Illustration from Horses of the World by Edward Herbert Miner, circa 1923. Image from Art Today.

Her Legend (From Encyclopedia Mythica): "The Celtic horse goddess whose authority extended even beyond death, accompanying the soul on its final journey. She was worshipped throughout entire Gaul, and as far as the Danube and Rome. Her cult was eventually adopted by the Roman army and they spread her worship wherever they went. She was the only Celtic Goddess to be honored by the Romans with a temple in their capital city. Among the Gaulish Celts themselves, she was worshipped as goddess of horses, asses, mules, oxen, and, to an extent, springs and rivers. Epona is depicted sitting side saddle or lying on a horse, or standing with multiple horses around her. Her symbol is the Cornucopia ("horn of plenty") which suggests that she could (originally) have been a fertility goddess. She is also identified with the Celtic goddess Edain." (Copyright (c) 2000 Encyclopedia Mythica. All rights reserved.)

Her name derives from the Celtic word for horse. She's the only Celtic goddess to be adopted by the Romans. In Welsh mythology, she's Rhiannon. She rides a mare and rules over horses and riders. She guards her devotees in this life and the next.

Illustration from "My Book House", Vol. 012, by Donn P. Crane. Image from Art Today.

"A Witch" British watercolour by E. R. Hughes. Image from Art Today.

What She Can Mean to You and Me: Epona has the duality that many goddesses have. She's a symbol of fertility and life, yet also a symbol of endings and death, as is the horse. There's the white knight and white horse, and the black horse and rider too. There's the maiden with the unicorn's head in her lap, and the crone galloping on her stallion into the sea. In her light aspect, Epona is a symbol of nurturing, instinct, and vitality, as are horses themselves. Horses are such big creatures, yet so trusting and humble. So strong yet with such fragile legs. That's part of why I love them; the combination of power and vulnerability. I'm glad they have such a protector as Epona. And in her dark aspect? I can think of no better end than riding with Epona on my soul's final journey.