1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Jan 1
#BookologyThursday #Celtic: `#Arawn guided #Pwyll on his way to Annwfn until he could see the court and the out-houses. 'There' he said 'the court and the country under your rule. Go to the court: there won't be anyone there who doesn't recognise you; and as you watch the service therein, you will learn the manners of the court. ...`
Continued here: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/114416269639846727
Spirituality & Religious StudiesNov 7

Rhiannon

She’s a female figure in Welsh mythology. She’s a protagonist of the Mabinogi, in its First & Third Branches.

In the Mabinogi, Rhiannon is a strong-willed ruler, a lady of the courts, & a devoted mom. She’s intelligent, politically strategic, famed for her sophisticated conversation & striking looks, as well as her wealth & the generosity of her gifts, especially to minstrels.

In the First Branch, Rhiannon chooses Pwyll, prince of Dyfed (Southwest Welsh), as her consort. Breaking her contract with Gwawl, another prince. Her choice employs 2 hudiaul enchantments: an uncatchable horse, & an almost unfillable bag.

With Pwyll, she had a son named Pryderi. She endures tragedy when her newborn kid is kidnapped. She’s accused of infanticide. She’s cleared, later, when the kid is found. Pryderi inherits the Lordship of Dyfed.

In the Third Branch, Rhiannon as a widow marries Manawydan, the usurped heir of the British royal family. She has further trials & adventure with him, her son, & his wife, involving various enchantments. Chiefly the desolation of all Dyfed, 7 years of vengeance by Gwawl’s magician friend, Llwyd.

The Adar Rhiannon/Birds of Rhiannon also tell about her paradoxical enchantment power: far yet near, living & dead. They originally appear both in the Mabinogi & Culhwch ac Olwen. She’s associated, strongly, with horses. So is Pryderi, her son. The mom & son are frequently depicted as mare & foal. Sometimes she sits on her horse in a calm, stoic way.

Rhiannon first appears at Gorsedd Arberth, an ancestral mound near 1 of the chief courts of Dyfed. Pwyll, the prince of Dyfed, accepted the challenge of the mound’s magical tradition to show rywedawtl, a marvel, or else deal out blows.

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But Rhiannon always remains ahead of them. Though her horse never does more than amble. On the 3rd day, he finally follows her himself & doesn’t do any better. He finally appeals to her to stop him. Rhiannon chided him for not considering this before.

THen tells him she’s sought him out to marry him. Because she preferred Pwyll to her then-current fiance, Gwawl ap Clud. Pwyll gladly agrees. But at their wedding feast at HER dad’s court, an unknown man asks Pwyll to grant him a request. He does it without asking what it is first.

The unknown man was Rhiannon’s spurred ex-fiance, Gwawl & his request was Rhiannon. Rhiannon admonishes Pwyll a 2nd time for his rash promise. But gives Pwyll a way out. She holds a 2nd wedding feast for Gwawl.

Rhiannon stationed Pwyll’s men outside in the orchard. She instructs Pwyll you come into the hall cosplaying as a beggar, humbly as king Gwawl to fill a certain “small bag” with food. Rhiannon enchants the bag couldn’t be filled by “normal” means.

Gwawl is persuaded to step into the bag to control its magic. Which means Pwyll could trap Gwawl in the bag. Pwyll’s men rushed in & surround the hall. they then beat & kick Gwawl while he’s trapped in the bag.

To save his life, Gwawl is forced to give up Rhiannon completely. He also had to give up his revenge. Rhiannon marries Pwyll. THen she goes to Dyfed as its queen. After 2 years of marital bliss, Pwyll’s nobles start to pressure him for an heir.

He refuses to “set aside” Rhiannon for being barren. And voila, in the 3rd year of their marriage, their son was born. On the night of his birth, the newborn disappears while in the care of 6 of Rhiannon’s maids, who were sleepy.

Terrified of receiving capital punishment, the maids unalived a puppy & smear its blood on Rhiannon’s sleeping face. In the morning, they (the maids) accuse Rhiannon of infanticide & cannibalism.

Rhiannon gets advice from her advisers. She offers to undergo a penance. Pwyll us again urged to put Rhiannon aside. Pwyll refuses & sets her penance instead. Rhiannon’s penance was that she must every day by the gate of the castle, at the horse block, to tell her story to travelers.

She also had to carry travelers on her back. Few accepted this offer though. As the story ends Pwyll maintains Rhiannon’s state as his queen. Their son was found by Teyrnon, the Lord of Gwent-Is-Coed (South-Eastern Wales).

He found the baby by his door after trying to protect his horse who’d just given birth. He & his wife claimed the baby boy as their own, naming him: Gwri Wallt Euryn (Gwri of the Golden Hair).

The kid grew up at a superhuman pace with a big affinity for horses. Teyrnon, who once served Pwyll as courtier, recognizes the kid’s physical resemblance to his bio dad. Teyrnon returns the kid to his family.

After being reunited with Rhiannon, the kid is formally named, in the traditional way, via his mom’s 1st direct words to him: Pryderi. Eventually, Pwyll dies. Pryderi rules Dyfed, marrying Cigfa of Gloucester.

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#AdarRhiannon #BirdsOfRhiannon #BritishRoyalFamily #Canwelwl #CigfaOfGloucester #CulhwchAcOlwen #Dyfed #FirstBranch #GorseddArberth #Gwawl #GwawlApClud #GwentIsCoed #GwriOfTheGoldenHair #GwriWalltEuryn #Llwyd #Mabinogi #Manawydan #Minstrels #Pryderi #Pwyll #Rhiannon #SouthEasternWales #Teyrnon #ThirdBranch #Wales #Welsh #WelshMythology

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Tasarla RomaneyAug 1, 2025

From the Pages of The Mabinogion…

When mortal prince Pwyll traded places with Arawn, King of the Otherworld, a bond was forged beyond life and death.

Their tale of honor, transformation, and magic lives on.

Read the full story behind Arawn—plus symbolism, folklore, and how he's connected to the Wild Hunt.

https://tasarlaromaney.wordpress.com/celtic-mythology/

#LegendaryLore #Arawn #Pwyll #Mabinogion #MythWeaver #CelticMyths #MythicKings

1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `When #Pwyll Pendevic came back vom #Arawn to his country and his lands and began asking the noblemen of his realm how his lordship had been for the last year, compared to what it had been before.
'Lord,' said they 'never was your knowledge so good, never was there a more likable fellow than yourself, never were you so free in spending your goods and never was your ruling better than during this year.'
'Between myself and God,' he replied 'it would be better for you to thank the man who [really] was with you [last year]. Here is the story, even as it was.' And Pwyll told it all to them.
'Aye, Lord,' said they ' thank God for giving you that friendship. And the lordship we had that year, I'm sure you won't take that away from us .'
'I will not take it away, between me and God'
And thenceforth a strong friendship began between them, each giving the other horses, greyhounds, hawks and any other kind of treasure he thought might me pleasing to the mind of his fellow[21]. And because of his sorjourn that year in Annwfn, and his kingship [which had been] so prosperous there, and the forging of two kingdoms into one through his resilience and his fighting-power: the name 'Pwyll Pendevic Dyfed' fell out of use and he became known as 'Pwyll Pen Annwvyn' from then on.` #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page

Show thread1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `#Arawn then gave #Pwyll Pendeuic Dyuet [back] his own form and his appearance, while he for his part took back his own form and appearance. Arawn went towards his court in Annwfn and rejoiced on seeing his host and his household, having not seen them for [such] a long time. They, however, knew nothing of his absence and were no more surprised at his arrival than before. He passed that day with cheerfulness and merriment, sitting talking to his wife and his noblemen. When it became more timely to sleep than to carouse, [off] they went to bed.
He made for the bed, and his wife came with him. The first thing he did was talk with his wife and join in sensual pleasure and love-making with her. She had not been used to that for a year, and that is what she thought. 'O God,' she wondered 'what is the different mind that is in him tonight, [so different] from that which has been in him for the last year?' She lay in thought for a long time. After that, he woke up and tried speaking to her once, twice, and a third time. No answer could he get from her.
'Why won't you speak to me?'
'I tell you,' she replied 'for a year I have not spoken even so much anywhere like this.'
'Why,' said he 'we've been talking all the time.'
'Shame on me,' she replied '[but] for the last year, from whenever we were enfolded in bed clothes there has been no affection, no conversation, nor you even turning your face towards me: let alone anything other than which might have happened between us.'
Then he began thinking. 'Lord God,' he said to himself 'a uniquely strong and unwavering friend is the one with whom I have made [this] friendship.'
He then spoke to his wife: 'Lady,' he said 'You mustn't blame me. Between me and God, I haven't slept with you for a year since last night, nor have I laid down [here].' And he told her the whole story.
'By my confession to God,' said she 'a strong hold you have on your friend, for warding off bodily temptation, and keeping faith with you.'
'That was what I was thinking while I was silent with you.'
'No wonder,' she replied.[20]` #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page

1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `#Pwyll passed the year in Annwfn in hunting, singing, dancing, friendship and conversation with his companions until the night that the engagement was [to be]. The date of that night came as clearly to the memory of the farthest man in the land as it did to he himself. He went to the appointment, along with the nobles of the country. As soon as he came to the ford, a horseman rode up and spoke thus:
'Good men,' said he 'listen well. Between [these] two kings is this appointment, and that between their two persons [only]. Each one is a claimant against the other, over issues of land and territory. May all [the rest] of you stand back, and let [the fight] be between them [alone].'
At that the two kings closed in on one another to the middle of the ford for their encounter. At the first onslaught the king who was in the place of Arawn[15] struck Hafgan in the middle of the boss of his shield, so it split in two halves and all his armour was broken and Hafgan was a spear-and-arms length over the back of his horse and onto the ground, with a mortal wound upon him.
'Chieftain,' said Hafgan 'what right have you to my death?[16] I was not bringing any claim against you, I do not know why you are killing me either; but by God', he said 'since you have begun my death, finish it [now]!'
'Chieftain,' he replied 'it may be that I would regret doing what I did to you[17]. Find someone [else] to kill you; [but] I will not kill you.'[18]
'My faithful peers,' said Hafgan 'carry me away from here. The conclusion of my death is truly upon me. I am in no condition to uphold you any more.'
'Peers of mine' said the man who was in the place of Arawn 'take a reckoning[19], and find out those [out there] who owe me allegiance.'
'Lord, everybody owes you [allegiance], as there is [now] no other king in the whole of Annwfn but yourself.'
'Aye' said he '[for those] who come in peace, the reception will be just. Whoever does not come compliantly, let them be impelled by force of arms.' Then he took homage from the men, and began to take possession of the land, and by noon the next day both the two kingdoms were in his power. At that he made for his meeting place and came to Glyn Cuch. When he got there Arawn was awaiting him. Each greeted the other.
'Well,' said Arawn 'God repay you for your friendship. I have heard all about it.'
'Aye' he replied 'when you come yourself to your country you will see what I have done for you.'
'Whatever you have done for me, may God repay you.' #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page

Show thread1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `#Arawn guided #Pwyll on his way to Annwfn until he could see the court and the out-houses. 'There' he said 'the court and the country under your rule. Go to the court: there won't be anyone there who doesn't recognise you; and as you watch the service therein, you will learn the manners of the court.'
He approached the court, and in the court he could see sleeping quarters, halls, chambers with the most beautiful decoration on the buildings anyone had ever seen[12]. He went into the hall to pull off his boots. Retainers and servant-boys came up to pull off his boots, and everyone greeted him as they approached. Two knights removed his hunting-garb from around him, and clothed him in a garment of gold brocaded silk[13]. The hall was prepared. [Then] lo and behold - he saw the household and hostings coming inside - the most exalted and refined host anyone had ever seen. And behind them the queen - the most beautiful woman anyone had ever seen - a garment of shining gold brocaded silk was around her. At that they went to wash, and made for the tables and sat down in the following way: the queen on one side of him and the earl (as he supposed) on the other. And he began a conversation with the queen. From talking to her he could see that she was the most unassuming woman her had ever [met], and the most genteel in her manner and conversation. They passed the time with food and drink, singing and carousing. Of all the courts he had ever seen on this earth, here was the best with food and drink and gold vessels and royal jewels.
Time came for them to go to bed - and to bed they went, himself and the queen. The moment they got into to the bed, he turned his face to the side, with his back towards her. From then until the next day, he didn't say a single word to her. The next day there was tenderness and affectionate conversation between them. [But] whatever fondness there might have been between them during the day, there was not a single night that wasn't like the first[14].` #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page

Show thread1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `Lord, how might I obtain your friendship?', prince #Pwyll asked Arawn[8] king of Annwfn
'This is how you might obtain it: there is a man whose kingdom borders on my kingdom, who is constantly at war with me. He is Hafgan king of Annwfn. The removal of this oppression from me - which you can do easily - will win you my friendship.'
'For my part I would do that gladly. Tell me by what means I can do that.'
'I'll tell you. You can do it like this: I will make a strong bond of friendship with you. I'll do that by giving you my place in Annwfn, and I'll give you the most beautiful woman you have ever seen to sleep with every night, and my form and appearance will be upon you so that neither the chamber-boy nor the steward nor anybody else that has ever served me will know that you are not I. And,' he continued 'it will be that way until the end of a year from tomorrow, and we'll meet again at this very place.'[9]
'Aye,' he responded 'although I'm going to be there until the end of the year, what advice do I have about finding this man that you speak of?'
'A year from tonight,' said [Arawn] 'there is a meeting between him and myself at the ford. You will be there in my guise, and a single blow you must give him: he will not survive it. And even if he asks you to give him another, you mustn't. For despite any more [blows] I [ever] gave him, he was always able to fight back just as well the next day.'[10]
'Aye,' said Pwyll 'but what am I to do with my country?'
'I can bring it about that there will not be a man or a woman in your country who will not know that I am not you: I will go in your place.'[11]
'Very well,' said Pwyll 'I will be on my way.'
'Unimpeded will be your path, and nothing will get in your way until you reach my country: I will guide you to it.' #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page

1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `#Pwyll Pendeuic Dyfed was lord of the seven cantrefs[1] of Dyfed. Once upon a time he was at Arberth[2], a chief court of his, and he was seized by the thought and the desire to go hunting. The part of his country in which he wished to hunt was Glyn Cuch[3]. He set out that evening from Arberth, coming as far Pen Llwyn Diarwya, and there he spent the night.
The next morning, in the young of the day, he arose and came to Glyn Cuch to let loose his dogs beneath the wood. He sounded his horn and he began to muster the hunt, chasing after the dogs and becoming separated from his companions[4].
As he listened out for the cry of the pack he heard the cry of another pack, with a different bark, coming to meet his own. He could see a clearing in the wood, like a smooth field, and as his pack was reaching the edge of the clearing, he could see a stag at the head of the other pack. And in the middle of the clearing, there was the pack catching it up and bringing it to ground.
Then he caught sight of the colour of the pack, barely noticing the stag itself. Of all the hunting dogs he had seen in this world, he had never seen dogs the same colour as those. The colouring they had was a dazzling bright white and with red ears[5]. As bright was the dazzling whiteness as the brightness of the red.
At that he came up to the dogs and drove off the pack which had killed the stag, and [let] his own dogs feed on the stag instead.
While he was busy feeding his dogs like this, he could see a horseman coming after the pack on a huge, dapple-grey horse; with a hunting-horn around his neck and a garment of brownish grey material around him as a hunting smock. The horsemen approached him thereupon, speaking to him thus:
'Chieftain[6],' he said 'I know who you are, but greet you I will not.'
'Aye,' said Pwyll 'perhaps you are so important you don't have to?'
'God knows' he replied 'its not the dignity of my rank that's restraining me'
'What is it then, Chieftain?'
'Between me and God, its your rudeness and discourtesy.'
'Chieftain, what discourtesy have I committed in your eyes?'
'I've never seen a greater discourtesy by a man than driving off a pack which has killed a stag, and [then] feeding your own dogs on it. That' said he 'was the discourtesy, and though I won't be revenging myself on you, between me and God, I will be claiming dishonour from you to the value of a hundred stags.'[7]
'Chieftain, if I've committed an offence, I will redeem your friendship.'
'In what form will you redeem it?'
'As appropriate to your rank - I don't know who you are...'
'A crowned king am I in the land I am from.'
'Lord,' said Pwyll 'good day to you. Which land is it that you are from?'
'From Annwvyn. Arawn[8] king of Annwfn am I.' #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page