My relationship with the Celtic gods has been a complicated one over the years; they have not always been a steady presence in my life, but they have been a strong one. I’ve found them to be, on the whole, pretty direct and not inclined to waste a lot of time or effort where it isn’t needed.

Today I’m adding a Celtic section to my shop; the section includes beads made for Irish, Welsh and Gaulish deities. Each set consists of a total of twelve beads. There are three sets of three beads on the loop, signifying the realms of earth, sea and sky, each set separated by a knotwork spacer bead; the loop is approximately 11″ (28cm) in circumference and is joined by a pendant representing the deity. Each set comes with a prayer to the deity the beads were created for, although you can, of course, use the beads with any prayers, or for any god or gods, that you choose or that resonate with you.

Brigid is an Irish goddess of poetry, crafts and healing. This set of beads for Brigid is made with 10mm warm orange fire-polished Czech glass beads with an aurora finish, and features a Brigid’s cross, an ancient emblem of the goddess. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

The Dagda is an Irish god of protection and abundance. This set of beads for the Dagda is made with 10mm mossy green fire-polished Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the god: a club made from jasper. The Dagda carried a club with which he could kill nine opponents at once, or return the dead to life. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Lugh is an Irish god, master of all arts and skills. This set of beads for Lugh is made with 10mm golden yellow fire-polished Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the god: a spearhead. Lugh was well known for his skillful wielding of a mighty spear. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Medb (Maeve) is an Irish goddess of sovereignty, sexuality and intoxication. This set of beads for Medb is made with 10mm rosy gold-colored fire-polished Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the goddess: a heart. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

The Morrigan is an Irish goddess of war, death and sovereignty. This set of beads for the Morrigan is made with 10mm deep red fire-polished Czech glass beads flecked with black, and features a symbol representing the goddess: the raven. The Morrigan often takes the form of the raven or crow. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Nuada is an Irish god of battle and kingship. This set of beads for Nuada is made with 10mm metallic silver Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the goddess: a hand, a reminder of the silver hand worn by Nuada when his own hand was cut off in battle. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Cerridwen is a Welsh goddess, the holder of the cauldron of inspiration. This set of beads for Cerridwen is made with 10mm brown and green Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the goddess: a cauldron. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Rhiannon is a Welsh goddess of magic and abundance. This set of beads for Rhiannon is made with 10mm bright blue Czech glass beads with an aurora finish, and features a symbol representing the goddess: a bird, reminding us of the goddess’ birds, which had the power to wake the dead and lull the living to sleep. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Belenos (Belenus) is a Gaulish god of the sun. This set of beads for Belenos is made with 10mm coppery bronze Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the god: the sun You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Cernunnos is a Gaulish god of nature and beasts. This set of beads for Cernunnos is made with 10mm mottled green Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the god: an antler. Cernunnos was often depicted in art with horns or antlers. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Nantosuelta is a Gaulish goddess of fertility, abundance, and the arts of the homestead. This set of beads for Nantosuelta is made with 10mm mossy green Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the goddess: the honeycomb, appropriate for a goddess of earthly abundance. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Rosmerta is a Gaulish goddess of prosperity and abundance. This set of beads for Rosmerta is made with 10mm honey-colored Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the goddess: the cornucopia, appropriate for a goddess of abundance. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Sucellus is a Gaulish god of fertility, agriculture and wine. This set of beads for Sucellus is made with 10mm green and purple Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the god: a wine barrel. Sucellus was often depicted in art carrying such a barrel. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

Taranis is a Gaulish god of thunder, fertility and protection. This set of beads for Taranis is made with 10mm deep red Czech glass beads, and features a symbol representing the god: a wheel. Taranis was often depicted in art carrying such a wheel. You can find them here at my Etsy shop.

The gods of the Celts, particularly in Gaul, did not typically comprise a solid pantheon; while some were known throughout Gaul, many more were worshipped mainly within a particular region.

I hope to add to this section in the future–if there are any deities you think I should pay particular attention to, please let me know!

(Also, please note that when I describe a deity as “god of” something, it’s only for the sake of simplicity and does not mean that’s all there is to that deity. All gods are complex entities with a wide range of abilities and interests.)