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. This makes him a likely counterpart of Silvanus. It was beautiful and powerful and left me with no doubt that Cernunnos had been with me all my life and was calling me to His service. Roman power was both legitimized and stabilized in this way. The Future of the Video Series. Most historians now believe, therefore, that Cernunnos was likely not the name of a god. devotion to cernunnos. Your relationship with Cernunnos will be unique to you. Lord of the Deep Wood, Keeper of Ways Your faces outnumber the stars. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. . 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. 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. Over the years I've told parts of my story with Him ( here, here . 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. But while Cernunnos can be described as a Horned God, this book will be specifically for him. (LogOut/ Lord of Abundance During the Cattle Raid on Fraech, the fort Conall attempted to infiltrate was guarded by a great serpent. Because of this, he is often associated with the magical tool the cauldron. Sacred Mists Academy of Magickal Arts and Sciences. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. We expect to receive more submissions than we can use we will inform everyone of our decisions by June 1. Perform rituals and cast spells that invoke the horned god in the forest to amplify your magicks strength. 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. I think I responded with a shrug and a sure, but also a question: What would I be doing?. Perhaps, like me, you feel especially at home in the woods: the forest is more than just the trees. Over time, the various groups across Europe became even more culturally diverse. Because of his association with virility and the deer breeding season, hes strongly connected to sex. During those times hes with me, but in a completely different way. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Beltane: A Necessary (and ahistorical) Celebration ". Some images also included the god with the type of purse that would have held gold coins. Having antlers and oftenbeing surrounded by animals, he is usally seen as a god of the forest. This is in keeping with many other images found throughout the region. . Prior to the time of the rites, have a day of games and feasting. Connect with the earth below and the heavens above. Youre headed to the sacred place, deep in the forest. Today, Cernunnos is considered a god of fertility and the wilderness. He may not have a mythology in the traditional sense, but Id argue that we are getting his mythology now. Offerings for Cernunnos include water, wine, mead, ale, and non-edibles like tree branches, acorns, seed pods, flowers, etc. When John Beckett writes about Cernunnos I feel and hear the god I know in his words. The wild man deep inside all of us that weve forgotten for far too long. He was specifically associated with the bounty that could be found there. The accompanying figure is a man with stags antlers that have a set of torcs (a kind of necklace or collar made of a stiff metal ring) hanging from them. Then light the candle at the altar, saying: As I light this light in this sacred place, Report Save Follow. Were looking for artwork: drawings and paintings of Cernunnos, or that are evocative of him. But Cernunnos is always first. 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). Then theres Pan, the Greek god of ecstasy, the forest, and fertility. Perhaps, like me, you . You are the Ancient One. Unleash your prosperity and let health and protection accompany me. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Thankful Prayer to Cernunnos. . 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. According to his hagiography, Ciaran was born into the nobility but renounced his riches after studying Christianity, either in Rome or under Saint Patrick. 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. Date: January 3, 2022 Theia 3 Comments. Its rare for any deity to call someone just to be calling them. Both could have other connotations, as well. He is connected with male animals, particularly the stag in rut, and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. Despite this, however, some interpretations can be put forth based on his iconography. I was told that she had me in mind for some sort of comic relief after what she envisioned as a rather intense working. He revealed Himself to me when I was finally ready to see Him for who and what He is. Most people will know him as the Horned God of Wicca. They would liken gods who had similar domains or attributes, for example calling local fertility goddesses by the name Ceres or thunder gods Jupiter. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! The Pillar of the Boatmen featured a male deity with stag-like antlers. 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. When Ive asked, most times Ive heard Ill have what youre having. Hes as satisfied with a shot of Jameson whiskey (at $22 a bottle) as with a shot of $50 Glenmorangie. The mysterious origins of Cernunnos haven't kept people from guessing at his mythology. They claim that Cernunnos began as a forest god. I know this because my mother told me and also ". devotion to cernunnos. I hear your words, Cernunnos, the voice of the Horned One, Whose names are uncountable:You are the wild hunter of the forest deep,You are the fire upon the hill, And the sower of the seed. 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. Submissions and general questions should be sent to gwionraven@comcast.net. They even have a section called The Internet Book of Shadows. Listen. Devotion to Cernunnos (Cern's Mercy) With your forked crown of antlers reaching for the sky as the crested branches of the mighty oak do, you perpetuate this dizzying, never ending cycle of exchange. Did He see the potential for a future priest? *My wife and I have a habit of calling our house deities by the first letter of their names. The existence of the Pillar of the Boatmen and Gundestrup cauldron suggest that Cernunnos is appreciative of art and creative works. He also wears a torc around his neck. This may be why the shipmakers of Paris included Cernunnos on their pillar. As a Horned God, he can take the place of consort of the Goddess in the Wiccan Pantheon (God and Goddess). "In the years I've been looking into the gods, including Hecate if course, I've come ", "I like Lughnasadh. Thank you for writing this! He is often portrayed with a beard . He was there for me all those years ago. Cernunnos can be that. Cernunnos would be one of many pagan gods whose legends were adopted and adapted into stories told about holy men in Christian culture. Decorate it with images of Cernunnos, stags, or serpents. I can combine and condense several emails into one simple question: I feel called to Cernunnos how do I get started?. His horns, pose, animals, and symbols of wealth identify him as an important, if forgotten, god of the Celtic world. We are all devotees of Cernunnos and we felt called to create this book as a tribute to him. The following is the solitary ritual that I developed for that project. And while being outdoors is great, building a shrine creates a regular meeting place thats always there. Because he has horns, usually antlers instead of more bull-like horns, and is shown with animals this is a logical interpretation. Where we lack written records, weve been able to connect with this ancient god through depictions and symbolism that resonate through time and space. Note: This ritual goes under the assumption that you have an established sacred space already up and ready to go. Do historical and literary research. At least fifty archaeological artifacts with his image have been discovered, mostly in Northern France. It would be much easier if Gods wore nametags and if They were explicit about what They want from us. While some deities and some pantheons have traditional offerings, theres really only one rule: offer whats good. (Its best to use shallow dishes for these, so animals can benefit from the food and water you put down.). Cernunnos isnt traditionally associated with crystals, but many modern Pagans enjoy connecting to deities through specific stones. Julius Caesar said of the Gauls that their chief god was Mercury, and they traced their ancestry to Dis Pater, often assumed to be Cernunnos. Ride hard, sing loud. Archaeologists have discovered at least fifty examples of the god they identify as Cernunnos. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You did a wonderful job invoking that feel of the great lord of the Wild Hunt! the etymology of whose name is unclear. You can also use divination to try to connect with Cernunnos. . By day you are the sun, by night you ride upon the wild winds For all things wild and free are in your keeping. Cernunnos, Guardian of the cauldron of plenty, I call to You.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. The Magick of the Sun Join the Solar Challenge! 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. It does not exist. Cernunnos appears to be in contact with the world of the animals, possibly their spirits, which would place him within a very different role. 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 . The name Cernunnos, therefore, seems to refer to the gods imagery. All submissions will be edited to ensure the final book is of a high quality and a consistent voice. Because you are a god that creates and multiplies,From the top of my head to the soles of my feet,Surround me with a stream of wealth.Unleash your prosperity and let health and protection accompany me. Researching other horned gods will also give you a deeper understanding of Cernunnos. By day you are the sun, by night you ride upon the wild windsFor all things wild and free are in your keeping. Author. Fill me with virility. Instead, he became a hermit living deep in the forest. I will walk in the wisdom of the ancestors, *1 *1 The presence of I suspect this is . I do not consider myself an expert just because I made a blog. Or use it as a vessel for offerings to the horned god. Most historical linguists believe that the name on the Pillar of the Boatmen comes from a common root for horn.. Another famous depiction is a statue called the Pillar of the Boatman discovered in the foundation of Notre Dame Church. This piece dates back to 14 BC! 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. That strikes me as very appropriate for a God of Nature and a God of the Wild. His original name was lost but the name Cernunnos was inscribed in the Pilier des Nautes, a Gaelic-Roman monument found under the Notre Dame cathedral, in Paris, France in 1711. Once you feel your connection to the cosmos, take three deep breaths while you shake the rattle (one breath for three rattle shake). 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. The artwork is from the Gundestrup Cauldron Im confident its Cernunnos, though we cant be sure. Making offerings is a core polytheist practice. Wandering through them gave me a sense of connection to Nature and to a certain Forest God.. The Cernunnos-type antlered figure or horned god, on the Gundestrup Cauldron, on display, at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. Talking to other followers of Cernunnos over the years Ive heard stories and tales similar to my own. June 1, 2014 by John Beckett. In the case of Cernunnos, his name seems to be a reference to the familiar imagery. . Cernunnos History, Prayers and Rituals. Take part in forest cleanups, or just make a habit of picking up trash while you hike. Laura Daz, who researches the Celtic world in Hispania, mentions in her article on Cernunnos "The Great Horned One", because of a possible augmentative particle in his name. Cernunnos was a god of the wild who ruled over pristine nature and uncivilized ways. 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. There are theories that Cernunnos is more of an archetype or a spiritual representation of ALL of the wild, fertile deities from the wilderness. 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. His nature is essentially earthly. The Horned God enjoys bread, particularly homemade, as well as homemade meals. When hes drawn down into our circle during ritual shed be the one most likely to interact with him. 1. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Cernunnos speaks through the trees and animals. Use this invocation to pray to Cernunnos, the Great God of Nature. . This is a time of festival for several families gathered together, each bringing food and drink for the potluck feast. One of the most likely places for Cernunnos to have been remembered was in Ireland, where Celtic culture lasted long beyond the Roman Age.While other influences created a distinct Gaelic culture, the myths of Ireland and the British Isles often have ties to older Celtic archetypes. . We are a community dedicated to Him that shares common beliefs, values, calendar, and similar rituals. Cernunnos is a popular figure in early Celtic religion, but the truth is that very little is known about him. This is the only time that Conall Cernach is associated with any animals, however, and snakes are too common in mythology for Cernunnos to be the only possible god this refers to. Now, if I give Him the Jameson and go drink Glenmorangie myself, thats a problem. In addition to having a similar name, Ciaranus in Latin, the saint is also closely associated with the forest. Consider working with other horned deities like Khnum, the ancient Egyptian ram-headed god. I wanted to like Cernunnos; I read about him where I could, but there wasnt much to read. Before starting the ritual, make sure to properly wash and clean yourself. The Gundestrup cauldron is another significant depiction of Cernunnos. In Greek mythology, time was a significant concept that was often associated with the gods. Were looking for personal stories of how contemporary practitioners discovered Cernunnos and began worshipping and working with him. You who are honored by many, Carnonos, I call to you Rhinoceros, for example, comes from Greek. 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. It was common at the time to have a statue or relief made in devotion to a god, usually in fulfilment of a vow. 4. Druid Reborn. Ancient One, you who holds the serpent of chaos, you who holds the torc of prosperity Because you are a god that creates and multiplies, From the top of my head to the soles of my feet, Surround me with a stream of wealth. Great Horned One, come into the Circle! The Horned One would be an epithet that would have only subtle changes to vowel sounds or case endings, whereas a proper name could change much more. If you have the space, try making an altar to him. Consider using augury (divination by the flight of birds) or other forms of divination that involve the natural world. this was the Dread Lord of Shadows, Cernunnos. Thats what He did with me. Many believe that it is not related at all to the world for horn and instead comes from an Irish word meaning victorious or triumphant.. May these coins be a delight to you in gratitude for your gifts from the Earth (give an offering of coins) Your email address will not be published. His name is usually translated simply as The Horned One.. The Book of Cernunnos will consist of essays about Cernunnos and devotions to Cernunnos. Wear comfortable clothing, preferably with deep earthy tones. In-dwell my rite and give me Your blessing. Leave it on his altar and ask for him to charge it with his energy. 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. Methods of Cleansing & Purification Witch Challenge. He wears a Celtic torc on his chest or holds it in his hand. Change). This was not the case with Cernunnos, however. 1. 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. Pick up the rattle and shake it three times. This part is just seeing if there is an indication that your devotional has been well received. Oh Cernunnos, I invoke thee, Lord of the Hunt, By the great mysteries, By the power of your life, death, and resurrection. He was my first oathed relationship now there are now three. The Romans knew that religious persecution could be a rallying issue for potential revolt. 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. Cernunnos is invoked to protect ones travels, business, and for connecting with the divine masculine. Sacred sex is another way to work with Cernunnos energy. When you find one that clearly helps you focus on Him and that you can afford then buy it. The animals he is linked to may also have been linked to the Underworld and concepts of crossing boundaries. I call on you Mighty Carnonos, There are no sources that clearly give a Roman equivalent for the horned god or describe him in Latinized terms. Once you feel centered and grounded, bow to the altar (or some other form of gesture adoration). The place of initiation. 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. Its time he has his own devotional anthology. Growing up in Indiana with farming aunts and uncles, the corn harvest ", "Witches do not believe in the devil. Though its dedicated to Jupiter, it also has a relief of Cernunnos and the title Cernunnos. Part of this inscription has been damaged since the pillars discovery, so only ernunnos remains. The connection of antlers and horns to fertility comes from horned animals in rutting season. Lord Carnonos, as we end tonight He is depicted on the Pillar of the Boatmen, a Roman column built in what is now Paris. Cernunnos isnt the only deity or legendary figure depicted with antlers. We cant go to that level of depth because theres just not enough source material about Cernunnos. But we will include what scholarly material there is. Sometimes my interactions with him have been something akin to a full-fledged drawing down experience, and other times its just been his hand leading me around the circle. :rotating_light: *Trigger warning: mentions of dying and near death . But more often, Ive found Him to be nurturing: leading the young to the abundant fields, to the rich hunting grounds. Your faces outnumber the stars.I am the Horned One of uncountable names, you are the gentle and the fierceYou are Cernunnos, the Ancient One, Lord and Sire of the Universe. . Your email address will not be published. His name is recorded only once, on the Pillar of the Boatman, a Latin and Gaulish sculpture near Paris that dates to the early first century CE. Beliving that the Celtic god may have had similar associations, some think he was compared to a Roman god of the Underworld. And drink deep of all that is set . To the Lord of the Hunt. They are also found in regions that belonged to different Celtic tribes. The wilderness is your shrine. By taking a trip and staying in the woods or wilderness, youll feel his presence. One of them was 2011s Hoofprints in the Wildwood: A Devotional for The Horned Lord edited by Richard Derks. We consider ourselves a tribe because we stand together in our devotion to the Celtic Gaulish god Cernunnos. 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. This idea of local variation has played a key role in how historians view Cernunnos. While there may not be many written myths of Cernunnos, his history and lore reaches far and wide. The Romans also knew that torcs were given as valuable diplomatic gifts. I will be true to the truth in my heart, The Dawn comic series features Cernunnos as the god of death and change and the last of the Elder Gods. I now have eight statues on my shrines. And there are actually horned goddesses like Hathor, Selene, and Elen of the Ways. But this is what Ive done, and what Ive seen others do that worked for them. That lets us know how much material to plan on, and whether were running short in any specific areas. 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. Welsh Druid Kristoffer Hughes often talks about getting to know your square mile what and who lives within walking distance of where you live. Gatekeeper to the Inner Treasure, Carnonos, I call to you One tool historians can use to interpret ancient figures is linguistics. After the car stopped we found a path and began making our way into a heavily wooded area.
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