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Aerten
A Brythonic god, also known as Aerfen: Renowned in Battle
This deity is known from legends of a shrine to her at Glyndyfrdwy on the river Dee and she is a battle goddess, probably cognate with the Irish Morrigan. |
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Bryth: Renowned in Battle
Aerten (also known as Aerfen) is goddess of fate, whose name is derived from the proto-Celtic (and Cymric) aer (battle) and literally means ‘Renowned in Battle’. She had a shrine at Glyndyfrdwy on the river Dee and according to legend presided over the outcome of wars.
Cymric legend tells of her being invoked during the struggles between the native Cymry (Welsh) and the Anglo-Saxon invaders and, according to local legend, three human sacrifices had to be drowned in the river near her shrine to ensure success in any battles to come.
In former times Aerfen has been equated with the classical Fates (as all Celtic deities had to have a Roman counterpart). In truth, however, it's probably more accurate to equate her with the Irish Morrigan. Herself a deity of battle fates.
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