Art From The Edge Of Time

TRIPLE TOAD

There are relatively few known images of reptiles, except for snakes, on Celtic coins. A few lizards and this amazing toad. The toad, because of its habits and appearance, is linked to the Earth Goddess or Triple Goddess. It resembles a squatting, pregnant female, dwells near stone and water, has triple fingers and has always been associated with lunar/dark/night/magic. The fact that in medieval Christianity the toad became diabolical or evil – linked to demons and demon-witchcrafts suggests that there was an ancient continuing link to pre-Christian matriarchal pagan belief.

Many species of toad worldwide are used for their psychoactive skin secretions, often poisonous before correct preparation. Generally, these extractions confer great endurance with muscular vigour together with visionary effects. This may or may not be part of the corpus of Celtic knowledge related to the toad, but the continuing relationship in folktales are noteworthy: toads, wells, transformations, princes, kisses, wishes, seems to indicate a link to the guardian / fertility / messenger complex.

The central image is a clearly depicted, splayed form of a toad with wedge-like head, rough back and big belly. The long limbs and triple toes are clearly shown. The ring pellets held protectively under the forelegs suggest guardianship of sun / light / wealth / eggs, but they can also be seen as eyes to a hidden face. With this new perspective the angular forearms now become the eyebrows and top of head, whilst the lower legs and pattern below the legs turn into the toad’s wide mouth, with the round markings on the back becoming nostrils. If we apply the same approach to the upper pair of ring pellets we find another hidden toad head with its mouth open. So here in one design there are three toads in one.