Arianrhod was a Welsh mythological goddess that played a role in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi. She is a Celtic Goddess of the Moon, Stars and Sky. She was known by other names such as, Margawse or Morgause. She was the daughter of Danu and sister of Gwydion. Her uncle was Math ap Mathonwy, King of Gwynedd. Arianrhod had two sons, Dylan ail Don and Llew Llaw Gyffes. Arianrhod was beautiful, but with pale skin. She enjoyed the company of mermen. Her castle was Caer Sidi, or Annwn. This was the Otherworld, or land of the dead.

 

Arian means “silver” and Rhod means “wheel” or “disc”. She is ruler of Caen Sidi. She is worshipped as a priestess of the moon and is honored on the Full Moon each month. Each year on December 2nd she is celebrated.

 

Arianrhod's virginity was tested by Math who told her to step over his wand. She stepped over the wand and instantly gave birth to two sons. The first being Dylan ail Don. The second being Llew Llaw Gyffes. Gwydion took Llew and ran off. When Llew was four years old, Gwydion took Llew to Caer Arianrod when Llew's mother, Arianrhod, lived. Arianrod curses her son three different times. The first curse was he wouldn't have a name unless she named him, the second curse was he would not have the right to bear a sword or armor and the third curse was that he would never marry a woman of this earth. Gwydion tricked Arianrhod into naming her son Llew Llaw Gyffes, which means “fair-haired one” and “skillful hand”. Gwydion then tricked Arianrhod a second time into giving her son weapons and armor. Gwydion found it hard to break the third curse, so him and Math created a woman out of oak, broom and meadowsweet and named her Blodeuwedd, which means “flower face”, and she was a beautiful woman.

 

Arianrhod was not only humiliated, but she was thwarted as well. She went to her castle and drowned when the sea washed up to shore.

 

Arianrhod is a figure of feminine power and energy. She is a goddess of reincarnation, fertility and childbirth. She is a part of the Triple Goddess, being the Mother aspect, along with Cerridwen (the Crone) and Blodeuwedd (the Maiden). It is said that Arianrod can turn herself into an owl and see through the darkness of a human's soul.

 

Chart for Arianrhod

 

Symbols

 

Silver Wheel

The Moon

The Stars

 

Colors

Green

White

Red

Silver

 

Correspondences

Corona Borealis

Fertility

Cycle of birth, death and rebirth

 

I see Arianrhod to be a spiteful person. I feel this is why she associated with death. She can reincarnate someone to make them better. I like Arianrhod, but I wouldn't want to cross her!