Understanding the Celtic Deities

There is perhaps nothing that is more complex to understand than the Celtic Deities. The Celtic Deities were the gods and goddesses that the ancient Irish followed. Whether or not these gods are based on actual facts is debated by many different groups. Julius Caesar often refers to them but his writing has never been witnessed and so comes second hand.

One of the reasons why the Celtic Deities are so misunderstood is because they are shrouded in secrecy. Although the common names and the meaning of the gods are relatively wide-known, there are very few other details that are known. Another reason that people can become easily confused when talking about the Celtic Deities is because there are over three hundred gods and goddesses among the Deities. Besides the sheer number of the Deities, they could also often go by different names and could also be called by the name of another god in another part of the country or world.

There is however one god and one goddess that seem to remain consistent regardless of the area of the religion. Lugos, also called “Lugh” in Irish or “Llew” in Welsh is the god and Matrona is the goddess. Matrona is also called “Modron” in Welsh and they are also sometimes known as Noreia, Sequana, and Brigtania. It’s also quite common that the goddesses would always represent the earth and fertility.

The Celts also used to be extremely reverent of nature. Water, animals and plants were all very respected and trees were considered to be the most valued. In some cases, horses, bulls, and stags were worshipped because they were so agile, fast, and strong.

A lot of the myths surrounding Celtic Deities come from Wales or Ireland. They were told among ancient civilizations and it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that someone began officially recording them. Many people believe that because the myths were read and told by Christians, that this is the reason why many of the myths have commonalities with Christianity.

One must truly study the Celtic Deities to not only come to their own conclusion as to whether or not they were ever real but also to understand them. Often the Deities were painted as horrific and cruel creatures or as miserable gods and goddesses that are seeking loneliness and depression in the world. This is not true and just like other ancient civilizations, the gods and goddesses gave civilizations a method of explaining that which was unexplainable.