Rhiannon is a mythical figure from Welsh folklore who is often referred to as a magical sorceress. She is a central character in the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh tales dating back to the medieval period. Rhiannon is most known for her association with horses. She is often depicted riding a white horse and is said to possess the ability to control their movements. In fact, her name itself is derived from the Welsh words for "great queen" and "mare." In one famous story, Rhiannon is falsely accused of killing her own son and is punished by being forced to act as a horse and carry people on her back as penance.
✨ She has also become a popular neo-pagan goddess of love invoked for beauty, domestic happiness, and of course true love. She may be petitioned to protect against disaster and humiliation.
Rhiannon was found guilty of infanticide and as punishment Pwyll ordered her to wait at his gate and tell everyone who arrived her story then carry them to court on her back like a horse. Pwyll, Lord of the Welsh kingdom of Dyfed, was riding when he saw before him a gorgeous woman dressed in gold, slowly and regally riding a big, beautiful white mare.
" In one famous story, Rhiannon is falsely accused of killing her own son and is punished by being forced to act as a horse and carry people on her back as penance. However, she eventually wins her freedom and is reunited with her son. Rhiannon is also associated with other magical abilities.
TYWKIWDBI ("Tai-Wiki-Widbee")
Rhiannon is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology, mother to the Demetian hero Pryderi and wife to Pwyll. Upon ascending the magical mound of Gorsedd Arberth, the Demetian king Pwyll witnesses the arrival of Rhiannon, appearing to them as a beautiful woman dressed in gold silk brocade and riding a shining white horse.
Under the advice of his noblemen, Pwyll and Rhiannon attempt to supply an heir to the kingdom and eventually a boy is born. However, on the night of his birth, he disappears while in the care of six of Rhiannon's ladies-in-waiting. To avoid the king's wrath, the ladies smear dog's blood onto a sleeping Rhiannon, claiming that she had committed infanticide and cannibalism through eating and "destroying" her child. Rhiannon is forced to do penance for her crime.
The Mabinogi do not present Rhiannon as anything other than human. Scholars of mythology have nevertheless speculated that Rhiannon may euhemerize* an earlier goddess of Celtic polytheism. Similar euhemerisms of pre-Christian deities can be found in other medieval Celtic literature, when Christian scribes and redactors may have felt uncomfortable writing about the powers of pagan gods.
According to Miranda Jane Green, "Rhiannon conforms to two archetypes of myth - a gracious, bountiful queen-goddess; and as the 'wronged wife', falsely accused of killing her son."
Now, on to the song:Nicks discovered Rhiannon through a novel called Triad, by Mary Leader. The novel is about a woman named Branwen, who is possessed by another woman named Rhiannon. There is mention of the Welsh legend of Rhiannon in the novel, but the characters in the novel bear little resemblance to their original Welsh namesakes. Nicks bought the novel in an airport just before a long flight and thought the name was so pretty that she wanted to write something about a girl named Rhiannon. After writing the song, Nicks learned that Rhiannon originated from a Welsh goddess, and was amazed that the haunting song lyrics applied to the Welsh Rhiannon as well. Nicks avoided wearing black clothing for "about two years" in an effort to distance herself from the witchcraft and dark arts associations surrounding her as a result of the lyrics to "Rhiannon" giving fans the wrong impression.
This post was prompted by my recent viewing (and recording) of the VH1 Behind the Music Remastered segment on Fleetwood Mac:
For an embed of the song itself, I'll use the version recently posted at BoingBoing, a live performance from 1976 which is way better than the shorter, more controlled and nuanced, studio version:
* "Euhemerize" was a new word to me, explained here.
Some speculate that she is the daughter of Arawn, Lord of Annwn, friend and ally of Pwyll. Rhiannon’s powerful associations with horses have led to associations with Epona, a Celtic horse goddess, none of whose mythology currently survives. Rhiannon also resembles Macha, another beautiful queen, humiliated and forced to assume a horse’s role. (Horses were worshipped in the ancient British Isles. These myths may also protest degradation of horses, no longer treated as sacred oracles but forced to labor.)
She is said to have the power to control the elements and to influence dreams. In some versions of her story, she is also able to transform into various creatures, including a bird or a beautiful woman. Despite her magical powers, Rhiannon is often portrayed as a tragic figure. She is portrayed as a victim of injustice and is forced to endure many hardships throughout her life. However, she always remains strong and determined, eventually overcoming her adversities and achieving redemption. The story of Rhiannon continues to be popular in Welsh folklore and has inspired many artistic representations, including paintings, sculptures, and even a ballet. Her tale serves as a reminder of the enduring power and resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of great adversity..
Reviews for "The transformative magic of Rhiannon: How the Welsh sorceress brought change"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Magical Welsh Sorceress Rhiannon" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, the book fell short for me. The pacing was extremely slow, and the plot was not well-developed. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, I found the writing style to be overly descriptive and flowery, which made it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this read and would not recommend it.
2. John - 1/5 stars
"Magical Welsh Sorceress Rhiannon" was a complete bore. The story felt cliché and predictable, offering nothing new to the genre. The protagonist, Rhiannon, was a one-dimensional character with no real growth or development. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to root for any of the characters. I found myself struggling to stay interested and ended up skimming through most of the book. I would not recommend wasting your time with this one.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars
I was excited to dive into the world of "Magical Welsh Sorceress Rhiannon," but unfortunately, it was a major letdown. The story lacked originality and relied heavily on tired tropes. The magical elements felt half-baked and undeveloped, and the world-building fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. The romance subplot, in particular, was forced and lacked chemistry. While the premise was promising, the execution fell flat for me. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre.