Hello. My name is Oisín Ó Dubhshláine and welcome to the third part of our series on the Women of Ireland. Last week, we shared the story of the first sister of the Mórríghan, Macha. This week, we’ll turn to Badb, the second war goddess.
Unlike her sister, Badb was only a member to the Tuatha Dé Danann, and not to any other people. There are many meanings to her name. It is connected to words like: venomous, warlike, dangerous, and deadly. She has a connection with hooded crows. This is the reason for her title Badb Catha, which is said to relate to the word “battle crow”. It is also said that badb, without a capital letter, means supernatural woman.
As I said, Badb is a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She is the daughter of Ernmass and Delbaeth. As part of the Mórríghan, she is a sister to Macha and Mórrígiú, of course. As well as this, it’s said that this triple goddess is related to another, the Triple Goddess of Ireland. Baba, Ériú and Fódla make up this identity. They are the sovereignty goddesses and some sources say that they are sisters to the Mórríghan. The Banshenchas says that the Dagda is the husband of Badb but the Lebor Gabala Erenn says that she is married to Neit. Some other sources say that she is a sister to Nemain and Be Neit, who could possibly be another triple goddess. The last word on Badb’s relatives is that she is a mother to Ferr Doman and Fiamain.
There are three important qualities associated with Badb. They are: violence, death, and prophecy.
First off, Badb is a provoking force. It’s often that she would appear as a crow over a battle. She would call out and the warriors were put in a violent frenzy or paralysed with fear. Perhaps Badb has a connection with adrenaline rushes. Maybe she is the reason for them. In a ninth century battle, Basb came and flew over two armies. Before the day was done, both armies had torn one another to shreds.
Second of all, Badb is a Goddess of Death. After the First Battle of Maigh Tuireadh, one of the Fomorians wrote a poem about her. They said that Badb would thank them for their battle-combats. A battle field after the battle was also called Badb’s Garden. The crows would came and made a feast of the dead. As well as this, it’s often that Badb’s voice was heard amongst the corpses.
Thirdly, Badb had the gift of prophecy. At the end of the Second Battle of Maigh Tuireadh, she had a vision. She announced that a time of peace was coming to them. She also had a vision of the End of the World. She said that there will be Summer without blossoms, that the laws will all be false, and that every man will be a traitor. For the sake of accuracy, it should be noted the Church’s influence in this text is quite clear and this should be borne in mind as you prepare for the End of the World.
As well as this, she is the Washer in the Ford. She was seen in the story of the Destruction of Da Derga’s Hostel, announcing that misfortune was coming to Conaire Mór. She was also seen doing the same in the Destruction of Dá Choca’s hostel, for Cormac Conn Loingeas. Both times, she was washing chariots. When she put her hand in the ford, it would turn red as the water turned to blood.
These traits are all seen in the story of the Táin. Badb flew over Emain Macha, enticing Cú Chulainn to fight, insulting him. As he rode into his final battle, he saw her washing his clothes in the ford. In the end, when his hero light was extinguished, Badb flew and landed on his shoulder, declaring that he was gone.
It’s certain that Badb is a scary goddess. She has a lot of magic relating to death, as well as with violence and prophecy. It’s certain that you shouldn’t cross her.
This was our story on Badb. Join us next week for our next story.
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