TH E RELIGION

OF THE

A N C I EN T C E LT S

J . A . M AC C U LL OC H
H O N. AND R EW S ) ; H O N . CAN O N O F CU M B RAE CAT H E D RAL

AU T HO R O F COM PAR AT I V E T HE OL OGY

RE L I GI ON : I T S OR I GI N AND FORMS T H E M S T Y I S LE O F S KY E
I

T H E C HI LD HOO D OF F I CTI ON 2 A S T U D Y O F FOL K T AL E S AND PR IM IT I V E T HOU GHT

-

Ed i nb u rgh : T. T . C LARK , 38 G e o rg e S t re et
1 91 1
 Pri n ted by

MORR I S ON GIBB LI MITE D ,

FOB

T. T. C L A R K, E D I N B U R G H .

LONDON : S I MPKI N, MAR S HALL, HAMILTON, KENT, AND 0 0 . LI MI TED.

NE W YORK : CHARLE S BCRI B NER S S ONS .

’
AN DREW LA NG
 PR E FAC E

THE i tifi c s tu dy of a nci en t C el ti c reli g ion i s a thing of

s c en

recen t g rowth As a res ul t of t he pau city of ma teri al s f or

.

s u ch a s t u d y earl i er w rit ers i n d u l g ed i n t he wi ldes t s p ecul a ti v e

,

flig hts a n d con n ect ed t he reli g i on wi th t h e di s tan t Eas t or s a w ,

i n i t t he rem a in s of a m on oth ei s ti c f ai th or a s eri es of es ot eric

d octri n es vei l ed u n der p ol yth ei s ti c cul t s W ith t he w orks of .

MM Gai doz B ert ran d an d D Arb oi s de J u bai nvi ll e i n

’
.
, ,

Fran ce as w ell a s by the pu b li cat i on of I ri s h t ex ts by s u ch

,

s ch olars a s Drs W i ndis ch a nd St ok es a n ew era m ay be s ai d

.
,

t o h a ve d aw n ed a n d a fl ood of li g ht w as p oured u pon t he

,

s ca n ty rem a i n s o f C el ti c reli g i on
.
I n thi s cou n try t h e pla ce
.

of h on ou r a m on g s t u den t s of th a t rel i g i on b el on g s t o S i r J oh n

Rhys wh os e Hi bb er t Lectures On the Or ig i n a n d Gr owth of

,

i llu s tr a ted by Oel tee H ea thend om

'
Reli g i on
'

as (1 886) was an

ep oc h -
m aki n g work
Every s t uden t of t he s u bj ect s i n ce
.

th a t ti m e feel s t he im m ens e d ebt whi ch he ow es t o t he

indef ati g a bl e res earch es a n d t he b rill i an t s ugg es ti on s of S i r
J oh n Rh ys an d I w oul d be u n g ra t ef ul i f I di d n ot record m y
,

i ndebtedness t o hi m I n hi s Hibb ert Lectures and i n hi s la ter

.
,

m a s t erl y w ork on The Ar thu ri a n Leg end h ow ever he t ook t he , ,

s t an dp oi n t of t he m yth ol og ical s ch ool an d t en ded t o s ee i n

”
,

V1 !
v iii PREFACE
t he old s or es t i m yth s of th e k n es s
s u n an d da w n an d t he dar ,

an d i n t he di v in iti es s u n
g ods a n d da w n g oddes s es and a h os t
- -

of da rk p ers ona es of s u p ern a t u ral ch a ract er The pres en t

g .

w riter s tu dying the s u bj ect ra ther from a n an thropol og ical

,

poin t of Vl eW a n d i n t he l ig ht of m odern f ol k s urvival s has ,

f ou nd hi m s elf i n di s ag reem en t with S i r J ohn Rh y s on m ore

than on e occas i on Bu t he i s con vinced tha t Si r John w ould

.

be t he l as t p ers on t o res en t th i s an d th a t i n s pit e of h i s , ,

m yth ol og i cal i n t erpreta ti on s hi s Hibb er t Lect ures m u s t rem ain

,
.

a s a s ource of i n s pi ra ti on t o a l l C el ti c s t uden t s More recen tl y .

t he s t u dies of M S al om on R ein ach an d of M D ottin an d t he

. .
,

v al ua b l e l ittl e b ook on Cel ti c Reli g i on by P rof ess or Anw l h a ve

y , ,

b ok en f res h g roun d
r 1
.

I n thi s b ook I have ma de u s e of all t he availa b l e s ources ,

an d h ave en dea v oured t o s t u dy t he s u bj ect f rom t he com a ra

p
tive poin t of vi ew a nd i n the l ig ht of t he a n thropolog ical
m ethod I have als o in terpret ed t he ea rl i er cul ts by m eans Of
.

recen t f ol k su rv1 va l s over t he C el ti c a rea wh ereve

-
r it has

s eemed l eg iti m a t e t o do s o The r es ul t s are s um maris ed i n

.

t he in t roduct ory ch ap t er of t he w ork and s t uden t s of rel i g i on , ,

a n d es eci a l l y o f C el ti c rel i i on m u s t j u d e how f ar th ey f orm

p g g ,

a t ru e i n t er ret a ti on of t he earl i er f aith of our C el tic f ore

p
fa th ers mu ch of whi ch res em b l es pri m iti ve rel ig i on an d f ol k
,

b elief everywh ere .

Unfortuna tely no C el t l ef t an accoun t of hi s own rel ig i on ,

1
S ee al s o m y art i cl e Cel t s i n Ha s t i n g s E rwycl opoedi a of Rel i g i on Ethi cs ,
’
and
v ol . i ii .
 PREFACE ix

an d we are lef t t o our own in t erpretati ons m ore or less val id

, ,

of t he ex i s ti ng m a t eri al s a n d t o t he l ig ht s h ed on th em by t he
,

com parati ve s t u dy of rel i g i on s . As th i s b ook w as w ritt en

du ring a l on g res i den ce i n t he I s l e of Sky e wh ere t he ol d ,

l a n gu ag e of t he p eopl e s til l s u rvives an d wh ere t he g eni us

,

loci s peak s everywh ere of thin g s rem ot e a n d s t rang e it may ,

have b een eas ier t o a ttem pt t o reali s e the an ci en t relig ion

th ere th an i n a b u s i er or m ore pros aic pl ace Yet a t every .

p oi n t I h a v e f e l t h o w m u ch w o ul d h a v e b ee n
g a i n ed could

a n old C el t or D ru i d h ave revi s it ed hi s f orm er h au n t s an d ,

p er m itt e d m e t o q u es ti on him o n a h u n d re d m a tt ers whi ch

m us t rem ain ob scu re . Bu t this alas m ig ht not be

, ,

I have t o thank Mi ss Turn er an d Mis s Ann i e Gil chri s t f or

val uab l e h el p ren dered i n the w ork of res earch a n d t h e Lon don ,

Lib rary f or obt ai n i n g f or m e s everal w ork s n ot al rea dy i n i t s

p o s s e s s i.on I t s s t or es a re a n i n va l u a b l e a i d t o a ll s t uden t s

w orking a t a di stance from l ibraries .

J A.. MACCULLOCH .

THE RECTORY,
BRI DGE OF ALLAN,
October 1 9 1 1 .
 CO NTE NT S
CR AP.

I . I NTRODU CTORY

I I . THE CELTI C PE O LE P
I I I . TH E GODS or GAU L AND TH E CONTI NE NTAL CE LTS

I V. THE I RI S H MY THOLOGI CAL CY CLE

V . TH E TU ATHA DE DANANN

V I . TH E GODS OF TH E BRY TH ONS

V II . THE CCCHU LAI NN CY CLE

V I I I . THE FI ONN S AGA

I X. GODS AND ME N .

X . THE CU LT OF THE DE AD

XI . PRI MI TI V E NATU R E W ORS HI P

’
/

1
{ XI I . RI V E R AND WE LL WORS HI P
XI I I . TRE E AND PLANT W ORS HI P

XI V . ANI MAL WORS HI P

XV . COS MOGONY

F
XVI . S ACRI I CE, PRAY E R, AND DI V I NATI ON

X VI I . TAR U
XVII I . F E STI VALS

XI X. ACCES S ORI ES OF CU LT

XX . TH E D RU I DS

XXI . MAGI C

XXI I . TH E S TATE OF THE DE AD

XXI II . RE RI RTH AND TRANS MI GRATI ON

XXI V . E LY S I U M
 S
LI T O F ABBREVIATIO NS U S ED I N TH E NOT ES
T H RO U G H O U T T H IS W O RK
( Thi s l i s t i s not a Bi bl i ogr ap hy . )

BRAND Rev. J
Brand, Observa ti ons on the Pop u la r An
.

ti qu i ti es of Gr ea t B ri ta i n 3 vol s . 1 8 7 0. .

BLANCH E T A Bl an chet , Tr a i té d es monna i es g a u l oi s es

. . 2 vol s .
Pari s , 1 905 .

BE RTR AND A Bert rand , Reli g i on d es g a u l oi s

. Pa ri s , 1 897 . .

CAMPBELL, WE T J F Ca mpb el l , P op u la r Ta l es of the Wes t Hi g h

. .

Edi nburg h , 1 8 90.

l a n ds . 4 vol s .

LF L ea bha r n a Fei nn e. Lon d on , 1 8 7 2 .

CAMPBELL , S up ers ti ti ons J . G Ca m

pb el l , S up ers ti ti ons of the Hi g hla n d s a nd
.

I s la nd s of S cotl a nd . 1 900.
Wi tchcraf t Wi tchcraf t a nd S econd S i g ht i n the Hi g h
la nds a nd I s la nd s f
o S cotl an d . 1 902.
CORMAC Corma c s Gl ossa ry . Tr. by
’
O Don ovan . Ed . J .
’

by W. S t ok es . Ca l cutta , 1 8 68 .

COU RCE LLE S ENEU I L .

-
J. L .
-
’
Courcel l e S eneui l , L es di eu x g a u l oi s d ap res
l es m on m nents fig u rés . Pari s , 1 91 0.
Corp us I n scr ip ti on u m La ti na r u m . Berl i n, 1 8 63 f.
Cel ti c Mag a zi n e I nvernes s , 1 8 7 5 f . .

J. Curt i n , H er o Ta l es of I rel an d 1 8 94 . .

Ta l es of the Fa i ries a nd Ghos t Worl d .

1 895 .
DALzE LL Si r J . G Dal zell , Darker S up ers ti ti ons of S cot la nd .
.

1 8 35 .
D ARROI S
’
H D Arboi s d e
.
’
J ubai nvill e, Cou rs d e li tteratu re
cel tiqu e. 1 2 vol s Pari s , 1 8 83—1 902.
.

Les Cel tes . Pari s , 1 904 .

Les Dr u i d es cl les di eu o: cel tiqu es d
f ormes d a ni m a u z
’
c. Pari s , 1 906 .
Les p remi ers ha bi ta nts d e l E a rop e.
’

2 vol s . Pari s , 1 8 8 9—1 894 .

DOM MARTI N Dom Marti n , Le rel i g i on d es g a ul oi s . 2 vol s .

Pari s , 1 7 2 7 .
G Dott i n, Man uel p our
‘
DOTTI N
’ ’
. servi r cv l étu de d e l an

t i qu i tecelti que. Pari s , 1 906 .

ELTON C I El t on , Ori g i ns
. . of E ng li s h Hi s tory . Lon d on ,
1 8 90.
FRAZE R, GB 2 J . G Frazer, Gol d en
. 3 vol s . 1 900.
xi i i
x iv LIST OF AB BRE VIATIONS
GUE S T Lady Gues t , The Ma bi n og i on 3 vol s . Ll an .

d overy , 1 8 4 9 .

HAZLI TT W. C. Hazli tt , Fa i ths a nd Fol k l ore : A Di ctionar y -

f Nati on a l Beli ef s , S up ers ti ti on s

o ,
a nd

Pop u l ar Cu s tom s . 2 v ol s . 1 905 .

HOLDE R A . Hol der ,
Al tcel ti s cher Sp r a chscha tz . 3 vol s .

Lei p zi g , 1 8 91 f .
H U LL Mi s s E . Hul l , The Cu chu l li n S a g a . Lon d on , 1 8 98 .
IT . S ee Wi n d i s ch -
S t ok es .

J AI J ou rna l f
o the An thr op ol og i ca l I nsti tu te. Lon d on ,
1 8 7 1 f.
P. W. J oy ce, l t a
”
O d Ce i c Rom nces . Lon don , 1 8 94
l .

“
Hi s tory o f I ri sh Nam es of Pl aces .

2 v ol s . Lond on, 1 901 .

S oci a l Hi s tory f
o Anci en t I rel a nd .

2 vol s . Lon d on, 1 903 .

J U LLI AN C Jul li an , Recherches s ur l a

. r eli g i on g a u l oi s e.
B ord eau , 1 903. x
K E ATI NG K eat i ng Hi s tory O Mah ony
’
,
o f I rel an d . Tr .

Lon d on , 1 8 6 6 .
K ENNED Y P. K ennedy ,
L egen d a ry Fi cti ons f
o the I ri sh Cel ts .
1 866 .

LARM I NI E W . Larmi ni e, Wes t I r i sh Fol k Ta les a nd Roma nces .

1 8 93.
LEAH Y Leahy , Her oi c R oman ces of I rel a nd . 2 vol s .

Lon don , 1 905 .

LE BRAz A Le Braz, La L eg en d s de la Mort chez l es B retons
.

a r m ori ca i n s . 2 vo s ;
l Pari s , 1 902.
'

Lea bha r La i g n ech ( Book of Lei ns ter ), facs i m i l e

’

repr i n t . Lon d on , 1 8 8 0
“

LOTH Lot h , L e Ma bi n og i on . 2 v ol s .
Pari s , 1 8 8 9.
Lea bha r na h Ui dhre
-
( Book of the Dun Cow),
fa cs i m i l e repri n t . Lon d on , 1 8 7 0 .

MACBAI N A Ma cBa i n ,
. E tym ol og i ca l Di cti ona ry f
o the Ga el i c
L a ng u a g e. I n vern es s , 1 8 96 .
Ma cd oug al l , Fol k a nd Hero Ta l es Lon don 1 8 91 .
, .

J M Ma cki nl ay Fol k l ore of S cotti sh Lochs a nd

. .
,
-

Sp ri ngs . Gl a s g ow, 1 8 93.

MARTI N M Mart i n
.
,
Des cr i p ti on of the Western I s l a nds f
o

S cotl a n d ? Lon d on , 1 7 1 6 .
MAU R Y A Maury , Cr oya n ces
. ct l eg en d es d a Meyen Ag e .

Pa ri s , 1 8 96 .

MONNI E R D. Monni er ,
Tr a d i ti on s p op u l a i res comp ar ee s .
'

Pa ri s , 1 8 5 4 .

A W Moore Fol k l ore of the I s l e of Ma n

. .
, 1 8 91 -
. .

A Nu t t a n d K Mey er, The Voy a g e of B ra n

. . .

2 v ol s . Lond on, 1 8 95 — 1 8 97 .
 T HE RE LI GION OF T HE

AN C I E N T C E LT S.

C HA P TE R I .

IN R DU C T O TO RY .

To s u mm on a dea di g i on from i t s f org ott en g rave and t o

r el

m ak e it t el l i t s s t ory w ould requ i re a n en ch an t er s w an d

’
.
,

Oth er old fai th s of Eg yp t B a by l on G reece Rom e are k n ow n

, , , , ,

to us . Bu t i n th ei r case l it u rg i es m yth s th eog on i es th eol og i es

, , , ,

a n d t he a cces s ori es of cu l t rem a in t o yi eld th ei r rep or t of t he

,

ou tward f orm o f h u m a n b el i ef a n d a s pi r a ti on How s can ty on .

,

t he oth er h an d a r e t h e records of C el t i c reli g i on I The byg on e

,

fa ith of a p eopl e w ho h a ve i n s pi red t h e w orld w i th n ob l e

dream s m u s t be con s t ru cted p ai n f ul ly a n d of ten i n f ear a n d,

t rem b li ng ou t of f rag m en ta ry an d i n m a n y cas es tran s form ed

, , ,

rem a i ns .

We h ave t he s urfa ce ob s erva tion s of cla s s i cal ob s ervers ,

d edi ca ti on s i n t h e Rom an o C el ti c a rea t o g ods m os tl y a s s i m i

-

l a t ed t o t he g ods o f t he con q u erors fi g u red m on um en t s m ai n l y

,

of t he s am e p er i od coi n s s y m b ol s pl a ce a h d pers onal n a m es

'

, , , .

For t h e I ri s h C el t s th ere i s a m as s of w ri tt en m a t eri al f o un d

m ain l y i n el even th and tw elf th cen t ury MS S Much of th i s i n .
,
2 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
sp it e of al teration and ex ci s i on i s b as ed on divin e and h eroi c ,

m yth s a n d i t al s o con t a i n s occa s i on al noti ces of rit u al

,
From .

W al es com e d ocum en t s l ik e t he Ma bi nog i on a nd s t ran g e poem s ,

t he pers on ag es of whi ch are a n ci en t g ods tran s f or m ed bu t ,

which t ell n othi n g of rit e or cul t V al uabl e hin ts ar e

1
.

f u rni s h ed by earl y eccl es i as ti cal d ocu m en t s bu t m ore i m ,

.

rt ant 1 s ex i s ti ng f olk Cu s t om whi ch p res erv es s o m u ch o f

p o -
,

t he ol d cul t th ou g h it ha s l os t i t s m ean i n g t o th os e w ho n o w
,

u s e it Fol k tales m a y a l so be i n qu ired of i f w e di s cri m in ate

.
-
,

b etw een wha t i n th em i s C el ti c an d wh a t i s u n ivers al Las tl y .

,

C el tic b uri al m oun ds an d oth er rem ain s yi el d th eir t es tim on y

-

t o a n ci en t b el i ef a n d cu s t om .

From thes e s ources w e t ry t o reb u ild Cel ti c pag ani s m an d

t o g ues s a t i t s i n n er s p irit th ou g h w e a r e w ork i n
g i n,t h e

twil i g ht on a heap of frag m en ts N o C el t ha s l ef t u s a record .

of hi s fa ith a n d p ra cti ce a n d t he u n w r itt en p o em s of t he

,

D rui ds died with th em Yet f rom th es e fragm en t s we s ee

.

t h e Cel s

tO s u pers t i ti QnA ag d hxl gy al t y

d g
to les t gag ges . T he

1
S om e wri t ers s aw i n t h e b ardi c poet ry a Drui di c es ot eri c s y s t em a n d t ra ces
. -

o f a cul t pra ct i s ed s ecret l y by t h e b a rd s t he Neo -Dru i d i c h eres y s ee Da vi es ,

‘
—

My th of the B r i t D r u i d s, 1 8 09 Herb ert , The Neo Dr u i di c Heresy, 1 8 3 8

. .
-
.

”
S ev era l Fren ch wri t ers s aw in Drui d i s m a m on ot hei s t i c fai t h , vei l ed un d er

p ol y t h ei s m .

2
Li vy , V 4 6 . Caes ar, vi . 16 Di on Hal . v i i . 7 0
. Arri a n , Cyneg . XXXV . l .
 IN TRODUCT ORY 3

Cgl ts were bor

,
w eam ers h as t h ei r fi xqui si tefl
l filysip m b eln
i ef wi l l

—~ h
W

on e European li t erat ure i s due t o them .

The a n al og y o f rel ig i ou s ev ol u ti on i n o th er fa ith s h el p s u s

i n recon s t ructi n g th a t of t he C el t s Th oug h n o h i s tori c Cel ti c .

r ou w as rac i a l l y p ur e t he prof ou n d i n fl u en ce of t he C el t i c
g p ,

t emp eram en t s oon Cel t i ci s ed t he rel ig i ou s con tri b u tion s of

“ ”

t he n on C el ti c el em en t whi ch m ay al rea d y hav e ha d m a n y

-

C el ti c parallel s B ecau s e a g iv en C el ti c rit e or b el i ef s eem s t o

.

b e u n Ary an it n eed n ot n eces s ari l y be b orrowed Th e C el ts

”
-
.
,

h ad a s ava e a s t a n d con s erva ti ve asW , , W

“

m u ch of it ali ve Our b u s i n es s t h eref ore l i es w i th C el ti c

.
,
.
,

Th es e prim i tive el em en t s w ere th ere

’

reli g i on as a T W h ol e .

b efore t he C el t s m ig ra t ed from t he ol d Aryan h om e ;yet s in ce

th ey a ppear i n C el ti c rel i g i on t o the en d w e s peak of th em as ,

C el ti c The earli es t as peot oi t ha t

. ._
-

o- ‘ m

l if e m ani fest ed i n n a t ure Bu t m en a n d “

. w om en prob ab ly had
fi

s ep ara t e cu l t s , an d , o f t he t w o, p erh a p s tha t of t he la tt er i s

m ore im p orta n t As hunt ers , m en wors hi p p ed thg g ni mé lt
.
-

‘ m v

t ey s i ewfi a pofi g i sip g t o t hem

h fl f

fl f on fi e u ht r
g g; Thi s ‘
fi
ti c a ttitu de f oun d w i th all
a p ol og e ,
i s of t he p ri m i ti v e h u n t ers ,

n a t ure of a cu l t O th er ani mal s t o a s acred t oh e s l ai n w oul d '

.
r

g i vi n g rii q mjg m es ti ca :

t i on an d p as t oral l i f e with t ot em i s m as a p rob ab l e fact or

n
, .

t he _
o
ri g
_
i n of a g r icul tu re i s m a inly due g
t o yyom en , t he Earth
Wd d
‘ ‘

i e b t d t h em l a ter tha—t of
raflq
s
_ w ’ y s, ,

— d

t ti on p p rd i it s all g ar e a s f em a lC AS m en
w

v eg e a .
fi
an sp r , “
re ,

b eg an t eres t th em s elves i n
to i n a g ri cu l t u re th ey w ou l d j oi n i n
,

t he f em al e cu l t s p rob a b l y w i th t he res u l t of ch ang i n g t he s ex

,

of t he s p iri t s w or s h i pp ed An Earth g od w oul d t ak e t he p la ce .

-

of t he Earth moth er or s t and as her con s ort or s on

-
, V eg et a .
4 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE LTS
ti on a n d corn s pirits w ould of ten b ecom e m al e thoug h m any ‘

s p i rit s even wh en th ey w ere ex al t ed i n t o d ivi n iti es rem ai n ed

, ,

f ema l e .

W ith the g i g i p ro wth

on t he va g IIer s i rit s t en ded t o of r el

becom e g ods an d g oddes s es an d w ors h i p f ul a ni m al s t o b ecom e

‘

a n thr op om orph i c d i vi n iti es with t he a n i m al s a s th ei r s y m b ol s , ,

a tt en da n t s or V i cti m s An d a s t he cu l t h u gge at i on s p irit s

,
t .
“ M a
.
‘

cen t red I n th e r1 t u a l o£ pl m t m g an ow i n s o t he cul t of th e

__ ,

d ivi ni ti es of g rowth cen t red I n rea t s ea s on a and a ri cu l t u ra l

l
fl
“. W
” M M a w M

10

i s t o be f oun d . Bu t the m ig ratmg el t s , con ri n ne

w

en ce i s s t ill- a
w th t w orl
es e are f em a l e I n s p it e m an y of .

of
p os s es s i n g s o m a n y l oca l w a r g od s t h e C el t s w ere n ot -
,

m erel y m en of w ar Even t he equ i tes en g ag ed i n war Onl y .

when occas ion aros e an d ag ri cul tu re as w el l a s pas t oral i n dus try

,

w as con s t an tl y pract i s ed b oth i n G au l an d B rit a i n b ef ore t h e , ,

con qu es t I n I rel an d t he b el i ef i n t he depen den ce of fru it ful

1 '

.
,

n es s u p on th e ki n g s h ow s t o wh a t ex t en t ag ri cu l t u r e fl ouri s h ed
,

th ere 2 Musi c p oetry craf t s an d t ra de g a ve ri s e t o cul ture

.
, , ,

d iv i n iti es perh ap s evol ved f rom g ods of g rowth s i n ce l a ter

, ,

m yths a ttrib u t ed t o th em b o th t he ori g i n of ar t s an d cra f t s ,

a n d t he i n t r od u ct i on o f d om es ti c a n i m a l s a m on g m en Pos s i b l y .

s om e cul t u re g ods ha d b een w ors hi pfu l a n i m al s n o w w ors hi pped ,

a s g o ds w ho ha d g iv en th es e an i m al s t o m an
,
Cu l t uren .

oddes s es s t i l l h eld th ei r pl a ce a m on g cul t u re g o ds an d w ere

g
-
,

reg ard ed a s th ei r m oth ers The p rom i n en ce of thes e divi n ities ‘

.
.

show s th a t t h e C el t s w ere m ore th a n a ra ce of warri ors .

The p an th eon wa s th u s a l arg e on e bu t on t h e wh ol e t he

‘

1
Caes ar, V i 1 5 , of v . 1 2, havi ng wag ed war, rem ai n ed t here a n d Cu l t i va t ed
. .

”
t h e l a n ds .

2
. . x
Cf Pli n y , HN XV II 7 , vi i i 1 8 o n t h e wh eel ed pl oug h s a n d ag ri cul t ural .

m eth od s o f Gaul s an d Bri t ons Cf a l s o S t ra b o, i v 1 2, i v 5 5 Gi rald Ca mb.. . . . . . .

Tap Hi b. i . 4 , Des cr . Ca mb. i . 8

. J o
y ce, S H i i 26 4. .
 INTRODUCTORY 5

d ivi niti es wth w ere m ore g en eral l y i m por tant The

of g ro .
.

ol d er n a t ur e S pi ri t s a n d d iv i n e a n i m al s w er e n ev er i te f or
q g

rit ual s W M B PM W Q I OW LD __ ere w

w orshi pp ed ah t ha g rea t i eat i v a l a Yet i n w er es sen ce th e l o
an d t he h i h er cul t s w er e on e a n d t he s a m e a n d s a ve wh ere
g , ,

R om an i n flu en ce des troy ed C el t i c relig i on t he ol der prim iti ve ,

s t ra n ds are ev erywh ere a

pp ar e n t T h e t em.
p e ra m e n L w t h e m Q w
-

Cel t kep t hi m cl os e law

‘ fl
he n ever q u ite dropped th e

fl
p r i m iti v e e l em en t s o f hi s re l i g i o n M or eo v e r .t h e e a rl y i n ,

u en ce of f em al e cu l t s of f em al e s i rit s a n d o ddes s es rem ai n ed

p g
t o t he en d as a n oth er p redom i na n t f act or .

Mos t of t h e C el t i c di vi n it i es w ere l ocal i n ch aract er each ,

tribe p oss es s i n g i t s g wp g g g up each g od h avi ng f un ction s

w g

s i m i l ar t o th os e o f o th er rou s S m h w eve r h a d or
g p o e .o , ,

g a i ned a m ore un ivers al ch aract er a b s orbi ng di vi n iti es with ,

s imi l ar f u n cti on s .Sti ll this l ocal ch aract er m us t be b orn e i n

m i n d The n um erou s div i n i ti es o f G aul with di fferi n g n a m es
.
,

bu t j udg i ng by th ei r a s s im i la ti on t o t he s am e R oman d iv ini ty

, ,

s i m i l ar f u n cti on s are b es t u n ders t ood a s ods of l o ca l g rou ps

, g .

This i s proba b ly true al s o of B rit ai n a nd I reland But thos e

‘

g o d s w or s
hpp
i ed f ar a n d wi d e o v er t h e C el ti c a rea m a
y b e g o d s

of t he un di vi d ed C el t s or od s f s m e d o m i n an t C el ti c rou p
,g o o g 3 .

ex t en di n g th ei r i n fl u en ce on a ll s i des or i n s om e cas es p op u , , ,

l ar g ods wh os e cul t pas s ed b ey on d t h e t rib al b o un ds I f it .

s eem precari ou s t o s ee s u ch cl os e s i m i l arity i n t h e l ocal g od s of

a p eopl e ex t en di n ri ht E u e e l n b m a d e
g g a cro s s ro p a p p a c a e,

t o t h e i n fl uen ce of t he C el t i c t em pera m en t produ ci n g every ,

wh ere t he s a m e res ul t s a n d t o t h e h om og en ei ty of C el ti c ci vi l
,

i s at i on s ave i n l ocal ar ea s e g t he S ou th of G au l
, ,
. . Moreover .
,

th e com pari s on of t he vari ou s t es tim on i es of on l ook ers poin t s

t o a g en eral s imi larity wh i l e t he p erm an en ce of t he pri m i t i ve
,

el em en t s i n C el ti c rel ig i on m u s t h a ve t en ded t o k eep it every

6 TH E RE LIGION OF T HE AN CIENT CE L TS
where the s ame T houg h i n Gaul w e h ave on l y i n scripti on s
.

a n d i n I rel a n d on l y d i s t ort ed m y t hs y et th os e t es ti m on i e s a s
,
'

w el l a s t he evi dence of f olk s urvival s i n both reg i on s p oin t t o

-
,

t h e s i mi l ar ity of reli g i ou s ph en om en a The D r ui ds a s a m or e .

,

or l es s org a n i s ed pri est h ood w ou l d a s s i s t i n pres erv m g t h e

,

general l ik enes s .

Thoug h g row1 ng ci vi l i s a tion t ended t o s epara t e th em from t he

s oi l n ret u rn f or m an s
thw pygp $1 ? l c
’

, 12
“
i t I .

Wors hi p an d sacri fi ces th ey g ave l i fe a n d i n crea s e V i ct ory

’

, , ,

s tren g th a n d s ki ll
, Bu t th es e s a crifi ces ha d b een a nd s ti ll
.
,

Of t en w ere rit es i n whi ch t h e re r es ent a ti v e of a

p g o d W a s s l ai n .

S om e di vi niti es w ere w ors hipp ed over a wi d e a rea m os t w ere ,

g o d s of l oca l g r ou p s a n d,
t h er e w er e S p i rit s o f
'

ev er y p l a ce hi l l , ,

y an org a n i s ed p ri es th ood . An d as t he

reg M
Our
W hi t h er t he y
W
k n owl edg e O t e hig h er s i de of C el ti c rel ig ion i s
f h
h .

..

p r a ct i cal l y a b l a n k s
,
i n ce n o d es c r i p ti on of t h e i nn er s p I rI t ua l

l i f e ha s com e d ow n t o u s How f a r t h e C el t s cu l ti va ted re

.

l i g i on i n o u r s en se Of t he t erm or ha d gl im p ses of Mon oth ei s m

‘

, ,

or w ere t r ou b l ed by a d ee f i i k w B
'

p s en s e o s n s u n n o n .u t a , .

p eopl e wh os e s pi ritu a l i nfl u en ce h as l a t er b een s o g rea t m u s t

‘

h ave ha d g li m ps es of th es e thi n g s S om e of th em m u s t .

k nown t he th i r s t o f t he s oul for God or s ou g ht a h ‘

eth i ca l s t a n dard th a n th a t of t hei r t im e The en th u s i a s ti c .

.

recep ti on o f Ch ri s t i a n i ty t h e d ev o ti on of t he earl y C el ti c
,

s ai n t s a n d t h e ch ara ct er of the Ol d C el ti c ch u rch a ll s u g es t

, g ,

thi s .

The rel a ti on of t he C el ti c ch u rch t o pag an is m wa s main l y

i n t ol era n t thoug h not wh oll y s o It of ten adopt ed t he l ess
, .
 C HA P T ER I I .

TH E CEL TI C PE O PLE .

S CRUTI NY r ev eals the f a ct that C el ti c s peak i ng peopl es a re -

of d i fferi n g ty p es — s h or t a n d dark a s w ell a s t a ll a n d f a i rer

Hig h l an ders or W el s hm en s h ort b road h ea ded B ret ons

, ,
.
-
,

var iou s ty pes of I ri s h m en Men with No rs e n am es a nd N orse

.

”
as p ect h ave the Ga el ic But al l a l i k e h ave th e s am e ch ar
.

a ct er an d t em eram en t a s t riki ng wit n es s t o t h e i n fl u en ce

p ,

whi ch t he ch aract er a s w ell a s t he l ang uag e of t he C el ts ,

wh oever they w ere m a de on all with wh om th ey m i ng l ed

,
.

Ethn ol og icall y th ere m ay n ot be a Cel ti c ra ce bu t s ometh i ng ,

wa s h an d ed d ow n f rom t he da y s of com para tive C el ti c p urity

whi ch w el ded differen t s ocia l el em en t s in to a comm on type ,

f oun d of ten wh ere n o C el ti c t ong ue i s n ow s poken It .

em er es wh ere w e l ea s t ex ect i t an d t he s t oli d A n l o S a x on

g p g
.
-
,

m ay s u ddenl y a w ak en t o s om ething i n hi m s elf due t o a f or

g ott en C el ti c s trai n i n hi s a n ces t ry .

Tw o m a in th eories of C el ti c orig i ns n ow h ol d t he fi el d

( )
1 T h e C el t s ar e i d en tifi ed w i th t h e p g
r o en it ors of t h e

s h or t b rachy ce h a l i c A l i n e ra ce C t E i ti
“
, p p o f e n ral u ro p e ex s ng ,

th ere i n N eol ithi c tim es af t er thei r mig ra ti on s f rom Af ri ca

,

and Asi a . The ty p e i s f oun d a m ong t he S lavs i n p art s of ,

G erm an y a nd S can dinavi a an d i n m odern France i n the reg i on

,

of C aes ar s Cel t ae am ong t he Au verg na t s th e B ret on s a nd

’

, , ,

i n Loz ere an d J ura Repres en ta tives of the ty pe have b een

.

8
 T HE CEL TIC PEOPLE 9

f ou nd i n B elg ian and Fren ch N eoli thi c g raves Prof ess or S erg i .
1

call s th i s t he Eura s ia ti c race an d con trary t o g eneral opi ni on ”

, , ,

identifies it with the Aryan s a s a vag e peopl e in feri or t o t he , ,

dol i ch oceph al i c M edit erra nean ra ce wh os e l a ng u ag e th ey ,

Ary an i s ed Profes s or K ean e thi nk s tha t th ey w e ret h em s el ves

2
.

an A ry a n i sed f ol k b ef ore reach i n E u rop e who i n t u rn g a v e

g ,

their a cq u ired C el ti c a nd S lavi c s peech t o t he precedi ng

m a ss es La t er cam e t h e B elg ae A rya ns wh o a cq ui red t he
.
, ,

C ti s peech of t e peopl e th ey con q e ed

el c h u r
3
.

B roca a s s um ed th a t t he dark b ra chy ceph ali c people wh om ,

he i dentifi ed with C aes ar s Cel t ae di ffered f rom t he B elg ae

’ “ ”
, ,

w ere conqu ered by th em an d a cqu ired t he l ang uag e of th eir ,

con q u erors h en ce w ro n l y call ed C el ti c by hi l ol o i s t s Th e

, g p g .

B elg ae w ere tall an d f ai r a nd overran G a u l ex cept Aquitaine

, , ,

m ix ing g en erally with t he Cel tae w ho i n C aes ar s tim e had thu s

’
,

a n i n f us i on o f B el i c b l ood B u t b ef ore thi s con q ues t t he

4
g . ,

Cel tae ha d al rea dy m i ng l ed with t he a b orig i nal dol i ch oceph ali c

f olk of Gaul Ib eri an s or Medit erran ean s of P rof es s or S erg i
, ,
.

The l a tt er had apparentl y rema i ned com para ti vel y pure from
a dm ix t u re i n Aqu it a i ne a nd a re o b a b l y t h e Aq uit a n i of
p r ,

Caes ar 5
.

Bu t w ere t h e s h ort b rachy ceph al ic f olk C el t s ? C aes ar s a ys

,

t he p eopl e w ho call th em s el ves Cel t ae w ere called Gau ls by

t he Rom an s an d G aul s accordi ng t o cla s s i cal w rit ers w ere
, , ,

t and f air Hence the Cel t ae w ere n ot a s h ort dark race

al l 6
.
, ,

1
Ri pl ey, Ra ces of E u r op e ; Wi l s er, L AnthrOp ol og i e, xi v. 4 94 ; Coll i g n on,
’

i bi d 1 20 Broca , Rev. d An thr op i i . 5 8 9 ff .

’
— ‘
. .

2
S erg i , The Medi terr a nea n Ra ce, 241 2 6 3 ff.
3
Ke a n e, Ma n Pa s t a n d Presen t 5 1 1
,
5 2 1 , 5 28 ,
.

4
Broca , Mem d An thr op i 37 0 ff Hovel acq ue t hi nk s
.
’
. . . , wi t h K ean e, t h a t
t he Gaul s l earn ed Cel t i c from t h e d ark roun d h ea d s . B u t Gal at i a n a n d Bri t i s h -

Cel t s , wh o h a d n ever b een i n con t act wi t h t h e l a t t er, s pok e Cel t i c. S ee Hol m es ,

Caesa r
’
s Con qu es t o f Gant l , 31 1 31 2.
-

5
Caes ar, i 1 Colli g n on , Mem . S oc d Anthrop . d e Pa r i s , 3m e i . 67
’
. . s er. .

6
Caes ar, i 1 . .
 1 0 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE LTS

an d C aes ar him s elf s ay s tha t Gaul s (in cl uding Cel t ae) l ock ed
with con t em p t on t he s h ort Roman s St ra b o a l s o s ay s tha t
1 ‘
.

Cel t ae a n d B elg ae ha d t he s a m e G au li s h a pp earan ce i e t all an d

‘

. .
,

f a ir C aes ar s s ta tem en t th a t Aqu i tani Galli an d B el g ae d i ffer

’
.
, ,
.

i n l a ng u ag e i n s ti t u t i on s a n d l aw s i s vag u e an d u ns u pp or ted
, ,

by eviden ce an d m ay m ean a s t o l ang uag e n o m ore th an a

,

di fieren ce i n dial ects Thi s i s al s o s u g g es t ed by Stra b o s w ords ’

.
,

Cel t ae a n d B elg ae di ffer a l i ttl e i n l a n g u ag e N o cla s s i cal

“ 2 ”
.

w rit er d es crib es the Cel t s a s s hort a nd da rk bu t t he revers e ,

.

Short dark p eopl e w ould h ave b een call ed Ib eri a n s wi th ou t

, ,

r es p ect t o S k u l l s Cl a s s ical ob s ervers w ere n ot cran i ol og is ts

. .

The s h or t b ra chy ceph al i c ty pe i s n ow prom i nen t i n Fran ce

‘

, ,

b ecau s e it ha s al wa y s b een s o;el imi n a ti ng t he tall fair C el ti c ,

typ e C on qu eri n g C el ts , f ew er i n n um b er th an t he b road an d

.

n arrow h ea d ed ab ori in es i n t erm a rri ed or m ade l es s l a s ti n

g g
- '

a ll i an ces w i th th em I n cou rs e of ti m e t he typ e of t he m ore

.

n u m erou s ra ce w a s b ou n d t o E C ’

p r ev a i l ve n i n aes ar s d a y t.h e

l a tter p rob a b l y ou t n u m b ered t he t al l a n d f a ir C el ts who ha d , ,

h owever Cel ti ci s ed th em But cl as s i cal w rit ers who kn ew

, .
,

t he t r ue C el t a s t all an d f a ir s a w tha t ty pe onl y j u s t a s every

,
-
,

on e on fi rs t v i s i ti n F ra n c e or G e r m a n y s ees hi s g en era l i s ed
, g ,

ty pe of Fren chm an or G erm an everywh ere La t er he m od ifi es .

,

hi s opi ni on bu t thi s t h e cl a s s i cal ob s erver s did n ot do

, .

C aes ar s cam pai g n s m u s t h ave drai n ed Gaul of m an y tall and

’

f ai r C el t s Thi s with t h e t en dency of d ark types t o ou t

.
,

n u m b er f a i r ty es i n S ou th a n d C en t ral E ur o e m a
p p y h el p t o ,

ex pl a i n t he ro wi n m i n n f t h d ark ty p e th oug h t he
g g p r o e c e o e ,

ta ll f air type i s f ar f rom u n com m on

,
3
.

( ) The s econd th eory alrea dy an ticipated s ees i n Gaul s

2 , ,

an d B el ae a t a ll f a i r C el ti c f ol k S eaki n C e l t i c l a ng u ag e
g , p g a , ,

1
Caesar, 1 1 30 . .

2
Caes ar, i . 1 S t rab o, i v . i . 1 .

3
Cf . Hol m es , 2 95 Beddoe, S cotti s h Revi ew, Xi x. 4 1 6 .
 THE CE L TIC PEOP LE I I

an d b el ong i ng wh i ch s tretch ed f rom Irel an d t o

t o t he race

As ia Mi n or f rom N orth G erm a ny t o t he Po an d w ere m a s ters

, ,

of Teu t oni c t rib es ti ll th ey w ere d ri v en by th em f rom t he

reg i on b etw een E l b e an d Rh i n e S om e B elg i c tri b es cl a im ed

1
.

a G erm a n i c a n ces t ry bu t G erm an wa s a w ord s eld om u s ed

2
,

with precis i on an d i n th i s case m ay n ot m ean T eu t oni c The

,
.

f ai r h a ir of thi s peopl e has m a de m an y s u pp ose t ha t th ey w ere

a ki n t o t he T eu t on s B ut f ai rn es s i s rela ti ve an d t he d ark
.
,

Romans m ay ha ve call ed brown h a ir fa ir whil e th ey occas ion ally ,

di s ti n g u i s h ed b etw een t he f ai r G aul s an d fa i rer G erm an s

“ ”
.

Their i n s ti tu t i on s a n d th ei r rel ig i on s (p a ce Profess or Rhys ) “

di ffered a nd th oug h th ey w ere s o l o ng i n con t a ct t he n am es

,

o f th ei r
g ods a n d pri es t s a re u nli k e Th eir la n g u ag es ag ai n
3
.
, ,

thoug h of Arya n s t ock di ffer m ore from each oth er th an d oes

,

C el ti c f rom Ita li c poin ti ng t o a l ong p eri od of l t al o C el ti c u nity

,
-
,

b efore Itali otes a n d C el t s s epa ra t ed a n d C el ts cam e i n con t act ,

with Teu t on s The ty pical G erm an di ffers i n m en t al an d

.
4

m ora l q ual i ti es f rom t he ty p i cal C el t C on tras t an ea s t cou nt ry

.

S cot des cen dan t of T eu t onic s t ock with a W es t Hi g hlan der an d

, , ,

t he d i ff eren ce l ea ps t o t h e ey es C el ts a nd G erm an s of h i s tory

.

diff er th en i n rel a ti ve fa irn es s ch ara ct er rel i g i on a n d l ang u ag e

, , , , , .

The tall b l on de T eu t oni c ty pe of t h e Row g rav es i s

‘

dol ich ocep hali c Wa s t he C el ti c ty pe (a s s umi ng th a t B roca s

.
’

C el t s w ere n ot true C el ts ) dolich o or b ra chy ? B roca thinks

”

t he B el g ae or Kym ri were d oli ch ocephal i c bu t all m u s t

“
,

a g ree with hi m th a t t he s k u l l s a re t oo f ew t o en eral i s e f rom

g .

C el ti c i ron ag e s kull s i n B ri tai n are dol ich ocephal i c perh aps a

-
,

1
D Arb oi s , L es Cel tes , 1 7 5
’
.

2
Caes ar, i i . 4 ; S t ra b o, vi i 1 , 2, Germ an s a re t all er an d f ai rer t h an Gaul s ;
.

Taci t us , Ag r i c i i. Cf Bedd oe, J AI XX 3 5 4— 355

. . . .

3
D Arb oi s , PH i i 3 7 4
’
Wel s h Gwy d i on a nd Teut on i c Wuot an m ay have
. .

t h e s am e root , s ee p 1 05 Cel t i c Tara n i s h as b een com pa red t o Don a r, bu t

. .

t here i s n o con n ect i on , a n d Taran i s was n ot cert a i nl y a t hu n d er g od . Mu ch of -

t he folk -rel i g i on wa s alik e, bu t t hi s a ppli es t o fol k rel i g i on every wh ere. -

D Arboi s , i i 25 1 .
’
.
I2 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS
recru des cen ce of b ori g inal type B roca s Kym ric Sk ulls
t he a .
’

a re m es oce h al i c ; thi s h ea tt rib u t es t o cr oss m w i th t h e s h or t

p g
r ou n d h ea ds
-
The evi d ence i s t oo s can ty f or g en eral i s a ti on
. ,

while t he Walloon s perhaps d es cen dan ts of the B elg ae hav e a

, ,

hig h in dex an d s om e Gaul s of cl as s i cal art are b road h eaded

,
1 -
.

Sku l ls of t he Britis h rou nd b arrows ( earl y C el ti c B ron z e

‘

Ag e) a re m ai nl y b road,t he b es t s peci m en s s howi ng affin ity t o

N eolithi c b rachycephal ic s k u lls f rom Gren ell e ( th oug h th eir
o w n ers w ere 5 i n ch es s h ort er S i an d B orreby
2
n ea u x
) cl a g , ,
.

Dr B eddoe thi n k s tha t t he n arrow s k ull ed B el g ae on t he wh ol e

.
-

rei n f orced th e m es o or b ra chy cep ha l i c rou nd b arro w f ol k i n

B rita i n Dr Thurn am i den tifies t he l att er with t he B elg ae

. .

( B r o ca s Ky
’
m ri ) a n d thi n k s,
th a t G a u l i s h s k ull s w er e ro u n d ,

with b et g b ows Profes s ors Ri pl ey a n d S erg i d is reg ardin g

e l i n r 3
.
,

thei r d ifferen ce i n s ta t ure a nd hig h er ceph alic in dex i d en tif y ,

th em with t h e s h ort Al pin e ra ce ( B roca s C el ts ) This i s ’

.

n eg a tiv ed by Mr K ean e 4 M ig ht n ot b oth h ow ever have

. .
, ,

ori g i n all y s pru n g f rom a comm on s t ock a n d rea ch ed Eu rop e a t

di e en t ti m es 1
ff r 3 5

But do a few h un dred s k ull s j us ti fy th es e f ar reachi ng -

con cl u s i on s reg ardi n races en duri n f r th ou s a n ds of y ears ?

-

g g o

At s om e very rem ot e peri od th ere may have b een a Cel ti c type ,

a s a t s om e f ur th er e ri od th ere m a h a v e b ee n a n Ar y a n ty pe
p y
But t he C el t s as w e k n ow th em m u s t h av e m in g l ed with t h e
, ,

a b ori i n es of Eu ro e a n d b ecom e a m i x ed ra ce t hou h p re

'

g p g ,

s erv i ng a n d en d owi n o th ers with th e i r raci a l an d m en ta l

g .

chara ct eri s ti cs S om e Gaul s or B elg ae were dol i ch ocephal ic

. ,

1
Beddoe, L An throp olog i e, v 5 1 6 Tal l , f ai r, a n d hi g hl y brachy ceph al i c
’
. .

t ypes are s t i ll fou nd i n Fra n ce, i bi d i 21 3 ; B ert ran d Rei n a ch , Les Cel tes , 39
. .
- .

2
Beddoe, 5 1 6 L An throp , V . 6 3 Tay l or, 8 1 Green well , B ri ti sh Ba rrows ,
’
.

6 80 .

3
Fort Rev. xvi . 3 28
. Mem of L on don An thr S oc , 1 8 6 5
. . . . .

4
Ri pl ey , 309 ; S erg i , 243 ; K ean e, 5 29 ; Ta y l or, 1 1 2 .
5
Ta yl or, 1 22, 295 .
 T HE CE LTIC PEOPLE I 3

to j u dg e by their s kul ls oth ers w ere b ra chy cephali c while

, ,

th ei r f airness w a s a rel a tive t erm C las s ical ob s ervers p rob ab l y

.

en eral i sed f rom t he hig h er cl as s es of a p u rer ty p e ; th ey t ell

g ,

u s n oth i n g o f t he p eopl e Bu t t he h i g h er cl a s s es m ay h ave

.

had varyi ng s k ul l s a s w ell a s s ta t ure a n d col our of h a ir an d

,
1
,

Iri s h t ex t s t el l of a tal l fai r bl u e ey ed s t ock an d a s h or t dark

, ,
-
, , ,

dark ey ed s t ock i n I rel an d

-
,
Even i n th os e d i s t a n t ag es w e
.

m u s t con s i der t he p eopl e on wh om t he C el t s i m pr es s ed th ei r

ch a ra ct eri s ti cs a s w el l a s t h e C el t s th em
,
s el ves W ha t h appen ed .

on t he E u ra s i a n s t epp e t he hy p oth et i cal cra dl e of t he Ary an s

“
, ,

wh en ce the C el ts cam e s t epping w es tw ards s eem s cl ear t o

“
,
”

s o m e bu t i n t ru th i s a b ook s ea l ed w i th s even S ea l s
, The .

m en wh os e Ary a n s peech was t o d om i na t e f a r an d wi de m a y

a l rea dy h av e p os s es s ed di ff er en t ty p es of s k u ll a n d th a t a e
g ,

was f ar from t h e very b eg inn ing

“
.

Th u s t he C el ts b efore s ettin g ou t o n th eir Wa nd erja hr e

m ay al ready h ave b een a m ix ed ra ce even i f th eir l ea ders w er e ,

of p u rer s t o ck Bu t th ey ha d t he b on d of comm on s p eech

.
,

in s titu ti on s an d reli g i on and th ey f orm ed a com m on C el ti c

, ,

typ e i n C en t ral an d Wes tern E urope I n t erm arri ag e with t he .

a l rea dy m i x ed N eol i thi c f ol k o f C en tra l Europe produ ced

f urth er rem oval f rom t he u n m i x ed C el ti c ra cial ty p e ; bu t
thou g h b oth react ed on each oth er a s f ar a s la ng uag e cu s tom , ,

a n d b el i ef w ere con cern ed on t he wh ol e t h e C el ti c el em en t s

,

e d om i n at ed i n th es e r es p ect s T he C el t i c m i ra ti on i n t o
p r g .

Gaul prod uced f urth er raci al m i n g li ng w i th d es cen da n t s of t he

old p a l aeol ithi c s t ock d ol i ch ocep h a l i c Ib eri an s a n d Li g u ri a n s
, ,

a n d b rachy cep h al i c s w ar thy f ol k ( B roca s C el t s ) Th us ev en ’

.

t h e fi rs t C el ti c arri val s i n B ri t ai n t he G oi del s w ere a peopl e , ,

of m i x ed ra ce th ou g h pr ob a b l y rel a ti v el y p u rer th an t he l a t e
,

comi ng Bryth on s t he l a tes t of wh om ha d p rob a b l y m i n g l ed

,

w i th t he Teu t on s H en ce am ong C el ti c s p eaking f olk or th eir

.
-

1
The Wall oon s are both d ark an d fair.
1 4 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
des cen dan t s -
h ort ,
d ark ,
b roa d h ea ded B ret ons t all fair or
s -
, ,

ru f ou s Hig h l a n ders , t a ll ch es t n u t h a i re d W el s h m en or I ri s h -
.

m en Hi g h l an ders of Nors e des cen t s h ort dark n arr ow h ea ded

, , , ,
-

Hi g hlan ders I ri s h m en a n d W el s h m en— th ere i s a com m on

, ,

C el ti c f a ci es the resul t of ol d C el ti c ch aract eri s ti cs powerful

.
,

en ou g h s o t o i m p res s th em s el v es on s u ch v ar I ed p eopl es i n

s pi t e o f W h a t they g a ve t o th e Cel tI c 1 n com ers Th es e p eopl es .

b ecam e C el ti c an d C el ti c i n s peech a n d ch ara ct er they h ave

,

r em a i n ed ev en wh ere a n ces t ral p h s i ca l ty es a re r ea s s ertin

,
y p g
th em s elves The f ol k of a C el ti c type wh ether pre C el ti c
.
,
-
,

C el ti c or N 0 1 s e h ave a ll s pok en a C el ti c l ang uag e a n d ex hi bi t

,
»
,

t h e s am e ol d C el ti c ch ara ct eri s ti cs va n i ty l oqu aci t y ex cita —

, ,

bi li t y fickl en es s i m ag i n a ti on l ove of t h e rom an t i c fi d eli ty

“

, , , , ,

a tt ach m en t t o f a mi l y t i es s en tim en t a l l ov e of th ei r Cou n try

, ,

r el ig i os i ty p a s s i n g over e as i l y t o s u ers t i ti on a n d a com a ra t

p p ,

i vely h i g h deg ree of s ex u a l m oral i ty S om e of th es e t ra it s .

w ere al ready n ot ed by cl as s i cal ob s ervers .

C el tic s p eech ha d earl y l os t t he in itial p of old I n do Euro - a

p e a n s p e e c h e x ce p t i n w ,
ords b e i n ni n
g g w i th p t an d p erhaps , ,

p s .C e l t i c p a r (
e Lat
p )
ra e b ecame a re m et w i th i n Ar em or i ci
.
, ,

th e d w el l ers by t h e s ea Areola ta by t he C ly de t he reg ion

” ”
, , ,

w at ered b y the C l y de I ri s h a tha i r Man x a yr a n d I ri s h i a sg .

, , ,

r epres en t res p ect i v el y La ti n p a ter a n d p i sci s P o ccu rrl n g .

b etween V ow el s w as al s o l os t e g I ris h ca cr a s heep i s f rom ,

. .
, ,
”

ha p er a ee ;f or u p on ( L a,
t su p )er f r om up
”
er Thi s ch ang e
.
, .

t ook pl ace b efore t he G oi del i c C el ts b rok e a w a y an d inva ded

B ri tai n i n t het en th cen tu ry B C bu t whil e C el t s and T eu t on s . .
,

w ere s ti ll i n con tact s i n ce T eu t on s b orrowed w ords with i ni ti al

,

G th t romC el ti c t ”
ai rg u n i m i f l
p g ,
e . o . i c f o u n a n , p ercu n i on a er , ,

E renni o t he H er cyn i an f ores t

,
The l os s m u s t h av e o ccurred .

b efore 1 000 R C Bu t a f t er t he s eparati on of t he Goi deli c

.

rou a f u rth er ch an g e t ook pl ace G oi del s p res erved t he

g p .

s ou n d repr esen t ed by g u or m ore s i m pl y by c or eh b ut thi s , ,

1 6 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS

fl
w ere t he Pict s ? According t o Profes s or Rh ys th ey w ere pre
Aryan s but th ey m u s t h ave b een un der t he in uen ce of Bry
1
,

t hon i c C el t s Dr Sk en e reg ard ed th em a s G oi del s s peaki n g a

. .

G oi del i c di al ect wi th Bryth oni c f orm s Mr Ni ch ol s on think s

2
. .

th ey w ere G oi del s who ha d pres erv ed t he I n do Europ ea n p 3 -

.

Bu t m i g ht th ey n ot b e des cen dan t s of a B ryth on i c g roup ,

arri vi n g ea rl y i n B rit a i n a n d d ri ven n orthw ar ds by n ew com ers

Prof es s or W i n di s ch a n d Dr St ok es reg ard th em as C el t s .

,

a l l i ed t o t h e B ryth on s ra th er th a n t o t he G oi del s t he p h on et i cs ,

of th ei r s p eech r es e m b i g th s e o W e s h ath er than I r s h

l n o f l r i 4
.

The th eory of an earl y G oi d eli c occu pa ti on of B rit a i n has

b een con tes t ed by P rof es s or Mey er who h olds tha t the fi rs t
5
,

G oi d el s reach ed Brita i n from I reland i n t he s econ d cen tu ry ,

whi l e Dr Ma cBai n 6 was of the Opi ni on th at En g l and apart f rom

. ,

W al es an d C orn wa ll k new n o G oi del s t h e pl ace na m es b eing

, ,
-

Bryth onic But unl es s all Goi d el s reach ed I rel an d f rom Gaul
.

or S p ai n a s s om e di d B rit a i n w a s m ore ea s i l y rea ch ed than

, ,

I rel an d by m ig ra ting G oi dels from t he C on tin en t Prom inent .

G oi del ic pl a ce n a m es w ould b ecom e B ryth on i c bu t i n s ig nifi can t

-
,

p l a ces w ou l d ret ai n th ei r G oi del i c f orm ah d t o th es e we m u s t ,

l ook f or d eci s v e ev i dence

i 7 A G oi del i c occu pati on by t he
.

n i n th cen t u ry R C i s s ug g es t ed by th e nam e
. Ca s s i t erides (a
w ord of t he g g rou p ) appl ied t o B rita i n I f t he G oi dels .

occu p i ed B rita i n fi r s t th ey m a y h a ve ca ll ed th ei r l an d Qreta n i s

,

or Qr i ta n i s whi ch Pi ct i s h inv aders w oul d ch ang e t o Pre

,

ta n i s f oun d i n W el s h Yn y s Pri dai n Pri da i n s I s l e or I s l e of

” ’

, , ,

t he Pi ct s p oi
,
n ti n
“
g t o t h e ori g i n al u n derl yi ng t he G reek lb s

1 4
CB 1 6 0.
3
2
Sk en e, i . ch . 8 s ee p 1 35 .
. Z CP i i i . 308 Kel ti c Res ea r ches .
4
Wi nd i s ch K el t S p rach en , Ers ch Gru b er s E n cy kl op adi e S t ok es , Li n
’ '

-
.
,

g u i s ti c Va l u e of the I r i s h Anna l s .
5
TH S C 1 8 95 — 1 8 96 , 5 5 f . 6
CM Xi i 4 34 . .

7
I n t h e I s l e of Sk y e, w h ere, l o ok i ng a t n am es of prom i n en t pl a ces al on e,
Nors e deri va t i ves are t o Ga eli c as 3 t o 2 , t h ey are as 1 t o 5 wh en n a m es
of i n s i g ni fi can t pl aces , un t ouched by Nors e i n fl uenc e, are i nclud ed.
 T HE CEL TIC PEOPLE I 7

m um ? Ni Pi ctis h I s l es th ou g h the ch an g e m ay be d u e t o
co: or ,
” 1

con ti n en t a l p C el t s t ra di n g w i th g C el t s i n B ri t ai n W i th the .

Pi cti s h occu pa ti on w ou l d ag ree t he f act th a t I ri s h G oidel s

ca l l ed t h e Pi ct s w h o ca m e t o I rel a n d Cr u i thn e Q r i ta n i = Pr e :

ta n i . I n I relan d th ey al m os t certai n l y adop t ed Goi del i c

s p eech .

W h eth er or n ot all t he Pi cti s h i nv a ders of B ritai n w ere

called Pi ctavi this w ord or Pi ct i perh aps f rom qui eto ( I ri s h
,
”
,

ei cht , eng ra ver b ecam e a g en eral n am e f or thi s peopl e .

Q had b een chan g ed in t o p on t he C on ti n en t ; h en ce Pi ct avi

or Picton es t he ta tt ooed m en th os e w ho eng ra ved fi g ures
,
”
,
” ”

o n their b odi es as t he P i ct s cer t ai n l y di d

,
D i s pos s es s ed a nd .

dri ven n orth by i n com i ng B ryth on s a n d B elg ae th ey la t er ,

b ecam e t he v i rul en t en em ies of Rom e I n 306 Eu m eni us .

des cri b es a ll t he n orth ern t ri b es a s Cal edon i i an d oth er P i ct s

”
,

while s om e of t he t ri b es m en tion ed by Pt ol em y h av e B ry th oni c

na m es or nam es with Ga ul i s h cog n a t es Pl a ce n a m es i n the .
-

Picti s h a rea p ers on al n am es in t he Pi cti s h ch ron i cl e an d

, ,

Pi cti s h n am es l i k e Peanfahel h ave B ryth on ic affin iti es I f

3
,
”
.

t he Pi ct s s pok e a B ryth oni c di al ect S C ol u m b a s n eed of a n

’

.
,

i nterpreter wh en preaching t o th em w ou ld be ex pl ai n ed 4
.

La t er t he Pi ct s w er e con q uered by I ri s h G oi del s t he S co tti , .

The Pi ct s h ow ever m us t a l r ea dy h ave m i ng l ed w i th a b ori g i nal

, ,

peop l es a n d with G oi dels i f th es e w ere al rea dy i n B ri ta i n a n d

, ,

they m ay have a d op ted th ei r s u ppos ed n on A ryan cus t om s -

f rom t h e a b ori g i n es On t h e o th er ha n d t he m at riarcha t e

.
,

s eem s a t on e ti m e t o h a ve b een C el ti c a n d it m ay h a v e b een n o ,

m ore tha n a con s erva ti ve s u r vi val i n t he Pi cti s h roya l h ous e ,

as it wa s el s ewh ere B rit on s a s w el l a s Cal edon ii had w i ves

5
.
, ,

i n com m on 6 As t o ta tt ooi n g it w a s p ra ct i s ed by t he S cott i

.
, t he

1
Rhys , CB “24 1 . D Arb oi s , L es Celtes , 22
2 3
Bede, E ccl Hi s t i . 1 2.
’
. . .

1
‘
Ad amn an , Vi ta S Col . .
5
S ee p 222 . .

3
xx
Di o Ca ss . l vi 1 2 Caes ar, v. 1 4
. S ee p 223 . . .

2
 1 8 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
s carred a n d i t m en P) an d the B riton s dyed them s elves
p a n ed ,

with w oa d whil e wh at s eem t o be ta ttoo m ark s appear on

,

f a ces on Ga u is h coin s
l 1
Ta ttooing pa i n ting an d s cari fyin g t he
.
, ,

b ody are varieti es of on e g en eral cu s t om an d li ttle s tres s can ,

be l ai d on Pi ctis h t a ttooin g as i n di ca t i n g a racial d ifferen ce .

I ts p urp os e m ay have b een orn am en t al or pos s ib l y t o im par t ,

.

an as p ect of fiercen eSs or t he fi g ures m a y h ave b een t ot em

,

m ark s a s th ey are el s ewh ere

, Finally the des cripti on of the
.
,

Cal edoni i a Pi ct i s h p eopl e p os s es s ing fl am ing h a ir an d

, ,

m i g hty l im b s s h ow s th a t th ey di ffered f rom t he s h ort dark

, ,

p r e C e-
l ti c f ol k
2
.

The Pi cti s h p robl em m u s t remai n ob s cu re a w el com e ,

pu zzl e t o an t i q u ari es phi l ol og i s t s a n d eth n ol og i s t s

, Our ,
.

k n ow ledg e of Pictis h rel ig ion i s t oo s can ty for t he in t erpret a

ti on of C el ti c r elig i on t o be affected by it Bu t w e k n ow tha t .

t h e P i ct s offered s acrifi ce b ef ore war a C el tic cus t om and —

,

D ru ids as al so had the C el t s

, ,

Th e earl i es t C el ti c kin g dom wa s i n t h e reg i on b etween

“

t he u pper w aters of t he Rh i n e t he El b e an d t he D an u b e , , ,

wh ere prob abl y i n N eolithi c ti m es the f orm a ti on of th eir

C el ti c s peech as a dis tinctive lan g uag e b egan Here they .

fi rs t b ecam e k n own t o the Greek s prob a b l y a s a s em i m ythi cal ,

-

p peo l e t h e
, Hy p erb or ea n s — t he f ol k d well i ng b eyond t he
Ri p oean m oun tai n s wh en ce B oreas b l ew with wh om Hecat aeu s —

i n t he f our th cen tu ry i den ti fi es th em Bu t th ey w ere n ow .

kn ow n as C el ts an d th ei r t erritory a s C el ti ca whil e Gala t ae

, ,

w a s u s ed as a s y n on y m of C el tes i n t he third cen t ury B C 3 ”

. .
,

The n am e g en erall y a ppl i ed by t he Rom an s t o t he C el t s was

1
I s i d ore, E ty mol i x . Rhys , CB 2 42— 24 3 Caesar, v. 1 4 Ni ch ol s on,
.

ZCP i ii . 332 .
2
Ta ci t us , Ag ri c i i . .

2
I f Cel tce i s from qel o,
s avag es cal l t hem s el ves
t o rai s e, i t m ay m ean
”
t he m en , p a r excell en ce
“ ”
t he l oft y , jus t as m any
Rhys d eri ves i t f rom g el ,
.

S ee Hold er, s w
“ ” “ ”
t o s l ay , a nd g i ves i t t h e s en s e of warri ors . e S t ok es , US .

8 3. Ga l a tae i s from g a l a ( Iri s h g a l ), bra very . Hence perha ps warri ors .

"
 T HE CE L TIC PEOPLE x9

t erm fin all y con fined by th em t o t he p eopl e of

a

Gaul 1 S ucces s ive b an ds of C el t s w en t f orth f rom this com

.

res t ri ct ed t errit ory u n ti l t h e C el ti c em p ire

”
p a ra t i ve l y ,
f or

s om e cen t u ri es b ef ore 3 00 B C i n cl u ded t h e B ri t i s h I s l es part s

. .
,

of t he Ib eri a n p en i n s u l a G a ul N or th It al y B elg i u m H ol l a n d
, , , , ,

g r ea t
p ar t o f G e rm a ny a n d Au s t ri a,
W h en t h e Germ an .

trib es revol ted Cel ti c b an ds appeared i n A s ia Min or an d

, ,

remain ed th er e as th e Gal a ti an C el t s Arch aeolog ical di s .

cov eri es with a C el ti c f a ci es h ave b een m a de i n m os t of th es e

l an ds b ut even m ore s t riki ng i s t he witn es s of pl ace nam es

,
-
.

C el ti c du non a f ort or cas tl e ( the Ga el ic du n ) i s f ound i n

, ,

com p ou n d n am es f rom I rel a n d t o S ou th ern R u s s i a Mag os . ,

a fi eld i s m et with i n B ritai n F ran ce Switz erlan d Pru s s i a

”
, , , , ,

Ital y an d Aus tri a River an d m oun ta in n am es fam i li ar i n

,
.

Bri t i an occur on th e C on tin en t The P enn i n e rang e of .

C um b erlan d ha s the sam e n am e as t he Appeni n es Rivers .

n am ed f or th ei r i n h eren t d ivi n ity d enos are f oun d i n B rit ai n , ,

an d on t he C on ti n en t D ee D eva et c—
, , .

B es i des thi s l ing ui s ti c ha d the C el t s als o a pol i tical un ity

,

over th ei r g rea t em p i re u n der o n e h ea d ? S uch a u n ity

“
,

cert a i nl y di d n ot p r eva i l f rom I rel an d t o t he B al k a n p en i n s u l a ,

but it pr evail ed over a larg e part of t he C el ti c area Li v y .

,

f oll owi ng Ti m ag en es w ho perh aps cit ed a l os t C el tic epos

, ,

s p eak s of k i ng Am bi ca t u s rul i n g ov er t he C el t s f rom S pa i n

t o G erm an y a n d s en di ng hi s s i s t er s s on s Bell oves u s a n d

’

, ,

S eg oves us with m an y f oll ow ers t o f oun d n ew col oni es i n

, ,

Ital y an d t he H ercyn i an f ores t Mythical a s thi s m ay be i t

2
.
,

sug es t s t he h e em on y o f on e t rib e or on e ch i ef over oth er

g g .

t ribes an d chi efs f or Li vy s ays that the s overei g n pow er

,

res t ed with t he Bi t u ri es who a pp oi n t ed t he ki n

g g of Cel ti cum ,

Gal l i Gal at ae, but D Arboi s d eni es t hi s

’
1
m ay b e conn ect ed w i th . For
all t h es e t i t l es s eehi s P H i i . 396 ff .

2
34 f. D Arboi s , P H
’
Li vy , v. 11 . 304, 391 .
20 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
V i z. Am bi cat u s . S ome h un ity i s n eces s ary t o ex plain
s uc

C el tic pow er i n t he an ci en t w orl d an d it wa s m a de pos s ib l e ,

by un ity of ra ce or a t l ea s t Of the con g eri es of Celt i ci sed

e
p p o l es by,
r el i g i ou s s ol i darity and p ro b a b l y by r e ,u
g arl .

a th eri ng s of al l t he ki n g s or chi ef s I f t he D ru i ds w er e a
g ,
.

C el ti c p ri es th ood a t thi s tim e or a l rea dy f ormed a corpora tion

,

a s th ey di d l a t er i n G a ul th ey m u s t h av e en deavour ed t o f orm
,

a n d preserve s uch a u n ity An d i f it wa s n ever s o com p a ct

.

a s Li v y s w ord s s ug g es t it m u s t ha v e b een reg arded a s an i d eal

’

by t h e C el t s or by th ei r p oet s Ambi cat us s ervi ng as a cen t ral ,

fig ure f oun d whi ch the i deas of em pire cry s t all i s ed The

. - .

h eg em on y ex is t ed i n Gau l wh ere t he Arvern i and th eir ki ng

,

cl a i m e d p ow er over t he o th er t rib es a n d wh ere t he Rom an s ,

t ri ed t o w eak en t he C el ti c un ity by oppos ing t o th em the

Aedui 1
. I n B el g iu m t h e h eg em on y wa s i n t he han ds of t h e
S ues s iones to whose king B e g i c trib es i n Bri t ai n subm i tt ed
,
l 2 '

I n I rel an d th e hi g h king was s u prem e ov er oth er s m a l ler

“

king s a n d i n Gal a ti a t he unity of t he t rib es was pres erved by

,

a cou n ci l with reg u l ar a s s em b l i es

3
.

The d i ffu s i on of t he Am bi cat us l eg en d woul d h el p t o preserve .

u nity by r eca l l i n g t he m ythi c g rea tnes s of t he p a s t The B oii .

a n d I n s u br i a pp ea l ed t o t ra n s a l p i n e G a u ls f or a i d by rem in di ng
th em of the d eeds of their a ces tors Nor w ou l d t he D ru i ds
n 1 ‘
.

om it t o i nf us e i n to th ei r p u p i l s m i n ds t h e s en tim en t of n a ti on a l
’
-

g re a t n ess F or
. thi s a n d f or o th er r eas on s t he R om an s
. to , ,

wh om t he s overei g ni ty of a l l Gaul wa s a n obn ox i ou s wa t ch ”

w ord en deavoured t o s uppres s th em But the Cel t s w ere I “ ” .

,

t oo wi del y s ca tt ered ever t o f orm a com pa ct em pi re “ The .

Rom a n em pir e ex t en ded its elf g ra dual l y i n t he cons cious n es s of

1
S t rab o , i v. 1 0, 3 ; Caesar, i . 3 1 , VII . 4 ; Fr a g . Hi s t Graee. i . 4 37 .
.

2 3
Caes ar, i i . 4 . S t rab o, xi i . 5 , 1 .
4 5
Pol ybi u s , i i 22. . Caes ar, i 2 , 1 — 3 . .

6 “
On t he s ubj ect of Cel t i c uni t y s ee Jul l i an, Du p at ri ot i s me g aul oi s ,
x
RC X ii i 37 3. .
 THE CE L TIC PEOPLE 2 1

i t s p ow er the h es i on of t he Cel ts i n an em pire or u n der on e

co

kin g w as m ade i mpos s ib le by th ei r m ig ra ti on s a n d diff u s i on .

Th eir u n ity s uch a s it wa s was brok en by the revol t of t he

, ,

Teu ton i c trib es an d their s ubj ug a ti on w as com pl et ed by Rom e

, .

The drea m s o f w i de em pi r e rem a i n ed d rea m s . For t he C el t s ,

i n s pit e of thei r vi g ou r h a ve b een a ra ce of d ream ers th ei r

, ,

con qu es t s i n l at er t i m es thos e o f t he S pi rit r a th er th an of t he

,

m ai l ed fis t . Th ei r s u periority has con s i s t ed i n i m parting t o

oth ers th ei r ch ara ct eri s ti cs ; org an i s ed u n ity a n d a v a s t em pi re

cou l d n ever be th ei rs .
 C HAP T ER I I I .

TH E G O DS OF G AU L AND TH E
O I
C NT NEN AL CELT T S .

THE pas s ag e i n whi ch C aesar s um s u p t he G aul i s h pan theon

r un s : They w ors hi p chi efly the g od Mercur y ; of hi m th ere
“

a re m a n y s y m b ol s an d th ey r e ard hi m a s t h e i nv en t or of a ll
, g
t he art s a s t h e g ui de of t ravell ers an d a s pos s es s i ng g rea t
, ,

i nfl u en ce over b arg ain s and comm er ce Af ter hi m they .

w ors hi p Ap oll o an d Mars Ju ppi t er an d Min erva Ab ou t thes e

,
.

th ey h ol d m uch t he s am e b el i efs as oth er na ti ons Apoll o .

heals dis eas es Minerva t eaches t he el em en t s of i n dus t ry an d

,

t he art s J u pp i t er rul es over t he h eaven s Mars di rects war

, , .

All t he Gaul s a s s er t th a t th ey are des cend ed f r om Dis pa t er ,

th eir prog en it or 1
.
”

As wi ll b e s een i n thi s ch ap t er t he Gau l s ha d m an y oth er

,

g ods th an thes e whi l e t h e R om an g ods by wh os e n am es C aes ar

, ,

cal l s t h e C el t i c d i vi n iti es
p r ob ab l y on l y a pproxI m a t el y corre
,

s pon ded t o th em i n f u n cti on s As t he Greek s called by t he

‘

n am es of th ei r own o ds th os e of E y t P ers i a a n d B a byl on ia

g g p , , ,

s o t he R om an s i den tifi ed G reek T eu t on i c an d C el ti c ods with

, g,

th eirs The i den tifi ca ti on was s eldom com pl et e and of ten

.
,

ex t en ded onl y t o one parti cul ar f un ct i on or a ttrib u t e But a s .

,

i n G au l i t wa s of t en part of a s ta te p ol i cy an d th ere t he
, ,

f us i on of cu l t s wa s i n t en ded t o b reak t he p ow er of t he D rui ds .

The Ga ul s s eem t o h ave a dopt ed Rom an civi li s a tion eas il y ,

a n d t o h a v e a cq u i es ced i n t he roce s s of ass i m i l a t i on of th ei r

p
1
Caesar, d e B el l Ga ll
. . vi . 1 7, 1 8.
2 4 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
f es s or An wyl k that 27 0 g ods a re m en tioned on ce on
rec on s

i n s cri p ti on s 24 twi ce 1 1 t hrl ce 1 0 four ti m es 3 five ti m es

, , , , ,

2 s even ti m e s 4 fi f t een ti m es
,
1 n i n et een tim es ( Grann os ) , ,

a n d 1 thi r ty n i n e ti m es
-

The g od or g o ds i den tifi ed wi th Mercury w ere v ery

p opu l ar i n Ga ul a s C aes ar s w ords an d t he witn es s of pl a ce
,
’

n am es d eriv ed f rom t h e R om an n am e of t he g od S how .

Th es e h a d prob a bl y s uppl a n t ed earl i er nam es deriv ed f rom

thos e of t he corres pon ding n a tive g ods Man y t em pl es of t he .

g od ex i s t ed es p eci all y i n t h e reg i on o f t h e A ll ob rog i a n d

, ,

b ron z e s tat u ett es of hi m h ave b een fou n d i n a b un dance .

Pl in y a l so des crib es a col os s al s t a t ue d es i g ned f or the A rvern i

w h o ha d a g rea t t em pl e of t he g od on t h e Pu y de D 6m e 2
.

Mercury w a s n ot n ecess aril y t he ch i ef g o d an d a t tim es e g , ,

. .

i n wa r t he n a tive w ar g ods w oul d b e p rom I n en t The n a ti ve

“

-
.
,

n a m es of t he g ods a s s i m i la t ed t o Mercury are m a n y i n (

n u m b er ; i n s om e ca s es th ey a re epith et s deri v ed f rom t h e ,

n a m es of pl a ces wh ere a l ocal Mercury w a s w ors hi pped i n ,

o th er s th ey are d eri ved f rom s om e f u n cti on of t h e g ods One

3
.

of th es e tit l es i s Art ai os p erh a p s cog n a t e w i th I ri s h a r t

“
, g o d , ,

or con n ect ed w i th a r tos

“ b ear Prof es s or Rhys h owev er ”
.
, , ,

fi n ds i t s cog na te n W el s h ctr pl oughed l an d as i f on e of

i “
, ,
”

h
t e g o d s
’
f u n ct s co ect ed hi m with ag ricu ture Thi s
i on n n l 4
.

i s s u pp ort ed by a n oth er i n s cri p ti on t o Mercuri u s C ul t or a t

W urt emberg Local g ods of a g ri cu l t ure m u s t t h i s h ave b een
.

a s s i mi l a t ed t o Mer cu r y A g od Moccu s s win e w as al s o “ ”

.
, ,

i den ti fi ed wi th Mercu r y an d t he s w i n e w as a f r eq u en t r ep r e
,

s ent a ti Ve of t he corn s pi rit or of v eg et a ti on d i vi n iti es i n

-

1
Tr a n s . Ga el i c S oc .
f I n ver nes s
o , xx vi . p . 41 1 f.
2
V al l en t i n , L es D i eu w d e l a ci te
’
d es A l l obr og es , 1 5 Pl i n y , HN xxxi v. 7.
3
Thes e n a m es ar e Ala uni us , Arceci u s , Art ai u s , Arv ern ori x, Arvernus ,
Ad s m eri us , Ca n et on en s i s ,Cl a va ri a t i s , Ci ss oni u s , Ci m bri a n u s , Du m i a t i s ,
Mag ni acu s , Moccu s , Toci renu s , V as s ocalet us , V el l a un us , V i su ci us , Bi a us i u s ,
Ci mi a ci n us , Na i s s a t i s S ee Hol der,
.
4
Rhys , HL 6 .
 GODS OF GA UL AND CONTINEN TAL CE LTS 2 5

Europe . fles h of the an im al w a s of t en m ix ed with t he

The
S eed corn or b ur i ed i n t h e fi el ds t o rom ot e f erti l i ty The
p .

s wi n e ha d b een a s acred a n i m a l a m on C t
.

t h e el s b ut ha d
g ,

a pparen t l y b ecom e an an thropom orphic g od of f ertil ity ,

Moccus a ss im i la t ed t o Mercury perh aps b ecaus e t he G reek

, ,

Herm es ca us ed f er tility i n flock s a n d h erds S uch a g od .

wa s on e of a cl ass wh os e i m p ort ance w as g rea t a m on g t he

C el ts a s an ag ri cul t ural p eopl e .

C om m erce m uch devel op ed a m on g t he s ettl ed G aul s g ave

, ,

ri s e t o a
g od or g ods w ho g u arded roa ds o ver whi ch m erch an t s
t rav ell ed an d b oun dari es where th ei r t ran s a cti on s t ook pl ace
,
.

H en ce we have a n i n s crip ti on f rom York s hi re To t he g od ,

“

w ho i n ven t ed roads an d pa th s whil e an oth er l ocal g od of

,

roa ds eq u a t ed w i th Me rcu ry w as Ci mi aci n u s 1

, ,
.

An oth er g od Og m i os a n ativ e god of s peech who dra w s

, , ,

m en by ch ain s fas t en ed t o t h e t i p of hi s t on g u e i s i den tifi ed ,

i n Luci an w i th H era cl es a n d i s i den ti ca l with t he G oi del i c

,

Og a El oquen ce an d s peech are i m port an t m a tters am ong

m 2
.

p ri m iti ve peopl es a n d thi s g od ha s m ore l ik en es s t o Mer

,

cury as a cul t u re o d th a n t o H era cl es G r eek w rit ers

g
-
,

s peaki n
g of el oquen ce as bi n din g m en with t h e ch a i n s of
Herm es .

S everal local g od s of ag ri cu l t ure com m erce an d cul ture

, , , ,

were th us i den ti fi ed with Mercury an d t he C el ti c Mercury ,

was s om eti m es w ors h i pp ed on h i ll t ops on e of t he ep i th et s ,

of t he
g od D u m i a s b ei n g conn ect ed w i th t he C el ti c w ord
, ,

f or hill or m oun d I ri s h g ods w ere al s o a s s oci at ed with

.

m oun ds .

Man y l ocal g ods w ere i den tified with Apol lo b oth i n hi s

1
Hii bn er, VII. 27 1 CI L i i i . 5 7 7 3 .
2
Lu ci a n , H era cl es , 1 f . S om e Gaul i sh coi n s fig ure a h ea d t o whi ch are
boun d s ma ll er h ea d s . I n on e cas e t he cord s i s s u e from t h e m out h ( Bl an ch et ,
i . 308 , 3 1 6 Thes e m ay
’
rep res en t Lu ci an Og m i os , b ut o t h er i n t erpret a
s

t i ons h a v e b een pu t u pon t h em . S ee Rob ert , R C vi i 38 8 J

ulli an , 8 4 .
.
 T HE RE LIGION OF THE
'

26 ANCIENT CELTS
‘

ca pac ity of heal ing and al so tha t of g od of l ig ht 1

g od of .

The t w o fu n cti on s are n ot in com pa t i b l e a n d thi s i s s ug g es t ed ,

by the n am e Gran n os g od of th erm al s pring s b oth i n B rita in

,

an d on t h e C on tin en t The na m e i s conn ect ed with a root

.

which g i ves w ords m ea n ing b u rn i ng “ “

s hi n in
g et c an d ,
”
,
”
.,

from w h i ch Com es a l s o Iri s h g ri a n s un “

The g od i s s til l , .
”

rem em b ered i n a ch an t s un g rou n d b on fi res i n A u ver n e A

g .

s h eaf of corn i s s et on fire a n d ca ll ed Grau n o m i o whi l e “ ”

, ,

t he p eopl e S in g Gran no m y f rien d ; G rau no my fa th er ;

, , ,

Grau no m y m other ,
2
A n other g od of th erm al s pring s was
.
”

Borvo B orm o or Borm an u s wh os e n am e i s deri ved f rom

, , ,
'

borco wh en ce W el s h ber w boili n g and i s eviden tl y con

“ ”
, , ,

n ect ed With th e b u bb l i n g of t he Spri n g s V oti ve t ab l et s

3
.

ins crib ed Gra nnos or Borvo S h ow th at t he offerers des ired

h eal ing f or th em s el ves or oth ers .

The n am e Bel en os f ou n d over a w i de a rea but m ainly i n ,

Aquil eia com es from belo s b rig ht a nd probabl y m ean s the

,
-
,
“
,

s h i n i n g on e It i s thu s t he n am e of a C el tic s u n god equa t ed

”
-
.
,

with Apoll o i n tha t ch aract er I f he i s t he Beli n us referred .

t o by G eoffrey of Monm ou th 4
hi s cul t m u s t h ave ex t en ded
'

-
i

i n t o B rit ain f rom t he C on tinen t and he i s of ten m en ti on ed ,

by clas s i cal writers while m u ch la t er Au s on i u s s peak s of hi s

,

p ri es t i n G a u l 5
M a n y.
p l a ce a n d p e rs on a l n a m es p oi n t t o t h e

p po u l ar ity o f h i s cu l t a n d i n s c ri p ti
,
on s S h o w th a t h e t oo w as , ,

a g od of h ea l th an d of h eal i ng s pri n g s The pl an t Beli n u n ti a

-
.

1
The epi t h et s an d n am es are An ext i om a rus , Bal en os , Borm o, Borvo, or
Borm anu s , Cobl eduli t av us , Cos m i s Gran n os , Li vi cu s , Ma pon os , Mog o or
Mog ounos , S i an u s , Tout i ori x, Vi n donn u s , Vi rot ut i s S ee Hol der, .

2
Pomm erol , B a ll . d e S oc d a n t. ole Pa r i s , i i f as e 4
’
. . . .

3
S ee Hol d er, a n. Ma ny pl a ce n am es are d eri ved from B or vo, e g Bourb on
-
. .

l Arch a mbaut , w hi ch g a ve i t s n am e t o t h e Bourb on dy na s t y , t h us connect ed

’

wi t h an old Cel t i c g od .
1
S ee p 1 02, i nf ra .
‘
.

6
Jul Ca p . M a xi m. 22 ; Herod i an , vi i i . 3 ; Tert Ap ol
. i v. 7 0 ; Ans on . . . xx
Prof . xi . 24 .
 GODS OF GAUL AND CON TINEN TAL CEL TS 2 7

cal l ed a f t er hi m h
an d l i v enera ed t f or i t s
1
wa s ea n g powers .

The s u n g od s f u ncti on s of l i g ht a n d f ert ili ty ea s il y pa s s ed over

’
-

i n to th os e of h eal th g i vi ng as ou r s tu dy of C el ti c f es ti val s
-
,
“

w i l l s h ow .

A g od with the n am e Mapon os con n ect ed w i th w ords ,

d en ot i ng y ou thf ul nes s i s f oun d i n Eng l an d a nd G aul

”
, ,

eq ua t ed with A poll o wh o h i m s el f i s call ed B onu s P u er I n a

,

Dacian i ns cri pti on Another g od Mog on s or Mog ou n os W h os e

.
,

n am e i s d eri ved f rom Mag o t o i n crease t “ ”

an d s u es s t h e
gg , ,

i dea of y ou th ful s treng th m ay be a f orm of t he s un g od ,

-
,

thoug h s om e evi den ce p oin ts t o hi s h avi ng b een a s ky g od 2 -

.

The C el ti c A p ol l o i s ref err ed t o by cl as s i cal writ ers .

Di odorus s peak s of hi s ci rcu l ar t em pl e i n a n i s l an d of t he

Hyperb orea ns a dorn ed with votive offeri ng s The ki ng s of
, .

t he city wh ere t h e t em pl e s t ood an d i t s overs eers w ere , ,

call ed Boreads an d every n i net eenth y ear t he g od ap peared

,

dan ci ng i n t he s k y a t t he s pri ng equ i n ox 3 The i den tifi ca ti on s .

of t he t em p l e w i th St on eh en e a n d of t h e Borea ds with t h e
g
B ards are q uite hypoth eti cal Apoll on i u s s ays th a t t he C el t s .

re a rd ed t he w a t ers of Eri da n u s a s du e t o t he t ears of A p ol l o

g
— rob a b l y a n a ti ve m yth a tt r ib u ti n t h crea ti o n of s ri n s
p g e p g
a n d ri vers t o t he t ears of a od e q u a t ed by t he G reek s wi th
g ,

“
Apol lo The C el ti c s u n g od as has b een s een was a g od of
.
-
, ,

h eal ing S pri ng s .

S om e s ix ty n a m es or titl es of C el tic w ar g ods are k n own -

,

g enerall y eq ua t ed wi th M ars Thes e w ere prob abl y l oca l trib al

5
.

1
S t ok es d eri ves beli nu n ti a from belf o a l ea f, Iri s h bi l e, US 1 7 4.
t ree or
2
Hold er, s . v. S t ok es , US 1 97 ; Rhy s , E L 23 s ee p 1 8 0, i nf r a . .

3
Di od S i c i i 4 7
. . . .

‘1
Ap oll Rh od i v 6 09
. . . .

5
Al bi ori x, Al a t or, Ari xo, Bel a d on ni s , Barrex, Bel a t uca dros , Bol vi n nus ,
Bra ci a ca , Bri t ovi s , Bu xenu s , Cab et i u s , Cam ul us , Cari oceci u s , Ca t uri x,
Cem en el us , Ci col li u s , Carrus , Cocos u s , Coci du i s , Con d at i s , Cna b et i u s , Coro
t i a cus , Di n om og et i m a rus , Di va nn o, Dun a t i s , Gl ari nu s , Hal am ardu s , Harm og i u s ,
I eus dri nu s , La cavus , La t abi u s , Leucet i us , Leuci m al a cus , Leu ns , ’
Mul l o,
2 8 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
di vi n iti es th eir w ors hi pp ers t o b a ttle
re a rd ed
g as l eadi n g .

S om e of the nam es s h ow tha t thes e g ods w ere thoug ht of

as m i g hty w a rri ors e g Ca t u ri x ba ttl e king Bel at u Ce dros
,
. .
,
-
,
-

a com m on n a m e i n B r it ai n — perh a ps m ea n i ng com el y i n s

‘

s l a u g ht er A w o kin g An oth er n am e
” ”
1
an d lbi or i x r ld 2 -
.

Ri g i s am us f romr i ce a n d sa mus l ik e to g i ves t he idea of

, , ,

“
, , ,

king l ik e 3 -
.
”

Tou t at i s Tot a t i s an d Tu t a t i s are f ou nd i n i n s crip ti on s

, . ,

from S eck au , York a n d Ol d C a rl i s l e an d m ay be i den tifi ed , ,

with Lu can s Teu t at es who with Taran i s an d Es us m en tioned

’

by him i s r eg arded a s on e of three p an Cel ti c g ods Ha d

,
4 -
.

thi s b een t he ca s e we s h ould have ex p ect ed t o find m an y

m ore in s cri p ti on s t o th em The s ch ol ia s t on Lucan i den tifi es .

Teu t a t es n ow with Mars n ow w i th M ercury Hi s n am e i s

'

.
,

con n ected with teu ta trib e an d h e i s th u s a trib al war “ ”

!

, ,

d e a rded as t h e em b odi m en t of t he t rib e i n i t s w arl ik e

g o r ,g
cap aci ty .

N et on a war g od of t he Acceta ni ha s a n a m e conn ected

,
-
,

with I ris h n i a warri or and m ay be equ a ted with t he I ri s h

,
“
,

w ar g od N et
-
An oth er g od Ca m ul os kn ow n from B riti s h
.
, ,

a n d con tin en t al i n s cri p ti on s and fig ured on B ritis h coin s ,

with w arl i k e em b l em s ha s p erha ps som e conn ecti on w i th ,

C um al f a th er of Fi onn th oug h i t i s un cert ai n wh eth er

, ,

C u m al wa s an I ri s h di vinity 5
.

An oth er g od equ at ed with Mars i s the Gauli Sh Braci aca

.

. ‘
,

g o d o f m al t A cco rd i n g t o cl as s i ca
. l w ri t ers t he C el t s w ere ,

Medoci u s Mog et i us Nab el cu s Net on , Ocel os Oll ondi os Rudi an us Ri g i sa m u s

, , , , , , ,

Ran d os at i s Ri g a , S eg om o S i n a t i s S m ert at i us Tout at es , Tri t ull us Ves uci us ,

, , , , ,

Vi n ci u s Vi t fica dros V oroci us

,
S ee Hold er s ac , .
, .

D Arb oi s , i i 2 1 5 Rhys , H L 37 .
1 ’
.

2
S o Rh ys , HL 4 2 - 3
Hu bn er, 6 1
. .

Hol d er, s uv Luca n , i 4 4 4 f T he opi ni ons of wri t ers who t a k e t hi s

. . .

V i ew are col l ect ed by Rei n a ch , R C vii i x .

6
Hol d er, The Ga ul i s h n am e Cam ul og enu s , “
born of Cumel , repre
s en t s t he s am e i d ea as I n Fi onn s s urn a m e, Ma cCum a ll .
’

,
 GODS OF GAU L AND CONTINEN TA L CE L TS 2 9

a d r u nk en b es i des i mporti ng quan ti ti es of w i n e

ra ce, a nd ,

th ey ha d th ei r own n a ti ve drin k s e g m afi the I ri s h cu i r m , . . a

, ,

a n d br a cca t b oth m a de from m al t ( bra i ch) Th es e words

,
1
.
,

with the Ga ul i s h bra ce s pel t 2

are con n ect ed with
,
“
t he ,
”

n am e of th i s g od who w a s a d i vi n e p ers on i fi ca ti on of t he
,

s u b s t a n ce f rom whi ch t h e dri nk w a s m a de wh i ch p rodu ced ,

accor di n g t o p ri m it i v e i dea s t h e d i v i n e f r en zy of i n t ox i ca ti on
, .

It i s n ot cl ear why Mars S h ou ld h av e b een equ at ed with thi s

g od.

Caes ar y s tha t t he C el ti c J uppi t er g ov erned h eav en

sa .

A g od wh o carri es a wh eel prob ab l y a s un g od a n d an oth er ,

-

, ,

a g od of thu n der call ed Tara n i s S ,

eem t o h a v e b een equ a t ed ,

with Ju ppi t er The s u n g od w i th t he wh eel w a s not eq ua ted

.
-

with Apoll o who s eem s t o h a ve repres en ted C el ti c s u n g ods

,
-

on l y i n s o f a r a s th ey w ere a l s o od s o f h ea l i n I n s om e
g g .

ca s es t he g o d w i th t h e wh eel carri es a l s o a th u n d erb ol t a n d ,

on s om e a l t a rs d edi ca ted t o J u ppi t er b oth a wh eel a n d a

, ,

th un derb ol t are fi g ured Man y ra ces ha ve s ymb ol i s ed t he .

s u n a s a ci rcl e or wh eel a n d a n ol d R om a n o d S u mm an u s
g , , ,

p r o b a b l y a s u n — od l a t er a s s i m i l a t ed t o J u
g , p p i t er h a d a s h i s ,

em b l em a wh eel The C el t s ha d t he s am e s y m b ol i s m a n d
.
,

us ed t he wh eel s y m b ol a s a n a m u l et whi l e a t t he m i ds u m m er
“
,

f es tival s b l a zi ng wh eel s s y m b oli s i n g t h e s u n w ere rol l ed

, ,

down a s lope P os s ib l y t he g od ca rri es a thunderb ol t b ecaus e

.

t he C el t s l ik e o th er ra ces b el i eved th a t l ig ht n i ng w as a
, ,

s p ark f r om t he s un .

Three di vi n ities h ave clai m s t o be t he g od wh om C aes a r

call s D i s p a t er a g od w i th a h a mm er a crou chi n
g g od call ed
—
,

Cernunn os a n d a g od call ed Es u s or Si l va nu s
, P oss i b ly t he .

1
At hen . iv . 36 ; Di os cori des , II. 1 10; J oy ce, SH ii . 1 1 6 , 1 20 ; I T i .

2
Pl i n y , HIV x vii i . 7 .

3
Gai d oz, Le D i eu Ga u l oi s de S ol ei l ; Rei nach, CS 98 , P F 35 Bl anchet ,
i . 27 .
 30 T HE RE LI GION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL T S
na tiv e Dis pat er wa s di fferen tl y en vi s ag ed i n differen t di s tri ct s ,

s o th a t th es e w ou l d be l ocal f orm s of on e g od .

1 The g od Tarani s m en ti on ed by Lucan i s prob a b l y t he

.

Taran oos a n d Taranucn os of i nscri pti on s S om etim es eq ua ted ,

with J u pp i t er Th es e n am es are conn ected with C el ti c

1
.

w ords f or thu nder ; h en ce Tarani s i s a thun der g od The

“ ”
-
.

s ch ol i as t s on Lu can i den ti f y hi m n o w wi t h J u ppi t er

f ’

n ow
K

with Di s pa ter This la tt er i den tifi ca tion i s s upported by

.

m an y wh o reg ard t he g od with t h e h am m er as a t once

Taran i s an d Dis pa t er th oug h it can not be proved tha t the
,

g o d with t h e h a mm er i s T a ra n i s On on e i n s c r ipti on t he .

h am m er—g od i s cal led Sucell os ; h en ce we m ay reg ard Tarani s

'

a s a d i s ti n ct deity a thu n der g od e u a t ed with J u ppi t er an d

q
- »

.
, , ,

p o s s ib l y r ep res e n t ed b y t h e T a ran of t he W e l s h t a l e of
K u lhwych .
2

Pri m itive m en wh os e onl y w eapon an d t ool wa s a s ton e

,

axe or h am m er m u s t h av e reg arded it a s a s y m b ol of f orce

~
, ,

then of s uperna tu ral f orce hence of divin ity It i s repre ,

.

s en t ed on rem a i n s of t he Ston e Ag e a n d t he a xe wa s a div i n e ,

s y m b ol t o t h e My cen aean s a h i erog l y ph of N eter t o t he

,

Eg ypti an s and a w ors hipful obj ect t o P ol yn es ian s an d

,

Chaldean s Th e cul t of axe or ha mm er m ay h ave b een

. .

wi des pread an d t o t he C el t s as t o m any other peoples it

, , ,

wa s a divine s ym b ol Thus it does n ot n eces sari ly denot e

.

a th un d er b ol t but ra th er p ow er an d m ig ht a n d poss ib l y
, , ,

as t he t ool whi ch s h ap ed th i n g s crea ti ve m i g ht The C el ts

‘

.
,

m a de ecc i oto h amm ers of l ead or us ed axe h eads a s am u let s ,

-
,

or fi g u red th em on a l t ars a n d coi n s a n d th ey al s o pl a ced ,

t he h a m m er i n t he h and o a g
f o d 3 .

1
Lu can , P har . i . 444 . An ot h er form , Tan aros , m ay b e s i mply t he
2
Germ an Donar . Lot h , i . 27 0 .

3
Gai doz, RC vi 4 5 7 ; Rei n ach , CS 6 5 , 1 38 ; Bl a n ch et , i
. 1 60 The . .

ham m er i s al s o ass oci at ed wi t h an ot h er Cel ti c Di s p at er, equa ted wi t h S y l van us ,

who wa s cert ai nl y n ot a t hund er g od -
.
32 THE RELIGION or T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
w orl d ,
h e w as d es tru cti v e g od
n ot The un der
n eces s ar il y a .

w orld g od w as t h e g o d f r om wh om or f rom wh os e ki n g dom

m en cam e f or th an d h e w a s a l s o a g o d of f er ti l ity
,
. To thi s .

we s hal l retu rn i
.

2 A bearded g od , pr ob ab l y s qu a tt i ng ,
. with h orn s from each
of whi ch h ang s a t orqu e, i s repres en t ed on a n al tar f ou n d a t
'

Pari s He i s cal l ed Cern u nn os p er ha ps t he h orn ed f rom

1
.
, ,
”

cer n a h orn an d a wh ole g roup of na m eles s g ods with s im ilar

, , ,

or a dd iti on al a tt rib u t es ha v e a ffin i t i es with hi m

'

.
,

( )
a A b ron z e s t a t u ett e f rom Au t un repres en t s a s i m il a r

fi gure prob a bl y h orn ed who pres en t s a t orqu e t o t w o ra m s

, ,
’

h ea ded s erpen t s Fi x ed a b ov e hi s ears are t wo s m al l h ea ds

.

“
2
.

On a m on u m en t f rom V an doeu vr es i s a s q ua tti n g h orn ed g od ,

p r es s i n g a s a ck T w o g en ii s t an d b es i d e hi m o n a s er en t
.
p ,

while on e of th em h o s t q ld a o r u e
3
.

( )
6 A n o th er s q ua tti n g h orn ed fi u re with a t orq u e occu rs
g
on an al t ar f rom Rei m s He pres s es a bag f r om whi ch g rai n .
,

es cap es an d on it an ox a nd s t a g a re f eed i n g A ra t i s repre “

.
,

s en t ed on t he p edi m en t ab ove a n d on eith er s i d e s t an d A p ol lo ,

a n d Mercu ry On t h e a l tar of S a in t es i s a s q u a ttin g bu t

4
.
i

h eadl es s g od Wi th t orqu e a n d p u rse B es i de hi m i s a g oddes s .

with a corn ucopia an d a s m all er d ivi n ity with a cornu copia ,

a n d a n a p pl e A s im ilar s qua tti ng fig u re s upport ed by m al e

. ,

a n d f em al e d ei ti es i s repres en t ed on t he oth er s i de of t he
,

al t a r
f
O n th e al t ar of B eaun e a re three fig u res on e h orn ed
’
.
,

with a cornu copi a a n o th th h

er r ee e a d ed h o din g a bas k et
l ,
fi -
,

Three fi g ures one f em ale a n d t wo m al e are foun d on the

, ,

Dennev y al t ar On e g od i s th ree f a ced t he oth er has a corn u

.
-
,

cop i a whi ch h e offers t o a s e p e t

7
,
r n .

R C x ii i 2 5 4
1 ’
C v . m y b t h J ppi t. C f i
ernun n os i p ti a e e u er ern en os o an n scr on

from Pes t h ,
2
Rei nach , BF 1 8 6 , fig 1 7 7 . .
3
Rev. Arch . 322, pl . 9. xi x.
4
Bert ran d , Rev. Ar ch. xv . 339, f
xvi . pl 1 2
. .
5
I bi d xv . pl . 9, 1 0.
.

7
6
I bi d . xvi . 9. 1 7nd . pl . 1 2 bi s .
 GODS OF GAUL AND C ON TINEN TAL CEL TS 33

() 0 A n oth er i m ag e repres en t s a th ree f a ced g od h old i n

g a
-
,

s erp en t with a ra m s h ea d
1 ’
.

( )
01 Ab ove a s ea t ed g od a n d g odd es s on an a l t ar f rom

Malm ai s on i s a b l ock ca rved t o represen t three f a ces To be .

com pa red with th es e are s even s t el es f rom R ei m s ea ch with ,

a t ri pl e f a ce b u t onl y on e p ai r o f ey es Ab ove s om e of thes e .

i s a ra m s h ead On an e g hth s t e e t he h ea ds a r e s epara t ed

l
’
i .
?

Cern u nn os m a y th u s h av e b een r eg ard ed a s a th ree h ea ded -

,

h orned s qu atting g od with a t orque a n d ram s h ea ded s erpen t

, ,
’
-
.

But a h orned g od i s s om et i m es a m em b er of a t ri a d perh ap s ,

repres en ti ng m yth s i n whi ch Cern u n n os w a s as s oci a t ed w i th

ot h er g ods The th r ee h ea ded g od m a y be t h e s am e as t he

.
-

horn ed g od th ou g h on t he B eaun e al t ar th ey are di s ti nct

, .

The vari ou s represen t a ti on s are l i nk ed t og eth er b ut it i s n ot ,

cert a in th a t all are v aryi n g ty p es of on e g od H orn s t orqu e .

, ,

horn ed s nak e or even t he t ri pl e h ea d m ay have b een s y m b ol s

,

r t ai n i n m th d th u h l y i t
p e g t o or e an o n e g o o g g en era l as s oc a ed ,

with Cernun n os .

The s qua tti ng a tti t ude of t he g od has b een di ff eren t ly

ex pl ain ed an d i t s a ffi n i ti es reg ard ed n ow a s B u ddhi s t n ow a s
, ,

Greco Eg yptian But i f the g od i s a Dis pa t er an d t he

- ?
,

a n ces t ral g od of t he Cel t s it i s n a t u ra l a s M M ow a t p oi n t s , , .

ou t, t o repres en t hi m i n t he ty pi cal a ttitu de of t h e G au l s

when s itting s in ce they di d n ot u s e sea t s Whi l e t he h orn s
,
4
.

were prob a bl y s ym b ols of pow er an d worn al s o by chi efs on

th eir h el m et s th ey m ay al s o s h ow tha t t he g od was an
5
,

a nthro om or hi c f orm of an earl i er a n i m a l d l ik t h w ol f

p p g o e e ,

s ki n of o th er g od s H en ce al s o h orned an im al s w oul d be
.

re arded a s s y m b ol s of t he
g g od a n d thi s m ay a ccoun t f or ,

1
Bert rand , Rev. Arch . '
xvi . 8. I bi d . xvi . 1 0 f .
3
I bi d . Rei n a ch , BF 1 7 , 1 91 .
xv . , xvi .
4
B ul l Ep i g . i 1 1 6
. S t ra b o, i v 3 Di od S i c.
. . . v. 28 .
5
D i od S i c. v . 30 Rei na ch , B F 1 93.
.
34 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LT S
th eir presence on the Reim s m on um en t Anim al s are s ome .

tim es repres en t ed b es ide the divin iti es who were th eir a n thro
p om orphi c f orm s
1 Si m i l arl y t he ra m s h e a ded s erp en t p oin t s
’
-

t o a n i m al w ors hi p B ut i t s pi es en ce with th ree h eaded an d

.

h orn ed g ods i s en i g m a tic th ou gh a s will be s een la t er it m ay

, , ,

h av e b een conn ected w ith a cul t of t he d ead, whil e t he s erp en t

w as a chth on i an an i m al ?
Thes e g ods were g od s of f erti l ity .

a n d of t he u n derw orl d of t he dea d Whi l e the b ag or purs e .

i t h b l with h e corn u cop i a ) wa s a s y mb ol o f Mercu ry

( n er c a n g ea e t ,

it w as al s o a s ym b ol of Pl ut o and this m ay p oin t t o the fact ,

th a t t he g ods w ho b ear it ha d t he s am e charact er a s Plu to .

The S i gn ifi cance of t he t orq u e i s al s o dou bt f ul bu t t h e Ga ul s ,

offer ed t or qu es t o t he g ods an d th ey m ay h a v e b een reg ard ed ,

a s v ehi cles of th e w arri or s s t ren g th wh i ch p a s s ed f rom hi m

’

t o t h e g od towh om t h e vi ct or pres en t ed it
'

Thou g h m an y a ttem pt s have b een m ade t o prove t he n on

Cel ti c ori g i n of t e th e h e e
h r e a d d d i i iti es or of th ei r im ag es
v n - 3
,

th ere 1 s n o rea s on why the con cepti on s hould n ot be C elti c ,

b as ed on s om e m yth now l os t t o u s The C el ts ha d a cu1t .

"

of h um an h ead s a n d fi x ed th em u p on th ei r h ou s es i n order
I
,

t o obt ai n t he prot ecti on of t h eg h os t B odi es or h eads of dead

- .

warri ors ha d a prot ective in flu en ce on th ei r l and or tribe and ,

m yth t ol d h ow t he h ead of t h e g od B ran s aved hi s cou n try

f rom i n va s i on I n o th er m yths h u m an h ea ds s peak af t er
.

b eing cu t It m ig ht t hus eas i ly ha ve b een b eli eved tha t .

t he represen t a ti on of a g od s h ea d ha d a s till m ore pow erf u l

’

rot ectiv e i n fl u en ce es peci al l y wh en it was t r i p l i ca t ed th u s

p , ,

l ooki ng i n all d irecti on s l ik e J an u s , .

Th e s i g n ifican ce of t he tria d on th es e m onu m en ts i s

2
1
S ee p 21 2, i nf ra
. . S ee p 1 6 6 , i nf ra . .

3
S ee, e g , Mow at , B u ll 1 120 739 1 29 de Wi t t e, R ev Ar ch. i i 38 7 , xvi . 7
. . . . . . .

B ert ran d , i bi d xvi 3 . . .

4
S ee pp 1 02, 24 2, i nf ra
.
y J
o ce, S H ii 5 5 4 ; Curt i n, 1 8 2 ; R 0 ii . 1 23,
. xx
xxi v. 1 8.
 GODS OF G AUL AND CONTINENTA L CE L TS 35

t
un cer ai n , bu t i
s nce t he s u pp or ti n g di vi n it i es a re n ow m al e ,

n ow f em al e, n ow m al e f em al e, i t prob ab l y r epres en t s
an d

m yths wh i ch t he
of h orn ed or three h ea ded g od wa s t he -

cen t ra l fi g ure P erh a ps we s h al l n ot be fa r w ron g i n r eg ardi ng

.

s uch g ods on t he wh ol e a s Cern u n n os a g od of a b un dan ce

, , ,

t o j u dg e by hi s em b l em s a n d by t he corn ucop i a h el d by hi s
,

com p an i on s p rob a b l y d i vi n iti es of f ert i l i ty

,
I n cer t ai n ca s es .

fig ures of s qua tti n g an d h orn ed g oddes s es w i th cornu copia

occur
1
. Thes e m ay be con s ort s of Cernunnos an d perhaps ,

p r ec e d ed hi m i n ori g i n W e m ay a l s o g o f u rth er a nd s ee i n
.

thi s g od of a b u n dance a n d f ert i lity a t on ce an Earth an d an -

Un der earth g od s in ce earth an d u n der earth a re m uch t he

-
,
-

s a m e t o p ri m i ti ve th oug ht a n d f erti l ity Sp ri n g s f rom b el ow

,

t he earth s s urfa ce Thu s Cern unn os w oul d be a n oth er f orm

’
.

of th e C el ti c Di s p a t er G en erall y s peak i ng t he im ag es of
.
,

Cernu n n os are n ot f ou n d wh ere th os e of t he g od with t he

ham m er (Di s pa t er) are m os t n um erous Thes e t w o types m ay .

thus be differen t l ocal f orm s of Di s pa t er The s qu a tt i n g .

a tt i t u d e of Cern u nn os i s n a t u ral i n t he i m ag e of t he a nces t or

of a p eopl e w h o s qu a tt ed As t o t he s y m b ol s of pl en ty w e
.
,

kn ow tha t Pl ut o wa s confoun ded with Pl ut us t he g od of ,

ri ch es b eca us e corn a n d m i n era l s ca m e ou t of t h e ea rth a nd

, ,

w ere thu s t he g i f ts of an Earth or Un der earth g od C el tic -

.

myth m ay h ave ha d t he s am e con f us i on .

On a Pari s al t a r a n d on cer t ai n s t el es a g od a ttack s a

s erp en t with a cl u b The s erp en t i s a chth on i an an i m al an d
.
,

t he g od call ed S e t
,
m r u ll os m a y b e a Di s pa te ,
r
?
G ods who
are a n th rop om orp hi c f orm s of ea rl i er an i m al divi n iti es s om e ,

ti m es h ave the a n im al s a s s ym bol s or a ttendan t s or are ,

reg arded as h os til e t o th em I n s om e cas es Di s pa ter .

1
Dom Mart i n , Rei na ch , BF 1 92, 1 99.
1 1. 1 85
2
S ee, h owever, p 1 3 6 , i rf ra ; a n d fo r an ot her i n t erpret ati on of t hi s g od
. as

t he equi val ent of t he I ri sh Lu g s l ayi ng Bal or, See D Arb oi s , i i 28 7 .

’
.
36 T HE RE LI GION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
m ay have wn the serpen t s ym b oli s m t he s erpen t
ou tg ro ,

b eing reg arded l ocall y as hi s f oe ; thi s a ss u m es th a t the g od

with the cl u b i s t he s am e a s th e g od With the h am m er .

Bu t i n t h e cas e of Cernun n os t he a n imal rem ai n ed a s hi s

s y m b ol .

Dis pa ter was a g od of g rowth a nd f ertil ity an d b es ides ,

b ei ng l ord of t h e u n derw orld of the dea d n ot n eces s arily a ,

d ark reg i on or t h e a b ode of d ar k ods a s i s s o of t en

“
g
a s s u m ed by w rit ers onC el ti c rel i g i on he wa s a n ces t or of t he ,

l ivin g Thi s ma y m er el y h ave m ea n t that a s i n oth er m yt ho

.
,

l og i es inen cam e t o t he s urf ace of t he ear th f rom a n u n der

, _

u n d reg i on l ik e al l thi n g s wh os e root s s tru ck deep dow n

g ro ,

i n to the ear th The l ord of t he underw orl d w oul d th en ea s ily

.

be reg arded a s thei r ances t or 1

‘

3 The h a mm er a n d t he cu p are al s o t he s y m b ol s of a g od
.

call ed Sil van u s i den tifi ed by M Mowa t with Es u s a g od

,
2
.
,

repres en t ed cu tti n g d own a t ree with an axe Axe a n d .

ham m er h ow ever are n ot n eces s ar1 l y i denti cal an d t he s ym b ol s

, , ,

are th os e of Di s p a t er a s h a s b een s een A purel y s u perfi ci al

, .

con n ecti on b etw een t he Rom an Sil van u s a n d t he C el ti c

,

Dis pater m ay h ave b een f ound by Gall o Roma n a rti s t s i n the -

f act th a t b oth w ear a w olf s ki n whi l e th ere m ay on ce h ave -

,

b een a C el tic w olf t ot em g od of t he dead The Rom an g od

3 —
.

wa s al s o as s oci a t ed with t he w olf This m i g ht be reg arded a s .

o n e ou t of m an y ex am p l es of a m ere s u p erfi ci a l a s s i m i l a ti on

of Rom an a n d C el ti c d i vi n iti es bu t i n thi s ca s e th ey s ti ll k ep t

,

cer t a i n s y m b ol s of t he n a tiv e Di s pa t er— t he cu p an d h am m er .

1
S ee p 229, i nf ra .
.

2
Rei n ach , BF Mowat , B u ll . Ep t g . i 6 2, Rev. Ep i g . 1 8 8 7 , .

84 .

3
Rei na ch , BF 1 4 1 , 1 5 3, 1 7 5 , 1 7 6 , 1 8 1 ; s ee p . 2 1 8 , i nf ra . Fl ou es t , Rev .

Ar ch, 1 8 8 5 , i 2 1 , t hi nk s t h at t h e i d en t i fi cat i on w as wi t h an earli er ch t h oni an

.

S il va n u s Cf . Julli an , 1 7 , n ot e 3, wh o ob s erv es t hat t he Gal l o Rom a n

.
-

“
a s s i m i l at i on s w ere m a d e s ur l e d om a i n e a rch ai s a n t des fa i t s p opul ai res et
”
For th e i ns cri pt i on s , Hol d er,
’
rus t i ques d e l I t al i e. s ee a v.
 GODS OF GAUL AND CONTINEN TAL CE LTS 37

Of cours e, s n ce i
tt er w as al so a g od of f ertil ity th ere
the la ,

was h ere a n oth er li nk w i th S i l van us a g od of w oods an d ,

veg et a t i on The cul t of t he g od w a s wi des prea d i n S pai n

.
—
,

S Gau l t he Rhi ne provi n ces C i s al p in e Gaul C en tral Europe

.
, , ,

a n d B rit a i n : But one i n scrip ti on g ives t h e n am e S el va n os ,

an d it i s n ot i m os s i b l e th a t th er e w a s a n a ti v e od S el van u s
p g .

I f s o hi s n am e m ay h ave b een d eri ved f rom s elva

, p os s e s s i on , ,
”

I ri s h s ea lbh pos s ess i on ,

“
ca tt l e a n d he m a y h a ve b een a
,
” “
,
”

chth on i an od f i h whi h i n i m iti ve comm u n it i es co n

g o r c es c p r ,

s i s t ed of ca ttl e 1 D om es ti c an im al s i n C el ti c m yth ol og y
.
, ,

w ere b el ieved t o have com e f rom t he g od s l an d S el va n us ’

.

would thus be eas il y i den tifi ed with Sil van u s a g od of ,

flock s .

Thus t he C el tic Di s pa t er had va riou s na mes and f orm s i n

di fferen t reg ions a n d could b e a s s im i l at ed t o di fferen t f orei g n
,

g o d s S .i n ce E ar th a n d U n der earth are s o n earl y con n ect ed -

,

t hi s d ivi n ity m ay on ce h ave b een a n E arth g od a n d a s s u ch -

,

perh a p s t ook t h e pl a ce of a n earl i er Ear th m oth er wh o n ow -

,

b ecam e hi s con s ort or hi s m oth er On a m on um en t f rom .

S al zb ach Di s pat er i s a ccom pani ed by a g oddess cal l ed Aeracura

, ,

hol di ng a b as k et of fru it an d on an other m on um en t from Ob er

,
.

S eeb a ch t he com pan i on of Di s pat er h ol ds a cornucopi a I n

, .

t he la tt er i n s t an ce D i s pa t er h ol ds a h a m m er an d cu p an d th e ,

g des s m ay be Aeracura
o d Aera cu ra i s al so a s s oci a t ed with
.

Di p te i n s everal ins cri pti on s It i s n ot yet certain th a t s he

s a r ?

i s a C el ti c g o ddes s bu t her pres en ce w i th thi s evi den tl y

,

C el ti c g od i s al m os t s uffi ci en t proof of the f a ct She m ay th us .

re res en t t he ol d Earth g oddes s wh os e pl ace t he n a tive

p -
,

Di s pater g radual ly us u rped .

1
St ok es , US 302 ; MacBai n , 27 4 R0 vi 28 2 xx . .

2
Gai d oz, Rev Ar ch i i . 1 8 98 Mowa t , B u l l Ep i g . i . 1 1 9 ; Courcel l e ~
. . .

S eneu i] , 8 0 f ; Paul y Wi s s owa, Rea l L ew. i . 6 6 7 ; Da rem b erg S ag li o, Di et

. -
.
-
.

ii ., s v “ Di s p at er.”
. .
38 THE RELIGION or T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
Lu can m en ti on s a g od Es us , wh o i s P ari s represen ed t on a

al t ar a s a w oodm a n cu tt i n d o w n a t ree t he b ran ch es of whi ch

g ,

are ca rri ed rou n d t o t he n ex t s i d e of t he a l tar on whi ch i s ,

r epres en t ed a b u ll w i th three cran es Tarvos Tri g a ran os — .

The s am e fi g ure u nn a m ed occu rs on a n o th er a l t ar at T reves

, , ,

bu t i n thi s ca s e t h e b ull s h ea d a pp ea rs i n t h e b ran ch es a n d on

’

them s i t the birds M Rei n a ch a ppl i es on e f orm ul a t o t he

. ;

s u bj ect s of th es e a l t ars The d i vi n e W oodm an h ew s t he

T r ee o f t h e B u l l with T h ee C a es
r r n
1
The wh ol e repres en t s .
”

s om e m yth u nk n ow n t o u s bu t M D Arboi s fi nds i n it

’
.
,

s om e a ll us i on t o even ts i n the C uchul ainn s ag a To thi s .

w e s h a ll ret u rn ?
B u ll an d t ree are perhap s b oth divin e a n d ,

i f t he a nim al l ik e t h e i m ag es of t h e divi n e b ull i s th ree

, ,

h orned th en t he t hree cran es (g ara na s cran e ) m a y be a

, ,
”

reb u s f or th ree h orn e d tr i hera s b b y th h

(-
) or m o re p r o a l ,
ree e a d e d -

( tr i ha ren os ) ?
I n th i s ca s e w oodm a n t ree a n d b ul l m ig ht a ll be , ,

repres en t a ti ves of a
g o d o f v eg e t a t i on I n e ar l y r it u al h u m a n . , ,

a n i m a l or a rb oreal re res en t a ti v es of t h e od w ere ri od i ca ll y

, p g p e

des troy ed t o en s ure f ertili ty bu t wh en t he g od b ecam e ,

s ep ara t ed f rom th es e re resen t a ti v es t he des t ru cti on or s l a yi n

p g
,

w a s reg arded a s a s acrifi ce t o t he g od a nd m yth s aros e t ell in g ,

how h e had once s la i n t he a n i m a l I n thi s case t ree a nd b u l l .

, ,

r ea ll y i d en ti cal w ou l d be m ythi cal l y r eg ar ded a s des troy ed by

,

t he g o d wh om th ey ha d on ce r ep res en t ed I f E s u s wa s a g od .

o f ve et a ti on on ce re r es en t ed by a t ree thi s w ou ld ex l a i n
g , p p ,

why a s t he s ch ol ias t on Lu can relat es h u m an s a crifi ces t o

,
'

Bsu s w ere s u s p en d ed f rom a t ree B s u s w a s w ors h i pp ed at ,

Pa ri s an d a t Treves ; a coi n with t he n am e JEs us was f ou nd i n

Eng l and ; a nd p ers onal n am es l i k e Es ug en os s on of Es u s ,
“
,
”

1
Lucan , i . 4 44 R C ’
x vi i i .
‘

25 4 , 2 5 8 .
2
S ee p . 1 27 , i nf ra .
3
For a s u pp os ed conn ect i on b et ween thi s bas -
reli ef and t he m y t h of Geryon ,
s ee Rei na ch , B F 1 2 0 x
R C vii i 25 8 f . .
40 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
di s covered i n B rita i n ,
the Medit erran ean
t raders cal led it
p g a f t er t he n am e of t h e p l ace wh ere it w as f ou n d a s
’
x a
a ovr s o , ,

wa s s o call ed from Cy pru s

“ ” ?
cu reu s copper
p , ,

Man y l oca l t u t el ar di vi n i ti es w ere a l s o w ors hipped . .

W h en a n ew s ettl em en t wa s f ou nded it w a s pl aced u n d er t he ,

p rot ecti on of a t ri bal g od or t h e n am e of s om e div i n is ed ri ver

,

on wh os e b a nk s t he v i ll a e w a s e v lj
g p l a ce d p a s s e d t o t h i g a e ,
.

it s elf an d t he di vin i ty b ecam e i t s protect or Thus D ea

, .

Bi bract e Nem au s us an d V a s i o w er e t u t el ar divi n iti es of

, ,

Bi bra ct e Nim es an d V a i s on
, ,
Ot her pl a ces were call ed af t er
.

Bel en os or a g rou p of d i v i n iti es u s uall y t h e Ma tr es with a

, ,
-

l ocal epith et w a t ch ed over a cer t ai n di s t ri ct ?

Th e f ou n ding
‘

of a t ow n wa s cel eb ra t ed i n a n a nn u al f es ti va l with s a crifi ces ,

an d l ib a t i on s t o t h e ot e t i n d e i ty a ra c ti c e co m b a t ed by
p r c
g p ,

S El oi i n t he ei g hth cen tury Bu t t h e cus t om of as s ocia ting a

. .

di vi n i ty with a t own or reg i on w a s a g rea t h el p t o p a t ri oti s m .

Th os e who f oug ht f or th eir h om es f el t th a t they were fig hting

”

f or th ei r g ods who al s o f ou g ht on th eir s i de

, S everal i n s cri p .

tion s To t he g en iu s of t he pl a ce occur i n B ri tain an d th ere

, , ,

a re a f ew t ra ces of t u t el ar d i I i h t x t s bu t g en era ll y
’

g o s n r s e ,

l ocal s ain t s had t ak en th eir place .

The C el tic cul t of g oddes s es t ook t w o f orm s th at of i ndi ,

vi du al a n d th a t of
g rou p ed g oddes s es t he l a tt er m uch m ore ,

n u m erou s th an t he rou ed d I d i v i d u l o dd es s es w ere

g p g o s n a g .

w ors hi pped a s cons orts of g ods or a s s ep ara t e pers on aliti es , ,

a n d i n t he l a tt er ca s e t h e cul t Was s om e tim es f ar ex t en d ed .

Stil l m ore p op u l a r was t he cul t of g rouped g oddes s es Of .

th es e t h e Me tr es l ik e s om e i n divid ual g oddes s es w ere prob ab ly

, ,

earl y Ear th m o th ers a n d s i n ce t h e r i m i ti v e f er ti l i ty cu l t s

p
- -
,

i n clu ded a l l th a t m i ht th en be s um m ed u a s ci vi l i s a ti on
”
g p ,

1
Hol der, 1 8 24 Rei n ach, Rev Arch
. 2 6 2 ; D Arb oi s , L es Cel tes , 20.
. . xx .
’

Ot h er g roup ed g od s a re t h e Bacucei , Cas t oeci , I co t i i , I fies , Lug ov es , Nervi ni ,

a n d S i l va n i . S ee Hold er, em 2
For a ll t h es e s ee Holder, s v.
. .
 GODS OF GAUL AND CON TINENTAL CE LTS 4 1

s uc h g odd es s es y m an y fun cti on s a n d m i g ht t he

ha d a l rea d ,

m ore rea di l y b ecom e di vi n i ti es of s peci al craf t s or even of war .

Ma n y i n di vi d ua l g oddes s es are k n ow n onl y by th ei r n am es ,

an d w ere of a p urel y l ocal ch ar act er ? S om e l ocal g oddes s es

w i th di fferen t n a m es bu t s i m i la r fu n ction s are equa t ed wi th
t he s am e Rom an g oddes s o th ers w ere n ever s o eq ua t ed .

The C el ti c M in erva or t h e g oddes s es equ a t ed with her

, ,

t a g ht t e elem ents of i n dus t ry a n d t he arts

u h 2
an d i s th u s
”
,

t he eq ui val en t of t he I ri s h B ri g it Her f uncti on s a re i n .

k eeping with t he p os i t i on of w om an a s the fi rs t ci vi l i ser di s —

cov eri n
g ag ri cul t u re s p i nn i ng t he art of p ott ery et c
, ,
D uri n g , .

this peri od g oddes s es w ere chi efly w ors hi pp ed a n d th ou g h t he ,

C el ts had l on g ou tgrown thi s primi tiv e s tag e s uch cul tu re ,

g od d es s es s ti ll ret a i n ed th ei r i m p ortan ce A g oddes s equa t ed .

with Mi n erva i n S ou th ern Fran ce an d B ri tai n i s Bel i s am a ,

perh aps f rom g va t t o b urn s hi ne H en ce s he m ay

“ 3 ” “ ”
,
or .

h ave b een a s s oci at ed with a cul t of fire l i ke B ri g it a n d l i k e ,

a n oth er
g od d es s S u l eq u a t e d with
,
M i n erva a t B a th a n d i n

H es s e an d i n wh os e t em pl e p erpet ual fi res b urned She wa s

,
4
.

al s o a
g od d es s o f h ot s p r i n g s Be l i s a m a g ave . h er n a m e t o t h e

Mers ey 5 an d m an y g odd es s es i n C el ti c m yth a re as s oci at ed

,

with ri vers .

S om e war g oddes s es are as s ocia t ed with Ma rs — Nem et ona

-

( i n B rit ain an d G erm an y ) p erh ap s t he s am e as t he Iri s h ,

N em on an d Cathubodua i den ti cal with t he I ri s h wa r

, ,

g o dd es s B a d b ca th a b-
a tt l e c
,
ro w
“
w h o t ore -
t h e b od i e s of
,
”

t he s l ai n 6
An oth er g oddes s An dra s t a i nvi n ci b l e p erh aps
.
,
“
,

t he s a m e a s t h e An da rt a of t he V ocon ces w a s w ors h i pp ed by ,

1
Profes s or An wy l g i ves t h e foll owi ng s t a t i s t i cs : Th ere are 3 5 g odd es s es
.

m en t i on ed on ce, 2 t wi ce, 3 t h ri ce, 1 f ou r t i m es , 2 s i x t i m es , 2 el ev en t i m es ,

1 fourt een t i m es (S i ron a ) , 1 t wen t y on e t i m es (Ros m ert a ), 1 t wen t y s i x t i m es
- -

( Ep ona ) ( Tra ns Ga el S oc I n vernes s ,

. . vi ..
2
xx
Caes a r, vi . 1 7 .
3
D Arboi s , Les Cel tes , 5 4 Rev Arch i 201 . S ee Hol d er, s v.
’
. . . .

4
S ol i n us , xx
i i 1 0 Hold er,
.
5
Pt ol em y , i i 2 6
S ee p. 7 1 , i nf ra . . .
 42 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
t he p eopl e of B oudicca with hu man s acr ifi ces l ike ,
t he na tive
B ellon a of t he S cordi s ci 1 .

A g oddes s of t he chas e was i den tifi ed with Art em i s i n

Gal a t I a wh ere s h e ha d a p ri es t es s C a mm a an d al s o i n t he
, ,

w es t At t he f eas t of t he Gal a tian g oddes s dog s w ere crown ed

.

with fl ow ers her w ors hi pp ers f eas t ed a n d a s a cri fi ce wa s m ad e

,

t o h er f eas t an d s a crifi ce b ei ng pr ov i ded ou t of m on ey l a i d a s i de

,

f or every ani m al t ak en i n t h e ch a s e ? Oth er g oddes s es w ere

eq u a t ed wit h Di a n a a n d on e of h er s t a t u es wa s d es t roy ed i n
,

Chris tia n tim es at Treves 3 Thes e g oddes s es m ay h a ve b een .

th oug ht of as ru s hing throug h t he f ores t With a n a tten dan t

trai n s ince i n la t er ti m es Diana with whom th ey w ere com
, ,

plet el y a ss i m il a t ed b eca m e l ik e H ol da th e l ea d er of t he
, , ,

f ur ou s h os t a n d a l s o of w it ch es revel s The Lif e of

”
i 4 " “

Cees a ri u s of Arl es s p eak s of a cal l ed Di an aby t he

“ ”
dem on
ru s ti cs .A b ron z e s tat u ett e repres en t s t he g oddes s ri di ng a
wil d b oar her s ym b ol and l ike h ers el f a creatu re of the fores t
5
, , , ,

bu t a t an ea rl i er ti m e it s elf a d ivin ity of wh om t he g oddes s

b ecam e t he a n throp om orphic f orm .

Goddes ses t he earl ier s pirit s of t he w a ters protect ed

, ,

ri vers a n d s rin s i d with d f h l i ng

g w t
"

p or er e as s oc a e, g o s o e a

well s D i ron a or Siron a i s as s ocia t ed with Grann os m ainl y i n

.

Eas t ern Ga ul a n d th e Rhin e p rovi n ces a nd i s s om eti m es re

‘

p r es en t ed carr yi n
g g pra es a n d g ra i n
6
Th u s thi s g odd es s m a
y .

on ce h av e b een con n ect ed with f er ti l ity er ha s an E ar th

p p ,

m oth er an d i f h er n a m e m ea n s th e l ong l i ved 7 thi s w ou ld

,
“ -
,
”

b e a n a ppropri a t e t i tl e f or an E arth g oddes s An oth er g oddes s -

.
,

S t an na m en ti on ed i n a n i n s cri p ti on a t P eri g ueu x i s perh ap s

, ,

1
Di o Cas s l xii 7 ; Am m Marc
. . vi i 4 4 . . . xx . .

2
Pl u t arch , d e Vi r Ma l . 20 Arri a n , Oyn eg
.
'

. xxxi v. 1 .

3
S . Greg H i s t. v ii i 1 5
. . .

1
Gri m m , Ten t My th! 28 3, 9 33 Rei n a ch , R 0 xvi 26 1 .
‘
. .

5
Rei n ach B F 5 0. ,
5
Hol der, 1. 1 28 6 Robert , R 0 i v. 1 33 .

7
Rhys , E L 27 .
 GODS OF GAUL AND CON TINEN TAL CE L TS 43

t he t i or abi di ng one a n d thu s m ay al s o have b een

s an d n g ,

a n Ea rth g od d es s Grann os w a s al s o a s s oci at ed w i th t he l ocal

- ?

g oddess es V es unn a a n d Av en t i a w ho g av e th ei r n am es t o ,

V es ona an d Av an che Hi s s t a t u e al s o s t ood i n t he t em pl e of

.

t he g oddes s of t he S ein e S eq u a n a ?
W i th B orm o w ere
,

a ss oci a t ed Borm an a i n S ou th ern G a u l a n d D a m on a i n E as t ern ,

G aul perh aps a n a n i ma l g od des s s i n ce t he root of her n am e

—
,

o ccu rs i n I ri s h d a m a n d W el s h d af a c s h eep
”
ox ,
“
l
,
D ea ,
“
.

B rix ia w a s t he con s ort of Lu xovi u s g od of t he w at ers of ,

Lu x e ui l N a m es of o th er g oddes s es of t he w at ers are f oun d

.

on ex votos a n d pl a q u es whi ch w ere pl a ced i n or n ear th em .

The R om an N ym phae s ometi mes as s oci a t ed with B orm o w ere

, ,

t h e eq u i val en t s of t h e C el ti c w at er g oddes ses w ho s u rvi ved i n -

,

t he wa t er fa i ri es of l a t er f ol k b el i ef
-
S ome river g oddes s es-
.
-

g ave th ei r n a m es t o m an y riv ers i n t he C el ti c area

t h e n u m erou s Avon s b ein g n a m ed f rom Ab n ob a g oddess of ,

t he s ou rces o f t he D a n u b e a n d t h e m a n y D ees a n d D i ves

,

f rom Di von a Ol ot a wa s g odd ess of t h e C l y de S ab rin a ha d

. ,

her th ron e b en ea th the tran s l u cen t wave of the S evern ,

I ca u n a wa s g oddes s of t h e Yonn e S equ ana of t he S ei ne an d , ,

S i nnan of t he Sh ann on .

I n s om e ca s es f ores ts w ere ru l ed by g oddes s es th a t of t he —

Arden n es by D ea Ardui nn a a n d t he B lack Fores t perh aps , ,

b ecaus e of the m an y w a t ers i n it by Dea Ab n ob a W hi le 3

,
.

s om e o d d es s es re k n ow n on l y by b ei n g a s s oci a t ed with a g od
g a ,

eg
. . Ros m ert a w i th Mer cu ry i n Ea s t ern Ga ul oth ers h ave ,

rem a i n ed s epa ra t e l i k e E p on a p er h a p s a r i ver g odd es s m erg ed -

, ,

w i th a n a n i m al di vin i ty an d k n ow n f rom in s cri pti on s as a

,

h ors e g odd es s But t he m os t s tri king in s tan ce i s f ou nd i n

- 4
.

t he g rouped g oddes s es .

1
Anwyl , Cel t Rev 1 906 , 4 3
. . .

2
Hol d er, s v Bu ll i ot , R C i i 22
. . . .
3
Hol der, i 1 0, 8 9 . .

4
Hold er, s v s ee p 2 1 3, i nf r a
. . . .
 44 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L T S
thes e t he Deoe Ma tr es wh os e n am e ha s tak en a Lati n
Of ,

f orm a n d wh os e cul t ex t en ded t o t he T eu t on s ar e m en tion ed ,

i n m a n y in s cri p ti on s al l over t he C el t i c a rea s av e i n Eas t an d ,

North W es t G au l ? I n a r t they are u s ually repr es en ted a s

-

three i n n u m b er h olding f ru i t flow ers a corn u copi a or an

, , , ,

i n fan t They w ere thu s g oddes s es of f er til ity an d proba bl y

.
,

derived f rom a cul t of a g rea t Moth er g oddes s t h e Ear th -

,

p s on ifi ed
e r S he m ay h ave s urvi ved a s a g odd es s Berecyn t hi a ;
.

w ors hi pped at Au t un wh ere her i m ag e wa s b orn e throu g h t he ,

fi elds t o prom ot e f ertility or as the g oddes ses equa ted with ,

D em et er a n d Kore wors hipped by w om en on an i sl a nd n ea r

,

B itain S uch cul ts of a M oth er g oddes s l i e b ehin d man y

r
? “

_
-

r el i i on s bu t
g g ra duall y h er pl ace was t a k en by an Ea
,

t h e C el ti c Di s p a t er or D ag da wh os e con s or t t he g oddes s ,

b ecam e She m ay th erefore be the g oddess with t he cornu

.

co i a on m on u m en t s of the h orn ed d r A racu ra con s or t of

p g o o e , ,

Disp at er or a g oddes s on a m on u m en t at Epin al hol ding a

,

b asket of fru it an d a corn u copia an d accom pan i ed by a ram s ,

’

h e a d ed s erpen t 3
Th es e s ym b ol s s h ow tha t thi s g oddes s wa s
.

aki n t o t he Ma tres Bu t s he s om eti m es pres er ved her i n

.

di vi dual i t y, as i n t he cas e of Berecyn t hi a an d t he Ma tres ,

thoug h it i s n ot quite cl ear why s he s hou l d ha ve b een thu s

tripl y m u l ti pl i ed A s imi lar ph enom enon i s f oun d i n the
.

cl os e con n ect i on of D em et er a n d P ers e h on e whi l e t he C el t s

p ,

r e arded th r ee a s a s a cred n u m b er The p ri m iti ve di vi s i on of

g .

t he year i n t o th ree s eas on s s p ri n g s u mm er a n d win t er —

, ,

m ay h a ve ha d i t s effect i n t ri pl i ca t i n g a g oddes s of f er til ity

with whi ch t he cou rs e of the s eas on s was conn ect ed I n ?

oth er m yth ol o i es f th e d d f u n d t he
'

g g ro u p s o re g o es s es are o ,

1
Hol d er ,
11. 4 6 3. They are very n u merous i n S ou t h Ea s t Gaul , where
-
al s o

t hree h ea ded g od s are

-
fou n d .
2
S ee PP 2 7 4 5 , i nf ra °
-
.
3
Cou rcell e- S en eui l , 80 81 .
-

1
S ee m y art i cl e i n Has t i n g s E ncycl op . qf Rel i g i on a nal E thi cs ,
’
Cal en da r
‘

i ii . 80 .
 GODS OF GAUL AND CONTINENTAL C EL TS 45

Hat hors i n Eg y pt the Moirai G org on s an d Grai ae of Greece

, , , ,

t he R om an Fa t es an d t h e N ors e N orn ee a n d i t i s n ot i ceab l e

, ,

that t he Ma tr es w ere s om eti m es equ at ed with t he Parcae

a n d F a t es
?

I n t he Ma tr es pri m aril y g oddess es of f er til i ty a n d pl en ty

, ,

w e h av e on e of t he m os t p opu lar a n d a l s o p ri m iti ve a s pect s

of C el t i c r el i g i on Th ey orig ina t ed i n a n ag e wh en wom en
.

cul t i va t ed t he g rou n d a n d t h e E ar th wa s a g oddes s wh os e cu l t

,

w as perf orm ed by p ri es t es s es Bu t i n cou rs e of tim e n ew .

f un cti on s w ere b es t ow ed on t he Ma tres P os s ibl y river .

odd es s es a n d oth ers are m erel y m oth ers wh os e f u n cti on s

g
h ave b ecom e s pecial i s ed The Ma tres are f ou n d as g uardian s .

of in di vi d ual s f am il i es h ou s es of t ow n s a p rov in ce or a
, , , , ,

wh ol e n a ti on as th eir epith et s i n i n scri p ti on s s h ow The

, .

Ma tr es Dom es ti cae a re h ou s eh old g oddes s es ; t he Ma tres

Tr everee or Ga lla i eae or Vedi a n tee are t he m oth ers of
, , ,

Treves , of t he Gallaecae, of t he V edi an t ii ; t he Ma tr es Nem eti a les

are g ua rdi a n s g B es i des pres i di n g ov er t he fi elds a s
of r ov es .

Ma tr es Ca mp es tree th ey b rou g ht pros perity t o t ow n s an d

eo
p p l e
?
Th ey g uarded w om en es p eci al l y i n chi ldb i r th a s ea: , ,

votes p rov e a n d i n thi s a s p ect th ey a re aki n t o t he J a n en es

,

w ors hipp ed al s o i n Gaul an d B rita in The n am e thus b ecam e .

en eri c f or m os t g o ddes s es b u t all al i k e w ere t he l i n eal

g ,

d es cen dan t s of t he p i r mi t E th th e
i v e a r m o r
3 -
.

P opu l ar s u pers titi on has pres erved t he m em ory of thes e

odd es s es i n th e th ree bonn es d a m es da mes bla n ches a n d W hit e
g , ,

W om en m et by w ayfarers i n f ores t s or i n t he th ree fairi es

, ,

or wi s e w om en of f ol k t al es w h o a pp ea r at t he bi rth of -
,

1
C’I L v. 4208 , 5 7 7 1 , vi i . 927 ; Hol d er, i i . 8 9.
2
For al l t h es e t i t l es s ee Hol d er, a n
3
Th ere i s a l arg e l i t erat u re d evot ed t o t h e M atres S ee De Wal , Di e .

Meeder Gotti n en V a ll en t i n , Le Cn l te d es Ma tr ee ; Darem berg S ag l i o, Di et -

.

Matres Ihm, J a hr bn eh . des Verei n s von Al terth. i n Rhei nl a nde, No . 83 ;

Ros ch er, Lexi con , i i 246 4 f . .
46 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS
children . tim es th ey h ave b ecome ha t ef ul hag s
But s om e .

The Ma tr es an d oth er g odd es s es p rob ab l y s urvi ved i n t he

ben eficen t f ai ri es of rock s a n d s tream s i n t he f a i ry Ab on de ,

w ho b rou g ht ri ch es t o h ou s es or Es t erel l e of P rov en ce w h o ,

'

m ade w om en f ru itf ul or A ri l w ho w a t ch ed ov er m ea dow s

, ,

o r i n b ein g s l ik e Mel u s n e V i v a e a d o th e s
i i n n r
?
I n G all o
, ,

Rom an B ritai nt he cul t of t he Ma tres i s f ou n d bu t how f ar it ,

w a s i n dig en ou s th ere i s u n cert ai n A W el s h n am e f or f airi es .

,

Y Ma ma a t h e Moth ers a n d t he p h ras e t he b l ess i n g of

“ ” “
, , ,

t he M others u sed o f a f a i ry b en edi cti on m a y b e a remi n ,

i s cence of s u ch g oddes s es ? The pres en ce of s im i l ar g oddes s es

i n I rel an d wi l l be con s i dered la t er 3
Im ag es of the Ma tr es .

b earing a chi ld h ave s om etim es b een tak en f or th os e of t he

V i rg in wh en f oun d a ccid en tal l y an d a s th ey are of w ood
, ,

bl a ck ened with ag e th ey are k n own a s Vi erg es Noi r es an d

, ,

o ccu py a n h on ou r ed pl ace i n Ch ri s tian s an ct uari es Man y .

ch urch es of N O tre D am e h a ve b een bui l t on s it es wh ere a n

i m ag e of t he V irg i n i s s aid t o have b een m ira cul ous l y f oun d
—t he i m ag e prob a b l y b eing tha t of a p ag an Moth er .

Si m ilarl y an al t ar t o t he Ma tres a t Va i s on i s n o w dedica t ed

,

t o t he V irg in a s t h e g ood M oth er 4

”
.

I n i n s cri p ti on s fr om Ea s t ern a n d Cis al pi n e Gaul a nd from ,

t he Rhine an d D a nu b e reg i on t he Ma tron ee are m en ti oned , ,

a n d thi s n am e i s
prob a bl y i ndi cati ve of g oddes s es l ik e t he
Jlf a tres 5 It i s aki n to that of m an y rivers e g the Marn e or
.
, . .

Meyrone an d s h ow s th at t he Moth ers w ere a s s oci at ed with

,

ri vers . The M oth er r i ver f ert ili s ed a l arg e d is t ri ct a nd ,

1
S ee Maury , Fées d a Moyen Ag e S éb i ll ot , i 26 2 Monn i er, 4 39 f
,
Wri g h t ,
. .

Cel t, Roma n , a n d S a xon , 2 8 6 f ; Va l l en t i n , RC i v 29 . Th e Ma tres m ay . .

al ready h av e h a d a s i n i s t er a s ect i n Rom an t i m es , a s t h e

p y appear t o b e i n
t en d ed by a h i n s cri p t i on La m i i s Tr i bu s on a n a l t ar at Newca s t l e Hubn er, 5 07 . .

2
Ann , Cel t . Rev.
Cf. Y Feel Fa m a n ,
1 906 , 28 .t he hil l of t h e
“

Moth ers , i n t h e Cl wy di an rang e

” 2
S ee p 7 3, i nf ra .
. .

1
V a l l ent i n , op . ci t. i v. 29 Maury, Croya n ces d a Moyen Ag e, 382
‘
.

5
Hold er, s v. .
48 T HE RE LIGIO N OF T HE ANCIENT CE LTS

pr im itive n ature w ors hip are s een b ehin d the cul t of diviniti es
of s k y s u n t hu n der f ores t s r iv ers or i n deiti es of an i m al ori g in
, , , , ,
.

W e come n ex t t o evi den ce of a hig h er s t ag e i n di vin iti es o f

’

cul t u r e h eal i ng ; t he ch a s e
, wa r an d t he u n derworld We
, ,
.

s ee d i v i ni t i es of C el t i c g roup s g ods of in div i dual s t he — .

,

f am i l y t he t rib e
,
S om etim es war g ods a s s um ed g rea t pro
.
-

m i n en ce i n t i m e of w ar or a m ong t he ari s tocra cy bu t with

‘

, , ,

t he devel op m en t of com m erce g ods as socia t ed with t ra de an d ,

t he ar t s of peace ca me t o t he f ron t At t he s am e tim e t he

- ?

o u l ar cu l t s of a g ri cu l t u ral d i s t ri ct s m u s t h a ve rem ai n ed as
p p
o f ol d W ith t he a dop ti on of R om an ci vilis ati on enl i g ht en ed
.
,

C el ts s eparat ed th em s el ves f rom t he l ow er as pects of their .

rel i g i on bu t thi s w ou ld h ave occu rred with g rowin g ci vi l

,

i s a t i on h ad n o R om an ever en t ered Gau l I n r ura l di s tri cts . .

t he m ore s avag e as pects of t he cul t w oul d s till h ave rem ai n ed

"

but that th ese were en ti rel y due t o an a b orig in al p opul a ti on

i s erron eou s The C el t s m u s t h ave b rou g ht s uch cul ts with
'

th em or a d op t ed cul ts s imi l ar t o th ei r ow n wh erever they

cam e . Th e p ers is t en ce of th es e cul ts i s s een i n t he f a ct th a t
thoug h Ch ris ti an ity m odified them it coul d n ot root th em ,

ou t a n d i n ou t of —the way corn ers s urv 1 va l s o f t h e ol d r it ua l

,
- -
,

m ay s t i ll b e f oun d f or everywh ere t he old reli g i on of t he s oi l

' “

d i es hard .

1
We n eed n ot a s s um e wi t h Jul li a n, 1 8 , t h at t here was on e s u pre me g od ,

n ow a war-g od, n ow a g od of Any prom i nent g od m ay h a ve b ecom e

“

p ea ce.
a w ar g od-
on occas i on.
 C H A P TER IV .

T HE I RIS H MYT H O L O GI CAL CYCLE .

THREE divin e and h eroi c cy cl es of m yth s are k n own i n I reland ,

one t ell in g of t he Tu a t ha Dé Da n a n n t he oth ers o f C uch ul a i nn

,

a n d of t he Fi a n s Th ey are d i s tin ct i n ch ara ct er a n d con ten t s

.
,

bu t t he g ods of t he fi rs t cy cl e of t en h el p t he h eroes of t h e
oth er g rou ps a s t he g ods of G reece a n d I n di a a s s i s t ed t he
,

h eroes of the ep i cs W e s h all s ee th a t s om e of t he p ers on

.

a g es of th es e cy cl es m ay h av e b een k n ow n i n G aul ; th ey are

rem em b ered i n W a l es bu t i n t he Hi g h l an d s wh ere s t ori es of

, , ,

C uch ula inn an d Fi onn are s til l t old t he Tuatha Dé D a mann

,

ar e l es s k n own n ow th an i n 1 5 6 7 wh en Bi s h op Cars ewell

,

l a m en t ed t he l ove of t he Hi g h l an d ers f or i dle t urb ul en t

“
, ,

ly i ng w orl dl y s t ori es con cer i ng t he Tu at ha D éda nan s

”
n 1
.
,

As t he n ew Achaean reli g i on i n G reece an d t he V edi c

’

s acred b ook s o f I n di a r eg ard ed t he a b or ig i na l g ods a n d h eroes

a s d em on s a n d g o b l i n s s o di d Ch ri s ti a n ity i n I rel an d s om e
,

tim es s peak Oi t he Ol der g ods th ere On t he other hand i t .

,

w as m a i nl y Ch ri s t i an s crib es who ch an g ed t h e old m yth ol og y

in t o hi s t ory an d m a de t he g ods an d heroes king s D ou btles s
, .

m yth s al rea dy ex i s t ed t ell i ng of t he d es cen t of rul ers an d

,

p peo l e f rom d i vi n it i es j us t as , t h e G au l s s ok e of th ei r
p
1
For s om e Hi g hl and referen ces t o t he g ods i n s ag a an d Ma r ehen , s ee B ook
of the D ea n o f Li sm or e, 1 0 ; Cam p bel l , WE T i i 7 7 The s ea g od Li r i s prob
. .
-

a bl y t h e Li ur of Oss i an i c b all a d s ( Ca m pbell , L F 1 00, a n d hi s s on

Man an n an i s p erhap s “
t h e S on o f t h e S ea i n a Ga eli c s ong ( Carm i ch a el ,
CG I i
’
. Man ann a n and hi s d aug ht ers are als o known ( Campbell ,
Wi tchcr af t ,
 50 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
d es cen t from Di s pa t er or as t he I ncas of Peru the Mik ados , ,

of J ap a n a nd t he ki ng s of U a n da con s i d ered th em s el ves

, g
offsp r i n g of t h e g od s Thi s i s a u ni vers al p racti ce an d m a de
.
,

it the m ore eas y f or Chri s tian chroni clers t o tran s mu te m yth

i n t o hi s t ory I n Irelan d a s el s ewh ere m yth dou btl es s t old
. , ,

of m on s t rou s ra ces i n h a biti n g t he l a n d i n earl i er d ay s of t he ,

s t ri f e of t h e a b or i g i n es a n d i n com ers a n d of th ei r g ods th ou g h , ,

t he ab ori g i n al g od s m ay i n s om e cas es h ave b een i d en tifi ed

“

with C el tic g ods or w ors hipped i n their ow n pers ons Man y

,
.

m ythi cal el em en t s m ay th eref ore b e l ook ed f or i n t he euh e

m eri s ed ch ron i cl es of an ci en t Irel an d Bu t t he ch ron i clers .

th em s el ves w ere bu t t he con ti nu ers of a proces s whi ch m u s t ’

h ave b een a t Work a s s oon a s t he in flu ence of Chri s tianity

b ega n t o be f el t Their pa s s i on h ow ever was t o s h ow the
?
, ,

des cen t of t he Iri s h a nd t he older p eopl es f rom t he ol d

“

Bibli cal p ers on ag es a proces s dear to t he m odern Ang l o

,

I s ra el ite s om e of wh os e arg um en t s are b as ed on t he wild

,

rom an ci n of t he ch ron i cl ers

g .

s tori es w ere t ol d of t he fi rs t p eopl i n g of I rel an d .

with t wo oth er daug ht ers of Cain arri ved with fi f ty ,

w omen an d th ree m en Onl y t o di e of the pl ag u e Three , .

fi s h erm en n ex t di s covered I rel an d and of t he is l an d of B a n b a ,

of F a i r W om en with h a rd ih ood th ey t ook p os s ess i on Having .

g one t o f etch th ei r wi ves th ey peri s hed i n t he del ug e a t T uath ,

I n b a A m ore popular accou n t was tha t of the com i ng of

?
'

Ces s ai r, N oa h s g ran ddaug ht er with h er f a th er hu s b an d a

’

, , ,

third m an Ladru the firs t d ead m an of Erin an d fi f ty

, ,
“

d am s el s . Her com i n g was t he res u l t of t he a dv ice of a

la i mh ethi a or h an d g od bu t th ei r s hi p wa s w reck ed an d all
”
'

-
“ -
, , ,

s av e h er h us b an d Fi n n t ai n wh o s u rvi ved f or cen t u ri es p eri s h ed

, , ,

1
The euh em eri s i r g i
proces s i s fi rs t s een i n t ent h cen t ury p oem s by Eoch a i d
hua Fl ai nn , but wa s l arg el y t h e w ork o f Fl ai nn Mani s t rech , ob. 1 05 6 It i s .

fl
f ound f ul ly edg ed i n t h e B ook of I nva si on s .

2
K
eat i ng , 1 05 — 1 06 .
 T HE IRISH M YTHO LOGICAL CYCLE 51

i n t he flood Ces s ai r s s hip was l es s s ervi ceabl e than her

? ’

n dparen t s ! Foll ow ed thi r ag efi J artholmm n o wi ser

’

g r a

on e th a n t he oth er w ho i n crea s ed on th e l an d u n til pl ag u e

”
,

s w ep t th em a w a y with t he ex cep ti on of Tu a n m a c Carai ll

, ,

who af ter m an y t ran s f orm a ti on s t old t he s t or y of I rel an d t o

, ,

S Fin en cen turi es af t er The s urvival Of Fi nn tai n an d T uan

. n
?
,

dou bl es of each oth er wa s an i nv en ti on of t he ch ron i cl ers , ,

t o ex plai n t he s urvi val of t he hi s t ory of col on i s t s wh o had

al l p eri s h ed Kea ti ng on t he oth er h an d rej ectin g t he s ol e
.
, ,

s u rvi vor th eory as con t ra di ct or y t o S cri p t u re s u gg es t s th a t ,

a eri al d em on s f ol l ow ers of t h e in vad ers rev eal ed all t o

“ ”
, ,

t he ch ron icl ers u nl es s in deed th ey f oun d it en g raved with

,

an i ron p en an d l ea d i n t h e rock s
”
3
.

a rs b ef ore Pa rth ol an s com i n

g t he F om orian s
’

had arrived 1
a n d th ey a n d th ei r chi ef Ci oh ol Gri cen chos
,
‘

f oug ht Part hol an at Mag Ith a wh ere th ey w ere def ea t ed , .

Ci ohol wa s f ootl es s an d s om e of hi s h os t ha d bu t on e a rm LP
,

a n d on e l eg
5
They w ere dem on s accordi ng t o t he ch ron i cl ers
.
, ,

an d d es cen dan t s of t he l u ck l es s Ham N enni u s m ak es .

Part hol an a n d hi s m en t he fi rs t S cot s w h o ca m e f rom S pa in

t o I rel an d The nex t a rriva l s w ere t he p eopl e of Nem ed who
.

ret u rn ed t o S pai n wh en ce th ey cam e ( N en n i u s ) or d i ed t o

, ,

a m a n ( Tu an ) Th ey al so w ere d es cen dan ts of t he in evitab l e

.

N oah and th ei r s oj ou rn i n I rel an d was m u ch di s tu rb ed by

,

t he F om ori a n s w ho ha d recovered f rom th ei r def eat a n d fi nally ,

w
o v erp o ere d h
t e N e m e di a n s a f t er t h e d ea th of N em e d 6
F rom .

Tory I s l an d the F om orian s rul ed Irelan d an d forced the ,

2
1
K eat i ng , 1 07 LL 4 b. Cf. R C xv i . 1 5 5 . LL 5 .

3
K eat i ng , Gi ral d u s Cam bren s i s , Hi s t I rel c 2 , m ak es Roa nns
1 11. . . .

s u rvi ve a n d t el l t h e t al e o f Part h ol a n t o S Pa t ri ck . He i s t h e Ca oi l t e m a c
.

Rona n of ot h er t al es , a s u rvi vor of t h e Fi an s , wh o h el d m any racy d i al og ues

w i t h th e S ai nt K eat i n g a b u s es Gi ral du s f or equ a t i ng Roa nu s w i t h Fi nnt ai n
.

“ ”
i n hi s l y i ng h i s t ory , a n d f or cal l i n g hi m Roanns i ns t ea d of Ron anus , a
”
m i s t ak e i n whi ch he, t h e g u id e bull of t he h erd , i s f oll owed by ot h ers .
4
K ea t i ng , 1 6 4. 5
LL 5 a . 6
Ke
a t i ng , 1 21 LL 6 a ; RC xvi . 1 6 1 .
52 THE RE LIG ION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
N em edi an s t o pay th em annuall y on t he eve of S am ha in
( N o v 1 s
. t ) t w o thi rd s o
-
f th ei r cor n a n d m i l k a n d of t he chi l dren

b orn d uri ng t he y ear I f the Fom orians are g ods of darkn es s

.
,

or p ref era b l y a b ori g i n al d eiti es t he t rib u t e m u s t be ex pl a i n ed

, , ,

a s a di m m em ory of s a crifi ce o ffered a t t he b eg inn i n g of w i n t ér

when t he pow ers of dark n es s a n d bl ig ht are i n t he as cendan t .

The F om ori an s had a t ow er of g l a s s i n Tory I s l an d Thi s was .

on e da y s een by t he M il es i an s t o wh om a pp eared on i t s ,

b att l em en t s wh a t s eem ed t o be m en A y ear a f ter th ey .

a tt ack ed the t ow er a n d w ere over wh el m ed i n t he s ea From

?

t he s u rvi vors of a p revi ous l y w reck ed ves s el of th ei r fl eet

a re des cen ded t he I ri s h An oth er vers i on m ak es the Nemedi ans
.

t he a s s a i l a n t s Thi rty Of th em su rvived th eir defea t s om e

.
,

of th em g oi n g t o S co t l a n d or Ma n ( t he B rit on s ) s om e t o G reece ,

ret u rn a s t he Firbol g s ) s om e t o t he n orth wh re th ey

( t o , e ,

l earn ed m ag i c an d ret u rn ed as t he Tuat ha Dé Danan n ?

The
Fi rb olg s m en of b ag s resen ti ng th eir i g n om i n i ou s t reatm ent
’

”
, ,

by the Greek s es caped t o I relan d Th ey in clu ded t he Firb olg s

,
.

p rop er t h e F D o
,
i r m n a nn a n d the Gali o n
-
i 3
, The F omo rians .
f

are call ed th ei r g ods a n d t hi s with t he con t emp t uou s e ith et s

, p ,

b es t owed on th em m ay poin t t o t he f a ct tha t t he Fi rb ol g s

,
"

were t he prezC el tic f ol k of Irel an d an d t he Fom ori ans t h eir

-

d iv ini ti es h os t i le t o t he g ods of t he C el t s or reg arded a s dark

,

deiti es The Fi rb ol g s a re vas s al s of Ai li l l an d Medb an d with

‘

.
,

t he Fi r Dom nan n an d Gal i oi n are h os ti l e t o C uch u lainn and

hi s m en ?j u s t a s F om ori an s w e re t o t he Tua t ha Dé D an an n .

The s t rifes of ra ces an d of their g ods are i nex tri cab l y con fu s ed .

The Tu a t ha Dé Danann arrived f rom h eaven a n i dea i n —

k eepi ng with their ch ara ct er as beneficent g ods but la ter ,

l eg end t ol d h ow th ey cam e f rom t he n or th They reach ed .

1
Nenn i u s Hi s t Br i t 1 3
, . . .

2 3
LL 6 , 8 6. LL 6 b, 1 27 a ; 1 T i ii . 38 1 ; R v i. 8 1.
“I L 9b 1 1 a .
,
 THE IRISH M Y THOLOGICAL CYC LE 53

I rel an d on B el tane s hrou ded i n a m ag i c m i s t a nd fi nall y a f ter

, , ,

on e or i n o th er a ccou n t s t w o b a tt l es
,
d efea ted t he Fi rbolg s
, ,

a n d F om oria n s a t Mag t ur ed The older s t ory of on e ba ttl e .

m ay be reg arded as a eu h em eri s ed a ccoun t of t he s eem i n g

con fl i ct o f n a t u re p ow ers The fi rs t b a tt le i s des cri b ed i n 1
.

a fi f t een t h t o s i x t een th cen t u ry M S ? a n d i s ref erred t o i n a

fi f teen th cen t ury a ccoun t of the s econd b a ttl e f ull of arch ai c ,

rem i n i s cen ces an d com os ed f rom vari ou s earl i er d ocu m en t s ?

p ,

The Fi rb olg s d ef ea t ed i n t h e fi rs t b a ttl e j oin t he F om ori an s

, , ,

a f t er g r ea t l os s es Mean whil e N uada l ea der of t he Tua tha Dé

. ,

Dan an n l os t hi s h an d an d a s n o k i ng with a bl em i s h coul d s i t

, ,

on t he th ron e t h e crow n w as i v en t o B res s on of t he F om ori a n

, g ,

El a th a an d hi s s i s t er Eri a w om an of t he Tuat ha D e Dan ann , .

On e day Eri es pi ed a s il ver b oa t s peedi n g t o h er a cros s t he

s ea From it s t epped for th a m ag nifi cen t h ero a n d with ou t
.
,

del a y t he p a i r l ik e the l overs i n Th eocri t us

,
rej oi ced i n th ei r ,
“

w edlock The h ero Ela tha f oretol d t he birth of Eri s s on

.
”
, ,
’

s o b ea u ti f u l th a t h e w ou l d be a s t a n dard by whi ch t o t ry
,

a ll b ea u ti f ul thin s H e av e her hi s ri n g b u t s he w as t o
g g .
,

p a r t with it o n l y t o on e wh os e fi n g er it s h ou ld fit This wa s .

her ch i l d B res a n d by thi s t ok en he w a s l a t er as an exi l e

, , ,

reco n i s ed by hi s f a th er an d obt ai n e d hi s h el p ag a in s t t he
g ,

Tua tha Dé Dan a nn Li k e oth er w on derf u l ch i l dren B res

. ,

rew twi ce a s q u i ck l y as a n th hi l t l ?
g y o e r c d u n i h e w a s s ev en

Th ou g h El a th a a n d Eri are b roth er an d s i s t er s he i s am on g ,

t he Tu at ha Dé Dan an n 5 Th ere i s t he u s u al i ncon s is t en cy of

.

m yth h ere an d i n oth er a ccoun ts of F om orian a n d Tu at ha

Dé Danan n u ni on s The l a tt er had j u s t l an ded but al ready
.
,

ha d uni t ed i n m arriag e with t he F om ori ans Thi s i n con .

1
S ee Corm a c, s . v.
~
Nes coi t , L U 51 .
2
Ha r l . MS S 2, 1 7 , pp 90— 99
. . . Cf frag m ent from Book of I n va si on s i n LL 8 .
.

8
E a rl . MS . 5 28 0, t ran sl a t ed i n R C xii . 5 9 f .

4
130 6 0 ; D Arb oi s , v . 4 05 f .
’
xi i .
5
For Cel t i c brot h er si s t er un i on s -
s ee p 224 .
.
54 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
i t y es caped t he ch ron i cl ers bu t it p oi n t s t o the f act
s s en c ,

tha t b oth w ere divin e n ot hum an a n d tha t thou g h i n con flict '

, , ,

they un ited i n m arri ag e a s m em bers of h os ti l e t ri b es of ten do .

Th e s econ d b a ttl e t ook pl a ce tw en ty se ven y ears a f t er t h e -

fi rs t on S am hai n It w a s f ou g ht li k e t he fi rs t on t he pl a in
,
.

of Mag t u red th oug h l a t er a ccou n t s m a de o n e b a ttl e tak e

'

-
,

M a g t ured i n Ma y o t he o th er a t Ma g t ured i n S l i g o
?
p l a ce a t -
,
-

I n con s i s tent l y the con qu ering Tua tha D e Dan an n i n t he

,

in t erval whi l e B res i s their king m us t p ay t rib u t e im pos ed

, ,

by t he F om orian s Ob vi ou sl y i n ol der accoun t s thi s trib u te

.

m us t h ave b een i m p os ed b ef ore t h e fi rs t b a ttl e an d h ave b een

’

i t s cau s e Bu t why s houl d g ods l ik e t he Tuat ha Dé Danann

.
, ,

e ver h a ve b een I n s u bj ect i on ? Thi s rem a i n s t o be s een bu t ,

t he a n s wer prob ab l y l i es i n parall el m yth s of t he s u bj ecti on

or d ea th of d i vi n iti es l ik e I s ht a r A d on i s P ers eph on e a n d , , ,

O s i ris B r es having exa ct ed a t ribu t e of t he m i lk of all

.

h ornl es s du n cow s t he cows of Ireland w ere pa ss ed

,

throu g h fire an d s m eared with as hes — a m yth b as ed p erhaps

on t e B e t
h l fi re r t ual The avari ci ou s B res was sa ti ri s ed
?
a n e i ,

g ht ec y was on hi m rom th a t h o r
“ ”
a n d n ou b u t d a f u
3
and ,

wh en Nua da h avi ng recovered claim ed the throne he w en t

, , ,

t o col l ect a n arm y of t he F om ori an s w ho as s em b l ed ag ai n s t ,

t h e Tu at ha D é D an an u I n t he b a ttl e I ndech w oun ded O g m a

.
,

fl
a n d B al or s l ew Nu a da bu t wa s m ort all y w ou n ded by Lu
, g .

Th ereupon t he Fom ori ans ed to their own reg i on .

a tha Dé Da n an n r em ai n ed m as t ers of I rel a n d u n ti l

t he com i n g of t he Mil es i a ns s o n am ed f rom a n ep on ym ou s

’

Mi le s on of Bil e Ith havi n g b een s en t t o reconn oi tre was

, .
, ,

s l ai n a n d t h e M i l es i a n s n ow i n v a ded I r el an d i n f orce
, In .

S p i t e o f a m i s t ra i sed by t he D rui d s th ey l an ded a n d havi n

g , , ,

m et t he three p ri nces wh o s l ew Ith d em an ded i n s ta n t b a ttl e ,

or s u rren d er of t he l an d The pri nces a g reed t o abi de by

.

O Don ovan , Ann a l s , i . 1 6 3

’
1
.
2
RC xv. 4 39. RC xi i . 7 1 .
 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CELTS
'

56

f rom f o, u n der, a nd
g th
mn i r
e m a s
,
s u b m ar i n e
a n d re ard s

b ei ng s Dr MacBai n con nect ed th em with t he fi erce p ow ers

?
'

o f t he w es t ern s ea p ers on ifi ed l i k e t he Mni r ea r ta eh a k i n d , ,

of a Fi onn b all a d Bu t thi s a s s ocia ti on of th e

?
of s ea h ag ,

Fom ori an s wi th t he ocean m ay be t he res ul t of a la te f ol k

e ty m ol og y ,
whi ch w ron g l y derived th ei r n am e from mni r .

The C el ti c ex peri en ce of t he Lochl ann ers or N ors em en with ,

wh om the Fom ori an s a re a s s ocia t ed w oul d ai d t he con cep ti on

3
,
“

of th em a s s ea p ira t es of a m ore or l es s dem on i acal ch a ract er

-
.

D r St ok es con n ect s t he s econd s y ll a b l e m or with m a r e i n

.

n ig ht m f rom m or e an d reg ards th em a s s u bterran ean a s

”
are , ,

w el l a s s u b m arine But the m ore p rob a bl e deriva tion i s th a t

?

o f Zi mm er a n d D Arb oi s f rom f o a n d m ori o

( mor g reat
’ “
, ,

which would thu s ag ree wi th th e t ra diti on whi ch reg arded

th em a s g i an ts Th ey w ere prob abl y ben eficen t g ods of the
.

a b ori in es w hom t h e C el ti c con q u er ors re ard ed a s en era ll y

g , g g
evil , p er h a p s eq u a ti n g th em w i th t h e d ar k p o w er s a l rea d y
k n own t o them Th ey w ere s til l rem em b ered as g ods a n d
.
,

cha mpi on s of t he s td l ik e th e Tu a t ha D e D an anu

'

”6
are call ed ,
.

Thu s Ki ng B res s oug ht t o s ave hi s l if e by prom i s ing tha t

t h e k i n e of I r el an d W ou ld al w ay s b e i n m i l k th en th a t t he ,

m en of I relan d w ould reap every qu ar t er a n d fi n ally by

’
,

rev ea l i n g t h e l uck y d a y s f or pl ou g hin g s wi n g an d rea p i n g

7
o , , .

Onl y an au t ochth on ou s g od could know thi s an d the s t ory i s ,

s u g es ti ve of t he t ru e n a tu re o f t he F om ori an s T he h os til e
g .

ch a ra ct er a tt ri b u t ed t o th em I s s een f rom t he f a ct th a t the y

des t roy ed corn m i l k a n d f ru it

,
Bu t i n I rel an d a s el s ewh ere
, .
, ,

th i s des tru ctive pow er wa s deprecat ed by b egg ing th em not

t o des t roy corn n or m i lk i n Erin b ey ond th ei r f ai r t rib u t e 8 ”
.

( T ri b u t e w a s a l s o p a i d t o th em on Sw
a m h a in t he ti m e wh en ,

2 CM i x. 1 30 Ca mpb ell LF 6 8 .
5
D Arb oi s , i i . 5 2
’
R C xi i . 4 7 6 .

8
RC xx
i i 1 95 . .
 THE IRISH M YTHO LOGICAL CYC LE 57

Ag ain t he king dom of Balor th ei r chief i s s till de s crib ed as the

, , ,

kin g dom of cold Bu t wh en w e rem em b er th a t a s im il ar

?

tri b u t e was pai d t o Cromm Cruai ch a g od of f ertil i ty a n d , ,

tha t a ft er t he con qu es t of th e Tu at ha Dé Dan an n th ey al s o

w ere reg arded a s h os til e to agri cul ture? w e real i se that the
Fom orians m us t h ave b een a b orig in al g ods of fer tility wh om
t he con qu eri ng C el t s reg arded as h os ti le t o th em a n d their

g od s . S i m i l a rl y i,
n f ol k b el i e-
f t h e b en e fi ce n t cO rn s p i
-
r it h a s

s ometi m es a s i n i s t er an d des truct i ve as p ect Th u s the

3
.

s t ori es of tri bu t e w ou ld be d is t orted rem in is cen ces of t he

“ ”

rit u al of o d s o f t h e s oi l d i ff e r in l itt l e i n ch ar a ct e r f r om
g , g
tha t of t he s imi lar C el ti c di vini ties Wha t m ak es it certa in .

tha t t he Fom ori an s w ere a b ori g inal g ods i s th a t th ey are f oun d

i n I rel an d b ef ore t he com i n g of t he earl y colon i s t Part hol an .

They w ere t he g ods of the pre C eltic f olk — Fi rb ol g s Fi r -

,

Dom n ann a n d Gali oi n — all of th em i n I rel an d b efor e t he

,
4

Tua t ha Dé D an aan arri ved a n d a ll of th em reg arded a s s l aves

, ,

s p ok en of with t he u tm os t con t em t An oth er pos s ibility

p . ,

h ow ever ou g ht t o be cons i dered As t he C el tic g ods w ere

, .

l ocal i n ch ara ct er a n d a s g rou p s of t rib es w ould freq u en tl y be

,

h os ti le t o other g roup s t he Fom ori an s m ay h ave b een l ocal

,

g o d s of a
g rou p a t e n m i ty w i th a n o th er g ro u p w o
,
r s hi pp g i n

t he Tu a t h a Dé D an aan .

The s tri fe of F om ori an s an d Tua tha Dé Danann s ugg es t s

t he du al i s m o f all n a tu re r el i g i on s D em ons or g ian t s or
.

m on s t ers s triv e with g ods i n Hi n du G reek an d T eu t on ic , ,

1
La rm i n i e, K i an , s on of Kon tj
e .

2
S ee p 7 8 ; LL 2 45 5
. .
3
Ma nnhardt , My thol Fors ch 3 1 0 f . . .

a g od d es s (Rh ys , H L
4 ” “
Fi r Dom n a n n , m en o f Dom n a , or a g od

( B Arboi s , i i
’
. D om n a i s conn ect ed w i t h I ri s h w ords m ean i ng d eep
(Wi n d i s ch , I T 1 498 ; S t ok es , US
. Dom n a , or Dom nu , m a y t h eref ore
h ave b een a g od d es s of t h e d eep, n ot t h e s ea s o m u ch a s t h e u n d erworl d, and s o
-

p erh a ps a n Eart h m ot h er from wh om t he Fi r Dom n ann t raced t h ei r d es cent .

-
 58 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CELTS
m yth ol og y , an d Pers ia t he prim i tive dual i s m of ben eficent
in
a nd h u r t f u l p ow ers of n a t u r e b eca m e a n ethi ca l d ual i s m — t h e

et ern a l Opp os iti on of g ood an d evi l The s u n i s va nq u i s h ed

.

n d s t orm bu t s h i n es f or th ag a i n i n vi g our
,
V eg et a .

ti on di es bu t u n derg oes a yearl y ren ewal S o i n m yth t he

, .

imm ortal g ods are w ounded an d s lai n i n s trif e; Bu t w e m u s t

n ot pu s h t oo f ar t he an a l og y of t he a pp aren t s t ri fe of t he

el em en t s a n d t he wa rs of t he g ods The on e s ugg es t ed th e

.

o th er es p eci a ll y wh ere t he g ods w ere el em en t al p ow ers

,
Bu t .

m yth m aki ng m an eas il y d evel oped t he s u g g es ti on ; g ods

-

w ere li k e m en an d coul d n ever g et eneuch o Th e

’

C el t s k n ew of di vin e com bat s b efore th eir arrival i n I relan d ,

a n d th ei r own h os ti l e pow ers w ere ea s il y as s i m i l a t ed t o t he

hos til e g ods of t he a b orig in es .

The pri n ci pal Fom orI ans are d es crib ed a s kin g s Ela th a .

wa s s on of Net des crib ed by C orm a c a s a b a ttl e g od of t h e

,

h ea th en Ga el i e he i s on e of t he Tu a t ha De Da na nn an d has
,
”
. .
,

a s w i ves t w o w ar g od des s es B ad b a n d Nem ai n d Thu s he

- 1
.
,

res em b l es t he F om orian Tethra whos e wif e i s a ba db or

“
b a ttle crow preyi g on t he s ain Elatha s n ame con
-
,
”
n l ? ’

n ect ed with w ord s m ea n i n g kn owl edg e s ugg es ts tha t he

“ ”
,

wa s a n a b orig i na l cul t ure g od 3

I n t he g en eal og ies F om orian s
-
.
,

an d Tu a tha Dé Danan n are i n ex tri ca b l y mi n g led B res s ’

.

t em p orary pos ition as k i ng of the Tuat ha Déa m a y reflect s om e

myth of t he occas i on al s u prem acy of t he p ow ers of bl i g ht .

W an t an d nI g g ardli n es s ch aract eri s e hi s reig n an d af t er hi s ,

def ea t a b ett er s t a t e of thin g s prevai l s B res s con s ort w as ’

.

B ri g it a nd th eir s on Rua dan s en t t o s py on the Tu at ha

, ,

Dé Dan ann w a s s l ai n Hi s m oth er s wa ili ng f or hi m wa s the

, .
’

fi t
rs m o u rn i n g w ai l ev er h eard i n Eri n
?
An other g od I ndech , ,

1
Cor m a c, s v Nei t h
. .
“
D Arb oi s , v . 4 00 ; RC x1 1 6 1
’
. .

2
L U 5 O Tet h ra i s g l os s ed ba d b (I T i
. .

3
I T 1 5 21
. Rhys , HL 27 4 f .
‘1
RC x1 1 . 95 .
 THE IRISH MYTHOLOGICAL C Y C LE 59

was s on of D ea D om nu
Fom ori an g oddes s of the deep i e of
,
a ,
. .

t he u n derw orl d an d prob a b l y al s o of f ert ili ty w h o m ay h ol d a ,

p o s it i on a m on
g t h e F om or i a n s s imi l a r t o th a t of D a n u a m on g

t h e Tuath a Dé Da n ann I n dech wa s s lai n by O g m a who

.
,

h i m s elf di ed of wou n ds recei v ed f rom hi s a dvers ary .

B al or ha d a con s ort Cethl en n wh os e v en om k i l l ed D ag da , .

Hi s on e eye ha d b ecom e evi l by con t a ct w i th t he poi s on ou s

f um es of a concocti on whi ch hi s f a th er s D ru i ds w ere p re
’

p ar i n g .T he e y el i d req u i red f our m en t o rai s e it wh en hi s ,

ev i l eye d es t roy ed a l l o n whom i t s g l an ce f ell I n th i s way .

B al or w ould hav e s lain Lug a t Mag t u red bu t t he g od a t once -

,

s t ru ck t e ey e w th a s l in t n e a n d s l ew h m B a l or l i k e
?
h i g s o i -
,

t he G reek Medu s a i s p erh ap s a pers on i fi cati on of t h e evi l

,

ey e s o m u ch f ea r ed by
,
t he C el t s H eal th ful in flu en ces an d .

m ag i ca l ch a rm s av ert it ; h en ce Lug a b en eficen t g od des troy s , ,

Bal or s m al eficen ce
’
.

Te thra with B al or a n d Ela th a rul ed ov er Eri n a t t he

, ,

com i n g of t he Tua t ha Dé Da n a nn From a phrase u s ed i n t he .

s t ory of Conn l a s v i s it t o El y s i u m Th ou art a h ero of t he

’ “
,

m en of Tet hra M D Arboi s as s um es th a t Tet hra wa s r ul er

” ’

, .

o f El y s i um whi ch he m ak es on e with t h e l a n d of t he d ead

,
.

The p as s ag e h ow ever b ears a di fferen t i n t erp reta ti on an d

, , ,

th ou g h a Fom orian Tethra a g od of war m i g ht be reg arded a s

, , ,

l ord of al l w arri ors ?

Elys iu m wa s not t he l and of t he dead ,

a n d wh en M D Arb oi s e qu a t es Tet hra with Kron os w ho a f t er

’
.
,

hi s def ea t b eca m e rul er of a l an d of dea d h eroes t he an al og y , ,

l ik e oth er an al og i es with Gr eek m yth ol og y i s m i s l ea di n g He ,

.

a l s o e qu a t es B res as tem porary k i n g of t h e Tua tha Dé

,

Dan ann with K r on os ki n g of h eaven i n t he ag e of g ol d

, , .

Kron os a g ain s la in by Zeu s i s parall el t o B al or sl ain by hi s

, , ,

g ra n d s on Lu
g T et h ra. B re s a n d B al or,
ar e th u s s e p ara
,
t e

f rag m en t s of one g od eq ui val en t t o K ronos 2

Yet th ei r .

1
RC xi i . 1 01 . 2
S ee p 37 4 3
B Arboi s , i i . 1 98 , 37 5
’
. . .
60 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS

p ers onal iti es a re q u ite d i s tin ct Ea ch race w ork s ou t i t s .

m yth ol og y f or it s elf , a n d wh i l e para llel s a re in evi tab l e, we

,

s h ou ld n ot a ll o w th es e t o Ov erri d e t he a ct ual m yth s as th ey

h ave com e down t o u s .

Prof es s or Rhys m ak es Bil e a n ces t or of t he Mi l es ian s who ,

cam e f r om S p ai n a G o i del i c cou n t erp ar t of

,
t h e G au l i s h
Dis pa ter l ord of t he dead from wh om t he G aul s cla im ed
, ,

d es cen t .Bu t Bil e n either a F om oria n n or of the Tua t ha D é

,

Dan ann i s an i m ag in ary an d s h adowy creati on

,
Bile i s n ex t .

eq ua t ed with a B r yth on i c B el i a s sum ed t o b e con s or t of D on , ,

whos e f am il y are equival en t t o t he Tuat ha Dé Dan anu B el i 1

.

w a s a m ythic king wh os e re ig n w a s a kin d of g olden ag e and ,

i f he was f a th er of D On s chil dren whi ch i s d ou bt f ul Bi l e

’
, ,

w ould th en be f ather of t he Tuat ha D e Dan ann Bu t he i s .

a n ces t or of t he M il es i a n s th ei r opp on ent s accord in

g t o t he
,

a nn al i s t s B el i i s al s o equ a ted with El a tha a n d s in ce DOn

.
, ,

re u t ed con s or t of B el i
p w a s g ran dm oth er of Ll ew e
,
quat ed ,

with Iris h Lug g ran ds on of B al or B al or i s equ ival en t t o B el i

, , ,

wh os e nam e i s reg arded by Prof es s or Rhys a s relat ed et ymo

l og i call y t o B al or s ?
Bil e Bal or an d Elatha are thu s Goidel i c
’

, ,

e qui val en t s of t h e s h a dow

y Beli Bu t th ey a l s o are
q u it e .

di s tin ct pers on a l iti es n or are th ey ever hin t ed a t a s an ces t ral

, .

g ds of t he C el t s or g ods of a g l oom y u n derw orld

o ,
I n C el ti c .

b el i ef t he u n derw orld w as prob abl y a f ertil e reg i on a n d a ,

pla ce of l ig ht n or w ere i t s g ods h arm f ul an d evil as B al or wa s

, ,

On t h e wh ol e t he Fom orI an s cam e t o b e r eg arded a s t h e

,

pow er s of n a t u re i n i t s h os t i l e as pect They pers oni fi ed bl ig ht .

,

win t er dark n es s and death b efore whi ch m en t rem bl ed yet

, , , ,

w ere n ot wh ol ly cas t down s i n ce t he I m m ort al g ods of g rowth ,

a n d l i g ht ru l ers of t h e b ri ht o th er w orl d w ere on th ei r s i de

g
-
»
, ,

a n d f ou ht a a i n s t th ei r en em i es by y
g g Y e ar ea r t he
g ods .

s u ff ered d ea dl y h arm b u t ret u rn ed a s con qu erors t o ren ew

,

1
HL 90— 91 .
2
HL 27 4 , 31 9, 6 4 3 . For Bel i , s ee p . 1 1 2, i nf ra .
 THE IRISH MY THO LOGICA L C Y C LE
t he t
s rugg l e on ce m ore . Myth s po ke of thi s as havi ng
h app ened on ce f or all bu t it w en t on con ti nu ou s ly ,
?
G o ds
were imm ortal an d onl y s eem ed to di e Th e s t ri fe w as re .

p r e s en t ed i n r it ual s i n ce m en b el i eve th a t th ey can ai d t he

,

g o d s by m ag i c rit e or
p,
r a y er W h
,y th en d o h os ti l e .
, ,

Fom orian s an d T ua th s Dé Da nann in t erm arry ? Th i s h appen s

i n a l l m yth olog i es a n d it p rob a bl y refl ect s i n t he divi n e
, ,

s ph ere wha t t ak es pl ace am on g m en

,
Hos tile p eopl es carry .

off each t he oth er s w om en or th ey h ave p eri o ds of f ri en dl in es s

’

a n d con s eq u en t i n t erm a rri a e

g M a n m ak es hi s g o ds i n h i s.

ovvn i m a e a n d t h e prob l em i s b es t ex pl a i n ed by f act s l ik e

'

g ,

th ese ex ag g era t ed n o d ou bt by t he Iri s h annali s ts

, .

The Tua t ha Dé Dan an n i n s p it e of th ei r euhem eri s a ti on , ,

a re m or e th a n h u m an I n t he n or th wh ere th ey l earned
.

m ag i c th ey dw el t i n f ou r citi es f r om each of whi ch th ey

‘

, ,

b roug ht a m ag ical treas ure— t he s t on e of Fal which roared ,

“

u nder every kin g Lu g s u n con qu era b l e s pear Nuada s i rre

’ ’
, ,

s i s t ibl e s w ord t he D a da s in ex h a u s tib l e ca u l dron B u t th ey

’

g ,
.

a re m ore th an wiz ards or D ru i ds Th ey a re re b orn a s .

-

m ort al s ; th ey h ave a di vi n e w orl d of th ei r own th ey i n t erf ere ,

i n an d i n fl uen c e h u m an a ff a i rs The eu h em eri s ts di d n ot g o .

far en oug h a n d m ore tha n on ce th eir di vi nity i s p racti call y

,

ack n owl ed ed
g W h en t h e
. Fi a n C a oi l t e a n d a w om a n of t he

Tuat ha D e Dan ann ap pear b ef or e S Pa t ri ck h e a s k s W hy .

, ,
“

i s s he y ou th f ul an d b eau t i f ul whil e you are ol d an d w r in kl ed ? ,

An d Caoi l t e repl i es S he i s of the Tuat ha Dé Dan ann who

“
, ,

are u n f a di n g a n d wh os e du ra ti on i s p eren n i a l I am of the .

s on s of Mi l es iu s th a t a re peri s h a b l e an d f a de a w ay 2 ”
.
,

1
What ever t h e s i g ni fi cat i on o f t h e b at t l e of Mag t ured m ay b e, t he pl a ce
-

at whi ch i t was l o cal i s ed i s crowd ed wi t h Neol i t hi c m eg al i ths , d ol m ens , et c.

To l a t er fa n cy t h es e w ere t h e g raves o f w a rri ors s l ai n i n a g reat b a t t l e f oug ht
t here, a n d t h at b at tl e b ecam e t he fi g h t b et ween Fom ori a ns an d Tua t ha Dé
Dan a nns . Ma g c
t ured may h ave b een t he s cen e o f b at t l e b et ween th ei r
a

O Grady , i i . 203.
'
2
res pect i ve w ors h i pp ers .
 6 2 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
Af t er th ei r convers i on t he C el t s s on s o f Mil es i us th ou g ht
, , ,

tha t t he g ods s till ex i s t ed i n t he h oll ow hi ll s th eir f orm er ,

d w el l ing s a n d s an ct uari es or i n far o ff i s l an ds s till cari ng f or

, ,

th eir f orm er wors hi ppers Thi s t raditi on had i t s place with

.

th at whi ch m a de th em a race of m en con qu ered by the

Mil es i an s t he vi ct ory of Chri s tia n ity over pag an i s m a n d i ts
—

o d s h v i n b een t ran s m u t ed i n t o a s tr i f e of ra ces by t he

g a g
eu h em eri s t s The n ew f a ith n ot t he p eopl e con qu ered t h e
.
, ,

ol d g ods The Tua t ha Dé D ana n u b ecame t he Da oi ne si olhe a

.
-
,

f ai ry f ol k s ti ll occ sion al l y cal led by th ei r ol d n am e j us t a s

a
‘

, ,

i n divi dual fairy k i ngs or queen s b ear t he n am es of the an cien t

“

od s T h e eu h em eri s t s g a ve t he F om ori an s a m on s t rou s an d

g .

dem on i a c ch aract er whi ch th ey di d n ot al wa y s g ive t o t he

,

Tuat ha Dé Dan an n ; I n thi s conti n u ing t he ol d t raditi on th a t

F om ori an s w ere h osti le an d t he Tua t ha Dé Danan n ben eficen t
a nd m i l d .

The m yth ol og i cal cy cle i s n ot a com pl et e body of “

div in ity ; i t s apparen t com pl e ten es s res ul t s f rom t he

”

chron ol og I cal ord er of t he a n n a l i s t s Frag m en t s of oth er '

my th s are f oun d i n t he Di n els en cha s ; oth ers ex i s t a s rom anti c

tal es an d w e h ave n o r ea s on t o b eli eve th a t all t he ol d m y ths
,

hav e b een pres erved Bu t en oug h rem ains t o s h ow the tru e

.

n a t u re of t he Tu a t ha Dé Dan an n th ei r s up ernat ural ch ar

—

a ct er t h ei r , p
'

ow ers th ei r d i vi n e a n d u n fa i l i n
, g f ood a n d d ri n k ,

th ei r m ys t eriou s an d bea u tif ul a b ode I n th eir cOn t ents th eir .

,

p ers onag es i n t he a cti on s th a t are des crib ed i n th em t he

“

, ,

m at eri al s of t he m yth ol og i cal cy cl e

“
s h o w how wi d el y it
,

d iffers from t h e C uchu l a i nn a n d Fi onn cy cl es ?

The whit e “

ra di an ce of et ern it y su ffu s es it ; t h e h er oi c cy cl e s m a g i ca l
” "

an d r om an ti c a s th ey a re b el on
g ar m ore t o earth a n d t i m e
f , .

1
I t s h ould b e obs erved t ha t , a s i n t h e V edas , t he Od y s s ey , t h e a pan es e J
Ko j i lci , a s w el l as i n b arb ari c an d s a va g e m y t h ol og i es , Mctrchen f ormul ae
‘

- -
,

a b ou n d i n t h e I ri s h m y t h ol og i ca l cy cl e.
64 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS

of d ivi s i on ying i n differen t vers ions I n a n earl y vers i on

var .

the Tuat ha Dé Dan ann a r e i m m or t al a n d t h e D a g da di vi des

t he s i d ?
Bu t i n a p oem of Fl ann Man i s tr ech ( ob 1 05 6 ) th ey .

are m or t al s a n d d i e Now f ol l ow s a reg ul ar ch ron ol og y g iving

?

t he da t es of th ei r rei g n s an d th eir d ea th s a s i n t he poem of ,

Gilla Coem aI n ( eleven th cen tury) H en ce an oth er l eg en d t old

?

how D ag d a b ei ng dea d Bo db D earg d i vi ded t he s i d y et even

, , ,

h ere Manan n an i s s a id t o h av e conf erred i m mortal ity u p on

t he Tu a t ha Dé D a an n u
?
The old p ag a n m yth s h ad s ho w n
that g ods m ig ht di e while I n rI t ua l th eir repres en ta tives were
,

s l ai n an
, d thi s m ay h ave been t he s t a rti ng p oi n t of t h e -

eu h em eri s i ng p roces s Bu t : t he d ivi nity of t he Tuat ha D é

.

Da n ann i s s till r ecall ed Eoch a i d O Fl y n n ( t en th cen t u ry )

’
.
,

d ou btf u l wh eth er th ey are m en or dem on s con cl u des th oug h , ,

I have trea t ed of thes e d eities i n order y et ha ve I no t a dored ,

them 5
. Even i n la t er tim es th ey w ere s till th oug ht of a s
”

o d s i n ex i l e a v i ew wh i ch a pp ears i n t h e rom a n ti c t al es a n d
g ,

s ag as ex is tin g s i de by s i de with t he n oti ces of th e a n n a l i s t s

‘

Th ey w ere al s o reg a rded as f a i ry ki n g s a n d q u een s a n d y et

,
,

f a ir i es of a d i fferen t order f rom th os e of ordi n ary t rad iti on .

They a re fa ir i es or s prites with corporeal f orm s en do wed

“
,

with im m ortali ty and y et a ls o dei terreni or s i de w ors hipped

,
” ‘

by t he folk b efore the com i n g of S Pa tri ck Even t h e s a in t . .

an d s everal bi s h op s w ere cal l ed by t he f a i r pa g an da ug ht ers of

King Loeg a1 re fir s i de m en of t he si d tha t i s g ods The

, ,
“ 6
,
”
, .

std w ere n a m ed a f t er t he n am es of t he Tu at ha Dé Dan ann

1 2
LL 2456. LL 1 1 .
3
LL 1 27 The m ou n d s were t h e s epul chres of t h e eu hem eri s ed g ods .
.

4 5
B ook cy Ferm oy , fi ft een t h cen t ury
”
LL 1 05
“

. .

3
I T 1. 1 4 , 7 7 4 ; S t ok es , TL 1. 99, 31 4, 31 9. S i d i s a f a i ry h il l , t h e hil l
i t s el f or t h e d w ell i n g wi th i n i t Hen ce t hos e who d wel l i n i t a re Aes or Fi r
.

”
s i d e, m en o f t h e m ou n d , or s i d e, fai ry f ol k Th e p ri mi ti ve f orm i s p robabl y
.

“ “ “ ”
s éd os , from s ed , a b od e or s ea t Greek 36 0 1 ,
cf. a t em pl e. Thurn ey s en
“ ”
s ug g es t s a conn ect i on wi t h a w ord equ i val ent t o La t . s i dn s, con s t ell at i on ,
“
or dwel li ng of t h e g ods .
 T HE T U AT H A D E D ANANN 65

w ho ig ned i n th em bu t t he t radition b ein g l ocal i s ed i n

re ,

d i fferen t p l a ces s ev eral m ou n ds w ere s om et i m es conn ect ed

,

with on e g od Th e s i d w ere m arvell ou s u n derg rou n d pala ces

.
,

f u ll of s t ran g e thin g s a n d th i th er fa v ou r ed m or t al s m ig ht g o
,

f or a ti m e or f or ever I n th i s th ey corres pon d exactl y t o

.

t he overs ea El ys i u m t he d i vi n e l a n d , .

B ut why w ere the Tu a t ha Dé D anan n as s oci a t ed with t he

m ou n ds ? I f f ai ri es or a n a n al og ou s ra ce of b ei ng s w ere
a l rea dy i n p ag an ti m es conn ect ed w i th hi ll s or m ou n d s g ods ,

now reg a rded a s f ai ri es w ou l d be conn ect ed with th em .

r J oy ce a n d O Curry th i nk th a t a n ol d er ra ce of ab ori g i n al
D
'

o d s or S i d f ol k p reced ed t he Tua t ha D ea i n t h e m ou n ds ?
g
-

Thes e m ay ha ve b een t he Fom orians t he cham pi on s of the ,

“

si d,
”
whi le i n Mesca Ula d t he Tu at ha D ea g o t o t he u n der
g rou n d d w el l i n g s a n d s pea k with t he s i d e a l ready th ere We .

d o n ot k n ow th a t t he f a i r y creed a s s u ch ex i s t ed i n pa g a n
tim es bu t i f t he si de a n d t he Tua t ha Dé Dana nn w ere on ce
,

di s ti n ct th ey w ere g raduall y a s s i m i l a t ed
,
Th us the D ag da i s .

call ed king of t he s i de Aed Abrat a nd h i s d aug ht ers

“
,

Fan d an d Lib an an d Labrai d Li ban s h u s b an d a re call ed s i de

, ,
’

, ,

a n d Man an n a n i s F a n d s con s or t Labrai d s i s l and l i k e t he

’
? ’

s i d of Mi d er a n d t he l an d t o whi ch w om en of t h e s i d e i n vi t e

Conn l a di ff ers bu t l ittl e f rom t he u s ual di v i ne E lys i u m whi l e

, ,

Mider on e of t he s i d e i s as s ocia t ed with t he Tu at ha Dé

, ,

D an an n 3 The s i de a re on ce s ai d t o b e f em a l e an d are
.
,

f req u en t ly s u p ern a t u ra l w om en w ho ru n a wa y or m arry

m or tals ?
Thu s they m ay be a rem i ni scence of old Earth
o d d es s es B u t th ey are n ot ex cl u s i vel y f em a l e s i n ce th er e
g .
,

are ki n g s of t he s id e a n d as t h e n a m e Fi r s i de
“
, m en of t h e ,

1 J oy ce, S H i . 25 2 ; 0 Curry , MS . Ma t. 5 05 .
“
2
V i s i on of Oen g us , RC i ii . 34 4 ; I T 1. 1 97 f.
Wi nd i s ch , I r . Gra m . 1 1 8 O Curry , M C i i . 7 1
’
2
p . 36 3, i nf ra
s ee .

4
Wi n di sch ,
I r . Gra m. 1 1 8 , 6 ; I T i ii . 4 07 ; R C xvi . 1 39.
66 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS

s i de, h ow s
s , whil e S Pa trick
. a nd hi s f ri en ds w ere t ak en f or
s td - f ol k .

Th e f orm ati on of ided by t he old cul t

t h e l eg en d w a s al s o a

of t he g ods on h ei g ht s s om e of th em s ep u l ch ra l m oun d s a n d
,
.
,

n ow o cca s i on a ll y s it es o f Ch ri s t i a n ch u rch es The I ri s h g od

?

Cenn Cruai ch an d hi s Wels h eq ui va l en t P enn Oruc wh os e ,

n am e s u r vi ves i n Penn ocr n ei n m h a v e n a m es m ea n i n g chi ef ,

or h ead of the m ou n d Ot h er m oun ds or hill s ha d al s o a

2 ”
.

s a cred ch aract er Hence g ods w ors hipped a t m ou n ds d w el l

.
,

i ng or reveal i ng th ems el ves th ere s till l i n g ered i n t he h aun t ed ,

s pot s ; th ey b eca m e f a i ri es or w ere a s s ocia t ed wi th t he dea d

,
_

b uri ed i n t he m oun ds a s fa iri es al s o have b een or w ere th em

, ,

s el ves th ou g ht t o h a v e d i ed a n d b een b u r i ed th ere The .

.

haun ti ng of t he m oun ds by t he ol d g ods i s s een i n a pray er

of S C olum b a s who b eg s God t o di s p el thi s h os t (i e t he
’ “
. . .
,

ol d g ods ) a roun d t he ca i rn s th a t reig n eth An earl y MS

3 ”
.

al s o t el l s how t h e Mi l es i an s al l ott ed t he u n d erg rou n d p ar t of

Eri n t o the Tua t ha Dea who n ow retired within the hi lls ; i n

oth er w ords th ey w ere g ods of t he hi ll s w ors hi pp ed by t he
,

Mil es ian s on hi l l s ?
But as we s h all s ee t he g ods d w el t el s e
, ,

where th an i n hill s 5
.

T um uli m ay al rea dy i n pag an tim es have b een poin t ed

ou t a s t om b s of g ods wh o d i ed i n m yth or ritu a l l ik e t he ,

t omb s of Z eus i n C ret e and of O s iri s i n Eg yp t Ag ain .

,

f ai ri es i n s om e a s pect s a re g h os t s of t he dead, an d h aun t

, ,

t um ul i ; h en ce when g ods b ecam e fai ries th ey w oul d do the

,

s am e . An d on ce th ey w ere th oug ht of a s d ead king s an y ,

1 S h r J AI xx
o e, 9 . .

2
Rhys , HL 203 f . Penn oernci n m occurs i n t h e I ti n era ry of Ant oni nus .

3
K eat i ng ,
4 34 . 4
J oy os ,
‘

S H i 25 2
. .

5
S ee p . 228 . I n S ca n di navi a t he d ea d were call ed elv es , a n d l i ved f eas t i ng
in t hei r b arr ow s or i n h i ll s Thes e b ecam e t h e s ea t of an ces t ral cul t s
. Th e .

”
a l s o m ean s a n
'

w ord el f y d i vi n e s pi ri t , l a t er a fa i ry El f a n d s i de m a y t h u s ,
.

“ ”
l i k e the el f h ow e a n d t h e ai d or m oun d , h ave a.
para ll el h i s t ory . S ee
-

Vi g fus s on~Powell , Corp u s Poet. B orea l e, i . 41 3 f .

 THE TU AT HA DE D ANANN 67

no at ble t um ul i w oul d be poi n t ed ou t

th ei rs s in ce it i s a as ,

l aw i n f olk b el i ef t o-
a s s oci a t e t um u l i
or oth er s t ru ct u r es n ot

with t he dea d or w i th th ei r b uilders but with s u pern atu ral ,

or m ythi cal or even h i s t ori ca l p ers on a es I f s i de ever m ean t

g .

“
g h o s t s ,
i t
”
w o u l d be ea s y t o call t h e d ea d g ods by th i s n am e ,

a n d t o conn ect th em w i th t he pl a ces of t he d ea d

?

Man y s t ran d s w en t t o t he w eavin g of t he l a t er con cep ti on

of t he g ods bu t th ere s till hu ng arou nd th em a n ai r of
,

m y s t ery a nd t he b eli ef tha t th ey w ere a race of m en w as

,

n ever con s i s t en t with it s elf .

~

D an u g ave her n a m e t o t he wh ol e g roup of g ods an d i s ,

cal l ed th eir m oth er l ik e t he Eg y p ti a n N ei t h or t he S em iti c

,

I s ht ar I n the a nnal is t s s he i s da ug ht er of Dag da an d has

?
,

t hree s on s She m ay be akin t o t he g oddes s Anu whom

.
,

C orm ac des crib es as ma ter d eornm hi bernensi nm It was w el l .

s he n urs ed t he g ods From her n am e he derives a na pl en ty

”
.
, ,

a n d t w o hi ll s i n K er ry are ca ll ed t he P a p s of A n u
3
Th “
us
”
.

a s a g oddes s of pl en ty D an u or An u m a y h a ve b een a n earl y

Ea rth m other a n d wh a t m ay be a di m m em ory of An n i n

-
,

Leices t ers hire con fi rm s thi s vi ew A cave on t he D an e Hi ll s .

i s cal l ed Bl a ck Ann i s B ow er and s he i s s a i d t o h av e b een

“ ’ ”
,

s a vag e w om an w ho d ed h um an v i cti m s Earth

v u ?
a e o r

1
Tuan MacCai ril l (L U 1 6 6) cal l s t h e Tuat ha Dea,
d ée ocu s a nd ée, an d “ ”

”
i t h m i n as p oet s an d h u s b an d m en T hi s phra s e, w i t h t h e s a m e
g ves e ea n g .

“ ”
m ea n i n g , i s u s ed i n Cdi r Au m a nn (I T i i i bu t t h ere w e fin d t h at i t
.

“
occurred i n a p ag an formu l a of bl es s i ng
— Th e bl es s i n g of g od s a nd n ot g ods -

” “
b e on t h ee . B ut t h e w ri t er g oes on t o s a y Thes e were t hei r g od s , t h e
—

m ag i ci a n s , a n d t h ei r n on g ods , t h e h u s b a nd men .
-
Thi s m ay ref er t o t h e
i t i n f ri es t ki n g s a n d m a g i ci a n s a s g od s Rh y s com ares S an s kri t d eva
p
p o s o o p
- .

a n d a d eva (HL Cf t h e ph . ras e i n a W e l s h p oem Sk

( e e,
n
“
Teul u
”
Oet h et An oet h , t ra n s l a t ed by Rh YS as Hou s eh ol d of Pow er and Not Power
-

CFL i i b t t he m ea ni ng i s obscu r e. S ee Lot h, i . 1 97 .

( . u
2
LL l 0b.
2
Corm ac, 4. S t ok es ( US 1 2) d eri ves Anu f rom (p )a n , t o nouri sh cf. Lat .
p a nts .
4
Lei ces ter Cou nty Fol k l ore, 4 . Th e Céi r Anma nn
-
s ay s t ha t Anu was
wors hi ped as a g odd es s of pl en t y (I T i i i .
p
68 THE RE LI GIO N OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LT S ‘

g odd es s es u s u all y have h um an vi ctim s an d Anu w oul d be no ,

ex cep ti on I n t he cu l t of Earth di vi niti es Earth and u nder

.

Ear th are practicall y i den ti cal whil e Ear th g oddes s es l ike ,

-

D em eter an d Pers eph on e w ere as s ocia t ed wi th th e u n derw orl d ,

the d ea d b ein g D em et er s f olk The f ru i t s of t he earth with

’
-
.

t h ei r root s b el o w t he s u rfa ce are th en g i f t s Of t he earth or .

u n d er earth g oddes s Thi s m a y h av e b een t he ca se with

l

-
.

D anu f or i n C el ti c b elief t he g i f t s of civi l i s a ti on cam e from

,

t he u n derw orld or f rom t he g ods Prof es s or Rhys fi nd s t h e .

An oni r edi ch ari o t of Ann

”
n am e An u i n t he da t
“
. in a n , ,

I n s cri p ti on f rom V au cl u s e a n d t he i den tifi cati on i s p erh ap s

,

es t a b l i s h ed by t he f a ct th a t g oddes s es of f erti l ity w ere dra w n

t h rou g h t he fi elds I n a vehi cl e ?

C orm ac al s o m en ti on s
Buan an n a s m oth er a n d n u rs e of heroes p er h aps a g oddes s ,

w ors hipped by heroes ?

D anu i s al s o i den tifi ed with B rig it g oddes s of k now ,

l edg e ( dan ) p erh a p s th roug h a f ol k ety m ol og y

,
S h e w as -
.

w ors hi pp ed by p oet s an d ha d t wo met ers of t he sam e n ame

,_

conn ect ed w i th l eech cra t d s ithw o k

m Th ey are dupl i
?
f a n r

ca t es or l o cal f orm s o f B ri g it a g odd es s of cul t ur e a n d of ,

.

p o e t r y s o
,
m u ch l oved by t he C el t s ; S h e i s th u s t he equ i v a l en t

of t h e G au l i s h g od des s e quat ed with Min erva by C aes ar an d ,

f ou n d on i n s cri p ti on s a s Mi nerva Beli s a m a an d Bri gi n do .

“

S he i s t he D ea B ri g an ti a of Br t i s h i i n s c i p t i on s
r
?
on e of t he ,

s ea t s of h er w ors hi p w a s t he l a n d of t h e B ri g a n tes of wh om ,

s h e wa s t he ep on y m ou s g od des s a n d h er n a m e ( cf I r bri g , . . ,

p o w e r or
”
cra f t W el s h br i h on ou r
“
ren ow n s ug es t s
g
,
”
,

h er hi g h f u ncti on s Bu t her popularity i s s een i n t he con

.

t i n ua t i on of her p ers onal i ty an d cul t i n th os e of S B rig i t a t .

,

1
Rhys , Tr ams 3r d I n ter Cong Hi s t. of Rel . 1 1 . 2 1 3 S ee Gri m m , Ten t My th .
. . . . .

'

2 5 1 ii , a n d p 27 5 , i nf ra
. . .

2
Rhys , i bi d i i 21 3 He fi nds h er na me i n t he pl a ce n a me B on on i a a n d i t s
. . .
-

d eri va t i ves .

3
C o rm a c,
2 3 .
4
Caes ar , vi 1 7 H ol d er, s v S t ok es , TI C 33.
. . .
 T HE T U ATHA D E D ANANN 69

wh os e s h rine i n Kildare a s acred fire which m u s t n ot b e ,

brea th ed on or approa ch ed by a m al e w a s wat ched dail y by

, ,

n i n et een n u n s i n t u rn a n d on t h e tw en ti eth da y by t he s a i n t
,

hers el f ?
Simi lar s acred fi res w ere k ept up i n other
m ona s t eri es ? a n d th ey p oin t t o t he ol d cu l t of a g oddes s of
fire t he n un s b ei ng s u ccess ors of a vi rg i n pri es th ood l i k e t he
,

v es t a l s pri es t es ses of V es t a
,
As has b een s een t he g oddes s es .
,

Beli s am a an d S ul prob a b l y g oddes s es of fire r es em b l ed

, ,

B rig it i n thi s Bu t B rig i t l i ke V es ta wa s a t once a g oddes s

?
, ,

o f fire a n d of f erti li ty a s h er co n n ecti on with C a n dl em as an d

,

cert a i n ri t u al s u rvi val s a l s o s u g g es t I n t he H eb ri des on .

S B ri de s day ( C an dl em as eve) w om en dres s ed a s heaf of ca t s

.
’
-

i n f em al e cl o th es an d s et it w i th a cl u b i n a b a s k et call ed
“
Bri i d s bed
’
Then th ey call ed Bri id i s com e Bri i d i s
.
”
,
“
,

w elcom e Or a bed wa s m ade of corn a n d hay with ca n dl es

.
“

b urni n g b es i de it a n d B ri de wa s i n vit ed t o com e a s her bed

,

was r eady I f t he m ark of t h e cl u b wa s s een i n t he a s h es

. ,

thi s wa s a n om en of a g ood h arves t and a pros perous year?

It i s al s o n ot ew or thy th a t i f ca ttl e cropped t he g ra s s n ear
S Brig it s s hri n e n ex t day it was a s l ux uri a n t a s ever
.
’

,
.

Brig it or g oddes s es with s i mi l ar f uncti on s was reg arded

,
-

by t he C el t s a s a n earl y t eacher of civi l is ati on i n s pirer of t he ,

a rti s ti c po eti c a n d m ech a ni ca l f a cu l t i es a s w el l a s a g o ddes s

, , ,

of fir e an d f ert i l i ty As s u ch s he f a r ex cel l ed h er s on s g ods

. ,

o f k n ow l edg e S he m u s t h a v e ori g i na t ed i n t he peri od wh en

.

t he C el t s w or s h i pp ed g oddes s es r a th er th a n g ods an d wh en ,

k n ow l edg e l eechcra f t ag ricu l tu re i n s pira ti on w ere w om en s

—
, ,
—
’

rath er th a n m en s S he ha d a f em al e p ries th ood an d m en

’
.
,

w ere perh aps ex cl u ded from her cul t as t he ta b ued s h rine a t ,

1
Gi ral d Cambr . Top Hi b
. . . 11. 34 f.V eng ean ce foll owed u pon rash i n tru s i on .

For t h e breat h t abu s ee Frazer, E a rl y Hi s t of the Ki ngship , 224 .

.

2
J
oy ce, S H i . 33 5 .
3
P 41 , s up r a .
.

4
Mart i n, 1 1 9 ; Campbell , Wi tcheraf t,
 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CELT S
Kildare s ug g es t s P erha ps her fire was f ed from s a cred oak
.

w ood f or m an y s h rin es of S B rig it w ere b u il t u nder oak s

,
.
,

d ou bt l es s dis pl acin g p ag an s h rin es of t h e g oddes s ?

As a
g o dd ess B
, ri g it i s m or e p ro m i n en t th a n D a n u a l so a g o dd es s ,

of f er til ity even th ou h D a n u i s m oth er of t he o d s

, g g .

Oth er g oddes s es rem em b ered i n t radi ti on are Cl eena an d '

V era cel eb ra t ed i n f a iry an d wit ch l ore t he f orm er p erhaps

, ,

a kin t o a ri ver o d d es s Ol o t a t he C l u t oi da ( a f oun ta i n n y m p h )

g
- -
,

of t he con tin en t al C elt s ; t h e l a tt er u n der her a l t erna tiv e ,

n am e Di rra p erh a ps a f orm of a g oddes s of Gau l Di ron a

?
, ,

Ain e on e of the g rea t f a iry qu een s of Irel an d has her s ea t

,
-
,

a t Kn ock ai n y i n Lim eri ck w here rit es conn ect ed w ,

ith her
f orm er cu l t are s ti ll p erf orm ed f or f er til ity on Mi ds u mm er eve .

I f th ey w ere n eg l ect ed s h e an d her t roop s p erf orm ed them ,

a ccordi n
g t o l o c a l l eg en d ?
S h e i s th us a n ol d g o dd e ss of
f ertil ity wh os e cu l t even at a f es tival i n whi ch g od s w ere
, ,

l a tt erl y m ore p rom i nen t i s s ti ll rem em b ered , S h e i s al s o .

a s s oci a t ed with t he w a t ers a s a w a t er n y m p h cap t ur ed f or -

a tim e a s a f a ir y b r i de by t he Earl of D es m on d Bu t ol der

- ?

l eg en ds conn ect her with t he si d S he was da u g ht er of .

Eog a bal king of t he s i d of K n ock ai n y t he g ra s s on which was

, ,

a nn u all y des t roy ed a t S am h ain by hi s eo l e b e ca u s e i t ha d

p p ,

b een t aken from th em i ts rig ht ful owners Oi li ll Ol omm and , .

Ferchu s res olved t o w a t ch t he s i d on S am h ain eve They -

.

s aw Eo a bal
g an d Ain e em erg e f rom it FerChus killed .

Eog abal a n d Oi l i l l t ri ed t o ou trag e Ai n e wh o bit t h e fl es h

, ,

f rom hi s ear H e ce hi s nam e of B are Ear

.n
5
I n t hi s l eg en d .
”

w e s ee how earl i er g ods of f ertil ity com e t o be reg arded a s

'

h os ti l e t o g rowth Anoth er s t ory t ells of t he l ove of Ai ll én

.
,

1
Frazer, op ci t 225 . . .

2
Joy ce, PN i 1 95 O Gra dy , 1 1 1 98
.
’
. Wood Mart i n-
,
i . 36 6 s ee p . 4 2, s up ra .
3
Fi t zg era ld , R C i v 1 90. Ai n e h as . n o connect i on wi t h Ann, n or i s s h e a

m oon g odd es s ,
-
as is s om et i m es s upp os ed .
4
R C i v. 1 8 9 .
5
K ea t i ng 3 1 8
, I T i ii . 305 ; RC ii i . 4 35 . x
7 2 THE RE LIGION OF THE AN CIENT CE LTS
con n ec ting mor with t he s a m e s yll ab le i n F om orian expla ins ,

it s a n ig ht m are qu een
“ 1 -
S h e w ork s g rea t h arm t o t he
.
”

F om ori an s a t Mag t ured an d af t erwards procl a ims t he v ictory

-
,

t o t h e h i l l s r ivers a n d f a iry h os t s u tt eri ng al s o a proph ecy

, ,
-
,

of t he evi l s t o com e a t t h e en d of ti m e
?
S he rea pp ears

p ro m I n en t l y i n t h e C uch u l ai n n sa g a h os ti l e t o t h e h e r o ,

becau se he rej ect s her l ove y et a i di n g t he h os t s of Ul s ter ,

a n d t h e B ro w n B u ll an d i n t h e en d t ryi n t o p re v e n t t h e
, g
hero s dea th ?
’

The prom i n en t p os i ti on of th es e g oddes s es m u s t be conn ect ed

with t he f a ct tha t wom en w en t ou t t o w ar— a cu s t om s a id t o
h ave b een s topped by Adam n an a t hi s m oth er s requ es t an d
'
’
,

tha t m an y prom in en t h eroin es of t he heroi c cy cl es are

warri ors l ik e t he B ri t i s h B ou di cca wh os e nam e m a y
, ,

b e conn ect ed with vi ct or y S p eci fic titl es w ere

”
bon di , . z

g iven t o s u ch cl a ss es of f em al e w arri ors ba ng a i sg eda i g ,

ba nf ei nn i di et c ?
Bu t it is p os s ib l e th a t t h es e g oddes s es
,

w ere at firs t conn ected wi th f ertili ty th eir fun ction s chan g ing ,

with t he g rowin g w arl ik e t en den ci es of t he C el t s Their n um b er .

recall s th a t of t he th reef ol d Ma tr es a n d
poss ib l y t he ch ang e i n
"

/
,

th eir ch aract er i s hin ted i n the Roman o B riti s h ins cripti on a t -

B en w el l t o t he La mi i s Tri bns s in ce Morrig an s n a m e i s gl os s ed ,

’

l mi a
a 5
S h e i s a l s o i den ti fi ed with And an d i s m i s tres s of
.
,

D ag da an Earth g od a n d with Badb a n d oth ers ex pels th e

,
-
,

Fom or i an s wh en th ey des troyed the ag ri cul tu ral produce of

Irel an d Prob ab l y t he s cal d crow wa s a t once t he s y m b ol
6
.
-
,

a n d t he i n carn a ti on of t he w ar odd e s s es w h o res em b l e t he

g
-
,

N ors e Val kyries appearing s om eti m es as crow s an d t he Greek

, ,

K eres bi rd l ik e b ein g s which drank t he b l ood of t he s la I n It

,
-
.

1
Rhys , E L 4 3 S t ok es , RC xi i . 1 2 8 .
2
R C x i i . 91 , 1 1 0 . S ee p . 1 31 3 .

4
Pet ri e, Ta r a , 1 47S t ok es , US 1 7 5 ; Mey er, Ca th Fi nntr d g a , O ford , x
1 8 8 5 , 7 6 f . R C xvi 5 6 , 1 6 3, xxi 396 .
. .

5
CI L vii 5 07 ; S t ok es , US 21 1
.
5
R C 1 41 , xi i 8 4
. . . .
 T H E T UAT HA D E D ANANN 73

is al s o i n t eres tin g t o n ot e that B a db who has t he chara ct er of ,

a prop h et es s of evi l i s of t en i den t i fi ed with t h e

,
Wa s her a t “

t he F ord wh os e presen ce in di ca tes dea th t o hi m wh os e

”
,

a rm our or g ar m en t s s he s eem s t o cl ea n s e
?

The Ma tres g oddes s es of f er til i ty d o n ot app ear by n am e i n

, ,

Ireland bu t t he tri pl ica ti on of s uch g oddes s es a s Morrig an a n d

,

B rig it t he threef ol d n am e of D ag da s w i fe or t he fact th a t

,
’

An u D anu a n d B uana n a re call ed m oth ers whil e Buan an s

, ,
“
,
” ’

n am e i s s om eti mes ren d ered th t th at

“ ”
g oo d m o er m a y s u
gg es ,

s u ch g rou p ed od d es s es w e e n ot u n k n ow n L a t er l eg en d
g r .

k n ow s of whi t e w om en who a s s i s t i n S pi nn ing or three b ag s ,

with pow er over na ture or as i n the Ba ttle of Ven try of th ree

, , ,

s up ern a t u ral w om en w ho f all i n l ove with Con n cri thi r a i d hi m ,

i n fig ht a n d h eal hi s w oun ds
, I n thi s docum en t an d el s ewh ere
.

i s m en ti on ed t he s i d of t he W h i t e Wom en 2 G oddes s es of
“
.
”

f erti l ity a re u s uall y g odd es s es of l ove and t he prom i nen ce ,

g i ven t o f em al es a mong t he s i d e t he f act th a t th ey a re of ten ,

cal l ed B e fin d Whit e Wom en l ik e f a iries who repres en t the

, ,
”

Ma tr es el sewh ere an d tha t th ey freel y offer th eir l ove t o

,

m ort al s m ay conn ect them with thi s g rou p of g oddes s es

, .

Ag a in wh en t he Miles ian s arri ved i n Irela n d th ree ki ng s of

, ,

t he Tua t ha D ea had wives called E ri u B anb a and Fot l a w h o , , ,

b eg g ed th at Irel and S h ould be call ed af ter th em Thi s wa s .

g ra n t ed b u t o
,n l y E ri u ( E ri n ) r em ai n ed i n g en era l u s e
?
Th e

s t ory i s a n aet i ol o i ca l m yth ex l ai ni n t h e n am es of I rel a n d

g p g ,

bu t t h e th ree w i ves m ay be a g rou p li k e t he Ma tr es g uar dI an s ,

of t h e l a n d whi ch t ook i t s n a m e f rom th em .

B ri an I u char an d I ucharba who g 1 ve a titl e t o t he wh ol e

, , ,

1
RC 1 5 7 , 3 1 5 ; Mi s s Hul l , 2 4 7 . A ba obh ( a com m on Ga el i c n am e
xxi .
“

“
f or wi t ch a ppea rs t o Os car a n d
p roph es i es hi s d eat h i n a Fi onn b al l ad
”
(Cam pb el l, The Fi a ne, I n Bri t t any t he ni g ht was h ers , once wat er f ai ri es , - -

a re n ow re ard ed a s r even a n ts
g ( Le Bra z , i.
2
J oy ce, SH i . 26 1 ; Mi s s Hul l , 1 8 6 ; Mey er, Ca th Fi nntra g a , 6 , 1 3 ; I T
1 . 1 31 , 8 7 1 . 3
LL 1 0a .
74 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIE NT CE L TS

g oup,
r are cal l ed tr i dee Dona n d ,
“
the three g o ds (s on s of )
D an u ,
i ods of d an
or, a g a n ,
g ( k n o w l edg e) p e
”
rha s a s t he
p ,

res u l t o f a f ol k ety m ol o y as s oci a ti n n with th ei r m other s

’

g
-
g d a ,

n a m e D an u ? V arIous a tt rib u t es are pers on ifi ed as th ei r

d es cen dan t s W i s dom b ei n g s on of all three
,
?
Th oug h s om e
of th ese a ttribu t es m a
y h a v e b e en a c t u al
g o d s es p e ci al l y Eon e ,

or W i s d om it i m r b b l th t h rs on i fica t i on i s
'

y et s ,
o e p ro a e a t e p e

t he resu l t of : t he s u bt l eti es of b a rdi c s cien ce of w hich s im i lar ,

ex a m p l es occu r ? On t he oth er h an d t he f a ct th a t Ecn e i s

-

t he s on of th ree broth ers m ay recall s om e ea rl y pra cti ce of

?

p ol yan dry of which in s t an ces are m et with i n t he s ag a s M

4
z . . .

D Arb oi s ha s s ug g es t ed th a t I nch ar an d I uch arba ar e m ere

’

du pl i ca t es of B ri an who us ual l y t ak es t he l eading pl ace a nd

, -
,

he i den tifi es them with three ki ng s of t he Tuat ha Dea rei g n i ng

.

a t t h e ti m e of t h e M i l e s i a n i n va s i on — MacCu i ll Ma cCech t
'

, ,

a n d Ma cGra i nn e s o cal l ed accord i n t o K ea tin g b ecause t he

, g , ,

h a zel (coll) t hepl oug h (eecht) and t he s un (g ri a n ) w ere g ods

, ,

of w ors h i t th m B th ra n d s on f D a d
p o e o g r o u p s a r e
.
g s o g a ,

a n d M D Arb oi s re ards thi s s econ d u p a s al so t ri pl i ca t es

’
o
.
g g r

of on e g od b eca u s e th eir wives Fot l a B a n b a a n d Eri u a l l

"

, , ,

b ear n am es of Ir elan d its el f a re pers oni ficati ons of the land , ,

a n d th u s m a
y b e re d uce d t o u
“
n ity
5
W hi l e thi s rea s on i n g
”
.

1 s I n en l ou s i t s h ould b e rem em b ere d th a t we m u s t n ot l ay

g , .

t oo m uch s t res s u pon I ri s h d ivine g en eal og i es whi l e each ,

g rou p o f th ree m a y h a ve b ee n s i m i l a r l o ca l g o d s a s s oc i a t ed a t
a l a t er t im e as b ro th ers Th eir sep ara t e pers onali ty i s s u g
.

g es t ed by t h e f a ct th at t he Tua t ha D e D an an n a re cal l ed a f ter

th em t he Men of the Three G ods an d th ei r s upremacy
“
,
”

a pp ears I n t he I n ci den t of D a da Lu a n d O m a con s u l ti n g

g g g .

, ,

them b efore t he fig ht at Mag tured— a na tu ral proceeding i f th ey -

1
LL l oa , 306, 1 8 7 0 .
2
RC vi 1 3 ; LL 1 8 7 c. xx .

2
Of . t h e p ers on i fi cat i on of t h e t hree s t rai ns of Da g d a s harp ( Leahy ,
’
11 .
4
S ee p. 223, i nf ra D Arboi s , i i . 37 2
’
5
. .
 T HE T U AT HA DE D ANANN 75

were g ods of k n owledg e or des tin y The b roth ers are s aid t o ?

h a ve s la in t he g od Oi a n an d t o h a ve b een th em s el ves s l ain by

,

Lug a nd on thi s s eem s t o h ave b een b as ed t he s tory of The

,

Chi ldr en of Tu i r enn i n whi ch th ey p eri s h th roug h th ei r

,

ex er t i on s i n obt ai n i n g t he er i c dem a n ded by Lu g H ere th ey

?

are s on s of Tu i renn bu t m or e u s u al l y th ei r m oth er D an u or

,

Brig it i s m enti oned .

An oth er s on of B rig it s was Og m a m as t er of p oetry and ’

i nv en t or of og ha m writi ng t he w ord b ei ng derived f rom hi s ,

n am e
?
It i s m ore prob ab l e tha t O g m a s nam e i s a d erivative ’

f rom s om e w ord s ig ni f yin g s p eech writing an d tha t “ ”

or ,

t h e conn ecti on with og h am m a y be a m ere f ol k ety m ol og y -

.

Og m a appears as t he ch am pion of t he g ods ? a p os iti on g iven

hi m p erh ap s f rom t h e p ri m i tive cus t om of rou s i n g t he w arri ors
’

em oti on s by el oqu en t s eech es b ef ore a b a tt l e S i m i l a rl y t he

p .

Ba byl onian Marduk s eer of t he g ods was a l s o th eir cham pion

, ,

i n fi g ht Og m a f oug ht a n d d ied a t Mag t ured ; bu t i n oth er

.
-

accou n t s he s u rvi ves ca p t u res Tet hra s s w ord g oes on t he

’
, ,

q ues t f or D ag da s h arp and i s g iven a si d a f t er t he Mil es ian

’

vi ct ory Og m a s coun t erpart i n G a ul i s Og m i os a Herak l es

’
. ,

an d a
g o d o f el oq u en ce th u s b ear in g t he d ual ch ara cter of
,

O gm a while Og m a s epith et g ri a na i neeh of t he s m il ing

,
’

,
“

coun t enan ce reca ll s Lu ci an s a ccou n t of t he s m i l in g f a ce

”
of
’

Og m ios Og m a s h i g h p os iti on i s the res u l t of the a dm i rati on

5
.
’

of ba rd i c el oqu en ce a m on t h e C el t s wh os e l oq ua city w a s
g ,

p ro v er bi a l a n d t
, o hi m i t s o r i g i n w a s d ou bt l ess as crib ed as ,

w ell as tha t of p oetry The g en eal og i s t s ex pl ai n hi s rel ati on

. .

s h i p t o t h e oth er di vi n i t i es i n di fferen t w ay s bu t t h ese con ,

f us i on s m ay res ul t f rom t h e f a ct tha t g ods had m ore th an one

na m e o f whi ch t h e a nn ali s t s m a d e s epa ra t e pers on al it i es
,
.

1
RC I m 7 7 , 8 3. LL 1 1
. Atla nti s , Lond on , 1 8 5 8 7 0, i v. 1 5 9.
2 -

2
O Donova n , Cra m ma r, Dubl i n , 1 8 45 , l vii .
’
x
4
R C xi i . 7 7 .
5
Lu ci an , Hera kles .
76 THE
“

RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS '

Mos t u s u al l y Og m a
B rig it s s on Her f un ctions were
is cal l ed
’
.

l ik e hi s own bu t i n S p ite o f t he i n creas in g s uprema cy of g ods

,
'

o ver g oddes s es h e n ever r ea ll y ecl i p s ed her

,
.

Am ong Oth er cult ure g ods w ere th os e as s oci a t ed with the

art s a n d cra f t s t he devel opm en t of C el ti c art i n m etal w ork
— .
-

n eces s it a ti n g t he ex i s t en ce of g ods of thi s art 3

S u ch a g od i s .

G oib n iu epony m ou s g od of s m ith s ( Ol d I r yoba s mith

,
.
“ ,
“

and t he d i vi ne craf t s m an a t t ha b a t tl e of M ag t ured m aking

'

-
,

sp ea r s whi c h f
n ever a ed t o
i l ki ll ?
,
Sm ith s have everywh ere
b een reg arded a s u n ca nn y a t raditi on s urvi vi ng from the -

fi rs t in t rodu cti on of m etal am on g th os e hithert o a ccu s t om ed

t o s t on e w eap ons an d t ool s S Pa tri ck pra yed ag a ins t t he
Q . .

Sp ell s of w om en s m ith s an d D ru i ds a n d it i s th u s n o t s u r
”
, , ,

ri s i n t fi d th t G i b i h d u t t i f r m a i c even
p g o n a o n u a a r e p a on o g ,

a m on
g C hri s ti a n s A s p e ll f o r .m a k i n g b
. u tt e r i n a n
'

eig hth ,

cent ury M S p res erved a t S G all ;a p eal s t o hi s s ci en ce

2 “ ”
.
p . .

C u ri ou s l y en oug h G oi bn i u i s a l s o connect ed with t he culinary

,

art i n m yth a n d l ik e H e h a i s t o s e e s t h e f ea s t of t he
p
, , p p
r ar ,

g ods wh i l e hi s a l e p res erv es th ei r i m m ort a l ity The el a ti on

? “

,
“

p ro d u ced by h ea dy l iq u ors ca u s ed th e m t o be reg arded a s

d raug ht s of i mm or t al ity l ik e Som a H aom a or nectar G oib n i u , , , .

s u rvi ves i n t ra d iti on a s t heCobha n S a er t o wh om t he b u ildi ng , ,

of roun d t ow ers i s a s cri b ed .

An oth er g od of craf t s wa s Crei dn e the b razi er (I r eerd .

,

w ho a s s i s t ed i nm akin g a
”
a rti ficer ; cf S eot s ca i r d .
,

s i l ver h an d f or Nu a da a n d s u l i d w i th m a i ca l ra pi di ty
pp e , g
a rt s of t he w ea ons u s e d t M t d A di t t h e ?
p p a a g u r e c cor n
g o -
.

a nn al i s t s he was drown ed w hi l e br i n g ing g ol da n ore f rom

“

Spain Luch ti ne g od of carpen ters provi ded s pear h a n dl es

5
.
, ,
-

1
RC xi i Th e nam e i s f oun d i n Gaul i s h Gobanni cn os , a nd in Wel s h
’

. 8 9.
Aberg a ven ny .

2
_ I T i . 5 6 Zi mm er, Gl osses Hi berni eoe, 1 8 8 1 , 2 7 0.
3
Atl a n ti s , 1 8 60, i i i . 38 9.
4
R C xi i . 8 9. 5
LL 1 1 a .
 T H E TU AT H A D E D ANA NN 77

f or t he b a ttle with m arvellous S kill flu ng th em int o t he

,
an d

s ock et s of t h e s p ear h ea ds
? -

Di an cecht wh os e nam e m ay m ean s wif t i n p ow er w as

, ,

g o d o f m e d i ci n e a n d w i th Crei dn e s h el p f as hi on ed a s i l ver
, ,
’

h an d for N ua da Hi s s on Mi a ch r epl a ced th i s by a m ag i c

?

res tora ti on of t h e rea l h a n d an d i n j ea l ou s y h i s f a th er s l ew ,

hi m a vers i on of t he Marchen f or m ul a of t he j ea l ous m as t er

—
.

Three hun dred a n d S i x ty five h erb s g rew f rom hi s g rave an d -

,

w ere arra ng ed accordi n g t o thei r propert i es by hi s s i s ter

Ai rm ed bu t D i an cecht ag a i n conf u s ed th em
,
s o th at n o on e ,

k now s th e r p roper c res At t he s econ d bat t l é of Mag ”

'

2
i u .

t ured D i an cecht p r es i ded over a h eal in g w el l con t ai n i n g

,
-

m ag i c h erb s Th es e an d t he p ow er of s p el ls cau s ed t he
.

m ortally w o un ded who w ere pl aced i n it t o r eco ver H en ce .

it was c ed t e s p ng of h ea th
a ll h r
“
i l 4
D i an cecht a s socia t ed ”
,

with a h eali ng w ell m ay be cog n a t e with Gra nn os He i s

-

, .

a l so ref erred t o i n the S G all MS wh ere hi s h eal i ng p ow ers

. .,

ar e ex t ol l ed .

An earl y chi ef of t he g ods i s D ag da who i n the s t ory of , ,

t he b attl e of Mag t u red i s s a i d t o b e s o call ed b ecau s e he

-
,

p r om i s ed t o d o m ore th a n a ll t he o th er
g ods t og eth er H en ce .

they s a i d It i s th ou art the g ood ha n d (dag da e) The Cdi r

,
-
.

An m a n n ex pl ai n s Dag da as fire of g od (d a i g an d d ea ) The

’

t rue deri va tion i s from d ag os g ood an d dei vos g od th oug h , , , ,

”

Dr St ok es con s i ders Dag d a a s conn ect ed w i th d ag h wh en ce

.
,

dag hda “
cu nn i n g
,
5
D ag d a i s al s o cal l ed C era a w ord perhaps
.
”
,

d eri ved f rom [ca r an d conn ect ed w i th La t eern s crea t or

“
an d .
,

oth er n am es of hi s are Rn a d r of hessa l ord of g reat k n ow l edg e

-
“
, ,

1
RC xii . 93.
2
Corm ac, 5 6 , Coi r Anma nn ( I T i i i 3 5 7 ) d i vi d e t he n am e as di a na
and .
-

x
cecht, a n d e pl a i n i t a s g od o f t h e p owers
”
.

3
RC xii . 6 7 . For s i m i l ar s t ori es of pl ant s s pri ng i n g from g raves , s ee my
Chi ldhood of Fi cti on , 1 1 5 .
5
4
R C xi i 8 9, 95 .
. R C vi 3 6 9 ; Corm ac, 23. .
78 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS

an d E ocha i d Olla tha i r , g rea t fa ther,

” “
f or a g rea t fa th er t o t he
.

Tu at ha De Da nann was he .
” 1
He is al so ca ll ed
“
a b eau ti f ul

g od,
”
and
“
t he p r in ci pal g od of t h e p a g an s .
” 2
Af t er t he b a ttl e
he divi des t he br ag s or s i d a m ong t he g ods , bu t hi s O eng u s
'

s on ,

having b een om itted by a s t ra tag em s ucceeded i n ,

ou s ti n g hi s

h i s f a th er f rom h i s s i d over wh i ch he n ow hi m s elf rei g n ed 3

,

p o ss i b l y t h e s ur vi val of an ol d m yth t ell i n g of a s u p ers ed i ng

of D ag d a s cu l t by th a t of O eng us a com mon en ou g h occu r

’
,

ren ce i n al l r el i g i on s I n an oth er vers i on D ag da b eing d ea d

.
, ,

B odb D earg divi des t he si d an d Manan na n m ak es t he Tu atha ,

Dea i n vi s ibl e an d i m m or ta l He al s o h elps O eng u s t o dri ve .

ou t hi s f os t er fa th er El cm ar f rom hi s br a g wh e e O eng u s n ow
r
-
,

u n derg roun d bra g s

g od The t he g ods l an d , i n
? ’
l i Ves as a are

al l res pec s t
b l ing t he overs ea Elys i um an d a t on ce
r esem ,

b uri al places of t he eu h emeri s ed g ods a n d l ocal f orm s of the

-

d ivi n e lan d Profes sor Rhys reg ards D ag da as an a tm os ph eri c

.

g od ; Dr MacBai n s ees i n hi m a s ky g od
. M ore proba b l y h e -
.

i s an earl y Ear th g od an d a g od of ag ricu l t ure -

He has pow er .

ov er co rn an d m i l k a n d a g rees t o pr even t t he oth er g od s f rom

,

des t roying th es e a f ter t hei r def eat by t h e Mil es ian s f orm er

‘

b en eficen t g ods b ei ng reg ard ed a s h u rt fu l a n ot u ncomm on ,

’

res ul t of t h e t ri u m p h of a n ew f a ith D ag da i s call ed t he 5 “

.

of t he ea rt h b eca us e of t he g reat n es s of hi s w
” “
g od p o e r 6 .

Mythi cal obj ect s as s ociat ed with hi m s ugg es t pl en ty a n d

f ertil ity— hi s cau l dron whi ch s a ti s fi ed a ll com ers hi s u n fail in g ,

s wi n e on e al w ay s l i vi n g t he oth er rea dy f or cooking a vess el

, , ,

1
Corm a c, 4 7 , 1 -44 I T i i i 35 5 , 35 7 . .

2
I T i ii 3 5 5 ; B Arb oi s , i 202 3
’
. . . LL 24 6 a .
4
I r i s h MS S S er i es , i 4 6 D Arb oi s , a MS . edi t ed by Dr. S t i rn ,
’
. In. 11. 27 6 .
’
Oeng u s wa s Da g d a s s on by El cm ar s wi fe, t he a m our t ak i n g pl ace i n h er
’

h us b and s a b s en ce Thi s i n ci d ent i s a p arall el t o t h e bi rth s t ori es of Mon g a n

’
-
.

a n d Art h ur, and h a s al s o t h e Fa t h erl ess Ch i ld t h em e, s i n ce Oeng us g oes i n

“

t ears t o Mi d er b ecau s e b e b a s b een t aunt ed wi t h h a vi n g n o fa t her or m ot her

'

In t h e s am e MS i t i s t h e Dag da wh o i n s t ruct s Oen g u s how t o ob t ai n El cm ar s

’
.

si d. S ee RC xx vi i . 332, xx vi i i . 3 30. 5
LL 245 6. 5
I T i i i . 35 5.
80 T HE RE LIGION OF T H E AN CIEN T CE LTS
Els ewh ere we l earn tha t thi s
i fi ce i n ret urn f or the s acr
‘

g if t s o f co rn a n d m i l k f rom t h e g od t ook p l ace a t S am h a i n .

a nd th a t on on e occa s i on t h e v i ol en t p ro s tra ti on s o f t h e
“

w ors hipp ers caus ed three f ourths of th em t o di e Ag ai n they -

.
,
“

b ea t th ei r pal m s th ey p oun ded their b odies

,
they s h ed
f all ing s h ow ers of t ears Th es e are rem i ni s cen ces of org i a s ti c
1 ”
.

rit es i n whi ch p a i n a n d p l ea s u r e m el t i n t o on e The g od .

m u s t h ave b een a g od of f erti li ty ; t he b l ood of t h e v icti m s

'

w a s p oured on t he i m a g e t he fl es h as i n anal og ou s s avag e , ,

fl
r it es a n d f ol k s u rvival s m a y h av e b een b u ri ed i n t he fi el d s t o
-
,

p r om ot e f er tili ty I f s o t h e v i cti m s
. es h w as i n s t i n ct with
,
’

t he p ow er of t he d ivin ity an d t h oug h th ei r n u m b er i s

“

, ,

ob vi ou s l y ex ag g era t ed s everal vi cti m s m ay h av e t ak en t he

,

l ce o f a n earli er s l a i n repres en t a ti v e of t he od A m ythi

p a
’
g c .

Cr om D a bh ,
Bl ack CrOm whos e f es ti val occurs on t he firs t
“
,

S un da y i n Augu s t m ay be an other f orm of Crom m Cruai ch

, .

I n on e s t ory t he nam e i s t ran s f erred t o S Pa tri ck s s erva n t

’
.
,

who i s a s k ed by t he f ai ri es wh en th ey will g o t o Para di s e .

Not t i ll the da y of j u dg m en t i s t he a n s w er a n d f or thi s

“ ”
, ,

th ey ceas e t o h el p m en i nt he proces s es of ag ri cul ture But .

i n a vari an t Man ann a n bi ds C rom a s k this q u es ti on a n d t he ,

s am e res ul t f ol l ow s Th ese t al es thu s en s h rine t he i dea tha t

?

C rom an d the f ai ries w ere an cien t g ods of growth who ceas ed

t o h el p m en wh en th ey d es er t ed th em f or t he Ch ri s ti an faith .

If t h e s acrifi ce wa s offered at th e A ug u s t f es ti val or a s t he , ,

fl
tex t s Sugg es t a t S am h ain a f t er harves t it m u s t have b een on
, , ,

a ccou n t of t h e n ex t y ea r s crop a n d t he es h may h ave b een

’
.
,

mi ng l ed with th e s eed corn .

D a g da m ay thu s have b een a g od of g rowth a nd fertility .

S . Pat ri ck mi racl e,
’
l on g er u pri g h t b ut
’
r ef ers t o t h e i d ol s p os i t i on a ft er s no

b en t li k e an old m an . Dr Hy de, Li t . Hi s t of I rel a nd , 8 7 , wi t h e ag g erat ed

. . x
pa t ri ot i s m, t hi nk s t he s acri fi ci al d et ai l s are copi ed by a Chri s t i an s cri be from

t h e Ol d Tes t a m ent , a nd are n o part of t he old ri tu al .

1
RC xvi 35 , 1 6 3.
. Fi t zg eral d , RL i v. 1 7 5 .
 TH E T U ATH A DE D ANANN 8 1

Hi s wife or m i s t res s w as t he i
r ver- g odd es s , B oan d ( t h e

B oyn e) an d t he children a s cri b ed t o hi m w ere O eng us B odb

,
1
,

D earg D a nu B ri g it an d p erh aps O g m a The euhem eri s ts

, , , .

m ade hi m di e of Cet hl en n s v en om l on g a f t er t he b a ttl e of

’

Ma g t ured i n whi ch e en co t e ed er
-
h u n r h 2
I ri s h m yth olog y i s .

rem ark a b l y f ree f rom ob s cen e an d g rot es q u e m yth s bu t s om e ,

of th ese cl us t er r ou n d D ag da W e h ear of t he G arg an tu an .

m ea l provi ded f or hi m i n s por t by t he F om or i an s a n d of wh i ch ,

he a t e s o m u ch th a t n ot ea s y was it f or hi m t o m ove a n d
“

u n s eem l y w a s hi s a pp arel as w ell a s hi s con du ct with a ,

Fom orian b eau ty An oth er am ou r of hi s was w i th Morrig an

.
,

t he pl a ce wh ere it occu rred b ei n g s t i ll kn own as The C ou pl e s

“ ’

I n an o th er t al e D ag da act s a s cook t o Cona i re t he

”
Be d .
3

rea t
4
g .

The b eau t i ful a n d f as ci na ti ng O en g u s i s s om etim es cal led

Ma c I n d 00 S on of t he Young On es t e D ag da an d Boan d
, ,
”
. .
,

or I n Ma c 00 The You n g S on This n am e li ke t he m yth

“
.
, ,

of hi s d i s i n h eritin g hi s f a th er m a y p oi n t t o hi s cu l t s u p ersedi n g
,

tha t of D ag da If s o he m ay then have b een a ffilia t ed t o the

.
,

ol der g od a s wa s f req uen t l y d on e i n par a ll el ca s es

, in ,

Babylon O en g us may th us have b een t he hig h g od of s om e

.

t rib e who as s um ed s u prem acy ou s tin g the h i g h g od of a n other ,

trib e u n l es s w e s uppos e th a t D ag da wa s a pre C el ti c g od with

,
-

f un cti ons s im il ar t o th os e of O en g u s a n d tha t t he C el t s ,

a do t ed hl S cul t b u t a v e th a t of O en g us a hi g h er p l ace I n
p g .

on e m yth t he s u prem a cy of O en g u s i s s een Af ter t he firs t .

b attl e of Mag t ured D ag da i s f orced to b ecom e the s l ave of

-
,

B res a nd i s m u ch ann oy ed by a lam p oon er w ho ex t orts t he

,

b es t pi eces of h i s ra tion s Foll ow i ng t he a dvice of O eng u s he . ,

n ot on l y cau s es t he l am p oon er s dea th bu t t ri um ph s over t he

’

1
RC xx vi . 1 9. \
3
Ann a ls of the Fou r Mas ters , A M 3 45 0 . . .
/ 5 q & 4 Z
R xi i 8 3, 8 5 Hyde, op ci t 28 8
4
3
C’
. . . . L U 94 ,

6
82 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LT S "

F om orian s On in s u ffi ci en t g roun ds m ainl y b ecaus e he was

i

1
.
,

p a t r on o f D i arm a i d b el o v e d o f w om en a nd b ecau s e hi s ki s ses

, ,

becam e birds whi ch whi s pered l ove th oug ht s t o y ou ths an d

m ai den s O eng u s ha s b een call ed t he Eros of t he G a el s
,
More .

p r o b a b l y h e w a s p r i m ar i l y a s u preme g od of
g r owth w h o ,

occa s i ona ll y s u ffered ecl i ps e dur in g t h e tim e of dea th i n n at ure

”

l i k e Tamm u z a n d A do n i s a n d thi s m a
y ex pl ai n hi s a bsence
,

f rom Mag t ured The b eau tif u l s t ory of hi s vi s i on of a m a i den

-
.

with wh om he f ell vi ol en tl y i n l ove contai ns t oo m an y Mdrchen

f ormul ae t o be of any m yth ol og i cal or rel ig i ou s val u e Hi s .

m other Boan d cau s ed s earch t o be m a de f or her bu t with ou t ” ,

ava i l . At l a s t s he was di s cov ered t o be t he da ug ht er of a

s em i div i n e l ord of a s td b u t on l y th roug h t h e h el p of m ort a l s
-
,

w as t he s ecret o f h ow s he coul d be t ak en w rung f rom hi m .

Sh e wa s a s wan m aiden an d on a cert ai n da y onl y w oul d

-
,

O eng u s obtain her Ul ti m a t el y s he b ecam e hi s w i fe The

. .

s t ory i s i n t eres ti ng b ecau s e it s h ow s how t he g ods occa s i on all y

requ i red m ort al a i d

2

Equal l y in fluen ced by Ma rcher f orm ul ae i s t he s t ory of .

O eng u s an d Et ain Etain an d Fuam n ach w ere wives of Mider

‘

.
,

but Fu am na ch was j eal ous of Et a in a n d t ran s f orm ed h er i n t o ,

an i n s ect I n thi s s h ap e O eng u s f ou n d her an d pl aced her i n a

.
,

g la s s g r i a na n or b ow er fi ll ed with fl ow ers t h e perf um e of whi ch ,

s u s t ai n ed her He carri ed t he g r i a n a n with him wh erever he

.

w en t but Fuam nach rai s ed a m ag l o wm d whi ch bl ew Etain a way

,

t o t he roof of Et ai r a n ob l e of Ul s t er ,
She fel l th roug h a s mok e .

h ole in t o a g olden cup of wine an d was s wal l ow ed by Et ai r s ,

’

wi f e of whom s he was reb orn Profes s s or Rh ys resolves all

,
3
.

1
R 0 x1 1 .
65 . El s ewh ere t h ree s uprem e i g n oran ces are as cri b ed t o Oeng us
( RL xx vi .
2 ’
R C i i i . 3 42.
3
LL l l c ; L U 1 29 ; I T i . 1 30. Of t h e g l a ss h ous e, pl aced b et ween s ky
'
.

a n d m oon , t o whi ch Tri s t an cond uct s t h e Bedi er, Tr i s ta n et I sea t, 2 5 2

q ueen . .

In a frag m en t ary vers i on of th e s t ory Oeng u s i s Et ai n s w ooer, but Mi der i s

’

preferred by h er fat h er, an d m arri es her In t h e l at t er h alf of t h e s t ory , Oeng us

.
 84 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS
tim atel y aveng ed i n the s eri es of trag i c even t s whi ch led to
ul

t he dea th of Eochai d s d es cen dan t Con ai re Thoug h hi s s i d i s

’
.

l oca t ed i n Irel an d it ha s s o m u ch res em b lan ce t o El y s iu m th a t

”
,

Mider m us t be reg arded a s on e of i t s l or ds H en ce he app ears .

as ru l er o f t he I s l e of Fa l g a i e t he I s l e of Ma n re arded as
g , . .

El y s i u m Th ence hi s d a ug ht er Bl at hna t hi s m ag i cal cow s

.
,

a n d ca u ldron w ere s t ol en by Cuchu l ainn an d Curoi an d hi s

, ,

th ree cran es f rom Br Le th by t e n e p erh aps dis torted

i i A i h r
1 —

v ers i on s of t he m yth s whi ch t ol d how va ri ous a n i m al s a n d g i f t s

ca m e f rom t h e g od s l a nd Mi der m ay be th e Iri s h equ i val en t

’
.

of a l ocal Ga u l i s h g od Medros
f
d epi ct ed On bas rel i efs with
, ,
-

a cow or b ul l
2
.

The vi ctor y of the Tuat ha Dea a t the fi rs t b attl e of Mag t ured -

,

i n J u ne th eir vic t ory f oll ow ed h ow

,
ever by the dea th s of , ,

m an y of th em a t t he s econ d b a tt l e i n N ovem b er m a y p oin t t o ,

ol d m yth s d ram a ti s in g t he p h en om en a o f n a t u re a nd conn ect ed ,

with t he ritual of s u mm er an d winter f es tival s The pow ers .

of l i g ht a n d g rowth ar e i n t he as cen da n t i n s u mm er ; th ey

s eem t o di e i n wi n t er Chri s ti an eu h em eri s t s m a de u s e of

.

th es e m yth s bu t reg arded t he g ods as warriors who w ere s la in

, ,

not a s th os e wh o di e an d revi v e ag ai n At the s econ d b a ttle

‘

.
,

Nua da l os es hi s l i f e ; a t t h e fi rs t th ou g h hi s f orces ar e ,

vi ct ori ou s hi s h and was cu t off by t h e F omo ri an S reng f or

, ,

even wh en v i ct ori ou s t he g od s m u s t s u ffer A s ilver h and .

wa s m ade f or hi m by D i an cecht an d h en ce h e was call ed ,

Nu ada Arg etlam of t he s i l ver h a nd Profes s or Rhys reg ards ” '

.
,

hi m a s a C el ti c Z eus p artl y b ecau s e he i s king of t he Tuat ha

,

Dé Dan ann partl y b ecaus e he l ik e Zeus or Tyr who los t

'

, ,
“
,

t en don s or a hand throug h t he wi les of evil g ods i s als o ,

ma e i m d 3 S i m il arl y i n t he Rig Veda t he Acvi n s s ub s titu te a

.
-

1
LL 1 1 7 a . S ee p . 3 8 1 , i nf r a .
2
Cum on t , RC xx
vi . 4 7 D Arb oi s , R C
’
xxv u. 1 27 , n ot es t h e di fficul ty of

ex pl ai ni ng t he chang e of
-
e t o i i n t he n ames . 3
HL 1 21 .
 T HE T U AT HA D E D ANANN 85

l eg ofiron f or t he l eg of V i s pa la cu t off i n b attl e an d the s un

, ,

i s ca lled g ol den h an ded b ecau s e S a vit ri cu t off hi s h a n d an d

-

t he p ri es t s repl a ced i t by on e of g ol d The m yth of Nua da s

’
.

h and m a y h ave aris en f rom p rim iti ve a ttem pts a t repla cing
l opped off l i m b s as w ell a s f rom t he f act th a t n o I ri s h k i n g
-
,

m u s t h ave any b odi l y d ef ect or p os s ib l y b ecau s e an i m ag e of

,

N uada m ay h ave l ack ed a han d or poss es sed on e of s il ver .

Im ag es w ere of t en m ai med or g iven arti fi cial l im b s a nd m yth s ,

th en aros e t o ex pl ain t he cu s t om Nu ada appears t o be a

1
.

g od of l i f e an d g rowth bu t he i s n ot a s un g od, Hi s W el s h -
.

equi val en t i s Ll ud Ll a werei n t or s i l ver h an ded

”
w ho d el i vers
,
-
,

hi s p eopl e f rom vari ou s s courg es Hi s dau g ht er Crei dyla d i s

.

t o be w edded t o Gw y t hu r b u t i s k i d n app ed by Gwy n

, Arthu r .

d eci des th a t th ey m us t fi g ht f or h er y earl y on l s t May un ti l

t h e day of j u dg m en t wh en th e vi ct or w ou l d g ai n her h an d
,
2
.

Profes s or Rh ys reg ard s Crei dyl a d as a Pers eph on e w edded ,

a l t ern a t el y t o l i g ht a n d d ark d i vi n iti es B u t t he s t ory m ay

3
.

ra th er b e ex pl an a t ory o f s u ch rit u al a ct s a s are f ou n d i n f ol k

s u rv i val s i n t he f orm o f fi g ht s b etw een s u mm er a n d w i n t er i n ,

whi ch a Queen of May fi g ures a n d i n t ended t o ass is t t h e ,

c o n flict o t e g ods of g rowth w th th os e of b ig ht Crei dylad

f h i l 4
.

i s da u g ht er of a prob a bl e g od of g rowth n or i s it i m pos s i ble ,

th a t t he s t ory of t he b attl e of Mag tu red i s b a s ed on m ythic -

ex pl a n a ti on s of s uch ri t ua l com b a t s .

The B ryth on s w ors hi pped Nu ada a s N odons i n Rom an o

B rit i s h tim es The rem ain s of hi s t em pl e ex is t n ear t he
.

m ou th of t he S evern an d t he g od m a y have b een equ a t ed with

,

Ma rs th oug h cert ain s y m b ol s s eem t o conn ect hi m wi th t he

,

w at ers as a k i n d of N ep tu ne An I ri s h m ythic p oet Nuada

5
.

1
S ee Cro ok e, Folk Lore, -
vi i i . 341 . Cf Herod , 1 1 1 31 .
. .

2
Lot h , i . 2 6 9. 3
HL 5 6 3 .

4
Trai n , I s l e of Ma n , Doug l a s , Myth. i i ch .
1 8 4 5, i i . 1 1 8 Gri mm , Tent. .

24 Fra zer, GE 2 i i 99 f . .

5
Bat hurs t , Rom a n Anti qu i ti es a t Lydney Pa rk, 1 8 7 9 Holder, 8 .v. Nod ou s .
 86 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LT S
Necht m ay be the Nech t an who wned a m ag ic w ell when ce
o

is s ued the B oyne an d was perh aps a w a ter g od I f s uch a

,
-
.

wa t er g od wa s a s s oci at ed with Nua da he a n d Nodon s m ig ht

-
,

be a Cel t i c N ep tun e 1
Bu t t he rel a ti on s h i p a n d f un cti on s of
.

th es e vari ou s p ers onag es are ob scu re nor i s i t cer tain th a t ,

Nodon s wa s eq ua t ed with N ep tu n e or th a t N u ada was a

wa ter g od Hi s n am e m ay be cog n a t e with w ords m ean in g
-
.

rowth i h t thi t i w
” “ ”
g p os
,
s es s on ? ar ves a n d s s u pp,
or s t he v e

t ak en here of hi s f unction s The W el s h N u dd Hael or the

2
.
,

Gen erous who p os s es s ed a h erd of m i l ch kin e m ay be a

”
, ,

m em ory of thi s g od an d it i s p os s ib l e th a t as a g od of g rowth

, , ,

Nuada had h u m an i n carn a ti on s cal led by hi s n a m e 3

Ler wh os e ham e m ean s

; ”
an d w ho w as a g od of t he
“
s ea
N

, ,

s ea i s f a th er o f Man a nn an a s w el l a s of t h e p ers on ag es of t he
,

b eau ti f u l s t ory call ed The Chi ld ren of Li r f rom whi ch we ,

l earn practical l y al l tha t i s k n ow n of hi m He res en t ed n ot .

b ei ng m ade rul er of the Tu a th s D ea but wa s l a t er reconcil ed ,

wh en t he daug ht er of B odb D earg wa s g iven t o hi m as hi s

wife On h er death he m arried her s i s t er who tran s form ed
.
, ,

h er s t ep chi ldren i n t o s w an s 4 Ler i s t he eq ui va l en t of t he

-
.

B ryth on i c Lly r l a t er im m or tal is ed by Shak es peare as King

,

Lear .

The g rea t n es s of Man a nn an m ac Li r, “

s on of t he s ea , is

p ov d by t h e f ct t h t h e a pp ears 1 n m an y of t he h eroi c tal es

'

r e a a ,

a nd is s till t ra diti on an d f ol k tal e He i s a

rem em b ered in -
.

s ea g o d w ho ha s b ecom e m ore rom i n en t th a n t h e older g od

p
-

of th e s ea a n d th ou g h n o t a s u rem e od h e m u s t h av e ha d a
, p g ,

f ar sprea di ng cul t
-
With B odb D earg he was elect ed king of
.

t he Tu at ha Dé Dan ann H e m ade t h e g ods i nvi s ib l e an d

.

i m m or t al g ave th em m ag i ca l f ood an d a s s i s t ed O eng u s i n

, ,

1
S ee Rhys , HL 1 22 Cook, Folk-Lore, xv1 1 . 3 0 .

2
S t ok es , US 1 94— 1 95 Rhys , H L , 1 28 , I T i 7 1 2. .

3
Lot h , i i . 235 , 296 . S ee p . 1 6 0, i nf ra 9 oy ce, OCR
. J .
88 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LT S '

u s ual l y as a rul er of wife Fand was

t he Other w orld -
. Hi s
C uchula inn s m is tres s Di arm ai d was hi s pu p il i n fa iryl an d an d
’

, ,

C orm ac wa s hi s g u es t there Even i n Chris tian tim es s ur .

vi vi n g p ag an b el i ef s ca u sed l eg en d t o be b us y with hi s n am e .

Kin g Fi achn a was fi g htin g t he S cot s an d i n g rea t dan g er ,

when a s t ra ng er a pp eared t o hi s wi f e an d a nnou n ced th a t he

w oul d s ave her hu s ba n d s l i f e i f s he w ould cons en t t o a b an don ’

hers elf t o hi m She relu cta n tl y agreed a n d the child of the

.
,

a m ou r wa s t he s ev en th cen t u r y K i n g Mon g an of wh om t he -
,

a n n al i s t s ay s every on e k n ow s
,
tha t hi s real f ath er was
Manan n an Mon g a n w as al s o b el i eved t o be a r ebirt h of
’

1.
”
/

Fi onn Manann an i s s till reme m b ered i n f olk tra dition a n d

.
-
,

i n t he I s l e of Man wh ere hi s g rav e i s t o be s een s om e of hi s

, ,

rit ua l s ur v i v ed u n ti l l a t el y b u n dl es o f rus h es b ei n g pl a ced f or

,

hi m on m i ds u m m er eve on t w o h i ll s Bari n t u s who s t eers .

,

Ar th ur t o the f or tu n a t e i s l es an d S B arri who cros s ed t he s ea , .

,

on h ors eb ack may have been l eg en dary f orm s o f a l o

, ca l s ea

g od a ki n t o M a n a nn a n or of M a n a nn a n hi m s elf 3
,H i s s t eed .

w as E n barr
“
w a t er f oam or hai r a n d Man ann an wa s t he
, ,
”

h ors em a n of t he m an ed s ea Bari n t u s p erh aps conn ect ed .

” “
,
”

with ba rr find whit e t opped w ou ld th u s be a s u rnam e of

,
-
,

t he g od w ho r ode on En b arr t h e f oam in g wa ve or who w a s , ,

h i m s elf t he w ave whil e hi s m ythic s ea ridin g wa s t ran s ferred

,
-

t o t he l eg en d of S B arri i f such a p ers on ever ex i s t ed

.
,
.

V a ri ou s m ag i cal p oss es s i on s w ere a scrib ed t o Ma n an n an

h i s a rm our an d s w ord t he on e m a king t he wearer invul nera b l e

, ,

1
L U 1 33 .
3
Moore, 6.
3
Geoffrey , Vi ta Mer li n i , 37 Rees , 4 35 . Ot her s a 1 nt l y l eg en d s are
d eri ved from m y t h s , e g t h a t of S Ba rri i n hi s b oat m eet i ng S S cui t h n e
. . . .

w al k i ng on t h e s ea S cu i th n e m ai nt ai n s h e i s w a lki ng on a fi el d , an d pl ucks a
.

fl ower t o prove i t, whi l e Barri con fut es hi m by pu l li ng a s al m on ou t o f the s ea .

Thi s res em bl es a n epi s od e i n t he m eet i n g o f Bra n a n d Man a n na n ( S t ok es ,

Féli r e, xxx x
i Nu tt Mey er, i
.
-
S a i n t s a re o ft en s ai d t o a s s i s t m en j
. u st as

t h e g ods d i d Col um ci ll e a nd Bri g i t a ppeared over t h e h os t s of Eri n a s s i s t in g

.

a n d encoura i n
g g t h em ( R0 i v. xx
 THE T U AT HA DE D ANANN 89

t he oth er t errifying all who b eh el d i t ; hi s h ors e an d can oe ;

hi s s wi n e which ca m e t o l i fe ag a i n wh en kil l ed ; hi s m ag i c
,

cl oa k ; hi s cu p whi ch b rok e wh en a li e w a s s pok en ; hi s

t ab lecl oth whi ch wh en waved pr odu ced f ood M an y of th es e

, , ,
.

a re f o u n d ev erywh ere i n Mar chen an d th ere i s n othi ng ,

p ecul i arl y C el ti c i n th em W e n eed n ot th eref ore with t he

.
, ,

m yth ol og i s t s s ee i n hi s arm our t he va p oury cl ou ds or i n hi s

,

s w ord l i g ht n i n g or t he s u n s ra y s Bu t th ei r m ag i cal n a tu re
’
.
,

a s w ell a s t he f act th a t s o m uch w i z ardry i s a tt ri b u t ed t o

Man an n an p oin t s t o a copious m yth ol og y cl us t ering roun d

,

t he g od n ow f or ever l os t
,
.

The p aren t ag e of Lug i s d i fferen t l y s ta t ed bu t th a t ,

a ccou n t whi ch m ak es hi m s on of Ci an a n d of Eth n e d a u ht er

g ,

of B al o i s b es t a tt es t e d Fol k t raditi on s till recal l s the

1
r ,
.
-

rel a ti on o f Lu g a n d B al or B al or a robb er l iving i n T ory

.
,

I s lan d ha d a dau g ht er wh os e s on w a s t o k i ll her fa th er He

, .

th eref ore s h u t her u p i n a n inacces s ibl e pl a ce bu t i n reven g e ,

f or B al or s s t eal i n g MacI n eel y s cow t he l att er g ai n ed acces s

’ ’

,
’

t o her with t he res u l t th a t Eth ne b ore t hf ée s on s wh om B al or

‘

, ,

ca s t i n t o t h e s ea On e of th em Lu g was recovered by
.
, ,

Ma cI n eel y a n d f os t ered by hi s br oth er G avi da B al or n ow .

s l ew Ma cI n eel y b u t w as him s el f s l a i n by Lu g w ho p i erced hi s

, ,

s i ng l e ey e with a red hot iron I n a n oth er vers i on Ki an

? -
,

t ak es Ma cI neely s pl a ce an d i s a i ded by Man annan i n a o

’

cord an ce wi th old er l eg en ds But Lug s b i rth s t ory ha s b een

3 ’
-
.

in flu en ced i n th es e t al es by t he Marchen f orm u la of the g i rl

hi dden a w a y b ecau se it ha s b een foret old tha t s he will h ave a
s on w h o w i ll s l a y h er f a th er .

Lu g i s a ss oci a ted w i th Man ann an f rom wh ose l an d he ,

com es t o a s s i s t t he Tu at h a D ea ag a i n s t t he F om ori an s Hi s .

a pp earan ce w a s tha t of t he s u n a n d by th i s b ri l l i a n t w a rri or s

’

1
R0 xl 1 . 5 9. 2
Folk Lor e J ou rn a l ,
-
v. 66 Rh ys , H L 31 4 .
3
Larm i ni e, K i an ,
s on o f Kon tj
e.
”
96 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CELT S

prow es s t he h os t s w tt y This vers i on , f oun dere u erl defeat ed 1 .

i n The Chi ldr en of Tu i renn d i ffers f rom t h e accou n t i n t he ,

s t ory of Mag -
t u red . Her e Lug a rr ves i at t he g a t es of T a ra
a n d offers hi s s erv ces a si a cra f s m a n . t Each offer is r ef u se d,

un til h e pr ocl a i m s hi m s elf “

t h e m an of eac h an d e ver y
a rt ,
”
or s a mi l d an a eh,
“
p os s es s n
g i m an y t
ar s .
”
Nu a da ig n s
res

hi s thron e t o hi m f or thirteen da ys a n d Lug pa s s es i n , review

th e vari ou s craf t s m en (i e t he g ods ) an d th ou g h th ey t ry t o . .

,

p re v en t s u ch a m a rvel l ou s p ers on ri s ki n
g hi m s el f i n fi g ht h e ,

es ca p es h eads t he w a rri ors a n d s i ng s hi s w ar s on B l or th e

g a -
.
, , ,

ev il ey ed h e s l a y s with a s l i n g s t on e an d hi s dea th d eci ded

'

- -
, ,

t he d ay ag ain s t t he F om ori an s : I n th is a ccou n t Lug s a mi l

‘

d an a ch i s a p a tr on of th e d i vi n e pa tron s of craf t s ; i n o th er
w ords he i s s up eri or t o a wh ol e g rou p of g ods He was al s o
, .

i n ven t or of dra ug ht s b a ll pl a y an d h ors em an s hip Bu t as ,

-
, .
,

M D Arboi s s h ows sa mi ldan a eh i s t he equi val en t of i n

.
’

,
“

ven t or of all a r t s a ppl i ed by C aes ar t o t he G a ll o R om an

”
-
,

Mercury who i s thu s an equ iva en t of Lug This i s a ttes t ed

,
l ?

on o th er g roun ds As Lu g s n am e a pp ea rs i n Iri s h Lou th

’
.

d B iti h Lu u va l l u m n ear Ha dr ian s W a ll

( g m g ) i
’
L u a h-
a n n r s g
-
, ,

s o i n G aul t he n a m es Lu g u du n u m ( Ly on s ) Lu g u di a cu s a n d , ,

Lu g s el va ( devoted t o Lug u s ) s h ow th a t a g od Lu g u s wa s
“ ”

w ors hipp ed th ere A Gau l i s h f ea s t of Lu g u s i n Aug us t t h e

.
—

m on th of Lu g s fes ti val i n I rel an d was perh ap s s up ers eded by

’
—

on e i n h on ou r of A ug u s t us N o dedi ca ti on t o Lug u s ha s y et .

b een f oun d bu t i m ag es of a n d in s cri p ti on s t o Mercur y ab ound

,

a t Lug u du n u m Con v en aru m

3
As th ere w ere th ree B rig it s .
,

1
Joy ce, 0 0R 37
'

2
D Arb oi s , vi 1 1 6 , Les Cel tes , 39, R C xi i . 7 5 , 1 01 , 1 27 , xv1 7 7 Is th e
’
. . .

d ef a ced i n s cri pt i on a t Gei t ers h of, D eo M a S am ( Hol der, i i .

d ed i cat i on t o Mercu ry S am il d an ach ? An ech o of Lu g s s t ory i s f oun d i n t h e

’

Li fe of S Herve, w h o f ou n d a d evi l i n h i s m on a s t ery i n t h e f orm o f a m an wh o

.

s a i d h e was a g ood carpen t er, m a s on , l ock s m i t h , et c. b ut wh o could not mak e

t he s ig n of t he cros s . Al bert l e Grand, S a i nts d e l a B r eta g n e, 4 9, R C

vi i .
3
Hol d er, s v. D Arboi s , Les Cel tes , 44 , R C vi i 4 00.
’
23 1 . . .
 92 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
n ot i t
a s s oc a ed with t he t rue s ol r a f es tival s of B el tan e an d

Midsum mer .

W hi le k n owl edg e of t he Tua tha D e D an anu i s b a s ed

our

u p on a s eri es o f m ythi c t a l es a n d oth er r ecords th a t of t he ,

g o ds of t h e con t i n en t a l C el t s a p a rt f rom a f ew n oti ces i n

,

cl as s i cal a u t h ors a n d el s ewh ere com es f rom i n s cri p ti on s

,
B ut .

f ar be j
udg ed t houg h t he n a m es of t he t w o g rou p s
'

as a s can ,

s el dom i i de thei r f unction s m us t h ave b een m u ch alik e

co n c , ,

an d th ei r orig i n s ce r t a i n l y t h e s am e T he Tua tha Dé D an ann .

w ere n a tu re diviniti es of g rowth l i g ht ag ri cul ture th eir , ,

—

s y m b ol s a n d pos s es s i on s s u g g es tin g f er til it y e g t he cau ld ron ,

. . .

Th ey w ere divin ities of cul t ure an d craf t s an d of war Th ere “

, .

m u s t h ave b een m an y o th er g od s i n I rel an d th an th os e

d es crib ed h ere whi le s om e of thos e m ay n ot h a ve b een
,

w ors hi pped all over I rel an d G en erall y s peaki ng th ere w ere

. ,

m an y l o cal g ods i n G a ul with s i m il ar f u n cti on s bu t di fferen t

n a m es a n d thi s m a y h a ve b een t ru e of I r el an d
,
Perha ps t he .

d i fferen t nam es g iven t o D ag da Man ann an an d oth ers w ere

“

, ,

s i m pl y n a m es of s i m ilar l oca l g ods on e o f wh om b eca m e

‘

,
l

prom in en t a n d a ttra ct ed t o hi m s el f t he n am es of t he o th ers

, .

S o t oo t he i den tity of D an u a n d B ri g it m i g ht be ex pl ai n ed
, , ,

or t he fact th a t t h ere w ere th ree B ri g it s W e rea d al s o i n .

t he t ex t s of t he god of C on n au g ht or Of Ul s t er an d th es e w ere , ,

a p p aren t l y re i on a l di v i n it i es or of t h e o d o f D u i d i s m
g , g r

p erh a ps a g od w ors h i p ped s p ecial ly by D ru ids The rem ot e

1
.

ori g i n of s om e of th es e d i vi n iti es m a y be s ou g ht i n t he
'

ri m iti ve cul t of t he Ear th ifi d s f e ti l b i d

p p er s o n e a a r e e n
g a n ,

i n th a t of v eg e ta ti on a n d corn s p irit s a nd t he vag ue s p irit s of

-
,

n a t u re i n a ll i t s as ects S om e of thes e s till con t i nu ed t o be

p .

w ors h i pped wh en t he g rea t er g ods had b een evolved Th ou g h . .

a n i m al w ors h i w a s n o t l a cki n i n I re l a n d d i v i n iti es wh o are

p g ,

a n th ro om or hi c f orm s of earl i er a n im al g ods are l es s i n

p p
-

1
Leahy , i . 1 38 , 11. 5 0, 5 2, L U 1 246 .
 TH E T U AT H A D E D ANANN 93

ev i den ce than on t he C onti nen t The divi n i t i es of cul t ure . ,

cra f t s a n d wa r
, an d of d ep art m en t s of n a t u re m u s t h a v e
, ,

s l ow l y as su m ed t he d efi n it e pers on al ity a s s i g n ed th em i n I ri s h

rel i g i on Bu t d ou btl es s th ey a l rea dy p os s ess ed th a t b ef ore

.
, ,

t he G oi del s reach ed I rel an d Stri ctly s peaki ng th e un der

.
,
.

g round dom a in as s i g n ed la t er t o t he Tu at ha D e D ana nu

’

b el ong s onl y t o s u ch of th em a s w ere a ss ocia ted with f ertil ity .

Bu t i n cours e of t i m e m os t of t he g roup a s u nderg roun d ,

d w ell ers w ere con n ect ed w i th g rowth a n d i n crea s e

,
Th es e .

cou ld be b l i ht ed by th ei r en em i es or th ey th em s el ves cou l d

g ,

wi thhol d th em wh en th ei r w ors hi ppers offen ded th em 1

.

Iris h m yth ol og y p oin t s t o t he earl y pre em inence of g od -

d es s es . As ag ricul t ur e an d m an y of t he art s w ere fi rs t i n t he

hands of w om en g oddes s es of f ertil ity an d cul ture preceded
,

g ods an d s til l h el d th eir pl a ce wh en g ods w ere evol ved

, Even .

war g oddes ses are p rom i n en t i n I rel an d

-
C el ti c g ods an d .

heroes are of ten call ed af t er th eir m others n ot th eir fa th ers , ,

an d w om en l oom l a rg el y i n t he t a l es of I ri s h col on i s ati on ,

while i n m an y leg en ds th ey pl ay a m os t i m port an t part .

Goddes s es g ive th ei r n am e t o d ivin e g rou ps an d even wh ere , ,

g o d s a re p r o m i n e n t th ei r ac t i o
,
n s are f ree th ei r p ers on al iti es
,

s ti ll cl earl y d efi n ed The s u prem acy of t he d i vi ne w om en of

.

I ri s h traditi on i s on ce m ore s een i n the f a ct tha t th ey th em

s el ves woo a n d wi n h eroes ; wh i l e th ei r capa city f or l ov e th ei r ,

p a s s i on th ,ei r e t ern a l y ou th f u l n es s a n d b eau ty a re s ug g es ti ve

of their earl y charact er a s g oddes s es of ever s pring ing -

f ertility ?

This s uprem a cy of g oddess es i s ex pla in ed by Profes s or

Rhys a s non C el t i c a s b orrow ed by t he C el ts f rom t he
-
,

a b ori i n es it i s t oo deepl y i m pr es s ed o n t he f a b ri c of
?
g B u t

2
1
LL 21 5 a ; s ee p . 7 8 , s up ra . S ee, furt her, p. 38 5 , i nf ra .

3
The Wel s h Peop l e, Professor
61 . Rhys admi t s t ha t t h e t h eory of
”
borrowi ng cann ot eas ily b e proved .
94 T HE RELI GION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS

C el tic tradition t o be oth er than native and we h ave n o reas on

,

t o s u pp os e th at t he C el t s ha d n ot pas s ed th roug h a s tag e i n

which s u ch a s ta t e of thi ng s was norm al Their in n a t e con
.

s erv a t i s m cau s ed th em t o pres erve it m ore th an o th er ra ces

who had l ong ou tg row n s uch a s t a te of things .

96 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
in ciden t s t o th os e of the Iris h t al es Are th en the g ods .
1
, ,

dim l y reveal ed i n W el s h l it erat u re a s m u ch G oi del i c a s

“

B ryth oni c ? An alys i n g the i n ci den t s of t he Ma bi n og i on ,

Profes s or Anw yl has s h ow n tha t th ey ha ve a n en tirel y l ocal

chara ct er a n d are m a i n l y a s s o
, ci a t ed wit h t he d i s t r i ct s of

Dyf ed a n d Gw en t of Ang les ey an d of Gwyn edd of whi ch

, , ,

Pry deri B ra n w en an d Gwy di on are res pecti vel y t he h eroi c

, ,

ch a ract ers Thes e are t he dis tri cts wh ere a s trong G oi del ic
?

el em en t p reva i l ed wh eth er th es e G oi del s were the ori g in al

,

i n h ab t a t s
i n o f B it i
r a n d r i ve th ere by B ryth on s or trib es
n ,
3
,

who h ad s ettl ed th ere f rom I rel an d! or p erh aps a m i x ture of

b oth I n any ca s e they ha d b een con qu ered by B rythons an d
.

ha d b ecom e B ryth on i c i n s p eech f rom t h e fi f th cen t u ry

on w ards On a ccou n t of thi s G oi del i c el em en t it h as b een
.
,

cl a i m ed th a t t he p ers onag es of t he Ma bi n og i on are pur el y

Goi del i c But ex am i n ation proves th a t onl y a f ew a re
.

di rectl y paral l el i n nam e with Iri s h divin iti es an d wh i l e h ere ,

th ere are f u n dam en tal l ik en es s es the i n ci den ts with Iri s h ,

p ara l l el s m a y b e d ue t o m er e s u p er fi ci a l b or r owi n
g s t o th a t ,

in terch ang e of Marchen an d mythi ca l d onnées which has every

wh ere occu rred Man y i n ci den ts h ave n o I ri s h parall el s an d
.
,

m os t of t h e ch aracters are en ti rel y di fferen t i n nam e from

Iri s h di vinities H en ce a ny th eory which w oul d accoun t f or
.

t h e l ik en es s es m u s t al s o a ccoun t f or t he di fieren ces an d m u s t

, ,

ex pl ai n why i f t h e Ma bi n og i on i s du e t o I ri s h G oi del s th ere

, ,

s h oul d h a ve b een f ew or n o b orrowm g s i n W el s h l it era t ure

1
Th es e i nci d en t s are Branwen , e g thos e of
foun d m ai nl y i n t h e s t ory of . .

t he ca uld ron , a frequ en t a cces sory i n I ri s h t al es ; t h e reg en erat i on of t h e

warri ors , a l s o f ou n d i n t h e s t ory o f Mag t u red , t h ou g h n o caul dron i s us ed ;
-

t h e red h ot h ous e, occurri n g al s o i n Mes ca Ul a d ; t h e d es cri p t i on of Bran

-

paral l el ed b y t ha o f MacCech t t .

2
Anwyl , ZOF i 2 7 7 , ii 1 24 , ii i . 1 22 .
. .

2
Bp o f S Davi ds , Ves ti g es of the Ga el i n Gwynn ed , 1 8 5 1 ; Rhys , TS U
. .

1 8 94—1 8 95 , 21 .
4
S k en e, i . 4 5 ; Mey er, TS O 1 8 95— 1 8 96 , 5 5 .
’
 THE GODS OF T HE BR YTHONS
‘

97

f rom t he popul ar Ci i chul ai nn an d

’
O s s i an i c sag as an d why a t ,
1
,

a t i m e wh en B ryth on i c el em en t s w ere u pp erm os t s u ch care ,

s h oul d h ave b een t ak en t o p res erv e G oi del i c m yth s I f t he .

tal es em ana t ed from n ati ve W el s h G oidels t he ex pla n ati on ,

m i g ht b e th a t th ey t he k i n dred of t h e I ri s h G oi del s m u s t
, ,

have h ad a certai n comm u n ity with them i n di v in e n am es and

m yth s wh i l e o th ers of th ei r g ods m ore l ocal i n ch ara ct er
, , ,

w ould di ffer i n n am e Or i f th ey are B rythoni c t he l ik en es s es

.
,

m i g ht be a ccoun t ed f or by a n earl y comm u ni ty i n m yth a n d

t
cul a m ong t e co h mm o n a n c es t o r s of B r yth o n s a n d G i
o del s
?

B ut a s t he d a t e of t he com p os i ti on of t he Ma bi nog i on i s com

p ara t i vel y l a t e a t a t i m e wh en B ryth on s ha d overrun th es e

,

G oidel ic di s trict s m ore prob ab l y t he tal es con tain a m ing l ing

,

o f G oi del i c ( I ri s h or W el s h ) a n d B ryth on i c d i vi n it i es th ou h
g ,

s om e of th es e m a y be s u rvi val s o f t he comm on C el ti c h erit ag e ?

C el ti c divi n iti es w ere m ai nl y of a l ocal trib al charact er , .

H en ce s om e woul d be l ocal G oi deli c di vi niti es oth ers cl as sed , ,

with th es e l ocal B rythoni c di vin i ties Thi s w ou l d ex plai n

, .

t he a b s en ce of di vi n i ti es an d h eroes of oth er l ocal B ryth on i c

g ro u p s e,g A r th ur
. . f rom t h e M ,
a bi n og i on B u t with the .

rowi n i m orta n ce o f th es e th ey a tt ra ct ed t o th ei r l e en d
g g p , g
t he f olk of t h e Ma bi n og i on an d oth er t al es Th es e are .

a s s oci a t ed with A rth u r i n Ku lhw g ch a n d t he D 6n rou

g , p
m i n g l es with th a t of Ta l i es i n i n t he Ta li es i n p oem s 4
Hen ce .

W el s h li t erat ure as f ar a s concern s t he ol d reli g i on m ay be

, ,

re ard ed a s
g i n cl u d i ng b oth l oca l G oi d el i c a n d B ryth oni c

1
Cf . oh n ,JThe Ma bi n og i o n, 1 901 , 1 9 Curoi a pp ears a s K u b ert , a nd
.

Con ch obar a s Knych ur i n K u lhwy ch ( Lot h , i A p oem of Ta li esi n has

.

f or s ubject t h e d eat h of Corroi , s on of Dayry ( Curoi ni ac D a i re), Sk en e, i 25 4 . .

2
Lot h , RC x . J
35 6 ; oh n , op ci t 1 9 Nu t t , Ar ch Rev i 3 3 1
. . . . . .

3
Th e g i an t Ys ppa dd en i n K u lhwy ch res em bl es Bal or, bu t h a s n o ev i l ey e.
“
4
An wy l , ZUP i i 1 27 1 28 ,
— Th e m erg i n g o f t h e t w o l eg en ds [ of D6n a nd
.

Tali es i n ] m ay have ari s en t hroug h t he fu s i on of Penll yn wi t h Ardu dwy and

”
Arvon .
98 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LT S
d i vi n iti es , wh om t he m ore purel y Bryth on i c are Arthur
of ,

Gwy nn Tal i es i n et c Th ey are reg arded as ki ng s an d queen s

,
1
,
.
,

or as f a i ri es or th ey h a ve m a g i cal p ow ers
, Th ey are m ortal .

an d di e an d t he pl ace of th ei r b uri al i s p oi n t ed ou t or ex i s ti n g
, ,

t um u l i are as s oci a t ed with th em Al l thi s i s p arall el t o t he .

his t ory of t he Tu at ha Dé D a man n an d s h ow s how t he s am e ,

p roc es s of deg ra da t i on ha d b een a t w ork i n W al es a s i n

I reland .

Th e s t ory of t h e Ll yr g rou p i s t old i n t he Ma bi n og i on of

B ran wen an d of Manawyddan Th ey are ass oci a t ed with the .

Pwyl l g rou p an d a p paren tl y Opp os ed t o th a t of D O11

, Bran vv en .

i s m ar ri ed t o Ma th ol wych kin g of I r el an d bu t i s i l l trea t ed

, ,
-

by hi m on a ccoun t of t he i n sul t s of th e m i s chi evou s Evn i s s yen ,

i n s pit e of t h e f a ct th a t B r a n h a d a t on ed f or t h e i n s u l t by

m any g i f t s i n cl udin g tha t of a cau l dr on of reg en era ti on

,
N ow .

he cros s es With a n arm y t o I rel a n d wh ere Evn i s s y en th row s ,

B ran wen s child t o wh om t he ki ng dom i s g iven on t he fire

’

, , .

A fi g ht en s ues ; t he dea d I ris h warri ors a re res u scita ted i n the

ca u ldron but Evn i s s y en a t t he cos t of hi s l i fe des t roy s it
, , , .

B ran i s s lain and by hi s directi on s hi s h ead i s cu t off an d

,

carri ed fi rs t t o H arl ech th en t o Gwa l es wh ere it wi l l en t er t ai n

, ,
“

i t s b earers f or eig hty y ea rs At t he en d of th a t tim e it i s t o

.

be tak en t o Lon don an d b uri ed B ran w en dep arting with . ,

t he b earers di es of a b rok en h ear t a t A ng l es ey a n d m ean whi le

, ,

Ca s wall yn s on of B eli s eiz es t he ki ngdom

,
?
Two o f t he b earers
,

of t he h ea d a re Ma n awy dd an a n d Pryd eri wh os e f or t u n es w e ,

f ol l ow i n t he Ma bi n og i of t h e f orm er Pry deri g ives hi s .

m oth er Rhi an n on t o Ma n awy ddan a s hi s wi fe al ong with s om e

.
,

l an d which by m ag i c art i s m a de b arren Af ter f ollowi ng .

d ifferen t craf ts th ey a re l ed by a b oar t o a s trang e cas tl e

, ,

wh ere Rhi a nn on a n d Pryderi di sappear al ong wi th t he bu il di ng .

1
Profes s or Rh ys t hi nk s t ha t t h e Ll y r fam i l y m ay b e pre Cel t i c, TS O 1 8 94 -

1 8 95 ,
29 f . C FL 5 5 2. 2
Lot h, i . 97 f. La dy Gu es t , i i i . 1 4 3 f.
 1 00 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
Man annan is s om e tim es cal l ed s on of All oi d in
“

I ris h
t ext s as w ell a s s on of Ler Bu t t he conf u s i on m ay be
,
1
.

acci den t al n or i s it cer t ai n th a t Nodon s or Ll u dd w a s a s ea

,

g od
. Ll y r s p ri s on w as tha t o f E u os s w y d
’
r
2
wh os e wi fe he m a
y ,

h ave a b du cted an d h en ce s u ffered im pri s on m en t I n t he B la ck .

B ook of Ca er m a r then B ra n i s cal l ed s on of Y W erydd or

“
O cean a ccordi ng t o M Lot h s i n t erpret a tion of the n am e
,
.
’

which w ou ld th u s p oin t t o Ll yr s p os i ti on a s a s ea g od Bu t ’
-
.

this i s con tes t ed by Profes s or Rh ys w ho m ak es Yweri t wif e of

Ll yr t h e n am e b ei n g i n hi s vi ew a f orm of t h e W el s h w or d f or
,

I reland I n G eoff rey an d t he chron i cl ers Ll yr b ecom es a king

.

of B ritain wh os e hi s t ory a n d th a t of hi s daug ht ers was

imm or t al i s ed by Sh ak es peare Geoffrey als o ref ers t o Lly r s .
’

b urial i n a vau l t b u il t i n h o ou r of J anu s On thi s Prof es s or

n 3
.

Rhys b u i l ds a th eory th a t Llyr w a s a f orm of the C el tic Di s with

t w o f a ces a n d rul er of a w orl d of dark n es s ?
But th ere i s n o
ev i d en ce th at t he C el ti c D i s p at er w a s l ord of a g l oomy un der
'

w orld and it i s b es t t o reg ard Llyr as a s ea divi nity

,
-
.

Man a wy ddan i s n ot g od l i k e i n th es e t al es i n th e s en s e i n
-

whi ch t he m aj es ti c Ma nann an of Iris h s tory i s thoug h els e ,

wh ere we l earn th a t deep w as hi s coun s el 5

Thoug h n ot a
-
”
.

m ag ici an he b affles one of t he g rea t wizards of W el s h s t ory

, ,

a n d he i s al s o a m a s t er cr a f t s m a n wh o i ns t r u ct s Pr deri i n t he
y ,

ar t s of s h oe m ak i n g s hi eld m aki ng an d s a ddl ery

-
,
-
I n th i s he , .

i s ak i n t o Man ann an t h et ea ch er of Di arm ai d

, In ci den t s of .

hi s career are refl ect ed i n t he Tr i a ds a n d hi s u n i on with ,

Rhiann on m ay p oi n t t o an Old m yth i n whi ch they w ere fr om

t he firs t a di vin e p ai r p aren t s of Pry deri , Thi s w oul d g ive .

p oi n t t o hi s del iveran ce of Pry deri an d Rhi ann on from t he

1
S k en e, i . 8 1 Rh ys , Aca d em y , Jan 7 , 1 8 8 2 . .

2
Tr i a d s , Lot h , i i 2 93 Nu tt , F olk l ore Record ,
.
-
v. 9.
3
H i s t B ri t i i 1 1 — 1 4
. . . .

4
AL 1 31 . 5
Sken e, i . 2 6 2 .
 T HE GODS OF THE BRY T HONS I OI

h os til e m ag i ci an Rhiann on res em b l es t he Iri s h El y s i um

1
.

g o d d ess e s a n d M ,
a n a wy d d a n l ik e M a n a n n an i s l ord of El y s i u m
, ,

i n a Ta li es i n p oem ?
He i s a craf ts man an d f oll ows ag ri cul tu re ,

p er h a p s a r em i n i s ce n ce o f t h e ol d b e l i ef th a t f er t i l ity a n d

cu l t ur e com e f rom t he
g o d s l a nd M a n a wy ddan l i k e oth er
’
.
,

divi niti es was dra w n i n t o t he A rthuri an cy cl e a n d i s on e of

, ,

th os e who cap tu re the fam ou s b oar t he Twr ch Tr wy th ?

,

B ran or Ben di g ei t V ran ( B ran t he

,
“
p ro b a b l y
a n old
p g
a a n tit l e whi c h a pp p ro r i a t el y e n ou
g h d e n o t es o n e

who fig ured l a ter i n Ch r i s t i an h a g i ol og y i s s o h ug e th a t ,

n o h ou s e or s h i
p can h old hi m H en ce he wa des over t o .

I relan d an d as he draw s n ear i s th ou g ht t o be a m oun tai n

, .

Thi s m ay be an arch ai c m eth od of ex pres s ing hi s divi n i ty a —

g g ti c n on na t u ral m an l ik e s om e of t he Tua t ha D ea an d
i a n -

O s s ian i c h eroes Bu t B ran al s o app ea rs as t he Ur da wl Ben or

.
,

“
N ob l e Head whi ch m ak es ti m e pa s s t o i ts b earers l i k e a
”
,

dream a n d wh en b u ri ed prot ect s t he l an d f rom i n va s i on

, B oth .

as a
g i a n t s qu att i n g on a rock a n d a s a h ead B ran i s equat ed ,

by Prof es s or Rhys with Cernunn os t he s qu a tting g od , ,

re res en t ed a l s o a s a h ea d a n d a l s o with t h e W el s h Uri en

p ,

wh os e attri b u t e was a ra ven t he s upp os ed m eani n g of B ran s ,

’

n am e ?
He f u rth er equ a t es hi m w i th U t hr Ben W on derf ul ,
“

Hea d the s u peri or bard harper a n d pi per of a Ta li esi n poem ?

, ,

Uri en B ran a n d U t hr are th ree f orm s of a g od w ors hipped by

, ,

b ards an d a dark di v in i ty wh os e w a di ng over t o Irel an d

,
“
,

s i g nifi es cros s i n t o H d f whi h h li k e Y a m a wh o fir s t

g a es o c e , , ,

cros s ed t he ra i d w a t ers t o t he l an d o f d ea th i s t he ru l er ?
p ,

Bu t B ran i s n ot a dark g od i n t he s en s e i m pl i ed h ere

“
.

Cern un n os i s g od of a hap py u n derw orl d a n d th ere i s n othing ,

1
S ee Nu t t -
Mey er , 11. 1 7.
2
Sk en e, i 27 6 .
3
Lot h , i 208 , 28 0 ; s ee al s
. o i 1 97 , i i 24 5 , 294
. . . .

1
S ee S k ene i . 3 55 The raven i s ra t her t h e bi rd of p rey com e t o d evou r
‘
.

Uri en t h an hi s “ a t t ri but e ” 5
S k en e, i 298
. . .

6
For t h es e t h eori es s ee Rhys , HL 90 f. AL ch . 1 1 URL 5 5 2.
1 02 THE RE LIGI ON OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
dark or ev il i n hi m or in B ran and hi s con g en ers . Profes s or
Rhys s ’
dark
”
div i n i ti es
tim es i n hi s are s om e , vi ew,
l i g ht
“ ”

o d s b u t th ey can n ot b e b oth Th e C el ti c l ords of t he d ea d

g ,
.

ha d n o dark ch ara ct er a n d as g ods o f f er ti l ity t h ey w ere

“ ”
, ,

s o t o S p eak i n l eag u e w i th t h e s u n g od t he s l a y er of B ra n
,
-
, ,

accor di ng t o P rof es s or Rh ys s i n g eni ou s th eory An d al th oug h

’
,

t o d i s t ract ed I ri s h s ecre t ari es I rel an d m ay be H ades i t s ,

-

in trodu cti on in t o this Ma bi nog i m erel y p oin t s t o the i n t erpreta

ti on of a m y t hi co his t ori c conn ecti on b etw een W al es an d
-

I rel an d Thu s i f B ran i s Cernu nn os thi s i s b ecaus e h e i s a

.
,

l ord of t he u n derw orld of f er til ity th e coun t erpart of which ,

i s t he di s t an t El y s i u m t o whi ch B ran s eem s ra ther t o b el on g

, .

Thu s i n presen ce of hi s h ea d tim e pa s s es as a dream i n

, ,

f ea s tin g an d j oy Thi s i s a tru e Elys ia n n ot e an d t he t ab u ed

.
,

door of t h e s t or y i s a l s o s u g g es ti ve of t he t ab u s of Ely s i u m ,

wh i ch when b rok en rob m en of h a ppi nes s As t o t he pow er

1
.
‘

o f t he h ea d i n p ro t ecti n g t he l a n d th i s p oi n t s t o a ct u al cu s t om ,

a n d b el i ef reg ard ing t h e rel i cs of t he dea d a n d t he p ow er o f

d i vi n e im ag es or s cu l pt ur ed h ea ds ?
Th e g od Bran h as b ecom e
'

a ki ng a n d l a w g i v er i n t he Ma bi n og i on an d t he Tri a ds while
- 3
,

Geoffrey of Monm ou th des crib es how Belin us an d Brennus i n ,

t h e W el s h vers ion B el i an d B ran di s pu t e t he crow n of ,

B ri tai n a re recon ciled an d fin ally con qu er G aul an d Rom e ?

, ,

The m ythi c B ran i s con f u s ed with Bren nu s l ea der of t he ,

Gau l s a g ai n s t Rom e i n 390 B C a n d Beli n u s m ay be t he g od . .

,

Bel en os a s w ,el l a s B el i f a th er of Ll u dd a n d Ca s w a ll a w n
,
Bu t .

B ran al s o fi g ures as a Chri s ti an m i s s i onary He i s d es cri b ed .

a s h os t ag e a t Rom e f or hi s s on Cara da w c ret urn i n th en ce as

g ,

r ea ch e r of Chri s ti an it y t o t he Cy m r y L a l e en d ari s i n ou t —
p g g
-

1
S ee Ch. XXIV . S ee p 2 42 3
Lot h , i 6 5 , 1 1 28 5
2
. . . . .

1
“
Hi s t B ri t i ii . 1 f
. . Geoff rey s ay s t h at Bi ll i ng s g a t e w a s c al l ed
. a f t er

Bel i nu s , a nd t h at hi s ash es were pres erved i n t h e g at e, a t radi t i on recall i ng s om e

connect i on of t h e g od wi t h t h e a t e.
g
1 04 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
a re l ords of a dark u n der w orl d
y b een f oun d pre,
has al read

c i
ar ou s
?
I n la t er b el i ef D On w as a s s oci a t ed with t he s ta rs ,

t he con s t el l a ti on C as s i op eia b ein g call ed her court S he i s .

d es crib ed a s wi s e i n a Ta li esi n p oem

“ ?

This g rou p of divin iti es i s m et with mai nl y i n t he Ma bi n og i

of Ma th wh i ch t u rn s u on Gi l vaet hw
y s ill i cit l ove of Math s
’ ’
, p
“
f oot hol der Goew i n To a s s i s t hi m i n hi s a m ou r Gwy di on
“

-
.
, ,

by a m ag i cal tri ck p rocures f or M ath f rom t he cour t of Pryderi

,

cer t a in s wi n e s en t hi m by A ra w n ki n o f A n nw f n I n t he
g , .

b attl e which f ol l ows wh en t he tri ck i s dis covered Gwy dion ,

s l ay s Pry deri by en ch a n t m en t Ma th n o w di s covers th a t .

Gi lvaet hwy ha s s ed u ced Goewi n an d t ran s f orm s hi m an d ,

Gwy dion s u cces s i vel y in t o deer s win e an d w ol ves Res t ored , ,

.

t o h u m an f orm Gwy di on prop os es th a t Ari an rh od s h ou ld be

,

Ma th s f oot h old er bu t Ma th by a m a g i c t es t di s covers th a t

’
-
,

s h e i s n ot a vi r in S h e b ea rs t w o s on s Dy l an f os t ered by
g .
, ,

Ma th , a n d a n oth er whom Gwydi on nu rt ures an d f or wh om

‘

he a f t erw ards by a t ri ck obt a in s a nam e f rom A ri anrh od w ho ,

ha d s w orn n ever t o n am e him Th e nam e i s Ll ew Ll aw .

Gyffes Li on of t he S u re Han d
,
“
By m ag ic Ma th and . ,

Gwy di on f orm a wife for Ll ew ou t of fl owers S he i s called .

Bl odeu w edd an d l a t er a t t he i n s tig a ti on of a l over Grou w

, , , ,

s he di s cov ers h ow Ll ew ca n be k i ll ed Gronw a ttack s an d .

w ou nds hi m an d he fli es off a s a n eag l e Gwy di on s eek s f or

,
.

Ll ew d i s covers him an d retransf orm s hi m t o h uman s h ap e

, ,
.

Then h e ch ang es Bl odeuw edd i n t o an owl an d s l ays Gronw 3

,
.

S everal in depen den t t al es h a ve g on e t o t he f orm a tion of

thi s Ma bi n og i b ut w e a re con cern ed h ere m erel y wi th th e
,

l ig h t i t m a y th r ow on t he d i vi n e ch ara ct ers w ho fig u re i n it .

Math or Ma th Hen t he A n ci en t “ 1
i s prob ab l y a n old
,
“
,

1
S ee p 6 0, s up ra , a nd Rh ys , HL 90 f
. .

2
Lady Gues t , i ii . 25 5 ; Sk en e, i 297 , 35 0. .

3
For t hi s Ma bi n og i s ee Lot h , i . 1 1 7 f Gues t , i ii 1 8 9 f. 1
Sk ene, i . 28 6 .
‘
. .
 T HE GODS OF T H E BRY THONS 1 0 5

d i vi n ity of Gwyn ed, of whi ch he i s call ed l ord . He i s a k i ng

an d a m ag i ci a n , p re em i
-
n en t t ea ch es t o
i n w i zardy, whi ch he
Gwyd i on an d i n a Tr i a d h e i s cal led on e of t h e g rea t m en
'

o f m a i c a n d m et a m or h os i s of B ri t ai n
g p More im por tan t a re ?

hi s tra it s of g oodn es s t o t h e s u fferi n g an d j u s ti ce with n o ,

t ra ce of veng ean ce t o t he w rong doer Wh eth er th es e are -

.

deri ved f rom hi s chara ct er a s a g od or from t he C el tic ki n g l y

ideal it i s i m p os s ibl e t o s ay th oug h t he f orm er i s by n o m ean s
, ,

u nl ik el y Pos s ib l y hi s s u prem e m ag i cal pow ers m ak e hi m

.

t he equi val en t o f t he I ri s h g od of D rui di s m but thi s i s n u

”
,

certa i n s i n ce all
, g ods w ere m ore or l es s dower ed with th es e .

Gwy dion s m ag i cal p ow ers are a b u n dan tl y ill us trat ed i n

’

t he t al e At Pryderi s cou rt he chan g es f u ng us i n to h ors es

’
.

a n d do s a n d a f t erwa rd s s l ay s Pr d eri by w f n h nt
g , y p o er o e c a

m en t s ; h e produ ces a fl eet by m ag i c b efore Ari an rh od s ca s t le ;

’

wi th Ma th s help h e form s Bl odeuwedd ou t of fl ow ers ; he

’

g iv es L l ew hi s n a t u r a l s h a p e wh en h e fi n d s hi m a s a w a s t ed
ea g l e on a tree hi s fl es h an d t he w orm s b reedin g i n it d ropp i ng
,

f rom hi m ; he t ran s f orms t he f a ith l es s B l odenw edd i n to a n

o wl . S om e of th es e an d oth er deeds are referred t o i n t he
Ta li esi n p oem s whil e T ali es i n des cri b es him self as ench an t ed
,

by Gwy di on ? I n t he Tr i a ds he i s on e of t he three g rea t

as trol o ers of Pr dei n an d thi s em ph a s i s l ai d on hi s p ow ers
g y ,

o f d i vi n a ti on i s s i n i fi ca n t wh en it i s cbn s i dered th a t hi s
g
nam e m a b d ri ved f rom a r oot vet g i vi n w ords m ean i ng
y e e g ,

s ayi n t y whi t w ords a re I ri s h f ai th

“ ” “
g or
p oe r l e cog n a e ,
‘

a p ro h et
p oet G erman wu th rag e an d t he n am e
” “ “ ”
p or , , ,

of O di nn ? The n am e i s s u g g es ti ve of t he ecs ta s y of i n s pi ra ti on

producin g proph et i c a n d poeti c u tt era nce I n t h e Ma bi n og i on .

he i s a m i g hty b ard a n d i n a p oem he u nder t he nam e of

, , ,

1
Lot h , i i . 229, 25 7 ; an d for ot h er referen ces to Mat h , Sk en e, i . 28 1 ,
26 9, 2 99 .

2
S k ene, i 296 , 28 1
. .
3
Lot h, ii 2 97 ; Rhys , HL 27 6
. .
1 0 6 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS

Gwei r i s i m pri s on ed i n the Oth er w orld an d th ere b ecom es a

,
-
,

b ard thu s receivi n g in s pira tion f rom t he g ods l an d He i s

,
? ’

t he i dea l f ai th di vi n er pr oph et an d poet an d th u s t he g od

—
, , ,

of th o s e rof es s i n th es e a r ts St ra b o d es crib es h ow t he
p g .

C el tic ca tes (f ai th) w a s a l s o a phil os oph er a nd thi s ch ara ct er ,

i s g iven i n a p oem t o S eon ( p rob a b l y Gwydi on ) wh os e ar ti s t s :

,

a re p oet s a n d m ag i ci an s B ut he i s al s o a cu l t ure g od b ri n g i ng
? -
,

s wi n e t o m en f rom t he g ods F or th oug h Pry deri i s

’
la n d .

des crib ed a s a m or t al wh o ha s h i m s el f recei v ed t h e s win e

f rom An n w f n (El y s i u m ) th ere i s n o dou bt tha t he him s el f
,

was a l ord of A nn wf n an d it wa s prob a bl y on a ccou n t of

,

Gwy dion s t h ef t f rOm Ann wf n tha t h e as Gwei r was i m

’

, ,

p ri s on ed th ere th roug h t he m ess eng er of Pwy ll an d Pry deri

“ 3 ”
.

A rai d i s h er e m ade directl y on t he g od s l an d f or t he b en efit ’

of m en a n d i t i s u n s ucces s f u l bu t i n t h e Ma bi n og i a d i fferen t
, ,

v ers i on of th e r ai d i s t ol d P erhaps Gwy di on al s o b roug ht

.

kin e f rom An n w f n s in ce he i s cal l ed one of the th ree h erds of

,

B ritain ? whi l e he him s elf m ay on ce h ave b een an a n im al g od ,

t hen an anthropom orphi c deity as s oci at ed with an im al s Thu s .

i n t he Ma bi n og i wh en Gwy dion flees with t h e s wi ne he r es t s

, ,

each n i ht a t a l ce o n e of t h e s yll a bl es o f whi ch i s Moch

g p a ,

s win e eu aeti ol og i cal m yth ex pl a i ni n

-
g why p l a ce s whi ch
w ere on ce s i t es of t he cul t of a s win e g Od af terwards wor -
,

s hi p p e d as Gwy di on w ere s o ca ll ed , .

Gwy di on has al s o a tricky f rau dul en t ch aracter i n t he ,

Ma bi n og i an d al th ou g h i n hi s li fe th ere w as cou n s el y et
,
-
“ ”
,

he ha d a v i ci ous m u s e 5
It i s al s o im plied that he i s l ov er
.
”

of hi s s i s t er A ri a n rh od a n d f a th er of Dy l an a n d Ll ew the —

m ythic reflecti on s of a tim e wh en s u ch u n i on s p e rh a p s onl y ,

i n roy a l h ou ses w ere perm i s s i b l e In s tan ces occu r i n I ris h t al es

, .
,

1
Sk en e, i 2 6 4 . .

2
Rhys , E L 27 0. S k ene, i . 4 30, 5 37 , g i ves a di ff eren t m eani ng t o s eon .

3 4 5
Sk en e, i . 26 4 . Lot h , i i . 296 . S k ene, i . 299, 5 31 .
 8 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCI E NT CE LTS
'

10

t rea cherou s wi f e who dis covers the s ecret of her hu s b an d s l i fe ’

a n d thu s
pu t s hi m at h er l over s m ercy B ut s i n ce Ll ew i s
’
?

n ot s la i n bu t ch a n es t o ea l e f orm thi s u n u s ua l en d in
, g g g m ay ,

m ean tha t he w a s on ce a b i rd divi ni ty t he eagl e l a t er b ecomi ng ,

hi s s y m b ol S om e m yth m us t h ave t old of hi s dea th or he

.
,

wa s a f terwards reg arded a s a m or tal w ho di ed f or a p oem ,

m en ti on s hi s t om b an d adds
'

h e wa s a m an wh o n ever g ave
, ,

j us ti ce t o a ny on e Dr Sk en e s ug g es t s that t ru th n ot j us tice
.
”
.
, ,

i s h ere m ean t a n d fi n ds i n thi s a ref eren ce t o Ll ew s d i s g u i s es

’
?
,

Prof es s or Rh ys for reas on s not h el d convin cing by M Loth

, .
,

holds th a t Llew a m i s a ppreh en s i on f or his t ru e

,
/

n a m e Lleu i n t er ret ed by hi m T h i s m ean i n h e

p, g .

a ls o
g i v es t o L u g e q u a ti n
g L u
g a n d
,
L l ew a n d r e g ar d i n
g b o th ,

a s s un
g o d s -
H e a l so
. e q u a t es Ll a m G g fi es s t e a d y or s t r on
g ,
“

h an d with Lu g s epith et Lam f a da l on g han d s ugg es ting

,
” ’

,
“
,
”

th a t g gfies m ay ha ve m ea n t lon g alth oug h it wa s Ll ew s “

,
”

-
’

s t eadi n es s of h an d i n s h ootin g whi ch earn ed hi m t he tit l e ?

Ag ain Llew s rap id g rowth n eed n ot m ak e hi m the s un f or

,
’

thi s was a privileg e of man y heroes who had n o connection

with th e s un Ll ew s un f ort unat e m a t ri moni al affairs are als o
-
.
’

reg ard ed as a s u n m yth B lodenwedd i s a dawn g oddes s .

d ivi din g her l ove b etw een t he s un g od an d t he prin ce Of da rk -

nes s Ll ew as t he s un i s over com e by t he l at t er bu t i s res t ored

“

. ,

by t he cu l tu re hero Gwydion who s la ys t he dark rival The

-
,
.

t ran s form a ti on of B l oden w edd in t o a n owl m ean s tha t t he

D a w n has b ecome t he D us k As we h ave s een all t hi s i s a
?
,

Marchen f orm ul a with n o m ythi cal s ig n ifi can ce Eviden ce of .

t he precar i ous nes s of s u ch a n in t erpret a ti on i s f urn is h ed from

1
S ee m y Chi l dhood of F i cti on , 1 27 vul n erabi l i t y does d epen d
’
. Ll ew s n ot

on t h e di s covery of hi s s ep arabl e s oul , as is u s ual . Th e earl i es t form o f t hi s

Mar chen i s t h e Eg yp t i a n s t ory o f t h e Two Broth ers , an d t h at of S a m s on and

Del i l ah i s a n o th er old f orm o f i t

‘

2
S k ene, i . 3 1 4 , i i 342 . .
3
HL 4 08 ; R C x . 490.
4
HL 398 , 4 08 . 5
HL 38 4 .
 T HE GODS OF T HE BRY THONS 1 0 9

t he s i mi lar i n t erpreta tion of t he t y of

s or Curoi
’
s wif e Blathnat , ,

wh os e ’
l over Ci i chul a i nn s le w Curoi ?
H ere a s u ppos ed sun
g od i s th e trea cherou s villai n who ki lls a dark divinity ,

hu s b an d of a da wn g oddess .

If Ll ew i s a s u n g od t he eq u i val en t of Lu g it i s cu ri ou s
-
, ,

tha t h e i s n ever con n ect ed with t he Aug u s t f es tiva l i n W al es

whi ch corres pon ds t o Lu g n as a d i n I relan d There m ay be .

s om e s u pp or t t o t he th eory whi ch m ak es him a s u n g od i n a -

Tr i a d wh ere he i s on e of t he th ree ru ddcoa wc w ho cau s e a

y ear s s t erility w h erever they s et th ei r f eet th oug h i n th i s
’
,

Arthu r ex cels them f or he ca u s es s even y ears s teril ity 1 2

,
’

D oes thi s p oin t t o t he s corching of veg eta ti on by the s umm er

s un ? The m yth ol og i s t s h av e n ot m a de u s e of thi s i n ci den t .

On t h e wh ol e t he e vi dence f or Ll ew a s a s u n—g od i s n ot
con v i n ci ng . The s tron g es t rea s on f or i den ti fyi n g hi m with
Lug res t s on t he fa ct th a t b oth h ave u n cles w ho are s m ith s
an d h av e s i m i l ar n am es — Govann on a n d G avi da ( G oib n i u ) .

Lik e Am aeth on Govan non t he art ificer or s m ith (g df s m ith

“
, , ,

i s m en ti oned i n K u lhwych as on e wh os e h el p m u s t b e g a i n ed
t o w a i t a t t h e en d of t he fu rrow s t o cl ean s e t he i ron of t he

p l ou g h ?
H e re he i s b roug ht i n to con n ect i on with t he p l ou h
g ,

bu t t he m yth t o whi ch t he w ords ref er i s l os t A Ta li esi n .

o e m a s s oc i a t es h i m w i th Ma th I h a v e b een with art i ficers

p ,

with t he old Ma th a n d with Govann on an d refers t o hi s ,

Ca er or ca s t l e ?

Ari an rhod s il ver wh eel has a tw ofold chara cter She

,
“
, .

p r et en d s t o be a vi rg i n a n d d i s cl a i m s all k n ow l edg e of her s on

,

Ll ew y et s he i s m i s t res s of Gwy dion

,
I n t he Tr i a ds s he
.

a p pears a s on e of t h e th ree b l es sed ( or whit e) l a di es of B rit a i n

?

P erh ap s th es e t wo a s pects of her ch ara cter m ay p oi n t to a

d i verg en ce b etw een rel i g i on an d m yth ol og y t he cul t of a virg in ,

1
H L 4 7 4, 4 24 .
2
Lot h, i i . 2 31 . 3
Lot h, i . 24 0.
5
4
Skene, i . 28 6 — 2 8 7 . Lot h, i i . 26 3.
I 1 0 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L T S

g od d ess of wh om m yth t old discredit abl e thing s More lik ely .

s h e wa s a n old E ar th g oddes s a t on ce a v irg i n an d a f ru it f ul

-
,

m other l i k e Art em i s t he v irg i n goddes s yet n eith er ch as t e

, , ,

n or f ai r o r l ik e a B a byl o n i a n g odd es s a ddr es s ed a s a t on ce

, ,

m oth er wi fe a nd m ai d
,
Ari anrh od b eau ty f am ed b eyond
,
”
.
,

s u mm er s da w n ”i s m en ti on ed i n a Ta li es i n p oem a n d s h e
’ “

, ,

w as l a t er as soc iat ed with t he con s t ell a ti on C oron a B oreali s ?

P os s ibl y her real na m e w a s f org ott en a n d tha t of Arianrh od ,

deri ved f rom a pl a ce na m e C aer Arian rh od as s ociat ed with ”

-
, ,

h er. Th e i n t erpret a ti on whi ch m ak es h er a dawn g oddes s ,

mother of l i g ht Lleu an d darknes s Dylan i s f ar from Obviou s .

, ,
2
, ,

Dyl a n a f t er hi s b ap tis m ru s h ed i n to the s ea th e n atu re of

, , ,
'

whi ch b ecam e hi s N 0 wave ever b rok e u n der hi m ; he s wam

.

l ik e a fis h ; an d h ence was call ed D yl a n Ei l Ton or s on of t he

“

w ave Govann on hi s uncle s l ew hi m an i n ciden t int erpret ed

. , , ,

a s t he def ea t of d ark n es s wh i ch hi es aw ay t o l urk i n t he s ea , .

Dyl an h ow ever ha s n o dark trait s and i s des crib ed as a b l on de

, ,
-

The w a ves l am en t hi s d ea th an d as th ey da s h ag ain s t t he

.
, ,

s h ore s eek t o a v e
,
n g e it Hi s g rave i s wh ere t he wave m ak es .

bu t p op ul ar b el i ef i den tifi es hi m with t h e

”
a s u l l en s ou n d ,

w av es an d their n oi se a s th ey pres s i n t o t he C on w ay i s hi s
,

dying g roa n N Ot on ly i s he Ei l Ton s on of the wave but al s o “ ”

. , ,
l

E i Mar He i s thu s a l ocal s ea g od an d

“ ”
l s on o f ,
t h e s ea
2
.
-
,

l ik e Man an n an i den tifi ed with t h e w aves a n d y et s epara t e ,

f rom th em s in ce th ey m ourn hi s d eath

,
Th e Ma bi n og i g i ves .

u s t he d ebri s of m yth s ex pl ai ni ng h ow a n a n th rop om orp hi c s ea

o d wa s co nn ect ed with t he g od des s A ri a n rh od an d s l a in by a
g
g od Govan no n .

An oth er Ma bi n og i on g roup i s tha t of Pwyll , pr n ce i . oi

Dyved hi s W i f e Rhian non an d thei r s on

, , Pry deri ?
Pwyl l

1
S k en e, i i 1 5 9 ; Rhys , HL 1 5 7 ; Gu es t , i i i 255
.
2
Rh ys , HL 1 6 1 , 5 66 . . .

3
S ken e, i 282 , 288 , 31 0, 5 43, ii . 1 4 5 Lot h, i . 1 35 ; Rhys , HL 38 7 .
.

1
Lot h , i . 27 f . Gu es t , i i i . 7 f .
‘
I 1 2 T HE RE LIGIO N OF T HE ANCIENT CELTs

t o be f oun d i n t he Ma bi n og i , an d there m ay hav e b een m ore

'

a re

tha n on e g o d des s cal l ed Ri g a n t on a , l a t er f u s ed i n t o on e But .

i n t he tal es s he i s m erel y a qu een of old rom an ce.

Pry deri ,
as ha s b een s een , wa s des p o l ed i of hi s s wine by
Gwy di on They w ere t he g i f t of Arawn bu t i n t he Tri a ds
.
,

t hey s eem t o h av e b een b rou g ht from An n w fn by Pwyl l whi l e

~
,

Pry deri a ct ed as s win eh erd ?

B oth Pwyl l and Pryderi a re
th u s conn ect ed wi th th o se m yth s whi ch t old of t he b rin g i ng
o f d om es ti c a n i m al s f rom t he g ods l a n d Bu t s i n ce they a r e
’ " '

cer t a i n l y g od s a ss oci a t ed with t he g o ds l a n d th i s i s h ’

.

, p er a ps ,

t he res ul t of m i s u n dersta n din g A poem s peak s of the m ag i c

.

cau ldr on of Pen A n n w f n i e Pwyll a n d th i s p om t s t o a m yth

,
. .
, .

ex pl a i ni n g hi s conn ecti on w i th A n n w f n i n a di fferen t w a y f rom

“

t he accou n t i n th e Ma bi n og i T he p oem al s o t ells how Gw ei r was

.

i m ri s on ed i n C a er S i di ( = An nw f n )
“ th ro u h t h e m ess en er
p g g
of Pwy l l an d Pry deri
2
They are thu s l ords of An n wfn
”
.
,

w hos e s win e Gw ei r ( Gwydi on ) t ri es t o s t eal Els ewhere C aer .

Si di i s a s s oci a ted with Man a wy ddan an d Pry deri p erhaps a ,

ref erence t o th ei t i f th d Thu s Pry deri

?
r c on n e c on a s a er a n s on

a n d Pwyll b el on g t o t h e b ri g ht El y s i u m a n d m a y on ce h a ve
,
,

b een g ods of f ertil ity as s ocia ted with t he u n der ea rth reg i on -

whi ch was by n o m ean s a w orl d of dark nes s Wha tever be .

t h e m ean i ng of t he dea th of Pry deri a t t he h an ds of Gwyd i on ,

it i s con nected with t e l a r r ef er e n ces t o h i s g r a ve

?

A f ou rth g roup i s tha t of B el i and hi s s on s referred to i n ,

t he Ma bi n og i of B ran w en wh er e on e of th em Ca s wallawn , , ,

u s u rps t he th ron e and thu s m ak es Man a wy ddan l i ke

, ,

M ac Greg or l an dl es s
,
. I n t h e D r ea m o f Maa en ,
t he s on s of

B el i Lul d d C ll N w d Ll l ?
G y '

a re a s w a a w n
, ,
n
y yn a , a n ev e y s eo ffr e

cal l s B eli H eli , a n d s p eak s of a n ea r li er k i ng Bel i n u s , a t en m ity

with hi s b roth er Br enn i us ?

Bu t prob a b l y B el i or H eli an d

1
Lo t h , i i . 24 7 .
2
Sk en e, i . 2 6 4 . 3
1 6 7545 i 2 7 6 .
. .

4
1 0m. i . 31 0. 5
Lot h , i . 1 66. 6
Hi s t B ri t. 1 1 1 1 , i i i 1 , 20, i v 3.
. . . .
 THE GODS OF THE BR Y THONS 1 1 3

Beli n u s a re on e a n d t he s a m e, an d b oth re res en

p t t he earli er

g od Bel en os . Ca s w ella wn b ecom es Ca ss i vel l au n u s , opp on en t

of Caes ar bu t i n t h e Ma bi nog i he i s h os ti l e t o t he race of Ll yr
, ,

a n d th i s m ay b e conn ect ed with wh a t ever un d erl ies G eoff rey s

’

accou n t of t h e h os ti l ity o f Bel in u s a n d Brenn i u s ( = B ra n s on ,

of Lly r rh ap s l i k e t h e en m i ty of t he race of D 6n t o Pr
) p e , , y
deri a rem i n is cen ce of t he s tri fe of rival t rib es or of G oi del an d
,

B ryth on As has b een s een t he eviden ce f or reg ardi ng B el i

?
,

a s DO n s con s or t or t he eq ui va l en t of Bil e i s s l en der Nor i f

’
.
,

he i s Bel en os t h e eq u i val en t of Ap oll o i s h e i n a ny s en s e a

, ,

dark g od H e i s re g ar ded a s a vi ct ori ou s ch a m i on

.
p pre ,

s erver of hi s h oney i s l e a n d of the s t ability of hi s king dom ,

in a Ta li es i n p oem an d i n t he Tr i a ds ?

Th e p ers onal i ty of Cas s w all aw n i s l os t i n tha t Of t he

hi s tori c Ca s s i vell aun u s b ut i n a referen ce t o hi m i n t he Tr i a ds
,

wh ere with Ca ra dawc an d Gwei ry dd he b ears the titl e war

, ,
“

king w e m ay s ee a gl imps e of hi s divi n e character that of a

,
”
,

g od of w ar i n vi s ibl y l ea di ng on arm i es t o b a ttl e an d a s s u ch

, ,

em b odi ed i n g rea t chi ef s w ho b ore hi s n am e N y nn ya w ?

fl
app ears i n G eoffrey s pag es a s Nenni u s wh o d i es of w ou n ds
’

i n i cted by Caes ar t o the g rea t g rief of Cas s i v ell aun us

,
?

The th eory th a t Llu dd Ll e w Erei n t or Lod ens La m a rg en ti os

repres en t s Nod en s ( N u ada ) Lam a rg en ti os t he ch a n g e b ei ng t he ,

res u l t of a ll it era ti on ha s b een con t es t ed ? whi l e i f t he W el s h

,

Ll u dd a n d N u dd w ere i den ti cal it i s s trang e th a t th ey s h ould

have b ecom e di s tin ct personal ities Gwyn s on Of Nu dd b ein g , , ,

t he l over of Crei ddyl a d dau g ht er Of Ll u dd unl ess i n s om e

6
, ,

ea rli er m yth th ei r l o ve was th a t of b roth er a n d s i s t er Llu dd i s .

1
Cf An wy l , ZCP i 2 8 7 .
. .

2
S k en e, i 4 31 Loth , i i 2 7 8
. S om e phras es s eem t o conn ect Bel i wi t h t h e
. .

s ea t h e wav es are h i s ca tt l e, t he b ri n e h i s l i qu or.

-

3
Lot h , ii 209, 2 4 9, 26 0, 28 3
.
1
Geoff rey , B ri t H i s t i v 3 4 .
.
‘
. . . .

5
Rh ys , HL 1 25 f Lot h , i 2 65 ; Ma cBai n , CM i x. 6 6
. . .

6
S ee Lot h , i . 26 9 a n d S k en e, i 293 . .

8
I 1 4 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L T S
al s o con f u s ed or iden ti cal with Ll y r j us t a s the I ris h Ler
is ,

i s with All oi d .He i s p rob ab l y t he s on of B el i who i n t he ,

tal e of Llu dd a nd Llevelys by t he a dvi ce of Ll evelys ri ds hi s

,

cou n t ry of th ree pl ag u es Thes e are fi rs t t he Corani an s who

?
, ,

h ear every whi s per an d wh om he des troy s by throwing over

,

th em wa t er i n whi ch certai n in s ects g i ven hi m by Levelys

have b een brui s ed The s econ d i s a s hriek on May eve which
.
-

m akes l an d an d wat er b arr en a n d i s cau s ed by a drag on whi ch

,

a tt a ck s t h e dra g on of t he l an d Th es e Ll udd capt ures an d

.

i m ri son s a t Din a s Em rei s wh ereth ey a f t erw ards cau s e trou b le

p ,

t o V or ti g ern at t he b u il di n g of hi s cas tl e The third i s th a t of .

t h e dis appearan ce of a y ear s s u p pl y of f ood by a mag i cia n

’ “

who l ull s every on e t o s l eep an d wh o i s cap tured by Ll u dd .

Thoug h t he Corani a ns a pp ear i n t he Tri a ds as a h os til e trib e?

th ey m ay m ay have b een a su pern a tural f ol k s i nce thei r n am e ,

i s perh a p s derived f rom cOr d wa rf a n d th ey a re n ow reg ard ed

“ ”
, ,

a s m i s chi evou s f a i ri es Th ey m ay th us be anal og ous t o t he

?

Fom ori an s an d th eir s t ory l ike th a t of t he drag on an d t he

, ,

m ag i ci an wh o produce b l i g ht an d l os s of f ood m ay be b as ed on ,

Ol der m yth or r it u al em b odyin g t he b el i ef i n p ow ers h os ti l e t o .

f ertil ity th oug h it i s n ot cl ear why th os e pow ers s h ould be

, .

m os t acti ve on May da y -
But this m ay be a mi s u n der
.

s t an di n g an d t h e dra g on s are overcom e on May eve The

‘

-
.
,

ref eren ces i n t h e t al e t o Ll u dd s g en eros ity a n d l ib eral ity i n

’

g i v i n g f o od m a y r efl ect h i s f u n cti on a s a
g od of
g rowth bu t , ,

l ik e oth er eu h em eri s ed g ods he i s al s o call ed a m ig hty w arrior

, ,

an d i s s ai d t o h a ve reb u i l t t he w a l l s of C a er Lu dd ( Lon don ) ,

hi s na m e s t i l l s urvivin g i n Ludg a t e Hill wh ere he was ”

,

b i ed Thi s l eg en d d ou btl es s poi n ts t o s om e anci en t cul t of

u r
?

Ll udd a t thi s S p ot .

1 2
Lot h , i . 1 7 3 f. Lot h , ii 25 6 , 27 4 .
.

6
Rh ys , HL 6 06 Cf. t h e Bret on
. fa i ri es , t h e Kerr a n d Korri g a n .

4
Geoff rey , iii . 20.
 1 1 6 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS .

Tal ies in is on e of t he b earers of B ran s h ead i s f oun d i n

’

t he B ook f
o Ta li es i n an d i n th e l a t e s t or y of T a l i es in Thes e .
,

l ik e t he Ar thur c ycl e , of ent r ef er to p ers on ag es of t he

Ma bi n og i on ; h en ce we g a th er th a t of g od s l ocal g rou ps ,

ori i n al l y di s ti n ct w ere l a t er m i n g l ed i n s t or y t h e referen ces

g , ,

i n t h e p oem s r efl ecti n g thi s m i n g l i n g La t e a s i s t he Ha nes .

Ta li esi n or s t ory of Ta l i es i n a n d ex press ed as m u ch of it ,

i s i n a Marchen f orm ul a it i s b as ed on ol d m yth s a b ou t

,

Cerri dwen a n d Ta l i es in of whi ch i t s com p i l er m a de us e ,

f oll owin g a n Ol d tra diti on al rea dy s t ereotyp ed i n on e of th e

p oem s i n M h f m l f h T f m a on C
ti b
om a t ?
t h e a r c en or u a o t e ra n s or

Bu t th e m ythi cal frag m en t s are al s o m i ng l e d with tra dition s

'

reg a rd i n g t h e S i x th cen t u ry p oet T al i es i n The ol der s ag a

. .

w as p erh aps d evel op ed i n a d i s tri ct s ou th of t he Dy fi

es t u ary I n Lak e Teg i d dwell Teg i d V oel Cerri dwen an d
?
, ,

their children t he fa ir m a i den Crei rwy Morvran an d the

—
, ,

ug l y Avag d du To g i ve Avag ddu kn ow l edg e hi s m oth er

.
,

es a c a u l dron of in s p i ra ti on f rom whi ch th ree dro s

p pre ar
p
of i n s p i ra ti on wi l l be p rodu ced Th es e fal l on t he fing er
.

fl
o f Gwi on wh om s he s et t o s ti r it He put t he fi ng er i n hi s
'

.
,

m ou th an d thu s a cqu i red t he i n s p ira ti on

,
He ed an d .
,

Cerri dwen pu rsu ed t he res t of t he s t ory b eing a ccom m oda t ed

,

t o t he Tran s f orma tion C om b a t f orm ula Finall y Cerri dw en .

,

as a hen s wa ll ow s Gwi on a s a g ra in of wh ea t a n d b ears ,

hi m as a chil d wh om s he th row s in t o t h e s ea
, Elphin .
,

wh o r es cu es hi m call s hi m Ta l i es in an d b ri ng s hi m u p a s
, ,

a b ard
?

The w a t er w orl d of Teg i d i s a s u b m arin e El y s iu m with

-

t he cu s t om ar y cau ldron of i n s p ira ti on re en

g erati on and , ,

f er til i ty l i k e t he ca u l dron a s s oci a t ed with a wa t er w orl d i n

,
-

t he Ma bi n og i on Shall n ot m y chair be def en ded from t he

“
.

1
S ee p . 3 5 3, i nf ra . S k en e, i . 5 32. 2
Anwy l , ZCP i 2 93 .

3
Gues t , i i i . 3 5 6 f .
 T HE GoD s OF T HE BRY THONS 1 7

cau l dron of Cerri d wen , Tali esi n p oem while

ru n s a li ne i n a ,

a n oth er s p eak s o f her ch a i r whi ch w a s p rob a b l y i n E l y s i u m

,

l ik e th at o f T a l i es i n hi m self i n C a er S i di F urther referen ces ?

t o her con n ect i on w i th p oet ry s h ow th a t s he m a y h av e b een

w ors hi pp ed by b ards her cau l dron b ei n g t he s our ce of th ei r
,

i n s pi ra ti on ?
Her a n g er a t Gwi on m ay p oi n t t o s om e f orm
of t h e C el ti c m yth of t h e th ef t of t he el em en t s of cu l t u re

Bu t t he cau ldron was fi rs t of all

’
f r om t h e g ods lan d .

as socia t ed w i th a f er t ili ty cu l t ? a n d Cerri d w en m u s t theref ore

on ce h av e b een a g odd es s of f ert i l i ty w ho l i k e B rig i t w as , , ,

l a t er w ors h i pp ed by b ard s S h e m ay al s o h a ve b een a

.

corn g oddes s
-
s in ce s h e
,
i s cal l ed a g oddes s of g ra i n a n d ,

tradi ti on a s s oci at es the pi g a com m on em b odim en t of t he -

corn s pi rit with her I f t he tra diti on i s correct th i s w ou l d

- — ?
,

b e a n i n s t a n ce l i k e th at of D em et er a n d t h e pi g of a n
, ,

a n i m a l em b odi m en t of t he cor n s pi rit b ei n g conn ect ed with -

a l a t er an th r opom orphi c cor n g odd es s -

.

Tali es i n w a s p roba bl y an ol d g od of poet i c i n s piration

con f u sed with t h e s i x th cen t u r y p o et of t h e s a m e n am e ,

p e r h ap s b eca u s e thi s b oa s t f u l p oe t i de n t i fi ed hi m s el f or w as
i den tifi ed by oth er bards w i th t he g ods He s peak s of hi s .

S pl en di d ch a i r i n s pi ra ti on of fl u en t an d u rg ent s on g
“
,
in
C a er S i di or El ys iu m an d s peak i ng i n t h e g od s n ame or
, ,
’

i den ti fy i ng him s elf with hi m des crib es h i s p res en ce w i th ,

Ll ew B ra n Gwy di on an d oth er s a s w ell a s hi s cr ea ti on

, , , ,

a n d h i s en ch a n t m e n t b ef ore h e b eca m e i m m ort a l He wa s

?

p r e s en t w i th A r th u r wh e n a ca u l dron w as s t ol en from

An n w fn a n d b as i ng hi s v ers es on t h e m ythi c t ran s f orm a

,

ti on s an d reb i r th s of t he g ods recoun t s i n hi g hl y i n fl a t ed ,

1 2 3
Sk en e, i . 27 5 , 296 . Ibi d i
. . 498 , 5 00. S ee p 3 8 2, i nf r a
. .

4
M on Hi s t
. . Br it . i . 6 98 , i i . 5 ; Th om a s , Revu e d e l hi s t. d es Reli g i on s ,
’

xxx vi i i . 339 .

5
S k en e, i 26 3, 2 7 4 27 6 , 2 7 8 , 28 1 282, 28 6 28 7 .
.
— — — Hi s “
ch a i r b es t ows i m
m ort al y out h a n d freed om from s i ck n es s .
 T HE RE LIG ION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L T S
'

1 1 8

l ang uag e hi s own n u m erou s f orm s a n d re birth s .

1
Hi s cl aim s
resem bl e thos e of t h e Sha ma n who has t he en t ree of t he
s p i rit w orld a n d ca n t ra n s f orm h i m s el f a t wi ll Tal ies in s ’
-
.

reb i r th i s conn ect ed with hi s a cq u i r i n g of i n s pi rat i o n Th es e .

i nciden t s appear s ep ara tel y i n th e s t ory of Fi onn who acqu i red ,

hi s i n s pi ra ti on by a n a cci den t a n d w a s a l s o s ai d t o h ave

,

b een reb orn as Mon g an They are m yth s com m on t o variou s

;

b ran ch es of t he C el ti c people a nd a ppl i ed i n di fferen t com

,

bi n a t i on s t o ou t s t an di ng g ods or h eroes ?
Th e Ta li es i n p oem s
s h o w th a t th ere m ay h a ve b een t wo g od s or t wo m ythi c

a s p ect s of on e g od l a t er com bi n ed t og eth er

,
He i s t he s on .

of t h e g oddes s an d d w el l s i n t he d i vi n e l an d bu t h e i s al s o ,

a cul t u re h ero s t ea l i n g f rom th e d i vi n e l an d

-
Perhaps t he .

m yth s refl ect t he en croach m en t of t he cu l t of a g od on .

tha t of a g oddes s hi s w ors hippers reg arding hi m as her

,

s on ,
her w ors hi pp ers refl ecting th eir h os ti l ity t o t he n ew

g o d i n a m yth of h er en m ity t o him F i n a ll y t he l.eg end ,

of t h e res cu e of T al i es i n t h e p oet f rom t h e w av es b ecam e a

'

m yth of t h e d i vi n e Ou t ca s t chi ld res cued by Elphi n and ,

r ov i n hi m l f b d wh rm al i n fan t s a re m erel y
“

p g s e a ar . en n o

b abbl in g .

The occas i on al an d ob s cu re referen ces t o t he oth er m em b ers

of thi s g rou p th row l itt l e l ig ht on th ei r f un cti on s s ave t h a t ,

M orvran s ea crow i s des crib ed i n Ku lhwych as s o ug l y

“ ”
-
, , H

a n d t errib l e th a t n o on e w oul d s trik e hi m a t t he b a tt l e of

Ca m l an He m ay h ave b een a war g od l ik e t he s cald crow

.
-
,
-

oddes s es of I rel a n d a n d h e i s al s o s p ok en of i n t he Tr i a ds
g ,

Ob s t ru ct or of s l a u g ht er s u pp ort of b a tt l e
” 3 ”
a s an or .

Ing enu ity an d s pecu l a ti on h av e bu s i ed th em s el ves with

1
Sk en e, i . 26 4, 27 6 f ., 309, 5 32. S ee p . 35 6 , i nf ra .

2
S ee p p . 3 5 0— 1 , i nf r a . Fi onn am p l es of t h e Ma rchen
an d Tali es i n are e x
x
form ul a of a h ero e p ell ed an d brou g h t b a ck t o h onour, Nutt Mey er, i i . 8 8 . -

3
Lot h , i . 209, i i . 238 ; Sk en e, i i . 459.
1 20 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
Of I g ern a
’
s th Uther t o wh om Merli n ha s g i ven
a m ou r Wi ,

her h u s b an d s s h a pe Arth u r con qu ers m an y h os ts as w el l

’
.

as
g i an t s a n d hi s cour t i s t he resor t of a l l val orou s p ers on s
,
.

B u t he i s a t l a s t w ou n ded by hi s wi f e s s edu cer an d carri ed

’

t o t h e I s le of Ava ll on t o b e cured of hi s w ounds and n othin g ,

more i s ever h eard of hi m ?

S om e of thes e i nci den t s occu r
a l s o i n t h e s t ori es o f Fi onn a n d M on a n a n d th os e of t he
g ,

m ys t eri ou s b eg etting of a w on der chil d and hi s fi n al di s

a pp eara n ce i n t o f a i ryl a n d a r e l ocal f orm s of a t a l e com m on

t o al l b ran ch es of t h e C el t s ?
Thi s w a s fitt ed t o t he hi s tory
o f t he l ocal
g od or h ero A r th u r g i v i n
'

g r i s e t o t h
,
e l o ca l s g
a a ,

t o whi ch wa s a f t erwa rd s ad ded ev ent s from t he l i f e of th e

hi s t ori c Ar th ur This com pl ex s ag a m us t th en hav e acquired
.

a w i der f am e l on b f t h m ti y l t k i t l
g e ore e r o a n c c c e o o s p ace ,

a s i s s ug es t ed b
g y t h e p u r el y W e l s h t a l es o f K u l h w y c h a n d
t he D r ea m of Rhon a bwg i n t he f orm er of whi ch the p ers on
,

ag es ( g ods ) of t he Ma bi n o i on fi ure i n Ar th ur s t rai n , th ou h

’

g .
g g
h e i s far f rom b ein g t he Ar th u r of t h e rom an ces S poradi c .

r ef eren ces t o Arth u r o ccu r a l s o i n W el s h l i t era t u re a n d t o ,

t h e earl i er s a g a b el on g s t he A r th ur who s p oil s El s i um of

y
i t s ca ul dron i n a Ta li es i n poem ? I n t he Tr i a ds th ere i s a
m i ng l ing o f t he hi s t ori c t he s ag a an d t h e l a t er r om an ce
, ,

Arth ur b ut prob ab l y as a res ul t of t he g rowi n g popul arity

,
“

of t he s a a Ar th u r h e i s a d ded t o m an y T ria d s as a m ore

g
r em ark a b l e
p ers on th an t he th ree wh om th ey des crib e
?

Ar th urian pl ace nam es over t he B ryth on i c area are m ore

-
“

p rob a bl y t he res ul t of t he p opu larity of t he s ag a t h an th a t

of t h e l a t er r om an t i c cycl e a a r a l l el i n s t a n ce b ei n g f ou n d
p ,

i n t he e x t en t of O s s ia n i c pl a ce na m es over t he G oi del i c area -

a s a r es u l t of t he s read of t h e Fi on n s a a
p g .

The ch aract er of t he rom a nce Arth u r t he fl ow er of —

1
Geoffrey , v ii i . 9— xi . 3 .
2
Nu t t Mey er,
-
ii . 22 f .

3
S ee p 38 1 , i nf r a .
.
4
Lot h , i i . 2 32, 24 5 .
 THE GODS OF THE BRYTHONS 1 2 1

kn ig hth ood an d a g reat w arrior— an d th e bl en ding of th e

his t ori c w ar l eader Arthu r wi th t he m ythi c Arthu r s ug g est
-
,

tha t the la tt er wa s t he i deal h ero of certa in B rythoni c g rou ps ,

a s Fi onn a nd Ci i chu l a i nn o f cert a i n G oi del i c g rou p s He

’
.

m ay h ave b een t he obj ect of a cul t a s th es e h eroes p erh ap s

w ere or he m ay ha v e b een a g od m ore an d m ore i deal is ed a s
,

a h ero I f t h e earl i er f orm of hi s na m e w as Art or a p l ou g h

“
.
,

bu t perh aps with a wi der s i g n ifi can ce an d h avin g an

”
m an , ,

equ i val en t i n Art a i u s a G au l i s h od eq ua t ed w i th Mercury

1
g , ,

he m ay h ave b een a g od of ag ri cul t ure who b ecam e a war

o d B u t h e w a s a l s o reg ar ded a s a cu l t u re h ero s t eal i n
g g a -
.
,

cau ld ron a n d a l s o s wi n e f rom t he g o ds l a n d t he l as t i n ci d en t

’

eu h em eri s ed i n t o t h e t al e of a n u n s u cces s ful th ef t f rom

March s on of Mei rchi on 2 whi l e l i k e o th er cul t ure h eroes he
, , ,
-
,

i s a b ard To hi s s t ory w a s eas i l y fitt ed th a t of t he w on der

.

chi ld wh o h avi n g fi n all y di s a pp eared i n t o E ly s i u m ( la t er

, ,

l oca t ed a t Gl as t on b ury ) w oul d rea ppear on e day li k e Fi onn , , ,

as t h e S a v i ou r of hi s p eopl e The l ocal A rth ur fi nall y a tt a i n ed .

a f a m e f a r ex ceed i n g th a t of a n y B ryth on i c g od or h ero .

Merl in or My rddin ap pears i n t he rom an ces as a g rea t

, ,

m ag i ci an w ho i s fi n all y over com e by t he La dy of t h e Lak e ,

a n d i s i n G eoffrey s on of a m y s t eri ou s i n v i s ib l e ers o n a

p ge
who vi s it s a w om an an d fi n all y t ak i n g h um an s h ape b eg et s
, , ,

Merl i n As a s on w ho n ever ha d a fa th er he i s ch os en a s t he
.

f oun da t i on s acri fi ce f or V ort i g ern s t ow er by hi s m ag i ci an s

’

bu t he conf u t es th em an d s h ow s why t he t ow er can n ever

be b ui l t n am el y b ecau s e of t h e drag ons i n t he pool b en ea th
, ,

it Th en f ol l ow hi s proph eci es reg ardi ng t he drag ons a n d

.

t he f u tu re of t he cou n t ry an d t he s t ory of hi s rem ova l of t he ,

Gi an t s D an ce or Ston eh en g e f rom I r elan d t o i t s pres en t s it e

’

, ,

— a n aet i ol o i cal m yth ex pl ai n i n g t he ori i n of t he t

g g g re a

1
Rhys , AL 3 9 f. Ot hers d eri ve t h e na m e from -
b ear
a rt o s ,
“
. Ma cBai n ,
2
Lot h i i . 247 ; Sk en e,
. 11 . 4 5 9.
1 22 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
t
s on e ci rcl e Hi s d es cri p ti on of how t he g ian t s u s ed the
.

w ater with whi ch th ey w a s h ed t he s t ones f or t he cure of

s i ck n es s or w ou n ds p rob a b l y p oi n t s t o s o m e rit u a l f or h ea l i ng
,

i n con n ection with t h es e m eg a l ith s Fin al l y w e h ear of hi s

.
,

t ran s form a ti on of t he l ov el orn Uther an d of hi s con fi dan t

U l fin a s w ell a s of him s elf
,
?
H ere he app ears as littl e m ore
th an a n i deal m ag i cian p os s ib l y an Ol d g od l ik e the Iris h
, ,

g o d of D r u i d i s m t
,
o
”
wh os e l e g e n d h a d b ee n a tt a ch ed a s t ory

of s u p ern a t u ral con cep ti on P rofes s or Rh ys reg ards hi m a s

.

a C el t i c Z eu s or a s t he s u n b ecau s e la t e l eg en ,
ds t el l Of hi s
di s appearan ce i n a gl a s s h ou s e i n t o t he s ea The g l as s h ous e
.

i s t he ex pan s e o f l ig ht t rav el li ng Wi th t he s u n ( M erli n ) whil e

'

the Lady of t he Lake w ho com es da il y t o s ol ace Merl in i n “

hi s ench an t ed pri s on i s a daw n g oddes s St on eh enge was

-
.

p ro b a b l y a t e m p l e o f thi s C e l ti c Z eus wh os e l a t e l e en dar y

“
g
s el f w e h a ve i n Merl i n
2
S uch l at e rom
”
. a n ti c ep i s odes a n d

a n mt i ol og i cal m yth can h a rdl y be reg arded as a ffordi ng s a f e

b as i s f or th es e vi ew s a n d their myth ol og i cal i n t erpreta tion i s

,
.

m ore th an dou bt f ul The s un i s n ever pr i s on er of t he da w n

.

a s Merl i n i s of V i vi an e Merl in an d hi s g l a s s h ou s e di sa ppear

.

f or ev er but th e s un reappears every m orn i n g

,
Even t he .

m os t p oeti c m yth ol og y m u s t con f orm i n s om e degr ee t o act ual

h n m n b u t thi s n not be s a i d of t h e s y s t em s of m t h o
p e o e a ,
c a y
l og i cal i n t erpret a ti on I f Merl i n b el ong s t o t h e p ag an peri od
.

a t a ll he w a s p rob a b l y an i deal m ag i c1 an or g od of m ag i ci an s
, ,

p r om i n e n t ,p e r h a p s i n t h e,
A rth ur s ag a as i n t h e l a t er

rom an ces an d credit ed w i th a m y s t eri ous ori g in a n d an eq u a ll y

,

m y s t er i ou s en di n g t he l a tt er d es crib ed i n m an y di ffer en t wa y s
, .

The b oas t ful K ei of t he rom an ces a pp ea rs al ready i n

1
Geoff rey , vi 1 7 — 1 9, V i i . VI I I 1 , 1 0— 1 2, 1 9. In a p oem ( Sk en e, i
. . .

Myrddi n i s cal l ed “
t h e m an wh o s p ea ks f rom t h e g ra ve — a concept i on
fam il i ar t o t h e Cel t s , who t h oug h t of t h e d ea d a s l i vi ng on i n t he g ra ve.
S ee p . 3 4 0, i nf ra .
2
Rh ys , HL , 1 5 4 f., 1 5 8 — 1 5 9, 1 94 .
 1 24 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
an i m al s ,
in with a Marchen f ormu la while the
a ccorda n ce ,

w ords s poken by th em s how t he im m en s e dura tion of hi s

i m ri s onm en t
p h p s a hi t Oi h s i i m m or tal ity
?
— Bu t h e
'

p er a n

w as al s o sai d t o hav e d i ed a n d b een b u ri ed a t N an t ll e 2 wh i ch , ,

l ik e Gl ou ces ter t he pl ace of hi s p ri s on m ay h ave b een a s it e

, ,

of hi s wi d el y ex t en ded cul t
?

Tak en as a wh ol e t he vari ou s g ods an d h eroes of the

.
“

B ryth on s s o far a s they are kn own t o u s j u s t a s t hey res em bl e

, ,

t heI ri s h d i viniti es i n h avi n g b een l a t er reg ar ded a s m or tal s ,

m ag i cian s and f a iri es s o th ey res em b l e th em i n th ei r f u n ction s

, , ,

d i m l y as thes e are percei ved Th ey are a s s ocia t ed with

.

Ely s ium they are l ords of f ertility an d g rowth of t he s ea of

, , ,

t he ar t s of cu l t ure a n d of w ar The p rom i nen t p os iti on of .

certa i n
g od d es s es m ay p oi n t t o wh a t has al ready b een di s
covered of th em i n G a u l a n d I rel an d their pre em in en ce a n d — -

in depen den ce Bu t l i k e t he di v ini ti es of Gaul a n d Irelan d

.
, ,

th os e of Wa les w ere m a i nl y l oca l i n chara ct er a nd onl y i n a ,

f ew ca s es a tt ai n ed a wi d er p opu la rity a n d cu l t .

C ertain B riti s h g ods m enti on ed on in scri p tion s m ay be

i dentifi ed with s om e of th os e j u s t con si dered Nodon s wi th —

N u d d or Ll u dd Bel en os wi t h Beli n u s or B el i Mapon oe wi th

, ,

Ma b on Tar an os (i n con tin en t al i n s crip ti ons on l y) with a Ta ran

, ,

m en ti on ed i n Ku lhw ych ?
Oth ers are referred t o i n cl as si cal
1
Lot h i . 25 0, 26 0 f., 2 80, i i . 21 5 , 24 4 .
2
Sk ene, i . 36 3, i i . 4 06 Myc Ar ch
. . 1. 7 8 .
3
E u Ga da rn i s m ent i on ed i n t he Tr i a ds as a l eader o f t h e Cy m ry from t h e
e as t a n d t h ei r t ea ch er i n
pl ou g hi n g He di vi d ed t h em i nt o cl a n s , an d i n ven t ed
.

m u s i c an d s on g . Th e m on s t er a ca n c w a s d rawn by h i m from t he l ak e whi ch

fl
h a d burs t an d cau s ed t h e ood (s ee p 2 31 , i nf r a ) .Perh a ps Hu i s an old cul t ure
.

g od of s om e t rib es, but t h e Tr i a ds referri ng t o hi m a re of l at e d a t e (Lot h , i i .

27 1 , 28 9, 290— 2 91 , 298 For t he ri d i cu l ous Neo Dru i di c s p ecul a t i ons-

b as ed on Hu , s ee Davi es , Cel ti c Resea rches a n d M y thol og y a n d Ri tes of the D r u i d s .

Gurg i u n t , s on o f Bel i n u s , i n Geoffrey , i i i 1 1 , m ay b e t he Fren ch l eg en d ary
.

Garg a n t ua , perh aps a n Ol d g od . S ee t h e w ork s of S é bi ll ot an d Gai doz on

Ga rg cm tu a . 4
Lot h , i 27 0. .
 THE GOD S OF THE BRYTHONS 1 2 5

writin g s— An dra s t a a g oddes s of v i ct ory t o wh om B ou di cca

, ,

y d S l d d f h ri n s equ a t e d with Mi n erva

1
p ra e ; u a g o es s,
o ot s p g ,

a t B a th In s cri p ti on s a l s o m en tion Epon a t he h ors e g oddess ;

? -
,

B rig an t i a perh ap s a form of Brig i t Beli s am a ( t he Mersey i n

,

Pt olem y)? a g oddes s i n Ga uli s h in s crip ti ons Oth ers refer t o .

t he g rou p g oddes s es t he Ma tres S om e g ods are equ at ed with

,
.

Mars Cam ul os k n ow n a l s o on t he C on ti nen t and p erhaps t he

—
,

s a m e as C um a l f a th er of Fi onn ; Bel a t u ca dros

, com el y i n ,

s l a u g ht er Coci di u s Corot i acu s Barr ex a n d Tot ati s ( perh aps

, , ,

Lu can s Teu t ates )

’
Oth ers are equa ted with Apoll o i n hi s
.

ch ara ct er as a g od of h ea l i n g — An ext i om aru s Grann os (at ,

Mu s s el b urg h an d i n m an y con tin en t al in scrip tion s ) Ar val us , ,

Mog on s et c Mos t of th ese an d m an y oth ers f oun d on i s ol a t ed

, .

i n s cri pti on s w ere prob abl y l ocal i n character th oug h s om e , ,

occurri n g al s o on t he C on ti n en t ha d a tt ai n ed a wi der p op u l a rity

?
,

B ut s om e of t he i n s cri p ti on s referri n g t o t he l a tt er m ay be
due t o G aul i s h s ol di ers q uart ered i n B ri t ain .

COM PARATI VE TABLE OF Di v i NI TI E s W I TH S I MI LAR NAME S IN I RE LAND,

BR I TAI N, AND GAU L .

I ta l i cs d en ote n a mes f ou n d i n I ns crip ti on s .

I RE LAND . BRI TAI N.

An exti om a r u s
An n a cha ri ot of

i
Di o Ca s s i us , l xi i . 6 . 2
S o l i n us , xxi i . 1 0. S ee p 2, sup ra .
.

3
Pt ol . i i . 3. 2. 4
For all t hes e s ee Hol der, s v..
1 2 6 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
BRI TAI N . GAU L.
Gova nn on
Gra nn os Gr a nn os
Ll y r
Ll ew or Ll eu ( l) Lug u s , Lu g oves
Mab on Map on os
, Map on os
Manan n a n Ma n a wy dda n
Ma tr es
Mi d er
Modron
Nem on

Nuad a

S i lva n u s
Tara n
Tota ti s , Tu tati s
1 2 8 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS .

C on ch ob ar , s on of Cat hba d an d of Nes s a dau g hter ,

of on e o f
t he Tua t ha Dé D ana nu th ou g h i n an ol der res cens i on of the ,

tal e he i s N es s a s s on by the g od Lug D uring Con chobar s

’
.
’

rei n ov er U l s t er Ci i chu l ai n n w a s bO H
’
rn e w as s on of
g .

Decht i re eith er by S u al t a i m or b y her b roth er C on ch ob ar or

, , ,

by t he g od Lu g of whom he m ay al s o be a rein carn ation

,
?
,

Li k e o th er h eroes of s ag a h e p os s es ses g rea t s tr eng th an d s kil l ,

a t a t en der a g e a n d s etti n g ou t f or Con ch obar s cou rt ov er

’
, , ,

p ow er s t h e ki n g s b o y co rp s a n d th en b ecom es th ei r chi ef
’

,
”
.

Hi s n ex t a dven tu r e i s t he s lay i ng of the wa t ch dog of Cu lan n -

t h e s m i th an d hi s appea s m g t he a ng er Oi i t s o wn er by offeri ng
,
-

t o a ct a s hi s w a t ch dog Ca t hbad nOw a nn oun ced th a t hi s

'

-
.

n a m e w ou l d h en cef orth b e Ci i Chu l a i nn Cul an n s h oun d 2 ' ’ ”

.
,

At the m a t ure ag e of s even he obtai ned Conch obar s s pears ’

s w ord s hi el d a n d cha ri o t a n d with th es e he overca m e th ree

, , ,

m ig hty ch a m p ion s ret u rn i ng i n t he di s t or ti on of hi s b a tt l e

,

f ur y t o E m an ia To pr even t m i s chief f rom hi s rag e t he

”
.
,

w om en w en t f orth nak ed t o m eet hi m He m odes tly covered .

hi s ey es f or it was on e of hi s g ea sa n ot t o l ook on a w oman s

’

, .

b reas t Thus t aken u n awares , h e wa s pl unged in to three

. ,

s u cces s i ve va t s Of col d wa t er u n til hi s n a t u r al a p p eara n ce w as

res t ored t o hi m al th ou g h t h e w a t er b oil ed an d hi s s ed f r om

,

hi s h ea t ?

As Ci i chulai nn g rew u p hi s s t reng th s kill w i s dom and

’'
, “
, , ,
:
b eau ty were un s urpas s ed All w om en f ell i n love w i th hi m a nd .

t o f ores tall a s eri es of bonn es f or tu n es t he m en of Ul s ter s oug ht ,

a wife f or h i m Bu t t he h ero s h ea rt was s et on Em er daug ht er

’
.
,

of For all wh om he w ooed i n a s t ra n e l a n ua e whi ch n on e

g g g g
.

bu t s he coul d un ders tan d At las t she cons en ted t o be hi s .

1
IT i . 1 34 ; Nu t t Mey er, i i . 3 8 f
-
Wi n di s ch, Tai n , 342 ; L. Duvau, . La
” ’
Leg end e d e l a Con cept i on d e CIi chul ai nn , R C i x. 1 f .
2
Wi nd i sch , Td i n , 1 1 8 f For a . s i m i l ar reas on Fi nnchad was call ed 0 11
Cerca, t he h oun d o f Core ( I T i i i .
2
For t he b oy i sh e x pl oi t s , s ee Wi nd i s ch , Tai n, 1 06 f .
 '

T HE CI ICH U L AI NN CYC LE I 29

wif e i f he w ould
y a n um b er of w arri ors Forg all wa s
sla .

opp osed t o t he m a t ch a n d w i th a vi ew t o C uch u l a i n n s d e

’

s t ru cti on s u g g es t ed th a t he s h ou l d g o t o D on all i n A l ba t o

i n crea s e hi s s k il l a n d t o S cat ha ch i f he w ou ld ex cel al l oth er

,

warri ors He ag reed prov i ded tha t Forg all w ould g i v e hi m

.
,

wha t ever he as k ed f or on hi s ret u rn Arri ved i n Al ba he .

,

ref u s ed t h e l ove of D on a ll s d a u g ht er D orn oll a w ho s w or e t o

’

, ,

be aveng ed Th en ce he w en t t o S cat ha ch overcom in g a ll the

.
,

dan g ers of t he w a y l eapi n g i n s af ety t he g ulf s u rroun di n g her

,

i s l a n d af t er es s ay i n g i n v ai n t o cros s a n arrow s w i ng ing

, ,

b ri dg e From S ca t hach he l earn ed s u prem e s k i l l i n arm s a n d

.
,

overca m e her Am a z on i an ri va l Ai f e He b eg a t a s on by Ai f e .
,

a nd i n s t ru ct ed h er t o ca l l hi m C on l a t o g i ve hi m hi s f a th er s
’

r in g t o s en d hi m t o s eek Ci i chu l a i n n a n d t o f orbi d hi m t o

'

, ,

I n t he s eq uel Ci i chul a i n n u n a w are th a t

’
rev ea l hi s n a m e .
, ,

C onla w as hi s s on s l ew hi m i n s i ng l e com b a t t oo la t e di s ~
, ,

coverin g hi s i d en tity f rom t he r i n g whi ch h e w ore Thi s i s .

t he w ell k n ow n s ag a f orm ul a of S oh ra b a n d Ru s t um of Th es eu s
-
,

an d H i pp olytu s On hi s return f rom S ca th ach s i s le

.
’

C uch ula inn d es troy ed Forg al l s ra th with m a n y of i t s i n ’

m a t es incl udi n g Forg al l an d carri ed off Em er

, To t h e
, .

t en years w hi ch f oll ow ed d u rin g wh i ch h e w a s t he g rea t ,

ch am pi on of U l s t er b el on g m an y t al es i n wh i ch h e fi ures
'

, g
p ro m i n en t l y On e of th es e i s The D ebi li ty of the Ulton i a ns
. .

Th i s wa s ca u sed by Mach a who d u ri ng her preg n an cy , , ,

w as f orced t o r un a ra ce w i th Con chobar s h ors es

’
S he .

ou t ra n th em bu t g a v e bi r th i mm ed i a t el y t o tw i n s a n d i n h er
, , ,
‘

a n s cu rs ed t he m en o f U l s t er w i th a cu rs e th a t i n t im e of
p g , , ,

Opp r es s i on th ey w ould be overcom e wi th t he w eak n es s of

,

ch i l db i r th From thi s Ci i chu l ai nn wa s ex em pt f or he w as n ot

’
.
,

of U l s t er bu t a s on of L g V ari ous a tt em pt s h ave b een

?
,
u

1
RC Vl l . 225 Wi n di s ch , Tai n , 20 . Ma cha is a
g rand d aug ht er of Ler, b ut
el s ewh ere s h e is ca ll ed Mi d er s ’
d a ug h t er (RC xvi .

9
 1 30 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS .

m ad e t o x pl ain this
e debil ity
It m ay be a m yth ex plaining .

a C el ti c u se of t he th oug h n o ex ampl e of a s im ul ”
cou va d e ,

ta n eou s t rib a l cou va de i s k n ow n u n l es s w e h a ve h ere an ,

i ns tan ce of Wes t ermarck s h u m an pairi ng s eas on i n prim itive

’

tim es with i t s con s equ en t s im ul tan eous birth peri od f or

,
” “ “
-

w om en a n d cou va de f or m en Oth ers with l es s l ikel i h ood

?
, ,

ex pl a i n it a s a p er i o d of t a b u with ces s a ti on f rom w or k a n d ,

w arf are a t a fun era l or f es tival I n an y cas e Macha s curs e

,
? ’

i s a m yth exp l an a t ory of t he ori g in of s om e ex i s ti ng cus t om ,

t he d ura ti on of whi ch i s m uch ex ag g era t ed by t he n arrator .

To thi s p eri od b el on g al s o t he t al e of Ci i ch u la i nn s vi s it t o
’ ’

El ys i um an d oth ers t o be referred t o la t er An oth er s tory

,
.

des crib es hi s a tt ack u pon Morrig an b ecau s e s he w oul d n eith er

yi eld u p the cow s which s he was d riving a w ay n or t ell her
tru e n am e eu in s tan ce of t he w el l k n ow n n am e tab u
— -
.

Morrig a n t ook t he form of a bi rd a n d was th en recog n is ed by ,

Ci i chu lai nn wh o p ou red s corn u p on her whi le s he promi s ed

'

, ,

t o Oppos e hi m durin g t he fi g ht of t he Tai n i n t he f orm s of a n

eel a w ol f a n d a cow a l l f whi h h w d d t oy Li k e
?
,
o,
c e vo
,
e t o es r

m an y oth ers i n t he s ag a thi s s t ory i s i n t rodu ct ory t o t he

"

m a i n ep is ode of th e Tdi n To thi s w e n ow tu rn . .

Medb had been wi fe of C on ch ob ar bu t l eavi n g hi m had , , ,

m arri ed i n s ucces s i on t w o chi ef s call ed Ai li ll t he s econ d of ,

whom h ad a b u l l Fi ndben na ch the W h i t e h orn ed wh i ch s he

'

-
.
, , ,

resol ved t o m a tch by on e i n ev ery w a y i t s equ a l Havi ng ,

b een refu s ed the Brown B ull of Cu ai lg n e s h e s umm on ed al l ,

h er f orces t o i n va de U l s t er The m om en t w as i na u sp i ci ou s f or
.

Uls t er for al l i t s m en w ere s u fferin g f rom their debi lity

,
.
“ ”
.

Cuchul ainn therefore w en t ou t t o en coun t er the h os t and

, , ,

f orced Medb t o ag ree th a t a s ucces s i on of her w arri ors s h oul d

1
Rh ys , CFL i i . 6 5 4 ; Wes t erm arck , H i s t of H u m a n Marri a g e, ch . 2 . .

2
Mi s s Hul l , Fol k Lor e, xi i 6 0, ci t i ng i ns t ances from Jevon s , Hi s t of Re
-
. .

l i g i an, 6 5 .
2
Wi nd i s ch , I T i i . 239.
1 3 2 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CEL TS

p osth u mou s s on s an d th ree dau g ht ers an d th roug h th ei r m ea ns ,

t he h ero w a s a t las t s l ain Everything wa s d on e t o k eep hi m .

b ack f rom t he h os t which n ow ad van ced ag ain s t Ul s ter bu t ,

fi nall y on e of Ca l a t i n s daug ht ers took t he f orm of Ni am h a n d ’

b ade hi m g o f or th As h e pas s ed t o t he fi g ht Cal ati n s .

,
’

d aug ht ers p er s u a ded hi m t o ea t t h e fl es h of a dog a f a t al —

d eed f or it w as on e of hi s g ea s a n ev er t o eat dog s fl es h

’

, So .

it w as th a t i n t he fig ht he w a s s l ain by Lug ai d an d hi s s oul

1
,
'

a p p ear ed t o t he thri ce fif ty queens who ha d l oved him ,

ch an ti n g a m y s ti c s on g o f t he com i n g of Chri s t a n d t he d ay
'

o f d oom — an i n t eres t i n g ex am pl e of a ph a n ta s m coi nci den t a l

~

w i th dea th Thi s an d other Chri s tian tou ch es s how tha t the

?

Chri s tia n redact ors of the s ag a f el t t enderl y t ow ards t he ol d

p ga a n h ero Thi s i s even m ore m a rked i n t he s t or y i n whi ch
.

h e ap pears t o Ki ng Loeg ai re a n d S P a t ri ck b eg g i ng t h e .
,

f or m er t o b eli eve i n God an d t h e s a i n t an d p ra yi n g P a t ri ck ,

to b ring m e with thy fa ithf ul on es u n to t he l an d of t he

“

l ivi ng 3
.A s im il ar Chris ti an i s i n g a pp ears i n t he s t ory of
”

Con chob ar s d ea th t he r es ul t of hi s m ad f r en zy on h eari n g

’

f rom hi s D ru i d th a t an earthq u ak e i s t h e res ul t of t h e s h ame .

f ul cru cifi x i on of Ch ri s t ?

I n t h e s a g a Ci i chu lai nn a ppears a s t he i deal C el tic w arri or

’

, ,
_

bu t l ik e oth er i deal w arr i ors h e i s a m ag nifi ed n on n a t ural

, , ,
-

m an m an y of hi s deed s b ei ng m erel y ex ag g era ti on s of th os e

”
,

com m on a m on g b arb ar i c f ol k Even hi s di s t ortion or “ ”

.

b a ttl e f ren zy i s bu t a m ag n if ying of the wil d f ren zy of a ll g

wi l d fig ht ers To the p ers on of this i deal warri or s om e of

.
,

whos e tra it s m ay have b een derived f rom tra diti on al s t ories

of act ual h eroes Marchen a n d s a g a ep i s od es a tt a ch ed th em
'

s el ves Of every i deal h ero C el ti c G reek B abyl oni an or

. , , , ,

'

2
1
RC i i i 1 7 5 f . I bi d 1 8 5
. . .

2
Crow e, J ou r . Ki l lcenny Arch S oc 1 8 7 0 1 8 7 1 , 37 1 f .
. .
-

LL 7 9a ; O Curry, MS . Mat . 6 40.

4 ’
 ’

T HE CII CH ULAINN CYCLE I 33

Polynes ian certain thi ng s are t old— hi s phen omen al s tren g th

,

as a chi ld ; hi s vi ct ory over en orm ou s f orces ; hi s v i s it s t o t he

Other w orld ; hi s a m ours with a g oddes s ; hi s divi n e des cen t

-
.

Th es e b el ong t o the com m on s t ock of folk t al e epi s odes an d -

,

a ccu m u l a t e rou n d ev er y t n m H en s ve i n t he
g r ea a e ce a .
,

col ouri n
g g i ven t o th em o r t h e u se m a d e of th em by a n y race ,

they do n ot a fford a k ey t o t he m ythi c charact er of t h e hero .

S uch d eeds a re a s crib ed t o Ci chu l ai nn a s th ey doubtl es s w ere'

i
,

t o t he i deal h eroes of t h e u n di vi ded A rya n s bu t th oug h

“ ”
,

p a rall el s m a
y b e f ou n d b e tw ee n hi m a n d t h e G ree k H e ra cl es ,

th ey mi g ht j u s t as ea s il y be f oun d i n n on Aryan reg ion s eg -

,
. .

i n P ol yn es i a Thus t he para ll els b etw een Ci i chul ai n n and '

.

H eracl es throw l ittl e lig ht on t he p ers on ali ty of t he f orm er ,

th ou g h h ere a n d th ere i n s u ch p arall el s w e ob s erv e a pecu liarl y

C el ti c t ouch Thu s whil e t he G reek h ero res cu es Hes i on e
.
,

f rom a d rag on it i s f rom th ree Fomori a ns tha t Ci i chu l ai nn

'

res cu es D evor i l l a n a m el y f rom b ei n s t o wh om a ct u al h u m an

g , g ,

s a crifi ce w as pa i d Thu s a Marchen f orm ula of w orl d wi de

.
-

ex i s t en ce has b een m ou lded by C el ti c rel i g i ous b el i ef a n d

rit ua l pra cti ce

.
?

It w a s in evitab l e tha t the m yth ol og i ca l s ch ool s h oul d “

reg ard Ci i chu l a i n n a s a s ol ar h ero Th u s he reaches hi s f ul l

’
.

devel opm en t a t an u nu s uall y ea rl y a g e a s t h e s u n does bu t 2 ”

, ,

a l s o a s d o m a n y o th er h eroes of s a a a n d Marchen w ho are

g
The th ree colou rs Of Ci i chul ai nn s h air dark n ear
'
n ot s ol ar
’
.
,

t h e s ki n red i n t he m i ddl e g olden n ear t he t op are cl ai m ed

, , ,

t o be a des cri pti on of t he s un s ra y s or of t he th ree par t s i n t o

’

which t e C el ts d ivi ded t he day El s ewh ere hi s t ress es are

h ?

y ell ow l ik e Pri nce Charl ie s i n f a ct a nd i n s ong yet he wa s

,
’

n ot a s ol ar h ero Aga in t he s ev en pu pi l s of hi s eyes p erh aps

.
,

1
L L 1 25 a . S ee m y Chi ld hood f
o Fi cti on , ch . 14 .

2
Mi s s Hull , l vi . xx
3
Da Derg a
’
s Hos t el, RC xxi i . 28 3 Rhys , HL 4 38 .
1 34 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
d t o t he d ay s w eek
Bl i n dn es s b efell all
“ ” 1
ref erre of the '

w om en who l oved him a ref eren ce to t he di fficul ty of g a zing

,

a t th e s u n
?
Thi s i s pros ai c ! The bl in dn ess was a com pl i
m en t pa i d t o Ci i chul ai nn t he b l in d by w om en wh o m ade
’
-

,
_

th ems elves b l i nd whi le t alkin g t o hi m j u s t as C onall Cernach s ,

’

m i s t res s es s q ui n t ed a s he di d ? Ci i chul ai n n s b l in dn es s a ros e

' ’

f rom hi s h a b i t of s in ki ng on e eye i n t o hi s h ea d an d prot ru d in g

t he oth er a w el l k n o wn s olar t ra it ! Hi s dis t or tion duri ng
”
— -
,

whi ch b es ides this b l indn es s bl ood s hot u pwards f rom hi s

,
“
,
”

h ead a n d f orm ed a m ag i c m i s t and hi s ang er cau s ed s how ers ,

of s p ark s t o m ou n t a b ov e hi m o i n t s t o da w n or s un s et ?
p ,
l

thoug h the s etting s un wou l d rather s ug g es t a h ero s inking

ca l m l y t o res t th a n a m a d g i an t s etti ng ou t t o s laug ht er
f ri en d a n d f oe The di s t orti on at al ready p oin t ed ou t i s
“ ”
.
, ,
,

t h e ex a gg era t ed d es cri pti on o f t h e m a d warri or ra g e j us t as ,

t he f ea r whi ch produ ced dea th t o th os e wh o s aw hi m b ran dis h

hi s w eapon s w a s al s o produ ced by Ma ori wa rri or m eth ods ?
,

Lug who m a y be a s u n g od, ha s n o s uch

,
— “
d i s t ortion The .
’

cool i n g of t h e h ero i n th r ee v a t s t he w a t ers of whi ch b oi l ,

ov er a n d hi s em er en ce from th em p i nky red i n col ou r

, g ,

s y m b ol i s e t h e s u n s i nki n i n t o t h e w a t ers an d rea ppearin g

g
a t daw n 6 Mig ht it n ot des crib e i n a n ex agg erat ed way t he
.

ref res hi n
g b a th t ak en by f ren zi ed w arri ors t he w a t er b ei ng ,

s u p pos ed t o g r ow warm f r om t he h ea t of th ei r b odi es 7 On e

of t he h er o s g ea sa was n ot t o s ee Mana nn an s h ors es
’ ’
. t he ,

waves ; wh i ch b ei ng in t erpret ed means tha t t he s un i s near

, ,

i t s dea th a s it app roach es t he s ea Yet Lug a s un g od ri des .

,
-
,

1
LL 6 8 a Rh ys , 43 7 I ng cel t h e on e- ey ed h as al s o m an y pupi l s (RC
xxi i .

2
Mi ss Hul l ,
x
l iii .
2
R C vi i i . 4 9. 4
LL 7 7 b Mi s s Hul l ,
l iix .

6
Oth er Cel t i c h eroes u n derg o t hi s d i s t ort i on , whi ch res em b l es t h e S candi n
avi an warri or f oll owed by l ang u or, a s i n t he cas e of Ci i ch ul ai nn .
'
rag e
6
Mi s s Hull , p . l vi . x
7
I ri s h s a i n t s , s t an di ng neck deep i n freezi ng w at er, m ad e i t h ot .
1 36 THE RE LIGI ON OF T HE A NCIENT CE L TS
t he king i n Lo uy s with wives f or h
'

’
rom an ce hi s 36 6 ,
on e ea c

d ay of t he year ,
l ea p -
y ear in cl u ded “

F ur th er ex am pl es of the s olar th eory need not be cit ed .

It i s en oug h t o s ee i n Ci i chul ai nn t he i deal w arri or wh os e '

t rait s are b om b as ti c an d ob scure ex ag g era ti on s of act ual cu s tom

an d w arf are or a re b orrow ed f rom f ol k t al e m otif s n ot ex
,
- -

el u s i vel y C el ti c P os s i b ly he m a y h ave b een a war g od s i n Ce

.
-
,

he i s as s oci a ted with B a d b 1 a n d al s o with Morrig an B ut he .

has al s o s om e t ra it s of a cul ture h ero He cl ai m s s u peri ority .

i n wi s dom i n l aw i n p ol iti cs i n t he art of t he Fi li d, a n d i n

, , ,

D ruidi s m whil e he b rin g s v ari ou s thi ng s f rom the w orl d of

,

h
t e g ods ?
I n any ca s e t h e Cel t s p a i d d i vi n e h on o urs to
h oes l iving or dea d a n d Ci i ch ulai nn g od or i deal hero,
er ,
3
,
'

m ay h a ve b een t he s u bj ect of a cu l t Thi s l ends p oin t t o .

t he th eory Of M D Arb oi s th a t Ci i chu l ai nn an d C on all Cern ach

’ '
.

a re t h e eq u i va l en t s of C a s t or a n d P ol l u x t he Dioscuri s a i d , ,

by Di odorus t o b e w ors hi pped a m ong the C el t s n ear the O cean ?

C uch u la inn l ike P oll ux w as s on of a g od an d was n u rs ed
,
'

, , ,

a ccordi n
g t o s om e a ccoun t s by Fi nd choém m other of C on a ll
6
, _ _ , ,

j s t as Leda was m oth er of C a s t or as w el l a s of P oll u x

u Bu t .
,

on t he o th er h an d Ci i chu l ai nn unl ik e P oll ux wa s m ortal

' '
.
, , ,

M B Arboi s th en i den ti fi es t he t w o p airs of h eroes with cer ta in

.
’

fig u res on an a l tar a t C l un y Thes e are C as t or a n d P ollux ; .

Cernu nn os an d Sm ert ull os He equ a t es C a s t or with Cern unn os .

,

a n d P oll u x with S m ert ull os S m ert ull os i s Ci i chul ai nn an d

'
.
,

t he n a m e i s ex pl a in ed f rom a n i ncid en t i n t h e Tai n i n whi ch ,

t he h ero r ep roa ch ed f or hi s y ou th p u t s on a fa l s e b ea rd
, ,

b ef ore a tt acking Morrig an i n h er f orm as an eel Thi s i s .

ex pr es s ed by s m e t o a tt a ch a n d i s th u s con n ect ed
“ ”
r tha i n , ,

wi th and g ave ris e t o t he n a m e Sm ert ul los On t he al tar .

S mert ull os i s a ttackin g a n eel or s erp en t Hen ce P oll u x i s .

1
1 T i . 1 07 . 2
Ar ch Rec 1 1 f
. . . . I T 1. 21 3 ; s ee p . 3 8 1 , i nf ra .

2 B
S ee p. 1 6 4, i nf ra .
4
Di od S i cul u s , . i v. 5 6 . I T i i i . 393 .
 ’

T HE CIi CH ULAI NN C YC LE I 37

S m ert ullos -
Cuchul ainn
Ag ain the nam e Cernunnos s ig nifi es
?
,

t he h orn ed on e f rom cer n u h orn a word f oun d i n C on al l s

” ” ’

, , ,

ep ith et Cern a ch Bu t th i s was n ot g iven hi m b ecau s e h e

.

wa s h orn ed bu t b ecau s e Of t he an g ul ar s h ape of hi s h ead

, ,

t he a ng l e ( cer n) b ei n g t he resul t of a b l ow ?
Th e epith et m ay
m ean vi ct ori ou s On t he wh ol e t he th eory i s m ore i n
”
2
.
,

g e n i ou s th a n co n v i n c i n g a n d w e h a v e n o p r oo
,
f th at t he
fi g ures of Ca s t or a n d P oll u x on t he al tar w ere du pl ica tes
of t h e C el ti c p a i r Cernu nn os wa s a n underw orld g od a n d
.
,

C onall has n o trace of s u ch a ch ara cter .

M D Arboi s al s o traces t h e s aga i n Ga ul i n the f act tha t

.
’

on t h e m en hir of K erv a del Mercu ry i s fi ured with a child

g ,

Mercu ry i n h i s opin i on b ei ng Lu g an d t he ch i ld Ci i chul ai n n

, ,
4
,
’
.

On a n oth er al t ar a re dep i ct ed ( 1 ) a w oodm an Es u s cu tti n g , ,

d ow n a t ree a n d ( 2) a b u l l on wh i ch a re p erch ed th ree bi rds

,

— Tarvos Tri aran os

g Th e t w o s u bj ec t s a s M . R e i n ach p oi n t s ,
.

ou t a re com bin ed on a n oth er al ta r a t T reves o n whi ch a

,
.
,

woodm an i s cuttin g down a tree i n Whi ch are perch ed th ree

b i r d s whi e a b ul l s h ead a pp ears i n t e b ran ch es Th es e
l ,
h
’
?

repres en t accord i n
g t o ,
M D A r b oi s i n ci d e n t s o f t.he T ai n
’

t he cu tti n g down of trees by Ci i chu l ai n n an d pl aci n g th em

’

i n t he way Of hi s en em i es a n d t he w arn i n g of t he b u ll by ,

Morrig an i n t he bird f orm which s he s h ared with her s i s t ers

B adb a n d Mach a W hy th en i s Ci i chu l ai nn call ed Es u s ?
?
, ,
'

Es u s com es f rom a root whi ch g ives w ords m eani n g rapi d

m oti on t t h w by h
” ”
ang e l “ 7
r , s re g n a l,
s o n t he e o
r The — .

a l t a rs w ere f ou n d i n t h e l an d o f t h e B el i c Tr everi an d s om e
g ,

B elg i c tri b es m ay h ave p ass ed in t o B rit ai n an d I rel and carryin g

t he Es us C uch u l ai n n l eg en d th ere i n t he s econ d cen t u ry
-

1
Form erl y M D Arb oi s i d ent i fi ed
’
Les Cel tes , 5 8 f . . S m ert ul l os wi t h Lug ,
ii 2 1 7 ; Hol d er, i . 4 6 , 26 2.
. For t h e i nci d ent of t he b eard , s ee Wi n di s ch ,
Tdi n , 3 08 .
2 6 4
I T i i i . 395 . I T 1. 4 2 0. RC xxvu . 31 9 f.
5
RC x vi i i . 25 6 . 6
Les Cel tes , 6 3 R C xi x 24 6 . .
7
D Arb o i s , R C
’
xx . 8 9.
 I 38 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T C EL TS

B.C., e.g . w elling by th e Mers ey an d bearing

t he S et an t u , d ,

a nam e s i m i l ar t o th a t of t he h ero i n hi s chi l dh o od S et an t a —

a s w ell a s t he M en api i a n d B r i g an t es locat ed i n ,

I rel an d by Ptolem y I n oth er w ords t he divi ne Es us with

1
.
, ,

hi s s u rn am e S m ert ul l os wa s cal led i n I rel an d S et an t a af ter , ,

t he S et ant ii and a t a l a t er da te C uch u l ainn

,
The p ri n cel y,

n a m e D on n ot a u ru s res em b l es D on al ta r b t he B rown B ull ,

fl
of t he s a a a nd a l s o s u
g , gg es t s i t s p r es en ce i n G a u l whi l e t h e ,

n am e h q i a l en t D
’

Amém p g p er a p s t h e o e
, u v of e eo ta r u os -
,

Di vi n e B ul l i s f ou n d i n Gal a tia Thu s the m ai n el em en ts

,
” 2
.

of th e s a a m a
g y h ave b een k n ow n t o t he con tin en tal C elt s
b ef ore it wa s l ocal is ed i n I rela n d? and it m ay be a dded if , ,

it wa s b roug ht there by Gall o B riti s h trib es thi s m ig ht -

,

accoun t f or t h e rea t er p opul arit y of t he n a ti ve p os s ib l y

g ,

pre C el ti c Fi onn s ag a am on g t he f ol k a s w ell as f or t h e fi n er

-
, ,

l it erary q ua li ty of t h e Cl i chul ai nn s ag a B ut t h e i den ti fi ca ti on .

of Es u s with Cfichu la i nn res t s on s l i ht rou n ds ; t h e n a m es

g g
Bs us an d S m ert ull os ar e n ot f ou n d i n I rel an d an d t he G a ul i s h ,

Es u s w ors hi pped with h um an s acrifi ce ha s l ittl e a ffi ni ty with

, ,
.

t he h ero unl es s hi s deeds of s laug ht er are rem in is cen t of s u ch

,

rit es It 1 s pos s ib le h ow ever tha t t he epis ode of t he Tri m

.
, ,

ca
m e f rom a myth ex pl a i n i ng rit ua l act s Thi s m yth m a y .

have b een t he s ubj ect of t he bas rel i efs carrl ed t o I relan d -

, ,

a n d th ere w ork ed i n t o t he s a a
g .

The f ol k vers i on s of t h e s ag a th oug h res em b l in g t he

-
,

l it erar y vers i on s are l es s el ab ora te an d g en erally wi l der a nd

, ,

p erhap s repres en t i t s pri m iti ve f orm The g rea t es t di ff eren ces

4
.

a re f o un d i n vers i on s of t he Tai n a n d of C uch u la i n n s dea th

’

1
D Arb oi s , RC
’
xx vi i . 321 L es Cel tes , 6 5 .

“Les Cel te
s , 49 Caes ar, vi . 1 4.
3
In con t ra d i ct i on t o t hi s , M D Arboi s el s ewh ere t hi nk s t h at Drui ds from
’
.

Bri t ai n m ay h a v e t aug h t t h e Cuchul ai nn l eg en d i n Ga ul ( R C vi i xx .

S ee vers i on s i n B ook o f the Dea n of Li s mor e ; CM i ii Cam pbel l , The x .

Fi a ns , 6 f .
1 40 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
h erd , an d i f, as i n t he b i rth coul d
cas e of Cli chul ai n n , hi s re

on l y be of him s el f t h e cal f w a s s im pl y a du pl i ca te of t he
1 ”
,

b ull ,
a n d as it w as b oun d u
, p with t h e h ero s l i f e b ul l an d
’

h ero m ay w el l h ave b een on e The l i f e or s ou l was i n t he .

ca l f a n d as i n a l l s u ch cas es th e ow n er of t he s ou l an d th a t
, , ,

i n whi ch it i s hi dden are pra cticall y i den ti ca l Cuchula in n s ’

.

di s t or t i on m ig ht th e n be ex p l a i n ed a s rep res en ti ng t he
”

b ull s fu ry i n fig ht an d th e f ol k tal es w oul d be popular f orm s

’

,
-

of a n ol d m yth ex pl a i n i ng r it ua l i n whi ch a b u ll t he i n carn a ,

ti on of a tree or veg et ati on sp i ri t wa s s l ain an d t he s acred , ,

tree cu t down a n d con s um ed a s i n C el ti c ag ri cu l t ura l ritual ,

.

Thi s w oul d be t he m y t h represen t ed on the bas rel ief s a n d i n -

,

th e r it ual t h e b ul l w oul d be s l a in r en t an d ea t en by hi s , ,

w ors hipp ers W hy t h en s h oul d Cuch u l a inn ren d the b ull ?

.
, ,

I n t h e l a t er s t ag es of s u ch rit es t h e an l m al was s l ain n ot s o ,

m uch a s a d ivin e i n carna ti on a s a s a crifi ce t o t h e g od on ce

in carn at ed i n hi m An d wh en a g od was thu s s epara t ed f rom
.

hi s a n im a l f orm m yth s of t en a ros e t ell ing h ow he hi m self ha d

,

s ai n t e a n i m a l
l I n t he cas e of C uch u l ai nn an d t h e b ull t he
2
h .
,

g o d re p res en t ed by t he b u ll b eca m e s e a ra t e f rom it b ecam e

p
"

an th ropom orp hi c an d i n tha t f orm w as a s s oci a t ed with or

,

act u all y wa s t he h ero Cl l chu l a i n n B ull s acrifi ces w ere com ’

.

m on a m ong t he Cel ts with wh om the b ul l had b een a di vi n e

an i m al Pos s ibl y a f urther ech o of thi s m yth a nd ritu al i s t o
3
.

be f oun d i n t he f ol k b el i ef th a t S Ma rti n was cu t u p an d

‘

-
.

ea t en i n t h e f o rm of a n ox t he g od i ncarn a t e i n t he an im a l —

b eing as s ociated with a s ain t Thus t he l iterary vers ions of

4
.

t he Teten departi n g f rom t he hy pot heti ca l p ri m i ti ve vers i on s

'

, ,

k ep t the b ul l as the cen tral fig ure bu t in trod uced a rival b ul l , ,

a n d d es cr ib ed i t s d ea th d i fferen t l y whi l e b o th b ull s a re s a i d t o ,

be ei carn a tion s of d i vin e s wi n e herd s

r n
5
Th e i dea of a fi g ht
. -
.

1
Mi s s Hull , 58 .
2
S ee p 2 1 2, i nf ra
. .
3
S ee p . 208 , i n
f ra .

4 5
Fi t z
g erald , R C vi . 25 4 . S ee p 24 3, i nf ra .
.
 T HE CuCH UL AI NN CYCLE 1 4 1

f or a b ull b orrow ed f rom a ct ual cu s t om an d thu s t he ol d

is ,

f orm of t he s t ory was f urth er di s torted .

The C uch u l a i nn s ag a i s m ore coh eren t th an t he F i on n

s ag a b eca us e it p os s es s es on e cen tra l i n ci d en t
“ ”
,
The can on
.

o f t he s ag a w a s cl os ed a t a n earl y da t e whi l e th a t of F i on n
,

ha s pra cti cal l y n ev er b een cl os ed m a i nl y b eca u s e it ha s b een

,

m or e a s ag a of t he f olk tha n th a t of Cl i chul a i nn I n s om e .

r es p ect s t he t w o m a y h av e b een r i va l s f or i f th e Cl i chu l a i nn

,

s ag a w a s i n t rod u ced by con qu erors f rom B rit a in or G au l it ,

w oul d n ot be l ook ed on wi th f a vou r by t he f olk Or i f it i s .

t he s ag a of U l s t er a s Opp osed t o tha t of Lein s t er rival ry w ou l d

,

a g ai n en s u e The Fi on n s ag a l iv es m ore i n t he h ear t s of t he

.

p eopl e th oug h it s om eti m es b orrow s f rom t he oth er

, Thi s .

b orrowin g h owever i s l es s th an s om e cri ti cs eg Zim m er

, , ,
. .
,

m a in tai n . Man y of the l ik en es ses are t he res u l t of t he fa ct

th at wh erever a h ero ex i s ts a comm on s t ock of i n ci den t s
b ecom es hi s Hen ce th ere i s m u ch s im i larity i n all s ag as
.

wh erever f ound .
 C H A P T ER VIII .

TH E F IO NN SA G A .

THE m os t prom in en t ch aract ers i n t h e Fi on n s ag a , a f er t t he

d ea th of Fi onn s fath er C um al are Fi on n , hi s Oi s in
’

, s on ,
hi s

g ra n ds on O s car hi s nep hew Di arm a i d with hi s ba ll seem or

,
-
,

b eau ty s p ot which n o w om an could res is t ;Ferg u s fam ed f or

”
’

-
,

wi s dom a n d eloqu ence ; Caoi l t e m a c Ronan t he Swif t ; C onan , ,

t h e com i c ch ara ct er of t he sag a ; G ol l m ac Morn a t he s l a yer of ,

C u mal bu t l at er t he devoted frien d of Fi on n b es i des a h os t

, ,

of l es s i m p or t an t p ers on ag es Th eir dom g s l ik e th os e of the

.
,

heroes of s ag a an d epos everywh ere are m ai nl y hu n tin g fig ht , ,

i ng an d l ove m a king
,
-
Th ey em b ody m uch of the C el ti c
.

ch aract er— v i va city va l ou r ki n dn es s

, tendern es s a s w ell as
, , ,

b oas t ful n es s an d fi ery t em per Th oug h da ting from pag an

.

tim es t he s ag a throws li ttl e l ig ht u pon pag an b el i efs bu t

, ,

reveal s m uch con cern in g t h e m an n ers of t he p eri od Here .

,

a s a l w a y s i n earl y C el t d om w oman i s m ore than a m ere

,

ch a tt el a n d occu pi es a com para ti v el y hig h pl ace

,
Th e vario u s .

p ar t s o f t he s ag a l ik e th os e o f t he Fi nn i s h K a lem la a l w a y s
,
'

ex i s t ed s epara t el y n ever a s on e com pl e t e ep os th ou g h a l w a y s

, ,

b eari n g a certa in rela ti on t o ea ch oth er Lonnrot i n Finland .

, ,

wa s a b l e by a ddin g a few conn ecting l i nk s of hi s ow n t o g ive

, ,

u n ity t o t h e Ka lem la an d had MacPhers on b een con t en t t o

,

d o thi s f or t he Fi onn s ag a i n s t ea d of i n ven ti ng tran s f orm in g

, , ,

a n d s ervin g u p t h e wh ol e i n t h e m ann er of t he s en ti men t al

ei g ht een th cen t u ry wh a t a b oon w oul d he h a ve con f er

, red on

C el tic li t erat u re The va rious parts of t he s ag a b el ong t o

.

1 42
 1 44 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE LTS
t oilett e b ef ore s itti ng down t o eat Thei r b eds w ere comp os ed .

of a l t ern a t e l a y ers of b r u s hw o od m os s a n d ru s h es
, , The Fi a n s .

w ere divi ded i n t o Ca tha of three thous and m en each with i t s

'

com m an der a n d offi cers t o each hu n dred each fi f ty an d ea ch

, , ,
n

n i n e a s y s t em n ot u nl ik e th a t of t he a n ci en t P eru vi a n s
,
Ea ch .

ca n d i da t e f or a dm i s s i on t o t he b an d ha d t o u n derg o t h e m os t

t ryin g ordeal s rivall ing i n s ev erity th os e of t he Am eri can

'

I n di ans an d n ot im prob ab l y g enu in e thoug h ex agg era t ed t e

,
-

m l nl scen ces of act ual t es t s of en duran ce a n d a g il ity On ce .

a dm itt ed h e ha d t o ob s erv e cer t a i n g eusa or t a b us

’
e g n ot t o ,
. .

fl
ch oos e hi s wi f e f or her d owry l ik e o th er C el t s bu t s ol el y f o r ,

her g ood m ann ers n ot t o offer v i ol en ce t o a w om a n n o t t o

, ee ,

wh en a ttack ed b ef ore l ess t han n i n e w arriors an d the l ik e

‘

, .

All thi s m ay r epres en t s om e g en u in e t ra diti on with res ect

p
t o a w arri or b an d w i t h m an y ex a gg era ti on s i n det ail s an d
,
.

n um b ers . S om e of i t s ou t s ta n din g h eroes m ay hav e had “

n a m es d eri ved f rom or corres p on di ng t o th os e of t he h eroes

of a n ex i s ti n g s a g a Bu t a s t l m e w en t on th ey b ecam e a s
.

u n hi s t ori cal a s th eir i deal p r ot oty p es ; r ou n d th ei r n a m es

cry s t al l i s ed fl oa ti n g myth s a n d t a l es ; thin g s whi ch ha d b een

told of t he s ag a h eroes w ere t ol d of th em ; th ei r n am es w ere

'

g i v en t o t h e p ers on a g es of ex i s ti ng f ol k t al es Thi s m i g
-
ht .
‘

ex pl a i n t he g rea t d i verg en ce b etw een t he his t ori cal and “ ”

t he r om an ti c a s pect s of t he s ag a a s it n ow ex i s t s Yet w e .

cann o t f a i l t o s ee th a t wh a t i s cl a i m ed a s hi s t ori cal i s f u ll o f

ex a gg era ti on a n d i n s p it e of t he pl ea din g of Dr Hy de a n d
, , .

oth er p a t ri ot s l i ttl e h i s t or i c f a ct can be f ou n d i n it

, Even if .

thi s ex i s ts it i s t he l ea s t i mportan t part of t he s ag a Wh at

, .

i s im port an t i s th a t p ar t n i n e t en th s of t he w
— -
h ol e— which
i s n ot true b ecau s e it cann ot be t ru e It b elong s t o t he
“ ”
.

reg i on of t he s u p ern a t u ral a n d t he un real Bu t p ers onag es .

,

n i n e t en th s of wh os e acti on s b el on g t o thi s r eg i on m u s t b ea r
-
,

t he s ame charact er th em s el ves an d for t hat reas on are al l the

,
 THE FIONN S AGA 1 45

m ore in t eres tin g es pecial ly wh en we rem em b er tha t t he C el ts

,

fi rm l y b el ieved i n th em an d i n their expl oit s A Fi onn m yth .

aros e a s a l l m yth s do i n crea s in g a s ti m e w en t on a n d t he

, ,

hi s tori cal nu cl eus i f it ever ex i s t ed was s w am ped and l os t

, , .

Throug hou t t he s ag a t he Fi an s are m ore th an m ere m ortal s ,

even i n th os e very p ar t s wh i ch a r e cl a i m ed a s hi s t ori cal They.

are g i a n t s ; thei r s t or y b ri s tl es with the s upern at ural th ey

“

a re t he i deal fi g ures of C el ti c l eg en d throwi n g th ei r g i g an ti c

s h a dows u pon th e di m a n d m i s ty b a ck g rou nd o f t he p a s t We .

m u s t th eref ore be con ten t t o a s sum e th a t wheth er pers on ag es

cal l ed F i on n Oi s i n Di arm ai d or C ona n ever ex i s t ed wh a t w e
, , , , ,

k n ow of th em n ow i s p urely m ythical .

B earing i n m in d th a t th ey are the cheri s h ed h eroes of

popular f an cy i n I rel a nd an d t he S cotti s h Hi g hl an ds w e ,

hav e n ow t o inquir e wh eth er they w ere C el ti c i n ori g in W e .

h ave s een tha t the C el t s w ere a con qu ering peopl e i n I relan d ,

b ring ing with th em th eir own reli g i on and m ythol og y th eir ,

own s a g a s a n d t al es refl ect ed n ow i n t h e m yth ol og i cal a n d

Cli chul ai n n cycl es whi ch fou n d a l ocal h abita ti on i n I rel an d

, .

Cli chulai nn w as t he h ero of a s ag a whi ch fl ou ri s h ed m ore

a m on g t he ari s t o cra ti c a n d l ett ered cl a s s es th a n a m on g t he

f olk a nd th ere a re f ew p opul ar tal es a b ou t hi m

,
But it i s
.

a m on g t h e f ol k th a t t he Fi onn s ag a has a l wa y s b een p opul ar ,

a n d f or every p ea san t who cou l d t el l a s t ory of Cl i ch u l a i nn a

th ou s and coul d t el l on e of Fi onn C on qu erors of t en a dop t

.

b eli ef s traditions an d cu s t om s of the a b ori g i nal f ol k a ft er

, , ,

h os til i ties h ave cea s ed an d i f th e pre C el tic peopl e had a

,
-

p po u l ar h ero a n d a s a a con cern i n

g g hi m it i s poss ib l e th a t i n
,

tim e it wa s a ccep ted by t he C el ts or by t he l ow er clas s es

a m on g th em . Bu t i n t h e proces s it m us t h ave b een com pl etel y
Cel t i ci s ed l ik e t he a b orig i n es th em s el ves ; t o i t s h eroes w ere
,

g i ve n C el ti c n a m es or th ey m a y h av e b een a ss ocia t ed with

,

ex i s ti ng C el tic p ers onag es lik e C umal and the wh ole s ag a

,

xc
1 46 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE LTS .

w as i n ti m e a dap t ed t o the concep tion s and leg en dary hi s t ory

of t he C el t s . Thu s we m ig ht accou n t f or t he fact tha t it has
s o l arg el y rem a i n ed with ou t a dm i x t ur e with t h e m yth ol og i cal

a n d C uchu l a in n cy cl es th ou g h i t s h eroes a re b rou ht i n t o r e

, g
l a ti on with t he ol der g ods Thu s al s o w e m ig ht a ccoun t f or
.

fl
i t s p opu la rity a s com p ared with t he C uch u l ai nn s ag a am ong
t he peas a n t ry i n wh os e v ei n s m u s t ow s o m uch of t he

a b ori g i n al b l o od both i n I rel a n d a n d t he Hig h la n ds I n o th er

.

w ords it w as t he s ag a of a n on C el ti c people occu pying b oth

,
-

I reland a n d S cotlan d I f C el ts from W es t ern Europ e occu pi ed

.

t he w es t of S cot l an d a t an earl y da t e th ey m ay h ave b een s o

’

f ew i n n u m b e r th a t th ei r own s ag a or s ag a s d i ed o u t Or if
“

.
|

t he C el ti c occu pa tion of t he Wes t Hig hl and s orig in a t ed fi rs t

f rom I rel an d t he I ri s h m ay haVe been u n a b l e t o i m pos e th ei r
,

C uch ul ai nn s ag a th ere or i f th ey th em s elves ha d already

,

a d op t ed t he Fi on n s a g a a n d f ou n d i t a g a i n i n the Hi h la n ds
g ,

th ey w oul d bu t be t he m ore a ttach ed t o wha t wa s already

l ocal i s ed th ere . This woul d cu t t he g roun d from t he th eory
tha t the Fi onn s ag a was b roug ht t o S cotl an d f rom I relan d ,

a n d it w ould accou n t f or i t s p op ul arity i n th e Hi h l a n d s as

g ,

w ell a s f or the f act tha t m an y Fionn s tori es are a ttached t o

Hig h lan d a s w el l as t o I ris h l ocal iti es while m an y place n am es
,
-

i n b oth cou n t ries h ave a Fi an orig i n Final l y t he theory

. ,

w ould ex pl ain the ex i s ten ce of s o m an y Md rehen ab ou t Fionn

a n d hi s m en s o f ew a b ou t C uch u la i n n
,
.

Returning t o the th eory of t he his t oric a s pect of the Fian s ,

it s h ou ld b e n ot ed th a t whil e wh en s een throu g h the eyes

, ,

of t h e a n n al i s t s t hes a g a b el ong s t o a defi n it e h i s t ori cal p eri od

, ,

wh en v i ew ed by it sel f i t b el on g s t o a m ythi c ag e and th oug h ,

t he Fi a n s are reg ard ed a s ch am pi on s of I rel an d th ei r fo es ,

are u s u all y of a s u pern a t u ral ki n d a n d th ey th em s el ves m ov e

,

i n a m ag i c a t m os ph ere . Th ey are al s o b roug ht i n t o con n ecti on

with t he un his t ori c Tu a tha Dé Danann ; th ey fig ht with th em
 1 48 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS “

t he y ag e i n whi ch Norsem en w ere th eir bitt er en em ies

v er ,

an d why Fi on n i f o f N ors e ori i n, fi ht s a al n s t Lo chl ann ers

g , g g ,

t e N ors em en
. . It m ay a l s o be in qu ired why the b orrowing
. .

s h ou l d h a ve a fiect ed t he s a a onl y n ot t h e m yth s of t he

’

g g ods , .

N 0 oth er C el tic s ch ol ar h a s g iven t he s l ig ht es t s u pport t o

thi s b ri ll ian t but au da ciou s th eory On t he oth er h an d i f .
,

t he s ag a has Nors e affin iti es a n d i f it i s i n orig in pre C el tic

, , ,
-
,

th es e m ay be s oug ht i n an earl ier conn ection of I relan d with

S candinavia i n t he earl y B ronz e Ag e Irel an d ha d a flouri s hing .

ci vil i sa ti on th en an d e x or t ed b eau ti f ul o ld orn am en t s t o

p , g
S can din avi a where they are s till f oun d i n B ron ze Ag e
,

d epos its 1 Thi s fl ouri s hin g civil is a tion was overwhelm ed by

.

t he in vas i on of t he C el tic b arb ar i an s Bu t i f t he S can din avi an s.

b orrow ed g old an d ar ti s tic decora ti ons from I relan d a n d ,

i f t he Fi onn s ag a or part of it was already i n ex i s t en ce .

,

why s h oul d th ey n ot h ave b orrow ed s om e of i ts in ciden t s ,

or why on t he oth er h an d s h ou ld n ot s om e e i s odes h av e

, p ,

f oun d th ei r wa y f rom t h e n or th t o I rel a n d ? W e s h oul d

al s o con s i der h owever tha t s im ilar in ciden ts m ay h ave
, ,

b een evolved i n b oth cou n tri es on s im il ar l in es and qu ite

i ndepen den tl y .

The vari ou s con t ent s of t he s a g a ca n onl y be al lu ded

t o i n t he b rief es t m an ner Fi onn s bi rth s t ory b elong s t o ’
-
.

t h e w el l k n ow n Expul s i on an d Return f orm ula appl ied

-
,

t o s o m an y h eroes of s ag a an d f ol k t al e bu t hig h l y el ab ora t ed -

,

i n hi s ca se a t t he h an ds of t he ann al i s t s Th us hi s f ather .

C um al u n cle of C onn t he Hun dred Fig ht er 1 22— 1 5 7 A D

, , . .
,

wish ed t o wed Mui rn e dau g ht er of C onn s chief dru i d Tadg

,
’
,
.

Ta dg ref us ed k nowing th at th roug h thi s m arriag e h e w oul d

,

l os e hi s a n ces t ral s ea t C um a l s el z ed Mu i rne a n d m arried

.

fl
her an d t he kin g on Tadg s appeal s en t an arm y ag a in s t
’
, , ,

hi m C u m al was s l a in Mui rn e ed t o hi s s is ter an d g ave

.
,

1
Mon teli us ques , 5 7 , 1 5 1
Les Temp s Pr éhi s to m Rei nach, RC xxi . 8 .
’

,
 THE FIONN SAGA ‘

1 49

birth D em n i af t erwa rds k n ow n a s Fi on n Perh ap s i n

to ,
.

a ccorda n ce with old m a tri arch al u s ag e Fi onn s des cen t ,

’

throug h hi s m oth er i s em ph a s i s ed wh i l e he i s rela t ed t o t he ,

a n ci en t g od s Ta dg b ei n g s on of Nu a da
,
Th i s a t on ce poi n t s .

t o t he m ythi ca l as pect of t h e s ag a C um al m ay b e i den ti cal .

with t he g od Cam u l os I n a s h or t ti m e Fi on n n ow a . , ,

m ara u der an d a n ou tl aw a ppeared a t C on n s C ourt a n d tha t

’

, ,

s a m e n i g ht s l ew on e of th e Tu a t ha D ea w ho cam e y earl y ,

a n d des t roy ed t h e p a l ace For th i s he recei ved hi s ri g htf ul.

h eritag e t he l ea ders hi p of t he Eiau s f orm erly com m an ded

—
,

by C um al 1 A n oth er i n ci den t of Fi onn s y ou th t ell s how

.
’

he obt ain ed hi s th um b of k n ow l edg e The ea tin g of cer ta i n

”
.

s al m on of k n ow l edg e w a s b eli ev ed t o g ive in s pi ra ti on a n

”
,

i dea p erhaps deri ved from earl i er t ot em i s ti c b el i efs The .

b ard Fi nn éces h aving cau g ht on e of t he covet ed s al m on

, ,

s et hi s p u pi l Fi on n t o cook it f orbi ddi ng h i m t o t a s t e it ,

.

But a s he wa s t u rn i n g t h e fis h Fi on n b u rn t hi s th um b an d
thr us t it i nt o hi s m ou th th us receiving t he g i f t of i ns pira ti on
,
.

Hereaf t er he ha d onl y t o s uck hi s thu m b i n order t o obtai n

s ecre t i n f orm ation I n an oth er s t ory t he in s pi ra tion i s
2
.

a l rea dy i n hi s thu m b as S a m s o n s s t ren g th wa s i n hi s h ai r

’

, ,

1
The p opul a r vers i on s o f t hi s earl y p art of t h e s ag a d i ffer m u ch i n d et ai l,
b ut f ol l ow t h e m a i n ou t l i n es i n m u ch t h e s a m e way . S ee Curt i n , E TI 204 ;
Cam pb el l , LF 33 f WE T i i i 34 8
. .

2
I n a wi des pread g rou p of t a l es s u p ern a t ural k n owl ed g e i s obt a i n ed by
eat i n g pa rt of s om e a ni m a l , u su a l l y a cert ai n s n ak e In m an y of t h es e t al es .

t h e f ood i s ea t en b y a n ot h er p ers on t h an h e wh o ob t a i n ed i t , a s i n t he cas e

of Fi onn Of t h e W el s h s t ory o f Gwi on , p 1 1 6 , a n d t h e S can di n a vi a n o f
. . .

S i g urd , and ot her

p a rall el s in Mi ss Cox Ci n d erella
, ,
4 96 ; Fra zer, Ar ch . Rev. '

i . 1 72 f . Th e s t ory i s t hus a folk t al e f orm ul a

-
a ppl i ed t o Fi on n , d ou b t l es s

b eca u s e i t h arm on i s ed w i t h Cel t i c or p re Cel t i c t ot em i s ti c i d eas . But i t i s

-

b a s ed on a n ci en t i d ea s reg a rdi n g t h e s u pern a t ural k n owl edg e p os s es s ed by

rep t il es or fis h, a n d a m on g Am eri ca n I n di an s , Ma ori s , S ol om on I s l an d ers ,

an d oth ers t h ere are fi g u red rep res en t at i on s o f a m a n h ol d i ng s u ch a n a n i m al ,

i t s t on g u e b ei ng a t t a ch e d t o h i s t ong ue . He i s a s ha m a n , and Am eri can

I n d i an s b eli eve t ha t h i s i n s p i rat i on com es from t h e t on g u e o f a m y s t eri ous
ri ver ot t er, cau g ht by hi m . S ee Dall , B u rea u of E thn ol . 3rd
_
rep ort ; an d

Mi s s Buck l and , J our Anth . . I n s t. xxi i . 29.

1 50 THE RELIGIO N OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS "

bu t t he p ow er i s al s o partl y i n hi s t ooth under whi ch , , t

a f er

rit ua l p rep ara ti on h e h a s t o p l a ce h i s th u m b an d ch ew i t

1
.
,

Fi on n ha d m an y wi ves a n d s w eeth eart s on e of th em , ,

fl
S aar b ei n g m oth er of Oi s in S aar was t urn ed in t o a f aw n
, .

by a D ru i d and ed from Fi onn s h ous e Long af ter he

,
’
.

f oun d a b eas t chil d i n t he f ores t an d recog ni s ed hi m as hi s

-

s on .He n ou ri s h ed hi m u n ti l hi s b ea s t n a tu re di s app eared ,

a n d call ed hi m Oi s i n l ittl e f a w n Roun d thi s b i rth l eg end

“ ”
.
, .

m an y s t o i es s pr g p e s ig t s p opul a ity
’
2
r a n u — a s u r n o f i r Oi s i n s .

f am e a s a p oet far ex cel l ed th a t of Fi onn an d he b ecam e ,

t h e i deal bard of t h e G ael s

'
.

By f ar t he m os t pas s ion a t e an d t rag i c s tory of the s aga

”

i s th a t of Di armai d an d Grai nn e t o wh om Fi onn was ,

fl
b etroth ed Grai n n e p u t g ea sa u pon Di arm ai d t o el ope with
.

h er an d th es e he coul d n ot b reak
,
Th ey ed an d for m an y .
,

day s w ere purs ued by Fi onn w ho a t l a s t overt ook th em bu t , ,

w a s f orced by t he Fi an s t o p ard on t h e b el oved h ero .

M ean whil e Fi on n w aited f or hi s rev eng e Kn owing th a t it .

w as one of Di arm ai d s g ea sa n ev er t o h u n t a w i l d b oar h e

’

i nv it ed hi m t o th e ch ase of the b oar of Gul ban Di armai d

'

s l ew it a n d Fi on n th en b a d e him m eas u re i t s l en g t h with

,

hi s foot A b ri s tl e p i erced hi s h eel and he f ell down i n

.
,

a g on y b es eechin g Fi onn t o b ri ng hi m w a t er i n hi s h an d
, ,

f or i f he di d thi s h e w oul d h eal him I n s pite of repea t ed .

a ppeal s Fi onn a f t er b rin g ing t he wa t er, l et it drip from

, ,
“

hi s h an ds Di arm ai d s b rave s oul pas s ed a w a y an d on Fi onn s

’ ’
.
,

ch ara ct er thi s di re b l o t wa s fi x ed f or ever

3
.

Other t al es rel a t e h ow s ev eral of the Fi an s w ere s p irit ed

a w a y t o t he La n d b ey on d t he S ea s h ow th ey w ere res cued , ,

1
O C y MS M t 396 J y
’
T OS i v. urr OCR 1 94 339
, . a . o ce, , .

2
For b al l a d Cam p b ell , L F 1 98
v ers i on s s ee .

3
Num er ou s b al l a d vers i ons are g i ven i n Cam pb ell LF 1 5 2 f Th e t al e .

is l ocal i s ed i n va ri ous p art s of I rel a n d a n d t h e Hi g h l a nd s , m any d ol m en s

in I rel an d b ei ng k n own a s Di arm ai d and Grai nn e s b eds .
’
I 52 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T C EL T S

M S S it . id tha t i n es s ence th ey com e down t o u s

m ay b e sa

f rom a rem ot e an tiqu ity lik e s t ars pu l s ing th ei r cl ear li g ht ou t

,

of t he hi dden de th s of s p a ce
p M a n y of th em ex i s t a s f ol k .

t al es of ten wi l d an d w eird i n form while s om e f olk tal es h ave

, ,
-

n o l it era r y p a ra ll el s S om e a re Ma rchen wi th m em b ers of t he

.

Fi an b an d a s h er oes an d of th es e there are m an y European

,

p arallel s Bu t i t i s n ot u n l ik el y th a t a s i n th e cas e of t he
.
,

C uchul ai nn cy cle t he f ol k v ers i on s m ay be tru er to t he orig i nal

,

f orm s of t he s ag a th an t he roun ded an d p ol is h ed l i t erary

v ers ion s W hat ever t he Fi an s w ere i n orig in g ods m ythi c
.
—
,

h eroes or a ctu al pers on a g es i t i s prob ab le th a t a s hort Helden

,
—

s ag e w a s f orm ed i n ea rl y ti m es Thi s s lowl y ex pan ded n ew .

,

t al es were a dded an d ex i s tin g Marchen form u lae w ere f reel y

,

m a de u s e of by m akin g th ei r heroes t he h eroes of t he s ag a.

Th en came t he ti me when m an y of t he t al es w ere wri tten down ,

while la ter th ey w er e a da p t ed t o a s ch em e of I ri s h h i s t ory t h e ,

h er oes b ecom ing w arri ors of a defin i te his t ori c p eri od or perh aps ,

conn ect ed with s uch w arri ors Bu t th es e h eroes b el on g ed t o a

.

tim el ess w orl d wh os e m arg in s are the s hore of o ld rom an ce

,
“
,
”

an d it w a s as i f th ey w ho w ere n o t f or a n a g e bu t f or a ll t i m e
, ,

s corn ed t o b ecom e t h e pu pp et s of t he p ag e of hi s t ory .

The ea rl i es t evid en ce of t he a tti tu d e of t he ecc l es ia s ti cal

w orld t o thes e her oes i s f oun d i n the Ag a lla mh n a Senoraeh or ,

C o oqu y of the Anci en t s

ll 1
Thi s m ay have b een com p os ed i n
.
” “

t h e thi rt een th cen t ury a n d i t s au th or k n ew s cores of F i o

,
nn

l eg en d s Makin g u se of t he t ra dition tha t Ca oi l te an d Oi s in

.

ha d m et S P a tri ck he m ak es Ca oi l t e rel at e m an y of t he t al es
.
, ,

u su a l l y i n conn ecti on w i th s om e l a ce n a m e of Fi a n orl g l n

p
-
.

The sai n t an d hi s f ollow ers are a m a z ed a t t he h ug e s t a t ure of t he

fl
Ei au s bu t P a t ri ck a s perg es th em with h ol y w a t er a n d h os t s o f
, ,

d em on s ee f rom them At each t al e which Caoi lt e t el l s t he

. ,

s ain t s ay s S ucces s an d b en ediction Caoi l t e All thi s i s t o us a

“ “

.
, ,

ITi O G dy S i l
1
G d t xt d t l ti
’
v. ra , va a . e an ra ns a on .
 THE FIONN SAGA
recrea tion of Spi rit an d of m in d w ere it onl y n ot a d es tru ct i on
,

of d ev o t i on an d a derel i cti on of p ra y er Bu t pres en t l y hi s

”
.

ua rdi an a n el a pp ear s an d bi ds hi m n ot on l y l i s t en t o t h e t al es
g g ,

bu t ca u s e th em t o be w ri tt en down He an d hi s att en dan t

.

cl eri cs n ow l en d a w i ll i ng ea r t o t h e r ecit a l a n d en coura g e t he

n arra t or with th ei r ap pl aus e . Fi n all y b ap ti s m i s a dm in i s t ered

,

t o Caoil t e an d hi s m en an d by P a t ri ck s i n t erces s i on s Caoi l t e s

’ ’

r el a ti on s a n d F i on n hi m s el f are b rou g ht ou t of h el l I n th i s .

w ork the repres en t a tives of pag an is m are s h ow n t o be on t erm s

of f ri en dl i n ess with t h e repres en t ati ves of Ch ri s ti an i ty .

Bu t i n H i g h lan d b all a ds col l ect ed i n t he s i x t een th cen t ury

by t he D ean of Li s m ore a s w el l as i n I ri s h b allads f oun d i n
,

MS S dating f rom t he s even t een th cen t ury on wards t he s ain t

.
,

i s a s our a n d in t ol eran t cl eri c an d t he Eiau s are eq uall y i n t ol

,

eran t a n d b l a s ph em ous p ag a n s Th ere i s n o a tt em pt a t com

.

pr om i s e ; th e s a in t rej oi ces th a t t he Fi an b an d are i n h el l an d ,

Oi s in throw s con t em p t on t he God of the s h aven pri es t s .

Bu t s om eti m es thi s con t em p t i s m ing l ed w i th h um our a n d

pa th os . W ere t he h eroes of Oi s i n s ba n d n ow a li ve s can t

’
,

w ork woul d be m ade of the m on k s b el ls b ook s an d ps al m

’

, ,

s i ng i ng . It i s t ru e th a t t he s ain t g ives t he w eary ol d m an

h os pi t al i ty bu t Oi s in s ey es are b l in ded with tears as he
,
’

thin k s of t he departed g l ori es of t he Fi an s an d hi s ears are ,

t orm en t ed by j an g l i n g b el ls dronin g p s al m s a n d h owling

“
, ,

cl eri cs Thes e b all a ds pr ob ab ly repres en t on e m a i n a s pect of

’
.

t h e a tt i t u de of t h e Ch urch t o C el t i c pag an i s m How th en di d . , ,

th e m ore g en erous Colloqu y com e i nt o b ei ng ? W e m u s t n ot e

firs t tha t s om e of th e b al la ds h ave a m i lder t on e Ois i n i s .

urg ed t o a ccep t t he f aith a n d he p ra y s f or s al va t i on

, .

Prob abl y thes e repres en t t he b eg i n ni n g of a rea cti on i n favour

of t h e old h eroes da t i n
, g f rom a t i m e wh en t he f ai th w as w ell
es ta b li s h ed . There wa s n o dan g er of a pag an reviva l an d , ,

p rovi ded t he Fi an s w ere Ch ri s ti an i s ed i t m i g ht be l eg iti m at e

,
 T HE RELIGION or T H E ANCIEN T CEL T S
to repr es en t th em a s h eroi c an d n obl e Th e Colloqu y woul d .

rep res en t t h e h i g h w a t er m ark of thi s react i on a m on g t he

-

l ett ered cla s s es f or a m on g t he f ol k t o j u dg e by popu l ar tal es

, , ,

t he Fi an s ha d n ever b een r eg a r ded i n oth er th an a f avoura b l e

l i g ht . The Coll oqu y re es t a b l i s h ed t he dig n i t y o f t he Fi an han d -

i n t h e ey es of offi ci al Ch ri s ti an i ty Th ey are b aptized or . .

_

rel ea s ed f r om h ell a n d i n th ei r own n a t ur e th ey a re v i r t u ou s

,

an d f oll ow l of ty i deal s Who or wh at wa s i t tha t m ai n tai n ed

.

n l i f e ? a s k s Pa t ri ck A n d Caoi l t e i ves t h e n ob l e re l y
”
y ou,
i g .
-

p ,

Tru th th a t was i n our h eart s an d s t reng th i n our arm s an d , ,

f u lfil m en t i n our t on g u es Pa trick s ay s of Fi on n : He wa s

” “
.

a kin g a s e er a p oet a l ord w i t h a man i f old a n d g rea t t ra i n ;

-

, ,
.
,
—

ou r m a g i ci an our k n o w l ed ea b l e on e ou r s ooth s a y er ; all wh a t

, g ,

s oever h e s a i d was s w eet wit h hi m E x ces s ive p erch ance a s -

. , ,

y e d e em m y t es ti m on y of F i onn a l th ou h
g y e h ol d th a t whi ch I
,

s a y t o be overs t rai n ed n everth el es s a n d by t h e K i n

, g th at i s ,

a b ov e m e he w a s th ree t i m
, es b ett er s ti ll Not onl y s o b ut .
,

Ca oi l t e m a i n t ai n s th at F i onn an d hi s m en w ere a ware of .

t h e ex i s t en ce of t he t ru e God _ Th ey poss es sed t he a ni m a .

n a tu ra li ter Chr i s ti a n a The g rowing ap preci a ti on of a wider

.

o u t l ook on l i f e an d
pos s ibl y a cq ua in t an ce with t he rom an ces
,

of chi va l ry m a de t he comp os iti on of t he Colloqu y

, ,
p os s ib l e bu t , ,

a g a in i t m a rep res en t a m ore n erous con ce ti on of

,
.

y g e p pag an i s m
ex i s t i n g f rom t h e ti m e o f t he fi rs t en cou n t er of Ch ri s t i an ity

with it i n Irel an d .

The s t rif e of creeds i n Irel and t he old order ch ang ing , ,

g i vi n g pl ace t o n ew ha d evi den t l y i mpres s ed i ts elf on t h e m i n ds

,

of C el ti c p o et s a n d rom a n cers It s ugg es t ed its el f to th em as

.

p rovi di n g a n ex cell en t s i t u a ti on h en ce w e con s ta n tl y hear

“

of t he m eetin o f d d m i d h with t h e sa i n ts
g g o s e g o s or eroe,s ,

of t he n e w era Frequ en tly th ey bow b ef ore t he C ros s th ey

.
,

a re b a p t i z ed a n d recei ve t he Ch ri s t i an v erity as i n t he Colloqu y ,

a n d i n s om e docu m en t s of t h e Cl l chu l ai nn cy cl e Probab l y ’

.
 I 56 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS

heroes and h eroin es are n ot on th eir n a ti ve hea th an d ,

are u n cer t ai n wh eth er t o m i n ce a n d s t ru t w i th P op e or t o

f ol l ow n a t u re wi th Rou s s eau s n obl e s a vag es a n d S a i n t Pi erre s

’ ’

Pau l an d V irg in i a The ti m e has g one wh en it was h eres y t o

.

cas t dou bt u p on t he g en u i n en es s of M acPhers on s epi c bu t i f

’

a n y on e i s s ti ll d ou bt fu l l et hi m rea d it a n d th en t urn t o t h e
,

ex i s ti n g v ers i on s b all a d s a n d t al es
,
He wil l fin
, d hi m s elf i n
.

a t o t all y d i fferen t a tm os p h ere a n d wi l l r ecog ni s e i n t he l a tt er

,

t he tru e epi c n ot e — t he warri or s ra g e an d the warr i or s

’ ’

g e n e ro s ity d i re c
,
ru el ty y et i n fi n it e t en dern es s wi l d l us t y et ,
.

al s o t ru e l ove a w orld o f m ag i c s up ern a tu ral i s m bu t an ex act

, ,

cop y of thi n g s a s th ey w ere i n tha t f ar o ff ag e The b arb ari s m -

.

o f t he t i m e i s i n th es e ol d t al es — deeds whi ch m a k e on e s hiver ,

cu s t om s reg ar din g the r el a ti on s of t he s ex es n ow f o un d on l y

am on g s a vag es s oci a l a nd dom es ti c a rr an g em en t s whi ch are

,

s om ewh at l u ri d an d d i s u s tin g An d y et with al t he n ot e

g .
, ,

of b rav ery of p as s i on
, of a u th en ti c l i f e i s
,
there ; we are
h eld i n the g ri p of g enui ne m an h ood an d w om an hood
. .

Ma cPhers on g ives a pi ctu re of t he O s s ian ic a g e a s he con

cei ved it an ag e of C el ti c hi s t ory th a t
“
,
n ever wa s on s ea or

l and
”
. Even hi s g hos ts are u n C el ti c m is ty an d u n s u b -
,

s t a n t i al p ha n tas m s u nl ik e t he em b odi ed r even a n ts of t he

,

s ag a whi ch are i n a g reemen t with t he C el ti c b el i ef th a t t he

'

sou l as s u m ed a b o dy i n t he o th er w orld Ma cPhers on m akes .

Fi onn i nvaria b l y s ucces s f ul but i n t he s ag a t al es he i s of t en

'

d ef ea t ed . He m in g l es t he C uchul ainn an d Os s i an i c cycl es but ,

thes e s ave i n a f ew cas ual in s tances are quit e di s tin ct i n t he old

, ,

l it era t ur e Yet had n ot hi s poem been s o g rea t as i t i s th oug h

.
v
,

s o nu C el ti c it cou l d n ot h a ve i n fl uen ced a l l Europ ea n l itera t ure

-
,
.

Bu t th os e w ho care f or g en u i n e C el ti c l it era t u re t he product ,

of a e
p p o l e w h o l o v ed n a t ur e r om a n ce d ou hty d eed s
g ,
t h e , ,

b eau ty of t he world t he m us i c of t he s ea an d t he birds t he

, ,

m ou n t ai ns val our i n m , en b ea u ty i n w om en wi l l find all th es e

, ,
 T HE FIO NN S AGA 1 57

i n t he s ag a , wh eth er i n i t s l iterary i t s p opul ar f orm s

or . And
throu g h i t al l s ou n d s t he u n der t on e of C el t i c pa th os a nd

m elan ch ol y , t he dis t an t h
ec o

“
Of ol d un ha ppy , far-
o ff t hi n g s
”
An d b at t l es l ong a g o.
 C HA P TER I X .

G O D S AND ME N .

THOU GH m an u s ual l y m akes hi s g ods i n hi s own im ag e they

‘

a re unl ik e a s w el l a s l ik e hi m In t erm edi at e b etw een them

.

a n d m a n are i deal h ero es wh os e paren t ag e i s par tl y d iv in e ,

an d who m ay th em s el ves h a ve b een g O ds On e m ark of t h e .

C el ti c g ods i s their g rea t s t a tu re N 0 h ouse cou ld con tain .

B ran an d certa in d1 v1 n e people of El ys iu m who a ppeared t o

,

Fi on n had rl n g s as thi ck as a three ox g oad 1

Even t he -
.
”

Fi an s are g i an t s an d t h e s k ull of on e of th em could con ta in

,

s ev eral m en The g ods h ave a l s o t he a ttrib u t e of i nvi sib i l ity

.
,

a n d are on l y s een by th o s e t o wh om th ey wi s h t o d i s cl os e

them s elves or they have th e pow er of conceal i ng th ems el ves

,

i n a m ag i c m i s t W h en they a pp ear t o m ortal s it i s u s u all y

.

i n mortal g u i s e s ome ti m es i n t he f orm of a particul a

, r p ers on ,

bu t th ey ca n a ls o t rans f orm them s elves i n t o a n i m al s h ap es ,

of t en th a t of bi rd s The an i m al n am es of cert ain d ivi n iti es

.

s h ow th a t th ey ha d o n ce b een a n im a l s pu re an d s i m p l e bu t ,

wh en they b ecam e an th ropom orphi c m yth s w oul d aris e t ell ing ,

how th ey had a ppeared t o m en i n th ese an i m al s ha pes Thi s .

,

i n part accou n t s f or th es e trans f orm a ti on m yth s

, The g ods .

a re a l s o i m m or t al th ou g h i n m yth w e h ea r of th ei r dea th s
, .

The Tu a t ha Dé D an an n are u n f a di n their d ura ti on i s

“ “
g ,

p er enn i a l 2
Thi
”
. s i m m ort al ity i s s om eti m es a n i n h er en t
quality ; s om eti m es it i s the res ul t of eati ng im morta l f ood
1
O Gra dy , i i 228
’
. .

t h e i m m ort al g od s Gaul
‘ ‘
2
I bi d i i . 2 03 . Cf Caes ar,
. . vi . 1 4, of .

l s8
1 60 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT C E L TS

repres en ta tives in carnation s of g ods P erhaps thi s expla in s

or .

why a ch i ef of t he B oii called hi m s el f a g od an d was revered

a f t er hi s d ea th a n d why t he G a ul s s o r ea di l y a cce t ed t he
, p
di vin ity of A ug us tu s I ri s h ki n g s b ear divine nam es an d of
.
,

th es e Nuada occurs frequen tly, on e k i ng I rel Faith b eing , ,

i den tifi ed with Nua da Ai rg etl am whil e i n on e: t ex t n u a cl a t i s

-t

o f t he ki n a s i f Nu a da ha d com e t o b e a
“ ”
g l os s ed tn r ly , g ,

t i tle m ean ing king W els h king s b ear t he n am e N u dd

“ ”
.

( N o d o n s ),
a n d b o th t he -
a c t u a l a n d t h e m ythi c l ea der B r en n as

t ook th eir n am e from t he g od B ran King C onchob ar i s call ed .

a t erres tri a l g od I f king s w ere th oug ht t o

“ ”
dta ta lm a td e ,
.
[

be g od m en l ike th e Ph araoh s thi s m ig ht accou n t f or t h e

'

-
,

f requ ency of t al es a b ou t d ivin e f a th erh ood or rei ncarn a ti on ,

whil e it w oul d al s o ex pl ai n t he num erou s g ea s a whi ch I ri s h

ki ng s m u st ob s erve u nl ike ordi n ary m ortals Pros perity was

, .

con n ect ed with t h ei r Ob s erva n ce th oug h thi s p ros p erity wa s ,

l a t er th oug ht t o dep en d on t h e ki ng s g oodn es s Then a t u re

’
.

of t h e r os p erity— m i ld s eas on s a b u n dan t cro s f u it fi h

p , p r s , , ,

an d ca t t l e— s h ow s th a t t he ki ng wa s a ss oci a t ed with f er ti l ity ,

l ik e t he g ods of g rowth 1
Hen ce th ey ha d p robabl y b een once
.

reg arded as i n carn a ti on s of s uch g ods W h erever di vin e king s

.

a re f ou n d f erti l ity i s b ou n d u p with th em a n d with t he du e

,
.

Ob s ervan ce of th eir t a b u s To preven t m i s f ort un

. e t o t h e l an d -

th ey are s lain b ef ore th ey g row Ol d a nd w eak an d th eir vig our ,

p as se s o n t o th ei r s u cc e s s o rs Th e i r .d ea th b e n e fit s th e i r

p peo l e
?
B u t f r eq u e n t l y t h e ki n
g m i g ht re i g n a s l o n g a s h e

cou ld h old h i s own a g a i n s t all com ers or ag a in a s la v e or , , ,

1
I T i i i . 203 ; Tri p . s e, 5 07 Ann a l s of the Fou r Ma s ter s, A.D . 1 4 ; RC
xxn . 2 8 , 1 6 8 . Chi efs as w el l a s k i ng s prob abl y i n u en ced f ert i li t y . A cu ri ou sfl
s u rvi val of t hi s i s f ou n d i n t h e b el i ef t h a t h erri n g s a b ou n d ed i n D un veg an Loch

wh en Mac Leod arri ved a t hi s cas t l e t h ere, a n d i n t h e d es i re of t h e p eopl e i n

Sk y e d uri ng t h e p ot at o f a mi n e t h at h i s fa i ry bann er s h oul d b e waved .
2
An ech o o f t hi s m ay un d erli e t h e word s a tt ri b ut ed t o K i n g Ai li ll ,
l
If I
a m s l a i n , i t wi l l b e t h e red em p ti on o f m any ( O Gra dy , i i .
’
 GODS AND ME N 1 6 1

cr im inal was f or a tim e t rea t ed as a m ock kin g an d s l ai n a s ,

t he d i vi n e k i ng s s u b s ti t u t e S catt ered hi n t s i n Iri s h li t era tu re

’
.

a n d i n f ol k s u rvi va l s s h o w th a t s om e s u ch cou rs e a s thi s ha d

b een pu rs u ed by the C el ts w i th reg ard t o thei r di vi n e kin g s ,

a s it w a s al so el s ewh ere It i s n ot i m pos s i ble th at s om e a t

1
.

l ea s t of t he D r ui d s s t ood i n a s i mil a r r ela ti on t o t he g ods .

Ki ng s a nd pri es ts w ere proba b l y a t fi rs t n ot di fferen ti a ted .

I n G al a tia tw el v e t et rarch s m et a nn u all y with th ree ”

hun dred as s is t an t s a t D run em et on a s t he g rea t n a tion al

cou nci Thi s cou n cil a t a con s ecra t ed pl ace (n emeton ) i t s
?
l ,

l ik en es s t o t he a n n u al D ru i di c g a th eri n g i n G aul an d t h e ,

pos s ib il i ty th at D r u has s om e conn ecti on with th e n am e

D ruid poin t t o a relig ious a s well a s pol iti cal a s pect of thi s
,
”

The t etrarch s m ay ha ve b een a ki n d of pries t

“ ”
cou n ci l .

king s ; th ey ha d t he k i ngl y p rerog a tive of actin g a s j u dg es as

ha d t he D rui ds of G aul The wi f e of on e of th em was a
.

pri es t es s ? t he offi ce b eing h eredit ary i n her f am il y a n d it m ay ,

have b een n eces s ary tha t her h us b an d s h oul d als o be a pri es t .

One t et rarch D ei ot aru s ,

di vin e b ul l wa s s ki l l ed i n au g ury
, , ,

a n d t h e pri es t k i ng s hi p o f Pes s i n u s w a s con f err ed on cert ai n

-

C el t s i n t he s ecbn d cen t ury B C a s i f the dou bl e offi ce w ere

. .
,

a l rea dy a C el ti c i n s tit u t i on
4
Mythi c C el t i c k i ng s con s ul t ed
.

t he g ods w i th ou t an y pri es tl y i n t erven tion a nd Qu een ,

B oudi cca ha d pri es t y u cti on s W ithou t g ivin g th es e hi n t s

l f n 5
.

u n d ue em p h a s i s w e m a y s u pp os e th a t th e d i fferen ti a ti on of t h e
,

t wo offi ces w ould n ot b e s i m ul t an eou s over t he C el ti c area .

“
1
S ee Frazer, Ki ng s hip Cook , Th e Europ ean S ky God.
Folk L ore, 1 906 ,
- -

x
Mr Cook g i ves a m pl e evi d ence for t h e e i s t en ce of Cel t i c i n carn a t e g od s .
.

Wi t h hi s m a i n concl usi ons I ag ree, t houg h s om e o f hi s i n feren ces s eem far

fet ch ed Th e d i vi n e ki ng was , i n h i s vi ew , a s k y g od h e w as m ore lik ely t o
.
-

h av e b een t h e rep res en t at i ve of a g od or s pi ri t o f g rowt h or veg et at i on .

2
S t rab o, xii . 5 2.
.
3
Pl u t arch , de Vi r t Ma l 2 0
. . .

4
Ci cero, d e Di v. i . 1 5 , 1 1 . 36 S t rab o, x1 1 . 5 3 S t aehel i n , Gesek d er Kl ei n
. .

asi a t Ga l a ter
. .

5
Li vy, v 3 4 ; Di o Ca s s 1x1 1 . 6 .
. .

I I
 1 62 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
Bu t when it di d tak e t
w ou ld proba bl y l a y cl aim
eff ec pri es ts
t o t he pr erog a tives of t h e p ri es t k i n g a s i ncarn at e g od -
.

King s w ere n ot l i k el y t o g i v e th es e u p an d wh ere th ey ,

reta i n ed th em pri es t s w oul d b e con t en t with s eein th t t he

g a

ta b u s an d ritu al and t he s l a yi ng Of t he m ock ki ng w ere d u l y

Ob s er ved .I ris h kin g s w ere p erhap s s t il l r egarded as g ods ,

thoug h cert ain D ru i ds m ay h ave b een divi ne pri es t s s i nce ,

th ey call ed th em s el ves cr ea t ors of t he un i vers e an d b oth ,

con ti n en t al an d I ri s h D ru i ds cl ai m ed s u p er i ori ty t o ki ng s .

Fu rth er the n am e « n dé a ppl i ed al on g with the n am e

,
e vo of ,

“
D rui ds t o C el tic pries t s th oug h i ts m ean i ng 1 s ob s cure , ,

p oin ts t o d ivin e p et en s i th ei p t 1
n s on a
-
r o r r .

The i n carn a te g od wa s prob a bly repres en t a tive of a g od

or s p i rit of eart h g rowth or v eg e t at i on r epres en t ed a l s o by a
, , ,

tree A s ym b ol i c b ranch of s u ch a t ree wa s b orn e by king s

.
f
'

a n d p erh ap s by D ru i d s w h d k b ch es i n th ei r r ites
o u n ?
se o a ra
,

Kin g an d t ree w ou l d be conn ect ed t he king s lif e being b ou n d ,

’

u p with th a t o f t h e t ree a n d p erh ap s a t o n e ti m e b oth ,

p eri s h ed t o eth er
g B ut as .ki ng s w ere r e res en t ed
p by a

s u b s tit u t e s o t he s acred t ree reg ar d ed a s t oo s a cred t o b e cu t

, ,

dow n m a y al s o h av e ha d i t s s u cceda neu m

,
The I ri s h bi le or .

s a cr ed t l ee c n n ect ed with t he ki n g s m u s t n o t b e tou ch ed

o , ,

by an y i m pi ous han d and it wa s s a cril eg e t o cu t it d own ?

,

Prob abl y b ef or e cu tti ng down t he t ree a b ra nch or s om ethi ng

rowi n g u pon it e g m i s t l et oe ha d t o b e cu t o r t h e k i ng s
’

g ,
. .
, ,

s y m b ol i c b ran ch s ecu red b ef ore h e cou l d be s l a i n Thi s m ay .

a i n P l i ny s a ccoun t of t he m i s tl et oe r it e e m i s t l et oe
’

p l T h .

or bra n ch wa s t he s oul of t he t ree a n d a l s o con t a i n ed t he

'

l i fe of t h e di vi n e repres en t a tive It m u s t be pl u ck ed b ef ore .

t he t ree cou ld be cu t d ow n or t he vi ct i m s lai n Hy p oth eti cal

'

a s th i s m ay b e P li n y s a ccou n t i s i n com pl et e or he i s rel a ti n g

’

, ,

1
An ci en t La ws of I r el a n d, i 22 . Di og Laert i . proem 1
. .
p 301 , i nf r a .
s ee .

3
2
Pli ny , xvi . 95 . P. 201 , i nf r a .
1 64 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CEL TS
of l at er f ol k -
t
S poradicall y t oo con s erva tis m w ould
cus om . , ,

ret a in f em a l e cu l t s with f em al e d i vi n e i n carna ti on s as i s

"

s een by t he p res en ce of t h e M ay Queen a l on e i n cert a i n

f olk s urv ival s a n d by m an y C el ti c r it u al s f rom whi ch m en

-
,

w ere ex clu ded ?

1
S ee Ch ap XVI I I
. .
 C HA P TE R X .

TH E CU L T O F TH E D E AD .

h t he dead or s la g

rever ence f or t he s ep u
w
w ors hi p of an ces t ral s p r s a s wel l a s of rea t de art ed h eroes
i it
fi th e dea d t tw
a
r l tfi a

.
_

Hea ds of t he s lai n were offered t o the Strong s h a des — the

” fl i p ” .

“ ’

g h o s t s of t rib a l h eroes wh ose pra i s es w ere s u ng by b ard s

?

W h en s u ch h ea ds w ere placed on h ou s es th ey m ay h ave b een ,

d ev ot ed t o t he f am i l y g h os ts The h on ou r i n whi ch m ythi c

.

or rea l h eroes w ere h el d m a y p oi n t t o a n a ct u a l cu l t

. t he ,

h ero b eing w ors hipped when d ea d wh i l e he s ti ll con tinu ed ,

hi s g u ardi an s hi p of t he t rib e W e k n ow als o tha t the t om b

.

Of Ki n g Cot ti u s i n t he Al p s w a s a s a cred pl ace th a t I ri s h ,

king s w ere of ten i n aug ura ted on ances tral b urial cairn s an d ,

th at I ri s h g ods w ere as s ocia t ed with b arrow s of t he dea d ?

Aedu i i ; th i s l a tt er cu s t om m a y h ave b een g en era l I n a ny ?

ca s e t he be l ief i n t h e pr es en ce of
. an ces t ra l g h os t s arou n d t h e
N W
h ea rt h wides pread ex1 s t 1 n g s u p ers t l t l on s S h o w
.

In
0 o

as , as .

1
Si l i us It al i cu s , 6 5 2 ; Lu can , i . 4 47 . Cf p. 24 1 , i nf ra .
v. .

2
Ammi an . Ma rcel l . xv 1 0. 7 ; oy ce, S E 1 4 5 .
. J .

3
Bulli ot , Fou i l l es d a Mont B er t ra y , Aut un , 1 8 99, i 7 6 , 396 .
gs
/ .

I
1 66 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L T S
B rittan y the dead s ee—k warm th at
th e h earth b n ig htt an d
a f ea s t i s s f é f d fo r t hem
w
,

m are
“ m a M
’

fi - .J uu flfl
‘ " J ‘ F ‘

l ef t f or
fam
t he h earth a nd doin g t he h ou seh old w ork 2
Fairy cor res p on d s

W
.

M
M W “ “ N l

l
’

in l 1 ep ot s .“
Q an d t he on e h as
s u cceeded th er while t he f air y i s even
t o t he pl ace of t he o ,

s a i d t o be t h e g h os t of a dea d p ers on C ertain archaeolpgi cg l

?

rem a i n s h a e al s o a con n ecti on wi thi h seg i en t cul t A m on g

v g .
u w —M
‘
“ W orl d-N M

t
fl

mu
M M fi “
‘
H
M A W V

M Das llsla ta s
M

with raw s ?h ea d
‘

d
esw he s ym h ou f
h
s acr ifi ce o ffered to “ , “
a n cest ors g n them l ta r of t he
, ““ w

heali hj
l .
1
‘
The ra mi fi ci al wa s al rea d y a s s oc a ed i t as a s a cr

a ni m al w i th t he cu l t of fire on t he heart h a n d by a n eas y

”

t ran s ition it w as conn ect ed with t he cul t of the dead th ere .

It i s f oun d a s an em b lem on an ci en t t om b s an d t he dom es tic ,

Lar wa s p u rifi ed by t h e imm ol a ti on of a ra m ?

Fig uri n es of
a ram h ave b een f ou n d i n G a u l is h t om b s an d it i s a s s ocia t ed ,

with the g od of the u n derworl d The ram of the a n dir on s

6
:

was th u s a p erm an en t repr es en t a tive of t he vi cti m offered i n

t he cul t of t he d ead A m u tilated i n s crip tion on on e Of th em .

m ay s t an d f or La r i bu s a ug u s ti s an d cert a in m arki ngs on ,

oth ers m a re s en t t h e l n d twi d u d t h i ti m 7

y p re
g ar a s n e ro n e v c .

S erpen t s with ram s h ea ds occur on the m on u m en t s of t he ’

u nd erw orl d The s erpen t wa s a chth oni an g od or t he

g od .

1
Le Braz, 6 7 ; S a u v , Fol k -l ore d es Ha u tes Vosg es ,
11. é 2 95 ; B ereng er
Féra ud , S up ers ti ti ons et S u rvi va n ces , i . 1 1 .
2
Hearn , Ar ya n Hou s ehol d , 43 f. Bereng er Ferand , i -
. 33 Rev d os Tra d .
.

i . 1 42 : Car mi ch a el , i i . 329 Cos qu i n , Tr a d , Pop d e l a L orr a i n e, i 8 2 . . .

an d
3
K enn edy , 1 26 . Th e m i s chi ev ou s b rown i e wh o overt urn s f urni t u re
s m a s h es cr ock ery is an e x a ct reprodu ct i on of t h e Pol terg ei s t .
Dech el et t e, Rev. Ar ch
4
ii i . 6 3, 24 5 , 25 2 . xxx .

5
Ci cero, De L eg i i 2 2 . . .

Dech el ett e, 25 6 Rei n ach , E R 1 8 9 .

7
Dech el ett e, 25 7 — 25 8 I n a n ot h er i ns t a nce t h e ram i s m ark ed wi t h
. cros s es

lik e t hos e eng raved on i m ag es of t he und erworld g od wi t h t h e h a m m er .

1 68 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT '

CE L TS

corn of t he Tua th a Dé Da nann b ut t he

, s on s w ere dri ven off

d i ed g ri ef b eg g i n g
th a t a fa ir s h ould al ways be
"
an d s he of ,

held i n her n am e, a n d pr om i s in g
a b u n da nce of m i l k f ru it a n d , ,

fis h f or i t s ob s ervan ce ? Th es e m ay be aeti ol og i cal m yth s

ex p l a i n i n g t he or ig i n Of th es e f es ti val s on t h e an al og y of

f un eral f es ti val s bu t m ore l ik el y s in ce Lug nas a d wa s a

, ,

h arves t f es tiva l they a re connected with t he cu s t om of s la y

,

i ng a repres en t a t i ve Of t he corn s pi ri t The f es tival w ou l d

‘

-
.

b ecom e a comm em orati on of al l s u ch victims bu t wh en the ,

cu s t om its elf ha d cea s ed it w ou ld be as s o ci a t ed with on e

p ar ti cu l ar
per s on a g e t h e corn g o
,
dd es s r e a rded a s a m ort a l
g
-
.

1
This w oul d be t he ca s e where t he vi ctim was a w om an bu t ,

wh ere a m al e wa s s l ain t he a n al og y of t he s la yi ng of t he
,

divin e kin g or hi s s u cceda n eu m w oul d l ea d t o t h e fes tival s

b ein g reg ard ed a s com mem orative of a ki ng e g Garm an , . . .

This ag rees with t he s ta t em en t th at ob s ervan ce of t he

f es ti va l p rodu ced pl en ty ; n on Ob s ervan ce d ear th The -
,
.

v i cti m s w ere S l a i n t o Obt ai n p l en ty a n d t he f es t i va l w ou ld ,

a l s o comm em ora t e th ose wh o ha d d ied f or thi s g ood cau s e ,

whil e it w ould al s o a ppeas e their g h os t s s h ould th es e be a ng ry

a t th ei r vi ol en t dea th s Certa in of t he dea d w ere thu s com
.

m em orat ed a t Lu g nas ad a f es ti val of f ertil ity

_
, _
B oth t he .

corn s pi rit or d i vi n ity S l a in i n t h e rea pi n of t h e c orn a n d

g
-
,

t he h u m an v i cti m s w ere a pp eas ed by i t s Ob s erva n ce

,
2
The .

l eg en d of C arm an m ak es her h os til e t o t he corn— a cu ri ou s e

w ay of reg arding a corn g oddes s Bu t we h ave al read y s een

-
.

t ha t g ods of f ertil ity w ere s om eti m es th oug ht of a s ca us in g

bl ig ht a nd i n fol k b el i ef t he corn s p irit i s occas ion all y
,
- -

b el ieved t o be dan g erou s S u ch i n vers i ons occu r wh erever .

revol u ti on s i n rel i i on t a k e
g pl a ce .

The g reat comm em ora ti on of t he dea d was h eld on

1
Renn es Di nds eneha s , R C xv. 31 3— 31 4 .
2
Cf. Fra zer, Ad on i s , 1 34 .
 THE CUL T OF THE DEAD 1 69

S amhai n eve a f es ti val i n ten ded t o ai d t he dyin g powers of

,

v eg et a t i on wh os e l i f e h ow ev er wa s s till m a n i f es t ed i n ev er
, , ,

g re en s h ru b s i n t he m i s t l et oe i n t he s h eaf of corn f rom l a s t

, ,

h arves t t he a b ode of the corn s pir it Prob abl y al s o h um an

— ? -
, ,

rep res en t a ti ves of t he v eg et a ti on or corn s pi rit w ere s l ai n -

,

a n d th i s m a y h av e s u es t ed t h e b el i ef i n t he pres en ce of
gg
th ei r g h os t s at thi s f es ti val Or t he f es tival b eing h el d a t
.

t he ti m e of t h e dea th of veg et a ti on t he dead w oul d n a t u rall y ,

be com m em ora t ed th en Or a s i n S can di n avia th ey m a y

.
, ,

h ave b een h eld t o have an i nfl uen ce on fertil ity a s an ex ,

t en s i on Of t he b el ief tha t certa in s l a in pers ons repres ent ed

s p i rit s of f ert i l ity or b eca u s e t rees a n d
, pl an t s g rowi ng on t he
ba rrows of t he dea d w ere th ou g ht t o be tenan t ed by th ei r
S pi ri t s I n S can di navi a t he dead w ere as s oci a t ed with f em al e
?
,

s pi rit s or f y lg u r
j i den tified wi th t he d i si r a ki n d of earth
, ,

g o dd e s s es l,
i v i n
g i n h oll ow hi ll s
?
Th e n ea r es t C el ti c a n a l og y

t o th es e i s t he Ma tr es g oddes s es of f ertil ity

,
B ede s ay s th a t .

Ch ris t m as eve was call ed Modra n i eht Moth ers Ni g ht a n d 4

,
’

,
”

as m an y of t he rit es of S a m h a i n w ere t ra n s ferred t o Yu l e ,

t he form er dat e of Modr a n i cht m a y h ave b een S am h a in j us t ,

as t h e S can din avi an Di sa blot h eld i n N ovem b er w a s a , ,

f es tival of t h e d i si r a n d of t h e d ea d 5
It has b een s een tha t .

t he C el ti c Ear th g od was l ord of t h e dea d an d th a t h e

-
,

p ro b a b l y t ook t he pl a ce of an E ar th
g o d d e s s or g o d d es s es t o -
,

wh om t h e Ma tres certain l y corres p on d H en ce the conn ecti on .

of t he d ea d with f em al e Ear th s pi ri t s w ou l d be ex pla i n ed -

.

Moth er Earth ha d received t h e d ea d b efore her pl ace wa s

t ak en by t he C el t i c Di s pa t er H en ce t he tim e of Earth s .
’

1
Cf Chamb ers , M edi aeva l S ta g e, i 25 0, 2 53
. . .

2
S ee V i g fu s s on Pow ell , Corp us Poet B or ea l e, i 4 05, 4 1 9
-
Perha ps f or a
. . .

s i m i l ar reas on a cu l t o f t h e d ea d m ay h ave occu rred a t t h e Mi d s umm er f es t i val .

3
Mi s s Fara d ay , Folk L ore, -
x vi i . 398 f .
4
Bed e, ale Temp . Ra t. c. xv.
5
Vi g fus s on Powel l , i . 4 1 9.
-
 1 7 0 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L T S
d ecay wa s t he wh en t he dea d her children w ould be
s eas on , ,

com m em ora t ed W hat ever be the reas on C el t s Teut on s a n d

.
, , ,

o th ers h ave com m em ora t ed t h e dea d a t t he b eg in n in g of

wi n ter whi ch was the b eg i n n in g of a new y ear wh i le a
, ,

s i m il ar f es ti va l of t he dea d a t New Year 1 8 h el d i n m a n y

o t her l a n ds .

Bo t e f ood

in B ri ttan y a hu g e l og h earth W e have h ere

b urns on t he . .

ret urn ed t o t he cu l t of t he d ea d a t t he h ear th Possi bl y t he

?

Yul e l og wa s on ce a l og b u rn ed on t he h earth the pl ace of —

t he f am i l y g h os t s at S a m h a i n
—
wh en n ew fire w a s kin dl ed
,

i n ea ch h ous e On it l ib a t io n s w ere p ou red whi ch w ou l d th en

. ,

h ave b een m ean t f or t h e dea d The Yul e/ l og an d t he l og of .

t he B ret on p ea s a n t s w ou ld th us be t h e d om es ti c a s pect of t he
fire ritual which h ad i t s p u b l i c as pect i n t he S a m hain b O
,
n fires .

Al l thi s ha s b een i n par t a ffected by t he Chr i s ti an f eas t

of All S oul s D r F ra z er thin k s th a t t h e f ea s t of All S a in t s
. .
.

( N ov e m b er l s t ) w a s i n t en d ed t o t ak e t h e p l a ce of t h e a
p g a n cu l t
of t h e d ea d AS it f a il ed t o d o thi s All S oul s a fes tival of al l
.
, ,

t he dea d w as a dded on Nov em b er 2n d

,
?
To s om e ex t en t bu t ,

n ot en ti rel y it has n eu t ral i s ed t he

, pag an r it es f or t he Ol d i dea s ,

con n ect ed with S a m h a i n s t i ll s u rv ive h ere a nd th ere It i s .

a l s o t o b e n o t ed th a t i n s om e ca s es t he fri en dl y a s ect of t he
p
d ea d h as b een l os t s ig ht of a n d l ik e t he s i d f ol k th ey a re
, ,
-
,

p opu l arl y conn ect ed wi t h evi l p ow ers whi ch are i n t he

a s cenda n t on S am h a i n ev e .

1
Curt i n , Ta l es , 1 5 7 Ha dd on , Fol k Lore i v 359
-
, . Le Bra z, i i 1 1 5 et p as si m .
.

2
Fra zer, Ad oni s , 25 3 f.
 1 7 2 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS

f
n ai ve b eau ty an d poetry even i f it ha
f ai th , f u ll of d me dark ,

an d
g r i m a s p ect s ! Th es e p ow e rs o r p ers on al iti es ha d b een

i n vok ed f rom tim e imm em orial bu t t he i nvocati ons w ere s oon ,

s t er eo ty ped in t o defi n it e f orm ul ae S u ch a f orm ul a i s pu t i n t o

.

t h e m ou th of Am ai rg en t he p oet of t he Mil es ian s wh en th ey

, ,

were a b ou t t o inva de Erin an d it m ay have b een a m ag ical

,

i n voca tion of the p ow ers of n at ure a t t he b eg inn ing of an

"

u n dert akin o r i n tim es Of dan er

g g

I i nvok e t h e l and of Irel an d !

S hi n i ng , s hi n i ng s ea !
Fert i l e, f ert i l e m oun t a i n !
Wo od ed v al e
Abu nd ant r i ver, a bun d ant i n wat ers !
Fi s h ab oun di ng l ak e !
Fi s h ab oun di ng s ea !
Fert i l e ea rt h !
I rrup t i on of fis h ! Fi s h t h ere !
Bi rd un d er w ave ! Great fis h !
Crab h ol e ! I rru pt i on of fis h !
” 1
Fi sh a boun d i n g s ea

A s i m il ar f orm ul a was s p ok en af t er t he des tru cti on of Da

D erg a s H os t el by M acCecht on hi s fi n di ng w at er He b athed
’
.

in i t an d s an — 4
g

Cold fou nt ai n ! S urface of s t ra nd

S ea of l ak e, w a t er o f Gara , s t rea m of ri ver ;
Hi g h s pri ng w ell ; col d f ount ai n

The g oddes s Morrig an , a ft er t he d efea t of t he F omor i an s ,

in v ok es t he pow ers of n a tu re a n d procl ai m s t he vi ct ory t o
t he roy al m oun t a i n s of I relan d, t o i t s chi ef wa t ers , an d i t s
“

i
r v er m ou th s .
” 3
It was al s o cu s om ar t y to t ak e oa ths by t he
el em en s — t h eaven ,
ear th , s un , fire, m oon , s ea , l an d, day , ni g ht ,

1
The t ran sl at i on i s from D Arboi s , i i . 250 f ; cf. O Curry ,
’
MC
’
LL 1 2b .

11 . 1 90. 2
RC xx
i i . 400 .
3
RC xi i . 1 09 .
 PRI MI TIVE NATURE WORSHIP 1 73

et c., a n d th es e p u ni s h ed t he
break er of t he oa th Even t he ?

g od s exa ct ed su ch
a n oa th of ea ch oth er B res s w ore by s u n .
,

m oon s ea an d l an d t o f u l fil t he en g ag em en t i m pos ed on hi m
, , ,

by Lug The f orm ul ae s urvi ved i n t o Chri s ti an ti m es an d the

?
,

f aith fu l w ere f orbi dden t o call t he s u n an d m oon g ods or t o

s w ea r by th em whi l e i n B ret on f ol k cus t om a t t h e pres en t
,
-

day oa th s by s u n m oon or earth f ollow ed by p un i s h m en t of

, , ,

t he oa th b reak er by t h e m oon are s ti ll i n us e

-
?
Th es e oath s
,

had orig ina t ed i n a ti m e wh en t he elemen ts —t he ms el ves m g e

t hou g ht t o be divin e an d s im i lar a dj ura ti ons w ere u s ed by
,

G reek s a n d S can di na vian s .

t
a n d s rea m s
W
4
a n d whi l e g rea t er di vi n i ti es of g row
, _ t hjad h een
i n l es s er S pi rit s of ve et a t i on of
evo
l ,

t he corn an d Of f ert i l ity con n ect ed h ow ever w i th th es e g ods

, , , .

S om e of t es e s tim l l s ur v ive a s fairi es s een i n m eadow s w ood ,

M
l an ds or s t ream s or a s dem on i a c b ei ng s h a un ti ng l onel y p l a ces
, , .

An d ev en n ow
w gd f jun , W m ,

p ers ona l
W S om e Sp irit s m ay alrea dy
-

hav e ha d a dem oni ac a s pect l n pag a n ti m es The Tua tha Dea .

conj u red u p m s i s i S p ectral b odi es th a t ri s e f rom t he rou n d

”
, g ,

a g a in s t t he Mi l es i an s an d a t th ei r s er vi ce w ere m a l i n an t
, g
s pr it es f orm s s p ect res an d g rea t q u een s
“ ”
— u r trochta an d , , ,

ca l l ed g u i dema i n ( fal s e dem on s ) The D rui ds al s o s en t f or th

.

m i s chi evous s pirit s cal l ed s i a br a I n t he Tai n th ere are .

1
Pet ri e, Ta ra , 3 4 ; R C vi 1 6 8 . LU 1 1 8
oy ce, OCR 5 0
.
2
J .

3
D Ach ery , Sp i eel eg i u m , v 2 1 6 S ébi l l ot , i 1 6 f , 5 6 , 21 1 .
’
. . .

1
Greg ory of Tours , H i s t. i i 1 0, s p eak s of t he curren t b el i ef i n t h e di vi ni t y
‘
.

of w at ers , bi rd s , a n d b eas t s .
5
Sébi ll ot , i . 9, 35 , 7 5 , 2 47 , et c.
1 74 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIE NT CE L TS
ref eren ces t o boean a ehs , ba n dna i ehs , an d g en i ti -
g li nni , g o bl ins ,

el dr itch being s ,
a nd g l en f ol k
twice cal ledTh es e
-
” 1
. a re

Tua t ha D e Dan an n ,
a n d thi s s u g g es t s th a t
they were n a t ure
s p ir it s a kin t o t he g r ea t er g o s The g en i ti g li nni w ou l d be
?
d —

S pi r it s h a un ti n g g l en a n d va l l ey Th ey are f ri en dl y t o Cli chu .

l ai nn i n t he Thi n bu t i n t he Fea s t of Br i er i u he an d o th er
, ,

h eroes fig ht an d d es troy th em I n m odern I ri s h b el i ef th ey

?

a r e d em on s o f t h e a i r p erh a p s f all en a n g el s
4
.
,

Mu ch of thi s i s prob ab l y pre C el tic a s w ell as C el tic but it -

,

held i t s g roun d b ecau s e it w as dear t o t he C el ts them s el ves .

They u ph el d t he a b ori g in al cul ts res em b ling th os e whi ch i n ,

t h e la n ds w hen ce th ey ca me ha d b een n ativ e an d l ocal with “

th em s elves S uch cul ts are a s old a s th e world an d when

.
,

Chri s tianity ex p ell ed t he w ors h i p of t he g reat er g ods you ng er ,

i n g rowth t he a n c1 en t n a t ure w ors hip d ow ered with i mm ort al

, ,

y ou th ,

b ow ed l ow b efore t h e bl a s t
I n p at i ent d eep di s dai n,_

to r sei i i n v ig ou r Preachers coun cil s an d l a w s i n

ag a n .
, ,

vei g h ed a g a in s t i t The old rites con ti n u ed t o be p racti s ed

“

.
,

or s u rvi ved u n der a Ch ri s tian d res s a n d col ou r i n Th y

g e a re .

f ou n d i n B ret on v i ll ag es i n H i g hl a n d g l en s i n Wel s h a n d, ,

C orn is h vall ey s i n I ris h t owns hi p s a n d onl y t he s prea d

, ,

o f s ch ool b oard edu ca t i on with i t s m a t eri al i s man d u n i nv itin

g
-
,

comm on s en s e i s f or ci n g th em a t l a s t t o yi eld
,
.

fl
The denu n ci a ti on s Of th ese cu l t s th row s om e l i g ht up on
th em O eri ng s a t t rees s t on es f oun t a in s a nd cross roads
.
'

, , ,
-
,

t h e l i g ht i n g of fi r es or ca n dl es th er e a n d vo w s or i ncan t a ti on s ,

a ddress ed t o th em a re f orbi d den a s i s a l s o t he w ors hi

,
p of ,

t rees g roves s t on es riv ers a n d w ell s The s un a n d m oon

, , , , .

1
J S 3 1 1 . 2 7 3 Corm ac, 8 7 S t ok es , T] G
oy ce, i i i ., RC xv. 307 . xxx
2
Mi s s Hu l l , 1 7 0, 1 8 7 , 1 93 ; I T 1 . 2 1 4 ; Leahy , i . 1 26 .
3
I T 1 . 28 7 . 1
Hen d ers on , I ri s h Texts , ii . 21 0.
‘
17 6 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T C EL TS

The f es ti val s g rowth b eg an , n ot a t s u n ri s e, bu t on t he

of

p r ev i ou s ev en i n g with t he ri s i n
g of t h e m oon , a n d t he na m e
La Lu n a de i s s ti ll g iv en t o t he Mi ds u m m er f es tiv al i n par t s of
Fran ce At V all on d e l a S uil l e a w ood on th e sl ope W h ere
.
1

t he f es ti val i s h eld i s cal l ed B ots ole la Lu n e a n d i n I rel an d ,

W h ere t he f es tival b eg in s on t he p revi ou s even i n g i n t he ,

d i s tri ct wh ere a n a s cen t of C n oc Ai n e i s m ade t he p os iti on of

“

t he m oon m u s t be ob s erv ed A s i m i lar com bin a ti on Of s u n .

a n d moon cu l t s i s fou n d i n a n i n s cri p ti on a t Lau s ann e— To

the g en l u s
i
f
o f the s u n a nd m oon 2
.

t he p r m i itive ympa th eti c mag i c The m oon wa x es

law of s

m
.
,

a nfi w mu s t a ffect all proces s es of g rowth or

deca y D r Fra z er ha s cited m an y in s t ances of th i s b el ief an d
. .
,

h as s h ow n th a t t he m oon ha d a p ri ority t o t he s u n i n w ors h i p ,

eg
. .i n Eg y p t an d B a by l on 3
S ow 1 n g i s don e W i th a w a x i ng .

m oon s o tha t throu gh s ym pa thy th ere m ay be a l a rg e

, , ,

in creas e Bu t ha rves ting cuttin g tim b er et c s h ou ld be don e

.
, ,
.
,

with a wan i n g m oon b ecau s e m oi s t u re b eing ca u s ed by a w ax

,

i ng m oon it wa s n eces s ary t o a voi d cu tti n g s u ch thing s as

,

w ould s poi l by m oi s t ure at tha t t i m e Sim il ar b el iefs a re

'

f ou n d am ong t he C el t s Mi s tl et oe a n d oth er m a g i cal plan t s

.

w ere cul l ed wit h a w axm g m oon prob ab l y b eca u s e th eir ,

Thi m t m k t h i xt h
'

ln na , q p i
n ae pi r n ce a, t th fi t d y f s s ee s o a e e s ,
no e rs ,
a o

t h e m oon t h at from wh i ch t h e cal cul a t i on w a s m a d e. Bu t t h e m ean i n g i s t h at

m i s t l et oe wa s cull ed on x
t h e s i t h d ay o f t he m oon , a n d t h a t t h e m oon w as t hat

by wh i ch mon t h s a n d y ea rs w ere m eas u red .

n ot s exta l un a , i s i n a ppos i
Lu n a ,
t i on w i t h qu a e Tra ces o f t h e m et h od o f cou n t i ng by ni g ht s or b y t h e m oon
.

s u rvi ve l ocall y i n Fra n ce, an d t h e u s ag e i s f req u en t i n I ri s h a n d Wel s h

l i t erat ure S ee m y art i cl e Cal en dar ( Cel t i c) i n Ha s t i n g s E n cycl op of Rel i g i on

’
. .

and E thi cs , 1 11 . 78 f .

”
1
Del ock e, La Process i on d i t e La Lun a d e, R0 i x 4 25 ..

2
Mon n i er ,
1 7 4, 222 Fi t zg era l d, R C i v . 1 8 9.
3
F razer, Gold en B ough 2, i i 1 5 4 f. ,
 PRIMITIVE NAT U RE W ORSHIP 1 77

po w er w ould th us be g reater Dr J ohn s on n ot ed the fact . .

th a t t he Hig hl an ders s ow ed th ei r seed with a waxin g m oon ,

i n t he ex pecta ti on of a b ett er h arves t For s im i l ar occul t .

reas on s it i s th oug ht i n Brittan y th a t con cept i on du ri ng a

,

wa xing m oon produces a m al e chil d d urin g Ea w ani n g m oon a ,

f em al e whil e a ccou chem en ts a t t he l a tt er ti m e a re da ng erou s

, .

Sh eep a n d cow s s h ou ld be k ill ed a t t he n ew m oon el s e their ,

fles h will s h rink bu t pea t s s h ould be cu t i n t he l a s t qu art er

, ,

o th erwi s e th ey w i ll rem a i n m oi s t a n d g i ve ou t a p ow er of

s m ok e
1 ”
.

Th es e i dea s tak e u s b a ck t o a tim e wh en it wa s hel d th a t

t he m oon

an d Dian a ,
m oon g oddes s es , ha d p ow er over all g rowin g thing s ,
-

an d a s s om e C el ti c g od des s es w ere eq u a t ed with Di a n a th ey ,

m a y h a ve b een conn ect ed with t he m oon m ore es peci all y as ,

Gall o Rom an i m ag es of Di ana h a ve t he h ea d a dorn ed with a

-

cres cen t m oon I n s om e cas es f es ti val s of t he m oon rem a i n ed

.

i n ta ct a s a m ong the C el tib eria ns an d o th er peopl es t o the

,

n or th of th em w ho a t t he ti m e of f u l l m oon cel eb ra t ed t he
,

f es ti va l of a n am el es s g od dan ci n g a ll n i g ht b ef ore t he doors

,

of th ei r h ous es The n am el es s g od m a y h a ve b een t h e m oon

2
.
,

w ors hi pped a t t he tim e of her in t en s es t l ig ht Moonl ig ht .

dances rou n d a g rea t s t on e w i th s i ng ing on t he fi rs t day of, ,

t he y ear o ccurred i n t he Hig hl a n ds i n t he ei g ht een th cen t ury 3

, .

Oth er s urvival s of cul t are s een i n the practices of b owi ng or

b aring t he h ead at n ew m oon or addres s ing it with w ords of ,

a dora ti on or s u pp l i ca ti on I n I rela n d C am den f ou nd t he

.
,

cu s t om a t n ew m oon of sayi n g t h e Lord s P ra y er with t he

’

1
Pli ny , xvi . 4 5 J oh n s on , J ou rney, 1 8 3 Ram s ay , S cotl a n d i n the E i g hteenth
Cen tu ry , i i 4 49 ; S ébill ot , i 4 1 f
. MacCu l l och, Mi s ty I s l e of S ky e, 236
. . . In
Bri t t any i t i s t h oug ht t h at g i rl s m ay con cei ve by t h e m oon s power (R0 i ii .
’

“ ”
3
New Year s Day .
’
2
S t rab o, ii i . 4 1 6 . . Bra n d , s v . .

1 2
 THE RELIGION T HE ANCIE NT CE LTS
l

78 OF
'

a dd ition of t he w ords Leave u s wh ol e an d s ound as Th ou ,

“

h as t f ou n d u s Sim ilar cus t om s ex is t i n B rittan y wh ere

.
”
,

g i rl s p ra y t o t h e m oon to
g ra n t th em d rea m s of th ei r f u t u r e

h u s ba n ds Like oth er races t he C el ts th oug ht th at ecl ips es

1
.
,

w ere caus ed by a m on s t er a ttackin g the m oon whi l e it could ,

b e dri ven Off with cri es an d s h ou t s . I n 21 8 R C t he C el ti c . .

a l l i es of Att al u s w ere f ri g ht en ed by a n ecl i p s e a n d m u ch ,

l a t er Chri s tian l eg i s l a ti on f orb a de t he p eopl e t o a s s em bl e a t

'

a n ecl i ps e a nd s h ou t Vi n ce Lu na 2 S u ch a p racti ce wa s
, ,

Ob s erved i n I rel an d i n t h e s even teen th cen tu ry At an earli er .

ti m e I ris h p oet s a ddress ed s u n and m oon as divin iti es an d

, ,

fl
they we e ep es e t e
r r r n d on a t ars even n Ch ri s ti an ti m es
l i 3
.

Whi lwt ha el ts bg li eved i n s eag odn w

en ,

Dy lan the s ea it s el f was s til l p ers on ifi ed a n d regarded a s

m
—

d iv i n e I tw w m
'

"

. d e s

w ere m et by C el tic warri ors who a dvan ced ag ain s t them with ,

s w ord a n d S p ear Of t en p eri s hi ng i n t he ru s hi n g w a t ers ra th er

,

than retreat The ancien t s reg arded this as b rava do M

. . .

J ull i an s ees i n it a s acrifice by vol un tary s u i ci de ; M D Arboi s

’
.
,

a tra n qu i l w a iti n g f or dea th a n d t he i n t rodu cti on t o an oth er

l i fe 4
B ut t h e p as s ag es g ive t he s en s e of a n a ct ual a tta ck on
.

t he waves — l i ving thin g s whi ch m en m ig ht t erri f y an d .

,

e r h a s with thi s w a s com bi n ed t he b el i ef th a t n o on e cou l d

p p
di e d uri ng a ri s in g t i de Sim i la rl y Fren ch fi s herm en th rea ten
.

t o cu t a f og i n t w o with a k n if e whil e t h e l eg end of S Lu nai re , .

t ell s how he threw a kn ife at a fog thus cau s m g i ts di s appear ,

an ce
5
Fig hting t he waves i s als o referred t o i n Iri s h t ex t s
. .

1
Chamb ers , Pop u l a r Rhymes , 35 S ébi l l ot , i 4 6 , 5 7 f . .

2
Pol ybi u s , v 7 8 Vi ta S E l i g i i , i i 1 5
. . . .

3
Os b orn e, Ad vi ce to hi s S on 7 9 R0 4 1 9, 4 28 xx . .

4
Ari s t ot l e, Ni c E th i ii 7 7 E n d E th . i i i 1 2 5 S t ob aeus ,
. . . . . . vi i . 40 E l i an ,
22 Ju lli an , 5 4 ; B Arb oi s , vi 2 1 8
'
xu . . .

“
5
S ébi l l ot , i 1 1 9. The cus t om of t h rowi ng s o m et hi ng a t a fa i ry eddy ,
‘

i . e. a dus t s t orm , i s well k n own on Cel t i c g roun d and el s ewh ere.

1 80 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT C EL TS

par tl y b ecaus e of t he s a cred n a tu re of t he num b er n ine , p ar tl y

b ecau s e of t he ben eficent ch ara ct er of t he waves had a g rea t ,

i m port ance Th ey form ed a b a rri er aga i n s t i nvas i on dang er

. , ,

or p es ti l en ce or th ey h a d a h ea l i n g effect
1
.
,

The wi n d w as al s o reg ard ed a s a l i vi ng b ei ng whos e pow er

was t o b e dr ea d ed It pun i s h ed Kin g Loegai re f or b reaking hi s
.

o a th .B ut it wa s al s o pers on ifi ed a s a g od V i n t i u s equ a t ed ,

with Pollu x an d w ors hi pp ed by C el tic s ailors or with Mars

“

, ,

t h e w ar g od w ho i n hi s d est r ucti ve as pect was p erh ap s

-
, ,

reg a rd ed a s t he n eares t a n al og ue t o a g od of s t orm y wi n ds

?

D ru i ds and C el ti c pri es t es s es cl a im ed t he pow er of con troll ing

t h e wi n ds as di d wiz ar ds a nd wit ch es i n la t er da y s
,
Thi s .

th ey di d a ccordi n g t o Chris tian writ ers by t he ai d of dem ons

, , ,

p erh ap s t he ol d d i vi n iti es of t he a i r Bis h op Ag obard .

describ es h ow t he t emp es ta ri i ra i sed t em pes t s whi ch des tr oy ed

t he f ru it s of t he ear th an d drew a erial S hip s f rom Ma g oni a
“
, ,

whither t he s hip s carried th ese fruit s Mag oni a m a y be t he

3
.

u pp er a i r ru l ed over by
_
a s ky g od Mag oun os or Mog ounos ,

q t
e u a ed with Ap oll o The win ds m a y have b een hi s s ervan t s
4
.
,

ru l ed a l s o by earth l y m a g c an s Lik e Ya hw eh as con cei ved .

,

by Hebrew poet s he b rin g eth t he W in ds out of hi s trea sures

, ,

m ak eth li g htn i ng s wi th rai n

”
and .

1
S ee p 55 , sup r a ; I T i . 8 38 , i ii 207 ; B U I I . 201 , i x. 1 1 8
. . .

”
2
Hol d er , s e . Vi n t i u s
. .
3
Ag obard, i 1 46 . .

4
S e S t ok es , RC vi . 26 7 .
e
’
 C HAP TER X I I .

RIV E R AND W ELL W O RS HI P .

AMONG the C el ts t he t es tim on y of con t emp orary witn ess es ,

i n s cri p tions votive off ering s a n d s urvivals s h ow s t he imp ort

, , ,

a n ce of t h e cul t of w a t ers a n d of w a t er d i v i ni ti es Mr . .

G om m e arg u es th a t C el tic wa t er w ors hi p wa s d eri ved f rom -

t he pre C el ti c a b ori g i n es bu t i f SO t he C el t s m u s t h ave had

- 1
, ,

a p ecu l i ar a p t i t u de f or it S i n ce th ey w ere s o en th u s i as t i c i n
,

i t s ob s ervan ce W ha t prob abl y h a ppen ed was th a t t he C el ts

.
,

a l r ea d y w ors hi pp ers of t h e w a t ers f reel y a dop t ed l o ca l cu l t s ,

o f w at er wh erev er th ey ca m e S om e rivers or river g oddes s es

.
—

i n C el tic reg i on s s eem t o p os s es pr e C el ti c n am es ? -

Trea s u res w ere fl ung i n t o a s a cred l ak e n ear Toul ous e t o

cau s e a p es til ence t o cea s e Ca epi on w ho af t erwards fi s h ed
. ,

u p thi s t rea s ure f el l s oon a f t er i n b attl e— a p u n i s h m en t f or

,

cu p i di ty a n d a u r u m Tolosa n u m n ow b ecam e an ex pres s i on f or

,

g oods di s h on es tl y acqu i r ed A yearly f es tival l as ti ng three

?
,

da y s t ook pl ace a t Lak e G eva u dan

,
Garm en t s food an d .
, ,

w a x w ere th row n i n t o t h e w a t ers an d an i m al s w ere s a cri fi ced , .

On t he f ou rth day i t i s s a i d th ere n ev er f ai led t o s pri ng u p

, ,

a t em p es t of ra i n th u n der a n d l i ht n i n a s t ran g e rew ard —

, g g ,

f or thi s w ors h i p of t he l ak e 4
S C ol um b a rou t ed t he s pirit s
. .

of a S cott i s h f ou n t a i n whi ch wa s w ors hi p p ed a s a g od a n d ,

1
E thn ol . i n Fol kl or e, 1 04 f.
2
B Arb oi s , PH i i Dot t i n , 240
’
. 1 32 , 1 6 9 .

3
J us t i n , xxxii
3 ; S t rab o, i v . 1 . 1 3 .
.

4
S Greg ory , I n Gl or . Conf . ch . 2. Perh ap s t h e fea s t and
. off eri ng s were
i n t ended t o cau s e rai n i n t i m e of droug ht S ee p . 321 , i nf ra . .

1 8:
1 82 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANC IE N T CE LTS
t he w ell n ow b ecam e s acred perh aps t o th e s ain t him s elf , ,

w ho w as h ed i n it a n d b l es s ed it s o th a t it cu red d i s ea s es 1
.

On in s cri p ti ons a river n a m e i s prefi xed by s om e d ivi ne

ep ith e t dea a ug u s ta an d t he w ors hi pp er records hi s g ra tit u de
—
, ,

f or b en efit s recei ved f rom t he di vi n ity or t h e ri ver it s el f .

BOrm an us Borm o or Borv o Danu vi u s ( t he D an u b e) an d

, , ,

Lu xovi us a re f ou n d on i n s cri p ti on s a s n am es of r iver or

f ou n t a in g ods bu t g oddes s es a re m ore n u m erous Aci onna
,
—
,

Aven t i a Borm an a B ri x ia Carpun di a Clu t oi da Di vona Sirona

, , , , , , ,

U ra w el l n y m ph s ; and I cau na ( t he Yon n e) Ma t ron a a n d

— -
, ,

S eq ua n a ( t he S ei n e) river g oddes s es ?
NO i n s cri p ti on t o t he
— -
_

od d es s of a l ak e has y et b een f ou n d S om e p ers on a l n a m es

g .

l ik e D ubrog en os ( son o f t he D ubr on) Eni g enu s ( s on of t he ,

A en u s ) a n d the b el ief of Vi rdum aru s tha t on e of hi s a n ces t ors

,

wa s t he Rhin e p oi n t t o t h e i dea th a t ri ver di vi niti es m ig ht

3
,
-

h av e a m ours with m ort al s an d b eg et prog en y called by thei r -

n a m es I n I rel an d C on ch ob ar w a s s o nam ed f rom t h e ri v er

.
,

wh en ce hi s m other N ess a drew wa t er perhaps b ecau s e he ,

w a s a chil d of t he r iver g od: 1 -

Th e n am e of t he w a t er di vin ity was s om eti mes g iven t o -

t he pl ace of hi s or h er cul t O r t o th e t own s whi ch s p ran g u p ,

on t he b a n k s of ri vers — t h e d iv in ity th u s b ecom i n g a tu t el ary

g o d M
. a n y t ow n s ( eg Di von n e or D on n e et c ) h av e n am es
y . . , .

d erived f rom a comm on C el ti c ri ver = n ame D eu on a di vine ,

This n am e i n variou s f orm s i s foun d all oVer the C el tic area

a nd th erei s l itt l e d ou bt th a t t h e C el t s i n th ei r o n w ard pro ,

e n a m ed ri ver a f t er ri ver by t he n ame of t h am e

“

g r s s , e s

1
Ad m a n an , Vi ta Colu m . i i . 1 0.
2
S ee Hol d er, s .r .
3
D Arb oi s , R0
’
1 6 8, x . xi v . 3 7 7 ; CI L
’
xii . 33 Propert i u s , i v 1 0. 4 1
. .

4
S ee p 349, i nf ra
. .

5
Cf Pt ol em y s Anot a va a n d Anow a (i i 3 1 9, 1 1 29) t he S cot s a n d Eng l i sh
’
. . . .

Dee t h e Di vy i n Wal es Déve, Di ve, a n d Di vet t e i n Fra n ce Devon i n Eng l a n d

Deva i n S p ai n ( Pt ol emy s Anot a , i i . 6 The S ha nn on i s s urn am ed even i n
’
.

t h e s even t h cent ury t he g odd es s ( Tri p Lif e, .

1 84 T HE RE LIGI ON OF THE ANCIE NT CE L TS
their cul t was conn ected with fertil ity The g ods f ew er i n .
,

n u m b er w ere a l l equ a t ed with A p ol lo b u t t h e g od d es s es w ere

, ,

n ot m erg ed by t h e Rom a n s in t o t he p er s on a l i ty of on e g oddes s ,

s in ce th ey th em s el v es ha d th ei r g ro u p s o f ri ver g odd es s es .
-
,

Nym ph s an d Na ia ds B ef ore t he Rom an con qu es t t he cul t

.

of w a t er d i vi n i ti es
? -
f ri en ds of m an kin d m u s t h ave f orm ed a
, ,

la rg e par t of t he p op u l ar rel ig ion of G aul an d th ei r n am es ,

m ay be coun t ed by h u n dreds Therm al s pri ng s had a l s o

.

th ei r g en i i a nd th ey w ere a ppropri at ed by t he Rom an s s o th at

, ,

t he l ocal g ods n ow s h ared th eir h eal i n g p ow ers with A poll o

“

ZEs culapi us an d t h e Nym ph s Thus every s prin g every ‘

.
, ,

w oodl and brook every river i n g l en or vall ey the roarin g

, ,

ca t ara ct a n d t he l a k e w ere h au n t ed by d i vi n e b ei n g s m ai nl y
, ,

th ou g ht of a s b eau ti ful f emal es with wh om t he Ma tres w ere

“

u n dou bt edl y a s s oci a t ed There th ey reveal ed th em s el ves t o

.

th eir w ors hi ppers and wh en pag an i s m ha d pa s s ed a w ay th ey

, ,

rem a i n ed as f ee s or f a i ri es h au n t i n i w i
’

ll 1
'

s
g p r n or e or r ve
g r , ,
.

S cores of f ai ry w ell s s til l ex is t an d by them m ediaeva l kn ig ht s,

ha d m an y a fa b l ed a m ou r with th os e b ea u ti fu l b ein g s s ti l l

s een by t he ig n oran t bu t rom an ti c peas an t

“
.

S an ctu ari es w ere erect ed a t th es e s pring s by g ra teful “

w ors hi ppers an d a t s om e of th em f es ti va l s w ere h eld or they

, ,

w ere t he res ort of pi lg ri m s As s ources of f ertili ty they had .

a p l a ce i n t h e rit ual of t he rea t f es ti va l s a n d s a cred w el l s

g ,

w ere vi s ited on Mi ds u m m er da y wh en als o t he r i ver g ods ,

-

cl ai m ed th ei r h u m a n vi cti m s S om e of t he g oddes s es w ere

.

r ep res en t ed by s t a t u es or b u s t s i n G a l l o Rom a n t i m es i f n o t -
,

earl i er a n d o th er i m a g es of th em whi ch h a v e b een f ou nd w er e

,

of t he n a t u re of ex votos p res en t ed by w ors hi pp ers i n g ra ti

f
,

1
Maury ,
18 . x
By e t en s i on o f t hi s b el i ef an y d i vi ni t y m i g h t a pp ear b y t h e
h aun t ed s pri n g . S Pa t ri ck an d hi s s y n od of bi s h op s a t a n I ri s h w ell w ere
.

s u pp os ed t o b e s i d or g od s ( p . 6 4 , s up r a ) By a fai ry w el l ea n ne d Arc h a d
. J ’

h er fi rs t vi s i on .
 RIVER AND W E LL W ORSHIP
"

85
"

t ude f or t he g oddes s s h eali n g g i f ts Mon ey i ng ot s of g old

’
. ,

or s i l ver a n d m odel s of l i m b s or oth er pa r t s of t h e b ody

,

whi ch ha d b een or w ere des ired t o be h eal ed w ere al s o pre ,

s en t ed Greg ory of Tours s ays of the G au l s tha t th ey repre

.

s en t i n w ood or b ron z e t h e m em b ers i n whi ch the y s u ffer

‘

a n d wh os e h eal i n th y th t ”
g e d es i r e a n d p l ace e m i n a e,
m l
p e
1
.

C on ta ct of t he m odel w i th t he di vi n ity b roug ht h ealing t o

t he a ctu al lim b s on t he p rin ci pl e of s y m p a th eti c m a g i c .

Man y s uch m odel s ha ve b een d i s covered Th u s i n t h e s h ri n e .

of D ea S eq u an a w a s f ou n d a v a s e with ov er a h u n dred ;

an oth er con t a i n ed ov er ei ht h un dred I ns cri pti on s w ere

g .

en g rav ed on p l a q u es wh i ch w ere f a s t en ed t o the w all s of t em pl es ,

or pl aced i n s pr i n g s Lea den t ab l e t h in s cri p t i on s w ere

2
.

pl a ced i n s pri n g s by th ose w h o d es i or wh en t he

wa t ers w ere l ow and on s om e t he act u al wa t ers are h ardl y

,

fl
di s cri m i n a t ed f rom t h e d ivin iti es The l a tt er are as k ed t o .

heal or ow or s w el l — w ords whi ch a ppl y m ore t o th e w at ers

than t o th em whi l e the t ab l et s W i th th ei r frank a n im i s m al s o
, , ,

s h ow th a t i n s om e ca s es th er e w ere m a n y el em en t al s i ri t s
, , p
of a w ell on l s om e of wh om w ere ri s i n g t o t h e ran k of a
y ,

g od d es s Th e
. y ar e c all ed c o l l ec ti vel y N i s hes — t he N i x i es of

l at er t raditi on bu t s om e ha ve p ers on al n am es Lera n o

,
—
,

D i b on a D ea s h owi ng tha t th ey were t en din g t o b ecom e

,
—

s epara t e d i vi n e
pers on al i ti es The Pei s g i ar e a l s o a pp eal ed
.

t o perh ap s t he l a t er Pi s k i es , u nl es s t he w ord i s a corru p t

,

f orm of a C el ti c p ei s kos or t he La tin p i scu s fi s h 3 Th i s i s “ ”

.
, ,

u n l i k el y a s fis h cou l d n ot ex i s t i n a w arm s u l h u rous s ri n

, p p g ,

th oug h the C el t s b el i eved i n t he s acred fis h of w ell s or

s t rea m s The f ai ri es n ow as s oci at ed w i th w el l s or with a
.

1
Greg Tours , Vm Pa ton
. c. 6 .

2
S ee Rei n a ch , Ca ta l S omm a s re, 2 3, 1 1 5 ; Baudo t , Rapp or t f ou zl l es
' '

. su r l es
jar/ i ts a/ uae s ources de l a S ei ne, i i . 1 20 R 0 i i 26 . .

3
For t hes e t abl et s s ee Ni col s on , Kel ti c S t ud i es , 1 3 1 f
’
. Jull i an , R 0 1 8 98 .
1 86 THE RELIGION OF THE A NCIENT CE LT S
wat er w orl d b eneath th em are u s ually n am el es s and onl y i n
-
, ,

a f ew ca s es h a ve a d efi n it e n am e They l ik e the ol der S pirits .

,

of t he w ell s have g en e a l y a be e ce t h ct e Thu s

1
r l ,
n fi n c ara r .

i n t he f oun t ai n s o f Log res d w el t dam s el s w ho f ed t he way

f ar er with m ea t an d b rea d u n til g ri evou s w rong was d on e ,

th em when th ey dis a ppea red an d t he l an d b ecam e w as t e

,
2
.

occa s i onal l y h owever th ey have a m ore m al evol en t

, ,

chara ct er
3
.

The s pi rit of t he w a t ers was of t en em b odi ed i n a n an im al ,

u suall y a fis h Even n ow i n B rittan y the f a iry dwell er i n a

.
,

S prin g has t he f orm of a n eel whi l e i n t hes even t een th cen t u ry ,

Hig hla nd w
.

el l s con t a i n ed fis h s o s acred th a t n o on e dared t o

ca t ch t h em I n Wa l es S Cybi s w el l con tai n ed a h ug e eel i n

’
4
. .

wh os e vi rtu es the villag ers b eli eved an d t error prevail ed wh en ,

a n y on e dared t o t ak e it f rom t h e w a t er Tw o s a cred fis h s ti ll .

ex i s t i n a h ol y w ell a t N a n t P eri s a n d are repl aced by oth ers wh en ,

th ey di e t he dea d fis h b ein g b uri ed Thi s l a tt er a ct s ol em nl y

,
5
.
,

p e r f orm e d i s a t ru,e s i g n of t h e d i v i n e or s ac r ed ch a ra ct er of

t h e a n i m al Man y w ells with s acred fis h ex i s t i n I rel an d an d

.
,

t he fis h h av e u s u al ly s om e s uperna t ural qual ity th ey n ever —

a l t er i n s iz e th ey b ecom e i nvi s i bl e or th ey t a k e t he f orm of

’

, ,

b eau tiful w om en An y on e des t roying s u ch fis h was reg arded

6
.

as a s a cri l eg i ous p ers on a n d s om eti m es a h os ti l e t rib e ki l l ed

,

a n d a t e t he s acred fis h of a di s t ri ct in va d ed by th em j u s t a s ,

Eg yp ti an s of on e n om e in s ul t ed thos e of another by kill ing

th eir s a cred a n im al s 7 I n old I ris h b eli efs t he s alm on wa s t he
.

fis h of k n ow l edg e Thu s wh oever at e t he s al mon of Conn la s ’

.

1
b
Sé i ll ot , 2
Prol og u e t o Chres t i en
’
s Con l a olu Gra a l .

3
S éb i ll ot , i i 202 f . .

4
] bi d 1 96 1 97 ; Mart i n , 1 4 0— 1 4 1 , Dal y ell , 4 1 1
.
-
.

5
Rh ys , CFL 1 . 3 6 6 ; Fol k L ore, vi i i . 28 1 . If t h e fis h
’ - '
app eared wh en an

i nval i d d ra nk of t he well , t hi s w as a g o od om en . For t h e cus t om of bury i ng

s acred a n i m al s , s ee Her od . i i 7 4 i Eli a n , i i i . 2 6 .
. x
6
Gom m e, E thn ol i n Fol kl or e, 92 . .

7
Tr ip . Life, 1 1 3 Ti g erna ch , Ann a ls , A D . 1 06 1
. .
1 88 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
b eing s with rivers an d lak es Th es e ma y be the ol der divin ities
.

t o wh om a d em on i ac f or m ha s b een g i ven bu t even i n pag an ,

ti m es s u ch m on s trou s b ei ng s m ay h ave b een b el i eved i n or ,

th ey m ay b e s u rv ival s of t he m ore prim i tive m on s trous a

g u a rd i an s o f t h e w a t ers Th e l a s t w ere dra on s or s er en t s

.
g p ,

conven t i on al f orm s of th e r ep til es whi ch on ce d w el t i n w a t ery

pl a ces a tt a cki n g a l l wh o cam e n ea r

,
Thi s old i dea cert ainly .

s urvi v ed i n Ir i s h an d Hig hl a n d b el i ef f or t he Ei au s con ,

quered hu g e drag on s or s erpen t s i n l och s or s a in ts cha in ed ,

th em t o the b ott om of t he w at ers H en ce t he com m on pl a ce? .

»

n am e o f Loch n a p i as t Loch of t h e Mons t erl I n oth er t al es

”
,

t h ey em erg e a n d devour t h e i m p i ou s or f ea s t on h
t e dea d 1
.

The D r a ws of F ren ch s u p ers ti ti on river m ons t ers who a s s ume —

hu m an f orm an d drag down vi cti m s t o t he depths wh ere th ey ,

d evou r them — res em bl e th es e .

The E a ch Ui sg e or W a t er h orse a h ors e with s t ari n g ey es

.
,
-
, ,

w ebb ed feet an d a s l i m y coat i s s till d readed H e a s su m es

, , .

d iff eren t f orm s an d l ures t he u n wa ry t o des t ru cti on or he ,

m ak es l ov e i n h u m an s ha pe t o w om en s om e of wh om di s cover ,

hi s true na tu re by seeing a pi ece of w a t er w eed i n hi s h ai r an d -

,

on l y es c a p e with di ffi cu l ty S uch a wa t er h ors e w a s f orced t o “

-
.

drag t he ch ari ot of S F echin of F ore a nd u n der hi s i nfl u en ce

.
,

b ecam e g en tl er th an an y oth er h ors e 2 Man y Hig h l an d loch s ”

.

a re s t i l l h au n t ed by thi s drea d ed b ein g an d he i s a l s o k n ow n ,

i n I rel an d an d Fran ce wh ere h ow ever he ha s m ore of a tri cky

, , ,

a n d l es s o f a d em on i ac n at ure Hi s h ors e f orm i s p er ha p s

3
.

1
S Pa t rick , wh en h e cl eared I rel an d of s erpen t s , d eal t i n t hi s way wi t h
t h e wors t s peci m en s . S. Col u m b a q u el l ed a m on s t er wh i ch t erri fi ed t h e
d wel l ers b y t h e Nes s . J
oy ce, PN i . 1 97 ; Ad am n a n, Vi ta Col u m b i i . 28 .

K enn ed y , 1 2 , 8 2, 246 ; R 0 i v 1 7 2, 1 8 6 . .

2
R0 xi i . 34 7 .
3
For t h e w a t er h ors e,-
Cam p bell , WE T i v 3 07 ; Ma cd oug a ll , 294
s ee .

Cam pb ell , S up ers ti ti ons , 203 ; an d f or t h e Ma n Gl a s hty n , a k i n d of wa t er x

h ors e, s ee Rhys , CFL i 2 85 . For Fren ch cog n at es , s ee Bereng er Fera nd ,
.
-

S up ers ti ti ons ci S u rvi va n ce

s, i . 3 49 f .
 RIVE R AND W E LL W ORSHIP 1 89

con n ec ed t with the s im ilar f orm a s crib ed t o C el tic wat er

d i vi n iti es Ma n annan s h ors es w ere the wa ves an d he was
’
.
,

i nva ri a b l y as s oci a t ed with a h orse Epon a t he h ors e g oddes s .

,
-
,

was p erh ap s orig in all y g odd es s of a s prin g an d l ik e t he Ma tr es , , ,

s he i s s om eti m es con n ect ed with t h e w a t ers H ors es w ere

1
.

a l s o s a cr ifi ced t o riv er di vi n iti es Bu t t he ben eficen t w a t er

2 -
.

d ivi n iti es i n th ei r h ors e f orm h av e u n derg on e a cu ri ou s di s

t orti on p erh ap s a s th e res ul t of l a t er Ch ri s ti an i n fl u en ces
, .

The n am e of on e b ran ch of t he F om ori an s t he Goborchi nn , ,

m ean s t h e Hors e h ea ded an d on e of th ei r king s was Eochai d

”
-
,

Echchenn or H ors e h ea d
,
“ 3
W heth er th es e h ave any con
-
”
.

n ecti on with t he w a t er h ors e i s u n cert ai n -

.

The f oam ing wa ters m ay h ave s ug g es t ed a noth er a n imal

p e rs o n ifi ca ti on s i n ce t h
,
e n a m e o f t h e B oy n e i n Pt ol em y ,

B f d i s d eri ved from a pri m iti ve bou s ox a n d ni nd o s

“
ouo uv u , -
, ,
-
,

white i n Iris h bofind whit e co

,
”
w 4
Bu t it i s n ot cert a i n
,
.
”

tha t this or t he C el tic cul t of t he b ull wa s con n ected with t he

b elief i n t he Ta r bh Ui sg e or W a t er b ull whi ch ha d n o ,
“ -
,
”

ears a n d cou l d as s u m e o th er s h a pes It dw ell s i n l och s a nd i s .

ra ll y f ri en dl y t o m an occas i on all y em erg i n

g en e , g t o m a te with
ord i n ary cow s I n t h e I s l e of Man t he Ta r r oo Us htey h ow ever
.
, ,

b eg ets m on s ters Thes e C el tic w at er m on s ters h ave a curious

5
.
-

res em b l an ce t o t he Au s t ral i a n B u ny ip .

The Uru i sg of t en con f us ed w i th the b rown i e h au n t s

, ,

l on el y pla ces an d wa t erfall s an d a ccordi ng t o hi s mood h elp s , , ,

or h arm s t he w ay f arer Hi s appearance i s tha t of a man with

.

1
Rei nach , CMR i 6 3. .

2
Oros i us , v 1 5 6 . . .

3
L U 2a . Of Eoch ai d i s t ol d a v ari ant of th e
y t he d i scovery Mi d a s s t or —

Thi s i s a l s o t ol d o f L a b rai d Lorc (R 0 i i . 98 ; K enn edy ,

’
of h i s h ors e s ea rs .

2 5 6 ) an d of K i n g Ma rc h i n Bri t t an y a n d i n W al es ( Le Braz , i i 96 Rhys , CFL

’
.

Oth er v ari a n t s are f oun d i n n on Cel t i c reg i ons, s o t he s t ory h as no

-

m y t h ol og i cal s i g n i fi can ce on Cel t i c g round .

4
Pt ol . ii . 2. 7 .
5
Cam pb el l , WE T i v. 3 00 f . ;Rhys , CI ' L i . 28 4 ; Wald ron , I s le -
f Man,
o 1 47 .
1 90 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS
sh ag g y h ai r an d b eard I n Wales t he af a nc i s a w at er 1
.

m ons t er th ou g h t he w ord firs t m ean t d w arf th en wat er “ ” “

, ,

d w arf of wh om m a n y k i nd s ex i s t ed They corres pon d t o t he

”
.
,

I ris h w a t er dwarf s t he Luchorp ai n des cended with the

-
, ,

Fom orian s an d Goborchi nn f rom Ham- 2

.

I n o th er cas es t h e old wa t er b ei ng s hav e a m ore pl eas ing

“
f

f orm l ik e t he s yren s an d oth er fa iry b ei n g s who h au n t F ren ch

,

ri ver s or t he ,
m erm a i s of I i s h es t u ar i es
d r 3
In C el tic Fran ce .

a n d B rit a in l a k e f airi es a re con n ect ed with a w a t er w orl d l ik e -

th a t of Elys i um t al es t he reg i on of earl i er divi n ities Th ey

'

4
.
,

u n it e with m ort al s w h o a s i n t he S w a n m a i den t a l es

, ,
l os e -
,

th ei r fairy b ri des th roug h b reaki n g a tab u I n m an y Wel s h .

_

t al es t he b ride i s obtai n ed by th rowi ng b read an d chees e on

th e w a t ers wh en s he a pp ears with an ol d m an wh o ha s al l
,
i

t he s t ren g th of you th He presen t s hi s daug hter a nd a.

n u m b er of f ai ry an i m al s t o t he m or t al Wh en s he di sap pears .

in t o t he w at ers a f ter the breakin g of t he t a b u t he l ak e i s ,

s om etim es dra in ed i n order t o recov er h er ; th e f a th er th en

app ear s a n d th r ea t en s t o s u b m erg e t h e wh ol e di s t ri ct Fa th er .

a n d d a u g ht ers are ea rl i er l ak e di vi n iti es a n d i n t he b rea d a n d ,

ch ees e w e m a y s ee a re i c o t e o eri n g s t o th es e
l f h ff 5
.

Hu man s acrifi ce t o wa t er div in ities i s s ug g es ted by t he -

b el ief tha t wa ter m on s t ers devour h u man b ein g s a n d by the

-
,

t ra diti on th at a river cl a im s i t s t oll of vi cti m s every year .

.

I n popu l ar rhy m es t he ann ual ch aracter of t he s acrifi ce i s

Macdoug all 296 Cam pb ell S up ers ti ti ons 1 95

1
, , , . For the Urui sg as

Browm e s ee WH T i i 9 Grah am S cenery of Perths hi re

,
.
, , 1 9.
2
Rhys CFL ii 4 31 4 6 9 HL 5 92 B ook of Ta l i esi n
,
.
, , , , vii . 1 35.
2 4
S ébill ot , i i . 34 0 —
LL 1 6 5 I T 1 . 6 99. S éb i ll ot , i i . 4 09 .

S ee Pugh e, The Phys i ci a n s of My d olf a i , 1 8 6 1 (t h es e w ere d es cen dan t s of a

5

w at er fai ry )
-
Rhys , Y Oym m r od or, i v 1 6 4 Hart l an d , Ar ch. Rev. 1 . 202.
.

S u ch w at er g od s w i t h l ov el y d a u g h t ers are k n own i n m os t m y t h ol og i es — t h e

-
.

Greek Nereus an d t h e Nerei d s , t h e S l a von i c Wat er k in g

d t h e apan es e g od -
,
an J
Ocean Pos s es s or ( Ral s t on , S ong s of the R us s i a n Peop l e, 1 4 8 Cham berl ai n, K o
-

ji ki ,
-
Man annan h ad n i ne d aug ht ers (Wood Marti n, i . -
1 92 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
whi ch m ig ht be u s ed to ex pl ain
ig in of an y river but t he or ,

t he l eg en ds s ugg es t th a t cer ta in w el l s w ere t a b u t o w om en

b ecau s e certai n b ran ch es of k n owl edg e t a ug ht by the w ell , ,

m us t be reserved f or m en The l eg en ds s ai d i n effect “

1
. S ee ,

wh a t cam e of wom en obtrudin g b eyon d th eir proper s phere ”

.

S avag e m y s teries a re u s ually t abu t o w om en who al s o ex clu de '

m en f rom th ei r s a cred rites On t he o ther h an d a s all t ribal

.
,

l ore was on ce i n t he h an d s of t h e wi se w om an s uch t a b u s an d ,

l eg en ds m ay ha ve ari s en wh en m en b eg an t o cl a i m s uch l ore .

I n oth er l eg en ds w om en ar e conn ect ed with w el l s as t he ,

u ardi ans who m u s t k eep th em l ock ed u p s ave wh en w a ter

g
was dra w n W h en t he w om an n eg l ected t o repl ace th e cover ,

t he w a t ers b u rs t f or th overwh elm in g h er a n d f orm ed a l och

,
?
,

The w om an i s t he p ri es t es s of t he well wh o n eg l ectin g part of ,

i t s ri t ua l i s pun is h ed
,
Even i n r ecen t ti mes w e fin d s acred
.

w ell s i n ch arg e of a w om a n who in s tru ct s t he vi s it ors i n t he

d ue ritual t o be p erform ed 3
I f s u ch l eg en ds a n d s u rvi va l s
. .

thus point t o f orm er C el ti c pries t es s es of w ells these a re ,

p a ra l l el ed by t he N ors e Horg a bru da r

g u ard i a n s of w el l s n o w , ,

el ves l i vi n g i n t he w a t ers 4 Tha t s uch l eg en ds are b as ed on

.

t he r itual of w ell w ors hi p i s s ugg es t ed by Boan d s w al king

’
-

three tim es wi dders hi ns round t he well i n s tea d of the ,

Rhys , CFL 1 . 392.

1

2
Gi ral d . Ca m b r I ti n . E i b i i 9 , oy ce, OCR 97 ; K ennedy , 28 1 ; O Gr
J ady ,
‘
’
. . .

i 233 ; S k en e, i i 5 9 Cam pb ell , WE T i i 1 4 7 . The w a t ers oft en s ubm erg e

. .
°
.

a t ow n , n ows een bel ow t h e waves I s i n Arm ori ca ( Le Braz, i . p

— t h e t own of
.

xxx x i ), or t h e t owers u n d er Loug h Neag h . In s om e Wel s h i ns t an ces a m a n i s

t he cul pri t (Rhys , CPL i
’
. In t he cas e of Loug h Neag h t h e k eep er o f t h e
wel l w as Li b a n, wh o l i ved on i n t h e wa t ers as a m erm ai d Lat er s h e was .

caug h t a n d recei ved t h e b a pt i s m al n am e of Mu i rg h enn,

“ ”
s ea bi rt h . Here -

t he m yt h of a wa t er g od d es s , s ai d t o ha ve b een b ap t i zed, i s a t t a ched t o t h e

-

l eg en d o f t he carel es s g uard i a n of a s pri ng , w i t h whom s h e i s i d ent i fi ed

( O Grady , i i 1 8 4 ,
’
.

2
Rob ert s , Ca m bri a n Pop Anti q 2 4 6 ; Hunt , Pop u la r Rom a n ces , 291 ;
. .

New S ta t Accou nt, . 3 1 3

. x .

1
Th orpe, Northern My th . i i . 7 8 .
‘
 RIVER AND WELL W ORS HI P 1 93

t
cus om ar y dei sei l . The d u e r it u al m u s t be b
o s erv ed, a n d t he
s t ori es w arn ing a g a in s t i t s n eg l ect
a re a .

I n S pi t e of tw en ty cen t uri es of Ch ri s ti an i ty and t he

a n a th em as of s a i n t s a n d cou n ci l s t h e ol d p ag a n p ra cti ces a t ,

h eali ng w el ls h av e s u rvived a s t rik i n g in s tan ce of hu m an con —

s erva t i s m S P at ri ck f ou n d t he pag an s of hi s d ay w ors hi ppi ng

. .

a w el l ca ll ed S l an h eal th g i vi n g an d offeri n g s a cri fi ces t o

“ -
, ,

i t a n d t he I ri s h p ea s an t t o da y has n o d ou bt th a t th ere i s
,
1 -

s om eth i n g di v i n e a b ou t hi s h ol y w el l s Th e C el t s b rou g ht .

t he b eli ef i n t he d iv in i ty of s pri n g s a n d w ell s wi th th em ,

bu t w ou ld n a tu rall y a d opt l ocal cu l t s wh erever th ey fou nd

them Af t erw ards t he Chu rch pl aced t he ol d p ag an w el l s
.

u n d er t he p ro t ecti on of s a i n t s bu t p art of t he ri t u al of t en ,

rem a i n ed u n ch an g ed H en ce m an y w ell s h ave b een v en erat ed

.

f or ag es by di fferen t ra ces an d th rou g h ch an g es i n rel i g i on an d

p o l i ty Th
. u s a t t he th erm a l s p r i n
g s o f V i ca rel l o o ff eri n s h a ve
g
b een f ou n d whi ch s how tha t th eir cu l t ha s con ti n u ed from t he
St on e Ag e throug h the B ron ze Ag e t o the d ays of Rom a n ci vil
, ,

i s a t i on an d s o i n t o m odern t im es n or i s thi s a s ol it aryi n s ta n ce

,
?

Bu t i t s erves t o s h ow th a t a ll ra ces h i g h an d l ow p res erve , ,

t he g rea t ou t l i n es of p ri m i ti ve n a t u re rel i g i on u n ch a n g ed .

I n all p rob a b ili ty th e rit ua l of t he h eal i n g w el l s ha s al s o

rem a i n ed i n rea t ar t u n a l t ered a n d wh er ev er it i s f ou n d i t
g p ,

f ollow s t he sam e g en era l ty pe The p a t i en t peram b u l a t ed t he

.

w ell three tim es d ei sei l of s u n wi s e taking ca re n ot t o u tt er a -

,

w ord Then h e k n el t a t t he w el l an d pray ed t o t he d ivi n ity

.

f or hi s h eal ing I n m odern ti m es t he s ai n t bu t occa s i onal l y

.
,

t he w ell i t s elf i s p ra y ed t o 3
,
Th en he dran k of t he wa t ers .
,

b a th ed i n them or laved hi s lim b s or s ores prob ab l y a tt en ded

, ,

1
J y PN 8 4 S ta
o ce, 11. i m y . m nf w ll
occurs W ll w hi p
n an na es o e s. e -
ors

i s den ou n ced i n t h e can on s of t h e Fourt h Cou n ci l of Arl es .

2
Ca rt ai lh a c, L Ag e d e Pi erre, 7 4 ; Bul li ot et Th i ol li er,
’
Mi ss i on de S .
Ma rti n , 60 .

2
S éb ill ot , i i . 2 84.
1
3
 T HE R E LIGION on THE ANCIENT CE L T S -

1 94 .

by t he p ries t es s well H aving pai d her du es he made

of t he . ,

a n offeri n g t o t h e divi n ity of t h e w el l an d affix ed t he ,

b an dag e or part of hi s cl othing t o t he w ell or a t ree n ear by ,

tha t throug h it he m i g ht be i n con tin uou s rapp or t with the

h eal in g i nfluen ces Ritual f orm ul ae prob abl y accom pan ied
.

thes e acts but oth erwis e n o w ord was s p ok en an d t he

, ,

p a ti en t m u s t n ot l ook b a ck on l eavi n g t h e w el l
“

S pecial .

tim es B el tan e Mi ds um m er or Au g us t l s t w ere f avoura b le

, , , ,

f or su ch v i s it s a n d wh ere a pa t i en t w a s t oo i ll t o pres en t
1
,

hims elf a t t he w ell a n oth er m ight perform the rit ual f or

“

,
‘

hi m ?

The thi n g hung on t he tree s eem s t o conn ect t he

rag or cl o

s pi rit of t he t ree with th a t of the w el l an d t reea n d w el l are ,

of t en f ou nd t og eth er But s om eti mes it i s th row n i n t o t he

.

w ell j u s t a s t he Ga ul is h v il lag ers of S Greg ory s day th rew

, .
’

off eri ng s of cl oth an d w ool i n t o a s a cred l a k e

3
The rag i s .

ev en n o w reg ar ded i n t h e l i g ht o f an off eri ng and su ch ,

o fferi n g s v aryi n g f rom val u a b l e ar ti cl es of cl othi ng t o m ere

'

r ag s ,
are s ti l l h u n g o n s a cre d t rees by t h e f ol k It thu s .

b b y a s al w a y s h a d a s a crifi ci a l as p ect i n t he rit u al of

'

p r o a l h
t he w ell bu t as m ag i c an d rel ig i on con s tan t l y b l en d it had
, ,

a l s o i t s m ag i cal a s p e ct The rag on ce i n con t act with t he

.
,
.

p a t i en t t ra n s f err ed hi s d i s eas e t o t he t ree

, or b ei ng s till , ,

s u bt l y con n ect ed with h i m th rou g h it t he h ea l in g pro , per ti es

p a s s ed ov er t o hi m .

The efferm g thrown in t o t he w ell a pi n coin et c may —

, , .
,

al s o h av e thi s dou b l e a s pect T he s ore i s of ten pri ck ed or .

ru bb ed with t he pi n a s i f t o t ran s fer t he di s ea s e t o t h e w el l ,

a n d i f p i ck ed u p by a n ot h er p ers on t h e di s eas e m a y pas s t o ,

1
Dal yel l , 7 9— 8 0 S ébi ll ot , i i 28 2, 3 7 4 ; s ee p . 2 66 , i nf ra .
.

2
I h ave com pi l ed t hi s a ccoun t o f t h e ri t ua l from n ot i ces o f t h e m od ern
u s ag es i n va ri ous w ork s S ee, e g , Moore, Fol k Lore, v 21 2 ;Ma cki nl ey , p a ssi m
. . . -
.

Hope E ol y Well s
, ; Rhys , CPL ; Sébi ll ot , 1 7 5 f.
’
Di x on , Ga i r l och , 1 5 0 f .
3
Bra n d , i i . 6 8 ; Greg I n Gl or . Conf .
. c. 2.
 1 96 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CEL TS
w ho dran k of them Or a gai n they had t he pow er of con .
, ,

f err ing fer til ity Wom en m a de pil g ri mag es t o well s drank or
.
,

b a th ed i n t he w at ers i m pl ored t he s p iri t or s ai n t t o g ran t

,

th em offs pr in g a n d m ade a d u e offerin g S pi rit or s ain t by

,
1
.
,

a t ran s f er of hi s pow er p roduced f ru it f ul n es s bu t t h e i d ea w a s

, ,

i n h arm on y wi th t h e r ecog n i s ed pow er of w at er t o pu ri fy ,

s t reng th en a n d h eal ,
W om en f or a s i m i lar reas on drank or
.
, ,

wa s he d i n t he w a t ers or w ore s om e arti cl es di pped i n th em i n ,

order t o h av e a n eas y d el i ver y or a b u n d a n ce of m i l k ?

The w a t ers al s o g ave ora cl es t h ei r m eth od of flo win g t he

‘

, ,

am ou n t of w a t er i n t he w el l t he a pp earan ce or n on appeara n ce ,
-

of b u bb l es a t t he s u rf ace wh en a n offeri n g wa s thr own i n t h e ,

s in kin g or fl oa t i n g of var i ou s a rti cl es a l l i n di ca ti n g wh eth er a ,

cu re was l ik el y t o occur wheth er f ort un e or m i s f ort u n e a w a it ed

,

t he i n qu irer o r I n t h e cas e of g i rl s ,wh eth er th ei r l overs w oul d

, ,

be fa ithf ul The m ovem en t s of t he an im al g uar dian of t h e

.

w ell w ere al s o om i nou s t o t he v is it or Ri vers or river

3
.

d i vin iti es w ere al s o a p p eal ed t o I n ca s es of s u s p ect ed fi del ity .

t he C el t s d w el l in g by the Rhin e pl a ced t h e newl y b orn ch i ld -

i n a s hi eld on t he w a t ers I f it fl oa t ed t h e m oth er w as

. .

i nn ocen t ; i f it s an k it was all ow ed t o drown an d s h e was pu t ,

t o dea th 4
Girl s wh os e p urity wa s s u s p ect ed w ere s imi larl y
.

t es t ed a n d S Greg ory of Tours tells how a w om an accu s ed of

,
.

a dul t ery w as p r oved by b ei g th row n 1 n t o t h e S afin e

5
n The .

1
Wal k er ,
Proc. S oc. An t S cot vol v . S éb i ll ot , 1 1 2 32
. . I n s om e earl y
. . .

Iri sh i n s t an ces a worm s wall owed wi t h t h e wa t ers by a wom a n ca us es preg n ancy .

S ee p 3 5 2, i nf r a
. .

2 S ébi ll ot i i 2 35— 236 . .

,

3
S ee Le Braz, i 6 1 ; Fol k Lore,
.
-
v.2 1 4 ; Rh ys , CPL i 36 4 ; Dal y ell , 5 06.

5 07 S cot t , Mi n s tr el s y, I nt rod . l ii i x Mart i n , 7 S ébi ll ot , i i . 24 2 f . R 0 i i . 4 8 6 .

4
J a l li an , Ep . to M a wi mi n
Th e pra ct i ce m a y ha ve been con n ect ed wi th
, 1 6.
t h at n ot ed b y Ari s t o t l e, o f p l u n g i n g t he n ewl y b orn i n t o a ri v er, t o s t ren g t hen -

i t , a s h e s ay s ( Pol . vi i 1 5 but m ore prob abl y as a b ap t i s m al or puri fica t ory

. .

ri t e. S ee p . 309, i nf r a .
3
Lefevre, Les Ga u l oi s , 1 09 Mi chel et , Ori g i n es du d roi t f r a nea i s , 26 8 .
 RI VE R AND WE LL W ORSHIP 1 97

m edi aeval witch ordeal by wat er i s connected with this cus tom ,

whi ch i s h ow ever w i des prea d

, ,
.
1

The m al evol en t a s p ect of t he s pirit of t h e w el l i s s een i n

t he cu rs i n g w ell s of wh i ch it w a s th ou g ht th a t wh en s om e
“

a rti cl e i n s cr ib ed w i th a n en em y s n a m e wa s th r ow n i n t o th em
’

with the a ccom pan i m en t of a cu rs e t he S pirit of the w ell ,

w ould cau s e hi s dea th I n s om e cas es t he curs e wa s in scri b ed

.

on a l ea den t a b l et th row n i n t o t h e w a t er s j u s t a s i n o th er , ,

ca s es a p ra y er f or t h e offerer s b en efit w a s en g ra ved o n it

’
.
,

Or ag ai n obj ect s over whi ch a cha rm ha d b een s ai d w ere

, ,

p l a ced i n a w ell th a t t he v i cti m w h o d rew w a t er m i ht b e

g
i nj ured An ex cell en t i n s tan ce of a curs in g w ell i s th a t of
.
-

Fynn on El i an i n D en big h whi ch mu s t on ce h a ve h a d a

,

g uardian p ri es tes s f or i n 1 8 1 5 an ol d w om an w ho ha d ch arg e

,

o f it p res i ded a t t h e cerem on y S he w rot e t he n am e of t h e

.

V i cti m i n a b ook recei v i n g a g i f t a t t he s a m e t i m e

,
A pi n .

w a s dropped i nt o t he w ell i n t he n am e of t he vi cti m a n d ,

throug h it a n d th roug h k n owl edg e of hi s nam e the S pi ri t of ,

t he w el l a ct ed u p on hi m t o hi s h u rt ? Ob vi ou s l y r it es l i ke

thes e i n which m ag i c a n d rel i g i on m ing l e are n ot purel y

, ,

C el ti c bu t it is of i n teres t t o n ot e th eir ex i s ten ce i n C el ti c

,

l an ds a n d am ong C el ti c f olk .

1
S ee e x am pl es o f i ts use i n Pos t , Gr u n dr i s s d er E thn ol . J u r i sp rud enz, i i .
4 5 9 f.
2
Rob ert s , Ca m bri a n Pap u l a r An ti qu i ti es , 24 6 .
 C H AP TER X I I I .

T REE AND PLANT W O RS HI P .

THE C el ts had th ei r own cul t of trees bu t th ey a dop ted l ocal ,

cul t s — Li g u ri an Ib eri an a n d oth ers

, ,
The Fag us Deu s ( t he
.

d i v i n e b eech ) t he S ea a r bor or S ex a r bores of Pyren ea n i n

,

s cri p t i on s a n d an a n on y m ou s g od repr esen t ed by a con i f er on

,

a n al t ar a t T ou l ou s e p r ob a b l y p oi n t t o l oca l Li g u ri a n t r ee cul t s
,

con ti n u ed by t he C el t s i n to Rom an ti m es Fores t s w ere al s o 1

.

p ers on ifi ed or ru l ed by a s i ng l e g oddes s l ik e D ea Ar du i nn a of ,

t he Ard enn es an d D ea A bn oba of t he B l a ck F ores t ?

Bu t
m ore prim it i ve i dea s p revai l ed l ik e th a t which a s s ig n ed a
,

wh ol e cl a s s of tree di vi n ities t o a f ores t e g t he Fa toe Deroones

-
,
. .
,

s p i rit s of t he oa k w o od s of N or th ern It a l y Grou ps of trees

- 3
.

l ik e S ex a r bor es w ere ven erated perh aps f or th ei r h eig ht , ,

i s ola ti on or s om e other pecul iarity

, .

The C el t s m ade th ei r s a cred places i n dark g roves t h e t r ees -

b ein g hun g with offering s or with the h eads of victi m s Hu m an .

s a crifi ces w ere h u ng or i m p al ed on t rees e g by t he w a rri ors of , . .

B ou dicca Thes e l ik e t he offering s s till pl aced by t he f olk on

4
.
,

s a cred t rees w ere a tt a ch ed t o th em b ecaus e t h e t rees w ere t h e

,

a b ode o f s p irit s or di v i n it i es who i n m a n y cas es ha d p ow er

over v e et a ti on
g .

Pl in y s ai d of t he C el ts : Th ey es t eem n othing m ore s a cred

1
S a caze, I n sor . des Pyren . 255 Hi rs ch fel d, S i tzu ng s beri chte ( Berli n ,
4 48
2
CI L vi . CI R 1 6 5 4 , 1 68 3. 3
B Arboi s , Les Cel tes , 5 2.
’
46
1
‘
Lu can, Pha r . U s en cr s
’
ed . 32 Or s i us , v . 1 6 . 6 Di o Cas s . l i i . 6 x
q
.

x9
 200 TH E RE LIGION OF TH E ANCIENT CEL TS
h u man bei ng repres en ting t he s pirit of veg etation or b oth ,

tog eth er w ere b u rn ed i n t he Midsumm er fires How th en

, .
, ,

di d t he oak com e t o s y m b ol is e a g od equ a t ed with Z eu s .

Th oug h t he equ a ti on m ay be w or thl ess it i s pos s i ble tha t the ,

conn ecti on la t th t Z
i t h f d J u i t h d g i
'

n
'

y e a c a e u s a n pp er a a r

cu l t ural f un cti on s or th a t wh en t h e eq u a ti on w as m a de t he
, , ,

ea rl i er S i rit of v e et a ti on h a d b ecom e a d iv i n ity with f u n cti on s

p g
r es em b l i n
g th os e o f Z e u s Th e . fi res w e re ki n dl e d t o recruit

t h e s un s l i f e ; th ey w ere f ed with o ak w ood a n d i n th em an

’
-
,

oa k or a h u m a n v i cti m re res en ti n
p g t he S p irit em b odi ed i n t he
oak wa s b u rn ed Hen ce it m ay ha ve b een th oug ht th a t t he
.

s u n wa s s tren th en ed by t he fire res i di n i n t he s a cr ed oak ;

g g
i t was thu s t he orig in al s t oreh ou s e or res erv oi r of t he fire
“

whi ch w as f rom tim e t o time dra wn ou t t o feed t he s un 1 ”

.

The oak th u s b ecam e t h e s y m b ol of a b ri g ht g od al s o conn ect ed

with g rowth But t o j u dg e by fol k s urvi vals t he older con

.
, ,

cep t i on s ti ll rem ain ed o t e n t a n d t ree or h u m an V 1 ct i ma ffect ed

p ,

f or g ood all veg etab l e g rowth a s well as m an s l i fe whil e a t

' ’

t he s am e tim e t he fire s t reng th en ed t h e s u n .

D r E va n s arg u es th at t he ori g inal h ol y obj ect within t he

.

cen t ral tri l ith s of St on eh en g e was a s a cred t ree

”
a n oak ; ,

i m ag e of the C el tic Zeu s The t ree a nd the s t on es on ce

. ,

a s s ocia t ed wit h a n ces t or w or s hi

p ha d b ecom e s y m b ol s of
,

a m ore cel es ti al S i rit or S ir it s th an th os e of d ep ar t ed

“
p p
h a n bei ng s
u m 2
Bu t St on eh eng e has n ow b een proved t o
”
,
-

1 5393 153991 9 ex1 s t en ce b ef ore t h e a rrival of t he C el t s h ence ,

,
s u ch a cu l t m u s t h ave b ee n p r e C e l ti c th -
ou g h it m a y qu it e ,

'

w ell have b een a dop t ed by t he C el t s Wh ether thi s hy p o

'
. .

th et i ca l cul t w as practi s ed by a t ribe a g rou p of trib es or by

"

, ,

t h e W h ol e p eop l e m u s t r em a i n ob s cu re an d i n deed it m ay
, , , ,

w ell be qu es t i on ed w h eth er St on eh eng e was ever m ore th an

t he s cen e of s om e a n ces t ral rit es .

1
Frazer, l oc. ci t. 2
Evans; Arch. Rev. i . 3 27 f .
 TREE AND PL AN T W ORSHIP 20 1

Oth er trees — the yew the cy pres s the a lder an d t he as h

, , , ,

were ven era t ed t o j u dg e by wh a t Lu can rel at es of t h e s a cred

,

g r o ve a t M a rsei l l es T h e I ri s.h D ru i d s a tt rib u t ed s p eci al

v i r t u es t o th e h a z el row a n a n d e w t h e w oo d of whi c h w a s
, y , ,

u s ed i n m a i cal cer em on i es d es cri b ed i n I ri s h t ex t s Fires

1
g .

of row a n w ere l i t by t he D ru i ds of ri val arm i es an d ,

i n can t a t i on s s ai d over th em i n or d er t o di s com fit t he opp os i n g

h os t an d t h e w ood of all th es e trees i s s till b eli eved t o be
,
2

effi ca ci ou s a ai ns t f a i ri es a n d witch es
g .

The I ri s h bile wa s a s acr ed tree of g rea t ag e g rowin g ov er

/
, ,

a h ol y w el l or f or t Fi ve of them are des crib ed i n t he

.

D i n dsen cha s a n d on e was a n oak whi ch n ot on l y yi el ded

, ,

a corn s bu t n u t s a n d a Th e m yth i c t r ees of Ely s i u m

p pl es
3
.
,

ha d t he s am e v aried f r uita g e a n d t h e r eas on i n b oth cas es ,

i s p erh aps t he f act th a t wh en t h e cu l ti va t ed appl e t ook t he

p ace of acorn s a n d n u t s a s a f ood s t a pl e w ords s ig n i f yin g

l ,

nu t or
“
a corn w ere t rans ferred t o t he appl e A m yth of
”
.

t rees on which a ll th es e f ru its g rew mi g ht th en ea s ily ari s e .

An oth er I ris h bi le was a y ew des crib ed i n a p oem a s a firm “

s t rong g od whil e s uch phra ses i n thi s p oem a s w ord pu re

” “ -
,

m an ,
”
j u dg ment of ori gi n
“
s p el l of k n ow l edg e
,
” “
m ay h a v e ,

som e ref eren ce t o t he cus t om of w riti n d i v in a t i on s i n og h a m

g
on rods of
y ew Th e oth er bi le w ere a s h trees a n d f rom on e
.
-
,

o f th em t h e Fi r Bi l e m en of t he t ree w ere n a m ed p erh a p s

”
—
, ,

a t ot em —cl a n The l i ves of k i ng s a n d chi ef s a pp ear t o h a v e

4
.

b een conn ect ed with th es e t rees prob a b l y as repres en ta tives ,

of t he S i rit of ve et a ti on em b odi ed i n th e t ree a n d u n d er

p g ,

thei r s hadow th ey w ere in au g urat ed Bu t a s a s u b s tit u te f or .

t he ki ng was s l ai n s o dou bt l es s th ese pre em i n en t s a cred t rees

,
-

w ere t oo s acred t oo m u ch ch arg ed wi th s up ern a tural f orce t o

, ,

1
J oy ce, S E i . 236 .
2
O Curry ,
’
MC i . 21 3 .
3
LL 1 99b Renn es Di n d sen cha s , R C xv 4 20 . .

4
R C xv. 45 5 , xvi . 27 9 Hen nes s ey , Chron S cot. 7 6 . .
202 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CEL TS
be cu t down b urn ed and t he y earl y ritu al w ould be
an d , .

p erf orm ed with a n oth er tree Bu t i n tim e of f eud on e t rib e

.

g ori ed i n des t royi n g the bi le of a n oth er ; an d even i n t he

l
t en th cent ury wh en t he bi le m a i g he Adai r was des troyed by
,

Ma eloeohl en t he act wa s reg arded with h orror Bu t 0 .

,

rea der thi s d eed d i d n ot

, p a s s u n p u n i s h ed 1
Of a n o th er bi le .
”
,

tha t of B orri s ok an e it wa s s ai d tha t any h ous e i n whi ch a

,
-

f rag m en t of it wa s b urn ed w oul d i t s elf be d es troy ed by fire

.
?

T rib al an d p ers on al n a m es poi n t t o b el i ef i n des cen t from

tree g ods or S p irits an d p erha ps to t ot em is m The Ebu rones
“

. .

w ere t he yew t ree trib e (ebu r os ) ; t he Bi tu ri g es p erh ap s had

”

t he m is t l et oe for th ei r s y m b ol an d their s u rna m e V i vi s ci

” '

. .
,

i m pl i es that th ey w ere call ed Mi s tl etoe m en 3 I f bi le ( tree)

'
”
.

i s conn ect ed w i th t h e n am e B i l e th a t of t he an ces t or o f t he

‘

Mil es i an s this m ay p oin t t o s om e m yth of des cen t f rom a s a cr ed

,

t ee a s i n t he cas e of t he Fi r Bi le or m en of t he tree
r ,
4
,
“ ”

Oth er n am es l ik e Gui dg en ( Vi du o g en os s on of the t ree

“ -
,

Derg en (Deroo g en os s on of t h e
-
, Guern gen ( Ver n o
g en os s on
, of t he i m ply fili a t i on t o a tree .

Th oug h th es e n ames b eca m e conven ti onal they ex pres s wh a t

"

had on ce b een a l ivin g b el i ef Nam es b orrow ed di rectl y .

f rom t rees a re al s o fo un d Eburos or Eb ur yew D erna or

“ ”
—
, ,

”
Deru a cu s , oa k , et c .

The v en era ti on wi ng b es i de burial m oun ds or

of t rees g ro
m eg al ithi c m onu m en t s w a s p rob a b l y a pro C el ti c cul t con -

t i n u ed by t he C el t s The t ree emb od ied t he g h os t oi t he

'

. .

p e rs on b u r i ed u n d er it b u t s u ch a g h os t co,
u l d th en h ar dl y be
di fferen tia t ed f rom a t ree S pi rit or di vin ity Even now i n .

C el ti c di strict s ex t rem e ven era ti on ex i s t s f or t rees growing i n

-

cem et eri es a n d i n oth er l It i s d n erou s t o cut th em

p a ces a g .

1
K eat i ng 5 5 6 J oy ce,
, PN i . 499.
2
Wood Mart i n , i i . 1 59
-
.
3
D Arb oi s, Les Cel tes, 5 1
’
; Jull i an , 41 .

1
‘
Cook , Fol k Lore, -
x vii . 6 0.
20
4 . T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CEL TS
t
or s on es , a nd a a n s
g i t the b el i ef th a t cer tain trees w ere t oo
s acred t o be cu t dow n or b u rn ed Heav y fi n es w ere l evied .

a g a in s t th ose who p ra cti s ed th es e rit es y et s til l th ey con

‘

i
t u ed
n 1
. Am a t or Bi s h op of A u x erre t ri ed t o s t op t he w ors hi p
, ,

of a l ar e p ear t ree s t an di n
g
-
g i n t h e cen t r e of t h e t oW-
n a n d on

which t he s em i Ch ri s ti an i nha bitan ts hung an i m al s h eads

-
’

with m u ch rib aldry At l as t S Germ an u s des troy ed it bu t

. .
,

a t t he ri s k o f hi s l i f e . S Martin of Tou rs wa s al low ed t o

. .

des t roy a t em pl e bu t t he peopl e w oul d n ot p erm it h i m t o

,

a tt a ck a m u ch v en era t ed
p i n e tree whi ch s t ood b es i de it
-

an ex cel l en t exam l e of t he wa
y i n whi ch t he m ore offi ci al
'

p
p ag an i s m f el l b ef ore Ch ri s ti an ity whi l e t he ol der rel ig i on ,

of t he s oi l f rom whi ch it s p ran g cou l d n ot be en ti rel y

, ,

e a di ca t ed The Ch u rch of ten effected a com prom i s e

?
r .
,

I m ag es of t he g ods affi xed t o trees w ere repl aced by th os e

of t he V i r i n b u t with cu ri ous res u l t s Leg ends aros e t ell ing
g , .

how t he f aith f ul ha d been l ed t o s uch t rees a n d th er e

d i s covered t he i m ag e of t he Ma donn a m i racu l ou s l y pla ced
a m on
g t he b ran ch es Thes e are an al og ou s t o t he l eg en ds of
?

t he d i s cover y of i m ag es of t heVi rg in i n t he earth s u ch i m ag es ,

b eing reall y th os e of the Ma tr es .

Repr es en t a tion s of s acred trees are occas i on all y m et with

on coin s a l t ars a nd ex uotos 4
, ,
I f t he in t erpreta ti on be correct
f
.

whi ch s ees a represen t a ti on of part of the C uchula in n l egen d

on t he P ari s a n d Tre ves a l t ars t he t r ees fi g u red th ere w ou ld ,

n ot n eces s a ri l y b e s a cred Bu t o th erwi s e th ey m ay dep i ct

.

s a cred t rees .

1
Dom Ma rt i n , i 1 24 ; Vi ta S E li g i i , i i 1 6
. . . .

2
Acta S a n ct ( Bol l an d
. . J
ul y 3 1 , S ul p S ever . Vi ta S M a r t 4 5 7
°
. . . .

3
Gri mm , Teu t My th 7 6 ; M a u ry ,
. . Th e s t ory o f b eaut i ful w om en
f ou n d i n t rees m ay b e con n ect ed wi t h t h e cus t om of pl aci ng i m ag es i n t rees ,
o r w i t h t h e b el i ef t h at a
g odd es s m i g ht be s een em erg i ng f rom t h e t ree i n whi ch
s h e d wel t .
1
De l a Tour, Atlas ales Mon/na i es Ga u l , 26 0, 28 6 Rei n ach , Ca ta l
‘
.

S omm a i re, 29.

 TREE AND PLAN T W ORSHIP 20 5

We n ow turn t o Pl in y s a ccoun t of t he m i s tl etoe ri te The

’
.

D ru ids h eld n oth i n g m ore s a cred tha n thi s pl a n t a n d the t ree

on wh i ch it g r ew p rob ab l y a n oak
,
Of i t g roves w ere f orm ed
.
,

whi l e b ra n ch es of the oak w er e u s ed i n al l reli g i ous ri t es .

E verything g rowi n g on t he oak ha d b een s en t f rom h eaven ,

a n d t h e p res en ce o f t h e m i s t l et o e s h o w ed th a t God h a d

s el ect ed t he t r ee f or es peci a l f a v ou r Rare a s i t w as wh en

.
,

f ou n d t he m i s t l et oe w a s t he obj ect of a ca ref u l rit u al On .

t he s i x th da y o f t he m oon i t w a s cul l ed Pr epara ti ons f or a .

s a cri fi ce a n d f eas t w ere m a d e b en ea th t he t r ee a n d t w o whit e ,

b ulls wh os e h orn s ha d n ever b een b ou n d w ere brou g ht th ere .

A D ru i d cl a d i n whit e a s cen ded t he t ree an d cu t t he m is tl et oe

, ,

wi th a g olden S ickl e As it f el l it wa s cau g ht i n a whi t e cl oth

.

t h e bu l l s w ere th en s a cri fi ced a n d pra y er w a s m ad e th at God

,

w ou l d m ak e Hi s g i f t pros p erous t o th os e on w hom He ha d

b es t owed i t The mi s tl et oe was call ed t he u n i vers al h eal er
.
“
,

a n d a p ot i on m a de f rom it ca u s ed b arr en a n im al s t obe f r u i t

f ul . It wa s als o a rem edy ag ai n s t a l l poi s ons W e can .

1

h ardl y b el i eve tha t s u ch a n el a b ora t e ritu al m erel y l ed u p

t o t he m edi co m ag i cal u s e of t h e m i s t l et oe
-
P o s s i b l y of .
,

cou rs e , t he ri t e w as an a tt en u a t ed s urvival of s om ethi ng

whi ch ha d on ce b een m ore im p ort an t but it i s m ore l ik el y ,

tha t Pl i n y g i v es onl y a few pi ctu res qu e det ai l s an d pass es by

t he ra ti ona le of t he ri t ual He does n ot t el l u s who t he
.

God of wh om he s p eak s w a s p er ha p s t he s un g od or t he
“ ”
-
,

v eg et a ti on A i t b b y
“ ”

g o d o f . S t o t h e g f i t w a s p r o a
, l i n hi s
m in d t he m i s t l et oe bu t it m a y q ui t e w ell h a v e m ea n t t he
‘

g i f t o f g ro wth i n fi el d a n d f old Th e t ree wa s p erh aps cu t

.

dow n a n d b u rn ed ; t he ox en m ay h av e b een i n carn a ti on s of

od of v eg et a t i on a s t he t r ee a l s o m a y h a v e b een We
'

a
g , .

n eed n ot h ere rep ea t t he m ea n i n g whi ch h as b een i v e n t

g o

t he rit u al ? bu t i t m ay b e a dded th a t i f th i s m ean i n g i s

1
Pli ny, E N x vi . 44 .
2
S ee p 1 6 2,
. s up ra .
206 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
correct , it e prob abl y took pl ace at t he t i m e of t he
t he r

Mids um m er fes tival a f es ti val of g rowth an d f ertility

, .

Mi s tl et oe i s s till g a th ered on M i ds u m m er ev e an d u s ed as
a n a n ti d ot e t o p oi s on s or f or t h e cu re of w ou n ds I t s D ru id i c
-
.

n am e i s s ti l l p res erv ed i n C el ti c Sp eech i n w ords s i n i f yi n g

g
a l l h eal er w h i l e i t i s a l s o cal l ed sug h a n ola r a i ch
” “
-
,
s ap of ,

t heoa D D i w
” ’ ”
1
k a n d ,
r u i dh l u s ru d s e ed ,
.

P li n y des crib es o th er C el ti c h erb s of g ra ce S elag o was .

cul l ed with ou t u s e of iron af t er a s acrifi ce of b rea d an d

win e — prob abl y t o t he s pirit of t h e pl an t The p ers on .

a th eri n g it w ore a wh i t e rob e a n d w en t with u n s h od f eet

g ,

a f ter w a s hin g th e m A ccord in

g t.o t h e D ru i ds S elag o
pre ,

s erved on e f rom acci den t a n d i t s s m ok e wh en b u rn ed h eal ed

,

m al a di es of the eye ?
S a molus was pl ace d i n dri nki ng t rou g h s
a s a rem edy a g a i n s t d i s ea s e i n ca tt l e It w as culled by a .

e r s on f a s tin g with t he l ef t h an d ; it mus t be wh oll y up

p
-
,

r oot ed a n d t he g a th e e m s t l ook b ehi n d hi m

?
,
r r u n ot Ver oa i n
w a s g a th ered a t s u n ri s e af ter a s a crifi ce t o t h e earth as an
ex p i a ti on — p e r h a p s b eca u se i t s s u rf ace w as a b ou t t o b e

dis tur b ed W h en i t was ru bb ed on t h e b ody al l wi s h es w ere

.

g ra tifi e d ; i t d i s p ell ed f ev ers a n d oth er m al a di es ; it w a s an

-

a n ti dot e a g a i n s t s erp en t s ; a n d it con ci l i a t ed h ea rt s A b ran ch .

of t he dri ed h erb u sed t o a s p erg e a b a n qu e t h a l l m a d e t he

'

u es t s m ore con v iv i al
4
g .

The ri t ual u s ed i n g a th eri ng th es e pla n t s S il en ce var i o us —

,

t ab us ritual pu rity s a cri fice i s fou n d wh erever pl an ts are

, ,
—

cu ll ed wh os e vi r tu e l i es i n thi s th a t th ey are p os s es s ed by a

s pi r it . O th er pl an t s are s till u sed a s ch arm s by m odern

Cel tic pea s an t s an d i n s om e ca s es t he r it u al of g a th ering
, , ,

1
S ee Cam eron , Ga eli c Na mes of Pl a n ts , 4 5 . I n Greg oi re d e Ros t ren , D i et .

“ ”
f ra ncoi s cel t 1 7 32, mi s tl et oe i s t ran s l a t ed by d ou r d ero, oak wa t er, an d i s
-
.
- -

s ai d t o b e g ood f or s everal evi l s .

2
Pli n y , xxi v. 11. 3
1 bi d.
1
I bi d 9.
‘
. xxv .
 C H AP TER XI V .

E I MAL W O RS H IP
AN .

ANI MAL wors hi p pure a nd s i m pl e ha d decl in ed a m on g t he C el ts

of hi s t or i c t i m es a n d a n i ma l s w ere n ow re ar ded m ai n l y a s
, g
s y m b ol s or a t tr ib u t es of d i vi n i t i es The older cul t ha d b een
.

co nnec ed with t he pas t oral s t a e i n whi ch t h e a n i m al s w ere

t
"

‘ g
ldi vi ne or w i th t he a ri cul tu ral s ta e i n whi ch th ey r e res en t ed
, g g p
t h e corn s p irit an d p erh ap s with t ot em i s m W e S h all s tu dy
“

-
.
,

here ( 1 ) t ra ces of t he ol der a n im al cul t s ; ( 2) the t ra n s f orm a

ti on of a n im al g ods i n t o s y m b ol s ;an d ( 3) t races of t ot emi s m .

1 .

The pres en ce of a bul l with th ree cran es ( Ta roos Tr i g ara nos )

on t h e P a r i s a l t ar, a l on with t h e g ods Es us J u ppi t er a n d
g , ,

V ul can s u gg es t s th a t it wa s a d i vi n e a n i m al or t he s u bj ect of
, ,

a d i vi n e m yth . As ha s b een s een th i s b u ll m ay be t h e b u ll of

,

t h e Td i n bo Cu a i lg n e , B oth it a nd i t s oppon en t w ere re

i n carna tion s of the s win e h erds of t wo g ods I n t he I ri s h
-
.

s a g a s rei n carna ti on i s on l y a tt rib u t ed t o g od s or h eroes an d

,

thi s m ay p oin t t o t he di vin ity of t he b ull s W e h ave s een tha t

.

th i s an d an other al t ar m ay depi ct s om e m yth i n whi ch t he

b ull w a s t he i n carna t i on of a tree or veg eta ti on s pi rit The .

d i vi n e na t u re of t he b ul l i s a ttes t ed by i t s pres en ce on Gaul i s h

coi ns a s a rel i g i ou s s y m b ol a n d by i m ag es of t he ani mal with
,
208
 ANIM AL W ORSHIP 20 9

three h an ob v i ou s s y m b ol of d i vi n i ty
orn s — On su ch an ?

im ag e i n bron ze t he C i m b ri Cel ti ci s ed G erm ans s w ore Th e , , .

im ages are pre Roman s in ce they are f ound at Hal l s tadt and
-
,

La T en e Pers on al n am es l ik e Donn otaurus ( the equ ival en t of

.

t he D onn Ta r u os of t he Tai n ) or D ei ot aros ( di vi n e

“

)
s h ow th a t m en w ere cal l ed a f t er t h e di v i ne a ni m a l fi S i m il arl y
m an y pl ace nam es i n wh i ch t he w or d ta r u os occurs i n N orthern
-
,

Ital y the Pyren ees S cotl an d Irel an d a n d el sewh ere s ugg es t

, , , , ,

th a t the pl aces b eari ng th es e n am es w ere s ites of a b ull cul t or

th a t s om e m yth l ik e that el ab ora ted i n t he Tai n ha d b een
, ,

there l ocal i s ed Bu t a s p os s i bl y i n t he ca se of C uch ul ainn

?
,

a n d t he b ul l t he an i m a l t en d ed t o b ecom e t he s y m b ol of a od
, g ,

a t en den cy p erh ap s a i ded by t he S prea d of Mith ra i s m w i th i t s

s ym b ol i c b ul l A g od Medros l ea ning on a b ull i s repres en t ed

.

a t H ag u en au p oss ibl y a f orm of Mi der or of Meduri s a

, ,

s u rn am e of To t at s
u i u l
n es s M edros i s s i m
, pl y Mith ras
?

Ech oes of the cul t of t he b ul l or cow are h eard i n I ris h t ales

o f th es e a n i m a l s b rou g ht f r om t he s i d or of m a i c b ull s or of
g ,

cow s whi ch p rodu ced en orm ou s s u ppl i es of m i l k or i n s a i n t l y ,

l eg en ds o ox e e i g a s
f n l a d n a i n t t o t h e s it e o hi s f u t u re ch u rch
f 3
.

Th ese l eg en ds are al s o t old of th e s wine an d th ey perhaps

6
,

a ros e wh en a Ch ri s ti an ch u rch t ook t he p l a ce of t he s i t e of a

l ocal a n im al cul t l eg en d f us in g t he ol d a n d t he n ew cu l t by
,

m aking t he on ce di vi ne an im al poi n t out t he s it e of t he

ch u rch A la te rel ic of a b ul l cul t m ay be f oun d i n the
.

carn i va l process i on of th e Ra uf Gra s a t Pari s .

Rei n ach , PF 6 6 , 2 44. The bul l a nd t hree cra n es ma y b e a rebu s on t he

1

“ ”
nam e o f t h e b ul l , Ta r vos Tri ka ren os , t h e t hree h ead ed , or perha ps Tr i kera s ,
'
~
”
t hree h orn ed .
-

2
Pl ut arch , Ma r i us B Arb oi s , L es Cel tes , 49 .
,
23 Caesar, vi i . 65
’

3 Hol d er s v Ta r ba Ta r ou a nn a Ta roi s i u m et c. D’ Arb oi s Les D

, , . .
, , , r u i d es , 1 5 5 ;

S . Greg I n Gl or . C f
. on . 4 8 4
CI L i ii 6 01 7 R C xxv . 4 7 Hol d er, i i . 5 2 8 .
. x .

3
Leahy , i i . 1 05 f ; Curt in , M FI 2 6 4 , 31 8 ; oy ce, PN i . 1 7 4 ; Rees , 4 5 3.
. J
Cf Ai l red , L if e of S Ni ni a n ,
. . c. 8.
3 J
ocel yn , Vi ta S . Ken ti g . c. 24 ; Rees , 293, 323 .
1 4
 2 1 0 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T ’

C EL TS

A cul win e g od Moccu s has b een ref erred t o The

t of a s -
.

b oar wa s a di vin e s ym b ol on s ta n dards coins an d al tars an d , , ,

m an y bron z e i m ag es of t he a n i m al h a ve b een f oun d Th es e .

w ere t em pl e t reas ures an d i n on e cas e t he b oar i s three h orned

,
1 -
.

Bu t it was b ecom in g t he s y m b ol of a g oddes s a s i s s een by t he ,

a l t ars on whi ch it a ccom p an i es a g odd es s p erh ap s o f f er ti lity , ,

a n d by a b ron z e i m a e o f a
g g oddes s s eat ed on a b oar The .

al t ars occu r i n B r it a in o f whi ch t he a n i m al m a

y b e t he em b l em
,

— t he C a ledo an
n i “
m o s t er
n o f Cl audian s p oem T he ? ”
“
’

fl
Gala tian C el ts a b s tai n ed from eati ng the s wi n e an d th ere has ,

al wa y s b een a prej u d i ce a g a i n s t i t s es h i n t he Hi h l a n ds
g _
.

Thi s has a t otem ic a ppearan ce Bu t t he s win e i s es t eem ed i n

?

I rel an d an d i n th e t ex t s m on s trous s wine are t he s taple arti cl e

,

es e m ay h a v
Lp i f a m ou s f eas t s
?
Th e b een l eg en dary f orm s of

fl
ol d s win e g ods t he f eas ts recalli ng s acrifi ci al f eas t s on th ei r
-
,

es h Mag i c s wi n e w ere al s o t he i mm or tal food of t he g ods

. .

Bu t t he b oar wa s t a b u t o cer t a i n p ers on s e g Di arm ai d ,

. .
,

th oug h whether thi s i s the a tt enu a t ed m em ory of a clan t otem

res tri ction i s un cert al n I n W el s h s tor y t he s wm e com es f rom
.

El y s ium — a m yth explai nm g t he ori g in of i t s dom es ticati on

'

whil e dom es tica tion cert ainl y i mpl i es a n earl ier cul t of t he .

a n i m al W hen anim al s com e t o be dom es ti ca t ed the ol d cu l t

.
,
‘

res t ri cti on s e g a g ai n s t ea tin th em u s u al ly pa s s a wa y F or

,
.
g .
,
.

thi s rea s on p erhaps t h e Gaul s who w ors hipped a n an thropo

, , ,

m orphi c s wi n e g od traffi ck ed i n t h e an i m al an d m ay have

-
,
.

ea t en i t
s
W el s h s t or y a ls o t ells of t he m ag i c b oar the
. ,

1
Taci t u s , Germ xl v Bl an ch et , i 1 6 2, 1 6 5 ; Rei n ach , PF 255 f . , CMR i .
‘

. . .

1 6 8 ; Bert ran d , Ar ch . Cel t 4 1 9. .

2
Penn a n t , Tou r i n S cotl an d , 268 ; Rei na ch , R C xxii . 1 58 , CMR i . 67.
3
Pau s a n , vi i . 1 7 , 1 8 J
ohn s on , J ou rn ey , 1 36 .
4
J oy ce, S E i i 1 27. I T i . 99, 2 5 6 ( Bri cri u s
’
fea s t ain d t h e t al e of Ma cd a t ho s ’

s wi n e ) .

5
S trab o, i v . 4 . 3, s ays t h es e s wi n e at ta ck ed s t rang ers . Va rro, de Re
Ru sti ca , i i . 4 , a d m i res t h ei r va s t s i ze. Cf Pol y h i i 4
. . . .
2 1 2 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CEL T S
s erp en t wa s w ors hipp ed but wa s not conn ected with t he egg
, .

Bu t th ey m ay on ce h ave b een conn ect ed an d i f s o th ere m ay , ,

be a com m on f oun da t i on b oth f or t he Gr eek an d t he C el ti c

con cep ti on s i n a C el ti c el em en t i n Thra ce The r es em b lan ces
?
,

howev er m ay be m ere coinciden ces an d h orn ed s erpen ts are

, ,

k nown i n o th er m yth ol og i es —the h orn b eing perhaps a s ym b ol

o f di vi n ity The h orn ed s erpen t s om eti m es accom pan i es a g od
.

wh o ha s h orn s p os s ibl y Cern u n n os t he un derw orl d g od,i n

, ,

a ccordan ce with t e chth o

h a n ch a ra ct er of t he s er en t
?
n i p In
t he C uch ul a inn cy cl e Loeg on hi s vi s it t o t he Oth er w orld s a w -

t wo h ea ded s erp en t s — p er h ap s a f u rth er hin t of thi s as p ect

-

o f t he an im al
?

I n all th es e in s tan ces of an i mal cu l t s ex am pl es of t he

t en dency t o m ak e the divine a n i m al a n th rop om or hi c h av e
p
b een s een We h ave n ow t o con s ider s ome i ns tances of t he
.

com pl et e a n throp om orp hi c proces s .

An old b ear cul t g ave pl ace t o the cul t of a b ear g odd es s

an d p rob a b l y of a g od At B ern e an ol d C el tic place nam e
.
— -

m ean in g b ear — was f ound a b ron z e g rou p of a g oddes s

“ ”

hol din g a pa t era with f ruit a n d a b ear approa ching her as if

,

t o be f ed The in s cri p ti on ru ns D e A ti i Li i i S i n l la
b i 1 ‘

. a e r on ,
c n a a .

A l ocal b ear cul t ha d on ce ex i s ted a t B ern e an d i s s ti ll

-
,

recal l ed in t he pres en ce of t h e fa m ou s b ears th ere bu t t he ,

di vi n e b ear had g iven pl a ce t o a g oddes s wh ose nam e and

s y mb ol w ere u rs i n e F rom an ol d C el tic Artos f em Ar ta
.
, . ,

“
b ear w ere derived vari ous d ivine n am es Of th es e Dea
,
”
.

1
Rei n ach , “
Zagreus l e s erpent cornu , Rev. Ar ch. xxx v. 2 1 0.
2
Rei na ch , B F 1 8 5 Bertran d , 3 1 6 .

”
Cii ch ul ai nn s Si ck bed , B Arboi s ,
“ ’ ’
3 -
v. 202.
‘1
S ee Rei n ach , CMR i . 5 7 .
 ANI MAL W ORSHIP .
2 1 3

Ar ti o(n ) m ean s “
b ear q t w i th
g oddes s ,
an d Ar ta i os , e u a ed

Mercu ry i s p erh ap s a b ear

,
An oth er b ear g oddess ,

An dart a wa s h on oured a t Di e ( Dr Om e) t he w ord perh a ps m ea n

, ,

s t r on g b ear And b ei ng a n au g m en tiv e N u m erou s

“ ?
i ng —

l ac e n a m es d er i ved f rom Ar tos p erh a ps wit n es s t o a w i d e

p
-

s pr ea d cu l t of th e b ea r an d t he w ord a l s o o ccu rs i n W el s h, ,

a n d I ri s h p er s on al n a m es — Ar t hm a el Ar t hbi u an d p os s ib l y , ,

Arthu r an d t he n u m erou s Ar t s of Iri s h t ex t s D es cent from

, .

t he d ivi n e b ear i s a l s o s i g n i fi ed in n am es l ik e W el s h Ar thg en ,

I ri s h Ar ti g a n f rom Ar ti g enos s on of t he b ear A n oth er

, ,
“
.
”

C elti c n am e f or b ear was t he Gau l i s h m a tu I ris h m a th f ou nd

“
, ,

i n Ma tug en os s on o f t he b ea r a n d i n MacMa h on whi ch i s a

“
, , ,

corru p t f orm of Ma c m a th g ha mha i n s on o f t he b ear s s on

“ ’ ”
- -
, ,

of t he b ear 3 ”
or .

Si m i larl y a cu l t of t he s tag s eem s t o hav e g i ven pl a ce t o

tha t o f a g od wi th s tag s h orn s repres en t ed on m an y ba s ’

rel i ef s a n d r ob a b l y conn ect ed with t h e u n de rw orld he

?
, p T
s t ag a s a g rai n ea t er m a h av e b een r eg a r ded a s t h e em bodi
y
-
, ,

m en t o f t he corn s pi rit a n d th en a s s ocia t ed with t he u n der

-
,

ea r th re i on wh en ce t h e corn s ran by o n e of th os e i n v ers i on s

g p g ,

o f th ou ht s o c omm on i n t he s t a e of t ra n s i t i on f rom a n i m al
g g
g s t o g ods w i th an im al s y m b ol s
o d The elk m ay h ave b een .

w ors hipped i n Irelan d an d a three an tl ered s tag i s t he s u bj ect

,

of a s t ory i n t he F i onn s a a ? I t s thi rd a n t l er l i k e t h e thi r d

g ,

horn of b ull or b oar m a y be a S ig n of divi n ity ,

. x

Th e h ors e had a l so b een w ors hi pp ed bu t a g od dess Ep ona ,

l
( Gaul ep o s h ors e prot ect res s of h orses an d a s s es t ook i ts
.
-
, ,

p ace a n d h a d a f a r s pr ea d cul t
l S he ri des a h ors e or m a re
-
.
,

1
CI L x i ii 5 1 6 0 2 1 99
. Rhy ,
h w
x1 1 . d i At i . f m s, o ever, er ves r a os ro a r,

pl oug h ed l a n d , a n d equ a t es t h e g od wi t h Mercu ri us Cul t or.

”

2
CI L xi i 1 5 5 6 1 55 8 D Arboi s , R C
— .
’
1 65 x . .

For al l t h es e pl ace a n d p ers on al n am es , s ee Hol der a nd D Arb oi s , op

3 ’
. ci t .

L es Cel tes , 4 7 f , L es D r u i d es , 1 5 7 f
. .

1
‘
S ee p 3 2, s up r a ; Rei n a ch , CMR i . 7 2, Rev Arch. 1 1 1 23.
. . .

5
O Grady , i i . 1 23
’
.
2 1 4 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
with i t s f oal , or is t
s ea ed a m on g h ors es , or f eeds h ors es . A
repres en a t ti on of a m are s u ck li n g a f oal a des ig n a nal og ous —

t o th os e i n whi ch Ep on a f eeds f oal s s h ow s th a t h er p ri mi ti ve —

e q ui ne n a t u re h a d n ot b een f org o tt en The G a ul s w ere h ors e

?

r earers a n d Epon a w a s t h e g oddes s of t he c

,
ra f t ; b u t a s i n ,

o th er ca s es a cul t of t h e h ors e m u s t h ave p r eceded i t s dom es t i

,

ca ti on a n d i t s fl es h m a y n ot h av e b een ea t en or i f s o onl y
, , , ,

s acra m en t a l y l Fi nall y t he di vin e h ors e b ecam e t he an th ro

?
,

p o m or p h i c h o r s e g o d d es s H er-
i m a g es w e.r e p l a ce d i n s t a b l es ,

a n d s ev eral i n s cri p ti on s an d s t a t uett es h a v e b een f ou n d i n s u ch

b uildi ng s or i n caval ry b arracks The rem ai n s of th e cu l t

?

h ave b een f oun d i n t h e D an u b e a n d Rhi n e vall ey s i n Eas t ern

-

Gaul an d i n Northern Ital y all C el ti c reg ion s bu t it w a s

, , ,

carri ed ev erywh ere by R om an ca v a lry re cru i t ed f rom t he Cel ti c

'

trib es Epon a i s a s s oci a t ed with an d Of t en h as t he s ym b ols

?
, ,

o f t he Ma tr es a n d on e i n s cr i p ti on rea d s Ep on a bu s as i f th er e
, ,

w ere a g roup of g oddes s es call ed Epon a ? A g oddes s who

p ro m o t e d t h e f er ti l ity o f m ares w ou l d ea s i l y b e a s s oma t ed wit h

o dd e s s es o f f er t i l ity E ona m a l s o h v b nf e d with

g p y a . a e ee n c o u s

a ri ver g odd es s con cei v ed of as a S pi rit ed s t eed

-
W a t er s pirit s .
-

t ook th a t s h ape an d the Ma tres w ere al so ri ver g oddes s es

,
-
.

A s t atu ette of a h ors e with a dedi ca ti on t o a g od Ru di obu s

, ,

oth erwi s e un k n ow n m ay h ave b een carri ed process i on all y

, ,

whil e a m ul e ha s a dedi ca tion t o S ego m o eq ua ted el s ewhere ,

w i th Mars A m ul e g od Mul lo al s o equ a t ed with Mars i s

.
, ,

m en ti on ed on s everal i n s cri p ti ons ? The conn ecti on with Mars

1
Epon a i s full y d i scus s ed b y Rei n a ch i n hi s Ep ona , 1 8 95 , an d in a rt i cl es

( i ll u s tra t ed ) i n Rev Arch. v ol s . 26 , 33, 35 , 4 0, et c. S ee al s o ii .

'

2
x
Rei n a ch s ug g es t s t ha t t hi s m a y e pl ai n w hy V erci n g et ori , i n vi ew of s i eg e x
b y t h e Rom a n s , s ent a w ay hi s h ors es They w ere t oo s a cred t o b e ea t en
. .

Caes ar, vi i 7 1 Rei n ach , R C

. vi i 1 f . xx .

3
J
u v enal , vi i i 1 5 4 ; A ul Meta m i i i 27
p . Mi n Fel i , Octa v xxvn . 7
. . . . x . .

“
For t h e i n scri pt i ons , s ee Hol der, a o
1 ” 5
E p on a CI L i ii 7 904 .
‘
. . . .

3
CI L xi ii . 307 1 Rei n ach, B F 25 3, CMR i . 6 4 , Rep er i . d e l a S ta t. i i . 7 4 5
’

Hold er, i i 6 5 1 — 6 5 2
. .
2 1 6 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CELTS

Anim al wors hi p i s conn ect ed with tot em is m an d cer ta in ,

thin g s p oi n t t o i t s ex i s t en ce am on g t h e Cel ts or t o the ex is t ,

en ce of con d iti on s o u t of which t otem l s m wa s el s ewhere

‘

dev el oped Thes e ar e des cent from anim als an imal t a b us the
.
, ,

s a cram en t a l ea tin g of a n an im al a n d ex og a m y , .

( )
1 D e scen t f r om a n i ma ls — C el ti c n a m es i m l y i n
p g des cen t
from an i m al s or plan t s are of t wo cl a s s es cl an an d p ers on al ,

n am es I f t h e la tt er a r e t ot em i s ti c t h ey m u s t be d erived
.
,

from t h e f erm er s in ce t ot em i s m i s an affa i r of t he clan whi le

, ,
.

t he s o cal l ed -

p e r s on a l t o t em e x em p fi ed by t he Am eri can
l i ,
”

I n dian ma ni tou i s t he g u ardi an bu t n ever t he ances tor of a

,
h

ma n S om e cl an na m es h a v e al read y b een ref erred t o Oth ers

. .

a re t he Bi broci of s ou th ea s t B rita i n p rob a b-

l y a b ea ver cl a n ,

1
( bebr os ) an d t he Eburon es a yew tree cl an ( ebu r os ) ) Iris h cl ans
, ,
-

b ore anim al n am es : s om e g roups were called cal ves oth ers ,

”

oth ers a n d a p l a n t n am e i s s een i n Fi r

” “ ”
g ri ffin s ,
r ed d eer ,
.

Bi le m en of t he t ree S uch cl an t ot em i sm perha ps un der

2 ”
.
,

l i es t he s t ori es of t he d es cenda n t s of t he w olf a t Os s ory w ho

”
.
,

b ecam e w olves for a ti m e as t he res ul t of a s a in tly curs e .

Oth er ins tan ces of l ycan thropy w ere as s oci a t ed wi th certa in

f am i l i es ?
The b el ief i n l y can th rop y mig ht eas il y a tta ch it sel f
t o ex is ti ng w ol f clan s t he t ran s form ati on b ei ng th en ex pl ai n
-
,
ed

a s t he res ul t of a cu rs e The s t or i es of C orm ac m a c Art

?
,

s u ck l ed by a s he w ol f of Lu g hai d m a c Con-
,
s on of a w ol f dog ,
-
,

s u ck l ed by th a t an i m al a n d of Oi s i n wh os e m oth er w a s a , ,

f aw n an d wh o w ou l d n ot ea t ven i son are p erha ps t otem i s ti c

, , ,

1
Caesar, v. 2 1 , 27 . Pos s i bl y t he Dea Bi bra ct e of t he Aeduan s was a b eaver
g odd es s .
2
O Curry, MC I I 207
’
. El t on , 2 98 .
Gi ral d . Ca mb r.
3
Top E i b i i . 1 9, RC i i
. . . 2 02 ; Folk-Lore, v. 31 0 ; I T
i ii 37 6 .
.
 ANIMA L W ORSHIP 2 1 7

whi l e t o t otem i s m or t o a cu l t of an im al s ma y be a s crib ed

wha t ea rly t ravell ers i n Irel an d s ay of t he peopl e t akin g
w ol v es a s g od f athers a nd praying t o th em t o do them n o i ll
-
?

I n Wal es ba n ds of w arr i ors a t t he b a ttl e of Catt raet h ar e

des crib ed i n On eu ri n s Gododi n a s d og s w ol ves b ears a n d
’

, , ,

ra v en s while Owei n s b an d of raven s wh i ch f oug ht agai n s t

,
’

Arthur m ay have b een a raven clan l a ter m i s un ders t ood a s

, ,

actu al raven s C ertain g roups of Da l ri a d S cot s b ore an i m al

?

n a m es — Ci n el G a b ran Li tt l e g oa t clan an d Ci n el Loa rn

“ ”
, , ,

“
Fox cl an Pos s i b ly the cus t om of den oti ng Hig hl an d clan s
.
”

by an i m al or pl an t b adg es m ay be conn ect ed with a b eli ef i n

d es cen t f rOm pl an t s or a n i m al s On m an y coi ns an a n im al i s
.

rep res en t ed on h ors eb a ck p erha ps l ea d i ng a cl an a s bi rds l ed

, ,

t h e C el ts t o t he D an u b e area an d th es e m a y depi ct m yth s ,

t elli n g how t he cl an t ot em an i m a l l ed th e clan t o i t s pres en t

.

t errit ory S uch m yth s m ay s u rv ive i n l eg en ds rel a ting how

?

m a s i t o t e s it e o f s ch ch C el tic
?
an a n i a l l ed a n t h h i u r

w arri ors w ore h el m ets with h orn s and I ri s h s t ory s peak s of ,

m en with cat dog or g oa t h eads , ,

?
Thes e m ay h ave b een m en
w earing a h ead g ear f orm ed of t he s k i n or h ea d of the clan
-

t ot em h en ce rem em b ered at a l at er ti m e a s m on s trou s b ein g s

, ,

whi l e t he h orn ed h el m ets w oul d be rel a ted t o the s am e

cu s t om S oli nu s describ es t he B ri t on s a s w eari n g a ni m al
.

s ki n s b ef ore g o i n
g i n t o b a tt l e
?
W er e th es e s k i n s of t ot em

a n i m al s u n der wh ose p rot ecti on th ey th u s pl aced th em s el ves ?

The f orm s of b eas t s birds an d fi s h es which t he Crui t hn e or

“
, ,

Picts ta tt ooed on th eir b odi es m ay h a ve b een t otem m ark s ,

whil e t he pain ting of their b odi es with w oad am ong th e “

1
O Gra dy , i i Ca mpb ell , The Ri a ns , 78 Thi ers , Tra i té d es
’
. 28 6 , 5 38
S up ers ti ti on s , 1 1 8 6 . .

2
La dy Gu es t , i i 4 09 f . .

3 4
Bl an ch et , i . 1 6 6 , 295 , 3 26 , 390 . S ee p 209, s up ra .
.

5
Di od . S i c. v . 30 I T ii i . 38 5 R C xx vi . 1 39 Rhys , E L 5 93.
3
M on . E i s t. B ri t. p . x .
2 1 8 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
s ou thern B ri t on s m a y have b een of the sam e ch ara ct er th oug h -

Caes ar s w ords h ardl y den ote this C ertain m ark s on f aces

’
.

fig ured on Gaul i s h coin s s eem t o be ta tt oo m ark s ?

It i s n ot i m pos s ib le th at a n earl y w olf t otem m ay have -

b een a s socia ted b eca u s e of the an i m al s n octurn al w an deri ng s

,
’

i n f ores t s with t he u n der w orl d wh en ce accordin g t o C el tic

, ,

b el ief m en s prang an d whith er th ey retu rn ed an d wh en ce

,
.
,

all v eg et a ti on cam e f orth Th e G al l o Rom an Si lv an u s -

-
.
,

p r o b a b l y a n u n d er w o r l d"
g od w ea rs a w olf s ki n a n d m ay
,
-
,

thu s be a w ol f —g od Th ere Were va ri ou s types of u n derw orld

.

g ods an d thi s w olf ty pe p erh a ps a l ocal w ol f t ot em a n ces t or

'

- — -
,
"

a s s i m i la t ed t o a l oca l Di s pa t er m ay h ave been t he g od of -

a cl an w ho i m p osed i t s m yth i c w olf ori i n on o th er cl an s

g .

S om e C el ti c b ron z es s h ow a Wolf s wal l owing a m an who offers

n o r es i s t an ce p r ob a b l y ,b e cau s e h e i s d ea d The w olf i s .

m uch bigg er than t h e m an an d h en ce m ay be a g od ? Th es e ,

bron z es w ou l d t hu s repres en t a b elief s et tin g f orth t he retu rn

of m en t o th ei r t o t em a nces t or af t er dea th or t o t he u n der ,

w orl d g od con nect ed with t he t otem an ces t or by s aying tha t ,

he d evou red t he d ea d l ik e cert ai n P ol yn es ian di vi n iti es an d

,

t he G reek Eu ryn om os .

I n m an y in d i vi d u al n am es t he fi rs t part i s t h e n a m e of
a n a n i m al or pl an t t he s econ d i s u s ua ll y g enos b orn from “ ”
.

, , ,

e g Ar t i g en os Ma t u g en o s s on of t he b ear
” “
or s on of ,
. .
, ( ar to s , ,

m a tu U rog enos ,
occu rr1 ng a s U rog en ert os , “
h e who ha s the ,

t
s ren g th of t he s on o f t he uru s
”
; Bra n n og en os ,
“
s on of t he
ra v en Cu n og en os ,
“
s on of t he dog Th es e n a m es m ay b e
.
” 3

d erived f rom cl an t ot em n a m es , bu t th ey da t e b a ck t o a ti m e
wh en an im al s t rees , ,
and m en w ere on a common f ooting ,

1
Herodi an i i i 1 4 , 8 Dua ld Ma cFi rbi s i n I ri s h Nen ni u s , p ; Caes a r,
‘

, . . v1 i

v. 1 0 ; ZCP i i i . 3 31 .

a ndroph a d ans l ll rom a i n,

’
2
S ee Rei nach, Les Carn a s s i ers art
‘

es o
g g a -

CMR i . 2 7 9.
3
S ee Hol der, s .e .
 2 20 T HE RE LIGI ON OF T HE ANCIENT C E L TS

l u ck 1
. The i ll l u ck
-
w the ki ll ing of certain
s u ppos ed t o f oll o
a n im a l s m a y a l s o b e r em in i s cen t of t ot em i c t a b u s Fis h w ere .

n ot ea t en by t h e Pi cti s h Mea t ea a n d Cal edon ii a n d a d i s l ik e ,

of ea ti n g cert a i n f res h w a t er fis h wa s o b s erv ed a m on g cert a i n

-

ei g ht een th cen t u ry Hi g h l a n ders It has b een al ready s een

?

tha t certa in fis h l i vi ng i n s a cred w ell s w ere t a b u an d ,

were b eli eved t o g ive ora cl es Heron s fles h was dis l i k ed i n .

’

Irelan d an d it w as con s i dered u n l u cky t o kill a s w an i n t he

,

Heb rides Fat al res ul ts f oll owi n g si p on the kill in g or ea ti n g

?

of an a ni m a l with whi ch t h e ea t er w as conn ect ed by n a m e or

d es cen t are f ou n d i n t he I ris h s ag as Con ai re Was s on of a .

w om an a n d a bird whi ch cou ld tak e h um an s hape an d it was -

,
‘

f orbi dden t o hi m t o h u n t bi rds On on e occa s i on h e di d so.

,

a n d f or thi s a s w ell as t h eb r
~

eakin g Oi o th er t a b u s h e l os t hi s ,

li fe ?
It w a s ta b u t o Cuchu la inn the b ound of Cul ann t o‘

, ,
”

ea t dog s fl es h a n d h a vi n g b een p ers u a ded t o d o thi s hi s

’

l
, , ,

ren g t h w en t f rom hi m a n d he p eri s h ed

'

D i arm ai d havi n g
fi ,
.
,

b een f orbi dden t o hu n t a b oar with which hi s l if e was con

n ect ed w a s i n du ced b y F i on n t o b rea k thi s t a b u a n d i n
, ,

con s eq u en ce he l os t hi s l i f e by on e of t h e b oar s b ri s tl es
’

en t eri n g hi s f oo t or ( i n a v a rIa n t ) b y t h e boar s k i ll i n g hi m

’

, .

An oth er in s tan ce i s f oun d i n a tal e of cert ai n m en trans

f orm ed t o b adg ers Th ey w ere sl ai n by C orm ac an d b roug ht
.
,

t o hi s fa th er Ta dg t o ea t Ta dg u n accou n tab l y l oa th ed th em
.
,

b ecaus e th ey w ere t ran s form ed m en an d h s cou s in s i ?

In
this tal e which m ay con tain t he d ebri s of t ot em ic u sag e t h e
, ,

l oa thin g a ri s es from t h e f a ct th at t he b adg ers are m en a —

com mon f orm of m yth s ex pl a n a t ory of m i s u n d ers t ood t o tem i c

cus t om s bu t t h e ol d i deaof t he r el a ti on b etw een a m a n a n d

,

1
Gom m e, E thnol i n Fol kl ore, 3 0, Vi l l a g e Com mu ni ty , 1 1 3
. .

2
Di o Ca s s l i i 2 1
. xxLog a n , S cotti sh Ga el , i i 1 2
‘

. . .

3
Joyce, S E i i 5 29 Marti n , 7 1
. .

4
RC xx i i 20, 24 , 390—1 .
.
3
I T ii i . 3 8 5 .
 ANIMAL W ORSHIP 2 2 1 _

hi s t ot em is n ot l os t
ht of Th e oth er tal es m ay al s o be
si g . .

remi n i s cen t o f a cl a n t ot em t a b u l a t er cen t red i n a m ythi c ,

h ero Perhap s t he b eli ef i n l u cky or u nl u cky an im al s or i n

.
,

o m en s dra w n f rom th ei r a
p p eara n ce m a y be b as ed on ol d ,

t o tem b el i ef s or i n b el ief s i n t he divi ni ty of t he ani m al s .

( )
3 S ac ra m en ta l ea ti n
g f o a n a n i m a l Th e cu s t om of .
-

hun ti ng t he w ren foun d over t he wh ol e C el ti c area i s

,
2
,

con n ect ed w i th a n i m a l w ors h i p an d m a y be t o t em i s ti c i n

or i g i n I n S p it e of i t s s m all s iz e t he w ren wa s k n ow n a s
.
,

t he ki n g of bi r ds a n d i n t he I s l e of Man it was h u n t ed a n d
,

ki ll ed on Ch ri s t m a s or S St eph en s d ay The bi rd wa s .
’
.

carri ed i n p roces s i on f rom door t o d oor t o t h e a ccom p an i m en t ,

of a ch an t a n d w a s th en s ol em n l y b u ri ed di r es b ei n
, g g s un g , .

I n s om e ca ses a f ea th er w a s l ef t a t ea ch h ou s e an d caref u ll y
~

treas u red an d th ere are t ra ces of a cu s t om of b oi l ing an d

,

ea ti ng t h e b i rd I n I rel a n d t he h u n t a n d p roces s i on w ere

1
.
,

f oll o w ed by a f ea s t t he m a t erial s of wh i ch w ere coll ect ed

,

f rom h ou se t o h ou s e a n d a S i m i la r u s ag e obt ai n ed i n F ran ce

, ,

wh ere t he you th who k i ll ed t he bi rd w as call ed kin g 2 “ ”

.

I n m os t Of th es e di s tri ct s it wa s cons i dered u nl ucky or

dan g erou s t o ki ll t he b i rd a t a n y oth er t i m e y et it m i g ht b e
‘

cerem on i al l y ki ll ed on ce a y ea r t h e d ea d an im al con f erred ,

l uck an d w a s s ol em n l y ea ten or b u ri ed with S ig ns of m ourni ng

, .

Sim ilar cu s t om s w i th an i m al s whi ch are a ct uall y wors hi pped

are f ou n d el s ewh ere? an d th ey l en d s u p port t o t h e i dea th a t

t he C el t s reg arded t h e w ren as a di vi n e a n i m al or p erh aps a ,

t otem ani m al th at it wa s n eces s ary t o s lay it ritual ly an d t o

, ,

carry i t r ou n d t h e h ou s es of t h e comm u n i ty t o obt a in

i t s di vi ne i n fl u en ce t o ea t i t s a cra m en tal l y or t o b ury it
, .

1
Wal d ron ,
I s le of Trai n , Accoun t of the I s l e of Ma n , i i 1 24
Ma n ,
49 . .

2
V all an cey , Coll . d e Reb E i b i v No 1 3 . Cl m ent , Fetes , 4 6 6
. . . é ’
. For
Eng l i s h cu s t om s , s ee Hen d ers on , Folkl ore of the N orthern Cou n ti es , 1 25 .
2
3
Fra zer, Gol den Boug h , i i . 3 8 0, 4 4 1 , 44 6 .
222 TH E RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
Prob abl y l ik e cu s t oms w ere foll ow ed i n t he cas e o f other
a n i m al s a n d th es e m a y h a ve g iven ri s e t o s u ch s t ori es as
1
,

th at of the ea tin g of Ma cDatho s w on derf ul b oar as w ell a s ’

t o m yth s whi ch reg arded cert a in a n im al s e g t he s wi n e a s ,

. .
,

t he i mm or tal f ood of t he g ods Oth er ex am pl es of ritual .

s ur vi va l s of s u ch s acra m en t a l ea ti ng h a v e a l rea dy b een n ot ed ,

an d it i s n ot i m p rob a b l e th a t t h e ea ti ng of a s a cred pa s t oral

a n i m al occu rred a t S a m h a i n .

( )
4 E xog a m y E x og a m y a.n d t h e co u n t i n
g of d es ce n t
throu g h th e m oth er a re clos ely con n ect ed with tot em i s m ,
a n d s om e t ra ces of b oth are f ou n d a m ong t h e C el t s Am ong .

t he Pi ct s w ho w ere perh aps a C el ti c g rou p of t he B ryt h o

, , ,
n ic

s t ock th es e cu s t om s s u rv i ved i n t he roy a l h ou s e

,
The ki n g .
— l

s h i p p a s s ed t o a b roth er of t he ki ng by t he s am e m oth er or ,

t o a s i s t er s s on whil e t h e ki n g s fa th er w as n ever ki ng an d
’ ’

w a s frequ en tl y a f oreig n er Si milar rul es of s u cces s i on pre

“
.

va i l ed i n earl y A rya n roy al h ou ses — G reek an d R om an an d ,

—

ma y a s Dr St ok es thoug ht h ave ex is t ed a t Tara i n I rel an d

,
.
, ,

whil e i n a Fia n t al e of Oi s in he marri es t he daug ht er of t he

kin g of Ti r n a n Og and s u cceeds hi m as king partl y f or that
-
,

r eas on a n d p art l y b ecau s e he ha d b ea t en hi m i n t he a nn ua l

,

ra ce f or t h e king s hi p Su ch a n a thl etic con t es t f or the

? ,

k i ng s hi p wa s k n own i n earl y Greece a nd thi s t al e m a y ,

s u p por t t he th eory of t h e C el ti c pri es t ki n g s hi p t he h ol der -

,

o f t he offi ce ret a in i ng i t a s l on g a s he was n ot d ef ea t ed or

Sl a i n Tra ces of s ucces s ion throug h a s i s t er s s on a re f ou n d i n ’

. .

t he Ma bi n og i on an d Li v y d escrib es how t he m ythi c C el ti c king

,

Am bi cat us s en t n ot hi s own bu t hi s S i s t er s s on s t o f ou n d
’

n ew ki n g d om s ?
I ri s h an d W el s h d ivine a nd heroI C g rou ps
1
For ot h er Wel s h i n s t a n ces of t h e d a ng er of k i lli ng cert ai n bi rd s , s ee

Th om a s , op . ci t. xxx vi i i . 306 .
2
Fra zer, Ki ng s hip , 2 6 1 ; S t ok es , RC xvi . 41 8 ; Larm i ni e, Myths a nd

Fol k ta les , 327 .

-

3
S ee Rh ys , Wel s h Peop le, 44 ; Li vy , v. 34 .
2 24 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS

I u charba ) , an d is al so m oth er of Cri m t han by tha t s on .

1

B roth er and s is ter un ion s occu r b oth i n . I ri s h an d W el s h

s t or y
?

I n th es e cas es i n ces t with a m ot h er cann ot be ex pl ai ned

by t otem ic u s ag e bu t t he cas es m ay be di s torted rem ini scen ces
,

of w h a t m ig ht o ccu r un der t ot em i s m n am el y a s on t aki ng t he

.
, ,

wi ves of hi s fa th er oth er than hi s own m o ther when th ose ,

w ere of a di fferen t t otem f rom hi s own Under t ot em i s m . ,

b roth ers an d s is ters by di fferen t m others hav1 ng di fferen t

“

t otem s m i g ht pos s ibl y un it e an d s uch un i on s a re found i n

, ,

m an y m yth ol og i es Lat er wh en t ot emi s m p as s ed a wa y t he

.
, ,

u n i on s reg arded
,
with h orror wou l d be s upp os ed t o tak e ,

l b etw ee n chi l d ren by t h e s am e m o th er A o d i n t o

p a ce cc r g .

t ot em la w a f a th er m i g ht un ite wi th hi s da ug ht er s in ce s he
, ,

wa s of her m oth er s t ot em b u t i n practi ce thi s w as f ro wn ed

’

u p on Pol ygam y a ls o may co ex i s t wi th t otem is m an d of

.
-
,

cou rse i nv ol ves t h e cou n ti n g of d es c en t th rou g h t he m o th er

I f a s i s s u g g es t ed by t h e deb il ity
”
a s a r ul e of the
“
.
,

Ul t onian s a nd by oth er evi dence t he couva de w a s a C el ti c

, ,

in s tit u ti on thi s w oul d al s o p oin t t o t he ex is ten ce of t he

,
“

m a t ri arch at e with t he C el t s To ex pl ai n al l thi s as pre

.

Arya n or t o s ay that the clas s ical n oti ces ref er t o n on Aryan

,
-

trib es an d that t he eviden ce i n the I ri s h s ag as onl y s h ows

tha t the C el ts ha d b een in fl u en ced by the cu s t om s of ,

a b ori g in al t rib es a m ong wh om th ey l i ved i s t o n eg l ect t he

3
,

f a ct th a t t h e cus t om s are cl os el y b oun d up with C el ti c li fe

-

wh i l e it l eaves unex plai ned t he influ ence of s uch cus tom s

u on a p eo l e wh os e ow n cus t om s a ccordin
p p g t o thi s th eory , ,

1
RC xi i .
23 5 , 238 , xv. 2 91 , xvi . 1 49 ; LL 23a , 1 24b. I n vari ous Iri s h
t e tsx a chi l d i s s ai d t o h ave t h ree f at h ers — probabl
y a remi ni s cence o f pol y
a ndry . S ee p . 7 4, s up ra , and R C ii i . 333. xx
2
I T 1. 1 36 Lot h, i 1 34 f
. Rhys , E L 308 .
.

3
Zi mm er, “
Mat ri archy am ong t h e Pi ct s , i n Henders on, Lea bhar na n
Gl ea nn .
 ANI MAL W ORSHIP “

22 5

We er so t otall y di fferen t . The ev i den ce t ak en

, as wh ol e
a ,

p oi t
n s t o t he e x i s ten ce t ot em i s m am on g t he
of ea rl y C el t s ,

or, a t all even s , o f t t he el em en t s whi ch el s ewh ere com p os e i t .

Cel ti c a n i m al w ors h i p d a t es
b a ck t o t he pri m i tive hu n ti n g
a n d pa s t ora l peri od wh en ,
m en w ors h i pped t h e a n i m al s whi ch
th ey h u n t ed or reared Th ey m ay h av e a p ol og i s ed t o the
.

an i m a l h u n t ed a n d s l ai n a f orm of w ors h i p or wh ere

—
, ,

a n i m a l s w ere n ot h un t ed or w er e r ea red a n d w or s h i
pp ed
-

on e o f th em m ay h av e b een s l a i n a n n uall y a n d ea t en t o

Obt a i n i t s d i vi n e p ow er C are wa s t ak en t o p res erve cer t ai n

.

s acred a n i m a l s wh i ch w ere n ot h u n t ed and thi s l ed to ,

d om es t i ca ti on t he a b s ti n ence o f earl i er g en era t i on s l ea din g

,

t o an i n crea s ed f ood s u ppl y a t a l at er ti m e wh en dom es t i ca t ed ,

a n im al s w er e f reel y S l a i n Bu t t h e ea rl i er s acram en t a l s lay i ng

.

of s uch a n i m al s s u rvi ved i n t he r el i g i ou s a s p ect of th ei r

s lau g ht er a t t h e b eg i nn i n g of wi n t er The cu l t of ani m a l s

?

w as al s o conn ect ed with t ot em i c u s a g e th oug h a t a l a t er ,

s t a g e thi s cu l t w a s r epl a ced by th a t of a n th r op om or p hi c

d i vi n iti es with t he ol d er d i vi n e ani m al s as th ei r s y m b ol s

, ,

s a crifi ci al vi ct i m s a n d t he l ik e
,
Thi s evol uti on n ow led to
.

t he rem oval of r es t ri ct i on s u pon s la y i ng a n d ea t i ng t he

a n i m al s . On th e o th er h an d t h e m ore p ri mi tive an i m a l
,

cu l t s m ay h a ve rem a i n ed h ere a n d th ere An i ma l cu l t s .

w ere perh aps l arg el y con fi n ed t o m en Wi t h the ri s e of

, ,
.

a g ri cu l t u re m ai n l y a s a n a r t i n t h e h a n ds o f w om en a n d t h e ,

cons equen t cu l t of t he E ar th m o th er o f f er ti l i ty a n d corn

-
,

s p irit s p rob a b l y reg a rded a s f em al e t he s a cra m en t al ea ti ng ,

of t he d i vi n e a n i m al m a y ha v e l ed t o t he S l ayi ng a n d eati ng

of a hu m a n or a n im al vi cti m s u pp os ed t o em b ody s u ch a

s pi ri t . La t er t he t w o cu l t s w ere b ou n d t o coal esce a n d t he ,

d ivine a n im a l a n d t h e anim al em b odi m en t of t he veg et a ti on

1
S ee p 25 9, i nf ra .
.
22 6 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
Sp r i it w ould n ot be differen tiat ed On t he other h an d wh en
. ,

m en b eg an t o t ak e p ar t i n w om en s f erti l ity cul t s t he fact

’

that s uch s pi rits w ere fem al e or w ere p erha ps com i ng t o

be reg arded as g oddes s es m a y h ave l ed m en t o en vi s ag e
,

cer t a i n of t he an th rop om orp hi c a n i m a l di vi n iti es a s g oddes s es ,

s i n ce s om e of th es e ,
eg. Ep ona an d D am on a are f em ale
.
, .

Bu t with t he in cr eas ing par ti ci pa ti on of m en i n ag ri cu l tu re ,

the S pi rits or g oddes s es of f er til ity wou ld t en d t o b ecom e

m al e or t h e con s ort s or m o th ers oi g ods of f er til ity th oug h
, .
,
.

t he earl i er as p ect w as n ever l os t s ig ht of w i tn es s t h e C orn

,

Moth er The evol ution of divin e pri es t king s w oul d cau s e

.
-

th em t o tak e t he pl a ce of the earl i er pries t es s es of th es e

cu l t s on e of wh om m a y h ave b een t he d ivi n e v i ctim
,
. Yet i n
.

l ocal s urv ival s certain cul t s were s t il l confi n ed t o w om en

~
,

an d s till had th ei r prI es t es s es

?

1
S ee p 27 4, i nf ra
. .
22 8 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
j i i
r e o c ng l ike m an
hims elf Or where a hig h er rel ig ion ous ts
.

t he ol der on e t he rit ua l i s s til l ret ai n ed am ong t h e f ol k

, ,

th ou g h i ts m ean in g m ay be f org ott en .

The C el t s m ay th u s h av e pos s es s ed t he H eav en a n d E arth

m yth bu t al l t ra ce of i t h a s p eri s h ed
,
Th ere are h ow ever .
, ,

rem n an t s of myth s s h ow i n g h ow t he s k y i s s u pp or t ed by .

t rees a m oun t ai n or by p ill ars A hi g h m oun tai n n ear th e

, ,
.

s ources of t h e Rh on e w a s call ed
“ ”
t he col um n of t he s un ,

a n d w a s s o lof ty as t o hi d e t he s u n f rom t h e p eo pl e of t h e

s ou th It m ay have b een reg arded a s s u pp ortin g the s ky

?
,

whil e t he s u n m oved roun d it I n an ol d I ris h hym n an d .

i t s g l os s B rig it a n d P a t ri ck are com pared t o th e t w o pi ll ars

,

of t he w orld p rob a b l y all u d in g t o s om e ol d m yth o f s k y or

“

ea rth r es ti ng on p i ll a rs Traces of thi s al s o ex is t i n f ol k

?
“

b el i ef a s i n t he accou nts of is l an ds res ting on f ou r pillars

, ,

o r a s i n t he l eg en d o f t h e ch u rch o f K ern i t ou whi ch r es t s on

“

f ou r pi l l ars on a cong eal ed s ea an d whi ch w i ll be s ub m erg ed

wh en t he s ea l i quefies a com bi na ti on of t he cos m og oni c m yth
—

with tha t of a g rea t in un dati on I n s om e m ythol og i es a b ri dg e

?

or l a dd er conn ect s heav en a nd ear th Th ere m ay be a .

s urv i val of s om e s u ch m y th i n an I ri s h p oem wh i ch s p ea k s

fl b ri dg e of l ife or i n t he dr ocha i d
“ ”
o f t h e d r och et betha d o r
'

, ,

na a i thea n a s or b g
ri d,
e of h e
e a v n o f H eb i dean f olk l ore
r 4
,
”
-
.

Th os e g ods who w ere conn ect ed with t he s ky m ay have

b een h eld t o dw ell th ere or on the m oun t ai n s up p orti ng i t
.
.

Oth ers l i ke t he C el ti c Di s pa t er dw el t u n derg rou n d S om e

, , .

w ere con n ect ed with m oun ds an d hill s or w ere s u ppos ed t o ,

have tak en u p th eir a b ode i n th em Oth ers ag ain dw el t i n a .

, ,

di s t an t reg i on t h e C el ti c El ys i um wh i ch on ce t he C el ts
, , ,

r each ed t h e s ea b eca m e a f ar off i slan d Th os e divin ities

,
-
.

1
Avi enus , Or a Ma ri ti m a 6 44 f , .
2
1 T i . 25 Ga i doz, ZCP i 27 . .

3
Ann a l es d e B reta g ne, 41 4 x . .

4
I T i . 5 0, cf . 1 8 4 ; Fol k Lore, -
vi . 1 7 0.
 COS MOGONY 22 9

wors hipped i n g roves w ere b el i eved t o dwell th ere and t o

m an if es t th em sel v es a t m i dday or m i dn ig ht whil e s uch Obj ect s ,

of n a t u r e a s ri v er s w el l s a n d t re es w er e h eld t o b e t he a b od e
, ,

of
g s or s pi ri t s
o d Th us it i s dou bt ful wh eth er t he C el t s ever
.

th oug ht of th ei r g ods a s d w ell ing i n on e Ol ym p us The .

Tu a t ha Dé D an an u a re s aid t o h ave com e f rom h ea v en bu t thi s ,

m ay be t he m ere a s ser ti on of s om e s crib e w ho k n ew n ot what

I

t o m ak e of th i s g rou p of b ei ng s .

I n C el ti c b el i ef m en w ere n ot s o m u ch crea t ed by g ods a s

des cen ded f rom th em Al l t he G au l s a s s ert th a t th ey are
.

d es cen d ed f rom Di s pa t er an d thi s th ey s ay h as b een h an ded

, , ,

d ow n t o th em by t he D ru i ds 1 D i s pa t er was a C el ti c u n der
”
.

w orld g od oi f erti l ity an d th e s ta t em en t prob a b l y pres u ppos es

,

a m yth l i k e th a t f ou n d a m on m a n y pri m i t i v e p eopl es t ell i n

, g g ,

how m en on ce l i v ed u n derg rou n d a n d th en ce cam e t o t h e

s u rf a ce of t h e earth B ut it a l s o p oi n t s t o th ei r d es cen t f rom
.

t he g od of t he u n derw orld Thither t he dea d ret urn ed t o

.

hi m who wa s a n ces t or of t he l i vi ng a s w el l a s l ord of t h e dea d ?

On t he oth er h an d i f t he ear th ha d ori g i n al l y b een th ou g ht of
,

a s a f em al e s he a s E arth m oth er w ou l d b e a n ces t r es s of m en

,
-
.

Bu t her pl a ce I n t he m yth w ou l d eas il y b e t ak en by t he Earth

or U n der ea rth o d erh a s re ard ed a s h er s on or h er con s or t
g p p g
-
.
,

I n ot her cas es cl an s f am i l i es or i ndivi dual s of t en t ra ced th eir

'

, , ,

des cen t t o g ods or di v in e a n im al s or pl an t s C las s i cal writ ers

.

o cca s i on all y s eak of t he ori i n of b ra n ch es o f t h e C el t i c ra ce

p g
f rom epon ym ou s f ou n der s p erh aps f rom th eir k n ow l edg e of
,

ex i s t i n g C el ti c m yth s ? Amm i a n u s Marcel li nus al s o report s a

D ru idi c t ra di ti on t o t he effect tha t s om e G au l s w ere i ndi g enou s ,

s om e ha d com e f rom di s t a n t i s l a n d s a n d o th ers fr om b ey on d ,

t he Rh i n e ? Bu t thi s i s n ot s o m u ch a m yth of ori g i n s a s a n ,

ex pl a na ti on o f t he es en f d i ff t l e i n G u l — t he
p r ce o er en eo
p p s a

1
Caes a r, vi 1 8
. .
2
S ee p 341 , i nf r a .
.

3
B i od . S i c. v. 2 4 ; Appi a n , I lly ri ca , 2 .
4
Amm . Ma rcel xv 9 . . .
2 39 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
a b orig i n es t he Celt ae an d t he B elg i c Gauls M D Arboi s
, , . .
’

a s s um es th a t di s t a n t i s l a n d s m ean s t h e C el ti c El y s i u m
”
,

whi ch he reg ards as t he l an d of the dead bu t the phra se i s 1

,

p ro b a b l y n o m ore th an a di s t ort ed rem i n i s cen ce of t he far off -

l an ds wh en ce earl y g roups o f C el ts had reach ed Ga ul .

Of t h e crea ti on of t he w orl d n o com pl et e m yth ha s

s u rv i v ed th oug h f rom a g l os s t o t he S en chu s Mér w e l ea rn th a t
,

t he D ru ids l ik e t he B r ah m an s b oas t ed th a t th ey ha d m a de s un
, , ,

m oon ear th a n d s ea a b oas t i n k eep in g with thei r s u ppos ed

, ,
—

p o w e r s o v er t h e el e m e n t s
?
C ertai n f ol k b eli efs re ardin
g g t he
-
,

ori i n of di fferen t p ar t s of n a t ur e b ear a cl os e res em b l an ce t o

g ,

p ri m iti ve cos m og on i c m yth s and th ey m ay be t a k en a s di sj ,

ecta

m em br a of s i m i lar m yth s h el d by the C el t s an d perh ap s tau g ht

m i ct u riti on of a g i an t ,
f airy , or s a i n t ,
or f rom th ei r s w ea t or

ear th .
Wa g up from t h e bl ood of a m ar tyr or f rom
t w ’
s or a f ai ry s
’
t
s a ff ? Th e s ea ori g i nat ed from

a m ag ic cas k g i ven by GOd to a w om an . The sp ig ot when

,

l es s tak en th e pl ace of a od z s n ce i t he t i h ave y

m
s or es a ver
g
m
.

p fi fis . The g ian t i s f req u en tl y ( 1 )?

t o the comm on

D Arb oi s , 1 1 2 6 2, xi i 220.
'
1 ’
. .

2
An ti ent L a ws of I rel a nd , i 23 I n on e MS Ada m i s s ai d t o h ave b een
. . .

creat ed t hu s — h i s b od
y o f earth , hi s bl ood of t he s ea , hi s face o f t he s un , h i s
b reat h of t he wi n d , et c Thi s i s al s o fou nd i n a Fri s i an t al e (Vi g fus s on Powel l ,
.
-

Corp u s Poet B ar . 1 . . an d bot h s t ori es pres en t an i nvers i on of wel l kn own -

m y t h s ab out t he crea t i on of t h e u ni vers e f rom t h e m em bers of a g i a nt .

4
S ébil l ot , i . 21 3 f , i i 6 , 7 , 7 2, 97 , 1 7 6 , 327 328 . Cf 1 .
. . 3v . 48 2, xvi . 1 5 2. -
.

4
S ébi ll ot i i 6 . , .
2 32 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T C EL T S -

il l im ita b l e s ea b urs ts of whi ch three particular i ns tan ces are

-
,

of t en m en ti on ed were dou btl es s t he res u l t of t he ex p erien ce O

,
f
tida l waves .

Althoug h n o com plete accoun t of t he en d of all thing s lik e ,

th a t of t he S can din avi an Rag narok ha s s urvi ved s ca ttered , ,

hi n t s t ell of i t s form er ex i s t en ce Strab o s ay s tha t t he D rui ds .

taug ht tha t fire a n d wat er m u s t on e day p reva il eu

“ —

evi d en t b el i ef i n s om e fi n al ca t acl y s m Thi s i s al s o hin t ed a t

?

i n t h e w ords of cer ta in G a ul s t o A l ex an d er t el l ing hi m th a t ,

wha t they f eared m os t of a ll wa s t he f all of t he h eaven s upon

th eir h ea ds I n oth er w ords they f eared wh a t w ou ld be t he
?
,

s i g n al of t he en d o f a ll thi n s O n I ri s h rou n d t he w ord s of

g g .

C on ch ob ar m ay ref er t o this He announ ced tha t he w oul d .

r es cu e t he ca p ti ves a n d s oi l t a ken b
p y Medb u nl ess the ,

h eaven s f el l a n d t he earth b urs t op en a n d the s ea eng ulph ed

, ,

a ll thin s S h yth i with Ch i t b i

? l m
g u c a m m n g l ed r s i a n e ef s a y
u n d er l i e t he p rop h ecy of B ad b a f t er Ma g t u red regardi n g t h e -

ev i l s t o com e a n d t he en d of t h e w orld a n d th a t o f Fercer tne ,

i n t h e Colloqu y of the Two S ag es B oth have a curi ou s ?

res em b la n ce t o t he Sybi l s ro h ecy of doom i n t he V ol u s a

’ ”

p p p .

I f t h e g ods th em sel ves w ere i n v ol ved i n s u ch a ca ta s trop h e it ,

w ould n Ot be s urpri s ing s in ce i n s om e as pects t hel r 1 m

,

m ort al ity dep ended on th ei r ea ti ng a n d dri n kin g i mm orta l

f ood an d drin k ?

1
S t rab o, i v. 4 4. .

2
Arri an ; An ab i 4 7 ; S t rab o, vi i 3 8
. . . Cf. Julli an , 8 5 .
. . .

3
LL 9 4 ; Mi s s Hu ll , 2 05 .
4
R C xii 1 1 1 , vi 33. . xx .

5
A p os s i bl e s u rvi va l of a w orld s erp ent m y t h m ay be f ou n d i n Da B erg a s
-
’

Hos t el (R C i i xx . wh ere w e h ear of Levi a t han t h a t s urrou nd s t h e g l ob e an d

s t ri k es wi t h hi s t a il t o ov erwh el m t h e worl d B ut t hi s m a y b e a refl ect i on o f
.
-

Nors e m y th s of th e Mi dg ard s erp ent , s om et i m es eq ua t ed wi t h Levi a t han .

 C HAP TER XV I .

S ACRI FI CE ,
PRAYE R, AND D IV NATI I ON .

THE S em it es are of t en con s i dered t he wors t offen ders i n t he

m a tt er o f h um an s a crifi ce b u t i n thi s accordi n g t o cl as s i cal
, ,

evi den ce th ey w ere cl os el y ri v al l ed by t he C el t s o f G a u l

, .

They off ered hu m an vi ctim s on t he p rin ci pl e of a l ife f or a

l i f e or t o prop iti a t e t he g od s or i n order t o d i vi n e th e f u t u re
, ,

from t h e en t rai ls of t he vi ct i m W e S h all ex am i ne t he C el t i c

.

fl
cu s t om of h um a n s a crifi ce f rom th es e p oi n t s of vi ew fi rs t .

Caes ar s ay s tha t th ose af i ct ed with di sea se or eng ag ed i n

b a ttle or dang er offer hum a n vi cti m s or vow t o do s o b ecau se ,

u n l es s m an s l i f e be g i ven f or m an s l i f e t h e di vi n i ty of t he
’ ’
,

g o d s c a nn o t b e a pp eas ed The th eor a

?
e ars t o h a ve b e e n
M

i ti m s m ay h ave b een
v c e d em on s or d i sea s es

p ers on ifi ed s u ch,a s C el ti c i m a
g i n a ti on s t il l b eli ev es i n
2
ra th er ,

th an t o g ods or ag ai n they m a y h ave b een offered t o na tive

, , ,

s am e p i i pl e
r nc ,
an d

a defeat , whi ch s h owed th a t th od s w were s till i m pl a ca b l e,

M

1
Caes ar, vi 1 6 . .
2
Rhys , CB4 6 8 .
3
Jus ti n, xx
vi . 2 ; Pom p. Mel a , i i i 2.
.

2 33
2 34 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CELTS
of fen hi ms el f ?
Or i n s uc h
C el t s w oul d turn thei r
a ca s e t he
w eap on s ag a i n s t th em s el ves m akin g of s u i cide a kin d of s acri ,

fice h opi ng t o b rin g vi ctory t o t he s u rvivors

,
?

The i dea of t he v ictim b ei ng offered on t hepri n ci pl e of a

lif e f or a l i f e i s ill us t ra t ed by a cus t om a t Ma rs ei ll es i n ti m e
of
p e s t i
'
l en ce O n e o f t h
. e p o ore r c
-
l a s s es o ff ered h i m s el f t o b e

k ep t a t t h e p ub l i c ex p en s e f or s om e ti me He w as ;th en l ed .

i n proces s i on cl a d i n sacred b oug h s an d s ol em n l y curs ed and

, , ,

pra y er w as m a de th a t on hi m m i g ht f a l l t h e evi l s of t he com

m un ity Th en he Wa s ca s t h ea dl on g dow n H ere the v ictim
. .

s t ood f or t h e l i v es of t he city an d w a s a kin d of s ca e vi cti m

p
-
,

l ik e th os e a t t h e Th arg el ia 3 .

a n v ict i m s
'

a l s o o ffer ed b w of th ank s ;i v n g
w ere !

W T Ow s w ere of t en ma de b efore a b a ttl e pro

W

a ,

m i s i ng th ese as w ell a s par t of t he s p oi l For this reas on th e .

C el ts w ou l d n ever ran s om h eir ca tive red t he in

S om e g ods
w ere propitiat ed by on e cc Tara n is —

by b urn in g Teu t at es by s u ffocati on Es n e (perh aps a t ree g od)

, ,
-

by h an g i ng on a tree D rown i ng m ean t devotin g t he vi ctim .

t w a t er di v i n iti es
o 5-
.

Oth er i t i at or s a crifi ces in t erval s an d ,

MA
W
or M esm rm
w m i Th e s a cr ifi ci al p i l e

ha d t he ru de ou t l i n e of a h u m an f orm t he li m b s of os i er , ,

en cl os i n
g hu m an as w el l a s s om e a n i m al vi ctim s wh o perish ed ,

by fire Di odoru s s ays tha t t he vi ctim s w ere ma lefact ors who

.

1
Bi d Si o 9. S J lli 5 3
c. xxn . S i . E i d i ii 5 7
2
ee u an, .
3
erv u s on P ne ,
. .

4
C i 1 6 ; Li y xxx i ii 4 7
aes ar, v . Di d S i 32 xxx i 1 3 At h
v , v . o . c. v . , . enaeu s ,

i
v. 51 Di C l xi i 7o as s , . .

3
Bi d Si xxxi 1 3 S t b i 4 O i
o . c., 16 S h l
v. Lu
ra o, v. ros us , v. c o . on can,
Us ener s
’
ed . 32.
 2 36 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT C E L TS

rel ig ion i n a ph dru i dar u m reli g i onem di r ce i mma n i ta ti s

ra s e—
?

By t he y ear 4 0 A D it h ad cea sed thoug h victim s w ere offered

. .
,

s y m b ol i call y t he D ru i ds
, pret en di ng t o s tr ik e th em an d dra w
i ng a little b l ood fr om th em ? O nl y t he p res s u re of a hi g h er
ci vi l i s a ti on f orced t he s o ca ll ed
p hi l os op hi c D ru ids t o ab an don
-

th eir revol ti n g cus t om s Am ong t he C el t s of B ritain h um an

.
“

s a crifi ce s ti l l r eva i l ed i n 7 7 A D
?
D i C as s i u s d es c r ib es t h e
p o .

r efi n em en t s o f cr uel ty ti m i ti m i
p ra c s ed on f e a l e v c s (p r s on er s

of w ar i n h on ou r o f t h e A — th ei r b rea s t s cu t
) g o d d es s n d r a s t a

o ff a n d
pl aced over th ei r m ou th s a n d a s t a k e dri ven th r oug h
,

th i b odi es wh ch w ere then hu ng i n the s a cred g ove

e r i ,
r
?

Ta citu s S p eak s of t he al ta rs i n Mon a (A ngl es ey) l aved with

h u m an bl ood As t o the I ri s h Cel t s p at rioti c writ ers h ave
.
,

r ef u s ed t o b el i ev e th em u i l ty o f s u Ch ra c ti c es ? b u t th ere i s
g p
n o a p r i ori rea s on which n eed s et th em a par t f rom o th er ra ces

o n t he s a m e l ev el o f ci v i l i s a ti on i n thi s cu s t om The Iri s h .

t ex t s n o d ou bt exag g era t e the n um b er of t he vi ctim s but th ey ,

cer t a i n l y a tt es t t he ex i s t en ce o f the ra cti ce F r om t h e D i nd

p .

s en cha s whi ch d es crib es m an y a rch a i c u s a es w e l ea rn th a t

, g ,

t he fir s t li ng s of every i s s u e an d t he chi ef s ci on s of ev ery

“

cl a n w ere offered t o Cromm Crua i ch— a s acri fice of t he firs t

‘

b orn — a nd th a t a t on e f es tiv al t he pros tra ti on s of t he w ors hi p

,

p ers w ere s o v i ol en t th a t th ree f our th s of th em p eri s h ed n ot

'

-
,

i m prob a bl y an ex agg era t ed m em ory of org ia s ti c rites Dr J oyce ?

.

thin k s th a t th es e n oti ces a re a s i n credibl e a s t he m ythi c ta l es

i n t he D i nds encha s Yet t he t a l es w ere d ou bt l es s qu it e credi bl e
.

t o t he p ag an I ri s h a n d t he ri t ual n oti ces a r e cert a in l y f oun ded

,

on f a ct . D r J oy ce a dm it s t he ex i s t en ce of f oun da ti on s acrifi ces

.

i n I rel an d a n d it i s di ffi cul t t o u nd ers t an d why hu m an v i cti ms

'

m ay n ot h ave b een offered on oth er o ccas i on s al s o .

1
S u et . Cl a u d . 25 .

2
Pom p Mel a ii i
.
, . 2. 1 8 . Pl i n y, E N
3
xxx . 4 . 1 3. 4
Di o Cas s l xu 6
. . . .

3
O Curry , MC i i
’
. J
222 ; oy ce, S E i . ch . 9 .
3
R C xvi . 35 .
 S ACRIFICE , PRAYER AND DI VINATION , 2 37

The purpos e of t h e s acrifi ce, n am el y, f erti l ity , i s in dicated

in t h e p oeti cal vers i on of t he cul t of Cromm

Mi lk an d cor n

Th ey woul d as k from h i m s peed i l y ,

I n ret ur n for on e t hi rd of t h ei r h eal t hy i s s u e
-
.

The Nem edi an fi ce t o t he F om ori an s i s s ai d t o h ave

s a cri

b een t wo th i rds of th ei r chi l d ren a n d of t he y ear s s u ppl y of

-
’

an ob vi ou s m i s u n d ers tan di n
corn a n d m i l k g t he v icti m s
2 —
,

reall y b ei n g offered t o Obt a i n corn a n d m il k The n u m b ers a re .

ex agg er a t ed?bu t th ere ca n be n o d ou bt a s t o t h e n at u re of t he

s acri fice t h e off eri n g of an a g ri cu l t u ra l f ol k t o t he di vin i ti es

—

who h el p ed or ret arded g rowth P os s ibl y par t of t he fl es h of

.

t he vi cti m s a t on e t i m e i den t i fi ed with t he g od w a s b u ri ed i n

, ,

t he fi elds or m i x ed w i th t he s eed corn i n order t o p rom ot e -

,

f er ti l i ty The b l ood w a s s pri n k l ed on t he i m ag e of t he g od

. .

S uch practi ces w ere a s ob n ox i ou s t o Chris tian m i s s i on ari es as

they ha d b een t o t he Rom an G overn m en t and w e l earn tha t ,

S Pa t ri ck preach ed ag ai n s t t he s l ayi ng of y ok e ox en an d
.
“

m i l ch cow s an d t he b urn in g of t h e firs t —b orn prog en y a t t he

Fai r of Tai ll t e ? As ha s b een s een the I ris h vers i on of t he ,

P ers eu s an d An drom eda s tory i n whi ch t he vi ctim i s offered

,

n ot t o a dra g on bu t t o t he F om ori an s m ay h av e recei v ed th i s

, ,

f orm f rom a ct ual rit ual i n which h u m an vi cti m s w ere s a crifi ced
t o t he F om ori an s 5
I n a J apan es e vers i on of t he s a m e s t ory
.

t he m a i d en i s o ff ered t o t he s ea g ods An oth er tal e s ug g es t s

-
.

t he o fferi n g of h um an vi ct im s t o rem ove b l i ght I n th i s cas e .

t he l an d s u ffers f rom b l ig ht b ecau s e t he a d u l t eres s B eoum a ,

m arri ed t o t he king of Eri n has pret en ded t o be a virg i n

, .

2
1
LL 21 3b. S ee p 5 2, s up r a . .

3
S ee, h ow ever, a ccoun t s of reck l es s chi l d s acri fi ces i n Ell i s , Pol ynesi a n
Res ear ches , i 25 2 , a n d Wes t erm arck , Moral I dea s , i 397
. . .

4
C Cu rry , M C I nt ro . d c li .
’
x
3
L U 1 26 a . A f ol k vers i on
- i s g i ven b y Larmi ni e, Wes t I ri s h Folk Ta l es, 1 39.
2 38 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
The D ruids a nn ou n ced tha t t he rem ed y wa s t o s a l y t he s on of

an i
u n defil ed cou pl e an d s pr n kl e t he doorpos t s an d t h e l an d
with hi s bl ood S uch a y ou th was f oun d bu t a t hi s m oth er s
. ,
’

r eq u es t a t w o b el l i ed cow i n whi ch t w o bi rds w ere f ou n d wa s

-
, ,

offered i n hi s s t ea d I n a n oth er I ns tan ce i n t h e Di ndsen cha s

1
.
“ ,

ho s tag es in clu ding the s on of a cap tive prin ce are offered t o

, ,

rem ove
pl ag ues an eq u i val en t t o t h e cu s t om of t he G aul s
— ?

Hum an s acrifi ces w ere a l s o offered wh en the f oun dati on of

a n ew b ui l din g w a s l a i d S uch s acrifices are uni vers al an d
.
,

are offered t o propiti a t e t he Ear th s pi rit s or t o ov i de a

p r

g h os tly g uardi an f or th e b uildin g A C el ti c leg en d a tta ch es

.

s u ch a s a cri ficet o t he f ou n di n g of t he m on a s t ery a t I on a S

;
'

.
‘

Oran ag rees t o a dop t S C ol um ba s advi ce t o g o u n der the

.
’ “

cl a y of thi s i s l an d t o h al l ow it and a s a rew a rd he g oes

”
,

s t rai g ht t o h eav en The l eg end i s a s em i Ch ri s tia n f orm of

? -

t h e m em ory of an old pag an cus t om an d it i s a tta ch ed t o ,

Oran prob abl y b ecau s e he was t he fi rst t o be b uri ed i n the ’

i sland I n anoth er vers ion n othing i s s ai d of the s acrifi ce

.
, .

The t w o s a i n t s a re d i s puti ng ab ou t t he oth er w orl d a n d O ran ,

a g rees t o g o f or th ree d a y s i n t o t he g ra ve t o settl e t he p oin t

»

a t is s u e At the en d of tha t tim e t h e g rave i s Open ed an d

. ,

t he t r i um ph an t O ran a n n oun ces th a t h eaven a n d h ell are n ot

s u ch a s th ey a re all eg ed t o be Sh ock ed a t hi s l a titu dinarian
.

s en ti m en t s C ol um b a ordere d earth t o b e pi l e
,
d over hi m l es t ,

he cau s e a s can dal t o t h e f a ith an d O ran was according l y ,

b uri ed alive I n a Wel s h in s tan ce Vorti g ern s cas t le cann ot

?
,
’

be b u i l t f or t he s t on es di s appear a s s oon as th ey are l a i d

, .

Wi s e m en prob a bl y D rui ds order the s acrifi ce of a chil d b orn

, ,

wi th ou t a fa th er a n d the s prink l ing of the s ite with hi s

,

blood ?
Groan in g hos tag es w ere p la ced u nder a f ort i n
”

1
B ook f Ferm oy , 8 9a .
o
2
O Curry , M C I n t ro . dc l ,
’
x 11 .

Ad amnan , Vi ta S . Col Reeve s ed . 28 8

’
3
. .

4
Carmi chael , Ca rmi na Ga d el i ca , i i . 31 7 . 3
Nenni us , Hi s t Bri t 40.
. .
2 40 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT “

C E L TS

t
cu s om

i ng i t .
1
In s om e of th es e cas es have t he
b een t o obtai n the d ea d enem y s s tren g th bu t wh ere a sa cri ’

fi ci a l v i cti m w a s con cern ed t he i n t en tion p rob a b l y w en t ,

f ur th er th an th i s The bl ood of dea d r el a ti ves w a s a l s o d ru n k

.

i n order t o g btaIH W SM

r app or t with the Thi s t b lood

?
m is a n al og Ou s t o t he cus om of

b roth er hood which al s o ex is t ed amon g t he C el t s an d con tl nu ed

,

a s a s ur vi va l i n t e W es t e
h r n I s es un t l a lat e dat e
l i ?

On e g roup o f C el ti c h u m a n s a cr ifices wa s thu s conn ect ed

with pri m iti ve a g ricul t ural ritual bu t t he w arli k e en erg ies of ,

t h e C el t s ex t en ded t h e p ra cti ce 1V i c ti m s Were ea s il y obta in ed

’

.
,

a n d offered t o t h e g ods of w ar Yet even th es e s a crifi ces .

res erv ed s om e t race of t he old er rit e i n whi ch t he v i ctim

p ,

repres en t ed a d ivi n ity or s p irit .

t ext s had al s o a s a cri fiCial a spect The b eads of en em i es w ere

,
.

h un g a t t h e s a ddle bow or fix ed on S pears as t he con querors

-
, _

ret u rn ed h om e with s on g s of v i ct or y Thi s g rues om e pictu re ?

of t en recurs i n t h e t ex t s Th u s af ter t he dea th of CII chu lai nn ’

.
, ,

C onal l Cern ach return ed t o Em er with t he heads of hi s Sl ay ers ‘

s t ru n g on a withy He pla ced ea ch on a s t ak e an d told Em er

.

t h e n am e of t he ow n er A C el ti c Op pi du m or a king s pal a ce ’
.

m u s t h av e b een a s g ru es om e a s a D a yak or S ol om on I s lan d

ea ds , an d t he
11 1 11 8

1
B i od . Sic . vi . 1 2 ; Pans . x . 22. 3 ; Amm Marc . . x xvu . 4 ; Li vy , x xi i i .

24 S oli n . xxi i . 3.
Th i s cus t om con t i nu ed i n Irel an d u n t il S pen s er s t im e.
2 ’

3
Leah y , i 1 5 8 Gi ra ld us , Top E i b i i i 22 ; Mart i n , 1 09.
. . . .

4
S i l I t al i v. 2 1 3 ; Di od . S i c. xi v 1 1 5 ; Li vy,
. . . 26
; St rabo, i v. 4 , 5
. x
Mi s s Hul l , 92 .
 SACRIF ICE PRAYER , ,
AND DIVINATION 24 1

how he ik
s c en ed a t s uc h a s ig ht ,
bu t g raduall y b ecam e m ore
a ccu s om edt to it ?
A r oom in t he pala ce w a s s om eti m es a
t
s or e f or h h ea ds or th ey w ere pres erved i n cedar w ood oil
suc ,
-

or i n coffers They w ere prou dl y s h ow n t o s tran g ers a s a

.

r ecord of con qu es t b u t th ey cou l d n ot b e s old f or th eir w ei g ht

,

i n g ol d ?
Af t er a b attle a pile of beads w as m ade an d t he
n um b er of th e s l ai n wa s cou n t ed a n d a t a nn u al f es ti val s ,

w arriors produ ced t he t ong u es of en em i es as a record of th eir

prow es s
?

Thes e cu s t om s ha d a rel ig i ou s as pect I n cu tting off a .

h ead t he C el t s alu t ed t he g od s an d t he h ead w a s offered t o ,

them or t o an ces t ral S pirits a n d s om etim es k ep t i n g rove or ,

tem pl e The nam e g iven t o the h ea ds of t he Sl ain i n I rel and

?
,

t he m as t of Mach a s h o w s th a t th ey w ere dedi ca t ed t o h er

“
, ,

j u s t as Sk u ll s f ou n d u n der a n al tar ha d b een devot ed t o t he

Cel tic Mars Probab l y as am ong D ay ak s Am erica n In dia ns
?
, , ,

a nd oth ers p os s es s i on of a h ead w as a g u ara n t ee th a t t he g h os t

,

of i t s o w n er w o u ld be s u b s ervi en t t o i t s C el ti c pos s es s or ,

eith er i n thi s w orld or i n t he n ex t s i n ce th ey are s om eti m es ,

f oun d b u ri ed i n g ra ves a ong with t he d ea d

l .
?
Or s u s pended ,

i n t em pl es th ey b eca m e an act ual a n d s y m b ol i cal offeri ng of

,

t he l if e of th eir own ers i f a s i s prob a b l e t he l if e or s oul , , ,

was th oug ht t o b e i n t he h ea d Hen ce t oo t he cu s t om of .

, ,

d ri nkin g f rom t he Sk ull of t he s l ai n ha d t h e i n t en ti on of tran s

f erri n g hi s pow ers di rectl y t o t he dri nk er 7 Milk drun k from .

t he s k ull of C onall Cern ach res t ored t o enfeeb l ed w arri ors

1
B i od . S i c . v. 29 S trab o, i v 4 5 . . .

B Arb oi s , B i od . S i c v . 29 S t rab o, l oc. ci t

’
2
v. 11 . .

3
Ann a l s of the Fou r Mas ters , 8 6 4 ITi . 2 05 .

4
S i l . I t al i v . 2 1 5 ,
. 6 5 2 ; Lu ca n , Pha r . i . 4 47 ; Li vy ,
v. i i i . 24 . xx
3
S ee p . 7 1 , s up r a ; CI L xii 1 07 7 . A di m m em ory of h ead t ak i n g s ur
. -

vi ved i n t h e s event een t h cen t ury i n Ei g g , w h ere headl es s s k el et on s were foun d , o f

w hi ch t h e i s l a n d ers s ai d t ha t an en em y h ad cu t off t hei r head s ( Mart i n,

3
Bel l og uet , Ethn ol . Ga/ ul . i i i . 1 00.
7
S il I t al .
. xii i . 482 Li vy , xxi ii . 24 Fl orus , i . 39.
I 6
 2 42 THE RE LIGION OF TH E ANCIEN T CE L TS
th ei r p ri s tine s treng th a nd a f olk s urvi val i n the Hig hl an ds
1
,
-

tha t of drin k i ng f rom t he s kull of a s ui cide ( here taking th e

p l a ce of t h e s l a i n en em y ) i n or der t o res t ore h eal th s h o w s t h e —

s am e i d ea a t w ork Al l th es e pra cti ces ha d th u s on e end

’

. -

th a t of t he tran s feren ce of s pirit f orce t o t he g ods t o t he —

,

v i ct or who s u s p en ded t he h ea d f rom hi s h ou s e a n d t o a l l w ho ,

drank f rom t he s k ull Repres en t ed i n bas rel i ef on h ou s es or

.
-

carved on dag ger h a n dl es t he h ea d m ay s til l h ave b een

-
,

th ou g ht t o p os ses s tal is m an i c properti es g iving power t o ,

hou s e or w eap on Pos s ibl y thi s cu l t of h u man h ea ds m ay

.

h av e g iven ri se t o the i dea of a divin e h ead l ik e thos e fig ured

on Gau l i s h i m a g es or d es crib ed e g ,
i n t he s t ory of B ran , Hi s
. .
, .

h ea d pres erved t he l an d from i nvas i on un til Arthu r di sin t erred ,

i t t he s t ory b ein g b a s ed on t he b elie

2
,
f th a t h eads or b od i es of
rea t warri ors s ti l l h a d a pow erf ul i n fl u en ce e repres en t a
?
g Th
ti on of t he h ead of a g od lik e hi s whol e im ag e woul d be , ,

th oug ht t o pos s es s the s a m e pres erva tive pow er .

A p os s ibl e s urvival of t he s acrifi ce of t he a g ed m ay be

f ou n d i n a B ret on cu s t om of a ppl yi ng a h eav y cl u b t o t he h ead
of old p ers on s t o l ig ht en th ei r d ea th a g on i es t he cl u b s h avi n g ,

b een f orm erl y u s ed t o kill th em They are k ept i n chapel s .

,

a n d a re reg arded with a w e

?

An im al victi m s w ere al s o f req u en tl y offered The Gala tian .

C el t s m ade a y ea rl y s a crifi ce t o th eir Art em i s of a s heep g oa t , ,

or calf p u rch a s ed with m on ey l a i d by f or ea ch an i m al ca ug ht

,

1
ZCP i . 1 06 .
2
Lot h , i . 90 f , i i . . S om et i m es t h e wea pon s of a g reat warri or h ad
t h e s am e eff ect . The b ow s of Gw ert hevyr were hi dd en i n d i fferent pa rt s of
x
,

Pry d ei n a n d pres erved t h e l a nd f rom S a on i nvas i on , un t i l Gwrt h ey rn, for

l ove o f a wom an , d u g t hem u p ( Lot h , i i 21 8 .

3
S ee p 3 38 , i nf ra
. I n I rel a n d , t h e brai n o f an en emy w as t ak en from t h e
.

x
h ead , m i ed wi t h li m e, an d m ade i n t o a b al l . Thi s wa s all owed t o h arden,
a nd w a s t hen pl aced i n t he t ri b a l arm oury a s a t rophy .
4
L Anthrop ol og i e,
’
xi i . 206 , 71 1 . Of t he Eng l i s h t radi t i on of t he
. Hol y “

Ma wl e , s ai d t o h ave been u s ed f or t he s am e purp os e. Thom s , An ecd otes an d

Tr a di ti ons , 8 4.
24 4 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
i
s l a n , or a b ull S i mil arl y i ncarnating the g od or S pirit m ay
,
.
,

have b een kil l ed as a s u rrog at e This S laying was a t a la t er.

tim e reg arded a s a s a crifi ce a n d conn ected with the cu re of

m adn es s ?
The rit e w ould th us be on a p aral l el with t he
"

s l a yi n g of t he o x en a t t he m i s t l et oe g a th eri n g as a l rea d y ,

i nt erpret ed Eilean Ma ree ( Maelrubha) wh ere t he t ree a nd

.
,

well s till ex i s t was on ce k nown a s Eil ean mo rig h ( the i s l and

,
“

of m y ki ng or Ei l ea n a Mh or Rig h ( o f t h e g rea t
“

t he king h av i ng b een w ors hi pp ed a s a g od Thi s pi e ce of cor .

r ob ora t i ve ev i den ce w a s g i ven b y t he ol des t i n h a bitan t t o Si r

Ar thu r Mi tch ell The p eopl e als o Sp ok e of t he g od Mour i e

?
.

Oth er s urvi val s of an im al s a crifi ce are fou n d i n cases of

ca ttl e pl a g u e a s i n Mora ys hir e S I xty y ea rs a g o
-
,
i n W al es , ,

D evon a n d t he I s l e of Man The vi ctim wa s b urned an d i t s

,
.

as h es s prin k l ed on t he h erd or it wa s th row n i n t o the s ea or

,

ov er a p reci p i ce Perh aps it wa s b oth a propitiatory sacrifi ce

?

a n d a s ca p e an i m al carryi ng a wa y t he di s ea s e th oug h t h e rit e

-
, ,

m ay b e conn ected with t he f orm er s l ayin g of a d ivin e an i ma l

wh os e dea th b enefit ed al l t he cattle of t h e di s tri ct I n
‘

t h e H eb ri des t he s pi rits of earth a n d ai r w ere p ropiti a t ed

ev er y qu ar t er by th rowi n g ou t s ide t he door a cock , hen duck , ,

or cat whi ch w as s u p p os ed t o b e s eiz ed by th em

,
I f t he rit e .

w a s n eg l ect ed m i s for tu n e was s ure t o f ol l ow

, The a n i m a l .

carri ed a wa y evil s f r om the h ous e a n d w a s al s o a p rop itia t ory

,

s a cri fi ce .

The b l ood of v ictim s was s pri nkl ed on al tars i m ag es and , ,

trees or a s a m ong t he B oii it w a s pla ced i n a s k ull adorned

, , ,

with g old Oth er l iba tion s a re k n own m ai nl y from folk

?

1
Cook , Fol kLore, xv1 1 332
-
. .

2
Mi t chell , l oc ci t 1 4 7 The corru pt i on of Ma el rubha t o Maree m ay
. . .
“ “

h a ve b een ai d ed by con fu s i ng t h e n am e w i t h m o or m hor r i g h .

3
Mi t chel l , l oc ci t ; Moore, 92, 1 4 5 ; Rhys , CFL i . 305 ; Worth , E i s t. of
. .

D evon s hi re, 3 39 Dal yell , p a ssi m.

4
Li vy , xx
i i i . 24 .
 SACRIFICE PR AYER , , AND DI VINATION 24 5

i
s urv val s . Thus B ret on fi s h erm en s al ut e reefs and j utti ng
r om on t ori es s a y s n d ou l s f wi n e th w
p y p ra er
,
a p r a g a s o,
or ro a

bis cuit or a n ol d g arm en t i n to t he s ea I n the H eb ri des a

?

cu ri ou s r it e w a s p erf orm ed on Mau nd y Th u rs da y Af t er .

m i dni g ht a m an w a lk ed i n t o t he s ea a n d p ou red al e or g ruel ,

on t he w a t ers a t t he s a m e ti m e s i n g i ng :
,

O God of t he s ea ,

Pu t w eed i n t h e dra w i ng wave,

To en ri ch t he g roun d ,
To s h ower on u s food .

Th os e on sh t ook u p t he s train i n ch oru s

ore Thu s t he rit e ?

was d es crib ed by on e w h o t ook part i n it a cen t u ry a g o bu t ,

Martin writin g i n t he s even t een th cen t ury g i ves oth er det ail s
, ,
.

The cu p of a l e wa s off ered with t he w ords S hony I g iv e y ou , ,

thi s cu p of al e h 0 pi ng tha t y ou will be s o ki n d as t o s en d

,

p l en ty o f s ea w eed f or en ri chi n
g o u r g ro u n d f or t h e en s u in g
y ear All th en wen t i n s il en ce t o t he ch urch a n d rem ain ed
.

there f or a ti m e a ft er whi ch th ey i n dul g ed i n a n org y ou t of

,
-

d oors .Thi s org ia s ti c ri t e m ay on ce h av e in cl u ded t he i n t er

cou rs e of t he s ex es a p ow erf ul ch arm f or f er ti l ity
— S h ony .

w as s om e old s ea g od an d a n oth er
-
d ivi ni ty of t h e s ea
, ,

Bri an n i u l w a s s om etim es i nv ok ed f or t he s am e pu rpos e

,
?

Un ti l recen tl y m i l k wa s p oured on Gruag ach s ton es i n t he

H eb ri des as an offering t o t h e Gruag ach a b rownie w ho
, ,

wa tch ed over h erds a n d who had t ak en t he pl ace of a g od

,
?

PRAYER .

Prayer w i
n ed mos t rite an d 1 si ed of

t ra di ti onaL rm u l ae. on t he ex act t

ci al bf whi h d p c e en ded

1
S éb i ll ot , i i . 1 6 6 1 6 7 , L An throp xv. 7 29.
’
.

2
Ca rm i ch a el , Car m Ga d . i 1 6 3
. . .

3
Mart i n , 28 A s cribe call ed S oni d , wh i ch mi g h t b e t h e
.
“
equ i val ent of
”
S h ony , i s m en t i on ed i n t h e S t owe m i s s al ( Fol k L or e, -

4
Cam pbell , S up ers ti ti on s, 1 84 f Wa ifs a nd S tra y s o f Cel ti c Trad . 11 . 45 5 .
246 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CEL TS
”

th eir val ue The D rui ds i n vok ed a g od du ri ng the m i s tletoe

.

rit e a n d a t a Gal a ti a n s a cri fice

,
offered t o brI ng bi rds t o ,

d es tr oy g ras s h opp ers p ra y er w a s m ade t o th e b i rds th em

,

s el ves
?
I n Mona a t t he Roman i n va s ion t he D ru i ds r a i s ed
, ,

t h ei r arm s a n d u tt ered p ray ers f or de l iveran ce a t t h e s a m e ,

ti m e curs ing t he i nva ders an d B ou di cca invok ed t he prot ecti on

of t he g odd es s An dra s t a i n a s i m
,

i lar m a nn er Ch an t s w ere
?

s u ng by t he p ri es t “
es s es of S en a t o r a i s e St or
”
m s a n d th e y ,

w ere al s o s un g by w arri ors b oth b efore and a f t er a b a ttl e t o ,

t he a ccom pan im en t of a m ea s ured d an ce an d th e cl as hi ng of

arm s
?
T hes e warrior ch an ts w ere com pos ed by b ards an d ,

prob a b l y i n cl u ded i n v oca ti on s of t h e war g ods an d t h e r eci t al

-
_

of f a m ou s d eeds They may al s o h ave b een of the n a tu re of

.

S pell s en s uri n g t he h el p Of t he g ods ,l ik e t he war cri es u tt ered

‘
-

by a wh ol e arm y t o t he Soun d of trum pet s Th es e con s i s t ed

?

of t he n a m e of a g od of a t rib e or cl an or of s ome w el l k n ow n
, ,
-

p h rase . A s t h e recit al of a d i vi n e n am e I s of t en s u
pp o s ed t o

f orce th e g od t o h el p th es e cri es h ad thu s a m ag i cal as pect

, ,

whi l e they al so s t ru ck t error in to t he f oe Warriors al s o 3

.

a dvan ced d a n ci ng t o t h e f ra y a n d th ey a re d ep i ct ed on coi n s

'
,

dan ci n g on h ors eb a ck or b ef ore a s w ord whi ch wa s w ors hi pped ,

by th e C el t s The C el tib eri a n f es ti val a t t he full m oon con

?

s i s t ed en ti rel y of dan ci n g Th e da nce i s a pri m itive m eth od

'

o f ex p res s i n g r el ig i ou s em o ti on a n d wh ere it i m ita t es cer t a i n , .

a cti on s it i s in t en ded by m a g i cal i n flu en ce t o crow n t he a cti on s

‘

th em s el ves w1 th s ucces s It i s thu s a kin d of a cted pray er .

with m ag ical res ul t s .

1
x
Aeli an, vi i 1 9 . .
2
Taci t u s , Ann . xi v . 30 Di o Cass . l i i 6 . x .

3
Appi an , Celti ca , 8 ; Li vy , xxi . 28 , xxx vi i i . 1 7, x . 26 .
Li vy , v. 38 , vi i . 23 Pol ybi u s , i i . 29. Of. Watt evil l e ,
Le cri d e g u erre
l es difi er ents p eup l es , Pa ri s , 1 8 8 9.
’

chez
3
Li vy , v. 38 .

3
Appi an , vi . 53 Muret et Ch ab ou i ll et , Ca ta log u e d es m onn a i es g a u loi ses
6 033 f ., 6 94 1 f .
2 48 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LT S
O m ens w ere dra wn f rom th e directi on of the s mo ke a nd

fla m es of fires a n d f rom t he con dition of t he cl ouds

s acred
1
.

W an ds of yew were carri ed by Drui ds

I

the w an d of
D rui di s m of m an y fol k tal es — and were us ed perhaps a s
_
-

d ivi n i ng rods -
Og am s w ere al s o en graved on rods of yews
.
,

a n d f rom th es e Dru i ds d i vi n ed hi dden thin g s By thi s m ean s .

t he D ru i d D alan di scovered wh ere Etai n had b een hi dden

by the g od Mider The m eth od u s ed m ay h ave b een tha t
.

of d rawi ng one of t he rods by l ot a n d t h en d iv i n i n g f rom

t he m ark s u pon it A s i m il ar m eth od was u s ed t o d is cover

.

t h e rou te t o be tak en by in va ders t h e res ul t b eing s u pp osed ,

t o d ep end on d i vin e i n t erp os ition ?

The k n owl edg e of
a s t ron om y a s crib ed by C aes ar t o t he D ru i ds wa s prob a b l y of
“

a s im pl e ki n d a n d m uch m i x ed with as t rol og y

,
a n d th oug h ,

it f urn is hed t he da t a f or com pu ting a s impl e cal end ar i t s ,

u s e w as l arg e y m a i cal
l I ri s h divin ers f oreca s t t he t im e
3
g .

t o b u i l d a h ou s e by t he s tars a n d t he d a t e a t w hich S ”

, .

C olu m b a s education s h oul d b eg i n was s i milarl y dis covered

’
4
,
.

The I m bas Forosn a i illum in ati on b etw een the h an ds

,
“
,

was u s ed by t h e Fi le: t o d is cover hi dd en th i ng s He chew ed .

a p i ece of ra w fl es h a n d pl aced i t a s an offeri ng t o t he ,

im ag es of the g ods whom he des ired t o h el p hi m I f en .

l i g ht enm ent di d n o t com e by t h e n ex t day b e pron oun ced

‘

in can t a ti on s on hi s pal ms whi ch he then pla ced on hi s ,

ch eek s b ef ore f al l i n
g a s l eep T he r e vel a ti on f oll ow ed i n a .

d ream or s om eti m es a f t er a w aking

,
P erh aps t he anim al 5
.

v. I ri s h Nenni u s , 1 45 ; O Curry , M 0 i i
’
. 22 4 ; of . for a Wel s h i nstance,
S k en e, i . 4 33.
1
J S H i . 229
oy ce,
’
O Curry , M0 i i 224,
. MS Ma t . 28 4 .
cons ul t i ng
2
I T i 1 29 Li vy ,
. v. 34 Lot h , R0 xvi . 3 1 4. Th e Iri s h for a

l ot i s cr a nn - chu r , t he a ct of cas t i ng wood .

Caes ar, vi . 1 4.
4
O Curry , MO i i 4 6 , 224 S t ok es , Three I r i s h Hom i l i es , 1 03
’
. .

5
Corm ac, 94 Fi onn s di vi n at i on b y ch ewi n g hi s t h umb i s call ed I m ba s
’
.

Eor osn a i (E U xxv.

 SACRIFICE PRAYER AND DIVINATION , , 2 49

wh os e fles h wa s eat en wa s a s acred one An oth er m eth od .

wa s th a t of t he Tei nm La eg ha The Fi le m ade a v ers e a nd .

rep ea t ed it over s om e p ers on or t hi n g reg a rdi ng whi ch he

s ou g ht i n f orm a ti on or h e pl a ced hi s s ta ff on t he p ers on s

’
,

b ody a n d s o obta in ed wh a t he s ou g ht The rite was al s o .

preceded by s acr ifi ce ; h en ce S P a tri ck prohi bit ed b oth it .

a n d t e I m ba s Foros n a i
h 1
Anoth er i ncan t at i on t he Cetna d .
,
' ’

wa s s ung th roug h t he fis t t o d i s cover t he t rack of s t ol en

ca ttl e or of t he thi ef I f this did n ot b ri ng en l ig ht enm en t
.
,

t he Fi le w en t t o s l eep an d obt ain ed t he k n ow l edg e th roug h

a d ream
2
An other Oétn a d f or obtain i n g inform a ti on reg ard
.
'

i ng l eng th of lif e w as a dd res s ed t o t he s ev en daug ht ers of

t he s ea Perha ps th e i n can ta ti on was repea t ed m ech an i call y
.

u n t i l th e s eer f ell i n t o a ki n d of t ran ce Divina ti on by .

dream s w a s al s o u s ed by t he con ti n en t al C el t s 3 .

Oth er m eth ods res em ble t ran ce u tt eran ce A g rea t “ -

.

ob nu bi l a t i on w a s conj ured u f or t h e b ar d s o th a t h e s l ep t
p
a h eavy s l eep a nd thin g s m ag ic b eg ott en w ere s h ew n t o
,
-

hi m t o enu n ci a t e a pparen tl y i n hi s s l eep Thi s was call ed

”
, .

“
ill u m i na ti on by rhym es and a s i m il ar m eth od w as u s ed ,
”

i n W a l es W hen cons ul t ed t he s eer roared v i ol en tl y un til

.
,

he wa s b es i de hi m s el f a n d ou t of hi s ravi n g s t he des ired

.

i n form a ti on wa s g a th ered W h en arou sed from thi s ecs ta tic .

con diti on h e had n o rem em b ran ce of wh a t h e ha d u tt ered

, .

Gi ral du s rep ort s thi s a n d thi nk s with t he m odern S pi ri t ual i s t

, , ,

tha t the u tt eran ce w a s caus ed by s pi rits The res em b l ance

!

t o m odern t ran ce u tt erance an d t o s i m i la r m eth ods u sed by

-

s ava es i s r em ark a b le a n d p s y ch ol og i ca l s ci en ce s ees i n it

g ,

t he prom p tin g s of t he s u b l i m i nal s el f i n s l eep .

The tag ha i r m of t he Hi g h la n ders w as a s urvi val from p ag an

ti m es The s eer w as u s uall y b oun d i n a cow s hi de the
.
’
—

1
An ti en t L a ws of I rel cm d, i 45 . .
2
Hy d e, Li l Hi s t of I r el a n d, 24 1
. . .

3
J us ti n, xl i i i . 5. 4
O Grady ,
’
n. 362 Gi ral du s , Des cr Ca m b. i . 1 1 .
.
2 50 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS

an im al it m ay be conj ectured having b een s acrificed i n

, ,
_

earl i er ti m es He wa s l ef t i n a des ol a t e pl ace and whi le

.
,

he s ep t s pi it s w e e s u p p os ed to i s p ir e hi s dream s
l r r n 1 .

Cl othi n g i n the s ki n of a s a crifi cial an im al by which t he ,

p e r s on th u s c l o th ed i s b r ou
g ht i n t o c on tact with it an d
h ence with t he divinity t o whi ch i t i s offered or with t he ,

d iv i n e an im al its el f where t he vi ctim i s s o reg arded i s a ,

wi des pread cu s t om H en ce i n thi s C el ti c u s ag e con ta ct

. , ,

with divi ni ty th roug h the hide w oul d be ex pected t o produ ce

.

enl i g ht enm en t For a l ik e rea s on t he I ri s h s acri fi ced a

. .

s h eep f or t he recov ery of t he s i ck

, an d cl oth ed t he pati en t
,
_

i n i t s s ki n 2
. Bin ding t he l im b s of t he s eer i s al s o a
wi des pread cu s t om perh a ps t o res tra m hi s con vul s ion s or t o
,

concen tra t e t h e p s y chi c f orce .

B oth am on g t he contin en tal an d I ris h Celt s th os e who

s ou g ht hidd en k n owl edg e s lep t on graves h opin g t o be ,

i n s pi red by t he s pirit s of th e dea d Leg en d tol d how t he

3
.
-

f u l l vers i on of t he Tai n h a vi ng b een l os t , Mu rg an t he Fi le

’

s an g a n i n ca n t a ti on over t he g rave of F erg u s m a c R oi g A .

cl ou d hi d hi m f or th ree d ay s an d du rin g t h a t tim e t he dea d

,

m an a ppeared a n d recit ed t h e sag a t o hi m .

. I n Ir el an d an d t he Hig hl a n ds divi na ti on by l ooki ng in t o

,

t h e s h ou lder b la -
de of a s h eep wa s u s ed t o dis cover f u ture
ev en t s or thi ng s h app en i n g a t a d i s t a n ce a s u rv i val f rom ,

p g
a a n ti m es
4
. Th e s ch o l i a s t on L u c a n d es crib es t h e D ru i di c

m eth od of chewin g a corn s and th en proph es yi ng j u s t as i n , ,

I relan d eating n u t s f rom the s acred ha z el s rou n d Conn la s

,
’

w ell g ave in s p iration The pries tes s es of S ena and t he

5
.
”

“
D ru ides s es of t he third cen t ury ha d t he g i ft of proph ecy
”
,

1
Penn an t , Tou r i n S cotl a n d , i 31 1
. Mart i n, 1 1 1 .
2
Ri ch ard son, Fol ly of Pi lg r i m a g es , 7 0 .

3 Tertu l l i an , d e Ani m al , 5 7 ; Cal l . d e Reb H i b i i i . 3 34

. . .

4
Cam pb el l , S up ers ti ti on s , 263 ; Curt i n , Ta l es , 8 4 .

5
Lu can , ed . Us en er, 33 .
 C H AP TER X V I I .

T ABU .

HE I ris h g ei s pl g ea s a whi ch m ay be ren dered by Tab u ha d

,
.
, ,

t wo s en s es .It m ean t s om ething which m u s t n ot be don e f or

f ear of d i sas trou s con s eq uen ces an d al so an ob l i g a ti on t o do
,

s om ethi n comm an ded by a n o th er

g .

As a t ab u t he g ei s h ad a l arg e pl ace i n I ri s h l i fe a n d wa s ,

p ob a b l y k n ow n t o oth er b ran ch es of t h e C el t s It f oll owed

1 ‘

r .

t he g en era l cou rs e of t a b u wh erever foun d S om eti m es it .

w a s i m p os ed b ef ore birth or i t w a s h eredita ry or c,

onn ect ed ,

with t otemis m Leg en ds h ow ever of ten aros e g ivin g a

.
,

di fferen t ex pl ana ti on t o g eas a l on g a f t er t h e cu s t om s i n which

,

th ey orig in a ted had b een f org ott en It was on e of Di arm ai d s .

’

g ea s a n ot t o h u n t t he b oa r of Ben Cu l ba n a n d thi s wa s prob ,

a b l y t ot em i c i n ori i n Bu t l eg en d t ol d h ow hi s f a th er
g . ,

k i ll ed a child the corp s e b eing ch an g ed i n to a b oar by t he

,

chi l d s f a th er w ho s a i d i t s s a n of l i f e w oul d b e t he s am e
’

, p
a s Di arm a i d s a n d th a t h e w ou l d b e s l a i n by it
’
Oeng u s p ut
’

.
,

g ea s a on Di arm ai d n ot t o h un t it b u t at Fi onn s des ire h e

’
,

b ok e th es e an d w as kil l ed
r ,
2
Oth er g ea sa th os e of
.

Cuch u l ain n n ot t o ea t dog s fl es h an d of Cona i re n ever t o

’

ch as ebi r ds — a l s o p oi n t t o t o t em i s m .

I n s om e ca s es g eas a w ere b as ed on i deas of rig ht a n d

1
Th e i n t erdi ct i on s m ent i on ed by Caes ar (vi . 1 3) m ay b e reg arded
rel i g i ous

a s t ab u s , wh il e t h e s oi l s o f w a r p l a ced i n a con secrat ed pl a ce (vi and

p .

cert a i n a n i m a l s a m on
g t h e Bri t on s ( v. were cl earl y u nd er t a bu .

2
J oy ce, 0 01 3 332 f .
 TABU 2 53

wrong h on our or d is hon our or w ere i n ten ded t o cau s e

, ,

a v o i da n ce of u n l u cky da y s Others are un in t ellig i b l e t o u s

. .

The l arg es t n u m b er of g ea s a con cern ed ki ng s an d chi ef s a n d ,

are des crib ed a l ong ,

with th eir corres p on di ng privil eg es i n ,

t he B ook of Ri g hts S om e of t he g ea sa of t h e king of

.

C on na ug ht w ere n ot t o g o t o an as sem b l y of w om en a t
Leag hai r n ot t o s i t i n a u t u m n on t he s epul ch ral m oun d of
,

the wi fe of M a i n e n ot t o g o i n a g rey s peck led g arm en t on a

,
-

g ey s peck l ed h ors e t o t e h eath o C u a ch an a nd t he l ik e

h f 1
r -
r , .

The m ean i ng of th es e i s ob s cur e bu t o th er ex am pl es a re m ore

,

ob v i ou s an d s h ow th a t a l l al ik e corres p on d ed t o t he t a b u s

appl yi n
g t o kin g s i n pri m iti v e s oci eti es w ho are of t en
,

m ag i ci an s pri es t s or even di vi n e represen ta tiv es

, , On th em .

t he w elfare of t he t rib e a nd t h e m akin g of ra i n or s un s hin e ,

a n d t he p roces s es of
g ro wth d ep end Th e y m u s t th eref ore b e
.

caref ul of th eir acti on s a n d h en ce th ey are h edg ed a b ou t with

,

t ab us wh i ch however un m ean ing ha ve a di rect conn ecti on

, ,

with th eir p ow ers Out of s uch con cep ti on s t he Iri s h king l y

.

g ea s a ar os e Their ob s erva n ce m a de t he earth fruitf ul pro

.
,

du ced a b u n dance a n d pr os perity a n d k ep t b oth t he ki ng a n d

,

hi s l an d f rom m i s f ort u n e I n l a t er ti m es th es e w ere s u p

.

p os ed t o be d epen den t on t h e g oodness or t he revers e of t he

kin g bu t thi s was a depart ure from the ol der i dea whi ch
, ,

i s cl earl y s t a t ed i n t he B ook of Ri g hts ?

The king s w ere
di vi n it i es on wh om d ep en ded f ruit ful n ess an d pl en ty a nd ,

who m u s t t heref ore s u b m it t o ob ey th ei rg ea sa S om e of their ,

prerog a tives s eem al s o t o b e con n ect ed with thi s s ta te of

thing s Thus th ey m ig ht ea t of certain f oods or g o t o certa in
.

p l ac es o n p ar ti cu l a r d a y s
?
I n p ri m iti v e s oci eti es ki n g s a n d

pri es t s of t en prohib i t ordin ary m or tal s f rom ea ti ng th i ng s

whi ch th ey d es ire for th em s el ves by m aking them ta bu and ,

1
B ook of Ri g hts , ed . O Donova n , 5 .
’

2 3
B ook of Ri g hts , 7 . I bi d . 3 f .
2 54 THE RE LIG I ON OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
in o th er cas es the f ruit s of t he earth can onl y be eat en a fter
kin g or pries t has part ak en of them cerem on iall y Thi s may .

h av e b een t he cas e i n Irel an d The privi leg e relating t o .

p l a ces m a y h a v e m e an t th a t th es e w ere s acred a n d on l y t o b e

en t ered by t he kin g a t cert a i n ti m es a n d i n hi s s acred

ca pacity .

As a refl ecti on from thi s s ta t e of thi ng s the h eroes of t he

"

C uchul a inn an d Fionn ha d num erou s g ea sa a ppl ica bl e

'

s ag a s , ,

t o t h em sel ves s om e of th em r el ig i ous s ome m ag i cal oth ers

, , ,

b a s ed on primi tive ideas of h onour others p erhaps t he i n ,

v en t i on of th e n arra t ors
1
. .

Gea sa wh eth er i n t he sen s e of t a bu s or of obl ig a ti on s

, ,

coul d b e i m pos ed by an y on e a n d m u s t b e ob ey ed f or di s , ,
~

ob edi en ce p rod u ced di s a st rou s effect s Prob a bl y the obl ig a ti on .

was fram ed a s a n i n can t ati on or s pel l a n d t he p ower of t he ,

s p ell b ei n g f ul l y b el i eved i n ob edi en ce w ou ld f oll ow a s a m a tt er

,

of cou rs e
?
Ex am pl es of s uch g ea sa are n u m erou s i n Iri s h
l it era ture C uchu lai n n s fa th er i n law pu t g ea s a on hi m tha t
’
- -
.

h e s h ou l d k n ow n o res t u n til h e f oun d out t he cau s e of t he

ex i l e of t he s on s o f D oel An d Grai nn e pu t g ea s a on Di arm ai d
.

tha t he s hould el ope with her and thi s he di d th oug h t he act , ,

wa s repug n an t t o hi m .

Am ong s ava g es the puni s hmen t which i s s uppos ed to

f ol l ow t ab u b reakin g i s of t en produced th roug h au t o s ugg esti on
- -

wh en a tab u ha s b een un con s cious l y in fri ng ed an d this ha s

a f t erw ards b een d i s cov ered F ear produ ces t h e res ul t which
.

i s feared The res ul t i s b el ieved h ow ever t o be t he w orking

.
, ,

of d iv i n e v en g ean ce I n t h e ca s e of I ri s h g ea sa des tru ction

.
,

a n d d ea th u s u a l l y f ol l ow ed th ei r i n f ri n g em en t a s i n t h e ca s e ,

of Di arm a i d a n d C uch u l a i nn Bu t t h e b es t i n s t an ce i s f oun d

.

i n t he t ale o f The Des tr ucti on of Da B erg a s Hos tel i n whi ch

’
.
,

LL 1 07 O Grady , u 1 7 5 .
’
.

2
I n Hi g hl an d t al es g ea sa i s t ran s l a t ed s pells .
 C H AP T ER X V I I I .

FE STIV ALS .

THE C el tic y ear wa s n ot at fi rs t reg ul a ted by t he s ol s tices

a n d e qu i n ox es bu t by s om e m eth od con n ect ed with ag ri cu l tu re
,

or with t he s eas on s L a t er t he y ear w as a l un a r one an d

.
, ,

th ere i s s om e evi den ce of a tt emp ts at s yn chroni s i ng so lar an d

while Th
a ll nal cul a ti en s m g d
\ ; d
1
in ,
h t p 1 ece e d a y u s oi olhohe .

S a mha i n w as t h e n ig ht preceding 5 am h ai n ( N ov em b er 1 s t ) , not

wing n ig ht The u s ag e s urv1 ves i n our s enni g ht
t he f ol l o .
“ '

f ortn ig ht I n earl y tim es t h e y ear ha d t wo pos s i b1y

“ ”
an d
’

. ,

three divis i ons m arkin g peri ods i n pa s t oral or a g ricu l tural l i fe

, ,

b u t it wa s a f t erwards di vi ded i n t o f ou r p eriods whil e t h e y ear ,

b eg an with t he win t er div i s i on Open in g at Sa m h ai n A t wo , . .

f old s u b divi ded i n t o a f ou rf old di vi s i on i s f ou nd i n Iris h

,

t ex ts 2 an d m ay be t ab ul ated a s f oll ows

,

1 stquart er Gei mreclh b eg inning with t he

, ,

A Gei m redh
. f es tival of S a mha i n N ovem b er l s t , .

( wi n t er h al f ) 2ud q u ar t er F a rr a oh beg i nn i ng F eb r uary

, ,

l s t (s om etim es call ed Oi m ele) .

3rd q u ar ter S a mr a clh b eg inn i n

, gwith t he ,

B S am hradh
. f es tival of Belta ne Ma y 1 s t ( cal l ed a l s o
,

( s u mm er half ) Oet
’
-
s om a n or Oat—s a m a i n , 1 s t day of

S a m on o of W el s h Cyn t f n
s
eg )
-
. .

“
1
Pl i ny , xvi . 4 5 ; , Caes ar , vi . S ee m y art i cl e
1 8. Cal end ar ( Cel t i c) i n
Has t i ng s E ncy cl op oed i a of Rel a nd E thi cs , i i i . 7 8 f ., for a. f ul l di s cu s s i on of t h e
’
.

probl em s i n vol ved .

f Ri g hts , Int ro 11 1 f
2
O Don ovan , B ook
’
o . .

2 56
 FES TI VALS 57

4 th qu art er Fog ha mha r b eg in ning w i th

l
5325;t
B 11
, ,
1
t he f es tival of Lug n a sa dh A ug u s t l s t
'

1
( f)
,
1 11
( s om et im es call ed B r on trog ha i n
) .

Thes e with f es tivals , an d cl ea r tra ces of

th ree
wjee n m erg e d m s l i rig i t s day B el tan e an d S am h ai n ’
ha s f
ng x .

m ark ed t he b eg i nn i n g of t he t w o g rea t di vi s i on s an d w ere ,

e rh ap s a t fi rs t m ova b l e f es ti va l s accor di n g as t h e s i n s of
g
p ,

s u mm er or wi n t er a ppeared earl i er or l at er Wi th t he .

a dop ti on of t he R om a n cal en da r s om e of t he f es tiva l s w ere di s

l a ce d eg i n Ga u l wh ere t he C a l en d s of J a n u a ry t ook t he
p ,
. .
,

p l ace of S a m h ai n t he rit u al b ei n g al s o tr an s f erred

,
.

N on e of t he four f es ti val s i s conn ect ed with t he ti m es of

equ i n ox a n d s ol s t i ce Thi s p oin ts t o the fa ct tha t orig i nall y
.

t he C el ti c y ear w a s i n depen d en t of th es e Bu t Mi ds u mm er day .

w as al s o ob s erved n ot on l y by t h e C el t s b u t by m os t Europea n ,

f ol k t h e rit ual res em b l i ng th a t of B el t a n e

,
It ha s b een h el d .
,

a n d a n old t ra d iti on i n I rel a n d g i v es s om e s u p p or t t o t he

th eory th a t u n der Ch ri s ti an i n fl uences t he old pag an fea s t of

,

B el tan e wa s m erg ed i n th a t of S J ohn B ap tis t on Mi ds u mm er .

da y 1
. B u t th ou g h th ere a re Ch ri s ti a n el em en t s i n t he
,

Mi ds umm er rit ual d en oti ng a des i re t o b ri n g it u n der Ch urch

,

influ en ce t he pag an el em en ts i n f ol k cu s t om a re s tron g l y

,
-

m ark ed a n d t he f es ti va l i s deepl y root ed i n a n earl i er pag an i s m

,

a ll over Europ e W ith ou t m u ch a cqu ai n ta n ce with as t ronom y

.
,

m en m u s t have n ot ed t h e p eri od of t he s u n s l ong es t cou rs e

’

from earl y ti m es an d i t w ou l d p rob a b l y b e o b s erved ritu all y

, .

The f es ti val s of B el ta n e a nd Mi dsu m m er m ay h ave ari s en

in dependen tl y a n d en t ered in to com petit i on wi th ea ch
,

oth er Or B el tan e m a y h av e b een an ea rl y p as t ora l f es ti val

.

marki n g t he b eg inn i ng of s u mm er wh en t he h erds w en t ou t

t o pas t ure a n d M i ds u mm er a m ore pu rel y ag ri cu l t u ral f es ti val
, .

1
O Don ova n , li .; Bert ran d , 1 05 K eat i ng
’

, 300.
2 58 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
An d i
th eir ritu al as pect and pu rpos e a s s een i n folk
s n ce

cus t om are s i m i l ar th ey m a y even t uall y h a v e b orro w ed ea ch

,

f rom t he oth er Or th ey m ay b e l a t er s ep ara t e fixed dat es of

.
-

a n earl i er m ovab l e s u m m er f es ti va l For our p urpose we .

_

m ay h ere con s i der th em a s twi n h al v es o f s uch a f es tival .

W h ere M ids um m er wa s a lready ob served t he i nfl uen ce of t h e ,

,

Rom an cal en dar woul d con fi rm tha t ob s ervan ce The f es tival s .

of t he Chri s ti an y ear a l s o a ffect ed t he older Ob s erva n ces .

S om e of th e r it u al wa s t rans f erred t o s ain t s da y s within t he ’

ra ng e of t h e p ag a n f es tiva l d a y s th u s t he S a m h a i n rit u a l i s ,

f oun d o bs erved on S Ma r ti n s day I n ot h er cas es h ol y da ys

’ ’
.
,

t ook t h e pl a ce of t he old f es ti val s All S ai n t s an d All —

’

S oul s th at of S am hai n S Bri gi t s day tha t of F ebruary 1 s t

’
,
.
’

fi
,

S J ohn Bap ti s t s day tha t of Mids um m er Lamm as th a t of

.
’

Lu g nas ad an d s om e a tt emp t was m ade t o h al l ow i f n ot t o

, .
,

ou s t t he ol der rit u al
, .

The C el ti c f es tival s b ei n g p ri m ari l y conn ect e d with ag ri

cu l t u ral a n d p a s t oral l i f e w e fin d i n th ei r rit u al s urvi va l s
,

t races n ot on l y of a rel i g iou s but of a m a g i cal vi ew of thing s ,

of a ct s des i g n ed t o a s s i s t t he p ow ers of l i f e a nd g ro wt h The

'

.
-

p roo f o f thi s wi ll b e f ou n d i n a det ail ed ex a m i n a ti on o f t h e

Su rvivi ng cus t om s co n n ect ed w i th th em .

SAMHAI N .

S am h ain b eg in n ing t he C el tic year w a s an i m portant

,
1
,

s oci a l a n d r el i g i o u s o cca s i on The pow ers of bli g ht w ere .

beg l nn i n g th ei r a s cen da n cy y et t he f u t u re t ri um p h of t he
“

p o w e rs of g rowth w a s n ot f org o tt en P rob a b l y S a m h a i n ha d .

g a th e red u p i n t o it s el f o th er f ea s t s occu rrin g earl i er or l a t er .

S a m h a i n m ay m ean
1 s um m er end , from s a m , s um m er,
-
and f u i n,
” ”
s u n set or en d , but Dr S t ok es ( US 293) m a k es s a ma ni m ean
. as sem bl
y,
i .e. t h e g at h eri n g o f t h e peopl e t o k eep t h e feas t .
 2 60 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
I rel and on e of the a ni m als was off ered t o S Mar tin who may .
, ~

h ave tak en th e place of a g od a n d i ll l u ck fol low ed the n on ,

-

ob s erva n ce of t h e cu s t om The s l a u g ht er was f oll ow ed by

?

e n era l f ea s ti n g Thi s l a t er s l a u g ht er m a y b e t r a ced b a ck t o

g .

t he p a s t oral s t ag e i n whi ch t he an im al s w ere reg arded as

,

d i vin e a n d on e was s l a in a n n u all y a nd ea t en s acram en t all y

,
.

Or i f t he s l au g ht er w a s m ore g en eral t he a n i m a l s w ou l d b e
'

, ,

rop iti a t ed B u t wh en the a n i m al s ceas ed t o be w ors hi pp ed

p .
,

t he s la ug ht er w oul d cert ain l y b e m ore g en era l th oug h s till ,

re s e rvi n g t ra ces of i t s ori g i n a l cha ra ct er Th e p as t oral

p _
.

s acra m en t m a y a l s o h a ve b een conn ected with t h e S l a y i n g a n d

ea ti n g of an a n i m a l rep res enti n g t h e corn s p i ri t a t h ar ves t -

tim e I n one leg en d S Martinis a s s ocia ted with t he an imal

. .

S l a i n a t Ma r ti n m a s a n d i s sa i d t o ha
,
ve b een cu t u p a n d ea te n

i n t h e f orm of an ox a s if a f orm er divin e an i m al ha d b ecom e

2 ‘

a n a n th rop om orp hi c di v i n ity t he l a tt er b ei n g m erg ed i n t he

,

e r s on al ity of a Ch ri s t i an sa i n t
p .

Oth er rit es con nect ed with t he C al en ds of Jan uary as a

,

r es u l t of d i s l oca ti on p oi n t al s o i n th i s di recti on
, I n G aul an d .

G erm an y ri otous proces s i on s t ook pl ace with m en dress ed i n

t he h ea ds an d s k i n s of a n i m al s 3
This rit e i s s a i d by Tille .

t o h a ve b een i n t rodu ced f rom It a l y bu t it i s m ore l ik el y t o ,

have b een a n a ti ve c s t m As t he p eopl e a t e t he fl es h of

u o
4
.
”

t he s l a in a n i m al s s a cra m en t all y s o th ey cl o th ed th em s el ves ,

i n t he s ki n s t o prom ot e f ur th er con t act with th eir divi ni ty .

P eram b ula ting t he t ow n s hip s un wis e dress ed i n t he ski n of a ‘

cow t ook pl a ce u n t il recen t l y i n t he H eb ri des a t Ne w Year ,

i n o rder t o k eep off m is f ortu n e a pi ece of t he hi de b ei ng ,

b u rned an d the s m ok e in h aled by ea ch pers on a n d an im al i n

1
Curt i n , 7 2 .

2
Fi t zg eral d , RC vi 25 4 .
_
.

3
S ee Cham b ers , Medi aeva l S tage App N for t h e
'
, .
, evi d en ce from canons an d

co un ci l s r eg ardi ng t h es e .

4
Ti ll e, Yu l e a nd Chri s tma s, 96 .
 FESTIVA LS 6 I

t he t ow n s hi p Sim i lar cu s t om s have b een f oun d i n oth er

?

C el ti c di s tri ct s a n d th es e a n im al di s g ui s es can h ardl y be

,
-

s epa ra t ed f rom t h e s a cra m en t a l s l au ht er a t S a m h a i n

?
g
Evil s h aving b een or b eing a b ou t t o be cas t off i n t he
New Year rit ual a f ew m ore added t o t he nu m b er can m ake
,

l i ttl e d i ff eren ce Hen ce am on g pri m iti ve peoples New Year

.

i s of t en ch ara ct eri s ed b y org i as ti c rit es Thes e t ook pl a ce a t .

t he C a l en ds i n Ga ul an d w ere d en ou n ced by coun ci ls an d

,

preach ers I n I relan d t he m errim en t a t S am h ai n i s of t en

?

m en ti on ed i n t he tex t s 4 a n d s im i l ar org i a s ti c r it es l urk b eh i n d

,

t he H al l ow e en cu s t om s i n S cot l an d a n d i n t he l i cen ce s ti ll
’

perm itte d t o y ou th s i n the q ui et es t t ow n s hi p s of t he W es t

Hig h lan ds a t S a m h ain eve .

S am h ai n a s ha s b een s een w as al s o a fes ti val of the d ead

, , ,

wh ose g h os t s w ere f ed a t this tim e .

5

As t he p ow ers of g rowth w ere i n dan g er an d i n ecl i ps e i n

w i nter m en thoug ht it n eces s ary t o a s s i s t th em As a m agi cal
,
.

a i d t he S a m h a i n b on fi re wa s ch i ef an d it i s s t i ll li t i n t h e ,

H i g hl an ds B ran ds w ere ca rri ed rou nd an d f rom it t he n ew

.
,

fire wa s li t i n ea ch h ous e I n N orth Wal es peopl e j um p ed

.

th roug h t he fire and wh en i t wa s ex ti n ct ru s hed a w ay t o

, ,

es cap e t h e bl a ck s ow who w ou ld tak e t he hin dm os t The 6

.

b on fire repres ent ed t he s un an d wa s in t en ded t o s t reng th en it

,
.

Bu t rep res en ting t he s u n i t ha d all t he s u n s f orce h en ce

’

, ,

th os e who j u m ped th rou g h it w ere s treng th en ed a n d purifi ed .

The W els h ref eren ce t o t he hin dm os t an d t o t he b l ack s ow

m ay poin t t o a f orm er h um an s a crifi ce p erh ap s of a ny on e ,

1
Cham b ers , Pop u l a r Rhy m es , 1 6 6 .

Hu t chi n s on , Vi ew of N or thu m ber l a/ nd , H i s t.

’
2
11. 4 5 ; Th om as , Rev. d e l
d es Rel . xxx
vi i i 3 35 f
. .

3
Pa tr ol L a t
. . xxxi x . 2001 .
4
I T i . 205 R C v 33 1
. Leahy , i . 5 7 .

5
S ee p . 1 6 9, s u pr a .
6
The wri t er h as hi m s el f b on fi res i n t h e Hi g hl a n d s . S ee
s een s u ch al s o

Ha zl i t t , 2 98 ; Penn ant , Tou r, ii . 4 7 ; Rhys , HL 5 1 5 , CFL i . 225— 226 . In

Eg yp t i a n m yt h ol og y , Typh on as sail ed Horu s i n t he form of a bl a ck s wi ne.
2 62 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
who t bl ed i n j u m ping th ro u g h t he fire K ea ting s p eak s
s um .

of a D ru i di c s a crifi ce i n t h e b on fi re wh eth er of m an or b ea s t ,

i s n ot s p ecifi ed ?
Prob a bl y t he victi m l ik e the s cap eg oa t , ,

was l aden with t he a ccu m u la t ed ev i l s of t he y ear as i n S i m i l ar ,

fl
New Year cu s t om s el s ewh ere La t er b el i ef reg arded t he
.

s acrifi ce i f s a cr ifi ce th ere w a s as o ered t o t h e p ow ers of

’

, ,

evi l — t he bl ack s ow u nl es s thi s an i m al i s a rem i ni s cen ce of

,

t he corn s pi ri t i n i t s h arm fu l a s p ect

-
Earl ier p owers wh ether .
,

of g rowth or of b l i g ht cam e t o b e a s s ocia t ed with S a m h a i n a s

,

d em on iac b ei n g s — the mali g n an t bi r d fl ock s whi ch b l i g ht ed

“

cr0 p s a n d ki l l ed an i m a l s t he s a m ha n a ch whi ch s t eal s ch i l dren

, ,

a n d M on g fin d t h e b a n s h ee t o wh om
2
w om en an d t he rabbl e
,
“
‘
.
‘

m a k e petiti on s on S am h ain ev e ?
W itch es evil in t en tioned .
,
-

f a iri es an d t he d ea d w ere par ticul arl y a cti ve th en

,
.

Th ou g h t he s a crifici al vi cti m had com e t o be reg arded a s

a n offer i n g t o t h e p o w ers of b l i g ht he m a y on ce h av e rep re ,

s en t ed a di v i n i ty of g rowth or i n ea rl i er ti m es t h e co ,
rn s pi ri t ,
-
.

S uch a vi ctim was s l ai n a t h arves t an d h arves t i s of ten la t e ,

i n n or th ern C el ti c reg i on s whil e t he S l a yi ng w a s s om etim es

,

conn ect ed n ot with t h e h a r ves t fi eld

.
bu t with t h e l a t er ,

thres hing Thi s w ou ld b ri n g it n ea r the S am h ain fes tiva l

. .

The s l a yi n g of t he corn s pi ri t was d eri ved f rom t he earl ier

-

s l a yi n g of a t re e or v eg et a t i on s p i rit em b odi ed i n a t ree a n d

-

a l so i n a h u m an or a n i m al vi cti m The corn s p irit wa s .

-

em b odi ed i n t h e l as t s h eaf cu t a s w ell as i n a n a n i m al or

h u m an b ei g Thi s hum an vi cti m ma y h ave b een reg arded

n ?

a s a k i n g s i n ce i n l a t e p opu l ar cus t om a m ock k i n g i s ch os en

,

a t w i n t er f es tiv al s I n o th er ca s es t he effig y of a s a i n t i s
.
?

1
K ea t i ng , 300.
2
J oy ce, SH ii . 5 56 ; RC x . 2 1 4, 225 , xxi v. 1 7 2 ; O Grady , i i
’
. 3 7 4 ; CM
i x. 209 .
3
S ee Ma nn h ard t , My thol . F ors chu ng . 3 33 f . Fra zer, Ad on i s , p as s i m ;
Th o m as , Rev d e l Hi s t d es Rel
.
’
vi i i . 8 25 f
. . xxx .

4
Hazli tt , 35 ; Chamb ers , Med i ocr a l S ta g e, i . 2 6 1 .
26 4 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CELTS
des cribi ng thi s
b a t m ay l urk b ehi nd t he s tory of t he b a ttl e
com ,

of Ma t ur ed f ou ht on S a m h a i n b etw een t he Tua t ha Dé

‘

g g
-

D an an n an d t he F om ori an s W hil e t he p o wers of blig ht ar e .

triu m p h an t i n win ter the Tua tha Dea are represen t ed as the ,

v i ct ors thoug h they s uffer l os s an d dea th Perhaps this

, .

en s hri n es t he b el i ef i n t h e con tin u al t r i u m h of l i f e a n d

p
g wth over b l i g ht a nd deca y or it m ay ar1 s e f r om t he fact
r o ,

tha t S am h ain w as b oth a tim e of rej oi cing f or t he i ng a th ered

harv es t a n d of w ail ing f or t he comi ng s u prem acy of win t er
,
“

an d t he re1 g n of t he p ow ers of b l ig ht .

B ELTANE .

In C orm a c s ’
B el tan e i s derived
Gloss a ry an d o ther t ex t s ,
“

f rom bel ten e a g oodl y fire or f rom bel di n e b ecause n ew l y

-
, ,
-
,

b orn ( ne) ca ttl e w ere o e ed t o Be a n i do g od The

d i ff r l l ?
,
-

l a tt er i s f oll ow ed by th os e wh o b el i eve i n a C el tic B el us ,

con n ect ed w i th B aa l No s u ch g od i s k n own h ow ever an d

.
, ,

t he g od Bel en os i s i n n o way conn ect ed with t he S emi tic

d i vi ni ty M D Arboi s a s s um es a n u n k n own g od of dea th
. .
’

B el t en e (from beltu t o wh os e f es tival B el tan e wa s

,
“ ?

Bu t B el tan e wa s a f es ti val of l i f e of t he s u n s hin i ng i n hi s ,

s t reng th Dr S t ok es g iv es a m ore a ccept a b l e expl an a tion of

'

. .

t he w ord I t s pri m iti ve f orm wa s belo

. f rom belo s -
,

s h i ni n g t h e r oot of t h e n am es Bel en os a n d Beli s a m a

” “ ”
cl ear , , ,

a n d te[p ] n os fire Th u s t he w ord w ould m ean s om ethi ng

,
“
.

l ik e b ri g ht fire p erh ap s t he s u n or th e b on fi re or b oth

” 3
.
, ,

The f ol k su rvi val s of t h e B el t an e a n d Mi ds u m m er f es ti val s

-

s h ow tha t b oth were i n ten ded t o prom ote f erti lity .

Arch. Rev i 2 32
” ”
1
Corm a c, s r Bell t ai ne,
. . Bel . . .

2
D Arb oi s , i i 1 36
’
. .

3
S t ok es , US 1 25, 1 6 4 S ee hi s earl i er d eri vat i on , di vi di ng t he word i n t o
.

“ ”
belt, conn ect ed wi t h Li t hu an ba l ta s , whi t e, and a i n e, t h e t erm i n at i on i n
.

“
s echtm a i n e, w eek ( TI C
 FESTIVA LS 2 65

One of the hief ritual acts a t B el ta ne was the ki ndl ing of

c

b on fires of ten on hill s The h ou s e fires i n t he dis tri ct were

,
.
-

of t en ex t i n g u i s h ed t he b on fi re b ei n g li t by f ri cti on f r om a
,

rot a ti n g wh eel the G erm a n The fire k ep t off

“ ”
n eed fire
— 1 -
.

di s eas e a nd ev il h en ce ca tt l e w ere dri ven th rou g h it or

, , .
,

a ccordi n t o C or m a c b etw ee n t w o fi r es l i t by D ru i ds i n order

g , ,

t o k eep th em i n h eal th duri n g t he year ?

S om etim es t he fire
was li t b en ea th a s a cr ed tree or a p ol e covered with g reen ery ,

wa s s u rrou n ded by t he f u el or a tr ee wa s b urn ed i n t he fire ? ,

Thes e trees s urvive i n t he Maypol e of l a ter cu s t om a n d th ey ,

rep res en t ed t he v e et a ti on s i ri t t o wh om a l so t he w ors hi ppers

g p
-
,

a s s i m i l a t ed th em s el v es by d res s i n i n l ea v es Th ey da n ced
g .

s u n wi s e r ou n d t he fire or ran th rou h t he fi el ds with b l a zi n g

g
b ran ch es or wi s ps of s t raw i m it a ting t h e cours e of t he s un , ,

a n d th us b en efiti n h fi l d F h m h t
?
g t e e s or t e s a e r ea s o n t e ree

it s el f was prob ab l y b orn e throug h the fi el ds Hou s es w ere .

d eck ed with b oug h s an d th u s prot ect ed by t he s pi rit of

veg et a ti on ?

An an im al r epres en ti ng t he S pi ri t of veg et a ti on m ay h ave

b een s lai n I n la te s u rv ival s of B el tan e at D ubl i n 3 h ors e s
.
,
.
’

s k u ll a n d b on es w ere th ro wn i n t o t he fire 6 t he a tt enu a t ed ,

f orm of a n ea rl i er s acrifi ce or s l aying of a d ivin e v i ctim by ,

wh om s treng th wa s tran s ferred t o al l t he an im al s which

p as sed th rou g h t h e fi r e I n s o m .e c a s es a h u m a n v i ctim m ay

h ave b een s l ai n This i s s ug g es ted by cu s tom s s urvivi ng i n

.

Perth s hire i n t he eig hteen th cen tu ry wh en a cak e wa s b rok en ,

u p a n d d i s t ri b u t ed a n d t h e er s on wh o recei v ed a cer ta i n
, p
1
Need fire (Ga el Tei nne ei g i nn ,
-
. n ecess i t y fire
-
was u s ed t o k i n d l e fire i n
t i m e o f cat t l e pl ag u e S ee Gri m m , Teu t My th 6 08 f
. . . . Mart in ,
113 J am i es on s
’

”
D i cti on a ry , s v
. . n ei d f re.
y
2
Cor m a c, s . v. Mar ti n , 1 05 , s ay s t h at t h e Drui d s x ti
e n
g ui s h ed a l l fi res
un t il t hei r d u es w ere p ai d . Th i s m ay h a ve b een a t ra di t i on i n t h e Hebri d es .

3
Joy ce, PN i . 2 1 6 Hon e, E veryda y B ook, i . 8 4 9, i i . 5 95 .
4
Penn an t , Tou r i n S cotl and ,
i 291
. .
5
Hazli t t , 339, 397 .

6
Hon e, E very da y B ook, i i 5 95 ; . S ee p . 21 5 , s up ra .
 2 66 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
bl ack ened por tion B el tan e carl ine or
wa s ca ll ed t he
d evoted A preten ce wa s m ade of throwing hi m i n to t he
”
.

fire or h e ha d t o l ea p th ree ti m es th roug h it a n d duri ng t he

, ,

f es ti val h e was s pok en of a s dead 1

Martin s ay s tha t “
.
”

m al ef act ors w ere b u rn ed i n t he fire an d th oug h he cit es n o

2
,

au th ori ty thi s ag rees w i th t h e C el ti c u s e of crim i n al s a s

,

v i cti m s P erhaps the vi cti m w a s a t on e tim e a hu m an '

represen t a ti ve of t he v eg e t a t i on s p i r it -
.

B el t an e cak es or b ann ock s perh aps made of t he g ra in of ,

t he s acred l as t s h eaf f rom t h e p revi ou s h arves t an d th eref ore ,

s a cram en t a l i n ch ara ct er w er e a l s o u s ed i n d ifferen t w a y s i n

'

f ol k s u rv1 val s
-
Th ey w ere roll ed down a s l ope a m ag ical
.
—

i m ita tive a ct s ym b ol i s i ng an d a i ding t he cou rs e of t he s un

, . .

Th e cak e h a d al s o a d iv in a tory cha ra ct er I f i t brok e on .

rea chi n t h e f oo t o f t he s l op e th i s i n di ca t ed t he a ppr oachi ng

g
d ea th of i t s o w n er I n a n oth er cu s t om i n P er th s hi re part of
.
,

a cak e w a s th ro w n over t he s h ou l der with t h e w ord s , Thi s I

’

g i ve t o t hee pres erve th ou m y h o rs es ; thi s t o th ee pres erv e

, ,

th ou m y s h eep ; thi s to th ee O f ox pres erve th ou m y lam b s ; , ,

this t o thee O h ooded crow ; this t o thee O eag le H ere

, ,
.

th ere i s an appeal to b enefi cial an d n ox i ou s p owers wh eth er ,

this w a s t he ori g in al in t en ti on of t he ri te Bu t i f t he cak es

?

w ere m ade of the las t s h eaf th ey w ere proba bly a t on e tim e ,

ea t en s a cram en t a ll y th ei r s a crifi ci al u s e em er in l t e
,g g a r .

The b on fi re wa s a s un ch arm rep res en ti ng an d as s is ti ng -

,

t he s u n Rai n ch arm s w er e al so u s ed at B el t an e
.
-
S a cr ed .

w ells w ere v is it ed an d t he cerem ony perf orm ed with th eir

.

w a t ers t h es e p erh aps b ei ng s pri nk l ed over t he tree or t he

,

fi el ds t o p rom ot e a copi ou s rain fall f or the b en efit of v eg et a

1
S i n cl a i r, S ta t Accou n t, xi 6 20
. . .
2
Mart i n ,
1 05 .
3
For t h es e u s ag es s ee Ram say , S cotlan d a n d S cotsm en i n the E i g hteen th Cen tu ry ,
ii . 439 f S i n cl a i r, S ta t Accou nt, v 8 4 , xi 6 20, xv. 5 1 7
.
, . For t h e s a cra m en tal
. . .

an d s a cri fi ci al u s e o f s i m i l a r l oa ves s ee Fr azer Gol d en B ou h 2 i . 94 , i i 78

, , g ,
.

Gri mm , Teu t Myth. i i i . 1 239 f . .

 26 8 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T C EL T S

i are s urvi vals of ol d s ex f es tival s then t he p opular

org es -
,

b el ief i n t he a ctivity of wit ch es on B el ta ne eve al s o s h ows ,

th a t the fes tival had on ce b een m ai n l y one i n whi ch women

t ook part S uch org ies of t en t ook pl ace on hill s which had
.

b een the s it es of a cul t i n form er tim es ?

MI DS UMMER .

The it u al of the Mids umm er f es tival di d n ot m at eri ally

r

di ffer fr om th a t of B el t an e an d as f ol k s u rvival s s h ow it wa s
, ,

p ra c t i s e d n ot on l y by t h e C el t s bu t by m an y o th er Europ ean ,

p peo l e s . I t w as i n f a ct a
pr i m iti ve n a t u re f es t i va l s u ch as
, ,

w oul d rea dil y be ob s erved by all un der s i m ilar p s y chi c con

di t i on s an d i n l ik e s urr ou n ding s A b on fi re wa s ag ain t he .
-

cen t ral ri t e of thi s f es ti val t he comm u n al n a t u re of whi ch i s

,

s een i n t h e f a ct th a t a l l m u s t con t rib u t e m a t eri al s t o it In .

l ocal s urvi val s m a y or an d pri es t repres en ti ng t h e earl i er l ocal

, ,

chi ef a n d pr i es t w ere pres en t whi l e a s er vi ce i n ch u rch p re

, ,

ceded the p roces s i on t o t he s cen e of t he b on fi r e D an cing .

s u n wi s e roun d t h e fire t o t he a ccom p a n i m en t of s on g s whi ch

p ro b a b l y t o ok t he pl a ce of hy m n s or t u n es i n h on ou r of t he

S un g od comm onl y occu rred an d by i m it a ti ng t he s un s

’
-
, ,

a cti on ,
m a y h ave b een in tend ed t o m ak e it m ore pow erfu l .

The l i v el i er t h e dan ce t he b ett er w ou ld be t h e ha rv es t ?

As
t he fire repres en t ed t h e s u n it p os s es sed t h e p u ri f yi ng a n d
,

i nvi g ora tin g p ow ers of t he s u n ; h ence l eapI n g throug h t he

fire p r es erved f rom di s ea s e b rou g ht pros per ity or rem oved , ,

b arrenn es s H en ce a l s o ca ttle w ere dri ven th rou g h t he fire

. .

1
For n ot i ces o f Bel t ane s urvi val s s ee Cam pb el l , J ou r ney f rom
K ea t i ng ,
300
E di n bu rg h, i 1 4 3 ; Ra m s ay , S cotl a nd a n d S cotsm en , i i 4 39 f
. Ol d S tat . . .

Accou nt, v 8 4 , xi 6 20, xv 5 1 7 ; Greg or, Folk l ore of N E of S cotl a n d, 1 6 7 .

. . .
-
. .

The p ag a n i s m of t h e s urvi val s i s s een i n t h e fa ct t hat Belt an e fi res w ere

f req u en t ly prohi bi t ed by S cott i s h eccl es i as t i cal coun ci l s .
2
May ra c ,
Tra d i ti ons d es Ard ennes , 6 8 .
 FESTIVA LS 2 69

But i f an y on e s um t bl ed a s h e l eaped, i ll l u ck wa s
-
s upp os ed to
f oll o w hi m . He t ed t o t he f a dets or s p irit s ? an d
w as devo

p e r h a p s l ik e,
t h e d e v ot ed B “
el t a n e v i ct im h e m a y f orm erl y
”
,

have b een s acrifi ced A ni m al s acri fi ces are cer tai nl y f oun d
.

i n m a n y s urvi va l s t he v i ct im s b ei n g of t en p l a ced i n os i er
,

b as kets a n d thrown in t o t h e fire I n oth er di s tri ct s g rea t .

h u m an effig i es of os i er w ere carri ed i n proces s i on a n d b urn ed ?

The conn ecti on of s u ch s a crifi ces wi th t he p eri odi ca l s layi ng
o f a r epr es en t a t i ve of t he v eg et a tion s pi ri t h as b een m a i n t a i n ed
-

by Mannh ardt an d Dr Fra zer ? As has b een s een peri odi c .

,

s a cri fi ces f or t he f er ti l ity of t he l an d a re m en ti on ed by C aes a r ,

Strab o an d Di odorus hu m an vi ctim s an d ani m al s b ein g

, ,

en cl osed i n a n os er i m ag e b urn ed Thes e i m ag es s urv ive

?
i a n d
i n t he os i er effig i es j u s t ref err ed t o wh i l e th ey m ay a l s o be ,

conn ect ed with t he cu s t om o f decki n g t he h u m an r ep res en t a

t i ves of t he s pi rit of veg et a ti on i n g r een ery The h ol oca us t s .

m ay be r eg arded as ex t en s i on s of t he earl i er cu s t om of s l ayi n g

on e v i ctim t he i n carn a ti on of a veg et a ti on s p i ri t
,
T hi s -
.

s l a yin g w as g ra du a l l y r eg ar ded as s a crifi ci a l b u t as t h e ,

b enefi cial eff ect of t he s acri fi ce on g rowth w a s s t ill b el i eved i n ,

it w ou ld n at u rall y be th oug ht th a t s ti ll b ett er effects w oul d be

rodu ced i f m a n y v i ctim s w er e off ered Th e v i cti m w
p s ere.

b urn ed i n a fire repres en tin g t he s un an d v eg eta tion wa s thu s ,

d ou b l y b en efit ed by t h e vi ct im s an d by t he s un g od
,
-
.

Th e oldes t con cep t i on of t he veg et a t i on —S pi ri t wa s tha t of

a t r ee s pi rit wh i ch h a d p ow er ov er ra i n s u n s hin e a n d ev ery
-
, ,

s peci es of f rui t f u ln es s For thi s rea s on a t ree ha d a prom inen t

.

l a e b oth i n t h e B el t an e a n d Mi ds um m er f ea s t s It wa s
p c .

carri ed i n p roces s i on i m p ar t i n g i t s be n efit s t o ea ch h ou s e or

,

1
Bert ran d , 1 1 9 .

2
I bid . 407 ; Gai d oz, 21 ; Mannhardt ,
B a u m ku l tu s , 5 1 4 , 5 23 ; Bra n d , i .
8 , 323 .
3
Mann hard t , op . ci t. 5 25 f . Frazer, Gold en B oug h 2, ii i . 3 1 9.
4
P 23 4,
. s up r a .
27 0 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS .

fi el d . B ran ch es of it Were a tta ch ed to eac h hou se f or t he

s am e p u rp os e. th It
e n b
wa s
u rn ed o r it w a s s et u
p t o p ro ,

cu re b en e fi t s t o veg eta t1 on d u ri n g t h e y ear a n d b u rn ed a t t h e

n ex t M i ds u m m er f es ti va l ?
The s a cred t ree w a s pr oba b l y a n

o ak a n d a s has b een s een

, ,
t he m i s t l et oe ri t e p rob a b l y t ook
,

p l a ce o n M i d s u mm er e v e a s a p r el i m i n a r y t o cu tt i n
, g down
t he s acred t ree a n d i n ord er t o s ecu re t he l i f e or s ou l of t h e

t ree whi ch m us t fi rs t be s ecu red b ef ore t he tree coul d be cu t

,

d o wn The l i f e of t he t ree w a s i n t h e m i s tl et oe s ti l l al i ve i n
.
,

w i n t er wh en th e t ree it s elf s eem ed t o be dead S u ch beli efs .

as thi s con cern i n g t he det ach abl e s oul or l ife s urvi ve i n

Marchen a n d are s till al ive am on g s avag es
,
?

Felk s urvi vals s h ow tha t a h u m an or a n a nim al repre

”

s en t a t i ve of t he v eg et a ti on S pi rit b roug ht in t o con n ecti on with

-
,

t he t ree was a l
,
so s l a in e r b n e al ong wi th t he t ree Thu s
u r d ?

t h e cu tti n g of t h e m i s tl et oe w oul d be r eg a rd ed a s a pr eli m i n ary

t o t h e Sl a yi n g of t he hu m an vi cti m w ho l ik e t he tree w a s t he , , ,

r epres en t a tive of t h e s pi rit of v eg et a ti on .

The b on fi re r epres e n ti n g t h e s un a n d t he vi cti m s l i k e the , ,

t ree repres en ti n g the s pi ri t of v eg etat i on i t i s ob vi ou s why

, , _

t h e fire had h eal i n g an d fer ti h s m g p ow er s an d why i t s a s h es

'

a n d t h e as h es or t h e fl es h of t he v i ct i m s p os s es s ed t h e s a m e

p o w er s B ra n ds f ro m t h e fir e w ere carri ed t hrou h t h e fi el d s

.
g
or v i l l ag es ,a s t h e t ree h a d b een or p l a ced o n t h e fi el ds or I n
,

h ou s es wher e they w ere ca ref ul ly pres erved for a y ea r All

, .

th i s a i ded g rowth an d pros peri ty ,j us t a s t he s mok e of t he fire ,

drif ti n g over t he fi elds p rodu ced f ertil ity , As h es from the .

fire a n d prob a b l y t h e ca l ci n ed b on es or ev en t he fl es h of t he
,

v i ct i m s w ere s ca t t er ed on t he fi elds or pres erv ed a n d m i x ed

'

1
Frazer, i . 7 4 ; Bran d, i . 222, 237 , 24 6 , 31 8 ; Hon e, E very d a y
op . ci t .
,

B oole, ii . 5 95 ; Man nh ar d t , op . ci t 1 7 7 Gri m m , Teu t. M y th.

. f.
2
S ee m y Chi l d hood of Fi cti on , ch . v.
3
Fra zer, i 8 2, i i 2 47 f
. . .
,
27 5 ; Mannh ardt , 31 5 f .
2 72 T HE R E LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS

prom ot e f ertil ity a n d heal th Thi s was don e . by s l ayi ng t he

s pi rit o f v eg et a ti on i n hi s repres en t a ti ve— t ree ,
an i m al or m an
,
.

Hi s dea th q ui ck ened the energ i es of ear th an d m an The fire .

a l s o m ag i ca ll y as s i s t ed t h e cou rs e of t h e s u n S u rvi val of the .

a n ci en t rit es a re or w er e recen t l y f ou n d i n all C el ti c reg i on s ,

a n d h ave b een con s t a n t l y com b a t ed by t h e Ch u rch B ut .

th oug h th ey w ere con ti n u ed th ei r true m eani ng was f org ott en , ,

a n d th ey w ere m a i n l y p erf orm ed f or l u ck or ou t of S h eer con

s erva t i s m S om etim es a Chri s tian a s pect was g i ven t o th em

. ,

g by conn ecti n g t he fi res with S J oh n or by a s sociat ing

‘
e. . .
,

t he r it es with t he s ervi ce of t he Ch u rch or by th e cl erg y b ein g ,

p r es en t a t th em B u t th ei r t r
.u e n at u r e w a s s ti ll ev i den t as
a ct s of pa an w ors hi p a n d m a i c whi ch n o ven eer of Ch ri s
g g
t i ani t y cou ld ever q u i t e con ceal ?

LUGNAS AD .

The 1 s t Aug us t com ing m idway b etween B el t an e an d

of
“

S am h ain wa s an i m portan t f es ti val am on g the Cel t s I n

,
.

Ch ri s tian ti m es t he day b ecam e Lamma s bu t i ts n a m e s till ,

s ur vi v es i n I ri s h a s Lu g n as ad i n Gael i c a s Lu n a s dal or Lun as

,

dui nn a n d i n Man x a s Laa Lu any s an d it i s s til l ob s erved as

, ,

a f a i r or f eas t i n m a n y d i s t ri cts Form erl y a s sem blies a t .

conv en i en t cen t res w ere h el d on th i s day n ot on l y f or rel ig i ou s ,

pu rp os es b ut f or com m erce an d pl ea s u re b o th of th es e bei ng

, ,

of cou rs e s a t u ra t ed wit h rel ig i on Al l I rel a n d “

m et a t .

Tai ll t i j u s t a s al l G a u l Lug s t own

’

,
m et a t Lu g udun u m , ,

or Ly on s i n h on ou r of Au g us t us th ou g h t he f ea s t th ere ha d
,
, ,

f orm erl y b een i n h on ou r of t he g od Lug us ?

The f es tival was

1
Thi s a ccount of t he Mi d s umm er ri t ual i s ba s ed on n ot i ces fou nd i n Hon e,
E ver y d a y B ook Hazl i tt , i i . 34 7 f. Ga i d oz, Le Di eu S ol ei l Bert ra nd ;
Del och e, R C i x 43 5 Folk Lor e, .
-
xi i . 31 5 Fra zer, Gol d en B ou gh , i i i 26 6 f.
2
.

Gri m m , Teut My th 1 1 6 1 7 f. Monn i er, 1 8 6 f

. . . .

2
R C xvi 51 Gu i rau d, Les Ass em bl ées p rovi nci a l es dans l Emp i r e Rom a i n.
.
’
 FESTIVALS 2 73

h ere Romani s ed , as it w as al s o in B ritain wh ere

, i ts n am e

a pp ears as Goel -
a ou st, Gu l -
a u s tu s , an d Gu yl Au s t '
,
n ow th e
“
Au g us t f ea s t bu t f orm erl y t he f eas t of Au g u s t u s the
,
” “
,
”

n a m e h a vi n re l ac e d o n e co rr es p on di n t o L u n a s ad
?
g p g g
C orm ac ex pl ain s the n am e Lug na s ad a s a f es t i val of Lu g h
m ac Et hl enn cel eb ra t ed by hi m i n t he b eg i n ni ng of au t um n
, ,

a n d t he Ren n es Di n dsen cha s accou n t s f or i t s ori i n by s a y i ng

g
tha t Lu g s f os t er m oth er Ta il ti u h avin g di ed on the C al en ds
’
-
, ,

of A u u s t he di r ect ed a n ass em b l y f or l a m en t a t i on t o b e h el d
g ,

a nn u a l l y o n th a t d a t b g s th us t he f oun der
?
y a t h e r om Lu i
of hi s o wn f es t i va l f or th a t it w a s hi s a n d n ot Ta i l t i u s i s cl ear
’

, , ,

f rom t he f a ct th a t h i s n am e i s a tta ch ed t o it AS Lam m as .

w a s a Ch ri s t i an h arves t th an k s g i vin g s o al s o wa s Lug n a s a d a ,

p ga a n h arv es t f ea s t p ar t o f ,
t h e ritu a l o f whi ch
p ass ed ov er t o
S amh ain The p eopl e m a de g l a d b efore t he s un g od— Lug
.
-

e rh a s h av i n th a t ch a ra ct er— w h o h a d a s s i s t ed th em i n t h e
p p g
g ro wth o f t h e thi n s on wh i ch th ei r l i ves d ep en d ed
g M a rri a es
g .

w ere al s o arran g ed at thi s f eas t prob a bl y b ecau s e m en had ,

n ow m ore l ei s u re a n d m ore m ean s f or en t er i n g u p on m a t ri

m on y .Poss i bl y p romi scu ous l ov e m aking a ls o occurred a s a -

resul t of t h e fes t iv a l g l a d n es s a g ri cu l t u ral d i s t ri ct s b ei n g s t i l l

,

n ot ori ou s l y i mm oral S om e evi den ce p oi n t s t o t he con necti on

.

o f t he f ea s t with Lug s m arri ag e th ou g h thi s h a s b een a l l eg o r

’

i s ed i n to hi s w edding t he s overei g n ty of Eri n Perha ps w e .

”

h ave here a hin t of t he ri te of t he s a cred m arri ag e f or t he ,

p pu r os e o f m a g i c a l l y f e r ti l i s i n
g t h e fi eld s a g ai n s t n ex t y ea r s
’

s owi ng .

D u e ob s ervan ce of t he f ea s t produced ab u ndan ce of corn ,

f ruit m ilk a n d fis h
, ,
Proba b l y t he ri t ual ob served i n cl u ded t he
.

r es erva ti on o f t h e l a s t s h eaf a s r ep res en ti n g t he corn S pi rit

p
-
,

g i vi n g s om e of it t o t he ca ttl e t o s t ren g th en th em a n d m i n g l in g ,

1
D Arb oi s , i 21 5 , Les Cel tes , 44 ; Lot h , Ann a l ee dc B r etag ne,
’
. x ii i . No 2 . .

2
R C xvi 5 1 . .

1 8
2 74 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LT S
it with n ex t y ea r s corn t o i mpart t o i t t he pow er of th e corn
’

s p ir i t It m ay al so h ave in cl uded t he s laying Of an a ni m al or

.

hu m an in carn a ti on of the corn s pirit wh os e fles h and bl ood -

,

q ui ck en ed t he s oi l an d s o produced a b u n dan ce n ex t year or , ,

wh en par tak en of by t he wors hi ppers b rou g ht bles s m g s t o th em ,

.

To n egl ect s u ch rit es ab un dan t i ns tan ces of whi ch ex i s t i n

,

f ol k cus t om w ould be h el d t o res ul t i n s carci ty

-
,
This w oul d .

al s o ex l ain a s a l ready s u t ed why t h e f es ti va l w a s a ss o

p gg
,
e s ,

ci a t ed wit h t he d ea th of Ta i l t i u or of C a rm an The euhem er .

i s ed queen g oddes s Tai lt i u and t he w om an Carm an ha d on ce

-

b een corn g oddess es evolved from more prim i tive corn s pirit s
- -
,

i n at t he f eas t i n th ei r f em
,

and s l a a l e repres en t a ti ves Th e .

s t or y of th ei r d eath a n d b u r ial a t the f es tival wa s a di m

m em ory of thi s an ci en t ri t e an d S i n ce t he f es tival was al s o
,

con n ected w i th t he s u n g od Lu g it was ea s y t o b ri n hi m i nto

g
-
,

rel a ti on s hi p with t he earl i er o dd es s E l sewh e r e t h e f es ti val

g .
,

i n i t s m em orial a s pect wa s as s ocia t ed with a king prob ab ly

, ,

becaus e m ale v icti m s had com e t o be repres en tatives of a

corn g od wh o ha d t ak en t he pl a ce Of t he g oddes s
-
.

S om e of t he ritual of th es e f es tival s i s i ll u s tra t ed by s ca tt ered

n oti ces i n cl a ss i cal w ri t ers an d on t he wh ol e th ey s u pport our
,

th eory th at t he fes ti val s orig ina ted i n a f em al e cul t of Spi rit s

or g oddes s es of f er t i l ity Stra b o s peak s of s a crifi ces offered t o
.

D em eter an d K ore a ccordin g t o t h e ri tual foll ow ed at S am o

,

thra ce i n an i s l an d n ear B ri tain i a t o n ati ve g oddes s es equat ed.

, , . .

with the m He al s o des cri b es the ritual of t he N am ni t e

.

w omen on an i s land i n t he Loire Th ey are cal led B acchan t es .

b ecau s e th ey con cilia ted B acch u s with m y s t eries a n d s a crifi ces ;

i n oth er w ords th ey Ob s erved an org i as ti c cu l t of a g od eq uated
,

with B acch u s N 0 m an m u s t s et f oot on t he i s l an d bu t the

.
,

w om en l ef t it once a y ear f or in tercours e with t he other s ex .

On ce a y ear the tem pl e of t he g od was un roofed an d roofed ,

2 76 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
of a divi n ity ,
an d p er hap s p a r t of t he fl es h was m i x ed
with t he s eed - corn , l ik e t h e g ra i n of t he Mai den s h eaf or ,

b uri ed i n t he ea r th . Thi s rit e i s com m on am ong s a va

g es ,
a n d
i t s pres en ce i n European ritu al i s a ttes t ed by s urvival s
ol d .

Tha t th es e rit es w ere ta b u t o m enprob abl y p oi n t s t o the f act

t h a t th ey w ere ex a m p l es o f a n Old er g en era l cus t om i n whi ch ,

a ll s u ch rit es w ere i n t h e ha n d s of w om en w h o cu l ti va t ed t he

ear th an d w h o w ere t h e n a tu ra l p ri es t es s es of g odd ess es of

,

g ro wth a n d f erti l ity o f v eg eta ti on a n d t he

, g rowin
g co rn .

An oth er exam pl e i s f ou n d i n t he l eg en d an d proces s i on of .

Godiva at C oven t ry t he s urvival of a pag an cul t f rom

'

which m en w ere ex cl u ded ?

Pl in y S peaks of t he n udit y of the w om en en g ag ed i n t he

cu l t . N u dity i s a n es s en tial p art of all prim iti ve ag ri cu l tural
rit es an d p ai n tin g t he body i s a l s o a wi d es p rea d r it u a l act
, .

D res s ing with l ea ves or g reen s t uff a s a m ong t he Nam ni t e ,

w om en an d of ten with t he in t en tion of p ers ona ti ng t he s pi ri t

,

of v eg et a ti on i s al s o cu s t om a r y
, By u n veil ing t he b ody a n d .
,

es p eci all y t he s ex u a l org a n s w om en m ore effect ual l y repre ,

s en t ed t h e g oddes s of f er ti lity a n d m ore effect u ally a s her ,

repres en t a tiv es or th rou g h th eir own p ow ers m a i call y con

, g ,

vey ed f erti l i ty t o t h e fi eld s N ak edn es s thu s b ecam e a.

p o w erf u l m a i co rel i i ou s s y m b ol a n d it i s f ou n d a s
g g
-
p a r t of ,

t h e rit u al f or p o d c g ra i
r u i n n
?

There i s th us ab u n dan t evi den ce of t he cul t of f ertil ity ,

v eg et a ti on an d corn s pi r it s w h o t en ded t o b ecom e d i v i n iti es

,
-
, ,

m al e or f em al e Here an d there throug h con s erva ti s m t he

. , ,

cul t rem a i n ed i n t h e h a n ds of w om en bu t m ore g en era ll y it ,

had b ecom e a rit ual i n whi ch b oth m en a n d w om en t ook part

1
S ee Hart l and , S ci en ce f
o Fa i ry Ta l es , 8 4 f .
-

s ymb ol of s ub mi s s i on
2
Pro fes s or Rhys s ug g es t s t ha t nud i t y , b ei ng a frequ ent
to a con u eror, a c ui red a s i m i l ar s i n i fi can ce
q q g in rel i g i ou s ri t es ( AL But
t he m ag i cal as
pect of nu di ty cam e fi rs t i n t i m e.
 FESTIVA LS 27 7

— th at of t he grea t ag ricul t ural f es tival s W h ere a divini ty .

ha d t ak en t he pl a ce of t he vag uer s pi ri t s h er i m ag e l ik e th a t , ,

of Berecy n t hi a w a s u s ed i n t h e rit u al b u t t he i m a g e w a s
, ,

rob a b l y t h e s u cce s s or o f t h e t ree whi ch em b odi ed t h e

p
v eg et a t i on s p ir it -
an d w as ca rri ed th rou g h t he fi el ds t o
,

f ertil i s e th em Si m i lar p roces s i ons of i m ag es Of ten aecom

.
,

p a n i ed by a r it u a l w as h i n
g o f t h e i m a e i n or d er t o i n vi ora t e
g g
t he di vi n ity or as i n t he s i m i lar May day cu s t om t o produce
, ,
-
,

rai n are f ou n d i n t he T eu t on i c cu l t of N ert hu s t he Ph ry i a n

, g ,

Of Cyb el e the Hin d u of Bh a va n i a n d t h e R om a n rit u al of

, ,

t h e B on a D ea The i mag e of Berecyn t hi a wa s th us prob a b l y

.

w a s h ed a ls o W a s hin g t he i m ag es of s ai n ts u s ual l y t o
.
,

p roduce ra in has s om et im es t ak en t he pl ace of t h e w a s hing

,

of a di vi n e i m ag e a n d s im i l arl y t h e r el i cs
,
of a s a i n t a re

carri ed th roug h a fi el d a s w as t he t ree or i m a g e

,
The .

com m u n ity a t I on a peram b u l at ed a n ewl y s own fi el d with

S Col u m b a s rel ics i n t im e of droug ht a nd s h ook hi s t un ic
.
’

three tim es i n t he ai r an d w ere r ewarded by a plen ti f ul rai n

, ,

a n d l a t er by a b ou n t eou s h arv es t
?
,

Man y of th es e l ocal cu l t s w ere pre C el ti c bu t we n eed -

,

n ot th eref or e Su o s e th a t t h e C e l t s or t h e A ry a n s a s a
pp ,

wh ol e ha d n o s u ch cul ts The Aryan s everywh ere adopt ed

,
?

l ocal cul ts bu t thi s th ey w oul d n o t h av e don e i f as i s

, ,

s u p p os ed th ey ha d th em s el ves ou t r ow n th em T h e cu l t s
, g .

were l ocal b ut t he C el t s ha d s i m i lar l ocal cul ts an d eas il y

, ,

a ccep t ed th ose o f t he
peopl e th ey con qu ered W e cann ot .

ex pl a i n t h e p ers i s t en ce of s u ch pri m it i v e cul t s a s li e b ehi n d

t he g rea t C el ti c f es tival s b oth i n cl as s i cal ti m es an d over t he

,

wh ol e a rea of Europ e am on g t he peas an try by referring th em ,

s ol el y t o a p re A ry a n f ol k -
They w ere a s m u ch Aryan a s.

p re A ry an They b el on g t o thos e u nch ang ing s tra t a of

-
.

1
Ad a mn a n, Vi ta S Col i i 4 5 . . . .

2
S ee Gom m e, E thnol og y i n Folk l ore, 30 f -
.
, Vi l lag e Comm u ni ty, 1 1 4 .
27 8 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CELTS

fl
reli
g i on whi ch h a v e s o l arg el y s u ppl i ed t he s oi l i n whi ch i t s

l a t er an d m ore s pi rit u al g rowths h ave ouri s h ed . And am ong

thes e they s ti ll em erg e un ch ang ed a n d un cha ng i ng l ike t he
, ,

g a u n t ou t crop s of s om e a n ci en t rock f orm a ti on a m i d ri ch

veg et a ti on a nd f ra g ra n t fl ow ers.
2 80 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
Rom an s ol diers The s acred Dr u nem eton of t he Gala tian
? -
.

C el ts m ay h ave b een a g rove Pl ace n am es als o poi n t t o the

? -

wides prea d exi s tence of s uch g roves s i n ce t he w ord n emcton , ,

r o ve occu rs i n m an y of th em s h owi n g th a t t he p l aces s o

“ ” -

g , ,

call ed ha d b een s it es Of a cu l t I n I rel an d fid nem ed s tood

.
,
-

a n ci en t w s til l t he
”
s ac red Th
“ 3
f or g r ov e e g roves ere

obj ect s of v en era ti on i n Ch ri s ti a n ti m es th oug h fi n es w ere ,

l ev ei d a g a i n s t th os e w h o s t i l l c l u n g t o t h e ol d w a y s
?

S acred g roves w ere s till u s ed i n Gall o Rom an ti m es an d f

,

t h e D ru i d s m ay h ave ha d a pref erence f or th em a pref eren ce ,

which m ay u nderl i e th e w ords of t he s ch ol ias t on Lu can tha t ,

t h e D ru i d s w ors hi p t he g o ds w i th ou t t em pl es i n w oods
“ ”
.

B u t p rob a b l y m or e el a b r t e t em p l es g 1 ea t t rib a l s an ct uari es

oa , ,

ex i s t ed s i de by S i de with th es e l ocal g rov es es p eci all y l n Ci s ,

a l pi n e G a u l where t he B oii had a tem pl e i n which w ere

,

s t ored t he s p oi l s of wa r whi l e t he I n s u b r i ha d a s i m i l a r
,

t em pl e Thes e w ere cert a in ly b u il ding s The con s ecra ted

5
. .
“

p l a ce i n T ra n s a l i n e
p Gaul , w hi ch C aes ar m en ti on s an d ,

wh ere a t fi x ed p eriods ju dg m en t s w ere g iven m ig ht be eith er ,

a g rov e or a Caes ar u s es t he s am e ph ras e f or s a cred ,

pl a ces wh ere t h e S p oi l s of war w ere h ea p ed ; th ese m ay h ave

b een g roves but D i odorus s peak s of treas ure coll ected i n
,

t em pl es a n d Sacred pla ces ( S 7; i p fg x ”

n w ) and
r. 7 0 s o al
‘
re e ed / v
,

Pl u t arch s peak s of t he t em ple where t he Arvern i hung “

C aes ar s s w ord
’
6
The .t em ple of t he Nam n i te w om en
“ ”
,

u n roof ed a n d r e roof ed i n a da
y m us t h a ve b een a b u i ldi ng
-
, .

Th ere i s n o evi den ce that t he ins ul ar C el ts ha d tem pl es I n

-

1
Di o Ca s s l xi 1 7 Ta c An n xi v 30
. . . . . . .

”
(D Arboi s
2
S t rab o, xi i 5 1 Dr u nemeton m ay m ean g reat t em pl e
’
. .
,
Les
Cel tes ,
3
An ti en t L a ws of I rel a n d 1 1 6 4 , . .

Hol d er, ii 7 1 2 i n Gri mm , Teu t. My th 1 7 39, “

4 “
Cf. . In di cu l u s
. . de
s a cri s s i l va rum , =
q u a s ni m i d a s ( n emet s ) vocan t
”
.

5
Li vy , xxi i i . 2 4 ; Pol y h. i i . 32 .

6
Caes ar, vi . 1 3, 1 7 ; Di od. S i c. v. 27 ; Pl ut arch , Caes a r , 2 6 .
 ACCESSORIES OF CUL T 2 81

Gall o Rom an tim es elab orat e t empl es p erh aps occupying s ites
-
, ,

o f ea rl i er g roves or t em pl es s pr a n g u p ov er t he Rom a n o C el t i c
,
-

a rea . They w ere b u i l t on Rom an m odel s m an y of th em w ere ,

o f g rea t S i z e a n d th ey w er e d edi ca t ed t o Rom an or Ga l l o

,

Rom an divi n i ti es S m all er s h ri nes w ere b u il t by g rat eful

?

w ors hi pp ers at s acred s pring s t o th ei r pres i ding divin ity as ,

m a ny i n scri p ti on s S h ow I n t he t em pl es s t ood i m ag es of t he
.

d s an d h ere w ere s t ored s a cred ves s el s s om eti m es m ade of

g o , ,

t he s k u l l s of en em ies s poi ls of w ar dedi ca t ed t o t he g ods

, ,

m on ey coll ected for sacr ed purp os es an d w ar s t an dards , ,

es p eci ally th os e whi ch b ore d iv i n e s y m b ol s .

The ol d i dea th a t s t on e ci rcl es w ere D ru i di c t em pl es tha t ,

hu m an s a crifi ces w ere offered on the al tar s t on e an d “ -

”
,

l i b a ti on s of bl ood p ou red i n t o t he cu p m arki ng s m u s t be g i ven -

,

u p a l on g w i th m u ch of t h e as t ron om i cal l ore a s s oci a t ed with

,

t he circl es Ston eh eng e da t es from the cl os e of t he N eol ithi c

.

Ag e an d m os t of t he s m all er ci rcl es b el ong t o t he ea rl y B ron ze

,

Ag e an d a re prob ab l y pre C el ti c I n a n y ca s e th ey w ere

,
-
.

rim aril y l ce s o f s e u l t u re As s u ch th y w u l d be t he
p p a p e . o

s cen e o f a n ces t or w ors hi p bu t yet n ot t em pl es i n t he s t ri ct

,

s en s e O f the w ord The l arg er ci r cles b u ri al pl aces of g rea t

.
,
-

chief s or k i n g s w oul d b ecom e cen t ral pl a ces f or t he recu rri n g

,

r it es of h os t w ors hi p o s s ib l y a l s o r all y i n l aces of t h e

g p g p
-
,

tri b e on s tat ed occa s i on s But wh eth er th i s g h os t wors hip

.
-

w as ev er t ran s m u t ed i n t o t he cul t of a g od a t t he circl es i s

u n certai n a n d i n deed u nl ik el y
, ,
Th e C el t s w o ul d n a t ura l l y
.

reg a rd th es e pl a ces a s s a cred s i n ce the g h os t s o f t he d ea d , ,

ev en th o se of a va n q u i s h ed peopl e are a l wa ys da n g erou s a n d , ,

th ey al s o t ook over t he m yth s an d l eg en ds a s s oci at ed with 2

1
S ee x
e am
pl es i n Dom Mart i n ,
i . 1 34 f . ; of . Greg . Tou rs , H i s t . Fra n c.
i . 3 0.
“
2
S ee R Les m on u m en t s d e p i erre bru t e d an s l e l an g ag e et l es
ei n a ch ,

Re . Arch. 1 8 93, i . 33 9 ; Evan s ,

” “
croy a n ces p op ul ai res , v Th e Rol l Ri g h t -

”
S t on es , Folk L ore, vi . 2 0 f .
-
2 82 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
th em s u ch eg as reg arded t he s t on es th em s elves or trees
, ,
. .
, ,

rowi ng withi n t he ci rcl es a s em b o dim en t s of t he dea d whil e

g , ,

they m ay al s o h ave u s ed th em as occas i on al pl a ces of s econ dar y

int erm en t W h ether th ey w ere ever l ed t o copy s u ch ci rcl es
.

th em s el ves i s u ncert ai n s i n ce t hen own m ethods of in t erm en t

,

s eem t o h av e b een di ff er en t W e h ave s een th a t the g ods

.

m ay i n s om e cas es h ave b een w ors h i pp ed a t t u m uli an d th a t ,

Lug n as ad was a t s om e cen t res connect ed with com m em ora tive

, ,

cul t s a t b u ri al pl a ces ( m ou n ds n ot ci rcl es )

-
But th e rea s on s ,
.

f or thi s are ob s cu re n or i s th ere an y hin t th a t oth er C el ti c

,

f es tival s w ere h el d n ear b u ri al m ou n ds P rob abl y s u ch com .

m em ora t l ve ri t es a t pl a ces of s epul ture duri ng Lu g nas ad w ere

on l y par t of a wi der s er i es occu rri ng el s ewh ere an d w e cann o t ,

a ss um e f rom su ch v ag u e n oti ces th at s t on e ci rcl es w ere D ru i di c

t em pl es wh ere w ors hi p Of an O rien t al n a t ure was carried on

.
.

Profes s or Rhys i s di s posed to accep t the ol d i dea th at

St oneheng e wa s the t em pl e of Apoll o i n t he i s lan d of t he :

Hyp erb orean s m en tioned by Di odoru s where t he s un g od was

, ,
-

w ors hi pped Bu t th oug h tha t t em ple was circular it had

?
,

wall s a dorn ed with votive offerings Nor does t he t empl e .

u n roof ed y earl y by t h e Na mn i t e w om en i m pl y a s t on e circl e ,

f or th ere i s n ot t he s l ig ht es t parti cle of evi den ce th a t t he

.

ci rcl es w ere ever roof ed i n a n y w ay St on e ci rcles with

?

m y s tic t rees g rowi ng i n th em on e of th emwith a w ell by ,

wh i ch en t ran ce was g ain ed t o Ti r f a T onn are m en ti oned i n ’

I ri s h tal es They w ere connected with m ag ic rit es bu t a re

.
,

n ot S pok en of a s t em pl es
?

A LTARS .

Lu ca n d es crib es rea l si ti call y t he wful s acrifi ces of t he

a

G au l s on cr uel a l ars t n ot a whit mil der than th os e of Diana ,

1
Rhys , HL 1 94 Bi od S i c i i 47 . . .
2
Rh ys , 1 97 .
3
Joyce, OCR 24 6 K ennedy , 27 1 .
 2 84 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
l
p p es ,
eo m ay o we s om e thingtrees an d of s ton es
t o t he cul t of

s et u p over t h e d ea d The s t on e a s s ocia t ed with t he dea d

.
,

m a n s s pi rit becam e a n i m ag e of h i m s elf p er ha p s rud el y

’

, ,

f a s hi oned i n hi s l ik en es s A r oug h h ewn tree t run k b ecam e

.
-

a n i m a e o f t he S p i rit or g od of t rees O n t h e oth er ha n d

g .
,

s om e a n th rop om orp hi c im ag es l ik e the pal aeol ithic or ,

My cen aean fi g u rin es m ay h ave b een f as hion ed with ou t t he

,

in t erm ediary of tree t ru n k or s tone pillar Max im u s Of Ty re

-
.

s ay s th a t t he C el ti c i mag e of Z eu s was a l of ty oak p erh ap s a ,

rou g h hew n t ru n k ra th er th an a
g rowing t ree an d s u ch
-
,

rou hl y ca rved t ree t ru nk s i m ag es of g ods a re ref erred t o by

g
-
, ,

Lu can i n hi s des cri p ti on of t he Mas s il i an g rove ?

Pillar s t on es
s et u p over t he g ra ves of t he dead a r e of ten m en ti on ed i n I ri s h

t ex t s Th ese w ou ld cert ai nl y be as s ocia ted with the dead ;

.
"

in deed ex i s ting l eg en ds S h ow th at they w ere b eli eved t o be

,

t en an t ed by t he g h os t s a n d t o h ave t h e p ow er of m oti on .

Thi s s ugg es ts tha t th ey had b een reg ard ed as im ag es of the

d ea d . Other s t on es h on oured i n Irel an d w ere th e cloch la bra i s ,

a n oracul ar s t on e ; t he l i a f a i l or coron a ti on s t on e w hi ch , ,

s h ou t ed wh en a ki n g o f t h e M i l es i an r ace s ea t ed hi m s elf u p on
“

i t ; an d t he li d a dra da or s t on e of a dora tion a pparen t l y a

.

, ,

b oun dary s ton e The p lu r i ma si m u la cra of t he Ga u li s h

?

Mercury m ay h ave b een b ou ndary s ton es l ik e th os e ded ica t ed

t o Mercu ry or H erm es am on g t he R om an s an d G reek s Di d .

C aes ar concl u de or wa s it actuall y t he ca s e tha t t he Gaul s

, ,

d edica t ed s uch s t on es t o a g od of b oun dari es who m ig ht be

eq u a t ed with Mercury ? Man y s uch s t an di n g s t on es s ti ll
ex i st i n F ran ce a n d th ei r n um b er m u s t ha v e b een g rea t er i n
,

C aes ar s tim e S eeing th em t h e obj ect s of s u pers titi ou s

’
.
;

Ob s erva n ces he m a y h ave con cl u d ed tha t th ey w ere s i m u la cr a

,

of a
g o d Oth e
. r R o m a n s b es i des hi m s elf ha d b een s t ru ck by

1
Max .Ty r. D i s s er t . vi i i . 8 Lu ca n , i i i . 4 1 2 f .
2
An ti en t La ws of I rel a n d , i v. 1 42 .
 ACCESSORIES OF CU LT 2 85

t he res em b lan ce of thes e s t on es t o th ei r Herm ai an d p erhap s ,

t he Gau ls i f th ey di d n ot a l rea dy r eg ard th em as s ym b ol s of a

,

g o d , a c q u i es ce d i n t h e re s em b l a n ce Th u s on t h e m en hi r o f .
,

K erva d el a re s cu l pt u red f our fi g u res on e b ei ng th a t of ,

Mercury da tin g from G a ll o Rom a n ti m es B eneath an oth er

,
-
.
,

n ear P er on n e a b ron z e s t a t u ett e of Mercu r y w a s d i s cov ered ?

,

Thi s w oul d s eem t o S h ow tha t t he Gaul s ha d a cul t of pi l l ar

s t on es a s s o ci a t ed w i th a g od of b ou n da ri es C aes ar probabl y .

u s es t h e w ord s i m u la cr u m i n t he s ens e o f s y m b ol ra th er

th an i m ag e th oug h he m ay have m ean t n ative i m ag es n ot

“ ”
,

f ull y carved i n h u m a n s h a p e li k e t he I ri s h cerma n d cers ta ch

’

, ,

o rna m en t ed w i th a n d s i l ver t h e ch i ef i dol r th

”
g o l d o f n o ,

I relan d or li k e t he s i m ilarl y orn am en t ed i m ag es of Crom m

,
“

Cru ai ch a n d hi s s at elli tes Th e a dora ti on of s acred s t on es

?

con ti n u ed i n t o Ch ri s t i a n t i m es a n d w a s m u ch Oppos ed by t he

Ch urch S S am s on of Dol (s i x th cen t u ry) fou n d m en dan ci n g

?
.

ro u n d a s i m u la cr u m a bom i n a bi le wh i ch s eem s t o h a ve b een a ,

kin d of s tan di ng s t on e an d h aving b es oug ht them t o des i s t he

, ,

carve d a cr os s u p on it S ev eral m enhi ri on i n Fran ce are n ow

?

s i m i l a rl y orn a m en t ed
?

The n u m b er Of ex i s ti n g Ga ll o Rom an i m ag es s h ow s th a t the

’

C el ts ha d n ot a dopt ed a cus t om whi ch wa s f orei g n t o them ,

a n d th ey m u s t h a ve a l rea d y p o s s es s ed r u de n a ti ve i m a es T h
g e .

d is a pp ea ra n ce of th es e w oul d be ex pl a in ed i f th ey w er e m a de
of
p er i s h a b l e m a t er i a l W ood e n i m a
g es
. of t
.
h e M a tr es h a v e

b een occas i onall y f oun d a n d th es e m ay be pre Roman S om e ,

-
.

of t he i m ag es o f t h e th r ee h ea ded a n d crouchi n g
g ods S h ow
-

n o s i g n of R om a n i n fl u en ces i n th ei r m odell i n a n d th y m ay
g e ,

have b een copi ed from earl i er i m a g es of wood We als o fin d .

1
Rev Ar ch 1 p l i i i v ; Rei n a ch , R C xi . 22 4 ,
. . . .
-
xi i i . 1 90.
2
S t ok es , Ma r tyr . of Oeng u s , 1 8 6 1 8 7 . -

3
S ee t h e Twen t y t hi rd Ca n on -
of Coun cil of Arl es , th e Twent y t h i rd -
of t he
Coun ci l of Tou rs , 5 6 7 , a nd ch . 6 5 of t h e Cap i tu l a r i a , 7 8 9 .

4
Mabi ll on Acta , , i . 1 77. 3
Rei nach , Rev Arch 1 8 93,
. . xxi . 33 5 .
2 86 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
di vin e fig u res on pre Rom an coi n s -
C ertain pas s ag es i n ?

cl a ss i cal w riti n g s p oin t t o t he ex i s t en ce of n a ti ve i m ag es A

‘

.
.

s t a t u e of a g oddes s ex i s t ed i n a t em pl e a t Mars ei l les a ccordi ng ,

t o J us ti n a n d t he G al a ti an C el t s had i m ag es of t he n a tive
,

J u ppi t er an d Ar t em i s whil e t h e con qu erin g C el t s who en t ered

,

Rom e b ow ed t o t he s eat ed s en a t ors as to s ta tu es of t he g ods ?

The Ga ul s pl aced ri ch orn am en t s on t he i m ag es of t he g ods ,

a n d p res u m a b l y th es e w ere n a ti v e i dol s “ ”

.

Id ol s are f requen tl y m en ti on ed i n Iri s h t ex t s and there ,

i s no d ou bt tha t th es e m ea n im ag es ?
C orma c m a c Art
r efu s ed t o w ors hi p i dol s an d was pun i s h ed by the D ruids
” ?
,

The i dol s of Crom m Cruai ch an d hi s s a t el l it es ref erred t o i n

”

t h e D i n dsen cha s w ere carved to repres en t t he h u m an f orm ;

,

t he chi ef on e was of g ol d t he oth ers of s ton e Thes e w ere

, .

m iracul ou s l y overth row n by S Pa t ri ck ; bu t i n t h e a ccoun t of .

t h e mi ra cl e t he chi ef i dol w as of s t on e a dorned with g old an d

s ilver t h e oth ers n u m b eri n g tw el ve w er e orn amen ted with
, , ,

b ron ze Th ey s tood i n Mag Sl ech t an d s imilar s acred pla ces

?
,

with g rou ps of im ag es e vi den tl y ex i s t ed els ewh ere e g at ,

. .

Bat h Ar chaill wh ere the D rui d s al tars an d i m ag es are ”

”

3
.
,

The la d y Ces sai r b ef ore comm g t o I rel an d i s s ai d t o hav e

, ,

tak en a dvi ce of her la i mh dhi a or han d g ods perh aps s m all

-
, ,
”

im ag es u s ed f or d ivi n ation 7
.

For t h e B riti s h C el t s t he ev i den ce i s s l en der,bu t i dol a t ry

i n t he s en s e of i m ag e w ors hi p i s f requ en t l y m en ti on ed i n
“ -

t h e i ves o e
l f ar l y s i ts
a n
?
Gil da s al s o s peak s of im ag es
1
Bl an ch et , i . 1 5 2 1 5 3, 38 6 .
-

2-
Jus t i n , x
l i ii . 5 ; S t rab o, xi i . 5 . 2 ; Pl ut arch , d c Vi rt. Mu l . xx Li vy ,
v. 41 .
3
Corm ac, 9 4 .
K eat i n g , 35 6 . S ee al s o S t ok es , Ma rtyr of Oeng u s
. ,
1 86 RC x1 1 . 4 27 , 15
J oy ce, S H 27 4 f .

3
LL Tr ip L if e, i 90, 93. 3
C Cu rry , MS Ma t. 2 8 4 .
’
. . .

7
K eat i n g , 4 9.
3
Jocel y n , Vi ta S . Kenti g . 27 , 32, 34 ; Ai lred , Vi ta S N i n i a n . 6 . .
2 88 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
As has b een s een s om e p urel y C el ti c imag es ex is t ed i n
,

Gaul The Gau l s w ho u s ed nothin g but w ood for th eir

.
,
‘

h ou s es proba bl y k n ew l i ttl e of t he a rt of carvi n g s ton e

, .

They w ould th erefore m ak e m os t of their im ag es of w ood a —

p eri s h a bl e m a t eri al Th e i n s u l ar C el t s ha d i m ag es a n d i f a s
. , ,

Caes ar m a in tain ed t he D rui ds cam e f rom B rita in t o G a ul

, ,

thi s poi n t s a t l eas t t o a s im il arity of cul t i n t he t wo reg i on s ,

.

You thf ul Gau l s w ho a s pired t o D ru idi c k n owl edg e w en t to

Brita in t o obtai n it W ou l d t he D rui ds of Gaul h av e per
.

m i t t ed thi s ha d th ey b een i conocl a s t s

,
N 0 Si ng l e t ex t s h ow s
tha t t he D ru i ds had an y a n tipa thy t o i mag es whi l e the Gau l s ,

cer t a in l y h a d i m a g es of w ors h i pf ul an i m al s F ur th er even .

,

i f t he D r ui ds w ere pri es ts of a pre C el ti c f o lk th ey m u s t h ave -

,

p e rm itt e d t h e m a ki n
g of i m ag es s i n ce m an y m e n hi r s t a t u es
,
— -

ex i s t on F ren ch s oi l a t Av ey ron ,
Tarn a n d el s ewh ere ? The , , ,

C elt s w ere I n con s tan t con ta ct with i m ag e w ors hippi ng -

p eoples an d cou ld h ardl y h ave f ai l ed t o be i n fl u en ced by

,

them even i f s u ch a p ries tl y prohibi ti on ex i s t ed j us t as Is ra el

, ,

s u ccu m b ed t o i m ag es I n s p1 t e of d iv in e comm a n ds That t hey .

w oul d h av e b een th us i n fl uenced i s s een from t he n u m b er of

i mag es of all k in ds da tin g fromthe p eri od a f t er t he Rom an
con q ues t .

I nci den ta l proofs of t he f ondnes s of t he C el t s f or im ag es

a re f ou n d i n eccl es i a s ti cal w riti n g s a n d i n l a t e su rvi va l s The
~
.

oces s i on of t h e i ma g e of B erecyn t hi a has a l rea dy b een

p r

d es crib ed an d s uch pro ces s i ons w ere comm on i n G au l a n d

, ,

im pl y a reg ula r f olk cu s t om S Martin of Tours s t opped a

-
. .

f u n eral proces s i on b el i evi ng it t o be s u ch a pag an rit e ?

C oun cil s an d edi ct s prohibi t ed th ese proces s i on s i n G aul bu t ,

a m ore effect u al w a y w a s t o Ch ri s ti an i s e t hem The Rog a ti on .

L Abbé Herm et , As s oc pour l ava ncem en t d es S ci en ces , Compte Rend u ,

’
1 ’
.

1 900, ii 7 4 7 L An throp ol og i e, v 1 4 7
’
. . .

2
Corp . S crip . Eccl . La t. i 1 2 2 . .
 ACCESSORIES OF CUL T 2 89

ti de proces s ion s with cru cifi x an d Ma don na an d t he carrying ,

of S J oh n s i m a g e a t t h e Mi ds u mm er f es t i v al s w ere a d i rect
’
.
,

con ti n u a ti on of t he older pra cti ces I m ag es w ere of t en .

b rok en by Ch ri s ti a n s ain t s i n G aul a s they ha d b een over ,

t urn ed by S Pa trick i n I rel and . Sti ff a n d deform ed m an y .

”

o f th em m u s t ha v e b een i f on e m a y j u dg e f rom t he Gr oa h ,

g oa r d or ,
“
V enu s of Qu i n i pi ly f or cen t u ri es t he obj ect of ,

s u p ers t i ti ou s rit es i n B ritt a n y

?
W ith it m a y be com pared
t he f etich s t on e or i m ag e of whi ch a n ol d w om a n i n t he i s l a n d
-

of I nn i s k ea t he g u ardi a n of a s a cred w ell ha d cha rg e

,
It wa s ,
.

k ep t w rapped u p t o hide i t from profa n e ey es bu t a t cert ain ,

p eri ods it w a s b rou g ht ou t f or a dora t i on

?

The i m ag es an d has rel i ef s Of the G al lo R oman p eri od f all

- -

m ai nl y i n t o t wo cl a s ses I n t he fi rs t cl a s s a re th os e rep re
.

s en ti n g n a t i ve di vini ti es l i k e Es us Ta rv os Tri g aran os

, , ,

S m ert ull os Cernun n os t he h orn ed a n d crou chin g g ods t he

, , ,

od with t he h a mm er a n d t he g od with t he wh eel B us ts

g , .

a n d s t a t u es o f s om e w a t er g odd es s es ex i s t bu t m oren u m erou s

-
,

are t h e repres en t a ti on s of Epon a On e Of th es e i s provi ded .

w i th a box pedes tal i n w hich Offeri n g s m i g ht be pla ced The .

Ma tr es are f requen tl y fi g ured u su al l y as th ree s ea t ed fi g ures ,

with ba s k et s of fruit or fl ow ers or with on e or m ore in fan ts , ,

l ik e t h e Madon n a I m ag es of tripl e h eaded g ods s uppos ed

.
-
,

t o be Cern u nn os h ave b een fou n d bu t are di ffi cu l t t o pl ace i n

, ,

a n y ca t eg ory
?

1
Mon ni er Th e i m ag e b ears p art of an i n s cri pt i on ,
, 36 2. LI T
and i t h as b een t h ou g h t t h a t t hi s read ILITHYI A ori g i n al l y Th e n am e i s .

i n k eepi n g w i t h t h e ri t es s t i l l i n u s e b efore t h e i m ag e Thi s wou l d m ak e i t .

d at e f rom Rom an t i m es . I f s o, i t i s a poor s peci m en o f t h e art of t h e p eri od .

Bu t i t m a y b e a n old n at i ve i m ag e t o wh i ch l at er t h e n am e of t h e Rom an
g od d es s w as g i v en.
2
Rod en , Pr og ress of the Ref or m ati on i n I r el a nd , 51 . The i mag e wa s s t il l
e xi i n 1 8 51 .
s t i ng
3
For fi g u res of m os t of t h es e, s ee Rev. Arch. v ol s . xvi . , vi i i , 1 vi . x . x x xxx
x
RC vi i . 4 5 , vi i i 2 5 4 , . x
309, . xx
i i . 1 5 9, xx
i v . 2 21 ; Bert ran d , p a ss i m ; xx
Courcell e S en eui l , Les Dieu sc Ga u l oi s d ap res l es Mon u ments Fi g u r es , Pa ri s , 1 91 0.
’
-

1 9
 2 90 TH E RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CEL T S
To t he i m ag es of t h e s econ d cl as s i s u s uall y a tta ch ed t he
Rom an n a m e of a g od, bu t g en eral ly t he na tive C el ti c n am e
i s added , bu t t he i m ag es th em s el ves are of t he t radi ti on al
Rom an ty pe Am on g s tat u es an d s t at uett es of bron z e tha t
.
,

of Mercury o ccu rs m os t Of t en This m ay poin t t o the fact .

tha t C aes ar s s i m u lacra of the n a ti ve Mercury w ere im ag es

’

_
,

a n d tha t t he ol d pref eren ce f or rep res en t i n g thi s g od conti n u ed

i n Rom an ti m es S m al l fi g ures of di vi ni tl es i n whit e cl ay

.

h ave b een fou n d i n l arg e n u m b ers an d m ay hav e b een ex votos ,

or i m a g es of h ou s eh old la ra r i a
?

S YMBOLS .

I m ages of t he g ods i n Gau l can be cla s s ifi ed by m ean s of .

their s ym b ol s — t he m all et an d cup (a s y m b ol of plen ty ) b orn e

by t he g od with t h e h a mm er t he wh eel of t he s un g od t he ,
-
,

corn u cop i a a n d t orq ue carr i ed by Cern unn os Oth er s y m b ol s .

occu r on i m a g es a l t ars m on u m en t s a n d coi n s

,
Th es e are t he
, , .

s wa s t i k a a n d t i s k l p b b y y b
l m l f t he s un ; s i n g le or
2
r e e r o a s o s o ,

con cen t ri c ci rcl es s om eti m es with ra y s cros s es ;an d a cu ri ou s

3
,

S fi g ure The tri s k el e an d th e ci rcl es are s om etim es f oun d on

.

f a ces fi g ured on coi n s They may th eref ore h av e b een t a tt oo

\
.

ma rkin g s of a s ym b ol i c ch aract er
-

The ci rcl e a nd cros s ar e .

of t en in ci s ed on b ron z e i m a g es o f Di s pa t er Much s p ecul a tion .

h a s b een a r ou s ed by t he 8 fig u re whi ch occurs on coin s wh i l e , ,

[

n i n e m odel s of thi s s y m b ol h a n g f rom a ri n g carri ed by t he

'

d w i th t h e wh eel bu t t he mds t p rob a b l e i s t h a t whi ch s ees

—
g o ,

i n i t a th u n der b ol t ?
Bu t la ckin g an y old t ex t in t erpreti ng
1
S ee Cou rcel l e S en eui l , op ci t Rei na ch , B F p as s i m , Ca ta lo g S omm a i re
’

-
. . ue

du Mu s ée d es Ant n a t 4
1 1 5- 1 1 6
. . .

2
Rei na ch , Ca ta l 29, 8 7 . Rev Ar ch. . xvi . 17 Bl an ch et , i . 1 6 9, 3 1 6 Huchet ,
g a u l oi s , i i 8 .
’
L a rt .

3
Bl anch et , i 1 5 8
. Rei n ach , B F 1 4 3, 1 5 0, 1 5 2.
4
Bl anch et , i . 1 7 ; Fl ou es t , D euw S tel es Pari s , 1 88 5 ; Rei nach ,
BF 3 3.
292 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS
by I ris h b ards a nd traditional rem ain s of s uch s ong s are
,

f ound i n B ritt an y ?
Th ey represen t t h e ch an t s of t he ancien t
cul t. O a th s w ere t ak en by w eapon s an d th e w eapon s w ere ,

b el i eved t o t u n ag i s t th os e w o l i ed The m a g ical p ow er

r a n h ?

of w ea p ons ,
es p eci all y o f th os e over whi ch i nca n t a t i on s h ad

b een s ai d i s frequ en tl y referred t o i n tra dition al t al es a n d

,

Iri s h t ex t s A rem in i s cen ce of t he cu l t or of the m a g ical

?

p ow er of w e a p on s m ay b e f ou n d i n t h e w on d erf u l
g l a i ves of
l i g ht Of C el ti c f ol k t al es a n d t h e s i m i lar m y s ti cal w eapon of
-
,

t h e Ar th u rian rom an ces .

1
RC xx . 7 Mart i n Etu d es
,
de l a Myth Cel t
. . 1 6 4.
2
ITi . 206 ; R C i x. 1 4 4 .
3
CM x iii. 1 68 f Mi s s Hul l , 44 , 221
.
, 223.
 C HAP TER X X .

TH E D RU D I S .

PLINY thou g ht tha t the n am e D rui d was a Greek appell a ti on

deri ved f rom t he D ru i di c cu l t of t he oak ( Bp g) ?
The word u ,

h ow ev er i s purel y C el tic an d i t s m ea nin g prob abl y i m pl ies

, ,

th a t l ike the s orcerer a n d m edi cin e m an everywhere t he

,
-
,

t wo part sr m reg ard ed by M

in t en s i ve a n d. D Arboi s
’
a s an ,

t o k ow o Hen ce t he D r u id wa s
“ ” ”
vi ds f rom vi d
, n ,
r s ee
2
,
.

t he v ery k n owin g or wi s e on e It i s poss ib l e h ow ever th a t

“ ”
.
, ,

dr u i s conn ect ed with t he root whi ch g i ves t he w ord oa “

i n C el ti c s p eech Ga u l i s h d er n o I ri s h d a i r W el s h d er w an d
—
, ,
—

tha t the oak occupyi ng a pla ce i n t he cu l t wa s thus b roug ht

, ,

i n t o rel a tion wi t h t he n am e of t he p ri es th ood The G au l i s h .

f orm of t he n am e w a s p rob a b l y d r u i s t he Ol d I ri s h wa s dr a i , .

The m odern f orm s i n I ri s h an d S cot s Ga el i c dr u i a n d dr a oi , ,

”
m ean s orcer er.

M D Arb oi s
.
’
o th ers
tin g C aes ar s di ctum tha t
an d , a ccep
’

t he s y s t em ( of D rui di s m ) i s th oug ht t o h a ve b een d evi s ed i n

Britain an d b roug ht th en ce i n t o Gaul m ai n tain th a t t he D ru ids
, ,
”

we who i m os ed th em sel ves o

u po g i del s a n d th a t D rui di s m e _
__

th en pas sed over in t o G aul ab ou t 200 n o Bu t it i s h ardly

?

1
Pli ny , H N xvi . 249.
B Arb oi s , Les Dr ui d es , 8 5 , f oll owi ng Thurn ey s en .
2 ’

3
B Arb oi s ,
’
0p . ci t
. 1 2 f. Del och e, Revue des Deux Mondes , xxxi v. 46 6 ;
Desj
ardi n s , Geog de l a . Ga ul e Roma i ne, i i 5 1 8 . .

2 93
2 94 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE LT S
l ik el y tha t even i f t he D ruids w ere a ccep t ed a s pri es t s by
,

con q u eri n g Gau l s i n Brit a i n th ey s h ou ld h ave a ffect ed th e

,

Ga ul s of Ga ul who w ere ou t s i de t he r eflex in flu en ce of the

con qu er ed G oi del s a n d s h ou l d h a ve th er e obt a i n ed th a t p ow er
,
.

whi ch they p os s es s ed G oi del s a nd Ga uls w ere all i ed by race

'

a n d l a n ua g e a n d rel i i on a n d it w ou l d b e s t ran e i f th ey di d
g g , g
n ot b oth p os s es s a s i m i l ar pri es th ood Moreover t he G oi del s . ,

h a d b een a con tin en ta l p eopl e an d D rui di s m w a s pres u m abl y

,

fl ou ris hing a m ong th em th en W hy di d it n ot i nfl u en ce .

kin dred C el ti c trib es with ou t Dru ids ex hyp othesi a t th a t , ,

ti m e ? Fur th er i f w e accept Prof es s orMey er s th eory tha t n o

,
’

G oidel s et foot i n B ri tai n u n til t he s econ d cen tu ry A D t he . .

,

Ga ul s cou l d n ot h ave recei ved the D ruidi c pries thood f rom the
Goidel s .

C aes ar m erel y s ay s , i t i s th oug ht (exi s ti m a tu r ) tha t

D ru idis m cam e t o Ga u l f rom B rit ai n It w as a pi ou s op in i on
” 1
. ,

p er h a p s h i s o w n or o,
n e b a s ed on t h e f act t h at t hose w h o

wi s h ed t o perfect th em sel ves i n D ru i di c art w en t t o B ritai n .

This m ay h ave b een b eca u s e B ritai n ha d b een l es s open t o

f oreig n i n fl uen ces th an G a u l an d i t s D r u i d s u n a ffect ed by
, ,

th es e were thou g ht t o be m ore p owerf ul tha n th os e of Ga ul

,
.

Pl in y on t he o th er ha n d s eem s t o thin k tha t D ru i di s m pas s ed

, ,

over i n t o B rita i n f rom G au l

2
.

Oth er w rit ers S i r J ohn Rhys Si r G L G omm e and M

—
,
. .
,
.

Reina ch s up port on di fferen t g roun ds t he theory tha t the

—
'

D ru i ds w ere a pre C el ti c pri es th ood a ccep t ed by t he C el tic

- .

con q u er ors S i r J ohn Rh ys thin k s th a t t he D ru i di s m of t he

.

a b o ri g i n es of Ga u l a n d B ri ta i n m a de t erms with t h e C el tic

con qu erors It wa s a ccep ted by t he G oi del s bu t n ot by t he

. ,

B ryth on s Hence i n B ri tain there w ere B ryth on s withou t

.

Drui ds ab orig i nes u n der t he s way of D rui dis m an d Goi dels

, ,

who com bin ed A ryan p ol yth ei s m with D ru i di s m D ru idis m . .

1
C vi 1 3
aes ar, . . Pli y HN xxx 1 2
n ,
. .
2 96 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L TS
with tha t of n on Aryan pers ons i n In dia wh o render occas ional
-

p r i es t l y s er vi ces t o Hi n d u v i l l a g e co m m u n iti es
?
W h eth er

this com paris on of occas i onal Hin du cus t om with C el tic u s ag e

t wo th ou s an d y ears ag o i s j us t m ay be qu es ti on ed ,
As a lrea dy .

s een it was n o m ere occa s i on a l s ervi ce whi ch the Df Il i ds

'

.
, ,
, ,

ren dered Cel ts an d it i s thi s which m akes it diffi cu l t t o

,

credi t thi s t heor y H a d t he C el ti c h ou s e fa th er b een pri es t

.
-

a n d judg e i n hi s o n cl an wou ld he s o rea dil y h ave s ur

,

r en dered hi s ri ht s t o a f or ei n an d con q u ered ri es th ood ?

g g p
On t he oth er h an d ki n g s an d chi ef s a m ong t he C el t s prob a b l y
,

ret a i n ed s om e
p r i es t l y f u n cti on s d e r i v ed f r om ,
t h e t i m e wh en

t he offi ces of t he pri es t kin g had n ot b een di fferen ti a t ed

-
.

Caes a r s evi den ce certa inl y does n ot s upport t he i dea th a t it

’ “

i s on l y a m on g t h e r u des t of t he s o cal l ed C el ti c t rib es th a t we -

fin d thi s s u p er i mpos i n g oi an apparen tl y offi ci al pri es th ood

”
. .

Accordin g to hi m t he p ow er of t he D ru ids was u n ivers al i n

,

Gaul a n d ha d th ei r p os i ti on reall y corres pon ded t o tha t of the

,

p ari a h pr ies ts of I n di a occa s i ona l pri es t s of Hindu vill ag es

, ,

t he det erm in ed h os til ity of t he Rom an p ow er t o th em b ecau se

'

th ey wiel ded s uch an enorm ou s influen ce over C el ti c thoug ht

a n d l i f e i s i nex l a i n a b l e I f f u rth er Aryan Sen tim en t w a s
, p .
, ,

s o op p os ed t o D ru i di c cu s t om s why di d Ar y an C el t s s o rea dil y

,

accep t t h e D ru i ds ? I n thi s ca s e t he r ece1 ver i s a s ba d a s t he

thi ef Si r G L G om m e cli ng s t o t he b el ief th a t t he Aryan s

. . .
‘

w ere peopl e of a com parati vel y hig h ci vili s a tion wh o ha d ,

d i s carded i f th ey ever poss es s ed a s avag e pas t

”
, ,
Bu t ol d “
.

b el iefs an d cu s t om s s till s urvive throu g h g rowin g civil is ati on ,

a n d i f t he vi ew s of P rof es s or S er i a n d oth ers are corr ect t he

g ,

Arya n s w ere even l ess ci vi l is ed tha n t he peopl es whom they

con q uered Shape s hif ting m ag i c hum a n s a crifi ce pri es tl y
? -
, , ,

d om inati on w ere a s m uch A rya n a s n on Ary an a nd i f t he

,
-
,

1
n
Gom m e, E th ol in Folk l ore, 5 8 , Vi l lag e Commu ni ty, 1 04
.
-
.

2
S erg i , The Med i terran ea n Race, 2 95 .
 THE DRUIDS 2 97

C el t s had a com para tivel y p ure rel ig i on why did th ey s o s oon ,

a ll ow it t o b e defil ed by t he
pueril e s upers titi on s of t he
D ru ids ?
M Rein ach a s w e ha ve s een think s th a t the C el t s had n o
.
, ,

im ag es b ecau s e th es e were prohibit ed by th eir pri es t s Thi s

, .

proh i bi ti on w as pre C el ti c i n Gaul s in ce th ere are n o N eol ithi c

-
,

im ag es thoug h th ere are g reat m eg al ithi c s truct ures s ugg es t

, ,

i ng t he ex i s t en ce of a g r ea t rel i g ious ari s t ocracy Thi s .

a ri s t ocracy i m os ed it s el f on t h e C el t s ?
p W e h a ve s een th a t

th ere i s n o rea s on f or b el i eving tha t the C el t s had n o im ag es ,

h ence thi s a rg um en t i s val u el ess M Reina ch th en arg ues . .

th a t t he C el t s a ccep t ed D ru idi s m en bloc a s t he Rom an s ,

a ccep t ed O r i en t a l cu l t s a n d t h e G reek s t h e n a ti v e P el a s i c
g
cul t s. Bu t n eith er Rom an s n or Greek s a b an don ed th eir own
f ai th. W ere t he C el t s a peopl e with ou t pri es ts an d with ou t
rel i g i on ? W e k n ow th a t th ey m us t h a ve acce t ed m an y l oca l
p
cul t s bu t th a t th ey a d o t ed t h e wh ol e a b ori i n al f a ith a n d i t s
, p g
pri es t s en bloc i s n ot credi b l e M Rei na ch al s o h olds th a t
. .

wh en the C el t s app ear i n hi s t ory D rui dis m w as i n i t s decl in e ;

t he C el t or a t l eas t t he m i l it ary ca s t e am ong t he C el ts wa s
, ,

rea s s ert i n g it s elf Bu t t he D rui ds d o n ot app ear a s a decli n

.

i ng b ody i n t he pa g es of C aes ar a n d th eir pow er wa s s ti ll

,

s up rem e t o j u dg e by t h e h os t i l ity of t he Rom an G ov ernm en t

,

t o th em I f t he m i l itary ca s t e reb ell ed ag ai n s t th em th i s

.
,

does n ot prove th at th ey w ere a f orei g n b ody S u ch a s trife

.

i s s een wh erever pri es t an d s oldi er f orm s epara t e ca s t es ea ch ,

des i ri ng t o rul e a s i n Eg y p t
, .

Oth er w rit ers arg u e th at we do n ot fin d D rui ds ex i s ting i n

t he D an u b e r eg i on i n Ci s al pi n e t errit ory n or i n Tran s
, ,

al pi n e G au l ,ou t s i d e t h e l i m i t s of t he reg i on o ccu p i ed by t h e

Cel t ae
” 2
. Thi s coul d onl y ha ve w eig ht i f a n y of t he cl as s i cal
1
Rei n ach , L Art pl as t i qu e en Gaul e et l s Drui d i s m e,
’ ”
x
RC i i i . 1 8 9 .

Hol m es ,
'
2
Caes ar s Conques t qf Ga u l , 1 5 Dot t i n, 27 0.
 298 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
w riters ha d com pos ed a f orm al trea tis e on t he D ru i ds s howing ,

ex a ct l y t he reg i on s Wh ere th ey ex is t ed They m erel y d es crib e .

D ru idis m as a g en eral C el ti c in s titu ti on or as th ey k n ew it i n ,

G aul or Brita in a n d f ew of them h ave an y p ers on al kn ow l edg e

,

of it .Th ere i s n o reas on t o b el ieve tha t Dru i ds di d n ot ex is t

wh erever th ere were C el t s The D ru i ds an d S emn otheoi of .

t he C el t s an d G al a t ae r ef erred t o c 200 w ere apparen tl y .

pri es t s of o th er C el t s th an th os e of Gau l a n d C el ti c g ro up s of ,

Cis alp in e Ga ul ha d p ri es ts th ou g h th es e a re n ot f orm all y ,

s tyl ed D ru i d s ? The a rg u m en t eac s i len ti o i s her e of li ttl e val ue ,

s in ce t h e ref eren ces t o t h e Dr u i ds a r e SO b ri ef a n d it t el ls ,

eq u al ly ag a i n s t th ei r n on C el ti c ori g i n, S i n ce w e d o n ot h ea r of
-

D ds i n Aqu itan ia a n on Cel tic reg i on

r ui ,
? -

Th e th eory of th e n on C el t i c ori g i n o f t he D ru ids as s um es

-

th a t t he C el t s ha d n o pri es t s or tha t th es e w ere effa ced b y ,

t he D ru i ds Th e C el t s ha d pri es t s cal l ed g u tu a tri a tta ch ed t o

.
~

cer t ai n t em pl es th ei r n am e
p erh aps m ean in g t he s pea k er s
“ ”
, ,

th o s e w h o S p ok e t o t e g ods
h ?
The f un cti on s of t he D ru i ds
w ere m u ch m ore g en eral a ccording t o thi s theory h en ce M , , .

D Arb oi s s u pp os es th a t b ef ore th ei r i n t rus i on t he C el t s had

’

, ,

no oth er pri es ts th an t he g u tu a tri ? Bu t t he proba b i lit y i s

th a t they w ere a D rui d ic cl as s m i n i s ters of l ocal s an ct uari es , ,

a n d r el a t ed t o t h e D ru i ds a s t he L evit es w ere t o t he pr ies t s of

I s rael s in ce the D ru i ds w ere a comp os ite pri es th ood with a

,

vari ety of f un ction s I f t h e p ri es t s a n d serva n t s o f Bel en os

. ,

des crib ed by Au s on i u s an d cal l ed by hi m oedi tu u s Belen i w ere ,

g u tu a tr i th en t he l a tt er m u s t h a v e b een conn ect ed with t he

,

1
Di og Laert i
. Li vy. . i i i 24
1 xx . .

Desj p ci t I i 5 1 9 ; b u t of Hol m es , 5 35
2
ard i n s , o . . . . .

( Hol d er, i 204 6 b u t s ee Lot h,

3 ”
Gu tu a tros i s p erh aps f rom g u tu voi ce .

RC xx
vi i i . x
Th e e i s t en ce o f t he g u tu a tr i i s k n own f rom a few i n scri pt i on s
(s ee Hold er ) ,
and from Hi rt i u s , d e B el l . Ga l l . vi i i . 38 , wh o m ent i ons a

g u t ua tros pu t t o d ea t h b y Caes a r.
4
B Arboi s , L es Dru i des , 2 f., Les Cel tes , 3 2.
’
 30 0 THE RE LIGION OF T H E ANCIEN T CE L TS .

i ng t o Cicero an d Ta citu s Fi nally Lu can m en tions onl y ?

,

D ru i ds an d b ards Divi n ers w ere th u s probabl y a D rui di c

?

s ub cla s s s t an di n g m i d wa y b etw een t he D ru i d s p rop er a n d t he

-
,

bards a nd p artaking of s om e Of t he fun ctions of b oth Pl in y

, .

s p ea k s of D i s d this ace o p op h et s an d doct o s a n d

“ ”
ru d a n r f r r
3
,

th i s s u gg es ts th a t s om e w ere pries ts s om e di vin ers whil e , .

,

s om e pra cti s ed an em p i ric m edi ca l s ci en ce .

On t he wh ol e thi s ag rees with wh at i s m et with i n

Irelan d wh ere t he D ru ids th oug h app earing i n t he text s
, ,

m a inl y a s m ag i ci an s w ere a l s o pries t s an d t each ers ,

Si de by .

s i de with th em w er e t he Fi li d l earn ed p oet s com p os in

“ 4 ”
g , ,

a ccord i n
g to s tri ct ru l es of ar t a n d hig h er than t he third C l as s , ,

t he B ards The Fi li d who m ay al s o h ave b een k n ow n a s

.
,

h t w r e a l s o di v i n ers accordi n t i ct rul es

”
Fathi r
p p
,
o e s
5
e , g t o s r

of au g ury whi l e s om e of t h es e a u u ri es i m pl i ed a s a crifi ce

, g
The D ru i ds w ere al s o div i n ers an d p rop h ets W h en t he .

Dru ids w ere overthrown a t the com i ng of Ch ri s tia nity t he ,

Fi li d rem a in ed as a l earn ed cl a s s p rob abl y b ecaus e th ey ha d ,

a b a n don ed al l p a g an practi ces whil e t he B ards w ere redu ced

’

t o a com para ti vel y low s ta t u s M D Arboi s s upposes th a t . .

’

there w as ri valry b etw een t he D ru ids an d the Fi li d who m ade ,

com m on ca u s e with t h e Chri s ti a n m i s s i o na ri es b u t thi s i s n ot ,

s u pp or t ed by e v i den ce The th ree cl a s ses i n Ga ul D ru i ds .

—
,

Va tes a n d B a r ds th u s corres p on d t o t he th ree cl a s s es i n

'

—
,

I reland Druids t hi or Fi li d a n d Bards

—
,
?
,

1
Ci cero, d c Di v 1 4 1 . . . 90 Tac Hi s t i v 5 4
. . . .

2
Pha rs i 4 49 f . . .
3
EN xxx . i.
4 “
Fi li d , S i ng Fi l e, i s f rom
. vel o, I s ee ( S tok es , US
3
Fathi i s cog n a t e wi t h Va tes .
3
In Wal es t h ere h ad b een Drui d s as t h ere w ere Bards , bu t al l t ra ce of t he
s econd cl as s i s l os t . Lon gt he Drui ds h ad p ass ed away , t h e fi ct i on of t he
a f t er

d er wy dd -
va r dd or Drui d bard was creat ed, an d t he l at er b ard s were h eld t o b e
-

d epos i t ori es Drui di c t h eos oph y, whi l e t h ey pra ct i s ed t h e ol d

of a s u ppos i t i t i o us

ri t es i n s ecret . The l a t e w ord d er wyd d w a s

prob abl y i n ven t ed from d erw, oak,
‘

by s om e on e wh o k n ew Pl i ny s deri vat i on . S ee B Arboi s , Les Dru id es , 8 1

’ ’
.
 THE D RUIDS 3o I

We m ay th us tha t t he D rui ds w ere a purel y

con cl u de

C el ti c pries th ood b el ong in g b oth t o the G oidel ic an d Gauli s h

,

b ran ch es of t he C el ts Th e idea tha t they w ere n ot C el tic i s

.

s om eti m es conn ect ed with t he s u pp os iti on th a t D ru i di s m w as

s om eth i n g s u p era d d ed t o C el ti c rel i g i on f rom with ou t or th a t ,

C el tic p ol yth ei s m w a s n ot p art of the creed of t he D ru i ds bu t ,

s a n cti on ed by th em whil e th ey h a d a d efi nite th eol og i ca l

,

s y s t em with on l y a f ew g ods Th es e are the i deas of w rit ers

1
. .

w ho s ee i n t he D ru i ds an occul t an d es ot eri c p ri es th ood The .

D ru ids ha d g row n u p p a wl p a ss u w i th t he g rowth of th e na tive

rel i g i on an d m ag i c W h ere th ey ha d b ecom e m ore civil i s ed
.
,

a s i n t h e s ou th of G au l th ey m ay h a ve g i ven u p m an y m a i cal
, g
practi ces bu t as a cl as s th ey w ere a ddi ct ed t o m ag i c a n d m u s t
, ,

h ave t ak en part i n l ocal cul t s a s well as i n th os e of t he g rea ter

g o d s . Th a t th ey w ere a p hi l os ophi c p ri es th ood a dvoca ti n
g
a p u r e r el i g i on a m on g p ol yth e i s t s i s a b as el es s th eory .

D rui dis m was n ot a f orm al s y s tem out s i de C el tic r eli g i on .

It covered the wh ol e g roun d of C el ti c relig ion ; i n oth er words ,

it wa s th at rel ig i on it s elf .

The D ru i ds a re fi rs t referred t o by ps eu do Ari s t otle an d -

S ot i on i n t he s econ d cen t u ry B C t he ref eren ce b eing pres erved

. .
,

by Di og en es Laerti us : Th ere a re am ong t he Gel tse an d“

Gal at ae th os e ca ll ed D i
ru d s a n d S em n o t h e oi 2
The t w o w ords
.
”

m ay be s y n on ym ou s or th ey m a y des crib e t w o cl as s es of
,

p r i es t s ,
or a g a i n t h e D ru i ds m a y h av e b een C el ti c a n d t h e
, , ,

S em n ot heoi Gal a ti c Gal a tian ) pries t s C aes ar s a ccoun t ’

.

com es n ex t i n ti m e La t er w rit ers g i ves t he D rui ds a l of ty

.

l a ce a n d s p eak v a g u el y o f t he D ru i di c p hil os op hy an d s ci en ce
p .

Caes ar al s o refers t o th eir s ci en ce bu t b oth he and St rab o ,

For t h es e vi ews s ee Dot t i n , 295 Holm es , 1 7 Bert rand , 1 92—1 93, 26 8 —26 9.
1 ’

2
Di og La ert . i proem . 1 . For ot h er references s ee Caes ar, vi 1 3, 1 4 ;
. . .

S t ra b o, i v. 4 4 ; Amm Marc. xv. 9 ; B i od . Si c. v . 28 ; Lu can , i 4 6 0 Mel a,

. . .

i ii 2.
.
30 2 THE RELI GI ON OF THE ANCIENT CEL TS
s pea k of th ei r h u man s acrifices S u et on iu s des crib es th eir .

rel i i on a s cruel a n d s ava e a nd Mel a w h o s p eak s of th ei r

g g , ,

l earni ng r eg ards th ei r h u m a n s a crifi ces as s avag ery

,
1
Pl i n y .

s a y s n othi ng of t he D ru id s a s p h i l os oph er s b u t hin t s a t t h ei r ,

p ri es tl y f un cti on s a n d con n ect s th em with m ag i co medi cal

-
,

rit es Th es e diverg en t opi n i on s are di fficul t t o a ccoun t f or

2
. .

Bu t a s t he R o m ans g a in ed cl os er a cqua i n t an ce w i th t he D ru i d s ,

th ey f oun d less phi los op hy an d m ore s upers ti tion amon g th em .

For th eir cru el rit es an d h os ti li ty t o R om e th ey s oug ht t o ,

s u ppr ess th em b u t thi s th e n ever w ou l d h av e d on e ha d t he

y
-
,

D ru i ds b een es ot eri c phi l os op h ers It ha s b een th oug ht that .

Pl i n y s phras e D ru ids a n d tha t ra ce o f proph ets an d doct ors

’

, ,
”

s ig n ifi es th a t th roug h Rom an pers ecuti on t he D rui ds w ere

, ,

red u ced t o a kin d of m ed i ci n e m en 3 Bu t t he p h ra s e rath er

‘

-
.

d es crib es t h e vari ed f un cti on s of t he D ru i ds a s has b een s een , ,

n or d oes it ref er t o t he s t a t e t o whi ch t he repres s i ve edi ct

reduced th em but t o th a t i n whi ch it f oun d th em P l in y s ’

.
,
‘

i nf orm at i on w a s a ls o l im i t ed .

The vag u e i d ea th a t t he D rui ds w ere phi l os op h ers wa s

r ep ea t ed arro t l ik e by w r it er a f t er w r it er w h o r e a rd e d
p g
-
,

b arbari c ra ces a s Rou s s eau a n d hi s s ch ool l ook ed u pon t he

n ob l e s avag e Roman writ ers s cep tical of a f u ture l i fe w ere
”
. , ,

fa s ci n a t ed by t he i dea of a b ar bari c p ries th ood t eaching t he

d oct ri ne of i m m or t ali ty i n t h e wi l ds of Ga u l For thi s t each .

n t h e oe t L u can s an th i a i s es T h e D ru i ds rob a b l y
i g p g e r p r .
p
fi rs t im pres s ed Greek a n d Latin obs ervers by their m ag i c th eir ,

or a ni s at i on an d t he f a ct th a t l i k e m a n y b arb ar i c p ri es th oods
g , , ,

bu t u n l ik e th os e of Greece an d Rom e th ey t au g ht cert ai n ,

doctri nes Thei r k nowl edg e was di vi n el y con vey ed t o th em

.

th ey s p eak t he l ang uag e of th e g ods 4

hen ce i t wa s eas y t o
read a n ythi n
g i n t o thi s t ea c hi n g Th u s t h e D r
. u i d i c l eg d
en

1
S u et Ola/Md 2 5 ; Mel a , i i i . 2
. .
2
Pl i n y , xxx . 1.
3
D Arboi s , Les Dru i d es , 7 7 . 4
’
Bi od S i c.. v. 31 . 4.
30 4 T HE RE LIGIO N OF THE ANCIENT CE LTS
th os e w ho w rot e m os t f ul ly of t he D r ui ds k n ew no thing of
thi s .

The D rui ds l i k e t h e pri es ts of all rel ig ion s dou btles s

,
.
,

s o ug ht a f t er s u ch k n ow l edg e a s w a s o p en t o th em bu t thi s ,

d o es n ot i m pl y th a t th ey p os s ess ed a recon dite p hi l os op hy or a

s ecr et th eol og y Th ey w ere g overn ed by th e i dea s cu rr en t
.

a m on g all b ar b ari c com m u n iti es a n d th ey w ere a t on ce ri es ts

, p ,

m ag i ci an s do ct ors an d t each er s
, , Th ey w oul d n ot all ow th eir
.

s a cr ed hy m n s t o b e w ritt en d o w n bu t tau ht th em i n s ecret 1

g , ,

as i s u sual wh erev er t he s u cces s of hy m n or pra y er dep en ds

u p on t he ri g ht u s e of th e w ord s a n d t he s ecrecy ob s erved i n

i m p arti n g th e m t o o t hers Th ei r ritual a s f ar a s i s k n ow n t o

.
,

u s d i ffers bu t l itt l e f rom th a t o f o th er b arb ari a n f ol k a n d i t

, ,

i n cl uded h u m an s acrifi ce an d di vi n ati o n w i th t he v ictim s

’

b od y Th ey ex cl u ded the g ui l ty f rom a s h are i n t he cul t— t he

.

u s u al p u n i s h m en t m et ed ou t t o t h e t a bu b reak er i n al l
,
-

ri m iti ve s oci eti es

p .

The i dea th a t t he D rui ds t a ug ht a s ecret doct rin e

m on oth ei s m p an th ei s m or t he l ik e i s u n s u pp or t ed by
, ,
—

ev id en ce . D ou bt les s they comm un ica ted s ecrets t o t he

in itia ted, a s i s don e i n b arb ari c m ys t eries everywhe re but
thes e s ecret s con s is t of m ag i c a n d m
,

ythic f orm ulae the exhi bi ,

ti on of S a cra a n d s om e t eachin g a b ou t t he g ods or a b ou t

“

m oral du ti es Th es e are k ept s ecret not b ecau s e they are

.
,

a b s t ra ct d o ct ri n es b u t b ec a us e th ey w ou ld l os e th ei r v al u
, e an d

b ecau s e th e g ods w oul d be an g ry i f th ey w ere made t oo com m on

'

I f t he D ru i ds t au g ht reli g iou s an d m oral m a tt ers s ecretl y th es e ,

w ere prob abl y n o m ore than a n ex t en s i on of t he threefol d

m ax i m i n cul ca t ed by th em a ccordin g t o D i og en es Laert i us :
w
To o s p r h i t h e g od s t o d o n o e v,
i l a n d t o ex i
e c se courag e
r ,
2 ”
.

1
Caes ar, vi 1 4 . .

2
Di og Laert 6
. Cel t i c en t hus i a s t s s ee i n t hi s tri pl e m ax1 m
. . s omet hi ng

ak i n t o t he Wel s h t ri a ds , w hi ch t h ey cl a i m t o be Drui di c
 THE DRUIDS 30 5

To thi s w oul d be a dded cos m og on ic m yth s an d s pecula ti ons ,

an d m ag i c an d rel i g i ou s f orm u l ae Th is wi ll b ecom e m ore

.

evi den t a s w e ex am i n e t he p os it i on a nd p o w er of t he D r ui ds .

I n G aul an d t o s om e ex t en t i n I rel an d t he D rui ds f orm ed

, ,

a pri es t l y corp ora ti on a f act whi ch h el ped cl a s s i cal ob s ervers

—

t o s u ppos e th a t th ey l ived t og eth er l ik e t he Pyth ag or ean

comm u n iti es W hi le t he words of Amm ianu s soda li ei i s
.
—

a ds tr i eti con s or ti i s m ay i m pl y n o m ore t han s om e kin d of

—

p ri es t l y or an i s a ti on
g M B er t ran d f ou n ds on th em a th eory
,
.

tha t t he D ru i ds w ere a k i n d of m onk s l iv ing a comm un ity

l i f e an d th a t I ri s h m ona s ti ci s m was a t ran s for m ati on of
,

thi s s ys t em This i s pu rel y i m ag i n a tive I ri s h D rui ds ha d

1
. .

wi ves an d chil dren an d t he D rui d Di vi ci a cu s wa s a f am i ly

,

m an whil e C aes ar s a y s n ot a w ord of co mm unity l i f e a m ong

,

t h e D ru i ds The h os til ity of Ch ri s ti an ity t o t he D ru i ds

.

w ould h ave preven t ed a ny copyi ng of th eir s y s t em an d ,

I ri s h m ona s ti cis m wa s m odelled on th a t of the C on ti nen t .

Druidic org ani s a tion p rob abl y den ot ed n o m ore tha n th at

t he D r ui ds w er e b oun d by certai n ti es th a t th ey w ere ,

ra d ed i n d i fferen t ra n k s or accordi n g t o th ei r f un cti on s

g ,

an d th a t th ey practi sed a s eri es of com m on cul t s I n Ga ul .

on e chi ef D ru i d ha d au th ority over t he o th ers t he p os iti on ,

b ei ng a n el ective on e Th e i nsul ar D ru i ds m ay have b een

? ~

s im i l arl y org a ni s ed s i n ce we h ear of a chi ef D ru i d p r i mu s

, ,

m ag us whil e t he Fi li d ha d an Ai d fi le or ch i ef el ect ed t o
,
-
, ,

hi s office 3
The pri es th ood wa s n ot a cas t e bu t wa s open
.
,

t o th os e who s h ow ed ap tit u de f or it Th ere wa s a l on g .

n oviti a t e ex t en di n g even to tw en ty y ears j u s t a s i n I r el a n d

, , , ,

t he n oviti a t e of t he Fi le l as t ed f rom s even t o tw e e y ea s

l v r
4
.

1 2
Bert ran d , 2 8 0 . Caes ar, vi . 1 3 .

3
Tri p Lif e, i i 325 , i 5 2, i i . 4 02 ; I T i 3 7 3 ; R C
. . . . vi xx . 33 . The t i t l e ri g
“ ”
fil e , k i ng p oet , s om et i m es occurs .

Caes ar, vi . 1 4.
20
30 6 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIENT CE L T S
The D rui ds of Ga ul as s em bl ed an nuall y i n a cen tral s pot ,

a n d th ere s e ttl ed d i s pu t es b ecau se they w ere reg arded a s

,

t he m os t j us t of m en 1
I n divi du al D ruids al s o decided
.

di s pu t es or s at as j u dg es i n cas es of mu rd er How f ar it .

was obl i g a t ory t o b ri n g cau s es b ef ore them i s u nk n ow n bu t ,

thos e who di d n ot s u b m it t o a decis ion w ere i n t erdicted f rom t

t he s acrifi ces an d a ll s h u nn ed th em
,
I n oth er w ords th ey .
,

w ere tab u ed A m ag i co rel ig i ou s s an cti on th u s enforced

.
-

t he j udg m en t s of t he D ru i ds I n Gal a tia t h e tw el v e t et rarchs

.

ha d a coun ci l of th ree h un dred m en an d m et i n a pl ace ,

call ed Drun emet on t o t ry ca s es of m urd er

?
W h eth er it i s
p hi l ol og i ca l l y p er m i s s ib l e t o c on n e ct D
r ai with t h e corre

s p on di n g s y l l a b l e i n Drui d or n ot the l ik eness t o t he

“ ”
,

Ga ul i s h as sem bl y a t a con s ecra t ed place perha ps a g rove ,

”

( n em eton) i b i W d t k w th t I i h D i d
‘

s, o v o u s e o n o
. n o a r s r u s

w ere j u dg es bu t t he Fi li ol ex erci s ed j u dg m en t s an d this

, ,

m ay be a rel i c of th eir conn ecti on with t he D ru ids 3

.

Di odor us d es crib es t he D ru ids ex hor ting com ba t an ts t o

pe ace ,
a n d t a m i n g th e m l i k e wi ld b e a s t s by h
en c a n m en t t ?

This s u g g es ts in t erf eren ce t o p reven t the devas ta ting power

of t he b l oo d f eu d or of t rib al w ars
-
Th ey als o a ppear t o .

h ave ex ercis ed a u th ority i n the el ecti on of rulers Con .

v i ct oli t an i s w a s el ect ed t o t he m a g i s t racy by t h e

pri es ts i n
Gaul acco i g
,
“
r d n t o t h e cu s t om o f t h e Stat e 5
I n I rel an d
”
.
,

a f t er p a r t a ki n g o f t h e fl es h o f a whit e b u l l p r o b a b l y a ,

s a crifi ci a l a n i m a l a m a n l ay do w ,
n t o s l ee
p wh i l e f ou r D r u i d s,

ch a n t ed over hi m t o ren der hi s wit n es s t ru th f ul He

“
.

then s a w i n a vi s i on th e p ers on who s houl d be el ect ed king ,

a n d wh a t h e w a s d oi n g a t t he m om en t Pos s ibl y t he
6
. .

1 2
Caes ar, vi 1 3 S t rab o, i v 4 . 4 .
. S t rabo, xii 5 2
. . . .

3
Th ei r ju di ci al p ow ers w er e t ak en from t hem becau s e t h ei r s eech h ad
p
b ecome ob s cu re Perh a ps t h ey gave t h ei r j
. u dg m ent s i n ar chai c l ang uag e.
5
4
Di od S i c.
. v. 31 . 5. Caes ar, vi i . 33.
6
I T i . 21 3 ; B Arboi s ,
’
v. 1 86.
 30 8 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
h as b een s een it i s eas y t o ex ag g era te all this Their
, .

a s t ron om y wa s rob b l y of h u m b l e ki n d an d m i n l ed with

p a a g
a s t rol o y ; th ei r n a t u ral p hi l o s ophy a m a ss of cos m og oni c
g
m yth s a n d s p ecul a ti on s ; th ei r th eol og y wa s ra th er m yth olog y ;
th ei r m ora l p hil os ophy a s eri es of m a x i m s s u ch a s a re f ou n d
i n all b arb ar i c comm u n iti es Th eir m edical l ore t o j u dg e
.

f rom wh a t P l in y s a y s was l arg el y m ag i cal ,

S om e D ruids .
,

eg . .i n t he s ou th of Ga ul m ay h ave ha d a cces s t o cl as s i cal

,

l earni n g a n d C aes ar s peak s of th e u s e of G reek charact ers

,

a m on g th em Thi s coul d hardl y h a ve b een g en eral an d i n

.
,

a n y cas e m u s t h a ve s u p ers eded t h e u s e of a n a tive s cri t

“

.
p ,

t o whi ch t he u s e of og am s i n I relan d an d per haps a l s o i n ,

Gaul wa s s u ppl em en tary The I ri s h D rui ds m ay have ha d

,
.

written b ook s for King Loegai re des ired th a t S Pa tri ck s

"

, .

b ook s an d th os e of t he Drui ds s h ou ld be s u b m itted t o the

orde a l by w a t er a s a t e s t o f th ei r o w n e s c
r l a i m s
? ’

/ In rel i i ous affairs t h e D ru i ds w ere s u rem e s i n ce th ey

g p ,

a l on e k n ew t he g ods a n d div in ities of h eaven

“ 2
They ”
.

s u p eri n t en d ed a n d a rra ng ed a ll ri t es a n d a tt en d ed t o p u bl i c
priva te s a crifi ces a n d n o s a crifi ce wa s com pl ete with ou t
”
and ,

l t he in t erven ti on of a D ru i d 3 The dark a n d cruel rit es of

a
”
.

t h e D ru i ds s t ru ck t he R om a n s wi th h orror an d th ey f orm ,

a cu ri ou s con t ra s t t o th ei r al l eg ed ph i l os ophy Th ey u s ed
“ ”
.

d ivin ation an d ha d reg ul ar f orm ul ae of in can t ati on as wel l ,

a s rit u al a ct s by whi ch th ey l ook ed i n t o t he f u t ure B efore

4
.

a ll m a tt ers of i m por tan ce es p eci al ly b ef ore w arl ik e ex p ed iti on s

, ,

th ei r a dvi ce wa s s oug ht b ecau se th ey cou ld s can the

f ut ure .
.

N am e g ivi ng an d a species of b ap ti s m w ere perform ed by

-

t he D rui ds or on th ei r i n itiativ e Man y ex am ples of this .

2
1
Trip . Lif e, 28 4 . Lu ca n , i 4 5 1
. .

3
B i od . v. 3 1 . 4 ; of . Caes ar, vi . 1 3, 1 6 S t ra bo, i v 4 5
. . .

1
S ee p . 24 8 , s up ra .
‘
 T HE DRUIDS 30 9

occur inIris h t ex t s thu s of C on all Cerna ch it i s s ai d D rui ds

, ,

ca m e t o b a p t i z e t h e chi l d i n t o h ea th en i s m a n d th ey s a n
g ,

t he h ea th en b ap ti s m ( ba i i hi s g ei n tli elhe) over t he li tt l e chi l d ,

a n d o f A i lil l th a t h e w a s
“
b a p t i z ed i n D r u i di t
c s r eam s 1
.
”

I n W el s h s tor y w e rea d th a t Gwri w a s b apti z ed with t he “

bap ti s m whi ch was u s u al a t tha t t i m e Simi lar i ll us t ra ti on s .

” 2

are co m m o n at n a m e gi v i n g a m o n
g
-
m a n y a ces a nd i t i s
r
3
,

p ro b a b l e th a t t h e cus t om i n t h e H eb ri d es of t h e m i dw i f e

d ropp in g th ree d rops of w a t er on t he ch i ld i n Nom i ne a n d

a t em p orary na m e i s a s u rvi val o f th i s
g i v i n g i t , p ractice .

The r eg ul ar b a pti s m t ak es pl ace l a t er bu t th i s prel i mi nary ,

ri t e k ee s o ff f a i ri es a n d en s u res b uri a l i n con s ecra t ed rou n d

p g ,

j u s t a s the pag an ri t e wa s prot ecti v e an d a dmitt ed t o t he

t b p i v eg e
r i a l r i l s
4
.

I n t he b u ri al rit es wh i ch i n Irel a n d cons i s t ed of a l a m en t

, ,

s acr ifi ces a n d ra i s i ng a s t on e i n s cri b ed with og a m s ov er t he

,

ra v e D ru i ds t ook pa r t Th e D ru i d D er da m s a
g p ronou n ced
g ,
.

a di s cou rs e over t he O s s ia n i c h ero Ma g nei d b u ri ed hi m -

,

wi th hi s a rm s a n d chan t ed a run e The og am i ns cri p ti on

,
.

w ou ld al s o be of D rui di c com pos iti on a n d a s n o s a crifi ce ,

wa s com pl et e w i th ou t t he i n t erven ti on of D rui ds th ey m u s t ,

a l s o h av e a s s i s t ed a t t he l a vi s h s a cri fices wh i ch o ccu rred a t

Cel ti c f u neral s .

Pliny s w ords the D ru i ds an d th a t race of proph ets and

’
,

doct ors s u gg es t th a t t he m ed i cal art m a y h ave b een i n t he

”
,

ha n ds of a s pecial cl a s s of D ru i ds th oug h a ll m a y h av e ha d a
s m a tt eri n g of i t It was m ai n l y con cern ed w i th t he u s e of
.

h erb s an d wa s m i x ed u p w i th m ag ical ri t es whi ch m ay h ave

, ,

1
Mi s s Hull 4 , 23, 1 4 1 ; I T i i i 392, 4 23 ; S t ok es , F eli r e,
’

EU xi v. 29 ,
.

I n t ro 2 3
. .

2
Lot h , i . 5 6 .
“
i n Has t i n g s E ncy cl op oedi a f Rel i g i on a/ nd
’
3
S ee m y a rt . Bapt i s m ( Et hn i c) o

E thi cs , i i 36 7 f
. .

1
Carm i ch a el , Ca r m Gad el i 1 1 5
‘
. . . .
31 0 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
b een reg arded a s of m ore i mp ortan ce th an t he act ual m edi ci n es
u s ed
?
In I reland Dru ids al s o practis ed the h ealing ar t Thus .

wh en Cuchul a i nn wa s i ll Em er s aid I f it had b een Ferg us

, , ,

Cuchulainn w oul d have tak en n o res t til l he had f oun d a

D rui d a ble t o di s cover the ca s e o th t i n es
u f a l l s
2
Bu t oth er
”
.

p e rs on s n o,
t r e f err ed t o a s D r u i d s are m en t i on ed as h eal er s
, ,

on e of th em a w om a n p e rh ap s a rem i n i s cen ce of the ti m e wh en

,

t he a rt wa s p racti s ed by w om en
.
3
Th ese heal ers m ay h ow
.
,
e

ever h ave b een a tt a ch ed t o t h e D ru i di c corp ora ti on i n mu ch

,

t he s am e way a s w ere t he bards .

Stil l m ore i m portan t w ere the mag i cal powers of the

D rui ds giv in g or withh ol ding s u n s hin e or rain ca u s ing s torm s
—
, ,

m aking w om en and c a tt l e f ru i t f u l u s in g s p el l s r hy m i ng t o
, ,
w

death ex erci s ing s h ap e s hi f ti n g and i n vi s i bil i t y an d produ ci n g

,
-
,

a m ag i c s l eep p os s ib l y hy pn oti c
,
Th ey w ere als o i n r eques t
.

a s poi s on ers Sin ce t he Gaul s w en t t o B rita in t o perfect

? »

th em s elves 1 11 D rui dic s ci en ce i t i s p os s ibl e th a t t he in s ul ar

,

Dru i ds w ere m ore devoted t o m ag ic th an th os e of Ga ul bu t '

s i n ce t h e l a tt er are s ai d t o h ave t am ed t he peopl e a s wild

b ea sts are tam ed it i s ob vi ous th a t thi s ref ers t o th eir pow ers
”
,

as ma g i ci an s ra th er th a n t o a n y recon d it e p h i l os ophy p os s es s ed
"

by them Yet th ey w ere cl ea r s ig ht ed eno u g h t o us e every

“

-
.

m ean s by wh i ch th ey m ig ht g a i n poli ti cal p ow er an d s om e of ,

'

them m ay h ave b een open t o th e in fl u en ce of class ical l earni ng

even b ef or e t he Rom an i nv a s i on I n t he n ex t ch ap ter t he
“

. .

m ag i c of t he D rui ds wi l l be d es cr ib ed i n detail .

The D ru ids b oth i n Gau l ( at t he m i s t l et oe rit e) an d i n

,

I rel an d, w ere dres s ed i n whit e but St ra b o s peaks of th eir ,

s carl et an d
g o l d e m b r oi d e r e d r o b es th e i r
g ol d en n eck l e
,
t s a n d
b racel et s Ag ain t he chi ef D ruid of t he ki ng of Erin w ore
?
,

1
S ee p . 206 , s up ra . 2
I T i . 21 5 . 3
O Curry , MS . Ma
’
i
. 221 , 6 4 1 .
4
R C xvi . 34 .
5
Pli ny , HN xvi . 4 5 Trip . Lif e, 11. 325 S t rabo, i v. 27 5 .
31 2 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS .

l ore . Th us b ot h t he g ods an d the pri es ts who s erved them

w ere confus ed by la t er writ ers The oppos ition of Chri s tian .

m i ss i on ari es t o t he D rui ds s h ow s th a t th ey w ere pri es t s ; i f

they w ere n ot it rem a in s t o be di s covered wha t b ody of m en
,

did ex erci s e pr i es tl y f un cti on s i n pag a n I rel an d I n I rel an d .

t h ei r j udi ci al f u n cti on s m a y have b een l es s i m por t an t th an i n

Gau l a n d th ey m ay n ot have b een s o s tri ctl y org ani sed ; bu t
,

h ere w e are i n t he reg i on of conj ect ure Th ey w ere ex em pt .

f rom m i l itary s er vi ce i n G au l a nd m an y j oin ed th ei r rank s on

,

thi s a ccoun t bu t i n I relan d th ey w ere b onn y f echt ers j us t

,
”
,

a s i n G a u l th ey occa s i on al l y f ou ht li k e m edi aeva l bi s h o s ?

g p
I n b oth cou n tri es th ey w ere pres en t on t he fi eld of b a tt l e t o
~

e f rm t h e n eces s ary rel i i ou s or m a i ca l rit es

p r o
g g .

Si n ce t he D ru ids w ere a n org an i s ed pri es th ood with ,

p o w e r s of t e ac hi n
g a n d of m a g i c 1 m l i ci t l
p y b e l i ev ed i n by t he

f ol k p os s es s i ng t he k ey of t he ot her w orld an d dom ina ting t he

,
J
-
,

fl
wh ol e fi el d of rel ig ion i t i s eas y t o she how m u ch v en era ti on
,
"

m u s t h ave b een pa i d th em C on n oting thi s Wi th t he i n u

.

en ce o f t he R om an Chu r ch i n C el ti c r e i on s an d t h e p ow er of
g
t he P rot es ta n t m i ni s t er i n t he H i g h l an d s an d i n Wal es s om e
“

ha ve th oug ht tha t th ere i s a n inn a te ten den cy i n t he C el t to

be p ries t ri dden -
.I f thi s be tru e w e ca n onl y s ay ,
t he p eopl e ,

wi s h t o h ave it s o an d t he pri es ts pag an papi s t or prot es ta n t

,
- —
, ,

— b ea r rul e th rou h th ei r m ean s

g
Thus a cl ose ex am i n a tion of t he p os iti on a n d f uncti on s of
t h e D ru i ds ex pl a i n s a w ay t w o popu l a r m i s con cep ti on s Th ey .

w ere n ot p os s es s ed of a ny recon di t e a n d es ot eri c wi s dom .

An d t he cul l i ng of m i s tl et oe i n s t ea d of b ei n g t he m os t i m
p o r t a n t ,w a s b u t a s u b ord i n a t e p a r t o f th e i r f u n cti on s .

I n G aul t he R om an p ow er b rok e t he s w ay of t he D rui ds ,

a i d ed p erh a p s by t he s p rea d o f Chri s ti a n ity bu t it w a s Ch r i s ,

t i a n i t y al on e whi ch rou t ed th em i n I relan d a n d i n Br it ain

1
Caes a r, vi . 1 4, u. 1 0.
 THE DRUIDS 3 r3

ou st ide the Rom an pal e The D rui di c org ani sation th ei r

.
,

p o w er i n p oli t i cs a n d i n t he a dm in i s tra ti on of j u s t i ce th ei r ,

p a t ri o t i s m a n,
d a l s o th ei r u s e of h u m a n s a crifi ce a n d m a i c
g ,

w ere a ll obn oxi ous t o t he Rom an G overnm ent whi ch oppos ed ,

th em m ai nl y on poli ti cal g roun ds Mag i c an d h um an s a cri fi ce

.

w ere s u ppres s ed b ecau s e th ey w ere con trary t o Rom an

m ann ers . The fi rs t a tta ck was i n t he rei g n of A ug u s t u s w ho ,

prohibit ed R om an citiz ens f rom t aki n g par t i n t he rel i g i on of

t he D rui ds ? Ti b eri u s n ex t i n t erdi ct ed t he D ru i ds bu t thi s ,

was proba b l y ai m ed at th eir h u man s a crifi ces f or t he D ru i ds ,

w ere n ot s u ppres s ed s in ce th ey exi s t ed s till i n t he reig n of

,

C lau di u s who i s s ai d t o ha ve a b ol i s h ed Dru i da ra m r eli g i on em

,

di ra e i mm a ni ta ti s ?
The earli er l eg i s l a ti on w a s i n eff ect i ve ;
tha t of Cl au diu s w as m ore th oroug h bu t it t oo was prob abl y
,
, , ,

a i m ed m a i n l y a t h u m a n sacri fi ce a n d m a i c s i n ce A u rel i u s
g ,

V i ct or li m it s it t o t he not ori ou s s upers t i ti on s of t he D ru i ds 3 .

It di d n ot a b ol is h t he na tive reli g i on a s i s p rov ed by the ,

n u m erous i n s cri p ti on s t o C el ti c od s a n d by t h e f a ct th a t a s
g , ,

Mela i n form s u s h um an vi cti m s w ere s t i ll offered s ym b ol i cally 4

, ,

whi le t he D rui ds w ere s till a ctive s om e y ears l ater A parallel .

i s f ou n d i n t he B riti s h ab ol iti on o f S ati i n I ndi a whil e p er ,

m itti n g t he n a tive rel i g i on t o fl ouri s h .

Prob ab ly m ore effecti ve w as the pol icy b eg un by Aug u s t u s .

Mag i s t ra t es w ere i n aug ura t ed a n d act ed a s j u dg es th u s ous ti ng ’

t he D ru ids a n d n a tive d ei t i es an d n a ti ve r it u al w ere a ss i m i

,

l at ed t o th os e of R om e C el ti c reli g ion w as Rom a ni s ed a nd

.
,

i f t he D ru i ds ret ai n ed p ri es t l y f un cti on s it could on l y be by ,

th ei r b ecom i n g Rom an is ed al s o P erhaps t he n ew Sta te .

rel i g i on i n G a u l s i m pl y i g n ored th em The a nnu a l a s sem bl y

.

of d epu ti es a t Lu g u du n um rou nd t h e a l t ar of Ro m e a n d

1
S u et on i u s , Gl a nd . 2 5 . 2
Pli ny H N
”
1 xxx
Su et . Gl a n d . 2 5 .
.

3
d e Caes a r i bu s , 4 , f am osas s upers t i t i ones ; cf p . 328 , i nf ra .
.

1
‘
Mel a ,
i ii . 2 .
31 4 THE RE LIGION OF THE A NCIEN T -
CEL TS
A u g u s tu s ig ious ch ara ct er an d wa s in t en ded t o rival
ha d a rel ,

fl
a n d t o s u ers ede t he a n n u al a th eri n of th e D ru i ds
?
p g g T h e

fl
d ep u ti es el ect ed a am en of t he p rovi n ce w ho ha d s u rv ei llan ce
of t he cu l t a n d th ere w er e a l s o
,
a m en s f or ea ch ci ty Th u s w
.

t h e p ow er of t h e D r ui ds i n p ol it i cs l aw, a n d reli g i on w a s ,

q ui etl y u n derm in ed whil e Rom e a l s o s t ru ck a b l o w a t th ei r

,

p os i ti on as t each ers by es ta b l s h n g s ch oo s throu g h ou t G aul

i i l ?
.

M D Arb ois m aint ai n s tha t as a res u l t of p ers ecu tion

’
-
.
, ,

t h e D ru i ds reti r ed t o t he dep th s of t h e f ores ts a n d con tin ued ,

t o t each th ere in s ecret th os e w ho des pi s ed th e n ew l earn i ng

of Rom e bas i ng hi s op, in i on on pa s s ages of Lu ca n an d Mela ,

b oth w riting a l i ttle af t er t he p rom u l g ati on of t he l a ws 3

.

Bu t neith er Lu can n or Mela refer to an ex i s tin g s t a t e of

'

fl
thi ngs an d do n ot in tend th eir readers t o s u ppos e th a t the
,
“

D rui ds ed t o w oods and cav ern s f Lu can s p eak s of th em

dwelli ng i n w oods i e th e ir s a cred g rov es an d res um i ng th eir
,
. .
,

rit es af ter C aesar s con ques t n o t a f t er t he l a t er edi ct s a n d h e

’

does n o t s p eak of t he D ru i ds t ea ching th ere 4 Mel a s eem s t o .

be ech oi n g C aes ar s a ccoun t of t h e tw en ty y ears noviti a t e

’ ’

but a dds t o it that t h e t ea chi ng w a s g i ven i n s ecret con f us ing

-

it h owever wi th tha t g iv en t o others than can di da tes f or the

, ,

pries th ood Thu s he s ay s

. D ocen t mu l ta n obi li s s i m os
g e n ti s cl a m et d i u v i cen i s a nn i s a u t i n s
p ecu au t i n a bdi ti s

s a tib u s bu t th ere i s n ot t he s l ig ht est evi dence th a t thi s

5 ”
l , .

s ecrecy w a s t he res u l t of t h e ed i ct s Moreover t he a tt en u at ed .

,

s a crifi cia l ri tes whi ch he d es cri b es w er e ev i den t l y p ra cti s ed

1
Momms en ,
Rom . Ges ek . v. 94 .

“
Bl och ( Lavi s s e) , Hi s t. d e Fra nce, i .
2
f ., 391 f ; Duruy,
. Comm ent
é ’ ”
p ri t l i n s t i t u t i on Drui d i qu e, Rev. Arch .
'

xv. 34 7 ; d e Coul an g es ,
“
Comm ent
”
l e Drui di s m e a di s paru, R C i v; 4 4 .
’

3
L es D ru i d es , 7 3 .
“
Ye Drui d s , as i d e, s ou g h t on ce ag a i n
"1
Pha rs . i . 4 5 3, a f t er arm s were l ai d

y our b arbarou s cerem oni al s . In rem ot e fores t s d o y e i n hab i t t h e d eep

”
g l a d es .

5
Mel a, i i i . 2.
31 6 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS

p o wers of the D rui ds pas s ed i n l a rg e m ea s u re t o t he Ch ri s ti an

cl erg y or rem a i n ed t o s om e ext en t with t h e Fi li d ?
In

p opu lar b el i ef t he i ha d
cl er cs preva il ed l es s by t he p ers u as iv e
po w er of t he g os pel , th an by s u cces s f ul l y ri va ll i n
g t h e m ag i c
of t he D r u i ds .

C l as s i cal w ri ters s p eak of Drya des or D rui des s es i n t h e

third cen t ury On e of them p redi ct ed hi s approachin g death
.

t o Al ex an der S everus a noth er prom i s ed t he em pi re t o

,

Di oc etian o thers w ere con s ul t ed by Aureli an Thu s th ey

l ,
?

w ere divi neres s es ra ther than pri es t es s es an d th eir n ame

, ,

m ay b e the r es u l t of m i scon cep ti on u nl ess th ey as s um ed it ,

wh en D ru ids n o l on g er ex is t ed as a cl as s I n Irel an d there .

w ere di vin eress es — ba n fili d or ba n f athi prob abl y a di s tin ct

a
_
-
,

cl as s w i th p r o h et i c ow ers : Ki w d i t
p p n s
g ar e a r n e a g a n s

p yth on es s es a s w el l as D ru i ds an d D r J oy ce thi n k s th es e
“
.
,

w e e D u es s es S Pa tri ck a l s o a rm ed hi m s el f agai ns t the

r r i d 3
.

s p el l s of w om en a n d of D rui d s W om en i n Irelan d had ?

a k n ow l edg e of f u t u r ity a ccording t o S oli n u s a nd the w om en

, ,

w h o t ook pa rt with t he D r ui ds li k e f u ri es a t Mon a m ay h ave ,

b een di vin eres s es I n Irel an d i t i s p oss ibl e tha t s u ch w om en

5
.

w ere call ed Dru i dess es s in ce th e w ord ba n dr u i i s m et

”
,
.
-

wi th the w om en so call ed b ei n g al s o s tyl ed ba n f i li whi l e the

,
-
,

f act th a t th ey bel on g ed t o t he clas s of t he Fi li d b ring s th em

i n to connecti on w i th t he D ru i ds Bu t ba n dr u i m a y h ave
? -
,

b een a p pl i ed t o w om en with p r1 es tl y f u ncti on s s uch a s ,

cert a i n l y ex i s t ed i n I rel a n d le
g t he vi rg i n g u ardi an s of
— .

1
Ad am n an , Vi ta S 00 l , i 37 1 1 3 5 , et c ; Reeves Ad a m na n , 24 7 f ;
'
’
. . . . . . .

S t ok es , Thr ee H om i l i es , 24 f Anti ent L a ws of I r el a n d , i 1 5 ; R0

. vi i . . x .

1 42 f . I T i 23. .

2
Lam pri di u s , Al ene S ee . 6 0 . V opi s cu s , Nu mer i en u s , 1 4 , A u rel i a n u s , 4 4 .

3
Wi n di s ch Tai n , , 31 , 221 cf . Meye r ,
Con tr i bu ti on s to I ri sh Lewi cog . 1 76
J oy ce, S H i . 2 38 .

1
ITi 56. 5
S oli n u s , 35 Ta o An n xi v . 30
‘
. . . .

3
R 0 xv 326 , xvi 3 4 , 27 7 Wi nd i sch, Tai n , 3 31
. . . I n LL 7 5h we h ear of
”
three Dru i d s a n d t hree Drui d es s es .
 T HE
“

DRUIDS 31 7

s a cred fi res t o wh os e f uncti on s Chri s tian nu ns s ucceeded ?

,

We k now al s o th a t t he Briti s h q u een B ou di cca ex erci s ed

ri es tl y f u n cti on s d s h i s t es s es a part f rom t he
p a n ,
u c p r e ,

Drya d es ex i s ted am ong t he con ti n en tal C el t s

,
I n s cri pti ons .

fl
at A rl es s peak of a n a n ti s ti ta d ea e a n d a t Le Pr u n on of a
g
,

a mi n i ca sa cer dos of t he g oddes s Thucoli s ? Th ese w ere

s erv a n t s of a o dd es s l i k e t h e pri es t e s s of t he C el ti c A rt em i s
g
i n Gal a ti a i n wh os e f am i l y t h e pri es th ood w a s h eredi tary
,
?

The virg i n s called Galli zen ae who pra cti sed di vi ni t i on a n d ,

m ag i c i n t he i s l e of S ena w ere pri es t es s es of a Ga ul i s h g od

, ,

an d s om e of t h e w om en who w ere by Di y
“ ”
p o s s es s ed on s u s

an d p racti s ed a n org i as ti c cu l t on an i s l a n d i n t h e Loi re w ere ,

p b a b y of t he s am e ki n d
l They w ere pri es tes s es of s om e
?
ro

m ag i co r eli g i ou s cu l t pra cti s ed by w om en l ik e t he g u a rdi ans

-
,

of t he s acr ed fir e i n I r el a n d wh i ch w a s t ab u t o m en , M . .

Rein a ch reg ards th e a ccou n t s of th es e i s l an d pri es t es s es a s

fi ct i on s b a s ed on t he s t ory of Ci rce s i s l e bu t even if th ey are ’

g a r b l e d, they s eem t o be b a s ed on a ct ual ob s erva ti on and are

ll l d f rom oth er r e i on s
?
p ara e e g
The ex i s t en ce of s u ch pri es t es s es a n d d ivin eres s es over t he
C el ti c area i s t o be ex pl a ined by our hypoth esi s th at m an y
C el ti c di vi n iti es w ere a t fi rs t f em al e an d s erved by w om en ,

who w ere p os s es s ed of t he t ri b al l ore La ter m en as s um ed

. ,

their f un cti on s and hen ce a ros e t he g rea t p ri es th oods bu t

, ,

con s erva t i s m s p ora di call y ret ai n ed s u ch f em al e cu l t s and

p r i es t es s es s om, e g o dd e s s es b e i n
g s ti ll s e r v ed by w o m e n — t he

Gal ati an Ar tem i s or th e g oddes s es of G au l with th eir f em al e

, ,

1
S ee p . 6 9, s up ra ; K ea t i n g , 331 .
2
Jull i a n , 1 00 Hold er, s v. Thu col i s
“
. .
3
Pl u t arch , Vi r. m u l 20
. .

1
‘
Mel a ,
i ii . 6 S t rab o, i v. 4 6 . .

5
Rei n a ch , R0 vi i i I f x
Th e fa ct t h at t h e ri t es were call ed Di ony s i a c i s
. .

no reas on f or d en yi n g t h e f act t ha t s om e org i a s t i c ri t es were pract i s ed .

Cl as s i cal wri t ers u s ual ly report ed al l b arb ari c ri t es i n t erm s of t h ei r own

rel i g i on . M D Arb oi s (vi 325 ) p oi nt s out t ha t Ci rce was n ot a vi rg i n, a n d had
’
. .

n ot ei g ht com p am ons .
31 8 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L T S
t
s erva n s . Ti me al s o b roug ht i t s reven ges f or wh en pag an i s m
,

p as s ed a w a,y m u ch of i t s f ol k r
-
it u a l a n d m ag i c r e m a i n ed
,

p rac ti s ed by wi s e w om en o r wit c h es
, w ho f or g en era ti on s h ad

a s m u ch p ow er ov er i gn oran t m i n ds as t h e Ch ris ti a n pr ies t

h ood The fa ct tha t C aes ar an d Ta citu s s peak of Germ ani c

.

bu t n ot of Cel ti c pri es tes s es can h ardl y i n fa ce of th es e

, ,

s ca tt ered n o ti ces be t a k en a s a p roof tha t w om en ha d n o

,

p ri es tl y r ole i n C el ti c rel ig i on . I f th ey had not th a t rel ig i on

,

would be un1 que i n the w orld s his tory ’

.
32 0 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANC IEN T CEL TS
s imil ar a cti on s — power over t he w eather the u s e of in can ta ,

tion s an d am ul et s s h ap e s hif tin g an d inv is i bility et a — w ere

,
-
, ,

an d s ti ll a re i n r em ot e C el ti c re i on s as crib ed t o wit ch es
g , .

Mu ch of t he D rui di c art h ow ever wa s al s o s u ppos ed t o be , ,

p os s es s ed by s a in t s a n d cl eri cs ,b o th i n t h e p a s t a n d i n r ecen t -

tim es Bu t w om en rem a in ed as m ag ici a ns wh en t he D rui ds

.

ha d di sapp eared p artl y b ecau s e of f em al e con s erva ti s m

, ,

artl y b eca u s e even i n p a an ti m es th ey ha d w ork ed m ore

p , g ,

or l es s s ecret l y At l a s t t he Ch urch pros crib ed th em an d

.

p ers ecu t ed th em .

Each clan trib e or king dom had i t s D ruid s who i n ti m e

, , , ,

of wa r a ,s s i s t ed th ei r h os t s by m a g i c art Thi s i s refl ect ed .

b ack upon the g rou ps of t he m yth ol og ical cy cle ea ch of which ,

has i t s D ru i ds w ho pl ay n o s m all par t i n t he b a ttl es f oug ht -

.

Thoug h Pl in y recog n l s es the pri es tl y fu n cti on s of t he D ru ids ,

he as s oci a t es th em l arg el y with m ag ic, a n d ap pl i es t he na m e

mag us t o th em I n I ri s h eccl es i as ti cal l it era t ure dru i i s u s ed
?
,

a s t he tr a n s l a ti on of m ag u s eg i n t he cas e of t he Eg y p tia n
,
. .

m ag i cl a n s whi l e m ag i i s u s ed i n La tin l i v es of s ain ts a s t he

,

equ ival en t of t h e vern acu l ar d r u i des

?
I n t h e s a g a s an d i n
o pu l ar t al es D r u i decht D ru idis m s t an ds f or mag i c an d ” ”
p , , ,

r od o f D ru i di s m i s a m ag i c w an d ? Th e
“
s la t a n d ra oi chta , ,

Tu at ha Dé D ana n u w ere s a id t o h ave l earn ed Drui dis m

f rom t h e f our g rea t m a s t er D ru ids of t he reg i on wh en ce th ey
'

had com e t o I r el an d an d even n ow i n popul ar t al es th ey are

“

, , ,

of t en cal l ed D ru ids or Da an D rui ds Th u s i n Irelan d

“ 4 ”
n n .

a t l ea s t th ere i s cl ear ev i den ce of t he g rea t m ag i cal p ow er

cla i m ed by D ru i ds .

Tha t pow er wa s ex ercis ed t o a g rea t ex ten t over t he

1
HIV xxx 4 1 3 .
, .

2
Zi mm er, Gl oss Hi bern . 1 8 3 . Reeves , Ad a m na n, 26 0 .

3
K enn edy ,
1 75 cf . I T 1 220..

‘1
S ee RO xii 5 2 f
.
’
. . B Arboi s ,
’
v. 4 03— 4 04 O Curry,
’
MS . Ma t . 505
K enn edy , 7 5 , 1 96 , 25 8 .
 MAGIC 32 1

el em en s , t s om e of whi ch D ru i ds
h ave created cl a im ed to .

Thu s the D ru i d Ca thba d covered t he pl ai n over wh i ch D ei rdre

w as es ca pi n g w th t w D “ ”
i a
g r ea a v ed s ea
1
ru i ds al s o p ro
-
.

d u ced b l in di ng s n ow s t orm s or ch an g ed da y i n t o n i g ht f ea t s
-
,
—

a s crib ed t o th em ev en i n t h e Li v es of S a i n t s Or th ey di s
?

ch arg e s h ow er cl ou d s of fir e on t h e opp os i n
g h os t s a s i n
“ -
,

t he ca s e of t he D ru i d Mag Rui th w ho m a d e a m ag i c fire,a n d ,

flyi n g u p wards t owards i t tu rn ed it u pon t he en em y wh os e , ,

D ru i d i n v a t i e t o e t t W h en t he D r ui ds of C orm a c
i n r d di v r i 3
.

d ri ed u p a ll t he wa t er s i n t he l an d a n oth er D ru i d s h o t a n ,

a rro w a n d wh ere it f el l th ere i s s u ed a t orr en t of w a t er ?

,

The D ru i d Ma t hg en b oa s t ed of b ein g a b l e t o th ro w m ou n tai n s

on t h e en em y a n d freq u en t l y D ru i d s m a de t rees or s t on es
,

a ppear a s a rm ed m en di s m a yi ng t h e opp os i n g h os t i n th i s
,

w ay . They cou l d al s o fill the ai r w i th t he cl as h of battl e o r ,

w i th the dread cries of eldri t ch th i ng s S imi lar p ow ers are

5
.

a scrib ed t o o th er p ers on s Th e da u g ht ers of Ca la t i n ra i s ed

.

th em s el ves al of t on a n en chan t ed w i n d a n d dis cov ered ,

C uch ul a in n wh en h e wa s hi dden a way by Ca t hba d La t er .

th ey produ ced a m ag i c m i s t t o di s com fit t he h ero ?

S u ch
m i s t s occu r f r equen t l y i n t he s ag a s an d i n on e of th em t he ,

Tua t ha D é Dan a n n a rri ved i n I rel a n d The p ri es t es s es of

'

S ena cou l d rou s e sea and w i nd by th ei r en ch a n t m en t s an d , ,

l a t er C el t i c wi t ch es h a ve cl ai m ed t he s am e p ow er
,
.

I n f olk s ur vi val s t he pra cti ce of ra i n m ak i ng i s conn ect ed

- -

w i th s acred s pri ng s an d even n ow i n rural Fran ce proces s i ons

,

t o s h ri nes u s u al l y con n ect ed with a h ol y w ell a re com m on i n

, ,

tim e of droug ht Thu s p eopl e an d pri es t g o t o t he f oun ta i n

.

of Ba ran t on i n p rocess i on s i n g i n g h y m n s a n d th ere p ray f or

, ,

1
D Arb oi s , v . 2 7 7
’
.

S t ok es , Three Mi dd l e I ri s h Hom i li es , 24 I T i i i 3 25
’

2 . .

RC xi i 8 3 ; Mi s s Hu l l , 2 1 5 ; D Arb oi s , v . 424 ; O Cur ry , MC i i

’ ’
3
. . 21 5 .
K eat i n g ,
34 1 C Curry, M S .
’
M at . 27 1 .
5
R0 xi i . 81 . 3
Mi s s Hul l , 240 f .

21
32 2 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
ra n .i The pri es t th en di ps hi s f oot i n the wat er, or
‘

throw s
of it o n t he rock s I n o th er cas es t he i m ag e of a s ai n t
?
s om e

is carr ed i
w el l a nd as perg ed as divin e i m ag es
to a , f orm erl y
w ere or t he w a t ers are b ea t en or th rown i n to t h e ai r
,
?

Anoth er cu s tom was tha t a V i rg i n s hou l d cl ean ou t a s acred

w ell an d form erl y s he ha d t o b e n u de N u di ty a l s o f orm s
,
?

art of a n old ri t u al u s ed i n G a u l I n t im e of drou ht t h e

g
p . ,

g i rl s o f t h e v i l l ag e f ol l o wed t h e y ou n g es t v i rg i n i n a s t a t e o f

n u dity t o s eek t h e h er b beli n u n ti a This s he u proot ed and .

,

w a s th en l ed t o a river an d th ere a s p erg ed by t he oth ers In

'

thi s cas e t he as perg ing i m ita t ed t he fall ing rai n a n d was

,
,

m ea n t t o produ ce it a u t om a ticall y Whil e s om e cf th ese rit es .

s ug g es t t he u s e of m ag i c b t h e f ol k th em s el ves i n oth ers t h e

y ,

n ce of t h e Ch ri s ti a n p rI es t p oi rI t s t o t he f a ct t ha t f orm erl y
‘
‘

p es e
'

r , ,

a D rui d w a s n eces s ar y a s t h e ra i n p roducer I n s om e ca s es

“

t h e pri es t h as i n h eri t ed th rough l on g a g es t he ra i n m a ki n g or -

t em pes t quell i ng pow ers of t he pag an pri es th ood an d i s of t en

-
,

b es ou g ht t o ex erci se th em ?

Cau s m g I nv1 s 1 bi li t y by m ean s of a s pel l cal l ed f eth fia da ,

which m a de a p ers on u n s een or hi d hi m i n a m ag i c mi s t wa s a l s o ,

u s ed by t he D ru i ds a s w ell a s by Ch ri s ti a n s ai n t s S Pa trick s ’
. .

hym n cal l ed Facd Fi a da wa s s ung by hi m when hi s en em i es la y

, ,

i n w ai t an d cau sed a g l am ou r i n th em
,
The i ncan t a ti on it sel f .
,

a th i s s ti ll r em em b ered i n Hi g hl a n d g l en s
5
fi fth -
,
I n t he ca s e of .

S P at ri ck h e an d hi s f ol l ow ers a ppeared a s deer an d this p ower

.
,

o f s ha p e s hi f ti n g w a s wielded b oth by D ru i d s a n d w om en
— The .

D ru id Fer Fi dai l carried off a m ai den by t aking the f orm of a

1
Maury , 1 4.
2
S éb i l l ot , ii . 22 6 f . , i . 225 ; Bereng er Férau d,
11.
’
-
S up ers ti ti ons et

S u r vi va n ces , i i i 1 6 9 f . . S ta t . Accou n t , vi ii . 5 2.
3
Rev d es Tr ad 1 8 93, 6 1 3 S éb i ll ot , ii 224
. . . .

1
Beren g er Fera n d , i i i . 2 1 8 f S ébil l ot , L 1 00, 1 09 ; E U i i 4 8 4 ; Fra zer,
‘
-
. .

Glo d e n B ou g h 2
,
i 67 . .

5
B Arb oi s , v 3 8 7 ; I T i . 5 2 ; Di on , Ga i r l och, 1 6 5 ; Ca rmi ch ael , Ca rm.
’
. x
Gad . i i . 25 .
 3 4
2 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
By a drink bl ivion
Drui ds an d oth er pers ons could
of o

m ak e on e f org et ev en t he m os t d earl y b el ov ed Thu s Cuchu .

l ai nn w a s m a de t o f org e t F an d an d hi s wi f e Em er t o f org et ,

her j eal ou s y ?
Thi s i s a rem in i scen ce of p ot en t drinks b rewed
f rom h erb s wh i ch cau s ed h al l u ci n ati on s e g th a t of th e ch a n g e ,
. .

of s h a p e I n o th er ca s es th ey w ere of a n arcot i c n a tu re a n d
'

ca u s ed a d eep s l eep a n i n s t a n ce b ei n g t he dra u g ht g i v en by

,

Grai n n e t o Fi onn a n d hi s m en ?
Ag ain t he D ru idic s l eep ,
“

i s s u g g es ti ve of hy p n oti s m pra cti s ed i n di s tan t ag es a n d a l s o

,

by pres en t day s avag es W h en B odb s u s pect ed hi s daug ht er

-
.

of l y i n g b e ca s t her i n t o a D ru idi c sl eep i n whi ch she re

“
,
”

v eal ed he r wi ck edn es s I n o th er cas es s p el l s are ca s t u pon

?

p er s o n s s o th a t th ey ar e h al l u ci n a t ed or are ren dered m oti on ,

l es s or ,
by t he s l ei g ht of h an d of s ooth say ers m ai den s l os e
,
‘

,
”

th eir ch a s tity with ou t kn ow g it Th es e p oin t t o kn owl edg e

i n ?

of hy pn o ti c m eth o d s o f s u g g es tion Or,ag ain a s p ectral arm y .

,

i s Op pos ed t o a n en em y s f orce t o wh om it i s an h all ucin a t ory

’

p erh ap s a n ex ag g era ti on of n atural hy pn o tic

a pp earan ce —

p ow er s
?

D ru i ds al s o m a de a hedg e t he a i r be dru a d roun d an

“
, ,

arm y p er ha p s ci rcu m am b u l a t i n g it a n d s a y i n g s p ell s s o th a t

,

t he a tt a cki n g f orce m i g ht n ot b rea k th ro u g h If a ny on e .

cou l d l ea p th i s h edg e t he s pell w a s brok en bu t he l os t hi s

”
, ,

l i fe . Thi s w a s d on e a t th e b attl e of Cul Drem n e a t which S , .

C ol um b a was pres en t an d a i ded t he h eroic l eap er with hi s

'

p r a y e r s
?

A prim it i v e p i ece of s ym pa th eti c m ag i c u s ed s ti ll by

s av a g es i s r ecord ed i n t he Ren n es D i n dsen cha s I n thi s s tory .

on e m an s a y s s p ell s over h i s s p ear a n d h u r l s it i n t o hi s

1
D Arboi s , v 21 5
’
. oy ce, OCR 27 9.
.
2 3
JI bi d . 8 6 .

4
R0 xx
i i i 394 . J
ocel y n , Vi ta S K en t. 0 1 . . .

3
R 0 xv 446 . .

3
O Con or, Rer Hi b S crip i i 1 4 2 S t ok es , Li ves o
’
. .
f S a i nts ,
. . vi i i . xx
 MAG I C 32 5

op
p on en t s sh
’
ado w , so th tEqu all y pr im iti ve i s
a h e f al l s dea d ?
t h e D r u i di c wi s p of s tra w over wh i ch t he
“ ”
s en di n g a

D rui d s ang s pell s a n d flung it i n t o hi s v i cti m s f ace s o tha t ’

h e b eca m e m a d A s i m ilar m eth od i s u s ed by the Es k i m o

.

a ng ehok All m a dn es s wa s g en era l l y a s cri b ed t o s u ch a

“
s en di n g .

S everal of thes e i n s tan ces h ave s h ow n t he u s e of s pells an d ,

“

t he D ru i d wa s b el i eved t o p oss es s p ow erf u l i n can ta ti on s t o

di s com fit a n en em y or t o p rodu ce oth er m ag i cal res u l t s A .

s p eci a l p os t ure w a s a d op t ed s t a n di n g on on e l eg
— w i th on e ,

arm o u t s t ret ch ed a n d on e ey e cl os ed p erh a ps t o con cen t ra t e ,

t he f or ce of t he s pel l ? bu t t h e pow er l ay m a i n l y i n t he s p ok en
w ords a s w e h ave s een i n di s cu s si n g C elt i c f orm u l ae of pray er
, .

S uch s pell s w ere al s o u s ed by t he Fi li a or poet s si nce m os t , ,

p ri m i tiv e p oet ry ha s a m a g i cal as p ect P art of t he tra i ni ng .

of t h e b ard con s i s t ed i n l earn i n

g t ra dit i on al i n ca n t ati on s wh i ch , ,

u s ed with d u e rit u al d d m i l t S m f
?
p ro u,
ce t h e a
g c r e s u o e o

thes e i n can t ati on s h ave a lrea dy com e b ef ore o ur n otice an d ,

rob a b l y s om e of t he v erses wh i ch C aes ar s ay s t h e D ru i d s

p
w ou l d n ot comm it t o w ri ti ng w ere of t he n a t ure of s pell s ?

Th e vi rt u e of t he s p el l l ay i n t he s p ok en f or m u l a u s ua l l y ,

i n t r oducin g t he n am e of a g od or s pi ri t l a t er a s a i n t i n ord er , ,

fl
t o procu re hi s i n t er ven ti on th roug h t he p ow er i n h eren t i n t he
,

nam e Oth er ch arm s recou n t a n e ect a lrea dy produ ced an d

.
’

thi s th roug h m im eti c m ag i c i s s u pp os ed t o cau s e i t s repetiti on

, ,
.

The ea rl i es t wri tt en d ocu m en t s b ea ri ng u p on t h e p ag ani s m of

t he i n s u l a r C el t s con t a i n a n a pp eal t o t he s ci en ce of G oi b n i u
“

t o p r es erve bu tt er an d an oth er f or m a i cal h eali ng I “

ru n s
, g , , ,

a dm i re t he h ea l i n whi c h D i n c ht l f t i n h i f a m i l y i n or d er
g a ec e s ,

t o b ri n g h eal th t o th os e he s u ccoured Th es e are f oun d i n a n

”
.

ei g hth or n in th cen t u ry MS a n d with th ei r a p pea l t o p ag a n

.
, ,

1 2 3
O Cu
rry , M S . Ma t 24 0
’
R C xv. 44 4 . S ee p 2 5 1 , s up ra
. . . .

4
S ee pp . 248 , 304, s up ra ; Caes ar, vi . 1 4 .
32 6 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS

g ods ,
w ere ev i den tly Chris ti u s ed inMos t D ruidic an tim es ?

m ag i c wa s accom p a n i ed by a s p ell t ra n s f orm a ti on i n vi s ibi l ity —

, ,

p ow er over t h e el em en t s a n d t he di s covery o f hi dden p ers on s ,

or thi n s I n oth er cas es s pells w ere u s ed i n m ed icin e or

g . -

f or h eal in g w oun ds Thu s t he Tua t ha Dé D an an u t old t he

.

F om orian s tha t they n eed n ot Oppos e th em b eca us e their ,

D ru i ds w oul d res tore t he s l ai n t o l if e a nd wh en Cuchu l a inn ,

w a s w oun ded w e h ear l es s of m edi cines th an of i n ca n ta ti on s

u s ed t o s t a n ch hi s b l ood ?
I n oth er cas es t h e D ru i d cou l d
rem o ve b arren n ess by s ell s
p .

The s urv i va l of t he b el i ef i n s p ell s am on g m odern C el ti c

p peo l es i s a co n v in ci n
g p roo f o f th ei r u s e i n p ga a n t i m es a n d ,

throws l i g ht u pon th eir n a t ure I n B ri tta n y they are han ded .

d ow n i n cert ai n f am il i es an d are c aref u ll y g uarded f r om t he

,
-

k n owl edg e of o th ers The na m es of s a in ts i ns tea d of t h e ol d

.

g ods are fou n d i n th em bu t i n s om e ca ses d i seas es are a ddres sed

,

as p ers on a l b ei n s I n t h e H i h l n d s s i m i l a r c h arm s a re f ou n d
g .
g a ,

a n d ar e Of t en h a n ded dow n f rom m a l e t o f em a l e a n d from ,

f em al e t o m al e They are a l s o i n com m on u se I n Irel an d

. .

B es ides heal ing di s eas es su ch cha rm s are su ppos ed t o caus e ,

f er ti li ty or b ring g ood l u ck or ev en t o t ran s f er t he p roperty of ,

o th ers t o t he r ecit er or i n t h e ca s e of d ark er m a i c t o ca u s e

, , g ,

d ea th or d i s ea s e ? I n Irel an d s orcerers coul d rim e eith er a m an ,

or b ea s t t o d ea th a n d thi s reca l l s t h e p ow er of s a ti re i n t he
,

m ou th of Fi le or D ru i d It r ai s ed bl otch es on t he f a ce of the
.

v i cti m or ev en caus ed hi s d ea th
, Am on g prim iti ve races ?

p o w e rf ul i n t ern a l e m oti o n a ffe c t s t h e b o d y i n cu r i o u s w a y s ,

' 1
Zi m m er, Gl os s . Hi ber . 27 1 . Oth er I ri s h i n ca n t a t i ons , a
pp ea l i n g t o t he
s a i n t s , are f ou n d i n t h e Cod ex Reg u l a r a m at K l os t ern eub urg (R 0 i i .
2
Leahy , i 1 3 7 ; en n edy , 301 .
. K
3
é
S a uv , R O v i 6 7 f . Carm i ch a el , Ca rm Ga del . , p a s s i m ; CM
’
.
’
. xi i 38 ;
.

J S H 1 6 29 f .
oy ce, .
-
Cam d en , B ri ta n ni a , i v . 4 8 8 ; S cot , Di s covery f
o Wi tch
craf t, ii i . 1 5 .
4
For e x am pl es O Curry , MS
s ee
’
. Met . 248 D Arb oi s ,
’
11 . 1 90
’
RC xii . 71 ,
xxi v. 279 S t ok es , TI G vi . f xxx .
 T HE RELIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
'

3 2 8

B rit ain Thes e w ere evi den tl y w orn as am

fl
u l et s whi l e I n
?
,

o th er ca s es th ey w ere o ered t o r i ver d iv i n iti es s i n ce m a n y

’

are m et w i th i n r i ver b eds or f ord s Th eir u s e as prot ecti ve .

a m ul e t s i s s h ow n by a s t el e re res en ti n e r s o n w ea rin
p g a p g a
n eck l a ce t o whi ch i s a tt a ch ed on e of th es e wh eel s I n I ri s h .

t ex t s a D ru i d i s ca l l ed Mag R u ith ex pl ai n ed a s m ag u s rota ra m , ,

b eca us e he m ade hi s D ru i di cal ob s erva tion s b y wh eel s Thi s ?

m ay p oi n t t o t he u s e of s u ch a m u l et s i n I relan d A curi ou s .

a m u l et conn ect ed with t he D ru i d s b eca m e f a m ou s i n R om a n

, ,

tim es a n d i s d es cri b ed by Pl in y This w a s th e s erp en ts .

’

f orm ed from t he f oam produ ced by s erpen t s twi ni n g

‘

egg ,

th em s el v es t og eth er The s erpen t s t h rew the egg in t o th e

.
”

fl
a i r a n d h e who s ou ht it ha d t o c a t ch it i n hi s cl oak b e f ore
, g
it f ell a n d ee t o a run n in g s tream b eyon d which t he s erpen t s
,
—

, ,

l i k e t he wit ch es p u rs u l ng Tam o S han t er cou l d n ot f oll ow

’

hi m This egg w as b el i eved t o ca us e i ts own er t o obtain

.
“

a cces s t o ki n s or t o a i n l a w s u it s a n d a Rom an citiz en w as

g g
.

p u t t o dea th i n t h e reig n of C lau diu s f or brI ng I ng s u ch an

a m u l e t i n t o cou r t Pl in y ha d s een thi s eg g It Was a b ou t “ ”
. .

t he s iz e of a n a ppl e with a car til ag i n ou s s ki n covered with

,
'

d s cs
i ?
Prob ab l y it was a f os s il echi nu s s u ch a s ha s b een ,

f ou n d i n Ga ul i s h t om b s ? S uch w er e d ou btl es s c
“ ”
e gs o n
g
n ect ed with t he cu l t of t h e s er en t or s om e ol d m yth Of a n
p ,

egg p roduced by s erp en t s m a y ha ve b een m a d e u s e of t o

a ccou n t f or th ei r f orm a ti on Th i s i s t he m ore l ik el y a s ring s

.
,

o r b ea d s of l f d i t m l i i n W a l es C orn w a ll a n d
“

g as s ou n n u u , ,

t he H i g h l a n ds are call ed s er p en t s
”
l (g l i i d nd
’

g a s s a n n a r ) a ,

are b el i ev ed t o be f orm ed i n t he sa m e w ay a s t he
“
egg

Th es e a s w el l a s old s pi ndl e wh orl s cal led a dder s t on es i n

,
-

1
Archwol og i a , xxxi x . 5 09 Proc. S oc An t. i ii . 92
. Gai doz, Le Di eu Ga u l .

d u S ol ei l , 6 0 f .
2
I T i i i . 4 09 ; bu t s ee Rhys , HL 21 5 .

3
Pli ny , HN xx x
i . 3. 5 4 .
4
Rev. Ar ch i 227 , . . xxxii i . 2 8 3.
 M AGIC 32 9

t he Hig hlan ds are hel d t o ha ve m ag ical vi r t ues e g a g ain s t

, , . .

t h e bit e of a s erp en t an d are hi g h l y priz ed by th ei r own ers,

?

Pli n y s p eak s al s o of t he C el tic b elief i n the m ag i cal vi rtu es

o f cora l eith er w orn a s a n a m u l et or t ak en i n p ow der a s a
,

m edi ci n e while it has b een p ro ved th a t t he C el t s during a

,

l i m i t ed p eri od of th ei r his t ory pl aced it on w eap on s a n d

u t en s i l s d ou btl ess a s an am ul et
,
?
Oth er am ul ets whit e —

m arb l e ba l l s q uartz p ebb l es m odel s of t he t ooth of t he b oa r

, , ,

pi eces o am b er h a ve b een f ou nd b uri ed with t he dea d

f
or ?
,

Littl e fi g ures of t h e b oar t he h ors e an d th e b ul l wi th a rin g , , ,

for s us pen di ng th em t o a n eck l et w ere w orn a s a m u l et s or ,

i m ag es of th es e divin e ani m al s a nd phalli c am ul ets were als o ,

w or n p h p a s a pro tecti o
er
, a s n a g i s t t e e i eye
a n h v l ?

A cul t of s tones was prob a b ly conn ect ed w i th the b elief

i n t he m ag i cal p ow er of cert ain s t on es l i k e t he Li a Fa i l , ,

which s h ri ek ed al ou d wh en C onn k nock ed ag ai n s t it Hi s .

D rui ds expla in ed th at t he num b er of th e s hri ek s equall ed t he

n u m b er of hi s des cen da n t s who s h ou ld be ki n s of Eri n
?
g
This i s an aeti ol og i cal m yth a ccoun tin g f or t he u s e of this
f eti ch s t on e a t coron a ti on s
-
Oth er s t on es prob ab l y t he obj ect .
,

o f a cu l t or os s ess i n m a i ca l v i r t u es w e re u s ed a t t he
p g g ,

in s tall a tion of chiefs who s t ood on them an d vowed t o f oll ow ,

i n t h e s t ep s of th ei r predeces s ors a pa ir of f eet b eing carved ,

on t he s t on e t o r epres en t th os e of the fi rs t chief Oth er ?

s t on es h a d m ore m u s i ca l v i r t u es — t he con s p i cu ou s s t on e
“
of

1
Hoare, Mod ern Wi l ts hi re, 5 6 Ca md en , B r i ta n ni a , 8 1 5 ; Hazli t t , 1 94 ;
Ca m pb el l , Wi tchcraf t , 8 4. I n t h e Hi g hl a nd s s pi n dl e wh orl s are t hou g h t t o-

h a v e b een p erforat ed b y t h e a d d er , whi ch t h en pa s s es t h roug h t h e h ol e t o ri d

i t s el f o f i t s ol d s ki n .
2
Pli n y , xxx
i i 2 24 ; Rei n ach , R C
. . 13f xx . .

3
Rev A r ch i 2 27 ; Green w el l , B r i ti s h B a r rows , 1 6 5 ; El t on, 6 6 ; Rene] ,
. . .

95 f .
,
1 94 f .

4
Rei n ach , B F 28 6 , 289, 36 2 .

5
O Curry , MS Ma t 3 8 7 S ee a p a p er by Hart l and , “
The Voi ce of t he
’
. .

S t on e of Des t i n y , F olk l ore J ou rn a l , xi v 1 903 -

. .

3
Pet ri e, Tr a ns . Roya l I ri s h Acad vi i i p t 2. . x . .
3 30 THE RELIG ION OF T H E ANCIEN T CE L TS
Elys i um from which aros e a hu n dred s train s a n d t he m el odiou s ,

s t on e of Loch Lai S u c h b e l i e f s e x i s t ed i n t o Ch ri s ti an
g .

tim es S C ol um b a s s t on e al t ar floa ted on t he w av es an d

. .
’ '

on it a l ep er ha d cr os s ed i n t he wa k e of t he s a i n t s cor acl e
’

t o Erin B ut t he s am e s t on e w a s th a t on whi ch l ong b ef ore

.
, ,

t he h ero Fi on n had s l i pped ?

C on nect ed with t he cul t of s t on es are m ag i cal Ob s ervan ces
a t fi x ed rock s or b ou ld ers re arded ro b a b l y as t h e a b ode of
g p,

a s i ri t T h b e i i i C l ti b u t w ere
‘

p es e O se r v a n c s ar e n or g n p r e e c -
.
,

p racti s ed by t he Cel t s Girl s s l ide down a s t one t o Obtain a

.

l over preg n an t w om en t o Obta in an eas y del ivery or con t act

,
'
'

with s u ch s t on es ca us es barren w omen t o h av e chil dren or '

g i v es v it a l ity t o t h e f e eb l e A s m a ll o
. ffe r i n
g i s u su a ll y l ef t
on t h e s t on e ? Sim i lar rites are practi s ed at m eg al i thic
m onu m en t s an d h er e aga in t he cu s t om i s ob v i ou s l y p re C el ti c
,
-

I n ori i n
g I n thi s ca s e t he s p irit s of t he d ea d m u s t h ave b een
.

ex p ect ed t o a s s i s t t h e f t h it of ven t o
"

u
p p r o s es o e r es e ,

i n carn a t e thems elves i n t he children b orn a s a res ul t of barren

w om en res or tin
g t o th es e s t o n e s
?
S o m e ti m e s wh en t he

p pu r os e of t h e s t o n es h a s b e e n f o rg o tt e n a n d s om e o th er

l eg endary orig in a tt ri b u t ed t o th em t he cu s tom a da p t s it s el f ,

t o t he l eg en d I n I rel an d m a n y dol m en s are k n ow n n ot a s

.
,

p aces of s epul tu re but as

l D i armaid an d Grai n n e s b eds
’

t he pl aces wh ere th es e el op i ng l overs s l ep t H en ce they .

h ave pow ers of f ruitf u l n es s a n d are V I s 1 t ed by w om en who -

des ire children The rite i s th u s on e of s ym pa th eti c m ag i c

. .

H ol ed dolm en s or n a t ural l y pi erced b l ock s are u s ed for

t he m ag i cal cur e of s i ck n es s b oth i n B ritt a n y an d COI n wall ,

t he pa ti en t b ei ng p as s ed th roug h t he h ol e ? Si m i l ar r it es

1
O Curry, MS Ma t 393 f .
’ 2
. . S ébil l ot , i 334 f . .

3
Tr ol l op e, B r i tta n y , i i 2 29 ; B éren g er Féraud, S up ers ti ti ons et S u r vi va n ces ,
.

i 5 29 f. , B orl a s e, D olmen s of I r el an d i i i 5 8 0, 6 8 9, 8 4 1 f .
. .

4 ’
Rev d es Tra d 1 8 94 , 4 94 ; Béren g er Ferand , i 5 29, 1 1 . 3 6 7 ; El wort hy ,
. . -
.

E vi l Eye, 7 0.
 332 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
in s uc h a wa y as to s u g g es t
th eir pow er they
m ag i c . Bu t a ll

a s crib ed t o Ch ri s t Chri s t i s m y D rui d — the true m ira cl e

.

w ork er s ai d S C ol u mb a Yet th ey w ere im b u ed with t he

'

. .
,

s u pers t i t i on s of th ei r ow n a g e Thus S C ol umb a s en t a . .

whit e s t on e t o K i n g Bru de at Invern es s f or t he cu re of hi s

D rui d Broi chan who dran k the w a t er p oured over it an d was
, ,

h eal ed S oon s imi lar V i rtu es w er e a s crib ed t o the rel i cs of

?
'

t he s ai n t s th em sel ves a n d a t a l a t er ti m e wh en m os t S cot s m en

, ,

cea s ed t o b el i eve i n t h e s a i n t s th ey th ou ht th a t t h e m in i s t ers

g ,

w ik th D i C th i
'

o f th e k i rk ha d o er s l e s e of a a n u d a n d a ol c
p o p g r

s ai n t Min i s t ers w er e l ev it a t ed or s h on e with a cel es tial

.
,

li g ht or ha d cl a i rvoy a n t g i f ts or with di re res ul ts cu rs ed th e

'

, , , ,

u n g odl y or t h e b en i g ht ed p rel a t i s t Th ey p roph es ied u s ed t ,

tra nce u tt era n ce a n d exerci s ed g i f t s of h eal ing Ang el s

-
,
.

m i ni s t ered t o th em as wh en S a m u el Ru th erf ord havi ng

, ,

f a ll en i n t o a w el l wh en a chi ld wa s pu ll ed ou t by an an g el ? ,

The s u b s tra tu m of p rim i ti ve b eli ef s urvi ves a l l ch an g es of

creed an d th e f ol k i m ar ti al l y a tt rib u t ed m a i ca l w t
, p g p o ers o

pag a n D ru i d C el ti c s ain t s old cron es a n d wit ch es an d

, , ,

Pres byteri an m ini s ters .

1
Ad amn an , 11 . 34 . Thi s p eb bl e wa s l on g p res erv ed, bu t mys t eri ous ly
d i s a pp eared wh en t h e p ers on wh o s oug h t i t wa s d oom ed t o di e .
‘

2
Wodrow An a l ecta, , p a ss i m ; W al k er, S i x S a i n ts o
f the Covena n t, ed . by
Dr Hay Fl emi ng
. .
 C H AP TER XX I I .

T H E S TA E T O F TH E D E AD .

AMONG a ll b
t he pro l em s wi th whi ch b u s i ed h i m s el f
m a n ha s ,

n on e s o a pp ea l s t o hi s h opes a n d f ears a s th a t of t h e f u t u re

li f e
. I s th ere a f arth er s h ore an d i f s o s h all w e rea ch it ?
, ,

Few races i f a ny h av e dou bt ed t he ex i s ten ce of a f u t ure s tat e

, , ,

but th ei r con cep t i on s of it h ave di ffered g rea tl y Bu t of a l l .

t he ra ces of a n tiq u i ty ou t s i d e Eg y p t t he C el t s s eem t o h ave

, ,

ch eri s hed t he m os t a rden t b el i ef i n t h e w orld b ey on d t he g rav e ,

a n d t o h av e b een p r eoccu pi ed with i t s j oy s Thei r b eli ef s o.

,

far a s w e k now it w a s ex t rem el y v iv i d a n d i t s ch i ef ch ar

, ,

act eri s t i c w a s l i fe i n t h e b od y a f t er d ea th i n a n oth er reg i on

1
.
,

Thi s cou pl ed wi th the fa ct th a t i t wa s t aug ht as a doct ri n e by

,

t he D ru i ds m ade i t t he a dm i ra t i on of cl as s i cal on l ook ers

, .

Bu t b es i des thi s b el i ef th ere w as a n oth er d eri ved from t he ,

i deas of a di s tan t pa s t ti lat t he dea d l i v ed on i n t he g rav e

,

t he t w o con cep ti on s b ei n g con n ect ed An d th ere m ay al s o

.

h av e b een a certain deg ree of b eli ef i n t ran s m i g rati on .

Al th oug h the C el ts b elieved th a t the s ou l coul d exi s t a par t

f r om t h e b ody th ere s eem s t o b e n o evi den ce th a t th ey
,

b eli eved i n a f u tu re ex i s t en ce of the s oul as a s ha de Thi s .

b el i ef i s cert ai nl y f ou n d i n s om e l at e W el s h poem s wh ere t he ,

g h os t s are d es cri b ed a s w an deri n g i n t he C a l ed on i a n f ores t ,

b u t th es e can h ardly be m a de u s e of as evi den ce f or t he ol d

a an doctri n e Th e ev i d en ce f or t h e l a tt er m ay be g a th ered
p g .

1
S k en e, i . 37 0.
333
3 34 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
f rom cl as s ca l i o b servers ,
f rom h
a rc aeol og y an d from Iri s h
t ex t s .

C aes ar w rit es : The D ru i ds i n p art i cular wi s h t o i m pres s

thi s on them th at s ou l s do n ot p eris h bu t pa s s from on e t o ,

an oth er ( a b a li i s a d a li as ) a f t er d ea th a n d by th i s chi efl y t hey ,

t hi n k t o i n cit e m en t o val ou r t he f ea r of dea th b ei n g ov er ,

l ook ed La t er h e a dds th a t a t f u n eral s a l l thi ng s whi ch ha d

”
. ,

b een dear t o t he d ea d m an even l ivin g crea t ures ,w ere th rown ,

on t he f u n era l p yr e a n d s h or t l y b ef ore hi s t i m e s l av es a n d
,

b el oved cl e t s w e e
i n r a l s o co n s u m ed
1
D i odoru s s ay s A m ong .

th em t he doct ri n e o f Pyth ag ora s prevail ed th a t t he s oul s of

m en w ere i mm or ta l an d a f t er com pl etin g th ei r t erm of
,

ex i s t en ce th ey l i v e a g a i n t h e s ou l a ss m i n t o an o th er b o dy
p g , .

H en ce a t the bu rial of t he dead s om e thr ew l etters a ddres sed

t o dea d rel a t i v es on t he fu n eral pi l e b el i ev i n g th a t t h e d ea d ,

w ould rea d them i n the n ex t w orld V a l eri u s Ma x i m u s

’
2
.

w ri tes : Th ey w oul d fa in m ak e us b el i eve th a t t he s oul s of

“

m en a re i mm ort al I w ou l d b e t em p t ed t o call t h es e b reech es

.
_

w earing f ol k f ool s i f t hei r doctrin e w ere n ot t he s am e a s tha t

,
“

of t h e m an t le cl a d Pyth a g ora s He al so s p eak s of m on ey ”

-
.

l en t whi ch w ou l d be repa id i n t he n ex t w orl d b ecau s e m en s

’

s ou l s are i m m or ta l Thes e p as s ag es ar e g en erall y t a k en t o

3
.

m ean th a t t he C el t s b eli eved s i m pl y i n t ran s m i g ra t i on of t he

Pyth ag orean ty pe P os s i b l y all th es e w rit ers ci t e on e comm on
.

or i g i n al bu t C aes ar m ak es n o ref eren ce t o P y th ag ora s

,
A com .

a r i s on with t h e Pyth a g orea n d oct ri n e s h ow s th a t t h e C el ti c

p
b el i ef di ffered m a t eriall y from it A ccording t o t he form er .
,

m en s s oul s en t ered n ew b odi es ev en th os e of an im al s i n th i s

’
, ,

w orld an d a s an ex pia ti on There i s n othing of thi s i n t he

,
.

C el ti c doct ri n e The n ew b ody i s n ot a pri s on hou s e of the

.
-

s ou l i n whi ch i t m u s t ex pi a t e i t s f orm er s i n s a n d t h e s ou l
_ ,

recei ves i t n ot i n thi s w orld bu t i n a n oth er The real p oi n t of .

1
C aes a r, vi . 1 4, 1 9. 2
B i od . Si c. v. 28 . 3
Val . Max . vi . 6 1 0.
.
3 36 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
l ong l i fe . thi s reas on he add s t he C el ti c w arri or had no
For , ,

f ear of dea th l
Thu s Lu can con ceived the Drui di c doctrin e t o
.

be on e of b odi l y i mm or t al ity i n a n oth er reg i on Th a t reg i on "

wa s n ot a g l oom y s t a t e ; ra th er it res em bl ed t h e Eg y p tia n

Aal u with i t s ri ch a n d v ari ed ex i s t en ce C l ass i cal writ ers of .
,

cou rs e m a y h av e k n own of wh a t a pp e
,
a rs t o h av e b een a

s p ora d ic C el ti c i dea deri v ed f rom old b el i ef s th a t t h e So ul

, ,

mi g ht t a k e t he f orm of a n an i m al b ut th i s w a s n ot t he D ru i di c ,

t ea chi ng Ag ai n i f t h e Gaul s l ike t he Iri s h ha d myth s tell

.
, , ,

i n g of t he r eb i rth of g ods or s em i di vi n e b eing s th es e m a y -

,

h av e b een m i s i n t erp ret ed by th os e w ri t ers a n d re a r d ed a s

g
e s ch a t ol o i ca l B ut s u ch m yth s d o n o t con cern m t al s
g . o r
-
.

Oth er w riters Ti m ag en es Strab o an d Mel a s peak on l y of t he

,
2
, , ,

i m m ortal ity of the s oul bu t th ei r tes ti m on y i s probab l y n ot a t

,

vari a n ce with th a t o f Lu can s i n ce M el a ap ears t o co y

p p ,

C aesar an d s p eak s of a ccoun ts an d debts b ei ng pas s ed on t o

,

t he n ex t w orld .

Thi s th eory of a b odil y imm orta l ity i s s u pp or t ed by t he

Iri s h s ag a s i n which g h os ts i n our s en s e of t h e word do n ot
, , ,

ex i s t The d ead Wh o r eturn a re n ot s p ect res bu t a r e f u ll y

.
,

cl o th ed u pon with a b od y Th u s when C uchulainn retu rn s a t

"

.
,

t he comm and of S P a t ri ck h e i s des cri b ed ex a ctl y a s i f h e

.
,

w ere s till i n t he fl es h Hi s ha i r w a s thi ck an d b la ck

. i n hi s
h ea d hi s eye g l eam ed s wif t an d g rey Black er th an t he s i de .

o f a cookin s pit each of hi s t w o b r ow s red der th a n ru by hi s

,
g ,

l ip s Hi s cl oth es a n d w eapon s are f u ll y des crib ed whil e hi s

”
.
,

ch ar i ot an d h orses are e qu all y corporea l Sim il ar des criptions

3
.

of t h e d ea d w ho ret urn are n ot i nf requ en t e g th at of , . .

Caoil t e i n t h e s t ory of Mong an wh om ev ery on e b el i eves t o be ,

a l ivi ng w arri or a n d th a t of F erg us m ac B oi ch

, w ho re ,

a pp eared i n a b ea u ti f u l f erm ad orn ed with b row n h a i r a n d ,

1
Pha rs . i . 45 5 f. 2
Amm Marc . . xv . 9 S trabo, i v . 4 Mel a, i i i . 2.
3
Mi s s Hull , 27 5 .
 T HE S TATE OF THE DEAD 337

cl a d i n hi s f orm er it ed the l os t s tory of t h e

s pl en dou r, a n d rec

Tai n 1
. Thus t he Iri s h C el ts b el i eved tha t i n a n oth er w orl d
t h e s pi rit a n i m a t ed t h e m em b ers Thi s b odil y ex i s t en ce i s .

a l s o s u gg es t ed i n C el t i c v ers i on s of t he D ea d D ebt or f ol k “ ”

tal e cy cl e Gen eral l y a n an i m a l i n wh os e s h a pe a d ea d m an

.

h el ps hi s b en efa ct or i s f ou n d i n oth er European v ers ion s bu t

i n t he C el ti c s tori es n ot a n a n i m al bu t t he dea d m a n h i m s el f
a
pp ea rs a s a l i vi n
g p e rs on i n cor oreal f orm
p Eq uall y s u b .
2

s t a n t i a l a n d cor p orea l ea ti n g d ri n k i ng l ov em aki n g a n d fig h t

, , , ,

i n g are t he d i vi n e f olk of t he s i d or of El ys i um or t he g ods a s ,

th ey are repres en ted i n the t ex t s To t he C el t s g ods s i de a nd .

, , ,

t he dead a ll al i k e h a d a b odil y f orm wh i ch h ow ever m ig ht

, , , ,

b ecom e i ns i vi bl e an d i n oth er wa ys di ffered from t he earth ly

,

b ody .

The a rch aeol og i cal evi den ce of b u rial cu s t om s am ong t he

C el ts al s o b ears wi t n ess t o this b el i ef O ver t he wh ol e C el ti c .

a rea a ri ch pro f u s i on of g ra v e g oods ha s b een f ou n d con s i s ti ng -

,

of w ea po s n ar m ou r ,
c h a r i o t s u t en s,
i l s o rn a m en t s a n ,i
d co n s 3
, , .

S om e of t h e i n t erm en t s u n dou btedly poi nt t o s acrifi ce of wi fe ,

chi ldr en or s l a v es a t t h e g rav e

,
Mal e a n d f em al e s k el et ons .

a re o f t en i n cl ose p rox i m ity i n on e ca s e t he arm of t h e m a l e ,

en ci rcl i n g t h e n eck of t h e f em a l e I n oth er ca s es t he rem ai n s .

of chil dr en are f ou n d with th e s e Or wh i l e t he l ow er i n t er .

m en t i s ri ch l y provi ded with g rave g oods a b ove it l i e i rreg ul a rl y -

,

s ev era l s k el et on s w i th ou t g ra v e g oods a n d of ten w i th h ead

,
-
,

s epara t ed f rom t he b o dy p oi n t i n g t o d eca pit a ti on wh i l e i n

, ,

on e ca s e t h e arm s ha d b een ti ed b ehi n d t h e b a ck All this

4
.

1
Nu t t Mey er, i 4 9 Mi s s Hull , 293
-
. .

2
Larm i ni e, 1 5 5 ; Hyd e, B es i d e the F i re, 2 1 , 1 5 3 0111 xi ii . 21 Cam pb el l ,
WE T , i i . 21 Le Bra z 2
,
i .
p. xi i .

G f eld con Ha lls ta tt ; Greenwel l , B ri ti s h B a r r ow s

Da s
’
3
Von S a ck en , ra b

RC x 23 4
. x x
An ti qu a ry , x vii 1 2 5 Bl a n ch et , i i 5 28 f An ders on, S cotl a nd
. . .

i n Pa g a n Ti mes .

4
L An throp ol og i e, vi . 5 8 6
’
Green w ell, op ci t 1 1 9. . .

22
338 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
s ug
g e t t ak en i n con n ecti on w i th cla s s i cal ev i den ce reg arding
s s,

b u ri al cu s tom s tha t the fu tu re l i f e was l if e i n t he b ody an d

, ,

tha t it was a r ep li ca of this l i f e with t h e s am e a ffection s n eeds , , ,

a n d en er i es C er t a i n p a s s ag es i n I ri s h t ex t s a ls o d es crib e
g .

b urial s a n d t ell how t he dea d w ere i n t erred with orn am en ts

,

a n d w eap on s , whi l e i t w as a comm on cu s t om t o b u ry t h e dea d

w arri or i n hi s arm ou r f ull y arm ed and fa cing t he reg ion , ,

wh en ce en em ies m i g ht be ex pected Thu s he wa s a p erp et ual .

m en a ce t o th em a n d prev en t ed th e r a tt ack i 1
Pos s ibl y this .

b eli ef m ay a ccoun t f or the el eva t ed p os iti on of m an y tu mul i .

Ani m al s w ere al s o s a cri fi ced H os tag es were b uri ed al ive

,
.

wi th Fi a chra accordi ng t o one t ext an d t he wi ves of h eroes

, ,

s om e tim es ex pres s th ei r d es i re t o be b u ri ed a l on g with th ei r

d ea d hu s b an ds ?

The i dea th a t t h e b od y as w ell a s t he s ou l w as i m m ortal

w a s prob a b l y l i nk ed on t o a very pri m iti ve b el i ef r eg ardi n g
t h e d ea d an d on e s h ared by m an y p eopl es th a t th ey l ived on
, ,

i n t he g ra ve This con cep ti on w as n ever f org ott en even i n

.
_
,

reg i on s wh ere t h e th eor y o f a d i s t an t l an d of t h e dea d w a s

, y
evol v ed or wh ere t h e b od w a s con s u m ed by fire b ef or e b u ria l .

I t appea rs f rom s u ch practices a s bi n di ng t he dea d with cords ,

or l ayi n h ea v y s t on es or a m ou n d of ear th on t he ra ve
g g ,

p rob a b l y t o
p reven t th ei r e res s
g or f e e d i n
g t h e d ea d with
,

s a crifi cia l f o od a t t he g ra ve or f rom t he b el i ef th a t t he dea d

,

com e f or th n ot a s s pi rit s bu t i n t he b ody from t he g ra ve

,
Thi s .

p r i m iti v e con c ep ti o n of whi ch t he b el

, i ef i n a s u bt erran ea n

w orld of t he dead i s an ex ten s ion l ong s urvived among vari ous ,

Nu tt Meyer, i 5 2 ; O Don ovan, Ann a l s , i . 1 4 5 , 1 8 0 ; R 0 xv. 28 . I n

’
1 -
.

on e ca s e t h e en em y d i s i n t er t h e b od y o f t h e k i n g of Conn au g h t , an d rebury i t

f ace d ow n ward s , a n d t h en o b t ai n a vi ct ory . Thi s n earl y coi n ci d es wi t h t he

foll owi n g t h e di s i n t erm ent (O Donovan , i
’
d i re Bran h ead
’
res ul t s of s . 1 4 5 ; of.
p 242,
. s up r a ) .

2
L U 1 30a ; R 0 xx i v.
’
1 8 5 ;O Curry, M0 i . p. cccxxx ;C m pb ll
a e , WE T i i i .

6 2 ; Leah y , i . 1 05 .
 34 0 THE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
u s e, a pparen tl y t o perm it of t he corp s e h aving freedom of m ove
m en t cont rary t o t he older cu s t om of preven t i ng i t s eg ress
,

f rom t h e g rave I n t he w es t of I rela n d th e f eet of t h e corp s e

.

are l ef t f ree a n d t h e n a il s are dra wn f rom t h e coffi n a t t he

,

I n t he H eb r i des t he t h rea d s of t he s h r ou d are cu t or

‘

g ra v e

t he bin di n g s of f eet h an ds a n d face are ra i s ed wh en t he b ody

, ,

i s p l aced i n t he coffi n a n d i n B rittan y t he a rm s a n d f eet a re

'

l ef t f ree wh en t he corp s e i s dres s ed 1

The rea s on i s s ai d t o b e
.

th a t t he s pi rit m ay h ave l es s trou b le i n g ett i ng t o t he s pirit

w orl d bu t it i s obvi ou s tha t a m ore m a t erial v iew p receded
,

a n d s ti l l u n derl i es thi s l a t er g l os s Man y s t ories a re t ol d .

illus tra ting thes e cu s t om s an d the earlier b el i ef Chri s ti ani s ed

, , ,

a pp ears i n th e t al e of a w om a n wh o h a u n t ed her f ri en ds
'

b ecaus e th ey ha d m ade her g rave cl othes s o s hort th a t the fires

_
-

of P urg a t ory b urn t h er k n ees

2
.

Earl i er cu s tom s recorded am ong t he C el t s al s o po in t t o t he

e x i s t en ce of th i s p ri m i t i ve b el i ef i n fl u en ci ng a ctu al cus t om .

Ni can der s a ys th a t t he C el t s w en t by n igh t t o t h e t om b s of

rea t m en t o obt a i n ora cl es s o m u ch di d th ey b el i eve tha t
g ,

th ey w ere s till l i ving th ere I n I rel an d oracles w ere al s o

?
,

s ou g h t by s l eep i n g on f u n eral cai rn s an d it wa s t o t he g ra v e ,

of F erg u s th a t t w o b a r ds r es or t ed i n ord er t o obta i n f rom hi m

'

t he l os t s t ory of t he Tai n W e hav e al s o s een how i n Irel an d

.
, ,

a rm ed h er oes ex ert ed a s i n i s t er i n fl uen ce u p on en em i es fr om

their g ra ves whi ch m a y thu s have b een reg arded a s thei r

,

h om es a b el ief al s o u n d erl yin g t he Wels h s tory of Bran s

—
’

head .

Where was the world of the dead s itua t ed ? M Reinach .

has s h ow n by a caref ul com pari s on of t he d ifferen t us es of t he

,

1
Curt i n , Ta l es , 1 5 6 ; Ca m pb ell , S up ers ti ti o ns , 24 1 Fol k L ore,
-
x i ii . 60 Le
Braz 2, i 21 3 .

Folk L ore, 1 1 2 6 ; Y ea t s , Cel ti c Twi li g ht, 1 6 6

-
. .

3
Tert ull i an , d e An i ma , 2 1 .
 T H E ST AT E or T HE DE AD 34 1

word or bi s , th at w ords do n ot n eces s aril y m ean

Lucan s
’
'

an oth er w orl d a n oth er r eg i on i e of t hi s w orl d

“ “ ”
bu t
, ,
. .
1
.

I f t he C el t s ch eri s h ed s o fi rm l y th e b eli ef th a t t h e d ead l i ved

on i n t h e g ra v e a b el i ef i n an u n derw orld o f t he d ea d w a s
'

b ou n d i n cou rs e of t i m e t o h av e b een ev ol ved as par t of thei r

creed . To it al l g rav es an d t u m ul i w ou l d g i ve a cces s C l a s s i cal .

ob s erv ers a pp aren t l y h eld th a t t he C el ti c f u t u re s t a t e wa s

l ik e th eir own i n b ein g a n u n derw orl d r eg i on s i n ce th ey s peak ,

of t h e d ea d C el t s a s i nf er i or as g oi n g a d Ma n es a n d P l u t arch
, ,

m ak es C a mm a s p eak of d es cen din g t o her dea d h u s ba n d 2 .

W h a t di fferen tia t ed it f rom th ei r o wn g l oom y u n derworl d wa s

i t s ex u b era n t l i fean d i mm ort al ity Th i s a s p ect of a s ubt er
.

ra mea n l an d pr es en ted n o d i ffi cu l ty t o t h e C el t w h o ha d m a n y ,

t al es of an u n derw orl d or un der wat er reg i on m ore b eau ti f ul -

a n d b l i ss f u l th a n a n yt hi n g on ear th S uch a s u bterra n ean .

w orl d m u s t ha ve b een tha t of t he C el ti c Di s pa ter a g od of ,

f ert il ity a n d g rowth t h e root s of thi ng s b ei n g n ou ri s h ed f rom

,

hi s ki ng d om From hi m m en ha d d es cen ded p rob ab ly a

.
3
,

m yth of th ei r com i n g f orth f rom hi s s u bt erran ean ki n g dom ,

a n d t o hi m th ey r et u rn ed a f t er d ea th t o a b li s s f u l l i f e .

S everal w ri t ers n otab l y M D Arboi s a s s um e tha t t he orbi s

,
.
’

a li a s of t h e d ea d w a s t he C el ti c i s l a n d E ly s i u m Bu t th a t .

Ely s ium n ever a ppears i n the tal es as a l a n d of t he dead It i s .

a l a n d of g ods a n d d ea thl es s f ol k w h o are n ot th os e wh o h a ve

p sa s e d fe
r om thi s w or l d by d ea th M or t al s m a
y r ea ch i t by
.

fav ou r but 0
,
s t i ll i n l i f e It m i g ht be arg ued tha t
.

i n p ag an ti m es a s t he l an d of t he dea d ,

bu t a f t er es ch a t ol og i ca l v i ews p reva i l ed i t b eca m e a ,

k i n d of fa iryl an d Bu t t he ex i s ti ng t al es g ive n o h i n t of th i s
.
,

an d a f t er b ei n g caref ul l y ex a m i n ed th ey s h ow th a t El y s i um
, ,

1
Rei n a ch , B C xxn 4 47 . .

2
V al Ma x vi 6 Mel a, i ii 2 . 1 9
. . . . Plu t . Vi rt . m n l 20.
3
S ee p . 229, s up r a .
34 2 T HE RELIGION o r T HE ANCIEN T CELTS
h ad always b een a pl ace di s tin ct f rom th a t of the depar ted ,

thoug h there m ay have ari s en a t en den cy t o con fu s e t he t wo .

If th ere wa s a g en ui n e C el ti c b el i ef i n an i s l and of t he
dead it coul d h a ve b een n o m ore than a l ocal on e el s e C aes ar
, ,

w ou ld n ot h av e s pok en a s he d oes of t he C el ti c Di s pa t er .

Su ch a l ocal beli ef n ow ex i s t s on t he Bret on coas t bu t i t i s

'

,
'

m a i nl y con cern ed with t he s ou l s of t he drow ned 1

A s im ilar .

l ocal b el i ef m ay ex pl ain t he s t ory t old by Procop iu s wh o s a y s

“

tha t Bri t ti a ( Brit ai n ) a n i s land l ying off t he m ou th of t he

,

Rhin e i s divi ded f rom n or th t o s ou th by a w all b eyon d which

,

i s a n ox iou s reg i on Thi s i s a dis tort ed rem in is cence of the

.

Rom an wall whi ch w oul d a pp ear t o run i n thi s direction i f

,

Pt ol em y s m ap i n whi ch S cotl an d l i es at rig ht an g l es t o

’

Eng lan d had b een con s ul ted Thith er fi s h erm en f rom t he

,
.

o pp os it e coa s t a re com pell ed t o f erry over a t dead of n ig ht t he

s h a des of t h e dea d u n s een t o th em bu t m ars h all ed by a

, ,

m y s t eri ou s l ea der 2
Procopiu s m ay h ave m i ng l ed s om e l ocal
.

b eli ef with t he curren t tradi tion tha t Ulys s es i s lan d of t he ’

s h a des l a y i n t he n or th or i n t he w es t I n a n y cas e hi s s t ory

3
.
, _

m ak es of t he g l oom y l an d of t he s h a des a v ery di fferen t reg i on

.

f rom t he b li s s f ul El ys i um of t he C el t s an d f rom t h ei r j oy ou s
or bi s a li a s n or i s i t cert a i n th a t h e i s r ef erri n g t o a C el ti c
,

eo
p p l e.

Traces of the i dea of an u n derw orld of the dead ex is t i n

B ret on folk b el ief The dead m u s t t ravel acros s a s u bterran ean
-
.

ocea n a n d th ou g h th ere i s s car cel y a n y t ra d iti on reg a rd in g

,

wha t h appen s on l an di n g M Sébi llot think s tha t f orm erl y , .

“
t here ex i s t ed i n t h e s u bterran ean w orld a s ort of cen t ral i s a
tion of t he differen t s t ates of the dead I f s o this m us t have .
”
,

b een f oun ded on pag an b el i ef The i n teri or of the earth i s .

1
Le Braz 2, i . p . xxxi x . Thi s i s onl y on e ou t of m any l ocal bel i efs ( of.
S ébi ll o t, i i .

2 3
Procop De B el l o Goth
. . vi . 20. Cl a udi an, I n Rafin . i , 1 23 .
34 4 T HE RE LIGION OF TH E ANCIEN T CEL TS

no care, a nd f avoured m ort al s w ho p as s th ere a re

g eneral l y

p re ven t ed from ret urn in g t o earth '

. The ref eren ce to Kronos
m a y a l s o b e b a sed p art l y on m y t hs C el ti c g ods of of El y s i u m ,

p a r t l y on t a l es of h ero es w h o d ep ar t ed t o m y s t eri ou s i s l a n ds

or t o t h e h ol l o w h i l l s wh ere th ey li e a s l eep b u t wh en ce th ey ,

Will on e day ret urn t o b en efit th eir p eople S o Arthur pas s ed .

t o A val on bu t i n o th er t al es he an d hi s w arri ors are as l eep

,

b enea th C ra ig y Ddi n as j u s t a s Fi onn a n d hi s m en res t withi n

- -
,
‘

thi s or th a t hill i n t he Hi g hla n ds Sim ila r l eg en ds a re t old of .

o th er C el ti c h er oes a nd th ey w itn es s t o t he b el ief th a t g reat

,

m en wh o had di ed w oul d r et urn i n t he h ou r of th ei r p eopl e s

’

n eed . I n ti m e th ey w ere th oug ht n ot t o h ave di ed a t al l bu t ,

t o be m erel y s l eep in g an d w ait i n g f or th eir h our The b el i ef 1

.

i s b a s ed on t he i dea th a t t he d ea d are a li ve I n grav e or b arrow ,

or i n a s paci ou s la n d b el ow t he ear th , or t hat d ea d w arri ors

ca n m en a ce th ei r f oes f rom t he t om b .

Th u s n ei ther i n ol d s ag as n or i n Ma rchen n or i n p opul ar , ,

t radi ti on i s th e i s l an d El ys iu m a w orl d of t he dead For t he

, .

m os t par t t he pa g an es ch a t ol og y h as b een m erg ed i n th a t of

‘

Chris ti an ity whil e t h e Elys iu m b eli ef ha s rem a in ed i n ta ct an d

,

s t i ll s u r vi ves i n a wh ol e s eri es of b eau t i f u l t al es

,
.

The w orl d of t h e dead was i n a ll res p ect s a rep li ca of this

w orld but it wa s h appi er I n exi s ting B ret on a nd I ri s h b el ief
, .

a s urvi va l of t he ol der con cep ti on O f t he b odil y s t a te of t he

“
—

dead th ey r es u m e th ei r t ool s craf t s a n d occu pati ons a nd

-
, , ,

th ey pres erve th eir ol d f eeli n g s Hen ce wh en th ey app ear on .

,

ear th i t i s i n b odi l y f orm an d i n th ei r cus t o m ary d res s

,
Lik e .

1
S ee Hartl an d, S ci en ce f
o Fa i ry Ta l es , 209 ; Macdoug al l , Fol k a nd Her o
Ta l es , 7 3, 26 3 ; Le Braz 2, i . p . xxx
. M ort al s s om et i m es p en et ra t ed t o t h e .

pres ence of t hes e h eroes , wh o a w ok e If t h e v i s i t or h a d t h e courag e t o t ell

.

t h em t h a t t h e h our h a d n ot y et com e, t h ey fel l a s l ee ag a i n , a n d he es ca ped .

p
I n Bri t t an y , rock y cl eft s a re b el i eved t o b e t h e en tran ce t o t h e worl d of t h e
d ead , l i k e t h e cav e o f Lo ug h Dearg S i m i l a r s t ori es w ere p rob a bl y t ol d o f
.

t h es e i n p ag a n t i m es , t h oug h t h ey are n ow a d apt ed t o Chr i s t i a n b eli ef s i n

pu rg a t ory or h ell .
 THE S TATE OF THE DEAD 34 5

t he p ag an Gaul s t he B reton rem em b ers u npai d debts an d

, ,

ca nn ot res t t i ll th ey a r e p ai d an d i n B ri tt a n y I rel an d a n d
, , ,

t h e Hi g hl an ds t he f oo d an d cl o th es g iven t o t he poor a f t er a
d ea th f eed an d cl oth e t h e dea d i n t he oth er w orl d
, I f t he .
1

w orld of t he dea d wa s su bt erran ean a th eory s u pport ed by —

,

e t k be il f t he Ear th g oddes s or t he Ea rth g od who

2
c u rr n f ol e-
,
— - -
,

ha d b een fi rs t t h e ear th i t s el f th en a b ein g l ivi ng b el ow i t s

,

s u rf a ce a n d cau s i n g f er t il ity coul d n ot h av e b ecom e t he

,

di v i n ity of t he dead u n t i l t he m ul t i tu de of s in g l e g rav es or

b arrow s i n ea ch of whi ch t he dea d l ived ha d b ecom e a wi de
, ,

s u bt erra n ean re i on of t he dea d Thi s d i v i n i ty w as t h e s ou rce

g .

of l i f e a n d
g rowth ; h en ce h e or s he wa s r eg arded a s t h e pro
g e n it o r o f m a n ki n d w h o h a d com e
,
f or th f ro m t h e u n d er w or ld
a n d w ou l d ret u rn th ere a t d ea th It i s not i m p os s i b le tha t
.

t he B ret on con cep ti on of A n k ou d ea th p er s on ifi ed i s a r om i n i , ,

s cen ce of t he C el ti c D i s p a t er He w a t ch es ov er a ll th i ng s
.

b eyon d the g rave an d ca rri es off t he dead t o hi s k i n g dom

, .

Bu t i f s o h e ha s b een a l tered f or t h e w ors e by m ediaeval i deas

of
“
D ea th t he s k el eton 3 He i s a g ri s l y g od of dea th
”
,

whereas th e C el ti c Di s w a s a ben eficen t g od of t he dea d w ho

enj oy ed a h app y i mm o rt al ity Th ey were n ot cold ph an ta s m s
.
,

bu t a l i ve an d en dow ed with corporeal f orm an d a b l e t o enj oy

'

t he thin g s of a b ett er ex i s t en ce a n d clad i n t he b ea u tif ul ,

ra i m en t a n d g a u dy orna m en t s whi ch w ere l ov ed s o m u ch on

ea rth H m e Cd i e warfi m di d fi dt f eaa d ea th a fid s ui ci de

— i — /
. e

wa s ex trem el y com m on wh i l e S p an i s h C el t s s ang hy m n s i n

,

p ra i s e of d ea th a n d o th ers cel eb ra t ed t h e bi r th of m en w i th
,

m ourn i ng bu t th ei r dea th s with j Lu ca n s w ords a re th us

’
4
,
oy .

t he t rues t ex p res s ion of C el t i c escha t ol og y I n an oth er

1
Le Bra z ,
2
i
p .
, . x]
Curt i n , 1 0 ; MacPh ail , F ol k Lor e, vi 1 7 0.
11. 4 -
.

2
S ee p 338 , s ap r a , an d Log a n , S cotti s h Ga el , i i 3 7 4 ; Fol k L ore, vi i i 208 , 2 5 3.
' -
. . .
p

3 2
Le B raz ,
i 96 , 1 27 , 1 36 f , a n d I n t ro xlv
. . . .

4
Phi l os t ra t us , Ap ol l of Ty a n a , v . 4 V al Ma x i i 6 . 1 2.
. . . .
 34 5 T HE RE LIGION OF TH E ANCIENT CE LTS
re
g i on t he s p i rit an im a t es
b ers d ea th i f y ou r l ore be
t h e m em ,

t rue i s bu t t he pa s s ag e t o en du ri ng l ife
, .

Th ere i s n o decis ive ev i den ce p oin ti n g t o an y theory of

'

m Ora l retrib u ti on b ey on d t he g rave am ong t h e pag a n C el t s .

P erh aps s i n ce the h op e of i m m ortal ity m a de warriors f ace

,

d ea th with ou t a trem or it m ay h av eb een h eld as m an y o th er

, ,

races h a v e b el i ev ed th a t cow ard s w ou l d m i s s t he b l i s s of t he

,

f u t ure s ta t e Ag ain i n s om e of the I ri s h Chri s tia n vis ions of

.
,

t he oth er w orl d a n d i n ex i s ti ng f olk b el ief cert a in ch ara ct eri s ti cs

- -
,

of h el l m a n ot b e d eri ved f rom Ch ri s ti an es ch a t ol o y eg

y g I
, . .

t he s u fferi n g s of t he d ea d f rom col d 1

This m ig ht poin t t o an .
-

ol d b eli ef i n a cold re i on wh i th er s om e of t he d e ad w ere

g
b ani s h ed I n t he Adven tu res of S Colu m ba s Cleri cs h ell i s
. .
’

r each ed by a b ri d e over a
g l en of fire a nd a n arrow b ri dg e
2
g ,

l eadin g t o t he oth er w orl d i s a com m on f eature i n m os t

m yth ol og ies But h ere it may be b orrow ed f rom S can din avi an
.

s ou rces or f rom s uch Chri s ti a n w r iti n s a s t he Di a log u es of

, g
S G eg y t e Great
. r or h 3
It m ig ht be con ten ded th a t t he
.

Chris ti an doctri n e of h ell ha s a b s orb ed an earl ier p ag an th eory

of r etrib u ti on bu t of thi s th ere i s n ow n o t race i n t he s ag a s
,

or i n cl a s s i cal ref er en ces t o t h e C el t i c b el i ef i n t he f u t u re l i f e .

Nor i s there a n y r ef eren ce t o a day of j u dg m en t f or t he ,

p as s ag e i n whi ch Loeg ai re s peak s of t he dead b uri ed w i th

th ei r weap on s till t he day of Erdathe thoug h g l os s ed 5 t he
“
,
” ‘

da y of j u dg m en t of t he Lord d oes n ot refer t o s u ch a

” “

j dg en t If an ethical b l in dnes s be a tt ri b u t ed t o th e Cel ts

u m 4
.

f or th ei r a pparen t l ack of any th eory of retrib u ti on it s h ou ld ,

1 Le Bra z 1 ,91 ; Curt i n , Ta l es , 1 4 6 . The pu ni s h m ent of s u fferi ng from

11.

i ce and s now a pp ears i n t h e Ap oca l yp s e o

f P a u l an d i n l a t er Chri s t i an accoun t s
of h el l .
2
RC xx vi . 1 5 3. 3
Bk . i v ch . 3 6
. .

“
4
t o D Arb oi s , m ea n s ( 1 ) t he d ay i n whi ch t h e d ead
’
E rd a the, a ccordi ng
“ “ ”
( 2) t h e a g reeabl e day , from
”
wi ll res um e hi s col ou r, from d a th, col ou r
“
(D Arb oi s
”
a g reeabl e of . Les Dru i des ,
’
d ata , , i . 1 85
 C H A P TER XX I II .

REBI RT H AND T RANS MI G RATIO N .

I I ri s h is t
as s er ed on l y of di vini ti es or h eroes
and, p rob ab l y
s crib es , w h i l e s om e MS S t el l
. of it i n t he_ cas e of cer a i n t heroi c

b orn n a tural l y Th ere i s n o t ex tu al evi den ce th a t it wa s

.

a tt ribu t ed t o or din ary m or t al s a n d it i s

p os s i b,l e th a t i f ,

cl as s i cal ob s erver s d i d n ot m i s u n d ers t an d t h e C el ti c d oct ri n e

of t h e f u t u re l i f e th ei r ref eren ces t o reb i r th m a y be b a s ed on

,

m ythi cal t al es reg a r di ng g o ds or h eroes W e s h al l s t u d y .

th es e tales a s th ey a re f oun d i n Iri s h t ex t s .

I n the m yth ol og i cal cy cl e a s h a s b een s een Eta in i n

, , ,

i n s ect f orm f el l i n t o a cu p of win e S he was s wallow ed by

, .

B ta r a n d i n du e ti m e w
,
as reb orn as a chi l d wh o w as ,

even t u a l l y m arri ed by Eochai d Ai rem , bu t recog n iz ed a n d

carr i ed off by her d i vi n e s p ou s e Mi d er Et ain how ever had . , ,

quite f org ott en her f orm er exi s t ence a s a g oddes s 1

.

I n on e v ers ion of C uch ul ai nn s b i rth s t ory D ech t i re

’

a n d h er w om en fly a way a s b i rds bu t are di s covered ,

a t l a s t by h er b r oth er C on ch ob ar i n a s t ran g e h O u se wh ere ,

Decht i re g i ves b i rth t o a chi l d of wh om t he g od Lu g i s ,

-

a p paren t l y t he f a th er I n a n oth er vers i on t he b i r ds are n ot

.

D echt i re a n d her wo m en f or s he a ccom p an i es C on ch ob ar a s

,

hi s ch ari ot eer They arri ve a t the h ou s e t he m i s t res s of

.
,

1
F t xt
or e l d t il
ua e a Zi m m
s Z it f
s ee V g l Sp
er, h xx i i i 5 8 5 f
e . ar er . ra c . v . .

Th e t al e i s ob vi ous l y a rch a i c. F or a t ran s l a t i on s ee Leahy, i 8 f . .

3 43
 REBIRTH AND T RANS MIGR ATION 34 9

which g ives bi rth hild whi ch D echti re b ri ng s up It

to a c , .

di es a nd on h er r et urn f rom t he b u ri a l D ech ti re s wal l ow s a

,

s m a l l a n i m a l wh en dri n k i n g Lu g a ppears t o her by n ig ht

.
,

a n d t ell s h er th a t h e w a s t h e child a n d th a t n ow s he wa s ,

with chi ld by hi m (i e he wa s t h e a n i m al s w allow ed by her)

. . .

W h en h e w as b o rn h e w ould b e cal l ed S ete nta who wa s l a ter ,

n a m ed C uch u l a i n n Cuch ulai nn i n th i s v ers i on i s thu s a

.
, ,

r ebi r th of Lu g a s w el l a s hi s f a th er
1
.
,

I n t he Ta le of the Two S w i n eher d s Fri u ch an d B ucht are ,

herds of t he g ods Ocha ll an d B odb They q uarrel a nd th ei r . ,

fi g hti ng i n v ari ou s a n im al s h a p es i s f ull y des crib ed Fi n ally .

th ey b ecom e t wo w orm s wh i ch are s w a l low ed by t w o cows ;

,

th es e th en g i ve bi rth t o t he W hit eh orn an d t o t he B la ck B ull

of Cua ilg n e t h e a n i m a l s whi ch w ere t he ca u se of t he Tai n
, .

The s wi n eh erds w ere p rob a b l y th em s el ves g ods i n t he ol der

ve s i on s of th s t a e
2
r i l .

r el a t e t he rebi rth of h eroes C onch ob ar i s .

va ri ou s l y s a i d t o be s on of n d Ca t hba d or ,

by her l over Fach tn a Bu t i n the l a tter v ers ion a n i nci den t

.

i s f oun d wh i ch poi n t s t o a third accou n t

. Ness a b ri ng s .

Ca t hba d a drau g ht f rom a ri ver bu t i n i t a re t wo w orm s ,

whi ch he f orces her t o s w all ow She g i ves birth t o a s on i n

.
,

ea ch of wh os e h a n d s i s a w orm an d h e i s ca ll ed C on ch ob a r
, ,

a f t er t h e n a m e of t h e r i ver i n t o whi ch h e f ell s oon a f t er hi s

bi rth Th e i n ci den t cl os es with t he w ords It w as f rom th ese

.
,
“

w orm s tha t s he b ecam e p reg na n t s ay s om e 3

Pos s i b ly t he
,
”
.

di v i ni ty of t he ri ver ha d t ak en t he f orm of t he w orm s an d w a s

re b orn a s C on ch ob a r W e m ay com p are t he s tory of t he
.

birth of C onal l Cern ach Hi s m other wa s childles s u n til a

.
,

1
B Arb oi s , Th ere i s
’
1 T i 1 34 f
. . v. 22. a s u g g e s t i on in one of t h e vers i ons
of a not h er s t ory , i n wh i ch S et an t a i s chi ld o f Con ch ob ar a n d hi s s i s t er Decht i re.
2
I T i i i 24 5 ; RC xv. 4 6 5 Nu t t -Mey er, i i . 6 9
. .

3
S t owe MS 992, RC vi . 1 7 4 I T i i . 2 1 0 D Arboi s ,
’
. v. 3 f.
 3 50 TH E RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
D ru i d s an g
l
w el l i n whi ch s he b athed a n d
s pell s ov er a ,

dra n k of i t s w a t ers W ith t he drau g ht s he s wallowed a

.

worm a n d t h e w orm wa s i n t he h a n d of t he b oy as he
,
“

l ay i n hi s m oth er s w om b ; a nd he pierced t he h and an d

’

con s u m ed it
1 ”
.

The p ers onal ity of Fi onn i s a l s o conn ect ed with t he re

birth i dea I n one s tory Mong an a s even th cen tury king
.
, ,
-
,

ha d a di sp u t e with hi s poet reg a r din g t he d ea th of t he h ero

Fot had The F i an Ca oil t e re t u rn s f rom t he dead t o p rove
.

Mong an rig ht an d he sa y s W e w ere with th ee with Fi onn

,
.
, , .
”

Mong an bids hi m be s i l en t b eca us e h e di d n ot wi s h hi s ,

iden tity with Fi onn t o b e m a de known M ong an however .

“
, ,

wa s Fi onn th ou g h h e w oul d n ot l et it be t old I n an other

2 ”
.
,

s t ory Mon a n i s s on of Ma na nn an w ho ha d prop h es i ed of

g ,

this even t Manan nan app eared t o the wife of Fi achna

.

wh en he wa s fi g htin g t he S ax on s a n d t old her th at un l es s ,

s h e yi eld ed h ers el f t o h i m her h u s b an d w ou l d be s l a in On .

h earin g th i s s he ag reed a n d nex t day t he g od appeared ,

fig hti n g with Fi achn a s f orces an d rou ted t he s la in ’

So .

tha t this Mong a n i s a s on of Man an n an m a c Li r th oug h he ,

i s cal led Mon g an s on of Fi achna I n a thi rd vers i on

3 ”
.

Man an nan m ak es t he barg ain with Fi achna an d i n hi s ,

f orm sl eeps with t he w om an Sim u l t a neou s l y with Mon g a n s

.
’

bir th Fi achn a s a tten da n t had a s on who b ecam e Mong an s

,
’ ’

s er va n t an d a w a rri or s wi f e b ea rs a da u ht er Who b ecam e

’

, g
hi s wi fe Manannan t ook Mong an t o t h e Lan d of Promi s e
.

a n d k ep t hi m th e e r u n ti e w
l h a s s i x t ee n
4
Man y m ag i cal .

p o wer s a n d t h e f a cu l ty o f s h ap e s hi f ti n
g are a tt r ib u t ed-
t o -

Mongan a n d i n s om e s t ori es he i s broug ht i nt o conn ecti on

,

1
Of t h e s t ory of t h e wi fe of Corm ac, wh o wa s b arren t i ll h er
I T i i i . 3 93 . .

m o t h er g a ve h er p ot t ag e Then s he h a d a d aug h t er ( RC
. ii xx .

2
Nu tt Mey er, i 4 5 f , t e t an t r n at
- d . a s l. i on . x 3
I bi d . 4 2 f .

4
Ibi d . 5 8 . The s i mul t an eou s bi rt h f orm ul a occurs i n m an y Marchen , t houg h
t h at o f t h e fu t ure wi fe i s n ot comm on .
352 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
i n vok ed i n s ava i ty an d even i n E uropean f ol k cus t om
g e s oc e -

i n ca s e of b a rrenn es s Pray ers ch arm s poti on s or f ood are

.
, , ,

t h e m ean s u s ed t o i n d uce con cep ti on bu t p erh a p s a t on e ,

tim e th es e w ere th oug ht t o cau s e it of th em s el ves I n m an y .

tal es the s wall owing of a s eed f ru it i n s ect et c res ul t s i n , , , .

,

t h e bi rth of a h ero or h eroi n e a n d it i s proba b l e t h at th es e

,

s t or i es em b ody a ct u al b el i ef i n su ch a p os s ib i l ity I f t he .

s t ori es of C on a ll Cern a ch a n d Aed S l a n e are n ot a tt en u a t ed

i n s t ances of rebi r th s ay of the di vin ity of a w ell th ey are

, , ,

ex am pl es of thi s b el i ef The g i f t of f rui tf u l n es s i s b es t ow ed

.

by D ru i d an d s ai n t bu t i n th e s t ory of C on all it i s ra th er
,

t he s wal l owi ng of t he w orm th a n t h e D rui d s i n can t a ti on

’

th a t cau s es con cep ti on an d i s t he real m otif of t he t al e

, .

W h ere t he rebirth of a di vi ni ty occurs a s the res ul t of

t he s w all owing of a s m all an i m al it i s ev i den t th at t he ,

o d h a s fi rs t tak en thi s f or m Th e C el t b el i e vi n g i n con

g .
,

cep t i on by s w al l ow i n g s om e o bj ect an d i n s h a p e s hi f ti n g ,
-
,

com bi n ed hi s i nf orm a ti on an d s o p roduced a thi rd i dea th a t

, ,

a g od cou l d t ak e t h e f orm of a s m all a n i m a l whi ch wh en , ,

s wa ll ow ed b ecam e hi s rebir th I f a s t he V i s its of b arren

'
1
.
, ,

w om en t o dolm en s a n d m eg al ithi c m on u m en ts s ugg es t t he ,

C el ts b el i eved i n t he pos s ibi li ty of t he S pi ri t of a dead m a n

en t erin g a w om
,

a n a n d b ei n g b orn of h er or a t l eas t a i di n
g
con cep ti on a b eli ef h el d by o th er ra ces thi s m ay have
— 2 —
, , ,

g i v e n r i s e t o m yth s r eg a rdi n g t he rebi r th of g ods by h u m a n

.

m oth ers At all ev en t s thi s l a tt er C el ti c b el i ef i s para ll el ed

.

by t h e Am eri ca n I n dian m yth s e g of t he Thli nk eet g od Yehl ,

. .

w ho t ra n s f orm ed hi m s elf n ow i n t o a p ebb l e n ow i n t o a bl ade ,

of g ra s s a n d b eing th u s s w all ow ed by w om en wa s reb orn

, , ,
.

I n t he s t ori es of Et ai n a n d of Lu d reb orn as S et en ta thi s , ,

1
In s om e of t h e t al es t h e s mal l a n i m al s t i l l e i s t s i n d ependent ly x a ft er t he
bi rt h , but t h i s i s prob abl y n ot t h ei r pri m i t i ve f orm .

2
S ee m y Reli g i on I ts Ori g i n a nd Forms , 7 6 —7 7 .
 REBIRT H AND T RANS MIGRATION 353

i dea of d i vi n e
. tra ns forma ti on an d reb i rth occurs A s i m ilar .

i dea m a y u n d erli e t he t al e of Fi on n a n d M ong an As t o t he .

t al es of Gwi on an d t he Swi neherds t he l a tt er t he s ervan ts of ,

o d s a n d p er ha p s th em s el v es reg ard ed on ce a s di vi n i t i es wh o
g , ,

i n th eir reb i r th a s b ul l s are cer t ai n l y di v i ne an i ma l s th ey

'

s e n t s om e f ea t u res wh i ch req u i re f u rth er con s i d era ti on

p re .

The p revi ou s t ran s f orm a ti on s i n b oth ca s es b el ong t o t he

Trans f orma ti on C om b at f orm ul a of m an y Marchen an d ,

o b v i ou s l y w ere n ot p ar t of t he ori g i n al f orm of t h e m yth s .

I n a ll s uch Marchen t he an ta g on i s t s are m al es h en ce t he ,

r eb i r th i n ci den t cou l d n ot f orm p a r t of th em I n t he W el s h .

t al e of Gw i on a n d i n the corres pondi ng Tal i es i n poem t he ,

i ng en i ou s f u s i on of t he Marchen f orm ul a with an ex i s ting

m yth of rebi rth m u s t h a ve t ak en p la ce a t an earl y dat e 1
.

Thi s i s al s o t ru e of The Two S wi neher ds bu t i n thi s cas e , ,

s i n ce t h e m yth t ol d h o w t w o g ods t ook t he f orm of w orm s

a n d w ere reb or n o f cow s t he f orm u l a had t o be al t ered

, .

B oth rem ai n ali ve at t he end of t he com b a t con trary t o the ,

u s u a l f orm u l a b ecau s e b oth w ere m al es a n d b oth w ere

,

r eb orn The f u s i on i s s k i lf u l b ecau s e t he reb orn p ers on ag es

.
,

p res er ve a re m e m b ra n ce o f th ei r f or m er t ra n s f o rm a t i o n s
2
,

j us t as Mon g an k n ow s of hi s f orm er ex is t en ce a s Fi onn I n .

oth er ca s es th ere i s n o s u ch r em em b rance Etai n ha d .

f org ott en her f orm er ex i s t en ce a n d C uch ul ai nn does n ot ,

a p p ear t o k n ow th a t he i s a reb i r th o f Lu g .

Th e r el a ti on of Lu g t o C uch ul ai nn deserves f u r th er i n q u i ry .

Wh i l e t he g od i s reb orn he i s al s o ex i s t i ng a s Lug j u s t a s ,

1
Sk ene, i . 5 32. Aft er rel a ti ng v ari ou s s h ap es i n wh i ch h e h a s b een , t h e

p oet ad ds t hat h e h a s b een g r ai n whi ch a h en

a recei ved , a n d t h at h e res t ed in
h er wom b as a chi l d . Th e referen ce i n t hi s ea rly p oem f rom a f ourt een t h
cent u ry MS . s h ow s t h a t t h e fu s i on of t he Mar chen f orm ul a wi t h a m yt h o f
rebi rt h was al rea dy w ell k n ow n . S ee a l s o Gu es t , i ii . 3 6 2, f or vers es i n whi ch
t h e t ran s form at i on s d uri ng t h e x
com b a t are e a gg era t ed .
2
Sk en e, i 2 7 6 , 5 32. .

2
3
3 54 T HE RELIGION OF T H E ANCIEN T CE L TS
h avi ng b een s wallow ed as a w orm by Dechti re he appears
"

i n hi s divin e form an d t ell s h er h e will be b orn of her In .

t he Tai n he a ppears fi g hti n g f or C uch ul ai nn wh om h e th ere ,

cal l s h i s s on Th ere are thu s t wo a s pects of the hero s

.
’

r el a ti on s h i p t o Lug ; i n on e he i s a r ebir th of t he g od i n ,

th e o th er he i s hi s s on a s in deed h e s eem s t o r epresen t

,

him sel f i n The Wooi ng of E mer an d as he i s ca ll ed by ,

Lab orcham j u s t b ef or e hi s d eath 1

I n on e of t he bi rth s t ori es
‘

-
.

he i s cl earl y Lu g s s on by D echt i re Bu t b oth vers i on s m ay

’
.

s i m p l y be di ff eren t as p ect s of on e b el i ef n am el y th a t a g od , ,

cou l d b e r eb or n a s a m or ta l a n d ye t con ti n u e hi s div in e

ex i s t en ce b ecaus e al l bi rth i s a ki n d of rebi r th
,
The m en .

of U l s t er s ou g ht a wi f e f or Cl l chu l a i n n kn owi n g th a t hi s
’

,
-_

rebi rth w ou ld be of hi m s elf i e hi s s on w ou ld b e hi m s elf

, . .

ev en whi l e he con ti n u ed t o ex i s t a s hi s f a th er Ex a m pl es of .

s u ch a b el i ef occu r el s ewhere e g i n t he La w s of Ma n u wh ere ,

. .
,

t he h u s ban d i s s a id t o be reb orn of hi s wi fe a nd i n an ci en t ,

Eg y p t wh ere t he g ods w ere call ed s elf b eg otten b ecau s e

,
“ -
,
”

ea éh w a s f a th er t o t he s on w ho w a s hi s t ru e i m ag e or
hi m s elf Liken es s I m pli ed i den ti ty i n prim i tive b eli ef Th u s
.
, .

t he b el i ef i n m or t a l des cen t f rom t he g ods am ong t he C el t s

m ay h ave inv ol ved t he t heOry of a d i vin e ava tar The g od .

b ecam e f ather of a m ortal by a wom an an d part of him s el f , _

p as s ed over t o t he child w h o was t hu s t he g od h i m s elf

, .

C on ch oba r wa s al so a rebi rth of a g od bu t he wa s n am ed ,

f rom t he ri ver wh en ce hi s m oth er ha d dra w n w a t er con t ai n i n

g
t he w orm s whi ch s he s w al l ow ed
.
Thi s m ay p oin t t o a l os t .

vers i on i n wh i ch h e w a s t he s on of a r l v er g od by N es s a -
.

Thi s was qu ite i n a ccordan ce with C el tic b el i ef as i s s h own ,

by s u ch n am es a s D ubrog en os f rom da br on wa t er an d , ,
“
,
”

g e n os b, o r n o f D i v og en os D i v og en a s o n,
or d a u
g ht er o f a ,

g o d,
”
p o s s i b l y a ri ver
g od s i n c e-
d ei vos i s a f req u en t river
,

1
Mi s s Hu ll , 6 7 B Arboi s ,
’
v. 33 1 .
356 THE RELIGION OF THE ANCI EN T CE L TS ‘

The da s i i ki n t o t he i n cabi a nd f a uni a nd do n ot a ppear

a re a ,

t o repr es en t t he hig h er g ods redu ced t o t h e f orm of dem on s by

Ch ri s tian ity bu t ra th er a s peci es of l es s er d ivi n iti es on ce the
, ,

obj ect of p opu l a r dev o t i on .

t ra
M
n s f orm a ti on and
W ow s i g n if 2i n g
”
t he
a s s u m i n g of th er s h ape f or ti m e t he th er t he pa s s in g
M
an o a o
M m

ové a n o th er bod L Lerhap s

W W
W — /
on e F T
T As
—
ha
s been thi s p ow er of tra n s f orm a ti on was cl aim ed by
s een ,

t he D rui ds a n d by oth er pers on s or att rib u t ed t o th em a n d , ,

they w ere n ot l i k el y t o m l nl m l se th ei r p owers an d w oul d ,

p ro b a b l y b oas t o f th em on al l o cca s i on s S u ch b oa s t s are

p ut .

i n t o t he m ou th s of t h e I ri s h Am ai rg en an d t he W el s h
,

Tal ies in As the Mi l es i an s w ere a pp roach i ng I rel a n d

. ,

Am ai rg en s ang v ers es whi ch w ere perh aps part of a rit ual

ch an t :

I am th e wi n d whi ch bl ows over t he s ea,

I am t h e w a ve of the ocean ,

I am t h e hul l o f s even b a tt l es ,
I a mt h e eag l e on t he rock

I am a b oar for cou ra g e,

"

” 1
I am a s al m on i n t h e w at er, et c.

Prof es s or Rhys p oin t s ou t th at s om e of th es e vers es n eed n ot .

m ean a ctu al t ra n s f orm a ti on bu t m ere l i k en es s throug h a , ,

“

p r i m i t i ve f or m a ti on of p red i ca t e with ou t t h e ai d of a p a rti cl e

corres pon di n g t o s uch a w o d ke En ou g h h ow ever ’ ”

r a s l i 2 ‘
.
, ,

rem a i n s t o s h o w t h e cl a i m of t he m ag i ci an Tal ies in i n m any .

,

a k es s i m i l ar cl a i m s a n d s ays I h a ve b een i n a
“
p oe m s ,
m , ,

m u l tit ude of s h apes b ef ore I a s s um ed a con s i s t en t f orm

”

th a t of a s word a t ear a s t ar a n eag l e et c Th en he wa s

, , , ,
.

crea t ed with ou t f a th er or m oth er Simi lar pret en s i on s are

\ 3
.
,

com m on t o t h e m ed ici n e m an ev erywh ere Bu t f rom a n oth er

-
.

1
LL 1 217 TOS v. 23 4. 2
Rh ys , HL 5 49. 3
S k en e, i 27 6 , 309,
. et c.
 REBIRT H AND TRANS MIGRATION 3 57

p oin t i w th ey m ay be m ere poeti c ex t ravag an ces s u ch as

of v e

a re com m on i n C el t i c p oet ry Th us Cll chu l ai nn s ays I w as ’

1 “
. :

a h ou n d s t ron f or com b a t th ei r l i tt l e Ch am p i on
g
t he cas k et of every s ecret f or t he m a i den s or i n a n o th er , ,

p l a ce I am t he bark b uffeted from wav e t o w ave

,
“
t he
s hi p a f t er t h e l os i n o f i t s r u dder t h e l i tt l e a l e o n t he
g p p
t op of t he t ree th a t l itt l e th ou g ht o f i t s fall in g Thes e are ”
2
.

m et aph ori c des crip ti on s of a com para tiv el y s i m pl e kin d The .

f ull bl own b om b a s t a p pears i n t he Colloquy of the Two S ag es

-
,

wh ere N ede an d F ercert n e ex h aus t l ang uag e i n des cri bing

th e se ves t o each oth er
m l 3
Oth er W el s h b ards b es ides
.

Ta li es i n m ak e s i m i l ar b oa s t s t o hi s an d Dr Sk en e thi nk s tha t ,
.

th eir clai m s m a y h av e b een m ere b om b as t

“
Still s om e ” 4
.

curr en t b el i ef i n s h a p e s h i f t i n g or ev en i n r eb i r t h u n derli es
-
, ,

s om e of th es e b oa s t i n s a n d g i ves p oi n t t o th em A
’
m ai rg en s
g .

“
I am th i s or th a t s ug g es ts t h e i nh eren t p ow er of tran s
,

f orm a ti on ; T ali es i n s I h ave b een t he actual t ran s form a

’ “ ”
,

t i on s S uch as s erti ons do n ot i nvol ve t he pow erful “

.

p a n th eis t i c doctri n e whi ch i s a t on ce t he g l ory an d error of

I ri s h phil os ophy a s M D Arboi s cl ai m s el s e are s av ag e
,
”
.
5 ’

m edi ci n e m en b oa s tf ul of th ei r s h a p e s hi f ti n g p owers p hi l o
-
,
-
,

s op hi c pa n th ei s t s The p oem s ar e m erel y hig hl y devel oped

.

f orm s of p ri mi ti ve b el ief s i n s h ap e s h i f tin g s u ch a s are f ou n d -

,

a m on g a l l s avag es a n d b a rb a ri c f ol k b u t ex p res s ed i n t he ,

b oa s tf u l l ang uag e i n which t he C el t d eli g ht ed .

How w er e t he s u cces s i v e s h ap e s hif ti n g s eff ect ed ? To -

a n s w er th i s w e s h all fi rs t l ook a t t he s t ory of T u an M ac

Carai l l w ho s u rv i v ed f r om t he day s of Part hol a n t o th os e of

,

S Fi nn en He was a decrepi t m an a t t he com i ng of N em ed

. .
,

1
S i g ers on, B a rd s of the Ca el , 37 9 .
2
Mi s s Hull , 28 8 Hy d e, Li t. Hi s t. of I rel a nd , 300.
3
RC xx
vi . 21 .
4
S ken e, 1 1 5 06 . .

5
D Arboi s , i i . 246 , w h ere h e al s o deri v es Eri g en a s pa n t hei s m from Cel t i c
’ ’

b el i efs , s uch as he s u pp os es t o be x
e em pl i fi ed by t h es e poem s .
358 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
an d on e n ig ht having lain down t o s l eep he a w ok e as a s t ag
, , ,

a n d l i ved i n thi s f orm t o ol d a g e I n t he sam e way he .

b ecam e a b oar a h a wk a n d a s al m on whi ch was caug ht an d

, , ,

ea t en by Ca i r el l s wi f e of wh om he w a s b orn a s T uan with a

’

, ,

p erfe ct r ecoll ecti on of hi s di fferen t f orm s

1
.

Thi s s t ory t he i nven ti on of a n i n th or t en th cen tury

,

Chris ti an s crib e t o accoun t f or t he curren t kn owledg e of t he

m an y i nva s i ons of I relan d mu s t h ave b een b as ed on pa g an
2
,

m yth s of a s im il ar kin d i nvol v in g s ucces s ive t ran s f orm ati on s

,

a n d a fi n al r eb i r th S uch a m yth m ay h av e b een t ol d of

.

Tal ies i n recou n ti n g hi s t ran s form a t l on s an d hi s fi nal rebirth

, ,

t he f orm er b ein g repl a ced a t ala t er ti m e by t h e epi s ode of t he

Tran s f orm a ti on C om b a t i nv olving n o g reat l aps e of tim e
, .

S u ch a s eries of s u cces s iv e s hapes oi every b ea s t a drag on a —

, ,

w olf a s tag a s alm on a s eal a s w an w ere as crib ed t o Mong an

, , , ,
—

a n d f oret ol d by Ma n a n n a n a n d Mon an ref ers t o s om e of

g ,

th em I n hi s coll oqu y with S C olum b a wh en I wa s a deer .

a rovi n g w olf
”
a s a l m on a m an
2
a s eal .

Perhap s the com pl et e s tory wa s that of a f a b ulous hero in

hu m an f orm w ho as su m ed differen t s hapes an d wa s fi n all y
, ,

reb orn Bu t t h e t ran s f orm a ti on of an ol d m a n o r a n ol d

.
,

a n i m al in t o n ew y ou th f ul and vig orous form s m ig ht be

,

re arded a s a ki n d of t ra n s m i ra ti on n x t n s i on of t h e —
g g a e e

t ran s f orma tion id ea bu t i nvolvi ng n o m etem ps y ch os is n o

, ,

pas s in g of t h e s oul i n t o a n oth er b ody by rebi rth Actu al .

t ra n s m l g rat i on or r ebi rth occurs onl y a t t he en d of t h e s eri es ,

a n d a s i n t he cas e of Et ai n Lu et c t he p re ex i s t en t p ers on
g
-
.
, , , ,

i s b orn of a w om an af t er b ei ng s w all o w ed by her Poss i bl y

‘

t he t rans forma ti on b el ief has rea ct ed on t he oth er and ,

1
L U 1 5 a ; D Arb oi s , i i . 4 7 f ; Nu t t Meyer, i i 2 94 f
’
-
. . .

2
An oth er m et h od of a ccou nt i ng f or t hi s k n owl edg e wa s t o i m ag i n e a l ong
l i ved p ers on ag e li k e Fi n t an wh o s urvi ved for 5000 y ears . D Arb oi s , i i ch . 4 .
’
.

Here t here was n o t ran s form at i on or rebi rt h .

3
Nu tt Mey er, i 24 ; ZOF i i 31 6
-
. . .
36 0 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS
be s ou l s , S Ma els ut hai n wh os e pupil s
i n t h e l eg en d of
‘

or .
,

a pp ear t o hi m af t er dea th as
bi rds The bird f orm of t he s oul
1
.

a f t er dea th i s s til l a cu rren t b el i ef i n t he H eb r i d es B u tterfli es .

i n I rel a n d a n d m oth s l n C orn w al l a n d l n Fran ce b a ts or

,
'

, _

b tterflies are b eli eved t o be s ou ls of t he dea d Kin g Arthu r

u ,
2
.

i s th oug h t by C orn i s h m en t o h a ve di ed a nd t o h a ve b een

ch an g ed i n t o t he f or m of a ra ven a n d i n m edi aeval W a l es s Ou l s ,

of t h e wi cked a ppear a s ra ven s l n B ritt an y a s b l a ck d og s , , ,

p e t r el s or h ar es ,or s er v e th ei r t e r m
,
o f p en i t e n ce a s co w s o r

b s or em ain a s crow s till t he day o j u dg e t U n

u l l ,
r f m n
3
.

b ap tiz ed i n f an ts b ecom e birds ; drown ed s ai l ors a ppea r a s

b ea s ts or bi rds ; an d t he s ouls of g irl s deceived by l overs h aun t
them a s hares 4
.

Th es e s h ow tha t t he i dea of tran s m ig ra ti on m ay n ot h a ve

b een f orei g n t o the C el ti c m in d an d i t m ay have a ri s en from ,
'

t he i d ea th a t m en a s su m ed th ei r t ot em a n i m al s s h ap e a t dea th
’
.
)

S om e t ales of s hap e s hi f ting are proba bl y du e t o tot em i s m an d

-
,

it i s t o be n ot ed th at i n K erry peas an t s wi l l n ot eat hares

b ecau se they con tain t he s oul s of th eir g ran dm others On the 5
.

oth er h an d s om e of th es e s u rvi va l s m a y m ean n o m ore th an

,

tha t t he s oul it s elf h as al rea dy an a n im al f orm i n whi ch it ,

w oul d na tu rally be s een af ter dea th I n C el ti c f olk b el ief t he “

.
-

s ou l i s s een l eavi n
g t h e b od y i n s l ee p a s a b e e b u tt er fly g na t , , ,

m ou s e or m a n ni kin
,
6
S uch a b el ief i s f ou n d am ong m os t
.
-

s av a e races a n d m i ht ea s i l y be m i s t ak en f or t ran s m i ra ti on
g g , g ,

or al s o a s s 1 s t t he f orm a ti on of t he i dea of t ran s m ig ra t i on .

1
MS Ma t
’
O Curry , 78
'

. . .

2
Wood Ma rt i n -
,
Pa g a n I rel a nd , 1 4 0 ; Choi ce Notet, 6 1 ; Monni er 1 43 , ;
Mau ry ,
27 2 .
I
3
Choi ce Notes , 6 9 Rees , 92 Le Braz 2
,
ll. 8 2, 8 6 , 307 Rev d es Tra d Pop
. . .

xi i . 394 .
4
Le Bra z 2
,
11. 8 0 ; Fol k l ore J ou r .-
v. 1 8 9. 5
Folk Lore, i v 35 2.- .

3
Carm i chael , Ca rm Ga del . i i . 334
. Rhys , CFL 6 02 Le Braz 2, i . 1 7 9, 1 91 ,
 REBIRT H AND TRANS MIGRATION 36 1

flfl
n e cess a r il y a l l eg ed of
fl —
a ll
m
t h e dea d, i t m ay have b een a

m
_

su i ci en y l i tah heli ef i nnolnur t he yth ol o g y ,

as we s ee f rom
t he ex i s t i n g t al es , a dul t era t ed th ou g h
th es e m ay have b een .

The g en era l b eli ef has i t s root s i n pr i m itive i dea s reg ardi n g

l i f e a n d i t s propag a ti on i deas whi ch s om e h old t o be u n C el ti c
— -

a n d u n Ary an But Aryan s w ere pri m iti ve a t s om e peri od

-
“
.

of th ei r h i s t ory a n d i t w ou l d b e cu ri ou s i f whi l e s ti l l i n a
, ,

b arb arou s con di tion they had f org ott en th ei r ol d b eli efs I n
,
.

a ny ca s e i f th ey a dopt ed s i m il ar b el i ef s
,
f rom n on Aryan -

peopl e thi s poin t s t o n o g rea t s u p eri ority on th ei r part

,
S u ch .

b el i ef s orig i na t ed t he i dea of rebirth an d t ran s mi g ra tion !

N everth el es s th i s wa s n ot a ch aract eris ti cally C elti c es cha to

l og i cal b el i ef ; th a t w e fin d i n t he th eory th a t t he d ea d l ived
on i n t he b od y or a s s u m ed a b ody i n a n oth er r e i on p rob a b l y
g ,

u n derg roun d.

1
Mr Nut t
.
, Voy ag e o f B ra n, d eri ved th e ori g i n of t he rebi rt h concept i on

from org i as t i c cul t s .

 C HA P T E R XX I V

ELY SI U M .

THE C el tic concep ti on of Ely s ium the produ ct at on ce of ,

rel i g i on m yth ol og y an d rom a n ti c i m a g in a ti on i s f ou n d i n a

, , ,

s eri es of I ri s h a n d W el s h tal es W e do n ot k now th a t a

.

s i m i l ar con cep ti on ex i s ted am on g h e con ti n en t al C el t s b

t ut , ,

con s i d er in g t h e l ik en es s o f th ei r bel i ef s i n oth er m a tters t o

th os e of t he i n s ul ar C el t s there i s a s trong prob a bi l ity

,

tha t it did Th ere are f our typical p resen ta tions of t he

.

El y s i um con ception I n Irelan d whil e t he g ods w ere b el ieved

.
,

t o h ave reti r ed w i thi n t h e b il l s or s td it i s n ot u n l i k el y th a t,

s om e of th em h a d a l way s b een s u pp osed t o l i ve i n th es e or i n

a s u bt erran ea n w orl d an d it i s th eref ore p os s ib l e tha t wh a t

,

may be call ed t h e s u bt erranea n or s i d ty pe of El y s iu m i s old .

Bu t oth er typ es al s o a pp ear th a t of a w es t ern i s l an d

—

Ely s ium of a w orld b elow t he wat ers an d of a w orl d co

, ,

e x t en s i ve with thi s a n d en t ered by a m l s t

'

The n am es of t he I ri s h El ys i um are s om etim es of a g en eral

ch aract e Mag Mor t he Grea t P l a in ; Mag M el l
” “
r —
, t he ,

Pl ea s an t Pl a in ; Ti r n Ai ll t he Oth er w orld
” ’

,
“
Tl r n a -
'

m B eo t he Lan d of t he Li vi n g
'
-
TI r n a n Og t he La n d of -
,

You th an d Ti r Tai rn g i ri th e Lan d of Prom i s e —pos s i bl y

,
“

of Ch ri s ti an ori i n L oca l n am es a re T i r f a T on n L a n d
g .
,

u n der W a ves I Bres ai l an d t he Lan d of F alg a nam es of t he

-
,

is l a n d Ely s ium The l as t den ot es t he Is l e of Man a s Ely s ium

.
,

a n d it m a h a v e b e n e ar d ed by G oi de l i n Britain a t a n
y e s o r g s
36 2
36 4 T HE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE LTS
s et s a i l with hi s com ra des and m et Man ann an cros s ing t he s ea
i n hi s ch ari ot The g od t old hi m th a t t he s ea w as a fl ow er y
.

pl a in Mag M ell an d th a t al l a rou nd u n s een t o B ran were

, , , ,

p eople p l ayin g an d dri nki ng w i th ou t s i n He b a de hi m s a i l

”
.

on t o t h e La n d o f W om en Then t he v oyag ers w en t on an d

.

rea ch ed t he I s l e of J o wh er e o n e o f th ei r n u m b er r em a in ed
y ,

b ehind At la s t they cam e t o t he Lan d of W om en an d w e

.
,
'

h ear of th ei r w el com e t he dream l i k e lap s e of ti m e the food

, ,

a n d drin k wh i ch h a d f or ea ch t he t a s t e he d es i red Fi n all y .

t he t a l e recoun t s th eir h om e s i ck nes s t he w arn i n g th ey

-

recei ve d n ot t o s et f oo t on Eri n how on e of th eir n u m b er ,

l saped a s h ore an d t u rn ed t o a s h es h ow B ran f rom hi s b oa t

_

t ol d of hi s w an d eri ng s an d then di s app eared f or ever 1

.

An oth er s tory t ell s how Conn i s was vi s it ed by a g oddes s

f rom Mag M el l Her peopl e dw ell i n a s i d a n d are call ed
.

m en of t he s i d S he i n vit es hi m t o g o t o t he i m m ort al l an d
.
_
,

a n d d ep art s l eavi n g hi m an a p pl e whi ch s u pport s hi m f or a

, ,

m on th with ou t g rowi n g l es s Then s he reappears an d t ells

.

Conn l a th a t t he Ev er Li vi n g O n es des i re hi m t o j oi n th em
“ ”
-
.

S he bi ds hi m com e with her t o th e Lan d of J oy wh ere th ere

are on l y w om en He s t eps i n t o her cry s t al b oa t a n d vani s h es
.

f rom hi s f a th er an d t he D ru i d wh o ha s vai nl y tri ed t o ex erci s e

hi s s p ell s ag ai ns t her 2
I n thi s t al e th ere I S a con f u s i on
.

b etween t he s i d an d t he i slan d El ys ium .

The ei g ht een th cen t ury p oem of Oi s i n i n Ti r n a n Og i s -

p r ob a b l y b a s ed on old l eg e n d s a n d d es cri b es h o w
,
Ni a m ,

dau g ht er of t he ki ng of Ti r n a n Og pl aced g ea sa on O i s i n t o -
,

accom p an y h er t o th a t l a n d of i mm or t al y ou th a n d b ea u ty .

He m ou n t ed on her s t eed which pl u n g ed f orwa rds a cros s t he

,

s ea a n d b rou g ht th em t o t h e l a n d wh ere Oi s i n s en t th ree

, p

1
Nut t Mey er, i 1 f
-
. .
, te t x an d t ransl at i on .
2
L U 1 20a Wi n d i s ch ,
I ri s che Gra m m 1 20 f . . B Arb oi s ,
’
v. 384 f. Gael i c
J ou rn a l , i i . 307 .
 E LY SIU M 36 5

h un dred y ears b efore returning t o Ireland an d there s u fferi ng , ,

a s ha s b een s een f rom t he b reak i n g of t h e t a b u n o t t o s et f oo t

,
.

on t h e s oi l of Eri n
1
.

Cl l chul a i nn s Si ck n es s t he g od des s
’ ’
I n S erg li g e Con ea la i n d , ,

Fa nd des ert ed by Manannan offers h ers elf t o t he h ero i f he

, ,

wi ll h el p her s i s ter s hu s b an d Labrai d ag ain s t hi s en em i es i n

’

Mag M ell l Labra i d l i ves i n a n i s la n d f requ en t ed by t roop s

of w om en a n d p os s es s i n g a n i n ex h a u s tib l e va t of m ea d a n d t r ees
,

with m ag ic f rui t It i s reach ed wi th m arv el l ou s s peed i n a

.

b oa t of b r on z e Af ter a prel i m i na ry vi s it by hi s chari ot eer

. ,

Laog Cl l chu l ai nn g oes th i th er v an qu i s h es La brai d s f oes a n d

’ ’

, , ,

rem ai n s a m on th w i th F a n d He retu rn s t o I rel a n d an d n ow .

,

w e h ear of t he s t ru gg l e f or hi m b etw een hi s w if e E m er a n d

Fan d Bu t Ma na nn an s udden l y a ppears reawak en s Fa n d s
. ,
’

l ove an d s he depa rt s with hi m

,
The g od s h ak es hi s cl oak .

b etw een her a n d Ci l chu lai nn t o preven t thei r ever m eeti ng

’

I n thi s s t ory La brai d Fan d a nd Li b a n Fa n d s s i s t er

’
2
ag ai n .
, , , ,

thou g h d wellers on a n i s l and Ely s i um are call ed s i d f olk ,

-
.

The t w o r eg i on s a re p art i al l y con f u s ed bu t n ot wh ol l y s i nce , ,

M an ann an i s d es cri b ed as comi ng f rom hi s ow n l an d (Ely s i u m )

t o w oo Fa n d A pparen tl y Labrai d of the Swi f t Ha nd on the
.

Sword (who thoug h call ed chi ef of the s i de i s certai nl y a

,
“
,

w ar g od) i s a t en mi ty w i th Man ann an s h os t s an d it i s th es e

’
-
,

with wh om Cll chul ai n n ha s t o g t '

fi h 3
.

I n an O s s i a n i c t al e s evera l of t h e Fi an s w ere carri ed o ff t o

t he Lan d of P romi s e Af t er m an y adven t u res Fi onn Di arm ai d

. , , ,

an d o th ers di s cov er th em a n d th rea t en t o d es t roy t h e l an d i f ,

they are n ot res t ored I t s k i ng Avart a ag rees t o t he res t ora ti on

.
, , ,

a n d with fi f t een of h i s m en carri es t he Fia n s t o Eri n on on e

1
TOS i v. 234 . S ee al s o oyce, OCR 38 5 K enn edy , 240. J
I T i 205 f . O Curry , Atla nti s , i i , i ii . ; D Arb oi s ,
’ ’
2
L U 43 f . . . v. 1 70 ;
Leah y , i . 6 0 f.
3
From Mana nnan cam e f oes .
 3 6
6 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS .

h ors e Having rea ch ed there he bi ds th em l ook at a

. ,

cer t ai n fi eld an d whi le th ey a re d oi n g s o h e a nd h i s m en

, ,

d i s app ea r 1
.

3 La n d
. u n der Wa ves — Fi achn a , of t he m en
.
of t he si d ,

a pp eared C onn aug ht an d b eg g ed th ei r h elp

t o t he m en of ,

ag ai n s t G oll wh o had a b duct ed hi s w i f e

,
-
Loeg ai r e a n d hi s , .

m en di ve with Fis ch na i n t o Loch Na n ea ne a n d r each a ,

w on derf ul l a nd with m arvel l ou s m u s ic an d wh ere t he rain i s

,

al e . Th ey an d t he si d f ol k a tt a ck t he f ort of Mag Mell an d-

d ef ea t G ol l Each th en obtai ns a w om an of t he si de bu t a t
.
,

t h e en d of a y ear th ey b ecom e h om es i ck
.
Th ey are warn ed n ot . .

t o des cen d f rom h ors eb a ck i n Eri n Arrived am ong th eir own .

eo
p p l e th ey ,
d es crib e t h e m arvel s of Ti r f a Ton n a n d th en ,

ret u rn th ere a n d ar e n o m ore s e

,
en 2 H ere ag ai n t he s i d .
, ,

Elys i um and Lan d un der Wav es are con f us ed a nd t he divin e ,

trib es are a t war as i n t he s t ory of Ci l chul ai nn ,

’
.

I n a s ect i on of t h e O s s i ani c tal e j u s t cit ed Fi onnan d hi s ,

m en arrive on an i s l an d wh ere Di a rm ai d reach es a b eau tif ul ,

.

cou n try at t he b o tt om of a w el l This i s Ti r fa Tonn a n d .

,

D i arm ai d fig ht s i t s k i ng w ho ha s us urp ed hi s n eph ew s i n

’

h eritan ce an d thus recovers i t f or hi m

,
3 -

4 Co extensi ve w i th thi s wor ld

.
-
An earl y ex am pl e of thi s —
.

ty pe i s f ou n d i n t he Adven tu r es of Cor m a c A divine v i s it an t .

a pp ea red t o C orm ac a n d g a ve hi m i n ex ch an g e f or hi s wi f e ,

s on a n d da u g ht er hi s b ra n ch of g ol d en ap pl es whi ch wh en
, , ,

s h a k en produced s w eet es t m u s m d i s p ell i n g s orrow Af ter a , .

y ea r C ormac s et ou t t o s eek hi s f ami l y an d a s he j ourn eyed ,

en cou n t ered a m i s t i n whi ch h e d i s covered a s t ra n g e h ou s e .

I ts m a s t er a n d m i s t r es s Ma n a n na n a n d hi s con s—or t — offer ed

hi m s h el t er The g od b roug ht i n a p i g every qu ar ter of which

. ,

1 J OCR 223 f .
oy ce,

i s i den t i fi ed wi th Fi achna
’
2
O Gra dy , i i 290
’
I n t hi s s t ory t h e
. . s ea s wi fe. .

3 Jo ce, OCR 25 3 f .
y
36 8 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIE NT CE L TS
a n over or u n d er - s ea w orl d
which s om e of the charact eris ti cs
,
in
of t he I ri s h E l y s i u m a re f ou n d a ca u l dr on a w el l of dri n k -
,

s weet er t ha n wi n e a n d a n i m al s g rea tl y d es i red by m ort al s

e

, ,

whi l e it i s o f g rea t b eau ty an d i ts p eople are n ot s ubj ect t o

d ea th or di s ea s e Hen ce t he n am e Annw
.
f n ha s prob abl y
t ak en t he pl ace of s om e earl i er pag an titl e of El ys i u m .

I n t he t al e of Pw yll t h e ea rl i es t ref eren ce t o An n wf n ,

occu rs I t i s ru l ed by A ra wn a t war With Ha fg an

. Arawn , .

obta i n s t h e h el p of Pwyll by ex ch an g i n g k i n g dom s with hi m

f or a y ear a n d Pwl defeat s H a fg an It i s a b eau tif ul l and ‘

.
, ,

wh ere m erri m en t an d fea s ting g o on con tin u ou s l y an d i ts qu een ,

i s of g r ea t l ov el i n es s It ha s n o s ubt erra n ean character a n d

.
,

i s concei ved apparen tl y as con tig u ou s t o Pwyll s kin g dom 1

’
.

I n o th er ta l es it i s t he l an d w hen ce G w y di on a nd o th ers obt a in

'

vari ou s a ni m al s The l a t er f ol k con cep ti on of t he dem on iac d og s

2 -

of A nn w f n m a y be b a s ed on a n ol d m yth of d og s w i th whi ch

i t s kin g h u t ed
n Th ees a.r e r f
e e r r ed t o i n t e s t o y of Pwyll
h r 3
.

Ann wf n i s al s o t he n am e of a l an d un der w aves or over

t he r evol vi n g cas tl e a b ou t whi ch
”
s ea cal l ed al s o Ca er S i di
, , ,

“
are ocea n s s t rea m s
’
It i s kn own t o Ma na wyddan a n d
.
” “

Pry deri j u s t as t e I i s w a s r l ed by M an an n an
”
,
h r h El ys 1 u m u 4
.

An oth er Caer of D ef en ce i s b en eath t he w a ves Perh a ps 5 ”

.

t h e t wo i dea s w ere in t erch an g ea b l e The peopl e of thi s l an d .

,

are f ree f r om d ea th a n d di s ea s e a n d i n it i s a n a b u n da n t
“
,

w ell s weet er than whit e win e t he d rink i n it T here al s o i s

,
”
.

a cauldron b el on g i n g t o t h e l ord o f A n n w f n which w as s t ol en ,

by Arthur a nd hi s m en S uch a cau l dron i s the property of .

b i w t w rl d i n t h e Ma bi n og i on
6
p peo l e el on
g g n t o a a er o .

1 2
Lot h , i . 27 f . s ee p. 111, s up r a . Pp 1 06 , 1 1 2,
. s up ra .
3
Gu es t , i i i 7 5 . Lot h , i . 29 f.
4
S k en e, i 26 4, 27 6 Of t h e I l l e toa rn oi ont of t he Graal rom a n ces an d t h e
. . .

revol vi ng h ou s es o f Ma rchen . A revol vi ng ramp art occurs i n “

Ma el d ui n ”
'

( RC x .

3
3
Sken e, i 2 8 5 . . Pp. 1 03, 1 1 6 , su
p ra .
 E LY SIUM 36 9

The des cri p ti on i s l e of Ava ll on (la ter i den ti fi ed with

of t he
G la s t on bury) whith er Ar th u r wa s carri ed com pl etes t he
, ,
“

l i k en es s t o t he I ri s h El y s i um No t em pes t exces s of h ea t
.
,

or cold n or n ox i ou s a n i m a l a ffl i ct s i t
,
i t i s b l es s ed wi th et ern al
s pri n g a n d with f ru i t an d fl o w ers g row i n g w i th ou t l ab ou r ; it

i s t he l a nd of et ernal y ou th u n vi s i t ed by d ea th or di s eas e , .

It ha s a r eg i a vi rg o l ovel i er tha n her lovel y a tt en dan ts ; s he

cured Ar th ur of hi s w ou n d s h en ce s he i s t he Morg en of oth er , _

tal es a nd s he an d her m ai d en s m ay be i den tifi ed wi th t he

,

d iv in e w om en of t he I ri s h i s l e of w om en Morg en i s call ed a .

d ea p ha n tas ti ca a nd s he m ay b e com pared w i th Li ba n w ho

, ,

cu r ed Ci l chu l ai nn of hi s s i ck n es s
,
’
!

Th e i den ti fi ca ti on of Avall on w i th Glas t on b u ry i s pr ob a b l y

p o s t — a an a n d t he n a m es a
p g , pp l i ed t o G l as t on b u ry — A vall on
,

I ns a la Pomona m I n s a la vi tr ea ,
m ay b e pri m iti ve na m es of
—

Ely s i um Wi lliam of Mal mes b u ry deriv es I ns a la Pomon a m

.

i n i t s ap pli ca t i on t o Gl a s t on b u ry f rom a n a t i ve n am e I nsa la

Ava lloni ce wh i ch h e con nect s with t he B ryth oni c a va lla
, ,

“
a p pl es b ecau s e Gl a s t en i g f ou nd an a ppl e tree th ere The
,
” 2
.

n a m e m a y th u s h a v e b een con n ect ed w i th m arv el l ou s a ppl e

trees li k e th os e of t he Iri s h Ely s i um Bu t he al s o s ugg es t s

,
.

th a t i t m ay be deriv ed f rom t he n am e of Aval loc l ivi ng th ere ,

w i th hi s dau g hters Aval l oc i s eviden tl y t he Rex Avall on

.

A a ll a ch ) t o wh os e p a l ace A r th u r w a s carri ed a n d h ea l ed
( v

by t he r eg i a vi rg o He m ay theref ore have b een a m ythi c

3
.

l ord of El y s i um a n d hi s da u g ht ers w ou l d corres p on d t o t he

,

m ai den s of t he i s l e W i ll ia m a ls o d erives Glas t onbu ry

.
“ ”

f rom t he n am e of a n ep on ym ous f ou n der Glas t en i g or f rom ,

i t s n a tive n am e Yn es u a i tr on G las s I s lan d Thi s na m e“ ”

.
,

1
Ch reti en , E r i c, 1 933 f Geoff rey , Vi ta Mer li n i , 4 1 S an Mart e, Geof r ey ,
.

425 . An ot her I ri s h Li ban i s cal led Mui rg en , wh i ch i s t h e s am e as Morg en .

S ee Gi ral d Ca m br Sp ec E ccl Rol l s S eri es , i v 4 8

. . . . . .

2
Wi l l i am of Mal mesbury, d e An t. Gl a s ton Eccl . .

3
S an Ma rt e ,
4 25 .

24
 37 0 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L T S
r ea p p ears Chreti en s E ri c i n t he f orm l i s l e de verre
in “ ’
.

Gi raldus ex pl ain s t he n am e f rom t he g l as s y w a t ers arou n d

Gla s ton b ury bu t it m ay be an earl y n am e of El ys ium Gl as s
,
1
.

m u s t h ave a pp eal ed t o t he im ag i n a ti o n of C el t T eu ton a n d , ,

S la v for w e h ea r of Merl i n s g las s h ou s e a g la s s f ort di s covered

,
’

by Art hu r a g l as s t ow er a tt ack ed by t he Mil es ian s Etai n s

, ,
’

l a s s g r i a n a n a n d a boa t of g l a s s whi ch con v ey ed Con n la t o

g ,

El y s i u m I n Teu ton i c an d S la voni c m yth an d Marchen g l as s

.
,

m ou n ta in s on whi ch d w ell m y s t eri ou s p ers on ag es f req uen t l y

, ,

o ccu r.

The a
ig in of the C el ti c El ys i u m b el i ef m ay be f ou nd i n
-
or

u n i vers al m yth s of a g old en ag e l on g ag o i n s om e d i s t ant

El ys i an reg i on wh ere m en ha d l ived with t he g ods In t o th at

,
-
.

reg i on b rave m or t al s m i g ht s til l p an et rat e th ou g h it was l os t ,

’

t o m an k i n d as a wh ol e I n s om e m yth ol og i es thi s Ely s i um i s

.

t he l a n d wh i th er m en g o af t er d ea th Poss i b l y t he C el ti c .

m yth o f m an s earl y i n t ercou rs e with t he g ods i n a l os t reg i on

'

t ook t wo f orm s I n on e i t w as a j oyf ul s u bt erranean reg i on

.

whith er t he C el t h oped t o g o a f ter death I n the oth er it was

“
.

n ot r ecov era b l e n or w a s i t t h e l a n d of t he d ea d bu t f a v ou red

“

, ,

m or tal s m ig ht reach it i n l if e The C el ti c El y s i u m b el ief a s

‘

.
,

k nown th roug h the t al es j u s t cit ed i s al ways of thi s s econ d ,

kind W e s urm i s e h ow ever th a t th e l an d of t he dea d wa s a

.
, ,

j oy ous u n derw orl d ru led over by a g od of f ertil ity an d of t he

d ead a n d f r om th a t reg i on m en h a d ori g in a ll y co me f orth
, .

The l a t er a s s ocia ti on of g ods with t he s i d w as a con ti n u a ti on

of th i s b el i ef b u t n ow t he s i d ar e cert ai n l y n ot a l an d of t he
,

d ea d bu t El y s iu m p u re a n d s im pl e
,
Th ere m us t therefore .

h ave b een at a n earl y p eri od a t en dency t o di s ting ui s h b etw een

t he h a pp y reg i on of t he dea d a n d t he d i s ta n t El ys i um i f t he , ,

t wo were ever real l y conn ect ed The s u bj ect i s ob s cure bu t .

,

it i s n ot i m pos s ib l e th a t an oth er orig in of t he Elys ium idea ma y

1
0p . ci t. i v. 49
.
 37 2 THE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
t he cu rrent b eli ef i n s u b m erg ed t own s or l an ds f oun d i n ,

g rea tes t d et ail on t he B re t on coas t H ere there are m an y .

s u ch l eg en d s bu t m os t p rom i n en t a re th os e whi ch t ell ho w t he

,

t own of I s was s u b m erg ed b ecau s e of t he W i ck edn es s of i t s

p p
e o l e or ,
o f
-

D a h u t i t s ki n g s d a,
u g ht er wh o s om eti m es s ti ll
’

s eek s t he l ove of m or t al s It i s occas ion all y s een b elow t he

.

wa ves or even on th eir s urf a ce Els ewhere i n C el ti c reg i ons

1
.

s i m il ar l eg en ds a re f ou n d a n d th e s u b m ers i on i s t he res u l t,

of a curs e of t he b reaki n g of
,
a t ab u or of neg l ect t o ,

Cover a s a cred w el l
2
Prob a bl y t he t raditi on of actu al cat a
.
[

cl y s m s or i n roa d s of t he s ea s u ch a s t he C el t s en cou n t ered

'

on t he coas t s of H ol l a n d m ay accoun t f or s om e of th es e ,

l eg en ds whi ch th en m i ng l ed w i th m yth s of t he d ivi n e w a ter

, _

w orld .
3

The i dea th a t El ys i u m i s co ex t en s ive with this w orl d an d -

hidden i n a m is t i s p erh ap s con n ect ed with t he b el i ef i n the

m ag i cal p ow ers of the g ods As t he D ru i ds could ral s e a m i s t
.

a t wi ll s o t oo m ig ht t h e g ods w ho th en crea t ed a t em p ora r y

, ,

El y s ium i n it From s uch a m i s t u s u all y on a hill s uper

.
, ,
e

n a t u ra l b ei n g s of t en em erg ed t o m eet m or t al s a n d i n Marchen ,

f ai ry l an d i s s om eti m es f oun d wi thi n a m i s t 3

It was al ready .

b el ieved th at par t of t he g ods lan d wa s n ot f ar off ; it was ’

in vi s ibl y on or withi n t he hi l ls on wh ose s l opes m en s aw t he

m i s t s wirl i n g m y s teri ou s l y Hen ce t he m i s t m ay s 1 m ply h ave
.

con cea l ed t he s i d of t h e g ods Bu t th ere m ay al s o h a ve b een .

a b el i ef tha t th i s w orl d w a s a ct u a l l y i n t erp en et ra t ed by t he

d ivi n e w orl d f or thi s i s b el ieved of f ai ry l an d i n Wels h a nd

,

1
Le Bra z 2
,
i. p . xxx x 1 ,
ll . 37 f . ; Al b ert l e Gran d, Vi es d e S a i n ts d e
B reta g ne, 6 3 .
2
A wh ol e cl as s I ri s h l eg en d s i s call ed Tomha dn a ,
of s u ch I nu n d at i ons .

A t ypi cal i n s t an ce i s t h a t o f t h e t own b el ow Loug h Neag h , a l read y referred t o

by Gi ral d u s Cam b ren s i s , Top . E i b i i 9 of a Wel s h i n s t a n ce i n I ti n Ca m br .
. . . .

i 2
. . S ee Rhys , CFL, p as s i m ; en n edy , 282 Rev des Tr ad Pop i x 7 9 K . . . . .

3
S cot t Cel t. Rev i 7 0 ; Ca m pbel l , WE T Nos . 38 , 5 2 ; Lot h , i 3 8
. . . . .
 ELYSIUM 37 3

I ris h f olk l ore Men m ay u n witting l y i nt erfere with it or

-
.
,

h ave it s u ddenly r evealed t o them or be carried i n t o it an d

,

m a de i n v i s i b l e .
1

I n m os t of t he t al es Ely s iu m i s a lan d with ou t g ri ef or

dea th wh ere th ere i s i mm or t a l y ou th a n d pea ce an d every
, ,

k i n d of del ig ht Bu t i n s om e whi l e t he s ens u ou s deli g ht s are

.
,

s t il l t he s am e t h e i n h a b i t an t s are a t w ar i n vit e t he a i d of
, ,

m ort a l s t o overcom e th ei r f oes and are even s l ai n i n fi g ht

, .

Stil l i n b oth g rou ps Ely s i u m i s a l an d of g ods a n d s u perna tural

f olk whith er m or t al s a re i n vit ed by f a vour It i s n ever the
.

w orl d of t he dead ; i t s peopl e are n ot m ort al s who have di ed

a nd
g on e th i th er Th
. e t w o con cep t i on s of E l y s i u m a s a l a nd
of p eace a n d d ea th l es s n es s a n d a s a l a n d wh ere w a r a n d d ea th
,

m ay occu r m ay b oth be p ri m itive

,
The l a tt er m ay h a ve b een
.

f orm ed by refl ecti n g b a ck on t h e di vi n e w orl d t he a cti on s of

t he w orl d of m or t al s a n d it w ou l d al s o be on a paral l el w i th
,

t he con cep t i on of t h e w orl d o f t he dea d wh ere warri ors p erh ap s

s ti ll f ou g ht s i n ce th ey w ere b ur i ed wi th th ei r w ea p on s
,
Th ere .

were al s o m yths of g ods warri ng wi th ea ch oth er Bu t m en .

m a y a l s o h av e f el t tha t t he g ods w ere n ot a s them s el ves th a t ,

’

th ei r l and m u s t be on e of pea ce an d dea thl es s n ess Hen ce .

t h e i d ea of t he p ea cef u l E ly s i u m wh i ch p erh aps f ou n d m os t

,

fl
favour with t he p eopl e Mr N u t t th ou g ht th a t t he i dea of a
. .

warli k e Elys iu m m ay have res ul ted from S can din avi an i n u

en ce a cti ng on ex i s ti n g t a l es of a p eacef u l El y s i u m bu t we 2
,

kn ow th a t old m yths of divin e wa rs alrea dy ex i s ted Perhaps .

thi s con cepti on a ros e am ong t he C el t s a s a w arl ik e p eopl e ,

a ppea li ng t o th ei r w arri or i n s t i n cts wh i l e t he p ea cef ul El y s i u m

,

m ay h ave b een t he produ ct of t he C el t s a s a n ag ri cu l t ur a l f ol k ,

f or w e h a ve s een th a t t h e C el t w a s n ow a fi g ht er n ow a ,

f a rm er . I n i t s p ea cefu l as p ect E lys i um i s a f a m i l i a r cu l ti

“
,

va t ed l an d
”
,
wh ere t he fru i t s of the ear th are produ ced wi thou t
1
Cu rt i n , Ta l es, 1 5 8 Rhys , CFL i . 230.
,
2
Nutt Mey er, i 1 59
-
. .
37 4 THE RELIGION OF THE AN CIEN T CEL TS
l a b our , where there are no s t orm s or ex ces s of h ea t or
an d

col d t h e f anci es whi ch w ou l d a p peal t o a t oil i ng a g ri cu l tu ral

—
,

p eople Th ere f ood i s produced m ag icall y y et na t urally

.
, ,

a n d i n a g ri cu l t u ra l r it u a l m en s ou g ht t o i n crea s e th ei r f ood

s u ppl y m a g i call y I n t he t al es thi s proces s i s s o t o s p eak

.
, ,

hei g hten ed 1
.

S om e w riters h ave m a i n tained th a t El ys i u m i s s im pl y t he

l an d of t he d ea d a l th ou g h n othi ng i n t he ex i s tin g t al es j us ti
,

fies th i s i n terpret a ti on M D Arboi s arg u es f or this view

’
. .
,

res tin g hi s th eory m a i n l y on a p a s s ag e i n t h e s t ory o f Con nl a

-

in terpreted by hi m i n a way which does n ot g ive i t s real

m ean i ng 2
The w ords are s p ok en b y t he g od dess t o Conn la
.
,

a n d th ei r s en s e i s The Ever Li vi ng O n es l nvi t e th ee Th ou -

.

a rt a ch a m p i on t o Tet hra s p eopl e They s ee th ee every da y

"
’
.

i n t h e as s em b li es of thy f a th erl an d a mon g thy f am il i ar l oved ,

n
o es
3
. M D Arboi s as s um es tha t Tet hra a F om orian i s
”
.
’

, ,

l ord of El y s iu m an d th a t f ter hi s def ea t by t he Tu at ha D ea

, a ,

he l ik e K ron os t ook ref ug e th ere an d n ow reig ns a s l ord of t he

, , ,

d ead By tra ns l a ting a r dot—chi a t ( th ey see th ee 3rd pl u r

.
-
“
,
”
.
,

p r e s i n
. d ) a s on t y. v erra h e m a i n t a i n s th a t ’
C o nn l a by ”
, ,

g o i n g t o E l y s i u m wi ll b e s ee n a m on
g t h e g a
,
th e r i n g s o f hi s
-

d ea d kin s f ol k Bu t t h e w ords .Th ou a rt a ch am pion t o ,

“
.

Tethra s p eopl e cann ot be m a de t o m ean th at Tet hra i s a

'
’

g o d of t h e d e a d It m ea n s S i m l y th a t Con n l a i s a mi hty
p .
g
w arrior on e of th os e wh om Tethra a wa r g od w oul d h ave
,
.
,
-

,
'

The ph ra s e Tet hra s m i g hty m en u s ed el s ewh ere

'

4 ’
a ppro ved .
, , ,

I n t h e Veda s , Ely s i um h a s a l s o g ri cul tura l prob abl y f or

1
a s t rong a a s p ect ,

t h e s a m e reas on s
’

2
D Arboi s , i i 1 1 9,
’
38 5 , vi . . 1 97 , 2 1 9 ; R C xx vi . 1 7 3 ; Les D ru i d es ,

3 x
For t h e t e t s ee Wi n d i s ch , I r . Gr a m 1 20 : Tot ch uret har b l l bi t hbi at .
“

g éra i t d o d ai n i b Tet h ra ch ar d ot chi a t cach d i a i n da l ai b t at hardai et er

- - -

d u g n a t hu i n m a i ni Dr S t ok es a n d Si r oh n Rh ys h a ve b ot h pri va t el y con
. . J
fi rm ed t h e i n t erpret at i on g i ven a b ove .

4
Di al og u e of t h e S ag es ,
”
RC xx vi . 33 f .
37 6 THE RE LI GION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L TS
cam e. Thi s ig inal ex is ts i n M D Arboi s i m ag ina ti on
“
l os t or .
’

an d th ere i s n ot t he s l i g ht es t ev i den ce f or th ese al t era ti on s .

On ce in deed Tai l ti u i s call ed da u g hter of Mag h MOr King of

, , ,

S pa in bu t h ere a p ers on n ot a pl a ce i s s pok en of S i r J ohn

, ,
1
,
.

Rhys a ccep ts the i den tifi ca ti on of S pai n with El ys i um a s t he

l an d of t he dead an d fi n ds i n every ref eren ce t o Sp ain a
,

ref eren ce t o t he Oth er w orld whi ch h e reg ards a s a reg i on

-
,

r u l ed by dark d i vi n i ti es But n eith er t he l ords of El y s i um

”
.

n or t h e C el ti c Di s p a t er w ere dark or g l oom y d eiti es an d t h e ,

l an d of t he dea d was certa in l y n ot a l an d of dark nes s an y

m ore than Ely s i u m The n u m erous r eferences t o S pai n

p ro b a b l y p oi n t t o o l d t ra d iti on s Te ardi n
g g a con n ect i on

b etween S pa in a n d Irelan d i h earl y ti m es b oth comm ercial '

an d s o ci a l an d i t i s n ot i m pos s ib l e t h a t G oi d el i c i n va ders di d
"

rea ch I rel a n d f ro m S pa Early m aps a n d g eog ra ph ers

2
i n .

m ak e I rel an d an d S p a in con ti g u ou s ; h en ce i n an I ri s h ta l e
Irela n d i s v i s ib l e from S pain an d this g eog ra phi cal error ,

w ould s treng th en ex is tin g tra diti on s 3 S pa in was us ed .

”
.

v a g u el y bu t it d oes n ot a pp ear t o h a ve m ea n t El y s i um or t he
,

Lan d of t he D ead I f it di d i t i s s t ran g e th a t t he Tua t ha Dé

.
,
-

Da n an n are n ever b roug ht i n t o connecti on with it .

On e of t he m os t m ark ed ch aract eri s ti cs of t he C el ti c

El ys i um i s i t s deathl es s n es s It i s the l an d of t he l ivi ng .
“ ”

or of t he Ever Li v ing O n es
“ -
a n d of et ern al y ou th Mos t,
.

ri m i ti v e ra ces b el i eve th at d ea th i s a n a cci d en t b efall i n

p g
m en who are n a t urall y I m m ert a l h en ce freedom f rom
s u ch a n a cci d en t n a t u ra ll y ch ara ct eri s es t he p eopl e of t he

d i vi n e l an d Bu t a s i n oth er m yth ol og i es th a t i m m or tal i ty

.
, ,

i s m ore or l es s dep enden t on t he ea ting or d rinking of s om e

1
LL 8 b ; K ea t i n g , 1 2 6 .
2
Bot h art m otif s a n d ea rl y buri al cus t om s i n t he t w o cou n t ri es are s i m i l ar.

S ee Rei n a ch , R C L Anthrop ol og i e, 1 8 8 9, 397 S i ret , Les Premi ére

’
x xi . 88
Ag es d a Meta l d a ns l e S u d E s t. d e l E sp a g n e..
’

3
Oros i us , i . 2 . 7 1 LL 1 1 b.
 E LYSIUM 77

f ood or drin k of i mm or ta li ty . Manannan ha d im m ortal

wi n e s ,

whi ch kill ed on e day cam e al iv e nex t da y a nd with th ei r

, , ,

fl es h he m a de t he Tua t ha De Dan ann i m m ort al I m m ortali ty ’

w a s al s o con ferred by t he dr in k in g of G oi bn i u s al e wh i ch
’

, ,

ei th er by i t sel f or with t he fl es h of s wi n e f orm ed hi s i mm ort al ,

f ea s t Th e f ood of El ys iu m wa s i n ex haus tib l e an d wh oever

.
,

a t e it f ou n d it t o
pos s es s th a t t a s t e whi ch h e pref erred The .

f ru it of cert ai n t rees i n El y s i u m w as al s o b el i eved t o con f er

im m ortal ity a n d oth er qu ali t i es Leeg saw on e hun dred a nd .

fi f ty trees g rowing i n Mag Mell ; thei r nu ts fed th ree hu ndred

p peo l e Th e a.
pp l e g i v en by t h e g o d d es s t o C o n n l a w a s

i n ex h aus tib l e an d he wa s s till ea ting it with her wh en Teig ne

, ,

s on of Ci a n v i s it ed El y s i u m , W h en on ce th ey ha d p artak en
.

n or a e n or d i m n es s cou l d t th A ”
of i t , g a ff ec e m 1
pp l es . ,

cri m s on n u t s a n d row a n b erri es ar e s p eci fi cal l y s a i d t o b e

,

t he f ood of t he g od s i n t he t al e of Di a r m a i d a n d Gr a i nn e .

Throug h carel es s n es s on e of t he b erri es w as dropped on earth ,

a n d f rom i t
g rew a t ree t he b erri es o f wh i ch had t h e effect
,

o f win e or m ea d an d th ree of th em eat en by a m a n of a

,

hu n dred y ears m a de hi m y outhful It was g u arded by a .

nt A i t wi th — a row a n uard ed
2
g i a . s m i l ar ree g ro n g o n e ar g
by a drag on i s f ou n d i n t he tal e of Fra och w ho wa s bi dd en
, ,

t o b ring a b ran ch of i t t o Ai li l l I t s b erri es ha d t he vi rt u e

.

of n i n e m eal s ; they h eal ed t he w ou n d ed a n d a dd ed a y ear ,

m an s i e At t he wells whi ch w ere t he s ou rce of I ri s h

’
t o a l f 3
.

ri vers w ere su p os ed t o w h z el t r e s with crim s on n u t s

p g ro a e -
,

whi ch fell i n to the w a t er an d w ere ea t en by s al m on I f .

4

th es e w ere ca ug ht a n d ea ten t he eat er obtai n ed wi s d om a n d ,

k n owl edg e Th es e w ell s w ere i n Erin bu t in s om e i ns tances

.
,

D Arboi s , 384 ; O Gra dy, 1 1 38 5 .

1 ’ ’
v. .

2
TOS i ii . J
1 1 9 ; oy ce, OCR 31 4 For . a f olk t al e
-
vers i on s ee Fol k L or e,
-

vi i . 32 1 .
3
Leahy , i 3 6 Ca m pb ell , LF 29 CM
. xi ii . 28 5 Dea n f Li s mor e s B ook
o
’

, 5 4.
4
O Curry , M C i i . 1 4 3 ; Corm a c, 35 . 3
’
37 8 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CEL TS
t he w ell wi th i t s h az el s an d s alm on i s i n t he Other w orl d 1
-
,

a n d it i s ob vi ou s th a t t h e cr im s on n u t s are t he s am e a s t he
f ood of t he g ods i n D i a r m a i d a nd Gr ada n o .

W hy s h ou ld i m m or tal ity be d ep en den t on t he ea ti n g of

t f oods ? Mos t of m an s i rra ti on al i deas h ave s om e
’
cer a i n

rea s on in th eman d , p ro babl y

kn owl edg e th a t with ou t
m an
’
s

f ood l i f e w ou ld com e t oan en d j oi n ed t o hi s i dea of dea th l ess

“

n ess l ed hi m t o b el i eve th a t th ere w a s a cer t a i n f ood whi ch

,

produced i m m ortal ity j u s t as ordinary food s u pport ed l if e .

On it g ods a n d deathl es s b ein g s w ere f ed Sim il arl y as .

,

w at er cl ea n s ed a nd i nvig ora ted it wa s thoug ht tha t s ome ,

s peci al ki n d of w a t er ha d th es e p ow ers i n a m arvell ous de ree

g .

Hen ce a rose t he t al es of t he Fou n tain of You th an d the b el ief

i n h eal i n g w ell s From t h e kn owl edg e Of t h e n ouri s hing
.

p ow er o f f o o d s p ra n
g,
t h e i d ea th a t s om e f o od con f er red t he

qu a l iti es in h eren t i n it e g t he fl es h of dl vm e an im als eaten

,
. .

s a cra m en t a l l y a n d th a t g od s obt a i n ed th ei r i mm ort a

,
l ity f rom
ea ti ng or d ri n k i ng Thi s i dea i s wi des prea d The Ba byl on ian
. .

g ods had f ood a n d w at er of Lif e ; Eg y p ti an m yth s pok e of t he

brea d an d b eer of et ern ity which n ou ri s h ed t he g ods ; t he
Hi n du s an d I ran ian s k n ew of t he d ivine s om a or ha oma ; an d
i n S can di navia n m yth t he g ods renew ed th eir y ou th by tas ti ng
I du n a s g olden a ppl es
’
.

I n C el ti c El y s i u m t al es t he fru it of a tree i s m os t u s uall y

,

t h e f ood of i m m or t al i ty The f ru it n ever di m in i s h es an d

.

a l wa y s s a t i s fi es a n d i t i s t he f ood of t h e d W h n ea t en
‘

, g o s e .

by m ortals i t conf ers i m m or ta l ity upon th em ; i n other w ords ,

i t m ak es th em of l i k e n at u re t o t he g ods a n d thi s i s dou bt l es s

' '

d eri ved from t he wi des prea d i d ea th a t t he ea ti ng of f ood g iven

by a s tran g er m ak es a m an of on e k i n wi th him Hence t o .

ea t t he f o od of o ds f a i ri es or of t he d ea d bin ds t h e m ort a l
g , , ,

t o th em a n d he ca n n ot l eave th eir l an d Thi s m ig ht be .

1
S ee p 1 8 7 ,
. s up r a ; I T i ii . 2 1 3.
380 T HE RELI GI ON
'

OF T HE ANCIEN T CE L TS

g en era ll y s u ppos ed t o have b een fi rs t ea t en an d drun k by t he

g o d s,
l ik e t h e so m a B u t g ro wi .n g i n ,
E l y s i u m th es e t rees , ,

li k e t h e t rees of m os t m yth s of El y s i um are f ar m ore ,

m arvel l ou s th an a n y k n ow n on ear th Th ey ha ve branch es.

of s i l v er an d
g ol de n a pp l es ; th e y h a v e m ag i ca l s u p p l i es of

f ru it th ey p roduce w on derf ul m us i c whi ch s om eti m es causes

,

s l eep or ob l i v i on ; a n d bi rd s e r ch i n th e i r b ran ch es a n d
p
w arb l e m el ody s u ch tha t the s ick would s l eep t o it
“
It ”
.

s h ou l d be n o t ed a l s o th a t a s M i s s H u l l p oi n t s ou t i n s om e
, ,

tal es t he b ran ch of a d iv in e tree b ecom es a ta li s m an l eading

t h e m or t al t o Ely s i um ; i n th i s res em bl in g t h e g old en b ou g h

p l u c k e d by E n ea s b ef or e v i s i ti n
g t h e u n d e r w orld 1
Th i s .
,

h ow ever i s n ot the f undamen t al ch aract eri s ti c of t he t ree i n

, ,

I ri s h s tory Pos s ibl y as Mr A B C ook m a in t ains t he

.
, . . .
,

b ranch g ivi ng en tra n ce t o Ely s iu m i s derived f rom t he b ran ch

b orn e by earl y C el tic k i ng s of t he w ood whil e t he tree i s ,

a n i m a i n a ti ve f orm of th os e whi ch i n carn a t ed a v eg et a t i on

-

g
S p i it Be thi s as it m a y it i s ra th er t he f ru i t ea t en by t he
2
r .
,

m ort al whi ch bi n ds hi m t o t he I mm or t al La n d
'

The i nh a bitan t s of El ys ium are n ot onl y i m m ort al bu t a l so ,

i n vi s ibl e a t will They m ak e them s el ves vi s i bl e t o one p ers on

. .

on l y ou t of m a n y pres en t with hi m Conn l a a l on e sees t he

.

g oddes s i nv i s ib l e t o hi s f ath er a n d t he D ru i d
,
M an a n n a n i s .

v i s i b l e t o B ran bu t th ere are m a n y n ear t he h ero wh om he

,

d oes n ot s ee ;an d wh en t he s am e g od com es t o Fa n d h e i s ,

i n vi s ib l e t o C uchu la i nn a n d th os e with hi m S o Mi der s a ys .

t Et i
o a n W e b eh o
,
“
ld a n d a e n ot b eh eld
r ,
3
O ccas ion all y.
”
,

t oo t he p eopl e of E ly s iu m h ave t h e p ow er of s h ap e s hif ting

,
-

Fand an d Li b an appear t o Cl l chulai nn a s birds ’

.

The h az el of k n owl edg e con n ect s wi s dom with t he g ods

’

w orld a nd i n C el ti c b el i ef g en erall y ci vil i s a ti on an d cu l tu re

,

1
Th e S il ver Boug h i n Iri s h Leg en d , Folk L ore,
-
xi i . 4 31 .
2
Cook , Folk L ore, vi i 1 5 8
-
x . .
3
I T i . 1 33 .
 ELYSIU M 38 1

w ere s upp os ed t o h ave com e f rom t he g od s The thing s of .

th ei r l an d w ere covet ed by m en an d of t en s tol en th en ce by ,

them I n W el s h and I ri s h t al es of t en w i th referen ce t o t he

.
,

Oth er w orld a m ag i cal ca u ldron has a prom in en t pla ce

-
, .

D ag da pos s es s ed s u ch a caul dron a n d i t w as in ex h aus ti bl e an d ,

a va t o f i n ex h a u s ti b l e m ea d i s d es crib ed i n t he s t ory of

Cucha la i nn s S i ckness
’
W h a t ever w as p u t in t o s u ch cauldron s
.

s a t s fi ed
i l l m tt e h n u m erou s th ey m ig ht be 1
a n o ,
a r ow .

Cll chu l a i nn obt ai n ed on e f rom t h e dau g ht er of t he ki ng of

’

S cath a n d al s o carri ed off t he king s three cows 2 I n an

,
’
.

an a l og ou s s t ory he s t ol e f rom Cl l roi by t h e con n i va n ce of hi s

’

, ,

wif e Blat hn at h er f ather Mider s cauldron three cow s a n d

,
’

, ,

t he w om a n h er s elf Bu t i n a n o th er vers ion Ci l chul ai n n an d

’
.

CIl roi g o t o M i d er s s t ron g h ol d i n t he I s l e of F a l g a (Ely s iu m )

’ ’

a n d s t eal ca u l dron cow s a n d Bl at hn at ,

Thes e were t ak en
, .

f rom Ci l chul a i n n by Cl l roi ; h en ce hi s reveng e a s i n t he

’ ’

revi ou s t a l e Th h th f t rom El y s i u m
3
p u s .t e e w as f I n t he .

W el s h poem The S p oil s of An nw f n A rth ur s t ol e a cau ldron

“
,

f ro m A n n wf n I t s ri m w as en cr u s t ed w i th p ea rl s voi ces
.
,

i s s u ed f rom it it w as k ep t b oi l i ng by t he b reath o f n i n e
,

m a iden s an d i t w ou ld n ot b oi l a cow ard s f ood

’
4
.
,

As ha s b een s een f rom t he s t ory of Gwi on he was s et t o ,

wat ch a cau l dron whi ch m us t b oi l u n t il i t yielded three “

drops of t he g ra ce of i n s pi ra ti on It b el ong ed t o Teg id Voel .

a n d Cerri d we n d i v i n e r u l
,
e r s of a La n d u n der t he W a ers
t 6
In .

t h e Ma bi n og i of B ran w en her b roth er B ran recei ved a ,

cau l dron fr om t w o b ei n g s a m an a n d a h ug e w om a n w ho , ,

cam e f rom a l ak e Thi s cau l dron w as g iven by hi m t o t he

.

O Don ov an , B a ttl e of Ma g B a th, 50 B Arb oi s , v 6 7 I T i 96

1 ’ ’
Dag da s
’
. . .

cau ldron cam e f rom Mu ri a s , prob a bl y an overs ea w orl d .

2
Mi s s Hul l , 2 44 S ca t h i s h ere t h e Ot h er worl d , con cei ved , h owever, as a
.
-

d i s m al a bod e .

3
O Curry , MC i i 97 , i i i 7 9 ; K eat i ng , 28 4 f . R C xv 4 4 9
’
. . . .

4
Sk ene, i . 26 4 of . RC xxi i . 1 4. 5
P. 1 1 6 , s up r a .
3 8 2 T HE RELIGION OF T HE ANCIEN T CE LTS
king of Erin a n d it ha d t he p rop erty of res toring to l if e t he
,

s l a i n who w ere pl aced i n i t

1
.

The th ree properti es of t h e caul dron— i n exhau s t i bili t y u

i n s pira ti on an d reg enera ti on m ay be s umm ed up i n on e

,
—

w ord f ertili ty ; an d it i s s ig ni fican t tha t t he g od with wh om

,

s uch a cau ldron w a s a s s oci a t ed D ag da wa s a g od of f er ti l ity , , .

Bu t we h ave j u s t s een it a s s oci a t ed di rect l y or i ndirect ly , ,

with g oddes s es Cerri d wen B ran w en the w om an from t he

—
, ,

l ak e an d p erh ap s thi s m ay p oin t t o an earl i er cu l t of g od

—

dess es of f er ti l ity l a t er t ran s f erred t o g ods

, I n thi s l ig ht th e .

ca u ldron ’ s p ow er o f res t ori n g t o l i f e i s s ig n ifi can t s i n ce i n ,

earl y b el i ef l if e i s a s s oci a t ed with wha t i s f em in in e W oman .

-

as t h e f ru itf ul m o t her s ug g es t ed th a t t he Ea r th whi ch p ro ,

d uced an d n ouri s h ed was al s o f emal e H en ce arose the cul t

,
.

of t he Ear th m oth er w ho was of t en a l s o a g oddes s of l ov e a s

-

w ell a s of f ertil ity Cerri dwen i n all prob abil ity was a g od
.
, ,

d es s of fer til ity a n d Bran wbn a g oddes s of l ove

,
2
The cul t of .

f ertil ity was u s uall y a s s oci a t ed with org i as ti c an d i ndi s

.

cri m i n a t e l ov e m a k i n g a n d it i s n ot i m p os s ibl e th a t t he
,

ca u l dron l ik e t h e Hi n du yon i wa s a s ym b ol of f erti l ity 3

, , .

Ag ain t he s l aug hter a n d cooking of anim als was u sually

,

reg a rd ed a s a s a cr ed a ct i n p ri m iti ve l i f e The a n i m al s Were .

cook ed i n en orm ou s ca u l dron s whi ch w ere f ou n d as a n l u vari ,

a b l e p ar t of t he furn it ure of every C el ti c h ou s e 4 The .

qu a n titi es of m eat whi ch th ey con tain ed m ay ha ve s ugg es ted

inex h aus tibility t o p eopl e t o whom the cau l dron wa s a lrea dy
a s y m b ol of f er ti l ity Thu s t he s y m b oli c cauldron of a f ertility
.

cul t w a s m erg ed with t h e caul dron u s ed i n t he rel i i ou s

g
2
1
Gu es t , i i i 321 f .. S ee pp 1 03 , 1 1 7 ,
. s up r a .
3
For t h e u s e o f a v es s el in r i t ual a s a s y mb ol of d ei t y , s ee Crooke, Folk Lore, -

vi i i . 351 f.
4
Di od . S i c. v. 28 At h en . i v . 34 J oy ce, S E ii . 1 24 An ti en t La ws of
I rel a nd , i v . 3 27 . Th e caul dron s of Iri s h h ous es are s ai d x
i n t h e t e t s t o be i n
x
e h aus t i bl e ( of . RC i ii . xx
38 4 .
T HE RE LIGIO N OF T HE ANCIEN T CEL T S
by on e
\
o
p e t t
th er who u s ed it as a type of the
a f er an o ,
“

l of ti es t g oal of m an s effort 1 ’ ”
.

I n o th er wa y s m yth t ol d h ow t he g if ts o f civi l is at i on
ca m e f rom t he g od s w orl d W h en m an cam e t o dom es tica te
’
.

a n i m al s it w a s b el i eved i n cou rs e of t i m e th a t t he k n ow ledg e

,

of d om es ti ca ti on or m ore u s u a ll y t he a n i m al s th em s el ves ha d
, ,

com e f r om t he g ods o n l y i n thi s ca se t he a n i m a l s w e

, , re of a ,

m ag i ca l su p ern a t u ral ki n d
,
S u ch a b el ief u n d erl i es t he s tories
.

i n whi ch CIl chu l ai nn s t eal s cow s f rom th ei r di vin e ow ners

’
In .

o th er i n s t a n ces h eroes who Obt ai n a wi f e f rom t he si d f olk

,
-
,

o bt a i n a l s o ca tt l e f rom t he s i d As has b een s een t he s win e

2
.
,

g i ve n t o Pry deri by A ra wn kin g of An n w f n a n d hith er t o

, ,

u n k n ow n t o m an a re s t ol en f ro m hi m by Gwy d i on
, Pryderi ,

b eing s on of Pwyll a t em porary king of Ann wf n an d i n all

, ,

r o b a bi l ity b o th w er e l or d s of El y s i u m The th ef t i n t he
p .
,

ori g i n al f orm of t he m yth m u s t thus h ave b een f rom ,

El y s iu m thou g h w e h ave a hin t i n The S poil s of Ann w f n

,
“ ”

tha t Gwydi on ( Gwei r) wa s u n s ucces s fu l an d was I m prl s on ed

i n Ann w f n t o whi ch i m pri s on m en t t h e l a t er b l en di ng of
,

An n wf n with hell g ave a d ol ef ul a s pect I n a l a t e W el s h

3
.

MS a whit e roeb uck an d a pupp y ( or i n t he Tr i ads a bit ch

.
, , , ,

a ro eb u ck a n d a l a p wi n g ) w ere s t ol en by Am aeth on f rom

Ann wfn an d t he s t ory pres en ts archa ic f ea tures I n s om e

,
4

of th es e t al es t h e ani m al s are t ra n s f erred t o ear th by a di v i n e

—

or s em i d i vi n e b ein g i n wh om w e m a y s ee a n earl y C el ti c
-
, ,

cul tu re h ero -
Th e t al es are a tt en ua t ed f orm s of ol der m yth s
.

which s h owed how al l d om es ti c a n im al s w ere a t fi rs t t he

p pr o e r ty o f t he g o ds a n d a n e ch o of th es e i s s ti l l h eard i n
,

Marchen des cribin g t he th ef t of ca tt l e from fairyl an d I n .

1
S ee Vi ll em arqn é, Contes Pop . d cs a n ci ens B retons , Pari s , 1 8 4 2 RhYS , AL

an d es p eci al l y Nut t , Leg end Qf the Hol y Gr a i l , 1 8 8 8 .

2
Ad vent ures of Nora , R C . 22 6 RC xvi . 6 2, 6 4. x
3 4
P 1 06 ,
. s up r a . P. 1 07 , s up ra .
 E LYSIUM 38 5

t he m os t
im iti ve f orm of t he tal es t he thef t w a s dou btl es s
pr

f rom t he u nder w orld of g ods of f ert i l ity t he pl a ce whi th er ,

t he d ea d w en t Bu t w i th t he r i s e of m yth s t el l in g of a
.

di s ta n t El ys i um it w a s i nevit a b l e th at s om e tal es s h oul d

,

con n ect t h e a n i m a l s an d t he th ef t with th a t f ar o ff l a n d -

.

S o fa r as t he I ri s h an d W el s h t al es a re con cern ed t he th ef ts ,

se em m a i n l y t o b e f rom El y s i u m
1
.

Love m aki ng has a l arg e pl a ce i n t he E lys iu m t al es

-
.

G oddes s es s eek t he l ove of m ortal s an d t he m orta l des i res ,

t o vi s it El ys i u m b ecaus e of th ei r en ti cem en t s Bu t t he .

l ove m a ki n g of El y s i um i s
-
with ou t s i n with ou t cri m e an d
“
, ,

thi s phra s e m ay p erh aps s ug g es t the exi s t en ce of ritual s ex

u n i on s a t s t a t ed ti m es f or m a g i cal i n fl uen ce u p o n t he f erti l ity

of t he ea rth th es e u n ion s n ot b eing reg arded a s i mm oral

, ,

even wh en th ey t res p a ss ed on cu s t om ary trib al l aw I n .

s om e of t h e s t ori es El y s i u m i s com p os ed of m an y i s l a n d s
'

on e of whi ch i s t h e i s land of wom en Th es e w om en an d

“ 2 ”
.

th ei r queen g ive th eir f a vours t o B ra n an d hi s m en or t o

Maeldu i n an d hi s com pan y Sim il a r i s l an ds of w om en .
“ ”

occu r i n Mar chen s t i ll cu rren t a m on g,

C el tic peopl es a n d ,

a ctu al i s l an ds w ere or s ti ll are cal l ed by th a t n am e Eigg —

a n d Gr oag ez o ff t he B ret on coa s t Sim il ar i s la n ds of w om en 3

.

a re k n ow n t o Chi n es e J a p an es e a n d Ai nu f ol k l ore t o G reek

, ,
-
,

m yth ol og y ( C i rce s an d C al y ps o s i s l ands ) an d t o a n ci en t

’ ’
,

Eg yptian con cep tion s of t he f u ture lif e Th ey w ere al s o

4
.

1
For para ll el m y ths s ee Ri g Ved a , i 5 3 2 Cam pb el l , Tr a vels i n S ou th . .

. J
Af ri ca , i 306 ; oh ns t on , Ug a nd a Protectora te, i i 7 04 ; Li n g Rot h, Na ti ves .

of S a ra wa k, i 307 a nd cf t h e m y t h o f Prom eth eus

. . .

2
Th i s i s fou n d i n t h e s t ori es o f Bra n , Ma el d ui n , Conn l a, i n Fi a n t a l es
Chi ldren o f Tui ren n , a n d i ll Ga el i c Md rchcn
”
( O Gra dy , i i 22 8 ,
’
i n t he
. .

3
Mart i n , 27 7 S ébi ll ot , i i 7 6 . .

4
Burt on , N i g ht
Thou s a n d Ni g hts
23 9 Ch a m berl ai n , A i n o
and a , x .

F olk Ta l es , 38 ; L An thr op ol ogi e, v . 5 07 ; Mas pero , E i s t a n c d es p eup l es

’
-
. .

d o l Ori en t, i 1 8 3. The Ins t of t he wom en of t h es e i s l an d s i s fa ta l t o t h ei r

’
.

l ov ers .
38 6 T HE RE LIGION OF T HE ANCIENT CEL TS
k n own el s ewh ere 1 a n d we m ay th erefore as s um e tha t in
,

d es cribin g s u ch an i s l an d a s par t of El ys mm t he C el t s ,

w ere u s ing s om ethi n g comm on t o u n ivers al f olk b el ief But -

.

it m ay al s o owe s om ethi ng t o a ctual cu s t om t o t he m em ory

’

of a ti m e wh en w om en perf or m ed th eir ri t es i n s ecl u s i on a ,

‘

s ecl u s i on perh ap s r ecal l ed i n t he r ef eren ces t o t he m y s t eri ous

n at ure of t he i s l an d i t s i n acces s ibi l ity a n d it s d i s a pp earance

, ,

on ce t h e m or t al l ea v es it To th es e r it es m en m a y h ave
'

b een a d m itted by fa vour bu t perh aps t o th eir detri m en t , ,

b ecau s e of th eir t em porary partn er s ex trem e erotic m adn es s ’

.

Thi s i s t he case i n the Chi n es e tales of the isl an d of w om en

"

a n d thi s ra th er th a n h om e s i ck n es s ; m ay ex pl a i n t he des ire

,
-

o f B ran Oi s i n et c t o l eav e El y s i u m
, , .,C el ti c w om en perf orm ed .

org i a s ti c r it es on i sl an d s a s has b een s een All thi s m ay

2
.
,

have orig ina t ed t he b el ief i n an i s lan d of b eau tifu l divin e

w om en as par t of El y s i um whil e i t al s o heig ht ened i t s ,

s en s u ou s a s p ect .

B orrow ed from t he del ig ht whi ch t he C el t t ook i n mus i c

i s t he recurri ng ref er e nce t o t h e m ar vel l ou s m us i c wh i ch

swell ed i n El y s i u m There a s t he g oddes s s ays t o B ra n

.
, ,

“
there i s n othin g rou g h or h ars h but s weet m us ic s triking ,

o n t he ear It s oun ded from birds on ev ery tree f rom

”
.
,

t he b ra n ch es of t r ees f rom m arvellous s t on es an d f rom t he

, ,

harps of divi ne m u s i ci ans And this i s recall ed i n t he .

"

1
An i sl an d n ear New Gu i nea i s call ed t h e l an d
On i t m en of wom en .
”

are a ll owed t o l a n d t em p orarily , b ut only t h e fem al e off s ri n of t h e wom en

p g
a re a ll ow ed t o s u rvi ve ( L An thr op
’
v. Th e Indi ans of Fl ori da had a
.

t ra d i t i on o f a n i s l an d i n a l ak e i n h abi t ed by t he fa i res t wom en ( Cha t ea u bri a nd,

Au tob 1 8 24 , i i
. . a n d Fij i a n m yt h ol og y k n ows of an Ely s i an i s l and o f
,
"

g od d es s es , n ear t h e l an d of t h e g ods , t o wh i ch a few f a voured m ort al s are

a d m i t t ed (Wi lli a m s ,
Fif i , i .
2
P 2 7 4, s u p ra
. I s l an ds m ay h a ve been reg ard ed a s s acred b ecau s e of s uch
.

cu l t s , a s t h e fol k l or e rep ort ed b y Pl u t arch s ug g es t s ( p 34 3, s up r a )

-
Cel t i c . .

s a i n t s ret a i n ed t h e ven era t i on f or i s l a n d s , a nd l oved t o d wel l on t h em , and

t h e i d ea s urvi ves i n f olk b el i ef Of t he venera t i on of Lewi s m en for t h e

‘

-
. .

Fl a nn an i s l a n ds .
38 8 T HE RE LIGION OF
“

T HE ANCIENT CE L TS
lay t owards t he
“

s uns e t ,
an d as s om e of i ts a s p ec s t m ay have
b een s ug g es t ed by t he g l ories of the s etting s u n t he s un ,
-
g od
Lu g wa s al s o a s s oci a ted with it th oug h he h ardl y ta k es , t he

pl ace of Man ann an .

Mos t of t he a s p ec s t El y s i u m
of a pp ear u nc an h g ed i n l a t er
f ol k -
b el ief , bu t it has n ow b ecom e f ai ry l an d— a
p ace within
l
hills , m ou n ds , or s i d, of m arv ellou s b ea u ty with , m agi c
ro
p p er ties ,
an d wh ere ti m e l aps es as in a dream . A
w on derf ul overs ea l an d i s tra diti on,
al s o f ou n d i n Md rchen
'
and

a n d Ti r n a n Og i s s t i l l a l i vi n g rea l ity t o t he C el t
-
There i s .

t he f ou n tai n of y ou th , h eal i n g b al s a m s l i f e gi vi ng f ruits ,

-

b eau tif ul w om en or f airy f olk It i s t he t rue lan d of h eart s .

’

d es ire I n t he el even th cen t ury M SS from whi ch our

. .

k n owl edg e of El ys ium i s m ainly dra wn bu t whi ch im pl y a ,

rem ot e a n tiqu i ty f or t he m a t eri al s a n d i d ea s of t he t a les ,

t he std w orl d i s s till t he w orld of di vin e b eing s th oug h th es e

“

-
,

are b eg in n in g t o a s s u m e t h e t ra it s of f ai ri es Prob a b l y am ong

t h e p eopl e th em s el ves t h e ch ang e had already b eg un t o b e
m a de a n d t h e l an d of t he g ods w a s s i m pl y f a iryl and
, In .

W al es t he s am e chan g e ha d tak en pl ace a s i s s een by ,

Gi rald u s a ccou n t of El i durus en ti ced t o a s ubt erran ean f a iry

’
'

l a n d by t w o s m al l p eopl e 1
.

S om e of t he El y s ium tal es ha ve b een in fl u en ced by

Chris tian con cep ti on s an d i n a certain g rou p the I m m ma or
, ,

V oy ag es El y s iu m fi n all y becom es t he Chris tia n p ara di s e or

“ ”
,

heaven Bu t t he El y s iu m con cep ti on a l s o rea ct ed on

.

Chris tian ideas of para di s e I n t he Voyag e of Ma eldu i n .

,

whi ch b ears s om e res em b l an ce t o t he s tory of B ran t he ,

Chri s tian i nfl u en ce i s s til l in defi ni te bu t it i s m ore m arked i n ,

t he Voyag e of S n edg u s a n d Ma cRi ag la On e is la nd h a s b ecom e .

a ki n d o f i n t erm edi a t e s t a t e wh ere d w ell E n och a nd E l ij a h , ,

a n d m an y o th ers w a iti n g f or t he da y of ju dg m en t An oth er ‘

1
Ci r Ca mb I ti n Ca mb i . 8 .
. . . .
 E LYSIU M 38 9

i s la n d res em b l es Chri s ti an h eaven Bu t i n the Voyag e of

the .

Ba a n ola n t he pa g a n el em en t s h a v e pra cti call y di s app eared ;

there i s an i s l a n d of h el l a nd an i s la n d of para di s e The 1
.

i s la n d con cepti on i s t he las t reli c of pag an i s m but n ow t he ,

v oya g e i s u n der t a k en f or t h e p ur p os e o f r ev en e or p en a n ce o r
g
p i lg ri m ag e An oth er s eri es of tal es of vi s ionary j ou rn ey s t o
.

hell or h eaven a re purel y Chri s ti an yet t he j oy s of h eaven ,

have a s en s u ou s a s pect whi ch recall s th os e of t he pag an

Elys i um I n on e of th es e The Ti di ng s of Dooms da y there are
.
,
2
,

t wo b ell s and b es i des h ea ven th ere i s a pla ce f or t he ban i n on

,

va lde res em b l i n g t h e i s l an d of En och a n d El ij a h i n t he Voya e

'
, g
of S neolg u s The con necti on of Ely s i um w i th t he Ch ris t i an
.

ra di s e i s t t “
p a s ee n i n t h e i l e T i r Ta i m i i
g T he Lan d of r ,

Prom i s e whi ch i s a ppli ed t o t he h eavenl y kin g dom or t he

,

l an d fl owing w i th m i l k an d hon ey i n earl y g l oss es e g on Heb , . . .

i v 4 vi 1 5 wh ere C an aan an d t h e r eg n u m caelor u m are cal led

. , .
,
f

Ti r Ta i r ng i r i an d i n a g l oss t o 1 Cor x 4 wh ere t h e h ea ven l y

, . .
,

l an d i s ca l l ed T1 r Tai rng i ri I nnam béo The Lan d of Prom i s e “

'

of t he Li vi ng O n es th u s li k en ing i t t o t he Lan d of t he
” “
, ,

Li vi n g i n t h e s t ory of Conn l a .

S en s u ou s as m a ny of t he a s pect s of El ys ium are th ey have ,

y et a s pi rit u al a s p ect whi c h m u s t n o t b e ov erl ook ed Th e .

em ph a s i s p l a ced on i t s b ea u ty i t s m u s i c i t s r es t a n d p ea ce i t s
, , ,

ob l iv ion i s s pi ri t ual ra th er than s en s ua l whi le the dw elli ng of

, ,

f avou red m orta l s th ere with d i vi n e b ei n g s i s s u g g es tive of th a t

u n i on with t he d i vi n e whi ch i s t h e ess en ce of al l reli g i on .

Thou g h m en are l ured t o s eek it th ey do n ot l eav e it or th ey , ,

g o b a ck t o it a f t er a b ri ef a b s en ce a n d La eg s a y s tha t h e ,

w oul d prefer El y s i um t o t he ki ng s hip of al l I relan d a n d hi s ,

Tra n s l at i on s of s om e of t hes e Voy a g es by S t ok es are g 1 ven i n R 0, vol s . i x.

1 x .

Bren da n s Meerfahrt , Zei ts f ar Den t A It

” ’
a nd xi v. S ee al so Zi mm er, . . .

xxx iii cf Nu tt Mey er, ch 4 , 8

. .
-
. .

2
RC i v 2 43 . .
3 90 THE RE LIGION OF THE ANCIEN T CE L T S
w ords are ech oed by oth ers An d t he l ure of the g oddes s o ften
.

em ph as i s es t he f reedom f rom t u rm oi l g ri ef
, a n d t h
, e ru d e

a larm s o f ea rth l y l i f e This s weet an d b les s ed coun try i s

“ ”
.

d es crib ed with al l t he pa s s ion of a p oeti cal race w ho dream ed

of perf ect h ap p i n es s a n d s aw i n t he j oy of na t u re s b ea u ty the
’

, ,

l ove of w om en an d t he th ou g ht of u nb rok en p ea ce an d
,

h arm on y no s m al l pa rt of m an s t ru es t life Favoured m orta l s

,
’
.

ha d reach ed El ys i um an d t he h ope tha t h e t oo m ig ht be s o

, , ,

f avoured b u oy ed u p t he C el t a s he drea med over thi s s t a t e ,

whi ch was s o m u ch m ore bl is s fu l even than t he f u t ure s ta t e of

t he d ea d . Man y races h ave im agin ed a h app y Oth er World -
,

bu t n o oth er race h a s s o filled it with m ag i c b eau ty or s o ,

p ers i s t en tl y recu rred t o it as t he C el t s They s t ood on the

.

cl iffs whi ch f aced t he w es t a n , d as t he pag ean t of s un s et pa s s ed

b efore them or as a t m idday t he l ig ht s him m ered on the f ar
,

h or1 z om an d on s hadowy i s l an ds th ey g azed with wis tful eyes

,
-

a s i f t o ca t ch a g l i m p s e of El y si u m b ey on d t he f oun t a i n s of t he

d eep an d t he h alls of t he s etti ng s un

. I n all thi s we s ee t he
.

C el tic vers ion of a pri mitive a nd i ns tin ctive hu man b el ief .

Man refu s es t o thin k th a t t he m is ery an d di s appoin tm en t an d

s tri f e a n d p a i n of l i f e m u s t al w a y s be hi s He h opes a n d
.

b el i eves tha t there i s res erved f or hi m s om ewh ere an d at s om e

,

ti m e et ernal h appi n es s an d etern al love

,
39 2 INDEX
Beli nu s , 2 6 , 1 02 , 1 1 3, 1 24 . Ca l a ti n , 1 31 f.
Bel i s am a , 4 1 , 6 8 — 6 9, 1 2 5. Cal en d ar, 1 7 5 f 25 2 . .

Bel l oves u s , Ca m u l os , 2 8 , 1 25 , 1 49.

B el t a n e, 92, 1 94 , 2 39, 2 5 9, 2 6 4 . Ca n d l em as , 6 9 .

Beri cy n t h i a , 44 , 27 5 . Can ni bal i s m , 2 39, 27 1 .

Bert ra nd , M , 305 .
. Ca oi l t e, 6 1 , 1 4 2, 1 5 2, 336 .
B i l e, 1 6 2, 201 Ca ract a cu s , 1 03
‘

. .

Bil e, 5 4 , 6 0, 1 03. Ca rm an , 1 6 7 .

Bi rd g ods , 1 08 , 205 , 247 . Ca rp en t ers , g od of, 7 6 .

B i rt h , 1 96 , 3 45 . Cas s i t eri d es , 39 .

Bl a ck An n i s Bower, 6 7 Ca s s i v el l aun u s , 1 1 3
’
.

Bl a t h n a t , 8 4 , 1 09, 3 8 1 . Ca s t or a n d Poll u , 1 3 6 x .

Bl odeu wedd , 10 4, 1 05 f , 1 08 . . Ca s w all awn , 98 , 1 02, 1 1 2— 1 1 3 .

Bl ood , 24 0, 244 . Ca t hb ad , 1 27 .

Bl oo d , Brot h erh ood , 1 31 , 24 0. Ca th u bodua , 4 1 , 7 1 .

Boan d, 8 1 , 1 91 . Cat uri x, 28

W
.

Boar , cu l t of , 42. C QZ, 1 1 2, 1 1 6 , 1 20, 3 6 8 ,

B od b , 8 3 . 1 .

Bod b Dea rg , 86. Cel t ae, 8 , 9, 1 5

-
.

Borm an e , 4 3 .
“
Cel t i beri an s , 1 7 6 , 246 .

Bor vo, 4 3, 1 8 3 . Cel t i c a n d Teu t oni c r el i g i on , 1 1 .

Bo ud i cca , 7 2 , 1 25 , 1 6 1 , 21 9. Cel t i c em pi re, 1 8 f .

Bou g h s , 26 5 , 27 0 . Cel t iE ori g i n s , 8 f .

B oun d a ry s t on es , 2 8 4 . Cel t i c p eopl e, t ypes of , 8 .

B ra ci a ca , 28 . Cel t i c rel i g i on , evol ut i on of , 3 f .

Bran , 3 4 , 98 , 1 00 f , 1 07 , 1 1 1 , 1 1 7 ,
. Cel t i c rel i g i on , h i g h er a s pect s of, 6 .

1 6 0, 24 2 , 3 6 3 , 3 7 9 f . Cel t i c rel i g i on , h o m og en ei ty of , 5 .

Bra n w en , 98 , 1 03 f , 3 8 1 f , 38 5 .
. . Cel t i c reli g i on , Rom an i n fl uence on , 5 .
Bra zi ers , g od of, 7 6 . Cel t s , g od s o f, 1 5 8 .

Bren n i u s , 1 02, 1 1 2 f . Cel t s , rel i g i os i t y o f , 2 .

B renn u s , 1 6 0 . Cel t s , t em p era m en t of, 3, 1 4 .

B res , 5 3 , 5 4, 58 — 5 9. Genn Cruai ch , 6 6 , 7 9 .

Bri a n , 7 3 f . Cera , 7 7 .

Br i d e, S , 6 9.
. Cern u nn os , 29 f , 32, 1 01 , 1 36 , 21 2,
.

Bri d g e, 34 6 . 2 82 .

Bri dg e o f Li fe, 2 28 . Cerri d wen , 1 1 6 f , 35 1 , 35 8 f . .

Bri g a nt i a , 6 8 , 1 25 . Ces s ai r, 5 0 .

E ri g i n d o , 6 8 , 27 5 . Cet hl enn 5 9, , 81 .
Cet n ad , 24 9 .

Ch a rm s , 1 7 2, 3 5 6 .

Chu rch a n d p a g a n i s m , 6 , 7 , 4 8 , 8 0
Bron ze Ag e, 1 4 8 . 1 1 5 , 1 32, 1 5 2 f , 1 7 4 f ., 203 f , 23 8
. .

Brot her s i s t er u n i ons , 1 06 , 1 1 3.

-
249, 25 8 , 2 7 2 , 28 0, 28 5 , 28 8 — 28 9
Brown Bull , 1 30 . 3 1 5 , 32 1 , 3 3 1 , 38 9.
Browni e, 1 6 6 , 1 8 9, 24 5 . Oi a n , 7 5 , 8 9.
B ra g . S ee S i d . Cl a i rvoy an ce, 307 .
Bryt h on s , 1 3 . Cl een a , 7 0.
Bry t h on s , g od s o f , 8 5 , 95 f ., 1 24 . Ol ot a , 4 3, 7 0.
B ua n ann , 6 8 , 7 3 , Cl u t oi da ; 7 0 .

B ul l , cul t of , 3 8 , 1 40, 1 8 9, 208 , 24 3. Coci d i us , 1 25 .

Bu ri al ri t es , 309, 3 37 f .
Ca er S i d i , 1 1 2, 1 1 7 , 36 8
Caes ar, 22, 29, 21 9, 2 23, 23 3, 2 8 3, 294,
33 4 .
Cak es , 26 6 .
Cook , 21 9.
Col umba , S . , 1 7 , 6 6 , 8 8 , 1 8 1 , 238 , 31 5 ,
. 3 24 , 3 3 1 — 332 , 35 8 .
Com ba t s , ri t u a l , 26 3, 26 7 .
Com ed ov ae, 4 7 .
Com yn , M 1 4 3, 1 5 1 .
 INDEX 39 3

Con ai re, 8 4 , 220, 25 2, 255 . D ead , con di t i on and cul t of , 6 8 , 1 6 5 f. ,

Conal l Gern ach , 1 34, 1 3 6 , 230, 240. 282, 330, 333 f , . 3 4 0, 3 4 4 f., 37 8 .
Con a n , 1 42 . Dea d Deb t or, 3 3 7 .
Con cept i on , m a g i cal , 35 1 . Dea d , l an d o f, a n d Ely s i u m , 34 0 f .

Con ch obar, 1 27 , 1 32, 1 6 0, 1 8 2, 2 32, Dea d l i vi ng i n g rave, 33 8— 339.

2 5 4, 3 4 9. Deb i l i t y o f Ul t on i ans , 7 1 , 1 29 f .
,

Con n , 3 6 7 . 22 4.
Conn cri t h i r, 7 3 . Dech el et t e, M , 1 6 6 .
.

Conn l a , 5 9, 6 5 , 3 6 4, 3 7 4, 37 7 , 3 7 9, Dech t i re, 1 27 f , 3 4 8 , 35 4

. .

3 80. B ei s ei l , 1 93, 23 7 , 2 7 1 .
Con s erva t i s m i n bel i ef , 1 93. Dei Terren i , 6 4 .
Cora l , 329 . Dem et er, 4 4 , 6 8 , 1 1 7 , 27 4 .
Coran i an s , 1 1 4 . Dem on s , 1 7 3 f , 1 8 8 .
.

Cord el i a , 99 . Devorg i ll a , 1 33 .

Corm ac, 6 7 , 6 8 , 8 8 , 3 6 6 . Di an a , 4 2, 1 7 7 .
Corn s pi ri t , 92, 1 07 , 1 1 7 , 1 6 8 , 1 7 3,
-
Di an cech t , 7 7 , 8 4 , 207 , 325 .
21 3, 26 0, 2 6 2, 27 3 f , 27 5 . . Di arm a i d , 8 2, 8 3 , 8 8 , 1 00, 1 4 2, 1 4 7 ,
Corota cu s , 1 2 5 . 1 5 0, 21 0, 220, 25 2, 2 5 4, 3 5 1 , 36 5
Cos m og on y , 2 27 f . 36 6 .
Cou va d e, 1 30, 2 24 . D i i Ca s s es , 3 9.
Craf t s , g od s of, 93 . D i od oru s S i cul u s , 334.
Cran es , 3 8 . Di on y s u s , 21 1 .
Cra ni ol ogy , 8 f . Di os cu ri , 1 3 6 .
Creat i on , 2 30 . Di ron a , 4 2, 7 0.
Creiddy l a d , 8 5 , 99, 1 1 3. Di rr a , 7 0.

Crei d n e, 7 6 , 7 7 . Di s a bl ot , 1 6 9.
Crei rwy , 1 1 6 . Di s ir , 1 6 9.
Crom Du bh , 8 0. Di s p at er, 29 f , 4 4 , 6 0, 1 00, 1 69, 2 1 8 ,
.

Crom Eocha , 7 9. 229, 3 4 1 , 3 4 5, 37 6 .

Cromm Crua i ch , 5 7 , 7 9, 23 6 , 2 86 . Di s t ort i on , 1 28 , 1 32, 1 34.
Cros s , 290 . Di vi n at i on , 2 35 , 2 47 f , 2 5 9, 26 6 , 304 .
.

Cros s roa ds , 1 7 4
-
. Di vi n e d escen t , 3 5 1 , 35 4 .
Cru i t hn e, 1 7 Di vi n e k i n g s , 2 5 3 .
Cuch ul ai n n , 7 2, 1 09, 1 21 , Di vi n eres s es , 3 1 6 .
1 7 4 , 1 7 9, 220, 2 40, 25 2, 25 4 , 3 36 , Di vi ners , 299.
34 9, 35 5 , 35 7 , 3 6 5 , 3 6 9, 38 1 . Di vi ni n g rod , 2 4 8 .
Cuchu l ai nn s ag a , 3 8 , 6 3, 7 1 , 8 7 , 97 , Dol m ens , 28 3, 330, 35 2.
1 27 f , 1 4 5 , 204 , 207 .
. Dom es t i cat i on , 21 0, 21 4 , 225 .
Cu l ann , 1 28 . D om i naz, 4 7 .
Cu l t ure g odd es s es , 4 , 6 8 f . Dom n u, 5 7 , 5 9, 223.
Cul t ure g od s a nd h eroes , 4 , 5 8 , 92—93, D6 1] , 6 0, 6 3 , 1 03 , 22 3 .
Don n ot au ru s , 1 3 8 , 209.
Cum a l , 1 25 , 1 4 2, 1 4 5 f .
,
1 4 8 f. Drag on , 1 1 4 , 1 21 , 1 8 8 .
Curoi , 1 09, 38 1 . Dri nk of obl i vi on , 3 24 .

Curs i n g w el l s , 1 37 . Drui d es s es , 25 0, 3 1 6 .
Drui d i c Hed g e, 324 .
Da g da , 44 , 6 1 , 6 4, 7 4—7 5, 7 7 f .
, Drui d i c s en d i n g , 3 25 .

Dru i d s , 6 , 22, 6 1 , 7 6 , 1 5 0, 1 6 1 f , 1 7 3, .

Da m on a . 4 3, 2f 5 f 1 80, 201 , 205 f . , 2 35 f , 238 , 24 6 f ,

. .

Da nce, ri t u al , 2 4 6 , 26 8 , 28 6 . 2 5 0, 26 5 , 28 0 f , 293 f ., 3 1 2 .
.

Danu , 6 3 , 6 7 f 92, 1 03, 2 23.., Dru i d s an d Fi li d , 305 f .

Da oi n e s i d he, 6 2
' -
. Drui d s an d m a g i c, 3 1 0, 31 9, 325 f.
D Arboi s M , 3 1 , 38 , 5 6 , 5 9, 7 4 7 9, Drui d s a n d m edi ci n e, 3 09.
’
.
,

90, 1 36 , 1 7 8 , 2 6 4 , 293, 3 1 4 , 34 1 Drui d s a n d m on a s t i ci s m , 305 .

35 7 , 37 4 . Dru i d s and Pyt h ag ora s , 3 03.

J
Day of udg m ent , 3 47 . D rui d s a n d Rom e, 31 2 f.
394 INDE X
Drui ds , cl as s i cal referen ces t o, 301 f. Evan s , Dr 200 . .

Dru id s , d res s o f , 3 1 0 f . Evi l ey e, 5 9 .

Drui ds , ori g i n o f, 292 f . Evni s s y en , 98 .

Drui d s , p oem s of, 2. x

E og am y , 222.
Drui d s , p ow er of, 3 1 2 . Ex votos ,
'
1 95 .
Drui ds , t eachin g o f , 307 f , 3 1 4 , 33 3
. .

Drui ds , vari et i es of , 298 12 Fachan , 25 1 .

Drun em et on , 1 6 1 , 28 0, 306 . Fai ri es , 4 3, 45 f ., 6 2, 6 4 f , 7 0, 7 3, 8 0
.

Dua l i s m , 5 7 f , 6 0 f
. . 98 , 1 1 4 , 1 1 5 , 1 6 6 , 1 7 3 , 1 7 8 , 1 8 3
Dum i a s , 25 . 1 8 5 f ., 1 90, 2 01 , 2 03 , 26 2, 26 3, 37 8 .
Du s i i 355 .
, Fa i ry l an d , 3 7 2, 38 5 , 38 8 .
Dw el li ng of g od s S ee Gods , a bod e of
. . Fai th, 1 06 , 300, 309.
Dyl an, 1 04, 1 1 0, 1 7 8 . Fal g a , 8 4 , 8 7 , 38 1 .
Fan d , 6 5 , 8 7 , 8 8 , 1 35 , 36 5 , 38 0.
E a ch n i s ya, 1 8 8 . Ferd i e, 1 3 1 .
Eart h an d Un der eart h 68. Ferg us , 1 4 2 , 336 .
Ea r th cul t s , 3 . Ferti li t y cul t s , 3 , 5 6 , 7 8 , 8 3,
Ea rt h d i vi ni t i es , 31 , 3 5 , 37 , 4 0, 42
'

92, 93, 1 1 2, 1 1 44 1 5 , 27 6 , 330, 35 2,

4 4 f ., 5 7 , 6 5 , 6 7 f ., 7 2 , 7 8 , 92, 1 1 0 38 2 f .
_

1 6 2 , 1 6 9, 227 , 229 f ., 3 45 . Fes t i val s , 4, 1 8 1 , 2 5 6 f .

Ecli ps es , 1 7 8 . Fes t i va l s of d ea d , 1 6 7 .
Ecn e, 7 4 , 223 . Fet i ch , 28 9.
Ecs t as y , 2 5 1 . Fi a chna , 8 8 , 3 50, 3 6 6 , 3 7 9.
’
Eg g , s erp ent s , 21 1 . Fi a n s , 1 4 3, 3 6 5 .
El a t h a, 5 3 , 5 8 , 6 0. Fi l i d , 24 8 f ., 300, 305 f., 325 .
El cm ar, 7 8 , 8 7 . Fi n dbenna ch, 1 30.
El em en t s , cul t of, 1 7 1 f . Fi nn en , S . , 35 1 .
El phi n, 1 1 8 . Fi nnt ai n , 5 0.
El ves , Fi on n ,
Ely s i u m , 5 9, 7 8 f. , 8 4, 8 7 , 1 02 , 1 06 , 1 7 9, 220, 25 4 , 34 4 , 350, 3 6 5 36 6 .
1 1 5 , 1 1 6 , 1 20, 1 6 3, 201 , 2 29 f . 3 50, Fi onn s ag a , 8 3, 97 , 1 1 1 , 1 20, 1 42 f .
36 2 f . Fi r D ea , 63 .
Ely s i u m , an d Para d i s e, 3 8 8 f .
J
Fi r Domn a nn , 52 f . 1 5 7 .
Ely s i um , ch aract eri s t i cs of , 3 7 3 if . Fi r S i d e, 6 4 , 6 5 .
El y s i um , l ord s of, 3 8 7 . Fi rb olg s , 5 2, 5 7 .
E ly s i um , n a m es of , 3 6 2. Fi res , 1 99 25 9, 2 6 1 f ., 26 5 , 26 8 ,
El y s i u m , ori g i n of, 37 0 f . 2 7 0.
Ely s i u m , vari et i es of , 363 f . Fi res , s acred, 6 9.
Em er, 1 2 9, 1 35 . Fi s h , s acred , 1 8 6 , 220.
Enb arr, 8 8 , 1 35 . Fl a nn Mani s t rech , 6 4 .
Eoch ai d , 8 3 . Fl ood ,
E och a i d Oll a t h ai r, 7 8 . Fom ori ans , 5 1 , 5 2 f , 55— 5 6 , 8 3,
“

E och ai d O Flyn n , 6 4 .
’

Eog a bai l, 7 0. Food o f i m m ort al i t y , 37 7 f .

Epon a , 4 3, 1 2 5, 1 39, 21 3 f. Food a s b ond of rel a ti ons hi p, 37 9.
Eri , 5 3. Fores t d i vi n i t i es , 4 3, 1 08 .
Eri danus , 2 7 . Fot l a ,
Eri u , 7 3 7 4.
- Foun da t i on s acri fi ces , 238 .
Esa s , 29, 33, 1 3 7 , 208 , Foun t ai n s , 1 7 1 , 1 7 4 , 1 81 .
E t ai n , 8 2 f ., 223, 34 8 , 36 3, 38 0. Foun t ai n s of y out h, 37 8 , 38 8 .
Et ai r, 8 2. Fra och , 37 7 .
E t hi cs , 3 04, 307 . Fri u ch , 349.
Et hn e, 31 , 8 9. Fra z er, Dr. J G. , 1 7 0, 1 7 6 , 26 9.
.

Euh em eri s at i on, 4 9 f ., 8 4, 91 , 95 , 98 , Fua m nach , 22.

1 27 . Fun eral s a cri fi ces ,
Euros s wy d , 1 00. Fu t ure l i fe, 333 f .
39 6 INDEX
Kei , 1 2 2 f . Mag i co m ed i cal
-
ri t es , 330 f .
, 3 32.
Ke res , 7 2. Mag on i a 1 8 0 , .

K i cva 99 , . Mag t u red 5 3 f , 84. .

,

K i ng a n d f er ti l i t y 4 25 3 , , . Ma n ori g i n o f
, , 3
6 , 2 28 .

K i n g s di vi n e 1 6 0 f 24 3
, , .
, . Ma n ann a n , 49, 6 4 7 0, 8 0, 8 6 f , .

K i n g s el ect i on o f 306
, , . 92, 1 00, 1 34 , 1 4 7 , 1 7 8 , 1 8 9, 23 1 ,
K ore 4 4 27 4— 27 5
, , . 3 5 0 f ., 35 8 , 3 6 4 f ., 3 8 0, 3 8 7 .
K r on os , 59 . Man a wy dda n , 8 7 , 98 f ., 1 00 f . , 1 1 1 ,
36 8 .
La Tan e, 208 . Man nh ard t , 26 9 .

Lab rai d , 6 5 , 3 6 5 , 3 6 9, 38 0 . Ma pon os , 27 , 1 2 3 .

Lak es , Md r chen f orm u l ae, 7 7 , 8 2, 8 3, 8 9, 95

Lamm as , 2 7 3 . 1 07— 1 08 , 1 1 1 , 1 1 6 , 1 24 , 1 32, 1 3 3
La nd u n d er wa ves , 37 1 . 1 4 3 , 1 4 8 , 1 5 2 , 1 8 7 , 337 , 3 5 3, 38 4 .
Lea r, 8 6 . Marri a g e, s acred , 1 6 3 , 26 7 , 27 3 .
Ler, Li r , 49, 8 6 , 320. Mars , 2 7 f ., 8 5 , 1 8 0, 21 4 .

Li a Fa i l , 3 29. Marti n , S ., 1 4 0, 2 43, 2 6 0.

Li b a n , 6 5 , 36 5 . Mart i n m as , 25 9 f .
Li b at i on s , 2 4 4 f , 24 7 . . Mat h , 1 04 f .

Li g uri an s , 1 3. Mat h ol wy ch , 98 .
Ll ew , 91 , 1 04, 1 06 . Mat res , 4 0, 4 4 7 2— 7 3, 1 2 5 , 1 6 9, 1 8 3,
Ll u dd Ll aw erei n t , 8 5 , 99, 1 02, 1 1 3 12, 2 1 4 , 28 5 , 2 8 9 .

1 24 . Ma t ri arch at e, 1 7 , 2 23 .

Ll yr , 98 f . Matron ae, 4 6 , 1 23, 1 8 3.

’

Lochl an n ers , 5 6 , 1 4 7 . May day , 1 1 4 .

-

Loden s , 1 1 3. May qu een , 1 6 3, 2 6 7 .

-

Loeg a i re, 6 4 , 1 37 , 37 9. Medb , 1 3 0 f .

Lon nrot , 1 4 2 . Med i ci n e, 309 f .
Lot h , M . , 1 08 . Medi t erra n ean race, 9.
Love, 3 8 5 . Med ros , 8 4, 209.
Lu ca n , 3 8 , 1 25 , 27 9, 2 8 2, 335 f., 34 5 . Meg al i t h s , 202, 297 , 330, 35 2. S ee
Lu ch t i n e, 7 6 . S t on eh en g e.
Lu ci an , 7 5 , 1 2 5 . Men , cul t s of , 3 .

Lu g , 31 , 35 , 5 9, 6 0, 6 1 , 7 4 , 7 5 , 8 9 f . , Mercury , 24 f , 34, 1 37 , 28 4 f.
.

1 03, 1 08 f , 1 2 8 , 1 3 1 , 1 34, 1 37 , 1 6 7 ,
. Merli n , 1 20, 1 21 f .
2 7 2, 3 4 8 , 3 5 3 f . Merm a i ds , 1 90 .

Lu g ai d , 1 32. Met em ps y ch os i s , 303, 34 8 f .

Mey er, Prof., 1 6 , 294 .
Lu g ov es , 91 . Mi a ch , 27 .
Lug u s , Mi d er, 8 2 f 2 09, 3 6 3, 3 80— 38 1 .
.

Lycan t hropy, 2 1 6 . Mi d s um m er, 7 0, 92, 1 7 6 , 1 8 4 , 1 91 .

1 94 , 2 00, 2 1 5 , 235 , 239, 25 7 , 26 8 f .
Mabi n og i on 2 95 f , , . Mi l e, 5 4.
Ma bon 1 23 1 8 3, , . Mi l es i a n s , 5 5 , 6 0, 7 8 .
Ma cBai n Dr 1 6 5 6 , 7 8
, ., ,
. Mi n erva , 4 1 , 6 8 , 1 25 .
M cCui l l Ma cCech t and Ma cGra i nn e Mi ra cl es , 331 , 35 1 .
a
i4
, , ,

Mi s t l et oe, 1 6 2, 1 7 6 , 1 99, 205 , 24 3 f.,

Mach a 7 1 129 , , , 27 0.
Ma cI n eely 8 9 , . Mi t hrai s m , 209.
Ma cPhers on 1 4 2 1 55 f , , . Moccu s , 2 4, 21 0.
Ma d onn a 28 9 , . Mod ran i ch t , 1 6 9.
Mael d ui n 3 8 5 , . Modron , 1 2 3, 1 8 3.
Ma el rubh a S 243 , . . Mog on s , 2 7 , 1 25 , 1 8 0.
Ma g i c 6 1 05
, , , Mon g an , 8 8 , 1 20, 3 50 f , 35 8 . .

Ma g i c a g ri cul t ural 26 0
, , , 26 5— 26 6 , Moon , 1 7 5 f ., 24 6 .
27 1 , 2 7 3, 27 6 . Morg en , 1 5 9, 1 7 8 , 369.
 INDEX 39 7

Morri g an 7 1, 8 1 , 8 3, 1 30—1 31 , 1 36
, Oi s i n , 1 42, 1 5 0— 1 5 1 , 1 5 2 f., 222, 3 6 4 ,
1 37 , 1 5 9, 1 7 2, 3 7 9, 3 8 7 .

Morvran , 1 1 6 , 1 1 8 . Om en s , 2 47 f .
Mou nds , 6 3, 6 6 . Ora cl es , 1 7 9, 1 96 .
oun t ai n
g ods , 3 9. Ora n , 2 3 8 .
Mou n t ai n s , 1 7 1 f . Or bi s a l i u s , 34 0.
Mowat , M , 33, 3 6
. . Orb s en , 8 7 .
Mui reart ach , 5 6 , 1 7 9 . Ord eal s , 1 96 f , 3 8 3.
.

Mu i rn e, 1 48 . Org i a s t i c ri t es , 8 0, 2 6 1 , 26 5 , 3 8 6 .
Mul e, 2 1 4 . Os i ri s , 6 6 .
Mull o, 2 1 4 .
Pa ra di s e, 38 8 f .
Mu s i c, 32 9, 3 8 6 .
Pa rt hol a n , 5 1 .
Myt hol og i cal s ch ool , 8 3, 8 9, 1 08 , 1 1 9,
Pas t oral s t ag e, 3, 225 , 2 6 0.
1 22, 1 33 f .
Pat ri ck , S ., 6 1 6 4, 6 6 , 7 0, 7 6 , 7 9— 8 0
1 32, 1 5 1 , 1 5 2 12, 1 7 1 , 1 93, 237 , 24 2
Na me, 24 6 .
2 4 9, 2 5 1 , 2 8 6 , 3 1 5 f ., 31 9.
Nam e g i vi n g , 308 f
-
.
Pea n fah el , 1 7
Na nt os vel t a , 3 1 .
.

Pei s g i , 1 8 5 .
Na t ure d i vi n i t i es a nd spi ri t s , 48 , 93,
Penn Oru c, 6 6 .
1 71 f .

Penn ocru ci um , 6 6 .
Need fire, 1 99.
Pera m bul a t i on, 2 7 7 .
Nem ai n d , 5 8 .
Pers eph on e, 6 8 , 8 5 .
Nem an , 7 1 .
Pi ct s , 1 6 f , 21 7 , 220, 222
Nem ed i an s , 5 1 f . . .

Pi l l a r o f s ky , 22 8 .
N emeton , 1 6 1 .
Pl a ce n am es , 1 7 , 1 9, 1 20, 1 4 6 , 209,
Nemet ona , 4 1 , 7 1 .
-

21 1 .
Nenn i us , 1 1 9.
Pl an t s , 1 7 6 , 2 05 f .
Neo Drui di c h eres y , 2 .
-

Pl i n y , 1 6 2, 1 7 5 , 1 98 , 205 f., 328 .

Nept un e, 8 5 .
Pl u t arch , 3 4 3.
Nera , 3 3 9.
Pl ut o, 34 f .
Nes s a , 1 28 , 3 4 9.
Plu t us , 3 5
Net , 2 8 , 5 8 , 7 1 . .

Poen i nus , 39
Net on , 28 .
.

Poet ry , d i vi n i t i es of, 6 8 , 7 5 .
New Y ear, 1 7 0, 259, 26 1 .
Ni g ht , 2 5 6 . x
Pol lu , 1 8 0.
Pol y an dry , 7 4 , 223 f.
Ni s kas , 1 8 5 .
Pol yg am y , 1 7 , 2 24 .
Nodou s , 8 5 , 1 1 4, 1 2 4, 1 60 .
Pra y er, 24 5 f .
fl
Nors e i n uence, 99 , 1 27 .
Pre Cel t i c cul t s , 8 1 , 93, 1 7 4, 1 8 1 ,
Nu a da , 5 3 f , 6 1 , 7 7 , 8 4, 90, 1 6 0.
-

200, 202, 2 1 9, 224 , 2 7 7 , 294 f . , 3 6 1 .

Nuad a Nech t , 8 5 f .

Pri es t h ood . S ee Drui d s

Nu dd , 1 1 3 , 1 1 5 f . , 1 24, 1 6 0. .

Pri es t es s es , 6 9, 1 8 0, 1 92 f . , 226 , 246 ,

Nu dd Ha el , 8 6 .
2 5 0, 31 6 , 321 .
Nu di ty , 2 7 5 27 6 , 3 22.
-

Pri es t k i ng s , 1 6 1 , 226 , 26 7 , 296 , 307 .

Nut t , Mr 1 03, 3 7 3.
-

.
Procopi u s , 3 42.
Nym phs , 4 3 .

Proph ecy , 25 0 f 300 f.

Nyn nya w, 1 1 3 .
Pry d eri , 98 f ., 1 1 0 f ., 1 1 2, 3 6 8 , 38 5 .
Pwy l l , 1 1 0 f , 1 1 2, 36 8, 38 5 .
Oak , 1 99. .

Py t h ag oras , 303, 3 34 .
Oa t h s , 1 7 2 f., 292.
’
C Curry , 6 5 , 1 4 3 .
Qu a dri vi oe, 47 .
O Da voren , 9 1
’
.

Oen g u s , 7 8 , 8 1 , 8 6 , 1 46 , 38 7 . Rag n a rok , 232 .

Og h a m s , 7 5 . Ra i n m ak i n g , 26 6 , 321 f
-
.

Og m a , 5 4, 7 4— 7 5 . Rebi r th , 8 8 , 1 1 7 , 1 28 , 3 4 8 f .

Og m i os , 25 , 7 5 . Rei n a ch , M , 31 , 38 , 1 37 , 21 1 , 28 7 ,
.

Oil il l Ol om, 7 0. 297 , 3 1 7 , 3 4 0.

‘

39 8 INDE X
Rel i cs , 332.
’
S erpen t s egg , 3 28 .
Retri b ut i on , 3 4 6
’
. S erp ent s g l a s s , 328 .
Rh i an n on , 98 f , 1 1 0 f .
. S et an t a, 34 9 .

Rh ys , S i r J , 1 5 , 1 6 , 24 , 55 , 6 0, 6 8 ,
. Shap e sh i fti n g , 1 04, 1 05 , 1 1 7 , 1 30,
-

7 8 , 8 2 f ., 91 , 93, 1 00, 1 01 f , 1 03, 1 06 ,

. 1 31 , 1 5 0, 221 , 3 22 f., 35 0, 35 6 f .
1 08 , 1 2 2, 1 35 , 1 8 3, 2 1 9, 28 2, 2 94, S i d , 6 3, 6 4,
35 6 , 3 7 6 . S i lva n u s , 29, 3 6 , 2 1 8.
Ri g an t on a, 1 1 1 S i n en d, 1 8 7 , 1 91 .
Ri g i s am a , 28 Si mman , 4 3.
Ri ver di vi ni t i es , Si ron a , 4 2 .

35 4 . Sk en e, Dr 1 6 , 1 08 . .

Ri vers , cu l t of, 1 7 2, 1 8 0 f . S l ai n g od s a nd hum an vi ct i m s , 1 5 9

Ri vers , n am es of , 1 8 2. f , 1 99, 226 , 235 , 239, 26 2, 26 9
.

Rom a n a n d Cel ti c g o ds , 22 f ., 28 9 i . 2 2.
Rom a ns a nd Drui d s , 3 1 2 f . S l eep , m ag i c, 327 .
Rua d an , 5 8 . S m ert ull os , 35 , 1 3 6 , 28 9.
Bu a d rofh es s a, 7 7 .
-
S m i t h s , g od o f , 7 6 .
Bu cht , 3 4 9. S m i t h s , m ag i c of , 7 6 .

Rudi obus , 21 4 . S ol a r h ero, 1 3 3.

S om a , 7 6 .
S aar, 1 50. S ou l a s ani m al , 3 6 0 .

S a cra m en t al ri t es , 222, 26 0, 26 6 , 27 1 . S ou l , s ep arabl e, 1 4 0, 1 6 2, 27 0.

S acri fi ce of ag ed, 242 . S pa i n , 3 7 5 .
S a cri fi ce of a n i m al s , 1 40, 1 8 1 , 1 8 9, S p el l s , 24 6 , 25 4, 325 f.
205 , 24 2 f , 2 6 0, 26 5
. . S qua t t i ng g od s , 32 f .

S acri fi c e, fou n d at i on , f . S ren g , 8 4 .

S acri fi ce, hum an , S t ag , 2 1 3.

1 98 , 233 f , 2 6 1 , 26 5 , 26 9, 304, 3 08 ,
. S t amn a , 42.
3 1 3, 3 3 7 . S t ok es , Dr , 1 6 , 5 6 , 7 1 , 7 7 , 222,
.

S acri fi ce t o d ead, 1 6 5 f., 2 34 , 337 . 26 4 .

S acri fici al offeri ng s , 6 , 1 7 4 , 1 8 1 , 1 8 5 S t on e ci rcl es , 2 8 1 .

1 90, 1 94 , 1 98 , 23 3 f , 2 99, 308 .
. S t on eh en g e, 27 , 1 21 , 200, 2 8 1 — 28 2.
S a crifici al s urvi val s , 244 f . S t on es , cu l t of , 1 7 4 , 2 8 4 , 329 .

S ai n t s , 1 1 5 , 209, 21 7 , 2 5 1 , 28 5 f., 2 88 , S ual t ai m , 1 28 .

331 f ., 38 6 . S ub merg ed t own s , 231 , 37 2.
S ai n t s and wel ls , 1 93. S u cell os , 30 f .
S a i n t s d ay s an d pa g a n fes t i val s , 2 5 8 .
’
S ui ci d e, 234 , 34 5 _
.

S al m on o f k n owl edg e, 1 49, 1 8 7 , 3 7 7 . S 11 1 , 4 1 , 6 9, 1 25 .

S am hai n , 5 6 , 7 0, 8 0, 1 6 7 — 1 6 8 , 1 7 0, S ul evi ae, 4 6 .
222, 25 6 f., 25 8 f. Su n , 1 7 8 , 26 8 .

S at i re, 326 . S u n m y t h s , 8 3.
S at urn , 4 7 . S wa n m ai d en s , 8 2
-
.

S can di navi a and Irel and , 1 4 8 . S wa s t i k a , 290 .

S cat hach , 1 29, 1 35 . S wi n e, 25 , 1 06 , 1 1 7 , 209 f .

S cotti , 1 7 . S wi neherd s , Th e Two, 349.
S ea , 1 1 0, 1 7 8 . Sym bol s , 290 .

S ébi ll ot, 3 4 2.
S ag om o, 21 4 . Tabu , 6 9, 1 02, 1 28 , 1 32, 1 4 4, 1 8 6
S eg oves u s , 1 9 . 1 91 f , 21 0, 21 9, 2 5 2 f , 27 6 , 304 , 306
. .

S el van us , 3 7 . 3 23, 3 7 2 S ee Gea sa

. .

S em n ot h eoi , 298 , 301 . Tad g , 221 .

S eq u an a , 4 3 . Ta g ha i r m , 249 .

S erg i , Prof ., 9, 296 . Tai l t i u , 1 6 7 , 2 7 3 , 37 6 .

S erp en t , 35 , 1 6 6 , 1 88 , 2 1 1 . Td i n bo Cu a i lg ne, 1 2 7 , 1 3 0 f .

S erpen t wi t h ram s h ead , 34, 4 4 , 1 6 6 ,

’
Ta l i es i n, 95 , 97 , 335 , 356 ,
21 1 . 35 8 .
 Crow n q u a rt o , 100 8 Pa g es , w i t h Fo u r M a p s , p r i ce 2 05 . n et ;
or in Ha lf = Le a t h e r B i n d i n g , 2 5 5 . n e t .

DICTIONA OF THE BIBLE.

C OM P LE T E IN O NE V O LU M E .

E D I TE D BY

J AM ES HA S T I NG S , D D . .

I t is n ot ba sed on a ny other D i cti on a ry , ba t i s a w holly new

a nd or ig i n a l Wor h .

E very Ar i cle i s t si
g ned b y t he Au t ho r . Thi s i s t he firs t time
th t a a ll t he Art i cles i n a s i ng l e v ol u m e
-
D i c i o n aryt o f t he B i ble
have b ee n co m m i tted t o S p eci a li s s a n d t be ar h
t ei r s ig n a t ures ,
as i n t he la rg es t D i ct i o n ari es .

Prosp ectus , wi th Sp eci men Pag e a nd Li s t of Authors ,

p os t f ree on app li ca ti on .

A v er
y fine a chi eve m en t , w o rt hy t o s t a n d b es i d e hi s l a rg er D i ct i o n a ri e s , a nd
b y fa r t h e m o s t s ch o l a rl y y e t p ro d u ce d i n o n e v o l u m e i n E ng l i s h s p e aki n g -

co u n t ri es , p erh a p s i t ma y b e s aid i n t h e w o rld .

’
—
Ch r i s t i a n Wor l d .

T he n a m es of t he e d i t o r a n d a s s i s t a n t s a l o ne a r e g u a ra n t ees f o r t h e t h o r
‘

o u g h n es s w i t h w hi ch e very t h i ng t ha t b el o ng s t o t h e p ro d u ct i o n o f a d i ct i o n ary
is a tt en d e d to , a nd n o t -h i n g co u l d s ur p a s s t he ca re , cl ea rn es s , and a ccu ra cy

t h e w o rk f ro m b eg i nni n g t o e n d . Ch zcr ch m a n .
’
w hi ch ch a ra ct eri s e —

T o p ro d u ce i n a s i n g l e vo l u m e a D i ct i o na ry o f t h e B i b l e s u ffi ci en t l y a m pl e
‘

i n i t s s cop e a n d p l a n a b rea s t o f p res en t s ch o la rs hi p , n o t t o o el e m en t a ry t o b e

,

o f u s e t o s t u d en t s a n d m i n i s t e rs , a n d n o t t o o t ech n i ca l a n d s ch o l a s t i c i n i t s

m et h o d f o r a n o r d i n a r y rea d er is , as w i ll b e rea d i l y u n d ers t o o d , an e xt rem ely

d i ffi cu l t u n d ert a ki ng . S o fa r as o ur e xa m i n a t i o n of i t h a s g o ne , i t h a s b e en
a d m ira bl y a cco m p l i s h ed . —
’
M el hod i s l R ecor d er .

An e xceed i n g ly va lu a ble a n d co m p re h e n s i v e
’ ’
w o rk . — R ecord .

T h e w o rk i s a bl e , s c h o l a rly , a nd of t h o ro u g hl y t rus t w o rt h y ki nd . T he
‘
a

ed i to r h a s b ee n abl e t o e nl i s t t h e f o re m o s t s ch ola rs of o ur t i me. We m us t ca ll

a tt e nt i o n t o t h e car ef ul a n d m a s t e rly s ub - e d i ti n g . It i s as n ea r p erfect i o n as is

fo r m a n t o A ber deen F r ee P r es s .
'
a t t ain .
p o s s ibl e
—

T ho ro u g hly a b rea s t o f p re se n t -
d a y k no wl e d g e . Fo r p re s en t a t i o n a n d l ib ra ry

p u rp os es t h e b o o k o u t s t ri p s a l l i t s ri va l s a n d i t s , cl o s e l y p a ck e d p a g es a re a

m
’

f t m i n e f o r t ea ch ers a n d i n i s t e rs — S a n d ay S chool Ch r on i cl e.
p er ec .

3 . N o p a i ns h a ve b een s p a re d to m ak e t h e b oo k t ho ro u g hl y rel i a bl e a nd up

S col s m a n
'
t o d a t e. — .
 Th e Ki ng d o m and t he M e s s i a h : By Pro fes s o r E E .

S CO TT, U n i vers i t y Ki ng s to n Ca n a d a No w
, ,
.

R ea d y . Pri ce 6 5 . n et .

T h i s w ork d eal s f ro m , mo d ern a n d cri t ica l p o i n t o f vi ew w i t h t h e m es s ag e

a ,

of Jes us a n d H i s a t t i t ud e t o th e M es s i a n ic cl a i m T he s ubj e ct i s o n e o f ce n t ral .

i n t eres t i n t h eo l o g i cal d i s cu s s i o n at the p res e n t t i m e .

Th e M oa b i t e S t o ne. Its H is to r y, Con ten ts ,

a nd S i g n i fican ce .

B y Pro fes s o r W '

. H . B E NN ETT, Li t t D . .
,
D D . .
,
Lon d o n .

J u s t Publi s h e d . Cro wn 8 vo , 2 S. 6d . ne t :

T hi s a ccou n t of t he M o a b i t e S t o n e i n cl u d es H eb re w (M oa b i t e ) t e xt , t ra ns l a

t i o n , n o t e s , a n d o t h er e xp l a na t o ry m a t t er a nd i s i n t e nd e d t o m ee t t h e n eed s b o th
'

o f t h e s t u d e nt w h o d es i re s t o s t u d y t h e o rig i n a l t e xt , a n d o f t h e g enera l p u bl i c
w h o m a y w i s h f o r a s t a t em e n t a n d e xp os i t i o n of t he hi s t o ry co n t ent s , a n d s i g
,

n i fica n ce o f t hi s f a m o u s i n s cri p t i o n .

I n t rod uct i o n t o t h e Li t e ra t u re o f t he N e w Te s t a m e n t .

By th e R e v J A M ES M O F F ATT D D . B ro u g ht y Ferry ; , . .
,

Au th o r o f Th e H i s to ri ca l New T es ta m en t & c N ew
‘ ’
.
,

V o lu m e o f t h e I n t ern a t i o ri al T h eo l o g i ca l Li bra ry Po s t
‘ ’
.

8 vo , 1 2 8.

T h e Ch r i s t i a n Do ct r i n e o f M a n . B y Pro fes s o r H W H E E L E R .

R O B I N S O N, M A , Ra wd o n Co lleg e, Leed s .
[ I n the P r es s
. . .

Th e E s ch a t o l o g i ca l Q u e s t i o n 11 t he G os p e ls , an d ot he r

St u d i es i n R ecen N ew T es t tam ent Cri ti ci s m , B y R ev .

CY R I L W . V i car o f W es t H e n d red Po s t .

8 vo , 6 8 . n et .

Th e At h a n a s i a n Cre e d i n t h e Tw e n t i e t h Ce n t ury By .

R ev R O P T AY L OR , M A , All S a i n t s , E d i n b u rg h
’
-
. . . . . . .

No w R e a d y . Pri ce 4 5 . n et .
a

A d i s cu s s m n o f t h e Ath a na s i a n Creed fro m a m o d ern p o i nt of Vi ew s h o w m g

0

h o w t he s t a t em ent s o f t he creed a re elu ci d a t e d a n d i ll u s t ra t ed b y t h e i d ea s o f

m o d ern s ci e nce.

Co l o s s i a n s . H a n d b ooks f o r B i bl e By R ev S i R . .

M ACP H AIL D D , . .
,
Li verp o o l . Cro wn 8 vo , 1 s. 6 d .

Th e Ea rl i e s t Li f e o f Ch ri s t . B ei ng t he Di at es s a ro n o f
T a t i an By t he R ev J H AM LY N H I LL, D D
. A Pop u la r . . . .

E d i t i o n , wi t h I n tro d u cti o n D em y S W) , 8 n et .
3 . .

H a m lyn H-il l s l arg er App en d i ces , has

’

Dr . ed i ti o n , co n t a i n i ng t h e va lua b le

b een ou t o f p ri n t for .
s o m e t i m e. I t i s h op ed t ha t t h e lo w p ric e a t w h i ch t hi s
ed it i o n is n ow i s s u ed w il l , e n a b le m any to p l a ce i n t h e i r li bra ri es a co p y o f o n e
o f t he m o s t i n t eres t i ng o f ea rly C hri s ti a n wri t i ng s .
 PROFESS OR ZAH/VS GREAT IIVTRODUGTIOIV
’ ‘ ’
.

An In t ro d u ct i o n t o t h e Ne w Te s t a m e n t . B y Pro fe s s o r
TH E OD O R ZAH N, E rlan g en . Tran s la t ed fro m t he la s t
'

G erm an ed i t i on , an d co n t ai n i ng Profes s o r ZAH N S very

la tes t e m en d a ti o n s . T h ree larg e V olum es , i n clu di n g Fu ll

No t es , C h ro n o lo g i ca l T a ble, an d Co m plet e I n d exes .

Pri ce 3 6 5 n et .
‘

Not so m u ch a b o ok as a l i b ra ry A rep ert o ry o f f a ct s and d i s cu s s i o ns

wh i ch p o s s e s s e s i m m en s e va l u e f or t h e s t u d en t o f t h e N.T
. . Th e s tu d i o u s

m i n i s t er w ill fin d i t f u ll o f val u a b l e m a t eri a l a n d t h eo l o g i cal , co ll eg e s w i ll b e

cert a i n t o p u rch a s e a n d p riz e i t — M ez% od zs t R ecor d er
°

. .

WES TMINS TER COLLEGE , CAMBRIDGE .

Th e Di v i n e W o rk e r i n C r e a t i o n a n d P r o v i d e n ce . Po s t
8 vo , 6 5 . n et .

D r. D yk e s t ou ch e s n o s ub e ct j whi ch h e d o es n o t a d o rn , a n d t h es e l e ct u res
‘

a re a m a s t erl y a t t em p t to res h a p e the t ra d i t i on a l d o ct ri n e of Cr ea t i o n a nd

Pro vi d e n ce b y t h e li g h t w h i ch t he l a s t cen tu ry h a s cas t u p on b o t h n a t u re a n d

“

T h e l u ci d s t yl e a n d t h e res t ra i n ed f o rce o f t h e b oo k wi ll f nak e a d e e p

'

hi s t o ry .

i m p res s i o n o n a t h o u g h t fu l rea d er . —
'
L 0 7zd 0 7z Qu a r i en fy R ev i ew .

Th e Ch ri s t i a n Mi n i s t e r a nd h i s Du t i e s . Pri ce 6 s . n et .

m i ni s t er mos t
’
Th e w h o l e of li f e i s b ro ug h t u n d er revi e w , a nd
‘
c o u rs e a s

i s g i v en a t e very p o i n t . D r D yk es vi ew i s s i n g u l a rly
v a l u a b l e a d vi ce a n d co u n s el
’
.
_ ,

'

b ro a d a n d co m p reh en s i ve a n d h i s w ork i s t h a t o f a p ro f o u n d s cho l a r a p ra ct i c 1

‘

, ,

t ea ch er, a n d a n ea rn es t m a n o f G o d
’
T zm es . .

Th e M i s s i o n a n d M i n i s t ra t i on of Ho l y s p i ri t . B y
t he
A. C D OW N E R , D D , La t e . . . o f Ch ri s t
j Ch u rch H arro w ,

R o a d , Lo n d o n ; n ow H yeres :
‘
at Po s t 8 vo , 7 s 6 d . . n et .

’
It is o nly w h en w e rea d t hi s co m p l et e a ccou n t of t h e d o ct ri n e o f t h e H oly
S p i ri t , th a t w e u n d ers ta n d w hy t h ere h a s b e e n m u ch m i s a p p reh en s i o n a m o ng
'

so

us , a nd so m u ch m i s t a k e n a n d eve n m i s chi e vo u s w ri t i ng , ab o u t th e H ol y S p i ri t .

T h i s b ook w ill b e f o u n d t o b e i n di s p en s a bl e. ’
E xp os zf ory T i m es
'

—
y

Th e Te s t s of Li f e A S t u dy of t he Fi rs t E pi tl e of St J ohn
’

. s . .

B y Pro f. R O BE R T LAW , B D . .
, T o ron t o . S eco n d E d i t i on .

D e m y 8 vo, 7 s 6 d _
. . n et .
‘
N o m o re m a s t erly co n t ri b u t i o n ha s f o r l ong b e en m a d e t o New T es ta m en t
e xg
e es i s a nd t heol o g y. N o N ew T es t a m en t b o ok o f o ur t i m e b ett er d es erves , o r
wi l l b e t t er rep a y , t h e m os t ca refu l s t ud y.
’
W eekly .
B i b li ca l C r i t i ci s m a nd M o d e r n Th o u g h t . A S eri es of

D i s cu s s i o n s co n cern i ng t he Pla ce of t he O ld T es t a m en t
D ocu m en ts i n t he L i fe of T o day . B y Pro fe s s o r W G . .

J OR D AN ,
D D
. .
, Q ueen s U n i vers i t y
’
, Can a d a . Po s t 8 vo,

7s 6d
. . n et .

U nd er h i s h a n d th e w h ol e s u bj ect i s i n ve s t e d w i t h l i f e a n d i n t e res t a n d o n e ,

ca n h a rd ly i m a g i n e t h e i n t elli g en t m a n w h o w o u l d n o t f o l lo w ea ch ch a p t e r w i t h .

W e g i ve a w a rm w el co m e t o t h i s b o o k Clzn 5 t i a n M or l a
°
’ ’

k ee n p l ea s u re .
—
.
f
.

Th e B a ck g ro u n d of t he G o s p el s ; o r, J ud a i s m in th e
Pe ri o d b et we en t he Ol d a nd New T es t a men t s .
( Th e
T w e n t i et h S eri es of t he Cu nn i ng ha m Lect ures ) By .

WI LLI AM FAI R W E AT H E R , M A D D K i rk cal d y D em y

. .
, . .
,
.

8 vo , 8 5 . n e t.

‘
As an i nt ro d u ct i o n t o t h e s t u d y of t hi s p eri o d , hi s b o o k i s t h e b es t n o w t o
b e ha d i n
’
E ng l i s h . Ti m es .

Au t h o r i t y i n Re l i g i o n . B y R ev . J OS E PH H LE CK I E, Cu pa r~
.

Fi fe . Po s t 8 y o , 5 5 .

‘
An exceed i n g l yw el l—w ri t t e n b oo k M r L eck i e i s t ho ro ug hly furn i s h ed a s t o
. .

t h e m a t e ri a l o f h i s s u bj ect , a n d h a s t h e fa cu lt y o f m a k i ng i t e n t i rely i n t ere s t i n g .

O n a t he m e w hi ch ha s b ee n d ea l t w i t h b y s u ch a h o s t o f a u t h o ri t i es , i t s eem s
d i ffi cu l t t o s a y a n yt hi ng n ew b u t rea d ers w i ll fi n d here a f res h nes s o f s t a t e m en t
,

co m b i ne d wi t h a c o u ra g e a n d ca n d o u r w hi ch h o l d t he a t t e n t i o n t hro u g h o u t
'

Clzr zs / i a / z Wor ld .
'

Th e B i b l e of Na t u re B y J AR T H U R T H O M S O N M A R eg i u s
. . ,
. .
,

Pro fes s o r of Na t ura l H i s t o ry, U n i vers i t y o f Ab erdeen .

Cro wn 8 vo , 4 s 6 d . . n et .

F o r s u ch a t a s k a s h e h a s h ere es s a y e d , Pro fe s s o r T h o m s o n i s p ecul i a rl y

‘

fi t t ed a l ike b y hi s e m i nent s ci ent i fi c a cq u i re m en t s , hi s p ro fo u n d s y m pa t h y w i t h

rel i g i o u s f eel i n g s a n d va lu es , a n d h i s g i f t s a s a n e x p o s i t o r T he s ci e n t i fi c i n t ere s t .

i s t h e le a d i n g o n e t hro u g h o u t b u t t h e b ea ri n g s o f s ci e n t i fi c t ru t h u p o n rel i g i o n
,

a re n ever l o s t s i g h t o f a n d t h e re a l h a r m o n y b et w ee n Ch r i s t i a n t he i s n i a n d t h e
,

d o ct ri ne o f e vo l u t i o n i s b ro ug h t o u t i n a m o s t co n vi n ci ng f a s h i o n . — Gl a s g ow
’

Ho w G o d h a s S p o k e n ; o r D i vi n e R eve la t i o n i n Na t u re i n , ,

M a n, i n H eb rew H i s t o ry, a n d i n J es u s Chris t By J O H N .

W I LS ON M A ,
. .
,
D D . .
, La u s a nn e . Po s t 8 vo , 5 5 . n e t .

A p ro fo u n d ly l ea rn e d a nd b o ok . I t W i ll b e a f ea s t f o r
t rul y b ea u t i fu l
m i n i s t ers a n d o t h ers wh o h u n g er f o r s o m e t h i n g m o re t h a n e xcel le n t co m m o n
i H om zl et ze R ev i ew .
' ’

p l a ce n t h e i r re a d i ng .
—

S i xt y Ye a r s w i t h t h e B i b l e A R e co rd o f E xpe ri en ce
. By .

W N CLAR K E D D , Au th o r o f An O ut li n e o f
‘
Prof . . .
,
. .

Chri s ti a n T h eol og y, Cro wn 8 vo , 4 s 6 d

’
e t c. . . net .

‘
A m os t s u g g e s t i ve i n t h e vi ew a n d t rea t m e n t o f t h e
s u rvey o f t h e ch a n g e s
S cri p t u res w hi ch h a ve t ak en pla ce i n hi s o w n l i fe t i m e a nd e xp e ri en ce Fe w m o re .

s u g g e s t i ve b o o k s o n t hi s g rea t cen t ra l t he m e h a ve b e en p ub l i s hed f o r m a n v a

M et/zod zs t R ecor d er
'

d ay. .
 BY THE REV . W .
"

L . WALKER .

C h ri s t i a n Th e i s m a nd S p i ri t u a l M o n i s m . Go d ,
’

a -

Freed o m , a n d I m m o r al i y, i n V i ew o f M on i s t i c E volu i on t t t .

S eco n d E d i t i o n D em y 8 vo , 95 . .

‘
A va l u a b l e co n t ri b u t i on toChri s t i a n t h o u g h t a n d a rea l h elp t o Ch ri s t i a n
i n a ll re s p ect s w o rk w o rt h y of t he a u t h o r s a lre a d y hi g h repu t a t i o n
'

fa i t h , an d a

a m o ng t h eo l o g i ca l

Th e S p i ri t a n d t h e In ca r n a t i o n . I n the Li g o f S cri p u re ht t ,

Sci ence, and Pra cti ca l Need T i rd E d i t i o n, R evi s ed and . h

R e s et D e m y 8 vo , 9 3
. .

I n a l ea d i n g ar t i cl e he a d ed ‘ A G R E A T B O O K , ’ i n t he B i i t i s lz Weekly
,
. . ,

D r M AR CU S D OD S w ro t e
. I t m a y b e q u es t i o n e d w he t h er i n recen t y ea rs t here
.

h a s a p p ea re d; a t h o m e or a b roa d a n y t heol o g i cal w o rk m o re d es er vi ng o f ca refu l

‘

H e w h o i n t ell i g en t l y rea d s i t o n ce wil l i n evi t a b ly rea d i t a g a i n a n d a g a i n

’

s t ud y . .

Th e Cr o s s a n d t h e Ki n g d o m , a s V i e wed by Chri s t H i m self

a n d i n t h e Lig ht o f E vol u t i o n S eco n d E di t i on , R evi s ed . .

8 m , 95 .

We t o s p ea k w i t h a d m i ra t i o
des i re n o f t he g o o d w o rk d o n e i n t h i s b o o k . It
i s w o r t hy t o s t a n d b es i d e h i s f orm er t rea t i s e . T a k i ng b Ot h t obg et h er , t h ey f orm
fi
a m a g n i ce nt co n t rib u t i on t o t h e t h e o l o g i ca l l i t era t u r e o f t h e a g e . — Pri nci p a l
’

I V ERA GH, i n t he E xp os i emy T zmes .

'
‘

W hat a b o ut t he Ne w Th e o log y S e con d E di ti on . Po s t

8 vo , 2 5. 6d . n et .
‘
Of b o ok s w hi ch l i e b efo re u s , w e m a y— a nd i n d ee d ni u st — s a y a t
t h e t hree
o n ce t h a t o nl y o n e (M r. W a lk er 5 ) s t 1 i k e s u s a s b ei n g i n a n y s en s e a co n t rib u t i o n
’

t o t h e s ubj e ct . I n rea d i ng h i s pa g es we h a ve t h e s e ns a t i o n t h a t t hi s i s n o
p a rt i s a n o r re ta i ne d pl e a d er , b u t a Ch ri s t ia n t hi n ker s ol ely a n d ent i rel y co ncer ne d
t o elu cid a t e t h e t ru t h t o t h e b es t o f hi s a b ili t y . — C/zn s l za 7 z Com mon w ea l z.
°

fl
Th e Te a ch i n g o f Ch r i s t i n i t s Pre s e n t Ap p e a l . S eco n d
E d i ti o n Cro Wn 8 vo , 2 s 6 d n et . . . .

‘
Mr . Wa lk ei
w el l k n o w n b y hi s Ot h er g rea t b o o k s , h a s w ri t t e n a
,
I ea ll y

hel p fu l ed i fyi ng a n d i n s p i ri ng li tt l e b o ok . H e b ri n g s u s i n t o t h e very

, roo m

w h ere Chr i s t 1 5 . E rp os i zory Ti m es .

‘
.

Th e G o s pe l
'

of R eco n ci li a t ion ; o r, At On e M en t
- -
. Pos t
8 vo, 5 s .

O ne m o s t h el p f ul i ll u m i na t i ng a n d s p i ri t u a l exp o s i t i o ns o f t hi s m o s t
of t h e , ,

fa s ci na t i ng o f a l l s ubject s o f Chr i s t i a n T h eol o g y — R ev zé w o f TleeoZog y a n d

‘

Th e S e lf = Re v e l a t i 0 n o f our Lo r d B y t h e R ev J C V . . .

D U R E LL, B D , R ec o r . . t of Ro the h h r i t e. Cro wn 8 vo , 5 5 n e t . .

T here i s n o b o o k w hi ch w e h a ve s een w h i ch s e ts f o rt h t h e New T es t a m e n

‘
t
d o ct ri ne m o re ca nd i d ly o r m o re co nvi n ci ng ly t h a n t hi s b o ok ory T zmes
’ '

—E x os zz
‘
p . .

Ea rl y
‘
Id e a l s of Ri g h t e o u s n e s s He rew, . b G reek , an d

R o m an B y Profes s o r R H K E NN ETT, B D ,
. . . . . M rs AD AM
.
,

M A , a n d Pro fes s o r H M GW ATK I N , D D

. . . . . . Po s t 8 vo ,
35 . n e t.
T h es e t h ree l e ct u res s u m m a ri s e t h e I d ea ls Of Ri g h t eo u s n es s f o rm ed b y t he “

t h ree g rea t n a t i o n s o f a n t i qu i t y .
 Th e Wo r l d s ’
Ep o ch =Ma kcrs
E d i t e d b y OLI PHA NT S M E AT O N, M A . .

I N N E AT CR OW N 8 vo V O L U M E S . PR I CE 3 s . E AC H .

An e xcelle n t s er i e s o f b i o g ra p h i ca l A tlzerzee u m .
’
s t u d i es . —

We a d vi s e o ur rea d ers to k eep a w a t ch on t h i s m o s t a b l e s eries . I t p rom i s es

to be a d i s t i nc t s u cce s s . T he v o l u m es b e fo re u s are t h e m os t s a t i s f a ct o ry b o o k s
’
of t h e s o r t w e h a ve e ve r re a d — 1 ’11 et lzo d zs t T i m es
'

« . .

The f ollowi ng Volumes ha ve n ow been Is s ued

B ud d h a a nd B ud d h i s m . By Pa s ca l t h e Po rt Ro y a li s t s .
a nd
B y Pro fes so r W CL A R K , LL D ,
_

A RT H U R L I LL I E . . . .

T ri n i ty Co ll eg e, T o ro n t o .
L u t h e r a n d t h e Ge r m a n Re
f o rm a t i on . B y Pri n ci p al T . E u cl i d . By E m eri t u s Pro fes s o r
M LI N D S AY , D D
. . . T H O MAS S M I T H , D D , LL . D . . .

W e s l ey a nd M et h od i s m . By Heg e l He g e l i a n i s m
and By
F .
J . S N E L L , M A. . Pro fes s o r R M ACK I NT OS H D D
.
, . .

L a n cas hi re I n d ep en d en t Co l le g e
C ra n m e r a n d t he E ng l i s h M a n ches t er.
Re f o r m a t i o n. By A D . .

I NN E S, M A . . Hu m e I n f l u ence o n
a nd hi s
Ph i l o s o p h y a n d T h e o l o g y .
W i l li a m He r s ch e l a nd his
By Pro fes s or J O RR , D D , Gla s
W o rk . M A
. . .
By JAM E S S I M E , . .

I
g ow .

F r a n ci s andD o m i n i c. By Pro Ro u s s e a u and Na t u ra li s m i n

fes s or J H E R K L ES S , D D
. . .
Li f e a nd Th o u g h t . By Pro
S a v o n a ro l a . By G. M ‘
H AR D Y , fes s or W H H U D SO N M A
. .
, . .

D D . .
De s ca rt es , S p i n o z a , a n d t h e
A ns elm a nd his W ork . By Ne w Ph i l o s o p h y . By Pri n ci
R ev A C . . . W E LCH , B D.
. p al J I V E R AGH , D D , Aberd een .
. . .

«
Or i g e n a n d G re e k Pa t r i s t i c S ocr a t e s . By R ev .
J . T . F O RB E S ,
T h e o l og y . By R ev . W . FA I R M A , Gla s g o w .
. .

W E AT H E R, D D. .
New m a n a n d h i s I nf l u e n ce On
M u h a m m ad a nd his Po w e r . Re li g i o u s Li f e a n d Th o ug h t .
By P . DE LAC Y JO H N ST O N E By C. S A RO LE A, Ph D , Li t t . . .
,

M A ( O xo n
. . .
D OC , U ni vers i t y o f E d i nb u rg h.
.

Th e M e d i ci a nd t h e It a li a n M a rcu s Au r e l i u s a nd t he
Re n a i s s a n ce . By O LI H ANT P La t e r S t o i cs . By F W. .

S M E AT O N , M A E d i nb u rg h. B U S S E LL , D D . , V i ce Pri nci pa l.
-

x
. .
,
of Bra s enos e Co l l eg e, O f o rd .

lP I a t o . By Pro fess or D . G
R IT CH I E, M . A. , L L .D . Ka n t a n d hi s P h i l os op h i ca l
Re vo l u t i o n . By Pro fess o r R .

W y cl i ff e a nd t h e Lo l l a r d s . . M W E NLE Y, D S c , Ph D U n i
. . . . .
,

By Re v .
J. C CAR R I CK , B D
. . . v e rs i t
y o f Mi chi g an .

G B G H.
CLARK, i i p fifi ff i ii éfifzfi fig
e

T . 6: T . o u no s .