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Rhiannon
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"Rhiannon, for her part, summoned
to her teachers and men of wisdom. And when it seemed more appropriate to her to accept her penance than to haggle with the
women, she accepted her punishment. This was the punishment handed down to her: to be in that court in Arberth for seven years,
to sit beside the mounting block that was outside the gate each day, to tell her story to all who came whom she thought might
not know it, and to offer to those guests and distant travellers who would allow it to carry them on her back to the court;
only rarely would one allow himself to be carried. And thus she spent a part of the year."
-The Mabinogi And Other Medieval Welsh Tales
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Meditation for Rhiannon
This meditation is my own. As with all of my personal writing on this website...this
meditation came to me through my own experiences as a student of the Avalonian Tradition. For more information about meditation
be sure to visit my Meditation page.
You are sitting at the stone circle of Avalon. To the west of the center altar you see a mist rising
between some large rocks. Beyond the mists you can barely make out the shape of a faery mound. You walk slowly, purposefully
to it...counting your steps as you go. 10, you breathe out the stress and heaviness of your day, 9, you breathe in the cool,
sweet air of Avalon, 8, you breathe out the lingering thoughts that careen through your mind, 7, you breathe in the delicate
scent of apples, 6, you breathe out any negative energies that cling to you, 5, you breathe in the groundedness of the Tor,
4, you breathe out every worry, 3, you breathe in the peacefulness of Avalon, 2, you breathe out
any lingering weariness as you prepare for the journey ahead. 1, as you breathe in the cool dampness of the mists, you
walk over to the mound and lie down on the soft green grass as the mist closes in. After some time the mist parts and you
open your eyes and look up at the sky and realize that it is the night of the full moon. You have come to this place to
search out the Goddess Rhiannon. You rise and begin to walk through the forest that surrounds the magical mound of Arberth. Suddenly
a raven swoops down from the trees and lands ahead of you on a large rock. The raven looks at you and cocks its
head before returning to the sky. The bird makes a circle around you before flying ahead. You follow the big black bird quickly,
sure that she will take you to Rhiannon. Soon you come to a small glade...a crystal spring runs through the clearing and forms
a natural pool in the west. As you walk towards the pool you notice that the raven has come to a rest in the branches of an
ancient oak. The banks of this pool are covered with hoof prints and you realize that this is the place you seek. Suddenly
the black bird flies down from the tree and lands on a large, elaborate stone bird bath that sits
in the middle of the glade. As you walk around the bath and move closer to the pool you see that a large silver urn
rests on the flat rocks beside the clear pool. You dip the urn into the cool, clear water and turn to
the bird bath. When you pour the water into the bath you are mesmorized by the patterns that seem to form in the swirling
water. You realize now that this is an oracle. As you stare into the water you hear the faint sound of hoofbeats on the forest
floor...you look up in time to see a white horse approaching the circle but as She crosses the threshold you see
her shapeshift into the beautiful Goddess, Rhiannon. She walks over to the oracle and peers into
the water. "What do you seek my child," She asks. You talk with Her for some time...at times, She trails a finger through
the water in the oracle to draw out a symbol or picture. Finally you realize that it is time to go. You reach into the deep
pockets of your cloak and withdraw several apples. You tell Rhiannon that you brought them for Her and place them at the base
of the oracle. She is delighted at your gift and reaches for your hand. She presses something into your palm but tells you
not to look until you return to Avalon. Then she leans down and kisses you on your forehead before sending you on your way.
You pause at the perimeter of the circle to look back at Her for a moment. She radiates such love
and warmth that you don't want to leave but know that you must. You pass through the threshold of the circle and are delighted
to see, up ahead, the big raven waiting for you to follow. As you walk back through the forest you notice a mist begin to rise
all around you. By the time you reach the magical mound of Arberth the mist has become so thick that you can barely
see. You draw your cloak around you and lie on the soft green grass of the mound. You count your steps back...1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. You walk through the rocks and find yourself back in the stone circle of Avalon.
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Copyright http://hranajanto.com
Used by permission of the artist.
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Veil covered face, and golden beauty
Birds
sweetly singing
Rhiannon
Annwyn's Great Queen, warm embracing mother
Hoofbeats are ringing
Rhiannon
This chant was written by BryteUnicorn.
Be sure to click on the flame so that you can hear the recording!
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My Personal Ritual to Honor Rhiannon
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This ritual takes place in my outdoor sacred space at full
moon. On the West altar I place a small image of Rhiannon or an image of the fullmoon. On my central altar
I place a special mixture of incense using Avalonian herbs specific to Rhiannon, an image of Avalon, and a chunky white
candle before taking a moment to calm my mind for the ritual at hand. I take the time to leave behind the mundane world and
then cast my circle moonwise to evoke feminine energies. I light the candle and still my mind by rhymic breathing. I
begin the meditation to part the mists and return to Avalon. When I reach the Tor, I take a moment to light the incense
and begin my journey to Dyfed in South West Wales and the magical mound of Arberth...to walk in Her forests and
around Her lake. To seek out Rhiannon. When I am ready to leave the Island, I pause at the Tor to leave an apple or some
blossoms. When I return to my sacred circle, I take a few minutes to write about the meditation, then give thanks and libations
before opening the circle.
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| Rivendell Horse Sanctuary |
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Bendithion Afallon
All pictures on this website are links! Move your cursor over the photo or
art to click the link! I have taken pains to give any work that is not mine credit...please be sure to visit their website!
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