More Cernunnos - was (Celtic ?) Graveyard at Hogwarts

[fiondavhar]

No: HPFGUIDX 99843

 
> Eustace_Scrubb:
> 
> Another tidbit from this link:
> "The Celtic year begins on 1 November, after the long night of
> Samhain, which is often spent in adventuring between the worlds....
> 
> The Ninth Full Moon in this Lunar Calendar is called Cernobogmas and
> is dedicated to the "Hunt for the Black Stag." "
> 
> So in other words, the Celtic New Year's Eve is October 31 
(Samhain),
> a date of great significance in Harry Potter's world.  And the moon
> associated with Cernunnos would normally occur during the month of
> July, the month of Harry's and Neville's births. (if I'm counting
> right)
> 
> You may be onto something here.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Eustace_Scrubb

Bonny again:

Yes, that is some very interesting information! I also came across 
some more information today at 
http://www.geocities.com/indianpaganism/hornedgod.html - here are the 
highlights :)

"...In his immediate surroundings are five types of animals. What 
these animals actually are is debatable, as it is difficult to say 
with absolute certainty. A couple of the animals which can be 
correctly identified, without debate, are those of the stag an d the 
horned serpent. The stag on his right-hand side stands very close to 
him, which suggests a strong connection to the animal and like 
Cernunnos the stag has seven tines on each antler, totaling in 
fourteen. In his left hand Cernunnos is holding a horned serpent 
which also appears on another two of the interior panels on the 
Gundestrup Cauldron, while in his right-hand he is holding a torque. 
Another of the animals next to him on his left appears to be either a 
dog or a wolf. The cause of more discussion has been the identifying 
of another of the other animals in the immediate proximity of 
Cernunnos, which scholars believe to be either a boar or a lion. The 
last of the five animals near Cernunnos looks to be a bull."

"...In my research I have also came across the suggestion that the 
horned serpent shares the same meaning and symbolism of a staff. If 
the serpent is interpreted as a staff would it be a staff which had 
at its head three points, as this serpent does with its two horns and 
nose forming three points. In effect it could be interpreted as a 
trident...In the trident we find the magickal number three appearing 
with its association to the Goddess and the moon."

>>>>Now me talking.  I am wondering about the significance of the 
Bull, and how it can be related to the series. Everything else 
described can be related in some manner or another, so I am guessing 
this bull might fit in too. 

I find all these references to the moon interesting too (there were 
more mentions on pages referred to in my previous post) and I think 
that we have probably not seen the last of Lupin's werewolfisms if 
this mythology is relevant. It will be interesting to see if Harry 
ever learns to become animagus, and maybe uses this ability to subdue 
oor distract a werewolf!Lupin...? I am suprised that the kids have 
not even considered looking at becoming animagi before, considering 
their history.

Bonny