A collection of myth and folklore compiled and retold (and sometimes mutilated beyone recognition) by Dawn Black.
In the beginning nothing existed--no earth, no sky, no sun, no moon, only darkness was everywhere.
Suddenly from the darkness emerged a thin disc, one side yellow and the other side white, appearing suspended in midair. Within the disc sat a small bearded man, Creator, the One Who Lives Above. As if waking from a long nap, he rubbed his eyes and face with both hands.
When he looked into the endless darkness, light appeared above. He looked down and it became a sea of light. To the east, he created yellow streaks of dawn. To the west, tints of many colours appeared everywhere. There were also clouds of different colours.
Creator wiped his sweating face and rubbed his hands together, thrusting them downward. Behold! A shining cloud upon which sat a little girl.
"Stand up and tell me where are you going," said Creator. But she did not reply. He rubbed his eyes again and offered his right hand to the Girl-Without-Parents.
"Where did you come from?" she asked, grasping his hand.
"From the east where it is now light," he replied, stepping upon her cloud.
"Where is the earth?" she asked.
"Where is the sky?" he asked, and sang, "I am thinking, thinking, thinking what I shall create next." He sang four times, which was the magic number.
Creator brushed his face with his hands, rubbed them together, then flung them wide open! Before them stood Sun-God. Again Creator rubbed his sweaty brow and from his hands dropped Small- Boy.
Alli four gods sat in deep thought upon the small cloud.
"What shall we make next?" asked Creator. "This cloud is much too small for us to live upon."
Then he created Tarantula, Big Dipper, Wind, Lightning-Maker, and some western clouds in which to house Lightning-Rumbler, which he just finished.
Creator sang, "Let us make earth. I am thinking of the earth, earth, earth; I am thinking of the earth," he sang four times.
All four gods shook hands. In doing so, their sweat mixed together and Creator rubbed his palms, from which fell a small round, brown ball, not much larger than a bean.
Creator kicked it, and it expanded. Girl-Without-Parents kicked the ball, and it enlarged more. Sun-God and Small-Boy took turns giving it hard kicks, and each time the ball expanded. Creator told Wind to go inside the ball and to blow it up.
Tarantula spun a black cord and, attaching it to the ball, crawled away fast to the east, pulling on the cord with all his strength. Tarantula repeated with a blue cord to the south, a yellow cord to the west, and a white cord to the north. With mighty pulls in each direction, the brown ball stretched to immeasurable size--it became the earth! No hills, mountains, or rivers were visible; only smooth, treeless, brown plains appeared.
Creator scratched his chest and rubbed his fingers together and there appeared Hummingbird.
"Fly north, south, east, and west and tell us what you see," said Creator.
"All is well," reported Hummingbird upon his return. "The earth is most beautiful, with water on the west side."
But the earth kept rolling and dancing up and down. So Creator made four giant posts--black, blue, yellow, and white to support the earth. Wind carried the four posts, placing them beneath the four cardinal points of the earth. The earth sat still.
Creator sang, "World is now made and now sits still," which he repeated four times.
Then he began a song about the sky. None existed, but he thought there should be one. After singing about it four times, twenty- eight people appeared to help make a sky above the earth. Creator chanted about making chiefs for the earth and sky.
He sent Lightning-Maker to encircle the world, and he returned with three uncouth creatures, two girls and a boy found in a turquoise shell. They had no eyes, ears, hair, mouths, noses, or teeth. They had arms and legs, but no fingers or toes.
Sun-God sent for Fly to come and build a sweathouse. Girl- Without-Parents covered it with four heavy clouds. In front of the east doorway she placed a soft, red cloud for a foot-blanket to be used after the sweat.
Four stones were heated by the fire inside the sweathouse. The three uncouth creatures were placed inside. The others sang songs of healing on the outside, until it was time for the sweat to be finished.
Out came the three strangers who stood upon the magic red cloud-blanket. Creator then shook his hands toward them, giving each one fingers, toes, mouths, eyes, ears, noses and hair.
Creator named the boy, Sky-Boy, to be chief of the Sky-People. One girl he named Earth-Daughter, to take chargeii of the earth and its crops. The other girl he named Pollen-Girl, and gave her charge of health care for all Earth-People.
Since the earth was flat and barren, Creator thought it fun to create animals, birds, trees, and a hill. He sent Pigeon to see how the world looked. Four days later, he returned and reported, "All is beautiful around the world. But four days from now, the water on the other side of the earth will rise and cause a mighty flood."
Creator made a very tall pinon tree. Girl-Without-Parents covered the tree framework with pinon gum, creating a large, tight ball.
In four days, the flood occurred. Creator went up on a cloud, taking his twenty-eight helpers with him. Girl-Without-Parents put the others into the large, hollow ball, closing it tight at the top.
In twelve days, the water receded, leaving the float-ball high on a hilltop. The rushing floodwater changed the plains into mountains, hills, valleys, and rivers. Girl-Without-Parents led the gods out from the float-ball onto the new earth. She took them upon her cloud, drifting upward until they met Creator with his helpers, who had completed their work making the sky during the flood time on earth.
Together the two clouds descended to a valley below. There, Girl- Without-Parents gathered everyone together to listen to Creator.
"I am planning to leave you," he said. "I wish each of you to do your best toward making a perfect, happy world.
"You, Lightning-Rumbler, shall have charge of clouds and water.
"You, Sky-Boy, look after all Sky-People.
"You, Earth-Daughter, take charge of all crops and Earth-People.
"You, Pollen-Girl, care for their health and guide them.
"You, Girl-Without-Parents, I leave you in charge over all."
Creator then turned toward Girl-Without-Parents and together they rubbed their legs with their hands and quickly cast them forcefully downward. Immediately between them arose a great pile of wood, over which Creator waved a hand, creating fire.
Great billowy clouds of smoke at once drifted skyward. Into this cloud, Creator disappeared. The other gods followed him in other clouds of smoke, leaving the twenty-eight workers to people the earth.
Sun-God went east to live and travel with the Sun. Girl-Without- Parents departed westward to live on the far horizon. Small-Boy and Pollen-Girl made cloud homes in the south. Big Dipper can still be seen in the northern sky at night, a reliable guide to all.
Found it at - http://www.indians.org/welker/creation.htm
Long ago in the cold lands of the far North, Balder, the God of Light once had a dream that he was going to die. He shared this dream with his mother, Freya, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. Frantic, she extracted oaths from every object in Nature of earth, water, fire and air, that it would never harm her son. Each gave its promise. And so, though a spear might be thrown at him, it would turn away because the wood had given its oath, and though a knife may be thrown at him, it too would turn away because the metal had given its word not to harm him. The Gods, of course, had great sport in throwing things at Balder.
Loki, the mischief-maker, soon found a loophole, however. For mistletoe, which has no roots of its own, did not fit into any of the realms from which Freya had extracted promises. So, Loki made a dart from a bit of mistletoe and gave it to Hoder, the God of Darkness, Balder’s blind brother and guided his hand so that the dart struck true and Balder was slain.
The Goddess Hel took Balder’s soul to the underworld, and despite Freya’s pleading, would not agree to release him. Finally, she said that if all of earth would cry for him, she’d let him go. So all the world cried for Balder for three days, but Loki transformed himself into a Giantess and when she (he) was asked to cry for Balder, he (she) flatly refused.
Here many folklorists would end the story, but there is an alternate, happier ending…
But the tears of Freya so touched the mistletoe, that its red berries turned white, bringing Balder back to life. Freya was so overjoyed that thereafter she kissed everyone who walked under the mistletoe out of gratitude for getting her son back.
As for Loki; he’s been chained underground ever since and there he will remain until the time of Ragnorak.
The daemon Agdistis was an androgynous creature, who could bear children of its own making, with no help from another. Its powers of creature were unrivaled and its temper was unparalleled. The Gods of Olympus feared the harm it might cause and determined that it must be stopped.
Dionysus turned the water of a spring into wine, and when the daemon drank deeply, it became drunk and soon fell fast asleep. He crept up on it as it slumbered, and tied its male parts to its arms. When it awoke and stretched, the male parts were torn off and flung far into the air. Where they landed, an almond tree sprang up. The Daemon, thus emasculated, still powerful, was now an entirely female deity and She was called Cybele.
Years later, Nana, nymph of the Sangarius river, who had never known the touch of a man, came upon the almond tree and ate the fruit. Not long after, she bore a son. Frightened and confused, she abandoned him. But he did not die. His Father and Grandmother, the Goddess Cybele, the Great Mother Goddess, had seen all that had happened and, under her guidance, shepherds soon found the boy and cared for him to adulthood.
He was a beautiful youth, and the Goddess Cybele loved him dearly. She asked him to serve her by watching over her temple, making him promise that he should always devote himself only to her. He promised, willingly, for he was fond of her as well. “If I lie,” said he, “May the love for whom I break my faith be the last love of all.”
Time went by and Attis performed his duties well. One day, as he wandered alone in the peaceful wood, he came upon a dryad. She was the loveliest creature he had ever seen and after speaking with her awhile, he soon fell deeply in love with her. In the days that followed, he stole away to be with his newfound love as often as he could, no longer keeping his vow of celibacy, but always keeping his secret. But, one can’t keep secrets from a Goddess. Cybele knew what was going on from the starti.
One day, Cybele decided it had all gone on long enough, and she would put a stop to it. Striking the dryad’s tree, she struck the dryad a mortal blow. Attis arrived at his lover’s side too late and she died in his arms. He was driven mad with his sorrow and remorse and he remembered his promise. "This shall be the last love of all! No more shall my lust cause me to turn away from my promises!" and with that he castrated himself with a sharp rock. He fell to his knees at the foot of the tree, his arms around its trunk, and there he bled to death. Where his blood fell upon the ground, violets sprang up.
Cybele was, of course, heartbroken and overcome with guilt. The whole world felt her sorrow for the death of her son and lover. No one had ever felt such sorrow over death before, but now this sorrow was known to all and would never be forgotten. She buried him in a cave and for two days she mourned over his body and on the third went to beg the other Gods to help her bring him back. They refused, and so Cybele turned Attis into a pine tree and he lived thus thereafter for many years.
Child of Hermes and Aphrodite, this boy was more beautiful than either man or woman and was interested in neither. He was raised by his mother's companions, the naiads of Mt. Ida and spent his youth surrounded by peace and beauty. When still buy young, he decided to travel the world in search of adventure.
He travelled to Lyca and then to Caria. In the woods of Caria, he knelt to drink by the fountain of Salmacis. Salmacis, the nymph was gathering flowers nearby when he approached and curiousity moved her to see who was kneeling by her pool. When she saw him, she was charmed by his beauty and attempted to seduce him, but he rejected her. Hurt, she turned away with her head held high and disappeared into the forest.
Hermaphroditus then disrobed and entered the cool water to bathe, but Salmacis appeared under the water, caressing him and stealing kisses. When he attempted to escape, she clung to him tightly. Would the son of Aphrodite escape the fate of so many that she had punished for turning away her gifts? Would the sassy nymph escape her own punishment for accosting the child of this fearsome goddess?
"Oh Gods, let this boy never part from me!" Was the nymph's prayer. "Oh Gods, let me escape this wanton caress!" Cried he. And so as he struggled and she clung so tightly she seemed wrapped about him like a cloak, the Gods answered both of their prayers and their bodies melded into one. No more was there Salmacis the nymph and Hermaphroditus, no longer a young man, stood alone there in the cool spring no longer clung to, as was his wish, but Salmacis had her wish too. For now they resided in one body, both man and woman, and yet they were neither.
And Hermaphroditus, both minds in one head and both hearts in one body, wept bitter tears that their wishes should be thus fulfilled and cursed the pool that any who bathed there should be thus changed as well.
Adapted (and dressed up a bit) from Ovid's Metamorphosis IV
Once upon a time, a man name Jack encountered Death. To postpone the inevitable, d he invited him out for a drink. But Jack didn’t bring along any money. He convinced Death to turn himself into a coin in order to trick the bar tender.
But Jack, the wicked boy that he was, didn’t pay for his drink. Instead he slipped out the back door and put the coin in his pocket. Death, thus trapped in Jack’s pocket, found himself in a very bad spot. Finally, after much undignified pleading on Death's part, Jack agreed to set him free if he would promise not to ever claim his soul. Death agreed and was set free.
Jack continued to grow older and older, soon a shadow of his former self; a horrible, frightening vision, withered and bent, that caused women to faint, men to turn pale and small children to burst into tears at the sight of him. Death, keeping his word, did not claim his soul and, further, refused to allow him passage into the underworld, no matter how much he begged. Jack was doomed to wander the earth forever, confined to the shadows, where his ghastly appearance would frighten no one. But, Death is really not such a bad guy. He took pity on Jack and gave him a bit of coal to light his way. Jack put the piece of coal into a carved out turnip, which he carries to this day.
Over the years, people in Ireland and Scotland have claimed to have seen Jack out wandering at night with his turnip lantern. He was called “Jack of the Lantern” or “Jack O’ Lantern”. People began to make their own versions of Jack's lantern with turnips, potatoes and beets. After they came to the New World, bringing their traditions with them, they found pumpkins (a native American fruit) worked even better for the purpose!
retold by Dawn Black
One evening, after a large meal, Pwyll decided to go for a walk. He began to climb to the top of a mound behind his palace, but one of his Court stopped him saying, “My Lord, it is said that no one can sit upon that mound without either coming to injury or beholding a wonder.”
“What injury will befall me with all my friends about to protect me?” Asked Pwyll, “But a wonder, I would like to see.”
And so he climbed up to the top of the mound and sat upon it, looking around expectantly. Off in the distance he saw a lady, seated upon a very large white horse. The horse was walking slowly and seemed to be coming toward him.
He jumped up and pointed. “My men, do any of you know that Lady?”
They responded, “We do not. Let’s go and find out who she is.”
One of them volunteered and ran down quickly to meet her, but she passed right by him and he followed her, but the faster he followed, the further away she was, though her horse never picked up its pace. Finally, he gave up and returned to Pwyll.
“My Lord,” He said, “It is impossible to overtake her on foot.”
“Well then, go to the stables and get you a horse man!” Said Pwyll and the man quickly ran to obey.
The man came out of the stable and came up the road, and soon had his horse at an all-out run. But the faster they went, the further away they were from the Lady, though her horse never seemed to pick up speed. He followed her as best he could till his horse was exhausted, and then out of pity he returned it to the stable and went back to Pwyll.
“My Lord,” He said, “It is no good following her. No horse is as swift as hers.”
“I see that.” Said Pwyll, “But there must be some illusion here. Let’s just forget it for now.”
And so they went back to the Palace and made themselves ready for sleep.
The next day after dinner Pwyll said to his men, “Let’s go back up to the mound, but before we go, I want this man to be already out on the field with the swiftest horse we have.”
So up the mound they went again and there he saw the Lady off in the distance again on her white horse.
“Go and find out who she is!” He yelled to the young man on the horse and he immediately hurried to do so.
But again, the faster he went, the further away she was, and yet her horse never seemed to go any faster than it had at first.
Finally, the young man gave up and came back and they all went inside and made ready for sleep.
The next day after dinner they went again to the top of the mound, and this time Pwyll brought with him his own horse. And there they saw the Lady again, riding on the large white horse, walking slowly along.
But no sooner had he mounted his horse, but she passed him, and he hurried after her, but it did no good. She was further and further ahead of him, though her horse never seemed to pick up its pace. Finally, in desperation he called out, “Oh Lady, for the sake of whomever you love most, please stop and speak with me.”
“I will gladly,” She replied, stopping and turning to him, “And it would have been better if you’d asked sooner.”
And she turned to him, and he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever yet seen.
“Tell me Lady, who are you and what is your errand?” He asked her.
“I am Rhiannon, daughter of Heveydd Hen, I have come to seek you out, Lord Pwyll.”
At this he was, understandably astonished. “That is very pleasing to me. But you must tell me why!” He said.
“My father seeks to wed me against my will, but I would take no husband because of my love for you. And I never will unless you refuse me. So I have come to seek your answer, will you have me or no?”
“My Lady, if I were to choose among all the damsels of the world, I would choose you!” He declared.
“Well then, promise to meet me.” She said to him.
“I will meet you anywhere you wish!” He promised.
“Then in a year and a day, meet me at my father’s house. There our wedding feast will be ready for you when you come.” She told him.
“I will be there.” He promised.
At that she turned and was gone and he returned to his men, but was not inclined to answer their questions.
When the time came, he went with a host of 100 Knights to the Palace of Heveydd Hen. There he found that many preparations had been made and a great feast awaited him. At the table Haveydd Hen was seated at one side of him and Rhiannon on the other. As they ate, a young, royally dressed man with auburn hair entered the hall.
“Greetings! You are welcome here.” Said Pwyll, who was in a very good mood, “Come and sit down.”
“No, I come on an errand. I seek a boon of you.” Replied the young man.
“Whatever boon you ask, you shall have.” Said Pwyll, who was in an exceptionally good mood.
“Ohh.” Moaned Rhiannon, “That was a bad answer.”
“The Lady you take as your bride this night is the one I love. I ask her of you.” Replied the man, smiling.
Pwyll was silent, for he was bound to his word.
“Yes, be silent.” Snapped Rhiannon, “Never has anyone’s mouth caused more trouble than yours has this night.”
“Lady,” He said miserably, “I didn’t know.”
“This is the man that they would have given me against my will.” She explained. “This is Gwawl, son of Clud. One of our own kind and a man of great power. Because of your word, you must give me to him or we will both be shamed.”
“I can’t do this!” He declared, even more miserable.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan. Do as I say and everything will be alright.” And she whispered to him for awhile and then gave him a small bag.
Finally they rose and stood before Gwawl and Rhiannon said, “My husband has bid me go with you and I shall obey, but it isn’t right that this feast be yours and not his. Let my father’s household prepare a feast just for you.”
And so they all went away to return in a year and a day.
When the time came, and Gwawl returned to the house of Heveydd Hen to claim his bride. After the feast was underway, Pwyll, dressed as a beggar and carrying only a small cloth bag came to the Palace and approached Gwawl.
Gwawl, who was in a very good mood, said, “Welcome man, join us.”
But Pwyll shook his head, “I only wish a boon.”
“You are welcome to ask!” Said Gwawl, who was in an extremely good mood.
“I ask only for you to fill this bag with food.” Said Pwyll.
So Gwawl called his attendants to fill the bag with food, but no matter how much food they brought, the bag could not be filled.
“Will that bag ever be full?” Asked Gwawl in amazement.
“Not until a man of very great worth should put both feet in the bag and say, “Enough the bag is full”. Replied Pwyll.
Then, at Rhiannon’s urging, Gwawl stood up and put his two feet in the bag. Then Pwyll quickly pulled up the sides of the bag so that it was over Gwawl’s head and tied a knot in the top so he couldn’t escape. Then he blew his horn and a hundred knights came through the great palace doors and fell to fighting with the Knights of Gwawl until they’d all been driven out.
Then a knight came upon the bag lying on the floor and gave it a poke and said, “What is in this bag?”
And someone answered, “A badger!” and all the knights came around the bag and kicked it and poked it and laughed until Gwawl cried out from within and Pwyll called them off.
“Please!” Cried out Gwawl. “I don’t want to be killed in a bag!”
And Pwyll would have let him out right away but Rhiannon stopped him. “Before you let him out, make him promise not to seek revenge and to relieve you of your boon.”
“You have my word!” Shouted Gwawl, before Pwyll could even ask. And so he let him out and he and his men fled and were never seen again.
That very night Rhiannon and Pwyll were wed and the next day they went home to Dyfed. They ruled long and prosperously and never was a Queen more loved than Rhiannon.
In a land called Dyfed there reined a king named Pwyll. Pwyll was a young man, and as young men are wont to do, he enjoyed a bit of entertainment now and again. One thing he rather enjoyed was hunting and, being wealthy as kings are, never had a shortage of fine horses, dogs or friends to accompany him.
One fine day gathered his friends on their fine steeds and set out to spend the day at his favorite sport. They loosed the dogs and the hunt was on. But it wasn’t long before, as Pwyll followed the hounds, he found himself seperated from his companions in the dark forest. Soon, he’d lost sight of the hounds as well, but he could hear them baying in the distance. He also heard the sound of other hounds, further away, in the opposite direction.
He hurried on to follow the sound of his own hounds and soon came upon them as they approached a lovely glade in the woods. There a great stag was locked in battle with another pack of hounds. These hounds like none he’d ever seen, were powerful and beautiful with white bodies that shone in the fading light and bright red ears. They quickly brought the stag down, but he drove them off and set his own dogs upon it.
Just then he saw another man coming toward him on a steel gray horse, dressed all in gray with a hunting horn about his neck.
The man drew near and looked on him with his head held high and said, “Lord King, I have not met you before, and I don’t welcome our meeting now.”
Pwyll was insulted and replied, “Who are you sir, that has the authority to speak so rudely to me?”
And the man replied, “It is not my authority that affects my manners.”
“Well then, what is it?” Pwyll demanded to know.
“Your own rudeness, sir, is the cause of mine.” Replied the man quite calmly.
“My rudeness?” Asked Pwyll, “How have I offended you?”
“Why sir, I have never seen such rudeness in a man.” Replied the man, “To drive my dogs away from their kill and take it for your own. I would be within my rights to take revenge on you, but I am not the sort. Of course, I owe you no courtesy for it either.”
“Oh!” Said Pwyll dismayed, “I am sorry. How may I redeem myself in your eyes?”
The man looked at Pwyll a long time and then spoke.
“I am King in the land I come from.” He said.
“What land do you come from, Noble Lord?” Asked Pwyll.
“I come from Annwn. I am Arawn, King of the Underworld.”
Pwyll was very astonished and afraid when he realized who this man was, but he stood tall and retained his composure.
“Noble Lord, how may I redeem myself of the wrong I have done you?” He asked again.
“Long has my dominion been under threat from another King, Havgan whose lands lie opposite mine. But, alas, he can only be slain by a single stroke from a mortal hand. If you can rid me of him, you will have my eternal friendship.” Said Arawn.
“Gladly I will do this!” Said Pwyll, “Just show me the way.”
“I will show you.” Said Arawn. “Listen carefully. I will send you to Annwn in my place. I will make you look just like me, and you will have the fairest of ladies for your companion. I will take on your appearance and go to your own home and not a page of your court will know that it is not you who rules over him. For a year and a day we will carry on this charade and then we will meet again here.”
“Yes.” Said Pwyll, “This I will do, but how will it help me to vanquish your foe?”
“One year from this night,” Arawn told him, “Havgan and I are to meet at the Ford. You will go instead, in my likeness, and you will slay him with one stroke from your blade. Even if he begs for another, do not give it to him, and he will die.”
This sounded very simple to Pwyll and he agreed to the plan. And so, using his powerful magic, Arawn placed his own appearance upon Pwyll and Pwyll’s appearance upon himself, and he stepped down from his horse and mounted Pwyll’s instead. With a wave of his hand, he opened a path through the forest to his Underworld home and Pwyll made his way to the castle upon the gray steed, with the white hounds of Annwn.
The court of Arawn was the most beautiful place Pwyll had ever been. The buildings and rooms and furniture were the finest he’d seen. As he entered he was immediately attended by knights and pages who helped him off with his hunting things and dressed him in the finest silks. He saw that all of the household were well-mannered, very respectful, well-dressed and his knights bore the finest weapons he’d ever seen. But nothing could prepare him for the sight of the Queen who awaited him at supper. She wore a robe of yellow silk and was the loveliest woman he had ever yet beheld. And as they ate she asked him about his day and as they conversed he thought she was the most entertaining and intelligent woman he’d ever known. The meal was delicious and the food plentiful. They were entertained by the finest musicians and dancers and it was one of the merriest meals he’d ever had the pleasure of attending.
But when the meal was over, as they prepared for bed, the Queen came to embrace him and, in alarm, he turned her away. She was hurt and ran from his sight and though he followed her and attempted to explain and apologize in every way he could think of that wouldn’t reveal his secret, she remained inconsolable. So the year was spent in hunting and feasting and grand entertainment and every day he conversed with the beautiful Queen, but every time she tried to embrace him, he turned her away and she would wail in misery and hurl abuses at him for his cruelty.
And when the day finally came for him to meet with Havgan, he gathered his knights and his nobles and off they went to the meeting place. And when they got there, he rose up and spoke to all those gathered saying, “This fight is between two Kings and between them only. Alli of you stand aside and do not interfere, no matter what happens."
The two Kings faced one another on their mighty steeds, with their javelines at the ready. They came at each other with a mighty crash and Havgan was wounded and thrown far. Pwyll dismounted and approached him, his sword drawn.
“Oh please Cheiftain!” Begged Havgan, “Please finish what you have begun and slay me with your sharp sword.”
“Though I suspect I will regret it.” Said Pwyll, “I will not do as you ask.”
“Alas!” Wailed Havgan, “My death has come. My nobles, come and bear me home.” And his nobles came onto the field and carried him away.
“My trusty Lords!” Announced Pwyll who looked like Arawn, “Let us go and tell all of Annwn who shall be their King!”
And they shouted “Hail Arawn! Long live the King of all the lands of Annwn.”
And so they road out all about the land to tell the people what had happened, and they all swore homage to Arawn. And when this was done, he left them and went to his meeting place to keep his word to Arawn.
When he came there, Arawn was waiting for him and they were overjoyed to see each other.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me.” Said Arawn, “When you return home, you will see that I have also done much for you.”
Then he used his magic to change them back to their normal appearances and they went their ways.
When Arawn got home and saw that all was well, and that his foe was vanquished, he was greatly pleased. And that evening when his wife, in a temper, revealed that Pwyll had not touched her in all that time, he felt an even greater friendship for the man and he comforted his wife, and soon all was well with her again.
Pwyll for his part came home to a kingdom that had never been so prosperous and great. He found himself more popular than ever, and his Nobles even more loyal and devoted than before. His kindness, justice and wisdom was renound throughout not only his kingdom, but surrounding kingdoms as well.
From then on, the two had a great friendship and often visited one another and sent each other gifts of hounds, hawks and jewels.
Retold by Dawn Black
from the Mabinogian
Demeter, by whose hand the grain ripens and turns to gold beneath the sun, had a beautiful as lovely as a field of crocus upon whom she doted as much as any mother ever doted upon a daughter. Persephone was fair, she was gentle, she was kind and she was obedient. She had a good nature and many friends and liked to spend time walking with them by the sea shore and through the forest. Everyone knew of Demeter's love for Persephone and no one dared lay a hand upon her for fear of the powerful Goddess's wrath.
It was on one of these walks that she caught the eye of Hades, the dark God of the Underworld, and his dark heart was softened by her pretty face and the sound of her laughter. He began to watch her from the shadows of the forest and the more he watched her the more he wanted to know her better. He spoke with her, perhaps, in disguise that he might just be near her, but she was never aware of his affections.
Finally, Hades went to his brother Zeus, the King of Olympus and the God of the Overworld and he said "Brother, there is a girl among your own people who has caught my eye and my heart. I cannot think, I cannot rest, I cannot rule the dead for the distraction she has caused me. Please grant me permission to take Persephone, the daughter of Demeter to be my wife."
Zeus thought about this. Demeter would never allow it, he was sure. She would argue that Persephone was too young to marry and that a child of sunshine could never survive in the darkness of the Underworld and finally, she would argue that the Underworld was too far away, that Persephone, if she were to marry, should certainly marry locally so that she could see her as often as she liked.
Finally Zeus answered his brother, "Brother, I know that Persephone is a nice girl, and as Queen of the Dead she will shine, offering comfort to the dead, helping them to accept their lot if not find joy in it. I know too that you are a noble person and she could not hope to find a husband of better position (since I'm already married). Therefore, I approve of this marriage, but I must warn you, her mother will never agree to it and even Hermes would never be able to convince her."
"I will go then to our Grandmother Gaia. She understands a woman's heart, and she is close to Demeter. She will give me good advice on this matter." Hades decided and Zeus agreed that this was a good idea.
And so he went to Gaia and she smiled and the flowers bloomed. "Yes, Hades and Persephone will be a perfect match. But your brother is right, Demeter will never agree to it. I will help you. You go to the place I direct you and wait and I will send Persphone to you."
And so Hades went to the place Gaia sent him and waited and Gaia caused a flower like no other to grow upon the shore near a river. In the morning, Persephone and her companions made their way down to the river to bathe and do their washing and the flower caught Persephone's eye. As her companions went on ahead, she strayed from the path to get a closer look at the magnificent bloom. Finally she reached it and she bent down to pluck it and when she did a great hole opened up in the Earth revealing a passageway into the darkness.
Curious, she entered and the hole closed up suddenly behind her. She screamed and pounded at the solid rock where the hole had been just a minute more, streaming sunshine into the passage that was now sunk in total darkness.
And then she heard a voice.
"Do not be afraid Persephone. The Mother Earth herself has brought you to me. Come with me and I will make you the Queen to which every living thing becomes subject." He whispered and he held out his hand. "I have many things I wish to show you."
Persephone hesitated for a moment. This was a very strange situation. But it was also romantic and exciting and she was a very curious maiden. It wasn't as if he were a total stranger- everyone knew who Hades was, after all. And anyway, what other choice did she have? So so she took his hand and he hoisted her up onto his chariot and they road away deep down the passage to the underworld.
Persephone's friends were quite a distance away laughing and splashing in the river and it was quite some time before they noticed her missing. When they reported her loss to Demeter, the Goddess flew into a panic. She abandoned all other activities and thought of nothing but the return of her beloved daughter.
As she wandered calling her daughter's name, Hecate heard her voice and emerged from the darkness of her cave.
"You seek a maiden who was taken?" Hecate called out to Demeter.
"She is lost!" Cried out Demeter. "I do not know if she was taken. She is my daughter Persephone. Have you seen her?"
"I have seen nothing." Hecate told herk, "For I have been in the darkness of my cave. But I did hear something. I heard a maiden cry out from within the Earth."
Hearing this Demeter became even more upset and collapsed to the ground in dispair. Hecate rushed to her side and embraced her saying, "Take heart, Demeter, and do not cry! We will go to Helios and ask Him what He knows, for Helios sees all."
Demeter was heartened by this. Of course! Why hadn't she thought of that before? So Hecate led Demeter to the place where Helios was and Demeter approached him saying "Helios! My dear daughter Persephone has gone missing. Hecate heard her cry out from within the Earth but has seen nothing. We have come to ask if you have seen her."
Helios smiled gently and nodded. "Yes, I have seen Persephone. The dark lord Hades desired Her for His wife and Zeus and Gaia conspired to make it so. Your daughter now rules the Underworld as its queen."
Hecate smiled with relief, but Demeter became even more upset. "That is impossible. I have not given permission for such a union! We must get her back."
"Oh but Demeter." Said Helios, "It is a good match. He will make Her a good husband and She will bring light and comfort to the dead." Hecate nodded her agreement to this statement, but Demeter would not be comforted.
In a fury, Demeter made her way to Mount Olympus where Zeus sat upon His throne and She demanded the return of Her daughter.
"I am sorry." He replied calmly. "What is done is done. I am King of the Gods and I have made this match and it shall stand. It is a good match. Hades is a good man and will treat Her well. He loves Her dearly. Persephone has a good heart and will bring comfort to the dead as their Queen."
And yet, Demeter still would not be comforted.
"If you do not return My daughter to me," She told Him, "I will not perform the work that has been given Me. The crops will die and I will wander the Earth, unconcerned with mortals or Gods."
"What is that to Me?" Said Zeus. "I have given My word and I shall not take it back."
And so it was that Demeter ceased to perform Her work as the Goddess of the Grain and wandered the Earth in the form of a human woman and the crops did not ripen and a great famine faced the people of the Earth.
With no grain to make their bread or feed their livestock, the people soon began to starve. They cried out to the Gods and begged them for mercy. They sacrificed the few cattle that still lived and begged Zeus to intervene. When Hermes reported this news to the King of the Gods, he was troubled. “Go to my sister, Demeter” He told His swift messenger, “And tell Her of the plight of the people. Ask Her to soften Her heart and listen to their prayers. Soon there will be no sacrifices and none to honor us. And Gaia, the Mother of Alli will not be pleased if Her mortal children are left to die by the whim of a stubborn Goddess.”
Hermes went to Demeter, who was staying with a noble family in the town of Eleusis, but Demeter's heart would not be softened. “When you come again,” Said She, “Bring my daughter, or I will not receive you.”
When Hermes returned with this news, Zeus new that there was nothing more that He could do. He sent Hermes down to the Kingdom of Hades to explain the situation and ask that Persephone be returned and Hades choose another bride instead. But Hades was not unaware of what was going on and before Hermes arrived He said to to h is beloved, “Take this fruit and it its seeds, this will assure that you will return to me again.” And she did as she was told and ate five pomegranate seeds.
Hermes soon arrived and fetched Persephone to Mount Olympos. Then He hastened to Eleusis and brought Demeter as well. Mother and daughter embrace each other weeping and all the Gods gathered round to witness the joyful reunion.
But soon it was revealed that Persephone had eaten the food of the Underworld and Zeus declared that She must return. Demeter was enraged again and swore that as long as Her daughter was not by Her side, nothing would ripen but all the crops would die on the vine before they were edible. That humanity would suffer and She would not care. All of the Gods tried to reason with Her, even Her daughter Persephone, but she was inconsolable.
Then Hecate spoke up, “I propose a compromise.” She said, “Let Persephone return to the Underworld only in proportion to the number of pomegranate seeds She has eaten. If She has eaten five, let Her stay with Hades for five months of the year and return to Demeter's side for the rest.” The Gods discussed this amongst themselves and Demeter reiterated that She would not allow the crops to ripen while Persephone was not at Her side. Hecate offered to stay at Persephone's side and act as Her handmaiden and promised Demeter She would look after Her well. Finally Demeter agreed to teach mankind to grow crops in the period of the time that Persephone was at Her side but still She refused to allow crops to ripen while Persephone was in the Underworld. This seemed a good compromise to all, and so it was decided.
And ever since that day, every autumn Persephone descends into the Underworld with Hecate at Her side to take Her place as Queen of the Dead beside Her husband Hades. And Demeter mourns and nothing grows but it withers and droops. And every spring Persephone returns bringing with Her the bring blossoms of springtime and Demeter rejoices and fills the Earth with fruits and grains aplenty for mankind to harvest for food and to feed our crops and to offer to the Gods.
Because of the geis placed upon him by his mother Arianrhod, Llew Llaw Gyffes could not marry any woman of any race of earth. Gwydion saw his son’s loneliness and with the help of Math Mathenwy he created for him a woman of oak, broom and meadowsweet and she was named Blodeuwedd.
They married and lived happily for some time and ruled over the land given to them by the High King. They were known to be generous and hospitable and all the people loved them.
One day while Llew was away on an errand for Math, a hunting party came by and begged hospitality of the fair Blodeuwedd who was known to refuse none. The leader of this party was a Gronw Pebyr, a man of fine bearing and the Lord of a not so distant land. Upon their meeting, the two fell instantly in love and there was no parting them for many days. Finally, the time came for Llew’s return and the were forced to part. But before they did, they decided upon a plan so that they might always be together.
“Using your womanly wiles,” Said Gronw, “Find out how I may kill Llew Llaw Gyffes and it shall be done and then I will take you for my own.” Blodeuwedd agreed to this and they parted their ways.
A short time after Llew’s return, he noticed her pining for her love he asked her, “Why do you look so sad of late, my love?”
“My love, I fear that you will leave me. I have had terrible nightmares that you will one day die and I will be alone.” She responded, clinging to his hand and looking into his eyes.
Llew laughed this away, “Have no fear, my darling, for there is but one way to kill me and it cannot be done.”
“Are you quite certain?” Asked she.
“Indeed.” Said he, “For I might only be slain by a wound from a spear that is a year in the making and worked on only by the light of the full moon.”
“But that is not so hard!” Said she, “Surely you will die before me.”
“Oh but that is not all.” Said he, “I cannot be slain in a house, or without, nor on horseback. And only may I be slain with one foot in a cauldroni, and another upon a stag.”
“Ah.” Said she, “Well that is easily avoided. I am much comforted.” And so she pretended and kissed him.
Later, she met in secret with her lover Gronw and shared with him the news.
“I will make the spear if you can manage the rest. I shall meet you in a year and a day.” Said Gronw, and they parted ways again.
A year and a day passed and Llew was out hunting and had made himself quite dirty and hot in the process. He came upon his wife on the shores of the river Cynvael and there she had prepared for him a bath in a large cauldron shaded by a thatched roof held up by poles.
“What a thoughtful wife I have!” He exclaimed and entered the bath gratefully.
Once he had entered, she sneaked away to have a stag brought and placed next to the cauldron. When his bath was completed, Llew stood and stepped out, placing his foot upon the stag. At that moment, Gronw burst out of hiding and ran him through with his spear. Llew instantly transformed into an eagle and flew away.
Blodeuwedd used her glamour to make Gronw appear like Llew in every way and they returned to the castle of Llew Llaw Gyffes to rule together as husband and wife, thinking no one would ever be the wiser. But Gronw’s rule was not as benevolent as Llew’s and the crops were not as plentiful and the people suffered greatly under him.
Word got back to Math and Gwydion of the misfortune that had fallen upon Llew’s people and Gwydion went to investigate. When Gwydion met Gronw, he knew instantly that this was not Llew Llaw Gyffes, his own son and he went away in a panic and a fury to find him.
Disguised as a bard, Gwydion traveled for many weeks in search of Llew and one day his travels brought him to the hut of a swineherd. While he was there, the swineherd complained of his sow, who escaped every day into the forest and returned in the evening.
“Where does she go?” Asked Gwydion.
“I know not,” Said the swineherd, “But she is well fed, wherever it is.”
Curiosity overcame Gwydion and he decided to follow the sow the next day. The swineherd agreed to this, and woke him early and took him to the place where the sow slept. As soon as she awoke, she escaped her pen and took off quickly into the forest so that Gwydion was hard pressed to follow her. She followed the river upstream and came to a brook which is called Nant Y Llew and there she stopped and began eating something at the base of a tall oak tree. When Gwydion came near, he saw that she was eating what appeared to be putrid rotting flesh. Disgusted, he looked around for the source and saw that chunks of it was falling from the tree. Upon closer inspection, he saw an eagle high in the treetop.
And so Gwydion sang:
Oak that grows between two banks
Darkened is the sky and hill
Shall I not tell him by his wounds
That this is Llew?
Hearing this, the eagle dropped to a lower branch and glanced down at Gwydion who sang again:
Oak that grows in upland ground
Is it not wetted by therein?
Has it not been drenched
By nine score tempests?
It bears in its branches Llew Llaw Gyffes!
The eagle came down to the lowest branch of the tree and Gwydion sang to it again:
Oak that grows beneath the steep
Stately and majestic is its aspect
Shall I not speak it?
That Llew will come to my lap?
The eagle then came down to Gwydion’s lap and he struck it with his staff and it returned to the form of Llew Llaw Gyffes, but he was sorely wounded and nothing but skin and bones. Gwydion brought him back the Math who cared for him so that he was quickly healed.
Gwydion then gathered his men and made his way to Llew’s castle. Blodeuwedd heard of his coming and fled to the mountains with her maidens. They were so frightened though, that they looked over their shoulders the whole way and all fell into the river Cynvael and were drowned except Blodeuwedd herself.
Gwydion soon captured her and she begged his mercy but he struck her with his staff saying, “For the shame you have brought to Llew Llaw Gyffes, you shall never again see the light of the sun. You shall be a bird who flies only at night and all other birds shall hate you and attack you in great flocks if you should approach them.” And so she was turned into an owl.
Gronw retreated to his own land and sent an embassy to Llew begging his forgiveness and offering all manner of treasure in recompense.
“What I shall accept from him.” Replied Llew, “Is nothing less than that he shall return to the spot where he struck me and stand as I stood and I shall take aim at him but one time. If he lives or dies, all will be forgotten.”
Upon hearing this Gronw asked his men if none would take the blow in his stead, but none would and they were known thenceforth as the third disloyal tribe. So Gronw went himself to take the blow from Llew Llaw Gyffes.
Upon their meeting on the riverbank, Gronw continued to beg, “I would not have done such a foul thing if not for the wiles of the woman. Allow me then to place a slab between you and I.”
Llew agreed to this and a large rock slab was placed between them as Gronw took his position beneath the thatched roof with one foot in a cauldron and the other on a stag. And so Llew took aim and his spear pierced the slab and Gronw who was instantly slain.
It is said that that slab can still be seen on the bank of the river Cyvael with the mark of Llew’s spear in the center and it is called Llech Gronw.
So Llew returned to his castle and regained possession of his lands and governed it prosperously thereafter.
Now, Gwydion was the nephew and heir of Math, and it concerned him that he in turn had no heir. Arianrhod was his only sister and she was unwilling to even consider the idea of marrying or having children. So Gwydion came upon her as she slept and using magic she caused to her to be with child.
And then he came to her and invited her to go with him to see Math about being his new foot maiden, since it was his doing that the last one no longer qualified. Arianrhod thought this was a lovely idea, as it meant that she would never have to entertain the idea of having children, or marrying again.
When she came to the Palace, Math greeted her cordially, and asked her to step over his staff so that he could see if she was, in fact, a maiden. As she did so, however, two small figures appeared. Gwydion quickly scooped them up and made away with them. But as he washed them in the sea, the eldest, became like a fish and swam away. And so he was called Dylan, the son of the wave. The other was very small, and not yet ready to be born, so he kept him in a chest at the foot of his bed until he grew stronger.
When the boy was big enough, he took him to a woman to be nursed and she raised him for two years, and then brought him to court where Gwydion raised him for the rest of his childhood. He was a very big boy for his age, due to his bloodline.
One day, Gwydion took the boy to Arianrhod’s castle. She was furious. “Have you come here to mock me with evidence of my shame? Have you come here to gloat about how you tricked your sister in front of the King?” She demanded.
“I don’t see any shame in such a fine boy. Do you?” He asked her.
“What is his name?” She replied.
“He has not yet a name, I thought you should name him.” Said Gwydion.
“Well then.” Said Arianrhod, “He shall have no name unless it is bestowed by me.” She said, and it must be so, for her magic was as strong as his.
“You are a wicked woman.” Said her brother and he left with their son.
The next day he went with the boy to the shore. He found some sedges, and turned them into a boat, and then he disguised himself and the boy, all using his magic. Then he sailed the boat to the port of Arianrhod’s castle where he and the boy made as if they were making and selling shoes there.
When she noticed them, she sent her servants to see what they were doing and they came back to tell her wonderful things about their craftsmanship. “Well then,” She said, “Take a measure of my foot and go and have some shoes made for me.”
So they did, but the shoes were too small, and again they measured her foot, but this time they were too large. Finally, she went herself to get her shoes.
When she arrived at the boat, a bird alighted upon the bow and the boy took a stone and threw it and knocked the bird down.
Arianrhod smiled, “The little lion aims with a steady hand.” She said.
“Ah good.” Said Gwydion as his illusion faded, “The boy has a name Llew Llaw Gyffes he shall be named and a good name it is too.”
Arianhrod was absolutely furious. “So the boy has a name, but he shall never bear the arms of manhood unless I arm him myself!” She declared and stomped back into her castle.
This did not concern them for awhile, as the boy was still quite young, but soon came the day when the boy must be a man for Gwydion brought him up fine and strong and educated him in every way that was proper for a gentleman of his day.
One day Gwydion called his son to him and again he disguised them both and went to Arianrhod’s castle. There they greeted the porter and told him to tell the Lady that two bards had come to stay with her.
She was very happy to have the company of two bards and set out food for them immediately and urged them to tell her stories. Gwydion was, of course, still the finest storyteller in all the land, and she was greatly amused. That evening she set them up in comfortable quarters and they all went to sleep quite happy.
But in the night, Gwydion used his magic again and a loud uproar came from the outside. Arianrhod came to his chamber in a panic.
“We are under attack good bards. Will you help us?” She asked.
“Of course lady, but we have no weapons!” Said Gwydion and she hurried to get them weapons and suits of armor. “Lady,” He said to her, “Please help the young one on with his arms and I will see to myself with the help of your maidens.”
And so she helped Llew with his arms and when she was done Gwydion said, “Are you done arming him?”
“Yes, he is armed.” She told him.
“Well then let us unarm ourselves for we have no need of them.” He said.
She was much confused, but he was much amused. And when she realized what had happened she became more angry than ever.
“Well, you have tricked me again, but I shall lay one last cursei upon this boy that you burden me with. He shall have no wife of any race upon this earth!” She declared.
“You are a wicked woman, but I will defy you again.” He told her, and he and his son left her Castle and never saw her again for in her fury she moved her entire castle into the sky where it can still be seen today. It is known as Caer Arianhrod by some and Corona Borealis by others.
As the time went by the Nobles began to worry that Rhiannon had not yet produced an heir. They suspected that it was her fae blood that kept her from getting pregnant, for you see, she was a faerie woman. (Does that explain the horse?)
“My Lord,” They said to the King, “You are no longer young and we worry that you will die without an heir. We know that you love your wife, but you should consider taking another who will give you an heir.”
“But we haven’t been that long together.” Protested Pwyll, “Give us another year, and then I will think more on your council.”
They agreed to this. But as the year came to an end, Rhiannon had not yet conceived. He went to Arawn and he explained to him that he may have become infertile due to the time he spent in the Underworld. They were both greatly saddened by this, but Arawn suggested that another man lie with Rhiannon and Pwyll raise the child as his own. But when the suggestion was brought to Rhiannon she was appalled and refused. And so Arawn offered to use his magic to give someone to semblance of Pwyll, to trick Rhiannon. So it was decided that the High King Math Mathenwy would be suitable and so it was arranged.
When the year was up, Rhiannon was found to be with child and there was much rejoicing and soon a son was born to her. That night six women were brought in to watch over the mother and child. But the women slept, and the mother did too, because she was very tired. And late in the night one of them awoke and saw that the child was gone. She quickly woke the other five and showed them what had happened and they became afraid.
“Oh no. We will lose our heads for losing the child!” Said the youngest.
“No.” Said the oldest, “I have a plan.”
So they stole a small puppy that had recently been born and they killed it and put its blood on the hands and face of the Queen and left its bones by her bed.
When the Queen awoke she asked right away for her son, but the older woman replied, “Don’t ask us woman about your son, we have faught with you all night to save him from your own hunger. You know you have eaten him.”
Rhiannon was shocked, “Why do you accuse me of such a horrible thing!” She wailed forlorn and her husband, hearing her cry came to her side.
“I beg of you to tell the truth!” She said to them, “I will defend you. I won’t let them punish you if you just say whatever it is that really happened!”
“We speak the truth.” They insisted.
“What has happened?” Asked Pwyll in distress, taking in his wife’s ghastly appearance.
The story was explained to him and Rhiannon begged his mercy, and he had it for her, but the story spread quickly and before the morning meal was done, his Nobles had come to him urging him again to put her away if not put her to death.
“No.” He said to them, “She has born a child as you asked before and I will not put her away.”
“Then,” They said, “Let us bring a Druid to judge her.”
This he agreed to and the Druid came and questioned the women and questioned the Queen and finally he said, “A horrible crime you have done, having killed and eaten your own child and the heir of Dyfed. For seven years, you will stand each day outside this castle, and you will help the visitors down from their horses and carry them to the door upon your back, all the while telling them of your horrible crime.”
And so she went the very next morning to do as she was told, but no one would permit her to carry them.
At that time, and not too far away, there lived a man called Teirnon. Teirnon was a very good man, of the best sort. He had a mare of whom he was very proud, for she was the finest mare for miles around. On the night of the first of May every year the mare would foal, but the next morning, every year, the foal would be gone.
This night Teirnon decided that he would stay the night in the stable and see what became of the foal. He had nearly dozed off when he heard a noise outside. He stood up just as a great claw came in the window and seized the colt. Teirnon quickly drew his sword and cut off the claw at the wrist and there was a great cry as the creature fled. He hurried out the door to give chase and there he saw on the ground a small boy wrapped in swaddling cloths and a mantle of silk and crying heartily.
He picked up the child and quieted it, and then brought it into the house and woke his wife who had never been able to have a child of her own. She made a great fuss of him and from then on raised him as her own.
The boy grew quite fast, as his fae blood allowed him and by the time he was four he was bribing the grooms to let him ride the horses.
Teirnon’s wife asked him, “What has become of the foal that was born the same night as our son?”
“Why he is in the stables with the other horses.” She told him.
“Can we not have him broken and given to the boy?” She asked. He thought this was an excellent idea and went right to it.
One day a bard came to their house and they offered him shelter. While he was there he told them stories of happenings in Dyfed and the shameful burden that the Queen Rhiannon bore. They questioned him carefully and thought hard on the matter for a long time after he left.
Finally they came to discuss it, and the wife, who was a wise woman, said to Teirnon, “We have nothing to lose and only to gain by bringing the boy to his rightful parents. We will earn the thanks of Rhiannon and of Pwyll and surely they will let us foster him as we have done these past four years.”
And so Teirnon took the boy the very next day, along with his horse, to the Palace at Dyfed and as they drew near they saw Rhiannon sitting outside the gates waiting to greet them. And when they came up to her she said to them. “Halt good Lord, I will take your horses and carry you to the door upon my own back. This is my pennance for slaying my son and devouring him.”
“Fair Lady, I will not be the one to be carried on your back.” Said Teirnon.
“Nor I.” Said the boy.
So they walked on to the Palace and a feast was prepared for their arrival and as they ate they talked and Teirnon related the story of the mare and the boy and how his wife had reared the son of her own.
“And behold, here is your son Lady.” Said Teirnon. “And whoever told that lie has done you wrong. And when I heard your story I was very sad and came right away.”
And there was much rejoicing and Rhiannon said, “Ah, the child that was my grief has come back to me to end my grief, I name you Pryderi!”
“A fitting name!” Said Pwyll and so the boy got his name from his mother, as it should be.
Then he turned to Tiernon, “It is a lucky thing that it is you who found him, for you have brought him up well.”
“My lord,” said Tiernon, “It was my wife who reared him, and she was heartbroken to see him go.”
“I will have my brother Pendaran be foster-father to my son, as it was to be before he was born, but you shall also be foster-father to him and you shall be companions to one another.” Declared Pwyll.
And so Pryderi was raised and he was carefully trained and lived in comfort until Pwyll died and Rhiannon lived with him till her marriage to Mannanan. He became king and he took as his Queen Kicva, the daughter of one of the Nobles of the island.
The Candle Contest
by The Open Hearth Foundation
Once upon a time, four young witches visited an elder at her small house where they talked long into the night about many wondrous things. Finally it came time to sleep and the elder said,
"I'm sorry friends... but there is only one spare bed, so the rest must sleep on the floor."
"So who should get the bed?" asked one.
"And how should we decide?" asked another.
The elder thought for a moment and said,
"I'll place a candle on the table for each of you to blow out... and the one to use the best magicki will win the bed."
So the first witch approached the candle and focused on the air. Soon a strong wind was circling the room and knocking pictures from the walls. Finally the wind hit upon the candle and blew out the flame.
"Very good," said the elder as she re-lit the candle and re-hung the pictures, "Who would like to try next?"
So the second witch approached the candle and focused on the flame. Soon the flame was three-feet tall and burning like a torch. The candle was quickly consumed and the flame snuffed itself out.
"Again very good," said the elder as she set out a new candle and inspected the ceiling for scorch marks, "And who would like to try next?"
So the third witch approached the candle and focused on the wax. Soon the wax was melting and forming a gooey puddle that ran off the table. The wick was eventually drowned and the flame sputtered out.
"Again very good," said the elder as she set out a new candle and pried melted wax off the table, "And who is left to try?"
So the fourth witch, who was the youngest of all, approached the candle and thought for a moment. Then licking her thumb and forefinger, she reached out her hand and pinched out the flame.
"Ah ha!" said the elder, "That's the best of all!"
"What?" cried the others. "How can that be? You said the best magick would win!" "And it has," said the elder, "For the first, best magick is sometimes simple mundanei effort." So it was that the three witches had to sleep on the floor, and the youngest got the bed.
Article by The Open Hearth Foundation
shea@openhearth.org
http://www.openhearth.org
Granted to public domain as long as attribution is given to The Open Hearth Foundation.
Math Mathonwy, who was Pryderi’s true father though no one would ever know, was lord of Gwynedd. At the time of Math’s birth, guis was placed upon him that in all waking moments his feet must be cradled in the lap of a maiden, except in times of war. Now the chosen maiden at this time was Goewin and she was the fairest maiden of her time.
Due to this spelli, he wasn’t able to move about his lands as a king should, so he had several assistants that did these things for him. One of these was Gilvanwy, Son of his sister Don and he had a deep desire for Goewin. Of course, since he could not have her, his affections remained unexpressed and soon he was driven mad with it, and was irritable and quite a changed man.
Gilvanwy’s older brother Gwydion, who was the eldest child of Don and Math’s heir, noticed the change in his younger brother and asked him about it. But Gwilvanwy would not confess his problem until Gwydion guessed it. Then Gilvanwy sighed the heaviest sigh in the world and begged him not to tell.
“Don’t sigh, brother, I will not tell. What’s more, I will get her for you. Just do as I say.” Said Gwydion, who was wily and clever.
So Gwydion went to Math and said, “Lord, I have heard of these creatures whose flesh is sweeter than that of oxen, to the South. The likes of which have never been seen on this island before.”
“What are these creatures?” Asked Math.
“They are called pigs, they change. They are called swine.” Said Gwydion.
“Who has them?” Asked Math, quite curious.
“Why Pryderi in Dyfed. It is said that they are gifts from Arawn of Annwn.” said Gwydion.
“We should see if he will sell us some.” Said Math, thoughtful.
“I will go to him and see what his price is.” Said Gwydion and off he went.
Gwydion and Gilvanwy went with 10 other men in the guise of bards to the Palace of Pryderi. Gwydion was the best teller of tales in all the world. Indeed, few have equaled him and less have bettered him to this day. It was not difficult for him to charm to court and put Pryderi into a very good mood.
Finally he said to him, “I wonder, Lord about the animals that were sent to you from Annwn. If one craved them, how would one acquire them?”
“Ah, it would be an easy thing to grant.” Said Pryderi, “But I have promised upon receiving them that I would neither sell them nor give them away until they had doubled their number.”
“Aha.” Said Gwydion. “I can fix that simply enough. Tomorrow I will come to you with a something to trade for them, for you haven’t promised not to trade them.”
Pryderi was not so easily convinced, but he did agree to wait till tomorrow to see what Gwydion would bring in trade.
And so Gwydion left that night, and using his magic, he conjured up twelve beautiful black horses, and twelve beautiful black greyhounds. On each dog he made the appearance of twelve collars of solid gold and fine leather leashes studded with gems. Upon the horses he conjured twelve saddles and bridles, all trimmed in gold. These he formed entirely of fungus.
With these twelve dogs and twelve horses, Gwydion came back to Pryderi the next day.
“Here I release you from your vow. You may neither give them away, nor sell them, but you may certainly exchange them for that which is better!” He said to Pryderi.
Pryderi conferred with his nobles and they consented to give the pigs to Gwydion who quickly gathered his comrades and began to herd them home immediately. By the end of the next day they’d come back to Gwynedd, they made a sty for the pigs in a small town and gave their care over to the peasants there. Then they went to see Math and tell him the news.
But when they came they found the Palace all in an uproar and Math said to them, “Where have you been? And what has come of the animals you went after?”
“We gave them to the peasant’s care.” Said Gwydion.
As they spoke they heard trumpets, for Gwydion’s illusion had lasted only until the sun set the night before and now Pryderi and his men were in pursuit, heavily armed. So all the men, including Math and Gwydion armed for battle and road forth, but Gilvanwy snuck up to the maiden’s chambers and stole her away.
It was a bloody battle and it went on for too long. Pryderi was far outnumbered, but he and his men fought bravely and would not give up.
Finally, Pryderi sent a message to Math asking if he could fight Gwydion one-on-one to settle the matter and save their people from any more bloodshed. Math agreed heartily and Gwydion did as well. So it was arranged.
The two fought bravely, and the greater strength and skill of Pryderi would have won, but for the charms and magic of Gwydion, for which he was no match. Pryderi was slain and with his dying breath he cursed Gwydion, “May your own flesh one day feed the swine for which you have wronged me.”
And so they went home and Math went to his chambers and called Goewin to him, but she said, “You must seek another maiden to hold your feet, for I am no longer, and Gilvanwy, your nephew is the cause.”
Math was outraged and promised to revenge her, and took her as his own wife. Then he sent out people to look for Gwydion and Gilvanwy, but they hid. He made it a law that none should give them food nor shelter and finally, after many months, they came to him to receive judgment.
Math was furious and began their punishment immediately. Seizing his rod, he struck Gilvanwy so that he became a doe and Gwydion so that he became a buck. “Go then, and live together as companions in the wilderness, and return to me in a year and a day.”
Off they went and they returned in a year and a day with a fawn between them. They were brought before Math and he struck them again with their rod, and they became wild boars and ran away again. The fawn he turned into a boy and named him Hydwn and raised him as his own.
A year later they returned and with them a young one. Again he struck the young one, and it became a fine, auburn haired youth and he named him Hychdwn and raised him as his own. As for the elders, he struck them and they became wolves, and ran away again.
In a year when they returned with a fine young cub, Math took the cub and turned him into a boy and named him Bleiddwn. “Now these three sons of Gilvanwy the false, three faithful combatants, Bleiddwn, Hydwn and Hychdwn, the Tall!”.
And then he allowed the two men to take on their own forms again.
“Now you have done your penance, let all be forgotten. Tell me now, who shall I seek to be my foot maiden.”
“My sister, Arianrhod would be an excellent choice.” Said Gwydion.
“Go then,” Said Math, “And see if she is willing.”
Author Unknown
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel: all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.
GREEN said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, leaves, trees--without me, all animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."
BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the Earth, but consider the sky and sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."
YELLOW chuckled:"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth to the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me, there would be no fun."
ORANGE started next to blow her temper. "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangos, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you".
RED could stand it no longer. He shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you! I am blood! Life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire to the blood! I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poppy and the poinsettia. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon!"
PURPLE rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me, they listen and obey".
Finally, INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
And so all the colors went on boasting and quarreling, each convinced of their own superiority. Soon, their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening! Thunder rolled and boomed! Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor, RAIN began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."
Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The RAIN continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of colors as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow".
And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.