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Your Inner Goddess © 2006-08
Faces of the Goddess
MAEVE aka MEDB
Maeve, also known as Medb and also spelled Medhbh, was the Celtic warrior queen of Connaught in Ireland. Like most goddesses found in mythology, Maeve was not actually a historical queen. but a fierce goddess. In the epic Irish tale, Táin Bó Cuailnge, she aspires to possess the legendary Brown Bullof Ulster in order to defeat the White-Horned Bull of her mate, Ailill.
Despite the dire warning of impending doom by a prophetess, she leads her forces against those of Ulster and fights in the battle herself with weapons, unlike the other war goddesses of mythology, who usually choose to influenc the outcome solely by means of their magical powers. After three days of fighting, the brown bull is captured, therefore allowing Maeve and her Connaught warriors to defeat Ailill’s White-Horned Bulll, after which peace is made.
Maeve had an insatiable sexual appetite. Although mated with Ailill, she is also portrayed as a consort of the mighty hero Fergus, who was known for his prodigious virility.
Maeve has a sacred tree, bile Medb, and is often depicted with a squirrel and a bird sitting on her shoulders.
