A Celtic Storm: Mannanan Mac Lir
The Celtic god who embraces the strength of the masculine while also understanding the feminine.
There is nothing quite like the strength of a man. Sorry, ladies. Biologically, men are formed differently. But that’s not exactly the kind of strength I’m talking about.
Manannan Mac Lir, the Celtic god of the sea is a deity who knows what it means to be a man - a real man. Unashamed and unapologetic about his strong masculine features, including his ability to control the weather, his team of mighty horses, and his flaming helmet all serve to remind us that men are creatures of action.
They possess the kind of strength that puts “intuition” into action.
Shrouded in his cloak of mist, this master shapeshifter with the long white beard and the strong muscular figure can be found in his kingdom beneath the waves, along the shoreline of the Isle of Man.
Manannan Mac Lir, is the epitome of what it means to be a man. He is strong, he is loving, he is a protector and he is honorable.
A father, a brother, a husband and a son, Manannan is the guardian of the Isle of Man. In ancient times, the Isle would honor him along their shores believing that he would calm the waters of an impending storm and provide safe passage to traveling seafarers.
This was a time when men weren’t afraid to be, well, men!
What has happened to the male species today?
While some societal changes to male dominance have been a great thing; like holding accountable the sexual predators in the workplace and elsewhere who try to take advantage of women. Also, like the men who believe that their “sword” is all they need to open doors. Even the fact that boys are now being taught that women are much more then plastic Barbie dolls without a brain…
those are all great things that will hopefully get better over time.
But there are some things that men have lost in a society where things are changing nearly every minute of every day.
As a young woman who grew up with two bodybuilding brothers, a truck driver dad, and, a more often than not, absent mom, I can honestly say that it’s okay to need a man in your life.
Even when I needed a chance to breath in some femineity, having a counterpart to spar with was fun! Trust me, don’t be ashamed of needing a male counterpart every now and then to have your back.
Now I’m not talking about needing a plus one. I am talking about simply needing a male figure to show you that the omni-God really did create two sides to the coin.
Many witches, shamans, and empaths believe that each human possesses both masculine and feminine qualities. Those qualities are either heightened or lessened depending on which biological species you are a part of or which qualities you identify with the most.
For women, it is easy to get in touch with our feminine side. All we need is to close our eyes and think of beauty. Or, for the vanity in me, I would say a wink and a smile from the opposite sex every now and again is also a nice invitation to get in touch with my femineity.
Nevertheless, males have been given a bad rap in a society where “equality is everything.”
But how equal can we be if we don’t recognize our differences and embrace our own unique qualities both physically, mentally, and spiritually?
The Celtic protector of the sea teaches us that every male, just like his female counterpoint, is to be revered and honored in a way that represents true strength and purpose in life.
Invoking him, especially if you a male who needs a little more self-confidence or strength to go on in life is a great thing. He will be there to guide you along the stormy seas. His horses, which are the waves, will carry you from one end of life to the next chapter. Mac Lir is the deity that you can have an O’Kell’s beer with down in Laxey Bay and just tell your troubles too.
This chivalrous, strong, and courageous beast of a man can be invoked simply by looking at a picture of the sea, placing it on your altar, and asking him, humbly for help. When you visit the shores that surround you, invoke him. When you feel a storm coming on, literally or metaphorically, invoke him. When there is trouble ahead but you can’t find the answers, invoke him - for he’s got a boat load of answers to your most enduring questions.
This transcendent god continues to protect the Isle of Man. He is a reminder that in a world where we are trying to value woman more often than not, being a gentleman to us, respecting us, and treating us equally just as he did with his true love Cliodhna, is the best way to honor us. Trust me.
Being chivalrous is a good way to capture a women’s heart, too. :)
So, to all the men about there, this one is for you. Never be afraid to embrace your masculine side. Do it with honor, not pride. Live with strength, not weakness. Be good to your partner, a guardian to your children, and the king of your domain! Just make sure that domain is separate from her She Shed!
Cheers!