Boann, Goddess of the River Boyne

Boann is the Goddess of the River Boyne, as well as fertility, poetry and knowledge.

Family

Boann is believed to be the wife of Nechtan or Elcmar, she is also known for having an affair with Daghda. The affair became known when she fell pregnant with a son called Aengus, the pregnancy was unusual as Aengus was conceived and born on the same day. Daghda stopped the sun in the sky for nine months as a way to help conceal the affair from her husband.

Though Aengus is believed to be her only son, many believe that she could also be he mother of Brigid.

Its said that her father was one of the leaders of the Tuatha De Danann, Delbaeth, and that her mother is Ernmas.

Legend

According to Legend, Boann created the River Boyne when she decided to challenge the power of the magical well of Segais, which is also known as the well of wisdom. The well was surrounded by 9 hazel trees, its said that the nuts of these tress contained all of the world’s knowledge. The nuts would fall into the well, where they were then eaten by the salmon (also a symbol of knowledge)

The well couldn’t be approached by anyone without dire consequences, but despite these warnings, Boann still approached the well. Boan walked counter-clockwise around the well, causing the waters to surge and rush forth, sweeping Boann away to the sea. This created the River Boyne.

Working with Boann

• Celebrate her and invoke her presence into your workings, especially those that celebrate nature.

• Offerings such as casting flowers into a river

• Meditation

• telling her story.