Each offering is a curse. The idea of offering something typically carries a positive connotation. We often associate offerings with acts of goodwill, generosity, and kindness. Whether it’s giving a gift to a loved one on a special occasion or donating money to a charitable cause, offerings are seen as gestures of benevolence. However, it can be argued that every offering possesses an inherent curse. When we offer something to someone, it creates expectations and obligations.
Brighid – As Brigit, Brigid, Brighid, or Bríg, this Irish Goddess has been with the Irish Gods from pre-historic Ireland as one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, right through to modern Christian tradition in the form of our primary Catholic Saint. Her name is generally translated as ‘exalted one’, and she is a daughter of the Dagda. As one of the Irish Gods, she is associated with the Earraigh, the Spring (and particularly the Pagan Festival of Imbolg or Imbolc), and with fertility, and through her fire she brings healing, poetry and smithcraft. As Saint Brigid she shares many of the goddess’s associations, with a specific continuity of her sacred flame.
Áine An Irish Goddess of the seasons, wealth prosperity, and sovereignty, Aíne s name could mean any of the following brightness, glow, joy, radiance; splendour, glory, fame. The term Celtic is just a scholarly descriptor, when used correctly, to talk about Indo-European tribes in Europe who were grouped together by outside observers based on ethnolinguistic similarities so, mainly their language, art, and other cultural indicators.
When we offer something to someone, it creates expectations and obligations. The receiver may feel compelled to reciprocate the gesture, leading to an unspoken contract between the giver and receiver. This contract can create a sense of indebtedness and burden, as both parties feel obligated to maintain the balance of giving and receiving.
Irish Gods – Pagan Celtic Mythology
The Gods and Goddesses of the Irish were/are a little different from others in Celtic Mythology from Britain and Europe, and it is important to differentiate and understand what we mean by Irish Gods, specifically.
The term ‘Celtic’ is just a scholarly descriptor, when used correctly, to talk about Indo-European tribes in Europe who were grouped together (by outside observers) based on ethnolinguistic similarities – so, mainly their language, art, and other cultural indicators.
Basically what that means is that ‘the Celts’ doesn’t describe a single cohesive group of people, and it’s certainly not interchangeable with ‘the Irish’. Or even, ‘people who lived on the island we now call Ireland’!
Irish Gods, therefore, are their own unique thing. And that’s what we’ll be talking about here. This is just an intro article, so I’ll have to be brief, but you can also find a Pronunciation Guide for the Irish Gods on my YouTube Channel >>> Click Here.
An Mórrígan – The Morrígan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, or Mór-Ríoghain in Modern Irish. Her name can be translated as ‘Great Queen’, or ‘Phantom Queen’. This Irish Goddess is mainly associated with prophecy, battle and sovereignty. She can appear as a crow, who we call the Badbh (who is another of the Irish Gods, at the same time as being a form of the Great Queen). In Neo Pagan terms she is often reduced to a ‘war goddess’, and misunderstood as a ‘Goddess of Sex and Battle’. Her primary function though, in my experience, is as a bringer of change, and a Guardian of Ireland – both in this world and the Irish Otherworld.
Áine – An Irish Goddess of the seasons, wealth/prosperity, and sovereignty, Aíne’s name could mean any of the following – ‘brightness, glow, joy, radiance; splendour, glory, fame’. She has a strong association with Samhraidh (Grianstad an tSamhraidh – Midsummer) and the sun in general, and can be represented by a red mare (McKillop, 1998). Some folk talk of her in terms of love and fertility, and she is definitely in the running as one of Ireland’s primary ‘Fairy Queens’. The hill of Knockainey (Cnoc Áine in Irish) is named for her, and up to as recently as 1879, it was recorded that local people were conducting rites involving fire, the blessing of land, animals and crops, in her honour.
Brighid – As Brigit, Brigid, Brighid, or Bríg, this Irish Goddess has been with the Irish Gods from pre-historic Ireland as one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, right through to modern Christian tradition in the form of our primary Catholic Saint. Her name is generally translated as ‘exalted one’, and she is a daughter of the Dagda. As one of the Irish Gods, she is associated with the Earraigh, the Spring (and particularly the Pagan Festival of Imbolg or Imbolc), and with fertility, and through her fire she brings healing, poetry and smithcraft. As Saint Brigid she shares many of the goddess’s associations, with a specific continuity of her sacred flame.
An Dagda – One of the Tuatha Dé Danann, whose name means ‘the Good God’, the Dagda is the ‘Great Father’ (Ollathair), chieftain, and druid of the tribe (Koch, 2006). He controls life and death through his magical club/staff (an Lorg Mór), and can manage the weather, crops, the seasons, and time itself. In general, his associations are the earthly ones of fertility, agriculture, strength, as well as the Otherworldly ones of magic, druidry and wisdom. He is the husband of the Mórrígan, and the Dagda’s Tools his other tools include the cauldron which never runs empty, and a magic harp which can control human emotions and change the seasons.
Manannán Mac Lír – This deity now, is not specifically Irish, I’ll admit, and definitely crosses the boundaries with the Celtic Gods of other nations. He does however, appear often in Irish mythology, and so has definitely earned his place amongst the Irish Gods. Manannán or Manann, also known as Manannán Mac Lir (‘son of the sea’) is, as you may have guessed, a God associated with the sea… but he also has very strong connections to the Otherworld as a guardian and guide, and so with Adventures or Journeys (Eachtraí nó Immrama) there. He owns a boat named Scuabtuinne (‘wave sweeper’), a chariot that is drawn across the top of the waves as if on land by the horse Aonbharr (‘one mane’, or possibly, ‘water foam’). He also carries – and sometimes loans out – a sword named Fragarach (‘the answerer’), and a cloak of invisibility (an féth fíada).
Furthermore, offerings can create a power dynamic between the giver and receiver. When one person consistently offers gifts or favors, it can establish a hierarchy where the giver holds more power and control. The receiver may feel beholden to the giver, forced to comply with their requests or expectations in order to maintain the relationship. In addition, offerings can sometimes be perceived as manipulative or insincere. In certain situations, people may offer something in order to achieve a hidden agenda or manipulate others to act in a certain way. This manipulative aspect of offerings can taint the act itself, turning a seemingly kind gesture into a curse. Moreover, offerings can lead to a sense of entitlement. When someone consistently receives offerings, they may come to expect and rely on them. This expectation can create a sense of entitlement where the receiver feels that they are deserving of constant gifts and favors. This entitlement can sour relationships and create resentment between the giver and receiver. Overall, while offerings are often seen as acts of kindness, it is important to recognize that they can carry a curse. Each offering creates expectations, power dynamics, and potential manipulations. It is crucial to approach offerings with mindfulness and genuine intentions to avoid the negative consequences that can arise from them..
Reviews for "The Curse of FOMO: Each Offering and the Fear of Missing Out"
1. Sara - 1 star
I found "Each offering is a curse" to be quite disappointing. The story seemed to promise a thrilling and suspenseful experience, but it fell flat for me. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about them. Additionally, the writing style was dull and lacked creativity. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book.
2. John - 2 stars
While I appreciate the effort put into "Each offering is a curse," I couldn't get into the story at all. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to stay engaged. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the descriptions were overly detailed to the point of becoming tedious. The plot twists were predictable, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. I wanted to enjoy this book, but it simply didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Rachel - 1 star
I regret picking up "Each offering is a curse." The story lacked originality and felt like a rehashed version of other supernatural novels I've read. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The pacing was all over the place, with dull moments dragging on and the supposedly intense scenes lacking any real impact. I found myself losing interest quickly and ultimately had to force myself to finish the book. It just wasn't for me.