protection. She was the daughter of the Dagda (see previous entry) and the wife of a king of the Tuatha De Danann, Bres.

According to ‘Sanas Chormaic’, an Irish glossary from 1868, Bridgid was well known for her ‘Protecting care’. The glossary also describes her as a ‘Woman of wisdom’ and a ‘Goddess of poets’.

Queen Medb of Connacht was one of the most famous figures from Irish folklore. There are many references to Medbh in ‘The Metrical Dindshenchas’ (‘Lore of places’) which is a text from early Irish literature.

Medb is described as a woman that was ‘great and glorious’ with ‘pure beauty’. Medbh had several husbands, including Ailill mac Máta. She was said to be cunning and ambitious and she had the power to gather all the men of Connacht in one day.

“Return to Itaka”
by Rafał Olbinski (2021)

Humility is a virtue that contrasts pride. Being able to admit fault, one’s willingness to remain teachable, is a vitally important part of one’s character.

🐗 THE CELTIC BOAR:

To the Celtic peoples the animals of the Earth were sacred, where even the Gods of the Celts took on animalistic appearances such as antlers. But out of all the animals the Celts venerated such as fish and deer, one stood above the rest—especially in Continental Europe.

The Boar for the Continental Celts held special significance. To the Celts it represented fearlessness, courage, strength, bravery, stubbornness, wealth, fertility, abundance and good health. It became the symbol for the Carynx and was especially popular among Celtic warriors who would mimic the ferocity of the wild boar on the battlefield.

In Celtic art and artifacts across Europe we see that the boar was widely respected and venerated. Being depicted alongside the Gods among other animals. While on the battlefield, the Celtic warrior would emulate the virtues of the boar with bravery, strength and fearlessness.

🖼️ Celtic Warrior fighting a Germanic Warrior, 100 BCE, by Angus McBride.

Remember… 💭

You know you’ve grown when you enter a room you’ve walked in thousands of times before and you’re not feeling any shred of doubt, nervosity or any sort of anxious feeling. You’ve levelled up. You’ve proved yourself, in and at other places and rooms so that when you step in this old acquainted room you carry all that experience with you without you even realizing it. Others can tell and will know. And you will too.

Sir Galahad 1881 | Herbert Gustave Schmalz (1856-1935)

Recommended: “Treasure Trove of Irish Myth and Folklore” by William Butler Yeats.

"No matter how small, a change can still be part of something greater. Even then, when he held a position of power, he fought for all of them to be treated equally. He considered everyone as a human being, even those who stood against him."

The Power of the Powerless
Vaclav Havel
October, 1978

Can they actually change anything? ... The potential of the powerless can only begin with an examination of the nature of power in the circumstances in which these powerless people operate.