“On another St. John’s Night, a number of girls had stayed late on the Hill watching the cliars (torches) and joining in the games. Suddenly Ainé appeared among them, thanked them for the honour they had done her, but said she now wished them to go home, as they wanted the hill to themselves. She let them understand whom she meant by they, for calling some of the girls she made them look through a ring, when behold, the hill appeared crowded with people before invisible.” ¹
An Irish Goddess of Summer Solstice and of Lughnasadh who brings love, protection, fertility, wealth and sovereignty. As Moon Goddess, she is guardian of the livestock, crops, and cattle. As Sun Goddess, she takes the form of ‘Lair Derg’, a red mare that no one can outrun. In her guise as the red mare, she travels among the people, bringing blessings. ²
She is the sister of Grian (Grainne), the weak winter Sun. Áine is the bright, hot Sun of summer, ruling over the light half of the year, while Grian rules over the dark half.
It is said that she could inspire the poets, or drive them mad. Her sacred lake Lough Gur was a place where the sick were taken on a full Moon night to be healed. If they didn’t recover Áine would sing to comfort them and then help them to cross to the Otherworld.
At Midsummer, a ritual fire was lit on top of Cnoc Áine, her sacred mountain, and runners would light torches from the flames and carry them down to the cattle and the fields, running through them to bless them. Áine sat in her birthing chair on Lughnasadh and gave birth to a sheaf of grain, bestowing it as a gift to the people.
According to legend Áine gave Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) its fragrance, making it an herb sacred to her. Meadowsweet was once a “strewing herb” placed on the floors of a home to give off a sweet smell when stepped on. It was also used as a fragrant strewing herb at weddings, giving it the folk name “Bridewort”. ³
To honor Áine place fresh Meadowsweet on the altar at Midsummer, and a sheaf of new grain on the altar at Lughnasadh. Wear a crown of Meadowsweet and other summer flowers, especially yellow St. John’s wort which blooms at her festival, in her honor. Burn Meadowsweet flowers as incense to bring love, peace and happiness into the home. Add Meadowsweet flowers to the bride’s bouquet to bless the union.
Grain, bread, milk, honey and cheese are fine offerings to her, and in honor of her “red mare” aspect, red flowers and red berries such as Hawthorn berries, Elderberries, and Rowan (Mountain Ash) berries. A libation of Meadowsweet flavored mead would be nice.
¹ Rolleston, T.W., Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race, George G. Harrap & Co., London, 1911, P. 129
² Alexander, Sharyn, The Celtic Journey, Áine, the Faery Goddess thecelticjourney.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/aine/
³ Velvethope, Meadowsweet – the flower of Aine velvethopewrites.tumblr.com/post/190728116884/meadowsweet-the-flower-of-aine-look-out-for-the
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