Goddess Epona

Epona was a Celtic protector of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and dogs. She was the only pagan goddess adopted by the Romans, who prayed to her to protect their cavalry during the 1-3rd centuries AD. They even dedicated a day to her worship on December 18. She is also believed to be a symbol of fertility, referred to as the 'great mare,' and is shown with cornucopias. Though there are no remnants of her cult worship in larger cities in former Gaulish territories, she is believed to have been beloved in rural areas where horses and the other animals she protected were essential to daily life. Sometimes she is depicted holding a set of keys, thus symbolizing her association with being a guide to the afterlife. Three birds are sometimes also shown, further indicating that she was worshiped as a spiritual messenger. She also was associated with roses. Some scholars believe that she was a predecessor to the goddess Rhiannon.

Gracie