{"id":21169,"date":"2019-12-01T01:10:21","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T05:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=21169"},"modified":"2019-11-29T16:24:59","modified_gmt":"2019-11-29T20:24:59","slug":"book-review-the-morrigan-by-courtney-weber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/12\/01\/book-review-the-morrigan-by-courtney-weber\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might by Courtney Weber"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

by Courtney Weber<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

240 Pages<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

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….Goddess of war, witchcraft, death, protection and retribution, the Morrigan is one of Pagan Ireland\u2019s most famous-and notorious-Goddesses…<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are books that are few and far between that give the appropriate balance of myth, historical context and a deepened relationship with the Deity of focus, and <\/span>The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might<\/i><\/span><\/strong> by Courtney Weber, is indeed among those titles. I would have expected nothing less from Courtney having had the pleasure of reading her other titles, <\/span>Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess<\/a><\/i><\/span><\/strong> and <\/span>Tarot for One: The Art of Reading for Yourself. <\/a><\/i><\/span><\/strong>MS. Weber has a talent for engaging the reader from the start and by the end of the reading, making the reader feel as though they have had a close up and personal interview around the subject presented.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A book of this nature is an undertaking in and of itself given the amount of information to be found about this particular Goddess and the inclination many have towards remaining with the known facets of Her energy rather than opening up to other aspects that may lend themselves powerfully to a modern setting. Being able to do this gives relevance to the power of the Goddess in all of her forms and the Morrigan is already quite a formidable presence to be called upon. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Courtney has filled the book with her own personal experiences at just the correct moment lending that affirmation that no matter how powerful a Deity may be, there is still opportunity for connection and devotion. The book begins as it should with Chapter 1: Meeting the Morrigan<\/b><\/i>…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cShe is the spirit of fury and peace, power and destruction, joy and terror. She is warrior,<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

queen, death, omen, mother, murderer, lover, spy, conspirator, faery, shape-shifter,<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

healer, and sometimes the living earth itself. A captivating contradiction; a<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

demonic female who both haunts and heals; benevolent in one moment, ghastly<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

in the next, and kind in the moment after that. Meet the Morrigan.\u201d <\/b><\/i>1.<\/b><\/i><\/sup><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Some highlights of The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might<\/b><\/i> include:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Each chapter ends with a ritual<\/b><\/i> and\/or prayer as offering to the form of the Morrigan of focus within it. I like this approach in readings that are Deity specific as it gives an opportunity to experience that energy for yourself making use of your own personal energetic signature and magickal weaving;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Courtney weaves<\/b><\/i> many of her own personal experiences in working with the varied aspects of the Morrigan, making the overall feel of the book very authentic rather than relying only on the theoretical;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The inclusion of others experiences<\/b><\/i> with the Morrigan. I think that one of the best ways to validate and analyze your experience is in learning what others have felt, seen and had as outcome. We re all different yet there are always some underpinnings of common thread that run through the stories of these powerful and older Deities that emanate from the collective consciousness. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By the time you reach Chapter 8-Magick with the Morrigan: Spells, Rituals and Meditations<\/b><\/i>, Courtney has provided a thorough journey through the myths, visions of the Morrigan and practice rituals with each. The chapter begins with discussion of spellwork and the role the Morrigan may have in that working. Some feel that making request of a Deity such as the Morrigan is not appropriate for spellwork, and that she should only be involved in those larger workings and ritual. Others feel her power should not be used for personal spellwork; only those affecting the larger community. And, others take an alternate stance. The reminder offered by Courtney is…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDeity gains strength through a devotion. Engaging deity<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

in spellwork is a type of devotion, itself. \u201d<\/b><\/i> <\/b>2.<\/b><\/sup><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I appreciated the simple, yet very powerful offerings of meditations, prayers and spellwork filling this chapter. And, the layering and intention of devotion is clearly evident in the focus, wording and \u201cfeel\u201d of these suggestions. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Conclusion <\/b><\/i>ties the entirety of The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might<\/b><\/i> into a lovely synthesis of personal, well-researched and heart-felt writing, and ends with this beautiful sentiment…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTo better know the Morrigan, be patient. Be humble. Be open-minded. Be in joy. <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There is beauty on the other side of our terror. There is even something <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

beautiful within fear itself. The Morrigan holds it all. <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you were called to read this book, \u201d<\/b><\/i> <\/b>3.<\/b><\/sup><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Would I recommend?<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I found myself immersed in the reading of The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might, <\/b><\/i>and wanting to know more of this powerful Goddess. It is evident the time and thought that Courtney has put into this book and the addition of notes and impressive bibliography <\/b><\/i>were just the right recipe for my nerdy side in wanting the back story. This is a book that speaks to the devotee and the seeker and is a definite must-read for any seeking a deeper connection to the Goddess in all of her forms. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Footnotes:<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    p. 2<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    p. 174<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    p. 205<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Bonus Excerpt from the Publisher\u2019s Page:<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    Magick with the Morrigan: A Spell to Provide<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

    This blessing spell is designed to be done in your kitchen. If you don\u2019t have a conventional kitchen, you can bless the space where you eat. You can even bless your microwave or hot plate if you don\u2019t have a hearth or an oven.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    If you have a candle that you typically burn when making offerings to the Morrigan, take this candle to your cooking or eating space. If you live in a building that does not allow open flame, a battery-operated candle is a fine substitute. Light this candle in the space where you cook or eat and say the following incantation:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    By the light of the Morrigan\u2019s flame,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    This space is Her cooking hearth, but She is also my welcome guest.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    May this space nourish, nurture, sustain, May those who eat here be well and fulfilled,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    In the Morrigan\u2019s name . . .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    So be it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    About Courtney:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    Courtney Weber<\/b><\/i>\u00a0<\/i>is a Wiccan priestess, writer, tarot advisor, metaphysical teacher, and social activist living in Oregon. She is the author of\u00a0Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Tarot for One: The Art of Reading for Yourself<\/i>. Courtney is also the producer and designer of Tarot of the Boroughs. Courtney leads workshops throughout the US. Visit her at: thecocowitch.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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