#queen meabh

[gxst]

CLOSED STARTER : tadeas & meabh ( @cfdepths )

it was not necessarily a most worthy look, running across the courtyard to escape the rain to what extent it was possible, but what else was he to do? tadeas had not foreseen the change of weather, yet suddenly it was as if the skies had opened up and released months worth of rain - as if they had not already had enough of it as it was.

stepping inside the castle finally, a hand pushed back now dripping curls of previously neatly combed now more so unruly strands of hair. then, hands were brought up to rub at his face. cold, he was very cold. scotland would never fail to leave him unimpressed, it seemed. his gaze met that of a stranger, and he offered her a charming smile upon taking notice of her. the weather was not the most interesting topic of conversation, but he felt perhaps a need to explain his unplanned sprint. "a few more seconds and i fear i might have drowned."

[gravitysthrall]

Elain: “He snapped your wings, he broke your bones.” Cassian: “It will take more than that to kill me.” Elain: “No it will not.”

What if Elain wasn't talking about Cassian and Hybern? What if it was Cassian later on in life? Or do we think that Nesta with her power over death, blocked his death from reaching him? “Will I hear the earthworms writhing through the soil? Or the stretching of roots? Will the bird of fire come to sit in the trees and watch me?” Dusk coming back to life. Or the leylines (roots) activating with Bryce opening the portal. The Midgard worm which appears to eat / be attracted to magic. Bird of fire is Vassa

"I can hear your heart beating through the stone. I can hear hers too" Vesperus and Nesta? I can't remember who she said this to. On rereading Koschei and Vesperus? Or Koschei and Aelin?

"I can hear her crying. Everyone thinks she is dead, but she isn't. She was changed, like I was."

Who is this! Another made person? Another seer? "I can hear the sea. Even at night. Even in my dreams. The crashing sea—and the screams of a bird made of fire.”

The sea, Dusk? The bird of fire Vassa? Why is she screaming?

“They sold her—to … to some darkness, to some … sorcerer-lord …”

The human queens sold Vassa to Koschei.

“I can never see him. What he is. There is an onyx box that he possesses, more vital than anything … save for them. The girls. He keeps other girls—others so like her—but she … By day, she is one form, by night, human again.”

He has his heart (soul?) trapped in an onyx box, and he is looking for the key. Reminds me of what the Bone Carver said, that the blood of a power High Fae trapped Koschei and her blood still runs through the humans. He is trapping humans to see if they will open the box for him. Vassa has "Blue eyes" and "reddish gold hair" - like Meave? Like Theia? I actually think that Stryga was Koschei's wife and stole his heart locking it in a box as punishment for something. Similar to Meabh and Erawan.

“There is … a lake. Deep in—in the continent, I think. Hidden amongst mountains and ancient forests. He keeps them all at the lake.” “Other women like her?” “Yes—and no. Their feathers are white as snow. They glide across the water—while she rages through the skies above it.”

Is this Vassa the Firebird (Mala) and Mab (as a swan)?

This reads to me like a retelling of the Children of Lir.

“I can hear her—crying.” “Everyone thinks she’s dead." “But she’s not. Only—different. Changed. As I was.”

Who is she? Briallyn? Mab? Who people think is dead? Her crown was never recovered? Another made person, mortal to immortal? Miryam?

“She stared into the darkness above. “I think they used it to … to trap their enemies and their enemies’ children into the stone itself.”

The Asteri trapping the fae into stone in the prison? Looking up at the darkness, to the sky, the stars / asteri on different planets. Who are their enemies? Aelin, the fae, and the starborn. "He did. He saw me. He will not now.”

He? As in Hybern? The Cauldron? Koschei?

“It made sense, I supposed, that Azriel alone had listened to her. The male who heard things others could not … Perhaps he, too, had suffered as Elain had before he understood what gift he possessed.

The biggest questions for me are the flaming feather on the snow.

[monstrousproductions]

Hello! I'm listening to the latest Mistholme Museum episode and I just wanna say absolutely iconic of you to play a both a character that flirts with the fae queen and a character that IS the fae queen!!

i am to fairy queens as alan burgon is to faking deaths and meabh de brun is to prophets of ancient gods 😂 i hope u enjoyed the ep, i just finished listening and all im saying is 😍🤯

[cfdepths]

closed starter - meabh & chloe @fevilleter

From the height of the castle Meabh had spotted a great swathe of open green decorated with three tall hills and deep valleys. She had set her mind to it that she would ride there for the views and for a bit controlled adventure. With the current weather being rather generous, she decided it was the perfect day to saddle her mare and ride out to the green space. She had gone slowly on the steep downward trek through the town, but she picked up her horse's pace as the land around them opened up. Feeling the breeze blowing through her hair, Meabh contentedly made her way towards the vast greenness that seemed to blow with the breeze. She didn't, however, expect to see another woman astride a horse, riding along in the same area. The queen brought her horse to a canter to reach the other rider before slowing her pace as she approached. "You know, try as I might, I almost never find other women who enjoy a quick ride through the hills," she said by way of greeting.

[muiltifandomnerd]

Girl Names

Ophelia - Ophelia is a Greek girl's name meaning "help," "aid," or "advantage."This name is best known for the tragic heroine in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. 

Belle - Belle is a feminine name of French and Latin origin, meaning “beautiful."

Maeve - Maeve is a baby girl name of Irish origin. Meaning “intoxicating” or “she who rules”, this name . This name has been spelled in different ways over the years, including Meadhbh, Medb, Meabh, and Mave. Fans of Irish mythology will recognize Maeve as the Queen of Connacht and the Goddess of Love and Desire.

Maria - Meaning:Star of the sea; Bitterness; Beloved; Wished for a child. Maria is a feminine name of Latin, Hebrew, and Greek origin .

Amara - Known primarily in Latin to mean “everlasting,” or "bitter,"Amara is also known among Igbo, Sanskrit, and Spanish speakers to mean “grace,” “immortal,” and “to love,” respectively.

Mariselle - Mar: This prefix could be associated with the sea (from "mar" in Spanish and other Romance languages) or with the concept of bitterness or rebellion (from "mar" in Latin). Iselle: The suffix "Iselle" doesn't have a clear meaning on its own, but it could be derived from names like "Isabel" or "Isabelle," which often signify qualities like purity or devotion

Iona - Origin:Hebrew. Other Origin(s):Gaelic. Meaning:Dove; Island or yew place. Iona is a feminine name of Hebrew and Gaelic origins. It is derived from the Hebrew word yoná meaning “dove,” which lends itself to Jonah, a prophet of the Kingdom of Israel in the eighth century BC

Orlaith - Órlaith (/ˈɔːrlə/ OR-lə; also spelled Órfhlaith or Órla) is a feminine Irish given name. The meaning of the name derives from the Irish words ór "golden" and faith "prince", though since names formed with "flaith" are almost exclusively feminine, it is usually interpreted as meaning "princess".

Aesira - Most powerful fighter. The first part of the name, ‘Aesir’, means ‘Of the Gods’ in Old Norse. 

Meroy - Of Hebrew origin, this name means ‘ Mercy and grace to the Gods’

Hesperia - Feminine and of Greek origin, Hesperia means “evening” or “evening star” and was quite prevalent in Greek mythology. Hesperia, also known as Asterope, was one of the nymphs that symbolized the golden light of sunsets and was called one of the Daughters of the Evening.

Ewelin - Polish variation of Evelina. "desired child; water, island" 

Soraya- Meaning: star cluster ; the Pleiades. Soraya is a baby girl name of Arabic origin. Derived from the Persian name Thurayya, Soraya means “star cluster” or “the Pleiades.”

Aerwyna - Aerwyna is a girl's name meaning "friend of the sea" and is of English origin.

Illiana - Origin:Greek. Meaning:Trojan; Light; my God is Yahweh. Illiana is a feminine Greek title rich in history and origins. Illiana may come from the Greek Helene, meaning “light,” and holds the meaning “Trojan,” possibly due to its connection to Helen of Troy

Ilona - Origin:Finnish. Meaning:as a joy; light. Tumbling forth with entrancing glee, Ilona is a feminine name of primarily Finnish origin that means "as a joy." Stemming from the Finnish word ilo, "joy,"

Eden - Paradise; Delight; Plains. With a meaning like "paradise," names don't get much more beautiful than Eden.

Asteria - Asteria originates from Ancient Greece, Asteria is a girl's name meaning “star” or “starry one” and is also the name of the Titan goddess of falling stars and nighttime. 

Odelia - The name Odelia is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "I will praise the Lord or wealth". Meaning:Heritage; Wealth, fortune; Praise God. Odelia is a gorgeous girl's name of German origin. Borrowed beautifully from the elements uodil and ot, which mean "heritage," "wealth," or "fortune”.

Idalia - a name of Greek or Spanish origin and means “behold the sun” or simply “the sun.” In Greek mythology, it was linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love

Ulyana - The name Ulyana is a Slavic name that means "bright dawn" or "beautiful dawn".

Ilayda -  The name Ilayda is primarily a female name of Turkish origin that means Water Fairy.

Maelys - The name Maelys is primarily a female name of French - Breton origin that means Chief, Princess. Maëlys feminine form of Maël.

Elia - Originating from Hebrew and derivation from the popular name Eliyanah , the gender-neutral name Elia means “God has answered.”

Asherah - The name Asherah is a girl's name meaning "she who treads on the sea". Asherah is probably one of the most ancient of mother goddess symbols, recorded in the pantheons of several civilisations from the tenth century BCE.

Elysia - Elysia is a beautiful girl's name with Greek and Latin origins. The meaning of Elysia is “the realm of the dead” and “blissful.” 

Clytemnestra - a girl's name meaning "famous courter". In Greek legend Clytemnestra was the wife of Agamemnon, mother of Orestes and Electra. She took a lover while her husband was away fighting in the Trojan War, and upon his return she had him killed as revenge for his sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia

Luceana - ‘illuminating light’ of Latin origin 

Sariah - a girl's name of Hebrew origin. This name, which translates to “princess" or "God is ruler," has deep roots in Biblical tradition

Boy Name

Aeron - The Welsh name Aeron means “mountain of strength,” and is ticking all those boxes. In Celtic mythology, Aeron is the God of battle and slaughter and is closely linked to the goddess of war, Argona

Drystan - In Welsh Baby Names the meaning of the name Drystan is: full of sorrow'.

Argenis - He/she who has great purity/whiteness

Alaric - Origin : German. Meaning :powerful ruler. Alaric is an ancient regal title favored by the kings of the Ostrogoths.

Eirwen - a Welsh given name meaning "white/blessed snow" and derives from the Welsh words "Eira" (snow) and "Gwyn" (white, fair or blessed).

Kieran - Kieran means “little dark one” or “black-haired.” One popular holder of this name is Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, a famous Christian Bishop who is said to be one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. The name Ciarán is said to have existed in the Irish language for over 1,500 years.

Einar - Meaning:one warrior; battle leader. Einar is a boy's name of Scandinavian origin. This steely name translates to “one warrior” and “battle leader.” 

Hadeon - Meaning: Destroyer in Ukrainian 

Orion - a boy's name of Greek origin, meaning “heaven's light.” If you think of your son as a shining star, consider this celestial name, pulled right out of the sky

Uriel - a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my light" or "flame of God." It is derived from the Hebrew ór, which means "light," and el, which translates to "God." Uriel is one of the seven archangels in the Hebrew Bible and is known as the angel of wisdom for shedding light on God's truth and dispelling

Julius-  Meaning:Dedicated to Jove; Wooly beard. Julius is a masculine name of Greek and Latin origin, meaning “devoted to Jove” and "wooly beard." This Roman name is thought to be related to the Roman god Jupiter, who was also known as Jove

Ouroboros - Ouroboros derives from a Greek word meaning “tail-devourer.” While the word is not attested in English until the 1940s, the concept of the ouroboros is very ancient, used across many cultures as a symbol of cosmic harmony, eternity, and the cycle of birth and death.

Noémie - Noémie (or Noemie) is a female name of French origin. Uncommon variant spellings in French include Noémi and Noëmie (same pronunciation). It is the French variation of the biblical Hebrew name Naomi (נָעֳמִי‎), which means "good, pleasant, lovely, and wisdom." Noémie.

Alexander - Etymology. The name Alexander originates from the Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros; 'defending men' or 'protector of men').

Sebastian - Meaning:Venerable, revered; From Sebaste. Sebastian is a name of Greek origin derived from the Greek word sebastos, meaning “venerable” or “revered.” This name also has roots in Latin, coming from the name Sebastianus, meaning “from Sebaste,” which was a typical place name in ancient Greece.

Sullivan - Originating from Gaelic, the boy's name Sullivan means “dark eyes.” It is derived from the Irish word súildhubhán, which is broken down from súil, meaning "eye," and dubh, meaning “black.”

Altair - Altair, a gender-neutral name of Arabic origin. Meaning "flying eagle," it conjures images of freedom, prosperity, and success. This name also boasts celestial connotations, as the brightest star in the Aquila constellation is called Altair

Aurelius - Aurelius is a boy's name of Latin origin, meaning “golden” or “gilded.”History buffs may know Aurelius because of the 2nd-century Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. However, the name actually gets its sparkle from the Latin words aureus and aurum

Callum - Callum is a Scottish Gaelic name that commemorates the Latin name Columba, meaning 'dove'. Callum was popular among early Christians because the dove was a symbol of purity, peace and the Holy Spirit. St. Columba was one of the most influential of the early Celtic saints.

Theodore - Stemming from the Greek words Theos, meaning "god-given", and dōron, meaning "gift”, Theodore stands as "a gift from God." 

Arlo - an Old English name meaning "fortified hill" that dates back to the Middle Ages. As short as it is, Arlo is actually made up of two Old English words: "hoer," meaning strong, and "hlaew," meaning hill. These words combine to create the name Arlo.

Lucerys - the name Lucerys means "Luce means Light and Cerys means Love or Erys means Strife so Light Love or Light Strife".

Melchior - Melchior is a boy's name of Polish origin. This ancient name may derive from the Hebrew phrase melki'or, meaning “my king is light.” It may also have its roots in the Old Persian melk quart, meaning “city of the king.” Melchior appears in the Christian Bible as the name of one of the Three Wise Men

Koray - Koray is a Turkish given name and a surname. It is composed of "Kor" and "Ay". In Turkish "Kor" means "Ember" and "Ay" means "Moon". Thus, "Koray" means "a moon in the color of ember".

Aether - Meaning:Brightness; Bright upper sky in Greek

Last Names

Atropa -  'she who may not be turned (aside)' - based after one of the three fates and cutter of the thread of life / bringer of death. also a poisonous plant with medicinal qualities.

Xerxes - Meaning:Monarch; Brave, strong; Ruler of heroes. A name steeped in imperial energy and antiquity, Xerxes is a masculine appellation and the Greek form of the Persian Khashayar.

Tanafriti - “she of the beautiful land.”

Lancaster - Meaning:Fort on the Lune river. With British origins, Lancaster is a boy's name meaning “fort on the Lune river.” Lancaster is a famous place name in Northern England and is a city steeped in history

Acheron - Acheron is a boy's name of Greek origins, meaning "river of sorrow." The name is inspired by the Greek river of the same name, which flows through Thesprotía in Epirus. In ancient times, the river was believed to lead to the Underworld, while Greek mythology buffs might recall Acheron as a waterway to Hades.

Lopez - It was originally a patronymic, meaning "Son of Lope", Lope itself being a Spanish given name deriving from Latin lupus, meaning "wolf". 

Sinclair - Taken from the hermit saint, ultimately from Latin clarus, meaning "pure, renowned, illustrious".

Des Rosier - Means "from the rose bushes", from French rosier "rose bush". It probably referred to a person who lived close to, or cared for a rose garden

Villarreal - cognates meaning 'Royal Settlement, due to the city's foundation by King James I of Aragon. 

Lyrielle - ‘perfect’ or ‘lyrics’

Pyrellis -  a combination of "pyre," implying fire, and a suffix like "-ellis" for a melodic effect.

Aelarys - Resembling "aerial" or "airy," evoking flight or elevation.

Corbay - shortened Anglicized form of Ó Corbáin 'descendant of Corbán' or Ó Coirbín 'descendant of Coirbín', both possibly from an occupational name based on corb 'chariot

Chevalier - a French name meaning ‘horsemen;knight’ 

Aetos - Greek: Ἀετός, romanized: Aetós, lit. 'eagle'

Those are not bad names, I will take a look for my original story.

[wcndvrlxst]

Since arriving at the Scottish palace, Amara felt as though her world had been upended- turned completely on its side for the sole purpose of upsetting her usual schedule and routine. Naturally, she'd done the best she could under the circumstances, ensuring she maintained at least some semblance of structure as one of Queen Meabh's ladies-in-waiting. Still, the task was daunting, and Amara found herself tiring quickly, needing a bit of space and time away as the morning began to wind down.

The courtyard had drawn the woman's attention immediately upon arrival- herbs, flowers, fauna....All of the above had long held a great fascination for the lady, one she'd made a casual life's work of studying. Therefore, given the opportunity of a moment's peace, she quietly yet quickly slipped away. Lost in thought, it hadn't occurred to her that another might be occupying the same space, and when she heard the sound of anothers voice she couldn't help but jump a bit. Fingertips racing to rest against the base of her throat, Amara recognized her companion immediately, dipping into a formal curtsey immediately. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but it is me who should seek forgiveness. I certainly had no intention of disturbing you. Allow me to exit, and leave you to your time. The courtyard is gorgeous, truly, and I wouldn't want to detract from your experience."

location: courtyard status: open

over  the  last  few  years,  becoming  invisible  had  all  but  become  a  skill  of  hers.  for  if  her  family  couldn’t  see  her,  she  was  safe  from  their  comments,  and  snide  remarks.  although  it  could  be  lonesome  at  times,  she  cherished  the  freedom  being  invisible  bestowed  upon  her.  moreover,  she  relished  in  the  court  gossip  she  overheard  when  people  forgot  about  her  presence  -  some  of  these  people  were  just  plain  awful.

aysun  wandered  mindlessly  through  the  corridors  of  the  scottish  castle,  eventually  ending  up  in  the  courtyard.  she  stopped  in  front  of  one  of  the  statues,  captivated  by  its  timeless  beauty,  weathered  by  the  harsh  scottish  elements.  her  hand  reached  out,  hesitatingly  hovering  over  the  face  of  the  sculpted  figure.  suddenly,  movement  caught  her  attention,  causing  her  to  swiftly  retract  her  hand  and  fix  her  gaze  upon  the  stranger.  “  forgive  me,  i  had  not  realized  anyone  else  was  here.  ”

[cfdepths]

closed starter - meabh & dorothea @liesthehead location: terrace gardens

Meabh was strolling through the gardens, taking in the sunshine since it was such a rare occasion on this island and her own. There was still a chill in the autumn air, but it the prickle of heat from the sun on their cheeks was still pleasant. As she rounded the corner she found a tall, well-dressed woman and her retinue all with their eyes following the same figure. Meabh made their way to the front gracefully, trying to catch a glimpse of what had all of their attention. She followed their gaze to an oddly dressed man. He wore bright colors, which seemed to clash with each other, there was some large ornamental piece on his head that made little sense to red-haired queen, yet he walked and carried himself like he was adorned with jewels. "Is there a festival or celebration I am unaware of?" They asked, appraising the the figure. She glanced to the regal woman next to her. "He looks rather like an exotic bird."

[a-little-slice-of-fandom]

Cú Chulainn: you can't just steal our prized cattle!!!

Medb: oh it's okay I have a permit

Cú Chulainn: this just says "I can do what I want"

[hisguardianeyessoblue]

Gorgeous Peter.

[cfdepths]

Meabh chuckled at his words. He was right, of course, but given the Scottish King's predilection for throwing people into the dungeons, a bit more care was necessary. "Be that as it may, we would not want you to be locked into a dungeon so soon. Perhaps I am a bit biased on the subject, though." They glanced towards him, quickly looking at Marius through the veil of their eyelashes. There was a chance Meabh was using him for information and her own entertainment, but anyone with eyes and taste could hardly blame her. The Queen of Connacht made her way past Marius and the open door toward a table where the wine glasses had been set. As she sat in the chair that was proffered to her, she couldn't help but flick her gaze over her shoulder at the man once more. "Then I fear you are worried about the wrong lion," they teased. When their drinks were brought out to them, Meabh poured the glasses partway full with the deep burgundy liquid. "Disregarding current events I've found it quite pleasant, especially when in such good company. And what about yourself, King Marius? Accidental swimming trips aside." She took a sip of the wine, smirking and not breaking eye contact with him.

marius hardly cared if anyone overheard him, most were too afraid to move against him or they were in agreement. would it be terrible to risk punishment just to get close enough to do it himself? he suspected so but if the king continued like this surely someone try? something had to give. " i suspect most would agree with me. " he gave meabh a smile as he held the door for her - no need for guards.

once they both inside he allowed the door to shut and then escorted her over to a seat. " but i shall say no more about him, i wouldn't want you to throw me to the lions. " a wink followed his smile as pulled out a seat for her and then found his own while they awaited their drinks. " how are you enjoying scotland? it's quite beautiful, not unlike yourself. "

[sjmsstuff]

Celtic mythology in the SJM Universe

Okay so for those of you who don’t know. I’m Irish and as SJM publishes new books I notice more and more references to and inspirations from Celtic Mythology, in particular Irish.

I know Maas took a lot of inspiration from Tolkien who very much utilised irish mythology so it’s possible that’s where a lot of transfer occurred, but regardless there’s a lot to cover.

So I thought I’d briefly go through a few examples of these! (Spoilers incoming)

All universes

Faeries/Fae: so growing in Ireland you’re always warned about the faeries (or “fair folk” or “little people” etc). These were mostly benign but sometimes malevolent creatures who left you alone if you left them alone. They were tricksters and if you went to sleep with your window open they’d creep into ur house and tie knots in your hair. The creatures I grew up hearing about are wildly different from the Fae of Maas’ works but it is extremely clear where she got the inspiration from. Random fact but I was always told calling them “Fae” was insulting and rude, and if there’s anything you don’t want to do, it’s insult a fairy! Indeed, a lot of the “lesser Fae” as they’re referred to in Acotar are taken directly from Irish and British mythology! (Though as far as I can tell the illiarans aren’t based on any Celtic myth.

Solstice: Of course the solstices are referenced all over the place, both in the books and in real life, but particularly in Ancient Ireland we see that they held significance. This is evidenced in the construction of Newgrange, County Meath, which is a 5,200 year old passage tomb which illuminates a chamber every year on the winter solstice.

Throne of Glass

Aelin: the name Aelin to any ToG readers means our fire breathing bitch queen, but to any familiar with the Tuatha de Dannan (the old irish pantheon of gods) will recognise the name as noticeably similar to Aelin, an old irish god of fire. He was known for singing guards to sleep and burning the roofs of castles!

In the first novel, Celaena and Chaol talk about the feast day of Samhuinn. Chaol refers to it as “the day of the dead”. This bares a striking resemblance to Samhainn the old irish day of the dead, when the veil between our world and the other world was weakest. This day is now celebrated on November 1st and is know as all Saints Day. The night before, in Irish, is called Oíche Shamhna but is known globally as Halloween 🎃!

Sticking with the theme of ancient irish celebrations. You know that scene in Heir of Fire when Aelin is controlling the height of the fires as people jump over them? That’s an actual celebration in Ireland. It is largely out of fashion nowadays due to fire safety but every may people still celebrate Bealtaine, the coming of summer, and leap over bonfires!

Maeve: Queen Maeve is a prominent figure in Irish mythology, in fact she heavily featured in Táin Bó Cúailnge, Ireland’s epic (Think Iliad or Odyssey but Irish). In this epic, Maeve (Medb/Meabh sometimes) is not quite as villainous as Maeve in ToG, but still a very important character.

A Court Of Thorns And Roses

Acotar baby, where to begin?

The map: go look at a map of Ireland and Britain and then compare it to Hybern and Prythian. Enough said

Tamlin: the name Tamlin is surely a reference to Tamlen, a figure in Scottish folklore who was trapped in the woods by an evil queen of the fae. Tamlen was freed by a human through ~the power of love~ (sort of, it’s a bit more complicated).

Mor: The Morrigan is a goddess in Irish mythology. She is possibly the original 3 faced goddess and is the goddess of truth. She is said to be seen washing the armour of soldiers who are destined to die in upcoming battles. She is also known for predicting many significant events in Irish history, including the famine.

The courts system: this is less of an Irish thing as it was quite common across Europe but in Ireland there were many kingdoms each ruled by a king who you had to pay tithes too, just like the spring court! These were called Vassels

The weaver in the woods: The weaver or witch in the woods is a figure from many mythologies including Scandinavian but this particular weaver sings a song about two sisters. I learned a very similar version of this creepy song when I was about 8. I can’t confirm if it’s Irish but it’s definitely Celtic!

In a later book (I think it’s acosf) Rhys tells us that the last High King of Prythian was Fionn. Anybody with even a passing knowledge of Irish Mythology knows of Fionn MacCumhaill (pronounced F-yunn Mac Cool), the high king of Ireland and leader of the Fianna, a band of warriors.

Kelpie: that’s right the weird thing that attacked Nesta in the bog is part of Scottish Mythology. It features in Ireland and Wales as well with reports of sailors spying them off the coast of Britain, but these malevolent creatures find their roots in Scotland. However, in Gaelic mythology they take the form of horses and once you climb on their backs, the drag you to a watery grave. This shapeshifting creature apparently has a fondness for human liver!

Crescent City

I didn’t notice too many similarities between Celtic mythology and these books to be honest

Ruhn: one connection that’s a bit of a stretch is Ruhn’s name. His last name is Danaan which is similar to Danann (as in Tuatha de Danann, the irish pantheon)

I think this series focuses more on celestial/religious imagery with the angels and demons are such but when I reread or in future books I’ll look out for it!

Okay so closing remarks; I have 100% forgot something so if you also noticed a similarity please add it on or let me know! This list is in no way comprehensive. This post is also absolutely not bashing Sarah, I love her writing and her work I just thought it was fascinating to see where she got SOME of her inspiration from. I’d also be happy to answer any questions about anything I’ve written here ^^ or about Irish/Celtic mythology in general!!

[fighterkimburgess]

whoa, hallelujah, brick by boring brick, ain’t it fun & pool for the Paramore asks 💕

You picked like three of my fave Paramore songs just proof the braincell exists my love 💜 I already did whoa!

hallelujah: name a time in your life you want to last forever.

Can I say right now? I’m just really happy. I’ve my boy and my friends and things are good. I’ll stick with now.

brick by boring brick: favourite fairytale?

I’m going with Irish myths and legends for this, but the brown bull of Cooley. Queen Meabh was jealous of the bull her husband had, and she sent her army to capture the brown bull of Cooley. They were all killed but managed to get it. She set the bull to fight her husbands, the bull won and he then ran back home. Once he got home his heart burst and he died.

Look none of our myths tend to be run, but I love it anyway.

ain’t it fun: is there a song you could play on repeat for days and never get tired of?

All Too Well (Ten Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version). It’s not even funny how many times I’ve listened to it.

Also Call It What You Want. But that’s for reasons.

pool: do you enjoy swimming/being in the water?

I do! I haven’t done it in too long, I miss swimming.

[shadowofthemoth]

Maybe Escaliet for the ship meme?? You don't have to, of course, I'm just interested to see your take on them!

Oh, thanks! It’s a lovely ask! ^^

who hogs the duvet: Juliet. Escalus doesn’t mind though (they have a second one just for these situations, lol).

who texts/rings to check how their day is going: both. 

who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts: both. 

who gets up first in the morning: Escalus. Jules is not an early bird, and he is all about self-discipline and stuff.

who suggests new things in bed: Escalus is more experienced obviously, but also more conservative; while Jules, as soon as she overcomes her initial shyness in bed, becomes quite daring and enjoys experimenting. 

who cries at movies: Juliet, and it only happens when animals suffer in a movie. 

who gives unprompted massages: both. Juliet, when she sees Escalus is clearly tired of bending over papers or keyboard for hours on end; Escalus, when Juliet comes home all stiff and worn out after university/work. 

who fusses over the other when they’re sick: neither of them are the fussy type, but Escalus is way more stubborn, and so he gives Juliet more reasons to worry about him, since he tends to downplay his sickness up to the point when it becomes impossible to ignore. 

who gets jealous easiest: surprisingly it’s Juliet, with her fiery temperament. Even though Escalus is older and could have some doubts like “she’s young and pretty and she could easily find someone younger and handsomer for herself”, Juliet doesn’t give him any chance to think about that too deeply. She herself, on the other hand, worries very much that she might be too young for him, lacking experience, or shine, or other things that only come with age; that she might be not enough for him; especially considering that there are plenty of older, more alluring women surrounding him on a daily basis... 

who has the most embarrassing taste in music: *the two silently point into each other’s directions with equally defiant faces* ...uhhh, I guess that answers your question? 😅

who collects something unusual: Juliet collects hairbrushes. Yes she does. Escalus finds it charming and a bit ridiculous. 

who takes the longest to get ready: JuLiEt ArE yOu ReAdY yEt We ArE LATE 

who is the most tidy and organised: they both are, but in different ways. Escalus is just very pedantic and moderate, and “tidy and organised” is his default state so to say, and Jules actively enjoys tudying up and keeping things where they belong. 

who gets most excited about the holidays: Juliet, like the excitable child she is. Escalus gets excited about her excitement rather than about holidays themselves.

who is the big spoon/little spoon: Escalus is the big spoon, of course. 

who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports: Juliet. She’s competitive as hell. 

who starts the most arguments: Escalus is wise enough already to avoid most of the arguments successfully, and Juliet rarely gives him reasons to be angry about something, so usually it’s just Jules getting jealous or something.

who suggests that they buy a pet: Juliet of course. 

what couple traditions they have: they favour that one tiny charming restaurant they accidentally stumbled upon during one of their walks, so they go there regularly. 

what tv shows they watch together: Doctor Who. 

what other couple they hang out with: probably with Escalus’s old friend/colleague Lorenzo (who is a surgeon) and his girlfriend Meabh McEohaid (yes, that’s my modern-AU version of Queen Mab; she is Mercutio’s therapist). Also maybe with Mercutio and Benvolio (yay, bencutio), but that’s more of a family situation. 

how they spend time together as a couple: oh, they do lots of things. They chat, they go for long walks, they go to the movies or watch Netflix, they travel (even a weekend trip to a neighbouring town counts, but they also go abroad), Escalus helps Juliet with her studies sometimes... They go to the theatre really often, too, since it’s something they both enjoy immensely. 

who made the first move: Escalus, but not before he was informed about Juliet’s love for him by Mercutio, who, in turn, was informed by Tybalt.

who brings flowers home: Escalus.

who is the best cook: Escalus, but Juliet is good too! 

I hope you liked my take on them! ^^

[priory-of-stars]

Okay. So as someone who is Irish, I cant help but notice how much SJM pulls on Celtic stories. Am I the only one who noticed this? I was rereading Empire of storms when it occurred to me that Meave (Medb), was such an Irish name. I often forget that names like Eamonn, Aoife, Sinead etc. are not names found in most other English speaking countries.

Hybern is named after Hibernia, the old name for Ireland. I mean they weren’t even being subtle with that one, it’s the same shape island and all. And we have Mor, or the Morrigan, also known as ‘war-goddess’ in Irish tales. I mean, come on lads. We need to be looking at these Irish tales for our hints in Kingdom of Ash.

We know that SJM also got the concept of carranam from the Irish words cara, meaning friend and anam meaning soul, so roughly its soul-friend, but it means soulmate.

Medb, or now in modern Irish spelled Meabh, Meadhbh, Meave, however you like to spell it, was a rich and successful queen known for warrior skills. She was hinted at being a goddess or like a goddess for her skills and cunning. I mean, this is Meave from TOG right there.

Now, regarding the death of the Irish Meave, I have bad news. While she did die, which could be a good, it’s not exactly something we might expect in the book. See Meave was killed when a man swung a hunk of cheese at her head….. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.

If anyone has any more connections they noticed, I’d love to know. These are just the ones I noticed as I read.

[cfdepths]

Meabh approached her lady and gently touched her shoulder in an effort to let her know that there was no need for curtsied apologies in such a casual setting. "There is no need for apologies in my eyes, dear." She offered a gentle smile to Amara. A huff and stomp sounded behind the two and the Queen looked over her shoulder at the gray mare standing behind them. "Come now, Enbarr, she has apologized and has brought you countless apples over the years." The horse gentle shook her head then puffed contentedly. The Queen secured the horse's reigns to a nearby fallen tree and sat on her cloak where Amara had directed. "Aside from taking Enbarr out to ride, I have no pressing plans. I brought a bit of cheese and a few apples, if you are hungry."

The moment she turned and her eyes fell upon the horse Amara started, understanding immediately the error she had made. Once the hood was dropped by the approaching woman, the Lady's understanding was confirmed as she took in the face of the very Queen she served. "Your Majesty, my apologies." She offered dipping formally into it. "And, my sincerest apologies to you, Enbarr." Raising a hand, Amara gently patted the horse's snout. "I know that to be true, ma'am, and I thank you both for the fact." Amara replied, still occupying her hands and gaze with patting Enbarr. Once the question came she nodded, finally turning to fact the other. "Of course Your Majesty, I would appreciate that very much." Gesturing for the Queen to follow Amara turned to lead them back towards the spot she had been sitting. "The weather has yet to turn- today, at least. I thought it prudent to enjoy the view and peace once more lest that change by tomorrow. Might I ask your plans for the afternoon?"

[cfdepths]

stefanie martini, cis woman, she/they, 30 — dear all nations, MEABH MAC CARTHAIGH has crossed the city borders to edinburgh to the sound of SEASON OF THE WITCH by DONOVAN. the QUEEN of CONNACHT is known to be IN FAVOR OF making peace. SHE/THEY reminds me of A BEWITCHING SMILE, A FAMILIAR CHILL IN THE AIR  however did you know that HER HUSBAND’S PEOPLE DID NOT WANT HER TO MARRY HIM BECAUSE THEY THINK SHE’S A WITCH?

stats:

age: 30 pronouns: she/they birthday: oct 31st alignment: neutral sexuality: pansexual connections: parents (deceased), king of connacht/husband (open), ladies in waiting (open), prince/younger brother (open)

inspiration:

morgan le fay (arthurian legend), catherine de medici (historical/reign), daenerys targaryen (game of thrones)

tw: death mention

bio:

you were born the eldest child of a prince. you were almost eleven before your father was crowned upon the death of your grandfather. despite being the eldest, you would never rule on account of your sex unless something tragic were to occur. the number of brothers you had made that unlikely to occur. so you were brought up as a princess who would rule alongside a king. you were taught all the skills royal women should have: scriptures, embroidery, languages, letters, geography.

your mother wanted to ensure your wellbeing in the world. she taught you a skill. spells, potions, rituals. nothing dark in nature, only how to read signs and protect yourself. your mother told you that you must keep this knowledge hidden from your father. from the priests. they would not understand it as your brothers or the women around you would. these sorts of skills were not unheard of, she would tell you, but they were not spoken about plainly either. some places had turned away from them outright.

you practiced with your mother every day, except the sabbath. after her death when you were seventeen you practiced with the other women in your home. you said the silent prayers for her. you also followed the rituals she taught you for death. you did the same for your father when he died shortly thereafter.

your beauty and value as a princess did not go unnoticed. you had many that came to court you. the court advisors gave counsel on which suitor your younger brother should choose for you but he would always remind them that the ultimate choice would be your own. he would often tell you all about each of the suitors based on what his advisors and other men at court said about them. your mother had raised him right. had made him promise that you would have some freedom in the choice of your marriage. he had not let her down.

you had many suitors come and go. you had three betrothals come and go for various reasons, reputations and alliances among them. you had lovers in the meantime, though you kept your dalliances hidden from nearly everyone. when you were eighteen you met the man you would marry. a king from connacht. the whispers you heard of him were promising and the alliance with your land would be mutually beneficial. the few times you met him during your courtship and the letters you exchanged ensured that your personalities would align. you were married within the year.

you and your husband had a nontraditional marriage. given your statuses and your birth right to rule neither of you cared much for the reputations it garnered you. you agreed that you would each be allowed to take whichever lovers you wished, so long as lovers remained outside the realm of your political decisions. you and your husband would come together for those agreements. as far as those who were concerned knew, you were trying for an heir - though your definition of "trying" was, perhaps, not quite the same as the elderly advisors who so desired your children. as abnormal as your marriage was, it lent you much more freedom than other marriages would have.

everything was mostly pleasant until those damned vikings landed on your island. sure, they had come over before but they had hardly been successful. lately, however, they were far more interested in taking over your home. so you and your court made your way to scotland as many other courts did. it was easy enough for you to garner new friends, lovers, and allies wherever you went, scotland would be no different. you agreed to the alliances and to peace if it meant you had ways of recovering your homeland. peace never was achieved without a little violent interference, after all.