Nemetona – Celtic Goddess of Healing and Sacred Groves

Nemetona was the Celtic goddess of healing and sacred groves among the Celts in Britain, France and Germany. The Nemetes in the Rhineland were the tribe most associated with Nemetona during the Iron Age and era of the Roman Empire.

Nemetona was derived from nemeton which means “sacred groves”. Other interpretations of Nemetona include “she of the sacred grove” and “goddess of the shrine”.

Sacred groves were feared and respected places as the abode of the Celtic deities. Only the druids could enter and leave the sacred groves without angering the gods and goddesses of the Otherworld.

The druids spent a great deal of their time in sacred groves communing with the gods of nature and tree spirits. They regarded oak trees as the most mystical of all the tree species. Oak trees were enchanted entrances or gateways, to the Otherworld through which the deities travelled to the mortal realm.

Shrines were made in the clearings of sacred groves. The druids performed rituals at the shrines in an attempt to appease and win the favour of the gods and goddesses.

Nemetona protected both the shrines and the sacred groves in the woods and forests of France, Britain and Germany.

The Nemetes were a Germanic tribe who claimed Nemetona as their divine ancestor. There is evidence that Nemetona was venerated in the territory of the Nemetes in Germany.

Nemetona was honoured as a goddess of a healing spring near Altrip near Spires in Germany. The sacred spring was located in a sacred grove dedicated to Nemetona.

Five inscriptions mentioned Nemetona with Mars, the Roman god of war, in Trier in Germany. A similar inscription was discovered in Altrip.

An inscription to Nemetona was discovered on an altar at the healing spring dedicated to Sulis. Loucetios Mars, the Celtic god of lightning, was also venerated as the divine consort of Nemetona. Loucetios may have been transformed into a god of healing as the companion of the goddess.

Oak trees were often revered in sacred groves in the Celtic world. They are particularly susceptible to lightning strikes during storms. The connection between Nemetona as a goddess of sacred groves and Loucetios, the Celtic god of lightning, may reflect the presence of a sky god among the shrines of the druids in woods and forests.

Nemhain, the Celtic goddess of wars, battles and death, in Ireland may be another incarnation of Nemetona. Warriors often guarded the shrines in sacred groves and other natural places.

The legends of Ireland portrayed Nemhain as a beautiful warrior goddess who lived a
promiscuous lifestyle. The battle cry of Nemhain could instil such dread that a hundred men or more died of fear.

Nemhain means “frenzy” as she caused havoc among her enemies during battles.

The Irish chieftains and warriors called on Nemhain in the midst of battles as she was responsible for panicking and confusing their foes.

For more information on Loucetios and the Celtic gods and goddesses of Britain, Ireland and Europe, please visit
http://celtsandmyths.mzzhost.com/index.html