Celtic Gods and Celtic Gods and GoddessesGoddesses

Brighid: Brighid: the Daughter of the Dagda, the Daughter of the Dagda, one of the more universal deities one of the more universal deities of the pagan Gaelic world. She is of the pagan Gaelic world. She is known as the Goddess of Healers, known as the Goddess of Healers, Poets, Smiths, Childbirth and Poets, Smiths, Childbirth and Inspiration; Goddess of Fire and Inspiration; Goddess of Fire and Hearth and a patron of warfare or Hearth and a patron of warfare or Briga. Her soldiers were called Briga. Her soldiers were called Brigands. Her name means Brigands. Her name means "Exalted One." She is also known "Exalted One." She is also known as Brigantia, Brid, Bride, Briginda, as Brigantia, Brid, Bride, Briginda, Brigdu, and Brigit. She is said to Brigdu, and Brigit. She is said to lean over every cradle.lean over every cradle.

LughLugh

Lugh was an inventive and Lugh was an inventive and clever god known for his many clever god known for his many skills. He was best known as skills. He was best known as the god of light; however, he the god of light; however, he had skills as a warrior, had skills as a warrior, physician, druid, bard, smith, physician, druid, bard, smith, and brewer. He was also the and brewer. He was also the patron of Lugodunum in Gaul.patron of Lugodunum in Gaul.

The DagdaThe Dagda

The supreme god of the Celtic The supreme god of the Celtic pantheon appears to have been appears to have been the Dagda. This word means the Dagda. This word means the Good God, not good in a the Good God, not good in a moral sense, but good at moral sense, but good at everything, or all-powerful. The everything, or all-powerful. The Dagda is a father-figure, a Dagda is a father-figure, a protector of the tribe and the protector of the tribe and the basic Celtic god of whom other basic Celtic god of whom other male Celtic deities were male Celtic deities were variants. variants.

Danu/AnuDanu/Anu

Celtic Goddess of Wind, Celtic Goddess of Wind, Wisdom and Fertility. Wisdom and Fertility.

More importantly, she's the Irish More importantly, she's the Irish Mother Goddess who brought Mother Goddess who brought into being the into being the TUATHA-DE-DANANN, her own , her own chosen people who originally chosen people who originally ruled Ireland.ruled Ireland.

AineAine

Irish goddess of love and Irish goddess of love and fertility. Daughter of Eogabail, fertility. Daughter of Eogabail, who was in turn the foster-son who was in turn the foster-son of Manannan mac Lir. Later of Manannan mac Lir. Later worshipped as a fairy queen in worshipped as a fairy queen in County Limerick. County Limerick.

Manannan mac LirManannan mac Lir

Irish god of the sea and fertility. He Irish god of the sea and fertility. He forecasts the weather. His wife is Fand and forecasts the weather. His wife is Fand and he is the foster-father of many gods, he is the foster-father of many gods, including Lugh. He is the guardian of the including Lugh. He is the guardian of the Blessed Isles, and the ruler of Mag Mell the Blessed Isles, and the ruler of Mag Mell the paradise were the deceased live. paradise were the deceased live. Manannan has a ship that follows his Manannan has a ship that follows his command without sails; his cloak makes command without sails; his cloak makes him invisible; his helmet is made of flames him invisible; his helmet is made of flames and his sword cannot be turned from its and his sword cannot be turned from its mark. He is described as riding over the mark. He is described as riding over the sea in a chariot. His Welsh equivalent is sea in a chariot. His Welsh equivalent is Manawydan ap Llyr. He is also called Manawydan ap Llyr. He is also called Barinthus. He is older than the Tuatha De Barinthus. He is older than the Tuatha De Dannan, yet appears to be one of them. Dannan, yet appears to be one of them.

The MorriganThe Morrigan

The Dagda's consort was known by The Dagda's consort was known by various names. The most common various names. The most common of these was the Morrigan (Queen of these was the Morrigan (Queen of demons - sometimes spelled of demons - sometimes spelled Morrigna), but she was also known Morrigna), but she was also known as Nemain (Panic) and Badb Catha as Nemain (Panic) and Badb Catha (Raven of Battle). She was said to (Raven of Battle). She was said to change into a crow or raven and change into a crow or raven and gloat over the blood on the gloat over the blood on the battlefield. She reappears in battlefield. She reappears in Arthurian legend as as Morgan le Fay, , that is, Morrigan the fairy. that is, Morrigan the fairy. Pronounced as More Ree-an. Pronounced as More Ree-an.

Aengus mac OgAengus mac Og

God of love. Son of the Dagda and God of love. Son of the Dagda and 'the wife of Elcmar', generally 'the wife of Elcmar', generally believed to be the goddess Boann. believed to be the goddess Boann. He is associated with the valley of He is associated with the valley of the River Boyne. One of the the River Boyne. One of the Tuatha De Danann. Tuatha De Danann.

NuadaNuada

Also Nudd or Ludd. "Silver Hand." Also Nudd or Ludd. "Silver Hand." The Irish/Celtic chieftain-god of The Irish/Celtic chieftain-god of healing, the Sun, childbirth, youth, healing, the Sun, childbirth, youth, beauty, ocean, dogs, poetry, beauty, ocean, dogs, poetry, writing, sorcery, magic, weapons, writing, sorcery, magic, weapons, and warfare. Similar to the Roman and warfare. Similar to the Roman god Neptune, Nuada also had an god Neptune, Nuada also had an invincible sword, one of four great invincible sword, one of four great treasures of the Tuatha Dé treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann, that he used to cleave Danann, that he used to cleave his enemies in half. his enemies in half.

Bel/BelenosBel/Belenos

The Celtic god of light and The Celtic god of light and healing, "Bel" means "shining healing, "Bel" means "shining one". As the Welsh Beli, he is one". As the Welsh Beli, he is the father of Arianrhod by Don. the father of Arianrhod by Don. Patron of sheep and cattle, Patron of sheep and cattle, Bel's festival is Beltane, one of Bel's festival is Beltane, one of two main Celtic fire festivals.two main Celtic fire festivals.

HerneHerne

Opener of the Gates of Life and Opener of the Gates of Life and Death; Herne the Hunter; Cernunnos; Death; Herne the Hunter; Cernunnos; Green Man; Lord of the Wild Hunt. Green Man; Lord of the Wild Hunt. The masculine, active side of Nature; The masculine, active side of Nature; Earth Father. His sacred animals Earth Father. His sacred animals were the stag, bull, goat, bear. were the stag, bull, goat, bear. Growing things, the forest, Nature, Growing things, the forest, Nature, wild animals, alertness, annihilation, wild animals, alertness, annihilation, fertility, panic, desire, terror, flocks, fertility, panic, desire, terror, flocks, agriculture, beer and ale. See agriculture, beer and ale. See Cernunnos. Cernunnos.

OgmaOgma

The God of communication and writing who The God of communication and writing who invented the Ogham Alphabet and gave it to invented the Ogham Alphabet and gave it to the Druids. He is sometimes thought of as the the Druids. He is sometimes thought of as the patron deity of poets. Writing was considered a patron deity of poets. Writing was considered a very sacred and holy act by many early people very sacred and holy act by many early people including the Celts. It is for this reason that the including the Celts. It is for this reason that the Celts had a strong oral tradition, even among Celts had a strong oral tradition, even among their magickal folk, as very little was believed their magickal folk, as very little was believed safe to commit to paper. Aside from Oghma's safe to commit to paper. Aside from Oghma's literary association, he was a warrior of Tara literary association, he was a warrior of Tara who fought with Llugh against the Fomorians. who fought with Llugh against the Fomorians. He was also given a role in myth of helping to He was also given a role in myth of helping to escort the recently dead to the Otherworld. He escort the recently dead to the Otherworld. He had two nicknames which tell much about his had two nicknames which tell much about his character. One was Cermait, which means "the character. One was Cermait, which means "the honey-mouthed", relating to the Irish gift of honey-mouthed", relating to the Irish gift of gab known as blarney, and the other is gab known as blarney, and the other is Grianainech, "the sunny-faced", believed to Grianainech, "the sunny-faced", believed to come from his great wisdom.come from his great wisdom.

Cailleach Cailleach

Cailleach is referred to as the "Mother of All" in Cailleach is referred to as the "Mother of All" in parts of Scotland. Also known as Scotia, she is parts of Scotland. Also known as Scotia, she is depicted as an old hag with the teeth of a wild depicted as an old hag with the teeth of a wild bear and boar's tusks. She is believed to be a bear and boar's tusks. She is believed to be a great sorceress. One superstition regarding great sorceress. One superstition regarding Calliach is that the farmer who is last to harvest Calliach is that the farmer who is last to harvest his grain would be the person to "look after" his grain would be the person to "look after" Caileach for the rest of the year, until the next Caileach for the rest of the year, until the next harvest. The first farmer who finishes harvest. The first farmer who finishes harvesting would make a corn-dolly from the harvesting would make a corn-dolly from the grain he has harvested. He would, then, pass it grain he has harvested. He would, then, pass it on to the next farmer who finishes. It would on to the next farmer who finishes. It would keep going until the corn-dolly ends up with the keep going until the corn-dolly ends up with the last farmer. That last farmer would be obligated last farmer. That last farmer would be obligated to watch the "old woman". She is also known to to watch the "old woman". She is also known to have created the earth. "With her hammer she have created the earth. "With her hammer she alternately splinters mountains, prevents the alternately splinters mountains, prevents the growth of grass, or raises storms. Numerous growth of grass, or raises storms. Numerous wild animals follow her..." wild animals follow her..."

BoannBoann

Goddess of bounty and Goddess of bounty and fertility. Her symbol is the fertility. Her symbol is the white cow. Her name means white cow. Her name means "She of the white cattle". Irish "She of the white cattle". Irish goddess. Also goddess of the goddess. Also goddess of the River Boyne. She is the wife of River Boyne. She is the wife of the water god Nechtan or of the water god Nechtan or of Elcmar, and consort of the Elcmar, and consort of the Dagda, by whom she was the Dagda, by whom she was the mother of the god Aengusmother of the god Aengus. .

Banba, Eriu, & FodlaBanba, Eriu, & Fodla

Banba The goddess who represents the spirit of Banba The goddess who represents the spirit of Ireland, and who is the wife of king MacCuill. She Ireland, and who is the wife of king MacCuill. She was thought to be the first settler in Ireland. She was thought to be the first settler in Ireland. She is part of a trinity of goddesses, is part of a trinity of goddesses,

Eiru Ireland; daughter of the Dagda, her alternate Eiru Ireland; daughter of the Dagda, her alternate name, Erin, was given to Ireland. name, Erin, was given to Ireland.

Fodla :One of the three goddesses who ruled Fodla :One of the three goddesses who ruled Ireland before the first Gauls, came to the island. Ireland before the first Gauls, came to the island.

EtainEtain

An early sun goddess of ancient IrelandAn early sun goddess of ancient Ireland

MachaMacha

One of three aspects of the Morrigan, One of three aspects of the Morrigan, goddess of war. Macha feeds on the heads of goddess of war. Macha feeds on the heads of slain enemies. slain enemies.

RhiannonRhiannon

a version of the horse-goddess Epona and of a version of the horse-goddess Epona and of sovereignity. She was mistress of the Singing sovereignity. She was mistress of the Singing Birds.Birds.

ArawnArawn

The Welsh god of the underworld. The god The Welsh god of the underworld. The god Amaethon stole from him a dog, lapwing and Amaethon stole from him a dog, lapwing and roebuck with led to the Battle of the Trees, in which roebuck with led to the Battle of the Trees, in which his forces were defeated. A tale in the Mabinogion his forces were defeated. A tale in the Mabinogion relates how he persuaded Pwyll to trade places relates how he persuaded Pwyll to trade places with him for the span of a year and a day. In this with him for the span of a year and a day. In this period, Pwyll defeated Arawn's rival for dominion of period, Pwyll defeated Arawn's rival for dominion of the underworld Hafgan. Because Pwyll also the underworld Hafgan. Because Pwyll also refrained from sleeping with Arawn's wife, they refrained from sleeping with Arawn's wife, they became close friends. became close friends.

BranBran

("raven"), son of Llyr and Penarddun, and brother of Branwen ("raven"), son of Llyr and Penarddun, and brother of Branwen and Manawydan, and half brother Nisien and Efnisien. Bran and Manawydan, and half brother Nisien and Efnisien. Bran was too large for ordinary houses. When Bran learned of the was too large for ordinary houses. When Bran learned of the slavery imposed upon his sister Branwen by her Irish slavery imposed upon his sister Branwen by her Irish husband Matholwch, he sailed to rescue her. Matholwch was husband Matholwch, he sailed to rescue her. Matholwch was terrified at the sight of a forest approaching Ireland across terrified at the sight of a forest approaching Ireland across the sea: Bran's navy, and Bran himself wading through the the sea: Bran's navy, and Bran himself wading through the water. He sued for peace, they built a house big enough for water. He sued for peace, they built a house big enough for Bran, and Matholwch agreed to settle the kingdom on Bran, and Matholwch agreed to settle the kingdom on Gwern, his son by Branwen. Some Irish lords objected, and Gwern, his son by Branwen. Some Irish lords objected, and hid themselves in flour bags to attack the Welsh. But hid themselves in flour bags to attack the Welsh. But Efnisien, scenting Irish treachery, cast them into the fire, and Efnisien, scenting Irish treachery, cast them into the fire, and then cast Gwern himself in (avoiding the geas against then cast Gwern himself in (avoiding the geas against shedding kinsmen's blood thereby). A war broke out, and the shedding kinsmen's blood thereby). A war broke out, and the Irish replenished themselves through the cauldron. Efnisien, Irish replenished themselves through the cauldron. Efnisien, repenting, sacrificed himself by feigning death and being repenting, sacrificed himself by feigning death and being thrown into the cauldron, which he then broke, dying in the thrown into the cauldron, which he then broke, dying in the process. Only seven Welshmen survived, and Bran was process. Only seven Welshmen survived, and Bran was fatally wounded. His head, which remained alive and talking, fatally wounded. His head, which remained alive and talking, was returned to Wales and buried, and soon afterwards was returned to Wales and buried, and soon afterwards Branwen sailed to Aber Alaw and died. According to legend, Branwen sailed to Aber Alaw and died. According to legend, England could never be invaded as long as Bran's head, England could never be invaded as long as Bran's head, facing south and buried in a hill near London, was left alone. facing south and buried in a hill near London, was left alone.

BranwenBranwen

("white raven") a daughter of Llyr and ("white raven") a daughter of Llyr and Penarddun, and sister of Bran, and Penarddun, and sister of Bran, and Manawydan, and half-sister of Nisien and Manawydan, and half-sister of Nisien and EfnisieEfnisie

The Celtic goddess of love and beauty. Also of The Celtic goddess of love and beauty. Also of Manx and Wales. She is similar to the Greek Manx and Wales. She is similar to the Greek goddess Aphrodite and the Roman goddess goddess Aphrodite and the Roman goddess Venus. After the death of her brother Bran, Venus. After the death of her brother Bran, due to a war caused by Matholwch, Branwen due to a war caused by Matholwch, Branwen died of a broken heart. died of a broken heart.

n.n.

TaliesinTaliesin

god of magic, music, poetry, wisdom, writing. god of magic, music, poetry, wisdom, writing. Known as Prince of Song, Chief of the Bards Known as Prince of Song, Chief of the Bards of the West, and Patron of Druids, he was a of the West, and Patron of Druids, he was a great magician, bard, and shapeshifter who great magician, bard, and shapeshifter who gained his knowledge from the goddess gained his knowledge from the goddess Cerridwen directly. Cerridwen directly.

BlodeuweddBlodeuwedd

Blodeuwedd was created out of flowers by Gwydion to wed Blodeuwedd was created out of flowers by Gwydion to wed Llew Llaw Gyffes. She betrayed Llew, either because she had Llew Llaw Gyffes. She betrayed Llew, either because she had no soul, being non-human, or because she resented being his no soul, being non-human, or because she resented being his chattel, or because the triplet of one woman and two men chattel, or because the triplet of one woman and two men must play itself out in Welsh myth, and Llew Llaw Gyffes must must play itself out in Welsh myth, and Llew Llaw Gyffes must die. At any rate, she fell in love with Goronwy and, wishing to die. At any rate, she fell in love with Goronwy and, wishing to be rid of Llew, she tricked out of him the clearly supernatural be rid of Llew, she tricked out of him the clearly supernatural and ritual manner in which only he could be killed: neither by and ritual manner in which only he could be killed: neither by day nor night, indoors nor out of doors, riding nor walking, day nor night, indoors nor out of doors, riding nor walking, clothed nor naked, nor by any weapon lawfully made. She clothed nor naked, nor by any weapon lawfully made. She asked him to explain this, and he did: he could be killed only if asked him to explain this, and he did: he could be killed only if it were twilight, wrapped in a fish net, with one foot on a it were twilight, wrapped in a fish net, with one foot on a cauldron and the other on a goat, and if the weapon had been cauldron and the other on a goat, and if the weapon had been forged during sacred hours when such work was forbidden. forged during sacred hours when such work was forbidden. Blodeuwedd convinced him to demonstrate how impossible Blodeuwedd convinced him to demonstrate how impossible such a position was to achieve by chance, and when he was in such a position was to achieve by chance, and when he was in it, het lover Goronwy leapt out and struck. Llew was it, het lover Goronwy leapt out and struck. Llew was transformed into an eagle and eventually restored to human transformed into an eagle and eventually restored to human form, after which he killed Goronwy. Blodeuwedd was form, after which he killed Goronwy. Blodeuwedd was transformed into an owl, to haunt the night in loneliness and transformed into an owl, to haunt the night in loneliness and sorrow, shunned by all other birds. sorrow, shunned by all other birds.

CernunnosCernunnos

Cernunnos from Cernunnos from GundustupGundustup

The Horned One" is a Celtic god of fertility, life, animals, The Horned One" is a Celtic god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld. He was worshipped all over wealth, and the underworld. He was worshipped all over Gaul, and his cult spread into Britain as well. Cernunnos is Gaul, and his cult spread into Britain as well. Cernunnos is depicted with the antlers of a stag, sometimes carries a depicted with the antlers of a stag, sometimes carries a purse filled with coin. The Horned God is born at the purse filled with coin. The Horned God is born at the winter solstice, marries the goddess at Beltane, and dies winter solstice, marries the goddess at Beltane, and dies at the summer solstice. He alternates with the goddess of at the summer solstice. He alternates with the goddess of the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation. Paleolithic cave cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation. Paleolithic cave paintings found in France that depict a stag standing paintings found in France that depict a stag standing upright or a man dressed in stag costume seem to upright or a man dressed in stag costume seem to indicate that Cernunnos' origins date to those times. indicate that Cernunnos' origins date to those times. Romans sometimes portrayed him with three cranes Romans sometimes portrayed him with three cranes flying above his head. Known to the Druids as Hu Gadarn. flying above his head. Known to the Druids as Hu Gadarn. God of the underworld and astral planes. The consort of God of the underworld and astral planes. The consort of the great goddess. He was often depicted holding a bag the great goddess. He was often depicted holding a bag of money, or accompanied by a ram-headed serpent and of money, or accompanied by a ram-headed serpent and a stag. Most notably is the famous Gundestrup cauldron a stag. Most notably is the famous Gundestrup cauldron discovered in Denmark. discovered in Denmark.

EponaEpona

The Celtic horse goddess whose authority extended The Celtic horse goddess whose authority extended even beyond death, accompanying the soul on its final even beyond death, accompanying the soul on its final journey. She was worshipped throughout entire Gaul, journey. She was worshipped throughout entire Gaul, and as far as the Danube and Rome. Her cult was and as far as the Danube and Rome. Her cult was eventually adopted by the Roman army and they eventually adopted by the Roman army and they spread her worship wherever they went. She was the spread her worship wherever they went. She was the only Celtic Goddess to be honored by the Romans with only Celtic Goddess to be honored by the Romans with a temple in their capital city. Among the Gaulish Celts a temple in their capital city. Among the Gaulish Celts themselves, she was worshipped as goddess of horses, themselves, she was worshipped as goddess of horses, asses, mules, oxen, and, to an extent, springs and asses, mules, oxen, and, to an extent, springs and rivers. Epona is depicted sitting side saddle or lying on rivers. Epona is depicted sitting side saddle or lying on a horse, or standing with multiple horses around her. a horse, or standing with multiple horses around her. Her symbol is the Cornucopia ("horn of plenty") which Her symbol is the Cornucopia ("horn of plenty") which suggests that she could (originally) have been a fertility suggests that she could (originally) have been a fertility goddess. She is also identified with the Celtic goddess goddess. She is also identified with the Celtic goddess Edain Edain

TaranisTaranis

The thunder-god of ancient Gaul, and The thunder-god of ancient Gaul, and master of the sky. He may be compared master of the sky. He may be compared to the Roman Jupiter, although his place to the Roman Jupiter, although his place in the Celtic pantheon was not as in the Celtic pantheon was not as prominent as that of Jupiter in the Roman prominent as that of Jupiter in the Roman pantheon. His attribute is the wheel, pantheon. His attribute is the wheel, which could be the symbol of thunder. which could be the symbol of thunder. The Romans described as receiving The Romans described as receiving human sacrifices human sacrifices

The End The End is a new beginningis a new beginning