Skull Witch Nemain is a mythical character in Celtic folklore. She is often depicted as a terrifying and powerful figure, known for her association with death, war, and chaos. Nemain is said to be one of the Morrigan, a trio of goddesses or supernatural beings in Irish mythology. The name Nemain is thought to derive from the Old Irish word "nemain," which means "panic" or "frenzy." This reflects her role as a bringer of fear and chaos in battle. According to mythology, she would appear on the battlefield, shrieking and causing confusion among the warriors.
Our European ancestors painted a great range of animals in their cave-cathedrals, but there's no doubt that they were particularly partial to reindeer. In some Aurignacian sites, 99% of the animal remains are from Rangifer tarandus, and this predilection for reindeer seems to distinguish our own ancestors from those other ancient denizens of Europe, the Neanderthals. As for what reindeer like to eat, you might think it was reindeer moss. But that's a misnomer – reindeer moss is in fact lichen. And while reindeer eat plenty of it in the winter months, digging through the snow with their broad feet to get at it, I expect that they are happy when the summer arrives and there are far more juicy and delicious plants to eat.
There was a decline in the genetic diversity of reindeer after the peak of the last ice age 20,000 years ago probably due to a warming climate as well as those palaeolithic hunters but reindeer survived, and thankfully they don t look likely to become extinct any time soon. Alas for him and his tribe, their days were numbered the ice was creeping south and, two or three thousand years later, people had vanished again from a frozen British landscape and would remain away for the next 15,000 years.
According to mythology, she would appear on the battlefield, shrieking and causing confusion among the warriors. It was said that Nemain would take pleasure in the chaos and destruction that ensued. Nemain is often portrayed as a hag-like figure with a skull-like face, hence her name "Skull Witch.
Digging up the stories of our past: Professor uncovers prehistoric burials in a fascinating study of Ancient Britain
HISTORY ANCESTORS by Alice Roberts (Simon & Schuster £20, 448pp) Some 33,000 years ago, a man was ritually buried in a cave on the Gower peninsula in South-West Wales. His body was stained with red ochre and he was surrounded by pieces of mammoth tusk with holes drilled through to be worn on a necklace, and ivory bracelets. The cave looked out across immense grasslands — now the Bristol Channel — stretching all the way to the opposite escarpment some 20 miles away: the cliffs of North Devon. And over the grasslands roamed vast herds of red deer and reindeer, bison, woolly rhinoceros and mammoth, as well as predators such as wolves, hyenas — and people.
Professor Alice Roberts has penned a fascinating study of ancient Britain, via seven prehistoric burials (file image)
Such is the spellbinding image conjured by Professor Alice Roberts in this fascinating study of ancient Britain, via seven prehistoric burials. The man in the cave is the first ritual burial known in our island story. He and his clan lived on these rich hunting grounds for generations, keeping warm with fur clothing and dung fires. Alas for him and his tribe, their days were numbered: the ice was creeping south and, two or three thousand years later, people had vanished again from a frozen British landscape — and would remain away for the next 15,000 years. This brings us next to Cheddar Man, who dates from about 9,000 years ago and was found in 1903 in Gough’s Cave in the Mendips. Thanks to the powerful tool of DNA analysis, to go with the traditional digging in the mud with trowels, we now know for certain that Cheddar Man was a hunter-gatherer about 5ft 5in tall, and that 10 per cent of today’s Britons of European descent share an ancestry with him. An amazing thought.
" She is sometimes depicted with long, snaggletooth, and unkempt hair, further emphasizing her frightening appearance. Some depictions show her holding a spear or a sword, symbolizing her association with war and death. In addition to her role in battle, Skull Witch Nemain is also associated with sovereignty and sovereignty goddesses. She is believed to possess the ability to grant victory to those she favors and bring destruction to her enemies. This aspect of Nemain's character adds a layer of complexity to her role in Celtic mythology. Despite her terrifying and destructive nature, Nemain has also been associated with healing, transformation, and personal growth. In some stories, she is said to have the ability to shape-shift into various forms, symbolizing the transformative power of death and rebirth. Skull Witch Nemain is a fascinating figure in Celtic mythology, representing the dark and chaotic aspects of life and the power of destruction and transformation. Her presence on the battlefield and association with war and death make her a fearsome character in folklore. However, her connection to healing and personal growth adds a more nuanced dimension to her story. Overall, Nemain serves as a reminder of the complexities of life and the dualities that exist within us all..
Reviews for "The Influence of Skull Witch Nemainn on Contemporary Witchcraft Practices"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Skull Witch Nemainn". The story started off promising, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or development. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and seemed rushed. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - I struggled to even finish "Skull Witch Nemainn". The plot was all over the place and didn't make much sense. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The author attempted to create a dark and eerie atmosphere, but it came across as forced and cliché. I found the book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Skull Witch Nemainn", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fate. Overall, I found the book to be unimpressive and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 2 stars - "Skull Witch Nemainn" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The world-building felt superficial and inconsistent, leaving many questions unanswered. The protagonist's motivations were unclear, making it hard to root for them. The writing itself was decent, but the story lacked a strong direction. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with the overall execution of the book.