Merry Meet

One of my very favorite goddesses is from the Celtic pantheon. Her name is Epona, which comes from a Gaulish word meaning “horse.” Much of what we know of Epona has actually trickled through Roman writings and histories. Technically speaking, various groups of ancient people actually worshiped or recognized Epona, but in present use and cultural acceptance, she remains associated with a Celtic tradition and its culture.

Always a protector in the eyes of her people, Epona was eventually embraced by the Romans as overseer of the Roman cavalry. In various ancient cultures, fertility was associated with horses, so this is a somewhat organic role for Epona. Epona is usually depicted with fair skin and dark hair, often presenting the harvest. She is usually somewhat voluptuous, further representing fertility. Like many female deities, she was at some point in history associated with devil or demon-like creatures, and worship of her was frowned upon.

In modern Ireland and the neo-pagan world, Epona is frequently represented in the below Celtic design, incorporating three horses in a female trinity fertility symbol.

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