Celtic Godhood 
by Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson, Sun Protogrove
Originally published in Druid's Progress 6


The Celtic nature of Godhood seems to be radically different from other religions 
- including other forms of Paleo-Paganism. The closest form of Paleo-Paganism to 
the Celtic seems to be Brahmanic Hinduism, with its seemingly confused state of 
avatars, incarnations, transformations (God to man, man to God, both to animals 
and back again) and a pantheon large enough to fill a library. 

Atma, the divine fire resident in all creatures, could transform anyone at anytime 
from mortal wo/man into a God/dess in the flesh. In the Celtic religion the head is 
the seat of this divine fire, as well as the seat of the intellect and emotions. 
But in Celtic idiom these do not reside inside the head, but sit on top (for example; 
"The thought that was on him"). In this connection, it is interesting that the suffix 
"hood" (as in Godhood), though in modern English has a different meaning from the noun 
"hood" (a garment worn on the head), they both share the same Anglo-Saxon root - divine 
fire on your head. Reality in both the Celtic and the Hindu religions is layered with 
the myriad levels ebbing and flowing into and out of each other like weather currents. 

Ward Rutherford states in his, The Druids; Magicians of the West that the commander of 
the march on Rome (390 B.C.E.) and the commander of the march on Delphi (279 B.C.E.) are 
given the same name - Brennos or Brennius, which he equates with the God Bran the Blessed. 
And yet both historical campaigns were lead by flesh and blood mortals. There is also the 
heated debate between those who have proven King Arthur a historical war chieftain and 
those who have proven him to be the Bear God Artios. This enigma becomes a little clearer 
if we think of Godhood descending on a hero/ine's head as a spiritual hood, or Arthur as 
the avatar or incarnation or Artios. 

I would now like to introduce a new "theism" (an old one really), Henotheism - the worship 
of local Gods without denying the Gods of others. The Celts (including the Irish) were 
clearly Henotheistic in their emphasis on local/ tribal Gods. True, they had Universal 
Deities, but even these are strongly localized by the respective tribes. An example the 
Irish Lugh was born in western Erin and associated with Tara's hill, while the Welsh 
Lieu was born at Math's court in northern Wales. The Gaulish Lugus was localized to 
Lugudunum (Lyons), France and other places, including Spain and Switzerland. 

As to the afterlife of the Pagan Celt - there is a heated debate as to whether they went 
to a Pagan Heaven or reincarnated. Both theories are strongly supported by the Classical 
and mythic sources. This same paradox is also found in Hinduism (the Hindus don't seem to 
have any problems with it, though). It should be remembered that reality is multi-layered 
and fluid. 

The one-and-only-true answer... ALL OF THE ABOVE. 

A GLOSSARY OF GODS Part One - Gaelic I have written this mainly for liturgists. I hope it 
will give a clearer understanding of the Irish Gods, their relationships and spheres of 
influence - i.e. more accurate God/Goddess pairings. 

I hope to do future glossaries on the Welsh, the Gauls, the Norse and many others. I am 
looking forward to some feedback - like anything I missed or the pantheons you are most 
interested in. Duir, Nion, Tinne agus Uil-iceach. 

Aine Treidhe Dian Ainm Taulac, Fan, Mollac "Circle, Triple Goddess of name, Taulac, Fan, 
Mollac." The Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. Fan may be related to the Coptic Pheneh, 
meaning Eternal, and possibly related to the Phoenix. She is said to be "First born, 
begotten by the spirits of Fire and Night." Folklore associates her with Cnoc Aine in Co. 
Limerick, Aoibheall of Craig Liath in Co. Glare and Cliodna of Carraig Cliodna in Co. Cork 
where she is known as the Queen of Faerie. She has magic peas that grow overnight and supply 
enough food for weeks. Aine is the Goddess/mate of Lugh lam fada. 

Angus Og or Oenghus, also Mac ind Og, "The Young Lad." This son of Dagda and Boann was the 
Trickster God, but he was better known as the God of Love who played sweet music on his 
golden harp and his kisses became birds that hovered protectively over lovers. He spends 
half the year in the form of a swan. Angus is the God/Mate to Caer Ibormeith, the daughter 
of Ethal Anubal the (Firbolg) King of Connacht. They were handfasted on Samain, in the form 
of swans. Corresponds to the Welsh Mabon ap Modron and the Gaulish Maponos. 

Bile or Eel "Shining " "brilliant." Beltene "the Fire of Eel" is named in his honor. He is 
the God/Mate of Dana and the father of the Tuatha de Dannan. He corresponds to the Welsh 
Bell and the Gaulish Belenos. May also correspond to Bael, "The source of all light or life" 
and is probably the Irish Sun God. 

Badb or Bodhbh (Bav or Bov) "Raven." A war Goddess and Druidess of the Tuatha de Dannan. Badb 
is associated with Morrigan. 

Bodb Derg or Bodb the Red (Bov). This son of Dagda and Boann is a Bard of the Tuatha de Dannan. 
He succeeded his father as King of the Sidhe. 

Boann "She of the White Cow" is the Goddess of the river Boyn and is the Goddess/Mate of Dagda 
they were mated on Samain. She is the mother of Angus Og, Brigit, Bodb the Red, Mider and Ogma. 

Brigit (brig it). This daughter of Dagda and Boann is the Goddess of fire, the hearth, poetry, 
divination, prophecy, healing, the smith's craft and traditional learning. She has a close 
association with cattle and the produce of the earth. Brigit was invoked on Imbolg or Oimelc. 

The Brown Man of the Moors. The Scottish Cernunnos or Lord of Beasts. This vegetarian God 
protects the animals of the wild. 

Cilleac Bheur. The Scottish Goddess of winter. She has a staff that can freeze the ground 
and wither the crops. 

Camulus. The Tuatha de Dannan's God of War. 

Carmen. The Goddess of Ignorance and Destruction. A Goddess who feels right at home in D.C. 
or Moscow and is currently invoked by most political idealists everywhere. Contrary to popular 
opinion, Christians are not Carmenist - they don't even believe in her. She and her three sons 
- Crom Dubh, "black," Evil and Violent - were defeated by Lugh in a battle commemorated at 
Lughnasadh. 

Ceara A Goddess of nature. She invented the cultivation of grain and the tools of agriculture. 
She presided over the fruits of the earth. Ceara is the Goddess/Mate of Dagda and her daughter 
is the Porsaibhean - the Irish Persephone. Ceara corresponds to the Greco-Roman Ceres. 

Cliodna FairHair. Queen of a Faerie Island, she has three brightly colored birds that sing so 
sweetly that they can soothe the sick to sleep. 

Concobar mac Nessa (CONcobar), "Concobar the son of the Black Queen." Also called Diamaide 
"The Terrestrial God." He was the High King of Ulster and head of the Red Branch Heroes. His 
sister is Dechtere and Cu Chulain is his nephew. 

Connall Cernach (CONnal KEARney). A chief of the Red Branch Heroes. Because of an incident 
with a serpent and similarity in names, Anne Ross has suggested that Connall Cernach may be 
the Irish Cernunnos. 

Cu Chulain (kuh H00len or koo-kul-in, also koo-hoo-lin), "The Hound of the Culain." He is 
the champion of Erin. Setantae, "One who has knowledge of roads and ways," was his name at 
birth, but after killing Culain's guard dog, Cathbad (CAHfa) the High Druid of Ulster changed 
it to Cu Chulain. 

He was mated to the Goddesses Fand, Finnabair, Aifa and the mortal Emer. He was the son of Lugh 
and Dechtire. Because of the name Setantae and the numerous tales of guarding of the fords 
(fords being a natural gateway between worlds) Cu Chulain might make a better Gate Keeper than 
either Ogma or Mannanan mac Lir. Siuil linn a Cu Chulain. Siuil linn a Setantae (shool-leen ah 
hoohoolin. Shoo-leen a sheddawndda), "Walk with us Cu Chulain. Walk with us Setantae." 

Dagda Mor (dag Tha), "The Good God." An Earth God, who changes the seasons, the weather and 
strengthens the crops with his harp. This harp is a sentient being capable of human speech. 
Dagda can summon it to his hand or have it kill an enemy. He can also play three airs - Laughter,
 Grief and Sleep. Dagda has two other items he can summon to his hand. His cauldron of 
inexhaustible food and drink has the power to provide any type of food known and in any amount 
needed. It will not feed a coward. It also has the powers of inspiration and rejuvenation, a 
prototype of the Grail Holy. Dagda's favorite food is porridge. His club can kill nine men with 
a single blow - while its handle can revive the dead. Dagda is very fond of traveling among us 
mortals as a poorly dressed peasant with a large club. He is also the keeper of the Fruit Trees 
of Plenty and two magical pigs that can be eaten and revived continually. The fruit trees are 
always laden with fruit. 

Dagda is the strongest of the Gods with the greatest Druidic magic. When all the Gods of Tara 
declared their qualifications, Dagda said, "All that you promise to do, I will do myself alone.
" The other Gods replied, "It is you who are the Good God (Dagda)." Among his other names are 
Cearas, "The God of Fire," Credne Ceard, "Ceard the man of science," Cromeocha, "Crom the good" 
(possibly related to Cromleac, a standing stone), Eochaidh 0llathair, "Eochaidh the great 
father," and Ruadh Rofhessa, "The mighty one of great knowledge or the red one of great wisdom.
" Dagda is also known as the Lord of the Sidhe and can separate into twelve distinct and 
powerful persons or avatars. 

Dagda's sexual prowess is legend and his Goddess/Mates include Boann (mated on Samain), Eithlenn 
or Ethniu, Ceara, and Morrigan. His daughters are Brigit, Ceacht and Porsaibhean. His sons are 
Angus Og, Bodb the Red, Lugh lam fada, Mider and Ogma. His Druids were called Cromar or 
Cruimthear. Dagda Mor may correspond to the Welsh Diwmach Maer and the Welsh Doged. Also may 
correspond to the Gaulish Taranis. 

Dana (THAna). Other variations are Ann, Anna, Anu and Danu. She is the mother of the Gods known 
as the Tuatha de Dannan (Tootha day danan or thoo'a-ha day da'nan) "The children or tribe of 
Dana." She is a Goddess of nature and was closely associated with the province of Munster and 
its fertility. In Co. Kerry are the twin hills known as Da Chich Anann, "The Paps or Breasts of 
Anu." She is the Goddess/Mate of Bile. Dana corresponds to the Welsh Don and the Gaulish Danu. 
The Roman Diana may be a contraction of the Celtic word Dia, "A deity" with the Goddess name 
Anna, to form DiaAnna, "The Goddess Anna." The early Roman historians admit that Diana was not 
native to the Greco-Romans but was borrowed from the Barbari. 

Dechtere or Cechtire. She is sometimes referred to as a goddess and sometimes as a mortal. She 
is the sister of Concobar mac Nessa and thus the daughter of the Black Queen (Nessa). She is the 
mother of Cu Chulain. 

Deirdre (DAREdra), "One who gives warning," or the older form Derdriu, "Oak prophet." A 
humanized Goddess in the Red Branch tale of the Exile of the sons of Uisnach WISHna). 

Delvacaem of the Fair Shape. The daughter of the God Morgan and the Goddess/Mate of the mortal 
Art Mac Conn. 

Diancecht (dee an-kekt), "God of Curing or Swift in Power." Diancecht is the Great Healer of 
the Tuatha de Dannan. With the help of his son Miach and Credne the smith (Dagda), Diancecht 
made a silver hand for Nuada and in the second battle of Magh Tuiredh, Diancecht, his daughter 
Armedda and his son Miach healed the wounded and raised the dead by placing them in a sacred 
well, anointing them with sacred herbs and singing incantations over them. An incantation of the 
eighth or ninth century has the words, "I admire the remedy which Diancecht left." He is the 
grandfather of Lugh. 

Donn, "The Brown or Dark One" is the God of the Dead. His abode is the island Tech Duinn, "The 
house of Donn" off the southwest coast of Erin, and he bids his descendants (Irish Pagans) 
welcome when they die. He is the chief son of Mil. In the Tain be Cuailnge (TAWN be Cooley) he 
was the Brown Bull of Ulster. 

Dunus. The God of mountains and fortifications. he corresponds to the Gaulish Dunatis. 

Eithlenn or Ethniu. She is the daughter of Baler of the evil eye, the Goddess/Mate of Dagda and 
the mother of Lugh. 

Eo-Ano is the Goddess of Illusion. 

Erie or Eriu. The triple mother Goddess of Erin, sometimes known as Ir, from which Ireland the 
land of Ir - is derived. 

Etain, the thrice born Goddess of Beauty. She is the Goddess/Mate of Midhir of Bri Leith. 

Fal. This God has a wheel of light, with which he can perform great magic, including flying 
through the ??? 

Fend. The Sea Goddess and Goddess/Mate of Manannan mac Lir. 

Fen is a war Goddess associated with Morrigan. 

Findgoll, a High Druid of the Tuatha de Dannan. 

Goibhnie or Goibnll, also Gobban Saer, "Gobban the Wright" and Gobban Saer, "The Master Mason." 
Goibhnie is the God of metal smiths and the first of a triad of craftsmen Gods - Goibhniu 
forging the heads, Luchta fashioning the shafts and Creidhne (Dagda) the rivets - forming a 
divine assembly line. Every weapon made by Goibhne carries a guarantee that it will never miss 
and that no one will survive a wound from it. Goibhne was invoked in an old Irish charm for the 
removal of thorns. 

Goibhnie brews magical potions and an ale corresponding to the Amrita of the Hindu tradition. 
Goibhnie hosts the otherworld feast know as Fledh Ghoibhnenn, "The feast of Goibhnie." Those who 
partook of it became immune to age and decay. His ale of divine inspiration is featured at 
these feasts. Goibhnie corresponds to the Welsh Goffanon and the Gaulish Gallans. 

Lir or Ler (Lear), "The Sea." He is the God of the Sea and the father of Manannan. Aebh was his 
first Goddess/Mate and on her he had a daughter - Fionuala, the maid of the fair shoulders 
- and three sons - Hugh and the twins Fiachra and Conn. Aoife, Lir's second Goddess/Mate turned 
these children into swans out ofjealousy. For this Bodb the Red turned Aoife into a shrieking 
demon of the air. 

Lugh Lam Fada (Lew or Look), "The Shining One of the Long Hand." Also called Lugh Samildanach, 
"Lugh the Many Skilled." Lugh is related to Logh, "Sacred Fire." His skills include - wright, 
smith, warrior, harper, poet, historian, magician, healer, cupbearer. He is the God of 
Craftsmanship and was said to have invented Fidhchell (a board game like chess), ball-play 
(probably hurry) and horsemanship. 

Lugh has a spear of shining heat that is sharp enough to cut the wind. With his sling, Lugh 
can hit anything. The rainbow was said to be Lugh's sling. His sword, Fragarach, "Answerer," 
never misses. 

Lughnasadh was a harvest rite named after Lugh. Lugh himself dedicated it to Tailtiu, his 
foster mother. Lugh is the grandson of Diancecht and Baler of the Evil Eye. He is the son of 
Eithlenn or Ethniu and Dagda. Lugh is the God/Mate of An the Triple Goddess and the father of 
Cu Chulain. Lugh corresponds to the Welsh Lieu Llaw Gyffes and the Gaulish Lugus or Lugos, 
and maybe even to the Greek Logos. 

Mannanan Mac Lir (manAWNnon mcLEAR), "Manannan the son of the (lir) Sea." He is the God of the 
Sea and the Isle of Man is named after him. Emhain Abhlach, "The tracing of apples" is another 
place closely associated with Manannan. As well as being the patron of fishermen and sailors, 
he is also the patron of merchants and craftsmen. 

Mannanan owns the following relics: Seashell armor that no weapon can pierce, a trident that 
absorbs moisture from its victims, a sword, named Retaliator, that kills every time it's used, 
an awl that will penetrate any leather, hide or canvas, a cloak that becomes a tent when hung 
on any twig, a chariot that can travel over the sea, a helm that renders its wearer invisible, 
a mantle of shapeshifting, a pouch that's ever full of flour or wheat, a boat that propels 
itself wherever its rider wishes to go, a mantle that renders its wearer invisible, and an 
apple branch that chimes music to soothe any anger or sorrow. Manannan also owns a horse that's 
swifter than the wind and pigs that renew themselves as soon as they're eaten. Manannan is the 
host of the other world feast and those who partake become immortal. He can summon a host of 
sea creatures. Fand is Manannan's Goddess/ Mate. 

Macha (MAha). A war Goddess and Druidess of the Tuatha de Dannan. She may correspond to the 
Gaulish Epona - the horse Goddess of wisdom. Emhain Macha (EVan MAha), "The tracing of Macha" 
was named after her, as was Ard Macha or Armagh as it's known today. She was invoked at 
Lughnasadh. Macha has been Goddess/Mate during different incarnations to Nemhedh the Firbolg 
king, Cimbaeth and the mortal Red Branch hero Crunnchu. Macha is associated with Morrigan. 

Medb or Medhbh (Maev), "Intoxication or Mead." She is a Goddess of sex, violence and strong 
drink. The pale-haired Medb was the Queen of Connacht and her Rath or fort was on the hill of 
Cruachain. 

Medb was also called the Drunk Woman and the Drunk Making Woman. In one account she calls 
herself "The Sovereignty of Erin." As Medhbh Lethdherg of Leinster she was the chooser of the 
Kings of Tara - all who would be king had to lay with her, while she was in her Crone phase, 
though she would change into her form of beauty when the would-be king consented to sleep with 
her Crone form. 

Mider or Midhir. He is a God of the Underworld. His Goddess/ Mate is Etain. His daughter 
Blathat was taken by Concobar's war band. Mider is the son of Dagda and Boann. His brothers are 
Angus Og, Bodb the Red, Lugh, Ogma and his sister is Brigit. Mider is the Sidhe Lord of Bri 
Leith. 

Mor Kegan is a Druidess of the Tuatha de Dannan. 

Morrigan, "The Phantom Queen or Great Queen." She is the triple Goddess of War and the raven 
is her totem animal. She can be stunningly beautiful to friends and lovers or terrifyingly 
hideous to her enemies. As the Goddess of battle fury and panic, she can give courage or take 
it away. Morrigan's God/Mates are Dagda Mor and Nuada of the Silver Hand. She corresponds to 
the Welsh Morrigu and the Arthurian Morgana and Morgan Le Fey. 

Neman or Nemhain, "Frenzy." She corresponds to the Gaulish Nematona - the Goddess of sacred 
groves. 

Nessa, "The Black Queen" may have been associated with Loch Ness, "The Black Lake." She is the 
mother of Concobar and Dechtire, and the grandmother of Cu Chulain. 

Nuada Argerlam (noo a-Tha), "Nuada of the Silver Hand." He was the first King of Tara. Nuada 
gave up his kingship to Bress the Beautiful, when he lost his hand fighting the Firbolg - no 
one blemished could be king. As Bress, the son of Baler, was a typical Fomair - at least in 
his stingy rule - Diancecht made for Nuada a hand of silver, and Nuada's generous rulership 
was reinstated. He later relinquished it willingly to Lugh, whom Nuada perceived as more 
competent for the job. In addition to his magical hand of silver - which can act on its own 
- Nuada also has a sword that never misses. His Goddess/Mate is Morrigan. Nuada corresponds 
to the Welsh Lludd or Nudd and the Gallo-British Nodens. 

O Donoghlle. the God of Lough Lean in Killarney. He visits the land of mortals at sunrise every 
Beltein. 

Ogma (og'ma), "The Binder," also called Trenfher, "Champion or Strong Man," and Grianainech, 
"Of the Sun-like Countenance." He is the God of eloquence, knowledge and literature. Ogma 
invented the Ogham Runes and can answer any question asked of him. He also knows the Secret or 
Soul Name of every living being. 

Ogma is know as the Binder for three reasons: He is the best wrestler of the Tuatha de Dannan; 
his ability to force spirits into a special prison of his design; and the power of his 
eloquence. Ogma corresponds to the Gallo-British Ogmios, the Gaulish Ogmius, and the Dutch 
Magusanus. 

Sinann or Sinand (shee nann) is the Goddess of the River Shannon. The White Trout and the 
Salmon of Knowledge are probably Avatars or incarnations of Sinann. Her other names are: 
Cailb, Samuin (or Samain), Sesclend, Sodb, Saiglend, Samklocht, Gall, Cell, Dichoem, Dichuil, 
Dichuimne, Dichuinne, Dame, Darine, Der Uane, Egam, Agam, Gnim, Cluche, Cethardam, Nith Neuin, 
Noenden, Badb, Blosc, Blear, Uaet, Mede, Mod -- and she recited this list in one breath. 

Scathach or Scatbach, "The Shadowy One." A war Goddess who ran a finishing school for young 
heroes. Cu Chulain was her star pupil. 

Tlachtga, the Matron Goddess of Tara. 

A small sample list of the books used for this article: 

Deirdre; A Celtic Legend
by David Guard 

Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions
by James Bonwick 

Early Irish Myths and Sagas
by Jeffrey Gantz 

Celtic Design Coloring Book
by Ed Sibbett, Jr.