Full Hunter’s Moon: October 6th

full_hunters_moon-resized

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Algonquin Native American tribes referred to October’s full moon as the Hunter’s Moon because it was time to go hunting in preparation for winter. As the days grow visibly shorter, perhaps we can use this full moon to contemplate what resources we need in order to make it through the approaching winter season.

We can think of this preparation as either literal or metaphorical. Some of us have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and have to surround ourselves with the people and coping skills we need in order to keep us healthy. Others are feeling like they’re slipping into a winter season of their lives. If this is the case, be intentional about doing what you need to do in order to keep yourself strong and grounded.

Since, the veil between the worlds is also thin this time of year, it’s the perfect night to seek the wisdom of our Ancestors and Beloved Dead who can help us to navigate the perilous journey ahead. Candles, mugwort, marigolds/calendula, pictures, etc. can help us draw closer to those on the other side. We all need to feel their love and encouragement in this stressful and angry world.

So, put the energy of this season and this powerful moon to good use. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Hurricane Helene Grief Ritual

At Yesterday’s Welcoming and Rainbow Circles we talked about processing grief as we approach the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Here is the closing ritual we did:

GRIEF RITUAL

ANOINTING FOR GRIEF [David Taliesin)
Asheville Raven & Crone’s Grief Oil

May you find comfort and strength
As we remember the devastation
Caused by Hurricane Helene.

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin
Use a chevron amethyst or quartz crystal

The Light of the Divine surrounds us
The Love of the Divine enfolds us
The Power of the Divine protects us
The Presence of the Divine watches over us
Wherever we are, the Divine is. All is well.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Spirits of Air, we remember how your fierce winds blew during the hurricane, stirring fear in our hearts. May your winds today be a gentle breeze, clearing away any lingering fear we still hold within. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Spirits of Fire, we remember the piles of debris burning after the hurricane, reducing to ash what once were living trees and plants. May your flames now be a purifying fire within our bodies, releasing the trauma we still carry from Hurricane Helene. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Spirits of Water, we have never experienced your fury quite as much as we did on September 27, 2024. Lives and homes were lost; businesses were swept away in the raging flood. Our landscape was forever changed. May your waters now flow more softly, washing away survivor’s guilt, grief, and loss. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Spirits of Earth, we lost 40% of our trees in Buncombe County during the storm and its aftermath. Yet, we know that nature is resilient, and we have seen signs of healing that began this spring and continue today. Hail and welcome!

Divine Presence who is known to us by many names, we ask for your strength as we approach the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Continue to mend that witch is broken in us and in our community as we heal and recover from the storm. Hail and welcome!

GRIEF RITUAL

Make sure everyone has a pen and some dissolving paper. Ask participants to write whatever they wish to let go of as we approach the anniversary of Hurricane Helene. When everyone is ready, ask them to go up to the bowl, one by one, and watch what they wrote dissolve in the water. Remind them that water can be both cleansing and destructive.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

Guardians and Spirits of the North, we thank you for your presence in our circle today. As we move forward, may we do all we can to restore our land and our community. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the West, we thank you for your presence in our circle today. As we move forward, may we continue to heal from the trauma of the hurricane. Help us also to be a source of healing for others. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the South, we thank you for your presence in our circle today. As we move forward, may we remember the lessons the hurricane taught us—lessons that have shifted our priorities and given us a new perspective. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the East, we thank you for your presence in our circle today. As we move forward, may our lights shine brightly. Help us to be beacons of hope and resilience. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Divine Presence, who journeys with us through storm and stillness, through loss and rebirth, we thank you for your presence in our circle today. Guide us as we continue the work of healing our community. We bid you farewell.

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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The Norns Still Weave: Discovering the Teutonic Sense of Time

I’ve been reading Kveldulf Gundarsson’s Teutonic Magic: A Guide to Germanic Divination, Lore, and Magic, and came across an intriguing passage about the Old Teutonic concept of time:

“Perhaps the most notable difference between modern thought-patterns and those of the ancient Germanic people, which relates to the most essential theory of rune working, is the concept of time and being in relationship to time. Modern Western culture has absorbed the threefold Greco-Roman concept of time as ‘past’ (that which has gone before), ‘present’ (that which is), and ‘future’ (that which will be). It is easy to associate these concept with the three Norns Urdhr, Verdhandi, and Skuld. It is also incorrect. The Germanic time-sense is not threefold, but two-fold: time is divided into ‘that-which-is,’ a concept encompassing everything that has ever happened—not as a linear progression, but as a unity of interwoven layers—and ‘that-which-is-becoming,’ the active changing of the present as it grows from patterns set in that-which-is.”

This idea is completely new to me—I haven’t seen it discussed in other rune books. But I trust Gundarsson’s scholarship, and I believe it has the potential to change the way I read runes. This is especially true when I use the Three Norns spread. As a product of modern Western culture, I’ve always read them linearly—Past, Present, and Future—treating them as separate entities. Yet, if Gundarsson is right, they are more like interconnected branches of the world tree Yggdrasil. All three are bound together in ways we may not fully comprehend.

The Past doesn’t simply vanish. It remains with us in the Present, shaping our perception of reality moment by moment. Likewise, the Future doesn’t arrive out of nowhere. It grows from the trunk of our Past-Present selves. I know it may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but it makes sense if I set aside my Western mindset for a while.

Beyond the runes, this two-fold view of time also has the potential to reshape my understanding of magic. I usually see magic as the channeling of Divine and natural energies toward whatever I’m trying to manifest. Yet Gundarsson’s perspective suggests it’s more profound than this. In working magic, I am also tapping into the power of the Ancestors. Their energy is not something that belongs only to the distant Past. It is alive with us in the Present, helping to shape the Future.

I need to sit with this for a while and see where it takes me. Have you encountered this two-fold concept of time before? If so, how has it influenced your own understanding of runes or magic? I’d love to hear your thoughts, as well as any book recommendations for further exploration.

Blessed be,
David Taliesin

Copyright, ©2025, David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Protection Ritual

This is the closing ritual we did at last night’s Circle.

ANOINTING FOR PROTECTION [David Taliesin]
7-9 drops of Hyssop Essential Oil
1/4 cup olive oi

May the Divine Presence protect you
and keep you safe from all harm.

CASTING THE CIRCLE—Protection Prayer

The Light of the Divine surrounds us
The Love of the Divine enfolds us
The Power of the Divine protects us
The Presence of the Divine watches over us
Wherever we are, the Divine is. All is well.

CALLING THE QUARTERS [David Taliesin]

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Spirits of Air, we ask you to be with us in our circle today. Protect our spirits from negative thoughts which rob us of our power, and hostile words that leave us feeling weak and defenseless. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Spirits of Fire, we ask you to be with us in our circle today. Protect our minds from conflicting voices that make it difficult for us to discern the way forward, and bad advice that is disguised as truth. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Spirits of Water, we ask you to be with us in our circle today. Protect our emotions from misdirected anger that can harm the wrong person, and media hype that leaves us in a continual state of panic. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Spirits of Earth, we ask you to be with us in our circle today. Protect our bodies from people who seek to do us physical harm, and disease that robs us of health and vitality. Hail and welcome!

Divine Presence who is known to us by many names, we ask for your protective energies to be with us in our circle today. We seek to serve you, to make this world a better place, and to be agents of change in a troubled world. Shield us from everything that prevents us from doing this sacred work. Hail and welcome!

PROTECTION MANDALA (Handout for everyone)

The protection mandala you have in front of you is governed by the element of air. Notice the hatched cross barrier. It is like an army of crossed swords and the heart center is well guarded by a unified group of individuals, symbolizing both warrior and nurturer traits.

This mandala carries the spirit of the bear. She brings her protective nature; she stands her ground; makes her presence known. She reminds us to also know instinctively when to retreat and how to best prepare for any periods of waiting.

As you spend time with this mandala, take the time to color it if you like. Allow it to speak to you. Your spirit may be asking you to be selective with your power. You must always trust your instincts, listen to whether your heart is telling you to stand up for yourself and your beliefs, or when to stay away from conflict, for it will not benefit you in any way to always be on the defensive. Protect your heart, but also know when to fight for it.

Click HERE for copy of the mandala

ENERGY RAISING TO EMPOWER THE MANDALA

CLOSING THE CIRCLE [David Taliesin]

Guardians and Spirits of the North, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle today. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the West, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle today. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the South, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle today. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the East, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle today. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Divine Presence, whose energy fills and directs everything, we thank you for your protective energy and caring presence in our circle today. As we leave this place give us the wisdom to know when to fight and when to retreat; when to speak up and when to remain silent. We bid you farewell.

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Airmed, Irish Goddess of Herbalism: The Deep Dive

Over the past two weeks, I’ve done a deep dive into Airmed, the Irish Goddess of Healing Herbs. I turned to academic sources, which definitely offered more information and analysis than I found online. Here’s a summary of what I discovered.

Story Source—The only source in Irish mythology where Airmed is mentioned is in two stories from Cath Maige Tuired (i.e. The Second Battle of Moytura). There are three English translations readily available:

  • Whitley Stokes (1891)
  • Elizabeth A. Gray (1982)
  • Morgan Daimler (2020) — available on Amazon at a very reasonable price. Daimler’s version is, in my opinion, the best. She includes some of the original poetry omitted by the other translators and provides helpful footnotes.

If you place all three translations side by side, the basic elements of the first story are as follows:

  • King Nuada loses his arm in battle.
  • Dían Cécht, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann and a master physician, treats Nuada by crafting a silver mechanical arm for him. (Other sources for this part of the story say he was assisted by the metalworker Credne.)
  • Dían’s son Míach, also a healer, thought this treatment is “not good.” He healed it in “three sets of three days” for a total of nine days.
  • When Dían sees what Míach has done, he calls it a “bad healing,” though no reason is given for his reaction.
  • Dían then kills Míach by striking him four times in the head with a sword. Míach is able to heal the first three blows but the fourth is fatal. No motive for the murder is offered. (Some versions of this part of the story omit the murder entirely.)
  • Dían buries Míach, and 365 healing herbs grow from his grave which correspond to the number of joints and sinews in his body.
  • Finally, Airmed enters the story. She “separates” or “uproots” the herbs and arranges them on her cloak according to their properties.
  • Dían, discovering her work, “scatters” or “mixes” the herbs so that no one will possess complete knowledge of their healing properties—except Airmed. (The story mentions the Holy Spirit as the one who imparts this knowledge, but I think this is likely a later Christian addition and not a part of the original myth.)

The second story is as follows:

  • Dían, Míach (who is inexplicably alive again), Airmed, and another sibling, Ochtriuil, compose incantations over a healing well named Sláine into which Dían has placed all the healing herbs in Ireland.
  • Every solider who enters the well is healed from his wounds.

Scholarly Critique—Mark Williams in his book Ireland’s Immortals: A History of the Gods of Irish Myth, offers some insightful commentary regarding the authenticity of this story. You can read his full critique in the book, but here are some highlights from it:


He notes that this episode in the Cath Maige Tuired is “difficult to interpret” and “there is strong evidence that it is a late creation.”
He suggests saga-authors “could make bold artistic choices and shifts of emphasis when handling the native gods.” This makes perfect sense to me because everyone would have their own spin on the same story, especially as it was passed on orally.

He also points out that “there are a number of other medieval accounts of the healing of Nuadu, but not one of them mentions the killing of Míach.”


He argues that the murder does not make sense since outside sources also testify to Dían’s role as “the exemplar of the profession of medicine.”


There is also the unexplained resurrection of Míach in the story.


Finally, he observes that the names Míach (bushel) and Airmed (dry measure) are both terms used by apothecaries, suggesting the story may be best interpreted symbolically or metaphorically.

Dáithí Ó hÓgáin, in his book The Lore of Ireland, includes an interesting observation that helps us to better understand the story: “This is based in an ancient idea that the spirit of a person resides in a tree or plant that grows from his grave, and also on the common folk belief that there is a herb appropriate for each and every illness.”

Also in the blog The Ever-Living Ones (https://theeverlivingones.blogspot.com), it says that the well mentioned in the second story is “now Christianized and known Lady’s Well, which can be found in the grounds of Slane Castle Co. Meath. The waters from the well flow into the nearby River Boyne.”

My Conclusions—Williams makes some compelling points that really resonate with me. Ultimately, I view Airmed as an inspiring figure—her story speaks to our ability to rise above grief and tragedy and become sources of healing, both for ourselves and for others.

Since I understand all Divine energy as the same essence, revealed to us in different names and forms, I believe we can invoke Airmed in our healing practices and magical work. She is an Irish goddess through whom we can access Divine power. We can also continue to tell her story in our own way—as long as we acknowledge the original sources. (Many modern tellings include the beautiful detail of Airmed weeping over Míach’s grave, which I personally love.)

I’m 100% certain I’m not finished with Airmed. She is a Goddess whose name I’ll be invoking often as I work with herbs on my spiritual path. I will likely develop prayers and rituals for others to use when working with her. When I do, I will share them here.

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Lughnasadh/Lammas: August 1st

lughnasadh

August has a rhythm all it’s own, especially in the South. These hot, humid days force us to slow down our pace a bit, and why not? The soil has been tilled. Gardens have been planted. Many vegetables have already been harvested and more are on the way. The only thing left to do is pray for rain and wait until everything is ripe and ready. In the meantime, we can escape the sweltering heat of the day by “sitting a spell” on the porch with friends, sipping glasses of sweet tea and eating a freshly baked peach cobbler! That’s how we roll in North Carolina and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The first of August is known by several names: 1) Lughnasadh, which is Gaelic for the modern Irish word “Lunasa,” meaning August. It gets its name from the Irish God Lugh of the Tuatha de Danann who created the Lughnasa games to honor his step-mother Tailtiu. It included a ceremony to celebrate the first fruits of the grain harvest. 2) Lammas is the English harvest festival which occurs on the same day. The word is Anglo-Saxon for “loaf mass” and was celebrated by Pagans and Christians alike. 3) Festival of Green Corn, which is the name Native Americans attach to this harvest festival, and 4) Feast of St. Peter in Chains, which is an odd ancient Christian observance that has been removed from the liturgical calendar.

Basically, Lammas is the first of three harvest Sabbats or festivals. This particular one celebrates the first fruits of corn, wheat and barley. Needless to say, this is something to be thankful for, especially in ancient times. A successful harvest meant there would be plenty of grain to last through the cold winter months. The main food for this festival is bread in one form or another. Bread has always been universally symbolic of life, Mother Earth, home, hearth, harvest and vitality. Because of this, ritual bread appears in every religious tradition I can think of.

For early Christians “Loaf Mass” was an adaptation of the Pagan Lammas. In both traditions, bread was baked and presented as an offering to the Divine in thanksgiving for a successful harvest. Here is an ancient Christian prayer that was used on Loaf Mass:

Holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, graciously deign,
to bless this bread with Thy spiritual benediction
that all who eat it may have health of body and soul
and that they may be protected against all sickness
and against all the snares of the enemy.  Amen.

Some of the bread in the Christian tradition was used to celebrate the Eucharist (Holy Communion) on Lammas. The rest of it was blessed and taken home for the Lammas Day feast. I also discovered that in Anglo-Saxon England this blessed bread was used by some to work magic! According to a book of Anglo-Saxon charms, a Lammas loaf was broken into four bits, which were placed in the four corners of the barn in order to protect the gathered grain.

In modern times, we can celebrate Lughnasadh/Lammas not only by giving thanks to the Divine for a successful harvest, it can also be a day to support local farmers. Let’s face it, they work their tails off to grow the food that appears on our tables. Perhaps we can use this holy day to commit ourselves to buying as much locally grown food as possible. I make a weekly trip to a tailgate market that is less than a mile from my house. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us urban dwellers to connect with our agrarian brothers and sisters. I always have wonderful conversations with the vendors there and I’ve learned a lot about how to cook the fruits and vegetables that are grown by them.

As a final note, my Cherokee brothers and sisters still celebrate the Festival of Green Corn. There is always dancing, singing, drumming and the eating of corn in a number of forms. You can Google the topic for more information.

So I wish everyone a most blessed Lughnasadh/Lammas celebration. If you’re ever in North Carolina I have a glass of sweet tea and a peach cobbler waiting for you!

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Healing Ritual

Here is the healing ritual we used at tonight’s Welcoming and Rainbow Circles. Powerful conversation today!

INCENSE—David Taliesin
Use some kind of healing incense such as lavender or frankincense. Light it and fan the smoke on each participant as you go around the circle. Say something like:

May you be healed in body, mind and spirit. So mote it be.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

We turn to the East and call upon the Guardians
and Elemental Spirits of Air,
Powers of communication and mental clarity.
May your energies flow through us
and heal our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Hail and welcome!

We turn to the South and call upon
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Fire,
Powers of transformation and vitality.
May your energies flow through us
and heal our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Hail and welcome!

We turn to the West and call upon
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Water,
Powers of love and tranquility.
May your energies flow through us
and heal our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Hail and welcome!

We turn to the North and call upon
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Earth,
Powers of grounding and stability.
May your energies flow through us
and heal our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Hail and welcome!
We call upon the gods and goddess of healing
to aid us in our work today:

Brigid, Celtic goddess of healing and keeper of the sacred well.
Airmed, Celtic goddess of healing arts and herbal magic.
Asclepius, Greek god of medicine and healing.
Artemis, Greek goddess of healing, especially of young women and childbirth.
Eir, Norse Goddess of healing.
Archangel Raphael, Angelic power of healing, guidance, and protection.
Sekhmet, Egyptian goddess of healing and medicine.
Hekate, goddess of crossroads and magic who guides those who are lost or seeking transformation.
Gaia, our Earth Mother, who heals us and sustains us,
As well as all other Divine forms whose names are written in our hearts and spoken by our lips.
You are all most welcome here!
We are blessed by your presence!
Hail and welcome!

HEALING RITUAL—David Taliesin

Lead the group through a brief meditation to ground and center. Encourage participants to breathe deeply and let go of stress. Visualize roots growing from their feet into the earth. Ask them to focus on the area where they need healing, whether that’s physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Raise energy as a group using the Druid tone chant Oh, ee, ah. Oh—Energy is raised. Ee—pull it back like a bow. Ah—energy is released into the circle.

When ready, tell them to direct this energy either to themselves and whatever needs to be healed or visualize sending it to others who are in need of healing.

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin
We turn to the North and give thanks to
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Earth
for helping us in our healing work today.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

We turn to the West and give thanks to
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Water
for helping us in our healing work today.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

We turn to the South and give thanks to
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Fire
for helping us in our healing work today.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

We turn to the East and give thanks to
the Guardians and Elemental Spirits of Air
for helping us in our healing work today.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

All thanks and praise to the Divine healing powers,
Who have called us to be healers as well.
Strengthen our bodies, minds and sprits,
So that we might be forces for good,
Helping to heal our broken and troubled world.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell.

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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A Goddess Oracle Deck That Stole My Heart: Caitlin McCarthy’s Divine Creation

When I first started working at Asheville Raven & Crone, Caitlin McCarthy’s artwork immediately grabbed my attention. Her black-and-white depictions of goddesses were not only stunning, but also incredibly powerful. They became instant bestsellers at the store, and it’s easy to see why—they spoke to something deep and primal.

One day, I overheard a rumor that Caitlin was working on an oracle deck. I can’t even describe the excitement that surged through me. I knew without a doubt that I needed to get my hands on one the moment it was released. But, as life often goes, time got away from me. Flash forward a year and, somehow, I missed the October 2024 release date. In my defense, we were recovering from Hurricane Helene, and my mind was understandably elsewhere.

Then, just last week, five copies of the deck appeared on our store cart, ready to be shelved. I didn’t hesitate for a second. I grabbed one immediately, paid for it, and immediately ripped the seal off the box. What I found inside was everything I’d hoped for—and more.

The cards feature various goddesses, each paired with a word that encapsulates one of her core qualities. The deck is beautifully crafted: sturdy, with a perfect weight, and a size that feels just right in your hands. As I flipped through the cards, I discovered names of goddesses I’d never encountered before. Thankfully, Caitlin has included a wonderful companion book that provides a brief summary of each goddess, which was incredibly helpful for expanding my knowledge.

That evening, I took the deck home, consecrated it, and drew my first card. Not surprisingly, it was Brigid. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, as Brigid is the goddess I’ve worked with most closely in my magical and spiritual practice. Of course she showed up first! As I continue to work with this deck, I’m excited to deepen my understanding of the divine feminine archetypes it celebrates.

I’m notoriously picky about my oracle decks, and I only own a select few. But this one? It’s a very welcome addition to my collection—and one that I know I’ll treasure for years to come.

Copyright ©2025 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Airmed: Irish Goddess of Healing Herbs

Most modern Pagans are familiar with Brigid—Irish goddess of the healing well, blacksmithing, poetry, and keeper of the sacred flame. But fewer know of Airmed (also spelled Airmid, Airmeith, or Airmedh), another powerful Irish goddess closely tied to healing, herbalism, and the mysteries of medicinal plants. As a graduate of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and the herb manager at Asheville Raven & Crone, I spend my days immersed in the very realm she governs. Her story resonates deeply with my path.

Airmed is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a powerful group of deities in Irish mythology. She is the sister of Miach, a gifted healer whose life was tragically cut short by their father, Dian Cecht—the god of medicine—out of jealousy or fear of being surpassed.


According to legend, after Miach’s death, Airmed wept at his grave. Her tears nourished the earth, and from it sprang all the healing herbs of the world—365 in total, one for each of Miach’s joints and veins. Airmed carefully gathered and arranged them on her cloak, recording their properties. But her father, consumed by envy, scattered the herbs to ensure that no mortal would ever know their full potential. Only Airmed remembers the complete knowledge of their healing powers.

This myth speaks to me deeply. In my own herbal practice, I find that there is always more to learn—some new plant, some overlooked remedy, some ancient wisdom rediscovered. The story of Airmed reminds us that true mastery is both a gift and a journey.

As I continue to work with these plant allies, I may begin to invoke Airmed more intentionally. Perhaps she will guide your healing work, too—whether in the garden, the apothecary, or within your own sacred practice.

Blessed be! ©2025 David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Eir: Norse Goddess of Healing

As I was preparing for this coming weekend’s Circles at Asheville Raven & Crone, I came across a divine name I was not familiar with: Eir, Norse Goddess of Healing. Her name means “help” or “mercy.” As best as I can tell, it’s pronounced [eh-r or air] since the “e” would be the runic letter Ehwaz and the “r” is softy rolled. However, it appears to be [eye-r] in Icelandic so the jury is still out on the proper pronunciation. [I lean toward eh-r.] Somehow, I think she would answer to both since it’s about the intent in our hearts more than anything else.

There is actually very little info written about her even though she appears briefly in the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda and skaldic poetry. Perhaps the best detail we have is in the Prose Edds where Snorri Sturlesson says she is the best of physicians among the gods. However, there is no story or description of her realm attached to it.

Ocean Keltoi, who runs an excellent YouTube channel says that taking all literary sources into consideration, “she is associated with healing and seems to blur the line between goddess and valkyrie, as well as Aesir and Jotun (giant). And it could be concluded that she is a goddess who just doesn’t care about the lines between Aesir and Jotun and instead focuses on healing all those who have injury regardless of who they may be.”

My take on this is that Divine Energy is all the same energy that reveals itself to us in many forms. Some people may appeal to Brigid, Archangel Raphael, Jesus, Gaia, Asclepius, Artemis, etc. when performing healing work. It stands to reason that Eir is a Nordic version of the same energy. This Divine energy responds to us, no matter what name we attach to it. Does that make sense?

To be honest, there is no way we can do a deep dive on Eir because there is so little info to go on. The scholars I came across when researching this blog post had lots of different opinions on this subject with little or no agreement between them.

So, if you feel called to work with Eir in your healing work, I say go for it. If you already do, let me know about your experiences with this Norse deity. I’d love to hear your story.

Blessed be! ©2025, David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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