The Celtic Goddess Etain Etain (pronounced 'Ay-deen'), whose name literally means 'Shining One', was a Celtic moon goddess, the second wife of Midir, King of the Underworld. (The Underworld is not 'hell' - the concept of the Underworld predates Christianity by several thousand years. See below for more explanation.)
Midir's first wife, Fuanmach, was jealous of Etain and turned her into a butterfly. Falling into a glass of wine, Etain drowned. She was reborn, interestingly enough in the ways of gods and goddesses, as the daughter of Fuanmach and Midir, and eventually married Eochaid, a fertility god.
Midir challenged Eochaid to a game of chess - winning this game, his demand was that Etain spend half her time in the Underworld, and half her time on earth...
Etain is especially a symbol of fertility, of the vitality and life of all growing things, as well as the cycles of the seasons - (which we understand, since all winemaking is tied to the growing and harvest of the grapes.) (see also 'Persephone' below, a related concept.)
A goddess familiar with both life and death, she teaches that wherever we are, on earth or in the depths of the underworld, we too can be shining.
She is the embodiment of "LightCatcher"...
The Shift from the Otherworld to the Underworld in Northern Europe
Early Celtic religion was polytheistic, nature centered, and administered by a priestly caste called the Druids. The Druids were a major power within the Celtic empire, with all public and private affairs subject to their authority. Before Christianity had spread to these area, there was no hell-like world. Everything non-mortal existed in the Otherworld, which was always located to the west. After the influence of Christianity, the otherworld had been transformed into an underworld, namely to punish and lower the power of the old pagan gods in the eyes of the Northern European peoples. The Celtic Realms as well as their rulers were an important source of legendary underworld culture.
The Celtic underworld, Annwfn, is often called the Kingdom of Shades. It is a series of coexisting realms containing many different life-forms. In addition to housing the souls of the damned, Annwfn includes areas owned by the gods and the benevolent spirits. These different sectors are separated by mountain ranges, rivers and impassable chasms.
In the poem, Preiddeu Annwfn, Annwfn is depicted as a paradise island associated with King Arthur. In search of the Holy Grail, the narrator of this poem, Taliesin (who was a member of an expedition into the land of the Otherworld), provides a descriptive account of Annwfn. The poem relates that Annwfn is divided into three regions, Caer Wydyr, Caer Feddwidd, and Arran or Avalon.
Caer Wydr, also referred to as Nennius, lies within a glass fort. It is not a waste land but it is a gloomy and dark land. Of the three regions, Caer Wydr is considered the most undesirable place to reside after death. In the poem, Taliesin relates that the members of the expedition try to strike up a conversation with the fortress guard, but he said nothing and acted as if they were not there at all. His silence indicated that only lost souls inhabited this land.
Caer Feddwidd, the Fort of Carousal, is ruled by Arianrhod, the Goddess of time, space, and energy. It is also known as Caer Rigor or Caer Siddi. Taliesin reports that there is a mystical fountain of wine in this land which, if drunk from, one will find eternal youth and health.
The third region of Annwfn is Arran or Avalon, and is considered the most divine of the three lands. Arran is based largely on pagan beliefs and hosts the Cauldron of Plenty, which is also linked to the Holy Grail. Avalon is closely associated with the Arthurian legends. These legends relate that only those who are pure, self sacrificing, and spiritual are allowed to enter this region.
All over Northern Europe different legendary Celtic gods or lords ruled the underworld.
According to ancient Gaelic myth, Midir is a benevolent god of the underworld. Midir is a just overlord who does not torture spirits in his kingdom. His realm is a place of tedium and sorrow rather than physical pain. Midir has a magic caldron capable of performing supernatural feats. (However, Midir's daughter betrays him and helps the hero Cuchulain steal the magic cauldron from the underworld...)
Bile is known as the ancient Celtic lord of the dead. He is said to be an evil and vicious god who requires human sacrifices to appease his violent nature. The kingdom of Bile is a vast wasteland of crushed spirits and broken bodies who must pay the deity eternal homage.
Bran is another the lord of the dead in Welsh mythology. His symbol is the raven, an image associated with death and the grave. Bran was a deified mortal who angered the gods, was beheaded, and then banished to the underworld as punishment for his transgressions. Bran's kingdom of the dead is filled with failed heroes who must spend eternity in angst and regret.
In Connaught, Ireland, there was known the Cave of Cruachan and this has been called the gateway to the underworld. In the old legends, Cruachan is a gateway through which dead armies of zombies come to attack the living. Christians updated the tales, claiming that it is through the cave that condemned human souls enter the underworld.
The inhabitants of this Irish realm were also an important part of their legends. The Fomorii are a monstrous race of creatures who dwell far below the sea. The inhabitants of this gloomy underworld are horribly misshapen and deformed. They are ruled by Balor, who has a terrible temper, and often strikes out against his subjects without provocation. Legends vary, but most agree that the Fomorii's evil caused their deformities. In addition, Balor's wrath is punishment for the sins of their past.
Cernunnous, the horned one, is the ancient Celtic god of the underworld and ruler of the dead. Images of the dark sorcerer, etched into cave walls in France, date back to 9000 BC. Cernunnous is portrayed as a horned figure surrounded by fearsome animals. He is also associated with hunting and fertility. Cernunnous became identified with the antichrist (Satan) when Christianity spread to the Celtic regions. After the conversion of Ireland, Cernunnous was increasingly linked with a dark and foul underworld, the dwelling place of evil spirits and souls of the damned.
Gwynn is another Celtic god of the underworld. He is a hunter who preys on souls, claiming then for the underworld, Annwfn. Gwynn is also associated with Fairies, who have also been called the hosts of hell by some Christians.
The Celtic Donn is the Irish underworld god. According to legend, Donn was drowned by the Goddess Eriu after he insulted her. From that point on, he appears in the tales as the keeper of the first guidepost on the journey to the Otherworld. The dead were believed to have briefly visited or passed by his house just after the moment of death. This house is located on an island called Techn Duinn or House of Donn that is southwest of Munster off the coast of Ireland.
Persephone pur SEF oh ne
The Wife of Hades
The beautiful daughter of Demeter and Zeus, Persephone is the focus of the story resulting in the division of the seasons, giving us the sweetness of Spring and the bitterness of Winter. Hades did not woo the beautiful Persephone, he abducted her and took her to his underground kingdom. After much protest, Persephone came to love the cold blooded king of the underworld but her mother, Demeter, was consumed with rage and sorrow. She demonstrated her anger by punishing the earth's inhabitants, gentle and fierce with bitter cold and blustering winds. Unless Persephone was returned of to her mother's side, the earth would perish.
Herakles came to the rescue. He entered the kingdom of Hades and negotiated a compromise between the (usually cold and selfish) Hades and the (usually loving and caring) Demeter. All agreed that Persephone would to spend part of the year with her husband, Hades, and part of the year with her mother, Demeter.
When Persephone is with Hades the earth is wracked by the sorrow of her mother. But, when Persephone returns from the underworld to walk the earth again, Demeter pours forth the blessings of Spring to welcome her beloved daughter home.
FIN