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Sep 2nd - Sep 29th

The Swan, Éala in Irish, has been central to several Irish mythological tales. The most famous is perhaps the Children of Lir who were turned into swans and destined to spend 900 years in that state before eventually returning to their mortal but now extremely feeble form. There is another important story and one illustrated here, which connects with the ancient site of Brú na Bóinne, or Newgrange and it is that of Aengus and Caer. Aengus was the God of love who fell for a girl in his dreams. After much searching, she was discovered with 150 maidens by a lake. Her name was Caer and she was the daughter of Ethal who refused to give her up to Aengus. There was much negotiation and confrontation which involved Ailill and Maedbh of Connaught but eventually Ethal explained that every alternate year, at Samhain, his daughter would become a swan. Aengus arrived on that day to find her and 150 other swans by her side. He himself, became a swan and they flew together to Brú na Bóinne where their sweet singing sent all who lived there into slumber for three days and nights. It is said they remained together from that day forward..
The Swan Sept 2nd – Sept 29th. Tree Lore equivalent is the Vine.

illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna