Supernatural Powers and Deities
- Beliefs about the Celtic Gods are not well known except that the Gods all had different functions.
- It seems that some members of the Celtic society had closer relationships with the gods than others.
- The Celts believed that the Gods lived in the 'otherworld'.
- The Celts worshiped and personified the elements (earth, sun, moon, sea, wind etc.).
- They believed in divine beings filling heaven, earth, sea, air, rivers and other aspects of nature.
- These beliefs are revealed in oaths, odes, songs, stories, prayers and poems.
Gods and Goddesses:
- Over 300 names for the Gods and Goddesses.
- There are two Gods who exist everywhere: the god Lugos and the mother goddess Matrona.
The Godly Functions:
- Sky Father - God of thunder and lightning, earth mother and the sky father are the parents of the other gods.
- The Matres - Goddesses of fertility and plenty. They were also river goddesses. They guarded women during child birth.
The Realms:
- Lower realm or Underworld: The controller is usually the one who is in charge of the otherworld, usually depicted with a hammer and a dog. The goddess of the underworld is said to have a cow-like nature and she could change to become an eel, snake, serpent or wolf.
- Middle Realm: Goddess of this realm is known as Medb or Aife, there is a link between this realm and the sun and the summer half of the year, the goddess of the middle realm is usually depicted as a horse.
- Upper Realm: The youthful saviour champion god Cuchullin is the upper realm controller, he is also the warrior champion, the goddess of war is a triplicate goddess and har three forms: Morrigan (Great Queen), Nemain (Battle Frenzy) and Babd (Cow).
- It seems that some members of the Celtic society had closer relationships with the gods than others.
- The Celts believed that the Gods lived in the 'otherworld'.
- The Celts worshiped and personified the elements (earth, sun, moon, sea, wind etc.).
- They believed in divine beings filling heaven, earth, sea, air, rivers and other aspects of nature.
- These beliefs are revealed in oaths, odes, songs, stories, prayers and poems.
Gods and Goddesses:
- Over 300 names for the Gods and Goddesses.
- There are two Gods who exist everywhere: the god Lugos and the mother goddess Matrona.
The Godly Functions:
- Sky Father - God of thunder and lightning, earth mother and the sky father are the parents of the other gods.
- The Matres - Goddesses of fertility and plenty. They were also river goddesses. They guarded women during child birth.
The Realms:
- Lower realm or Underworld: The controller is usually the one who is in charge of the otherworld, usually depicted with a hammer and a dog. The goddess of the underworld is said to have a cow-like nature and she could change to become an eel, snake, serpent or wolf.
- Middle Realm: Goddess of this realm is known as Medb or Aife, there is a link between this realm and the sun and the summer half of the year, the goddess of the middle realm is usually depicted as a horse.
- Upper Realm: The youthful saviour champion god Cuchullin is the upper realm controller, he is also the warrior champion, the goddess of war is a triplicate goddess and har three forms: Morrigan (Great Queen), Nemain (Battle Frenzy) and Babd (Cow).