Cumall

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The apotheosis of heroes and warriors is common to many polytheistic traditions. Great heroes, kings, sages and other members of society were seen as either being a god within their own right, using a gods power or an incarnation of a god. Due to the drift of time and the destruction of clear records, it cannot be directly confirmed how exactly the ancient Celts considered their dead and if such a hero worshipping tradition was prevalent amongst them. There are multiple clues however to suppose that this was true across the Celtic world, especially in Ireland.

 

 The first thing to consider is that in literary tradition, many people considered heroes were heavily associated with gods. Cu Chulainn was not just considered the son of Lugh but an incarnation of Lugh himself, Fionn was the grandson of Nuada and the Druid hero Mogh Ruith was the father of Tlachtga, the goddess of the Hill of Ward. In ancient poems the kings of Ireland, especially high kings such as Labraid Loingsech, are compared to Lugh and called gods in their own right, pointing out their divine nature. Further in the rites of the ancient Irish, burial mounds and markers are considered important holy places, being associated with the gods and the Sidhe.

 

 It can be further proven comparatively, with the Greeks having a very similar tradition to the Celts. Their heroes were often interred into burial mounds or their own shrines called Heroons, the most famous of which was the Heroon of Menelaus and Helen located at Sparta where they were worshipped as gods. Various spirits from Irish folklore have also been compared to ancestor spirits from Roman and Slavic traditions such as the Brownies being compared to Lares and Domovoy.

 

 On the more theoretical level, it would make theological sense for mankind to be able to ascend to godhood. Since we are all children of the god of the dead Donn and many families and lineages come from the gods themselves who took human partners, it could be argued that almost every human would have some divine heritage in this age.

 

 As such the Society has decided to set aside a cult for the Heroic dead. Preferring to use the Gaelic name ‘Cumall’ meaning Champion as hero itself does not have a satisfactory translation in Old Irish. In any instance, there are three kinds of Cumall recongised by the Society:

 

Figures from Irish literary tradition that were heavily associated with a deity or were possibly euhmemerised deity themselves, such as Cu Chuliann, Fionn mac Cumhall and Mogh Ruith.

 

Figures from Irish history that were human but had a notable deed or position making them worthy of worship. Such as the past High Kings and Ollamhs of Ireland.

 

Figures from Celtic history that were notable in some way, normally through opposing the Romans or other peoples.

 

 In the far future, more contemporary members of the faith may also join alongside the Cumall. However as of now it is only restricted to ancient members of Celtic society and religion.