They were originally goddesses embodying the landscape and were later attributed significant war-like attributes and pictured protecting their people and territory. As will be seen, various goddesses, such as the Irish Mórrígain and the British Brigantia, possess the double aspect of land and protection in their character. In other words, it seems that the land-, territorial- or tribal-goddess was turned into a war-goddess, invoked for her protective and defensive qualities in time of conflict. It seems that the goddess presiding over the land and the tribe was, at some stage, given martial attributes to protect the territory and its inhabitants against invaders and enemies. Protection of the territory is patently linked to war.
Is there proof of such territorial- or tribal-goddesses in Britain and on the Continent? In view of Irish mythology what might have their roles been? Which functions may have been attached to them? These ‘territorial’ goddesses would have been endowed with a potent role of sovereign, representing, protecting and presiding over the tribe, while sustaining its members and guaranteeing prosperity to the province. 1229 Irish mythology indeed indicates that land-goddesses became attached to distinct territories and were revered with different names according to the peoples and places. Towns and other circumscribed areas of land were under the protection of a god”. Jullian says “it was easy at the beginning to believe that the surface of the earth was shared among a certain amount of domains each with its own god. Those land-goddesses were respected and honoured for ensuring fertility and providing the people with food.
Nature definitely had a sacred dimension for the Celts, who revered it in the form of gods and goddesses. Most notably in Ireland, but also in other parts of Europe.
The Morrigan is the goddess of war, battle, strife, and fertility in Celtic mythology.
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