The Goddess Danu is considered to be the most ancient of all the Celtic dieties. Her name means knowledge, wisdom, teacher, wealth and abundance. She is also known as Dayna and her Welsh equivalent, is Don. These ancient references refer to her as both male and female and as the supreme divine source.
This Celtic goddess is associated with the Tuatha de Danann and is attributed with making them the famous race that we know today. When they were adrift in the oceans off the United Kingdom homeless and scared she invited them to her island where she taught them the skills that we know them for today. Danu is a lover and a giver through her guidance she recognises our potential and she is an artist craftswoman too! I appreciate the warrior and the nurturing aspect of this goddess.
There are no known records of her folklore. I’d like to share a story that Danu gave to me during meditation. I am not claiming this as fact; only a way for us to connect with Goddess Danu.
This is the story of all that I be and how I claimed the race of people as my own.
Back in the mists of a time long gone, I resided within the tides and currents of the waters. In tune with the cycles of the moon, I held the cycles of life, birth, death and rebirth within my hands.
Within the watery depths, I am aware of all that was, is and all yet to be. On this particular day, under the Ice Moon, I felt a stirring within the fabric of the Universe. I felt the cries and pleas of a people abandoned on the sea above me. Using my Wisdom Stone to scry the current events, I could see the wooden hulls of many boats drifting aimlessly on the stormy waters.
I knew that these were a people who knew war, despair and defeat. Within their souls, I could see the spark of possibility and a grand future. Even now, in the midst of their defeat, this spark would not be extinguished. They sought hope and prosperity for themselves as a people.
Their being resonated within me. I could feel the Universal concordances falling into synchronicity. These were to be my people. I looked closer within the Wisdom Stone to see a race of people tall in stature and broad in shoulder. Their hair glistened with the colours of amber, gold and jasper. Within their hearts, I could see the glow of magic waiting to be ignited and their minds held the capacity to understand and use the knowledge of nature.
With a new possibility in front of me, I appeared to these people on the waters. Rising from the depths, I stood on the waves dressed in my robes of silver and white. My auburn hair caressed the ocean breezes and I held my arms out in welcome.
“Failte, People of the Sea. I am Danu and I offer to you my protection, my knowledge and my creativity. Place yourselves within my care and I will give you shelter, strength and sustenance.”
Man, woman and child knelt within their boats and offered me their loyalty. Deeply touched, I encouraged them to stand. They were never to be a people to bow to anyone ever again.
With a gentle breath, I guided their boats to my Island home. I helped them to become one with the land, air, earth and sea. To understand the cycles of the world around them and the wisdom that is held within each and every one of them. I taught them craftsmanship, blacksmithery and the tactics of war – blending creative expression with a warrior spirit.
I awakened their passion and desire through work, rest and play. Their consciousness was transformed from being locked into the essence of their physical knowledge into an expression of the joy, ease and glory that can be through consciousness.
I helped them break free of the rational mind to embrace possibility. They live intuitively, instinctually and in harmony with all around them. When they are unsure which way to turn, they call on me, Danu The Primal Queen. I lead them through the path of life with a joyful heart and eyes that seek the pathways of vitality and beauty.
These are my people – the Tuatha de Danaan. Fierce fighters with the soul of a bard, they now reside as the Sidhe – invisible to most yet an energetic force that propels each of you to be the best you can be.
Namaste
