Celtic Gods Mythology

The Celtic Eternity Knot. Digital image. Sampleireland.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://www.sampleireland.com/celtic-symbols.html>.jpg

Celtic Mythology has been around for many years and the fact that this myth has a god for just about every river, lake, mountain, hill, etc. makes it even more interesting. Like many mythologies such as Greek or Norse, Celtic myth has its own important gods and goddesses some ranging higher than others depending on how well that particular god is worshiped. That’s why I’m creating four posts on what perhaps are the most important gods and goddesses in Celtic Myth. These Gods may or may not be the most important, but they sure are some of the most recognized gods not only in Ireland but around the world. All of them have a special connection to today’s world, meaning that they either originated or influenced a tradition many of us use today in our everyday lives. Also these gods and goddesses are worshiped in some cultures just like a divine figure would be, like Jesus, so that tells you just how important these gods are to some people. And most importantly every god on this list is from Celtic origin.
                               

Bridget

Bridget. Digital image. Brigit, Celtic Goddess and Catholic Saint. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://celebratedivinefeminine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/brigid-li.jpg>.


First off is Bridget. She is the goddess of fire as well as poetry, poetry, healing, childbirth, and unity. She is the daughter of Dagda the great “father-god” of Ireland, and was born in daylight as the sun rose and made rays of fire beam out of her head. She married an Irish King whose family had an ongoing feud with Bridget’s family; however she had hoped that their marriage would end the feud but it didn’t work. She had three sons two of which died in battle and for this she lamented so loudly that it was heard all around Ireland and ended the feud between the two families. Because of this particular lament she is credited for originating the practice of “keening”, and is also credited for the invention of whistling which she used to summon her friends to her side. Bridget also has the power to heal, according to a famous folktale, two guys went to her well and asked to be healed so she told them to bathe each other until the skin healed, the skin of the first one healed as the other one bathed him however the first one didn’t want to touch the other one out of revulsion, so Bridget placed her mantle over the other one healing him immediately and caused the first one to turn back. From this is where the “throw a penny into a well or fountain and make a wish” comes from. Bridget also protects the poets, musicians and scholars making her the god of poetry. Lastly Bridget was adopted by the Christians from the Pagans as a saint and therefore is also known as Saint Bridget of Ireland.  


"Brigid: Celtic Goddess and Saint." Goddess Gift: Meet the Goddesses Here. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess-brigid.htm>.

Cerridwen

Janto, Hrana. Cerridwen. Digital image. Hranajanto.com. N.p., 1997. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://hranajanto.com/goddessgallery/GGF-home.html>.jpg

Cerridwen is known by many nicknames such as “Goddess of Death & Transformation,” “Goddess of Witchcraft and the Underworld,” “Keeper of the Cauldron of the Underworld” or “Goddess of Inspiration, Intelligence and Knowledge.” Cerridwen is the mother of two, a beautiful girl by the name of Creidwy and an ugly boy by the name of Afagdu. As a caring mother she wanted the best for her children, she knew that her daughter was going to do well in life due to her being beautiful however her son didn't run the same fate and she knew that his ugliness would make it hard for him in life. So she decided to make a magical formula that would make Afagdu a wise and brilliant man. Every day for a year and a day (366 days) she prepared the potion with six different herbs at precise astrological times to give to her son to hopefully overcome his ugliness, however not all the potion would be useful as only the first three drops of the potion would bring the knowledge and wisdom and the rest would be poison. Unfortunately on the day the potion was ready the first three drops accidentally landed on Gwion Bach, a servant boy assigned by her to watch the cauldron's fire, Gwion instantly became wise and in fear of Cerridwen's wrath he ran away. Cerridwen chased Gwion and as Gwion, but every time Gwion changed into a prey shape Cerridwen changed into a predator shape (hound following a rabbit, an otter chasing a salmon, a hawk flying after a sparrow) on the last transformation Gwion changed into a kernel of wheat and Cerridwen into a black hen and ate him. Nine months later Cerridwen gave birth to Taliesin who was actually a reborn phase of Gwion. Cerridwen planned to kill Taliesin but couldn't do it so she threw him into the sea in a pouch, he was found by a welsh prince and would later become one of the greatest poets of all time. Cerridwen’s ritual pursuit of Gwion Bach symbolizes the changing seasons. Her cauldron contains awen, meaning the divine spirit, or poetic or prophetic inspiration. Her link as the Mother of Poetry is seen in her reborn son Taliesin, and in the Welsh word that makes up part of her name, cerdd, which also means poetry. Cerridwen signifies inspiration from an unexpected corner.

"Cerridwen: A Cymric Goddess (Blessed Poet or Beloved)." Cerridwen: A Cymric Goddess (Blessed Poet or Beloved). Celtnet.org, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.celtnet.org.uk/gods_c/cerridwen.html>.

Belenus

Belenus. Digital image. Oakandwillow.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://oakandwillow.org/YAD%203%20the%20god%202a.htm>.jpg

 

One of the most worshiped gods in Celtic Mythology, just like his name which means “the shining one”; Belenus is the god of “light and sun.” He is the Celtic equivalent of Apollo, a sun god and associated with heat and healing. He is typically depicted with a heavy brow, large eyes, a thick moustache and his hair is usually shown in a corona that represents the rays of the sun. Healing springs are often associated with this god, tying in with the healing influence of the sun and of heat. Belenus was married to the Celtic goddess Belisama. Her name connects well with his, meaning 'summer bright'. She also shared his association with fire and light but lakes, rivers and crafts were also under her dominion. There is a Celtic Fire Festival called the Beltane (fires of bel) which is associated with this god, Belenus. Beltane fires were lit to encourage the sun's warmth. These fires also had restorative properties and cattle were herded between them before being loosed on the new spring pastures. From this it is likely that Belenus was a fire god, a patron of flame and the sun's restorative powers (which explains his classical association with Apollo.) 

Taber, Gillian. "Celtic Gods: Belenus." Helium. Helium, 01 June 2009. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.helium.com/items/1467687-the-celtic-god-belenus>.

Cernunnos

Cernunnos. Digital image. Gothambynight.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://www.gothambynight.com/scion/cernunnos.htm>.jpg

 

“The horned one” or “God of the forest” Cernunnos is considered one of the most important gods in Celtic Myth. Supposedly the “Horned God” possesses the secrets of the universe, and knows all things, past, present, and future. He is connected with male animals, particularly the stag in rut, and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. With his mighty antlers he is the protector of the forest and in the form as “the green man” he is the god of vegetation and tree, he is also the god of “lust & fertility” and sometimes can be seen as the god of “death and dying” singing to the dead on their way to the spirit world. During the fall, the Horned God dies, as the vegetation and land goes dormant and in the spring he is resurrected to impregnate the fertile goddess of the land. That’s why we see tree leaves and vegetation drop in the fall and then they rise again beautifully in the spring. Cernnunos is sometimes misinterpreted as an evil god and symbol of Satan due to his long devil-like horns but this is not true.

Wiggington, Patti. "Cernunnos - Wild God of the Forest." About.com Paganism / Wicca. About.com, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/godsandgoddesses/p/Cernunnos.htm>.