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I've been serving the Morrighan as best as I can for months now, but I must say that I'm pitifully short on resources. I don't want to start on my altar to her until I know how to make one properly, and I can't find anything online about how to make it properly. To top it off, I know literallly NO rituals or any rites needed in her worship. I'm stuck to simply speaking to her as best I can.
I want to please her so badly and I definitely don't want to displease her. Does anyone know any sources to old rituals and rites devoted to her? Also, does anyone know where I might find a recipe for her preferred incense?
I want to please her so badly and I definitely don't want to displease her. Does anyone know any sources to old rituals and rites devoted to her? Also, does anyone know where I might find a recipe for her preferred incense?
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Re: Rites and Rituals of the Morrighan
Thu, October 8, 2009 - 11:08 PMI'm going to try and address your question, but I may not hit the mark you are seeking. If not, I apologize - but maybe you'll find something here to help you out.
The first problem for most folks who are drawn not only to The Morrighan but to the other Celtic deities is that (at least as far as I've been able to find out) the height of their active worship by the Celtic peoples - wasn't recorded in any permanent manner. In other words, again as far as I've been able to discover, while there are stones found in Ireland with carvings and sometimes "writing" much of the time it translates into boundary markers between two farms or the equivalent of shopping lists and what not. My suspicion is that whatever the relationship the Celts had with their deities it was passed down by word of mouth and at this remove with the intervening years of conversion to Christianity much if not perhaps all of the original "ways of worship" aren't recoverable.
The information I have is often from texts that are essentially built upon what sketchy archaeological info we have and educated guesses. One wonderful source that is extensive and as complete as the authors could make it is Martha Ann and Dorothy IMers Myer's *Goddesses in World Mythology.* It's essentially a biographical dictionary and covers every continent. You may have to really look for this book because I think it's out of print.
So, the way I've approached this particular hurdle is to honestly follow my instincts. My own personal practice I wouldn't classify as "worship" because for me that conjures up images of going to church when I was a kid and such tightly scripted ritual makes me cranky. BUT that's me and other folks need something else.
I suggest you find a time when you will be uninterrupted, quietly enter into the meditative state that works best for you and let Her tell you what She wants. Trust that you have a connection with Her and that She will tell you what She wants you to know.
As for incense - I've found these suggestions in a variety of sources: frankincense, myrrh (probably because classically these are herbs and resins associated with Death and Deity), holly, juniper, and ivy (the last three I suspect because when most of us think of the Celts we think of the British Isles and Ireland especially and these plants are common there.
In my own practice my altar is a working altar and not Deity specific. What is absolutely specific to The Morrighan is my first tattoo. I came out of a trance state still feeling the skin burn where she branded me with it. I was able to render it fairly well and find a tattoo artist who understood what I needed.
I hope in here there's something to help you out. Good luck.
Peace,
Raven -
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Re: Rites and Rituals of the Morrighan
Fri, October 9, 2009 - 12:02 AMThis is the second time I've heard from you on The Morrighan, and yet again you've been a great help! Thanks! I'll take your advice about the rituals and the incense as well. As for my altar, I've thought quite a bit about it, and I sincerely believe that I don't want or need any other god or goddess but her. I don't get the same feeling from any other deity and I would feel fake trying to worship the others. Maybe one day someone will come to me as powerfully and definitely as Morrighan, but until that day, I'm going to devote all of my worship to her.
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Re: Rites and Rituals of the Morrighan
Sun, October 18, 2009 - 1:29 PMTrance state ... If you do not mind my curiosity, would you mind sharing a little more about this? I am always interested in the experiences of others, particularly when it deals with direct contact with a deity, and being branded seems about as direct as you can get. I would be very grateful to hear more about this. -
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Re: Rites and Rituals of the Morrighan
Mon, October 19, 2009 - 6:31 PMI've been practicing self-hypnosis for many years. I was on the couch several years ago - nearly 10 actually - and primarily was just trying to put myself in a more receptive state. I moved into a fairly deep state of altered consciousness and had a lovely conversation with The Morrighan at the end of which She chose to trace a design on the outside of my left thigh burning it into the skin like you would a brand - when I came back to waking consciousness it was to the sensation of my skin burning where She had traced that design. I felt the design distinctively enough to be able to do a drawing of it when I'm so NOT an artist. I shared that drawing with my tattooist and the result is the tattoo I have now in the exact spot where the brand was laid.
Feel free to ask me more privately if you wish.
Peace,
Raven -
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Re: Rites and Rituals of the Morrighan
Thu, October 22, 2009 - 7:47 AMI've sent a personal message as you suggested ...
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