Her name was sung by the honey voiced Stevie Nicks in the song Rhiannon, back in the 1970′s, gaining her the attention she very much deserves. Rhiannon is defiantly a warrior goddess in her own right, as well as a soft whimsical soul. Her name means “divine queen” of the fairies, and she was often seen riding her horses in the flower fields among her fairy kingdom. She sang to the birds, and anyone else who would happen to walk by. The goddess had many gifts, with which she shared with many people.
Her life wasn’t all roses and fairy dust. Her family arranged for her to marry an older man, a man of her “own kind.” But Rhiannon being the individual she is, defied their wishes and fell for Pwyll, a mortal prince. She proceeded to woo him outside his castle one day, and he instantly fell for her alluring glow. She was a stunning sight to see; long hair, fair skin, and an infectious loving personality, galloping towards him on a white horse. She could entice anyone, and she was aware of this, but never took it for granted. She is a dazzling person, and Pwyll could not believe she was his, a women from another land.
The two met up again a year later as Rhiannon took Pwyll and his men through the winding forest to her home where they would be wedded, and she would be apart of the mortal world.
They rode and rode, amazed at Rhiannon’s speed and gracefulness. The trees behind them began to close and soon they entered a clearing. Within the clearing was a beautiful structure made of crystal that spiraled up into the sky. This was the place Rhiannon called home. Birds flitted and danced about Rhiannon singing to her. It was a fairy tale moment in time.
After the wedding a great festival was held, with much happiness and joy. Both families were accepting groups welcoming each other with open arms. The group danced around the fairy kingdom celebrating the newly wed couple. Unfortunately, the older man Rhiannon was set up to marry showed up and started creating havoc. This would not be tolerated by her, so Rhiannon set out for him quietly as she could. Using a bit of magic of course, she turned him into a badger, tied him up in a bag, and threw him into a river to drown. As gracious as she may be, Rhiannon was not to messed with. Little did she know he escaped from the bag, and would cause future drama in her life later on.
In the mean time Rhiannon and her husband lived on in the Pwyll’s palace. Soon his family started to question the couple about having an heir to the thrown, and began to question Rhiannon’s ability to be within the royal family. Rhiannon quickly took notice and produced a beautiful baby boy. Being exhausted from child birth, Rhiannon was assigned 7 maids to help her with her new child. They were to take shifts caring for the infant. One night they all fell asleep on the job, and awoke to find the crib empty. Immediately alarmed and afraid of getting in trouble, they decided to put the blame on Rhiannon, killing an animal and scattering its blood and bones around the sleeping beauty.
The next morning the maids rang the alarm and spoke a hideous lie saying that Rhiannon ate her own child. The whole town was a wreck, and even Pwyll did not defend his wife. Blinded by anger, he sentenced her to be a greeter outside the castle gate and carry the visitors up the hill for as long as she lives.
She agreed to her punishment, enduring it for many years. Eventually her integrity and acceptance began to grow on the visitors, and people started to show kindness towards her once again.
In the fall, a man, his wife, and a young boy showed up at the gate. Rhiannon told them she was there to carry them up the hill, but the family refused. The boy leaned down and handed her a piece of an infants clothing. Shocked and overwhelmed Rhiannon realized that the cloth had been woven by her. She looked into the boys eyes and saw Pwyll’s gaze within them. This boy was her son. The family had taken him in when they found him abandoned years ago. Once the news about Rhiannon reached them they knew that this boy must have something to do with her terrible fate. So they set out to find her, and reunite Rhiannon with her son.
Soon the whole kingdom was made aware of what happened, and Rhiannon was accepted back into the royal family once more.
Her endless ability to forgive is a lesson we could all take note of. Forgiveness is not only an important task to employ within yourself, but also with others. It can unlock the door to everlasting peace, for you and all of the people that come and go in your life. She also teaches us to endure life’s throw-backs with grace, and an open heart, learning what you can along the way. Everything works out in the end, so in the mean time, take some time to sing and enjoy the flowers! Be that inner maiden and approach things with a care-free attitude like Rhiannon did.
CONNECTING WITH RHIANNON
Practice the role of forgiveness in an area of your life. May it be with yourself or with another person. And remember if its with another person, your not saying that what they did was right, but your saying that your moving on, and are not dwelling on the matter anymore. Baby steps are fine, either way some weight will be lifted off your shoulders. Rhiannon is there to help! Since its almost spring, go outside and connect with her for the help you need. Give the fairies a donation, or do whatever you feel is right. Make spring a fresh new start.
SYMBOLS AND THINGS TO PUT ON YOUR ALTAR
birds, horses, wind, the moon, gates, bayberry, sage, rosemary, gold, amethyst, dark green, brown, lavender, horseshoe, (the song Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac)
http://paganpages.org/content/2011/04/gems-of-the-goddess-23/
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