Spring and the Goddess

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Maybe because it finally feels like Spring here in Central Virginia I feel closer to Mother Earth and the Goddess. Don't know about you, but for me it is a good feeling.  In fact for me, Spring is when I feel closest to Mother Earth and the Goddess and my feelings switch to Father Sky and the god in the Fall.

Here is a short list of Celtic Goddesses.  You might find one of the list that calls to you.  If so you might want to dig deeper and learn more about her.  

• Aine (Irish) – Goddess of love, growth, cattle and light. Her name means bright as she lights up the dark. Celebrations for this goddess were held on midsummer’s eve.
• Arianrhod  (Welsh) - Goddess of fertility, rebirth and the weaving of cosmic time and fate. Her name means “silver wheel,” representing the cycles of life. 
• Badb (Irish) - A shape-shifting, warrior goddess who symbolizes life and death, wisdom and inspiration. She is an aspect of Morrigan.
• Blodeewedd (Welsh) – She was created by magic from nine blossoms becoming the wife of Llew Llaw. This enabled Llew Llaw to get around the curse place upon him by his mother, Arianrhod, that prevented him from taking a human wife.
• Branwen (Welsh) – The Welsh goddess of love. Her name means “blessed raven.” Bronwyn is a modern day version of this name.
• Brigid (Irish) – This fire goddess’s name means “bright arrow.” Her myths spread into England and Scotland where she is known as Brigantia and Bride respectively. 
• Cailleach Bheur (Scotish) – The hag, destroyer goddess who ruled over disease, death, wisdom, seasonal rites and weather magic. She was known as Cally Berry in Ireland.
• Caireen (Irish) – A protective mother goddess and patron of children.
• Cerridwen  (Irish) – Keeper of the cauldron, goddess of the moon, magic, agriculture, poetry, music, art and science. Her name means “chiding love.” 
• Coventina (English) – Goddess of the sacred waters her shrine is found in Northumberland.
• Danu (Irish) – Her name means “knowledge.” From her flowed all of life. She is also linked to fairy hills and a tribe of ancient deities known as Tuatha de Danaan.  She is probably the most ancient of the Celtic Goddesses.
• Elen (Welsh) – Elen appears in the epic myth the Mabinogian. Here she magically built highways for her soldiers to protect the country.
• Epona (Irish) – The meaning of her name is “great mare” she is the protector of horses, donkeys and mules.
• Flidais (Irish) – The woodland goddess, protector of wild animals and cattle. 
• Henwen (English) – A fertility goddess  who, while in the form of a magical sow, birthed strange litters. Her name translates as “old white.”
• Mabb (Welsh) – As Queen Mabb she acted as midwife to the fairies.
• Macha (Irish) – The wild goddess who battles against injustice to woman and children.
• Maeve (Irish) – A warrior queen.
• Morgan Le Fay (Welsh and Breton) - The sea goddess who is also linked with the fairy folk and the legends of Avalon.
• Morrigan  (Ireland) - A terrifying crow goddess associated with war and death. She is queen of phantoms, demons, shape-shifters and witches.
• Olwen (Welsh) – The golden sun goddess who survived thirteen different trials to win her true love.
• Rhiannon (Welsh) – One of the Celtic Goddesses of fertility, the moon, night and death. Her name means “night queen.”
• Sheela na Gig (Irish) – An ancient crone goddess who is often depicted showing the entrance to her womb.

Just in case you didn't see them earlier, here are links to my short series of blogs on Celtic spiritual practices:
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• Celtic Roots
• Just a little Celtic History
• The Tuatha de Danann
• To Whom Did The Pre-Christian Celts Turn
• Celtic Religious Orders
• Ogham—The Tree Alphabet

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