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ARHIANRHOD
Goddess of 'the Silver Wheel', the Moon and the stars. In Welsh mythology, the constelation 'Corona Borealis' is known as 'Caer Arhianrhod', the tower or castle of Arhianrhod. Connected with spinning and weaving, Arhianrhod is a goddess of connections, particularly those between birth and regeneration. She is a wisdom figure who keeps the knowledge of the past, present and future in her crystal tower. She represents deep soul knowledge, intuition and the mysteries of the life cycle. The spinning wheel, webs, the Full moon and stars are the symbols and associations of Arhianrhod.
BEL/BELENOS
The Celtic Sun God, deity of light, health and healing. Belenos was thought - in some parts of northern Europe - to drive a chariot carrying the Sun's disc. In his healing aspect, he is associated with healing waters, wells and springs. The prefix 'Bel' means shining and was often linked with solar and aquatic deities, such as the Romano-British goddess 'Belisama' (shining one). His name is given to the May festival of Beltane, which means 'the fire of the God Bel', and part of the seasonal festival celebrating the rise of the Sun. His victory over the hours of darkness is celebrated at Litha, the summer solstice. The wheel, sunburst, head with penumbra or halo are the symbols and associations of Bel.
BRIGID
Celtic fire goddess associated with healing, poetry and metal work. The triple goddess Brigit has close connections with the Sun and her fire aspect is seen as the warming breath that warms the Earth to end winter and bring the thaw and the first snowdrops. Brigid is midwife to the Spring and is a protector of women, children and newborn animals. She is assosociated with serpents - ancient sybol of the healing powers of the Earth Goddess - and her festival is at Imbolc. Today Brigit is a goddess of independence, integrity and energy, often depicted in her threefold aspect with fiery red hair. Symbols and associations of Brigit are fire, wells, healing cauldron, serpents, anvil and hammer, dandelion, amethysts and white candles.
CERNUNNOS
Celtic antlered god and spirit of the Greenwood. Consort to the Mother Goddess and archetypal symbol of ferility and regeneration. Sometimes depicted as the Green Man. He is seen as a virile young god and a wise, mature and knowing male aspect of the divine. His symbols and associations are Green Man masks, the ram-headed serpent, antlers, the oak tree, acorns and oak leaves.
CERRIDWEN
The Goddess of the Moon, the harvest, and inspiration. She can be dark, like the Crone or the darkening moon. She is often seen as a hag, stirring the cauldron of knowledge. Ceridwen is goddess of the cauldron of Earth and regeneration. As shape-shifter, life-giver, initiator and mistress of magick, Cerridwen is a favourite goddess of modern-day Wiccans. Associations and symbols include the Cauldron, magick and shape-shifting.
DAGDA
The God of knowledge, life, death and plenty. He is the father to both men and gods. He controls the passage of the seasons and is a jack-of-all-trades, no matter what he does, he does it well. His energies lend themselves well to spells for prosperity and abundance. His symbol and association is the giant club.
EOSTRE/OSTARA
Fertility Goddess associated with the spring equinox. Eostre is linked with the fertility of humans, animals and crops as well as the natural vegetation of the Earth. Her totem is the hare, archetypal symbol of ferility and the egg, which is life in potential. She is an Earth and Moon goddess, linked to reproductive cycles and the wealth of the Earth. Her symbols and associates are hares, eggs, spring flowers and buds.
EPONA/RHIANNON
Horse goddess, sometimes portrayed as, or riding on a mare, Epona is a goddess of travel and movement and represents our own links with the animal kingdom. She is also a deity of speed and change. Originally worshipped by the Gauls, Epona found devotees among the Roman legionnaires who, at the time of the invasion of Gaul, were impressed by Celtic horsemanship and the respect with which horses were treated. Epona is often linked with the Welsh deity Rhiannon, who also has an association with horses but who in addition, is associated with the sea and is a goddess of natural justice and retribution. Symbols and associations are horses, springtime, the sea and travel.
FREYA
Goddess of love and sexuality. Also patron of 'seidr' or 'seeing', a practice of the Wise. Freya is transported in a chariot drawn by cats and she wears a neclace thought to be a yonic symbol, representing the source of all life. She is an Earth deity of fertility and growth. Her symbols and associations are necklaces and cats.
LUGH
The God of the sun magick, art, music, healing, strength, beauty and intelligence. His radiant aspect makes him a god of truth and clarity. The Sabbat known as Lughnassad, the first harvest festival, is named after him. His symbols and associations are sunbursts and head with penumbra.
MACHA
Goddess associated with horses and speed. She is independent-spirited, quick to take retribution on wrong-doers and sometimes bringer of dreams (night-mare). Associated with lightning, thunder and rain. Macha is good to have on your side if you have been wronged. Her symbols and associations are lightning, fork and horses.
MORRIGAN
The Raven Goddess of war, fertility, and vegetation. She is queen of the demons and has three faces. She can appear as a raven, crow or horse. The Morrigan is invoked to bring basic wisdom out of primal chaos and darkness - seen as positive potential - the place of creativity. Symbols and associations are ravens, crows and bones.
NUADA
Sun god. Nuada of the Silver Arm is a solar deity whose legend portrays him as a great king and hero. He is a god of protection, defence, healing, light and regeneration. His symbols and associations are silver and sunburst.
ODIN/WODEN
Norse/Saxon All-Father. Odin is a god of great knowledge. He possesses the secrets of the runes - a system of magickal symbols - which he came by great suffering. His legend tells that he had to hang upside down from a tree for nine days and nights in order to learn the secrets of the sacred runes. He is attributed with bringing that knowledge to humankind by way of offering guidance to right living and spiritual growth. He is a god of magick and oversees the connections between earth and sky. His symbols and associations are Oak trees.
