Pagan Portals – Áine: Goddess of the Sun, Fairy Queen of Ireland, by Kelle BanDea
Moon Books, 1803419423, 104 pages, December 2025
A while back, I was at a hostel in Kalispell, Montana when another traveller offered to give me a psychic reading in exchange for reading her tarot cards. Out of all the things she told me, what stuck with me the most was how one day I would go to Ireland and deeply connect with a powerful red-haired goddess, changing my life forever. Well, I’ve yet to get myself to Ireland, nor have I pursued getting to know any Irish goddesses.
But when I first saw the cover for Pagan Portals – Áine: Goddess of the Sun, Fairy Queen of Ireland by Kelle BanDea, I was immediately drawn to the cover’s image. Who was this goddess with the flaming hair? Certainly one I’ve never heard of before! I’m so glad I followed my curiosity to read this book, as BanDea has done a wonderful job depicting Áine through stories and offering readers a multitude of ways to get to know her.
BanDea begins this book with an insightful introduction about Irish deities and fairies. Topics covered include the Tuatha Dé Danann, Fairy Faith, Irish Fire Festivals, the Celtic Revival, and Irish Travellers. This introduction is vital for someone new to Irish history, mythology, and folklore, as it situates what BanDea shares about Áine in the wider context. From cultural feelings towards fairies to understanding the Sidhe, this section attunes readers to the collective wisdom of Irish culture those on the outside might not otherwise be aware of.
“Part I – Áine in Myth and Folklore” is divided into two chapters. The first chapter, “Sun Goddess of the Tuatha de Danann”, focuses on Áine’s popular depiction as a love goddess associated with the sun. BanDea explores references to Áine in the Book of Invasions as well as mythology within Tuatha Dé Danann. What I found interesting was BanDea explaining how Áine’s name and the rituals associated with her, particularly at her hill in KnockÁiney, Ireland, highlight her association to Midsummer and land fertility.
Within this chapter BanDea also explores the associations of Áine as a Mother Goddess, Fertility Goddess, and Land Goddess. All of the information BanDea shares is well researched and provides a multifaceted approach to Áine, taking into consideration both the folklore as well as scholarly sources. She even covers her darker attributes, which potentially link her to the Morrigan and god Crom Cruach.
The second chapter, “Fairy Queen of Munster”, delves more specifically into the Áine’s folklore of being raped and then taking revenge through either murder or cutting off the man’s ear thus making him maimed and unable to be king, depending on the version. BanDea does a great job explaining how these stories of Áine, as well as countless other goddesses, were changed based on who is telling them, writing:
“Feminist theologians, noting this phenomenon of reducing goddesses to sinister spirits in many cultures, often frame this is a mythological parallel to how women’s ability to hold power in general was degraded over time, and how, under the Christian world in particular, women came to be seen as dangerously seductive; a natural temptation.”1
Therefore, she takes a measured approach in exploring Áine as a banshee and mermaid. I found these topics fascinating, especially BanDea’s exploration of the “magic wife” motif.
“Part II: Áine in Neopagan Practice” is where BanDea shifts towards offering ideas for working with Áine. First, she includes a guided journey to establish a connection. From here, BanDea shares Áine’s correspondences and folklore tips, reminding readers to use proper caution as she is a fairy. BanDea also offers insight on how Áine can support ancestral work, including a ritual to ask for her blessing on ancestral endeavours.
The next chapter focuses on Áine and seasonal workings, which is very fitting given her association with natural cycles, fertility, and abundance. BanDea shares magical workings that can be done at Midsummer, Lughnasadh, and Samhain. These range from a protection ritual to an abundance spell jar. I particularly appreciated the eco-spirituality consideration given in BanDea’s suggestion to adapt Áine’s rites “to bless the land with her protection, while making a commitment to do what you can to help both the Earth and those who will be most affected by man-made climate change.”2
Yet the chapter that stood out the most to me was “Áine in Ritual, Archetype, and Story”. As someone who has studied depth psychology for nearly a decade, it was a thrill to see BanDea include a whole chapter dedicated to working with the archetype of Áine. I believe it’s important to not reduce deities to archetypes, this has always been how I personally connect the most with the stories and energies they hold. BanDea offers a guided journey to meet Áine as the Dark Maiden as well as meaningful questions that one might ponder or journal after working with one of Áine’s stories that resonates with them. In this context, Áine becomes a potent goddess those working through trauma can call on during their healing process.
My favorite thing overall about this book was BanDea’s perspective. She’s a feminist theologian and this shows in how she depicts Áine and offers insight into establishing a relationship with her. The mixture of healthy skepticism and honesty about the supernatural and spellwork make her a grounded voice for the subjects of such a mysterious goddess. While the content is rooted in primary sources and Irish culture, BanDea’s personal anecdotes and experience give shape to the text to make for an engaging read.
I also appreciated how BanDea acknowledges the different Neopagan approaches to working with deities. She has an appreciation for the wide variety of spiritual paths, and in turn makes the content she shares accessible without it becoming generalized, all the while encouraging respect for the culture from which Áine arises. BanDea is thoughtful as an author and guide, a wonderful attribute in someone offering an invitation to connect with a new deity.
All in all, while Pagan Portals – Áine is a quick read (I finished it front to back within the span of my daughter’s nap!), it is packed with the stories of an enigmatic goddess. BanDea’s exploration of Áine presents a well-rounded introduction for getting to know this goddess, leaving it up to the readers to discover her in her many forms: sun goddess, fairy queen, banshee, or even mermaid. The deep connection Áine has with the land of Ireland is sure to speak to those interested in eco-spirituality, while those who are seeking a protector as they heal trauma may also find solace in relationship with her.
Alanna Kali is an astrologer, numerologist, and pioneer spirit that loves to explore life through the lens of depth psychology. She has a passion for studying the humanities and social trends. Her academic work is centered upon reuniting body, mind, and spirit through eco-psychology. She loves reading, spending time in nature, and travel.