Book: Dictionary of Ancient Deities

[53rdspirit]

Hello All.

There seems to be a lot of discussion of late about deities in the forums. I recently came across (and ended up purchasing) a book that may be of interest to some. It is the Dictionary of Ancient Deities by Patricia Turner and Charles Russell Coulter, published by Oxford University Press (2001). This reference book contains 608 pages with over 10,000 entries that include "not only gods and goddesses, but also spirits, places, festivals, rituals, sacred texts and objects, heroes, monsters, demigods, and the plethora of fantastic mythical beasts that have populated the human imagination from time immemorial."

Further, the publisher: "The encyclopedia also includes many deities often missing from standard collections, notably from Inuit, Native American, and African cultures. Alphabetically arranged entries provide the name of each deity (with alternate spellings), followed by the tribe or culture that worshiped the deity. Most importantly, the entries--whether brief descriptions or longer essays--offer lucid and engaging explanations of the origins and functions of the god or goddess. With a comprehensive index and an extensive bibliography. The Dictionary of Ancient Deities is the best choice for anyone intrigued by the rich pantheon of divine beings that have mirrored the human psyche and shaped our earliest civilizations."

In a review of the book, it was noted (as so above as well) that some of the entries are not long but they are an excellent "starting place."--this I would agree for those of us who hold interest in research (like myself) or those seeking their own.

After I actually receive the book and have had a spot of time to go through it, I will tell you what I personally think of the book; but, I thought, until then, with all the discussion of deity, there may be others here that would like to check it out for themselves or, perhaps, already have the book and would like to offer comment.

Regards,
53rdspirit
_________________
Are there such beings as witches now? We hear of none. --Then the last grand question, to which a secret of some importance is attached--What has become of them? Demonologia, JSF, 1827

[Nabu]

Thanks 53rdspirit for the offer, I for one would be interested in your take on it,sounds chock full of info.Since joining these forums I have learned of a great many things,even the presence of a greater anount of Gods/Deities that may be there for my benifit / destruction as well as others who pursue these individuals .I"ll be on the look out for your thoughts on this book.

Nabu

[mrsrogers]

Indeed it looks quite interesting 53rd. Please let us know what you think of it? Perhaps I can acquire it through interlibrary loan.

[thirteenfury]

Sounds fairly decent so far. I'll check it out on Amazon.com and see what I think of it for myself. However, do please share your thoughts.
_________________
"Up the airy mountain
Down the rushy glen
We daren't go a-hunting
For fear of little men."
William Allingham

[QuercusRobur]

53rd, in my experience the Oxford publications say that there are no deities in Ireland*, so can you please check the book for Irish deities and get back to me?

*They do this in the Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology under the "deities" entry, but the author has managed to mention that various personages are deities.
_________________
"History is just a myth that has been written down" Napoleon Bonaparte

[53rdspirit]

Greetings QuercusRobur.

The book came the other day, but it took me a bit to just sit down and type out some examples from the 48 entries for Irish deity in the index, with some listed as (Celtic, Irish) and some listed as just (Irish). I have listed some condensed examples:

Aeracura (Celtic, Irish, Greek)
It is possible that Aeracura was a forerunner of Dis Pater. In ancient mythology she was thought to be an earth deity and is identified with the god of fields, trees and forests, Silvanus. She is also known as the Celtic earth mother of the Rhine Valley. Aeracura is shown with a basket of fruit or a horn of plenty. See also Dis; Dis Pater; Silvanus.

Aine (Irish)
Aine was known as the Irish goddess of love and thought by some to be a moon goddess, fertility goddess and goddess of cattle. She is variously called the sister of Aillen and daughter of the fertility Eogabal, or the sister of Fenne (Fennen) and daughter of Eogabal. Eogabal in this version was a king of the Tuatha de Danann, and Aine was the wife of Gerold, the Earl of Desmond. Their child was Earl Fitzgerald. A variation on this theme is that Gerold Iarla (Earl Gerald of Desmond) came upon Aine bathing in a river and raped her. Gerald, a magician of repute, turned into a goose and disappeared, although others say that Aine killed him with her magical powers. He is said to live in the waters of Loch Gur. Every seven years he makes an appearance mounted on a white horse which trots around the perimeter. In another rendition, Aine is known as the wife and daughter of Manannan Mac Llyr. A feast, Midsummer Night, was held in her honor. Farmers waved straw torches over the fields and cattle to insure replenishment. In later times, as Aine, she was worshiped as a fairy queen in South Munster. Aine is sometimes identified with Dana, and she has been said to be identical to Anu. See also Anu; Dana; Manannan Mac Llyr.

Amergin Amairgen, Amairgin, Amhairghin (Celtic)
A divine judge, a bard, and a shape-changer, Amergin was one of the leaders of the Milesian conquerors of Ireland, etc.

Aoife (Irish) Also known as Aeife, Aife.

Arawn (Celtic, Irish)

Badb Catha (Celtic, Irish) Also known as Badb, Badhbh, Battle Raven, Cauth Bodva (War Fury--Gaul), Morrigu (possibly)

Baltein (Celtic, Irish) See Beltine.

Banbha (Celtic, Irish) Also known as Banba. Death goddess...

Bith and Birren (Irish) This couple, similar to Adam and Even, survived a deluge. They were the parents of Cessair (q.v.)

Boand (Celtic, Irish) see Boann

Boann (Celtic, Irish) Also known as Boand, Boannan, Buan. Mother deity. River nymph. Boann is the goddess or priestess of the Boyne River in eastern Ireland, who, by hwer union with Dagda. became the mother of Angus, Bodb, Brigit, Mider, and Ogma. ...

Caer Ibormeith (Celtic, Irish) See Angus.

Caer Yewberry (Celtic, Irish) See Angus.

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Is there anyone in particular you are looking for, QuercusRobur? I am not familiar with Irish deity so I do not know if what I take from the book is helpful to you or not.

I purchased the book primarily to have at least a vague understanding of what others are talking about when they refer to certain names or when I am reading old text (many times, I say to myself--"who is THAT?" and "what is their function?").

Regards,
53rdspirit
_________________
Are there such beings as witches now? We hear of none. --Then the last grand question, to which a secret of some importance is attached--What has become of them? Demonologia, JSF, 1827

[QuercusRobur]

Thanks for that 53rd. There wasn't anyone I was particularly looking for, I just wanted to verify that they'd included Irish deities.

I don't think I'll get it, as from what you've typed out the entries don't have much in them.

Take the entry about Aine. Yes, I agree with what they say, but there's no mention about the customs that went on till the late 19th century which were held at Knockainey (the hill of Aine) or that the Eoghanacht claim her as their ancestress.

If you're wanting to have a snapshot of a deity that someone on a forum is talking about, then it looks like a good book from what you've typed out.
_________________
"History is just a myth that has been written down" Napoleon Bonaparte

[53rdspirit]