"Cernunnos is a very ancient Celtic God of nature. He rules over the forests and the beasts and is also represented by the sun. He is often referred to as the 'horned one' or 'lord of the animals' Cernunnos was the God of the hunt, and is also associated with the ecological balance of the land and the harvest of wild game. One of the oldest representations of him that exists is on The Gundestrup Cauldron, an artifact from the first century. He was a icon of masculine principals and fertile land. The early Christian church, in an effort to stamp out Paganism condemned Cernunnos to be used as a representation of the devil to discourage the popularity of the Forest God among the Celts. He is usually depicted sitting cross legged or lotus position. Some conjectured that this was evidence to eastern influence on early Celtic society, while others believe that it was just as likely to merely be comfortable position for early hunters to sit, yet remain alert. I have shown him here resting, at peace with nature. he is attended by the stag, boar, fox and badger. On the stone slab where he peacefully meditates are found pine cones and acorns which are associated with the God. The sun shines through the trees upon the shoulders of the Goddesses' divine consort. This place actually exists, it's at a creek near the home I lived in at the time this piece was created." 11"x17" acrylic and Berol Prismacolor Pencils on Illustration board By Mickie Mueller