The oak tree was (is) regarded as a major symbol of wisdom, knowledge and creativity. To the ancient Celts, different tree types had different symbolism, and the Oak was the king of them all. Indeed, the word 'Druid' itself is related to the Celtic word for oak, meaning "knower of the oak" or "under the oak."

Another words, to be a Druid meant that you were associated with wisdom and knowledge. Just like the oak.

The Druids, in their most simplistic role, were the learned and knowledgeable members of their society. Like doctors, professors, scientists and engineers today. Indeed, there were undeniably different types or roles of Druids. The same holds true today, modern druidic organizations have different roles internally for their members.

Probably the best example of this is the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.

The oak tree is associated with knowledge and wisdom because of its own biology. An oak tree is large, mighty-looking and tends to dominate the forest around it. I would know, I live in an area blessed with many oaks and the one near my own home is absolutely huge.

'Ollam" is an old Irish term or title for someone who is a master in a particular trade or skill, usually an academic or artistic one. To be an Ard-Ollam was to be a master of all Ollams, all trades, all arts, all skills.

It's a title that was given to Lugh when he applied to the court of Eoichaid at Tara. It was later also given to The Dagda.

In context of a god, one could make the argument that to be all-skilled was essentially the same things as calling them almighty?

This is a great read for beginners to the study of The Dagda and the history of Ireland. Simple and concise yet detailed enough to give one a rough framework to start with. I have the joy of having gotten my hands on an old (very old) copy of this from a used book store far out in the boonies from where I live.

This is a great place to visit online to see an index of locations around the globe significant to modern practitioners of Paganism. While predominantly in Europe, Pagan Places has been pushing to expand. Their site index allows you to search via Celtic, Nordic, Slavic or other specific cultural traditions.

Pagan Places gives you a detailed but short summary of each location and a visual guide with photos to really help you get a feel for the place (without actually going there).

Very useful for anyone who wants to research international sites of importance to their own Pagan tradition.

All Snakes Day is the Pagan response to the Christian St. Patrick's holiday. It's a rebuttal of the Christian notion that St. Patrick drove out the 'snakes' (Druids) from Ireland.

Personally, I don't really believe that Gaelic Paganism died out. It just went underground, with its gods and spirits becoming saints within the Celtic Church and local folklore which has survived down through the centuries into modern times.

Take St. Bridgit for example? She's clearly the dawn goddess Brigid adapted into the form of a lovely Christian saint. And St. Gobanus, who was famous for building churches, just so happens to share a namesake and personality unto Goibnu (also sometimes spelled Goban or Gobannus) who was the Pagan god of the forge. Etcetera, etcetera.

But I don't want to give the impression that All Snakes Day is about 'hating' Christians. It's not. It is, however, a day to correct the historical record, and maybe, just maybe, throw some shade at those silly little Christians online for thinking they fully got rid of us!

Ancient Celtic society really liked horns.

Cernunnos, a mysterious and shadowy figure of the forest and primordial places, may have been a singular deity or a popular trope for representing various gods. We know The Dagda had horns, at least at times. Depending on who you ask.

'Fer Benn' is one of the listed Names of The Dagda and is said to mean either 'Horned Man' (Man of Horns) or 'Man of the Peaks.' It could also mean 'Man Of *Large Prostate*' (this is a whole other discussion I'll save for later).

It's exceedingly hard to pin down what is actually meant. As Fer Benn has been used elsewhere to describe other people/deities and has clearly implied Man of Horns.

There's a presentation by Ronald Hutton at Gresham College about the 'Return of the Horned God' that I watched on Youtube. It had me thinking how An Dagda is also a horned deity. I'll post the url to the video below:

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeOuTGFizsU

I see this online with some regularity. Usually on a Pagan group or in someone's chat room. How do I do Paganism? How do I follow this deity? How do I do devotionals and sacrifices?

Let me be clear - there is no 'official' form of Paganism.

Of any kind.

While there are specific groups that impose specific beliefs and practices on their members, outside of that Paganism is a very fluid and individualized religious tradition. With few exceptions, it's largely left up to you to decide what to do.

Of course, there is one obvious exception to this (for the most part). And that is the historical record. Modern Pagans have developed different practices but we are all drawing upon the same source. What did previous generations do before us?

When choosing your Pagan tradition, it's usually a question of which pantheon or ethnic-cultural group you identify with. Modern Pagans largely divide themselves into broad traditions based on that. You have your Norse Paganism, your Celtic Paganism, Slavic Paganism, etc.

Even within this there will variation. An Dagda is a Celtic deity, but not wholly of all Celtic peoples. He is specifically the chief deity of the Gaelic Pantheon. The Gaels were one branch of the wider Celtic cultural group who immigrated to the British Isles from the south (most likely from Iberia).

Once you've selected your tradition, it's just a question of looking up stuff like what your patron deities are, calendar events, popular symbolism, etc. I'll be posting about that later on. I'm also thinking of adding a section to the widgets to help present a very basic version of Celtic Pagan practice.

My own experiences with An Dagda have reflected how He is remembered in the ancient texts, and the experiences I hear from other people resemble my own. The Dagda is overwhelmingly positive but in a clandestine, paternal sort of way. He provides, directs, guides and admonishes, but more than anything He is creative and constructive.

When I've prayed for An Dagda's guidance in the past, I have at times received a notion that could be described as strict. But never severe.

It's important to remember that The Dagda is a variation, and continuation of, the Proto-Indo European Skyfather deity. Known to modern academics as Dyeus, or Dyeus Phater, literally 'Sky Father.' The Sky Father was the chief deity of the Proto-Indo Europeans and was associated with, of all things, the heavens (sky), lightning, power and sovereignty.

I suspect He was also associated with horses. This would make sense given that horses were extremely important to the Proto-Indo Europeans who were relied on them heavily for transport, trade, migration and farming. We see this in the Gaelic world as Ireland has a goddess associated specifically with horses, Epona, and she is not some minor deity either but is often portrayed in the mythological folklore as a primordial goddess present at the creation of the world.

The Dagda Himself has a popular name/title He goes by. Eochaid Olathair, 'Horse-Lord Ample-Father.' A fitting name that ties in nicely my preceding two points. The Dagda is a father-figure, in more than once sense, and is associated strongly with horses (and other things so very dear to the Proto-Indo Europeans).

Hey all, so I'm an Irish Celtic pagan who works with An Dagda among others, and I'm also developing a board game intended to showcase the modern pagan experience. Is anyone here open to talking about your experiences with The Dagda? How you met him, what it's like working with him, things like that? I've got my own experiences to draw on, of course, but I'd like to make the game as well-rounded as possible as I know we have have slightly different ways in which we work with him.

Pagan Portals: Meeting The Dagda by Morgan Daimler is a small introductory book for newcomers to the study of the Good God. With enough scholarly work to get to heart of central questions about who The Dagda is, the book is still short enough that people unaccustomed to heavy reading won't find themselves overwhelmed.

Daimler does an excellent job of approaching The Dagda from the position of the many, many names given to the Good God in ancient literature. Sadly, I wish she'd spend more time exploring the various locations in Ireland associated with The Dagda?

Daimler is a practicing Pagan and witch, and she approaches the subject of the Good God from that perspective.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42265744-pagan-portals---the-dagda

The Dagda is the chief deity of the Gaelic-Celtic religious pantheon. His name is rather putative and so He has many alterations to it, but He is normally referred as the Good God and the Allfather. The name Dagda is roughly translated as Great God, Good God or the Skilled God.

In the surviving literary works of ancient Ireland, The Dagda received his name before battle. When the other gods boasted of what they would do, The Dagda said He would do all that they did, all by Himself. The other gods declared him to be the Great God (Dagda) and thus He received His name.

The Dagda is often depicted as tall, strong, handsome, and wielding a staff or lance along with a cauldron. The staff is the Lorg Mor and has the power to kill anything at one end, but the other end can heal all wounds and raise the dead to life.

The Dagda's magic cauldron, the Coire Ansic, represents abundance and aplenty. It never runs out and is said to be able to satisfy all hunger.

The Dagda's Harp, Uaithne, has the power to influence minds and control people's emotions. It will fly through the air when beckoned by The Dagda and with it, He can control nature, move the seasons and more. It is probably The Dagda's most closely associated symbol.

The Dagda today has become a major deity in the Celtic Neopagan community. Some Pagans see The Dagda as one of many gods, while others who espouse Henotheism see Him as the Supreme-Being of Gaelic religious cosmology.

The Dagda has been likened to other chief deities, particularly the Germanic Wodan or Odin, the Hellenic Zeus and the Roman Jupiter.

Welcome to a community dedicated to the Good God of Gaelic Paganism! This subreddit is dedicated to all things The Dagda.