Chat Host:

OK, IF WE ARE ALL READY TO BEGIN

LET'S TAKE OUR SEATS PLEASE

MERRY MEET AND WELCOME TO WICCA 101! TONIGHTS CLASS WILL BE HOSTED BY BOUDICA

melilot:

where do i take my seat chatty or can i take someone else's seat instead {eg}

Chat Host:

SHE WILL BE GIVING AN OVERVIEW OF THE IRISH CYCLES AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE MYTHOLOGICAL

PLEASE KEEP ALL MM, BB, AND MP AND SIDE CONVERSATIONS IN IM DURING CLASS.

snowchild:

{takes seat, turns down Loreena Mckennit tape}

BOUDICA:

Boudica walks to the middle of the room, and takes a bow.....Thank you all for your WARM reception.....I have my macros ready if you are all ready..... I am covering a lot of material and suggest that if you are able to log the material you really should....

We are here this evening in the tradition of the ancient Celts and Irish to perform a time honored ritual, the listening to the Baird(ess) tell stories of the grand past of Ireland. It was the Baird's primary concern to pass on literature, praise poetry and history to a people who had no written language. They would gather on evenings such as this, after a meal, around the fires to hear the Baird weave magic with his stories and his harp. I can not use a harp here, as it would be a waste of time, and I can not play one anyway.

But, I can weave a tale. This evening I am going to pass on to you, in what may be considered a new oral tradition, some of the Traditional Irish Histories. Homer tells of a woman, a war, and the wrath of the god/esses in a story that was believed to be woven from myth and fantasy. However, we have located the site of the city of Troy, thanks to archeology and science. The Irish cycles, because of lack of evidence, are labeled as myth and legend. Till we find out otherwise, we can enjoy them, just as we enjoy Homer, and believe as we will.

There are Four Irish Cycles, the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle and the Historical Cycle. I will give a description of these four cycles, and we will explore the first, the Mythological Cycle. If it is enjoyed, we will endeavor to explore the other cycles at another class. The first cycle, the Mythological, is based on the Tuatha De Danann, or the Tribe of Dana, or the Children of Dana, from which the Faery Tradition is derived. This concerns itself with the 5 waves of invasion, presenting three certain colonization's of Ireland. Note that the 5th wave of invasion, the Milesians, or Celts, is fixed at about 1000 Before the Common Era (BCE), about the time of Solomon.

The second cycle, the Ulster, begins at the Common Era (AD), This is the story of King Conchobar (Conor MacNessa) of Ulster. The story is told in "The Sons of Usnach" and The Tain BoCualigne" (the Cattle Raid of Coolney). The foster son of King Conchobar is CuChulainn (pronounced Coo-Coolyn), the greatest of Irish heroes.

The third cycle is the Fenian or Ossianic Cycle, called that because of the author. These are the legends of Finn macCunaill and his roving Fiana (warbands). Finn's son was Oisin or Ossian. Finn's Fiana served King Cormac macAirt, the greatest of Irelands kings. Cormac is dated to the third century CE. The books recording this are "Teagasc an Riogh" (instructions of a King), "The Psalter of Tara" (no longer in existence). Cormac died circa 267CE. Both this and the Ulster Cycle are similar, but characteristics differ. Both are of heroes, but differ in modes of transport and camaraderie. While the Ulster Cycle is of forming the basis of Irish Life, the Fenian Cycle is a parallel of the Arthurian legends of Britain and is romantic in nature and celebrates outdoor life in the waste and wilds. The Agallanma Seanorach" (The Colloquy of the Ancients) accounts the Fiana's great doings, given to St. Patrick by Oisin and Caoilte, about 150 years later.

The fourth and last is the Historical Cycle. This is a collection of stories on various high Kings of Ireland and a number of provincial or lesser kings, circa third to eighth cent. CE. These are ConaireMor to Conn of the Hundred Battles, Niall of the Nine Hostages and the Dnall, son of Aed. Niall was the greatest King between the time of Cormac macAirt and the coming of Patrick. His descendants were Ard-Righs of Ireland for the next 600 years. This is also known as the Cycle of Kings, and are less magical, less heroic and less romantic. The focus on Kingship being is a marriage between King and realm.

We now focus on the Mythological Cycle. This cycle is concerned with the Five Waves of Invasions of Ireland. But first, a pause for questions.... and I have to change my macros{g}

Xori:

I have a question - how do you pronounce "baird"?

BOUDICA:

Same as bard, but it is the Old Irish spelling - Baird

Xori:

thank you

Nestor:

just a quick comment --The Tain one of the works Boudica mentioned will be one of the book read by the pagan reading group headed by Freinsch

BOUDICA:

anyone not understand or any questions?

CynaraMac:

Can you pronounce phonetically Tain Bo cualigne?

BOUDICA:

ok, we shall continue...

I'm not that good yet..... {G}

CynaraMac:

{G}

BOUDICA:

The first wave is called Partholan. He was the first groups leader. He was the son of Seara, son of Sru, of the family of Magog, and came to Ireland 22 years before the birth of Abraham, when the world was 1978 years. He landed at Kenmare (in the west) and had brought his wife, his three sons and their wives, and a thousand more. They settled in the middle of the island, and it was called Saimher, after the dog of Partholon's wife. Partholon killed the dog in a fit of rage, when he found that his wife had committed a (da!) misconduct with her attendant, named Todhga. She made no apology, saying that, in effect, can a man or woman be in close in private without meddling the one with the other. Partholan struck the dog and killed it. (I think he missed.) The reason Partholan came to Ireland is because he killed his parents (nice guy), and was fleeing for his life. For this displeased the gods, and they sent a plague on his race, even unto Ireland. Ireland was a waste for 30 years, till the coming of the next invasion.

It is called Neimheadh, those of Nemed, who was the son of Agnoman, of the family of Magog. (Remember that name?) Nemed came from Scythia, with 34 ships and 30 persons in each. There were also pirates from Africa, called Fomorians, of the race of Cham, who attacked the Neimheadh. The Neimheadh won three battles. Then Nemed died of sickness, and the Fomorians enslaved the Neimheadh, exacting a 2/3rds tribute of all they owned, their cows, their corn and their children, which was due every November, on the eve of Samhain. They revolted, but the Formorian Morc, brought ships from Africa, and the Neimheadh fled or were killed. Those who were not, were enslaved and absorbed. Those who fled went to Greece. In Greece, they were enslaved by the Greeks, and were given leather sacks in which to haul soil to rocky places, to lay the soil to make the places fertile. They became known by the names of their leather sacks. They were called the Firbolg. They revolted, and turned their leather sacks into boat skins, and returned to Ireland 217 years after the coming of Nemed. They are usually broken down into three groups, returns to Ireland. The Firbolg, who were named after the leather sacks, the Fir Domnann, named for the pits that were left when the earth was dug out, and the Gaileon, named for the darts, or spears, they used as weapons. But it is commonly refereed to as the Firbolg invasion. These were comprised of the 5 sons of Dela, Slainge of the Spears, Rudraige, Gann, Genann, and Sengann.

These groups gathered at Tara, divided Ireland into 5 parts, one for each son of Dela, and were the first to call their leader the High King. This is the meaning of the Pentagram to the Celtic Tradition, the 5 arms of the star, one for each son, or division, all united at the center, by the High Kings of Tara.

Those who read the Mabinogion remember the story of Branwen, how Bran avenged his sister being disted by killing all the men of Ireland, leaving only 5 pregnant women, who gave birth to 5 sons. This is the Welsh reference to the same event, 5 sons who divided Ireland between themselves. Another group who fled from the Formorians were descendants of Iobath, the third chief of Nemed. These people were called the Tuatha De Danann. Legend says they went to Greece, to Athens. There they learned magic and their arts till they became skilled in every trick of sorcery. Syria made war on Athens, and the TDD raised the dead Athenians with daemons, who possessed their bodies. The Syrians caught on, drove stakes of Ash wood through their bodies (shades of Dracula). They did not rise, and the daemons fled. The Syrians slaughtered the balance of the Athenians, but the TDD fled. They went to Norway, took four cities, and placed 4 sages in those cities to teach the ways of the TDD. Their chief was Nuada, son of Echtach. The four cities are Failias, Gorias, Findias and Murias. They then went to Scotland, where they stayed 7 years. They brought the 4 noble treasures, the Stone of Destiny, which screamed when a proper King of Ireland stood upon it, the Sword of Nuada, which no one escaped when it was drawn from its scabbard, the Spear of Lugh, against which no victory could be won, and the cauldron of Dagda, the Undry, from which no company would go away unsatisfied. They arrived at Ulster, on the Eve of Beltaine. They told the Firbolg to surrender, or do battle for Ireland. They fought, the TDD won, the Firbolg were overwhelmed and a hundred thousand were slain.

They are the Tribe of the gods who are the Children of Danann. They ruled Ireland for 197 years, till the sons of Miles (aka the Celts) came. The Milesians are of the family of Gaedhal, who were also of Magog (see a pattern?) and had subjugated the Germans and established themselves in Central Europe. About 1000 BCE they came to England, Ireland and Scotland. They killed the three kings and the three Queens of Ireland, the remaining TDD dispersed, and by decree, the Milesians claimed the above ground, leaving the TDD to live below ground. And the TDD went into the hills and faery regions and were rarely seen again. Though enemies, all five invasions were related, the family of Magog, and all spoke the Gaelic tongue.

The major god/esses from this cycle which you may (or may not) recognize are Dana, mother of the god/esses, Nuada, Lugh, Dagda, Breo-saighit (Brigid), Erie (after whom Ireland is named [Erin]), The Morrigu/Morrigan (Triple aspects are Macha, Badhbh and Neamhain), Angus macOg, Ogma, Bodb the Red, and many more. Due to time limitations, exploring these god/esses and their roles in the Mythological cycle and how they influence today's Wicca traditions is a topic to be explored more fully in another lesson.

References used to prepare this lesson are "Celtic Myths and Legends" Michael Foss, "Faery Wicca, Book 1" K. Stepanich and "Myth, Legend and Romance" Dr. Daith O'Hogain.

Any questions? Did I go too fast for anyone?

snowchild:

that was cool, thank you

CynaraMac:

Great class Boudica

wiccan:

very good

BOUDICA:

I thought this might go a bit longer, but, we can discuss whatever you may have questions on.....

ZoeFoe:

Interesting

Burningwolf:

good job Boudica!

melilot:

neat boud

Chat Host:

I have a question. Isn't there a Gog and Magog in Chinese Mythology? Are these related to the Magog in anyway? or is this just sheer coincidence?

Nestor:

that was really great Boudica -- very informative and give people a good overview

Xori:

excellent!!!!!!

Freinsch:

Thanks Boudica

Red Deer:

I'm sorry I missed your offering Boudica... can't wait to read the logs

CynaraMac:

There is some correlation between Celts and Jewish history

Okwaho:

wow!

CynaraMac:

A belief even that one of the ten lost tribes of Israel ended up in Ireland

Chat Host:

can you suggest a book(s) that I might read to learn more about this Cynara?

Jussme:

does the Celt and pre-Celt history tie into Norse?

BOUDICA:

Good question, Chatty, and I haven't found any direct connection between them, but, who knows....maybe someone else knows?

Red Deer:

The Celts (specifically the Irish) preserved a few millennia of Judaica during the dark ages...

Red Deer:

There's a new book (which I don't have yet) on how the Irish saved classical culture for the rest of us.

Xori:

good question Jussme - I'd like to know too

wiccan:

i believe there were 13 Hebrew tribes before the first Diaspora

CynaraMac:

Perhaps Chatty, know of a professor...

ZoeFoe:

Stupid question, is this oral translation?

BOUDICA:

Yes, this is oral tradition

Anyone else have questions I can answer?

ZoeFoe:

are you going to continue in the 101 class?

Chat Host:

Cynara: can you suggest some books that I might read to learn more about the correlation between the Jewish and Celtic mythos?

BOUDICA:

If I am asked, Zoe, and are you asking?

CynaraMac:

Chatty, IM me or I'll IM you...I have to go look them up ..

ZoeFoe:

It's a great topic Boud, sure

Chat Host:

I am I am Boud!

ARE THERE ANY MORE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CLASS?

Okwaho:

how often are these classes?

Jussme:

YES - WHEN AND HOW OFTEN ARE CLASSES GIVEN?

BOUDICA:

Thank you all for your votes of confidence. I will see what I can do. Again, thank you for being such an attentive class.

ZoeFoe:

When they were in Greece, did they have an impact on the Greek culture?

Nestor:

Jussme Me --every Sunday night at 9 EST

Jussme:

thanks Nestor

Chat Host:

Can we hold some of the uproar down so that Boud can answer Zoe's question please?

Deborah:

yes mam

melilot:

ya vol mein hare

Chat Host:

Did the Celts influence the Greek culture while they were there?

BOUDICA:

I believe that the time in Greece is listed as being around 1200 or so BCE and I believe the Greeks had more influence on them than they had on the TDD or the Firbolg

Xori:

perhaps this was already answered but I didn't see it - Juss and I were wondering about the influence on Nordic tradition

Chat Host:

in other words, what influence did the Celts have on the Nordic mythos? Boudica?

BOUDICA:

Again, most of the information I have given you is sketchy and is confined to what the TDD did, not what the locals reacted to. You might check Nordic Text to see if there is a correlation.

CynaraMac:

Almost nasty there chatty.

Chat Host:

I know! LOL

Xori:

thanks Boudica

melilot: