I have been doing a bit more exploration into deities and spiritual paths, and there have been a couple that I have felt particularly drawn to of late. One in particularly that I have a strong leaning to is The Cailleach (pronounced
KAL-y-ach). On the spectrum of female deities, she falls into the category of a crone. I have made my peace with the fact that I won't have children and my body has begun to tell me that menopause is fast approaching despite my doctor saying I am too young for that. Bodies will do what they will and can't be put on someone else's timetable. I haven't been a maiden for a very long time, being a mother wasn't meant for me, but I could be a kickass crone of a granny wise woman. She's a healer and a protector, a shaper of earth, an usher of seasons and bringer of weather. She can be both creative and destructive, neither good nor evil but part of the cycle that makes up everything in our world.
In Gaelic mythology (Irish, Scottish and Manx), the Cailleach is a divine hag and ancestor, associated
with the creation of the landscape and with the weather, especially storms and winter. In Scottish folklore, she is also known as Beira, Queen of Winter. As well as weather and Winter, she is also associated with horned beasts and cattle.
In Scotland, she is credited with making numerous mountains and large hills, which are said to have been formed when she was striding across the land and accidentally dropped rocks from her creel or wicker basket. In other cases she is said to have built the mountains intentionally, to serve as her stepping stones. She carries a hammer for shaping the hills and valleys, and is said to be the mother of all the goddesses and gods. According to Mackenzie, Beira was a one-eyed giantess with white hair, dark blue skin, and rust-colored teeth.
In partnership with the goddess Brìghde, the Cailleach is seen as a seasonal deity or spirit, ruling the winter months between Samhainn (1 November or first day of winter) and Bealltainn (1 May or first day of summer), while Brìghde rules the summer months between Bealltainn and Samhainn. Some interpretations have the Cailleac and Brìghde as two faces of the same goddess, while others describe the Cailleach as turning to stone on Bealltainn and reverting to humanoid form on Samhainn in time to rule over the winter months.
Ideas for Honoring the Goddess
In the morning, cover your altar or a table with a yellow cloth (maybe a napkin or placemat) to
represent the sun. Place a blue candle in a central location on the table, along with a bowl of snow to represent Cailleach Bheur and winter. As the candle burns with the light of the sun, the wax shrinks and this Goddess’s snows melt, giving away once more to the power of warmth and light. Keep the remnant was and re-melt it for any spells in which you need a cooler head. Pour the water from the snow outside to rejoin the Goddess.”
(Patricia Telesco, “365 Goddess: a daily guide to the magic and inspiration of the goddess”.)
Embracing the Cailleach can be a step towards embracing our own potentials as purple-clad, powerful Crones ourselves. Collect a variety of rocks with which to decorate your altar. A wonderful way to do this is to walk along a beach or take a nice hike, walk listen and smell nature as best you can where you are able to do so., A spiritual magical hike, a kind of meditative state, make sure you are aware of your surroundings at all times. let her messages be clearly heard. Do not pick up any rock you find, feel it listen to it, let the selection of rocks be a part of a ritual she whispers in your inner self. Take a Granny smith apple, cut it so that the star will show to you, place this on a red cloth like The Cailleach teeth or on a piece of plaid cloth like the clans folk if you desire. Cast a circle place a mirror on or above your altar. bless the elements, salt, water ect. as you would normally do. Ask yourself what strengths are written on the face you see in the mirror? intelligence, curiosity, serenity. Hold these ideas in silence. Then begin to praise the women you have become and will still yet to become. The qualities that you saw in yourself write them down, praise them and yourself for embodying them. Close the circle then invoking The Caileach again, praising her for the strength she has given you. Celebrate afterwards with a feast of fruit juices or wines , aged cheese and your Granny Smith apple or apples. Celebratory foods reminding us that age at its best, is a time of refinement, good taste, and great power.
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