The Morrígan, Phantom Queen

also known in some texts as Mórrígan, the Great Queen (aka Morrígu, Morríghan, Mor-Ríoghain) is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have once been a goddess, although she is not explicitly referred to as such in the texts.

The Morrigan is a goddess of destruction and fury, a true warrior spirit. She used her sexual power to manipulate and inspire fear in her enemies, and reveled in her lust for blood. She was also a prophet and a shapeshifter, sometimes associated with ravens or other flesh-eating birds of prey. Her worship accelerates at Samhain, the festival of death and the descent into the dark half of the year.

Usually seen as a terrifying figure, She is associated with war and death on the battlefield, sometime appearing in the form of a carrion crow, premonitions of doom, and with cattle. Often considered a war deity comparable with the Germanic Valkyries, although her association with cattle also suggests a connection with fertility and the earth.

She is often interpreted as a triple goddess, although membership in the triad varies: the most common combination is the Morrígan, the Badb and Macha, but sometimes includes Nemain, Fea, Anann and others.