Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

Theosophy House

206 Newport Road,

Cardiff, Wales, UK. CF24-1DL

 

General Reference Glossaries

Of Interest to Theosophists

 

Cardiff Theosophical Society in Wales

Theosophy House

206 Newport Road, Cardiff, Wales, UK. CF24 -1DL

 

 

Glossary of

Celtic Mythology

 

 

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Celtic Mythology can be divided into three traditions

 

Goidelic - Irish, Manx and Scottish

Insular Brythonic - Welsh, Cornish

Continental Brythonic - mainland European

 

 

 

Abandinus is mysterious, currently known only from a single inscription from

Cambridgeshire, England in Godmanchester; specifically, an inscribed bronze

votive feather is dedicated to him with the text to the god Abandinus,

Vatiaucus gave this from his own resources. Some believe that he was

associated with the river Ouse (formerly known as Abona or Afon), though

Celtic river deities were almost always female, so this may be unlikely; he

may also have been associated with a local spring. Others have suggested that

is related to Mabon, a more popular Celtic deity; though it seems unlikely,

Abandinus and Mabon have linguistic characteristics that make this theory

possible.

 

 

Abarta (performer of feats) was one of the Tuatha De Danaan. He was also known

as Giolla Deacair (the hard servant) and was associated with Fion Mac Cumhail.

One tale has Abarta tricking a group of Fianna into mounting a magical gray

horse which took them to the underworld until beng rescued by Fionn. Abarta

may have been associated with a servant of Apollo, who was said to have given

him a golden arrow (i.e. a sunbeam) which could teleport him, cause him

invisibility and give prophecies. In later, more purely Celtic myths, the

golden arrow ws changed to a magical horse. Some similarities can be noted

between Abaris and Paris, who slew Achilles with an arrow and the help of

Apollo (a solar deity). Abaris' murder of Diarmait ua Duibne by stabbing his

heel with a boar's poisonous bristles has parallels with Achilles' story.

 

 

Abellio In Continental Brythonic (Gallic) Celtic mythology, Abellio (also

Abelio and Abelionni) was a god of apple trees, worshipped in the Garonne

Valley in southwest France. To a lesser degree, he was known as a solar deity

in Crete and the Pyrenees.

 

 

Abhean the harper of the Tuatha de Danaan.

 

 

Abnoba was the forest and river goddess, worshipped in the Black Forest and

surrounding areas. Her name is the source of the River Avon and others.

 

 

Achall was a young girl who committed suicide (or died of grief) after her

brother died in battle.

 

 

 

Achtan was the mother of Cormac by Art.

 

 

Achtland Queen Achtland married one of the "Tuatha de Danann" (too'-ah deh

dah'noo) which were the children of the Goddess Danu. Their name is often

mistranslated simply into "giants", which gives reference to their stature, as

well as their lineage, resembling the Nephilim, "fallen angels", of Christian

lore. Another name for the "children" is the "Sidhe" (shee) which is

translated often into "fairy" and conferred increasingly diminutive statures,

and powers, throughout the passage of time. Achtland herself was a mortal

woman, and as an adult she was infamous for her displeasure in what she found

available to her among the human men. It is said that no man could ever

satisfy her, but when she was approached by one of the Tuatha, her heart was

smitten with him. The Tuatha were known to bring all crafts and skills to the

human race (originally this knowledge was property of the gods), and it is

doubtless that Achtland found much to admire in her new lover. She married

this man of the Tuatha, and became immortal by crossing over into the land of

the Fey, to be his wife. It is said that she found great delight in brushing

his long silken hair.

 

 

Adsullata was a river goddess, associated with the River Savus.

 

 

Aengus In Goedelic mythology, Aengus ("son of the young") was the god of love.

He was said to have four birds symbolizing kisses flying about his head. His

parents were Dagda and Boann. He was said to have lived by the river Boyne.

Dagda had an affair with Boann, wife of Nechtan. In order to hide their

affair, Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months; therefore, Aengus was

conceived, gestated and born in one day.

Aengus fell in love with a girl he dreamed of. His mother, Boann, searched

Ireland for an entire year. Then his father, Dagda, did the same. Finally,

King Bov the Red of Munster found her after a year.

Aegus went to the lake of the Dragons's Mouth and found 150 girls chained up

in pairs. He found his girl, Caer. On November 1, Caer and the other girls

would turn into a swan for one year. Aengus was told he could marry Caer if he

could identify her as a swan. Aengus succeeded. He turned himself into a swan

and they flew away, singing beautiful music that put all its listeners asleep

for three days and nights.

Aengus and Caer had one son, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.

Alternative: Aengus the Young, Angus, Anghus, Aonghus, Angus Og, Aengus mac

Oc, Oengus mac Oc

 

 

Aericura In Continental Brythonic mythology, Aericura (or Aeracura) was an

underworld goddess; she was originally an earth goddess, associated with

Silvanus, the Rhine Valley and the cornucopia. Under her later aspect as an

underworld goddess, she may have been adapted into Dis Pater.

 

 

Aes Sidhe In Irish mythology, the sídhe (pronounced shee) are a supernatural

race, quite distinct from humankind. There are a number of different types of

sídhe: the sluagh sídhe, the fairy host or Wild Hunt, can fly through the air

and shift shape at will, the sídhe who walk the earth at dusk and the guardian

sídhe of the lakes of both Ireland and Scotland. They are the remnants of the

Tuatha de Danaan. According to The Book of Invasions or Lebor Gabala Érren,

the Túatha Dé Danann, the “People of the Goddess Dana” were defeated in battle

by the mortal Sons of Mil. As part of the surrender terms the Túatha Dé Danann

agreed to dwell underground in the síde (singular síd), the hills or mounds

that dot the Irish landscape. Eventually both the mounds and the people became

known as the síd, modern Irish sídhe.

 

 

Aeval In Goidelic mythology, Queen Aeval was the fairy queen of Munster. She

determined if husbands were sexually satsifying their wives.

 

 

Agrona In Insular Brythonic mythology, Agrona was the goddess of strife and

war. The river Aeron in Wales comes from her name.

 

 

Aibell In Goidelic mythology, Aibell or Aoibhell was a fairy goddess.

 

 

Aillen was a monster from the underworld. The fertility goddess Aine is also

sometimes known by this name.

 

 

Aimend In Goidelic mythology, Aimend was a sun goddess.

 

 

Aine In Goidelic mythology, Aine was a goddess of love, growth, cattle and the

moon. She was the daughter of Egobail, and sister of Aillen and/or Fennen. In

some versions of the myth, she is the wife of Gerold Iarla; in others, rather

than being married, he raped her, and may have been subsequently killed by

her; in yet other versions of her myth, she is the wife of Manannan mac Lir.

The feast of Midsummer Night was held in her honor. In County Limerick, she

was a fairy queen. She is sometimes equated with Dana.

 

 

Airitech In Goidelic mythology, Airitech was a mysterious creature whose three

daughters were werewolves, eventually killed by Cas Corach.

 

 

Airmed In Goidelic mythology, the goddess Airmed was one of the Tuatha de

Danaan, the goddess of witchcraft and healing. With Miach, she is the daughter

of Dian Cecht; the two sisters once healed Nuada.

 

 

Alaunus In Continental Brythonic mythology, Alaunus was the god of the sun,

healing and prophecy.

 

 

Albiorix Albiorix ("king of the world"), ancient god of Celts and Gauls, whose

name means father of the tribe. He was a god of war, growth and prosperity.

It represented the unity and the harmony of the tribe (often confused with

Ogmios).

Alternative: , Caturix ("king of the battle"), Loucetius, Rigisamos, Toutatis

or Teutates.

 

 

Alisanos In Continental Brythonic mythology, Alisanos or Alisaunus was the

local god of the Cite d'Or.

 

 

Amaethon In Insular Brythonic mythology, Amaethon was a god of agriculture, a

son of Don and Beli.

He stole a dog, lapwing and roebuck from Arawn, leading to the Battle of Cath

Godeau between the underworld gods and monsters and the children of Don. In

this battle, Amaethon's brother, Gwydion, turned trees into warriors that

helped the children of Don win.

 

 

Ambisagrus In Continental Brythonic mythology, Ambisagrus was a god of thunder

and lightning.

 

 

Anann In Goidelic mythology, Anann was a mother goddess, particularly

worshipped in Munster. In Kerry County, Ireland, the twin hills of Paps of Anu

were named after her.

With Badb and Macha, she was part of a triumvirate of war goddesses.

 

 

Ancamna In Continental Brythonic mythology, Ancamna was a water goddess.

 

 

Andarta In Continental Brythonic mythology, Andarta was a warrior goddess,

worshipped especially in Gaul. Her animal was the bear.

 

 

Andraste In Insular Brythonic mythology, Andraste was a goddess of war. In AD

61, Queen Boudicca sacrificed Roman women to Andraste while fighting against

the Roman occupation of Britain.

 

 

Anextiomarus In Insular Brythonic mythology, Anextiomarus was a tribal god.

 

 

Annwn In Insular Brythonic mythology, specifically Welsh, Annwn was an

underworld region, ruled by Arawn, or (much later) Gwynn ap Nudd. In Culhwch

and Olwen, God gave Gwynn control over the demons lest "this world be

destroyed." He led the Wild Hunt.

Originally, Annwn was said to lie so far to the west that not even Manawyddan

ap Llyr had found it, for you could only reach Annwn by dying yourself. Later,

however, it was said that Annwn could be entered by those still living, near

Lundy Island and Glastonbury Tor. St. Collen, a Welsh saint, entered Gwynn's

palace to banish him with holy water.

In the Book of Taleisin is a 10th century poem called The Spoils of Annwn. It

is about King Arthur and his knights traveling through Annwn, searching for a

magical cauldron possessed by nine women. Only seven knights survive the

journey. It may be a precursor of later Holy Grail stories involving King

Arthur and his knights. The nine maidens related to actual groups of nine

priestesses in ancient Celtic society. Geoffrey of Monmouth told stories of

Morgan le Fay and eight other priestesses in his poem, Vita Merlini, who lived

on the Isle of Apples or Avalon. Avalon was often identified with Annwn.

Alternatives: Annwfn, Annwyn, Annwyfn

 

 

Arawn In Welsh mythology, Arawn was the Lord of the Underworld, which was

called Annwn.

Some of the more prominent myths about Arawn include the incident in which

Amaethon stole a dog, lapwing and a white roebuck from Arawn, leading to the

Cath Godeau, which Arawn lost to Amaethon and his brother, Gwydion.

In the Mabinogion, Pwyll mistakenly set his hounds upon a stag, only to

discover that Arawn had been hunting the same animal. To pay for the misdeed,

Arawn asked Pwyll to trade places with him for a year and a day, and defeat

Hafgan, Arawn's rival, at the end of this time, something Arawn had attempted

to do, but had been unable to. Arawn, meanwhile, took Pwyll's place as lord of

Dyfed. Arawn and Pwyll became good friends because, though Pwyll wears Arawn's

shape, he sleept chastely with Arawn's wife.

In Welsh folklore, Arawn rides with his white, red-eared hounds (the Cwn Annwn

or Hounds of Annwn) through the skies in autumn, winter, and early spring. The

baying of the hounds is identified with the crying of wild geese as they

migrate, and the quarry of the hounds are the souls of the damned, being

chased back to Annwn (sometimes to the abode of the Brenin Llwyd or Grey

King).

Arawn is also a prominent character in The Chronicles of Prydain, a series of

fantasy novels written by Lloyd Alexander that revolve around Welsh myths.

 

 

Arduinna In Continental Brythonic mythology, Arduinna was the goddess of the

moon, hunters and forests. Her cult was centered in the Ardennes, which

derived its name from her.

 

 

Arianrhod ("silver wheel") was a daughter of Belus and Don.

She was in the court of Math ap Mathonwy, a king who needed to rest his feet

in the lap of a virgin unless he was at war, or wanted to be. When one of his

virgins, Goewin, was raped by Gilfaethwy, she was replaced with Gilfaethwy's

sister, Arianrhod. She immediately gave birth to a young boy (Dylan) and a

blob.

Dylan was a sea-creature who immediately moved into the ocean. The blob,

however, was placed in a chest by Gwydion, Arianrhod's brother. Arianrhod

created three geases*: only she could give him a name; only she could give him

weapons; he would have no human wife. Arianrhod denied him the three aspects

of masculinity. Gwydion raised him anyway, even without a name. Later

Arianrhod saw him killing a wren with a single stone. She said that he was a

bright lion with a sure hand and he took the name Llew Llaw Gyffes ("bright

lion with a sure hand"). Gwydion then tricked her into arming him. Llew

created his own woman out of flowers, Blodeuwedd.

*A geas (also geis), has two interpretations in Celtic mythology and

folklore. First, it is considered some kind of bond that people or even

gods can be placed under; later, it took the aspect of a taboo or

prohibition. A geas can also be compared with a curse. If someone placed

under a geas breaks it, the infractor will suffer dishonour or even death.

 

 

Arnemetia In Insular Brythonic mythology, Arnemetia was a water goddess.

 

 

Artio In Continental Brythonic mythology, (specifically known from

Switzerland), Artio was the goddess of wildlife. She was specifically

associated with the bear, and was worshipped at Berne, which actually means

"bear". She was often called Artio of Muri. She may have been married to

Essus.

 

 

Arvernus In Continental Brythonic mythology, Avernus was the god of the Gallic

Averni.

 

 

Aufaniae The Aufaniae were Continental Brythonic mother goddesses worshipped

throughout Celtic Europe.

 

 

Avalloc A mysterious Insular Brythonic god, Avalloc was the father of Modron.

He may have been the King of Avalon.

 

Aveta In Continental Brythonic mythology and especially Gaul, Aveta was a

goddess of childbirth and midwives.

 

 

Badb In Goidelic mythology, Badb (raven) or in modern spelling Badhbh was a

goddess of war who took the form of ravens (or carrion crows), thus known as

Badb Catha (battle raven). She often caused confusion among soldiers to move

the tide of battle to her favored side. Battlefields were called the land of

Badb, and were often said to include Badb taking part as a raven or as a wolf.

Badb is associated with the beansidhe, and is said to have been crucial in the

battle against the Fomorians.

With Macha and Anann, she was part of a triumvirate of war goddesses.

Badb is often confused with Bodb.

 

 

Balor In Goidelic mythology, Balor was the god of death and King of the

Fomorians. His father was Buarainech. His wife was Cethlenn.

Balor only had one eye which was usually closed; its gaze killed anyone that

saw it.

According to a prophecy, Balor was to be killed by his grandson. He locked his

daughter, Ethlinn, in a tower made of crystal to keep her from becoming

pregnant. However, Cian, one of the Tuatha de Danaan, with the help of the

druidess Birog, managed to enter the tower. She gave birth to a son by him,

but Balor threw him into the ocean. Birog saved him and gave him to Manannan

mac Lir, who became his foster father. He was called Lugh Lamhfada and became

a member of the Tuatha de Danaan.

Lugh Lamhfada led the Tuatha in the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh against the

Fomorians. Ogma disarmed Balor during this battle and Balor killed King Nuada

with his eye, but Lugh ripped the fatal eye out with a sling, killing Balor.

 

 

Banba In Goidelic mythology, Banba was the patron spirit of Ireland, wife of

King MacCuill, and a goddess of war and fertility.

With her sisters (daughters of Fiachna), Fodla and Eriu, she was part of an

important triumvirate of goddesses, the first settlers of Ireland.

Banba is used as a name for Ireland in poetry.

Other spelling: Banbha.

 

 

Beag In Goidelic mythology, the goddess Beag was one of the Tuatha de Danaan.

She was known for having a magic well.

 

 

Bebhionn In Goidelic mythology, Bebhion was a goddess of the underworld and a

goddess of pleasure.

 

 

Belatu-Cadros In Insular Brythonic mythology, and especially in Wales,

Belatu-Cadros ("fair shining one" or "the fair slayer") was the god of

destruction, war and attaining vengeance on enemies. He was also a psychopomp.

He may be the same as Belenus, and was associated by the Romans with their god

Mars.

 

 

Belenus In Brythonic mythology, especially in Gaul (later Italy to Britain),

Belenus ("the shining one") was a fertility god who looked after sheep and

cattle. His wife was Belisama. In Ireland, he was known as Bile ("sacred

tree"). He may be the same as Belatu-Cadros.

In Wales, Beli was the husband of Danu and father of the Dagda, Dian Cecht,

Lir, Lugh, Gwydion, Govannnon, Arianrhod, Gilfaethwy and Amaethon.

He was worshipped on May 1 at Beltaine ("Fire of Bel"). Purifying fires were

lit and cattle were forced to walk between them before being allowed to go to

pasture.

Belenus was eventually worshipped by Celts in Aquitaine, Austria, Italy,

Britain, Gaul, Ireland and Wales.

Alternative: Bel (Ireland), Bile, Beli (Briton & Wales), Belenos (Gaul)

 

 

Belisama In Continental Brythonic mythology, especially Gaul, Belisama was the

wife of Belenos and a goddess of fire, crafts and light.

 

 

Blodeuwedd was a woman made by flowers by Llew Llaw Gyffes, who could not

marry a human woman.

Blodeuwedd had an affair with Goronwy and tricked the secret of his death out

of him, since Llew could not be killed during the day or night, nor indoors or

outdoors, neither riding nor walking, not clothed and not naked, nor by any

weapon lawfully made. He could only be killed at dusk, wrapped in a net with

one foot on a cauldron and one on a goat and a weapon forged during the hours

when forging weapons was forbidden. She then led him to his death. Llew became

an eagle, but then Gwydion switched him back to human. He killed Goronwy and

Gwydion turned Blodeuwedd into an owl.

 

 

Boann In Goidelic mythology, Boann ("she of the white cattle") was the wife of

Necthan or Elcmar. Her lover was Dagda, by whom she was the mother of Aengus.

In order to hide their affair, Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months;

therefore, Aengus was conceived, gestated and born in one day.

She was associated with a sacred white cow.Alternative name: Boand

 

 

Bodb In Goidelic mythology, Bodb was the goddess of battle.

 

 

Bodb Dearg or Badhb Dearg mac an Daghda ("Bodb the Red") was a son of Dagda

and succeeded him as King of the Tuatha De Danaan. He subsequently fathered

many deities.

 

 

Borvo ("to boil") was a widespread god of mineral springs, hot springs and

healing. His wife was Damona. He is son of Sirona, who, like his wife, is a

goddess of cattle.

Alternative: Bormanus (Gaul), Bormanious (Portugal), Bormo

 

 

Bran the Blessed was a son of Llyr and Penarddun. He was a giant.

His sister, Branwen, was courted by an Irishman named Matholwch, who gave Bran

horses to curry favor. Efnisien, a half-brother of Branwen and Bran, mutilated

the horses; Matholwch was irate until Bran gave him a cauldron which restored

the dead to life.

His sister, Branwen, was treated cruelly by her husband, Matholwch. Bran

sailed from Wales to Ireland to rescue her with his brother, Manawydan. When

Matholwch saw the giant, he asked for peace and built a house big enough for

him. Matholwch agreed to let Bran live with them and give the kingdom to

Gwern, his son by Branwen. The Irish lords didn't like the idea, so they hid

themselves in flour bags to attack the Welsh. Efnisien guessed what was

happening and threw them into the fire, along with Gwern.

In the ensuing war, Efnisien and Bran died. Efnisien threw himself in the

cauldron earlier given to Matholwch, which broke; he stayed dead. Branwen went

to Aber Alaw and died there. Bran's head, still alive, was buried in England.

Legend said that as long as the head was there, England would live on.

 

 

Branwen was a daughter of Llyr and Penarddun and a goddess of love and beauty.

Branwen was courted by an Irishman named Matholwch, who gave her brother, Bran

horses to curry favor. Efnisien, a half-brother of Branwen and Bran, mutilated

the horses; Matholwch was irate until Bran gave him a cauldron which restored

the dead to life.

Branwen was treated cruelly by her husband Matholwch. Bran sailed from Wales

to Ireland to rescue her with his brother, Manawydan. When Matholwch saw the

giant, he asked for peace and built a house big enough for him. Matholwch

agreed to let Bran live with them and give the kingdom to Gwern, his son by

Branwen. The Irish lords didn't like the idea, so they hid themselves in flour

bags to attack the Welsh. Efnisien guessed what was happening and threw them

into the fire, along with Gwern.

In the ensuing war, Efnisien and Bran died. Efnisien threw himself in the

cauldron earlier given to Matholwch, which broke; he stayed dead. Branwen went

to Aber Alaw and died there. Bran's head, still alive, was buried in England.

Legend said that as long as the head was there, England would live on.

 

 

Brea was one of the Tuatha de Danaan.

 

 

Breg was the wife of the Dagda.

 

 

Bres In Goidelic mythology, Bres was a god of agriculture. His parents were

Prince Elatha of the Fomorians and Eriu.

In the First Battle of Mag Tuireadh, King Nuada of the Tuatha de Danaan lost

his hand; because he was imperfect, he could not be king. Hoping to reconcile

relations between the Fomorians and the Tuatha de, Bres was named king and the

Tuatha de, Brigid, married him.

Bren raised taxes and made the Tuatha de work as slaves. Nuada had his hand

replaced by a superior, silver one and Bres was exiled. He led the Fomorians

in the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh but lost. He was not killed because he

promised to teach the Tuatha de agriculture.

 

 

Brigid ("goddess who exults herself") was the daughter of Dagda and wife of

Bres.

Brigid was known by many names, but all the different divinities were

three-aspected goddesses.

 

"Fire of Inspiration" - patroness of poets

 

"Fire of the Hearth" - patroness of healers, goddess of fertility

 

"Fire of the Forge" - patroness of smiths, craftsmen and warriors

 

By Tuireann, she was the mother of Creidhne, Luchtaine and Giobhniu.

Brigid possessed an apple orchard in the Otherworld; bees traveled there to

obtain magical nectar. This orchard was associated with Avalon.

The Lady of the Lake in Arthurian Legend may be based on Brigid.

Brigid was the goddess of the Sacred Flame of Kildare. After the

Christianization of the Celts, Brigid was considered the foster mother of

Jesus Christ and was often called St. Brigid, daughter of the druid, Dougal

the Brown. Some sources suggest that Saint Brigid was an Irish Catholic

bishop.

On February 1, Brigid was celebrated at Imbolc, when she brought spring to the

land. It is now the feast day of the Catholic St. Brigid.

Brigid was the patron goddess of the druids.

 

Names:

 

Brigid (Ireland)

Brighid (Ireland)

Bridget (Ireland) Anglicised version of the gaelic name.

Brid

Bride (Scotland)

ffraid (Wales)

Breo Saighead ("the fiery arrow")

Berecyntia (Gaul)

Brigan

Brigandu (Gaul)

Brigantia

Brigantis (Briton)

Brigindo (Switzerland)

 

 

 

Britannia In Insular Brythonic mythology, and especially in Britain, Britannia

was the patron goddess of the early British Celtic tribes. In more recent

tradition, she is viewed as the personification of Great Britain.

 

 

Bronach In Goidelic mythology, Bronach was the goddess of cliffs.

 

Caer was a daughter of Ethal and Prince Anubal of Connacht. She eventually

married Aengus, but first he had to pick her, in swan form, out of a group of

other swans. With Aengus, she was the mother of Diarmuid.

 

 

Cailleach In Goidelic mythology, especially Scotland, Cailleach was the

"Mother of All". She was a sorceress. In addition to the Celts, the Picts also

worshipped her.

In art, she was depicted as a wizened crone with bear teeth and a boar's

tusks.

Each year, the first farmer to finish his harvest made a corn dolly

representing Cailleach from part of his crop. He would give it to the next

farmer to finish his harvest, and so on. The last farmer had the

responsibility to take care of the corn dolly, representing Cailleach, until

the next year's harvest.

She helped rescue Dia Griene, along with Brian.

Alternative: Cailleach Beara, Scotia

 

 

Camma In Continental Brythonic mythology, particularly Breton, Camma was a

hunting goddess.

 

 

Camulus In Continental Brythonic mythology, especially Gaul, Camulus

(alternatively Camulos) was the god of war. The town Camulodunum (now

Colchester) was named after him.

 

 

Canola was the mythical inventor of the harp. After having an argument with

her lover, she left his bed in the middle of the night to take a walk. She

heard beautiful music and sat down, soon falling asleep. When she woke up the

next morning, Canola realized the wind had made the music blowing through

partially rotted sinew still attached to a whale skeleton. She designed the

harp based off this.

 

 

Carman was the goddess of evil magic. Her three sons were Dub ("darkness"),

Dother ("evil") and Dian ("violence"). They rampaged through Ireland.

The Tuatha de Danaan warred against Carman and her sons. Bechuille, a powerful

sorceress, was finally able to defeat her. Her sons were killed and Carman was

chained, eventually dying of grief.

 

 

Cartimandua (ruled ca.43 - ca.70) was a queen of the Brigantes tribe of

northern England who fought against the Roman Empire's occupation of Britain

in the 1st century.

Cartimandua's rule over Brigantia was already established when emperor

Claudius began the organized conquer of Britain. With her husband and warlord

Venutius of the Carvetii tribe, Cartimandua forged an alliance with the

Romans. Some sources refer the Brigantes as a client kingdom of Rome,

suggesting the pro-Roman views of their queen. Cartimandua went as far as to

capture Caratacus, the most ferocious Celtic resistant and offered him to

Claudius, who exibited him in his triumph. The loyalty was acknowledged in 53

when Venutius attempt for sole power was dominated by Roman intervention. The

couple reconciled but problems were brewing. The Roman alliance was further

confirmed during the Icenii rebellion of 60, when Cartimandua declined

alliance with Boudicca.

However, in 69, Cartimandua apparently changes husband and her mind about the

Roman occupation. The former husband is dispatched and Vellocatus, a former

servant becames consort. Venutius was not happy with the divorce and levied an

army to fight for power with the ex-wife. He invaded the Brigantes' lands and

deposed Cartimandua. Tacitus refers that she was save from imprisonment by

Roman soldiers. After this event, Cartimandua disappears from the sources.

 

 

Caswallawn In Insular Brythonic mythology, especially British, Caswallawn was

a war god.

 

 

Cenn Cruaich In Insular Brythonic mythology, especially British, Caswallawn

was a war god.

 

 

Ceridwen was a magician, mother of Taliesin, Morfran, and a beautiful

daughter.

Morfran was hideously ugly, so she sought to make him wise. Ceridwen had a

magical cauldron that could make a potion granting wisdom. The mixture had to

be cooked for a year and a day. Morda, a blind man, tended the fire beneath

the cauldron, while Gwion, a young boy, stirred the concoction.

The first three drops of liquid from this cauldron gave wisdom; the rest was a

fatal poison. Three hot drops spilled onto Gwion's hand as he stirred, burning

him. He instinctively put his hand in his mouth, and instantly gained great

wisdom and knowlede.

Ceridwen chased Gwion. He turned himself into a rabbit. She became a dog. He

became a fish and jumped into a river. She turned into an otter. He turned

into a bird; she became a hawk. Finally, he turned into a single grain of

corn. She became a hen and ate him,

When Ceridwen became pregnant, she knew it was Gwion and resolved to kill the

child when he was born. However, when he was born, he was so beautiful that

she couldn't do it. She threw him in the ocean instead.

 

 

Cernunnos The name Cernunnos is known because it was carved on a single such

image made by sailors from the Gallic Parisii tribe (from whom Paris got its

name) in the 1st century AD, by which time Gaul (modern France) had become a

Roman province. The earliest image of him that has been found was carved on

rock in Northern Italy in the 4th century BC. It is not known how widespread

the use of this exact name was: it is possible that this was the name for this

antlered god to no-one but the Parisii themselves, but the structure of the

name suggests otherwise.

The word Cornu means "horned" in both modern French and the cognate Celtic

Cern_ means much the same. Cernunnos is a Gaulish name meaning "Horned One."

Cernunos' portrayals are unusually consistent. His most distinctive attribute

are his stag's horns, and he is usually portrayed as a mature man with long

hair and a beard. He wears a torc, an ornate neck-ring used by the Celts to

denote nobility. He often carries other torcs in his hands or hanging from his

horns, as well as a purse filled with coins. He is usually portrayed seated

and cross-legged, in the meditative or shamanic position.

Cernunnos is nearly always portrayed with animals, in particular the stag. He

is also frequently associated with a unique beast that seems to belong only to

him: a serpent with the horns of a ram. Less often he is associated with other

beasts, including bulls, dogs and rats. Because of his frequent association

with beasts scholars often describe Cenunnos as The Lord of the Animals.

Because of his association with stags in particular (a particularly hunted

beast) he is also described as The Lord of the Hunt. Interestingly the Parisi

altar links him with sailors, (the altar was dedicated by sailors) and with

commerce (he is shown with coins).

In the modern Neo-Pagan movements, of which Wicca is the most notable, the

worship of the Horned God has been revived. Whether or not these religious

groups are actually surviving cults or modern reconstructions, the adherents

generally follow the life-fertility-death cycle for Cernunnos, though his

death is now usually set at Samhain, the Celtic New Year Festival usually

associated with October 31.

 

 

Cessair In Goidelic mythology, Cessair was the first Queen of Ireland after

the Great Flood. She was daughter of Bith and Birren, and wife of Fintan. In

some myths she was Noah's graddaughter.

 

 

Cethlion was the prophetess of Fomorians.

 

 

Cliodhna In Goidelic mythology, Cliodhna was a goddess of beauty. In Cork

County, she became known as a fairy queen.

 

 

Clota was the patron goddess of the river Clyde.

 

 

Cocidius In Insular Brythonic mythology, especially in northern Britain,

Cocidius was a hunting god.

 

 

Conall Cernach ("strong and victorious") was a heroic warrior.

 

 

Conchobar In Goidelic mythology, King Conchobar of Ulster planned on marrying

his step-daughter, the beautiful Deirdre. She fell in love with his nephew,

Noise; they fled to Scotland with his two brothers (sons of Usnech).

Conchobar's messengers asked Noise and his brothers to return to Ireland. They

did and he killed them; one of his courtiers, Fergus mac Roich, left his court

in protest. Deirdre died of grief.

 

 

Condatis In Insular Brythonic mythology, especially Britain, Condatis was a

water god.

 

 

Conn of the Hundred Battles In Goidelic Celtic mythology, Conn of the Hundred

Battles was the father of Art. He may have been a real Irish king during the

2nd century.

 

 

Contrebis In Insular Brythonic mythology, Contrebis was the patron god of

Lancaster.

 

 

Corb In Goidelic mythology, Corb was one of the Fomorians.

 

 

Cormac Mac Airt In Goidelic Celtic mythology, Cormac mac Airt was the son of

Achtan and Airt. He may have been a historical Irish king. He ruled from Tara,

the capital of the High Kings of Ireland for forty years, probably AD 227 to

266.

The sea god Manannan mac Lir gave him a magical gold goblet. It would break

into three pieces when three lies were told over it; speaking three truths

would fix it.

 

 

Coventina In Insular Brythonic mythology, Coventina was the goddess of wells

and springs. She was popular in Britain, particularly in the north.

 

 

Creiddylad In Insular Brythonic mythology, Creiddylad was a goddess, daughter

of Llyr. She was the object of a battle between Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwythr ap

Greidawl. In William Shakespeare's King Lear, Cordelia was based off this

goddess.

 

 

Creidhne (or Credne) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann. He was a member of the

Tuatha de Danaan. He was a god of metalworking, and with Goibhniu and Luchta

forged the weapons used to battle the Fomorians.

Creidhne is often confused with the Irish warrior Creidne.

 

 

Crom Cruach was one of the chief gods of Ireland. He may have been a solar

deity.

There was an idol on the Mag Sleact in Cavan County, Ulster devoted to Crom

Cruach. His statue was of gold and surrounded by twelve smaller, stone

statues.

Parents sacrificed one third of the children to him on Samhain in exchange for

a fertile growing season.

He was said to have been introduced by King Tigernmus.

St. Patrick cursed and destroyed the idol and stopped his worship.

He is mentioned in the 6th century Dinnshenchas in the Book of Leinster, as

well as the Tripartite Life of Patrick.

Alternative: Cromm Cruac ("bloody crescent"), Cenn Cruaic ("bloody head"),

rid-iodal h-Eireann ("the king idol of Ireland")

 

 

Cu Roi In Goidelic mythology, Cu Roi was a sorcerer who could change his form

at will.

 

 

Cuchulainn a heroic warrior in Irish mythology. According to the myth, the

stories about Cuchulainn were almost forgotten until a bard named Sechan

Torpeist revived them in the 7th century. more

 

 

Curoi mac Daire was a giant sun-god armed with an axe. He was also a weather

deity, associated with severe thunderstorms.

 

 

Cwn Annwn In Brythonic mythology, the Cwn Annwn ("hounds of Annwn") were the

white, red-eared ghostly hounds of Annwn, the land of the dead. They were

associated with the Wild Hunt, presided over by either Arawn or Gwynn ap Nudd.

In Wales, they were associated with migrating geese. They are supposed to hunt

on specific nights (eves of St. John, St. Martin, Saint Michael the Archangel,

All Saints, Christmas, New Year, St. Agnes, St. David, and Good Friday), or

just in the autumn and winter. Some say that Arawn only hunts from Christmas

to Twelfth Night.

Arawn and the hounds are sometimes accompanied by a fearsome hag calld the

Mallt-y-Nos, Matilda of the Night.

Alternative: Cwn Mamau ("hounds of the mothers"), Gabriel Hounds (England),

Ratchets (England), Yell Hounds, Isle of Man

 

 

Cyhiraeth was a goddess of streams. She was later demoted to a minor demoness

called the banshee.

 

 

Dagda The Dagda is the supreme god of the Celtic pantheon, a son of Danu and

Beli. This word means "The Good God", not good in a moral sense, but good at

everything, or all-powerful. The Dagda is a father-figure, a protector of the

tribe and the basic Celtic god of whom other male Celtic deities were

variants. Celtic gods were largely unspecialised entities, and perhaps we

should see them as a clan rather than as a formal pantheon. In a sense, all

the Celtic gods and goddesses were like the Greek Apollo, who could never be

described as the god of any one thing.

In Dorset there is a famous outline of an ityphallic giant with a club cut

into the chalky soil. While this was probably produced in Roman times, it is

very likely that it represents the Dagda. In Gaul, The Dagda appeared in the

guise of Sucellos (in Gallic belief), the striker, equipped with a hammer and

cup.

Irish tales depict The Dagda as a figure of immense power, armed with a magic

club and associated with a cauldron. The club was supposed to be able to kill

nine men with one blow; with the handle he could return the slain to life. The

cauldron was bottomless, capable of feeding an army.

He also possessed a richly ornamented magic harp made of oak which, when De

Dagda played it, put the seasons in their correct order; other accounts tell

of the harp being used to command the order of battle. In Irish mythology, The

Dagda was moreover the High King of the Tuatha de Danaan, the fairy folk and

supernatural beings who occupied Ireland prior to the coming of the Celts. His

lover was Boann and his wife was Breg. Prior to the battle with the

Formarians, he coupled with the goddess of war, Morrigan, on Samhain in

exchange for a plan of battle.

Dagda had an affair with Boann, wife of Nechtan. In order to hide their

affair, Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months; therefore, Aengus was

conceived, gestated and born in one day.

He, along with Boann, helped their son, Aengus, search for his love.

The Dagda was also the father of Badb Dearg, who succeeded him as king of the

gods. He was the father of Ogma by Danu.

Alternative: Daghda, Dagde, Dagodevas, Sucellos (Gaul)

 

 

Damara In Insular Brythonic mythology, Damara was a fertility goddess

associated with the month of May/Beltaine.

 

 

Damona In Continental Brythonic mythology, Damona was a fertility goddess and

wife of Borvo.

 

 

Danu was a mother goddess and wife of Beli. With him, she was the mother of

the Dagda, Dian Cecht, Lir, Lugh, Gwydion, Govannnon, Arianrhod, Gilfaethwy

and Amaethon. By Dagda, she was the mother of Ogma. She was the matriarch of

the Tuatha de Danaan.

Alternative: Don (Welsh), Dan, Dana, Dann

 

 

Dea Matrona In Continental Brythonic mythology, Dea Matrona was the goddess of

the river Marne in Gaul.

Not to be confused with the Deae Matres.

 

 

Deae Matres (Matres Domesticae) are the triple goddesses who preside over

fertility, motherhood and creativity — often portrayed as three seated women

wearing long robes and various symbolic objects of fertility and abundance.

 

 

Dea Sequana In Continental Brythonic mythology, Dea Sequana was the goddess of

the river Seine.

 

 

Dechtere was the mother of Cuchulainn.

The father:

Dechtere swallowed a mayfly; this made her pregnant with Cuchulainn

His father was Sualtam

His father was Lugh; she was impregnated by Lugh's soul, vomited

Cuchulainn into life; thereby keeping her virginity.

 

 

Deirdre In Goidelic mythology, Deirdre was a beautiful heroine brought up by

King Conchobar of Ulster. He planned on marrying her. She fell in love with

Noise, his nephew; they fled to Scotland with his two brothers. Conchobar's

messengers asked Noise and his brothers to return to Ireland. They did and he

killed them. Deirdre died of grief.

 

 

Dewi In Insular Brythonic mythology, Dewi was an ancient god, worshipped

primarily in Wales. He was represented by a Great Red Serpent; this symbol in

the form of a dragon is only the official emblem of Wales.

The patron saint of Wales is Saint David, known in Welsh as Dewi Sant

 

 

Dia Griene In Goidelic mythology, and especially Scotland, Dia Griene was the

daughter of the sun. She was held captive in the Land of the Big Women, freed

by Cailleach (disguised as a fox) and Brian.

 

 

Dian Cecht was the god of healing, a son of Danu and Beli. He was the healer

for the Tuatha de Danaan.

He blessed a well called Slane so that the Tuatha de could bathe in when

wounded; they became healed and continued fighting.

He made King Nuada's silver arm. Dian Cecht's son, Miach, replaced the silver

arm with Nuada's old arm; Dian Cecht killed him out of professional envy.

 

 

Dis was the Roman name assigned to the supreme god of the Celts by Julius

Caesar. Nobody knows which Celtic god this refers to.

 

 

Don was a mother goddess and wife of Beli. With him, she was the mother of the

Dagda, Dian Cecht, Lir, Lugh, Gwydion, Govannnon, Arianrhod, Gilfaethwy and

Amaethon. By Dagda, she was the mother of Ogma. She was the matriarch of the

Tuatha de Danaan.

Alternative: Don (Welsh), Dan, Dana, Dann

 

 

Dwyn (or Dwumwem) was the goddess of love.

 

 

Dylan (or Dylan Eil Ton; sea in Welsh) is a sea-god in Welsh Celtic mythology,

a son of Arianrhod and Gwydion. He was killed by his uncle, Govannon, who

didn't know who he was. He is sometimes said to be a god of darkness.

Dylan was the first of the two sons born to Arianrhod - the second being Llew

Llaw Gyffes. Since the moment of his birth the golden-haired Dylan was a

creature able to swim in the ocean like a fish, and he therefore received the

epithet Eil Ton (Son of the Wave). It was said that his death caused all the

waves of the sea to mourn his loss.

 

 

Edain an alternate name for Epona.

 

 

Efnisien was the son of Penarddun and Eurosswydd. His twin was Nisien.

His half-sister, Branwen, was courted by an Irishman named Matholwch, who gave

her brother, Bran horses to curry favor. Efnisien mutilated the horses;

Matholwch was irate until Bran gave him a cauldron which restored the dead to

life.

Branwen, was treated cruelly by her husband, Matholwch. Bran sailed from Wales

to Ireland to rescue her with his brother, Manawydan. When Matholwch saw the

giant, he asked for peace and built a house big enough for him. Matholwch

agreed to let Bran live with them and give the kingdom to Gwern, his son by

Branwen. The Irish lords didn't like the idea, so they hid themselves in flour

bags to attack the Welsh. Efnisien guessed what was happening and threw them

into the fire, along with Gwern.

In the ensuing war, Efnisien and Bran died. Efnisien threw himself in the

cauldron earlier given to Matholwch, which broke; he stayed dead. Branwen went

to Aber Alaw and died there. Bran's head, still alive, was buried in England.

Legend said that as long as the head was there, England would live on.

 

 

Elen In Insular Brythonic mythology, specifically Wales (mentioned in the

Mabinogion), Elen was a heroine who built highways across her country so that

the soldiers could more easily defend it from attackers.

 

 

Emer was one of Cuchulainn's lovers. She made him perform many difficult tasks

in order to sleep with her; she reasoned that she was so beautiful that it was

worth it. Apparently, Cuchulainn agreed.

 

 

Epona was the goddess of horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, springs, rivers and

cattle. She was also a psychopomp, accompanying souls to the land of the dead.

When Rome conquered Gaul, Epona's cult was adopted by the army, which called

her Bubona.

In art, she was depicted with a cornucopia, sitting side-saddle on a horse or

laying on one, or standing around multiple horses.

 

 

Eri (Eriu) In Dal-Riada & Celtic mythology, Eriu, or Eri, was the

personification of Ireland and mother of Bres by Prince Elatha. She was one of

the Tuatha de Danann. The name "Ireland" comes from her name.

Along with her sisters (daughters of Dagda & Delbaeth), Fodla and Banba, she

was part of an important triumvirate of goddesses. She was a Goddess of

Sovereignty and the maiden/spiritual aspect of of the triplicity Goddesses

with her two sisters. She was the third of the three to be approached and

challenged by the Milesians. She fought long and fierce for Ireland, winning

the battle but losing Ireland. In honor of her fight, the Milesians named

Ireland for her.

 

 

Esus In Continental Brythonic mythology, especially among the Essuvi of Gaul,

Esus ("lord" or "master") was a god of agriculture, war and commerce. He was

associated with the bull. In art, he was often portrayed cutting branches from

trees with his axe.

He was married to Rosmerta.

Alternative: Hesus

 

 

Etain In Irish mythology Etain was one of Ailill's daughters, supposedly with

Medb. When Midir fell in love with her rejecting Fuamnach, his first wife, and

married Etain, Fuamnach got jealous and cast a series of spells on her. First

Fuamnach turned Etain into a pool of water, then into a worm, and then into a

fly. Fuamnach then created a wind that sent far the fly until it fell on some

rocks near the sea, where remained for seven years. After all that time Aengus

found the fly and wanted to bring it in the form of Etain to Midir, but

Fuamnach created another wind, and the fly fell into a glass of wine, which

was swallowed (together with the fly) by a pregnant woman, what make Etain

possible to be reborn. Years went on and Etain married king Eochaidh, but

Midir got aware and went to Tara, Eochaidh's capital, to bring his wife back

home. After several happenings Midir and Etain escaped from Eochaidh's palace

and went home, pursued by the king. Thanks to Midir's magical abilities Etain

remained his wife and Eochaidh was fooled.

Other spelling: Edain.

 

 

Ethne In Goidelic mythology, Ethne was the daughter of Roc, steward to the

Love God Aonghus and acted as the maid to Manannan Mac Lir's daughter. After

one of the chieftains tried to rape her, she refused to eat or drink. Aonghus

and Manannan searched for a remedy and found two magic cows whose milk never

ran dry, and she lived on their milk.

 

 

Fagus In Continental Brythonic mythology, and especially in Gaul and the

Pyrenees, Fagus was a god of beech trees. Fagus is also the genus of beeches.

 

 

Fand was Queen of the Fairies, and wife of Manannan. Manannan left her and she

was attacked by three Fomorians who wanted to control the Irish Sea. The hero

Cuchulainn agreed to help defend her as long as she married him. She agreed

reluctantly, but then fell in love with him when she met him, as did he and

her.

Manannan knew their relationship was doomed because Cuchulainn was mortal and

Fand was a fairy; Cuchulainn's presence would destroy the fairies. Manannan

then erased both Fand's and Cuchulainn's memory of each other.

 

 

 

Ferdiad was Cuchulainn's best friend. He was persuaded to fight against

Cuchulainn by Queen Maeve. Ferdiad died in the battle.

 

 

Fergus (Fergus mac Roich) In Goidelic mythology, Fergus mac Roich (Fergus

means "virility") was a courtier in the court of King Conchobar. After

Conchobar killed his nephews, Fergus left the court in protest of his

treachery.

He was Cuchulainn's tutor.

He was one of the lovers of Queen Medb. He was referred to as "the great

horse" in reference to an enormous phallus.

 

 

Fianna were Irish warriors who served the High King of Ireland. In the AD 3rd

century, their adventures were recorded in the Fenian Cycle. Their last leader

was Finn mac Cumhail.

 

Fianna:

 

Cailte, Son of Ronan

Cuchulainn

Cumhail

Conan Mac Moirna

Conan Maol

Diarmait, Son of Don: was a warrior of the Fianna before he ran off with

Finn's bride Grainne and was finally killed by a giant boar on the heath

of Benn Gulbain. Foster son of Oengus.

Finn mac Cumhail: last leader of the Fianna

Lughaid Stronghand: sorcerous warrior, nephew of Finn mac Cumhail, one

of the four who could have untied the knots Diarmait bound the seakings

with, but refused to do so. Lover of Aife, daughter of Manannan

Oisin, son of Finn mac Cumhail: (Mc Phersons's Ossian)

Osgur, Son of Oisin

 

 

Finn Mac Cumhail or Fionn mac Cumhail was a legendary warrior of Irish

mythology. The basis for most stories about him come from the Fenian cycle,

supposedly narrated by the bard Ossian. According to legend, Fionn was a

famous leader of the Fianna warrior/hunters, after whom the Fenian Brotherhood

named themselves.

Fionn or Finn is actually a nickname meaning "fair", a reference to hair

colour (in some variations, it may also mean "white," a reference to purity).

 

Legend

Fionn was the son of Cumhail, leader of the Fianna, and Muirne. When he was

just a baby, due to his father's death at the hands of his rival, Goal mac

Morn, his mother chose to send him into hiding in the woods, in the care of

two women: Bodhmall, a Druid, and Liath Luachra, a warrior and trainer. In

the care of these two women he was given an extensive education in the

subjects considered important for an Irish youth of his caste and time. When

old enough, he returned to society, and passed the extraordinary tests

required for membership in the Fianna. Fionn tried to serve several kings

but they refused, frightened of retaliation from Goal.

Finally, Fionn met a poet near the river Boyne and studied under him for

seven years. Near the end of the seven years, the poet caught the Salmon of

Knowledge and Fionn cooked it for his master, not knowing the power of the

fish. While it cooked, he burst a blister on the salmon, which burned his

thumb; Fionn then sucked his thumb. As piece of the salmon's skin had become

attached to his thumb, which Fionn then swallowed, he inherited the wisdom

of the salmon. He then knew how to gain revenge against Goal, and in

subsequent stories was able to call on the knowledge of the salmon by

sucking his thumb.

In one version of the tale, Fionn killed Goal and the rest of his men; in

another, he humbled Goal, who later became one of his most trusted soldiers.

Fionn eventually married a Sidhe woman.

Alternative: Fionn, Finn, Fionn mac Coul, Fionn mac Cool, Finn mac Coul,

Finn mac Cool, Finn mac Cumhail, Finn McCool.

 

 

Fionnuala In Goidelic mythology, Fionnuala was a daughter of Lir. She was

changed into a swan and cursed to wander the lakes and rivers of Ireland until

Christianity became the religion of Ireland.

 

 

Firbolg ("men of the bags") were early gods of Ireland that attacked the

Fomorians. They fought to a standstill and both sides lived in Ireland until

the Firbolgs were exterminated by the Tuatha de Danaan.

 

 

Fodla In Goidelic mythology, Fodla, daughter of Fiachna, was one of the patron

goddesses of Ireland. She and her sisters, Banba and Eriu, were the first

settlers in Ireland, led by King Amergin.

 

 

Fomorians or Fomors were a race of giants who were the occupants of Ireland

before the Gaels. They were said to be the offspring of Noah's son, Ham. They

are said to have had the body of a man and the head of a goat, according to an

11th century text called The Book of the Dun Cow.

The Partholonians were the first to invade Ireland, but the Fomorians killed

them with a plague. Then came the Nemeds but they were enslaved. The third

invasion was by the Firbolgs, who subdued the Fomorians, and the two races

lived peacefully together.

This continued until the Irish gods, the Tuatha Dé Danann, arrived. They

conquered the Firbolgs but in the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh, the Fomorians

were defeated. Attempting to guarantee peace, the Tuatha Dé promised to give

the throne to one of the Fomorians, Bres, but he was deposed for his tyranny

and replaced by Nuada of the Tuatha Dé.

The Fomorians were given Connacht and there was some intermarriage with the

Tuatha Dé.

 

 

Gae Bulg ("notched spear") was the spear of Cuchulainn, given to him by Aife.

Gae Bulg was notched to ensure it would do great damage when taken out of a

body; it was made from the bone of a sea-monster that had died while fighting

another sea monster.

Cuchulainn killed his son, Connla, and his close friend Ferdiad, with the

spear. He perished after losing the spear, tossing it at a satirist.

 

 

Govannon (Goibniu) In Insular Brythonic mythology, Govannon (Welsh) was the

son of Danu and Beli or Brigid and Tuireann. He killed his nephew, Dylan, not

knowing who he was. He was a smith god who created magical swords for the

Tuatha de Danaan, along with Credne and Luchtainel. He was also a god of

alcohol; his beer gave the drinker immortality.

Alternative: Gofannon, Goibniu (Irish)

 

 

Grannus In Continental Brythonic mythology, Grannus (also Gramnos, Gramnnos)

was a god of healing and mineral springs. His cult was centered in Aquae

Granni (now Achen, Germany). He was married to Sirona. He is likely the same

as Borvo.

 

 

Gwenn Teir Bronn was the patron goddess of mothers.

 

 

Gwydion was a son of Beli and Danu. He helped Gilfaethwy rape Goewin, Math ap

Mathonwy's foot-holder. He accomplished this by stealing Pryderi of Dyfed's

pigs, thus sending Math away to fight a war. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy were

supposed to be with him, but they snuck back. Gwydion forced Goewin to stay

with Gilfaethwy and he raped her. She told Math, and he turned them into

animals. Gwydion was, for one year each, a stag, sow and wolf. Gilfaethwy was,

for one year each, a hind, boar and she-wolf. Each year, they had a child

together and Math turned the three children into people.

During the Battle of Cath Godeau, Gwydion turned trees into warriors, thus

winning the war begun by his brother, Amaethon.

Gwydion raised his nephew, who was born a blob. The blob was placed in a chest

by Gwydion. Arianrhod, the blob's mother, created three geases: only she could

give him a name; only she could give him weapons; he would have no human wife.

Arianrhod denied him the three aspects of masculinity. Gwydion raised him

anyway, even without a name. Later Arianrhod saw him killing a wren with a

single stone. She said that he was a bright lion with a sure hand and he took

the name Llew Llaw Gyffes ("bright lion with a sure hand"). Gwydion then

tricked her into arming him. Llew created his own woman out of flowers,

Blodeuwedd. After Llew Llaw Gyffes was killed by Blodeuwedd, Gwydion

resurrected Llew and turned her into an owl.

 

 

Gwynn ap Nudd In Insular Brythonic mythology, Gwayn ap Nudd was the god of the

underworld.

He abducted a maiden known as Creiddylad after she eloped with Gwythr ap

Greidawl, Gwyn's long-time rival. Gwynn and Gwythr's fight, which began on May

Day, represented the contest between summer and winter.

See: Cwn Annwn

 

 

Hafgan In Insular Brythonic mythology, Gwayn ap Nudd was the god of the

underworld.

He abducted a maiden known as Creiddylad after she eloped with Gwythr ap

Greidawl, Gwyn's long-time rival. Gwynn and Gwythr's fight, which began on May

Day, represented the contest between summer and winter.

See: Cwn Annwn

 

 

Hooded Spirits — the three Hooded Spirits were healing and fertility deities.

 

 

Icaunus In Continental Brythonic mythology, Icaunus was the god of the river

Yonne in Gaul (cur: France).

 

 

Inghean Bhuidhe In Goidelic mythology, Inghean Bhuidhe ("yellow-haired girl")

was one of three sisters (along with Lasair and Latiaran, daughters of Douglas

and Scathach) associated with the harvest. She represented the summer and was

the goddess of ripening and fertility.

After Christianization, she was turned into a saint. Her feast day was May 6.

Alternative anglicised spellings: Iníon Buí, Inion Bui

 

 

Lasair In Goidelic mythology, Lasair ("flame") was the eldest of three sisters

(along with Inghean Bhuidhe and Latiaran, daughters of Douglas and Scathach)

associated with the harvest. She represented the summer and was the goddess of

growing crops. She had long black hair and wore a silver crown, jewelry and

armbands. Her home was called Red Castle. A god named Flann brought her the

Rose of Sweetness (a flower that never dies), the Comb of Magnificence and the

Girdle of Truth.

After Christianization, she was turned into a saint. Her feast day was May 1.

Alternative: Lassar, Fhína ("flaming wine"), Lasairíona ("flaming wine"),

Crobh Dearg ("red claws")

 

 

Latiaran In Goidelic mythology, Latiaran ("breast of light") was the youngest

of three sisters (along with Inghean Bhuidhe and Lasair, daughters of Douglas

and Scathach) associated with the harvest, which she represented.

After Christianization, she was turned into a saint. Her feast day was July

25.

A story after Christianization says that she went to the same smithy every day

to bring the smith the "seed of fire." The smith told her she had pretty feet

and she looked down in vanity; her apron caught fire. She was not hurt but

sank into the ground underneath a heart-shaped stone; she was never seen

again.

 

 

Leucetios In Continental Brythonic mythology, Leucetios was the god of

thunder.

 

 

Lia Fail In Celtic mythology, the Lia Fail was a magical stone brought to

Ireland by the Tuatha de Danaan. When the rightful King of Ireland put his

feet on it, the stone was said to roar in joy. This is believed to be the

origin of the Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone, and the

Coronation Stone — a block of sandstone historically kept at the now-ruined

abbey in Scone, near Perth, Scotland. It is also known as Jacob's Pillow and

as the Tanist Stone).

 

 

Llew Llaw Gyffes was born a blob, a son of Arianrhod and brother of Dylan.

The blob was placed in a chest by Gwydion, Arianrhod's brother. Arianrhod

created three geases: only she could give him a name; only she could give him

weapons; he would have no human wife. Arianrhod denied him the three aspects

of masculinity.

Gwydion raised him anyway, even without a name. Later Arianrhod saw him

killing a wren with a single stone. She said that he was a bright lion with a

sure hand and he took the name Llew Llaw Gyffes ("bright lion with a sure

hand"). Gwydion then tricked her into arming him.

Llew created his own woman out of flowers, Blodeuwedd. Blodeuwedd had an

affair with Goronwy and tricked the secret of his death out of him, since Llew

could not be killed during the day or night, nor indoors or outdoors, neither

riding nor walking, not clothed and not naked, nor by any weapon lawfully

made.

He could only be killed at dusk, wrapped in a net with one foot on a cauldron

and one on a goat and a weapon forged during the hours when forging weapons

was forbidden. She then led him to his death.

Llew became an eagle, but then Gwydion switched him back to human. He killed

Goronwy and Gwydion turned Blodeuwedd into an owl.

 

 

Llyr ("the sea") was the god of the sea, father of Manannan mac Lir, Bran,

Branwen and Manawydan by Penarddun and a son of Danu and Beli. He was held

captive by Eurosswydd until Penarddun slept with him, giving birth to twins,

Nisien and Efnisien. He had a daughter named Fionnuala by an unknown mother.

 

 

Lud a river god.

 

 

Lugh (Lugos) The god Lugh whose name means "shining one" was a Celtic sun god.

He was handsome, perpetually youthful, and full of life and energy. This

energy manifests itself especially in the number of skills he had, according

to legend, mastered. He was the patron god of Lugdunum (cur: Lyon, France) and

a solar deity.

According to a prophecy, Balor, the god of the underworld was to be killed by

his grandson. He locked his daughter, Ethlinn, in a tower made of crystal to

keep her from becoming pregnant. However, Cian, one of the Tuatha de Danaan,

with the help of the druidess Birog, managed to enter the tower. She gave

birth to a son, Lugh, by him, but Balor threw him into the ocean. Birog saved

him and gave him to Manannan mac Lir, who became his foster father. He was

then nursed by Tailtiu.

Lugh was also sometimes considered a son of Danu and Beli.

Lugh was ingenious. One Irish tale relates of how the god travelled to Tara,

and arrived during a feast for the royal court. Lugh was met by the

gatekeeper, and was asked what talent he had, for it was a tradition there

that only those who had a special ability could enter the palace. The god

said: "I am a wright", to which the gatekeeper replied "We already have a

wright, your services aren't needed here". Lugh persisted "I am a smith".

Again, the guard said the court had a smith that was quite adequate; but the

god was not to be dissuaded. Lugh then noted that he was also a champion, a

swordsman nonpareil, a harpist, a hero, a poet, an historian, a sorcerer, and

a craftsman. The gatekeeper merely nodded his head, and stated bluntly that

all these trades were represented in the court by other members of the Tuatha

de Danaan. "Ah, but you do have an individual who possesses all of them

simultaneously?", was Lugh's clever reply. The guard was forced to admit his

defeat, and so Lugh entered and joined the festivities.

Lugh Lamhfada led the Tuatha in the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh against the

Fomorians. During this battle, Balor killed King Nuada with his eye, but Lugh

ripped the fatal eye out with a sling, killing Balor.

Lugh was husband of Rosmerta. After the god Nuada lost an arm in the Second

Battle of Magh Tuiredh and was forced to abdicate his kingship since he was no

longer perfect, Lugh became the leader of the Tuatha De Danaan.

Lugh's name is the origin of that of the Pagan festival Lughnasadh (which is

also the Irish Gaelic name for the month of August).

He was the father of Cuchulainn by Dechtere.

Alternative: Lug, Lamfhada ("of the long arm" in Gaelic), Lugos (Gaul).

 

 

Luxovius In Continental Brythonic mythology, Luxovius was the god of the

waters of Luxeuil, worshipped in Gaul.

He was married to Bricta.

 

 

Mabon ("young man") was the son of Modron. He was a hunter god that was stolen

from his mother three days after his birth. He then lived in Annwn until he

was rescued by Culhwch. Because of his time in Annwn, Mabon stayed a young

adult forever.

He later assisted Culhwch in his search for Olwen. Culhwch had been arranged

to marry his own stepsister, but he refused. Angry, his stepomother cursed him

to marry no one but Olwen. Olwen's father, Ysbaddaden, was a vicious monster

that would die if he was separated from his daughter. After many trials and

tribulations, Culwch succeeded and gained Ysbaddaden's powers and life.

 

 

Macha In Goedelic mythology, Macha was one of the three aspects of the

Morrigan. She fed on the heads of her enemies. With Anann and Badb, she formed

a triumvirate of war goddesses; specifically, Macha was often said to have

cured the wounded. She is said to have been the queen of Ulster, the capital

of which, Emain Macha, was named after her. With the other Morrigan, Badb,

Nemhain and Fea, she was part of a group of Irish war goddesses. She and the

other Morrigan helped the Tuatha De Dannan find against the Fir Bolgs.

She may have been related to the British Morgan and the continental Celtic

Epona.

 

 

Mag Mell ("plain of joy"), also called Tir na n-Og ("land of youth"), was the

underworld. Unlike the underworld in most mythologies, Mag Mell was a

pleasurable paradise, either an island or at the bottom of the ocean.

It was ruled by King Tethra, a Fomorian or Manannan mac Lir. Queen Niamh ruled

Tir na n-Og.

See also: Aericura, Aillen

 

 

Manannan mac Lir was a sea and weather god. He was one of the Tuatha de

Danaan, though he was considered older than them. His parents were Lir and

Penarddun and his wife was Fand. He ruled over the Blessed Isles as well as

Mag Mell, the underworld.

Manannan had many magical items. He gave Cormac his magic goblet of truth; he

had a ship that did not need sails; he owned a cloak that granted him

invisibility; a flaming helmet; and a sword that could never miss its target.

Manannan left his wife, Fand, and she fell in love with Cuchulainn. Since a

mortal and fairy (Fand was Queen of the fairies) could not stay together

without destroying the fairy, Manannan erased their memories of each other.

 

He raised many foster children: see Egobail and Lugh

 

In the Isle of Man, Manannan mac Lir was known as Mannan. On Midsummer

Eve, people offered green grass to Mannan-beg-mac-y-Leir and prayed for

blessings in seafaring and fishing. He was believed to be a magician who

could make an illusory fleet from pea shells in order to discourage

would-be invaders.

Alternative: Manawyddan ap Llyr (Welsh), Barinthus, Manannan, Manawydan,

Mannan (Manx)

 

 

Manawydan referred to Manannan mac Lir, as well as a son of Llyr and

Penarddun.

Pryderi invited Manawydan (son of Llyr) to live with him in Dyfed after he

married Rhiannon, Pryderi's mother. Soon, Dyfed turned into a barren wasteland

and only Rhiannon (Pryderi's mother), Pryderi and his wife, Cigva, and

Manawydan lived. Manaywdan and Pryderi, while out hunting, saw a white boar

which they followed. Pryderi and his mother, Rhiannon, touched a golden bowl

that the boar led them to and became enchanted. Manawydan and Cigva were

unable to help them until they captured a mouse which was actually the wife of

Llwyd, Rhiannon's enemy, and the spell was lifted.

 

 

Mannan (see Manannan mac Lir)

 

 

Maponos was the god of youth, the son of Modron; he was kidnapped as a

newborn, and hidden inside a salmon. The name "Maponos" or "Mabon" (Welsh

mythology) means "Divine Son." He is also known as "Mabuz" and "Mabonagrain".

 

 

Math Mathonwy was a king who needed to rest his feet in the lap of a virgin

unless he was at war, or wanted to be. When one of his virgins, Goewin, was

raped by Gilfaethwy, she was replaced with Gilfaethwy's sister, Arianrhod. She

immediately gave birth to a young boy (Dylan) and a blob.

 

 

Matres In Continental Brythonic mythology and especially in Gaul, Matres (or

Matronae) was the goddess of motherhood.

See also Dea Matrona.

 

 

Midir In Irish mythology Midir (also spelled Midhir) was a god who, as all

gods of both sexes had to do after being defeated by the Milesians, lived in

the sidh of Bri Leith. Midir was the husband of Fuamnach, but later fell in

love with Etain, receiving Aengus's help to make her his new bride; this

provoked Fuamnach's vengeance against the young new wife, causing her several

disgraces, until some years later Etain married Eochaidh, by that time the

High King of Ireland. Far from giving up, Midir made an attempt to bring his

wife back home, going to see the king and challenging to a game, supposedly of

chess. As Midir won, he asked a kiss from Etain as his prize, but Eochaidh

refused, breaking his word and banishing Midir from Tara. Nevertheless Midir

could enter the city and the palace, and turning himself and Etain into swans

left the royal residence through the chimney. Eochaidh did not accept the loss

of his wife and pursued them. Then Midir used his magical powers to turn fifty

women into similar to Etain, offering the king the possibility to choose only

one. Eochaidh, trying to find the true one, chose his own daughter by accident

and lost Etain.

 

 

Milesians In Irish mythology Milesians or Sons of Mil Espaine (see Milesius)

is the name by which the sons and descendants of Mil Espaine were called. They

arrived to Ireland during the festival of Beltane, led by Amhairghin

(Amergin). The Milesians defeated the Tuatha De Danaan and took Tara, their

capital city, establishing their own capital there. On their way they met the

goddesses Eriu, Banba and Fotla, promising them that the land would be named

after the one whose advise could help the invaders in their conquest of the

country. Eriu's advice led them in their mission and the land was named Erin

(ancient) or Éire (modern) in her honour. The Tuatha De Danaan were defeated

at the Battle of Tailtinn, and, after a short resistance, a truce was made and

the land was divided, the Milesians retaining the part above ground, meanwhile

the Tuatha De Danaan were given the underworld part of the country. Eremon, a

son of Mil Espaine, received the rule of the northern half of Ireland, and

Eber Finn, one of the chiefs of the Milesians, was granted the rule of the

southern half. Some time later both parts went to war, being Eber Finn killed

in battle, and Eremon got the rule of all the territory, becoming the first

'human' king of the entire land.

 

 

Modron In Insular Brythonic mythology, specifically Welsh, Modron ("mother

goddess") was a daughter of Avalloc, similar to Matrona. She may have been the

prototype of Morgan from Arthurian legend. She was the mother of Mabon.

 

 

Mog Ruith In Goidelic mythology, Mog Ruith was the sun god who rode on a

bronze chariot or flew through the sky every day.

 

 

Morrigan Morrigan, also known as Morrigu, is the Celtic goddess of war and

destruction. She is typically depicted as being armoured and armed: wherever

war occurs, there is Morrigan. She is reputed to have hovered over the

battlefield in the form either of a crow or a raven. Her name is pronounced as

More Ree-an.

Morrigan has three aspects: Macha, Nemainn and Badb.

The first part of her name is consonant with the Old English maere, part of

which still persists within the modern English word "nightmare"; the second

part is rigan meaning "queen".

 

 

Murigen In Goidelic mythology, Murigen was a goddess of lakes. She may have

been another form of Morrigan.

 

 

Nantosuelta (Nantosuetta) In Continental Brythonic mythology, and especially

in Gaul, Nantosuelta was a goddess of water and fertility. The Mediomatrici

(Alsace) depicted her in art as holding a model house. She is the consort of

Sucellos (Silvanus)and was a goddess of the dead. Her animal is the raven.

 

 

Nemausus is often said to have been the Celtic patron god of Nemausus Nimes.

The god does not seem to exist separely from the locality. The city certainly

derived its name from Nemausus, which was perhaps the sacred wood in which the

Celtic tribe of Volcae Arecomici (who of their own accord surrendered to the

Romans in 121 BCE) held their assemblies (according to Encyclopaedia

Britannica 1911), or was perhaps the local Celtic spirit guardian of the

spring that originally provided all water for the settlement, as many modern

sources suggest. Or perhaps Stephanus of Byzantium was correct in stating in

his geographical dictionary that Nemausos, the city of Gaul, took its name

from the Heracleid (or son of Heracles) Nemausios.

 

 

Nemetona ("shrine") was the goddess of temples and sacred groves.

 

 

Niamh was the daughter of Manannan mac Lir and Queen of Tir na n-Og. She fell

in love with Oisin, a bard, and went to Ireland on her horse, Embarr to get

him.

Oisin was a member of the Fianna and, though he fell in love with Niamh and

returned with her to Tir na N-Og, he became homesick after what he thought was

three years. Niamh let him borrow Embarr, who could run above ground, and made

him promise not to touch Irish soil.

The three years he spent in Tir na n-Og turned out to be 300 Irish years and

Oisin fell off Embarr, instantly becoming an old man. Meanwhile, Niamh had

given birth to his daughter, Plor na mBan. Niamh returned to Ireland to search

for him, but he had died.

 

 

Nisien was the son of Penarddun and Eurosswydd and twin of Efnisien.

 

 

Nodens In Insular Brythonic mythology, Nodens was the patron deity of the

Severne river in Britain.

 

 

Nuada In Goidelic mythology, Nuada was one of the Tuatha de Danaan. He was a

god of the sea, children and childbirth, the sun, beauty, healing, sorcery and

poetry and writing. One of the four great treasures of the Tuatha de Danaan

was his sword, Fragarach, which cut his enemies in half.

In the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh, Nuada lost his arm. Since he was no

longer perfect, his kingship was taken by Bres. His brother, Dian Cecht, made

him a living silver hand to substitute. Nuada became known as Nuada Airgedlámh

(Nuada of the Silver Hand). Bres had became a tyrant and so was exiled. Nuada

returned to the throne and was killed by Balor, the grandfather of Bres.

Later, Dian Cecht's son, Miach, replaced the silver arm with Nuada's old arm;

Dian Cecht killed him out of professional envy.

Alternative: Nudd, Ludd

 

 

Oengus Mac Oc In Goedelic mythology, Aengus ("son of the young") was the god

of love. He was said to have four birds symbolizing kisses flying about his

head. His parents were Dagda and Boann. He was said to have lived by the river

Boyne.

Dagda had an affair with Boann, wife of Nechtan. In order to hide their

affair, Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months; therefore, Aengus was

conceived, gestated and born in one day.

Aengus fell in love with a girl he dreamed of. His mother, Boann, searched

Ireland for an entire year. Then his father, Dagda, did the same. Finally,

King Bov the Red of Munster found her after a year.

Aegus went to the lake of the Dragons's Mouth and found 150 girls chained up

in pairs. He found his girl, Caer. On November 1, Caer and the other girls

would turn into a swan for one year. Aengus was told he could marry Caer if he

could identify her as a swan. Aengus succeeded. He turned himself into a swan

and they flew away, singing beautiful music that put all its listeners asleep

for three days and nights.

Aengus and Caer had one son, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.

Alternative: Aengus the Young, Angus, Anghus, Aonghus, Angus Og, Aengus mac

Oc, Oengus mac Oc

 

 

Ogma (Ogmios) was the god of scholars, education, writing and eloquence. He

was a son of Danu and Dagda and a member of the Tuatha de Danaan. He invented

the early Irish alphabet called Ogham.

He was killed at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh after taking away Balor's

sword.

In art, he was depicted as an old man with a bald head and wearing a lion

skin.

Alternative versions of his name are: Ogmios (Gaul), Ogmios Sun-Face, Ogmios

Sun Face

 

 

Ogyruan was the god of bards and father of Gwenhwyar.

 

 

Olwen was the god of bards and father of Gwenhwyar.("white track") was a

daughter of Ysbaddaden.

Her father was a vicious monster that would die if separated from her. Culwch

came to court her, along with his friend Mabon. After many trials and

tribulations, he succeeded and Ysbaddaden died, his powers and life

transferring to Culwch.

Plur na mBan ("the flower of the lady") was the beautiful daughter of Oisin

and Niamh.

 

 

Pryderi — King Pryderi of Dyfed was the son of Pwyll and Rhiannon.

Their first son disappeared while in the care of several of Rhiannon's

ladies-in-waiting. To avoid the blame, the smeared blood from a puppy on

Rhiannon, who was asleep.

The child appeared in the court of King Teyrnon, whose mares had just given

birth but the foals had disappeared. Teyrnon watched his stables and saw a

mysterious beast coming to take the foal; Teyrnon stopped the beast and found

the child outside the stable. He and his wife adopted him. The child grew to

adulthood in only seven years and was given the foal which had led Teyrnon to

the stable. Teyrnon realized who the child was and returned him to Pwyll and

Rhiannon, who named him Pryderi (worry).

Pryderi married Cigva and became King of Dyfed after his father died. He then

invited Manawydan to live with him in Dyfed. Soon, Dyfed turned into a barren

wasteland and only Rhiannon, Pryderi, Cigva and Manawydan lived. Manaywdan and

Pryderi, while out hunting, saw a white boar which they followed. Pryderi and

his mother, Rhiannon, touched a golden bowl that the boar led them to and

became enchanted. Manawydan and Cigva were unable to help them until they

captured a mouse which was actually the wife of Llwyd, Rhiannon's enemy, and

the spell was lifted.

Later, Pryderi had his pigs stolen by Gwydion, thus starting a war between

Pryderi and Math ap Mathonwy.

 

 

Pwyll was a lord of Dyfed.

In the Mabinogion (Welsh mythology), Arawn, Lord of Annwn, the Welsh

mythological otherworld, convinces Pwyll to trade places with him for a year

and a day as recompnse for allowing his own dogs to bring down a stag Arawn's

pack was chasing. Arawn arranges to exchange appearnces with Pwyll and takes

his place at Pwyll's court in Dyfed. Pwyll defeats Hafgan, Arawn's rival, at

the end of the year, something Arawn had tried to do and failed. Arawn and

Pwyll became lasting friends because Pwyll slept chastely with Arawn's wife.

Pwyll then meets Rhiannon, who appears to Pwyll as a beautiful woman dressed

in gold silk brocade and riding a shining white horse after Pwyll sits on the

gorssed or mound of Arberth. Pwyll sends his best horsemen after her, but she

always remains ahead of them, though her horse never does more than amble.

After three days, he finally calls out to her, and Rhiannon tells him she has

come seeking him because she would rather marry him than her fiance, Gwawl.

After a year and a day, he won her from Gwawl with her assistance. Their son

disappears while in the care of several of Rhiannon's ladies-in-waiting. To

avoid the blame, they smear blood from a puppy on Rhiannon, who was asleep.

The child appeared in the court of Teyrnon, whose mares had just given birth

but the foals had disappeared. Teirnon watched his stables on May eve, and

sees a mysterious beast coming to take the foal; Tiernon stopped the beast and

found the child outside the stable. He and his wife adopt the child. The child

grows unusually quickly and is given the foal born the night Terynon found the

lad. Teyrnon, who had once served Pwyll, realizes the child resembles Pwyll,

returns him to Pwyll and Rhiannon, who name him Pryderi (worry).

 

 

Rhiannon In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon was a daughter of Hefeydd the Old. She

was married to Pwyll and, later, Manawydan.

Pwyll first met Rhiannon, when she appeared as a beautiful woman dressed in

gold and riding a white horse. Pwyll sent his horsemen after her, but she was

too fast. After three days, he spoke and Rhiannon told him she would rather

marry him than her fiance, Gwawl. After a year and a day, he won her from

Gwawl with her assistance. Their first son disappeared while in the care of

several of Rhiannon's ladies-in-waiting. To avoid the blame, they smeared

blood from a puppy on Rhiannon, who was asleep.

The child appeared in the court of King Teyrnon, whose mares had just given

birth but the foals had disappeared. Teirnon watched his stables and saw a

mysterious beast coming to take the foal; Tiernon stopped the beast and found

the child outside the stable. He and his wife adopted him. The child grew to

adulthood in only seven years and was given the foal which had led Teyrnon to

the stable. Teyrnon realized who the child was and returned him to Pwyll and

Rhiannon, who named him Pryderi (worry).

Pryderi married Cigva and became King of Dyfed after his father died. He then

invited Manawydan (his stepfather) to live with him in Dyfed. Soon, Dyfed

turned into a barren wasteland and only Rhiannon, Pryderi, Cigva and Manawydan

lived. Manaywdan and Pryderi, while out hunting, saw a white boar which they

followed. Pryderi and his mother, Rhiannon, touched a golden bowl that the

boar led them to and became enchanted. Manawydan and Cigva were unable to help

them until they captured a mouse which was actually the wife of Llwyd,

Rhiannon's enemy (seeking revenge for her treatment of Gwawl), and the spell

was lifted.

 

 

Robur was the god of oak trees, worshipped primarily in Gaul alongside

Abellio, Fagus and Buxenus.

 

 

Rosmerta In Continental Brythonic mythology, Rosmerta was the goddess of fire,

fertility and warmth, as well as flowers and death. She hated marriage.

She was married to either Lugh or Esus.

 

 

Rudianos In Continental Brythonic mythology, the god Rudianos was the patron

deity of Gaul.

 

 

Sabrina In Insular Brythonic mythology is the goddess (and ancient name of )

the River Severn (England).

 

 

Segomo In Continental Brythonic mythology, and especially in Gaul, Segomo was

the god of war. He is probably the same as Cocidius.

 

 

Sequanna (or Sequana) was the goddess of the river Seine and its environs.

 

 

Shannon was the goddess of the river by the same name, the River Shannon.

 

 

Sheila-na-gig In Insular Brythonic mythology, Sheila-na-gig was a fertility

goddess. In art, she was depicted as displaying her genitals in order to ward

off death. Even after Christianization, she was depicted on the outside of

buildings, such as churches, in order to ward off death and evil - an example

can be seen at Kilpeck in Herefordshire

 

 

Shoney In Insular Brythonic mythology, and especially in Britain, Shoney was a

sea goddess.

 

 

Sirona In Continental Brythonic mythology, Sirona was a goddess of astronomy

and fertility, wife of Grannus. She was also the patron goddess of the Mosel

Valley.

Alternative: Dirona

 

 

Smertios In Continental Brythonic mythology, Smertios was a god of war

particularly worshipped in Gaul.

In art, he was depicted as a bearded man with a club, often about to kill a

snake.

 

 

Sucellos (see The Dagda)

 

 

Sul In Insular Brythonic mythology, Sul was the goddess of hot springs,

especially those at Bath.

Alternative: Sulla

 

 

Tailtiu In Goidelic mythology, Tailtiu was an earth goddess. She was the wife

of Eochaid mac Eire, and the nurse of Lugh.

 

 

Taliesin (c. 534-c.599) is the earliest known poet of the Welsh language. His

name is associated with the Book of Taliesin, a book of poems written down in

the 10th century but which most scholars believed to date in large part from

the 6th century. He is believed to have been the chief bard in the courts of

several Celtic kings of that era. He attained the status "Chief Bard of

Britain" and as such was responsible for judging poetry competitions among all

the royal bards of Britain. A few of the marks awarded for poems are extant in

the margins of manuscripts. His life was later the subject of 16th century

mythological work by Elis Gruffydd, who may have relied on existing oral

tradition about him. More

 

 

Tamesis was a water goddess, particularly fresh water. The English name for

the river Thames comes from her name.

 

 

Taranis In Continental Brythonic mythology, and especially in Gaul, Taranis

was the god of thunder. He was associated with the wheel and may have received

human sacrifices. He is likely connected with the Anglo-Saxon god Thunor.

 

 

Tarvos Trigaranos In Continental Brythonic mythology, and especially in Gaul,

Tarvos Trigaranos was the bull god.

Representations of Tarvos Trigaranos variously show the bull with three herons

perched on his back, or a bull with three horns. Some representations show a

branch of a tree over the animals.

Alternative: Taruos Trigaranus

 

 

Tethra — King Tethra of the Fomorians ruled Mag Mell after dying in the First

Battle of Mag Tuireadh.

 

 

Tir na n-Og see Mag Mell

 

 

Toutatis (or Teutates), ancient god of Celts and Gauls, whose name means

father of the tribe. He was a god of war, growth and prosperity.

It represented the unity and the harmony of the tribe (often confused with

Ogmios).

Each tribe had its own Toutatis.

Alternative: Albiorix ("king of the world"), Caturix ("king of the battle"),

Loucetius, Rigisamos, Toutatis or Teutates.

 

 

Tuatha Dé Danann The doings of the mythical Irish fairy folk and gods, the

Tuatha de Danaan, ("people/children of Danu" in Celtic; alternative: Tuatha Dé

Danann) are detailed in the 12th century AD Book of Invasions.

Not much is known of the Tuatha de Danaan prior to their invasion of Ireland,

other than that they came from four northern cities, Falias, Glorias, Murias

and Finias, where they acquired their occult skills and attributes. On

arriving in Ireland, some accounts state that they burned their boats behind

them to prevent themselves from being tempted to return; the Book of Invasions

states that they wafted in through the air as a host of spirits. Other sources

state that they came from the west (Atlantic Ocean) on clouds.

They then fought two battles, the First Battle of Magh Tuiredh, on the west

coast, in which they defeated the clumsy and ill-armed Firbolgs, the

indigenous population, and the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh against the

Fomorians, after a guerrilla insurrection by the Fomorians. During this

battle, King Nuada of the Tuatha de Danaan lost an arm. He was replaced (since

he was no longer perfect) by Bres or Lugh. After defeating the Fomorians, the

Tuatha de Danaan gave them Connacht and there was some intermarrying. Nuada

had his arm replaced by a silver one (made by Dian Cecht) and took back the

throne after Bres was exiled for his tyranny. Balor, the god of death, then

killed him.

A third battle was fought against a subsequent wave of invaders, the

Milesians, from Spain (who are thought to have been the Celts), led by King

Milesius, who overcame the goddess, Eriu whom the Tuatha de Danaan sent

against them. The Milesians were magnanimous in victory and named the island

Erin, the dative form of her name, in her honour. Defeated, the Tuatha were

led underground into the Sidhe mounds by The Dagda. Afterwards, they

occasionally intervened in human wars on the side of justice and

righteousness, armed with invisibility, flaming lances and magical white

shields.

The Tuatha de Danaan fought against the witch Carman and her three sons.

 

 

Tuatha de Danaan:

 

Abarta

 

Abhean

 

Ai

 

Airmed

 

Beag

 

Bechuille

 

Bodb Dearg

 

Brea

 

Brigid

 

Cian

 

Creidhne

 

Dagda

 

Dian Cecht

 

Goibniu

 

Lear

 

Lugh

 

Luchtaine

 

Manannan mac Lir

 

Nuada

 

Ogma

 

 

The Tuatha de Danaan had four magical treasures:

 

Dagda's Cauldron

 

the Spear of Lugh

 

the Stone of Fal

 

the Sword of Nuada

 

 

Twm Shon Catti was called the Welsh Robin Hood. (born c.1530- d. 1609). He was

born as Thomas Jones and lived in Rhandirmwyn. Though many considered him a

criminal, the locals called him a hero. Most notably, he was said to have

avoided harming an enemy by shooting him with an arrow that merely pinned his

clothes to his saddle.

 

 

Verbeia In Insular Brythonic mythology, Verbeia was the goddess of the Wharfe

River in North Yorkshire, England.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THEOSOPHY

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H P Blavatsky’s Heavy Duty

Theosophical Glossary

Published 1892

A B C D EFG H IJ KL M N OP QR S T UV WXYZ

 

Complete Theosophical Glossary in Plain Text Format

1.22MB

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The Ocean of Theosophy

William Quan Judge

 

Preface    Theosophy and the Masters    General Principles

 

The Earth Chain    Body and Astral Body    Kama – Desire

 

Manas    Of Reincarnation    Reincarnation Continued

 

Karma    Kama Loka    Devachan    Cycles

 

Septenary Constitution Of Man

 

Arguments Supporting Reincarnation

 

Differentiation Of Species Missing Links

 

Psychic Laws, Forces, and Phenomena

 

Psychic Phenomena and Spiritualism

 

Instant Guide to Theosophy

Quick Explanations with Links to More Detailed Info

 

 

What is Theosophy ?  Theosophy Defined (More Detail)

 

Three Fundamental Propositions  Key Concepts of Theosophy

 

Cosmogenesis  Anthropogenesis  Root Races

 

Ascended Masters  After Death States

 

The Seven Principles of Man  Karma

 

Reincarnation   Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

 

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott  William Quan Judge

 

The Start of the Theosophical Society

 

History of the Theosophical Society

 

Theosophical Society Presidents

 

History of the Theosophical Society in Wales

 

The Three Objectives of the Theosophical Society

 

Explanation of the Theosophical Society Emblem

 

The Theosophical Order of Service (TOS)

 

Ocean of Theosophy

William Quan Judge

 

Glossaries of Theosophical Terms

 

Worldwide Theosophical Links

 

 

 

Index of Searchable

Full Text Versions of

Definitive

Theosophical Works

 

 

H P Blavatsky’s Secret Doctrine

 

Isis Unveiled by H P Blavatsky

 

H P Blavatsky’s Esoteric Glossary

 

Mahatma Letters to A P Sinnett 1 - 25

 

A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom

Alvin Boyd Kuhn

 

Studies in Occultism

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The Conquest of Illusion

J J van der Leeuw

 

The Secret Doctrine – Volume 3

A compilation of H P Blavatsky’s

writings published after her death

 

Esoteric Christianity or the Lesser Mysteries

Annie Besant

 

The Ancient Wisdom

Annie Besant

 

Reincarnation

Annie Besant

 

The Early Teachings of The Masters

1881-1883

Edited by

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Study in Consciousness

Annie Besant

 

 

A Textbook of Theosophy

C W Leadbeater

 

A Modern Panarion

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The Perfect Way or,

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Anna Bonus Kingsford

& Edward Maitland

Part1

 

The Perfect Way or,

The Finding of Christ

Anna Bonus Kingsford

& Edward Maitland

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Pistis Sophia

A Gnostic Gospel

Foreword by G R S Mead

 

The Devachanic Plane.

Its Characteristics

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C. W. Leadbeater

 

Theosophy

Annie Besant

 

The

Bhagavad Gita

Translated from the Sanskrit

By

William Quan Judge

 

Psychic Glossary

 

Sanskrit Dictionary

 

Fundamentals of the Esoteric Philosophy

G de Purucker

 

In The Outer Court

Annie Besant

 

Dreams and

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Anna Kingsford

 

My Path to Atheism

Annie Besant

 

From the Caves and

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H P Blavatsky

 

The Hidden Side

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C W Leadbeater

 

Glimpses of

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C W Leadbeater

 

Five Years Of

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Various Theosophical

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Mystical, Philosophical, Theosophical, Historical

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Spiritualism and Theosophy

C W Leadbeater

 

Commentary on

The Voice of the Silence

Annie Besant and

C W Leadbeater

From Talks on the Path of Occultism - Vol. II

 

Is This Theosophy?

Ernest Egerton Wood

 

In The Twilight

Annie Besant

In the Twilight” Series of Articles

The In the Twilight” series appeared during

1898 in The Theosophical Review and

from 1909-1913 in The Theosophist.

 

Incidents in the Life

of Madame Blavatsky

compiled from information supplied by

her relatives and friends and edited by A P Sinnett

 

The Friendly Philosopher

Robert Crosbie

Letters and Talks on Theosophy and the Theosophical Life

 

 

Obras Teosoficas En Espanol

 

La Sabiduria Antigua

Annie Besant

 

Glosario Teosofico

1892

H P Blavatsky

 

 

Theosophische Schriften Auf Deutsch

 

Die Geheimlehre

Von

H P Blavatsky

 

 

 

Elementary Theosophy

An Outstanding Introduction to Theosophy

By a student of Katherine Tingley

 

Elementary Theosophy Who is the Man?  Body and Soul   

 

Body, Soul and Spirit  Reincarnation  Karma

 

The Seven in Man and Nature

 

The Meaning of Death

 

 

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