Today I wanted to write about the Basajaunak (Basajaun [m]/Basandere [f]), a group of Basque forest spirits who taught humans agriculture, ironwork, and shepherding. They are hairy humanoid who inhabit the Irati Forest and Gorbea. They protect livestock in exchange for bread. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basajaun?wprov=sfla1
Category Archives: Celtic deities
Sheela Na Gig
Today, I wanted to write about Sheela na gig, a fertility, protection, or lust spirit of Celtic origin whose imagery has been used throughout Ireland, Great Britain, France, and the Iberian peninsula. The oldest carvings of Sheela na gig date back to the Middle Ages, when she was often carved into cathedrals as a feminineContinue reading “Sheela Na Gig”
Culhwch
Today I wanted to write about Culhwch, an Arthurian figure of Welsh origin. Culhwch was cursed by his stepmother to only marry Olwen, daughter of Ysbaddaden. Culhwch, along with his cousin Arthur and some of his knights including Sir Kay, and Bedivere. Ysbaddaden is forced to allow Culhwch to marry Olwen, however he gives CulhwchContinue reading “Culhwch”
Guinevere
Today I wanted to write about Guinevere, the queen of Britain in Arthurian legends. She’s the daughter of Leodegrance. Most often she’s the wife of King Arthur, however she also has had relationships with Mordred and Lancelot du Lac. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinevere?wprov=sfla1
Sir Kay
Today I wanted to write about Kay, an Arthurian knight of Welsh origin. He is the son of Ector and foster brother of King Arthur. Kay does not have any romances in the Arthurian tradition as he serves more as a foil to others then a fleshed out figure. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Kay?wprov=sfla1
Ysbaddaden
Today I wanted to write about Ysbaddaden, a Welsh giant associated with hawthorns. He’s the father of Olwen. Olwen is married to King Arthur’s cousin Culhwch due to a curse by his stepmother. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ysbaddaden?wprov=sfla1
Fergus mac Léti
Today I wanted to write about Fergus mac Léti, an Irish king of Ulster. The saga of Fergus mac Léti features the first written account of the Leprechaun, when the Leprechaun fails to kills Fergus mac Léti he keeps them captive, exchanging their freedom for wishes which he uses to be able to breathe underwater.Continue reading “Fergus mac Léti”
Naoise
Today I wanted to write about Naoise, an Irish mortal who was a warrior gifted by Manannán mac Lir. Naoise is a lover of Deirdre. Naoise has hair as black as a raven, cheeks as red as calfs blood, and skin as white as snow. Naoise and Deirdre had eloped due to a prophecy thatContinue reading “Naoise”
Pisky
Today I wanted to write about the Pisky, often Anglicized as Pixie, a Cornish and Devonish fae. The Piskeys are often described as being similar in nature to the Aos Sí often, avoiding people and prefer to live underground. They are very mischievous, pranking those unfortunate enough to get of their bad side. Piskeys oftenContinue reading “Pisky”
Gwenhwyfach
Today I wanted to write about Gwenhwyfach an Arthurian figure of Welsh origin. Gwenhwyfach is the half-sister of Guinevere. Gwenhwyfach slapped Guinevere, which led to one of Britain’s Three Futile Battles. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwenhwyfach?wprov=sfla1
Smertrios
Today I wanted to write about Smertrios, a Gaulish god of agriculture. He is closely associated with Rosmerta. Smertrios was often synchronized with Mars and to a lesser extent Hercules. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smertrios?wprov=sfla1
Morgause
Today I wanted to write about Morgause, an Arthurian queen of Orkney. She is the daughter of Igraine and Gorlois, making her the sister of Morgan le Fay, and half-sister of King Arthur. She is married to King Lot but she had an affair with Arthur before realizing they were half siblings; this affair resultedContinue reading “Morgause”
Elaine of Corbenic
Today I wanted to write about Elaine of Corbenic, an Arthurian princess who is a keeper of the Grail. Elaine is the daughter of The Fisher King. With Lancelot du Lac, she illegitimatly mothered Galahad, as Lancelot would not marry her because he was inlovd with Guinevere. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_of_Corbenic?wprov=sfla1
Caradoc
Today I wanted to write about Caradoc, a semi-legendary king of Southern Wales and Brittany. Caradoc was the cheif elder of King Arthur and at one point a Knight of the Round Table during the reign of Uther Pendragon. He is married to Tegau Eurfron. The kingdom of Gwent traced their kings ancestry back toContinue reading “Caradoc”
Vortigern
Today I wanted to write about Vortigern, a semi-legendary British King and minor Arthurian figure. Vortigern is best known as a war time king during Saxon invasions, notably before the reign of King Arthur. He was sometimes combined with Uther Pendragon. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortigern?wprov=sfla1
Green Knight
Today I wanted to write about the Green Knight, Marchog Gwyrdd; Bertilak de Hautdesert, an antagonistic or heroic Arthurian figure. The Green Knight was cursed by Morgan le Fay causing his skin to turn green in exchange for immortality. In one legend he arrived at King Arthur’s court during a Christmas feast challenging sir Gawain.Continue reading “Green Knight”
Lugus
Today I wanted to write about Lugus, a Gaulish and Celtiberian god of trade, merchants, and shoemakers. An inscription found near Paris implies that Lugus is the king of the Gaulish pantheon. He is thought to share a common pan-celtic root with Lugh and Lleu Llaw Gyffes. He was later synchronized with Mercury/Hermes. In celtiberianContinue reading “Lugus”
Tom Thumb
Today I wanted to write about Tom Thumb, an Arthurian figure who was sometimes evoked in English and Scottish folk magic. Tom Thumb is the son of old Thomas of the Mountain, who longed for nothing more than a son, “even if he was the size of a thumb.” So his wife consulted Merlin whoContinue reading “Tom Thumb”
Sir Bors the Younger
Today I wanted to write about Sir Bors the Younger, an Arthurian knight who was a part of the Grail Quest. Bors is the cousin of Lancelot du Lac and was raised alongside him with Lionel by Nimue. Bors is the father of Elyan the White. Bors the Younger is one of the few toContinue reading “Sir Bors the Younger”
Gorlois
Today I wanted to write about Gorlois, a minor Arthurian figure and legendary duke of Cornwall. Gorlois was a descendent of Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius, Camber, and Brutus of Troy. He was the husband of Igraine, mother of King Arthur; however, Gorlois is not the father of Arthur as he is the son of IgraineContinue reading “Gorlois”
Father Christmas
Today for the Holidays I wanted to write about Father Christmas, a Brythonic personification of Yuletide cheer. Father Christmas was the first document in the 1300s and would make occasional appearances in British folklore and culture up to the Victorian era when his popularity as a figure in mummer plays skyrocketed. He would be depictedContinue reading “Father Christmas”
Feirefiz
Today I wanted to write about Feirefiz, an Arthurian knight notably appearing the the 13th century medieval German romance Perzival. Feirefiz is the half-brother of Percival, both are sons of Gahmuret king of Anjou, Feirefiz’s mother is the Moorish queen Belacane while Percival is the son of Herzeloyde. Feirefiz grew up without his father. WhenContinue reading “Feirefiz”
Ganymedes' guide. 