This year’s autumn equinox takes place on September 22, marking a significant moment in the Pagan calendar known as Mabon. This celebration is a tribute to the conclusion of the harvest season and a chance to appreciate our natural surroundings and the spirits that inhabit them. Mabon represents a moment of perfect equilibrium, where day and night share equal time, gently guiding us into the winter’s darker embrace.
One figure that embodies this balance is Flidais (pronounced flee-ish), a multifaceted Celtic Goddess with a rich tapestry of stories and symbolism. She signifies both our domestic and wild instincts, making her an apt deity to invoke during this time of balance. Her roots lie deep within ancient myths, where she is first recognized as an Earth Mother. As the mother to legendary Irish heroes like Arden and Bé Téite, as well as the “she-farmers,” Bé Chuille and Dinand, she bestowed upon them the knowledge and capability to cultivate the land for their communities.
In contemporary Celtic practice, Flidais is revered as a woodland Goddess, safeguarding the wild flora and fauna. However, her mythological ties extend to both wild creatures and domesticated animals, with deer and cattle being particularly sacred to her. The notion of her milking these animals illustrates her deep connection to the cycle of life and abundance. Her magical herd of cattle, as narrated in the epic tale of the Cattle Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge), provided sustenance for the entire army every week.
Beyond her nurturing aspect, Flidais also embodies characteristics of a shape-shifter, a Goddess of Sexuality, and a Healing Goddess. She is associated with the Tuatha Dé Danaan—believed to be derived from pre-Christian deities of Ireland—and her stories intertwine with those found in the Welsh Mabinogion and medieval narratives in the Irish Ulster cycles. Over time, these deities evolved into mortal figures like queens and heroes in ancient tales.
Often referred to as Flidais Foltchaoin, meaning “Soft-haired” or “Fair-haired,” some scholars debate the meaning of her name, with interpretations ranging from “wet one” to associations with Artemis, the Greek Goddess of the Hunt. However, some critics argue that Flidais might have emerged purely as a literary figure in later centuries.
Various legends surround her relationships and marriages. In one Middle Irish glossary titled “Fitness of Names,” she is presented as the wife of the High King Adamair and mother to Nia Segamain. She bequeathed her love for animals and her powers to her son, allowing him to create immense wealth through milking. Another narrative claims her to be the mother of Fand, a Celtic Sea Goddess.
In the Ulster Cycle tale “The Driving off of Flidais’s Cattle,” she takes on a prominent role as both a Goddess of Sensuality and an Earth Mother. Although married to Ailill Finn, she is enamored with Fergus mac Rog, prompted by tales of his valor. In exchange for his affections, she promised to share her herd of cattle with him. A miraculous event in this tale demonstrates her wealth, as a single cow could sustain 300 men. Her sexual prowess is highlighted here, revealing that only she could provide true satisfaction to Fergus, unlike the seven women who otherwise failed to do so.
Flidais’s associations with earthy hues such as brown and green complement her identity as an Earth Goddess. Her sacred animal, the deer, reinforces her connection to nature, with some scholars positing that she rode in a chariot pulled by these creatures. Flidais serves as a guardian of trees and animals, often being invoked by the less fortunate in search of refuge.
Calling on Flidais can be particularly beneficial during times of imbalance, as she embodies the natural cycles of growth and renewal. She helps individuals navigate their dual domesticated and wild instincts, facilitating a harmonious internal balance. Furthermore, Flidais encourages exploration of one’s sexuality, guiding through the guilt often imposed by society, while also empowering individuals by sharing her gifts of nurturing, abundance, and sensuality. Her transformative nature as a shape-shifter paves the way for personal evolution, inviting individuals into new realms of abundance and creativity. Embrace the depth of her love and the connection to her “cattle” within your heart.
