Maggy the Frog: The Red Priestess

Cersei, The Unreliable Narrator

When reading the famous Maggy the Frog chapter in AFFC, we have to remember, these are events that took place 24 years ago when Cersei was only ten years old. Unless you have a photographic memory you probably have a hard time remembering the details of events that occurred 24 years ago, especially if you were ten years old at the time. I have noted some discrepancies in the Maggy dream that lead me to question who Maggy the Frog really is.

In the Cersei chapter (36) of A Feast for Crows, Cersei has the famous nightmare about her and her two friends visiting Maggy the Frog. It seems this is a recurring nightmare that she has from time to time as the passage starts “She dreamt an old dream”. The dream is quite detailed and seemingly accurate as events are told in a vivid, logical pattern. Cersei thinks about this encounter throughout the books when she is not asleep and is fixated of the younger, more beautiful queen and the valonqar. It is evident this encounter made quite the impression on our young Cersei and continues to preoccupy her mind in present times.

In the dream, Cersei goes into the tent and sees “The only light came from an iron brazier shaped like a basilisk’s head, a dim green light that made the walls of the tent look cold and dead and rotten”. Yet, she second guesses her memory mentioning “Had it been that way in life as well? Cersei could not seem to remember”. Somewhere in her mind she can sense that something is possibly wrong with this scene, but her dreaming mind keeps going, moving on to things she seems more certain of. She then wakes the sleeping sorceress.

Later in the dream Maggy tastes their blood and tells Cersei and Melara things they did not want to hear. To the reader, it seems Maggy’s foretelling powers are dependent on Maggy tasting their blood. There is also a lady in Braavos that has this ability so we tend not question this much. What some of us overlook is the possibility that Maggy already knew the fate of Melara and possibly Cersei as she had muttered “some are here who have no futures” before any drop of blood had even touched Maggy’s mouth. Is it possible Cersei is remembering the events incorrectly? Is it possible Maggy in reality uses other methods or abilities? What gave me pause and led me to believe Cersei is an unreliable narrator in her Maggy dream is the following passage:

“She thought of Joffrey, clawing at his neck. In his last moments he had looked to her in desperate appeal, and a sudden memory had stopped her heart; a drop of red blood hissing in a candle flame, a croaking voice that spoke of crowns and shrouds, of death at the hands of the valonqar." -AFFC Cersei (28)

In this passage, Cersei has some sort of PTSD flashback where some type of repressed memory just comes shooting out at her. In this memory, she sees a “drop of red blood hissing in a candle flame”. In the dream where Cersei herself admitted she couldn’t quite remember, she mentioned:

“The only light came from an iron brazier shaped like a basilisk’s head, a dim green light that made the walls of the tent look cold and dead and rotten. Had it been that way in life as well? Cersei could not seem to remember” . - AFFC Cersei

So you see, Cersei’s flashback and her dream are not matching up. In her dream, the only fire is a brazier burning green flame and Maggy is sucking on her finger. In her PTSD flashback, however, she sees a candle present and a drop of red blood is going into the flame. Could it be this is how the scenario really went and Maggy’s gifts are powered somehow through flame rather than her mouth? If Maggy had the ability to use flames for divination this could explain her knowing of Melara’s fate even before any blood was spilt.

At one point, I dismissed this and thought Cersei may have somehow, someway had a vision of the leech scene taking place. Maybe the magic was strong enough for Cersei to be affected in her mind since she first thought of Joffrey. I eventually decided the leech scene is not what Cersei saw, the scene with the leeches uses a brazier and not a candle and there are no drops of blood, just three leeches shriveling in the flame. Additionally, I agree with the arguments thrown around that believes the leeches were a farse Mel was putting on and that she had knowledge of their pending deaths. So when it comes down to it, Cersei had a PTSD flash back of what Cersei actually saw, which is a drop of blood hissing in a candle flame. The memory of the lone green brazier and the way in which Maggy foretold their futures is likely unreliable. Now, what if Maggy does use flame for her sorcery? What does this mean to us?


BTW, Yes, I think she is Mel.

Maggy the Frog

So what do we know about Maggy now? We know there are inconsistencies in the details of how she can foretell the future and her methods may include flame. We know Tyrion mentioned she was supposed to be a priestess. We know she came from the east and we know she had a tricky name. There is one thing I feel is not discussed enough when it comes to this character. This is what Maggy has actual knowledge of. Maggy the Frog, a woman from the east is the wife/widow of a spice merchant and mother of a petty lord. This woman with magical, political and economic ties arguably has knowledge of:

1.the fall of the Targaryen dynasty,
2.the rise of Robert Baratheon,
3.the bastards of Robert Baratheon,
4.the deaths of Cersei and her children
5.possibly the death of Robert Baratheon
6.possibly the paternal nature of Cersei’s children.

“Is that what troubles you, Your Grace?” “Melara? No. I can hardly recall what she looked like. It is just...the maegi knew how many children I would have, and she knew of Robert’s bastards. Years before he’d sired even the first of them, she knew. She promised me I should be queen, but said another queen would come …” Younger and more beautiful, she said. “… another queen, who would take from me all I loved".

Yes, Maggy the Frog had knowledge of these things. Presumably this could be the most valuable knowledge and accurate prophesy we have seen yet in the books. So why do we not question what a woman with her connections and gifts could/would do with such information? Tell me, what do you think a reputed sorceress, the wife/widow of a wealthy spice merchant and mother of a petty lord could do with such knowledge?  Probably quite a bit.

What is in a name?

We are never told of Maggy the Frog’s real name although Tyrion mentions she was a priestess from the east and “No one could pronounce her real name”. Coincidentally, Cersei mentions something very similar:

She was not always hideous, or so they said. I don’t recall the woman’s name. Something long and eastern and outlandish. The smallfolk used to call her Maggy.” “Maegi?” “Is that how you say it?

Here we learn that Maggy is actually a Maegi with an eastern name that was difficult for the smallfolk to use so she was instead referred to as simply “Maegi” or “Maggy”. We also see Tyrion sneak in the information of Maggy supposedly being a priestess. It is peculiar in the way Maggy’s real name is never said, GRRM could have easily done without this little detail. Instead, he mentions this bit of information twice for the reader.

In ACOK we are introduced to Melisandre Of Asshai, a shadowbinder and a priestess of R’hllor. Something we learn from Melisandre’s POV in ADWD is that Mel had been a slave child called ‘Melony’, who was most likely sold to the Red Temple, and at some point, changed her name to Melisandre. What caught my eye when I was doing a re-read of the Maggy dream were the names of friends who also visited Maggy along with Cersei: Jeyne and Melara. The friend Jeyne had first caught my eye as we later discover this is also the name of her great-granddaughter, Jeyne Westerling (you know, the one with the heart-shaped face). It is a nice little coincidence that is more than likely an intentional nod. Then, I decided to look closer at the other friend who accompanied Cersei for her fortune telling, Melara. Her name has that same Mel derivative as Melisandre. I don’t think Melara herself is connected to Melisandre any more than Cersei’s friend Jeyne is connected to Jeyne Westerling. What I do think is that these are some very subtle hints and nods to Maggy’s identity.

Knowing what we have just learned, would it surprise you to also learn the symbolism behind the frog is transformation? Although there are many cultures with tales of frogs, the Western and European views of symbolism focus on the Frog's metamorphosis (egg, tadpole, fully formed amphibian) to symbolize resurrection and spiritual evolution. If you have ever heard the fairytale of the princess and the frog you get the idea. Coincidentally, GRRM uses the frog transformation trope with Quentyn and gives a big shout out to this very fairy tale:

“In the Seven Kingdoms there are children’s tales of frogs who turn into enchanted princes when kissed by their true love.” Smiling at the Dornish knights, she switched back to the Common Tongue. “Tell me, Prince Quentyn, are you enchanted?”

So, when Maggy the Frog was imagined by our writer, is it possible transformation and metamorphosis symbolism was intended as well? Yes, I think so.

Origin and language

I will put forth the suggestion that Maggy can speak three languages: High Valyrian, The Common Tongue and a third, less common language, the language of Asshai. We all know Maggy can speak the Common Tongue and we later learn from Cersei Maggy had spoken High Valyrian to her. “It’s High Valyrian, it means little brother.” She had asked Septa Saranella about the word, after Melara drowned”. What some of us may overlook is this line:

“There was a jar of some thick potion by her elbow, sitting on a table. She snatched it up and threw it into the old woman’s eyes. In life the crone had screamed at them in some queer foreign tongue, and cursed them as they fled her tent.”

Although Cersei did not know the meaning of the single word “Valonqar”, I do believe Cersei would be able to distinguish High Valyrian if someone was rambling in sentences to her. Casterly Rock is located next to Lannisport which is a big port with traders from the free cities who all speak dialects of this language. Additionally, her brother Tyrion mentions he can speak some High Valyrian and “learned to read High Valyrian at his maester’s knee”. Cersei’s septa could also speak High Valyrian. I believe Maggy was speaking a language that is more eastern than the free cities as Cersei describes it as “some queer foreign tongue”. This is supported by Maggy’s husband being a trader in Saffron which is a rare spice from eastern Essos, said to be worth more than gold. We hear of saffron coming from Qarth and Yi Ti, but there is also a passageway by the Jade Sea known as the Saffron Straits. The Saffron Straits are most likely named for the passage and flow of Saffron which would be quite profitable to trade in places like Asshai where gold is so plentiful. Coincidentally,

“the ancient port of Asshai stands at the end of a long wedge of land, on the point where the Jade Sea meets the Saffron Straits”

Guess what comes out of Asshai?.....Maegis come out of Asshai!

Magic had died in the west when the Doom fell on Valyria […] Dany had always heard that the east was different. It was said that manticores prowled the islands of the Jade Sea, that basilisks infested the jungles of Yi Ti, that spellsingers, warlocks, and aeromancers practiced their arts openly in Asshai, while shadowbinders and bloodmages worked terrible sorceries in the black of night."

So where is my best bet for where Mr. Saffron trader met Miss Magic Lady? Asshai. I also believe the third queer language spoken by Maggy is the language of Asshai.

The red woman walked round the fire three times, praying once in the speech of Asshai, once in High Valyrian, and once in the Common Tongue.

Appearance and Characteristics

Within the storyline despite such a large variety of characters, there are only two women who are described as having deep voices, Maggy the Frog and Melisandre. In fact, if you take a look at the comparison you will see the voice descriptions are very similar:

Mel

“Maester,” said Lady Melisandre, her deep voice flavored with the music of the Jade Sea. “You ought take more care.” As ever, she wore red head to heel, a long loose gown of flowing silk as bright as fire

Maggy

When it comes to Maggy the Frog’s true youthful appearance we do not have much to go off of, but do hear that she was once beautiful. One person we do have a good description of is Melisandre. She is a strikingly beautiful woman with striking features. Her heart shaped face being a rare trait, only attributed to two characters in the written books (four if you also count So Spake Martin).  I repeat, the only two characters with heart-shaped faces described in the written books are Melisandre and Maggy’s great-grandaughter. While we don’t know much of a young Maggy, we do have a good description of Jeyne Westerling who Catelyn mentions is ‘undeniably’ pretty with a heart-shaped face.

Just about everyone is on board with the idea Melisandre is wearing a glamour to disguise her real age. For Melisandre, her appearance is a tool. Melisandre has always been careful to present herself as beautiful, seductive and powerful as she feels this is the only way she can persuade others to her cause. Additionally, her weapon of seduction would be pretty much useless if she looked like a diseased old woman (No sexy time=No shadow babies ). It would not surprise me if she is glamouring a younger version of herself as many theories suggest. Because she is glamouring herself, this really opens the possibilities for her true appearance to look any number of ways which could easily be quite hideous.


I know what you are thinking, where are the red eyes? The red hair? This lady is short and Mel is tall. When it comes to Maggy’s description, the explanations are conditions of aging and the unreliable narrator. It has already been revealed there are certain discrepancies in Cersei’s dream and the texts points out Cersei herself even questioned her recollection in the midst of her own dream; Knowing this, would it surprise you to know that Cersei admittingly can "hardly recall" the appearance of another person who was also present in the same dream:


I believe Cersei was being truthful when she tells Qyburn she can hardly remember what Melara looked like. Cersei tends to speak quite candidly around Qyburn, she sees him as someone she can trust and confide in. This passage is a particularly soul bearing moment for Cersei as this is the first time she had revealed Maggy’s prophesy to anyone (Cersei spills the beans to Taena Merryweather later on).


Even though she cannot recall what Melara looks like, the Maggy dream describes Melara as older, bolder, and prettier than Jeyne in a freckly sort of way. This is just another small inconsistency within Cersei’s dream. Cersei is just narcissistic enough to disregard the details of others around her. Additionally, Cersei was the tender age of ten when the events took place.


Now, if Cersei can hardly remember what Melara looks like; someone who was there that same night; someone whom she was better acquainted with and had probably killed the same night, who is to say the description of Maggy is not unreliable as well?

I want to touch on Maggy’s eyes for one moment. Besides the once young and beautiful part, Maggy sounds seriously hideous. What I see is Cersei focusing on the what age and disease does to the body. Yellow eyes crusted with something vile really gives the picture of a disease process rather than a true eye color. Cersei even remembered how age had left its mark, and she could “smell the sickness on her”. Jaundice affects the whites of the eyes causing them to turn yellow and give the skin a sallow coloring. In fact, liver disease in addition to causing jaundice, can cause a foul body odor and a distinct musty rotten odor to the breath in it’s advanced stages. The description of Maggy also makes mention these as well.


Additionally, there are many exudative eye conditions that can cause a crusted yellow appearance. What Cersei is really recalling is a woman riddled with sickness and disease rather than an old woman with a naturally yellow eye color. This is also something echoed in Taena Merryweater comments of Maggy being 'old and sick'. When it comes down to it, Maggy’s eyes could be any color; blue or green or brown…or any color really. But wait just one minute. Are we forgetting what happened at the end of the dream sequence??? George had decided to leave that famous Maggy dream sequence with something peculiar... Cersei throwing a potion into Maggy's eyes.


Hmm...we leave Maggy with a potion being thrown into her eyes. That was quite a nice detail to end the dream with...wasn't it?

Before we move on, I want to talk about Maggy’s age for a bit. If Jeyne Westerling is Maggy’s great-granddaughter. This would make Maggy the Frog’s birth very easily and very perfectly fit the Dunk and Egg Blackfyre era. This is the same time Melisandre is theorized by many to have been born. Basically, the timeline fits just right for the two to be one in the same.

Sorcery and powers

One thing is certain, if Maggy and Mel are the same person they should have similar magical powers and abilities. So the first thing we need to do is compare the two. So according to rumors, it is said Maggy could “curse a man or make him fall in love, summon demons and foretell the future.” By the way, has anyone ever noticed it mentions she could summon demons? I know most people dismiss this as an exaggeration, but let’s play the devil’s advocate and evaluate the truth of the rest of the information. The passage says Maggy can:

1. Foretell the future-- True, without a doubt Maggy can see into the future.

2. Curse a man-- I would say this is true in a fashion as many view prophesy as a curse, a great example is Cersei who mentions “Maggy’s curse” of the valonqar.

3. Make a man fall in love-- Well they did say half of Lannisport went to her for love potions.  This is true if you believe the rumors of how Maggy the Frog snagged her wealthy spice merchant husband:

There are also theories on how Jeyne was able to seduce Robb. Additionally, it is inferred in the Tyrion Chapter of ASOS that Sybell Spicer wed Gawen Westerling under suspiciously similar circumstances (I would love to go down that rabbit hole about Sybell right now, but just don’t have the time).

When I evaluate these rumors of Maggy’s powers I see there is more truth to them than we think. So, if these other rumors of her powers have truth to them, why are we so quick to dismiss the rumor that she can summon demons? Couldn’t there be a shred of truth to this as well?

We are aware Melisandre can foretell the future and in that sense “curse” people with their future and she can certainly bring forth shadow demons. So, what about making a man fall in love, can she do this? Yes! Despite her being a beautiful seductive woman, she has mentioned she carries concealed powders and potions with her that have many powers and properties, one of them being lust.

Now there are some inconsistencies that must be addressed; however, I do not see these as inconsistencies. The inconsistency that must be addressed is Maggy’s prophesy is very accurate and Mel has been off the mark with her prophesy lately. In fact, Maggy’s prophesy is so accurate it is uncanny how many things she got right. Shouldn’t Mel be some kind of fortune telling savant as well?

“Melisandre had practiced her art for years beyond count, and she had paid the price. There was no one, even in her order, who had her skill at seeing the secrets half-revealed and half-concealed within the sacred flames. Yet now she could not even seem to find her king. I pray for a glimpse of Azor Ahai, and R’hllor shows me only Snow.

Let’s play the devil’s advocate again and assume she is not just being boastful in her mind’s eye. We are talking about a woman theorized to either be Shiera Seastar or be the daughter of Shiera Seastar and a powerful sorcerer. A woman who has trained for “years beyond count” honing all kinds of dark arts, not just a priestess of R’hllor but a shadowbinder to boot. The woman is literally a triple threat. It is possible she is not boasting and has some serious skill that has been a little hampered lately. If you look at the detail Melisandre goes into when she describes the grey woman riding on the horse she paints a very, very vivid picture. She knew of Davos’s plans easy peasy, she foretold Jon Snow’s stab fest, she saw “Renly” defeat Stannis beneath King’s Landing. She has seen much and more. What she sees is what her god allows her to see; some of it is strikingly accurate as well. I believe Maggy had received an accurate vision because she was intended to have an accurate one. With Maggy we only have one encounter to go off of. One very accurate prophesy does not mean she doesn’t miss the mark from time to time herself.

I am up to eight pages on a word document so I need to wrap this up. Basically, I think Cersei’s flashback is the real deal for what happened in Maggy’s tent. Maggy fits the bill for everything that Melisandre is which is a priestess from the east with an outlandish name. When it comes down to it, this is a plausible scenario. I would love more to touch on more, but just remember.


Here it is, what are your thoughts?