Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that emerged in mid-20th century England. It is based on pre-Christian beliefs and practices, particularly from the ancient Celtic and British pagan traditions. Central to Wicca are the worship and veneration of various gods and goddesses. In Wicca, gods and goddesses are considered to be immanent, meaning they are present in and throughout the natural world. They are seen as embodying different aspects of the divine and forces of nature. Wiccans believe in a balance of masculine and feminine energies, so many Wiccan deities are paired as male and female counterparts.
The Horned God is a nature deity, who is most commonly depicted with horns, hence his name. Horns are an ancient symbol of masculine virility and have been used since pagan times in depictions of their gods. This Wiccan god is a symbol of the natural world, some seeing him as the soul of any hunted animal. He can be the sacrificial victim, the beast that is killed so that the collective tribe can live on, hence why he’s both the hunter and the hunted. Unfortunately, I think he would be pretty disgusted with the way we treat the natural world now, he represents harmony with nature, which is definitely not something that we’re doing right now!
All aspects of the Goddess represent the life cycle that we are all part of, and while you may associate with one form of her now, no doubt you will learn to love all her aspects as time goes on. If she s not cooking up a storm, you ll find her snuggled up on the couch with her self-satisfied cat and a magical book learning everything she can about Witchcraft.
Wiccans believe in a balance of masculine and feminine energies, so many Wiccan deities are paired as male and female counterparts. One of the most well-known Wiccan goddesses is the Triple Goddess, also known as the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. She represents the stages of a woman's life and the cycle of birth, life, and death.
Wiccan gods and godeeses
Posted by David D. on 4th Oct 2021
Celtic Wiccan Deities – 6 Celtic / Wiccan Gods and Goddesses You Should Know
As discussed previously, Wiccan and Celtic belief systems are quite different. One of the areas in which they differ significantly is the way in which they view their Gods and Goddesses. Wiccan generally sees their Gods and Goddesses as existing within a dualistic framework. This means that Wiccans believe the Goddess embodies a divine archetypal feminine energy whilst the God embodies the energy of the divine archetypal male.
The Celts, on the other hand, did not believe that their Gods and Goddesses were embodiments of any kind of archetype. They understood their deities as unique and singular entities. That being said, there are a number of Celtic Gods and Goddesses who play an important role within Wicca. I’ve listed the 6 most important Celtic Gods and Goddesses who also appear in Wiccan religion below:
(1) Brigid
A Celtic Goddess of poetry, healing, and crafts. Brigid is also associated with the spring season and fertility. Birgid is a commonly celebrated Wiccan Goddess. Wiccans see Birgid as the Maiden Goddess, Goddess of springtime and new growth, Her festival is held on Feb 1-2, a Cross-Quarter Sabbath which is named after her and alternatively called Imbolc.
As a Celtic Pagan Goddess, Brigid is very important in Wicca. She is thought to provide inspiration, deep wisdom, divination, healing and midwifery, peace, abundance. Birgid embodies the idea of working in harmony with the Earth to sustain life and creative expression. She offers the power of creativity, music and magic, prophecy and dreams. For Wiccans, Brighid personifies love and compassion, and the power of women.
A Celtic Goddess of poetry, healing, and crafts. Brigid is also associated with the spring season and fertility.
(2) Cerridwen
A Celtic Goddess of transformation and prophecy. Cerridwen’s name is derived from the Celtic word “cerru”, meaning cauldron. The cauldron symbolises the transformative power of magic and some people believe that it also represents the holy grail. Cerridwen is seen as the patron Goddess of magic. She is associated with science, prophecy and nature. Wiccans see Cerridwen as the embodiment of the Triple Goddess (Mother, the Crone and the Maiden). For Wiccans, Cerridwen is the Goddess of change, rebirth and transformation.
A Celtic Goddess of transformation and prophecy. Cerridwen is name is derived from the Celtic word “cerru”, meaning cauldron.
(3) Rhiannon
A Celtic Goddess of the Moon. Rhiannon is portrayed within Celtic mythology as a beautiful woman riding a horse. Wiccans call on Rhiannon to reveal the truth and to help remove us from playing the role of the victim. The is believed to embody the virtues of patience and forgiveness. Wiccans often invoke Rhiannon in magical rituals concerning prosperity, divination and self-confidence.
A Celtic Goddess of the Moon. Rhiannon is portrayed within Celtic mythology as a beautiful woman riding a horse
(4) Rosmerta
A Celtic Goddess of Healing and Prosperity. Rosmerta was thought to embody the essence of abundance and her name could be translated as ‘the great provider’. She is often pictured in Celtic mythology as holding a great basket overflowing with fruit in one arm and a cornucopia in the other. This symbolises abundance, prosperity and good fortune in Celtic culture. Wiccans call on Rosmerta for help with material well-being. Rosmerta is often invoked by Wiccans for help finding a job, to improve sales or to help guide financial investments.
A Celtic Goddess of Healing and Prosperity. Rosmerta was thought to embody the essence of abundance and her name could be translated as ‘the great provider’.
(5) Cernunnos
A Celtic horned God. Within Celtic mythology, Cernunnos embodies the energy of the hunter, fertility and masculine energy. The Horned God is one of the primary deities for Wiccans. For Wiccans, the Horned God represents the virility of the divine male. He is the male counterpart to the divine female and the consort of the Triple Goddess. He is understood by Wiccans as representing one side of the dualistic universe. The Horned God embodies the dynamic virility of the archetypal male. He symbolises the darkness of the night and death within the cycle of life and rebirth. His two horns represent this aspect of duality.
Within Celtic mythology, Cernunnos embodies the energy of the hunter, fertility and masculine energy.
(6) Lugh
A Celtic God of smiths, artisans and harvests. Sometimes referred to in Celtic mythology as ‘the shining one’. Lugh is linked with the harvest festival of Lughnasadh, which bears his name. Lugh is handsome, youthful and energetic, he symbolises the creativity and vigour of youth. For Wiccans, Lugh is championed as the patron God of artistry and craftsmanship. For Wiccans looking for inspiration in their creative endeavours, Lugh is just the God to invoke.
A Celtic God of smiths, artisans and harvests. Sometimes referred to in Celtic mythology as ‘the shining one’.
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The Maiden is associated with the crescent to waxing phase of the moon cycle. She represents youth, sexuality, enchantment and beginnings. She is also seen as the goddess of dawn, sunrises and of Spring. She is fresh-faced and full of potential, just like the new moon and its growth. She is seen as innocent, youthful, confident and intelligent. She loves to explore and discover new things while also representing creativity and the growth of new ideas. She is the aspect of the goddess you would invoke if you wanted help with anything to do with a new beginning, be this a new relationship, a new job or a new project.
The Maiden is associated with youth, new beginnings, and potential. The Mother is connected to fertility, nurturing, and abundance. The Crone is associated with wisdom, transformation, and the afterlife. The Horned God is another important deity in Wicca. He is seen as the masculine counterpart to the Triple Goddess. Often depicted with horns or antlers, he represents the wild, untamed forces of nature, including the hunt, sexuality, and the life cycle of animals. The Horned God is sometimes associated with the Green Man, a symbol of the life force present in plants and vegetation. Other Wiccan gods and goddesses vary depending on individual beliefs and traditions. Some common deities include Cernunnos, the Celtic god of the forest and animals; Brigid, the Irish goddess of healing and poetry; and Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. These deities may be worshipped individually or honored as part of a pantheon. Overall, Wiccan gods and goddesses embody the diverse aspects of nature, human experience, and spirituality. They are seen as sources of inspiration, guidance, and connection to the divine. Wiccans often pray to or invoke these deities during rituals and ceremonies, seeking their blessing and assistance in various aspects of life..
Reviews for "Tools of the Trade: Wiccan Altar Representations of Gods and Goddesses"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Wiccan gods and goddesses". I was expecting an in-depth exploration of the subject, but instead, it felt like a superficial overview. The book lacked any real substance and was filled with generic information that could be easily found online. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach, but this book fell short of my expectations. Overall, I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a serious study on Wiccan deities.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Wiccan gods and goddesses" to be a very shallow introduction to the topic. The author barely scratched the surface of the subject, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the writing style was not engaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the book. I believe there are much better resources out there for someone interested in learning about Wiccan deities.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - As someone interested in learning more about Wiccan gods and goddesses, I expected to gain a deeper understanding from this book. However, I found it to be too simplified and lacking in detail. The author touched on various deities, but failed to provide any comprehensive information on their characteristics, symbols, or historical context. This left me feeling unsatisfied and needing to seek out more reliable sources for accurate information. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone wanting to delve into the topic of Wiccan deities.
4. Emma - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Wiccan gods and goddesses". The information provided was extremely basic and repetitive. I expected a more in-depth exploration of the various deities, but it felt like the author was just skimming the surface. The book lacked any real analysis, leaving me with no new knowledge or insights. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of Wiccan gods and goddesses.