Names of Celtic Gods and Goddesses

From WikiName

At one time the ancient Celts occupied what is now Eastern Europe, Greece, Spain, Northern Italy, Western Europe, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. A pre-literate people, most of what we know about them comes from the writings of their Roman and Greek enemies and later Christian Celts. Religiously, they were polytheistic, and ritualistic, and as we shall see, their divinity was closely linked to nature.

CELTIC GODS AND GODDESSES

Aine of Knockaine (also Aine Cliach, Cnoc Aine) – moon goddess associated with the Summer Solstice, goddess of crops and cattle.

Aerten (also Aerfen, Aeron) – goddess of fate, presided over the outcome of war between several Celtic clans.

Aife (also Aoife) – goddess and queen of the Isle of Shadow, goddess of protection, general knowledge, and teaching.

Airmid – goddess of medicine and all healing arts, understanding family loyalty, and inspiration to craftspeople.

Angus Mac Og – god of youth, love, and beauty, dream work, and creativity.

Anu – goddess of plenty, cattle, health, fertility, prosperity, and comfort. Greatest of all Irish goddesses.

Arawn (also Arawyn, Arrawn, Arawen) – King of Hell, god of revenge, terror, war, and reincarnation.

Arianrhod – goddess of beauty, fertility, and reincarnation; keeper of the circling Silver Wheel of Stars, a symbol of time and karma.

Baile of the Honeyed Speech – god of Blarney (the speech valued in Irish culture), quick and clear thinking, speeches, ideas, impressing others, mental activity, speaking, protection for lovers, blessing magickal wands.

Ban-Chuideachaidh Moire – goddess of childbirth.

Bel – god of cattle, crops, fertility, fire, healing, hot springs, prosperity, purification, science, and success.

Belisama – goddess of light and fire, the forge, and crafts.

Blodeuwedd (also Wlodwin, Blancheflor) – goddess of flowers, wisdom, lunar mysteries, and initiations.

Breasal – High King of the entire planet, god of guidance and protection for travelers and explorers.

Bran the Blessed – god of prophecy, the arts, leaders, war, music, and writing.

Brid (also Brigit) – goddess of fire, fertility, the hearth, all feminine arts and crafts, martial arts, healing, physicians, agriculture, inspiration, learning, poetry, divination, prophecy, smith craft, animal husbandry, love, witchcraft.

Caer Ibormeith – goddess of sleep and dreams.

Caillech (also Cailleach, Carlin, Mala Liath) – goddess of disease, plague, cursing, wisdom, seasonal rites, weather magick.

Cebhfhionn – goddess of inspiration, healing, mental powers, and knowledge.

Cernunnos (also Cernowain, Cernenus, Herne The Hunter, Hu Gadarn, Belatucadros, Vitiris) – god of animals, commerce, crossroads, fertility, reincarnation, virility, warriors, and woodlands.

Cerridwen – goddess of death, initiation, inspiration, magic, and regeneration.

Creiddylad (also Creudylad, Cordelia) – goddess of flowers, love, courage, and strength of will.

Cliodna (also Cleena, Cliodhna, Cliodna of the Fair Hair) – goddess of the waves, appreciation, and beauty.

Coventina – goddess of featherless flying creatures, time, new beginnings, life cycles, wishes, divination, and inspiration of self.

Cred (also Creide) – Faery Queen Goddess, goddess of searching for the perfect mate, and keeping secrets.

Cromm Cruaich – god of harvest, dark festivals, death, passing over rituals, and otherworld contact.

The Dagda (also Daghdha, Eochaidh Ollathair) – god of death and rebirth, protection, warriors, knowledge, fire, prophecy, weather, reincarnation, the arts, initiation, healing, regeneration, prosperity, harps, magicians, artisans, and all knowledge.

Diancecht – god of healing, magic, medicine, and regeneration.

Damara – goddess of fertility.

Danu (also Danann, Dana) – goddess of wizards, rivers, water, wells, prosperity, abundance, and wisdom.

Don (also Donn, Dhonn) – sometimes god, sometimes goddess of the elements, communicating with the dead, and eloquence.

Eadon – goddess of poetry and creativity.

Queen of Elphame (also Elphlane, Elphane) – goddess of death, destruction, plague, battle, otherworld, and rebirth.

Epona – goddess of horse-breeding, healing springs, and prosperity.

Eri of the Golden Hair – goddess of creation, and the moon.

Fionn MacCumhal (also Finn MacCool, Finn McCual, Fin on the Isle of Man, Fingal, Demna) – giant god of wisdom, overcoming enemies, creation, protection, knowledge, and divination.

Flidais – shape-shifting goddess of forests and wild creatures.

Goibniu – god of blacksmiths, weapon-makers, and brewing.

Grainne – goddess of herbs, knowledge, and sun.

Gwydion (also Gwiddion) – god of enchantment, illusion, magic, the sky, healing, help, learning, and mental powers.

Lassair – goddess of Midsummer.

Latis – goddess of water and beer.

LeFay – goddess of the sea, the Isle of Avalon, and healing.

Llud Llaw Ereint – god of harpers, healing, poets, smiths, sorcerers, and waters.

Llyr (also Lear, Lir) – god of the sea and water.

Macha (also Mania, Mana, Mene, Minne) – goddess of cunning, death, sheer physical force, war, sexuality, fertility, dominance over males, childbirth, wisdom, overcoming enemies, and past lives.

Manannan Mac Lir (also Manawydan Ap Llyr, Manawydden, Manann, Oirbsen) – god of the sea, magic, navigators, commerce, merchants, arts, rebirth, storms, and weather at sea.

Morrigan (also Morrigu, Morrighan, Morgan) – shapeshifting goddess of lust, magic, prophecy, revenge, and war. Known as Great Queen, Supreme War Goddess, Queen of Phantoms, and Specter Queen.

Nemetona – guardian goddess of all sacred places, such as circles and groves.

Nuada – god of harpers, healing, historians, magic, poets, warfare, and writing.

Ogma (also Oghma, Ogmios, Grianainech, Cermait) – god of eloquence, poets, writers, physical strength, inspiration, language, literature, spells, the arts, music, and reincarnation.

Pwyll – god of cunning, loyalty, and fraternal love.

Rosmerta – goddess of healing and communication.

Scathach (also Scota, Scatha, Scath, Scathach nUanaind, Scathach Buanand, Skatha) – goddess of healing, magic, martial arts, prophecy, protecetion, and teaching.

Somhlth – god of masculine powers.

Taliesin – god of magic, music, poetry, wisdom, writing, wizards, bards, and knowledge.

White Lady – goddess of death, destruction, and annihilation.

Though the Celtic people were spread over great distances, their gods and goddesses were primarily local. Most of those listed here are Irish, Scottish, and Welsh. ___________________________________________________________________

NOTES

<http://www.celticattic.com/tips_hints/goddess_gods/gods_and_goddesses.htm/> <http://folkloreandmyth.netfirms.com/gods_goddesses.html#Celtic%20Gods%20&%20Goddesses/> <http://realmagick.com/articles/06/1506.html/> <http://www.scns.com/earthen/other/seanachaidh/godcelt.html/> <http://www.watson.org/~leigh/celts.html/>

Author: Madeleine Wieder