By Jovan Stipić

PART  1

Ah, dear reader, good day to you. It has been some time since an article of mine has seen the light of day here, which is my fault and not yours, of course. However, I will never miss a chance to write about Celtic mythology as I grew up reading and devouring every story that I could get my hands on, but also because Celtic mythology is one of the few that, at least in my humble opinion, depicts women in interesting and engaging ways. Women ruled over their sexuality freely, choosing both their lovers and husbands.

And what stories are sweeter to read about or listen to, if not those that showcase women of Celtic mythology? They are revered by their cultures for both their intellect and physical beauty, with characters as varied and complex as their male counterparts. Their opinions are not belittled, nor is their beauty diminished in favour of something else. In Celtic mythology, a woman's beauty and intellect were seen as complementary aspects of her being, both equally honored and never overshadowed or diminished.

MEADHBH AND FINDABAIR

A common trope seen today is that of the female warrior, one who is as capable with a blade as any man. An equivalent of such a trope in Celtic mythology would be Queen Meadhbh (read as Meave and translated to “one who makes men drunk”). She is depicted as a woman with an insatiable appetite when it comes to both drink and sex. Even of her marriage, she spoke the following: ...It would not suit me at all if he (my husband) were jealous, for I have never denied myself a man I took a fancy to… and I never shall, whatever husband I have now or hereafter.

Yet she is also depicted as devious and controlling, trying desperately to make the right choices for her daughter, especially regarding marriage.

Her daughter is named Findabair, which means Fair Eyebrows. However, her name can also be derived from Sprite, one of my favorite aspects of Celtic mythology. The names in this tradition are so vivid and descriptive that they effortlessly conjure a person’s character and appearance in your mind. While other cultures of the time employed similar naming conventions, none, in my view, match the richness of Celtic mythology. As we move through this article, I’ll make sure to highlight the unique beauty of each name.

Findabair is a druidess, rumored to have trained among the druids of Britain. Unlike her mother, who is assertive and dominant, Findabair embodies tenderness, softness, and deep affection. Most importantly, she remains fiercely loyal to her husband, Fraech (Fury).

She openly defies her mother and marries him, which creates a rift between the two. Maedhbh even creates the situation in which Fraech is killed by Cuchulainn, the most famous Celtic hero. Afterward, Maedhbh arranges a marriage to Rochad, whom she sees as worthy of her daughter. Filled with grief of the loss of her loved one and realizing that her mother would control her whole life, she drowns herself in a lake. This, however, is only one version of the myth. In another, she and Fraech live happily with one another and their three sons, who become heroes in their own right.

In their respective myths, we encounter two women—opposites in many ways, yet both rich in personality, with their own hopes and dreams. One is a fierce, courageous warrior with an unshakable need to control her daughter's life, while the other is a kind-hearted woman, secure in both her mind and heart. It’s up to you, dear reader, to decide who is right and who is—well—Maedhbh, I mean wrong. I highly recommend diving deeper into their stories, as they offer a captivating glimpse into the complexity of these mythological characters.

And we've only scratched the surface with the women. The men of Celtic mythology are equally diverse and human—vengeful, ambitious, powerful, weak, serious, or friendly. Most importantly, they are portrayed as fully fleshed-out individuals, just as intricate and layered as their female counterparts.