In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by best selling author Morgan Daimler to dive deep into the tangled roots of Irish mythology, fairies, and spiritual practice.
Morgan shares insights from their upcoming translation project Tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann, highlighting how Victorian mistranslations, poetic wordplay, and modern fantasy games have all shaped and sometimes distorted our understanding of Ireland’s ancient stories. From Macha’s not-so-symbolic acorns to the unique nature of fairy magic, this episode unpacks the complexities behind some of Irish paganism’s most widely accepted beliefs.
They also discuss the nature of the Otherworld, the blurred lines between the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Aos sí and other spirits, and the critical importance of returning to original source texts for anyone working with Irish deities and traditions today.If you’re drawn to Celtic mythology, fairy faith, or the deeper study of Irish pagan spirituality, this is an essential listen.
Topics covered include:
- What the ancient Irish believed about the Otherworld
- Why some fairies come from D&D, not folklore
- The misunderstood symbolism of Macha’s “acorns”
- Fairy magic as its own tradition
- Translation issues in Irish mythology
- The overlap between gods, fairies, and spirits
- Making myth more accessible through literal translation