For this issue, I thought I would begin with one of the many Goddesses of the Celts.
The following is a little information on our first Goddess - Arianrhod
Arianrhod: Welsh Moon Mother and Goddess of fertility.
Attributes: Silver Wheel, Zodiac, Silver, wheels, nets
Representation: Stars of the Corona Borealis. Full Moon.
Relations: Daughter of the Mother-Goddess Don and sister of Gwydion. Mother of Dylan and Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
Offerings: Silver Coins, wheat, candles green and white
Nine Elements
"I was made from the Ninefold elements -
From fruit trees,
From paradisiacal fruit,
From primroses and hill flowers
From the blossoms of trees and bushes,
From the roots of the earth was I made,
From the broom and the nettle,
From the water of the ninth wave.
Math enchanted me before I was made immortal,
Gwydion created me with his magic wand.
From Emrys and Euryon,
From Mabon and Modron,
From five fifties of magicians like Math was I made -
Made by the master in his highest ecstasy -
By the wisest druids was I made before the world began,
And I know the star-knowledge from the beginning of Time."
Taliesin, Chief Bard of the
Britons (circa 600 CE)
as found in the Cad Goddeu and translated by Caitlin Matthews
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For those who like to take a nice soak in the tub, I found the following.
Bathing Rituals: Bathing is popular magick because it is a reunion with the element of water. Baths can be effective in helping the ill to recover. To purify the body, mind & soul add some salt or bath salts to the tub and soak. The salt neutralizes the negativity. Salt also aids in healing. Silver Coins placed
in the bath insure money in the future. Collect the first snow of the Winter and add it to your bath. Helps to keep you healthy.
Bathing Hours: Morning - increases beauty. Afternoon - luck and fortune. Night - enhances psychic awareness.
Bathing Dates: Mondays - just prior to sleep - increases prophetic dreams Tuesdays - Increases passion. Wednesdays - strengthens intellect. Thursdays - brings money. Fridays - helps find love. Saturdays - brings patience. Sundays - brings strength and health.
Winter Solstice or Beltane - bath with a penny wrapped in a washcloth -brings good fortune. Add herbs to
the bath to help with medicinal or ritual purposes.
Celtic Symbolism
The Celts used spirals and knotwork in their art and religion which is a significant part of their heritage. The spirals unfold clockwise from their counterclockwise source which represents the inner and outer evolution of the spirit. The dark into light, winter into summer, the contraction and expansion of the sun. This also formed the basis of the Celtic religion. The knots are generally endless and signify how the soul is bound to the world. The belief in the "oneness" of nature and that nature had the ability to transform itself on each level of existence. the fish symbolized clairvoyance,
the serpent was divine wisdom,
the hare was good fortune,
the birds were spirits of prophesy,
the horse represented sovereignty,
the dragon was a guardian spirit.
Their ancient wisdom and understanding is thought, by many to be beyond other cultures. |
- Celtic Knotwork probably the best known of Celtic design. The never-ending
lines appealed to the Celts, as they symbolized their ideas of eternal life and the intricate relationship of humanity with both the divine and the natural worlds.
- The Celtic Spiral symbolizes the continuity of life and spiritual growth. Death , whether of a human life, the seasons of the year, the astrological skies or anything in the natural or supernatural world, was also a rebirth.
- The Cauldron Symbol The Cauldron is under the power of the Earth goddess Ceredwen the goddess of transformation. This symbol is found all over Celtic artofacts, the transformation or Shapeshifting was an integral part of Celtic belief. In the Cauldron, divine knowledge and inspiration are brewed. The
three spirals represent the Maiden, Mother and Crone aspect of the Goddess.
- Celtic Crosses The first Celtic crosses had four equal points, which represented the four directions, and the four elements enclosed by a circle representing the sun. In pre-Christian times, these crosses were used to mark holy spots.
- The Claddagh This is a modern addition to the various Celtic Symbols. Although very beautiful, this is not really a Celtic symbol. The Claddagh is a heart being held by a pair of hands with a crown above. the Irish symbol of love. The Shamrock - Used as a floral emblem of the Irish. The Shamrock is also considered
the national emblem of Ireland. Again, this is not really a Celtic symbol, but a very beautiful one and a favorite among many Celtic jewelry lovers.
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I will be working on many things to put in this ezine. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to contact me. Also, if there is any topic of a Celtic nature you would like to discuss, just let me know.
Many Blessings,
Morningsong, Storm & Morning Star
