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The Morrigan, Ireland's Goddess: Sovereign Secrets from an Irish View
An Authentic, Irish Perspective on the Great Queen
An esteemed Irish author and Mórrígan devotee, Rev. Lora O'Brien presents the captivating mythology and spiritual significance of this enigmatic goddess.
The importance of the Mórrígan cannot be fully appreciated without a deep understanding of her roots in Irish culture and folklore. Whether you're new to her or devoted already, this book helps you learn, experience, and integrate the lessons of the Mórrígan into your life. O'Brien dispels common myths about this goddess and provides many ways to build your relationship with her through personal practice.
Explore her history, discover how she is connected to the land, and learn why she is known as a goddess of sovereignty. Use more than fifty exercises and journal prompts to better appreciate the roles and shapes she embodies. This book makes the Mórrígan mythology relevant for today—it will help you navigate the change that is coming for us all.
An esteemed Irish author and Mórrígan devotee, Rev. Lora O'Brien presents the captivating mythology and spiritual significance of this enigmatic goddess.
The importance of the Mórrígan cannot be fully appreciated without a deep understanding of her roots in Irish culture and folklore. Whether you're new to her or devoted already, this book helps you learn, experience, and integrate the lessons of the Mórrígan into your life. O'Brien dispels common myths about this goddess and provides many ways to build your relationship with her through personal practice.
Explore her history, discover how she is connected to the land, and learn why she is known as a goddess of sovereignty. Use more than fifty exercises and journal prompts to better appreciate the roles and shapes she embodies. This book makes the Mórrígan mythology relevant for today—it will help you navigate the change that is coming for us all.
- GenresSpirituality
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2025
36 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Lora O'Brien
15 books163 followersLora is an Author, Teacher, and Guide: born and raised in Ireland, with 25+ years personal and professional experience in our history, heritage, archaeology, mythology, and pre-christian Irish Spirituality.
Book publications include - Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch, 2004 (2nd Edition, 2020); A Practical Guide to Irish Spirituality, 2013; Rathcroghan - a Journey, 2015; Tales of Old Ireland - Retold, 2018; Harp, Club & Cauldron - A Harvest of Knowledge [editor, essay], 2018; Politics, Kinship and Culture in Gaelic Ireland [essay], (Wordwell) 2018; A Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood, (Llewellyn) 2019; and The Irish Queen Medb, 2020.
She is a modern Draoí – a practitioner and priest of native Irish magic and spirituality. Lora has been consciously following a Pagan path since 1994, and dedicated specifically to the Irish Goddess Mórrígan in 2004.
She managed one of Ireland's most important sacred sites - Cruachán/Rathcroghan - for a decade, and is a co-founder and Reverend legal celebrant with Pagan Life Rites Ireland.
With her partner, Jon O'Sullivan (An Scéalaí Beag), she runs EelandOtterPress.net, and the IrishPaganSchool.com - an online learning environment where you can connect to the heritage, culture and spirituality of Ireland in an authentic and meaningful way, every day.
Lora has three children, one grandchild… but never enough plants in her life to keep her happy.
Though she’s not really one for a lot of responses to personal private messages - consider that your fair warning - you can find her in the comments section on her YouTube Channel content a couple of times a week, sending regular Irish Resources emails to her busy mailing list at LoraOBrien.ie, and personally moderating some very active community groups over on Facebook: The Morrigan’s Cave, Learn Ogham, Journeys in the Irish Otherworld, and the Irish Pagan School Community.
If you would like a personal consultation with Lora, to answer your questions on Irish spirituality, you can access that service here - https://irishpaganschool.com/p/lora-q-a
Book publications include - Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch, 2004 (2nd Edition, 2020); A Practical Guide to Irish Spirituality, 2013; Rathcroghan - a Journey, 2015; Tales of Old Ireland - Retold, 2018; Harp, Club & Cauldron - A Harvest of Knowledge [editor, essay], 2018; Politics, Kinship and Culture in Gaelic Ireland [essay], (Wordwell) 2018; A Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood, (Llewellyn) 2019; and The Irish Queen Medb, 2020.
She is a modern Draoí – a practitioner and priest of native Irish magic and spirituality. Lora has been consciously following a Pagan path since 1994, and dedicated specifically to the Irish Goddess Mórrígan in 2004.
She managed one of Ireland's most important sacred sites - Cruachán/Rathcroghan - for a decade, and is a co-founder and Reverend legal celebrant with Pagan Life Rites Ireland.
With her partner, Jon O'Sullivan (An Scéalaí Beag), she runs EelandOtterPress.net, and the IrishPaganSchool.com - an online learning environment where you can connect to the heritage, culture and spirituality of Ireland in an authentic and meaningful way, every day.
Lora has three children, one grandchild… but never enough plants in her life to keep her happy.
Though she’s not really one for a lot of responses to personal private messages - consider that your fair warning - you can find her in the comments section on her YouTube Channel content a couple of times a week, sending regular Irish Resources emails to her busy mailing list at LoraOBrien.ie, and personally moderating some very active community groups over on Facebook: The Morrigan’s Cave, Learn Ogham, Journeys in the Irish Otherworld, and the Irish Pagan School Community.
If you would like a personal consultation with Lora, to answer your questions on Irish spirituality, you can access that service here - https://irishpaganschool.com/p/lora-q-a
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 31, 2025
I was very excited and looking forward to this book, and it did not disappoint. This is an excellent book about the Morrigan, and I learned much. I know I will be referring back to this one in the future.
August 2, 2025
Book Review: The Morrigan, Ireland’s Goddess: Sovereign Secrets from an Irish View by Lora O’Brien
Rating: 4.7/5
Lora O’Brien’s The Morrigan, Ireland’s Goddess is a masterful synthesis of scholarly rigor and lived devotion, offering an unparalleled Irish perspective on the enigmatic Great Queen. As a modern Draoí (Irish spiritual practitioner) and former manager of the sacred site Cruachán/Rathcroghan, O’Brien bridges academia and Pagan practice with rare authenticity.
Strengths and Personal Impact
O’Brien’s dual lens—as both researcher and devotee—elevates this work beyond typical mythological surveys. Her dissection of the Morrigan’s roles (sovereignty goddess, warrior, shapeshifter) dismantles oversimplified dark goddess tropes, revealing a deity deeply tied to land and cultural identity. The chapter on sovereignty resonated profoundly; her analysis of how the Morrigan’s myths mirror contemporary struggles for autonomy felt urgently relevant.
The 50+ exercises (e.g., land-connected meditations, journal prompts on shadow work) transformed my reading into an active spiritual dialogue. One prompt—“How does the Morrigan’s demand for accountability reflect in your life?”—sparked a week of introspection. O’Brien’s transparency about her own devotional missteps (e.g., conflating UPG—unverified personal gnosis—with folklore) models critical self-reflection for readers.
Constructive Criticism
-Cultural Accessibility: While O’Brien emphasizes Irish context, non-Irish readers might crave more comparative analysis (e.g., parallels with other sovereignty deities like Inanna).
-Structural Flow: The transition from mytho-history (Part I) to practice (Part II) feels abrupt; a bridging chapter on “Why Devotion Matters” could strengthen cohesion.
-Visual Aids: Maps of sacred sites or timelines of the Morrigan’s literary evolution would enhance the scholarly apparatus.
Summary Takeaways:
- Finally—a Morrigan guide written by someone who actually knows Ireland’s soil and stories.
- More than a goddess book: a manifesto for reclaiming sovereignty in a fractured world.
- O’Brien doesn’t just describe the Morrigan; she teaches you how to walk with Her.
Final Thoughts
This book is a landmark in Celtic spirituality studies, balancing folklore precision (e.g., correcting common mispronunciations like “Mor-ri-gan” vs. “Mor-ree-an”) with visceral, practical spirituality. It earns a 4.7/5, docking slightly for its niche cultural framing, though this is also its greatest strength.
Thank you to one of my favorite publishers, Llewellyn, and Edelweiss for the free review copy. As O’Brien writes: “The Morrigan isn’t a metaphor; She’s a mirror.” This book is that mirror polished to a brilliant clarity.
Key Academic Contributions
- Decolonizing Mythology: Challenges neo-pagan generalizations by grounding the Morrigan in Irish toponymy and medieval texts.
-Pedagogical Innovation: Exercises like “Sovereignty Journaling” merge academic analysis with spiritual praxis.
-Ethnographic Integrity: Distinguishes between medieval Christianized records (e.g., Lebor Gabála Érenn) and probable pre-Christian oral traditions.
For curriculum use: Pair with Morgan Daimler’s Pagan Portals: The Morrigan for comparative neo-pagan perspectives, or The Ulster Cycle for primary sources.
Why This Matters Now
In an era of cultural appropriation debates, O’Brien’s work models how to honor indigenous spirituality without fetishization. Her warning—“The Morrigan isn’t a TikTok trend; She’s a call to action”—feels like a necessary corrective.
Rating: 4.7/5
Lora O’Brien’s The Morrigan, Ireland’s Goddess is a masterful synthesis of scholarly rigor and lived devotion, offering an unparalleled Irish perspective on the enigmatic Great Queen. As a modern Draoí (Irish spiritual practitioner) and former manager of the sacred site Cruachán/Rathcroghan, O’Brien bridges academia and Pagan practice with rare authenticity.
Strengths and Personal Impact
O’Brien’s dual lens—as both researcher and devotee—elevates this work beyond typical mythological surveys. Her dissection of the Morrigan’s roles (sovereignty goddess, warrior, shapeshifter) dismantles oversimplified dark goddess tropes, revealing a deity deeply tied to land and cultural identity. The chapter on sovereignty resonated profoundly; her analysis of how the Morrigan’s myths mirror contemporary struggles for autonomy felt urgently relevant.
The 50+ exercises (e.g., land-connected meditations, journal prompts on shadow work) transformed my reading into an active spiritual dialogue. One prompt—“How does the Morrigan’s demand for accountability reflect in your life?”—sparked a week of introspection. O’Brien’s transparency about her own devotional missteps (e.g., conflating UPG—unverified personal gnosis—with folklore) models critical self-reflection for readers.
Constructive Criticism
-Cultural Accessibility: While O’Brien emphasizes Irish context, non-Irish readers might crave more comparative analysis (e.g., parallels with other sovereignty deities like Inanna).
-Structural Flow: The transition from mytho-history (Part I) to practice (Part II) feels abrupt; a bridging chapter on “Why Devotion Matters” could strengthen cohesion.
-Visual Aids: Maps of sacred sites or timelines of the Morrigan’s literary evolution would enhance the scholarly apparatus.
Summary Takeaways:
- Finally—a Morrigan guide written by someone who actually knows Ireland’s soil and stories.
- More than a goddess book: a manifesto for reclaiming sovereignty in a fractured world.
- O’Brien doesn’t just describe the Morrigan; she teaches you how to walk with Her.
Final Thoughts
This book is a landmark in Celtic spirituality studies, balancing folklore precision (e.g., correcting common mispronunciations like “Mor-ri-gan” vs. “Mor-ree-an”) with visceral, practical spirituality. It earns a 4.7/5, docking slightly for its niche cultural framing, though this is also its greatest strength.
Thank you to one of my favorite publishers, Llewellyn, and Edelweiss for the free review copy. As O’Brien writes: “The Morrigan isn’t a metaphor; She’s a mirror.” This book is that mirror polished to a brilliant clarity.
Key Academic Contributions
- Decolonizing Mythology: Challenges neo-pagan generalizations by grounding the Morrigan in Irish toponymy and medieval texts.
-Pedagogical Innovation: Exercises like “Sovereignty Journaling” merge academic analysis with spiritual praxis.
-Ethnographic Integrity: Distinguishes between medieval Christianized records (e.g., Lebor Gabála Érenn) and probable pre-Christian oral traditions.
For curriculum use: Pair with Morgan Daimler’s Pagan Portals: The Morrigan for comparative neo-pagan perspectives, or The Ulster Cycle for primary sources.
Why This Matters Now
In an era of cultural appropriation debates, O’Brien’s work models how to honor indigenous spirituality without fetishization. Her warning—“The Morrigan isn’t a TikTok trend; She’s a call to action”—feels like a necessary corrective.
October 29, 2025
The Mórrígan: Ireland’s Goddess is a fascinating read, so much so that I really took my time reading it. From the very beginning, Lora has a clear purpose in writing this book and in their work generally. That purpose is to direct the audience to historical sources of information about the Mórrígan, expanding on her qualities and concerns, and helping the reader to develop their own relationship with and inspired by her.
The book is divided into three broad sections: Understanding the Mórrígan, Devotion and Practice, and A Goddess for this Age. The book is clearly laid out, and skilfully written. Sources are referenced, and there is a comprehensive bibliography and appendix. Lora’s writing style is a beautiful balance between conversational and academic rigour. And when directly addressing the audience, Lora’s writing is unapologetically written in Hiberno-English. What struck me most reading this book is how open, vulnerable, and humble Lora is in their writing. In explaining their relationship history with the Goddess, Lora shares some very personal history, and it feels very intimate to be privy to.
The key takeaway of this book for me is integrity. Lora challenges us, as those interested in Irish mythology and paganism to do our research and read the source material. Translations of all the old texts are available for free online from academic sources. We have no excuse. We are then invited to develop our own, honest, and real relationship with the Goddess in whatever way works best for us through devotional practices, prayer, offerings, divination, and acts of creativity. And finally, we are invited to explore our own shadow work, both culturally and personally.
A central value and aspect of the Mórrígan is Sovereignty, and Lora’s teaching in this book is a perfect example. At no point does Lora tell us what our practice should look like, or imply at any point that their relationship with the Goddess is more than ours could be. There is no final product at the end of this book, be that priesthood, dedication, or a prescribed style of devotion. All practices, including Lora’s own, are offered as suggestions, for you, the reader to explore.
I can highly recommend this book if you are called to deepen your relationship with the Great Queen of Ireland, but also to explore spiritual practices based on authenticity, honesty, and right relationship.
The book is divided into three broad sections: Understanding the Mórrígan, Devotion and Practice, and A Goddess for this Age. The book is clearly laid out, and skilfully written. Sources are referenced, and there is a comprehensive bibliography and appendix. Lora’s writing style is a beautiful balance between conversational and academic rigour. And when directly addressing the audience, Lora’s writing is unapologetically written in Hiberno-English. What struck me most reading this book is how open, vulnerable, and humble Lora is in their writing. In explaining their relationship history with the Goddess, Lora shares some very personal history, and it feels very intimate to be privy to.
The key takeaway of this book for me is integrity. Lora challenges us, as those interested in Irish mythology and paganism to do our research and read the source material. Translations of all the old texts are available for free online from academic sources. We have no excuse. We are then invited to develop our own, honest, and real relationship with the Goddess in whatever way works best for us through devotional practices, prayer, offerings, divination, and acts of creativity. And finally, we are invited to explore our own shadow work, both culturally and personally.
A central value and aspect of the Mórrígan is Sovereignty, and Lora’s teaching in this book is a perfect example. At no point does Lora tell us what our practice should look like, or imply at any point that their relationship with the Goddess is more than ours could be. There is no final product at the end of this book, be that priesthood, dedication, or a prescribed style of devotion. All practices, including Lora’s own, are offered as suggestions, for you, the reader to explore.
I can highly recommend this book if you are called to deepen your relationship with the Great Queen of Ireland, but also to explore spiritual practices based on authenticity, honesty, and right relationship.
September 3, 2025
This book is a catalyst for transformation.
If you feel drawn to the Mórrígan in any way, YOU NEED THIS BOOK! This is for the mythology nerds, both archaeological and spiritual alike.
Reverend Lora O’Brien has done a lifetime of work and experience, gathering all the pieces connected to this great goddess (archaeology, history, culture, spirituality, etymology and linguistics, etc…). Now (with hundreds of cited sources) they have placed it all here in an easy-to-read way—I don’t say that lightly as an ADHDer who hasn’t been able to finish a book in years!
Their sense of humor makes it entertaining and the many exercises and journal prompts keep you actively engaged as you read and beyond.
If you seek to know the real Mórrígan direct from the source, this is the book for you!
If you feel drawn to the Mórrígan in any way, YOU NEED THIS BOOK! This is for the mythology nerds, both archaeological and spiritual alike.
Reverend Lora O’Brien has done a lifetime of work and experience, gathering all the pieces connected to this great goddess (archaeology, history, culture, spirituality, etymology and linguistics, etc…). Now (with hundreds of cited sources) they have placed it all here in an easy-to-read way—I don’t say that lightly as an ADHDer who hasn’t been able to finish a book in years!
Their sense of humor makes it entertaining and the many exercises and journal prompts keep you actively engaged as you read and beyond.
If you seek to know the real Mórrígan direct from the source, this is the book for you!
October 25, 2025
Lora O'Brien's Book is life-changing! It has transformed my relationship to my own personal sovereignty and has grounded my spiritual practice with The Morrigan, Great Queen, in authentic source material and guidance, and this has made all the difference in me developing right-relationship with The Great Queen. This book should be the first one you read when you want to connect with The Morrigan and understand her truth and the transformative power she provides in walking a path of integrity and right-relationship to yourself, the land, the people, and the Divine. GET IT NOW! Oh and listen to her podcast, The Morrigan Academy Podcast, and join the Academy. In fact, anything you want to learn from a native Irish perspective about Ireland, check out The Irish Pagan School as well!
January 2, 2026
If you want an excellent guide to The Mórrígan, this is an excellent book. To enhance your reading of this book, I recommend also getting a copy of Morgan Daimler for their poetry translation. If you want to increase more information or reading isn’t your style, I recommend Rev. O’Brien’s Irish Pagan School to get additional information.
The books layout of 3 parts were interesting and unique blend of effective research and UPG. I absolutely loved how well the author blended these two elements together
The books layout of 3 parts were interesting and unique blend of effective research and UPG. I absolutely loved how well the author blended these two elements together
August 17, 2025
This groundbreaking book is exactly the learning resource I have been hoping for since diving into Irish mythology and history. Not only is it organized well, it is keen in its insight (with sources cited), and a pleasure to read to boot. If what you're looking for is an authentic, no bs approach to the Mórrígan that not only includes mythology but content on how to build your relationship with her, this is the book for you.
December 2, 2025
Powerful book from a native Irish source with straight-forward and engaging text that comes from the living spiritual Irish practices. A must-read for anyone who has felt called by the Morrigan, is currently practicing or interested in practicing Irish paganism, or simply interested in learning about indigenous Irish lore and traditions. In a sea of appropriated “Celtic” spirituality, this is a breath of fresh air with authentic, decolonized guidance and suggestions for daily practice.
December 29, 2025
Another instant keep from Lora O'Brien.
There is no question how throughly researched this book it, how she stats her sources and encourages her readers to look up the source materials themselves, and then wraps it up to perfection with her personal stories and touches so it doesnt feel overwhelming. Cause these paragraphs are bursting with info and not a word is wasted
There is no question how throughly researched this book it, how she stats her sources and encourages her readers to look up the source materials themselves, and then wraps it up to perfection with her personal stories and touches so it doesnt feel overwhelming. Cause these paragraphs are bursting with info and not a word is wasted
November 1, 2025
This is the book on the Morrigan I've been waiting for, every chapter has exercises and lessons that point you both to the past for a foundation and to the future for action.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews