Celtic Gods and Goddess

Belenus Apollo Belenus God of agriculture Associated with the healing power of the sun (and so comparable to Apollo) Beltane was a festival in his honor on May 1 where great bonfires were used to re-warm the earth Animals were led past these fires to be purified and protected – may have led to the nursery rhyme about the cow jumping over the moon.

Cernunnos (Kur-noo-nohs) The “horned one” - has stag antlers Lord of the beasts God of fertility and abundance Found on ancient Paleolithic cave paintings Shape shifter (could turn into a snake or a wolf)

Epona Horse goddess Father mated with a horse (hated women) The Romans held a festival in her honor on December 18th. She is the only Celtic deity to be accorded this honor by the Romans Often shown riding side saddle or standing between two ponies It is possible that Epona was really the horse and that the person pictured to the right is just a rider.

Nantosuelta “wandering river” Probably a fertility goddess (water heavily associated with childbirth) Patron of hearth and home Consort of Sucellus Usually seen carrying a basket of apples

Sucellus King of the gods Fertility god Name means “good striker” (if you’re dying, he’ll come and end your suffering by hitting you with his hammer) Usually shown carrying a long handled hammer which he uses to wake up the plants for springtime and a pot o’ potatoes (spuds, taters)

Taranis Thunder god Rides the sky in a chariot – wheels make thunder and lightning comes from the sparks of his horses’ hooves A war god as well Had human sacrifices made to him

Irish Celtic Gods and Goddess

These gods were worshipped by the Irish and written down at a later time. Since the Romans did not take Ireland, their mythology was able to continued unabated long after Europe’s was squashed. They are mostly known as the TUATHA-DE-DANANN

The Tuatha eventually get beaten by the current race of Celts and they become fairies and “the little people”

Brigid “exalted one” Fertility and war goddess Her tasks are: healing, fire, blacksmiths, poetry, wisdom, and protecting flocks Her feast day was Feb. 2nd and called Candlemas She was “borrowed” by Christian missionaries and made into St. Bridet (she prayed for ugliness to help her stay pure)

Daghda Known as the “good god” “father of the gods” – not so much like Zeus, but fat, kind, and a bit unmannered Wears a tunic way too short for him Has a magic club that he uses to kill with one end and heal with the other God of magic, wisdom, and life and death A provider (he has a never empty cauldron) He secured Ireland’s protection by holding hands with Morrigan

Danu Mother of Daghda and entire race of the Tuatha Possiblity even the daughter of Daghda – (don’t ask me how) Finds places for the gods to go when they were defeated

Lugh (loo) Shining God Related to both the Tuatha and the Fomorians (rival giants) His evil grandfather threw him into the sea, but he was saved and raised by a sea god Has a sword that cuts through anything and a spear that guarantees victory Father of Cu Chulainn His name became leprechaun

Morrigan (more-ree-an) The Phantom Queen Goddess of horses and war Shape shifter (can turn into animals) – when in raven form, death is nearby Stands near rivers and washes corpses (sometimes known as “washer of the ford”) Cu Chulainn rejects her advances

Nuada Supreme king of the Irish Celts Loses his arm in battle and must give up his kingship (no deformities allowed in kings) Makes a silver arm to regain throne Eventually loses courage and gives throne to Lugh