After a deal broke down to get the bull by negotiation, Medb raised an army of both Her men and exiles from Ulster led by Her lover, Fergus mac Roich. Medb, not one to accept defeat or an inferior position, determined to get the equally fertile bull, Donn Cuailnge from Cooley in the county of Ulster. Fennbhennach had actually been born into Medb’s herd but due to the changing values of the time, disdained being owned by a woman and thus transferred himself to Ailill’s. On all counts they were equal until Aillil mentioned his ownership of the magical and incredibly fertile bull, Finnbhennach. Aillil, attempting to prove his superiority and maintain his position, claimed he had more wealth than Medb. This long, bloody event all began innocently enough one evening while Medb lay in bed with Her husband of the moment, King Aillil. The curse of the Goddess Macha/Epona on the men of Ulster, Ailill who was so smitten by Etain, Lugh, God of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Cu Chulainn, the great Irish hero, and the Morrigan with Her blessings of life and death all appear in this extraordinary legend. Characters and actions from other Irish tales come together in this story. Queen Medb, more commonly know today by Her Anglicanized named Maeve, is a central character in one of the most important old Irish epics, the Tain Bo Cuillaigne, or the Cattle Raid of Cooley. Who ever possessed the most wealth in a marriage, could be considered the ruler of that household. They both owned property and held important positions in society. Queen Medb, most likely an aspect of the Goddess Medb, reigned during a time when Celtic women maintained a status of freedom and equality not granted to women in most other parts of the world. Medb claimed to have originally come from, Cruachain, a site that the ancients believed held the entrance to the Otherworld. Further evidence of Her strength, sexuality and passion lies in Her ability to run faster than any horse. Indicative of Her connection to the earth and fertility, She clothed Herself with live birds and animals across her shoulders and arms. Medb, translated as “strong” or “intoxicating”, drove men wild with desire at the mere sight of Her. Her first husband was probably King Conchobar of Ulster, with whom she had seven sons and later became her mortal enemy. She had an insatiable sexual appetite, taking men as she pleased and marrying at least four, who became King of Connacht in their turn. A man became king of Connacht only by participating in a ritual of intoxication and entering into sacred marriage with Medb at Connacht’s mystical center, Tara. Medb, Celtic Sovereignty Goddess of Connacht, the wilderness in the Irish west, ruled war, fertility and the earth. Medb, Celtic Sovereignty Goddess of War and Fertility Home › Goddess › Medb, Celtic Sovereignty Goddess of War and Fertility
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