The ancestral Wolf Guardian and power Spirit

[Ghillie Dhu]

Celtic Mythology and Lore

Within Celtic Mythology the wolf was revered as the companion of Cerridwen, goddess of the Moon and fertility. The wolf was also one of the four sacred animals of the goddess Brighid. Further to this, the wolf has the status of being one of the totem guardians of Britain.

Within Celtic belief, the wolf ruled over the winter quarter of the year. From Samhain (Halloween) to Imbolc, festival of the Goddess, Brighid. This festival takes place in February—this month was known to the Celts as Faoilleach, the month of the wolf. This time of year was equated with death and purification. Death had to occur in order that life could not only continue, but be re-born. Therefore, death did not have the gloomy and hopeless associations that it has for many of us today. People did grieve when they lost a loved one, but there was also joy and celebration that their spirit was free and living a better life.

"The gaze of the wolf reaches into our soul."

— Barry Lopez

But the wolf was not only the companion of goddesses. The Celtic gods as well had the wolf as their symbol. In particular the Celtic horned god, Cernunnos, Lord of the Animals. In many Celtic works of art, including the Gundestrup Cauldron, Cernunnos can be seen with one or more wolf companions.

The Arthurian figure Merlin was also associated with wolves. In the period of his life when he was living as a hermit, he took with him as a companion, an old grey wolf. I mention Merlin here due to an interesting association. That Merlin, along with the wolf is, viewed as one of the ancestral guardians of Britain. Not only that, but as with the horned god Cernunnos, Merlin was also called, Lord of the Animals and Lord of the Earth.

Celtic god Cernunnos - Lord of the Animals | Source

The Morrigan who often took the form of a wolf, crow, eel and cow. | Source

Stone engraving of Cernunnos, Lord of the Animals. The wolf was sacred to the Celtic peoples. | Source

Wolf Knowledge and Lore

• The Benign and helpful Werewolf: The Wulver is traditionally associated with Shetland off the North Coast of Scotland. This creature has the body of a man and the head of a wolf. He would most often be seen sitting at the edge of a loch or river catching fish. Later the fish would be left as a gift for the local people.
• Gaelic: The wolf has many names within both Irish and Scottish Gaelic. Some of the most common are - Mac Tire - this means 'son of the earth' or 'son of the countryside'. Madadh Alluidh - means 'wild dog'. It is believed that the Celts may have bred wolves with their own hunting dogs in order to breed a super hound that could be used in battle. The name Conor is anglicised from the name Conchobhar - this means both wolf lover and dog lover and was the name taken by many Kings of Ulster.
• The Talking Wolf: In 1182 a priest was on the road in Ireland, travelling from Ulster to Meath. He suddenly met a wolf and was astonished when it began to speak. The wolf's human ancestors had been cursed and every seven years they were doomed to turn into werewolves. The wolf went onto explain that his wife was now dying and pleaded with the priest to intervene on her behalf. This priest did so and was able to lift the curse. The grateful wolf accompanied the priest and ensured he reached the city of Meath in safety.
• Celtic Hero Cormac mac Airt: This hero of Celtic mythology was raised by wolves and so was able to communicate with them in their language. For the rest of his life, Cormac was always seen accompanied by at least four wolf companions. Whether in battle or at rest, the wolves were never far from his side.
• The Morrigan or Morrigan: This is one of the tripartite goddesses of war, death, and destruction. She has three distinct aspects and personalities. She is sometimes known collectively as The Morrigan. Alternatively, she has three separate names; Morrigan, Macha, and Badb. One of the goddesses companion animals was the wolf. In battle, she was often seen as a hooded crow or in wolf form. She would frequently take the form of a red-furred wolf when testing and chasing the Celtic hero Cu-Chulainn.
• Tuatha de Danan: (The approximate pronunciation sounds like Too ha day dah-nan ). The translation basically means 'people of the goddess Danu. But other translations describe them more like a tribe or clan. They were regarded as a clan of deities and superheroes. Dagda is one of the best known. They were skilled in the arts, science, poetry as well as magical and mystical knowledge. After being eventually defeated, the Dananns retreated into the Underworld and the magical 'land of youth' - Tir na n-Og. Through magic, this secret world was kept hidden from the eyes of mortals. The Tuatha de Danan are shapeshifters, able to move between a human-like appearance and a wolf.