Airmed

The Celtic Tuatha de Danaan was in charge of healing those wounded on the battlefield.  She used the tears of Airmed, that were on her cheeks in a battlefield where Airmed’s brother was wounded.  From those tears, sprouted herbs of healing.  Airmed is known to be gifted in knowing, growing, herbs of healings and she is the one to guard wells, springs and rivers of healing.  Who of us has not, in some way, be wounded on some battlefield?

The members of Tuatha De Danaan were an ancient tribe of goddesses that were powerful in wisdom and each member was an expert in an area.  Many were Druids who were very gifted with powers of magic and prophecy.  Once a member was gifted in an area, they would dedicate their whole beings and lives into research and gaining more knowledge in their field of expertise.  They focused on three great realms:  Earth, Mysteries, and Spiritual Realms.  

Within this group was Airmed whose genealogy traced back to the god of Medicine.   Each generation became more knowledgeable so Airmed was truly the top expert in herbs and healing.  It is she and her family that made the Well of Healing, Well of Slaine, in Ireland.  There were conflicts between the brothers and the women healers, but good conquered and Airmed, who lost her favorite brother on the battlefield, would go to his grave and weep there.  The more she wept, the more plants sprouted. The herbs that grew in areas of his body taught her what herbs to use for each part of a body.  I love this thought, don’t you, that that is how women came to know the use of herbs for healing?

As Airmed gathered, each herb began to speak to her.  Now, we know it was not spoken aloud, but many of us have had something speak to us in languages of another kind.  Consider a favorite painting, a favorite passage, a favorite flower and what they mean to you.  Airmed began using the medicinal herbs for those who needed them.  But, in the conflict, the blanket she had laid her herbs to dry, was ripped up and flung away.  This scattered her herbs and it came to be that only Airmed would know the uses of each herb for what ailment.  Because of this, Airmed went off away from her whole family and gathered and learned more and more of herbs and healing and is said, now, to heal fairies, elves and humans through her expertise.

She stands beside us, when we are in need of healing of any kind.  She teaches us what to gather for what ailment; body, mind, heart and spirit.  I honor her in this painting.  

©Carol Desjarlais 6.24.20