Rhiannon
It was a clear night. The full moon shone overhead and lit my footsteps as I walked up the Tor. Suddenly, the singing of birds filled the air. So beautiful was the voice of the feathered creatures that it made the heart ache. Then there at the top of the hill, stood a golden vision. Her head was crowned with birds, celebrating her glory with songs, but more glorious still was the Lady herself. She sat upon a Mongoloid white steed, still in the moonlight. Then, in a heartbeat she rode, moving steadily before me. But no matter how fast I ran I could not catch her. I whistled for my fastest, most beloved horse. I jumped on his back and raced faster than the wind. But still I could never reach her. In desperation I cried, "Lady, please wait." Gently, she reined in her mare and waited for my approach. Tall, golden, gentle-eyed, she greeted me. "Since you have the courtesy to ask, I greet you in Soverienty and love." It was at that moment I stood in the presence of Rhiannon.
Rhiannon (Great, or Divine, Queen) is a fertility and otherworld goddess from welsh mythology. Her best known myths can be found in the Mabinogion. According to this epic, Rhiannon was the daughter of Heveydd, the Old, a Lord of the underworld. She fell in love with a mortal, Pwyll who after a couple of trials, won her hand in marriage. Later after her son was born, Rhiannon was accused of eating her youngest son, who in fact had been kidnapped. For several years, she was made to be a kitchen slave and to offer rides on her back to all guests until her son was returned. After Pwyll had died, she later married Manawydan, brother of Bran.
But there are indications that Rhiannon may a more ancient Goddess than the Mabinogian tales. She is related to Epona, who also is surrounded by horses and birds. Ann Ross in her book, "Pagan Celtic Britain," writes Rhiannon's characteristics "are but a shadow of what once constituted a powerful Celtic Goddess of Epona-Macha type."
It has been inferred that Rhiannon may have been the Goddess of Annwyn. So Pwyll's marriage to Rhiannon reflects the celtic myth that a King had to marry the Sacred Goddess (Sacred Mare). Rhiannon was often called "Rhiannon of the Steeds" and she always was seen riding a white mare. Rhiannon is also unusual as in the Mabinogion, she is portrayed as a Goddess who for love of a lesser being, becomes mortal. This also indicates that her roots are old.
Some researchers feel Annwyn was the "happy otherworld" which made Rhiannon, the Goddess of the otherworld. Indeed, Rhiannon's three sacred birds were said to "wake the dead and lull the living to sleep." Birds have always been associated with this Goddess, so sometimes she was referred to as "Rhiannon of the Birds."
I have called on Rhiannon when my son was born seriously ill. She is also good to invoke when family problems arise or for troubled relationships.
LIBATION: Mead or Ale
CAKES: Whole grain bread.
This article was first published in the Ivy Moon, 1996 edition of "Pagan Personal Pages."
by Jeannette K. Waldie
© 8/16/96
~*~NEVER
AGAIN
THE
BURNING
TIMES~*~
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