gaulishgoddess – Gaulish Polytheism

Myth Contributed and Written by : Carnonoseluiâs Abonuracî

In the deep and dark of Dubnos toiled a Goddess, Mistress of the Underworld and magic, Adsagsona. She had little will to engage with Her fellow race, much to the dismay of some and the joy of others. In the abyss, She was interrupted in Her work by one of Her kind, Nodens. Such light from the younger God in such a dark place was blinding and bothersome to the Goddess.
“What brings you, bright-one?”
“Great Adsagsona,” crooned Nodens, “I wished to see what you had been attending to.” Curious is this one, thought She, as She lifted up a sword. It was beautifully crafted with Her workings etched into the black blade and hilt in the form of words. It vibrated and pulsed, almost alive.
Nodens reached out to touch the breathing sword, but Adsagsona quickly pulled it back towards Her.
“You are young, but you should know better than to touch what is not yours, sir.” Nodens, stunned, smiled and said, “Your blade is as beautiful as it’s maker. I was all too quick to admire them both.”
“Then perhaps you should learn that it is unwise to admire anything so recklessly.” said Adsagsona with cautious eyes, “Now I have work to do. Off with you.” The blinding God left, but He was now all too keen to see Her again. The next day, He came back to the hall of Adsagsona, ready to see Her once more.
“O hallowed Adsagsona! I have come to greet you once again.” Nodens said grandly. But, His grandeur was misplaced, as the Goddess threw Her gaze at Him and then back at Her tasks.
“And you have greeted me. Good day then.” She said callously. She waved Him off coldly and shut the door behind Him. The minor inconvenience to Her solitude had become a reoccurring issue. She had hoped Nodens would see what He was a nuisance to Her and would promptly leave Her be. This was not the case. The next day, as Adsagsona sat down for the day, there came Nodens through Her door, as joyful and shining as ever.
“My great Lady,” He chimed, “I have brought for you a gift of rubies, though their beauty pale compared to your splendor.” He bent down to present it to Her and held in His hand a stunning necklace of lead with a dozen rubies around the band. With disgust, Adsagsona waved them away.
“Your jewels were not spoken for, nor desired. I have all the jewels I need and wish for nothing but silence.”
Disheartened but determined, Nodens left Her halls, ready to begin again. Returning the next day, He came as She wove, Her intricate designs halted by His boisterousness. Behind Him trailed a chest held on either end by two little folk.
“Blessed and unfathomable Adsagsona,” He sang, “I have a most wondrous gift for your honor!” Opening the chest, Nodens revealed a large dark pearl, the size of a fist. It emitted heat and power from its proximity to all who were present.
“It is a black pearl, forged by the finest makers alive. It was embedded with magic unlike any else. May it’s grand nature be a token of your stature.”
Nodens smiled, pleased with His gesture; Adsagsona was not receptive. Without a word, She ushered the little folk to leave the room and turned towards Her admirer.
“How dare you? Do you think this would please me? Do you think this power is ANYTHING compared to my own?”
Her sword in hand, She brought it down on the chest, destroying the pearl into nothingness.
“If this was made by the finest maker, it would have been made by me. You come here, interrupt me in my silence, in my work, and expect gratitude?” She spat the words, running the sword into the ground.
Infuriated by Her words and ungratefulness, Nodens yelled back, “I give you precious beauties unlike anyone has ever seen, and you disregard me! Gratitude would be appropriate!”
“Appropriate? How is it appropriate to come back day after day knowing you are unwanted here?”
“Please,” He reasoned, “your beauty and power are unmatched. To look upon you is what I desire!”
In one solid motion, Adsagsona took Her hand and dug Her nails into the side of Her face, tearing a large chunk of flesh off to reveal tendon and bone all the way to Her jaw.
“Here! Is this not beautiful?” She cried with Her flesh in hand. “Is this not the power you seek?
Am I not beautiful, sir?”
Nodens fled the Halls of Adsagsona, vowing to pursue Her no more. Half Her face forever marred and bare, that was the day Adsagsona also became the Goddess of Justice and revenge.

Article by U̯ailogenos Cattâcos (Joe Cato)

Rûnou̯elîti̯â is a divination system/tool that is similar to and inspired by Norse and Germanic Runes and Insular Celtic Ogham, but designed to be used within a Gaulish Polytheistic (Galatibessus) framework. It is intended to be used with small tiles or something similar, and drawn or cast much the same as reading Runes.

(A set of Rûnâs on round, wooden discs that I made)

(A nicer set on wooden tiles made to match my system gifted to me by Branos Carnutodrûidon)

It is not a reconstruction of any known historical divination tool/method. It is merely a modern innovation based on a very hypothetical could-have-been given the existence of similar concepts found among the cultures that neighored the Gauls, and the established tendency of the Gauls to exchange products and ideas with their neighboring cultures, as well as the tendency of modern Gaulish Polytheists to interact with modern adherents to the Polytheisms of those same groups.

The name was created by combining the following Gaulish words:

rûnâ (secret, mystery)

and

u̯elîtus (to see)

So I have translated it as “secret-seeing”.

The Gaulish word rûnâ descended from the Proto-Celtic rūnā and is linguistically related to the Old Norse rún and Old English rūn (ancestor of the Modern English rune) which both descend from Proto-Germanic rūnō. P-C rūnā and P-G rūnō may have descended independently from Proto-Indo-European *rewHn- (ultimately from *rewH- [to roar; grumble; murmur; mumble; whisper]), or rūnō may have been borrowed from rūnā.

It uses the 15 characters of the Lugano alphabet (also commonly referred to as the North Italic or Lepontic alphabet)* needed to write the Gaulish language, adapted from the Lepontic alphabet, which generally uses 18 characters, adjusted to reflect the few sound differences between the two languages. It differs from other, similar Gaulish divination systems in this respect as my version uses the fewest letters, and uses a set of letters specifically tailored to Gaulish rather than just using the Lepontic alphabet.

A note on that:

(*The Lugano/North Italic alphabet variations were derived from the Etruscan alphabet, which itself was ultimately derived from the Phoenician alphabet, as were those of Hebrew and other Semitic languages. It was borrowed in various forms from the Etruscans to write Northern Italic languages as well as the Celtic languages Lepontic and, to an admittedly lesser extent, Gaulish. An early Western Greek alphabet called Euboean served as the link between the Phoenecian and Etruscan alphabets, and was also the common ancestor of the more familiar Greek as well as Latin alphabets. And variations used for Lepontic and Gaulish probably provided the basis for the Germanic Runic alphabets. I think this provides a fascinating link between the Semitic, Tyrsenian, and Indo-European language families.)

The meanings for each Rûnâ (letter) were derived by comparing the assigned meanings of their closest equivalents within the Grammatomancy (divination using letters) systems of the Gauls closest Indo-European neighbors: Elder Futhark (Fuþark), Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (Fuþorc), Gaelic Ogham, and the Greek Oracle divination systems. I also borrowed plant associations for each rûnâ from its Ogham counterpart. Lastly, I offered possible Dêu̯os/Dêu̯â (god/goddess) associations for each Rûnâ, though these are certainly only possible suggestions. There are many possible Dêu̯oi (deities) one could associate with each Rûnâ, and these connections could vary based on the individual’s relationship with a particular Dêu̯os or Dêu̯â.

Endless thanks and praise to Rosmertâ, the Goddess of Fate & Propjecy, and Carnonos (more commonly known as Cernunnos), God of Liminality & Opener of the door between our world and the Otherworld, for inspiration and guidance throughout this work.

Brâton Tê, Rosmertâ!

Brâton Tê, Carnone!

The Rûnâs:

Names, phonetic values, and divinatory meanings of the Rûnâs

Arespon – a message (a, â)
communication, receiving a message or messages, insight, foresight, clear vision,
truth, wisdom, success in negotiations and transactions.

– Fuþark equivalent: Ansuz (ᚨ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Ōs (ᚩ)
– Ogham equivalent: Ailm (ᚐ)
– Greek equivalent: Alpha (Α/α)
– Dêu̯oi: Ogmios (eloquence), Rosmertâ and the Mâtronâs (Fate)
– Plant: Pine

Epos – horse (e, ê)
movement, change (especially swift or abrupt change), rebirth, creative solutions, determination, overcoming fear and doubt, teamwork/partnership, alliance, righteous union, marriage, offspring

– Fuþark equivalent: Ehwaz (ᛖ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Eoh (ᛖ)
– Ogham equivalent: (ᚓ)
– Greek equivalent: Epsilon (Ε/ε)
– Dêu̯oi: Eponâ
– Plant: Poplar or Aspen

I̯agis – ice (i, î, i̯)
patience, waiting, standstill, turning inward for clarity, reflection, accepting the
inevitable, death and rebirth, new starts, losing and regaining through hard work

– Fuþark equivalent: Isaz (ᛁ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Īs (ᛁ)
– Ogham equivalent: Iodhadh (ᚔ)
– Greek equivalent: Iota (ᛁ/ι)
– Dêu̯oi: Artiû
– Plant: Yew

Cradion – heart (c)
Grânos – grain (g)
artistry, creativity, passion, love, sex, strength, inspiration, courage, endurance,
gifts/profits/successful harvest/fruitful outcome

– Fuþark equivalent: Kenaz (ᚲ)
Gebō (ᚷ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Cēn (ᚳ)
Gyfu (ᚷ)
– Ogham equivalent: Coll (ᚉ)
Gort (ᚌ)
– Greek equivalent: Kappa (Κ/κ)
Gamma (Γ/γ)
– Dêu̯oi: Lugus as god of arts/skills and warrior
– Plant: Hazel or Ivy

Locos – lake (l)
prophecy/divination/revelation, intuition, imagination, creativity, artistic passion, vitality/life energy,
flow/change/growth/renewal (water associations), success, mysteries, the deep, the hidden, the unknown, the Underworld, the fickleness and unpredictably of Nature and Fate, look deeper

– Fuþark equivalent: Laguz (ᛚ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Lagu (ᛚ)
– Ogham equivalent: Luis (ᚌ)
– Greek equivalent: Lambda (Λ/λ)
– Dêu̯oi: Rosmertâ and the Mâtronâs (Prophecy and Fate), Sucellos and Nantosṷeltâ (the Underworld),
possibly
– Dêu̯oi associated with water
– Plant: Rowan

Mî – me (m)
the self, receiving help from others, exchange, friends and family, forethought, vision, psychic sense, positive change through labor, toil, and examination of life lessons, awareness of how your actions affect others.

– Fuþark equivalent: Mannaz (ᛗ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Mann (ᛗ)
– Ogham equivalent: Muin (ᚋ)
– Greek equivalent: Mu (Μ/μ)
– Dêu̯oi: yourself (not a Dêu̯os/Dêu̯â obviously but as worshipper and supplicant and your relationship to the Dêu̯oi), and ancestors
– Plant: Vine

Nertos – strength (n)
need, desire, responsibility, hardship (delay, restriction, resistance, poverty, strife, conflict), will to overcome, self-reliance, taking action, the coming solution to the need/desire or hardship, don’t let fear keep you from accepting the truth, truth is a gift from the gods and can be hard to accept but leads to growth,

– Fuþark equivalent: Naudiz (ᚾ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Nȳd (ᚾ)
– Ogham equivalent: Nuin (ᚅ)
– Greek equivalent: Nu (Ν/ν)
– Dêu̯oi: Ogmios or any deity associated with strength
– Plant: Ash

Orbion – inheritance, heritage (o, ô)
inheritance, home, hearth, family, heritage, material possessions, property, increase of possessions, “reaping what you sow”/achieving reward through effort and planning, knowing the proper time to reap the rewards of efforts as attempting to gain the benefits too soon may cause a loss of the benefits

– Fuþark equivalent: Ōþalan (ᛟ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Oðal (ᛟ)
– Ogham equivalent: Onn (ᚑ)
– Greek equivalent: Omicron (Ο/ο)
Omega (Ω/ω)
– Dêu̯oi: hearth Dêu̯âs, ancestral Dêu̯oi, Dêu̯oi associated with abundance, especially Sucellos and Nantosṷeltâ due to Their roles as Ancestors as well as Their associations with abundance.
– Plant: Gorse

Pellon – a far away thing (p)
Brunnos – womb (b)
a secret, something unknown and potentially best left unknown for now, something lost, chance, danger, struggle, success through perseverance in the face of adversity, choosing what is beneficial, new beginnng/fresh starts

– Fuþark equivalent: Perþrō (ᛈ)
Berkanan (ᛒ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Peorð (ᛈ)
Beorc (ᛒ)
– Ogham equivalent: Ceirt (ᚓ)
Beith (ᚁ)
– Greek equivalent: Pi (Π/π)
Beta (Β/β)
– Dêu̯oi: Rosmertâ and the Mâtronâs (Fate), (possibly Grannos by way of Greek association of Beta with Apollō)
– Plant: Apple or Birch

Đerâ – stars (Tau Gallicum (/ts/)
fate, chaos (trials, tribulation, conflict, destruction) that leads to catharsis and change/new beginnings, gains at a cost balancing of opposites, link between the spiritual and the earthly, regeneration, divine protection on this path, just as the moon and stars provide light to get through darkness this Rûnâ serves as a guide through stress/chaos/turmoil.

– Fuþark equivalent: Þurisaz (ᚦ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Þorn (ᚦ) and Stān (ᛥ)
– Ogham equivalent: Straif (ᚎ)
– Greek equivalent: Theta (Θ/θ)
– Dêu̯oi: Ðîronâ (who provides light in the darkness), Carnonos (balancing of opposites and link between spiritual and earthly), Rosmertâ and the Mâtronâs (Fate), Eponâ (link between spiritual and earthly)
– Tau Gallicum is said to be descended from Greek Theta, so I used both /st/ as well as /th/ sounding letters from the comparative alphabets when determining my interpreted meanings for Đerâ.
– Plant: Blackthorn

Rotâ – wheel (r)
movement (physical, emotional, etc), travel, safe travel, rites of passage, moving away from old cycles, renewal, relocation, career change, move forward, remaining stagnant is living thoughtlessly, swift and timely action needed, logic and reason over emotions and passions

– Fuþark equivalent: Raidō (ᚱ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Rād (ᚱ)
– Ogham equivalent: Ruis (ᚏ)
– Greek equivalent: Rho (Ρ/ρ)
– Dêu̯oi: Taranis because of wheel and cycle associations, Lugus (protector of travelers)
– Plant: Elder

Sâu̯elis – the Sun (s)
success, victory, health, energy, vitality (life-force), power, health, Solar deities, psychic powers, magic, connection between higher self and unconscious, purity/purification

– Fuþark equivalent: Sōwilō (ᛋ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Sigel (ᛋ)
– Ogham equivalent: Saille (ᚄ)
– Greek equivalent: Sigma (Σ/σ)
– Dêu̯oi: Grannos (the sun and healing/health), Ðîronâ (healing/health), any other Dêu̯oi associated with health and healing, any Dêu̯oi associated with victory
– Plant: Willow

Treχamos – most powerful (t)
Dii̯os – day (d)
warrior symbol, courage, honor, integrity, victory, mastery over self, growth, endurance, authority, leadership, rules, law, justice, success in legal matters, success in competition, strength but more importantly knowing when, where, and how to apply it, breakthrough, awakening,awareness

– Fuþark equivalent: Tīwaz (ᛏ)
Dagaz (ᛞ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Tir (ᛏ)
Dæg (ᛞ)
– Ogham equivalent: Tinne (ᚈ)
Duir (ᚇ )
– Greek equivalent: Tau (Τ)
Delta (Δ/δ)
– Dêu̯oi: Camulos, Caturîx, Catubodṷâ or other warrior Dêu̯oi, Lugus (success in competition), Ogmios (strength)
– Plant: Oak or Holly

Uros – aurochs, ox (u, û, u̯)
strength, health/healing, energy/vitality, magic, change (likely sudden, likely self-imposed, likely for the better), adventure or a quest

– Fuþark equivalent: Ūruz (ᚢ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Ūr (ᚢ)
– Ogham equivalent: Úr (ᚒ)
– Greek equivalent: Upsilon (Υ/υ)
– Dêu̯oi: Ogmios (strength), any Dêu̯oi associated with health and healing
– Plant: Heather

Alcos – elk (χ)
protection and the desire to protect, victory, success, achievement, accomplishing goals

– Fuþark equivalent: Algiz (ᛉ)
– Fuþorc equivalent: Eolhx (ᛉ)
– Ogham equivalent: Emancholl (ᚙ)
– Greek equivalent: χi/Khi (Χ/χ)
– Dêu̯oi: Taranis and any of the various Toutatîs as protectors, Lugus (success, achievement, goals)
– name doesn’t match sound, but there are no Gaulish words that begin with χ, but Alcos matches the meaning of Algiz and Eolhx (elk).
– Plant: Beech (probably)

Rosmertâ and Carnonos sending us the Rûnâs. (Art by Branos Carnutodrûidon)

Pronunciation Guide

(based on American English)

a = about
â = father
e = get
ê = day
i = pit
î = feet
o = somewhere between loss and or
ô = boat
u = put
û = too
i̯ = yellow
u̯ = water
c = always hard like cat
g = always hard like goat
Ð/ðð = it’s
r = (probably trilled or rolled like Spanish r or rr)
χ/x = Scottish loch, German Bach