BADB - (Bayv) - Celtic

She is the crone aspect of the tripple goddess, often called "The Fury." Her archetype as a war goddess was particulary strong. She is also part of the dreaded Morrigan, a triplicity of crone Goddesses associated with death, distruction, and battle. She islinked with the death faerie, the banshee, who is seen as washing the armor of soilders who would perish in the upcomming battle. A daughter of Ernmoas, she is also called the "one who boils," as in bioling the otherworld cauldron of death and rebirth which she presides over, deciding the fate of those who have passed over into its great cosmic mix. It will be Badb who will cause the end of earthly time when she lets the cauldron boil over, engulfing the planet in a great wasteland. Call on Badb at Samhain to aid you with spirit contact and to learn of past lives. She corresponds with the carrion crow, the staff, seythe, bloodstones, apples, and The Tower tarot card.

BALDER - (AKA - Baldur, Baldr) - Norse

Second son of Odin and Frigga, husband of Nanna and father of Forseti (God of Justice and Conciliation). Balder had no faults, or grudges and is often seen as a shining young hero, embodying the hope of an Age. No evil or unclean thing was permitted in his mansion in the sky, called Breidablikto. Balder dreamed one night that he was in danger, and told the council of Asgaard of this dream. Frigga, his mother, then travelled the Nine Worlds asking that all things not harm her son, but she neglected the mistletoe, thinking it was too small and weak to do him any harm. All the Gods, feeling safe that no harm could come to him, began to throw things at Balder in fun. Loki was not amused at Balder's immunity to harm and went to Frigga disguised as an old woman. After gaining Frigga's trust, Frigga told Loki the only thing she hadn't gotten an oath of non-harm from was a shoot of Mistletoe. Loki then went out in search of this shoot of Mistletoe, and took it to the Gods (who were still amusing themselves by throwing things at Balder). Loki gave the mistletoe to Balder's blind brother, Hod, and guided it towards Balder. Balder fell to the ground, dead. Inconsolate after Balder's death, Frigga sent a messenger to Hel to ask for his return. Hel answered she'd return Balder if everything would weep for him. Only one old hag, who some think was Loki, some think was a Giantess named Thokk (Thanks), and others identify as Hel herself, refused to shed a tear. So Balder yet stays in Hel's realm, waiting for Ragnarok, when he and Hod will return to inherit Odin's seat.

Banbha - (BAHN-na) - Celtic

A warrior goddess who protected Ireland from invaders, and one in a triplicity with Eire and Fodhla, who is the earth aspect whose name means, "land unplowed for a year." She was a gifted magician and, as such went out to meet the Milesian invaders when they first came to Ireland. Her mission was to keep them from taking over.She tried to impress them with her magic, but they ignored her. Banbha can enhance qualities of leadership, teach us to keep memories alive, and bless earth magic.

BANSHEE - (Bean Sidhe , 'Woman Fairy') - Irish.

Attached to old Irish families ('the O's and the Mac's'), she can be heard keening sorrowfully near the house when a member of the family is about to die. Still very much believed in, and heard.

Bast - (Bastet) - Egyptian

Goddess and Protector of Cats. Symbolizes the Moon as a Swelling Womb. Goddess of Pleasure, Music, Dancing and Joy.

BEAN-NIGHE - ('Washing Woman') - Scottish and Irish.

Haunts lonely streams washing the bloodstained garments of those about to die.

BEBO - Celtic

A faerie woman whose affair with King Ulster made the regionprosper. Ask her aid in prosperity or fertility rites, to bless animal, crop, or human reproduction, or honor her at Harvest Sabbats.

BEFANA - ('Epiphany')

Italian Witch Fairy who flies her broomstick on Twelfth Night to come down chimneys and bring presents to children.

BES - Egyptian

God of Music, Luck, Love and Marriage.

BEYLA - servant of Frey, wife of Byggvir.

Her name is thought to be related to a word for "cow", and she the protectress of dairy work; the alternate suggestion is that "Beyla" is related to "bee", so that Beyla and Byggvir might be the givers of mead and ale.

BIA - Greek

"Force". Greek goddess of force, daughter of the Titan Pallas and the underworld goddess Styx. She was the sister of Kratos, the god of strength, as well as of Nike and Zelos. Bia was the constant companion of Zeus. It was she who was made to bind Prometheus as punishment for stealing fire from the gods.

BIDDY EARLY, THE WHITE WITCH OF CLAIRE - Celtic

She was said to have a blue bottle which contained verypowerful magic. Before she died, she tossed it into a lake near the hills where she lived where it still rests today, waiting to be reclaimed. She can be a great aid in all forms of magic. Invoke her when you study Pagan subjects, or when attempting to reclaim lost Pagan arts or Legends. Her correspondances include Blue Grass, the chalice, and the cauldron.

BLAI - (Blee) (Blaw) - Celtic

Ossan's Tuatha mother. She probably reprisents a personal or mascot diety to him, as his earthly mother was Saba. (Compare the relationship between Lugh and Cuchulain.) Today she is known as a Faerie Queen with a burgh of her own in Drumberg. She is a good aid in making faerie contact.

BO DHU - Celtic

The Black Cow Goddess who helped bring fertility to barren Ireland. See Bo Find.

BO FIND - Celtic

Her name means "white cow" and this is how she appeared long ago on the barren and fruitless mass which would become green and verdent. She came from the western sea with her sisters, Bo Dhu and Bo Ruadh. They represent the Tripple Goddess. The Black Cow went to south of Ireland, Red to the North, while she went to find the center. When Bo Find arrives at Tara, she gave birth to twin calves, a male and a female who would feed her people forever. Then she and her sisters retreated back into the sea. Call on her to ward off hunger, bring prosperity and fertility, and honor her at Mabon.

BO RUADH - Celtic

The Red Cow Goddess who helped bring fertility back to Ireland. See Bo Find.

BONA DEA - ('Good Goddess') Roman

Earth Goddess of Fertility, worshipped only by women; even statues of men were covered where her rites took place.

BOREAS - Greek

Greek god of the north wind. According to Hesiod's Theogony, he was of Thracian origin, the son of Eos and Astraeos. He was the father of many famous horses, including those of Ares and Achilles. Boreas incurred the enmity of the Athenians when he abducted Oreithyia, the daughter of King Erechtheus of Athens, whom he made his wife. He was said to have atoned for this deed by sending a storm which destroyed a Persian fleet on its way to attack Athens. In gratitude, the Athenians built a temple dedicated to him, and held a festival in his honour, the Boreasmos.

BRANACH - (BRAN-awh) - Celtic

Crone Goddess linked to forgotten Samhain rituals. Reclaim her at Samhain.

BRI - (Bree) - Celtic

A Queen of the Tuatha De Danaan, considered a burgh-dwelling faerie queen. She is a good aid in making faerie contact.

BRIGHID, BRIGID, BRIGIT, BRIT - Irish

Breo saighead (Fiery Arrow or Power) Often called the Triple Brigid or the Triple Mother. Also Associated with Danu at times. The daughter of the Dagdha. Goddess of the Sacred Flame of Kildare. Goddess of poets, feminine crafts, the hearth, martial arts, healing and inspiration. The White Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. Her Feast is the Major Celtic Festival of Imbolc. She who gives hope and new beginnings. The Celtic Church could not replace her, so they absorbed her as the "foster-mother" of Christ and as St. Brigit, the daughter of the Druid Dougal the Brown. Brigid is very like the Greek Goddess Athena. Direction: North-east, East or South.

BRITOMARTIS - Greek

"Sweet Maid". Virgin huntress goddess of Crete whose cult later merged with that of Artemis. Daughter of Zeus and Carme. King Minos fell in love with her and pursued her until she jumped from a cliff overlooking the sea. In some accounts she survived the fall and was rescued by fishermen, in others she died and it was her corpse that the fishermen retrieved in their nets. In either case she was made immortal by Artemis in reward for her chastity. She was also known as Dictynna (from diktyon = "net"), in token of her retrieval in the fishermen's nets. In Aegina she was associated with Aphaea, a goddess of local importance.