Celtic Gods and Goddesses - List and Mythology - CD An Irish Fae, also known as a faerie or fairy, is a supernatural being from Irish folklore and mythology. Stone stelae have been discovered in the British Isles, France, and Portugal, that are from approximately 3000 b.c.e. This body of myths is the largest and best preserved of all the Kali teaches us these profound and unsettling lessons. Mythopedia. The stories have us believe that Aengus fell madly in love with a girl called Caer Ibormeith whom he had seen in his dreams. Adventure, heroism, romance, and magic are a few of the elements that make Celtic mythology one of the most entrancing mythologies of Europe. Once a powerful people who dominated much of Europe, the Celts were reduced to a few small groups after the Roman invasions. Part fairy, she was a priestess of Avalon and consort to the Lady of the Lake. You can check out that article for an in-depth description and guide to the Fae. And will teach you how to shapeshift, divine with runes, and explore your shadow side. Angus is the God of Love and Beauty. She is the goddess who determines whether or not you walk off the field of battle, or are carried off upon your shield. The Book of Celtic Myths. I cant find much info about her except that she might be connected to the Roman Minerva? Her name means bright as she lights up the dark. The Battle Crow, Celtic war goddess and member of the Morrigan. Most accounts of Circes story say her father was Helios, a Greek Sun God, and her mother was Perse, a nymph of the ocean. In other words, both deities were fathers of their respective pantheons as well as gifted in the use of magic and sorcery. To compensate for her sons ugliness, she used her cauldron to brew a potion. Sedna (Inuit) - Mistress of life and death. Kali is a Hindu Goddess of death and destruction. Arianrhod (Welsh) - Goddess of fertility, rebirth and the weaving of cosmic time and fate. She is the Old Woman, the Winter Crone, the Veiled One, the Old Hag, and the Old Crone. Mary Jones of the Celtic Literature Collective says. Folklore from County Cork also depicts her as an ugly old hag who curses or captures people, dragging them under the sea or under her mound. Similar to many ancient cultures, the Celtic people of the Late Bronze Age had polytheistic belief system and pantheon of gods. Ogma was also the god of knowledge and wisdom. To me, it is simply understanding the myths and ancient practices and incorporating them into my own craft. Pagan Celtic Britain: Studies in Iconography and Tradition. In this tale, a young woman goes out into the forest seeking fire for her family. Henwen(English) A fertility goddess who ,whilst in the form of a magical sow, birthed strange litters. Capall Bann Publishing. She was considered both a mother and crone figure. Celtic goddess Morrigan was popular among Celtic people due the support she offered to Dagda in securing victory during the great war against the Fomorians. Gods and Goddesses:Aine Call on her for inspiration, transformation or when working with cauldron magic. A popular dark goddess is the Irish Celtic Goddess of War and ShapeshiftingThe Morrigan. She had a magical cow, the Maol, as well as herds of cattle and of deer. As the goddess of light, she represented the Moon, supplanting the goddess Luna in that role. In Celtic mythology, the Morrighan is known as a goddess of battle and war. While this article states these deities are dark goddesses, this in no way means they are bad or evil. It all depends on how you look at it. The modern name Bridget derives from this popular triple goddess. Her name means night queen.. Olwen, the goddess of light and sun, appears in a splendid love tale, Culhwch and Olwen,in which her suitor recruits his cousin, the famous Arthur, to assist him in winning her hand. It was this slingshot of his that he used in taking down Balor. In Irish mythology, the god of magic is often associated with the god Lugh, who was worshipped as the patron of smiths, bards, and other artisans. A major goddess in ancient Irish mythology, Brigids association are many. The cauldronhers of which could raise the deadwas an important aspect of Celtic life, serving as both a household hub and as a tool for divination and sacrificial rituals. When people want protection from evil forces, they ask Kali for aid. What Baba Yaga doesnt know is that Vassalissa has her ancestors on her side, as well as her intuition. Celtic Mother Goddess and matriarch of the Tuatha d Danann. XochiQuetzal (Mexican) - Goddess of the cycles of life celebrated on the Day Of the Dead. She is a fierce warrior who protects women and is associated with change. Her name means silver wheel, representing the cycles of life. She is the dark aspect of the goddess Durga. She could be a dark goddess in her own ritedepending on her mood. Cerridwen Known for her shape-shifting abilities, Ceeridwen goddess was in charge of poetry. He is connected with male animals, particularly the stag in rut, and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. The Celtic word for witch is dridh in Scottish Gaelic and draoi in Irish Gaelic. One cannot know the light without knowing the dark. Belenus the Celtic god in charge of healing and medicine. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. As the time drew near to make use of it, a servant named Gwion Bach was stirring the pot when three drops fell upon his thumb. Some scholars point out that war specifically is not a primary aspect of the Morrighan, and that her connection to cattle presents her as a goddess of sovereignty. In Celtic pantheon, Aengus was revered as the deity of youth and love. I wanted to sign up for updates on your blog. Maponus Being a Celtic god of poetry and music, Maponus was often associated with the Greek god Apollo. Collin de Plancys 1863 Infernal Dictionary describes him as having a goats body from the waist up, three horns on his head, a goats beard, ears like a fox, and inflamed eyes. Im a 19 yo boy whos drawn very strongly to the Celtic Goddess Aine, Im not gay but I feel like she is making me feel comfortable in the feminine world. Again, we see her light and dark aspects in this association. Like many goddess figures, her appearance changes depending on her story and temperament. Copyright 2007-2023 www.Goddess-Guide.com. Many Pagans honor her today as a goddess of the hearth and home, and of divination and prophecy. Wicca, like any other religion, has myth and folklore galore. Hecate: Greek Goddess of Magic and Sorcery - Learn Religions She is the energy that slays the demonic entities. [1], According to tradition, Aradia is either an Italian witch or a goddess who came down to Earth. Described a youthful warrior, Lugh was the Celtic god of a host of things, including craftsmen, thunderstorms, ravens, and strategic warfare. Sekhmet was their Goddess of War. She is the one who purges the world of evil. She also has the ability to influence the result of the battles, especially the battle against the Fomorians. deities from Britain and Ireland. A fierce and terrifying warrior goddess. Thanks for this accessible and informative post! And the fame of her wisdom and beauty went forth over all the land, and people worshiped her, calling her La Bella Pellegrina (the beautiful pilgrim).. Cerridwen, meanwhile, is linked to Bran the Warrior through the cauldron that she gifts to him. She shares a particular kinship with the crow, an animal with an array of meanings in Celtic mythology. She foresees warriors death before they happen, and is also considered a goddess that protects the king. In ancient Irish myths and legends, Aine is described as a Faery Queen, a goddess of the earth and nature, and a lady of the lake. Remember that your spiritual practice should reflect your individual beliefs, values, and experiences. Do you know anything about Sena/Senua/Senuna? This was believed to be a way for the witches to escape detection and travel unseen to perform their magic. The common belief was that those gods played a huge role in the lives of people living in several Celtic tribes of the past. In some other depictions, he can be seen wearing a torc and a big metal ring. Morrigan(Irish) - A terrifying crow goddess associated with war and death. The cauldron of plenty was never Celebrations for this goddess were held on In the Canadian fantasy television series Lost Girl, the Morrigan is a title held by the leader of the Dark Fae. My time spent with Cliodhna has been nothing short of enlightening. Monaghan, P. (2002). Helios, the sun, who played a role in love-magic, and according to Pindar, lovesick men would pray to him. As a result of this role, this deity was known as the Fair Shining One. "The Morrighan." Although Morgan le Fay appears in theVita Merliniin the twelfth century, a narrative of the life of Merlin byGeoffrey of Monmouth, it's unlikely that there's a connection to the Morrighan. Read about how Medea became a Dragon Goddess. It was also said that the plump looking old man usually had in his hands a cauldron (coire ansic) that was always full. History.com. Bellona Continue with Recommended Cookies. She was originally considered a nature and lunar goddess (on par with Demeter and Artemis) and either granted or withheld blessings of abundance, victory, wisdom, and luck, depending on how her worshipers treated her. The Yoruba, for example, believed that some witches (called aje) would transform themselves into birds and fly by night to practice magic far from prying eyes. There are many books on the subject of the goddess Brigid. Celebrations for this goddess were held on midsummers eve. Including Ancient Egypt. Today, many Pagans do work with the Morrighan, although many of them describe their relationship with her as being somewhat reluctant at first. Belisama (Celtic) Goddess of light and fire, the forge and of crafts. List of Celtic Gods Aengus The Young One, a clever Celtic god of love, poetry, and youth Arawn A skillful magician who ruled the realm of Annwn, the Celtic Your email address will not be published. According to the stories, Dagda, who went by the epithet the Good God, wields a magical club (lorg mr)that gives him power over life and death. Brigid(Irish) This fire goddesss name means bright arrow. Her myths spread into England and Scotland where she is known as Brigantia and Bride respectively. The Morrighan often appears in the form of a crow or raven, or is seen accompanied by a group of them. Vercana points up the difficulty of deciding anything based on a deitys name alone. In the story she is mostly depicted as a human woman with supernatural abilities, but in other stories she is thought to be a goddess incarnate. Known as the chief of the Celtic pantheon, Dagda was revered as a fertility, agriculture and weather god. Only take what we need, no more. The sun is believed to have stood still for nine months while his mother was pregnant with him. Her worship probably spread from the Continent, leaving place names behind, such as Brittany in France. Finally, and perhaps most famously, Circe was the goddess who fell in love with Odysseus after he and his crew landed on her island home of Aeaea. She is the embodiment of Winter and all that it brings: snow, ice, cold, death and then eventually rebirth. The mountains are the winter witchs domain, as legend says The Winter Crone made the mountains her stepping stones. She was the force that rid the land of filth, therefore providing a cleansing energy. In some traditions, Circe is regarded as the goddess who invented magic, with Homers Epigrams XIV calling her the daimona (spirit) of magic. John Beckett over at Patheos describes a ritual in which the Morrighan was invoked, and says. When depicted at the crossroads, Hecate often has three heads (pulling into play a triple goddess aspect that also confirms her birth-death-rebirth powers), and she is often guarded by three white canines. In addition to his powerful horse-drawn chariot, he also possessed powerful weapons such as his thunderbolts and shield. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Circe may be a dark goddess and feared by men, but she has much to teach us. It was typical for ancient cultures to believe that sun deities rode across the sky pulling the sun with their powerful horse-drawn chariots. Badb(Irish) - A shape-shifting, warrior goddess who symbolises life and death, wisdom and inspiration. It appears, though, that this is more fanciful thinking than anything else. Look him up on Facebook and keep an eye out for his articles on Listverse. The primordial goddess from whose actions caused a great deal of things to happen in the beginning of time, Danu was a very important deity among Celtic tribes. Here are some of the most well-known Celtic deities. Shes the grandmother. Circe was the Greek goddess of metamorphosis and illusion. She is said to be buried in a tomb at Knocknarea in such a way that she may face her enemies at Ulster. A guide to the Goddesses. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Sekhmet was also a goddess of healing. The druids were considered to be powerful magicians and healers, who were responsible for communicating with the gods and performing rituals for the benefit of the community. However, there's a bit more to her than this. In some accounts, Danu was associated with goddesses like Ana, a goddess of nature. You should put a form at the bottom of the page. Cliodhna is no different. The Morrgan has also appeared in several comic book series, including Marvel Comicswhere she is depicted as a powerful goddess in the Celtic pantheonand The Wicked + The Divine. Hecate Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. As the goddess of war and fate, the Celtic goddess Morrigan helped her fellow gods in securing vital victories over their enemies in so many battles. Irish mythology She was also a fertility goddess who assisted in childbirth, nursing, and healing. She often appears as a sister to the Badb and Macha. Celtic Wicca is a modern revival of ancient Celtic pagan beliefs, incorporating elements of Wicca, a modern pagan, witchcraft religion. Elen(Welsh) Known as Elen of the ways she appears in the epic myth the Mabinogian. (2020). Popularly known as the queen of the pantheon, Danu was depicted as a beautiful woman who embodied the nature itself. A few of the goddesses were adopted by the Romans like Epona the Celtic horse Goddess others like Brigid were renamed as Catholic Saints. Powerful Celtic sorceress whose potions brought beauty and wisdom. In mythology, her association with abundant the harvest and abundant tablescapes suggests her status as a fertility goddess. The exact number and categorization of schools can vary between different traditions. Each episode will delve into the spirits, lore, and magic of her native Wales. 2022 Wasai LLC. He is said to wield an invincible spear (Gae Assail) and a sling stone that when unleashed crushed opponents in a single heartbeat. She almost always had a cloud of mystery hovering over her head. This point explains why Belenus was associated with those items. If Vercana is a Celtic goddess, she may have been a war-goddess, based on her name, or a healing goddess, based on her associaton with a spring, or possibly both, like Mars Lenus. She is thought to be a necromancer, but also a healer. Cerridwen gave birth to two children: a beautiful daughter and a hideous son named Afagddu. Is it any wonder that, even today, Hekate is considered the undisputed goddess of witchcraft! Rhiannon(Welsh) One of the Celtic Goddesses of fertility, the moon, night and death. Accessed on 28 Apr. 9 Celtic Goddesses to Know and Work With - Moody Moons She is possibly Proto-Indo-European dating back to prehistoric times. Under this act, those accused of practicing witchcraft could be sentenced to death by burning or hanging. The Roman Goddess list contains names and attributes of over fifty Roman Goddesses. Some of these deities are benevolentothers, not so much. Take a second to support kitty fields on Patreon. Hecate is also said to be the goddess of witchcraft, ruling over and aiding in the practice of witches from the past as well as the present. The Dagdas club (lorg mr)was one of the most powerful weapons in Celtic mythology. A popular dark goddess is the Irish Celtic Goddess of War and Shapeshifting The Morrigan. Offerings were made to the war goddesses and observations and divination were used to predict the outcome of the battle. She is both darkness and lightbirth and death. It is theorized that the belief in Hecate supersedes even the most-ancient Greek civilizations. Queen Maeve is the quintessential warrior queen, and because of this she is an Irish-Celtic Goddess of destruction and death. To old school religious folks, this may have been a big no-no for a woman to disobey her husband, but in todays age? She teaches valuable, foreboding lessons. Aengus g the Celtic God of Love, Youth and Beauty. She is a death goddess, guarding bones of those who have passed, and ushers us to let the old die away to allow for the new. While this is a frightening and disturbing image to many, Kalis job was to destroy evil. Also spelled Oengus, Aengus was known among Celtic tribes as the youthful god of love. Olwen(Celtic) The golden sun goddess who survived thirteen different trials to win her true love. Learn more about Cliodhna here. She was the first person to be charged with witchcraft in Ireland, and her story has become legendary in the countrys folklore. Cailleach is seen as an ancestor to many people in Ireland and Scotland as well as a sister to some of the most ancient goddesses of Irish and Scottish lore. Whether you believe in the power of magic or not, the story of the Irish witches is an important part of the countrys rich cultural heritage, and it is a legacy that should be celebrated and remembered. In addition, she is thought of as the Mother of the Universe, so therefore is also a creator-goddess.