Post by wren on Nov 2, 2006 13:28:05 GMT -5
Below is an article that functions as a basic outline and identification chart of Gaelic pantheons and deity groups, but also includes reference to other celtic deities, adding a well-rounded approach. Also, instead of viewing deity by function or region (like Greek and Roman deities), this unknown author works via a different method. (If you wrote this and would like it credited, please me a private message.)
The Gods
For our purposes here there are:
1. The Tuatha (Tuad/Tuathai) de Dannan, "People of the Goddess of the
Crafts"; Tuatha De; Fir Dea; Aes Dana "The people of the
Crafts" (Summer Gods). Spiritual World.
2. The Formorians; Formorach (Winter Gods). They are often
the Dark aspects of the Tuatha. The Mental World.
3. Fir Bolg; The Side, "Shee", Sidhe; Sith. These are Spirits, or
Fairy folk, although the term is used to describe all the
Fir Side, "Men of the fairy mounds"; everything from
the mere fairies to the Dei Terreni, "Gods of/From the Earth".
The Sid is a Holy spot, a Fairy Hill, the "Seat" of the Side, The
Otherworld. The Physical World.
The God Types are generally
* People and Animal Totems
Bear gods.
Cult of the Head (Seat of the Soul)
Anthropomorphic wooden carvings.
God of the Cult of the Horned God
He may be protrayed with either stag horns or goat
horns, and is almost invariably portrayed sitting
cross-legged, and with a Cloak pinned on left
shoulder. He is the Wild Huntsman ("Horned
One","Horned God" "Foundation of the World"). God
of the Wild things of Nature, Lord of the Animals
and of all living things. In his Darker Aspects he
is the Reaper of the Dead, and a Storm God.
Although there are very few examples of this, there
are also Horned Goddesses.
* Ancestors/Ancestral Spirits
* Nature or Localized spirits/Tutelary Gods
Natural/regional Sites
Rivers, Lakes and Bogs. Votive offerings. Ritual
Sites. Stories often told in "Dinnsenchas", the
lore of places.
Stone Gods
Gods and Sacred sites may be represented by
Crommlechs (Crom-liths), or large standing stones.
Ceann Cruach ["Stonehead", "Lord of the Mound"]
Crom Cruach ["Bent or Stooped Pile or Stone";
"The Crooked, or Bent Lord of the Mound"] A
stone representing a bloodthirsty God or
Goddess.
* Tribal divinities
Tuathos [Tooat-hos]; Teutates; Toutatis; Totatis;
Theutatos; Tutates. The title given to the ancestral or
eponymous god of each tribe, "God of the People" or the
"Tribe".
These will be organized, where possible as follows:
*Deity Name* [Other names, Type, Light/Dark]
*"Aspect"* Most "Gods" have three aspects, one relating
to magic and religion, one to "war", and one
to crafts/arts/agriculture ("those who pray",
"those who fight", "those who work")
*Manifestations*
Many Gods have other Gods that are clearly
part of the same Deity, but are in some way
unique.
*Mortal Avatars*
In Maithreacha [In Mah-khre-yakhah], "The Mothers" A.k.a. Matrona,
Madrona, "The Divine Mother", Great Mother, Earth Goddess, The
Three Mothers.
This is the triad of principle mother goddesses (Dana,
Brighid, Macha). Symbols include flowers, cornucopia,
infants, and represent Nature, Life, Healing, Fertility, and
Regeneration.
Dana/Anu
[Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; The Land
Incarnate (specifically Munster); Beneficence; Consort of the
All Father; Domesticity; Earth Mother; Sexuality and
Fertility; Hearth & Home; Life; Love; Magic and Wisdom; Mother
and Nurse of Heroes; Mother of the Gods; Prosperity and
plenty; Related to local healing springs, river goddesses,
wells. She is a Chief Druid, and sometimes is shown carrying
a model of a house on a long pole.
Aine ["Aw-ne"; Magic/Religion, ?, Light]
Anu [Ana, Annan, Ano, Annis/Annis (Agnes) (Anoniredi
"Chariot of Anu"); War/Sovereignty, Tutelary, Light]
Befind ("White Woman")
Nantosuelta [Nantosvelta, Nantosuelta, "Winding River"]
portrayed with Secullos in Gaul
Boanna [Boann/Buanna/Buanann/Buanu "The Lasting One",
Lubachabhain [Lu-BAKH-avayn]] Lubachabhain is a title for
Goddess of the Holy River (Boyne)
Eriu [Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter of Ernmas.
Wife of Mac Cuill "Hazel". The Land and the King were
wed through many ceremonies. Essentually the fate of
the King and the fate of the land were the same.
Banbha ["Pig, Sow"; Banba, Bandha; Tutelary/Land Incarnate;
Light] Daughter of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Cecht "Plough"
Fodla [Fotla, Fotia; Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter
of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Grainne "Sun"
Cethlann
[Ket-hul-ann; Cethlionn "Crooked Tooth", Annis; War/Sovereignty,
Tutelary, Dark] Consort of Balor King of the Formorians. The
darkest aspects of the Earth Mother, and the destructive power
of nature, etc.
Danu [Dan ("Knowledge"), Dana, Danu; Crafts/Agriculture,
Tuathos, Light]
Brighid
[Bridget, Brigantia, Brigindo "High One", Bride, Brid, Brig,
Brigte; Breo saighead (Fiery Arrow or Power) Often called the
Triple Brighid or the Triple Mother; Tutelary/Tuathos; Light]
One of the Three Mothers; Goddess of Life; Goddess of the
Sacred Flame. The Land Incarnate (specifically Leinster).
Her shrine at Kildare is surrounded by a brushwood fence,
and no men are allowed A sacred fire is guarded nightly
(in turn) by 19 priestesses, and the Goddess on the 20th
night. She gives an omen of the upcoming harvest on the
2d day of her Festival (16 Anacantlos). She is sometimes
considered as Dana or Dona, and therefore Mother of the
Gods. She is the daughter of the Daghda. The Celtic
Church could not displace her, so they absorbed her as
the "foster-mother" of Christ and as St. Brighid, the
daughter of the Druid Dougal the Brown.
Brighid [Magic/Religion, Light] Fire of the Mind; Knowledge;
Wisdom; Poetry, Divine Inspiration; Healing;
Brig [Magic/Religion, Dark] She emphasises the Darker
aspects of Wisdom, the most terrifying aspects of
Illumination, the destructiveness of technology,
etc. Daughter of the Dagdha, wife of Bres.
Brighid [War/Soverignity, Light] Home; Fire/the Hearth
Brighid [Craft/Work, Light] Fire/Smithwork; Craftwork
Brig Ambue Patroness of Jurisprudence
Brig Briugu The Provider
Macha In Mor Rigan
["The Great Queen", Macha ("maax-ah"), Morrigan;
Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; The Land
Incarnate (specifically Ulster); Marries the Daghda at
Samhain.
Macha [Magic/Religion, Light & Dark] The later wife of
the Good God, Queen of the Underworld. The "Washer
at the Ford" (seem washing bloody laundry prior to
battle by those destined to die). Daughter of Ernmas.
Dea Domnu [Dea Domnann "Goddess of the Deep"; ?,?, Dark] The Dark Queen
of the Underworld; The Earth Mother in her most horrific
guise; Title of the Consort of the God of Death
Macha [War/Soverignity] The personification of the
Rulership of the Land, and an aspect of the "Great
Mother"; Horse Goddess and therefore Goddess of
the Horseman and of Cavalry; The final authority of
who is King/King Maker. In her bloody aspect of War
Goddess, she one of the triad of Macha, Nemhan
and Badb, the heads of the slain (as the housing of
their souls) are dedicated to Macha. Daughter of Ernmas.
She fell at 2d Moytura at the hands of Balor.
Nemhan
[A.k.a. Nemen, Nemon, Nemetona "Frenzy"] Nemhan is
the Frenzy of War, although some have suggested
that she may also have been the guardian of Sacred
places.
Badb [Bav]
[A.k.a. Badba ("Boiling"), Boduogenos, Bodua,
Badhbh Chatha ("Raven of Battle"), Cathubodua,
Cauth Bodvo] "Scald Crow" - the black birds that
prophesy battles and in their swarming over the
dead, they are seen as some form of Valkyrie
carrying off spirits of the dead warriors. She is
also the Cauldron of Rebirth, so there is some
connection with childbirth. Daughter of Ernmas. A Druid. Wife of the
War God, Net.
Macha [Craft/Work] The later wife of the Good God,
Agricultural Fertility; Earth Goddess, Mother of
Heroes.
Etain
["Aideen", Edain Echraidhe "Edain Horse rider",
Rigatona, Riannon, Epona] Horse Goddess.
Ethne Daughter of Balor, wife of Cian the son of
Dian Cecht. mother of Lugh
Mania, Mana, Mene, Minne
An Tri Dios/The Three Gods
This is the triad of principle father gods (Dagda, Nuadhu, Ogma). Note
that Any of these may be portrayed as the Horned God.hla
In Daghda
In Dagda The "Good God"
All Father, and King of the Gods and Spirits. Patron of the Irish
and of Priests. He is portrayed as a mature, bearded with a short
belted tunic, a heavy cloak and a long handled hammer (or a large
club or fork) and a small pot or goblet (Bowl of Abundance, a
cauldron that never lacked food). With Blazing altars, he is the
God of plenty, Fertility. Guardian and King of the Underworld and
of the Dead, an Otherworld of fertility and immortality. He is
the Pastoral God of Nature, and Patron of Shepherds and Herdsmen.
Rulers/Kings, Druids. Chief Druid. Brother of Ogma [N.b. As
Secullos, he is portrayed with Nantosuelta; As Daghda, he is
portrayed alone]
Ruad Rofhessa "The Red Lord of All Perfect/Ancient Knowledge"
Cera "Creator"
Eochaidh Oll Athair "Horselike All Father"
Cromm Eocha
Esus [Aesus, "Lord"]
Secullos/Secullus, "Good Striker"
Teyrnon "Divine Lord"
Fer Benn
["Horned Man"; Fer Benn Bruach, "Big-bellied Horned Man";
Fer Benn Bruach Brogaill Broumide Cerbad Caic Rolaig Builc
Labair Cerrce Di Brig Oldathair Boith Athgen Mbethai
Brigtere Tri Carboid Roth Rimaire Riog Scotbe Obthe Olaithbe
"man-horned/pointed-big bellied- ... - ... -dismembered-
excrement-warrior-belly-garrolous-from authority-all father-
... -rebirth of the world- ... -three-... - ... - ... -
... -rejection-decay"]
Cernunnos
[The "Horned God", Hu Gadarn (to Druids)]
God of nature, virility, fertility, animals, sex,
reincarnation and shamanism.
God of the Underworld and Astral Planes.
As the Horned God he is protrayed with a bag of
Grain.
Donn [Don; Donnos; May be Dan "Wisdom"
God of Death, Escort of the Dead. Lord of the Dead, ruling an Otherworld
where people are reincarnated into eternal bodies.
Ecne "The Brown or Dark One"
Tethla [Tethra, Tethre; Indech Mac Donn; Indech mac De Dommann]
One of the three Kings of the Formorians, War, and is
associated with Battle Crows, and the Death you fear.
Nuadhu Airgedlamh
[Nuada Argetlam "Silver handed"; "Master of the Elements"]
King of the Tuatha De; Sky God; War God; Storm God; Lightning
Thunder, God of Healing. He may be portrayed as having a
great Wheel, or be accompanied by a Dog.
As a Maimed King, he is the Grail King, and Lord that must
be healed to Redeem the Waste Land. Nuadha is the the Lamed
King/The Maimed King and in this version, the King and his
kingdom both suffer. The King is maimed and sickly and the
kingdom suffers. The crops won't grow and everything is dark
and gloomy. In a mythic sense, the King is the kingdom and
that fact bespeaks his divine right to rule. In order to save
the kingdom, the King must be healed. Balor kills Nuadhu at
2d Moytura.
Nuadha Finnfail "White Light"
Nuadha Necht, "Cloudmaker"
Nodens
Nudd/Ludd
Net Formorach War God. Husband of Badb.
Neit (Iberian)
Neton (Aquitani)
Nantos (Gaulish)
Cocadius
Taran
Taranis ["Thunderer"; Turannos; Taranus; Taranos]
Elatha
[Elathla, Ealathat, Elatha, Elathlan, Ethlenn?] Over-King of the
Formorians, and the King that enslaved the Tuatha de Dannan.
God of the Damaging Storm. the Darkened Sky, the Chaos and Horrors
of War. Tyranny and Distopic Society.
Oghma Mac Ethlenn
Oghma
[Ogmios; Grian-aineach ("Sun faced" or "Shining faced")]
God of Poetry and Eloquence, Martial Arts and Prowess, Wisdom,
Speech, Knowledge and the written word; Champion of the Gods; The
Perfect Knight; Nuadhu's Champion; He is a Guide of the Dead, and
is the Grail Seeker. He is portrayed as an Old Bald Man with
wrinkled and sun burnt skin, and he is Herakles-like in wearing a
Lion's Skin, carrying a Club & Bow, and a quiver hung from
shoulder. He has great strength, and is a great warrior. He
enslaves and chains people with the sound of his voice and his
words. He invented the Ogham.
Balor mac Buar-Ainech
["One Eye"] King of the Formorians. The Winter Sun, and the Evil
Eye personified. Son of Dot, grandson of Net, King of the
Hebrides. Champion. Father of Ethne, and Grandfather of Lugh.
The Divine Child
[Mapannos; Maponus; Mabon "The Divine Child"; Mabon mab Modron;
Mabon mab Mellt, Maponos map Matrona, "Great Youth"]
Oengus Mac Oc
[In Mac Og (The Young Son); Mac Ind Og (Son of the Young Ones);
Aonghus, Aengus, Angus Og]
Love/Eros; Growth with occasional Eclipse; Light in the Midst of
Darkness; Rebirth of Life; Magic; Magical Increase; Healing;
Music; Poetry and Hunting; Healing; Illuminatory; Eloquence;
Trickster.
Lugh
"The Bright One"
The Sun's fertility and healing powers; The Summer Sun (as
opposed to Grain who is the incarnation of the Sun's Disk);
Saviour of the people by slaying Balor, Inventor of Arts, Skills,
War and Healing; Trickster. King of the Gods after Nuadha.
He is the son of Cian and Ethne, grandson and slayor of Balor.
Mac Ethne
Lugh Lamfada "Long Handed" or "long reach"
Lugh Laebach
Samildanach "many skilled"
Lug [Lugus]
Llew
Behl [Beli Mor, Belhi the Great; Belinos, Belinus, Belenos,
Belenus]
Bres [Eochu Breas/Eochaid Bres "The Beautiful"]
The King of The Gods; The Darker aspects of Rulership and Politics;
Also the God of wild, uncontrolled growth and expansion. Son of
Eriu and Delbaeth mac Ogma.
Court of Nuadhu:
Abcan mac Belcamas
[Abcan Mac Bicmois; Abcan mac Bicelmois] Harper whom the men of
the three gods chose in the sid-mounds [The Otherworld].
Achtan
Goddess of hunting and wild animals, mother of Cormac mac Art.
Adraste
A War goddess associated with Nuadha.
Ai
Poet
Aibell
[Aoibhell] Beauty, Arts, Magic, Destroyer of Life, Moth
and Guardian. "Beautiful"
Airmed
["Air-mit"][Airmidh] The daughter of Diancecht. A physician
and the First Herbalist.
Aobh First wife of Lyr.
Bagna
Bechvilli
[Be Chuille, Becuill] Witch, Sorceress. A Chief Druid.
Becuma
Punished for loving Gaiar
Bodb Derg
[Bobhdh Deargh "The Red", or "Red Crow"] God of Sacrifices,
Later King of the Gods. Brother (or son) of Daghda. A continuous
Dispute between the "Red" and the "Black" Gods. Magical knowledge.
Borvu [Bormo, Bormanus, Bormanicus, Bormannos, Borvo] Youthfulness,
Immortality, Healing springs
Bresal Echarlam Mac Echach Baelthaim
[Bresal Etarlam mac Echdach Baethlaim] Warrior. Hero.
Brian [Brenos, Bran] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid.
Buar-Ainech
Moon Personified (Unverified)
Cairbre
["Kair-pra"; Cairpre; Coirpre mac Etaine] Son of Ogma, a Bard.
Carman
"Athenian" Invader with her sons Calma ("Valiant"), Dubh ("Black"),
Olc ("Evil") sons of Diobhadh ("Extinction"), son of Dorchacht
("Darkness"), son of Casaoid ("Ailment"). Possibly the aspect of
Dea Domnu honoring the Goddess of Battles, and the warriors who
fought and died, even when they lost.
Casmael
Killed by Ochtriallach son of Indech.
Cermait
A son of the Daghda; Father of Mac Cecht, Mac Grainne, Mac Cuill
Chrom Dubh
Dark god of cold, hunger and the night.
Cian Mac DianCech
He rescued the Formorian maiden Ethne, and on her fathered Lugh. He was later killed by Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba.
Cliodhna
[Cleena] Goddess of Beauty, bringer of Blarney
Creine Cerd
[Creidne "Brazier", and/or Cerd "Artificer"; Tinker and Brazier
at the Court of Nuadhu. With his brother Dian Cecht, he made
and fastened the Silver Hand of Nuadhu. Cerd drowned while
bringing gold from Spain (or the Otherworld).
Cridenbel
Bard/Lampooner
Cron Mother of Fianlach Formorach
Cui Roi
Tutelary god of Kerry.
Cumhal
[Kuval; Camulos] A war god.
Daelbaeth
Father of Dana, Brother of Daghda, Bres, etc.
Daithe
Cupbearer
Deare ?
Dermot
[Diarmuit], Son of Donn. Foster son of Oengus.
Delbaeth Mac Ogma
[Tuirill Bicreo; Tuirenn mac Ogma] His mother was Etan, daughter of Dian Cecht; his
father was Ogma. He is the father of Bres by Eriu, as well as Brian/Bran,
Iuchar, and Iucharba by the Morrigan. By Ernmas, he is the father of
Fiacha, Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan. He was killed at the 1st
Moytura.
Delt Cupbearer
Dian Cecht
["Swift in Power"] Physician; God of Healing. Had a healing spring.
Brother of Credne Cerd. Father of sons Cethe, Cian, Cu, Octriuil,
Miacha, and daughters Airmed, Etan.
Diannan
Witch
Dolb Formorach smith
Dollum Cualleinech of the 3 processes/Designs
Smith
Drucht
Cupbearer
Dylan ail Mor
["Son of the Sea"; ail Ton "Son of the Waves"]
Echdamn
One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Ecne ["Wisdom"] Son of Tri De Danu (Brian, Iuchair, Iucharbar)
Edleo mac Allai
Killed at 1st Moytura.
Egobal
?
Elan Swanmaiden
Elatha mac Delbaith.
Elchmar
?
En Mac
[Ethoman] Poet and Antiquary
Enmac Ethamain
Poet and historian
Eochaid
Unfriendly to Tuatha, May refer to Eochaid Mac Eirc
Eochaid Mac Eirc
Firbolg. First King to sit at Tara.
Eogan the Stream
Unfriendly to Tuatha
Eogan Mor Mag Nuat
Nuadha's Slave
Eol Unfriendly to Tuatha
Ernmas
"Iron Death". Died at 1st Moytura. Nuadhu's granddaugher,
and mother of Fiacha, Bandba, Fotla, Eriu, Macha, Badb, and the
Morrigan.
Eru One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Esras
["Outlet, Passage, Way or Opportunity"] The Wizard who taught
the Tuatha de Danaan in Gorias ["Fire"]
Etan Daughter of Dian Cecht. Wife of Ogma, mother of Delbaeth.
Ethlann
Parent of Ogma
Fand Wife of Manannon. Lover of Cuchulain.
Feargus Mac Eochaid
Ancestor Deity? Son of Macha and Lugh???
Feidlimid
One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Fiacha
Son of Ernmas, father of Banba, Fotla, and Eriu. (*may* be a symbol
for a King) Killed at 1st Moytura.
Figol mac Mamois
[Figol; Findgoll] Druid/Wizard
Find the Fili
[Nuahdu-Find] Poet older than the Gods.
Flidais
[Flindais](unverified) Nature Goddess, Hunting, Forests, wild things.
Rides a deer-drawn chariot.
Foimtinne
Formorach Charioter
Fosad One of Lugh's nine foster- fathers
Fuamnach
?
Gaiar ?
Glan Cupbearer
Gle Cupbearer
Glesse
Cupbearer
Goibhniu
[Gov-nu; "Smith"; Goibniu, Gobannos, Gofannon]. Smiths and
Metalworkers, Fire, the Forge.
Goibhniu [Arts/Crafts, Light] Smith
Dulb [Arts/Crafts, Dark] Formorian aspect and Weapons Maker
Goibhniu [Magic/Religion, Light] Healer
Goibhniu [War/Sovereignty] Great Feasts
Goll
Grain [A.k.a. Grainia] The Sun Goddess.
Grannos
Thermal Springs, Healing
Ibar One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
The Gods
For our purposes here there are:
1. The Tuatha (Tuad/Tuathai) de Dannan, "People of the Goddess of the
Crafts"; Tuatha De; Fir Dea; Aes Dana "The people of the
Crafts" (Summer Gods). Spiritual World.
2. The Formorians; Formorach (Winter Gods). They are often
the Dark aspects of the Tuatha. The Mental World.
3. Fir Bolg; The Side, "Shee", Sidhe; Sith. These are Spirits, or
Fairy folk, although the term is used to describe all the
Fir Side, "Men of the fairy mounds"; everything from
the mere fairies to the Dei Terreni, "Gods of/From the Earth".
The Sid is a Holy spot, a Fairy Hill, the "Seat" of the Side, The
Otherworld. The Physical World.
The God Types are generally
* People and Animal Totems
Bear gods.
Cult of the Head (Seat of the Soul)
Anthropomorphic wooden carvings.
God of the Cult of the Horned God
He may be protrayed with either stag horns or goat
horns, and is almost invariably portrayed sitting
cross-legged, and with a Cloak pinned on left
shoulder. He is the Wild Huntsman ("Horned
One","Horned God" "Foundation of the World"). God
of the Wild things of Nature, Lord of the Animals
and of all living things. In his Darker Aspects he
is the Reaper of the Dead, and a Storm God.
Although there are very few examples of this, there
are also Horned Goddesses.
* Ancestors/Ancestral Spirits
* Nature or Localized spirits/Tutelary Gods
Natural/regional Sites
Rivers, Lakes and Bogs. Votive offerings. Ritual
Sites. Stories often told in "Dinnsenchas", the
lore of places.
Stone Gods
Gods and Sacred sites may be represented by
Crommlechs (Crom-liths), or large standing stones.
Ceann Cruach ["Stonehead", "Lord of the Mound"]
Crom Cruach ["Bent or Stooped Pile or Stone";
"The Crooked, or Bent Lord of the Mound"] A
stone representing a bloodthirsty God or
Goddess.
* Tribal divinities
Tuathos [Tooat-hos]; Teutates; Toutatis; Totatis;
Theutatos; Tutates. The title given to the ancestral or
eponymous god of each tribe, "God of the People" or the
"Tribe".
These will be organized, where possible as follows:
*Deity Name* [Other names, Type, Light/Dark]
*"Aspect"* Most "Gods" have three aspects, one relating
to magic and religion, one to "war", and one
to crafts/arts/agriculture ("those who pray",
"those who fight", "those who work")
*Manifestations*
Many Gods have other Gods that are clearly
part of the same Deity, but are in some way
unique.
*Mortal Avatars*
In Maithreacha [In Mah-khre-yakhah], "The Mothers" A.k.a. Matrona,
Madrona, "The Divine Mother", Great Mother, Earth Goddess, The
Three Mothers.
This is the triad of principle mother goddesses (Dana,
Brighid, Macha). Symbols include flowers, cornucopia,
infants, and represent Nature, Life, Healing, Fertility, and
Regeneration.
Dana/Anu
[Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; The Land
Incarnate (specifically Munster); Beneficence; Consort of the
All Father; Domesticity; Earth Mother; Sexuality and
Fertility; Hearth & Home; Life; Love; Magic and Wisdom; Mother
and Nurse of Heroes; Mother of the Gods; Prosperity and
plenty; Related to local healing springs, river goddesses,
wells. She is a Chief Druid, and sometimes is shown carrying
a model of a house on a long pole.
Aine ["Aw-ne"; Magic/Religion, ?, Light]
Anu [Ana, Annan, Ano, Annis/Annis (Agnes) (Anoniredi
"Chariot of Anu"); War/Sovereignty, Tutelary, Light]
Befind ("White Woman")
Nantosuelta [Nantosvelta, Nantosuelta, "Winding River"]
portrayed with Secullos in Gaul
Boanna [Boann/Buanna/Buanann/Buanu "The Lasting One",
Lubachabhain [Lu-BAKH-avayn]] Lubachabhain is a title for
Goddess of the Holy River (Boyne)
Eriu [Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter of Ernmas.
Wife of Mac Cuill "Hazel". The Land and the King were
wed through many ceremonies. Essentually the fate of
the King and the fate of the land were the same.
Banbha ["Pig, Sow"; Banba, Bandha; Tutelary/Land Incarnate;
Light] Daughter of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Cecht "Plough"
Fodla [Fotla, Fotia; Tutelary/Land Incarnate; Light] Daughter
of Ernmas. Wife of Mac Grainne "Sun"
Cethlann
[Ket-hul-ann; Cethlionn "Crooked Tooth", Annis; War/Sovereignty,
Tutelary, Dark] Consort of Balor King of the Formorians. The
darkest aspects of the Earth Mother, and the destructive power
of nature, etc.
Danu [Dan ("Knowledge"), Dana, Danu; Crafts/Agriculture,
Tuathos, Light]
Brighid
[Bridget, Brigantia, Brigindo "High One", Bride, Brid, Brig,
Brigte; Breo saighead (Fiery Arrow or Power) Often called the
Triple Brighid or the Triple Mother; Tutelary/Tuathos; Light]
One of the Three Mothers; Goddess of Life; Goddess of the
Sacred Flame. The Land Incarnate (specifically Leinster).
Her shrine at Kildare is surrounded by a brushwood fence,
and no men are allowed A sacred fire is guarded nightly
(in turn) by 19 priestesses, and the Goddess on the 20th
night. She gives an omen of the upcoming harvest on the
2d day of her Festival (16 Anacantlos). She is sometimes
considered as Dana or Dona, and therefore Mother of the
Gods. She is the daughter of the Daghda. The Celtic
Church could not displace her, so they absorbed her as
the "foster-mother" of Christ and as St. Brighid, the
daughter of the Druid Dougal the Brown.
Brighid [Magic/Religion, Light] Fire of the Mind; Knowledge;
Wisdom; Poetry, Divine Inspiration; Healing;
Brig [Magic/Religion, Dark] She emphasises the Darker
aspects of Wisdom, the most terrifying aspects of
Illumination, the destructiveness of technology,
etc. Daughter of the Dagdha, wife of Bres.
Brighid [War/Soverignity, Light] Home; Fire/the Hearth
Brighid [Craft/Work, Light] Fire/Smithwork; Craftwork
Brig Ambue Patroness of Jurisprudence
Brig Briugu The Provider
Macha In Mor Rigan
["The Great Queen", Macha ("maax-ah"), Morrigan;
Tutelary/Tuathos; Light] One of the Three Mothers; The Land
Incarnate (specifically Ulster); Marries the Daghda at
Samhain.
Macha [Magic/Religion, Light & Dark] The later wife of
the Good God, Queen of the Underworld. The "Washer
at the Ford" (seem washing bloody laundry prior to
battle by those destined to die). Daughter of Ernmas.
Dea Domnu [Dea Domnann "Goddess of the Deep"; ?,?, Dark] The Dark Queen
of the Underworld; The Earth Mother in her most horrific
guise; Title of the Consort of the God of Death
Macha [War/Soverignity] The personification of the
Rulership of the Land, and an aspect of the "Great
Mother"; Horse Goddess and therefore Goddess of
the Horseman and of Cavalry; The final authority of
who is King/King Maker. In her bloody aspect of War
Goddess, she one of the triad of Macha, Nemhan
and Badb, the heads of the slain (as the housing of
their souls) are dedicated to Macha. Daughter of Ernmas.
She fell at 2d Moytura at the hands of Balor.
Nemhan
[A.k.a. Nemen, Nemon, Nemetona "Frenzy"] Nemhan is
the Frenzy of War, although some have suggested
that she may also have been the guardian of Sacred
places.
Badb [Bav]
[A.k.a. Badba ("Boiling"), Boduogenos, Bodua,
Badhbh Chatha ("Raven of Battle"), Cathubodua,
Cauth Bodvo] "Scald Crow" - the black birds that
prophesy battles and in their swarming over the
dead, they are seen as some form of Valkyrie
carrying off spirits of the dead warriors. She is
also the Cauldron of Rebirth, so there is some
connection with childbirth. Daughter of Ernmas. A Druid. Wife of the
War God, Net.
Macha [Craft/Work] The later wife of the Good God,
Agricultural Fertility; Earth Goddess, Mother of
Heroes.
Etain
["Aideen", Edain Echraidhe "Edain Horse rider",
Rigatona, Riannon, Epona] Horse Goddess.
Ethne Daughter of Balor, wife of Cian the son of
Dian Cecht. mother of Lugh
Mania, Mana, Mene, Minne
An Tri Dios/The Three Gods
This is the triad of principle father gods (Dagda, Nuadhu, Ogma). Note
that Any of these may be portrayed as the Horned God.hla
In Daghda
In Dagda The "Good God"
All Father, and King of the Gods and Spirits. Patron of the Irish
and of Priests. He is portrayed as a mature, bearded with a short
belted tunic, a heavy cloak and a long handled hammer (or a large
club or fork) and a small pot or goblet (Bowl of Abundance, a
cauldron that never lacked food). With Blazing altars, he is the
God of plenty, Fertility. Guardian and King of the Underworld and
of the Dead, an Otherworld of fertility and immortality. He is
the Pastoral God of Nature, and Patron of Shepherds and Herdsmen.
Rulers/Kings, Druids. Chief Druid. Brother of Ogma [N.b. As
Secullos, he is portrayed with Nantosuelta; As Daghda, he is
portrayed alone]
Ruad Rofhessa "The Red Lord of All Perfect/Ancient Knowledge"
Cera "Creator"
Eochaidh Oll Athair "Horselike All Father"
Cromm Eocha
Esus [Aesus, "Lord"]
Secullos/Secullus, "Good Striker"
Teyrnon "Divine Lord"
Fer Benn
["Horned Man"; Fer Benn Bruach, "Big-bellied Horned Man";
Fer Benn Bruach Brogaill Broumide Cerbad Caic Rolaig Builc
Labair Cerrce Di Brig Oldathair Boith Athgen Mbethai
Brigtere Tri Carboid Roth Rimaire Riog Scotbe Obthe Olaithbe
"man-horned/pointed-big bellied- ... - ... -dismembered-
excrement-warrior-belly-garrolous-from authority-all father-
... -rebirth of the world- ... -three-... - ... - ... -
... -rejection-decay"]
Cernunnos
[The "Horned God", Hu Gadarn (to Druids)]
God of nature, virility, fertility, animals, sex,
reincarnation and shamanism.
God of the Underworld and Astral Planes.
As the Horned God he is protrayed with a bag of
Grain.
Donn [Don; Donnos; May be Dan "Wisdom"
God of Death, Escort of the Dead. Lord of the Dead, ruling an Otherworld
where people are reincarnated into eternal bodies.
Ecne "The Brown or Dark One"
Tethla [Tethra, Tethre; Indech Mac Donn; Indech mac De Dommann]
One of the three Kings of the Formorians, War, and is
associated with Battle Crows, and the Death you fear.
Nuadhu Airgedlamh
[Nuada Argetlam "Silver handed"; "Master of the Elements"]
King of the Tuatha De; Sky God; War God; Storm God; Lightning
Thunder, God of Healing. He may be portrayed as having a
great Wheel, or be accompanied by a Dog.
As a Maimed King, he is the Grail King, and Lord that must
be healed to Redeem the Waste Land. Nuadha is the the Lamed
King/The Maimed King and in this version, the King and his
kingdom both suffer. The King is maimed and sickly and the
kingdom suffers. The crops won't grow and everything is dark
and gloomy. In a mythic sense, the King is the kingdom and
that fact bespeaks his divine right to rule. In order to save
the kingdom, the King must be healed. Balor kills Nuadhu at
2d Moytura.
Nuadha Finnfail "White Light"
Nuadha Necht, "Cloudmaker"
Nodens
Nudd/Ludd
Net Formorach War God. Husband of Badb.
Neit (Iberian)
Neton (Aquitani)
Nantos (Gaulish)
Cocadius
Taran
Taranis ["Thunderer"; Turannos; Taranus; Taranos]
Elatha
[Elathla, Ealathat, Elatha, Elathlan, Ethlenn?] Over-King of the
Formorians, and the King that enslaved the Tuatha de Dannan.
God of the Damaging Storm. the Darkened Sky, the Chaos and Horrors
of War. Tyranny and Distopic Society.
Oghma Mac Ethlenn
Oghma
[Ogmios; Grian-aineach ("Sun faced" or "Shining faced")]
God of Poetry and Eloquence, Martial Arts and Prowess, Wisdom,
Speech, Knowledge and the written word; Champion of the Gods; The
Perfect Knight; Nuadhu's Champion; He is a Guide of the Dead, and
is the Grail Seeker. He is portrayed as an Old Bald Man with
wrinkled and sun burnt skin, and he is Herakles-like in wearing a
Lion's Skin, carrying a Club & Bow, and a quiver hung from
shoulder. He has great strength, and is a great warrior. He
enslaves and chains people with the sound of his voice and his
words. He invented the Ogham.
Balor mac Buar-Ainech
["One Eye"] King of the Formorians. The Winter Sun, and the Evil
Eye personified. Son of Dot, grandson of Net, King of the
Hebrides. Champion. Father of Ethne, and Grandfather of Lugh.
The Divine Child
[Mapannos; Maponus; Mabon "The Divine Child"; Mabon mab Modron;
Mabon mab Mellt, Maponos map Matrona, "Great Youth"]
Oengus Mac Oc
[In Mac Og (The Young Son); Mac Ind Og (Son of the Young Ones);
Aonghus, Aengus, Angus Og]
Love/Eros; Growth with occasional Eclipse; Light in the Midst of
Darkness; Rebirth of Life; Magic; Magical Increase; Healing;
Music; Poetry and Hunting; Healing; Illuminatory; Eloquence;
Trickster.
Lugh
"The Bright One"
The Sun's fertility and healing powers; The Summer Sun (as
opposed to Grain who is the incarnation of the Sun's Disk);
Saviour of the people by slaying Balor, Inventor of Arts, Skills,
War and Healing; Trickster. King of the Gods after Nuadha.
He is the son of Cian and Ethne, grandson and slayor of Balor.
Mac Ethne
Lugh Lamfada "Long Handed" or "long reach"
Lugh Laebach
Samildanach "many skilled"
Lug [Lugus]
Llew
Behl [Beli Mor, Belhi the Great; Belinos, Belinus, Belenos,
Belenus]
Bres [Eochu Breas/Eochaid Bres "The Beautiful"]
The King of The Gods; The Darker aspects of Rulership and Politics;
Also the God of wild, uncontrolled growth and expansion. Son of
Eriu and Delbaeth mac Ogma.
Court of Nuadhu:
Abcan mac Belcamas
[Abcan Mac Bicmois; Abcan mac Bicelmois] Harper whom the men of
the three gods chose in the sid-mounds [The Otherworld].
Achtan
Goddess of hunting and wild animals, mother of Cormac mac Art.
Adraste
A War goddess associated with Nuadha.
Ai
Poet
Aibell
[Aoibhell] Beauty, Arts, Magic, Destroyer of Life, Moth
and Guardian. "Beautiful"
Airmed
["Air-mit"][Airmidh] The daughter of Diancecht. A physician
and the First Herbalist.
Aobh First wife of Lyr.
Bagna
Bechvilli
[Be Chuille, Becuill] Witch, Sorceress. A Chief Druid.
Becuma
Punished for loving Gaiar
Bodb Derg
[Bobhdh Deargh "The Red", or "Red Crow"] God of Sacrifices,
Later King of the Gods. Brother (or son) of Daghda. A continuous
Dispute between the "Red" and the "Black" Gods. Magical knowledge.
Borvu [Bormo, Bormanus, Bormanicus, Bormannos, Borvo] Youthfulness,
Immortality, Healing springs
Bresal Echarlam Mac Echach Baelthaim
[Bresal Etarlam mac Echdach Baethlaim] Warrior. Hero.
Brian [Brenos, Bran] One of the Tri de Dana "three Gods of Dana" (Knowledge?); He is the son of "Tuirenn mac Ogma" (aka Delbaeth Mac Ogma and Tuirill Bicreo) and either Brighid or the Morrigan. He and his brothers murder Cian, and is in turn slain by Lugh. A Chief Druid.
Buar-Ainech
Moon Personified (Unverified)
Cairbre
["Kair-pra"; Cairpre; Coirpre mac Etaine] Son of Ogma, a Bard.
Carman
"Athenian" Invader with her sons Calma ("Valiant"), Dubh ("Black"),
Olc ("Evil") sons of Diobhadh ("Extinction"), son of Dorchacht
("Darkness"), son of Casaoid ("Ailment"). Possibly the aspect of
Dea Domnu honoring the Goddess of Battles, and the warriors who
fought and died, even when they lost.
Casmael
Killed by Ochtriallach son of Indech.
Cermait
A son of the Daghda; Father of Mac Cecht, Mac Grainne, Mac Cuill
Chrom Dubh
Dark god of cold, hunger and the night.
Cian Mac DianCech
He rescued the Formorian maiden Ethne, and on her fathered Lugh. He was later killed by Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba.
Cliodhna
[Cleena] Goddess of Beauty, bringer of Blarney
Creine Cerd
[Creidne "Brazier", and/or Cerd "Artificer"; Tinker and Brazier
at the Court of Nuadhu. With his brother Dian Cecht, he made
and fastened the Silver Hand of Nuadhu. Cerd drowned while
bringing gold from Spain (or the Otherworld).
Cridenbel
Bard/Lampooner
Cron Mother of Fianlach Formorach
Cui Roi
Tutelary god of Kerry.
Cumhal
[Kuval; Camulos] A war god.
Daelbaeth
Father of Dana, Brother of Daghda, Bres, etc.
Daithe
Cupbearer
Deare ?
Dermot
[Diarmuit], Son of Donn. Foster son of Oengus.
Delbaeth Mac Ogma
[Tuirill Bicreo; Tuirenn mac Ogma] His mother was Etan, daughter of Dian Cecht; his
father was Ogma. He is the father of Bres by Eriu, as well as Brian/Bran,
Iuchar, and Iucharba by the Morrigan. By Ernmas, he is the father of
Fiacha, Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan. He was killed at the 1st
Moytura.
Delt Cupbearer
Dian Cecht
["Swift in Power"] Physician; God of Healing. Had a healing spring.
Brother of Credne Cerd. Father of sons Cethe, Cian, Cu, Octriuil,
Miacha, and daughters Airmed, Etan.
Diannan
Witch
Dolb Formorach smith
Dollum Cualleinech of the 3 processes/Designs
Smith
Drucht
Cupbearer
Dylan ail Mor
["Son of the Sea"; ail Ton "Son of the Waves"]
Echdamn
One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Ecne ["Wisdom"] Son of Tri De Danu (Brian, Iuchair, Iucharbar)
Edleo mac Allai
Killed at 1st Moytura.
Egobal
?
Elan Swanmaiden
Elatha mac Delbaith.
Elchmar
?
En Mac
[Ethoman] Poet and Antiquary
Enmac Ethamain
Poet and historian
Eochaid
Unfriendly to Tuatha, May refer to Eochaid Mac Eirc
Eochaid Mac Eirc
Firbolg. First King to sit at Tara.
Eogan the Stream
Unfriendly to Tuatha
Eogan Mor Mag Nuat
Nuadha's Slave
Eol Unfriendly to Tuatha
Ernmas
"Iron Death". Died at 1st Moytura. Nuadhu's granddaugher,
and mother of Fiacha, Bandba, Fotla, Eriu, Macha, Badb, and the
Morrigan.
Eru One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Esras
["Outlet, Passage, Way or Opportunity"] The Wizard who taught
the Tuatha de Danaan in Gorias ["Fire"]
Etan Daughter of Dian Cecht. Wife of Ogma, mother of Delbaeth.
Ethlann
Parent of Ogma
Fand Wife of Manannon. Lover of Cuchulain.
Feargus Mac Eochaid
Ancestor Deity? Son of Macha and Lugh???
Feidlimid
One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers
Fiacha
Son of Ernmas, father of Banba, Fotla, and Eriu. (*may* be a symbol
for a King) Killed at 1st Moytura.
Figol mac Mamois
[Figol; Findgoll] Druid/Wizard
Find the Fili
[Nuahdu-Find] Poet older than the Gods.
Flidais
[Flindais](unverified) Nature Goddess, Hunting, Forests, wild things.
Rides a deer-drawn chariot.
Foimtinne
Formorach Charioter
Fosad One of Lugh's nine foster- fathers
Fuamnach
?
Gaiar ?
Glan Cupbearer
Gle Cupbearer
Glesse
Cupbearer
Goibhniu
[Gov-nu; "Smith"; Goibniu, Gobannos, Gofannon]. Smiths and
Metalworkers, Fire, the Forge.
Goibhniu [Arts/Crafts, Light] Smith
Dulb [Arts/Crafts, Dark] Formorian aspect and Weapons Maker
Goibhniu [Magic/Religion, Light] Healer
Goibhniu [War/Sovereignty] Great Feasts
Goll
Grain [A.k.a. Grainia] The Sun Goddess.
Grannos
Thermal Springs, Healing
Ibar One of Lugh's nine foster-fathers