Underworld. The Tuatha were a group of people who
migrated into Ireland from their original homeland in
the area of the Danube River. They were the fifth in a
series of waves recorded in the Irish Book of Invasions.The Six Invasions of Ireland
- Cessair (or Banbha)— The first primitive race, all of
whom perished in the Great Flood. They were led by
Banbha, goddess of the land—or (in a Christian
version) by Cessair, daughter of Bith (son of Noah). - Parthlolons— Descended from Fintan, sole survivor
of the Flood, Partholon cleared four plains, created
seven lakes, built lodges, and established laws. This
race was destroyed by plague on the first of May. - Nemeds (“grove”)— Perhaps the first Druid, Nemed
cleared twelve plains and formed four lakes. After
Nemed’s death, the people were oppressed by the
Fomhoire. Some fled to Greece, later to return as
the Fir Bolg. - Fir Bolg— Returning to the isle of their ancestors,
the Fir Bolg established the four cardinal Provinces
of Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connaught, with
Meath in the center. They also instituted the kingship.
They were a small, dark race, later called Picts. - Tuatha de Danaan— The Tuatha were skilled in
Druidry and magick. They arrived on May first and
brought four sacred objects: the Sword of Nuada,
the Spear of Lugh, the Cauldron of the Daghda,
and the Stone of Fal. They defeated the Fir Bolg
and won the kingship. - Milesians (“children of Mil”)— These are the
modern Gaelic people, who came to Ireland from
Spain around 1000 BCE.
The Tuatha de Danaan
Angus— God of youth and love. He plays sweet music
on his golden harp, and his kisses become little
birds that hover around lovers.
Boann— Cow goddess, wife of Daghda. She bore him
Brigit, Angus, Mider, Ogma, and Bodb the Red.
Bodb the Red— He succeeded his father, Daghda, as
king of the gods.
Brigit— Goddess of fire, forge, hearth, poetry, inspi-
ration, healing, sacred wells, and midwifery.
Camulus— War god who delights in battle and slaughter.
Daghda (“good god”)— Father god of the Earth, who
succeeded Nuada as king. His harp changes the
seasons, and his cauldron is always full. Known
for his prodigious appetites, his wife is Boann.
Dian Cecht (“swift in power”)— God of medicine. He
has a spring of health in which wounded gods are
healed.
Goibnu— Metalsmith of the gods. He forges their
weapons and brews a magick potion that renders
them invisible.
Lugh— Grandson of Dian Cecht and god of the Sun.
He is the master of all arts and crafts.Lyr— God of the sea.
Manannan— The son of Lyr, he is the great Wizard of
the Tuatha and patron of merchants and sailors.
Mider— A god of the Underworld whose wife, Etain,
was carried off by Angus.
Morrigan— Goddess of battle.
Nuada— Son of Dana and chief of the Tuatha. He lost a
hand in battle, and Goibnu made him one of silver.
Ogma— God of eloquence and literature, he invented
the Ogham alphabet used in sacred writings.Lesson 7. The Loa and Orixa
Afro-Caribbean religions are a mixture of Roman
Catholic ritual elements from the period of French
colonization and African theological and magickal
elements brought to Brazil, New Orleans, Haiti, and
Cuba by African slaves formerly belonging to the
Yoruba, Fon, Kongo, Benin, and other tribes. These
blendings created many regional variations, including
Voudon, Santeria, Candomble, Catimbo, Umbanda,
Palo Mayombe, Batuque, and Xango.
In Voudon, the loa are a
group of African Nature
divinities who are concerned
with the lives of humans. Some
loa protect certain places or
areas, such as cemeteries,
crossroads, the sea, etc.,
while others are ancestral
deities. Damballa the snake
god is the father and leader of
all the loa. His wife is the
rainbow goddess Ayida
Weddo. The loa are invoked
by vévé (magickal sigils)
drawn on the ground and
by singing and dancing,
during which they may
possess certain of their worshippers.
There are seven main divinities represented—under
various names—in all the Afro-Caribbean faiths. These
are often called the orixa (oh-REE-
shah), or “Seven African Powers.”
They come from the
Yoruba pantheon.The Seven
African Powers
Elegua (EL-ay-WHAH),
Legba, Exu (eh-SHOO) —
Orixa of crossroads, door-
ways, and gates, he is the
messenger of the gods.
He loves all things in
excess: wine, spicy foods,
singing, dancing, sex, andOxunElegua316 Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
Corrected pages 3rd printing.2.p65 56 6/10/2004, 4:03 PM