|
TUATHA Dé DANANN
The
Tuatha de Danaan came to Ireland in a cloud of mist, at the
dawn of history, bringing their magic with them. In Irish-Celtic mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann ("People of
the goddess Danu") are the Irish race of gods, founded by the
goddess
Danu (also known as mother). These gods, who originally lived on 'the islands in
the west', had perfected the use of magic. They traveled on a
big cloud to the land that later would be called Ireland and
settled there. Shortly after their arrival they defeated the
Firbolg at the first battle of Mag Tuireadh. In
the second battle of Mag Tuireadh they fought and
conquered the
Fomorians, a race of giants who were the primordial
inhabitants of Ireland. The Tuatha Dé dealt more subtly with
the Fomorians than with the Firbolg, and gave
them the province of Connacht. There was also some
marrying between the two races. The Tuatha Dé themselves
were later driven to the underworld by the
Milesians, the people of the fabulous spanish king
Milesius. There they still live as invisible beings and
are known as the Aes sidhe. In a just battle, they will
fight beside mortals. When they fight, they go armed with
lances of blue flame and shields of pure white. Important members are of the Tuatha Dé are: Dagda, Brigid, Nuada,
Lugh, Dian
Cecht,
Ogma, and Lir. The goddess Danu can also be identified with the
Welsh goddess Don. |
|
It's important to note that throughout history
Tuatha De Danann became known as Brigit, who then got absorbed into
Christian beliefs as a saint. According to the Annals of the Four
Masters, the Tuatha De Danann ruled Ireland from 1897 to 1700 BC.
The Tuatha De Danann were in full control of Ireland
when the Sons of Mil (Irish ancestors) came to the island. The
Tuatha lost their island, but became known as the Fairy-Folk or the
Sidhe of Irish Mythology and Folk Lore. When many talk of
Ireland they talk of the human race the Celts as well as the
invisible race of Fairies. There are many who treat this race as
fiction and as "stories," but there are Irish seers who today still
say they see the Sidhe.
The term (Sidhe), is always applied in old writings
to the palaces, courts, halls, or residences of those beings which
in ancient Gaedhelic mythology held the place which ghosts,
phantoms, and fairies hold in the superstitions of the present day."
In modern Irish tradition, 'the People of the Sidhe' or Sidhe, refer
to the beings themselves rather than to their places of habitation.
They are often described as gods of the earth or dei terreni, as in
the Book of Armagh; and since it was believed that they, like the
modern fairies, control the ripening of crops and the milk-giving of
cows, the ancient Irish rendered to them regular worship and
sacrifice, just as the Irish of today do by setting out food at
night for the fairy-folk to eat.
They were originally giant in size,
but over the course of time and Christianity, dwindled in both size
and importance. Finvarra, who was High King of the Daoine Sidhe,
and thought to be King of the Dead, still holds court in the Hill of
Knockma.
Great masters of magick; whom were said to come from the stars to
teach earth's
children about love and harmony. They were the Faery people, who of
great warriors
served the Ard Righ, or High King, whose palace was Tara. Many moved
on to be Fenian Heroes.
Long, long
ago, beyond the misty space
Of twice a thousand years,
In Erin old there dwelt a mighty race,
Taller than Roman spears.
Anonymous
|
