England, as well as, it is argued, in the capital city of England itself, whose name is thought to be derived from Lugdunum—hence the Latin “Londinium.” There is some argument on this as to whether the name London actually derived from the Celtic root londo, signifying “the wild place.”

Lúin

[I] The enchanted spear of the Red Branch hero Celtchair, which was left abandoned after the second battle of Magh Tuireadh by one of the Dé Danaan. When it smelt the blood of an enemy it twisted and writhed in the hands of its owner, and if blood was not spilt, a cauldron of venom was the only means of quenching it before it turned on its holder.

Luned

[W] A maiden who rescues Owain from imprisonment and gives him a ring to make him invisible. She then brings about his marriage to the Lady of the Fountain. Some time later Owain rescues her from being burnt alive.

Lycanthropy

Shape-changing is a frequent occurrence in Celt myths. Gods and even mortals can change their shapes into many forms, mostly animals. Often a druid can change the shape of his or her victim, hence the Dark Druid of Irish myth changes the goddess Sadb into a fawn. In Welsh myth the treacherous Blodeuwedd, who betrays her husband, Lleu, is changed into an owl and bidden to shun the light of day. Often death comes to the victim while in animal shape. Aoife, changed into a crane for daring to love the son of the sea god Manannán Mac Lir, is killed and her skin made into the famous “crane bag.” Often wizards and sorceresses can change themselves into fearsome monsters. The whole idea of lycanthropy is very much in keeping with the old Celtic belief that everything, even inanimate objects such as stones, are possessed of indwelling spirits and that the human spirit, which is immortal, can dwell within other creatures and objects just as well as within human form.