Nehalennia (pronounced “NAY-ha-len-yah”) is a Goddess of sailing ships worshiped in Gaul. She is another archetype of the Mother Goddess. She was called upon to protect sailors at sea, and to protect their cargo as they traded from coast to coast. She may have been a German Goddess, but Celts also worshiped her. There is some controversy as to the etymology of her name, but the most common interpretation is “spirit in the boat,” or “goddess of the vessel.” In some aspects, she is also a fertility Goddess and a Goddess of hearth and home. Many altars to her were erected by sailors who survived storms, so she is also associated with the weather, especially at sea. In this aspect she is also a psychopomp of those who died at sea, carrying their souls to the Isle of Avalon upon death.
Apples, as a symbol of knowledge, are sacred to her. She is also a Goddess of grains and bread. Seals are sacred to her, as are dolphins and whales.
Invoke Nehalennia in matters of travel by ship. She is also a shamanic Goddess due to her nature as a psychopomp, and may therefore be invoked in spirit contact and shamanic journeying. If she enters your life, be prepared to deal with stormy emotions.
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