Aengus Research Paper

Angus Og, Aonghus, and Aengus are just three of the spellings of the Celtic God of love. Aengus is the god of love and beauty. He is the patron god of youth, poetic inspiration, and also the patron god of young lovers. He is the son of Dagda the father god and Boann who was a water goddess. The Dagda had an affair with Boann while she was married to Nechtan. When Aengus was conceived, Dagda made the sun stand still for nine months, to keep his conception a secret. So Aengus was conceived, carried, and born all in the same day. Aengus is said to be remarkably handsome and had four birds that hovered about his head. These birds represent kisses and inspired love in all who heard them. Aengus as the god of love can be invoked among
other things for aid in romantic love, protection of lovers, dream work, and creative inspiration. Aengus was married to Caer the goddess of sleep and dreams.
She first came to him in a dream and for a year he dreamed of her. He then had his mother search for her. Boann searched for Caer for a year to no avail. Aengus then had his father search for her. Dagda searched for Caer again for a year and again to no avail. King Bodh, a trusted adviser to Dagda searched for Caer and finally found her. Unfortunately every other year on November 1, Caer would change into a beautiful white swan, and as a swan she would live until the next November 1 when she became human again. Caer's father Ethal did not want to let her go so he told Aengus if he could pick her out from all the swans he could wed her. When Aengus arrived at the Lake of the Dragon's Mouth he found 150 swan maidens chained in pairs with golden chains. Aengus was able to correctly identify Caer. After he found her he changed himself into a swan and they flew away singing. All who heard their song fell asleep and slept for three days and three nights. To me, this myth means that your heart will always know your true love. No matter what the outside appearance, love should be enduring. It also means to never stop looking for that one true love. I picture in my head, that every year on November 1, Aengus would change himself to a swan or to a human based on whatever form Caer was in. He loved her enough to make changes within
himself. The symbol I associated with Aengus Og are the two swans with their necks crooked to form a heart. This symbol is appropriate because Aengus Og is the God of love; and hearts are a universal symbol of love. Swans also mate for life, so I see them as a symbol of the enduring never ending love of our soul mate. I was lucky enough to find my soul mate in my second marriage. He balances me, where I am loose with money, he is very cost conscious, where I have to plan everything to the nth degree, he is more spontaneous. We are not the same people, we are very different in some ways and very alike in others, but together we are perfect. And that is what I see in the swans curved necks, perfection.