*My wife and I have a habit of calling our house deities by the first letter of their names. Cernunnos, Guardian of the cauldron of plenty, I call to You. Particularly because the name Cernunnos was likely an epithet, it is likely that a comparison was made under a different name. When I get the same question several times in close succession, that usually means its time to write about it publicly if only so I can point future questioners to a blog post instead of having to answer it yet again. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Cernunnos is the god of the wild forest and is also believed to be a horned God who is found in Celtic mythology. Sometimes Cernunnos appears in dreams, or in recurring imagery in the ordinary world. Its easiest to connect to Cernunnos in wild places. Because they did not write down their legends, historians are left to fill in the blanks. Devotional to Cernunnos. To interpret Cernunnos without this material, historians have relied largely on the gods imagery. devotion to cernunnos. The point of the torc was that it was a sign of power, aristocracy and wealth. And while being outdoors is great, building a shrine creates a regular meeting place thats always there. Part of that is the beauty of wild places and the spirits that inhabit them. Thats what He did with me. You are the Ancient One. devotion to cernunnos. The days tend to stay reasonably warm, and the landscape is an electric blend of colorful leaves, blooming plants, and green grasses. Your email address will not be published. The Romans knew that religious persecution could be a rallying issue for potential revolt. His energy is wild and yet welcoming, and he often calls to those who need to reconnect to their primal instincts and to the earth. This last year, I was part of a project to develop rituals and practices dedicated to Carnonos (Cernunnos) from a Gaulish perspective. This lack of history and lore has done nothing to keep Cernunnos from becoming one of the most popular deities in modern Paganism. If prayer is talking to the Gods, meditation is listening for Them (thats not the only form of meditation, but its the one thats most relevant here). religious interview questions and answers sharleen spiteri ashley heath. There was Someone in the woods, Someone who listened. It is unusual for a god as wide-spread as Cernunnos appears to have been to have no such syncretization. Discerning a call from a God doesnt take Ph.D. level research, but it usually takes a bit of work. Lord of the Deep Wood, Keeper of Ways And to make sure we dont overlook anyone, were issuing this call for submissions. If Cernunnos had appeared to me when I was 10 years old I would have assumed He was the Christian devil and run away screaming I had no context for anything else. Bow to the altar (or some other form of gesture adoration). May these coins be a delight to you in gratitude for your gifts from the Earth (give an offering of coins) The ruins of a former Roman temple on the site were used to shore up the riverbank and reinforce the foundations of earlier Christian churches on the site. Add a candle or three, an offering bowl, an incense holder whatever seems right. Wish my CUUPS could do something like that, but were a ", "There's this real good invention that's been around for like 60 years or so called ", "Adults in charge at Fox news? Not much is known about his traditional role or worship, but scholars have pieced together some information about where he came from and what he does. I will be true to the truth in my heart, If you like it, Hes happy youre sharing it with Him, even if all you have at the time is clean water. You might not see anything during the ritual, and that is fine. Or you see a man with antlers on his head. It does not exist. Conclusion. Some of the hundreds of local titles and epithets used by the Romans to syncretize Celtic religion may be unknown references to the horned god. Stags sport antlers during their breeding season and use them in combat with other stags. While there may not be many written myths of Cernunnos, his history and lore reaches far and wide. Today, hes achieved new significance among Wiccans and some other Pagans as a deity of nature, animals, wilderness, and virility. You are the man in the trees, the green man of the woods, who brings life to the dawning spring. I know this because my mother told me and also ". Once breeding seasons over, they shed their antlers and re-grow them again for the next breeding season. The artwork is from the Gundestrup Cauldron Im confident its Cernunnos, though we cant be sure. Or you see a man with antlers on his head. The stags he is shown with were one of the chief sources of meat and leather for early Celts. I started wearing it. For me, chilly Sunday mornings often meant sleeping in with a paramour, and mid to late October is prime rutting season for Michigans deer population. Listen. Shadow Work: Uncovering the 12 Archetypes of the Psyche, Full Moon in Libra: The Meaning and Magick of Aprils Moon, Ostara Ritual Ideas: Inviting the Spring Goddess in 2023, How to Celebrate the Worm Moon: Ideas and Rituals. The bio on my teaching site says I grew up in Tennessee with the woods right outside my back door. The Dagda appears often in Irish legends, but just who was this king and father of Cath Maige Tuired: The Battles of the Irish Gods. One of the interior plates bears an image of a seated, cross-legged male figure with antlers. To Wiccans, he is The Horned God. And all things of beauty and freedom and love delight you.You are the Ancient One. Today, Cernunnos is considered a god of fertility and the wilderness. If you feel compelled to spend more time in nature, or develop a deeper connection to it, he might be trying to make himself known to you. Once you feel centered and grounded, bow to the altar (or some other form of gesture adoration). If you have the space, try making an altar to him. In addition to prominently displaying this symbol of Celtic wealth, some images of Cernunnos also carry a bag of money. All of Them are important. Horned One, Dark One, Receiver of the Dead, Granter of Rest, I call to You.God of freedom, God of sexuality, God of cleansing, God of rebirth, I call to You. This hand directed and guided me, perhaps his voice even whispered into my ear . The name Cernunnos is rooted in the Gaulish word karnon, which translates to antler or horn.. Cernunnos isnt the only deity or legendary figure depicted with antlers. Start small. Like English, most languages of Europe use the same words for this type of horn as for an animals. They associated them with warriors; the famous statue of The Dying Gaul shows the fallen warrior wearing nothing but a torc and Pliny the Elder mentioned 183 torcs being taken as spoils of war from a Celtic battlefield. Instead, some historians have looked to more subtle similarities to find a possible Irish version of Cernunnos. Dont be in a hurry to buy a statue. If necessary, do divination. Cernunnos was the Gaelic god of nature, animals, and fertility, and one of the most mysterious deities in world mythology. I ask you for your blessing. Ive found that a lot of the Celtic deities just have such powerful and strong energy. level . Because of this, he is often associated with the magical tool the cauldron. When hes drawn down into our circle during ritual shed be the one most likely to interact with him. Cauldrons are useful in brewing potions, making food, and in burning rituals. It was made in honor of Jupiter (the Roman equivalent of Zeus) and is one of the earliest pieces of representational art to have an inscription. Some groups, however, left no written evidence of their religions. Welsh Druid Kristoffer Hughes often talks about getting to know your square mile what and who lives within walking distance of where you live. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Be open to his presence and gifts that might come from that interaction. You can work with Cernunnos by learning all you can about the people and historical context he came from. I pray you to be present with me in this Sacred Space.Let Your gaze fall upon this Sacred Ground.In-dwell my rite and give me Your blessing. Cernunnos is a popular figure in early Celtic religion, but the truth is that very little is known about him. Use this invocation to pray to Cernunnos, the Great God of Nature. Dogs were often used in hunting, especially to run down deer, and bulls were sometimes associated with forest gods because they could protect herd against wild predators. You are the deer in rut, mighty Horned One, Since they were very rare, I decided to make one. The Magick of the Sun Join the Solar Challenge! Once you feel your connection to the cosmos, take three deep breaths while you shake the rattle (one breath for three rattle shake). Sacred sex is another way to work with Cernunnos energy. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. While the name Cernunnos is rarely attested, the similar images found throughout Europe show that this god was likely worshipped by many Celtic tribes in the Roman period. Nourisherof the soul Cernunnos is an ancient European god and an important one for many pagans today. [] Cernunnos: 8 Ways to Work with the Horned God []. Now, if I give Him the Jameson and go drink Glenmorangie myself, thats a problem. While there is no image on the plaque that mentions this god, it is seen as evidence that the name was known beyond the region of Paris. Cernunnos is associated with virility, the forest, wildness, and animals. This torc would have been far to heavy for even the strongest soldier to wear around his neck, so its clear that the torc had another purpose. Often that hand on my shoulder is a way for him to send me his power, usually when attempting to create some sort of portal between this realm and that of the Summerlands. While the English word horn is derived from the same ancient root, we are also familiar with other related words. May your light continue to be a light to the people This can be a statue, a picture, a piece of antler, a handful of acorns whatever works for you. Your email address will not be published. *1 *1 The presence of document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Devotional Ritual to Carnonos(Cernunnos), Welcoming the Spring: Storms, Floods, and the Passing ofWinter, Devotional Ritual to Carnonos (Cernunnos). When John Beckett writes about Cernunnos I feel and hear the god I know in his words. While Cernunnos is a male deity, he is a God for all genders. Or join a non-profit organization that supports forest preservation, etc. As long as the needs are met to continue the work. Keeper of the Ancestral Wisdom, I give my work to you Cernunnos, therefore, may have served both functions. Witches' 2023 Astrological Calendar for Magickal Patheos Pagan Writers on the Summer Solstice. As you connect, listen to the sound of your heartbeat. Janus: Like Mercuty and Dis Pater, this god had implications of crossing boundaries or moving between worlds. Local parks work well, and so does my back yard years of consistent prayers, offerings, and rituals have made it a near-permanent liminal zone. To the wild, dancing, mischievous masculine. The Magick of Sleep & Dreams Join the Witchy Challenge! The depiction of this particular God has been found in various types of literary sources and books. In our own language, we can see examples of changing vowel sounds with the same root word. Wear comfortable clothing, preferably with deep earthy tones. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To learn more about the Otherworldly Oracles website Privacy Policy, visit our Privacy Policy page here. Dont worry about the terms, just set up a shrine. Women and non-binary persons are especially encouraged to participate. Lord Carnonos, as we end tonight He was specifically associated with the bounty that could be found there. I knew that this particular ritual didnt call for Pan, or even Dionysus (though youd be surprised at just how complicated D is), I knew Id need to reach out to something someone else, instead I didnt have to. Sometimes thats nothing. We will consider material previously published elsewhere (including on-line) if you still have the publication rights. I grew up in a fundamentalist church. We will compensate all contributors whose work appears in the book. Let Your gaze fall upon this Sacred Ground. Offerings of food and drink are most common, especially offerings of alcohol. In my local area, we have multiple wild bird rescues that specialize in treating hurt or sick birds then releasing them into the wild. I now have eight statues on my shrines. Author. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Youre headed to the sacred place, deep in the forest. What she came up with let me know that he had been whispering in her ear just as much as hes been whispering in mine over the years. Instead, many scholars believe that such a link may have been made either in sources that have been lost to us or in a way that has not yet been understood. (LogOut/ Still others see him as a God of Liminality and of the Underworld. Edwards). They do this by looking at evidence from art, artifacts, and what other cultures had to say. Keeper of the gates above and below, I give my work to you Visit the Forum to discuss this topic and others! Beliving that the Celtic god may have had similar associations, some think he was compared to a Roman god of the Underworld. Most people will know him as the Horned God of Wicca. Many of us believe it is Cernunnos who is depicted on the Gundestrup Cauldron, but we have no way to know for sure. A similar horned man, for example, is shown in a petroglyph, or rock carving, from the Italian Alps that may have been made as early as the 7th century BC. The existence of the Pillar of the Boatmen and Gundestrup cauldron suggest that Cernunnos is appreciative of art and creative works. As time went on, however, the Celts began to interpret wealth in a different way. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cernunnos. He wears a Celtic torc on his chest or holds it in his hand. Figurines and pictures of wild animals and forests make great gifts for this wild Celtic god.