Western European Goddesses

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Aeval, Lady of Sexuality

Among the Celts of Ireland, Aeval was the Fairy Queen of Munster. She held a midnight court to determine if husbands were satisfying their wives' sexual needs, or not, as the women charged.

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Ain, Lady Law

Along with Her sister, She wrote the Brehon Laws, an ancient law code of Celtice Ireland which protected women's rights.

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Arduinna, Lady of the Forests

The Celts of Gaul (France) honored Her as Goddess of Justice and Childbirth. The Ardennes Forest, named after Her, were Her special domain.

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Arianrhod, Silver Wheel

Among the Celts of Wales, She was a Goddess of Childbirth, the Moon, Fertility and Fate. She derives Her name from the Milky Way and/or the zodiac.

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Banshees, Fairies of the Sidhe

Ireland, like many nations, experienced a succession of migrations and invasions. Unlike the pre-Hellenic Greek Titans, Who remained Deities, the ancient Gods and Goddesses of Ireland became demons or fairies. Such is the case with the Banshee, ancient Deities driven underground. Such hills beneath which they make their home are still called sidhe ("shee"), and some Irish still claim decsent from these Deities/fairies; hence the surname, "O'Shea."

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Beag, Mistress of the Well

The Irish Celts said Beag owned a magic well, the Well of Wisdom.

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Branwen, Lady Love

Her name means "White Breasted" or "White Cow." The ancient Welsh worshipped Her as the daughter of Sea, and as Goddess of the Moon and Love.

PRINCESS OF CUPS from ART AND WORDS @Kris Waldherr

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Brigid, High One

Her name means "High One." The Celts of Ireland knew Her as Triune Goddess of Healing, Poetry and Smithcraft. See also the Descent of the Gods chapter.

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Cerridwen, Lady of Inspiration

To the Celts of the British Isles and Brittany, She was Goddess of Wisdom, Poetry and Grain. Her annual slaying of Gwion mimics the change of the seasons. She is often depicted with Her Cauldron of Wisdom.

CERRIDWEN ©JBL

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Danu, Great Mother

She is the "Mother of the Gods" of the Tuatha De Danaan, one of the ancient people who settled in Ireland. Her children and followers were transformed into the Banshee (Profiled above). Under a variety of names, including Anu and Don, Danu was worshipped through pre-Christian Europe.

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Epona, Horse Mistress

She was the only Celtic Goddess to be honored by the Romans with a temple in their capital city. She was especially popular with Roman soldiers. Among the Gaulish Celts themselves, She was worshipped as Goddess of Horses, Asses, Mules, Oxen, and, to an extent, Springs and Rivers.

EPONA-RHIANNON ©JBL

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Mari, Lady Justice

She is the Basque Goddess of Rain and Drought. Via the latter, She punishes those guilty of lying, stealing and pride. She assumes many different forms

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Medb, Lady Sovereignty

In ancient Ireland, a king was ritually wed to this Goddess (in the person of Her Priestess) to legitimize his reign. She was considered a Triune Goddess Who oversaw sovereignty, war, sexuality and intoxication. Her name is more recognizable in its phoetic spelling: Maeve.

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Morrigan, Mistress War

The Morrigan is a Triune Goddess made of three largely autonomous Goddesses. Their names vary, but they are usually called Macha, Badb and Nemain. She/They were (a) War Goddess/es.

MORRIGAN ©JBL

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Sheila-na-gig, The Vulva

For obvious reasons, this Celtic Goddess was attacked by Christian missionaries as vulgar, lutful and demonic. To the Pagan Celts, however, She was a Goddess of Women and Fertility.

SHEELA-NA-GIG ©JBL

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