The horned god Cernunnos was worshiped by the ancient Celts and possibly by Indo-Europeans who lived in Europe prior to the Celts. :rotating_light: *Trigger warning: mentions of dying and near death . For some, he is the Horned God of Wicca. Sometimes called the Lord of Wild Things, most of what we know about him today comes from fragmented knowledge and depictions on artifacts like the Gundestrup cauldron. Instead, some historians have looked to more subtle similarities to find a possible Irish version of Cernunnos. Named in just three sources at most, he was nevertheless depicted in dozens of images over the course of hundreds of years. While disciples eventually gathered around him and established a proper monastery, Ciarans first students were the animals of the forest. I've fully devoted myself to his cause and principles. Sacred Mists Academy of Magickal Arts and Sciences. Meditate, ground yourself, and then allow him to guide you to the materials. Cernunnos Celtic God: 9 Ways to Work with the Horned God Ive written about Him occasionally so has Jason Mankey. But this is what Ive done, and what Ive seen others do that worked for them. Heck I even reconciled with the Galilean before accepting Cernunnos. At this point, any additional offerings (drumming, dancing, singing, etc.) It is unusual for a god as wide-spread as Cernunnos appears to have been to have no such syncretization. He is usually depicted with the ears and horns of a deer and wearing a torque, the sacred neck ornament of Celtic gods and heroes. Wear comfortable clothing, preferably with deep earthy tones. Conalls epithet, Cernach, is thought by some to have the same root in the word for horn as Cernunnos. This means that historians cannot use similarities between him and more familiar Greco-Roman gods to determine how he was seen in the ancient world. Brighid Invocation Prayer & Goddess Offerings. Find a nice, peaceful spot. The name Cernunnos is rooted in the Gaulish word karnon, which translates to antler or horn.. Cernunnos name literally means the horned one. While Cu Chulainns link to Cernunnos is tenuous, he is a popular candidate for and Irish varient of the horned god. I asked her if I could take on a meatier role, perhaps something involving the Lord of Death . We are all devotees of Cernunnos and we felt called to create this book as a tribute to him. While their gods belonged to the same archetype, they were known by local names and had their own myths. While we may never know what local names the god went by, it is possible that one or more unidentified gods in other sources may be the horned deity by another name. Archaeologists have discovered at least fifty examples of the god they identify as Cernunnos. We carry everything needed . Everything he stands for resonates with me on a deep and spiritual level. Were looking for personal stories of how contemporary practitioners discovered Cernunnos and began worshipping and working with him. Inscriptions call them by Roman names with local epithets, Roman writers mention local names for their gods, or images combine their symbols. In Greek, for example, Hades was often called Pluton, The Wealthy One, to avoid directly referencing the god of the dead. The inscription implies that Carnonos was a local god, or at least a local variation of a god. My partner and I make temporary alters to Cernunnos when we perform rituals of reverence for him. It provides some good general guidance on this question. The place of initiation. You are the Ancient One. I pray you to be present with me in this Sacred Space. As a deity of animals and the wilderness, hes also likely to appreciate: Cernunnos may be calling you if you feel drawn to the forest or wild animals. The connection of antlers and horns to fertility comes from horned animals in rutting season. Janus: Like Mercuty and Dis Pater, this god had implications of crossing boundaries or moving between worlds. Particularly because the name Cernunnos was likely an epithet, it is likely that a comparison was made under a different name. My work and myself,I give to you, Mighty Lord. When my part of the ritual began I immediately felt a firm, warm, hand on my shoulder. I invoke thee, Cernunnos. Most horned god images show him with one or more torcs. Cernunnos broad, spreading antlers illustrate his virility and power. The deadline for submissions is May 3, 2019. He wears a Celtic torc on his chest or holds it in his hand. Lead my arrow true. Animals were his subjects, and free-growing fruits and vegetable his bounty. So that I may be pure and true. Offerings of food and drink are most common, especially offerings of alcohol. Were looking for devotional material: poetry, hymns, rituals, meditations anything a reader could use to honor and commune with Cernunnos. The Pillar of the Boatmen, like many monuments from Roman Gaul, honors both native and Roman gods. Mighty Stag A shrine is a place of honor an altar is a place of sacrifice. Conalls epithet has, in fact, been open to a wide variety of interpretations. The wilderness is your shrine. Dont be in a hurry to buy a statue. As time went on, however, the Celts began to interpret wealth in a different way. Some historians have suggested that this is because Cernunnos was so foreign to the Romans that they could see no similarities. As you connect, listen to the sound of your heartbeat. My usual weekly practice is to pray to Cernunnos, then make offerings to Him, and then listen for His response in meditation. He was a god of the forests bounty who came to represent material wealth and prosperity. Although these images do not have inscriptions that identify them by name, similarities to the figure depicted on the Pillar of the Boatmen make many historians confident that they are of the same god, or at least of the same archetype. Please, if you have any links you would like to see added, let me know! Cernunnos: God of Wealth, the Wild, and Big Gold Torcs Have any questions? Usually dated to the 1st century BC, it shows a seated figure with antlers holding a torc and a snake, surrounded by deer, bulls, and canines. . Connect with the earth below and the heavens above. There was Someone in the woods, Someone who listened. Today, hes achieved new significance among Wiccans and some other Pagans as a deity of nature, animals, wilderness, and virility. Closely-related names are found in a few other places, but are not mentioned in Roman sources and can only be assumed to refer to the same figure. I knew in my heart that it was Cernunnos, and at subsequent rituals at Samhain hes been there to guide me, and lend me strength. Instead of a attacking him, though, the snake wrapped itself around his waist like a belt. This idea of local variation has played a key role in how historians view Cernunnos. June 1, 2014 by John Beckett. But Cernunnos is always first. Creating a syncretic system also reinforced the power of Rome as an imperial state. Make sacred space dedicated to him: an altar with colors of the earth and forest (green, brown), a representation of him (statue or photo), candles, acorns, tree branches, a cauldron, a torc, offering bowls/bottles, green and brown stones, animal figurines or images like the deer, snake, dog, etc. And while being outdoors is great, building a shrine creates a regular meeting place thats always there. Despite the lack of written records about his associations or worship, scholars have been able to deduce some of his functions based on other uses of iconography similar to his. If you do not, feel free to use whatever your preferred method of establishing sacred space is at the beginning of Opening of the Sanctuary section. Ride hard, sing loud. While the Celts had closely related languages and religions, there were many regional variations. Like English, most languages of Europe use the same words for this type of horn as for an animals. When John Beckett writes about Cernunnos I feel and hear the god I know in his words. Jason Mankey, Gwion Raven, and John Beckett are the editors and primary writers. rd Draiodh Ron. It took some digging to figure out who it was. Who is Cernunnos to you? If you ever come across an injured or sick bird, call your local bird rescue. *My wife and I have a habit of calling our house deities by the first letter of their names. The artwork is from the Gundestrup Cauldron Im confident its Cernunnos, though we cant be sure. Acquire your own torc and dedicate it to Cernunnos. To myself Id mutter How can anyone worship or honor a god who doesnt have any myths? The idea just didnt make sense to me. We can't go to . You who keeps the Sacred Mysteries Note: This ritual goes under the assumption that you have an established sacred space already up and ready to go. . devotion to cernunnos. As a Horned God, he can take the place of consort of the Goddess in the Wiccan Pantheon (God and Goddess). The point of the torc was that it was a sign of power, aristocracy and wealth. 14. But I always felt at home in the woods they were my safe space. Cernunnos: The Mysterious God. Discerning a call from a God doesnt take Ph.D. level research, but it usually takes a bit of work. The stags he is shown with were one of the chief sources of meat and leather for early Celts. Cernunnos, Guardian of the cauldron of plenty, I call to You. One such image is not of the mature man usually identified as Cernunnos, but of a child. The Book of Cernunnos will be published by ADF Publishing. Take care of your neighbors first. And sometimes hes not afraid to use them. from 2018. 4. He was my first oathed relationship now there are now three. As a Horned God, he can take the place of consort of the Goddess in . Cernunnos is a fascinating deity that was obviously important to Celtic and Gaulish societies, so its a shame that there isnt a lot left to demonstrate how he was worshipped in ancient times. Gatekeeper to the Inner Treasure, Carnonos, I call to you If necessary, do divination. The Romans also knew that torcs were given as valuable diplomatic gifts. Cernunnos speaks through the trees and animals. But while Cernunnos can be described as a Horned God, this book will be specifically for him. Within Gaulish culture, he is variously interpreted as a god of animals, nature, fertility, commerce, or travel. Pour over me the gift of your wealth, and place in my hands the spirit of fortune.Let the gold and silver come from the four corners of the world and bless me. The following is the solitary ritual that I developed for that project. Silvanus: Because of his antlers and association with animals, Cernunnos is often interpreted as a forest god. Ari, because shes sensible and knew how dangerous rutting deer were, encouraged me to end our late night nature hike; I wanted it to continue. They remind us though he is a gracious and protective god, he has horns to defend himself and others. 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. Yet for all our ideas about him and experiences of him, we know very little about Cernunnos. Edwards). Based on the names etymology, usually translated as The Horned One, it is thought that Cernunnos may have been an epithet rather than the gods proper. Life grows, it dies, it decays, it is born again. Oh Cernunnos, I invoke thee, Lord of the Hunt, By the great mysteries, By the power of your life, death, and resurrection. Other images identified as Cernunnos do not have the distinctive horns, but there is evidence that they were still important. To Wiccans, he is The Horned God. I am honored to be his priest, and occasionally, to welcome new people into His service. The Magick of Sleep & Dreams Join the Witchy Challenge! Some people use cauldrons to burn loose incense on top of charcoal disks. Another likely candidate is Cu Chulainns foster brother, Conall Cernach. Trade throughout Europe increased, and the Celtic tribes began to measure wealth in gold rather than animals or food. Other times, though, theres more to it theres something that needs to be written. Wandering through them gave me a sense of connection to Nature and to a certain Forest God.. To the Lord of the Hunt. Many cultures left rich written records that tell historians about their gods and worship practices in vivid detail. This is probably a good place to start when it comes to figuring out what to offer him. As such, mentions and comparisons made by contemporary Roman writers may have been under a different, unknown name. Wait until you find one that strikes you as right. Thankful Prayer to Cernunnos. Scholarly work and anything else that fits the theme of the book is also welcome. Despite the scant evidence, historians believe they can provide at least some insight into Europes mysterious horned god. We cant go to that level of depth because theres just not enough source material about Cernunnos. Branches crunch underneath your feet. This lack of history and lore has done nothing to keep Cernunnos from becoming one of the most popular deities in modern Paganism. (LogOut/ Unlike Greek and Roman deities, for example, there arent libraries of legends talking about Cernunnos deeds. Great Horned One, come into the Circle! Contemporary Pagans tend to use the terms interchangeably, and shrines can also be altars. Hes one of the most iconic gods of the Celtic pantheon, but almost nothing is known about him. 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.