1. IRISH GODDESSES (Lecture 21)

2. Celtic Goddesses ContinentalSphere of Influence Matronaechildbirth; fertility Rosmertafertility Eponahorse; war; fertility

3. Matronae triple goddesses stages of life (?): young, with child/pregnant, with patera association with children, childbirth, fertility

4. Rosmerta (“Great Provider”) goddess of plenty patera, cornucopia association with Roman Mercury Celtic-Roman syncretism

5. Epona protectress of donkeys, mules, horses fertility associations with warfare leader of souls (“after-life ride”)

6. Ireland Banba Fodla Eriu Amairgin encounters Banba Amairgin encounters Fodla Amairgin names land after Eriu

7. Machas 1 : Macha (“Meadow”) Machas 1 Macha (1) marries Nemed; gives name to Ard Macha (Armaugh) ------------------------------------------------------------ (2) marries Cimbaeth; seduces and enslaves sons of rival claimant to throne ------------------------------------------------------------ (3) marries Cruniuch; gives birth (and name) to Emain Macha (“Twins of Macha”); inflicts noínden on men of Ulaid

8. Machas 2 : Badb (“Crow”) Machas 2 Badb black crow of battle eel, wolf, red crow ----------------------------------------------------------- pregnant hag (cailleach) young bride (be find) with red ale of kingship

9. cailleach (“Veiled One”) creation of mountains rules Samhain to Beltaine approaches young king-to-be for sex transforms into be find (beautiful woman) after sex confers kingship (flaith) with gold cup of red ale (laith)

10. Machas 3: Mórrígan (“Great Queen,” “Nightmare Queen”) Machas 3Mórrígan Nemain ------------- Badb ------------- Mórrígan magically causes battlefield panic marries wargod Neit ---------------------------------------- marries wargod Neit eel, wolf, crow perches above the dead or dying pregnant hag (cailleach) young bride (be find) ---------------------------------------- mates with Dagda at Samhain Washer at Ford (= banshee)

11. The Washer at the Ford (bean nighe / bean sídh) spirit of woman who died in childbirth ugly hag (one nostril, one tooth, sagging breasts) washes grave-clothes/armor of those about to die bean sídh  banshee prophesies upcoming deaths

12. Celtic Goddesses & Tripartite Society CLASSDEITYATTRIBUTE king/priest Morrigan Bedb Macha multiple husbands be find with red ale horse-race at Emain Macha warrior Nemain Bedb Morrigan battlefield frenzy and panic theriomorphic appearances (crow) Washer at the Ford fertility/sexuality Bedb Macha Morrigan sheela-na-gig (hag)  be find (beautiful woman) multiple husbands/horse form ritual mating with Dagda

13. Sheela-na-gig < Sighle-na-gigh (“old cunt hag”) territorial / war / sovereignty / fertility / sexuality goddess? positioning over doorways and other entrances possible apotropaic function pan-European extension (not limited to Celtic realms)