The Book of Invasions

Birth of the gods

It was the time of primal chaos: a time when the earth was new and undefined. Arid deserts and black bubbling volcanoes, covered by swirling clouds of gasses, scarred the grim visage of the newborn world. It was the time before time, the time of the great void.

In the heaven above two clouds grew to be and they were sisters. One was pure and white as snow and the other was impure and black as ebony. They were the first goddesses, and the pure one was called Danu and the impure one was called Domnu. These two drifted far apart.

On the islands of Foroyar in the far north of the world and there was chaos there and into that oblivion, from the dull dark heaven, there came a sprinkle of water. First one drop, then another and another, until finally a mighty torrent, gushed down upon the earth. These divine waters from the heavens poured downwards and soaked into the arid dirt, cooled the volcanos which turned into grey granite mountains, causing life to spring forth from the earth. Thus the dark reddened skies grew light and blue.

The First Gods and Goddesses, the Children of Danu

From the darkened soil there grew a tree, tall and strong, a mighty oak, and its name was Bile and he was the first god. The Goddess Danu, who was the divine waters from heaven, nurtured and cherished the great tree which became the sacred oak. From the love of Bile and Danu came forth two giant acorns and they dropped upon the ground. The first acorn was male. From it sprang The Dagda “The Good God”. The second acorn was female. And from it emerged Brigantu “The Exalted One”. The Dagda and Brigantu gazed upon one another in wonder, for they understood that together they must wrest order from the primeval chaos and people the earth. The first born of their children was Morfessa, the second was Esras, the third was Uiscias and the fourth was Semias. They all lived in the islands of Foroyar and there they studied all the arts and skills of the world. There they also invented magic and sorcery and they grew into skilled and powerful draoithe (sorcerers). These were the people of knowledge who would impart it to all others and in so doing make them gods.

Inis Fail and the Dark Children of Domnu

In this time before time, the island called Inis Fail (Ireland) became the Emerald Isle of green hills and lush forests. The dark goddess Domnu descended there and dwelt there and made it so. For, she released her impure waters and a hideous storm covered the whole island and a mighty torrent flooded down upon it. Many of the acorns from the oak trees Domnu washed into the sea. From these acorns grew a race of giants who lived under the sea, and they were many, and were the children of Domnu. However, many of them climbed back out of the sea, and thus arose in the island of Inis Fail the Fomorians. They were the first inhabitants of the Island. They were the old ones a group of dark deities who were still part of the chaos, the harmful or destructive powers of nature; they personified darkness, death, blight and drought. The Fomorians were a race of strange and ugly beings who inhabited the forests and who lived beneath the mounds. They were usually misshapen simple minded giants, many of whom were drawn to Tory Island where most dwelt. Although all Fomorians originally came from under the sea they found they could exist without it. However, true to their dark beginnings they became a cruel, violent and oppressive race. Click here to Continue.

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