Eriu
Intention: Honor the land itself and its guardianship
Offerings & Symbols
- Soil from meaningful ground
- Green cloth
- A small stone
Culture: Irish (Celtic) Also called: Ériu
Eriu is one of three sister goddesses (with Banba and Fódla) said to represent Ireland itself, and the one whose name the island bears today (Éire); in the myth of the Milesian invasion, she asks that the land be named for her in exchange for welcoming the newcomers, and her request is honored.
Associations
The land itself, sovereignty granted rather than seized, guardianship, legacy in a name.
Ways people honor her (modern)
- Care for local land, however small the plot, as sacred
- Reflect on legacy: what you hope will still carry your name or spirit forward
- Keep local soil or a stone on the altar
- Read the Milesian invasion myth in the Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of Invasions)
Approach any deity with respect and do your own research. Practices vary widely between traditions, and modern devotional practice often goes beyond what survives in ancient sources.
