ARIANRHOD

I was three times in the castle of Arianrhod.

Taliesin

 Arianrhod is the daughter of Dôn, the mother of all the Welsh gods [the equivalent of the Irish Danu]  who was the sister of Math the magician. Arianrhod's siblings included Gwydion, a magician-poet and Math's heir, and Gofannon, god of the forge. Arianrhod's original consort was Nwyvre ('sky/space/ firmament'), though the myths relating to him have been lost. The only extant tale of Arianrhod is found in the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh stories recorded in the mediaeval period, though they are obviously Pagan myths of the Welsh pantheon.

King Math ruled Gwynedd, but was under a taboo that his feet should always rest his feet in the lap of a virgin during peacetime. Sadly, his nephew Gilvaethwy had fallen in love with the footholder, Goewin. He confided his secret to his brother Gwydion, and as they knew that Math was released from the taboo in time of war by some clever machinations, provoked a war with their neighbour King Pryderi. Math was forced to go off to battle, leaving his footholder behind. Gilvaethwy seized the opportunity, raped Goewin, and made her his unwilling wife. Naturally, Math was furious when he returned.

In an attempt to regain Math's favour, Gwydion suggested his sister Arianrhod for the position of footholder. When Arianrhod was asked if she was a virgin, she replied that she was morwyn, a word that means 'little girl'[1] and might be construed as implying an unmarried state. However, a magical trial of her status was required; to test her purity she had to step over Math's wand, but as soon as she had done so, she gave birth to a golden-haired boy called Dylan, who immediately jumped into the sea and swam away. Arianrhod indignantly walked out of the door, and no one but Gwydion saw her drop a bundle- another boy child. Gwydion secretly raised the child himself. His growth was rapid; when he was four years old, he was as tall as a boy of eight.

When Gwydion took the boy to her castle, Arianrhod refused to recognise him as her son, saying that he should never have a name until she gave him one. This was a serious thing and Gwydion came up with a plan to trick Arianrhod. Disguised as shoemakers, Gwydion and Llew sailed up to Arianrhod's castle. Arianrhod thought that she would like some new shoes, and went down to consult them. While Gwydion was fitting the shoes a wren came and perched on the boat. The boy took out his bow and shot it through the leg. Arianrhod was impressed. 'Truly,' she said ‘he is one with a steady hand! [Llew Llaw Gyffes]', thus naming her son. Angry at being tricked, she declared that the boy should never have arms unless she should bestow them. Gwydion cast a powerful spell that made it appear as though a vast army was descending on the castle. The air rang with shouts and trumpets and the bay seemed full of enemy ships. Arianrhod became afraid and asked Gwydion what she should do. 'Give us arms,' he replied, 'and we will defend you.' Arianrhod herself strapped armour onto Llew. Instantly the glamour ended, and Arianrhod, fooled again, laid a further taboo on Llew- that he should never marry a woman born of the race of men. Gwydion and his fellow magician Math ap Mathonwy fashioned a lovely maiden from flowers as a bride for Llew called Blodeuwedd ['Flower Face'].

Arianrhod's name may derive from the Welsh words arian 'silver' + rhod 'wheel, though her name is also given as Aranrhod from aran meaning 'immense' or 'round'. She is usually associated with the moon, and like most moon goddesses, is associated with regeneration, since the moon regrows after its monthly dissolution. Hers also are the circumpolar stars known as Caer Arianrhod [the Corona Borealis] her spiral castle, where she houses and passes judgement on the souls of the dead. The stars are also her spinning wheel, and she spins the patterns of the universe, and the thread of life, death and rebirth, and eternal thread with no ending and no beginning, but marked by time. [The same stars are associated with her Greek counterpart Ariadne, who led Theseus out of the labyrinth by means of a thread.] Hers is also the turning wheel of the year. She controls the maelstrom of creative forces at the heart of the cosmos. The famous poem of Taliesin states that he wasw three times in the castle of Arianrhod, or in other words, three times he underwent a death and rebirth initiation experience under her auspices, when he travelled shamanically to her domain. Her son Llew is forced through three initiations at her hands: his naming, his arming, and his marriage to the flower bride.

While she claims to be a virgin, she gives birth to two sons. The story of a birth of a god from a virgin mother is a common one in myth. In ancient times, the Goddess did not need the agency of a fertilising god to bring forth life. The son of a virgin goddess is usually a sacrificial death and resurrection god, as here Lugh clearly is. The twin sons are fairly common in myth and represent the two gods, the light and dark twins, who fight for rulership of the year.

Arianrhod is the goddess of initiation. Arianrhod forced her own son to win his names, his arms and his bride through his own efforts. These magical gifts were not given freely, and were not his birthright. True knowledge cannot be given by an external teacher or guru and it is not contained within the dogma of any religion; these can only point the way. Spiritual truth is only found within. This is the true meaning of initiation, which is not conferred by any ceremony, but which marks a profound and irrevocable change of consciousness. Arianrhod's shining silver web links all those who work to bring the truth of spirit into the world.