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Belenos, later known as Beli Mawr (the Great), was the Celtic God ofthe Sun, representing the curative powers of the Sun?s heat. Hisfestival of Beltane, when bonfires were lit to welcome in the Summerand encourage the Sun?s warmth, was held on May 1st, and is rememberedin today's May Day festivities. His symbols were the horse (as shown,for example, by the clay horse figurine offerings at Belenos?Sainte-Sabine shrine in Burgundy), and also the Wheel (as illustratedon the famous Gundestrup Cauldron). Perhaps, like Apollo, whom hebecame identified with, Belenos was thought to ride the Sun across thesky in a horse-drawn chariot. Indeed, a Celtic model horse and wagon,carrying a gilded sun-disc, has been found at Trundholm in Denmark.Sometimes he is illustrated riding a single horse, throwingthunder-bolts (hence an occasional identification with Jupiter) andusing his symbolic radiating wheel as a shield, as he tramples thechthonic forces of a snake-limbed giant. This personification issimilar to the classic depiction of the Archangel St. Michaeldefeating the Devil. Sacred pagan hills associated with Belenos, arethought to have had their dedications transferred to this saint (orsometimes St. George) by the early Christians. Well known examplesinclude St. Michael?s Mount (Cornwall) and the churches of St. Michaelon Brent Tor (Devon), and Burrow Mump and Glastonbury Tor (Somerset):All on a supposed ley line that faces the Rising Sun at Beltane. Hemay also have been worshipped on Dragon Hill below the great UffingtonWhite Horse in Berkshire. It has been suggested the Welsh form of hisname, Beli Mawr, lived on into Arthurian romance as King Pellinore ofListinoire.
Karl-Heinz
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