He was a fearsome warrior with a giant club that could both kill—up to nine men in one blow—and restore life to the fallen in battle. For this he was also known as a god of life and death.

At the Autumn Equinox, the God is clearly beginning his journey back to the underworld,

By the Summer Solstice, the Goddess is at the height of her powers in her Mother role, and the God is at his strongest,

Usually portrayed as a giant, the Dagda was associated with abundance, fertility, and protection, and his name is said to translate to “the good god.”

she is usually depicted as a young beautiful hunter with her bow and arrow, often surrounded by wild animals.

Ultimately, the vast reach of the Roman Empire at the height of its power had much to do with the stamping out of pagan practices throughout Europe.

Ancient Egyptian religion has been of particular interest to Western occultists over the centuries, perhaps because of its emphasis on magic, or what the Egyptians called “heka.”

where the gods and goddesses are far more practical and functional than their emotionally unpredictable Greek counterparts. They were also more subdued and composed than the Greek deities, and conformed more to the militaristic, patriarchal framework of Roman society.

Wiccans and other Pagans revere Pan for his association with both wild goats and domesticated flocks, shepherd, hunters, nature spirits, ecstatic music and fertility. Because of this last connection, he is often invoked at Beltane.