Oya is especially known for using charms and magic and is known as the Great Mother of the Elders of the Night.. Some sources say she would ravage the battlefield and tear apart anyone in her path. twitter: @CeridwenWardemail: [emailprotected].com, The Christian Influence on Irish Witchcraft, The Beliefs and Practices of Irish Witches, Common Celtic Deities and Their Representations, The Cultural Significance of Irish Witches, Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/history/book-of-irish-witches, https://www.history.com/topics/witch-trials/witch-trials-in-ireland, The King of Wands Tarot Card Meanings Simply Explained, The Ace of Swords Tarot Card Meanings Simply Explained. She could be a dark goddess in her own ritedepending on her mood. Celtic lore credits her with special gifts as both a healer and an artist. Freya is a Norse Goddess of Love, Fertility and Sex. Call on Airmed to aid your study of herbalism or practice of the healing arts. Brigit was a goddess of pre-Christian Ireland. They played an important role in the lives of the ancient Celts, and their influence can still be felt in the beliefs and practices of modern-day pagan and Wiccan communities. The good god, Celtic deity and chief of the Tuatha d Danann. Abonde is the Winter Goddessone of the most important figures in all of Wicca in Europe. He was associated with the harvest and the sun, and was seen as a protector of his people and a bringer of victory in battle. Today, many Pagans do work with the Morrighan, although many of them describe their relationship with her as being somewhat reluctant at first. Bellona 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. The depiction of Danu (Sometimes called Anu or Dana) as a mature woman designates her a goddess of wisdom and earthly knowledge. It was also very common for the people to use those deities as an explanation of the natural environment. This fire is a representation of Vassalissas inner power and ancestral guidance. Circe is featured in numerous stories, including Homers Odyssey in which the men of Odysseus ship drank of her wine and were turned into swine. The Morrigan is a Triple Goddessor perhaps three dark goddesses in one. She is Circe, the Greek Goddess of Aeaea. Also referred to as Morrgu, Morrghan, 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. Cerridwen Known for her shape-shifting abilities, Ceeridwen goddess was in charge of poetry. The belief in witchcraft and the supernatural is deeply ingrained in the Irish psyche and continues to play a role in the countrys cultural identity. Circe was the Greek goddess of metamorphosis and illusion. Despite his plain-sounding name and lack of divinity, Leonard is the demon inspector-general of sorcery, black magic, and witchcraft. It took the help of the god Hermes to defeat her spells and free Odysseus from her grasp.[8]. Kali is a Hindu Goddess of death and destruction. In their efforts to stamp out paganism, the Romans first associated him with their god Mercury. Discover the names of the star Goddesses and the regions that they came from. Thanks for this! She is said to be buried in a tomb at Knocknarea in such a way that she may face her enemies at Ulster. This is a great starting point for me. From them sprang all the healing herbs of the world, covering her brothers body. Due to this ability of his, some mythographers opine that Belenus was associated with some aspects of Greek god Apollo. WebNeith, goddess sometimes associated with wisdom Thoth, originally a moon deity, later became the god of knowledge and wisdom and the scribe of the gods Sia, the deification Belanus, whose name was also spelled as Belenos and Bel, is the Celtic god of sun. The Book of Celtic Myths. A goddess who knows her helpful and baneful herbs who uses them to heal and harm. 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. Blodeewedd(Welsh) Was created by magic from nine blossoms becoming the wife of Llew Llaw. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Irish literature refers to her as mother of the gods.. Historically the Celts were a society of warriors using war to gain agricultural land, cattle and other valuable resources. (1995). 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). Part fairy, she was a priestess of Avalon and consort to the Lady of the Lake. Today, many Wiccans revere her as one who leads nocturnal hordes of merry witches through the air, stopping at households to eat and drink of the feasts set out for them. Scholars point out that the name "Morgan" is Welsh, and derived from root words connected to the sea. Nemausicae For all things related to fertility and healing, some Celtic tribes prayed to the goddess Nemausicae. The Exalted One, revered Celtic goddess of fertility, fire, and passion. Your email address will not be published. In addition to his powerful horse-drawn chariot, he also possessed powerful weapons such as his thunderbolts and shield. Moreover, she possessed the ability to cross into other worlds and realms. 10 Witch Gods and Goddesses From Around the World The Celtic word for witch is dridh in Scottish Gaelic and draoi in Irish Gaelic. However, there's a bit more to her than this. Nerthus Another Celtic fertility goddess whose importance was pronounced in many Germanic tribes. Take a second to support kitty fields on Patreon. Brigit place names are found in Brechin, Scotland, the River Brent in England, the river Braint in Wales, Bridewell in Ireland. Despite the fear and suspicion that surrounded them, the witches of Ireland held a special place in the countrys culture and folklore. She appears to date from around the Copper Age, based on archaeological findings. A testimony to her importance can be seen in the translation of Tuatha D Danann, which means The People of the Goddess Danu. Maeve, also known as Madb or Medb, is an Irish-Celtic Goddess of Intoxication, War, and indulgence. To compensate for her sons ugliness, she used her cauldron to brew a potion. "Morrighan" is Irish, and is rooted in words that are associated with "terror" or "greatness." Celtic Mythology | Encyclopedia.com It all depends on how you look at it. In some legends, the Morrighan is considered a triune, or triple goddess, but there are a lot of inconsistencies to this. In modern literature, there has been some linking of the Morrighan to the character ofMorgan Le Fayin the Arthurian legend. One cannot know the light without knowing the dark. The god of light and the arts, Lugh was worshipped as the patron of smiths, bards, and other artisans. Choose a deity that resonates with you, and spend time learning about its qualities and attributes. This includes the majority of her own children. The horned god of nature and fertility, Cernunnos was worshipped as the lord of the animals and the wild. Learn more about our mission. Call on morrigan for divination, dream magic and rituals under the dark moon. Its authenticity was in dispute right from the beginning, but it has since become a wildly popular foundational Wiccan document. The Sacred Island: Pre-Christian Ireland. Research books, websites, and online resources to learn about the gods and goddesses, heroes, and legends of Celtic mythology. What is conclusively clear is the fact that the Celtic gods borrowed a great deal from pre-Christian oral traditions and religions in Western Europe. New pagan and Wiccan beliefs contend that he is continuously born at the winter solstice, marries the moon-goddess Beltane, and dies again at the summer solstice in an endless cycle of death and renewal. After that, she began to be regarded as a spectral being, who at night sent from the lower world all kinds of demons and terrible phantoms, who taught sorcery and witchcraft, who dwelt at places where two roads crossed each other, on tombs, and near the blood of murdered persons. She is often depicted as a goddess accompanied by crows whose domain is on a battlefield. For centuries, the gods and goddesses of witchcraft have had their tales spread far and wide by their worshipers. Irish Central. However, not all witches were seen as benevolent figures. Oya is the oldest sister to the goddesses Yemaya and Oshun, and she is considered the crone figure in this trilogy of feminine goddesses. 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. She is queen of phantoms, demons, shape-shifters and witches. 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. 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. As the Celtic goddess of transformation, mythology depicts Ceridwen as a figure of inspiration, rebirth and renewal. John Beckett over at Patheos describes a ritual in which the Morrighan was invoked, and says. [5], While many African tribal men are highly respected as practitioners of medicine-related magic, women who do so are more often viewed with suspicion, if not considered downright malevolent. Even London has a Bridewell. The Irish Witchcraft Act was a series of laws passed in Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries that made witchcraft a crime. Her worship probably spread from the Continent, leaving place names behind, such as Brittany in France. 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. Generally speaking, Bres was seen as a fertility god who ruthlessly subjugated his people. 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. However, this didnt kill Bachamazingly, Cerridwen became pregnant with him and rebirthed him as the great bard, Taliesin. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. You should put a form at the bottom of the page. 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. There are many different views on her I wanted to sign up for updates on your blog. 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. She turned all but one of Odysseus crewmen into animals and forced him to live with her for an entire year. Kind courtesy of the efforts of deities like Lugh, the Celtic gods were able to triumph over their enemies. Vercana points up the difficulty of deciding anything based on a deitys name alone. Her name means silver wheel, representing the cycles of life. She was associated with fertility, wisdom, and the rivers, and was seen as the embodiment of the primal forces of nature. He also has a face on his posterior, which witch hunters claimed existed so witches could kiss it in adoration during their evil gatherings. Most Irish gods and many of the goddesses took part in the battles that formed part of their legends. This is the Welsh Witch Podcast! They were also believed to be able to communicate with the spirits of the dead and to perform spells and rituals to bring good luck or to curse their enemies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Updates? Danu(Irish) Her name means knowledge. From her flowed all of life. In Irish folklore, witches were often depicted as old women who lived on the fringes of society, practicing their magic in secret and helping the community when called upon. For this she came to be known as the Great Queen. It appears, though, that this is more fanciful thinking than anything else. Some believe that she arose from the earliest divine female guardian figures from ancient hunting cultures. Every ancient culture had a Goddess of War among their goddesses. Her cult was widespread in the twelfth dynasty and when the capital of Egypt was moved, so was her temple. Were Looking for Part-Time Content Creators. Learn Religions. Pan, god of the wild, shepherds, flocks, rustic music, and fertility of the wild/flocks. His name comes from a stone carving in Paris dating back to the Gallo-Roman period. Mysterious Celtic horned god, master of beasts and wild places. The origins of witchcraft in Ireland can be traced back to the ancient Celts, who believed in the power of magic and the supernatural. This article will help you understand Celtic Wicca and Irish witchcraft. When people want protection from evil forces, they ask Kali for aid. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. We can learn from this lesson. The fearsome Irish goddess of war, death, and prophecy. 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. Morrigan These common Celtic deities, along with many others, were worshipped in various ways, including rituals, sacrifices, and offerings. Another notable feature of Dagda was his prowess in magic. Look for her in your dreams and she will come bearing herbal lessons. (2022, November 29). But when her father discovered her task, he became enraged, scattering them once more. It was believed she brought luck and good magic to her worshippers. Belenus the Celtic god in charge of healing and medicine. She is the embodiment of Winter and all that it brings: snow, ice, cold, death and then eventually rebirth.