Also called Neman, Nemon.
Their story
Nemain appears in the Irish tales as a spirit of battle frenzy, sometimes called the wife of the war god Néit. In the Táin Bó Cúailnge she shrieks over the armies of Connacht and a hundred warriors die of terror. The glossaries sometimes treat her as another name for Badb.
Best times to give to them
- Samhain
- when facing overwhelming fear
What they like being given
- a candle
- a moment of silence
- bread left outdoors
How to honour them
- Acknowledge her when panic rises, and ask to see it for what it is.
- Use slow breathing to take back your calm; that is the lesson of her tales.
How they can help you
- understanding panic and fear
- keeping calm under pressure
Symbols
- the war cry
- crows
Her identity overlaps with Badb and the Morrígan in the sources.
Sources
- Táin Bó Cúailnge
- MacKillop, Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology
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