EPONA, GODDESS OF THE HORSES
Hello. I am Epona, the goddess of horses. I am known as the protectress of horses, animals, riders, and stables. I am also known as a Mistress of animals and am worshiped as the goddess of horses, mules, and oxen.

The Celts consider me to be very important because I take gentle care of the horses like a loving mother. Because of this, the Celts began to worship me long, long ago. I was important because horses were a large part of the Celts culture and civilization. Horses represented wealth and success and for this reason were very valuable.

Anytime I am seen, I am sitting among horses or riding a horse or mare with its foal. I ride side-saddle and am half-naked or wearing a wide coat. My favorite coat is midnight blue. I like to wear it at night so the animals do not see me. Foals, dogs, and birds usually follow me wherever I go. I think it is because I sometimes feed them corn or fruit (especially apples - their favorite treat) from my basket.

I am known to promote the fertility of mares, so I am sometimes considered to be the goddess of fertility as well. It gives me great happiness to take care of the mares. Sometimes I even get to help them name their ponies.

It makes me sad to tell you that horses were sometimes sacrificed to river-divinities. Because of this, people sometimes think that I was perhaps originally the goddess of a spring. I love the waters of springs and rivers. But, my most favorite place in the whole world to visit is the Swansea Bay. The water there is so clean and fresh. It is comforting and makes me happy. I consider Swansea Bay to be my true home. When I am there it makes me feel as though everything is right in the world.

Long ago, the Celts told scary stories about me to their children. Mothers told the stories to their children to make them behave. The children were told that if they misbehaved I would visit them in their dreams and bring nightmares. While this started off as an old wives' tale, I thought it would be fun to actually appear in the children's dreams once in a while. I enjoyed giving them a fright, but eventually it got old and I decided I was better off spending my time taking care of the horses.

That is why I do not seem scary right now. I am appearing to you in my most beautiful form. I hope that you will remember me and my story.