Sucellus - A Gaulish God

A short series of Celtic Gods and Goddesses

He is usually portrayed as a middle-aged bearded man wearing a wolf-skin, with a long-handled hammer, or perhaps a beer barrel suspended from a pole. His companion Nantosuelta is sometimes depicted alongside him. When together, they are accompanied by symbols associated with prosperity and domesticity.

Sucellus is a Gaulish deity worshipped across much of Western Europe, particularly in the areas of modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland and northern Italy. He is often depicted as an elderly bearded man holding a hammer and an axe, and is associated with a number of other tools and weapons.

Sucellus was first mentioned by the Roman writer Julius Caesar, who wrote about him in his Commentaries on the Gallic War in 52 BCE. Caesar described Sucellus as a god of artisans and craftsmen, claiming that he "was held in great honour as the inventor of all sorts of mechanical arts." He also noted that Sucellus was one of the most popular gods worshipped by the Gauls, particularly in the regions of France and Belgium.

In modern-day Europe, Sucellus is still remembered and venerated as a deity of craftsmanship and skill. He is typically invoked by artisans and craftsmen to bring success in their work and to guard them from misfortune. Sucellus is also seen as a god of abundance and fertility, and his symbols are often seen in the form of tools or weapons used for hunting and farming.

Sucellus is usually depicted as an old bearded man, dressed in a hooded robe and with a long beard. He is usually represented with a hammer and an axe in his hands, as well as other tools and weapons. A common motif associated with Sucellus is a wheel or a wagon, which symbolizes his protection of artisans and craftsmen.

The worship of Sucellus dates back centuries and there is evidence that he was venerated as early as the 4th century BCE. In more recent times, Sucellus has been given a resurgence in popularity, thanks to his association with the Celtic Revival and Neopagan movements. He is still invoked as a protector of craftsmanship and is said to bring good luck and success in work. As such, Sucellus is a powerful deity to invoke for a successful working life.

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