Editing Belenus (section)

== Related beliefs ==

=== Medieval Ireland ===
The Irish Bel has been speculated by some scholars to be linked to the god Belenus.{{Sfn|Leeming|2005|p=48}} Fires in honor of the deity were lit for Celtic festivals of [[Beltane|Beltaine]] ('Bel's Fires') on May 1.<ref name="MacKillop2">{{Harvnb|MacKillop|2004}}, s.v. ''Belenus''.</ref> On occasion, cattle was driven between two fires in order to repeal diseases, which Schrijver has compared to the traditional German custom of burning henbane collected on [[Midsummer]] to protect the cattle against diseases and witchcraft.{{Sfn|Schrijver|1999|pp=34–35}}

=== Modern Slovenia ===
The Slovenian divinity ''Belin'', attested in the 19th century by historian [[Simon Rutar]], may provide evidence of the survival of Belenus' cult in the region and of its later integration into Slovenian beliefs, possibly blended with attributes of the Slavic god [[Belobog|Belibog]].{{Sfn|Šašel Kos|2001|p=14}}{{Sfn|Prósper|2017|p=258}} The local population regarded him as a great healer who could cure blindness with his 'key'.{{Sfn|Šašel Kos|2001|p=9}} Professor Monika Kropej also states that Belenus was possibly incorporated into the Slovenian lore as the ''beliči'', a type of fairy-like beings.{{sfn|Kropej|2012|p=217}} An incised stone in southwestern Slovenia, called ''berlina'' by the local population, among other names, may also be related. It is connected to ancient rituals and features two primitively carved figures with heads ornamented with rays.{{Sfn|Prósper|2017|p=258}}