Cernunnos is a Horned God, usually pictured with various animals including the ram horned serpent, and holding or wearing a torc. Nothing is written about Cernunnos. What I know of him has come from inferences based on his images and direct experience during shamanic journeying.
He is a primal, cthonic god. His antlers and occasional depiction with an erect phallus show his connection with the male aspect of fertility. Cernunnos is strongly connected with the land and I have only ever encountered him in the underworld. He is also shown with a money pouch indicating that he is associated with mateial wealth as well as fertility and the hunt.
The animal that is unique to Cernunnos is the ram horned snake. When a composite animal is shown it is usually to stress or invoke certain attributes shared by both creatures. The ram is a powerful animal. During the mating season, the males butt heads with tremendous force to compete for the ability to mate. For this reason the ram is a symbol of male fertility. Have you ever seen a snake that was about to shed it's skin? Their scales become dull and their eyes cloud over and they look like they are close to death. Then something miraculous happens. They shed their old, dead skin and emerge with new vibrant scales. This is why ths snake is such a powerful symbol of rebirth. The snake is also associated with male energy because of it's phallic shape. The horned snake emphasizes Cernunnos's role as the male aspect of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Most of the pagan groups I have met have focused of the goddess to the exclusion of the god. I was made to feel second class because I am a man. It has been great to find a god to work with that acknowledges and embodies the importance of the male in the cycle of life.
Nice post :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with this bit of research on Cernunnos myself (thought I would share! Hope you don't mind!):
Cernunnos (Pronunciation: KEEr-noo-nohs) is the Celtic version of the British Hornéd God, Herne. He is the god of Nature, and is sometimes referenced in mythology interchangeably with the Green Man. However, they are distinct as the Green Man wears leaves on his head and Cernunnos is most often depicted wearing horns. Carvings and ancient drawings also sometimes show Cernunnos carrying a purse filled with coins.
Essentially, as the God of Nature, Cernunnos rules over all wild animals, forests and fertility. He is the "Lord of All Living Creatures" and the Consort to the "Great Mother." He also the Celtic Guardian of Knowledge. The Druids called Cernunnos “Hu Gadarn”; and, in addition to his role over nature and fertility, they saw him as the God of the Underworld and astral planes.
For nearly all cultures, Cernunnos is, in addition to the aforementioned variations, presented as the God Who Sits Between the Worlds (Or Keeper of the Threshold), that is, the god who sits between the fine line thought to divide the spiritual world and our own. On Samhain, the Celtic New Year, these two worlds are closest together.
Very interesting post. I'm intrigued by this God. Might have to do a little more research myself. :)
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