The Order of the White Moon Goddess Gallery Presents

Goddess of the Tuatha De Danann
DANU

A Level 1 Final Project for the Sisters of the Rising Moon School

By OceanPhoenix

Initiate and Member of the Order of the White Moon

(© 2011.  All original material in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of the author.)

http://www.goddessgift.net/page117.html
Used with permission from Suzan Vaughn

Background

Danu Means “the Flowing One”. She is shrouded in mystery, she is very popular but little is known of her.  We do know she was considered the most ancient of all the Celtic deities.  She is the great mother of the gods, of Ireland and the divine creator who birthed all things into being. She is also an earth goddess. She is connected to the Fairy Hills and has associations with Dolmens also known as a portal tomb, or portal graves.   She is the Mother of The Tuatha De Danann, the Irish Gods, which literally means the Children of Danu. All the Danann can trace their Lineage back to her.

http://www.goddessgift.net/page117.html
Used with permission from Suzan Vaughn

The Goddess Danu is also popular through out Europe.

She was known as Anu and the Morrighan because of the similarities in their correspondences. In Co. Kerry Ireland, there is a place called Da Chich Anu, (the Paps of Anu). Though her name is close to Danu, Anu is a totally different Goddess.  In the Rig Veda, the earliest of the four Hindu Scriptures, Danu is mention as the Goddess of the seas according to Michelle Skye’s book “Goddess Alive!”   Danu also gave her name to the Danube River which runs through Europe. She can also be traced to the Walsh Goddess Don. Danu is recorded as showing Herself in the guise of The Morrighan according to the  book called, "The Guises of the Morrighan" - written by Sorita D'Este and her husband David Rankine.

The Paps of Anu

By Patricia Monaghan
http://www.goddessalive.co.uk/issue3/issue3.html

Danu births inspiration and wisdom into the world through the crystal clear waters of the Well of Segais.  She brings Triads of Gods into the world she wields Earth magic to protect her children and water magic to transform them into enlightened beings. Danu is every where, she is in every living thing, and like a good mother, she stands firm, giving of her love and support she allows us our mistakes and never forces decisions or actions. Yet when we are in our greatest need, she comes to us and offers comfort.  She brings bounty and fertility, knowledge, wisdom and inspiration. She is the goddess of the land and of the waters of life. May her abundant presence be felt for all time.

Michelle Skye, “Goddess Alive!” p.122

Name in different cultures

Danu (Hindu, Ireland)
Danu, Danand, Dana, Ana, Anu (Irish)
Don (Wales) 
Danuvius (Roman)
Duna (Hungarian)
Donau (German)

Danu Art by OceanPhoenix

Correspondences

Blessings, creating, earth goddess, foretelling, a great Goddess, great mother, health, luck, magic, Moon goddess, prosperity, Goddess of the Sorceress, success water of all bodies, wisdom.

Minerals and Gems: Amber (spiritual stimulation) , emerald ( creativity ) , pearl (maternal instincts) , Malachite ( protection of children).
Metals: copper and silver
Incense: balsam, jasmine
Time: midday, moonrise, midnight
Colors:  Blue, White Silver, Green
Elements:  Water and Earth
Sacred days:  Midsummer and Beltane
Season:  Summer
Tarot: The Empress
Aspect: Mother - She is the Light Mother of the cycle of the Maiden/Mother/Crone.
Animals: All animals
Divination: Water scrying 
Essences: Her scent is Amber. Also, any other "water" scents as rivers and all flowing waters - including the sea - which are Her domain.
Trees: Rowan, Apple, Hawthorne 
Stones: River stones, and any stones that have a natural hole, as it is the way to fae. Holy stones are also amber and gold.
Symbols: Rivers, sea, flowing water, air, wind, earth, moon, keys and crowns. Also, a cauldron of water, a stone circle, or a stalk of wheat.
Regions:  Ireland and India, most of Europe
Attributes:  New beginnings, Chaos, Cosmos, Creation, Creativity, Fertility, Manifestations, oceans, and all other bodies of water, Transformation.

http://www.goddessgift.net/page117.html
Used with permission from Suzan Vaughn


Seeking Goddess Danu in Times of Need Ritual

Ritual Purpose: Meeting the Goddess Danu and Gaining Wisdom

Items needed:

A blue altar cloth (to represent her flowing waters)
A glass bowl full of water
River stones enough to circle the bowl
Four white candles
Journal and pen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Danu Altar by OceanPhoenix

Before Ritual

Take a nice long bath if you can add a touch of Amber oil to the water.

Perform a self blessing.

Dress in clean clothes white and or green Or maybe blue and white...and create your alter to Danu, using the items above.

Ritual Body

Cast Circle by visualizing a white light of protection in your sacred space. Ground and center Sit quietly in your space, and breathe deeply.  Try to imagine a shinning Goddess, Tall and proud with ivory skin and blue green eyes.  She wears a flowing robe of watery blue silk and sliver.  She wears a silver of spirals on her head, and holds a great sliver Basin from which all waters of life flows.

With each deep breath you take, you begin to see a swirl of mist forming a trail.  Start to Walk towards it.  There is a cave in front of you, go through it. You walk down a long winding stairway. On the other side there is a beautiful tall waterfall with its crystal clear water shining in the moon light. As you walk towards it, you see the river split in to a fork. There is a nice mossy ground between the two streams it invites you to sit and enjoy the sounds of the water flowing.  As you sit down you see a great deal of fish in the stream. The stream is so clear and you are thirsty.  You hear a voice “Drink my child.”  Do what you are asked. Once you drink your fill, think about the goddess.  If you wish to meet her now, raise your arms up high:

“Lady Danu! Mother of the gods and of the Tuatha De Danann, Great lady of the flowing waters, Spirit of the rivers, mistress of the fertile lands, Giver of Abundant harvest. Join me here, I ask you to be here.

Watch as the mist begins to swirl around you.  When the mist clears you see a beautiful woman in front of you.  She smiles. Say hello.  Give her a gift.  Sit for a while a listen. What does the Goddess Danu have to tell you?  Stay as long as you like in this magical place.  She sits with you and wants to hear your woes, your questions.  Listen for her answers. She is a loving mother. 

Chant or sing to her. Sway like you are being rocked by the sea.  Let your heart and soul be cleansed by her healing waters.

It is time to say good bye to the Goddess.  Thank her. Walk back through the mist.  Find yourself back in your sacred space you as still safe and sound in your space. 
Ground yourself open your circle and go in peace knowing you can visit the great mother anytime you need her.

Chant/Song to Use

The river is flowing,
Flowing and growing,
The river is flowing,
Down to the sea.
Mother earth carry me,
Your child I have always been,
Mother earth carry me,
Down to the sea.

Author Unknown

A Prayer to the Mother Danu

By OceanPhoenix

Oh great mother, Listen to the woes of your Daughter.
I need your Guidance and your Wisdom. 
Shine your blessed light down on me and guide my path.
Walk with me as I learn your mysteries.
Help me if I stumble and I will be strong.
Bless the ones I love, my family, my friends, and my sisters.
As I honor you, bless them with your love and light Sweet Mother.
Help me let go of fear and the pain of my past, to move forward with your truth, guide and bless my Spirit which I dedicate to you with all my heart.
Thank you Mother Danu.
Blessed Be.

http://www.goddessgift.net/page117.html
Used with permission from Suzan Vaughn
http://www.goddessgift.net

Danu's Dance

Warm and moist beneath the hill
Voices and laughter are soft and shrill
Glints of light and shadows long move
& merrying the long night thru
Danu's children in morning emerge anew
Slumber and waking each in their time
Music and laughter interlace and combine
Earnest crafts folk of diminutive size
Dance with creativity before the eyes
And tumbling out the treasures come
The land is quiet and still above
No hint of the secrets within the hill
Honey flows and mead is good
This place between, below & above
The magic is and always was
Words are treasures polished bright
Poems by day and rhythms by night
Interlaces adorn each glowing page
Painted in berry juice, pollen & gall
Words slide into being for one and all
Words of Danu, Druids and Sages
Thoughts and truths for the coming ages
Never a care or woe is penned here
The land above is sleepwalking near 
Beneath the hill each word is dear
Warm and moist beneath the hill
Voices and laughter are seldom still
Glints of light and flashes of fire glow
Open secrets all the wee folks know
Danu's children are spun of light

Abby Willowroot © 2008
With permission from Abby Willowroot
http://www.spiralgoddess.com/Homage.html

                                                                            
 My First Dream of the Goddess Danu

When I close my eyes, I see her.  Her wild long hair, blues eyes, staring at me…waiting.  She arches an eyebrow and her lips turn into a crooked grin.  She folds her marble white arms and taps her delicate barefoot on the soft green moss.  I was frozen in time, I could not move nor could I breathe.  Her smile fades and a soft frown replaces her simple grin.  She holds me in her eyes and with them, she asks me,” well…what are you waiting for?”  Her eyes flash and they turn gray like that of a sea before a storm.  All I can seem to do is take one step forward, hesitate and then take two back.  I want so desperately to follow her, embrace her and what I am…What am I waiting for? What am I afraid of?  She turns and looks at me again,” Yes, what are you afraid of?”  Her voice rings in my head. Then I see it, my voice my face, I see her more clearly now.  She is me.  How can I be afraid of myself?  This…inner me, what was it about me that holds me back?  I want…no NEED to trust myself, but why can’t I?  This is stupid I scream inside my head.  “Yes, it is.”  She answered back.  “Go on then, wake up, I will be here when you decide to come to me, I am always here as I have always been. Since the beginning of time I have been here, and you always come back to me.  You have for many lifetimes. Take your time.”  And she fades.  Time, I don’t feel like I have enough time.  But, I know I need her, and I know she needs me.  How do I cross that great divide that stands between us?

OceanPhoenix
Written July 1, 2010

May Danu’s waters heal you and may the mother feed and shelter you.
Under the protection of the Goddess, go in peace.

Books Used:

1. Auset, Priestess Brandi. The Goddess Guide: Exploring the Attributes and correspondences of the Divine Feminine. Woodbury MN, Llewellyn Publications 2009 pages 28, 91, 94, 99-100,114,139,151,176,199,207,210,225,235,242,254,263.
2. Clark, Katherine An Irish book of Shadows: Tuatha De Danann.  Lakeville, MN Galde Press, INC.2001.  Pages65-66
3. Conway, DJ Celtic Magic Woodbury, MN Llewellyn Publications 1990 Pages 108,187,188,191,193-196, 198-199 200-202
4. McColman, Carl and Kathryn Hinds.  Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses, Franklin Lakes, NJ, The Career Press, 2005 pages 42, 43, 44.
5. Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac: Samhain 2010 to Mabon 2011 “Lughnasadh Ritual, Games, and Feast”   by: Amber K.  Pages 268-269 265-273.
6. Skye, Michelle. Goddess Alive! : inviting Celtic and Norse Goddesses in to your life.  Llewellyn publications Woodbury MN. 2007 Pages 117-135

Internet Text Information:

1.  http://www.pyramidcompany.com/CJT/index_GoddessDanu.htm
“Who is Goddess Danu” by Rhiannon Barkemeijer de Wit (with permission)
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.celestialjourneytherapy.com%2F&h4a91fcveRBf0gmvItNvFa2hlpTw
www.GoddessMeditations.com2.  Danu's Dance by:  Abby Willowroot © 2008 (with permission from Abby) http://www.spiralgoddess.com/Homage.html3.  Information also attained by "Discussion with Rowan Galahadria MistWalker, Priestess, Faery Tradition" Sunday, November 7, 2010 9:31 PM 
Rowan Galahadria MistWalker   rowangmw.keeper@gmail.com (with her permission)

Pictures used:

Picture (with permission of Suzan Vaughn)

1.  http://www.goddessgift.net/page117.html
http://www.goddessgift.net
2. The Goddess’ gift Original art of OceanPhoenix
3. Altar in Honor of Danu Original of OceanPhoenix
4.  A prayer to the mother Danu Original Prayer of OceanPhoenix
5.  Ritual by OceanPheonix.
6. My first dream of the Goddess Danu By Ocean Phoenix

And, a very special thank you to the sisters that listened and read my things and helped me along the way. There were too many to name. My Deepest Gratitude to them all.

*****************************

I invoke almighty Danu
Danu,the goddess of earth
earth that rises from water
water that rains through the air
air that feeds the fire
fire that quickens my heart
heart that drums in my body
body that knows how to dance
dance that raises power
power that spins the circle
circle that mirrors the moon
moon that lights the sky
sky that roofs the world
world that is my home
home that smells of life
life that gives off energy
energy that fuels the magic
magic that we raise,you and I
I invoke almighty Danu.

~Medieval Irish poem~

Return to the Goddess Gallery