Celtic Gods: The Gaulish God, Graselos (Giver of Alms or Giver of Health)

Graselos
A Gaulish God: Giver of Alms or Giver of Health

Graselos is a Gaulish god known from a single inscription found upon a Gallo-Greek stela from the healing springs of Malaucène,, France. From what little evidence remains Grselos would sem to be a healing deity of the 'Apollo' type.



Synonyms:
Gaul: Giver of Alms or Giver of Health

Graselos was the patron deity of a sacred spring located a few kilometers outside Malaucène, Velacluse, France. The spring itself (known as the Grozeau) originates on the slope of Mont Ventoux and in the Middle Ages was well known for its purported healing properties.

The deity is known from an inscribed Gallo-Greek stela (RIG I, G-148) and nothing is directly known about his attributes. Though if the Mediaeval practice of healing pilgrimage to the spring represents the continuance of an earlier tradition Graselos may have been a healing deity of the Apollonic type.

Though this may be a slightly fanciful etymology it is possible that the name Graselos is derived from the same root words that yielded the Old Cymric *gras (gift) and elus (alms). Thus Graselos could be interpreted as meaning 'giver of alms' or perhaps 'giver of health' which would be entirely compatible with his association with a healing spring.



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