Morrígan and the 10-Card Celtic Cross Spread

[starborn]

Continuing the discussion from Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Celtic Magick:

Since my last entry started with a discussion about crows, it feels like the perfect time to delve into the Morrígan.

The Morrígan

In January of last year, I began exploring the Morrígan as part of my journey toward understanding deities. During one of my first readings, we drew two cards representing two powerful goddesses: the Morrígan and Hekate. The first card was “The Tower,” which we felt represented the Morrígan—the formidable Celtic Goddess of death and guardian of the dead. She is deeply associated with war, battle, and fate. She is renowned for her shape-shifting abilities, often taking the form of crows or ravens. As a triple goddess, the Morrígna, she embodies three aspects: Badb, Macha, and Nemain, which are integral to her identity and influence.

I discovered that devotees of the Morrígan seek her guidance in magic, witchcraft, and death work. She assists her followers with shadow work, helping them confront and heal from trauma, and offers protection. Her fierce and powerful nature demands respect, but those who earn her favour and take the time to understand her often find a stern yet loving mother figure. The Morrígan is known to disrupt our lives, but these upheavals ultimately lead to growth and transformation. Sound familiar?

Symbols and signs associated with the Morrígan include ravens and crows, her primary forms and messengers. I learnt that if I were to find myself surrounded by death or involved in death work, the Morrígan may be reaching out. Feeling drawn to work through deep-seated trauma can also be a sign of her influence. Additionally, an attraction to the left-hand path, which involves unconventional and often taboo practices, might also indicate her presence in my life.

Fast-forward to today. I’ve long since run out of my Morrígan candles and oils, but I still have some items dedicated to her. These include some loose incense, black feathers, and a triskelion plate.

[starborn]

Offerings

The incense includes juniper berries, which take three years to mature, making them sacred to the Triple Goddess. They’re suitable for rituals dedicated to Badb and Nemain and divination or protection rituals.

Mugwort, another component, can help regulate menstruation and be used when working with the Morrígan in her Mother or fertile aspects. It’s also used to aid in psychic workings and for cleansing crystal balls and other divination tools. Mugwort tea can be offered to Macha or Badb before performing divination, which I made and added to another small container.

The black feathers symbolise crows and represent the abyss, where all energy gathers before taking shape and form. Black can symbolise the Crone or Badb and be used to banish negative energies or people. While black is often associated with death, the Celts connected it with the earth and rich fertile soil (white was connected with death, similar to some East Asian cultures).

CW: Alcohol.

Looking into the cupboard—now full of alcohol thanks to generous gifts—I sought something for the altar. Red wine, reminiscent of blood, is an appropriate offering to honour the Morrígan in any guise and ritual. Lacking red wine, I explored other options…

Beer, notably Guinness or other dark beers, is an appropriate offering to Macha, associated with horses. Historically, beer was given to horses to give their coats a healthy sheen.

If planning to burn a petition or do fire scrying, whiskey in a fireproof container or cauldron could be used. Whiskey, made from fermenting grains, is suitable for honouring the Morrígan as the goddess of the land.

Milk, believed to have therapeutic properties, was left on doorsteps for the Fairy Folk and used in healing and fertility rituals. It’s an appropriate offering for Anu, Áine, Macha, and the Morrígan in her guise as Queen of the Faeries. A cup of milk mixed with a tablespoon of honey can replace wine in rituals invoking Morgan le Fay or the Fair Folk.

Since the Morrígan is also connected with rivers and water in many myths. Filtered spring water or water from a holy well can be placed on her altar or used as an offering. This simple but meaningful offering is appropriate for all the Morrígan’s guises.

In the end, I poured some mead—a sweet wine made from honey—as I didn’t have any red wine. The Celts considered mead the drink of the gods. It’s used for fertility rituals and summer rites and is an appropriate offering for Áine, Anu, and Maeve. Although it wasn’t quite the right timing, it called to me the most.

I then lit a black candle and prepared to do the spread, starting with a chant that combined one available on the Spells8 page with the descriptions for each of the cards.

[starborn]

Incantation

Great Queen Morrígan,

Hear me, for I stand as your devoted Priestess and Warrior. As I navigate life’s trials and joys, I implore you to protect me from harm, whether it be by intent or ignorance. Grant me your fierce strength and unwavering protection as I embark on this journey.

In the Present, I call upon your wisdom to reveal the state of my mind, body, and spirit. May I be ever steady, calm, and centred. Allow me to be present and embodied, with my mind like water—clinging to nothing and untroubled.

In the Challenge, guide me to recognise and confront obstacles with clarity and resolve. May I act decisively, with truth and wisdom as my guideposts, and approach each challenge with honour, wisdom, compassion, and love.

In the Past, help me understand the events that have shaped my current path. Illuminate the lessons I must carry forward, and show me how to let go of what no longer serves my highest good.

In the Future, reveal the potential outcomes and directions my journey may take. May I walk this path with confidence, knowing that your guidance lights my way.

In the Above, bestow upon me insight and divine inspiration. Allow me to see the bigger picture, and to align my actions with the higher purpose you have set before me.

In the Below, ground me in the strength and stability of your ancient wisdom. May I remain connected to the earth and my roots, drawing resilience and power from the depths of your eternal presence.

In the Advice, offer me counsel on how to proceed. May I know when to cut and when to be cut, moving with the guile and cunning you embody. Teach me to navigate between the worlds with suppleness and resiliency.

In the External Influences, reveal the energies and forces around me. Clothe me in your protection so that I may move through them unscathed and aware.

In the Hopes and Fears, help me to understand my deepest desires and anxieties. May I confront them with bravery and transform them into sources of strength and insight.

In the Outcome, show me the culmination of my journey. May I see the fruits of my actions and the realisation of my goals, all guided by your powerful hand.

Great Morrígan, with your guidance, may my actions and words always stem from a place of honour, wisdom, compassion, and love. Protect me and guide me, as I seek your counsel through the spread of the Celtic Cross.

With that, I proceeded to draw the cards…

[starborn]

10-Card Celtic Cross Spread

The Ten of Swords represents the influences and positive forces that accompany me, painting a vivid picture of suffering, betrayal, and desolation. This card tells me that pain has reached its peak and that a resolution is on the horizon. The skull, impaled in every direction and heavy with gold, symbolises the precipice I’ve arrived at, urging me to seek a new starting point, which feels closely connected to my recent breakthrough in breaking out of my trauma cycle.

The Emperor highlights the obstacles and complications in my current situation. His less decorated appearance nods to practicality, and his deliberate stance with the sword invokes power and authority. To overcome these hurdles, I must confront issues related to law, structure, ambition, and leadership, likely involving the enforcement of boundaries and making myself heard.

The Queen of Rings represents an ideal situation or a possible future yet to be realised. She embodies intelligence, trustworthiness, security, generosity, and resourcefulness. Holding a ring overhead and gazing upward, she contemplates the greater world beyond material wealth. This card encourages me to continue nurturing, supporting, and taking responsibility, drawing strength from neem’s protective and therapeutic properties.

The Knight of Rings delves into the subconscious origin of my concerns, explaining how I arrived at my current position. The Knight wields his ring as a chakram, symbolising duality and the extremes of his station. He stands for hard work, dedication, and responsibility but also represents inflexibility and conservative attitudes. The chakram in his hand can both save and harm, mirroring the dual nature of my journey.

Justice reflects my past and the events that have led to my present situation. Justice holds a spiked mace, representing patience, deliberation, and the inevitability of resolution. The balanced and composed figure quietly promises a strong and sometimes brutal resolution. The amaltas tree and its medicinal flowers overhead remind me of justice’s therapeutic properties, emphasising the importance of righting wrongs, accepting the consequences, and abiding by the truth, which again ties into my breaking free from my trauma cycle.

The Three of Cups points to where I am heading and what awaits me in the coming weeks or months. This card, associated with friendships, ties, and bonds, signifies celebration and sharing good intentions and news. The imagery of golden tea pouring over a jubilant sunflower highlights the joy and camaraderie that lie ahead, promising a time of connection and happiness.

The Queen of Cups represents my attitude and symbolises unconditional love, compassion, empathy, and patience. Like the lotus flower blooming from mud, I often manage to emerge from hardship with beauty, deep thoughtfulness, and a willingness to understand others’ circumstances.

The Seven of Rings reflects my environment and external influences, signifying reflection on finances, social standing, business, and the fruits of my labour. The upward gesture suggests contemplation, while the hard-to-cultivate cardamom plant symbolises the challenges and rewards of my efforts, implying that others perceive me as hardworking, resilient, and prosperous.

The Two of Wands, representing my hopes and fears, reveals my hidden emotions, desires, and anxieties about the future. This card signifies courage, power, and venturing into new experiences without fear, reflecting my fear of becoming more arrogant or less empathetic as I exhibit these qualities. The crossed dill mimics the branching forks in life’s path, indicating the choices and possibilities ahead, urging me to embrace new opportunities bravely.

Finally, the Two of Cups, the outcome of my situation, concerns partnership and romantic energy. This card signifies new relationships and opportunities or the endurance of old love. However, I sense it is more about the latter. The imagery of skulls gazing at each other as if enraptured speaks to the deep connections and bonds that will shape my future, promising a time of profound emotional fulfilment and partnership, which I am starting to see with my partner as we grow closer through our healing and shared time together.

[starborn]

The Work

Firstly, cultivating leadership and structure involves developing a balanced routine that includes dedicated time for work, self-care, and relaxation. For example, setting clear boundaries is crucial in a professional setting to maintain balance and authority.

To nurture and support myself, I can engage in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and hobbies like reading or playing games. Reflecting on the past and what I have learned can also be beneficial. Writing down lingering thoughts or emotions and performing a symbolic ritual, such as burning or burying the paper, can help release these feelings.

To avoid the aforementioned rigidity, I will need to keep a consistent habit of staying open-minded, challenging my assumptions, and considering new perspectives. Engaging in discussions with people who have different viewpoints can help broaden my understanding. Trying new activities and incorporating mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation will help me remain present and adaptable to changing circumstances.

I believe the point regarding cherishing friendships involves reconnecting with old friends and maintaining regular meet-ups and virtual calls. It also means being supportive in times of need by offering a listening ear, words of encouragement, and practical help, demonstrating that I value and care for my friends.

Finally, acknowledging challenges and rewards will involve keeping a journal to document daily achievements and challenges. I can use it to reflect on what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown from these experiences. Celebrating my accomplishments, no matter how small, can be done by treating myself or sharing my success with others. Regularly seeking feedback from trusted individuals, such as my partner and close friends, will provide valuable insights into my progress and areas for improvement.

[tracyS]

This is fabulous and so detailed. I feel working with The Morrigan will be an adventure for you. She’s helped me right at the beginning of my journey unscrambling the mess I was in. . This is a beautiful experience you’ve shared.

[Artemisia]

What a stunning entry! Glorious photos and heartfelt details. Can’t love it more!!!

[MeganB]

What a beautiful and thought-filled entry, @starborn I always love reading your reflections because they help me see things in my own life that I might not have before. Plus, it’s always a wonderful way to view your growth because even if you can’t see it now, I can tell you that you have grown immensely in both your personal and spiritual life. I can feel it in the way you write. Thank you for sharing this experience with us!

[Phoenix_Rose]

This was beautiful. I like your prayer to the Goddess. I hope you don’t mind, that I modified it a bit to use with the Goddess Danu.

[BryWisteria]

@starborn

I poured some mead—a sweet wine made from honey

A delicious choice - I’m sure it was appreciated!

Your reflections and experience are beautiful to read, and I’m always impressed by your photography, @starborn! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely 10-card spread and deity reflections. This was a lovely reading to get to experience

[starborn]

@tracyS

I feel working with The Morrigan will be an adventure for you.

Thank you~ I think so, too. I’m discovering a lot of things I can work on. But not in a searching for perfection kind of way, rather, something closer to an adventure of discovery.

@Artemisia

Glorious photos and heartfelt details.

Thank you~ I almost skipped the photos, but I felt like I needed to break up the text even more.

@MeganB

I can tell you that you have grown immensely in both your personal and spiritual life. I can feel it in the way you write.

Aww, thank you~ I hadn’t considered that it might be so visible to others. But it’s nice to know.

@Phoenix_Rose

I hope you don’t mind, that I modified it a bit to use with the Goddess Danu.

Thank you~ And of course, feel free to use and modify as you desire.

@BryWisteria

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely 10-card spread and deity reflections.

Thank you~ I appreciate being able to have the space to do so.

I still need to work on tying all the cards together as a linear story in readings that I do, as I tend to read each card on their own. But it was nice to finally try the Celtic Cross!

[starborn]

I just read something about the Morrígan and Macha. The Morrígan being known for her role in the legends and sagas of the Ulaid known as the Ulster Cycle, and Macha being associated with the province of Ulster and known for her curse on the men there…

The Irish family name in my ancestry traces back to Ulster. I wonder if this is why the Morrígan has been the only Celtic deity to jump out at me so far?

I will need to dig much more into this in the future.

[MeganB]

Ohh that’s interesting! The curse on the men of Ulster is a tale of a woman scorned and men who should have known better. The curse is a main factor in the Táin Bó Cúailnge, too, and the reason Cú Chulainn basically fought the battle on his own.

I hope you find answers!