Also called Étaín Echraide, Etain.
Their story
Étaín was the wife of Midir, turned into a fly by the jealous Fuamnach and blown about Ireland for years. Aengus sheltered her in a crystal bower until Fuamnach found her again. She fell into the cup of a woman of Ulster and was swallowed, and was reborn as a mortal woman who married Eochaid Airem, king of Tara. Midir came to reclaim her and she left with him in the shape of a swan.
Best times to give to them
- Bealtaine
- Samhain
- times of big personal change
What they like being given
- flowers
- milk
- a ribbon
- a clear glass of water
How to honour them
- Reflect on what in you has survived hard changes and give thanks for it.
- Keep a feather or a swan image on your altar as a sign of transformation.
- Offer a small kindness to someone going through a hard time.
How they can help you
- surviving change
- rebirth and new starts
- self-worth
Symbols
- the purple fly
- the swan
- a golden cup
Some scholars read her as a sovereignty figure; the tale itself presents her more as a woman caught between two lovers.
Sources
- Tochmarc Étaíne
- Togail Bruidne Da Derga
More Celtic goddesses
- Brigid Keeper of the sacred flame
- The Morrígan Great Queen of battle and prophecy
- Danu Mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Rhiannon The queen on the white horse
- Cerridwen Keeper of the cauldron of inspiration
- Epona Great Mare, protector of horses
- Arianrhod Lady of the silver wheel
- Airmed Keeper of the healing herbs