Rhiannon, The Lady of the Birds

The Lady Rhiannon

I’m unsure of the copyright on this image, so don’t try to take it or use it.

While this is the altar image I use for my rites, I must tell you all that Rhiannon is the Lady I call upon in my personal ceremonies.  I was introduced to Her when my wife and I were trying to think of Deities that we both felt comfortable calling upon, and trying to find a Lord and Lady for our ceremonies.  My wife is somewhat of a Welsh maniac (having been married to a Welshman for 15 years prior to me) and she was thinking of Celtic Deities when Rhiannon popped out.  I felt an instant connection to Her, and we have been using Her name ever since.

I started reading more and more in an attempt to get a handle on just who Rhiannon was, and I found the Mabinogion.  In there, there are two stories about Rhiannon out of 4 branches.  The first is when she is courted and married by Pwyll and the subsequent trials she went through with Pryderi, her son by Pwyll.  The second is after the hero’s return to Great Britain from Ireland after the war in which all the Irish were wiped out.  Which is also told in the Mabinogion.  It is her growing love and respect and eventual marriage to Manawyddan, brother of Bran the Blessed.

I suppose I could give you a synopsis of the action in those two stories, but I figure, why bother, when you can read it for yourself?  So here is the Lady Charlotte Guest translation of the Mabinogion.

PWYLL PRINCE OF DYYED which is the first story…. and

MANAWYDDAN THE SON OF LLYR which is the second story.

Originally posted 2009-11-03 19:11:37.

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