Celtic Panthéon A-B
Celtic Gods&Goddesses A-B
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A
Goddesses
Agrona
Anglo-Celtic, Welsh
A warrior Goddess, seemingly a version of the Irish Morrigan, in that she is associated with rivers as well. Later this archetype became masculinised among the Cymri as Aeron.
Aibell
Irish
She was a Goddess of Munster who was "demoted" to that of a regional faery queen, therefore saving her legend. Aibell posessed a magickal harp which did her bidding. However, should a human hear this harp they would die. Modern legend says that she is the guardian spirit of Clan O'Brien.
Aife
Irish, Scottish
Third wife of Ler, the evil stepmother of Aedh, Conn, Fiachra, and Finnguala, who transforms them into talking swans in a heat of jealous spite (she being childless). Her deed discovered, she is transformed into a vulture, and made to stay eternally in the winds.
Aife is also known as the Irish Lover of Ilbrech, she is transformed into a crane by a jealous rival. In such form, and as a water-bird, she becomes a part of Manannan's Realm; when at length she dies, he makes of her remains the fabulous Crane Bag, in which he stores his chief treasures.
Ailbe
Irish
She is the daughter of Cormac MacArt and was known for her brilliance and clever wit. So much so, that she was able to answer a set of trick questions posed to her by Fionn MacCumhal. In doing this he fell madly in love with her and asked her to share his home.
Aine
Irish
She is a cattle, sun and fire Goddess who is still much admired in her native Munster. She is also known as "Aine of Knockaine." She is identified with Midsummer and was thought to have once been worshipped as a deity of the waning solar year (the twin of Grian). Some believe that she was also a minor moon Goddess and may have merged into the Goddess Anu. She is also credited as giving meadowsweet its delicate scent.
Andraste
Breton, Anglo-Celtic, Continental
A warrior Goddess whose name means "the invincible one." She is perhaps best known as the deity invoked by the Iceni warrior-queen Boudicca in her rebellion against Rome.
Anu
Irish
She is the virgin aspect of one of the Triple Goddesses of Ireland. Her mother aspect is Diana (or Danu) and her crone aspect is Badb. She was known as a goddess of prosperity and abundance which can suggest that she may have also been linked to the mother aspect of this triplicity.
Ardwinna
Breton, Continental
A woodland goddess who was known to haunt the Ardennes Forest region, usually seen riding a wild boar. She demanded a fine for any animal which was killed upon her land, even though she called for animal sacrifices on her day of feasting. Possibly a continental version of the Irish Flidais.
Arianrhod
Welsh
Her name means "silver circle." She is considered a majour Welsh Goddess of reincarnation, the Wheel of the Year, the full moon, fertility, and female power.
She is sometimes depicted as a weaver, which may link her to the lost myths of creation and magickal practice ("weaving a spell"). She was a free sexual spirit and mated freely until the magician Math claimed that she'd conceived two children she'd yet to bare. It was when she jumped a staff that she gave birth to Llew and Dylan. Dylan immediately went to the sea and Arianrhod denied the right to a name or arms to Llew. She was later tricked into bestowing both.
She was wed to her brother Gwyddon and is the daughter of the great Welsh mother Goddess, Don.
Badb
Irish
She is the crone aspect of the Triple Goddess who is often called "The Fury." She was known as a war Goddess who was a part of the Morrigan (a triplicity of crone Goddesses who were associated with death, destruction, and battle). She is also often linked with the death faery known as the Beansidhe (eng: Banshee).
Banbha
Irish
A warrior Goddess who was known to protect Ireland from invaders and was the Earth aspect of the Triple with Eire and Fodhla. She was a gifted magician who went out to meet the Milesian invaders when they first came to Ireland. However, she was unable to show any feat of power which impressed them and they ignored her pleas to name the conquered island for her.
Blodeuwedd
Welsh
A woman created by Gwyddion and Math out of flowers of Oak, Broom, and Meadowsweet to be a wife to Gwyddion's nephew Llew. As Arianrhod had cursed him never to take a wife of his own people. She, however, saw Gronw hunting in the woods (Llew was gone for the day) and fell instantly in love with him, plotting to kill Llew so they could be together. Upon the instant of Llew's death he turned into an eagle and flew away. Seeking revenge, Gwyddion sought Blodeuwedd out and placed a punishment upon her that would only allow her to live by night, as a carnivore who was shunned and feared by the other birds, she became an Owl.
Bo Find
Irish
Her name literally translates to "white cow" and this was how she appeared on the barren land that would become bountiful Ireland. She hails from the western sea with her sisters, Bo Ruadh (Red Cow Goddess), and Bo Dhu (Black Cow Goddess). The colours representing that of the Celtic Triple Goddess. Each sister took a third of the land (Bo Dhu to the south and Bo Ruadh to the north), with Bo Find going to the centre of the country. She gave birth to twin calves, a male and a female who would feed her people forever. Then along with her sisters, they retreated to the sea.
Branwen (Branwyn)
Welsh, Manx
She was a daughter of Manann and Iweridd who is often associated with Aphrodite of Greek Pantheon and is a Goddess of love, sexuality, and the sea.
She was married to Mathowch, a king of Ireland who died in a battle over an insult at a wedding feast (by Bran). Her son Gwern was then raised to king, but was killed immediately thereafter.
Branwen died of a broken heart during the war between England and Wales.
Brid
Irish, Scottish
(also Bridget, Brigit, Bride, and Brighid. Gaulish name is Brigindo and is thought to be the source of the Anglo Goddess Brigantia and Brittania)
She is the great mother Goddess of Ireland and is probably one and the same with Diana, the first great mother Goddess of the Irish.
She signifies motherhood, fertility, and creative inspiration. As well as being worshipped as a protectress, warrior, healer, a guardian of children, slayer of serpents, and a Goddess of fire and the sun.
During the 5th century Brid's shrine at Kildare was desecrated and was then adopted by christian missionaries who turned the great mother into St. Bridget. Locking in on her sky Goddess aspect they nicknamed her "Queen of Heaven." They also took the Sabbat named for her, Imbolg, and created their own feast of days in her honour, called La Fheile Brid (Ireland).
Gods
Abarta
Irish
A God of the Tuatha De Danann who was nicknamed "performer of the feats." This honour, however, was not enough for him, for he wished more than anything to become the chief warrior and servant to Fionn MacCumhal. Due to his cruel nature, however, he was not awarded this auspicious post. Because of this, Abarta retaliated by capturing some of the Fianna (Fionn's famous warriors) and carrying them to the Otherworld. Fionn and his two best warriors subsequently rescued them, but Abarta eternally plotted his next revenge
Addanc
Welsh
Addanc is part of the Celtic flood myth, (a la Noah of the christian bible) who created and rode the crest of the flood near his home on the Lake of Waves. Once he was slain (either by the oxen of Hu the Mighty or by Peredur depending on your version of the myth) the waters receded. He was probably once worshipped as a deity by the people of the lake region. Today the word Addanc is used to describe any evil fresh water dwelling faery of Wales.
Adna
Irish
An employee of King Conchobar of Ireland, this bard was one of the great poets of Ireland, as well as the father of another poet, Neide.
Aengus MacOg
Irish
A handsome and witty harpist Aengus, the son of the Daghda and Boann, is usually called the God of young love. And though he does not seem to be a bard in his own right, he was also the patron God of poets and musicians.
In one of the most well known myths, Aengus helped the fugitive lovers, Grainne and Diarmud escape from the vengeful wrath of Fionn MacCumhal, eventually pleading their case successfully, securing their freedom.
Aengus is also sometimes known as a God of fatal love and is most strongly equated with Eros, Greek God of love.
Ambisagrus
Breton
Originally from Gaul, his Celtic identity was lost during the Roman takeover. He was then given the aspects of the Roman God Jupiter. (meaning "Supreme God") Other than this, Ambisagrus was primarily a deity of the weather and controlled rain, wind, hail, and fog.
Arawen (Arawyn/Arrawn/Arawn)
Welsh
King of Annwn, the Otherworld, who fought in the battle of the trees with Bran against Amathaon and Gwyddion. He was a master hunter who gathered souls for the Otherworld (if they were unable to evade him). He also possessed a magick cauldron of regeneration which was later captured by King Arthur. He also bestowed the title of Pen Annwn for his assistance and loyalty in time of need.
Art MacConn
Irish
The son of King Conn and known to be a marvelous chess player, he became High King in his own right after outwitting Becuma (his father's faery lover) when he succeeded in bringing Delbchaem, the daughter of Morgan, from the Otherworld back to Ireland. In doing so Becuma became so angered that she left Ireland and prosperity returned to the land.
King Arthur
Welsh, Cornish
He was the son of King Uther Pendragon and Igraine, the Duchess of Cornwall. He was protected and taught by the powerful magician/Druid Merlin. He was wed to Guinevere, herself an aspect of the Triple Goddess/May Queen. Later he was mortally wounded by his son Mordred (from his union with Morgan LeFay). His body was taken to Avalon to lay and await the time when he is needed again. This myth shows him in the purest sense, an archetypal sacrificial God/King.
Baile of the Honeyed Speech
Irish
An Ulster warrior who was (literally) the God of Blarney (the tall taleish form of speech which is so much a part of the Irish culture). He is also known for his love for Aillinn. Aengus MacOg, the Otherworld God of love wanted so much for the couple to come and live happily with him, that he told each of them of the other's death so they would die of broken hearts.
The trees which grow over their reputed joint graves entwined with each other and are sought out for their branches for use in love magick.
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The Celtic Pantheon Sections are inspired and referenced from:
Celtic Myth & Magick
by Edain McCoy © 1995 by Edain McCoy
Published by Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, Minnesota