Belenus, Belisama,Cernnunos, Epona, Nantosuelta,Ogmios,and Rosmerta

Other Name(s): Belenos Symbol(s): Horse, Wheel

Belenus ("The Shining One"), later known as Beli Mawr, refers to the Continental Sun-God of the Celts. The term was an epithet or descriptive surname given to the Celtic Apollo in parts of Gaul, North Italy and Noricum (part of Austria). He is also a healer and associated with healing spings and the healing power of the Sun. His cult spread from northern Italy to southern Gaul and Britain. Belenus is in charge of the welfare of sheep and cattle. His wife is the goddess Belisama.

The fire festival Beltene is probably related to Belenus. They can be compared with the continental Apollo and Minerva, but but Belenus can also be identified with the Irish god Bile. His festival is Beltine ("Fire of Bel"), celebrated on May 1 and is remembered in our typical "May Day" activities. On this day, purifying fires were lit and cattle driven between them before being allowed out onto the open pastures. The Cult of Belenus possessed a particular status in that it is mentioned in a number of Classical Literary sources. The cult of Belenus was practiced in northern Italy, Noricum in the eastern Alps, southern Gaul and Britain.



Other Names: Athena, Sequana, and Minerva

Belisama is a Celtic River goddess from ancient Gaul which is modern day France. She is the goddess of rivers and creeks, fire and forge, and light. She is the wife of the god Belenus and the Goddess of the Mersey River.

Cernnuos

Other Names: Carnunnos, Cernunnus

"The Horned One" was the Celtic god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld. On a monument dedicated by Parisian sailors in the reign of Tiberius, the name is inscribed above the head and shoulders of a balding, bearded elderly god wearing antlers, from each of which hang a Torc (neck ring). In addition to the antlers, the god has the ears of a stag and is usually represented sitting cross-legged. He was worshipped all over Gaul, and his cult spread into Britain as well. Cernunnos is depicted with the antlers of a stag, and sometimes carries a purse filled with coin. The Horned God is born at the winter solstice, marries the Goddess at Beltane, and dies at the summer solstice. He alternates with the Goddess of the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation. Paleolithic cave paintings found in France that depict a stag standing upright or a man dressed in stag costume seem to indicate that Cernunnos' origins date to those times. Romans sometimes portrayed him with three cranes flying above his head.



Epona Symbols: Cornucopia Other Names: Edain, Bubona Animals: Horse, Dog

Epona is a The Goddess of horses, mules, oxen, asses, and cavalrymen. She was also the goddess whom accompanied souls to the underworld. Her name actually derives from the Celtic word for 'Horse' which is 'Epos'. She was worshipped throughout entire Gaul, and as far as the Danube and Rome. Epona was also worshipped in Britain, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, North Africa and even in Rome. Her cult was eventually adopted by the Roman army and they spread her worship wherever they went. In Roman times December 18th was the day of her festival. It is important to note that Epona was the only Celtic goddess ever worshipped in Rome.

Epona is depicted sitting side saddle or lying on a horse, or standing with multiple horses around her. Much of Epona's imagery displays the symbolism of fertility and the earth's abundance. Epona was also associated with both water/healing and with death. The goddess is frequently represented with a dog, which could reflect either healing or death.

The symbolism of Epona is complex and multifaceted. Mediterranean commentators speak of her purely as a goddess of horse and stable. Horses were of fundamental importance to the Celts, in terms of economics, transport, war, power, prestige and religion. The Gaulish cavalry in the Roman Army formed a large group of worshippers; Epona may have been perceived as a protectress of horsemen and their mounts. The symbolism of her key also suggests that here was a goddess who guarded her devotees throughout life and into the next world.

Nantosuelta

Symbol: Raven

Nantosuelta ("Winding River" "Meandering Brook") was the goddess of nature, valleys, streams, and protection. She was also the wife of Sucellos. The Mediomatrici often depicted her holding a model of a house, which means that she may have had some sort of function related to the family. She frequently holds a pole surmounted by a dovecote. She also is depicted carrying a cornucopia, a familiar symbol of a Celtic fertility or mother-goddess. She is also a domestic guardian deity and is often depicted with ravens, which may suggest underworld or warlike functions. This means that she may have been associated with the Irish war-goddess Morrigan.

Ogmios

Other Names: Ogma Mother: Brigit

Ogmios ('Grian Aineac' or 'Sun Face'> was a hero god, the patron of scholars, eloquence, poetry, charm and incantation. It is also said that he helped lead souls to the afterlife. Ogmios was often connected to the Greek/Roman hero Hercules. It was Ogmios who invented the runic language of the Druids. He is often represented as an sun-burnt old man, with a bald head, and dressed in a lion skin. He typically is holding a bow and the club, similar to Hercules. It is said that he has gold chains that hang from his tongue and are attached to the ears of his followers. This was thought to be because of his eloquent speech. His cult center was located in Narbonensis, which was founded by him.

Rosmerta



Rosmerta was a very widespread Celtic Fertility Goddess, her name means "Great Provider". She was the goddess of fire, warmth, wealth and abundance. A flower queen and hater of marriage. Rosmerta was also considered the queen of death. Her male counterpart was Esus and he is often considered the Gaulish Hermes. Rosmerta is usually dipicted as a woman carrying a basket fruit, with a cornucopia, purse, patera, caduceus, scepter, wheel, rudder, globe and, in Britain, a wooden barrel or bucket. She was even sometimes seen as a woman carrying a two headed axe. The high status of her cult is indicated by the rank of some of her worshipers and the fact that her name is linked epigraphically with the Emperor. Presumably she was invoked for good fortune in commerce, in life and in death (the caduceus is a symbol of guidance through the Otherworld).



From The Book Of Celtic Gods And Goddess

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