Morrigan
Migrant Children and Families in Need
In 2017, while I was living in Germany and pregnant with my first child, I started hearing about what was happening at the U.S.-Mexico border. Children dying as their families fled violence—drowning in the river, dying of thirst and heat, or reaching the border only to be separated from their families and imprisoned for months or years.
I couldn’t believe this could be happening in a country that calls itself the land of the free; that prides itself on being a nation of immigrants, and a land of hope. What happened to “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”? That this hasn’t been set right in the years since then is appalling. And now, with the threat of mass detentions and deportations looming in a bigger way than ever before, I’m terrified for what might happen next.
I drew The Morrigan as a way to channel my anger and grief, but also to honor the work of the people and organizations who to fight for these children—to reunite families, provide legal support, and advocate for their safety and rights.
The Morrigan is one of the most complex figures in Celtic mythology, often referred to as the goddess of war, fate, and sovereignty. I have always loved stories featuring Celtic myths and deities, and The Morrigan was one of the most interesting and compelling characters to me. She’s a shapeshifter, and is frequently associated with ravens or crows, creatures that symbolize prophecy, protection, and the cycles of life and death. It’s a message about the power in fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, and the strength it takes to protect the vulnerable.