Tylwyeth Teg
The Fair Folk
the Tylwyeth Teg are mostly female
and of surpassing beauty. Small in
stature, they usually dress all in white.
Occasionally, they marry mortal men.
However, they are most famous for their
dancing and creation of faery rings,
and for their tendency to kidnap children and beautiful,
golden-haired youths. The Fair Folk
are the source--indeed, the culprits--
of Welsh changeling legends. These "replacements"
are knownw as Plentyn-Newid.
Like the Plant Annwn, they live underground or underwater
and are known for embellishing
those they favor with rich gifts.
If the recipient ever speaks word
of these gifts, however, they disappear.
As with the Plant Annwn, the Tylwyeth Teg
are led by a Faery Lord,
Gwydion Ap Don.
Gwydion Ap Don
Gwydion was said to live "among the stones"
in his kingdom of Caer Gwydion.
He was said to rule alongside a queen--
Gwenhidw.
It is interesting to note that Gwydion Ap Don
may be associated with the Welsh god,
Gwydion. Lord of Magick, Gwydion
was the consort and brother of the goddess,
Arianrhod. He was also the father of Dylan,
Son of Wave, and Lugh (sometimes referred to as a
"Celtic Christ" figure). Together with his brother,
Math Mathonwy, Gwydion created Bloedwudd
from nine blossoms to be the bride of Lugh.
Frequently, with the influx of Christianity,
gods were "demoted" to denizens
of Faerie. This may be the case with Gwydion Ap Don.
