Also called Belinus, Apollo Belenus, Belenos.
Their story
Belenus was one of the most widely honoured Celtic gods, with many inscriptions at Aquileia in north-east Italy, where the historian Herodian says he was the city's protector during a siege in 238. The poet Ausonius wrote of a family of temple officials of Belenus at Bayeux. He was often identified with Apollo as a god of healing.
Best times to give to them
- Bealtaine or Calan Mai
- Midsummer
- at sunrise
What they like being given
- clean spring water
- a candle lit at dawn
- bread
- yellow flowers
How to honour them
- Greet the sunrise and ask for health for yourself and others.
- Keep a bowl of fresh water on your altar and change it daily.
How they can help you
- healing
- energy and vitality
- protection
Symbols
- the sun
- healing springs
- the horse
The popular link between Belenus and the Irish festival of Bealtaine is possible but unproven.
Sources
- Herodian, History of the Empire VIII
- Ausonius, Commemoratio Professorum Burdigalensium
- CIL V (Aquileia)
More Celtic gods
- The Dagda The good god, father of all
- Lugh Master of all the arts
- Cernunnos The antlered one of the wild
- Manannán mac Lir Lord of the sea and the Otherworld
- Aengus The young god of love
- Nuada The king with the silver hand
- Dian Cécht Physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Goibniu Smith of the gods and brewer of the feast