Cernunnos
Cernunnos was actually one of the first gods that I ever felt a draw towards. And so maybe that makes it fitting for him to be the first god that I will address.
Cernunnos, also known as the Horned God or the Lord of the Wild Things, he is originally a Celtic god or archetype as aspect of the Green Man. Though today he is also often worshipped by Wiccans as an incarnation of the God, companion to the Goddess.
The earliest evidence that can be found of Cernunnos is at Val Cominca in Northern Italy which was occupied by Celts in 400 BCE for a time. The only depiction of his name was on what is known as the "Pillar of the Boatman". Found in Lutetia which would become Paris, it was created in honor of the god Jupiter. Inscribed primarily in Latin, the pillar mixes Roman and Gallic gods which include Jupiter, Vulcan, Esus, Fortuna, and Cernunnos.
Despit the lack of evidence of his name, his Cult was prominent across Europe. Depictions of him are of a man with antlers. He would often sit cross-legged and holding a torc. He was generally associated with stags, horned serpents, dogs, bulls, and even rats.
Aside from his nomonclatures, he was considered to potentially be a god of animals, nature and fertility to god of travel, commerce and bi-directionality. Because of this and some surviving stories that were brought forward years later that it is believed that Cernunnos might not have been a single god, but rather a title for any horned god of the Gallic and Celtic pantheons.
Many who follow Cernunnos consider him to be a protector and leader. He is a symbol of strength and provision as a hunter. Many see him as a symbol of fertility and life, a symbol that carries prominently into his worship by Wiccans. To Wiccans, Cernunnos or any form of the Horned God or male diety, plays a part in both life and death. His cycle of birth, aging, death, and rebirth acts as a symbol for the passing of the seasons.
Cernunnos is often associated with the Greek god Pan and potentially has connections to the English folklore figure Herne the Hunter. His name and image span centuries and various traditions and clans. Worship of him is still active today as it is with any god.
Personally, I see Cernunnos as a king. He is a predator who embodies strength and power. Cernunnos, however, does not only reach out to the strong. Though his home is the forests and nature, he is willing to meet you where you are. Cernunnos came to me at a time when I was weak and uncertain of myself. He is a hunter, true, but he is a protector. And I don't think that gets talked about enough. People talk about his strength and affinity to nature, but they don't mention how he is sometimes drawn to those who feel they do not have strength.
One thing that I read about Cernunnos mentioned he was dominant. I don't think that is wrong. But I think there is more to it than that. Something people don't mention with dominants is their desire to protect their submissive. It isn't just about control. Control is a key aspect of any dominant and submissive relationship, but with control there has to be a sense of safety. If you trust someone you give them control. Cernunnos calls for trust. And when you give him that trust, he, in turn, grants protection, sometimes when you don't even realize you need it.
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