The Welsh witch Rhiannon is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology. She is often depicted as a powerful and wise sorceress, possessing a deep connection to the natural world and the spirits that reside within it. Rhiannon is said to have a profound understanding of the cycles of life and death and is often associated with the land and its fertility. In Welsh folklore, Rhiannon is often portrayed as a beautiful and mysterious woman who possesses magical powers. She is often depicted riding a white horse, which is believed to symbolize her connection to the Otherworld. Rhiannon is also associated with birds, specifically with an enchanting song that can put people into a deep slumber or awaken them from it.
And, um, so I wrote this song and made her into what I thought was an old Welsh witch. And then I had just, just found out ~ because somebody from Phoenix found a whole trilogy of books written in 1972 on Welsh mythology ~ that Rhiannon was a Welsh witch.There's a whole ~ there's a trilogy of books written about her called the song of Rhiannon.Which is pretty weird because I never saw that. And yet the song is exactly about that.
Ah, well, I got the name out of a, a book that I read last - let s see- not last - it was it was written right around Halloween not the last Halloween but the Halloween before that which was about two months before we joined Fleetwood Mac 1974. Rhiannon managed to outrun Pwyll for three days, and then allowed him to catch up, at which point she told him she d be happy to marry him, because it would keep her from marrying Gwawl, who had tricked her into an engagement.
Rhiannon is also associated with birds, specifically with an enchanting song that can put people into a deep slumber or awaken them from it. This song is said to possess a mystical quality that can transport the listener to other realms. One of the most famous stories involving Rhiannon is the tale of Pwyll and Rhiannon from the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh mythological stories.
Welsh wich rhiannop
Ah, well, I got the name out of a, a book that I read last - let's see- not last - it was it was written right around Halloween ~ not the last Halloween but the Halloween before that ~ which was about two months before we joined Fleetwood Mac [1974]. And it was just about a lady that had two ~ a modern-day lady ~ who lived in Wales that had two personalities. One was called Branwen ~ which is Welsh name also ~ her real name was Branwen ~ and this other personality that came in and took over was Rhiannon.
And, um, so I wrote this song and made her into what I thought was an old Welsh witch. And then I had just, just found out ~ because somebody from Phoenix found a whole trilogy of books written in 1972 on Welsh mythology ~ that Rhiannon was a Welsh witch.There's a whole ~ there's a trilogy of books written about her called the song of Rhiannon.Which is pretty weird because I never saw that. And yet the song is exactly about that.
So it is ~ it's just about, it's just about a very mystical woman that is finds it very, very hard to be tied down in any kind of way ~ and she's uplifting all through the song. That's ~ that's what I wanted to get and that's what the band got really well was that uplifting of wings kind of a feel, you know ~ when you feel like you see a seagull and she's, she's like lifting up. Well, that's, that's Rhiannon. Rhiannon ~ yeah ~ she's moving up.
~Stevie Nicks, Jim Ladd, "Innerview" with Fleetwood Mac, 1976 or '77/radio
Rhiannon is the heavy-duty song to sing every night. On stage it's really a mind tripper. Everybody, including me, is just blitzed by the end of it. And I put out so much in that song that I'm nearly down. There's something to that song that touches people. I don't know what it is but I'm really glad it happened.
~Stevie Nicks, interview in Crawdaddy, November, 1976
Oh, I'm never tired of Rhiannon . It's a very ~ it's been a very heavy thing in the whole Fleetwood Mac trip. You know it's a very heavy part of the show.
~1976 KOME radio interview with Stevie Nicks and Robin Snyder
This legend of Rhiannon is about the song of the birds that take away pain and relieve suffering. That's what music is to me. I don't want any pain. [Nicks' own version of Rhiannon is softer, more emotional that Fleetwood Mac's] It's not a rock & roll song.
[She pulls out a collection of photographs] This is Rhiannon, without a doubt. [The picture, of Nicks, does not look like her] Well, you see, it turns. It goes right into. [she pulls out another photograph, of herself on stage with Lindsey] This is the killer. And the pale shadow of Dragon Boy, always behind me, always behind me. [She is speaking almost to herself, in a hoarse whisper] You see, I just want to make you realize that when I get carried off, really carried off into Rhiannon , it doesn't necessarily mean I'm not carried off into Fleetwood Mac. 'Cause I'm just as carried off into them. Rhiannon has to wait. She just has to wait; that's all there is to it.
[Answer to why she refers to Rhiannon as she ] Well, because. I don't know why. She is some sort of reality. If I didn't know she was a mythical character, I would think she lived down the street.
~Stevie Nicks, Rolling Stone, 1979
This is a story about a Welsh witch.
~Stevie introducing the song Rhiannon on the Fleetwood Mac Live album,1980
A few years after marrying Pwyll, Rhiannon gave birth to their son, but the infant disappeared one night while under the care of his nursemaids. Frightened that they would be charged for a crime, the nursemaids killed a puppy and smeared its blood on the face of their sleeping queen. When she awoke, Rhiannon was accused of killing and eating her son. As penance, Rhiannon was made to sit outside the castle walls, and tell passersby what she had done. Pwyll, however, stood by her, and many years later the infant was returned to his parents by a lord who had rescued him from a monster and raised him as his own son.
In this story, Pwyll, a prince of Dyfed, encounters Rhiannon while hunting in the forest. Instantly drawn to her beauty and mystery, Pwyll pursues her but finds himself unable to catch up to her. It is only after calling out to her and promising to marry her that Rhiannon slows down and agrees to be with him. Their marriage is not without its challenges, however. Rhiannon is mistakenly accused of killing and eating her newborn son, which leads to her punishment of sitting at the gates of the castle and telling her story to all who pass by. Eventually, her son is found alive and well, and Rhiannon is reunited with him. This story highlights Rhiannon's resilience and her ability to overcome adversity. She is a symbol of inner strength and the power of forgiveness. Rhiannon is often depicted as a compassionate and kind-hearted figure, willing to help those in need. Today, Rhiannon continues to be an important figure in Welsh culture and folklore. She is revered as a symbol of sovereignty, feminine power, and the enduring spirit of the land. Her stories and legends continue to inspire and captivate those who encounter her tale, reminding us of the magic and mystery that resides within the ancient landscape of Wales..
Reviews for "The Mysterious Pagan Origins of Welsh Witchcraft"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy "Welsh witch rhiannop" at all. The story was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were also lacking depth and were poorly developed. The writing style felt disjointed and messy, making it hard to engage with the story. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2/5 stars - "Welsh witch rhiannop" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell short in execution. The pacing was slow and dragged on, making it difficult to maintain my interest throughout. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, lacking authenticity. The book also had numerous typos and grammatical errors, which were distracting. While there were some promising elements, I ultimately found this book to be underwhelming.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Welsh witch rhiannop" to be a frustrating read. The plot was overly complicated and unnecessarily convoluted, making it difficult to fully understand what was happening. The book also lacked a clear sense of direction, which left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to sympathize with their struggles. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mike - 1/5 stars - "Welsh witch rhiannop" was a complete letdown for me. The story was dull and lacked any excitement or intrigue. The writing style was unimpressive and lacked finesse, making it hard to engage with the narrative. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and it felt like the author didn't put much effort into bringing them to life. Overall, this book was a disappointment and I can't find any redeeming qualities in it.