Cerridwen gave birth to two children: a beautiful daughter and a hideous son named Afagddu. Top 10 Most Powerful Celtic Gods and Goddesses She is the embodiment of Winter and all that it brings: snow, ice, cold, death and then eventually rebirth. Sekhmet is depicted mostly as a woman with the head of a lion, therefore making her a ferocious, take-no-crap kind of goddess. She herself too wanders about with the souls of the dead, and the whining and howling of dogs announce her approach.[10]. As the Celtic goddess of transformation, mythology depicts Ceridwen as a figure of inspiration, rebirth and renewal. (2020). The exact number and categorization of schools can vary between different traditions. Corrections? Cerridwen, meanwhile, is linked to Bran the Warrior through the cauldron that she gifts to him. Look him up on Facebook and keep an eye out for his articles on Listverse. This article will help you understand Celtic Wicca and Irish witchcraft. These common Celtic deities, along with many others, were worshipped in various ways, including rituals, sacrifices, and offerings. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. Danu(Irish) Her name means knowledge. From her flowed all of life. The stories have us believe that Aengus fell madly in love with a girl called Caer Ibormeith whom he had seen in his dreams. Maeve, also known as Madb or Medb, is an Irish-Celtic Goddess of Intoxication, War, and indulgence. Therefore, Aengus was born in just one day. Airmed set about gathering these herbs and putting them to useful order. Were Looking for Part-Time Content Creators. Borvo Similar to the Celtic god Belenus, Borvo is also a deity of healing and medicine. She is often depicted as a goddess accompanied by crows whose domain is on a battlefield. Call on Olwen for spells to address seemingly impossible matters of love, grace and beauty. For an especially popular one with a magical bent, check out Brigid: History, Mystery and Magick of the Celtic Goddess. Call on Brigid to bless your winter hearth fire, to protect the animals of your home, or for spells to overcome writers block. A guide to the Goddesses. Also spelled Oengus, Aengus was known among Celtic tribes as the youthful god of love. Her name Medb literally means mead and one who intoxicates. In other words, both deities were fathers of their respective pantheons as well as gifted in the use of magic and sorcery. Privacy Policy, https://mythopedia.com/topics/celtic-gods. Celebrations for this goddess were held on The history of Ireland is rich with tales of magic and superstition, from the folklore of the Tuatha De Danann to the legendary banshees that haunt the countryside. There is a balance between these things in order for life to go on. She could be a dark goddess in her own ritedepending on her mood. Moreover, she possessed the ability to cross into other worlds and realms. In Ireland, the penalty for witchcraft was typically banishment rather than death. Here are some tips for practicing Celtic Wicca as a modern-day Wiccan: Understanding the myths, legends, and stories of the ancient Celts is essential to practicing Celtic Wicca. The Dagdas club (lorg mr)was one of the most powerful weapons in Celtic mythology. Here she magically built highways for her soldiers to protect the country. WebCeltic Gods have a slight resemblance in terms of their roles with the Roman and mythological Gods, it is said that even Julius Caesar wrote a little about Celtic Gods and 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. In Celtic cultures, Brigids name translated into The Exalted One. Or, use it as a starting point to learn to work with them as a practitioner. He is known as the lord of wild thingsassociated with animals, good fortune, abundance, material wealth (as symbolized by a coin purse that he carries), and virility. The Morrigan was a Goddess of War, Destruction, Death, and Transformation. She is also linked to fairy hills and a tribe of ancient deities known as Tuatha de Danaan. Hutton, R. (1999). Her lore singles Airmed out as the only one who remembers the worlds healing herbs. Wigington, Patti. Aengus ended up marrying her and the two lived happily ever after. This narrative may refer to a sect called the Guglielmites, who believed in a Guglielma of Milanthe daughter of the king of Bohemia and the female incarnation of the Christian Holy Spirit. Worldhistoryedu is not responsible for the content of external sites. Diana is the Roman goddess of woodlands, wild animals, and hunting. This fire is a representation of Vassalissas inner power and ancestral guidance. https://mythopedia.com/topics/celtic-gods. The Morrighan often appears in the form of a crow or raven, or is seen accompanied by a group of them. Celtic Mythology | Encyclopedia.com Some of these deities are benevolentothers, not so much. Kali is not merely one of the dark goddesses, she is also a goddess of empowerment and of fierce determination. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. In the myths, he is credited with inventing Ogham, one of the first writing systems in Ireland. In folklore, she was also recognized as the wife of the sea god Manannan Mac Lir a deity who was very important for Celtic warriors. A daughter of the Dagda, Brighid is one of the classic triple goddesses of the Celtic pantheon. All we know is that she was associated with water. The druids were considered to be powerful Copyright 2007-2023 www.Goddess-Guide.com. Her mastery of smithcraft sometimes made her the goddess of fire. One cannot know the light without knowing the dark. Please note: This post contains affiliate links. A Celebration of the Seasons & the Spirit. Irish literature refers to her as mother of the gods.. She was present before the cult of the Olympians, possibly during the time of the ancient goddess Cybele. AINE: Goddess of fertility and summer. And will teach you how to shapeshift, divine with runes, and explore your shadow side. In some accounts, Danu was associated with goddesses like Ana, a goddess of nature. They did not disappear completely but were immortalised in the myths and legends. His youthful and charming personality made some of his worshippers refer to him as young son (Mac g). Connecting with Celtic deities is a key aspect of Celtic Wicca. It suggests that she stepped with such grace and delicateness that white flowers grew in her footsteps. The Celtic pantheon of gods and goddesses is vast and complex, encompassing a wide range of beliefs and traditions. 3 His position in the pantheon was the most eminent one, as he was considered chief of Celtic gods. She is the goddess of witches and her magick is powerful. She is possibly Proto-Indo-European dating back to prehistoric times. Cailleach is a witch goddess from Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. The good god, Celtic deity and chief of the Tuatha d Danann. Great article and great content on your site. This enabled Llew Llaw to get around the curse place upon him by his mother, Arianrhod, that prevented him from taking a human wife. Esus | Celtic deity | Britannica She is featured in some Arthurian tales in equivalence to Morgan le Fay. The practice of witchcraft has been part of human culture for thousands of years and has taken many different forms in different cultures and time periods. She was known to turn the men she came across into animals, with their minds intact to fully appreciate their predicament. They were seen as a symbol of the ancient magic and traditions of the Celts, and their stories and legends continue to be told and passed down from generation to generation. 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. 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. There would be no life if there wasnt death. She teaches valuable, foreboding lessons. Generally speaking, Bres was seen as a fertility god who ruthlessly subjugated his people. Your email address will not be published. Celtic Lore and Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess: Invoking the Morrigan. In some traditions, Circe is regarded as the goddess who invented magic, with Homers Epigrams XIV calling her the daimona (spirit) of magic. Her association with witchcraft and witches may well have originated before the medieval witch trialsthis provides evidence that witches existed long before people grew frightened of them. In some accounts, Lugh is the divine father of the Celtic hero C Chulainn, arguably the most famous hero in Irish folktale. Either way, knowing at least a little bit about Celtic lore and mythology invigorates any study of the Craft. Read more about this practice on Moody Moons disclosure page. Often times, Aengus was depicted in the company of swans. She is queen of phantoms, demons, shape-shifters and witches. 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. Branwen(Welsh) The Welsh goddess of love. Morrigan The goddess of the crossroads is also the goddess of night, magic, necromancy, the Moon, and ghosts. She foresees warriors death before they happen, and is also considered a goddess that protects the king. In particular, it portrays her with the image of a cauldron of poetic inspiration.. XochiQuetzal (Mexican) - Goddess of the cycles of life celebrated on the Day Of the Dead. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the world of Irish witches, exploring their beliefs, practices, and the cultural significance they hold in the Emerald Isle. The origins of witchcraft in Ireland can be traced back to the ancient Celts, who believed in the power of magic and the supernatural. Her worship probably spread from the Continent, leaving place names behind, such as Brittany in France. She is a fierce warrior who protects women and is associated with change. Maeves envy of anothers possessions led to great war. Her name means silver wheel, representing the cycles of life. WebHedone, goddess of pleasure. Circe turns people into their true form. Accessed on 28 Apr. In later Irish folklore, this role would be delegated to the bain sidhe, who foresaw the death of members of a specific family or clan. Ogma was also the god of knowledge and wisdom. She is one of my favorite dark goddesses. Her cult, along with that of the pagan goddesses inspired by her, was so widespread that early Christians considered her to be one of their chief obstacles.[9]. Required fields are marked *. The ultimate shapeshifterthe crow, the bull, the eel, the wolf, and more. Powerful Celtic sorceress whose potions brought beauty and wisdom. She brings us wisdom if we are open to learning. Gods and Goddesses:Aine Wigington, Patti. He also has a face on his posterior, which witch hunters claimed existed so witches could kiss it in adoration during their evil gatherings. There, she lived and taught throughout the latter half of the 14th century, speaking of an Age of Reason that would soon replace the Age of the Son., In 1890, author and folklorist Charles LeLand published Aradia: Gospel of the Witches, based around a document he called the Vangel, which was supposedly given to him by a woman named Maddalena. Her name means blessed raven. Bronwyn is a modern day version of this name. In addition to being the patron god of young lovers, Aengus was also known as the chief poet of the pantheon. Call on her for rituals to ground and center. There have been theories that Medea is a lesson of balancing the inner feminine and masculine. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. Offerings were made to the war goddesses and observations and divination were used to predict the outcome of the battle. These common Celtic deities played a central role in the religious and cultural life of the ancient Celts, and they continue to be revered and worshipped by modern-day Celtic neopagans and Wiccans. She comes to me in dreams and encourages me to make magick in the dream world. Red, like the color of blood, was her color. To learn more about Rhiannon, check out Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons. Kali is a Hindu Goddess of death and destruction. Flidais was a figure of Irish mythology, surnamed Foltchin, beautiful (or soft) hair. Cerridwen thwarted his escape plans each time until finally, he changed into a grain of wheat and was eaten by the goddess (who had conveniently transformed into a black hen). However, despite the churchs efforts to stamp out witchcraft, many of the ancient beliefs and practices continued to thrive in the rural communities of Ireland. She is Circe, the Greek Goddess of Aeaea. While this article states these deities are dark goddesses, this in no way means they are bad or evil. Its said that his father purposely did this in order to prevent other gods from knowing of his affair with Boann, who by the way was a married to another god. He is said to wield an invincible spear (Gae Assail) and a sling stone that when unleashed crushed opponents in a single heartbeat. John Beckett over at Patheos describes a ritual in which the Morrighan was invoked, and says. With the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, the practice of witchcraft became shrouded in secrecy and fear. Macha(Irish) The wild goddess who battles against injustice to woman and children. Though shes been reduced to a mere witch-figure in folklore, many people believe she was once a powerful Goddess of the forest. Called the peoples goddess due to her close interaction with the human kind; as well as her inspiration to the Irish woman to take control of their own feminine power. In Celtic pantheon, no other deity could rival the god Ogma when it came to speech and writing. These beliefs often emphasize a connection to the natural world, the worship of the ancient Irish gods and goddesses, and the celebration of seasonal and life cycle events. Lugh was also associated with the harvest and the sun and was seen as a protector of his people and a bringer of victory in battle. However, this didnt kill Bachamazingly, Cerridwen became pregnant with him and rebirthed him as the great bard, Taliesin. He was associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and was seen as the bringer of abundance and prosperity. Her name, meaning white footprint, alludes to her lore. Also referred to as Morrgu, Morrghan, One such modern group is the Temple of Diana, a feminist group of Dianic witches with branches in Los Angeles, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Hekate, above perhaps all others, is the original and official goddess of witchcraft. One of the most famous beliefs associated with Irish witches was the practice of shapeshifting, or the ability to transform into an animal form. Your email address will not be published. Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons, Ceridwens Spirituelle Journey Through Wales History. Shes also one of the chief figures of various neo-pagan and Wiccan traditions. The ancient Celts covered regions from places in the Iberian peninsula (i.e. Vercana points up the difficulty of deciding anything based on a deitys name alone. Cerridwen Known for her shape-shifting abilities, Ceeridwen goddess was in charge of poetry. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To learn more about the Otherworldly Oracles website Privacy Policy, visit our Privacy Policy page here. Moody Moons Handmade Gets Ready for Lammas. A Gaello-Roman goddess, Epona protects horses and other four-legged creatures. The Exalted One, revered Celtic goddess of fertility, fire, and passion. Her name was borne by the legendary Tuatha D Danann (People of the Goddess Danu), the Irish company of gods, who may be considered either as distinct individuals or as extensions of the goddess and who survive in Irish lore as the fairy folk, skilled in magic. A powerful sorceress, she possesses a strong talent for enchantment. In some of the legends, Morgan Le Fay saves King Arthur by whisking him off to Avalon after a fatal battle. He was also associated with the wheel and horses. However, there's a bit more to her than this. 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. She turned all but one of Odysseus crewmen into animals and forced him to live with her for an entire year. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You can check out that article for an in-depth description and guide to the Fae. It was typical for ancient cultures to believe that sun deities rode across the sky pulling the sun with their powerful horse-drawn chariots. Her name translates as old white.. She is the wife of the god Belenus (Beli) and the Goddess of the Mersey River. For further reading, I included links to learn more. In early Welsh tradition, Cerridwen was the goddess of inspiration and the mistress of the cauldrona dark prophetess associated with inspiration and poetry. She can appear as a beautiful young maid in a flowing white dress or a wizened and shriveled old crone with wolf fangs and glowing red eyes. This was believed to be a way for the witches to escape detection and travel unseen to perform their magic. According to the most common traditions, Hekate was originally a Thracian deity whoas both a Titan and the daughter of Zeushad power over the heavens and Earth. The connection with these two animals suggest that in some areas, she may have been connected to fertility and land. She can see right through the faade and see to the persons true form. (2021, September 8). With fabulous guests, and episodes exploring folklore and magic, this podcast is perfect for anyone with an interest in Celtic Paganism, or Welsh Witchcraft. In their efforts to stamp out paganism, the Romans first associated him with their god Mercury. Esus victims, according to later commentators, were sacrificed by being ritually stabbed and hung from trees. She is both darkness and lightbirth and death. Irish gods and goddesses of mythology | Celtic Attic Abonde is the Winter Goddessone of the most important figures in all of Wicca in Europe. WebBrighid, the triple goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft is perhaps the most well-known of the Insular Celtic deities of healing. Irish mythology On the opposite end of the spectrum, Sekhmet was also a goddess of healing. She is considered, among many others, a goddess of poetry, cattle, boar and flames. The Celtic Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Ireland When people want protection from evil forces, they ask Kali for aid. Choose a deity that resonates with you, and spend time learning about its qualities and attributes. Offerings were made to the war goddesses and observations and divination were used to predict the outcome of the battle. Even London has a Bridewell. It was also very common for the people to use those deities as an explanation of the natural environment. People also regard Angus as the god of youth, for he was young and good-looking. The myths tell of Medea losing her husband to another woman, and because of her rage she takes revenge and kills many people. I have already bought two long flowing skirts and Im learning to dance at a womens drum circle in San Francisco, Im so grateful to Aine for guiding me on this incredible path. Albioris This god is one of the numerous gods of war that the Celts prayed to during battles. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Despite her trials and tribulations, Alice Kyteler managed to escape punishment and flee the country, solidifying her place in history as one of Irelands most infamous witches. Popularly known as the queen of the pantheon, Danu was depicted as a beautiful woman who embodied the nature itself. The Celtic deities we are about to explore were given very human-like attributes, although complex and multifaceted. She is the energy that slays the demonic entities. Some were believed to be in league with the devil and to use their magic for evil purposes. 10 Witch Gods and Goddesses From Around the World Danu, also spelled Anu, or Dana, in Celtic religion, the earth-mother goddess or female principle, who was honoured under various names from eastern Europe to Ireland. Shrouded in legendary mystery, Morgan Le Fay has been a prominent character in the Arthurian legends. Pan, god of the wild, shepherds, flocks, rustic music, and fertility of the wild/flocks. For many years, the Celtic gods were caught in bitter war against Balor and his tribe of Formorii. Is portrayed as very lustful and often depicted with an erect phallus. He is connected with male animals, particularly the stag in rut, and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. In one version of the myths, Aenguss songs were believed to have the power to put people to sleep for three days and three nights. The modern name Bridget derives from this popular triple goddess. Helios, the sun, who played a role in love-magic, and according to Pindar, lovesick men would pray to him. It was believed that the club could lay to waste nine people at just a single strike. Celtic god of war, husband to the fearsome goddess the Morrigan. A fierce and terrifying warrior goddess. Monaghan, P. (2002). Circe was the Greek goddess of metamorphosis and illusion. His parents belonged to the Celtic gods and goddesses as well. Irish witches were known for their use of herbs and plants, which were believed to have magical properties. Much of the traits of the Dagda can be seen in Odin, the allfather god in Norse mythology. Like me, you can honor and carry on the tradition of Celtic Wicca by incorporating many of its ancient traditions into your own craft and practice. We can see why Medea would have a shroud of darkness around her when viewed in this light. The Celtic Goddesses page concentrates on names of Celtic Goddesses and qualities of the deities from Britain and Ireland. Historically the Celts were a society of warriors using war to gain agricultural land, cattle and other valuable resources. They spread their goddess worshipping practices across the areas they conquered. In some legends, the Morrighan is considered a triune, or triple goddess, but there are a lot of inconsistencies to this. Recently with the revival of the Druid and Pagan movements the popularity and interest in the Celtic Goddesses has risen. Belanus, whose name was also spelled as Belenos and Bel, is the Celtic god of sun. Aine(Irish) Goddess of love, growth, cattle and light. Celtic Wicca: A Complete Overview of Irish Witches and Celtic She appears in Irish mythology as a member of the Tuatha De Danann. Badb(Irish) - A shape-shifting, warrior goddess who symbolises life and death, wisdom and inspiration. Ive been wanting to work more with the Celtic goddesses. Call on her when making the the transition from Maid to Mother, especially if you are struggling with the maternal art of breastfeeding. Terrifying Celtic specter haunting the English county of Berkshire. She is a goddess of sovereignty and many believe she is an ancient earth goddess because of her association with the cow, crow, and wolf. Eventually, Hecate evolved to become a goddess of magic and sorcery. Baba Yaga is the Slavic goddess of regeneration, and therefore also rules over death and rebirth. WebTable of Contents Esus, (Celtic: Lord, or Master), powerful Celtic deity, one of three mentioned by the Roman poet Lucan in the 1st century ad; the other two were Taranis (Thunderer) and Teutates (God of the People). 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Another important thing that the Dagda had in his arsenal was his magical harp, which he could use to change the seasons and even mens emotions. Omissions? This is reflected in the popularity of modern-day pagan and Wiccan practices, which draw upon the ancient traditions of the Celts and the beliefs of the Irish witches. A legend arose that she journeyed to the underworld after witnessing the abduction of Persephone by Hadesthere, she became Persephones companion. Despite the fear and suspicion that surrounded them, the witches of Ireland held a special place in the countrys culture and folklore. All Rights Reserved. Learn Religions. Invoke Morgan Le Fay, fairy witch goddess, when working with fairies and elementals, parting the veil, and casting magic with herbs. With regards to the latter, Lugh was praised for his heroic efforts in slaying Balor the one-eyed warrior king of the Formorians. The first three drops would confer great wisdom, while the rest would be a deadly poison. The Welsh Witch Podcast on Apple Podcasts She is The Phantom Queen. 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. Updates? For information about how to do this, or if youd like to be interviewed, check out this link: Your email address will not be published. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Its authenticity was in dispute right from the beginning, but it has since become a wildly popular foundational Wiccan document. In mythology, her association with abundant the harvest and abundant tablescapes suggests her status as a fertility goddess. 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. She was also revered as the goddess of spring season and smithcraft. 2022 Wasai LLC. Despite his plain-sounding name and lack of divinity, Leonard is the demon inspector-general of sorcery, black magic, and witchcraft. Her ability to cause panic in the battlefield came very useful in the Celtic gods victory over the Formorii. As She was associated with fertility, wisdom, and the rivers, and was seen as the embodiment of the primal forces of nature. Cernunnos (which is Celtic for Horned One) is the male aspect of nature. In some Neopagan traditions, she is portrayed in her role as destroyer, representing the Crone aspect of the Maiden/Mother/Crone cycle, but this seems to be incorrect when one looks at her original Irish history. Male and female. She later became associated with Hekate and was known as a goddess of the dead. Most Irish gods and many of the goddesses took part in the battles that formed part of their legends. The Celtic people have worshiped her as a Saint for over fifteen hundred years and as a Goddess long before the Roman invasion of Britain and the birth of Christ. Legends say she was the most beautiful woman to ever walk the earth. Mythopedia. Day and night. In addition to Cerridwen, the ancient Gauls linked cauldrons to the god Taranis, and one of Irelands four revered magical artifacts was the Great Cauldron of Plentya cauldron that gave everlasting food and drink to those worthy of it.[7]. In modern literature, there has been some linking of the Morrighan to the character ofMorgan Le Fayin the Arthurian legend. It all depends on how you look at it. I was equally surprised, Ron, to not see Her represented. The word brigand comes from this tribe of fierce warriors. Queen Maeve is the quintessential warrior queen, and because of this she is an Irish-Celtic Goddess of destruction and death. In addition, she is thought of as the Mother of the Universe, so therefore is also a creator-goddess. 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. Most notably for the modern pagan, the holiday of Imbolc celebrates this goddess in particular. It took the help of the god Hermes to defeat her spells and free Odysseus from her grasp.[8].
