The skies and heavens played a very important role in Celtic beliefs. The Sun, as the dominant feature of the heavens, was universally worshiped as the provider of light, heat and growth.

Among the more important divine figures related to solar worship are Lugus, which translates as "bright" or "shining". The Romans identified him with Mercury, while their god of light, Apollo, was associated with Belenus, a popular Celtic deity whose name means literally "Brilliant" or "Bright". He was the lord of the sun, light and warmth, and very likely presided over the Celtic spring festival of Beltane. He was also believed to be a healing god in his relation to the sun and its sustaining powers related to the maintenance of good health and well being.

Divine powers were also believed to be contained in storms, which often put on frightening displays of awesome power while also providing life giving rain.
 
Taranis, a Celtic storm god whose name translates as "Thunderer" was widely recognized. The extent of his powers is not known for certain, but it is thought that he was a bringer of rain and fertility as well as thunder.

Another popular deity associated with weather was the Hammer God, always portrayed carrying a pot and a large, long handled mallet. He was believed to strike the hard frozen earth at winter's end, and, in effect, softening and warming the soil. He is sometimes depicted with sun symbols and was particularly popular in wine growing regions.

The numerous Celtic sky gods were eventually assimilated by the powerful Roman deity, Jupiter, supreme lord of the heavens, who is often portrayed with a wheel, one of the commonest of sun symbols, and a thunderbolt, that represents his role as the god of storms.



   
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The Early Celts:
Celtic Sky Gods


Part Four of a Series
by Elder Bob Bassler