Also called Taranus, Tanarus, Jupiter Tanarus.
Their story
The Roman poet Lucan names Taranis among three cruel gods of Gaul, with Teutates and Esus. His name contains the Celtic word for thunder, and he is often linked with the many small spoked-wheel amulets and with images of a sky god holding a wheel and a thunderbolt. In Britain an altar at Chester was dedicated to Jupiter Tanarus in the year 154.
Best times to give to them
- during thunderstorms (watched safely from indoors)
- Midsummer
- Calan Mai
What they like being given
- a wheel drawn or woven from straw
- bread
- rainwater collected in a bowl and poured on the earth
How to honour them
- Watch a storm safely from indoors and give thanks for its power.
- Make a small spoked wheel from twigs or straw for your altar.
- Ask for steadiness when life feels stormy.
How they can help you
- courage
- respect for natural power
- clearing the air after conflict
Symbols
- the spoked wheel
- the thunderbolt
- the oak
Lucan was a hostile Roman writer, and how widely Taranis was worshipped is uncertain; few inscriptions name him.
Sources
- Lucan, Pharsalia I
- RIB 452 (Chester)
- Green, Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend
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