Daghda
"Mother of earth, we grant you this offering. May it be to thine liking. Please offer us in return your patronage and goodwill this year again, may our crops grow, our children flourish and our earth fertile"-Common prayer to Daghda in the Eastern Realms
Daghda is the goddess of the earth and harvest. She was born as her other siblings of the Second Pantheon from the fusion and mutual destruction of the First Pantheon and The first Higher Ones . However, along with this she was created as a twin god to Mannamen mac Lir , the god of the ocean and sea creatures. As such, The two gods share a special bond and antagonism typical of close siblings that persists to this day.
Daghda is a goddess of the common folk. Farmers pray to her for a good harvest, and curse her when pests arise. Just as ambivalent as her followers, the goddess moves through the seasons, controlling their impact on mortals, without a care. During the warm seasons of spring and summer mostly, she will be more bountiful, but her unpredictability may make harvests be eaten by a plague as well as it might make them flourish. Furthermore, her control of the land and the earth allows her to create new landmasses whenever she wins an argument with Mannamen mac Lir .
The goddess of harvest is not studied by many intellectuals, as they judge her too simple and unpredictable, as well as shrouded in myths and old wives tales that spread amongst the common folk. As such, not many books exist on her, but ask any farmer who has lived many winters and he will be able to tell you stories that will keep you fascinated for days.
Daghda is a goddess of the common folk. Farmers pray to her for a good harvest, and curse her when pests arise. Just as ambivalent as her followers, the goddess moves through the seasons, controlling their impact on mortals, without a care. During the warm seasons of spring and summer mostly, she will be more bountiful, but her unpredictability may make harvests be eaten by a plague as well as it might make them flourish. Furthermore, her control of the land and the earth allows her to create new landmasses whenever she wins an argument with Mannamen mac Lir .
The goddess of harvest is not studied by many intellectuals, as they judge her too simple and unpredictable, as well as shrouded in myths and old wives tales that spread amongst the common folk. As such, not many books exist on her, but ask any farmer who has lived many winters and he will be able to tell you stories that will keep you fascinated for days.
Divine Domains
Daghda Represents the earth and agriculture in all its forms, be it organized or foraging. She also controls the seasons and can be as bountiful as she can be merciless. In spring and summer, it is said that Daghda blesses the earth and sows the seeds of love and happiness in everything. However, once autumn comes, through some unknown grief, the goddess makes everything she had created and made flourish decay, until then in winter when she lets her mad brother Eshnahif take over to get some rest before another spring. The unexpected changes in weather especially during the intermediate seasons are associated to her chaotic whims and woes that lie in her nature
Artifacts
Many claim that they possess or have found an artifact related to daghda, as she is one of the most popular goddesses amongst the common folk, but few of these items have revealed themselves beyond rare. However, two items related to the goddess can be considered her artifacts, at least if you were to believe the legends:
First is her legendary straw bundle. This bundle represents the essence of Daghda's agricultural capability. It is said that whomever possesses this indestructible item with simple appearance can turn even the vilest soil into unparalleled fertile earth. The bundle however has never been wielded by any known mortal, but by some lesser gods who borrowed it from the goddess to bless their believers.
The second legendary artifact that can be traced back to the goddess is her crown of flowers. This item represents spring joy and the frolicking of lovers during village harvest festivals at the end of summer. Its powers are considered more subtle, as it promises eternal happiness to whomever even wears it once. This happiness however, may come in many unexpected forms, as is the chaotic nature of its goddess, but it will come to everyone. There are accounts of myths of selfless farmers and other respectable folk seen wearing this crown for brief periods, but the veridity of these stories is doubtable. In any case, a creature wearing the crown will sooner or later have to pass it on or leave it behind, as, much like flowers, such a privilege is only temporary.
First is her legendary straw bundle. This bundle represents the essence of Daghda's agricultural capability. It is said that whomever possesses this indestructible item with simple appearance can turn even the vilest soil into unparalleled fertile earth. The bundle however has never been wielded by any known mortal, but by some lesser gods who borrowed it from the goddess to bless their believers.
The second legendary artifact that can be traced back to the goddess is her crown of flowers. This item represents spring joy and the frolicking of lovers during village harvest festivals at the end of summer. Its powers are considered more subtle, as it promises eternal happiness to whomever even wears it once. This happiness however, may come in many unexpected forms, as is the chaotic nature of its goddess, but it will come to everyone. There are accounts of myths of selfless farmers and other respectable folk seen wearing this crown for brief periods, but the veridity of these stories is doubtable. In any case, a creature wearing the crown will sooner or later have to pass it on or leave it behind, as, much like flowers, such a privilege is only temporary.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Daghda possesses many divine symbols, as she is revered by so many groups of people. The most common ones include her legendary straw bundle, her crown of flowers, and for more zealous believers her scythe and other farming tools.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Daghda seems to desire nothing more but to continue her endless cycle of frolicking across the seasons. She is impartial to most events and will continue as the years pass without care. However, some events that could catch her fickle attention could make her avert her gaze for a brief moment in time, which can lead to terrible harvest seasons when she forgets to bless the land, or year long winters when she does not awake from her winter slumber in time.
Social
Family Ties
Daghda has little interest for her siblings of the Second Pantheon , except for one: Her brother Mannamen mac Lir , god of the ocean and sea creatures, who represents her counterpart in almost every way, while at the same time resembling her a lot. Thus, the two are often depicted as twin gods of the earth and sea, with their sister Sarenrae , goddess of the sun and healing, being the watchful older sibling (despite their age being the same). This trifecta has fascinated many scholars across the ages, as it unites the majority of human and non human societies under its banner.
Divine Classification
Greater deity of the second pantheon
Religions
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Mother of earth, the changer of seasons, the spring maiden
Family
Children
Gender
female
Eyes
brown, wide
Hair
hay blond
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
slightly tanned
Belief/Deity
Harvest, earth
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