A goddess of summer, wealth, and sovereignty, Áine is associated with the sun and the harvest. Primroses and meadowsweet are believed to be connected to her, symbolizing love, fertility, and the abundant blessings of nature. Linked to the festival of Midsummer, she has a strong connection to the land, water, and healing. One of her symbols is the white swan. Áine is among the most revered and powerful of Irish mythological goddesses.
She is remembered for overcoming adversity and exacting powerful revenge on the man who wronged her.
Ailill Aulom was the ruling King of Munster but was restless and worried as he had a problem. Every time he would sleep, he would awaken to find that the grass in his fields would not grow. This was a potentially devastating problem for the King as the grass provided food for the livestock, ensuring food for the people.
Ferchess the Druid advised him to visit KnockÁiney on Samhain Eve, to seek out the restorative powers of that place. He set out for KnockÁiney and arrived with the expectation of his problems being solved.
But fate was to intervene and the fragilities of the human spirit were to collide with the power of the creatures from the Otherworld.
Ailill fell into a drowsy half-sleep and later found himself sleep-walking when he encountered a beautiful vision. It was Áine, the daughter of Eoghabal of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Human desire overwhelmed him and he shed his royal dignity, driven by lust. He set upon the lone woman and forced himself upon her.
Áine was outraged and exacted immediate revenge. In her fury, she bit off his ear, maiming the King, marking him for life.
