Today I wanted to write about Efnysien, a Welsh anti-hero responsible for the destruction of Ireland. He’s the half-brother of Brân the Blessed. During the mabinogi, Efnysien constantly acts out of anger, often resulting in deaths, which Brân has to fix. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efnysien?wprov=sfla1
Tag Archives: Welsh polytheism
Culhwch
Today I wanted to write about Culhwch, an Arthurian figure of Welsh origin. Culhwch was cursed by his stepmother to only marry Olwen, daughter of Ysbaddaden. Culhwch, along with his cousin Arthur and some of his knights including Sir Kay, and Bedivere. Ysbaddaden is forced to allow Culhwch to marry Olwen, however he gives CulhwchContinue reading “Culhwch”
Sir Kay
Today I wanted to write about Kay, an Arthurian knight of Welsh origin. He is the son of Ector and foster brother of King Arthur. Kay does not have any romances in the Arthurian tradition as he serves more as a foil to others then a fleshed out figure. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Kay?wprov=sfla1
Ysbaddaden
Today I wanted to write about Ysbaddaden, a Welsh giant associated with hawthorns. He’s the father of Olwen. Olwen is married to King Arthur’s cousin Culhwch due to a curse by his stepmother. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ysbaddaden?wprov=sfla1
Gwenhwyfach
Today I wanted to write about Gwenhwyfach an Arthurian figure of Welsh origin. Gwenhwyfach is the half-sister of Guinevere. Gwenhwyfach slapped Guinevere, which led to one of Britain’s Three Futile Battles. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwenhwyfach?wprov=sfla1
Caradoc
Today I wanted to write about Caradoc, a semi-legendary king of Southern Wales and Brittany. Caradoc was the cheif elder of King Arthur and at one point a Knight of the Round Table during the reign of Uther Pendragon. He is married to Tegau Eurfron. The kingdom of Gwent traced their kings ancestry back toContinue reading “Caradoc”
Pryderi fab Pwyll
Today I wanted to write about Pryderi fab Pwyll, a Welsh figure in the Mabinogi. He is the son of Pwyll and Rhiannon. After Pwyll disappeared as a baby, Rhiannon was framed for infanticide. Teyrnon found baby Pryderi and adopted him. However, as he grew his likeness to Pwyll became more apparent, so Teyrnon broughtContinue reading “Pryderi fab Pwyll”
Gilfaethwy
Today for Pride Month I wanted to write about Gilfaethwy, a Welsh figure in the Mabinogi. Gilfaethwy is a son of Dôn and brother of Gwydion fab Dôn. Gilfaethwy and his brother were turned into women Math fab Mathonwy after Gilfaethwy assaulted Goewin. Gilfaethwy became Griflet in Arthurian legends. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilfaethwy?wprov=sfla1
Ceridwen
Today I wanted to write about Ceridwen, a Welsh goddess of magic, rebirth, dawn, poetry, and inspiration. She has two children, Morfran and Creirwy. Ceridwen also gave birth to Taliesin after she ate Gwion for stealing her potion of wisdom. She is sometimes considered an aspect of The Crone. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceridwen?wprov=sfla1
Cŵn Annwn
To end Lupercalia I wanted to write about the Cŵn Annwn; sometimes called Fairy Dogs, Fairy Hounds, or Fairy Wolves. The Cŵn Annwn are Welsh canine spirits that are connected to death and the wild hunt. The Cŵn Annwn are white and red hounds often owned by Arawn, the king of Annwn. Other owners ofContinue reading “Cŵn Annwn”
Y Ddraig Wen
For Dragon week 2: The Dragons Strike Back, I wanted to write about Y Ddraig Wen, a Brythonic personification of the Anglo-Saxons. Y Ddraig Wen was one constantly fighting with Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon) to the point that they kept destroying Vortigern’s castle as Dinas Emrys. Vortigern then consults his advisors who suggest sacrificingContinue reading “Y Ddraig Wen”
Puck
Today, I wanted to write about Puck/Robin Goodfellow, an English, Cornish, Welsh, and Irish nature sprite/fairy/folk demon. Puck is the jester of the Seelie court playing pranks on humans for the faes entertainment. He’s also a servant of Oberon. Puck is similar to Broonies, the Nisse, and kobold. He was also synchronized with the devil.Continue reading “Puck”
Mari Lwyd
Today I wanted to write about Mari Lwyd, a Welsh Christmas/New Year’s figure. The name Mary Lwyd often translates to Grey Mare but others have translated it as ‘Holy Mary’ connecting Mari Lwyd to the Virgin Mary. She would originally visit homes on the Feast of the Ass but now visit closer to Christmas orContinue reading “Mari Lwyd”
Merlin
Today I wanted to write about Merlin, a legendary Welsh wizard and major figure in Arthurian legends. Merlin was born to a mortal woman after she was impregnated by an Incubus. Being a Cambion, Merlin was born with various magical skills such as shape-shifting, and prophecy. The Lady of the Lake was one of Merlin’sContinue reading “Merlin”
Gwyn ap Nudd
Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Gwyn ap Nudd, a Welsh psychopomp, forest god, and King of the Annwn, the Otherworld a realm where the Tylwyth Teg (fae) and spirits of the dead live. He’s a son of Lludd (Nudd) Llaw Eraint. He’s likely the brother of Edern ap Nudd. Gwyn isContinue reading “Gwyn ap Nudd”
Mabon ap Modron
Happy Mabon if you’re celebrating; today I wanted to write about Mabon ap Modron, a Welsh, Cornish, and Arthurian figure now associated with the harvest because of one of the harvest Sabbats being named after him. Mabon ap Modron is a son of Modron. When Mabon ap Modron was only three days old he wasContinue reading “Mabon ap Modron”
Pwyll
Today I wanted to write about Pwyll, a Welsh god sometimes connected to Annwn, the Welsh otherworld. Pwyll is the husband of Rhiannon and the father of Pryderi fab Pwyll. Pwyll became king of the otherworld for a year and a day after getting separated from his hunting party and running into Arawn’s hounds feastingContinue reading “Pwyll”
Y Ddraig Goch
Today for dragon week I wanted to write about Y Ddraig Goch, also called the Welsh Dragon or The Red Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch is connected to Brythonic royalty, and messengers. In the Mabinogion Y Ddraig Goch fights Y Ddraig Wen; a white dragon presumably a representation of the Brythonic peoples fighting the Anglo-Saxons. TheContinue reading “Y Ddraig Goch”
King Arthur
Today I wanted to write about King Arthur, occasionally called Arthur Pendragon, a legendary Brythonic king who is sometimes associated with Annwn, the Welsh otherworld. Arthur is a major figure in the folklore of Wales, England, and Brittany; this folklore started to be recorded in the 1100’s as compilations of oral stories began to beContinue reading “King Arthur”
Gwydion fab Dôn
Today I wanted to write about Gwydion fab Dôn, a Welsh hero and trickster. Gwydion fab Dôn and his brother Gilfaethwy are sons of Dôn, and therefore nephews of King Math fab Mathonwy. After Gilfaethwy assaulted Goewin, the foot-holder of Math fab Mathonwy, Gilfaethwy and Gwydion fab Dôn are cursed by Math fab Mathonwy toContinue reading “Gwydion fab Dôn”
Henwen
Today I wanted to write about the brythonic pig goddess or immortal pig, Henwen. Her most notable child is Cath Palug. Henwen was a pig that belonged to Coll son of Collfrewy, when Henwen was pregnant she was chased into the sea because of a prophecy about her giving birth. She later re-emerged from theContinue reading “Henwen”
Arianrhod
With the full moon tonight I wanted to write about Arianrhod, a Welsh lunar goddess. She’s a daughter of Dôn and Beli Mawr. She is the mother of Dylan ail Don/Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Arianrhod gave birth to her son unmarried causing her to be humiliated and placed curses on her son out of hate, theContinue reading “Arianrhod”
Ganymedes' guide. 