Page:Origin and Growth of Religion (Rhys).djvu/397

Rh suggested to you the Greek goddess Athene; but I may say in passing that one of her Celtic equivalents is possibly to be detected in Tlachtga daughter of Mog Ruith, both of whom have already been mentioned (p. 211). Greek religion closely associated Athene with Hephæstus, but Mog Ruith's ability to fly forces us to compare him rather with Dædalus than with Hephæstus; for the lines of classification do not coincide in Greek and Celtic; and if we followed Dædalus further, we should find that the story of his jealousy and murder of a too promising nephew and pupil would lead one to compare him with another Goidelic character, namely, Dian Cecht, who made his silver hand for Nuada: this was improved upon by the son of Dian Cecht, who was so enraged at being excelled, that he slew him. It is right, however, to say that ancient authors sometimes went so far as to identify Hephæstus with Dædalus; and that Völundr, or the Wayland Smith of the Norse Edda, combines the characteristics of both in having lost the use of his feet and made himself efficient wings. But to come back to Tlachtga, the comparison with Athene turns on the latter's ever-brandished spear, and the attribute of Tlachtga's attested by her name, which seems to refer to a gái, that is to say a gæsum, or spear. It was possibly the gæsum used in a solemn ceremony of kindling fire in the ancient way by friction.

The question of the original identity with one another of the goddesses here alluded to, is too large to be now