The Celts believed that dogs are healers of the soul and body. They symbolize loyalty. They are also considered a symbol of luck. The companionship of dogs is renowned throughout the world. They are known as man's best friend. As our friend, they are great healers. They give us a silent partner we can talk to... and when we need a friend that just cares... they are right there for us, ready to be petted.
The Domesticated Canine has played various roles in the Celtic imagination and lifestyle for over 30 centuries. Dogs can be found on many Celtic artifacts. On the Gundestrup cauldron there is a mythological scene where a dog, and other animals surround the god Cernunnos. Another example is the Gaulish deity Sirona, (a healing goddess) is sometimes depicted with a dog in her lap. Another example still is that the early British deity Nodons are associated with dogs. Finally bones of dogs have been found in holy wells.
With the Gaul, the aspects of healing, hunting, and death were brought into Celtic beliefs. Healing is one of the aspects, because man has long been amazed from times of old at the ability dogs have to heal themselves with their saliva. Nehalennia (the Gaulish mother-deity) is almost always portrayed as being accompanied by a dog... which in this instance is suggestive of healing. As for hunting, the association exists in England, but it is more specifically named with the word "hound".
In Celtic languages, the Celtic dog is a word that has a heroic meaning. Cúchulainn (Cú meaning “hound”, so “hound of Chulainn), is such a heroic figure in Irish mythology. Also, Cunobelinus (a pre-Claudian leader in Britain) translates, literally to “hound of Belinus”. Although there are many references and associations to the dog in Celtic mythology, I don't believe that there has ever been mention of a “dog” deity.
The dog’s natural ability to smell (and survive off of) carrion has given him an association with death. A notable example is the black dog of England. Dogs also seem to be one of two favorite domestic animals of the fairies.
The Domesticated Canine has played various roles in the Celtic imagination and lifestyle for over 30 centuries. Dogs can be found on many Celtic artifacts. On the Gundestrup cauldron there is a mythological scene where a dog, and other animals surround the god Cernunnos. Another example is the Gaulish deity Sirona, (a healing goddess) is sometimes depicted with a dog in her lap. Another example still is that the early British deity Nodons are associated with dogs. Finally bones of dogs have been found in holy wells.
With the Gaul, the aspects of healing, hunting, and death were brought into Celtic beliefs. Healing is one of the aspects, because man has long been amazed from times of old at the ability dogs have to heal themselves with their saliva. Nehalennia (the Gaulish mother-deity) is almost always portrayed as being accompanied by a dog... which in this instance is suggestive of healing. As for hunting, the association exists in England, but it is more specifically named with the word "hound".
In Celtic languages, the Celtic dog is a word that has a heroic meaning. Cúchulainn (Cú meaning “hound”, so “hound of Chulainn), is such a heroic figure in Irish mythology. Also, Cunobelinus (a pre-Claudian leader in Britain) translates, literally to “hound of Belinus”. Although there are many references and associations to the dog in Celtic mythology, I don't believe that there has ever been mention of a “dog” deity.
The dog’s natural ability to smell (and survive off of) carrion has given him an association with death. A notable example is the black dog of England. Dogs also seem to be one of two favorite domestic animals of the fairies.
88 comments:
Just wanted to try something off the beaten path for this St. Paddy's Day. I will be lovingly remembering my little black Scottie dog today and tomorrow. It was on St. Patrick's Day night three years ago that she gave up her will to live from the cancer that was taking her from the outside in. The next morning we carried her to the Rainbow Bridge. Today our loving memories sustain us as we envision her romping freely across the bridge with the leprechauns and elves, enjoying her always-filled pot o' Milk Bones at the rainbow's edge! lol
"For in the House of Tara three shadows share the feast
Conn sits in the High-King's place, against the East,
And Crionna whispers to his hound some memory of the chase,
While Connla to the harping turns a joyous listening face."
~ Ethna Carbery
Gaelic Names for Celtic Dogs
Ivy, thanks for the St. Patrick's day post. I found a shirt for that special dog: St. St. Patrick's Day Dog T-Shirt
There's plenty of celebrating going on (although I didn't notice a lot in this area, but I haven't been out and about that much, either)
"All the world from the Sydney Opera House to the Empire State Building turned Irish, or at least Irish for the day, as revelers marked St. Patrick's Day with bagpipes, dancing, emerald lights and green body paint in a flurry of celebration.
New Yorkers and visitors from all over the globe lined Manhattan's Fifth Avenue a dozen deep for the world's oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade Wednesday, as crowds gathered along sun-warmed routes in Dublin and cities around the U.S. to mark the holiday." Nation, world go green for St. Patrick's Day
"I will be lovingly remembering my little black Scottie dog today and tomorrow."
Ivy, that is such a sweet story. I have so much trouble thinking back on painful times like that - I find that I just want to try not to think about them. But you've managed to put such a loving face on it, and I respect that so much. I wish I were braver, when it came to loss, but I seem to turn it into almost a feeling of fear.
I find this article so very interesting, mainly because (in the last few years) I've become more aware of the problems that are caused by inflammation (which is the reason I take naproxen twice a day to keep it under control - it works!.
Ivy, I'm sure the reason they injected that steroid into your shoulder was to lower inflammation, as most of that pain (if not all?) is caused by inflammation (as it is in arthritis). Obviously, Carol and Mary know a lot more about this than I do.
Targeting blood vessels, immune system may offer way to stop infection-caused inflammation
"Treating virulent influenza, sepsis, and other potentially deadly infections long has focused on looking for ways to kill viruses and bacteria. But new research from the University of Utah and Utah State University shows that modulating the body's own overeager inflammatory response to infection may help save more lives.
The findings raise the possibility of new broad-range therapies that could be rapidly implemented by public health agencies to fight both viral and bacterial infections, such as pandemic influenza and sepsis, and even potentially deadly human-made biological agents that could cause widespread illness and death.......... this study proves the concept of controlling the effects of inflammation to fight the effects of serious infection"
"By blocking the ill effects of inflammation on the host or patient by stabilizing blood vessels, we have identified an entirely different strategy to treat these infections," Li said. "In essence, we've shown that rather than attacking the pathogen, we can target the host to help it to fight infections.
Inflammation is a powerful weapon in the body's immune system; without this inflammation, patients would not be able to fight infection. But it's also a double-edged sword. When Biochemical mediators, called cytokines, are released in massive quantities as part of the inflammatory response, they can destabilize blood vessels, resulting in leakage, tissue edema (swelling), and in extreme cases, organ failure and death. For example, a severe infection such as that of the 1918 pandemic flu, can cause life-threatening lung damage when alveoli become inflamed and fill with fluid, a condition known as lung edema." http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/03/17/targeting.blood.vessels.immune.system.may.offer.way.stop.infection.caused.inflammation
And I thought school was complicated now...lol
"[A] learned view is that of the sixteenth century scholar Joseph Scaliger who held that there were eleven mother tongues in Europe -- namely, Latin, Greek, Teutonic, Calvonic, Epirotic, Tartartian, Hungarian, Finlandish, Irish, Welsh, and Biscayan or Cantabrian.
The Milesias who were responsible for the origin of the Gaelic language did not employ the Roman letters. They used other marks or signs to represent speech sounds...including alphabetic characters composed of vertical lines, all named after trees and communicating sounds in accordance to their position on a horizontal lines. This type of writing was said to be mysterious and used only by the druids in secret communication. It is not that secret today because the alphabetical form can be taught to anyone, Gaelic or otherwise, in the space of an hour.
It is maintained by some authorities that letters of the Roman alphabet were not introduced into Ireland and Scotland until they were brought there by Saint Patrick. This alphabet, likewise named after trees and vines...
b = beithe = birch
c = coll = hazel
d = doire = oak
e = edghadh = aspen
f = fearn = alder"
There's more, but you get the idea. (From the Gaelic Names book I linked above by John A.K. Donovan.)
Love the shirt, Chloe. Thanks for linking.
Glad you showed up and posted. I was beginning to think everyone but me was gone out drinking green beer all day! lol
Chloe,
Have you read anything by Dr. Perricone? He's a dermatologist, but he's really big on inflammation as being the root cause of everything adversely affecting our organs of which the skin is the most visible. His thing is anti-inflammation anti-aging diet of which fish and fish oil is the main defense, plus Vitamin C. It's been a couple of years since I read his books, but there's a ton of information in them.
Not used to seeing Mockingbirds on the feeder, but today there's one at the suet. March is also the month when in the past I have seen bluebirds come to the suet. None have appeared so far this month, but then maybe I wasn't looking out at the right time. Our chilly weather is lingering still, each day inhibiting me from fulfilling my resolve to put the hummingbird feeder up early. I usually procrastinate until the first fellow shows up to glare at me through the window pane. lol
My little Gaelic language book has listings of common words in English and Gaelic, their translations and phonetic pronunciations...
"Shamrock" in Gaelic is spelled "Seamrog" and transliterated as "Shamrowguh" (as if that helps).
"Daffodil" in Gaelic is "Blat Cromcinn" and sounds like "Blhawth Krromkin" ("Save Me!" as my 4th grade nun, Sister St. Patrick, used to say with eyes rolled to the heavens.)
The Gaelic spelling of the English "Clover" is "Seamar" and pronounced "Seemarr."
Carol, somebody, you better show up here soon and steer me off this crooked path...lol
Wow, a bunch of those letters put together in ways that I can't pronounce.
I knew that when I got home there would be a St Patrick's Day post and I was pretty sure it would be from our foreign correspondent.
Great post Ivy and you managed to include one of our favorite subjects here, dogs. Here's to the memory of your little angel dogs.
Ivy, I'm not sure if you need to rush the hummer feeder out. I've had mine out and changed the juice once and nada. It's been comfortable outside so I don't know what's holding them up.
Ivy,
"His thing is anti-inflammation anti-aging diet of which fish and fish oil is the main defense"
The last Ortho. MD I saw told me to get some fish oil capsules and take about 6 of them per day. He said in high doses they act like anti-inflammatories. I found some triple strength fish oil caps at Sam's Club and have been taking those twice a day. I think they have helped some. They also have many other benefits.
Also I love your post.
Ivy, Thank you for bringing up Dr. Perricone. I haven't read him, but will now. What you said about him sounds right on. I'm interested in reading his anti-inflammation diet recommendations.
Sorry it took me so long to get here today - it's been a busy one. Glad that you're feeling better. I hope you'll let us know after you get the results of your test tomorrow.
Mary, Do you have any affects from taking such a large dose of the fish oil. I've been taking 2 day day, but I guess that's not enough for them to work as an anti-inflammatory. They're also supposed to help with keeping cholesterol down.
You're welcome, Chloe. The book I suggest to begin is "The Perricone Prescription." At least it's the one I learned the most from.
The Perricone Rx
Two things it ain't: easy or fun. lol
"Perricone's clear explanation about the adverse effects of inflammatory foods persuasively argues for shunning destructive, low-fat favorites (including watermelon, carrots, and bagels) and "culinary horrors" like pizza, pasta, and beef. Better to eat anti-inflammatory choices (those with a glycemic index of 50 or less) like salmon, halibut, and trout. While the book's mega list of recommended supplements is a bit hard to swallow (literally and figuratively), the supportive information Perricone supplies about each is certainly helpful."
Mary,
Do you have a certain brand of fish oil caps you prefer?
Solar,
This is your cue to enter, Stage Right...lol
Ivy, The problem I'm going to have with that diet is that I hate fish and I love watermelon and pasta. LOL. I will take lots of fish oil though.
I found a good site called: Daily Pericone. Not only does it have lots of great information, the picture are great each day too. http://www.dailyperricone.com/
NO watermelon, pizza or beef? Well, I saw a picture of an avocado. I like them.
I think I'll just eat what I want and believe it's OK.
Carol, I like avocado's too. I prefer them with chips though (oh well), and they are excellent for you. He has a lot of good ideas, but I won't give up watermelon, pasta, and at least a little beef. But I will add a more plentiful amount of the high anti-oxidant foods to my diet. Most of the things he says are things I've done more of in the past, and it's time to start again. It's a reminder.
Where's a list of the bad stuff?
Ha Carol. I don't think we can ignore reality and then call it positive thinking. That's not the way it works. I think moderation is the key. No overboard stuff for me though.
I liked what he said about yoga. Three more days 'til Spring. That's my deadline for starting my Yoga and heating healthier (which doesn't mean giving up anything other than a lot of my beloved junk food - at least eating less of it).
Foods You Should Avoid
Have you noticed how everything now says zero trans fats? Do you think that's really true?
Yes. But I don't think some things taste as good as they did before either.
Either my last two shows are reruns of show that played just a week or so ago or my ESP is really good tonight.
Ever since we started DST, I've felt like the evening is an hour shorter.
Just reading all the comments. I too have been taking fish oil capsules. I have to coat them in a little oil to get them down, they are so big. I won't give up watermelon - one of my favorite foods. I also like carrots despite their high glycemic index.
I have been coming home from work and sleeping for 2-3 hours in the afternoon to get rid of my headache. It is working. I think I am not sleeping well at night. Tuesdays and Wednesdays I have students all day and it is exhausting. I have always loved working with students but the last year or two it is like being with a group of kindergartners all day. I am counting down the weeks until I no longer will have a teaching assignment - 5 more weeks.After that I will have one month of orienting my replacement. Thank God, she is an adult.
We get Idol and Modern Family an hour later than you. So I am off to watch who gets kicked off tonight. I swear, if it is either Sioban or bobbisox, I will quit watching Idol.
Jan,
I'm so sorry to hear you still have a sick haddock...
Chloe,
Thank you for that Dr. Perricone bloog...hadn't seen it before...I booked it for follow-up...
Carol,
Who's to say if the diet makes you live longer, or if it just seems that way 'cuz there's nothing interesting to eat?
I hope it doesn't give an answer away, Jan, but there's no surprises. Remember, this is the time when the "Judges' Save" kicks in...
Ivy and Chloe,
I've been taking the Members Mark brand of fish oil caps. I get them from Sam's Club. They are enteric coated so they don't cause indigestion or burping. They say to take one a day but I take two. I've also had problems with cholesterol so I'm trying this out to see if it helps.
Jan,
It's odd how so-called adult students can be so childish. Miss College told me that the class did not like the replacement professor who was brought in from the outside to take over for the teacher who died. They, in effect, staged a mutiny, and he made a quick exit. The department chair will have to take over for the remainder of the semester. The "kids" couldn't make the switch so easily in their grief. They are on Spring Break this week.
Thanks, Mary. I will pass your suggestion to my mom. Her doc wanted her to take fish oil, but she refuses because they give her indigestion or some such.
Ivy,
How's your shoulder? Is it getting better?
Jan,
I guess you'll keep watching Idol since Lacy got voted off. I did like Lacy but she isn't as good as the other two you mentioned.
Hi all, the strangest thing happened. The last 6 comments were transferred as individual emails over to my e-mail server. the comments are all here as well. That has never happened before.
Ivy, it is interesting. I am not sure whether it is just my age or what, but students lately really exhaust me. Not all of them. But it seems they have constant demands on my time that I am made responsible for outside of the usual classroom and clinical responsibilities.
Mary, I liked Lacy but she is not as good as several others - so no surprise. She does have a "sweetness" about her that is appealing. I hope she gets some offers from others for some work in television or movies. I think she could be an actress.
Mary, I probably would have kept watching Idol no matter who is kicked off. I am addicted.
Me too, Jan. I hope a female wins this season.
I did get a message as to whether I wanted to "unsubscibe" to getting comments to my e-mail address. I did unsubscribe. Has that happened to anyone else?
Mary, I too am hoping for a female winner this season. A guy has won for the last few seasons. I am going to start voting for my favorite gal.
I better get to bed. 4am will be here soon. For any insomniacs, I am going to start working nights in another week. Alot less stress and more money.
After reading my comments about students - I am completely convinced, it is time I retire.
Mary, I hope nights work out for you. Have you worked nights before?
Good night Mary. Sleep well.
Yesterday when I was driving home I heard a little of a program or maybe some news where they were talking about holding teachers accountable if their students don't do well, how they need to lose their jobs. I had just left from talking to my tax guy and dropping off my taxes. I was still steaming since I was discussing my major losses last year. Those losses that I can only deduct from my income over the next 30+ years.
I thought yeah, lets go after those teachers. Those people who put up with cocky kids that many of their parents don't put much time into, especially when it comes to their education and learning. They are making so much money, lets get them like we did those Wall Street guys who crippled the economy and made a killing doing it. What was it that we did to them? Oh yeah, we gave them big bonuses. Sounds fair to me.
I wonder if Solar's computer crashed. I haven't seen his star for a while now. He has been on TM either.
That was suppose to be, he hasn't been on TM either.
I agree with Michael Moore, there needs to be a peaceful citizen's uprising. We need to get the money out of politics. Until we do, we're doomed.
I heard that Ireland is having a Shamrock shortage. Clover, and some of it looks like Shamrock, is about all that is growing in my yard.
Jan, when you are feeling the way you are feeling about work, it's a sign that you are ready.
Looks like Coreen and Solar will have a beautiful and warm day today. Enjoy it!
"Thank God, she is an adult."
Jan, I had to laugh when you said that, because I know 'exactly' what you mean. It's actually a good thing that you got this last teaching assignment. It's showing you that you are 'ready'. Just get through the count down Jan, and your home free.
Carol, The star from Worth, Il. is Solar's star now - or at least that's how it 'usually' comes up. I've noticed that happens in different areas sometimes. Once mine came up as Spring. Anyway, he's been checking in - so I think he's doing fine. (I doubt he had a crash, because he said he recently go Windows 7)
I think it's been slow everywhere. The good season is on it's way.
It's funny Jan, that you said you 'read' your post, and it made you realize how ready for retirement you are. I do the same thing. It's ironic, but I learn a lot about myself by what I write sometimes - weird. That's just another reason that it's good therapy here. It's so nice to be able to bounce ideas and feelings off each other - makes it easier (and faster) to work things out sometimes.
It would probably be interesting to go back and read our own posts from months ago once in a while. I know I change my mind about many things, as time moves on.
"I did get a message as to whether I wanted to "unsubscribe" to getting comments to my e-mail address."
Jan, that hasn't happened to me (so far), but Google probably has an option, like Facebook has, to check to get email alerts on on new comments left. I don't know why yours changed to that all of a sudden, but you're smart to unsubscribe. You'd be getting hundreds of email. What a pain that would be.
"I did get a message as to whether I wanted to "unsubscribe" to getting comments to my e-mail address."
Jan, that hasn't happened to me (so far), but Google probably has an option, like Facebook has, to check to get email alerts on on new comments left. I don't know why yours changed to that all of a sudden, but you're smart to unsubscribe. You'd be getting hundreds of email. What a pain that would be.
Mary, Working nights seems like a rough schedule to adjust to, but if you can work less and make more, then that's got to be a good thing.
Afternoon. I am suppose to be heading to my meeting this evening but some little intestinal bug won't let me leave. There has been one running around the joint but it didn't get to me until now. I came home for lunch and it wouldn't let me go back. Just when I think it has settled down it grabs me again.
Coreen and Solar, did you enjoy your lovely day? Hope you did.
Carol, hope your GI bug doesn't last long. Those are not fun.
Ivy, when you first put up this post this part of a sentence caught my eye "The dog’s natural ability to smell (and survive off of) carrion" When we adopted our dog, she was living off carrion and continued to bring home carrion afterwards too. She was always bringing home something gross to eat. I guess that kind of thing does not make them sick. I had to shield my eyes from seeing it though. It made me sick to look at it. At that time we lived on the edge of town where there were no leash laws.
Just heard a preview of ET asking if John Edwards was going to marry Reille Hunter. I think he lost his mind somewhere along the way but it seems that he wouldn't be too happy with all the attention Reille has been attracting. Maybe she realized he won't marry her and she's looking for some other source of income.
The more I see the things these politicians try to get away with, the more I wonder if they are think they are bullet proof. They do seem to think that they can get away with just about anything. I wonder if Edwards has some kind of mental problem. How could he have been acting the way he was while running for president??? And to trust that woman??
Mary, I tried working nights when I finished my nursing program. I couldn't do it. I could not sleep during the day.
Jan,
Your comments made me smile. Anyone who's ever been owned by a cat knows the joy of having "treasures" deposited on their doorstep.
Those carrion-eaters serve an important function. I recall an exchange I once had with my late father-in-law in Florida. He was complaining bitterly about brown pelicans flocking around his boat dock every time he cleaned fish and tossed the refuse into the water. "Dad," I said, "you're throwing that garbage out there...if it weren't for the pelicans, you'd have to clean that mess up yourself." lol
Parks and Recreation is about hummingbirds. At least they started with them.
I'm listening to the Osteens on CNN...I hope they're "real."
Carol,
What channel? Oh, I think I found it...strange dialogue...what do they call this format? Pretend reality?
It's a silly show but it has given me some hardy laughs. That lady from SNL is in it. On NBC. Almost over now.
I forgot to say my MRI showed my shoulder isn't "torn." Guess I wasn't smacking Hubs all that hard. I have to go for physical therapy. Hubs said even if it doesn't get better, he'll still take care of me. lol
That's sweet of Hubs Ivy. You got yourself a winner there. I've seen a lot of joint and muscle pain lately. I think all the pressure changes with the weather may have something to do with it.
My colon seems to have settled down since I no longer have to go to that meeting that I really didn't want to go to but needed to go to. Have you ever wondered if your body does things to get you out of things you don't want to do? My body seems to have a mind of it's own. Well, different than the one that I'm thinking with.
I guess my mind is limitless.
Speaking of limitless minds, where's Solar?
I got my Targ book, Limitless Mind. It looks interesting but I still couldn't stay awake to read much. I switched over from the End of Suffering to read the Limitless Mind. I think my mind needs more help. That will end my suffering.
carol,
My book is calling me too...Dorothy finally showed up in Oz, and the witch's transformation is complete...so much suffering because of talking Animals... :)
And what are you reading?
Ivy, how wonderful that your shoulder is not torn. I will be looking forward to hearing how PT works for you.
Carol, my body works the same way - that is often how I can tell if I really don't want to do something.
I am finishing my book and ready to read "...suffering" John is still reading it, but I can steal a peek sometimes. He will never know.
I rented the movie "Hangover" tonight. We just finished watching it. John said if they had taken the word, F... out, the movie would have been 45 minutes shorter. Not really my kind of movie, but we had heard it was funny and I thought John might like it. It was almost too much for him. There were some pretty funny parts. One time, I was taking a drink of water and just spewed it all over myself - had to go change clothes.
Read some of the the last few comments posted....have been working 16-18 hrs per day...not able to get a pc and log on....pc is turned on so my magic jack phone will be on...it works of the internet.....so U won't be able to see me not being here when im here, U will need to get a hubble telescope to see me at the other end of the universe .....its like that commercial...was that memorex? will try to catch up tomorrow....
Solar,
Thanks for checking in...
Solar,
You will be our harbinger of hope...if you're working that many hours, the economy must be on the uptick. lol
Nice to hear from you Solar! I, too, hope that all those hours of work is a good sign for you and the Universe.
I took the day off because last Friday was partially a bust and because I need to get the Maggot to her annual Doc appointment. It's also suppose to be a beautiful day and tomorrow nasty.
I woke up with Targ and his Limitless Mind book. Morning is a much better time to read, when I have the time. I don't fall asleep or forget what I read like I do at night.
Also my mind works better, bright and early, when it is freshly coffeed. The book is a little complex but interesting. Maggie can do that remote viewing even if I can't yet. She was on the other end of the camp and I got up, thinking I need to get her outside. She flew into the bedroom, knowing exactly what I was thinking. She doesn't have all that other "noise" to drown out her psychic abilities. I think that is why they are so psychic. They live in the present. She also knows she is going to the Doc today.
Oh, and Solar, Targ mentions your Spinoza in his book. This book would be right up your alley. If you ever get time again, go get it from the library and check it out unless you're like me and it's take forever to finish reading books.
There are no Azaleas blooming yet. Usually this time of year, our environment it flush with beautiful Azaleas. Not this year.
Yesterday a friend, who is the preceptive one, pointed that out to me. I looked around and she was right. I drove past my house, that has Azaleas and Bridal Weath across the front and nada. I just asked that question to Google and sure enough, they will be late due to our excessively cold weather this year. I do hope they will bloom. It's hard to start Spring without those Azeleas. Anyone else notice that?
Carol,
I put up a new post...time to leave the snipe trail...lol
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