3/3/11

Goddess of the Week: Aine

Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing....Image via WikipediaShanna needs a goddess to help her through a mid-career crisis. ( In this economy, don't we all?) I give her the Celtic goddess Aine.

Aine is a goddess of summer and sun. She also represents wealth and
sovereignty, which is always good to think about when it comes to careers.

Aine used to be a great Celtic goddess. When mortal kings tried to take advantage of her she would bite off their ears, and then that was it. They weren't king anymore. It was a good gig, and she really made the most of it. You know all those green meadows Ireland is so famous for? Totally her doing.

But times change. With the rise of Christianity, Aine and her kind got the boot. No more worshipful people. No more ears to bite off. She was totally downsized. She had to reinvent herself, and so she became queen of the fairies.

I know. It doesn't sound nearly as impressive. But, as queen of the fairies, she is still around. Can you say that about Hathor? Hera? Aine survives in folk culture even now. Plus, William Shakespeare wrote a play for her: "A Midsummer Night's Dream." That's hers, and that's not so shabby.

The message of Aine is to be flexible. Worry less about titles and names and more about the ability to be true to yourself.

Channel her: when in a mid-career crisis, when contemplating a new job, whenever you are finding it hard to change with the times.

Need a goddess: I got goddesses. Post a comment telling my why you need or would like a goddess of your own. Then, check back in a week or two. She'll be waiting.


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21 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

Queen of the Fairies, huh?!
Actually for artists a crisis should be a good thing for the career! That's just my view.

Joanne said...

I like Aine's message, to be true to yourself. Good advice for getting through that crisis with no regrets ...

Curly said...

Dear Margaret,
I thanked you on my blog after your lovely post, I hope you have my new url now! Anyway I am reading "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman... and you would probably love it!!!! :-) Have a splendid day!

Watson said...

Aine sounds like a good goddess for any time. "Be true to yourself"...and dance!

Jean Spitzer said...

Great message, great choice.

Tony Van Helsing said...

If she bit the kings ears off would that make their crowns slide down their heads, thereby uncrowning them?

Petrea Burchard said...

Ha ha, Tony.

I think Queen of the Fairies is a splendid job.

Margaret said...

...daisy...I've been crazy grading this week, but I'll be sure to check out your new url. I've read American Gods. I loved it.

Tony: That must be it!

Desiree said...

This is a great goddess--

Mairie said...

She's a great example - don't worry what people think about you - just do what you supposed to do.Crisis what crisis? A womanly motto if ever I heard one...
m+

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Aine survives in one of my favorite paintings by Matisse. He titled it "The Dance" but I'd recognize Aine anywhere

Watson said...

Ohhh to be able to move like that PA! I'll have to look up the artist.

Shanna said...

I am soooo excited to have your advice on my goddess!!! And a Celtic goddess at that. Green is my favorite color.

Then to see the fairies dancing like the Matisse painting...really did it. That is probably my all time favorite painting! You somehow know that dance is my all time inspiration and a major part of who I am inside.

Thank you! Thank you for Aine!!!

Laurie Allee said...

Margaret, you are a goddess. HOW do you my Celtic drum-playing, fairy-loving, dance-inspired Shanna so WELL? This is perfect. LOVE.

Shanna said...

As Laurie said, I do in fact play the Celtic drum, the bodhran. I play the dance rhythms, the jig and the reel. When Little Bit hears me play, she can't help herself. She dances. I think Little Bit may be the next Queen of the Fairies.

Does anyone know how to pronounce Aine?

Again... thank you, Margaret. I am still trying to absorb your wisdom ..and your uncanny knowledge of who I am.

Vanda said...

Do you have Godess for stupid boss crisis?

claire bangasser said...

I do like the fact that Aine is a survivor and knows how to turn a lemon in a lemonade.
I think I'll enjoy spending time with her. Thank you!

Susan Campisi said...

It's uncanny how all your goddess posts speak to me. Each one addresses the precise challenge I'm facing. (Hmmm... I guess I'm facing a lot of challenges.) But the mid-career crisis? That's my biggest one. Shanna, I hope you don't mind sharing Aine, because I'm going to start channeling her message. Thanks, Margaret.

Margaret said...

Shanna: I am so glad you approve. The goddesses call me, what else can I say?

Aine is a good one, Shanna and everyone else can have too.

Margaret said...

Jean: I haven't tried the Irish butter, but now I guess I must, if only for the sake of science.

DynamiteJ said...

her message should be a must for everybody, love this type of story why people do not care about this kind of subject nowadays, it's so interesting !! continue with the good work :)