Rhiannon Witch is a fascinating and mysterious character that is often found in folklore and mythology. She is said to be a powerful witch with incredible magical abilities. Rhiannon is known for her beauty, cunning, and enchanting voice that can captivate anyone who hears it. According to legends, Rhiannon has the ability to shape-shift into various forms, allowing her to disguise herself and manipulate situations to her advantage. She is often depicted as a seductress, using her charms and magical powers to influence people's thoughts and actions. Rhiannon Witch is also associated with the realm of the fae, often being depicted as a sorceress who commands a group of mischievous and magical creatures.

Rhiannon

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Rhiannon, in Celtic religion, the Welsh manifestation of the Gaulish horse goddess Epona and the Irish goddess Macha. She is best-known from The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, in which she makes her first appearance on a pale, mysterious steed and meets King Pwyll, whom she marries. Later she was unjustly accused of killing her infant son, and in punishment she was forced to act as a horse and to carry visitors to the royal court. According to another story, she was made to wear the collars of asses about her neck in the manner of a beast.

Rhiannon witch

In comparison with many other cultures, the ancient Celts had their own pantheon of goddesses and gods and, like these other cultures, the Celtic deities regularly intermingled with the human race. While having the fallible tendencies of both their contemporaries and the human race, the Celtic deities possessed a wide range of powers from the realistic to the fantastical and also regularly intermingled with an array of fantastical creatures, such as faeries. Historical texts and archaeological evidence has provided us with a knowledge of these deities as well as evidence of their wor

ship - a worship that is slowly being revived in our modern world through the emergence of Wicca and other spiritual practices. Of all the deities, both god and goddess, in the Celtic pantheon, Rhiannon and Aine are two of the most well-known, the former known as “The Night Queen” and the latter considered to be “The Queen of Faeries.”

Who was Rhiannon?

The Celtic goddess Rhiannon was born during the first rise of the moon and is predominantly worshipped as the goddess of the moon and the queen of night (Shaw). She is also hailed as being the goddess of magick, fertility, rebirth, wisdom, beauty, poetry, and artistic inspiration as well as the wind, gates, horseshoes, and the number seven (Goddess Rhiannon). Her “themes” include leadership, communication, movement, rest, and ghosts (Shaw). Despite Rhiannon’s association with fertility, she is also worshipped as a goddess of the Otherworld, a goddess of death, and a “bringer of dreams (Shaw).” The name Rhiannon means “Night Queen” and, like many other Celtic deities, it is thought that Rhiannon may be reconstructed from another, much older goddess by the name of Rigantona (Shaw). As a goddess, she is believed to be a merge between the Gaulish horse goddess Epona, the Irish horse goddess Macha, and Matrona, the great mother (Goddess Rhiannon). Rhiannon is described as a beautiful young woman in a golden dress who rides upon a pale white horse with a calm expression upon her face. The white mare that she rides upon and its swift capacity is believed to represent her as a lunar goddess (Rhiannon). She is often surrounded by animals, particularly songbirds whose music can awaken spirits and put mortals into a deep sleep (Rhiannon). The main source of informa-

Rhiannon in the First Branch of The Mabinogion

The Mabinogion is a collection of prose and folk stories from Wales that was passed down orally from one generation to the next until all the stories were compiled together and written down in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries

(Shaw). In it, Rhiannon is not portrayed as a goddess but as a mortal woman. In the first branch of The Mabinogion, Rhiannon appears for the first time at Gorsedd Arberth, which is an “ancestral mound” close to the court of

Dyfed (Shaw). The ancestral mound is magical and Pwyll, the Prince of Dyfed, has accepted its traditional, magical challenge of showing a marvel or dealing out blows. Shortly after, Rhiannon appears from the mound as its promised marvel (Shaw). The prince notices how beautiful she is and soon realizes how quick her horse is once she begins galloping away. Pwyll sends his best horsemen after her and for two days they try to catch up with Rhiannon and her horse but fail (Shaw). On the third day, Pwyll decides that he will try to catch her himself but he also fails. Rhiannon decides to finally stop after hearing the prince’s appeals to her (Shaw). She begins to “rebuke him for not considering this course of action before” and then explains to him that she has come to marry him, for she does not love the man that she is currently betrothed to, Gwawl ap Clud (Shaw). Pwyll happily agrees to marry Rhiannon and the two eventually wed. During their wedding feast that is being held at her father’s court, an unknown man appears and asks the prince to grant him a request. Foolishly, Pwyll agrees to grant the man’s request without first asking what it is (Shaw). The man then removes his disguise and reveals himself to be Gwawl and that

non once again chastises Pwyll for acting before thinking and then comes up with a clever plan. She tells Gwawl that marrying Pwyll was a mistake and that she accepts his marriage offer (Shaw). During the wedding feast of Rhiannon and Gwawl, Pwyll’s men are stationed outside in the orchard

while Pwyll, dressed as a beggar, enters the hall with a small bag for food. However, the bag is magical and can never be fully filled (Shaw). While Gwawl is leaning into the bag in order to fill it with food, Pwyll captures Gwawl and traps him in the bag. The prince’s men immediately rush into the hall from the orchard and begin kicking and punching the bag that Gwawl is in. In

order to save his life, Gwawl agrees to completely relinquish Rhiannon to the prince and any feelings of revenge he might have towards them (Shaw). Rhiannon and Pwyll marry once more to ensure its

child, a son, in the third year of their marriage. That very night, the newborn is kidnapped from his nursery and from

who were charged with his care (Shaw). The maids, terrified of being blamed for the baby’s disappearance and the death penalty they might receive, kill a puppy and rubs its blood all over Rhiannon’s sleeping face. In the morning, the maids accuse Rhiannon of “infanticide and

cannibalism (Shaw).” The king is urged to set his wife aside but Pwyll refuses and, taking the advice of his advisors, decides to make her do penance instead. While Rhiannon still maintains her status as a queen, she is forced to sit at the gates of the palace near the stables every day and tell travelers and passersby her story. She must also carry people on her back wherever they might need to go if they ask her to do so, though few allow this (Shaw). Meanwhile, Rhiannon and Pwyll’s baby is discovered by Teyrnon, a horse lord of Gwent

as yellow as gold (Shaw). The boy grows at a “superhuman pace” and soon Gwri begins to show physical features that are similar to the physical attributes of the king (Shaw). Teyrnon, who was once a courtier in Pwyll’s court, recognizes the boy’s resemblance to the king and, being a virtuous and honorable man, returns the boy to Dyfed and to his mother and

father, Rhiannon and Pwyll. His parents rejoice at their son’s return and Rhiannon formally renames her son Pryderi. The name was chosen in the traditional way through the use of the mother’s first direct words to him which, in this case, was a wordplay on the words ‘delivered,’ ‘care,’ ‘worry,’ and ‘loss (Shaw).’ Eventually, Pwyll dies and the crown of Dyfed passes to Pryderi. Soon after inheriting the throne, Pryderi marries Cygfa of Gloucester and, in the process, annexes the seven “cantrefs of Morgannwg” to his kingdom (Shaw).

Rhiannon in the Third Branch of The Mabinogion

Fastforwarding through the second branch to the third branch of The Mabinogion, Pryderi is in the midst of returning from the “disastrous Irish wars” as one of only seven survivors (Rhiannon). Another survivor among the seven is Manawydan, a good friend to Pryderi and an heir to the throne of England, a throne that was recently vacated due to the death of the king, Bran the Blessed, in the Irish wars (Rhiannon). Pryderi and Manawydan are on their way to London to bury the king’s head as a way of symbolizing Britain’s protection from invasion when news comes that Manawydan’s nephew, Caswallon, has usurped the English throne. Weary from war, Manawydan decides against making war to reclaim his rights. In a generous gesture to his friend, Pryderi offers Manawydan the use of the land of Dyfed, although Pryderi will maintain his sovereignty (Rhiannon). Pryderi also manages to arrange a marriage between the widowed Rhiannon and Manawydan, who share mutual respect and affection for one another. After a dramatic episode of disaster befalls them and their land, later revealed to be the work of Gwawl, Rhiannon’s rejected suitor, as a form of revenge against her, the family is reunited and peace and stability return to the land of Dyfed (Rhiannon).

Modern Day Worship of Rhiannon

The goddess Rhiannon continues to be worshipped in Britain in the modern age (Goddess Rhiannon). On a Berkshire hillside, the annual Festival of the White Horse is held in honor

of both this ancient, galloping steed and its association with Rhiannon. Many festival-goers will wear white or silver in order to generate Rhiannon’s blessings through the lunar colors’ vibrations. The significance of Rhiannon upon her white mare symbolizes perseverance and moving forward with a pure (thus, the significance of the color white) and clear mind, leaving one’s past behind them (Goddess Rhiannon). Today, Rhiannon is still called upon to develop one’s patience, overcome one’s enemies, to help in the interpretation of dream work, and in moon and magick rituals that continue to be practiced. The goddess also has associations with many animals, plants,

and gems including puppies, dragons, hummingbirds, badgers, jasmine, rosemary, leeks, pansies, daffodils, narcissus, gold, silver, moonstone, amethyst, crystal, and turquoise to name a few. One of her most important symbols is the apple, which represents her association with abundance and fertility (Goddess Rhiannon). In Romano-British times, plants/herbs and gems that symbolized the worship of Rhiannon were incorporated into jewelry and household decor as talismans, in hopes that the goddess would bestow blessings, special gifts, and protection upon those who worshipped her (Goddess Rhiannon). Of course, these items were also used in the pagan rituals that honored her. Rhiannon represents the element of earth and the best day to worship her is on a Monday. In this modern age, her only required offering is music (Goddess Rhiannon). Today, Pagans and Wiccans gather annually on March 4th to celebrate the Feast of Rhiannon. However, there are also alternatives to this date as she could also be

worshipped on April 8th, the day of the moon that honors all moon goddesses, and June 23rd, the day of the fairy goddesses (Rhiannon). A well-known prayer/affirmation to the goddess goes as follows: “Great Goddess, help me remember that times of sorrow are opportunities for the greatest growth. Rhiannon, I affirm that I have the courage to overcome my doubts and fears (Goddess Rhiannon).”

Who was Aine?

Aine is the Celtic goddess of love, wealth, sovereignty, luck, magick, summer, earth, nature, and agriculture and is in charge of protecting livestock, cattle, and crops (Klimczak). She is also associated with the sun and moon, the element air, the direction southwest, and a sacred herb of the Druids known as

Meadowsweet. She is described as being the Queen of the Faeries and a Lady of the Lake (Klimczak). The name Aine (On-Ya) is believed to mean “brightness, radiance, or glory (Shaw).” Aine is also one of the goddesses in the Triple Goddess Triad (Klimczak). She is considered to be a sensitive goddess with a joyful personality. At times, she is known to transform into a red mare known as “Lair

Derg” in order to “walk amongst her people” and aide them when needed (Shaw). Along with the red mare, her sacred animals include swans and rabbits and she is particularly associated with the Irish southwestern province of Munster, specifically County Limerick (Shaw).

Aine in Ancient Irish Myth, Legend, and Folklore

Aine is an unusual goddess in the way myths, legends, and folklore portray her. Instead of being portrayed as a powerful goddess who is in control, she is depicted as being raped and murdered, as well as facing other difficult

obstacles (Klimczak). In the ancient Celtic world, especially during times of war, women had to face similar cruelties, particularly sexual assault/abuse, and it is believed that the obstacles that Aine faced were meant to reflect the

struggles of ordinary Celtic women. This is one of the main reasons why the worship of Aine was so popular (Klimczak).

According to Celtic legend, Aine is the daughter of Eogabail, a member of the legendary Tuatha De Danann (Shaw). She has two sisters, Fenne and Grianne, and together they make up the Triple Goddess Triad. It is believed that Aine represents the light half of the year while her sister Grianne represents the dark half of the year (Shaw). There are other sources that state that she also has a third

sister, the goddess Brigid (Klimczak). She is also recognized as the “wife of the sea god Manannan Mac Lir - a deity who was very important to Celtic warriors (Klimczak).” However, she was also known to have many human lovers, both good and bad, and bore many children, creating a magical faerie-human race and making her Queen of the Faeries (Shaw). Her association with sovereignty comes from a legend that involves one of these bad human “lovers,” a king of Munster named Ailill Aulom (Klimczak). Ailill is described as being “driven by his sexual desires, instead of learning the true meaning of love (Klimczak).” He rapes Aine but, during the rape, Aine manages to bite his ear off, which would lead to his new nickname, One-Eared Aulom. According to ancient Irish law, a king’s appearance had to be perfect and complete. Otherwise, they would lose power (Klimczak). Thus, Ailill loses his authority and Aine becomes associated with sovereignty, granting power to those who are good and removing power from those who abuse it (Klimczak). Unfortunately, Aine does not win in the end. After losing his kingdom, an enraged Ailill thrusts his spear into Aine and she dies shortly afterwards (Shaw). Despite the portrayal of Aine’s death in various myths and legends, she is still an immortal goddess in the pantheon of ancient Celtic deities. Interestingly, there are other myths and legends where Aine is not the victim but the perpetrator. In one such legend, Aine is forced to marry a man named Geroid Iarla against her will (Shaw). The marriage does not last long, though, because she soon uses her powers to transform him into a goose and then kills him. Despite the fact that there are many variations to this legend, one aspect remains consistent - the union of Aine and

Geroid produces a magical son known as The Magician. Some have asserted that this son was Merlin himself (Shaw).

Modern Day Worship of Aine

ing yet again and becoming more widespread (Klimczak). Consequently, with the renewed emergence of the worship of Celtic deities, the cult of Aine is also expanding. The cult is mainly centered in and around Limerick, Ireland but is gradually spreading as Wicca becomes more popular and widespread (Klimczak). According to tradition, Aine, along with her two sisters, is believed to live in a sidhe, an underground mound where the faerie goddesses live. It is only during a full moon that they will come out to ride horses and play in Lough Gur, a lake in County Limerick dedicated to Aine (Shaw). Lough Gur is dedicated to Aine due to her association with water and healing. It is said that, during a full moon known as All Heal Night, people were brought to this enchanted lake to be healed. If they did not recover, Aine would sing to them and comfort them as they died and passed from this world to the Otherworld (Shaw). Archaeological evidence of hut circles and offerings have been discovered in the vicinity surrounding the lake, leading many archaeologists to believe that worship of Aine may go back as far as our early Neolithic ancestors (Shaw).

spells, fertility, faerie magick, abundance, prosperity, punishing love crimes, keeping magickal vows, releasing faeries, bearing magickal children, and leaving unsuitable mates (Klimczak).” A celebration of Aine is held every year on August 1st (Klimczak). Aine is celebrated on this day because this is the day that she sat in her birthing chair and gave birth to a sheave of wheat (Shaw). Aine is also celebrated in the midsummer, usually on June 23, when people honor her and her sacred fire (Shaw). Men will gather at the top of Cnoc Aine, her sacred hill located in Limerick that was once the most powerful, royal ceremonial centre in Munster, and, with lit torches, will run down the hill through their fields and herds of cattle, asking for Aine’s blessings for an abundant harvest (Shaw).

Conclusion

While Rhiannon and Aine are quite different from one another in many respects, the former representing the moon and night and the latter representing summer and brightness, they also share many similarities, such as their mutual affinity for magick, their association with fertility, and their dramatic experiences with mortal men. They gave hope to women who lived during a time when being a woman was brutal and survival uncertain. Their influence

on the history and culture of the Celtic people can be gauged by their continued worship in the modern era and the power that they have managed to maintain over the centuries, despite the introduction of Christianity. Just as Aine inspired the name of Ireland (Shaw),

known for its pious, Christian population, so too do the ancient Celtic goddesses continue to hide in plain sight, maintaining the same constant vigil over their land and people that they have held for centuries. n

Alexandria Nora Franklin is a senior at East Carolina University majoring in cultural anthropology and religious studies with minors in history and gender studies. She is a member of four honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. She was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of N.C. but plans to move to the United Kingdom within the next two years, where she plans to attend graduate school and make it her home. She aspires to work for a non-profit that combats human trafficking and travel the globe.

Rhiannon witch

The Celtic Moon Goddess Rhiannon was born at the first Moon Rise and is known as the Divine Queen of Faeries. She is the Goddess of fertility, rebirth, wisdom, magick, transformation, beauty, artistic inspiration and poetry. Rhiannon manifests as a beautiful young woman dressed in gold, riding a pale horse, with singing birds flying around her head. The singing birds can wake spirits or grant sleep to mortals.

Much of what we know of Her comes from the ancient Welsh folklore book The Mabinogion by Lady Charlotte Guest.

While our riding one day, Pwell Lord of the Kingdom of Dyfed, saw a gorgeous woman dressed in gold and riding a white mare. Pwell chased after Rhiannon, but could not catch Her, no matter how fast he rode. Finally, Pwell called to Her and She stopped. When he asked Her why She had eluded him, Rhiannon replied that he had only to ask Her to stop. Rhiannon and Pwell were married and Rhiannon gave birth to a son called Pryderi. When the infant was three days old, on the night of May Eve, the nurse-maids charged with watching over Pryderi fell asleep. When they awoke they found the baby missing and in a panic smeared puppy blood on the lips of the sleeping Rhiannon and accused Her of killing and eating Pryderi. Rhiannon was found guilty of infanticide and was ordered by Pwell to spend seven years seated at the city gates confessing Her crime to all who approached and then carrying them to court upon Her back.

Meanwhile, a beautiful mare owned by Teyrnon gave birth to a foal every May Eve and every May Eve the foal vanished. He decided to keep watch inside the stable and just as his mare gave birth, a huge clawed hand reached in the window to grab the foal. Teyrnon hacked off the hand with his sword and the foal was saved. Teyrnon ran outside to capture the thief but found no one . When he returned to the barn he discovered a beautiful baby boy, whom he and his wife adopted. After a time the couple noticed that the child had an affinity for horses, had supernatural powers, and had begun to resemble Pwell. Teyrnon deduced that the child was Pwell and Rhiannon's son and so returned him to his parents. After Teyrnon told the story of how the child was found, Rhiannon was exonerated and again took Her place in the palace as Queen.

The story of Rhiannon teaches us that with truth, patience, and love we can create change no matter how bleak life seems at the moment.

Ideally, Rhiannon would be worshipped at night with Moon high in the sky, within a grove of trees, upon an Altar made from forest materials. In the real world, we can create an Altar to Her made of wood or stone, adorned with images of horses, birds, golden or white candles, and a bouquet of daffodils, pansies or pure white flowers. Soft music playing in the background would be a perfect offering to Her.

Call on Her to reveal the truth in dreams, and to remove the role of the victim from our lives. She teaches us patience, forgiveness and guides us to overcome injustice. She will aid us in magick concerning Moon Rituals, fertility, prosperity, divination and self-confidence.

In Britain, on September 18 people gather to scour the chalk of the Uffington White Horse. This ancient ritual has kept the image of the horse and the Legend of Rhiannon alive and relevant.

Rhiannon rings like a bell thru the night
And wouldn’t you love to love her
She rules her life like a bird in flight
And who will be her lover…
And who will be her lover…

All your life you’ve never seen
A woman – taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven
Will you ever win…

She is like a cat in the dark
And then she is the darkness
She rules her life like a fine skylark-
And when the sky is starless-

All your life you’ve never seen-
A woman – taken by the wind
Would you stay if she promised you heaven
Will you ever win…

Dreams unwind.
Love’s a state of mind.”
(by Stevie Nicks, sung by Fleetwood Mac)

General: The Moon, Gates, The Wind, Horseshoes

Animals: Horses, Frogs, Dogs and Puppies, Songbirds, Dragons, Badgers, Hummingbirds.

Plants: All White Flowers, Rosemary, Sage, Narcissus, Pansies, Daffodils, Cedar, Pine.

Incenses/Oils: Lavender, Geranium, Narcissus, Sandalwood, Bergamot, and Neroli.

Metals and Stones: Crystal Quartz, Bloodstone, Silver, Gold, Cat’s Eye, Moonstone, Amethyst, Garnet, Ruby, and Turquoise

Colours: White, Silver, Red, Grey, Dark Green, Gold, Maroon, Black and Brown

Moon Phase: Waning

Wheel of the Year: Feast of Rhiannon March 1, Willow Moon (April 15 – May 12), Ivy Moon (September 30 – October 27), July 4, May Eve (April 30)

©Rowan Morgana 2015

Sacred Texts – The Mabinogion by Lady Charlotte Guest.

Rhiannon, Goddess of Birds and Horses by Judith Shaw

Journeying to the Goddess

Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes

Rhiannon Witch is also associated with the realm of the fae, often being depicted as a sorceress who commands a group of mischievous and magical creatures. She is said to have a close connection to nature and the elements, harnessing their power for her own use. However, Rhiannon Witch is not portrayed as purely good or evil.

She has a complex and ambiguous nature, sometimes helping and protecting those in need, while at other times causing chaos and mischief. This duality adds to her allure and makes her an intriguing character in folklore. In many tales, Rhiannon Witch is also associated with love and relationships. She is seen as a symbol of passion and desire, often entangling mortals in her enchantments. It is said that once someone falls under her spell, they become completely devoted to her, willing to do anything to please her. Overall, Rhiannon Witch is a captivating and enigmatic figure in folklore and mythology. Her beauty, powers, and mesmerizing voice make her a compelling character that continues to intrigue and fascinate people to this day..

Reviews for "The Powers of Rhiannon: Unleashing the Magic Within"

1. Jennifer - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with "Rhiannon Witch". The storyline was incredibly confusing and hard to follow. The author introduced too many unnecessary characters who had no impact on the overall plot. The pacing was also off- it felt like the story moved too slowly at some points, while rushing through important events at others. Overall, I found "Rhiannon Witch" to be a frustrating and underwhelming read.

2. Chris - 1 star

I couldn't finish "Rhiannon Witch". The writing was lackluster and the characters felt one-dimensional. There was no depth to the story or the world-building. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The plot seemed to drag on with no clear direction. I was expecting a captivating and immersive reading experience but was left sorely disappointed.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I had high hopes for "Rhiannon Witch" but it fell flat for me. The protagonist was completely unrelatable and made questionable decisions throughout the book. The romantic subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry. The magic system in the story was poorly explained, leaving me confused about how certain events unfolded. I can see why some people might enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

4. Michael - 3 stars

"Rhiannon Witch" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was inconsistent, and the story felt disjointed. The author attempted to weave multiple plotlines together, but it often resulted in a convoluted narrative. The character development was lackluster, and I found it difficult to become invested in their journeys. While the book had its moments, overall, it left me disappointed and wanting more.

Rhiannon: A Witch of Many Faces, Unveiling the Mysteries Within