Most Important Thing You'll Ever Learn Home/Main Index Complete Study Course Dictionary of Pagan Terms Grimoire Free Tarot/Runes?Horoscope Deities Index Calendars & Lunar Charts Holidays Index Magickal Correspondence Tables Tables:Colors,Stones,Herbs,Days, Zodiac,etc Divination Index Downloads Links to E-zines, Newsletters, more Comment or Questions Bulletin Board & Latest News Find Your Craft Name My Virtual Altar Thousands of Pagan Links Healing Techniques Above you can see the Triquatra. It represents the trinity: The Triple Celtic Goddess'of Maiden, Mother, and Crone which symbolizes Power, Protection, and Positive energy. I would like to acknowledge the use of the Triquatra, (also called the Triquestra) by the Ancient Celts, especially since I use it everyday myself. In fact, I don't go out without it. It is an unending circle that symbolizes the Threefold Goddess. In almost everything there were 4 aspects actually, so I tend to believe that the fourth in the Triquestra would have been the Goddess in entirety, as no longer three but One, making up the Spirit. The Celts were infamous for their designs in this type of knotwork, this symbol being among the many that they designed. Others symbolized animals that they revered and some are unknown as to their meanings even today. (The Celtic Lady) Celtic Number Mythology By Lady C~ Note: You can find Christy at ChristyDawn I was talking to J, and we were discussing the symbolism behind the number 3. This got me to thinking about the meanings and connections we make everyday without knowing it. So, I decided to do some research on it. This is some of what I found... 3 is a sacred number in ancient Celtic mythology and religion. Riddles and triadic phraseology pepper Celtic folk lore and faerie stories. The triskel, a figure composed of three spirals, signifies the three-layered nature of a human soul, and is in itself a central figure in ancient Celtic symbolism. The earth, sea, and sky share a three-fold marriage in oaths and as witness to deeds, and represent sacred elements. Brigit, The Three: Brigit is one of three daughters of the Dagda all of the same name. Each one is a master of one of three different skills: smithing, poetry, and healing. These three skills are vital to the people of Eyru. The Three in unison are also seen as a symbol of fertility and life. It is the combination of these important skills which has truly allowed the people of Eyru to prosper. Symbol: Triskel (also frequently used as a druidic symbol) In the first three numbers, all of the others are synthesized. From the union of oneness and duality (which is its reflection), that is, from triad, proceed all of the other numbers, and from this primordial triangle all figures derive. This threeness or triad, has always been considered sacred–like oneness, duality, and all numbers–by virtue of its very properties and particular attributes. These properties and attributes are manifested in its threefold nature, which of itself is the inevitable expression of a principle, an archetypal fact, that solidifies in a series, as a representation of ideas and energies that materialize in magical, mysterious fashion while obeying precise, universal laws, which the numerical codes and their geometrical correspondences symbolize. This symbol a triad or trinity. It is a symbol of the unity of body, mind and spirit. The symbol is of universal significance - it is found throughout history and all over the world. It can be interpreted in many different senses: spirit/mind/body in a circle of synthesis; past/present/future enclosed in the ring of eternity; art/science/religion bound in a circle of culture. It appears as a symbol in several philosophical systems. It can be discovered on the images of Gessar Khan and Rigden Djapo; on the "Tamga" of Timurlane and on the coat of arms of the Popes. It can be seen in the works of ancient Spanish painters and of Titian, and on the ancient ikon of St. Nicholas in Bari and that of St. Sergius and the Holy Trinity. It appears on the coat of arms of the city of Samarkand, on Ethiopian and Coptic antiquities, on the rocks of Mongolia, on Tibetan rings, on Buddhist banners, on the breast ornaments of all the Himalayan countries, and on the pottery of the Neolithic age. The symbol of the triad or trinity has existed over immeasurable time and throughout the world. It can be understood as a key to the integrity and interdependence of all existence. Mother Goddess: According to some authors, the triune mother-goddess in pre-Christian Celtic society, to was equal in stature to that of Mercury, which is what Caesar called Lugos or Lugh, the most important of all the continental Celtic deities. Often Continental representations in sculpture and bas-relief of goddesses are in triads, which were for a time considered to be representations of different figures than those that appeared individually. However, when one looks at the objects associated with them, it is clear that "the two groups espress the same religious idea; only the representation of the idea varies." Some of the symbolic associations with the Celtic mother-goddess are the cornucopia, fruit, animals seated on her knee, and a child in her arms or next to her. Interestingly enough, in continental representations of Celtic deities, the goddess Julius Caesar called Minerva (who is now known to be Brighde) is often depicted in a triad with the male deities Mercury and Apollo, or Mercury and Vulcan. This is possibly a symbol of her immense importance in Celtic religious practices. In other representations, "Minerva" is depicted in the company of "Mars" which is what Caesar called Camulus, the same figure as Cumhail (father of Fionn Mac Cumhail, leader of the Fianna) a sky and war god of the Celts, both Insular and Continental. The triad is a defining characteristic of Celtic religion and mythology, and not all female triads in the Irish tradition, at least, are as clear symbols of the Mother Goddess. These symbolic attributes include: cornucopia, fruit, animals on the figure’s knee, or a child in her arms or at her side. Celtic art and literature has long been preoccupied with the number three. Looking at Celtic works or art we notice that often figures are grouped in clusters of three, creatures have three heads, objects repeat three times, or a single head might have three faces. Oak, ash, and thorn were called the faery triad of trees. Where they grow together,it is still said that faeries live. From the Druid or Celtic Shamanistic viewpoint the number three represents the different views one might develop following an initiation ceremony. Celtic Shamans believed that they could see the present, past and future - their vision of the world was complete and trustworthy. The Shaman often saw himself as a man standing in three different worlds at the same time. In this way, his judgments, decisions and advice became infallible and was closed to interpretation. The Celtic preoccupation with the number three can be seen in the image of many of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses such as the three Brigids, and in the course of a story, often male heroes travel in groups of three in an attempt to complete a task, each of the three completing a different leg of the journey. Just as night and day need twilight or dawn to go between it, the Celtic Shaman is the necessary third being between what is seen and unseen. He is neither this nor that. This widespread interest of the number three remains in our thinking today. Many modern concepts in philosophy, mathematics, physics, etc., are still very much based in the idea of "the three." The Greeks used the number three a lot. There were the three Fates, three Graces, three Gorgons and the three Furies. Even Apollo's Pythia sat on a three legged chair (tripod) and Cerberus was a three headed dog. Multiples of three also seemed to be used such as the nine Muses and the twelve Olympian gods. I love this kind of information and am currently working on a chart (I will post it when done) of all the Greek, Roman, and Celtic God/Godessess and who was who to each. One God to a Roman was the same to a Greek only called by a different name. Lady C~ The Pentagram By The Celtic Lady Next I would like to talk about the Pentagram and the pentacle. What is the purpose of the pentacle? It is used for many things, such as jewelry, charms of protection, etc. During rituals, many practitioners draw the shape of the pentagram in the air with an athame for protection. On many altars, you might find a pentacle in the shape of a flat disc as the center point. The pentacle is also used to inscribe magickal tools. Since it has five points, chants, spells or invocations are often repeated five times to help insure their effectiveness. The Pentacle, itself, symbolizes the magic of creation and our ability to bring the Spirit to Earth. It has been described as an endless knot, beginning with one line and ending with the same. It symbolizes how all life is intertwisted (heh...go ahead..look it up. It actually is a word.) The circle around it represents unity and wholeness. It also represents infinity and eternity with no beginning and no end. The pentagram is known as the star of the microcosm, or little universe. The five-pointed star enclosed in a circle is referred to as a pentacle. The star itself is a pentagram. In the upright position the pentagram represents the forces of spirit presiding over the power of the four elements. In the reversed position it represents spirit hidden in matter or the four elements unbalanced, yet still forming the spirit energy.         These are the four elements that make up the major energy of our world: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. The fifth one is the Spirit. These are the main energy sources of the Universe. Even after scientific evidence has shown others, these we still recognize as absolute necessities. Now just so you can see how the Ancient Celts related everything to the "Airts" or 4 points of the world (compass points), I have attempted, lol, yes, attempted, to put together a page to show you a few of the correlations in relation to Celtic worship. You can view it here, (it opens in a new window) Celt Associations if you like, especially since if you don't, you won't find this page linked anywhere else but here, under pentacles and elements. Now to continue. The elements make up the 5 points on a pentacle, thus this is what a pentacle represents. Usually there is a circle (as seen above) in many of the drawings, showing how all of these are enclosed together. This circle is what we call Akasha or the Spirit. In the drawing above, each element is shown with the symbol that represents it. The symbol is in the small colored circles. Each of the five angles of the pentacle, each corner, has attributes that correspond to the five metaphysical elements of the ancient practitioners: EARTH:(lower left hand corner) represents stability and physical endurance. FIRE: (lower right hand corner) represents courage and daring. WATER: (upper right hand corner) represents emotions and intuition. AIR: (upper left hand corner) represents intelligence and creative arts. SPIRIT: (at the topmost point) represents the All and the Divine.         The Circle around the star represents the God/Goddess; it refracts and reflects all light, bringing the gifts of higher intelligence, universal wisdom and protection to the bearer of the pentacle. The origins of the pentagram go back to the most remote times of our history. Down through the ages, it has survived under multiple names,a few being "The Druid's Root", "The Witches Star" & "The Pentalpha." The pentacle crafted from silver represents the energies of the Moon and psychic forces. Crafted from gold it represents the Sun's energies of power and strength. The Pentagram Part II         The pentagram is said to be powerful protection against all evil, a symbol that shields the wearer. There are five elements, four of matter (earth, air, fire and water) and the quintessential - spirit. These may be placed around the pentagrams points.         As we trace a pathway around the pentagram, we can see that the elements are placed in order of density - spirit, fire, air, water, earth. Earth and fire are fixed; air and water are free & flowing. The Celts believed that the pentacle was the sign of the Goddess of the Underground, called Morgan (Morrigan). Symbolic Meanings of the Pentagram Ireland had five great roads, five provinces and five paths of the law. The fairy folk counted by fives. 1.We note five stages in our lives - birth, adolescence, coitus, parenthood and death. 2. We have five senses - hearing, smell, sight, touch and taste. 3. We have five fingers and toes on each extremity. The number 5 is associated with Mars. It signifies severity, conflict and harmony through conflict. In Christianity, Christ was inflicted with 5 wounds while on the cross. As symbolised on the pentagram of Sir Gawain, the medieval knights had five virtues: - generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry and piety. The Wiccan Kiss is a Fivefold Salute- feet, knees, womb, breasts, and lips. The pentagram- requires five lines to draw and is done in a continuous stroke. We can juxtapose Man/Woman on a pentagram with head and four limbs at the points and the genitalia exactly central. This is Man in microcosm, symbolising our place in the Macrocosm or universe and the Hermetic/Tantric philosophy of associativity - "As above, so below". ---------------------------------------------------------------- Types of Pentagrams Active Pentagram         A pentagram may be worn withhout a circle surrounding it. This is pentagram in its active form. It symbolises an outgoing of the wearer, readied for conflict, aware, and active. As a pagan religious symbol, the open pentagram represents an straightforward, active approach. Circled Pentagram         A circle drawn around a pentagram is said to contain and protect. The circle symbolises eternity and infinity, the cycles of life and nature. Inverted Pentagram         The pentagram inverted with one point down has been a source of much discussion, especially in regards to Satanism. The implication is of a spirit that serves materialism, of man enslaved by lust & carnal desires. The inverted pentagram is seen by many today as representing evil or satan, but it was not always like this. In the Craft, used inverted, with the top pointed downward, it represented a second or third degree initiate in some traditional groups. Today many of these groups have substituted a triangle form for the same degrees because of the negative association to satanism.         The center of the pentagram implies a sixth element - love and free will which we control from within ourselves. With free will, we rule matter and the spirit. It is the controlled magickal direction of sexual energies. The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram Back to the Lessons Section or Would you rather go home? Yeah? Then Click right here.

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