In Praise of Macha

[abhaill]

A Prayer to Macha

She comes across the waves
Splashing fleet-footed
From her roofless dwelling
The sun of womankind

She comes from the fields
A pounding of hooves
Tattoo across the plain
Red mane whipping

She comes with the wind
Unsparing of effort
Fierce for glory
The raven of the raids

Tied to Ulster
Slain and buried
Feared and awed
Queen and champion

Tied to warriors
Blood and battle
Sweat and tears
Of the brotherhood

Tied to champions
Pride and honour
Speed and strength
Will and victory

Red daughter of Fire
Oh swift, nimble Lady
Bright Grian, pure Macha
Be with us this night

With loosened hair flowing
With lean body bared
With poise and precision
Be with us this night

Sister of horses
User of kings
Lover of heroes
Be with us this night



A Song for Macha

Where should I seek for you, Lady?
I am here among the warriors
Where should I seek for you, Lady?
Underneath a ripe rowan tree
Where should I seek for you, Lady?
At the far end of the horse track
Where should I seek for you, Lady?
I am here at your right hand

How should I come to you, Lady?
On the mirthful side of reverence
How should I come to you, Lady?
A leader in your victory
How should I come to you, Lady?
As a youthful, muddy child
How should I come to you, Lady?
In courage and strength and beauty

When should I call for you, Lady?
On nights when you’re crying alone
When should I call for you, Lady?
At a time of celebration
When should I call for you, Lady?
On a day of glory and pride
When should I call for you, Lady?
If poetry springs from your heart

What should I bring to you, Lady?
Dancing and music and song
What should I bring to you, Lady?
Your cunning strength and speed
What should I bring to you, Lady?
Your pain and your tears, Bright Star
What should I bring to you, Lady?
Bring me love in abundance

Who will I find in you, Lady?
Taskmistress, warrior queen
Who will I find in you, Lady?
The will and endurance to win
Who will I find in you, Lady?
Compassion and love ever-giving
Who will I find in you, Lady?
A triple-deep goddess am I

Now that I’ve come to you, Lady
Wisdom and beauty are mine
Now that I’ve come to you, Lady
I can be cunning and wry
Now that I’ve come to you, Lady
Passion and strength burn within me
Now that I’ve come to you, Lady
A bright, dancing woman am I

[arth_frown]

Lovely thanks for sharing

[Blackbird]

Lovely! The first one is really similar to something I got for my Grey Lady a few years ago

[abhaill]

The first one draws largely on the Metrical Dindshenchas entries about her & Emhain Macha. The second I wrote over ten years ago based on my experiences during an invocation of Macha I attended. I saw Her name mentioned somewhere in my readings here and felt compelled to share!