Thursday, April 14, 2005
UI's Celtic Mythology - Aine
I thought it would be a good thing for United Irelander if I posted a little about Celtic mythology and shared some knowledge of Irish culture with our friends overseas and also offer an insight for Irish people who might not be aware of it. I have a great book on Celtic mythology by Arthur Cotterell which I will use. Today, I will write about Aine, the Irish goddess of love and fertility.
Aine was the daughter of Eogabal, who was the foster son of the Manx sea god Manannan Mac Lir. Her main responsibility was to encourage human love, although one mortal lover of hers, King Aillil Olom of Munster, paid for his passionate audacity with his life. When he attempted to force himself upon Aine and rape her, she slew him with her magic.
Aine's worship was also associated in Ireland with agriculture, because, as a goddess of fertility, she had command over crops and animals. Even as late as the last century, celebrations were still held in her honour on Midsummer Eve at Knockanny, or "Aine's hill", in County Kerry.
There you go! Now you know a bit about Aine, the Irish goddess of love and fertility. I hope that was enlightening!
Aine was the daughter of Eogabal, who was the foster son of the Manx sea god Manannan Mac Lir. Her main responsibility was to encourage human love, although one mortal lover of hers, King Aillil Olom of Munster, paid for his passionate audacity with his life. When he attempted to force himself upon Aine and rape her, she slew him with her magic.
Aine's worship was also associated in Ireland with agriculture, because, as a goddess of fertility, she had command over crops and animals. Even as late as the last century, celebrations were still held in her honour on Midsummer Eve at Knockanny, or "Aine's hill", in County Kerry.
There you go! Now you know a bit about Aine, the Irish goddess of love and fertility. I hope that was enlightening!
# posted by United Irelander @ 2:18 AM 
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