CERNUNNOS
Cernunnos is one of that somewhat difficult group of deities that has no directly attributed recorded story. This makes understanding the way that He was understood and connected with other deities difficult. We can however look to what historical evidence that we do have, and bring to this our collective personal experiences, so as to establish a more complete picture than we would otherwise have.
Here then, I will put forward some of what is known from the historical record. I will then share my own (somewhat nebulous) experiences. I would also invite anyone who has a particular experience/story/perspective that they are willing to share to do so.
A VERY BRIEF HISTORICAL INSIGHT
The best known image that we have to date of Cernunnos comes from an image found on the Gundestrup cauldron. This ornate silver vessel was found in Denmark in 1891, and there is considerable dispute as to the actual meaning of the decorations found upon it.
If you are interested, Wikipedia has a nice piece on it here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundestrup_cauldron
Regardless of the precise interpretation of the artwork upon it, we can see without dispute that there is a horned male figure, sitting cross-legged in a place of prominence. This figure holds a torque (a Celtic symbol of power and authority) in one hand, a horned serpent in the other, and is surrounded by animals. A few things that we can especially notice is the way in which his pose is reminiscent of the ‘Buddhist’ meditation poses, and the similarity with the ‘Lord of the Animals’ images from other civilizations.
This is however not the only image that we have of this figure. The oldest image that we in fact have is to be found at the mysterious site of Val Carmonica. Here, we see a horned figure, robed with arms uplifted as in the cauldron image, but standing and robed. This site is not only ancient, but has an air of mystery surrounding it, with some even claiming extraterrestrial origins.
Finally, we can consider the body of Celtic stories that are often connected with Cernunnos in some way. From the sightings of Herne on His wild hunt around Windsor, to Cernwn, the formidable Lord of the Forest in the Mabinogi. In these stories, He is known for his beneficence, yet has something of a foreboding nature, being as associated with death as with life.
Regardless though of the various ways in which this complex being is associated with other cultures and beliefs, we see in image after image symbols of life and fertility, as well as of wisdom and the underworld. For those who want to investigate further these images, and some of the thoughts concerning them, these links may prove useful:
http://www.celtnet.org.uk/gods_c/cernwn.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cernunnos
http://www.ceisiwrserith.com/therest/Cernunnos/cernunnospaper.htm
http://www.berkshirehistory.com/legends/herne02.html
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
My own experiences are difficult to put into words, but I think that even a few clumsily expressed insights might help to pull together what is a confusing body of literature.
I am not sure when I first connected with Cernunnos. Having a strong and enduring connection with the Lady of the Lake, I am sure that He came into my life through Her connection with Him. As such, I seem to remember that I gradually became aware of Him as a deep presence that often traveled with Her, but that was less expressive than She. This I soon realized was not because He was less able, or had less to share, but rather because He is few of words, that He communicates through His presence, not ideas.
For those that are more used to traditional Gods like the Christian, Buddhist or Muslim deities, His energy is in fact not only different to that of many Goddesses, but to that of most Gods. He is distinctly shamanic – not ruling over the earth, but rather a part of it. As such, He is the defender and co-creator of the material realm. He joins with The Mother at Beltaine, and descends to the underworld at Lughnasadh. This process of death and rebirth is distinctly sexual, and those who seek to connect with Him need to be ready for the fires in their belly to burn. This may sound like a heap of fun, but without a safe outlet, hedonism in our culture is not always safe.
If then you seek to get to know this amazing and enthralling being for yourself, I suggest that it be done with the utmost respect and care. Don’t simply seek Him out because He sounds like fun. Be prepared for the most intimate realisation that sexual energy is about death and rebirth. Be ready to be brought into a closer, more harmonious relationship with the Earth, or be prepared to face Him as Her defender, and be prepared for the fact that not all that is known can be expressed in words.
For those that accept this, and want to seek Him out, then go to the wild places. To bush land and forest, rivers and gullies. Open your awareness to Him…Let Him approach you. Allow your experience to be personal – don’t always look for, or take others to buffer your experience. Recognise that doing so is risky – and so, know yourself, know your limits – don’t go bushwalking on your own if you are not ready for the fact that doing so can leave you with a snakebite that you have to deal with on your own!!!!
If this is too much, then simply create sacred space in an environment that you know will not be disturbed. Take up His cross legged position, and, either drum rapidly, or have someone else do so (which would enable you to also take up His raised arm position). An incense mix could be used, I usually put together something like Mistletoe, Mandrake, Oak bark, Dragons blood, with a few drops of cinnamon and clove oil to make a mix that burns well.
Good Luck to all who seek Him.
Ddedwydd bod
Gwyn
November 2006
