The Butterfly - card

The Butterfly, Féileacáin in Irish, is central to one well known legend, that of Midir an Etain. When Midir, a king of the Tuatha De Danann, arrived home from visiting his foster son, Aengus Óg, with a new woman, Etain, in his company, his wife, Fuamnach was incensed. She turned the young woman into a butterfly but as Midir still spent all his time with this butterfly by his side, Fuamnach conjured a storm that eventually brought Etain to Brú na Bóinne. Although Aengus Óg, who lived there, looked after her, the magical storm once more brought her far away. She fell, exhausted onto the table of a royal banquet. The queen swallowed her in a drink and fell pregnant. The child born was named Etain and grew to be a beautiful young woman who married the High King Eochaid. One day his brother, who was ill called for her and asked that they could meet alone as she could make him better. She agreed and the man transformed into Midir who told her he had spent years looking for her, but she did not recognize him. He challenged the King to chess and when he won, he asked to be able to kiss Etain. The King was not pleased and asked for time to think. When Midir returned, Eochaid’s men were guarding Etain but Midir, by magic appeared by her side and kissed her. Immediately she recognized him and remembered everything. It is said they floated above the crowd of mortals and were never seen again.
The Butterfly, Sept 30th – Oct 27th. Tree Lore equivalent is the Ivy.

illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna