The Legacy of the Four Treasures Continues...

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As I continued being introduced to more royalty, I also continued to get many fascinating stories.  Another king I met was a man by the name of Slaine.  This was one of the first men I met, instead of the Man-gods I have talked about previously.

Slaine was not noble born, but he was handsome and strong.  As he developed his fighting skills, his reputation for being a superior man spread.  Unfortunately, his vanity led him to do something that got him thrown out of the clan. 

Slaine was forced to roam the land with his only companion being a dwarf name Ukko.  As Slaine and Ukko were travelling around, a portal to the world of the gods opened.  Slaine walked through and was greeted by Lugh.  Lugh told Slaine that he was destined to become the High King of Tir na nog.  Because of his background and lot in life, Slaine laughed at Lugh and told him there was no way Slaine was king material.  He had nothing, so how could he possibly be a king? 

Lugh, being a patient and understanding, continued by telling Slaine that if he collected the four magical treasures of the people, then he would be king.  All of the treasures had never been brought.  They were brought to Ireland throughout the time of the god kings, but the treasures were never together all at once. 

At that moment, the god Dagda appeared and gave Slaine the cauldron.  He told Slaine that since the gods helped him get started, and then Slaine should succeed.  Slaine still doubted, but he wasn’t about to argue with the gods, so he began his search.

Slaine began by returning to his clan.  While Slaine was away, the clan had come into hard times.  The chieftain would demand high taxes from the people.  If they could not pay, the chieftain would punish them by cutting off their noses. Well, the people had fallen on hard times and were getting punished often.  This made the chieftain very sad.  It turned out that is witch wife was making him do these things.  He did like hurting his people.  So, he chose to be sacrificed.  When a chieftain was sacrificed, his blood would roll toward one person, and that was the only way a non-royal could become chieftain.  On the day of the sacrifice, Slaine reappeared and the blood rolled toward him.  That night, for the first time in years, the clan was able to eat a feast for Slaine was able to provide for them with the cauldron of Dagda…

After a long and arduous task, Slaine gathered the four treasured items of Tir na nog; the Cauldron of Dagda, The Spear of the Lugh, the Sword of the Nuada and Lia Fail, the stone of destiny. He already had the Cauldron of Dagda, and he set out getting the Spear and the Sword from the chieftains that possessed them. Because each of the different chieftains of Ireland held the treasures, that is why there was no High King.  The Sword is the giant rending blade that can kill the mightiest foe with one blow, which Slaine got from King Gann. The Spear of Lugh was his own mighty weapon that when released you can name a target and it will fly from your hands and plunge into your opponent, killing it instantly. Reluctantly King Rudraige handed over the Spear and Slaine went in search of the Stone of Destiny.

When Slaine finally found it was in the hands of the avanc, the last of a race of monstrous beaver folk and Slaine had to kill it to get the stone. The stone is said in the ancient legends to shriek out a long wailing note if the rightful High King of Tir na nog stands on it with the other four treasured items.  Slaine let all the chieftains go first, but no roar came.  Then Slaine stood with all the treasures on the Stone of Destiny, and, sure enough, it roared out.  Hence, Slaine was the High King who first united all the treasures.

The Four Treasures of Ireland Mandala by Marg Thomson

The cauldron of Dagda or the cauldron of bounty

From Muirias was brought the cauldron of Dagda;

No company would go from it unsatisfied.

Lebor Gabal Erenn

The last of the four treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann is the Cauldron of Dagda.  In Celtic daily life, the cauldron was the most important item of a house.  It was used for cooking, brewing, dyeing, and working leather.  It was usually found in the center of home for ease of access.  Therefore, it became a symbol of the center of the cosmos.

Dagda was a god of the old who was, amongst other things, the god of excess and abundance.  Because Dagda was known for these things, it makes sense that his cauldron would be able to feed any number of people.  However, this cauldron was also known for being able to resurrect slain warriors or heal any injured man.

This cauldron in Tralee park, was designed and made by the the local and talented artist Paula O' Sullivan from Tralee

As we learned yesterday from the Bard, being able to house and feed people who were in need was important to the Irish of yore.  If you denied or were unable to feed someone, you might get mocked and inflicted with boils!

Also, the cauldron was placed in front of the Stone of Destiny.  So, when the stone roared with the announcement of the new king, the goddess Danu would emerge from the cauldron in order to crown the new king! 

And those are the Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann.  I hope you all understand, as I was made to, how important these objects were to the high kings of Ireland.

Always remember to respect a Bard...

Nuada was the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, who brought his tribe to Ireland and contended with its inhabitants for possession of the island. At the first battle at Mag Tuireadh, Nuada's warriors clash with the Fir Bolg. The battle is carried out as a series of single combats, one warrior against another, until Nuada is matched with a Fir Bolg champion, Streng. Nuada fights fiercely, but he suffers a great loss — the enemy warrior slices off his left hand at the wrist. Even so, the Fir Bolg are eventually driven back, and they retreat to the western province of Connacht.

Because sacred law decrees that a king of the Dé Danann must be whole in body and mind, the maimed Nuada is forced to step down as ruler of the gods. A council is convened, and a new king is appointed by vote, a half-Fomorian named Bres the Beautiful. . Unlike the rather conventional Fir Bolgs, the Fomorians are, like the Dé Dananns, a magical race, described as misshapen one-eyed giants who live under the waves.  However, Bres gets to be King because he is not misshapen like the others. 

Bres, despite his dashing figure, proves a very unpopular king. He identifies with his Fomorian side and treats the Dé Dananns terribly, levying large taxes and forgoing the usual hospitality and entertainments a king is expected to provide. A solution is sought, and finally, the Dé Danann Lugh uses his healing skill to fashion for Nuada a fantastic silver hand, which functions as well as a human hand. Restored to wholeness, Nuada seeks to regain his position.

Bres, however, is having none of it. He enjoys being king and naturally refuses to step aside. All seems hopeless until a bard, Cairpre, seeks the hospitality of Bres' court and, like so many before him, is refused. The offended Cairpre composes the first bardic satire (satire is when someone uses jokes to point out another's shortcomings) of legend, a scathing indictment of Bres's stinginess:

No meat on the plates; No milk of the cows; No shelter after sunset; No money for minstrels: May Bres's cheer be what he gives others!

In other words, the Bard is saying he hopes the king gets the same treatment he gives to others.  The poem embarrasses Bres so greatly that his face breaks out in gigantic boils, a disfiguration great enough to force Bres to abdicate the throne according to the ancient rules. In short order, Nuada is once again king of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

The dethroned Bres has no intention of going quietly. He complains of his humiliation to his Fomorian relatives, and the Tuatha Dé Danann soon face a wave of invaders.  But, they will stand with greatness! 

Claíomh Solais: The Sword of Light – King Nuada

"From Findias was brought the Sword of Nuada;
no man would escape from it when it was drawn from its scabbard.
There was no resisting it."
--Lebor Gabala Erenn

The Sword of Renewal or the Sword of Light was brought from the region of Findias to the Hill of Tara.  It belonged to King Nuada.

King Nuada was the first known king of the Tuatha Dé Danann.  Alas, he was hurt by an enemy; his hand was cut off during a battle.  Nuada still won the battle.  However, it is a Tuatha Dé Danann tradition that their king must be physically perfect.  So, because his hand was lost, Nuada lost his kingship.  I know!  I was awestruck too.  I met this man, and he definitely is a king amongst kings.  Plus, he won his battle and by honoring his people with a battle won, they say…sorry, you can’t be our king anymore.  Not cool.  Not cool at all.

Well, as many of you might remember (if not, read yesterday’s story), there was Lugh amongst the Tuatha Dé Danann during this time.  Lugh, who so craftily gained admittance to these people, was ready to be there for Nuada.  With his multitude of talents, Lugh forged a hand for the king out of silver.  Hence, King Nuada was restored to power, and he gained the name Nuada Airgetlám, Nuada of the silver hand/arm. 

Pic: strangedays.it

Lugh was actually such a good friend to King Nuada that when King Nuada was killed in battle, Lugh hunted down and avenged his friend. Because of this act, Lugh was crowned king.

The Sword of Nuada is not merely an instrument of battle.  Instead, it is a sword of the people.  The sword is formed of the people and by the creative forces of the people.  Its brightness is a symbol of the illumination of the people of the Tuatha Dé Danann.  Being a sword forged by the force of the people, the sword is also a powerful source that cannot be overcome.

The four treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann

"From Goirias was brought the spear which Lugh had:

battle would never go against him who had it in hand"

(MacAlister translation)

Because I had given the Royalty their due, I was granted with more stories.  Stories are important to the people of Ireland because for a long time, the people of Ireland did not write or record anything.  In fact, they strove to keep their knowledge, history, and beliefs secret, so no one could steal it from them.  However, I learned more about the Stone of Destiny, Lia Fáil and the people who brought it to Ireland.

The Tuatha Dé Danann, or people of the goddess Danu, are a race of people from the deities of Ireland before Christianity took its place there.  They came from four cities to the north of Ireland–Falias, Goirias, Murias and Finias–where they acquired their occult skills and attributes.  It is from these four cities that the Tuatha Dé Danann brought four magical treasures, one apiece from each city.  The first was from Falias, and the treasure was Lia Fáil.

The second treasure was from Goirias.  It was called the Spear of Lugh.  Lugh was one of the High Kings of mythology, a deity also!  He was a late-comer to the Tuatha Dé Danann.  He arrived at Tara to join the court of Nuada.  But, the people refuse to let him in until he proves his worth.  He offers his services as a wright, a smith, a champion, a swordsman, a harpist, a hero, a poet and historian, a sorcerer, and a craftsman, but each time is rejected as the Tuatha Dé Danann already have someone with that skill.  However, being a crafty one, Lugh, asks if there is anyone who possesses all of those skills.  The doorman admits defeat and grants Lugh a place in the Kingdom.  I don't blame them.  I would let someone with all of those skills hang around with me too!

 Copyright 2009 Howard David Johnson

The Spear of Lugh

The Spear of Lugh is also known as the Spear of Inspiration.  For Lugh knew that wisdom was not always enough to get one through a battle, or any trial.  It is through inspiration that each of us is raised to a higher level when faced with a challenge.  Inspiration drives an artist to create a masterpiece.  Inspiration is not only for an artist, a healer, or even the wise.  Inspiration is what magnifies creative energies in every person.  Inspiration drives us through our difficult days as well as carries us through our triumphs.  I found this to be a wonderful story.  A spear that is not honored for its battle ability, but the aid it gives your mind!!!!

Oh no what to do now....

By the time King Brian was finishing the grand story about cows, a large crowd of various kings, queens, and royalty had gathered.  When he finished speaking, everyone was looking at me and waiting in anticipation.  Oh no!  What happens now???  And then, it hit me.  I came and they gave me all these honors and gifts.  Now, it was my turn to give them their due respect.  AAACCCKKK!!!  What do I do?  Here I am on an amazing adventure that I did not plan and I am being put on the spot!  Think, Moolarky, think.  I know we are celebrating these people.  Maybe if give them an example of the honor they are receiving, then they will understand the honor in which we place them.

Suddenly, I knew exactly what to tell them.  I told them about our special play in their honor.  This is what I shared…

“We have a special cultural arts center called Trilogy in my town.  This art center provides camps and classes for kids, so they can develop and study music, theatre, dance, and graphic arts.  It is a wonderful place where kids can learn and grow in courses that interest them, or courses that help them become happier kids.  This center has planned something very special in honor of you Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses.  They seek to honor you by performing for the kids during Irish Fest in a story about what it might be like for a Prince.  Prince Flynn.  For the Prince is becoming more of a man, but he needs a little push…a little extra something to push him in the right direction of becoming a King.”

I could tell by their faces the royalty was excited…

“And, what better to help the Prince find his way than the most noble of all quests.  The quest he embarks on is to find and earn a beautiful bride.  For what could be more important than finding love and proving to the Princess that you deserve her!”

I got so many smiles and laughs from that description that I would be willing to bet that more than a few of these royals either went on the same mission, or had a son who did.  I, then, told them that my friends at Trilogy were going to perform this play throughout the weekend, even twice on some days.  That way all kids have a chance to see and learn about what it takes to grow up as a prince. Applause went through the crowd.  I was proud that we had found a way to show our appreciation of the High Kings by representing them in a play.  Of course, that is just one of the fun events we plan for the weekend!

The Importance of a Name...

After he finished the legend, King Brian went on to tell me that cows have always been important in Ireland.  A King was not truly a king until he had enough cows, or performed enough cow raids, to be considered wealthy.  The Irish also believed that if one of the cows did not produce enough milk, then that cow must have been stolen by a fairy and replaced with a changeling.  The Kings, the fey, and all the way down to the poorest of peasants had cows.  I love that cows represented wealth to the Irish of yore.  I certainly felt important, not that I lack for love in Kansas City either!!

Some Irish Cows

After reading the great story about the entrance of cows into Ireland, I am sure you can understand how important it became to me that we have a truly regal name for our cow this year.  I recently met her and she is beautiful and humble, yet excited to be our Royal Cow.   I know so many of you are eager to name her and bring her home with you.  I wish you all the best of luck!!