Celtic pagan gods were a central part of the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Celtic people. The Celts, who inhabited regions of Europe during the Iron Age, worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses that were closely connected to nature, agriculture, and the cycles of the seasons. The Celtic gods and goddesses were characterized by their association with different elements of the natural world. For example, Danu, the goddess of rivers and water, was seen as the mother of all Celtic gods. Belenus, the god of the sun, was associated with warmth and fertility, while Cernunnos, the horned god, was related to the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Each Celtic god had specific attributes and areas of influence.
Esus (Hesus) was a Gallic god named along with Taranis and Teutates. Esus is linked with Mercury and Mars and rituals with human sacrifice. He may have been a woodcutter.
Cernunnos is a horned god associated with fertility, nature, fruit, grain, the underworld, and wealth, and especially associated with horned animals like the bull, stag, and a ram-headed serpent. While they may have been the major Celtic gods and goddesses, that does not cancel out the importance of other deities of Irish mythology, like Bres or Medb, or Epona.
Each Celtic god had specific attributes and areas of influence. Brigid, the goddess of fire and poetry, was also associated with healing and blacksmithing. Lugh, the god of skill and craft, was revered as a patron of warriors and artisans.
A List of Celtic Gods and Goddesses
N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise.
Updated on July 30, 2019The Druid priests of the Celts did not write down the stories of their gods and goddesses but instead transmitted them orally, so our knowledge of the early Celtic deities is limited. Romans of the first century BCE recorded the Celtic myths and then later, after the introduction of Christianity to the British Isles, the Irish monks of the 6th century and Welsh writers later wrote down their traditional stories.
The Celtic gods were often depicted in human form, but they could also take on animal or mythical forms. Worship of the Celtic gods took place in sacred groves, hilltops, and stone circles. Rituals involved offerings, prayers, and sacrifices, which were intended to maintain harmony between humans and the divine. The Celts believed in the concept of the sacredness of the land and saw the gods as active participants in the natural world. With the arrival of Christianity in the Celtic regions, the worship of the pagan gods gradually declined. Many Celtic myths and legends were incorporated into Christian folklore and stories, preserving some of the cultural heritage of the ancient Celts. However, the worship of the Celtic gods as distinct deities waned and was eventually replaced by the monotheistic beliefs of Christianity. Despite their decline in worship, the Celtic pagan gods continue to fascinate and inspire interest today. Their symbolic and spiritual significance still holds importance for many people, and their stories and legends contribute to the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology and folklore..
Reviews for "The Role of Druids in Celtic Paganism: Priests and Intermediaries between Gods and Humans"
1. Linda - 2/5: As someone who is not familiar with Celtic pagan beliefs, I found this book to be confusing and hard to follow. The author assumes a certain level of knowledge about the subject matter that I simply did not possess. Additionally, the writing style was quite dense, making it difficult for me to grasp the concepts being presented. I would only recommend this book to those who already have a deep understanding of Celtic paganism.
2. John - 1/5: I was extremely disappointed with "Celtic pagan gods". The author's interpretation of the Celtic deities seemed far-fetched and lacked any historical accuracy. The book relied heavily on personal beliefs and opinions rather than providing a well-researched and structured analysis. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach to understanding Celtic paganism, but this book fell short. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a genuine understanding of Celtic gods.
3. Sarah - 2/5: The book "Celtic pagan gods" was not what I expected. While the author claims to provide an in-depth exploration of Celtic mythology, the information presented felt shallow and lacking in depth. Furthermore, the book focused too much on anecdotes and personal experiences, rather than providing objective analysis. I would have preferred a more academic and thorough examination of the topic. Overall, I found this book to be unsatisfying and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1/5: "Celtic pagan gods" failed to meet my expectations. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own spiritual agenda rather than presenting well-researched information about the Celtic deities. The book lacked critical analysis and relied too heavily on subjective beliefs. This made it difficult to take the content seriously. I would advise against wasting your time with this book if you're looking for an objective examination of Celtic paganism.
5. Emily - 2/5: While "Celtic pagan gods" did provide some interesting insights into the world of Celtic mythology, I found the writing style to be overly convoluted and pretentious. The author often used complicated language unnecessarily, making the content harder to comprehend. I was hoping for a more accessible and engaging read. Additionally, the lack of visual aids or illustrations made it challenging to visualize the gods being described. Overall, the book fell short of my expectations and I would not recommend it to those seeking an easily digestible introduction to Celtic pagan gods.