OTHERKIN MYTHOLOGY: THE HORNED GOD

Today’s Otherkin Myth is about the Horned God.

The Horned God or Cernunnos is one of Neopaganism and Paganism’s oldest deities. While they name might not reach as far back as Ancient Egypt, surely amongst the hieroglyphs we can find something similar or two.

But today I don’t want to take you that far back. I don’t even want to take you into Greece or tempt you with their similar deity, Pan or Rome’s Dionysus. I want to take you into the Middle Ages, especially since the Horned God has a sacred day coming up on the 18th of October–(see Mythical Calendar post on that day.)

The reason I am putting the Horned God on the Otherkin Mythology list of articles is because he was half man and half animal and the belief of him stretch far past Medieval times and has even survived ours. While descriptions vary, one thing is for certain . . . what he came to represent:

The forest, the hunt, the hunter, sacrifice, rebirth, strength, male and female equality, power, sexuality, vitality, gentleness, the sun, compassion, and yet masculinity.

He was not vain or egotistical. While he was strong and often a protector, he did not abuse his power.

The man of him represented that of the hunter, while the animal of him represented the hunted. Or sometimes, it could have been vice versa–in my opinion. The beast of him represented sacrifice, while the human represented life after death, rebirth and what came after.

At times, in most art, he is seen as the sun. Other times, he is hunting the moon—the goddess. He represents fertility, and at times, his horns represent the crescent moon–a symbol of the Goddess and the union between nature and man.

In Covens, often the High Priest will represent the Horned God by overseeing two of his duties–Guardian and Keeper.

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What are OTHERKIN?

BRIEF RECAP: First, what are the Otherkin? In short, it is an umbrella term for those who believe they are part or have some relation to a Mythical or Mystical Creature. There are many kintypes–Wolfin, Angelkin, Demonkin, Vampkin, Dragonkin, and more.

Second, Otherkin Mythology is a series of articles I have written concerning the Ancient Gods and or Goddesses that could easily fall under the umbrella of Otherkin. I’ve been researching this fascinating subject for a few years now and thought, why not start posting my research? I am also writing a Young Adult Fiction Series, so keep your fingers crossed on that.

©C.H. SCARLETT