It was common at the time to have a statue or relief made in devotion to a god, usually in fulfilment of a vow. Janus: Like Mercuty and Dis Pater, this god had implications of crossing boundaries or moving between worlds. After the car stopped we found a path and began making our way into a heavily wooded area. He is often portrayed with a beard . A torc is a Celtic piece of jewelry, typically worn around the neck or chest, thats made of thick metal. Once you feel your connection to the cosmos, take three deep breaths while you shake the rattle (one breath for three rattle shake). You see stags and deer, torques and serpents. Some pieces have empty spaces on the head that may have once held either real antlers or ones made of precious materials like gold that have since been lost. Cernunnos Domain: the forest, animals, nature, fertility, travels, the hunt, abundance, healing, sexuality, virility, and primal instincts, Physical Characteristics: a man with either deer antlers or ram horns, often sitting cross-legged in a meditation position. If you ask anyone whos worked with Cernunnos in their practice how to go deeper with connection, theyll tell you to get into shamanic drumming and trancework. One of the easiest ways to connect with Cernunnos is by going into the wild places. Get Grounded & Become Centered Join the Energy Work Challenge! Its easy to associate the Spring with sex, but the Fall is plenty horny too. So are some very different interpretations of Him. He represents masculine p. But remember that there are many good, necessary, and sacred callings that arent priesthood. One of the interior plates bears an image of a seated, cross-legged male figure with antlers. Hes one of the most iconic gods of the Celtic pantheon, but almost nothing is known about him. This is probably a good place to start when it comes to figuring out what to offer him. Instead of a attacking him, though, the snake wrapped itself around his waist like a belt. But I always felt at home in the woods they were my safe space. We consider ourselves a tribe because we stand together in our devotion to the Celtic Gaulish god Cernunnos. Find a nice, peaceful spot. Greek sources from the time tell us that the Gauls used karnon as the word for their military trumpets. If you have the space, try making an altar to him. Cernunnos would be one of many pagan gods whose legends were adopted and adapted into stories told about holy men in Christian culture. He was a god of the forests bounty who came to represent material wealth and prosperity. You wield the oaken staff, the elements at your call. Scholarly work and anything else that fits the theme of the book is also welcome. If making an altar or giving offerings isnt an option for you, you can also offer acts of service. This last year, I was part of a project to develop rituals and practices dedicated to Carnonos (Cernunnos) from a Gaulish perspective. The size of the gift was proportional to the percieved power and wealth of the wearer. There are many ways to serve. I ask you for your blessing. All of Them are important. There is, of course, no one right answer. Because the name can be directly translated to refer to a prominent attribute, most scholars believe that Cernunnos was an epithet for the god rather than a proper name. Cernunnos would be one of many pagan gods whose legends were adopted and adapted into stories told about holy men in Christian culture. I was worshipping both Pan and Dionysus by then , leading rituals in my local community, and generally doing all the things a loud-mouthed know-it-all-Wiccan does in their mid-20s. Most Celtic gods, therefore, were clearly equated with a Roman deity. Representing the wealth of the forest, Cernunnos appears to have eventually represented material wealth as well. Instead, he became a hermit living deep in the forest. Cernunnos is a popular figure in early Celtic religion, but the truth is that very little is known about him. Prayer. But while Cernunnos can be described as a Horned God, this book will be specifically for him. Great Horned One, come into the Circle! I pray you to be present with me in this Sacred Space. He is sometimes portrayed with 3 faces or 3 heads, demonstrating his connection with the life/death/rebirth cycle (similar to the Triple Goddess), Sacred Animals: stag, ram, (horned) snake, bull, dog, and rat, Sacred plant: Oak, Ivy, Mistletoe, Juniper, Grains, Sacred place: forests and fields (all wild, un-spoiled places), Offerings: wine, water, milk; antler sheds, leaves, soil, his sacred plants; acts of sexuality, primal drumming music, entering an otherworldly state, Spiritual Allies or Aliases: The Green Man, Pan, Puck, Herne the Hunter. Consider using augury (divination by the flight of birds) or other forms of divination that involve the natural world. Theres usually something They want you to do. I suspect this is . The place of initiation. 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. Place a water vessel and an offering bowl there. The Book of the Great Queen by Morpheus Ravenna (2015) and Harp, Club, and Cauldron edited by Lora OBrien and Morpheus Ravenna (2018) go beyond devotion and into scholarship. To Wiccans, he is The Horned God. Cernunnos is a mysterious deity of the ancient Celts and Gauls. Find your place in the service of Cernunnos. Learn the history of Cernunnos and eight ways to work with him in your pagan practice. Keeper of the gates above and below, I give my work to you At least fifty archaeological artifacts with his image have been discovered, mostly in Northern France. On both sides of us on that trail were rutting deer, literally just a few feet away. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. He holds a torc in one hand, and a ram-horned serpent in the other. Archaeologists have discovered at least fifty examples of the god they identify as Cernunnos. They include poems, songs, rituals, and stories of personal encounters. How do you honor, worship, or work with him What does he ask you do to for him? He was there for me all those years ago. Ancient gods were often known by epithets that were used to refer to them in place of their common name, often in invocations or because of cultural taboos. You did a wonderful job invoking that feel of the great lord of the Wild Hunt! An inscription in Greek found in southern France likely refers to the same god as the two Latin sources known from Paris and Luxembourg. Historians have offered different possibilities for gods Cernunnos may have been compared with based on what is known about him. He holds a torc in one hand and a snake in the other. Meaning: Green says "The Horned One" or "The Peaked One". Carnonos, I call to you. Sacred Mists Academy of Magickal Arts and Sciences. They would liken gods who had similar domains or attributes, for example calling local fertility goddesses by the name Ceres or thunder gods Jupiter. Spend time meditating at this altar regularly. The torc included in most horned god images was a symbol of status and wealth in ancient Gallic tribes, but it was not the only such symbol pictured with Cernunnos. devotion to cernunnos. Share. As you stand at the portal; to The Underworld, reveal yourself to me,Allow me to see with your eyes.Guardian of the Green World, most virile of the gods,Bring forth to me the key to your wisdom and knowledge.Enlighten me with the secrets of life and death. But more often, Ive found Him to be nurturing: leading the young to the abundant fields, to the rich hunting grounds. They even have a section called The Internet Book of Shadows. the etymology of whose name is unclear. *1 *1 The presence of Originally, as put forth by Gerald Gardner, Wicca was a religion of sex and death and thus he was a perfect choice of patron. 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. Most historians now believe, therefore, that Cernunnos was likely not the name of a god. Into the Wild. Cernunnos is recorded in writing and in sculpture in the south of Gaul" The purpose of this article is to make a brief survey of the existing pre-Christian evidence for a cult of Cernunnos, and what that evidence tells us. You might not see anything during the ritual, and that is fine. 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. Cernunnos isnt traditionally associated with crystals, but many modern Pagans enjoy connecting to deities through specific stones. Druid Reborn. As you approach the altar, sit before it and breathe. He may not have a mythology in the traditional sense, but Id argue that we are getting his mythology now. Go for a hike, stay in a cabin, or go camping. 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. While there may not be many written myths of Cernunnos, his history and lore reaches far and wide. Years later I only remember two things about that ritual: it was a perfect Samhain night, and I felt his hand on my shoulder. Treat sex as a devotional or meditative act and connect to its sacred elements. And drink deep of all that is set . The choices are many and up to you! He is the embodiment of the primal self. Or you see a man with antlers on his head. May your wisdom continue to be a guide to the people I am the Horned One of uncountable names, you are the gentle and the fierce You are Cernunnos, the Ancient One, Lord and Sire of the Universe. 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. Make a ritual devotion pilgrimage to the forest to find them. But there was more. 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). We carry everything needed . Over time, the various groups across Europe became even more culturally diverse. The name Cernunnos, therefore, seems to refer to the gods imagery. Ive written about Him occasionally so has Jason Mankey. Theres something about shamanic drumming that puts you into an otherworldly state of mind AND reconnects you to your primal self. The Full Moon is just visible through the thick, looming trees. A title would have likely remained much more consistent across Celtic tribes than a proper name because their dialects remained very closely related. The wilderness is your shrine. Conalls epithet has, in fact, been open to a wide variety of interpretations. The days tend to stay reasonably warm, and the landscape is an electric blend of colorful leaves, blooming plants, and green grasses. This is a Pagan devotional anthology nobodys going to make any significant money on it. Cernunnos is a great god and deity to work with! . Mighty Lord of the Woods and Animals, Hunter and Hunted, I call to You. Pingback: Devotional Ritual to Carnonos (Cernunnos). Talking to other followers of Cernunnos over the years Ive heard stories and tales similar to my own. This site is my humble offering to the God and Goddess for what They have blessed me with in Wicca. Let the incense continue to burn and sit in meditation. I now have eight statues on my shrines. Ending the ritual: As you stand at the altar, close your eyes and breathe. The depiction of this particular God has been found in various types of literary sources and books. I know this because my mother told me and also ". Cernunnos is associated with virility, the forest, wildness, and animals. While not devoted entirely to Cernunnos it does have a hearty amount of both historical lore and personal UPG from worshippers that is hard to find . . You can work with Cernunnos by learning all you can about the people and historical context he came from. Each antler had a torc, a gold neck ring that was a symbol of status to the Celts, hanging from it. Cernunnos in particular has changed my life in ways I cannot even begin to describe. According to his hagiography, Ciaran was born into the nobility but renounced his riches after studying Christianity, either in Rome or under Saint Patrick. I found the attempts to link C* (as hes often referred to in our house) to Merlin and other mythological figures laughable, eventually leading me to the idea that there cant be all that much to Cernunnos since no one seems able to write about him. (Its best to use shallow dishes for these, so animals can benefit from the food and water you put down.). I wanted to like Cernunnos; I read about him where I could, but there wasnt much to read. As well as the Green Man. Depictions of Cernunnos are found in many parts of the British Isles and western Europe. It feels strange to me all these years later to think of my life without Cernunnos, but it was a part of my Pagan experience for a substantial chunk of time. You need something to represent Cernunnos something to focus your attention on Him. level . Then theres Pan, the Greek god of ecstasy, the forest, and fertility. The Future of the Video Series. One record mentioned the Gauls giving Caesar Augustus a gold torc weighing one hundred Roman pounds. Today, hes achieved new significance among Wiccans and some other Pagans as a deity of nature, animals, wilderness, and virility. With this vow, I give my work to you Yet for all our ideas about him and experiences of him, we know very little about Cernunnos. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hoofprints in the Wildwood: A Devotional for The Horned Lord. The Celtic Forest God, Cernunnos, gets his name from a Latin word which means the horned one. Both the legendary folk hero Cu Chulainn and his foster brother Conall Cernach have been identified as having possibly been descended from the horned god archetype. The wilderness is your shrine. Guide in the darkness He was my first oathed relationship now there are now three. When he did show up in a book, it often felt like authors were trying to insert a square peg into a round hole, or completely talking out of their asses. I invoke thee. I invoke thee. Cernunnos tells how the Lord of the Animals had his eye on me from a very early age, and describes some of my experiences of him. It is unusual for a god as wide-spread as Cernunnos appears to have been to have no such syncretization. By day you are the sun, by night you ride upon the wild winds For all things wild and free are in your keeping. In our own language, we can see examples of changing vowel sounds with the same root word. . He wears a Celtic torc on his chest or holds it in his hand. This lack of history and lore has done nothing to keep Cernunnos from becoming one of the most popular deities in modern Paganism. His name, The Hound of Culann, came from a story in which he took the place of a guard dog. The Romans commonly equated foreign gods to their own. Today, Cernunnos is considered a god of fertility and the wilderness. 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. Cernunnos was the Gaelic god of nature, animals, and fertility, and one of the most mysterious deities in world mythology. Its best to do this outdoors if at all possible. Silvanus: Because of his antlers and association with animals, Cernunnos is often interpreted as a forest god. The Magick of the Sun Join the Solar Challenge! But we want it to be as deep and as complete as it can be, so were soliciting contributions from Pagans we know have knowledge of or experience with Cernunnos. 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. We will compensate all contributors whose work appears in the book. (LogOut/ this was the Dread Lord of Shadows, Cernunnos. It does not exist. When John Beckett writes about Cernunnos I feel and hear the god I know in his words. Bones, Fruit, Grains, Red meat, Wine, Milk, Water, Moss, Fresh soil. Change). In Greek, for example, Hades was often called Pluton, The Wealthy One, to avoid directly referencing the god of the dead. And all things of beauty and freedom and love delight you. I destroy my ego.I release all worries of life and fears of death.I open my heart to your presence.I feel your presence within me.Your wisdom within my mind.Oh Great God Cernunnos!I am a humble student of your mysteries. Instead, many historians believe that the Irish figure most influenced by the horned god is actually a Christian saint. I can combine and condense several emails into one simple question: I feel called to Cernunnos how do I get started?. Between all of those deer I began to feel a power circle around me. To the wild, dancing, mischievous masculine. Often, similar figures are shown alongside animals. I asked her if I could take on a meatier role, perhaps something involving the Lord of Death . Date: January 3, 2022 Theia 3 Comments. Lord of the Deep Wood, Keeper of Ways Witches & Magick in the Media Join the Challenge! Be open to his presence and gifts that might come from that interaction. 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. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, usually when attempting to create some sort of portal. While most figures of this type come from the Roman era or slightly before, archaeologists believe it may be far more ancient in the region. His worship was widespread through Europe with the most evidence of his cult in Britain, France, and Spain. For example, horns and antlers are often used as a visual cue for aggression, wildness, and virility. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! By this point in my life I didnt want to be the comic relief in ritual, and something other than my inner Puckish-Pan was eager to get out. As an ex-school district employee I've even seen kids praying - regardless ". Because he has horns, usually antlers instead of more bull-like horns, and is shown with animals this is a logical interpretation. This likely comparison is strengthened by the fact that a few known images of Cernunnos similarly show two faces. 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. 14. Sometimes thats nothing. (Admitting these things does not mean Im proud of them either, just trying to be honest.). Methods of Cleansing & Purification Witch Challenge. His antlers, coin purse, and the serpents that flank him, however, lead most historians to identify this as a version of the same god, either from a local variation or from an unknown myth. But he doesnt have any myth, I would say when someone asked me about Cernunnos. This hand directed and guided me, perhaps his voice even whispered into my ear . Note: This ritual goes under the assumption that you have an established sacred space already up and ready to go. I am honored to be his priest, and occasionally, to welcome new people into His service. He is depicted on the Pillar of the Boatmen, a Roman column built in what is now Paris. Its in that esoteric state, where we are disconnected from reality and yet more connected to our own bodies, where Cernunnos dwells. Cernunnos can be that. He is also sometimes called the Lord to the Goddess Lady. She also knows when his presence has become a part of our rituals, and simply when hes around in our daily lives. Contemporary Pagans tend to use the terms interchangeably, and shrines can also be altars. Despite this, however, some interpretations can be put forth based on his iconography. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Before starting the ritual, make sure to properly wash and clean yourself. They remind us though he is a gracious and protective god, he has horns to defend himself and others. Named in just three sources at most, he was nevertheless depicted in dozens of images over the course of hundreds of years. In addition to prominently displaying this symbol of Celtic wealth, some images of Cernunnos also carry a bag of money. He is believed to be the god of abundance and ruler of wild animals. My work and myself,I give to you, Mighty Lord. Over the years I've told parts of my story with Him ( here, here . Thats what He did with me. Reply. Roman power was both legitimized and stabilized in this way. Many of the animals he preached to, including stags, wolves, and boars, were those also typically associated with Cernunnos. Details will be provided on inquiry. Cernunnos appears to be in contact with the world of the animals, possibly their spirits, which would place him within a very different role. Stags sport antlers during their breeding season and use them in combat with other stags. In ancient Celtic and Gallo-Roman religion, Cernunnos or Carnonos is a god depicted with antlers, seated cross-legged, and is associated with stags, horned serpents, dogs and bulls. Sometimes Cernunnos appears in dreams, or in recurring imagery in the ordinary world. How did you meet him? Dont be in a hurry to buy a statue. Where we lack written records, weve been able to connect with this ancient god through depictions and symbolism that resonate through time and space. Having antlers and oftenbeing surrounded by animals, he is usally seen as a god of the forest. During those times he's with me, but in a completely different way. The most famous depiction of Cernunnos is on the Gundestrup Cauldron dating from the first century BC. When you find one that clearly helps you focus on Him and that you can afford then buy it. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! While he is pictured often, however, neither Roman sources nor those of later Germanic and Celtic cultures ever elaborated on this widespread image. Editors Jason Mankey, Gwion Raven, and John Beckett are looking for your stories of Cernunnos and your devotional works to Cernunnos for a book that will be published later this year. What does Tout Carnonos mean? We make offerings for hospitality, for reciprocity, for devotion, and because its what our ancestors did. Leave it on his altar and ask for him to charge it with his energy. Its time he has his own devotional anthology. There are no tales of Cernunnos ruling the abode of the dead, and nothing beyond vague connections to water and the hunt linking C to death, but here he was. 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. 4. But I hope youll write about your experiences, to help mark the trail for those who come after you. Visit the Forum to discuss this topic and others! This idea of local variation has played a key role in how historians view Cernunnos. Internet Sacred Text Archive An excellent resource for free books and materials on religion, mythology, folklore, etc. Isgho Votre ducation notre priorit . Their ships allowed for the trade that brought gold and other valuables to Gaul from around the known world, making the god of wealth one of their most important deities. In my experience, he is a protective friend and guide to those who call on him; particularly those with Celtic heritage. And I will be a vessel to bring your will into the world Cernunnos name literally means the horned one. Cauldrons are useful in brewing potions, making food, and in burning rituals. The Cernunnos-type antlered figure or horned god, on the Gundestrup Cauldron, on display, at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. His nature is essentially earthly. Once you feel your connection to the cosmos, take three deep breaths while you shake the rattle (one breath for three rattle shake). Saint Ciaran of Saighir is said to be the first saint born in Ireland and is one of the islands Twelve Apostles. Discerning a call from a God doesnt take Ph.D. level research, but it usually takes a bit of work. The animals he is linked to may also have been linked to the Underworld and concepts of crossing boundaries. Cernunnos is an ancient European god and an important one for many pagans today. My only suggestion is to set some fixed schedule so you dont inadvertently go a long time without making them. He is also recognized in many modern neopagan religions as a god of . Youll find ways that work for you and some that dont. Creating a syncretic system also reinforced the power of Rome as an imperial state. Scholars have also noted that the os sound in the gods name is typical of Gallic and Celtic gods. Report Save Follow. The horned god, likely an archetype of close-related gods instead of a singular deity, seems to have been an important figure in Celtic religion. The Pillar of the Boatmen, like many monuments from Roman Gaul, honors both native and Roman gods. Emperors could claim divine authority in the name of local gods of all the cultures they ruled over rather than being seen as wholly foreign by those people. Cernunnos, therefore, may have served both functions. However, requesting insight to better serve Him is never a bad thing or if you feel that there is a specific message he wishes to give you as you move forward.
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