A Brief Guide to the Gods and Goddesses of Wales | Welsh Deities 101 | Welsh Celtic Paganism

Welcome to a new series! Welsh Deities 101. This week, let us explore the Welsh Celtic Gods and Goddesses. This is a quick guide to all the notable names you will hear in Welsh Celtic Paganism and who they are. This video acts as a leaping board to learning more about Welsh deities.
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[@FutileGrief]

Excuse me, but how dare you be this awesome. I mean.

[@francisfischer7620]

LOL! Quite so!!

[@KacyBurchfield]

I'm intrigued by the story of Bloudewedd. It is very similar to the story of Lilith. *deep research ensues* :)

[@nigelsheppard625]

Blodeuwedd is sunlight. She shows this in that where she lands, daisies grow in her footprints She is in fact Sulis (Olwen). Her animal aspect is the Owl.

[@guardemdog]

Sometimes I just listen to you when needing to relax. There is something very relaxing about your voice.

[@AzuraDragonFaether]

I’m binging all your content going mad waiting for your book to release! Thank you so much for these videos! They are making my whole week! 😍💘

[@ByWayOfTheRainbow]

I'm hooked and can't wait for the next episode! I love your channel and I enjoy practicing the pronunciation of the names while watching your videos. I'm still having issues with the "Ll" sound, but I'm getting there. Your also helping me dig deeper into my Welsh heritage. It's not easy finding good information on Welsh Witchcraft anywhere. Thank you for being so awesome and informative!🙏

[@toddpritz3438]

Mhara, you are a lovely human being. Love your videos! I'm ordering your book today! ❤

[@Reggiec727]

So glad I found your channel, Welsh mythology and folklore is so misunderstood and convoluted it's hard to learn what is actually what. I will definitely buying your book.

[@kaytihodan-st2qp]

You are gorgeous and divine!

[@shelldenning5384]

Loved this … thank you❤️

[@sollysmum]

Schwmai Mhara, from the sunny Swansea Valley I’m new to the channel, recommended by Sian Esther Powell 🖤 merry meet 🖤

[@Narakusslave26]

Diolch! Thanks so much for this video. I visited Wales for the first time recently and absolutely fell in LOVE. I picked up your book and am currently reading it alongside Y Mabinogi. I find it all so fascinating! This video is super useful for me because I'm also currently using Duolingo to learn Welsh! The Ll trips me up so much sometimes 😂❤

[@kibetsproductions5867]

this is so cool!!!

[@garryrushworth2362]

Hi Mhara what a fascinating video. I can't wait for the next one

[@TishArtMa]

Gratitude n Honour 🌸💝🌺

[@DennisMay-vf9vi]

I love the Celtic goddess and gods

[@rhuamcordeiro6209]

Thanks for this video, I'm on this journey to meet the Welsh gods and folklore and being a Brazilian pagan it's very difficult to find real information on the subject so you've been helping me a lot, I hope I can buy your book when it comes out, kisses from Brazil

[@dianaboucher306]

I cant wait to buy your book im such a big fan

[@gwynevans6440]

Names all the Welsh gods perfectly. Struggles with the word owl.

[@thessurtatzelwyrm5550]

I really want to know more about Lleu Llaw Gyffes, but I've had trouble finding info beyond the Mabanogian. I've been trying to learn more about Welsh pagan lore and practice and I'm really looking forward to getting your book when it comes out! I have my pre-order in already.

[@kellylouisebrown4954]

Get a copy of the Mabinogion too :)

[@FioGedeParma]

Such clear, informative, excellent conveyance of mythic lore and info! x

[@Pagyptsian]

Loved this video, as always!

[@wolfonthesteps]

My mind is full of random myths and deities that they get a bit muddled up. It really does help to listen to things like this.

[@ganis9679]

Thank you for sharing these very interesting, informative, and insightful videos! 🙏🏽🙂

[@no-relic]

Wow thanks this is very helpful

[@itzlucindaplayz7410]

Hi there! I also found your videos today and they are absolutely lovely! And they say all about the Welsh folklore. I’m actually from Wales myself and lots of these folklores I’ve never heard of! The one I know quite well is the one about Gelert. Anyways thank you so much for this lovely channel dedicated to the welsh culture! And the correct pronunciation of the welsh language.

[@kellylouisebrown4954]

Gerlert is such a sad story.

[@mabonbran8913]

So sad and so typical to real life, lots of people make a quick assessment, a knee-jerk reaction and lash out.

[@txtardis7887]

Was good to see you embrace Braint. 🙏

[@donnyskinglongliveme]

so interesting! Thank you! Flip! I wish i could remember all these names. The Welsh language sounds so otherworldly and distant to me! Being from the North of England i am more used to scandanavian and AngloSaxon/Germanic language. Although i realise that Welsh was already spoken here before the Angles came in.

[@kellylouisebrown4954]

It is a very phonetic language and Mhara pronunciation video is excellent. Coming from someone from South Wales :)

[@mabonbran8913]

Hi, yeah, the Celtic languages and the German and even Latin all come from the same Proto Indo European language, first used in the Caucasus mountains around the end of the Neolithic, spread throughout Eurasia during the copper and bronze ages.

[@JaniceMoan]

I can't waittt for your book! Pre ordered like a month ago now 😂

[@JackChanek]

Loved this video! Thank you so much.

[@gothmaze]

Oh my Goddess! I am so glad to have clicked on this video today. Years ago when I first started witchcraft I had a deck of Goddess cards with Blodeuwedd in them. I kept getting her card over and over, so confused as to why. Now I realize over decade later why. The owl is a symbol I really relate to as do a lot of witches. But now I understand. Cheers! Slainte!

[@frmoonbright1927]

Brilliant - thank you. I’ll be watching again with my notebook! I have your book and am loving it… I hope you’ll be writing more in the future 😊😊

[@francisfischer7620]

Indeed!

[@authormichellefranklin]

Lovely series! Thank you!

[@aldan1694]

So excited to get ur book! 😀

[@fallengraywolf909]

Really looking forward to getting a copy of your book and adding to my collection. It is refreshing to see someone keeping our old ways alive for the next generation, I commend your efforts. Bendithion

[@katherinelee7835]

I am so thankful for your work and making it excusable. For a few years I wanted to learn more of my craft and heritage, but was unable to translate or understand the history. Can't wait for the book and new episodes!

[@maggiehall3471]

I consider Manawydan to be the Great Counsellor. Trust of your own intuition and craft are key with him, and I often find myself revisiting his legends when the time comes to make an important decision in my own life. All about keeping a cool head and an open mind.

[@alethearia]

The curse that Aranrhod places on her children sounds very similar to the Scottish Gies, which can be seen as a cursing, but more commonly is like... like a calling? It's a set of rules you have to obey for specific reasons that the person with the gies upon them might not even know. I just find the parallels interesting. Not saying that the two are the same thing, but that they maybe served the same cultural function.

[@mharastarling2730]

Yes! They are very similar! In Welsh, we call it a “tynged”. A tynged isn’t necessarily a curse...like you say, it’s more a calling or “fate”. I said curse in this video to keep it a little short, but I’ll be delving into the idea of a Tynged in an Arianrhod video in future.

[@marylamphere2112]

Love this video, love your work, and LOVE your hair. I shaved my head last year in a fit of madness and have hair envy. I knew I was getting the pronunciation wrong but I had no idea HOW WRONG it was. Thanks for the info!

[@PumpkinMozie]

Welsh is such a beautiful language and it makes me so happy that it has survived over the centuries. You are so blessed to be a native speaker! Please if you have kids, please please please teach them welsh although I’m sure you already know how valuable it is so I don’t need to convince you haha.

[@NefariousHippie]

As a wonderful coincidence, I had been reading your book, and separately tried to look up some things about Welsh deities, and that lead me to your channel! I am excited to see all your videos, thank you so much for sharing your insights

[@angelathompson4304]

Omg i love your channel! I am definately buying your book.

[@hruodvan7081]

Hi Mhara!! Absolutely love you videos, and books! I'm in America, My Great Grandparents are from Powy's Montgomershire in Llandinam. I feel called to my ancient ancestors religion!! You truly help me to achieve this!! I am 55 years old, and my #1 bucket list is to bath myself into the river Severn where my 3x Great Grandfather was a basket weaver. Thank you again for your inspiring words, and wisdom. Hopefully we can meet one day!!

[@francisfischer7620]

Pwyll- beautiful sound!

[@sarahdavies9356]

Diolch, my daughter's class in school is called Pwyll, and I had no idea it was a God!

[@AmyPacsay]

Thank you. I'm still finding my way and you've helped with pointing out those questions and didn't realise I needed to ask.

[@tishainess9339]

And thank you❤

[@theravenmagick]

Thank you so much for this!!!!

[@Pixie3p14]

I would totally love for you to do a video on Branwen!

[@knowthymedicine]

Hello from Idaho, USA. The Ouwoool would be very Northwest American English 😊. Thank you for this informative video. I appreciate you Mhara!❤

[@vampyboi438]

Brilliant video Just cus I feel like sharing personal thoughts, I regard Arawn as a personal patron god of sorts due to strongly relating to what he represents Blodeuwedd is also one I feel especially close to due to a reoccuring dream where Im sat at a table in the woods in a sort of tea party with two women, one stern and wise woman in a blue dress who turns into an owl and another more youthful and energetic woman in a yellow dress. I also revere a local river goddess Habren of the river severn whose waters nourish the land I live on

[@tishainess9339]

My last name is Iness. Inis. Ynys. I got my DNA tested through several different labs and it comes back I’m mostly Irish Scottish Welsh. I was searching Welsh mythology and came across your video (top of search results). I don’t believe in coincidence. I am kinda witchy myself. I am very connected to elementals and dead ppl. I got goosebumps rn. Just thought I’d share

[@Otherthings900]

(Mhara, you are gorgeous as always!!) Does anyone else here worship Aranrhod/Arianrhod? She's approached me as a "moon" goddess in some ways and I connect with her in that way. For me she is helping me recover and stand in my womanhood, a womanhood that isn't defined by others. I'm interested to see how she's connected to others and how she presents herself and helps them in their unique relationships. I love that our deities are all so flexible and will reach us in ways we can recognize and then inspire us from there!

[@liminalflynneas9844]

Yes! I work with Arianrhod, and She made Her presence known to me by giving me a strong feeling on a December 2nd years ago, when it was a full moon or thereabouts, that I needed to look up moon goddesses. When I did look it up, the resource I was looking at not only listed Her on there, but said that one of Her holidays is Dec 2nd. I knew that that couldn’t have been a coincidence. But, I believe that that was much more to do with Her compelling me to use Google in such a way as to find Her, more than that the moon is a representative of Her.

[@krymsonuchiha14]

This is so helpful for my research! Im writing a series that connects all the myths, but keep them separate at the same time. They stay connected to Earth by special demigods. Im writing a prequel story, and I have trouble finding which god or goddess to use as the godly parent.

[@krymsonuchiha14]

I'm also a witch, but a panthiest and is more hellenic than anything, but I love to bring my own beliefs into my fantasy series.

[@bartelskids]

Do you have any book suggestions about Welsh paganism, mythology, gods and goddesses?

[@kellylouisebrown4954]

Diolch yn fawr :)

[@Way_loz]

I'd like to know more about arianrhod, is there any reading that you suggest? Keep up the good work! Thank you

[@tabithatrimm-hooson4585]

I always felt a connection to Bloudewedd too but I don’t see her owl form as a curse. It feels like a liberation, whether intended to be or not, a huntress of the night full of agency and the ability to fly. Free of all constraints to herself including the ground. But that is just my view of it 🥰

[@ei9896]

Heer seems like Neptune in some positions. In Pushkins fairy tale King Gwidon lives on island. It's could be translation of Wales tales for Russian readers (also he was Bairons follower)

[@mishapurser4439]

It is believed that Braint may be related etymologically to Brigantia. Brigantia is the Brythonic matron goddess of what is now northern England, and she is associated with many things including healing and spring. She is the head of my Brythonic hearth cult, and perhaps my entire hearth cult. (A hearth cult being the selection of deities a pagan chooses to worship. It uses the ancient definition of cult without the modern connotations).

[@nicokelly6453]

A nice compilation! Perhaps, if possible someday you could do a video compiling some of the tales or sources of a specific one (I haven't watched the Gwydion video yet, perhaps you've done that there - I'll see once I do!) Although I don't view Pwyll as much of a deity as some others, I will say I personally associate him with virtuous will as well - one of my favorite moments at the beginning of the Mabinogi is when he stays in Annwn and is given permission to sleep with Arawn's wife, but he never does. That kind of character in him builds his association with "keeping an honorable character," for me. (also, I do think "associations" is a good way to think of deities, to avoid dealing with the "Gods of" problem. I don't think Rhiannon is "of horses" but I do think she is "associated with horses." A nuance change but I think it makes a difference. I totally agree with what you said about the complexity issues.)

[@NoreaLamia]

Thank you for making this channel. Part of my heritage is Welsh and I'm trying to learn more about Welsh traditions. One deity/figure I would be interested to know your thoughts on is Elen Luyddog (Elen of the Hosts). I'm too not sure what is modern and what is historical, she's connected to St. Helen and has only one story I could find but a lot of people re-interpreted her with a lot of flourish. The only common thread I noticed is her connection with roads and maybe sovereignty.

[@raniafowler4599]

I am too interested in learning more about Elen of the Ways. I would love it if Mhara would do a video on her because there is not much out there!

[@josephlloyd98]

Just found out my last name Lloyd is welsh! Trying to research welsh culture more!

[@Tulip_bip]

i've been looking into different mythologies recently, i'm from wales an i honestly had no idea that we had our own gods lmao. but i find it really interesting how the gods of wales aren't really known for representing specific things, when most gods from other mythologies follow that trend. welsh gods are treated more like divine people, when you have gods from greek and norse mythology which represented actual things like the sea, thunder, etc...

[@shadoweagle7629]

So is Gwydion the deity named Cernunnos? Im so confused on who he is. Could you make a video on him. He sounds powerful, what is his story?

[@julianabasilio3]

Hi Mhara, what do you think about Elen Luydogg? Some people see her like a Goddess (Elen of the Ways), and how about you?

[@HBCrigs]

I'm trying to learn welsh, do you have any versions of your videos in welsh?

[@kellylouisebrown4954]

Can you do a video on Arawn and Gwyn Ap Nudd? It is confusing. As alot of mixed information out there online (and youtube).Confusing the two and both saying they are to do with Underworld or Cerannous? I thought it would make a good video. Diolch yn Fawr :)

[@johntoffee2566]

Really enjoyed that, you are clearly well read on the subject. You and those interested may want to have a look at my blog Mabinogion Astronomy. It's a bit untidy and there is still a lot to add. But it offers an interpretation of certain events and episodes within the tales which may surprise you. Thankyou for sharing knowledge,

[@Raquel-e3f]

Pwyll maybe guide for astral projection???? Branwen died of a broken heart (she so me fr)

[@roflswamp6]

As for the moon thing. When souls die they got to the moon in vedic astrology and I think that may have some reasoning as to why she arianhrod got associated with the moon

[@mariamerigold]

Gwyn ap Nudd, leader of the wild Hunt?? Is this where the Witcher got it's inspiration? I am off to find answers

[@aishalotter9995]

Yup !!!

[@kitsuned.m.4550]

I'm half templar half druid lol. I come from the line of bel

[@LianSmith-e8e]

Cambridge university press

[@damianbloodmoon3915]

Wait Mhara who's the welsh creator god

[@LianSmith-e8e]

Trinitarian bible society

[@Awena.5]

Diolch am yr gwaith I chi yn neid, ma gwerthfarogi hanes cymru yn bwysig i fi yn personol a eishe dweid bo fi’n diolchgar ac yn edrich ymlaen i ddysgu mwy wrtho chi yn enwedig arol cael fyn dwyn lan ar storie y mabnogi. Cariad mawr :)

[@carold4248]

May I WhatsApp you? I have private questions. Humbly yours a female of the Hornblower line

[@DarrenFytton]

Iawn diolch cariad oes.dim shared cymru dysgyi prysygi pysgod deities.

[@liamhgd581]

Mabinogion not mabinogi

[@mharastarling2730]

Not quite! Most academics believe that “mabinogion” is a scribal error and that “mabinogi” is the correct name. The term “mabinogion” only appears once in the medieval manuscripts. Whereas “mabinogi” appears numerous times. Charlotte Guest, one of the first to translate the tales into English assumed Mabinogion was a plural form of the word mabinogi and so titled her translation the four branches of the Mabinogion. But mabinogi is already plural. Unfortunately however, mabinogion stuck among English academics. Most Welsh language scholars such as Ifor Williams stick to “mabinogi” as it is more correct.

[@liamhgd581]

@@mharastarling2730 that's fair. I haven't looked into it enough myself honestly I just know how the book itself is Titled. I will have a look into that though as recently I have been going down a rabbit hole of our myths and legends and trying to find out where they are located to visit the sites. I'm also thinking thou could it have something to do with context. As plenty of words in Welsh change with context. I could be wrong with this but as far as I'm aware Welsh is also that old that we don't know the original dialect. Wich makes me Evan more surprised one of the women (may be the one u mentioned) that helped and or the main person to translate the book was Spanish (Im sure it was Spanish. Its been a long time since I looked at that )

[@AlphaCentaurianStarseed33]

How can you call yourself a Welsh Witch if you know nothing about Arianrhod 😂 I probably know more about Pagan Mythology then you do and I am Canada, but a descendant of Pagan origins. Arianrhod, the Welsh Goddess of the Moon and Stars. Her home is the Aurora Borealis, the place where souls go when their body dies and waits to be born once again. She is also a goddess of prophecy and dreams.

[@mharastarling2730]

Oh friend kindly fuck off with that kind of arrogant, condescending attitude. Everything you mention about Arianrhod I already know…but it is all neopagan nonsense which began with Robert Graves. The only “proof” anyone ever has to associate Arianrhod with the moon is that her name supposedly means “silver wheel”. Which it does, if her name IS indeed Arianrhod. But, within the four branches of the Mabinogi in its original Middle Welsh her name is instead spelled “Aranrot”. Into modern Welsh this would be “Aranrhod” - which does not mean silver wheel. Alas, instead it means “Large, humped wheel” or “wheel’s axel”. Her association with the aurora borealis and the Corona Borealis is entirely from the 18th and 19th centuries. No shred of the original myths mention her being connected as such. And she has absolutely no connection to death, or dreams in the original literature from which she emanates, nor in the triads and other bardic poems. Another modern interpretation loaded in new age, neopagan thought. Saying “I don’t know much about this” is not a sign of ignorance or stupidity. In fact, I believe many folks could learn to become comfortable with saying “hey, I don’t know enough about this subject to speak in depth on it yet. But I’m still learning!”. I would rather be able to say just that than shroud myself in arrogance as you have here. When I say “I don’t know much about Aranrhod/Arianrhod” what I mean is that I don’t have much experience working with her as of yet, I do not devote myself to her yet, and I have not spent an enormous amount of time delving into the lore surrounding her. That doesn’t mean I know nothing at all. But I was still secure enough to say “I’m not ready to talk about Her yet” back when I filmed this video. Kindly take your arrogance and condescension elsewhere 😊

[@solox5853]

wake n bake shat up u flat earther.

[@BreninCyhyr]

Ywnbaw

[@solox5853]

welsh has many places called Amman, i wonder if it's related to amman the goddess of south asia?

[@TheAlmightyAss]

Will mention it here as it is semi-relevant sort of but in the Roman town of Caerwent, where my mum grew up, there exists a very strange thing, and that is an inscription of a devotion to a god named Ocelus. The weird thing is that the deity is only mentioned thrice: twice in the town of Caerwent and once randomly up in Carlisle. The deity may have been linked to the god Mars or in connection with Augustus and the imperial instititution but it seems that this is a localised god, localised to the Silure tribe in south east Wales, mainly. I find that level of diversity fascinating if that is the case, and supports a rich tradition of worship going back to the iron age here.

[@helenasobolevskaya8453]

Love you. Could you please please please make a video on Dylan?...

[@Dorje17]

I am with gwyn app nudd!

[@andreahelenbanach2635]

I would love to hear more about Arianrhod,...the prechristian, or earliest stories of her...I feel very drawn to her and I feel as the modern take on her has been misinterpreted and so the full depth of who she is and what she represents or how she can help us becomes misconstrued...but thank you for your video and i will be looking for for book after this

[@sabrinamarie4380]

I wish I had found you way back when you started because I am SO behind!

[@claudiamcghin3419]

I love your accent! I recently found out that my maternal grandfather and his people were Welsh and not Irish ad I had been told. Thank you for sharing all this information.

[@th3BLAKBRD]

Just found your channel! and im in love :O :D cant wait to watch more.

[@francisfischer7620]

Beautiful music underneath. Such a very helpful video, especially for an American who is at a bit of a loss for pronunciation! To say nothing of understanding who each deity is and their activities. Bless you! Francis

[@planetjazzy]

I'm so happy to find you here! More of your info...found you first on TikTok Blessings

[@jonsmith3413]

Is there connection to lunar goddess at samhain? If so, which lunar phase?

[@divinerdetective44]

Very nice intro, thank you. 🙏🏻

[@mollyloupintok5851]

Absolutely sublime. Thank you for your perspectives!

[@ktollefson15]

YAAAYYYYYYYYYY

[@paulmilligan2657]

Greetings from North West England!...as someone that is fascinated with ancient Britain I'm over the moon to happily stumble across your channel 🌿💚

[@blakereeder1714]

Just recently found out i have Welsh ancestry along with Celtic and Finnish and im also pagan as well so trying to learn as much as i can about the stories and folk tales

[@RipVanWinkle_II]

Ive been wanting to get into this since my family are very proud welsh people and i feel as though I've finally found something i connect with

[@creatingmyreality1386]

I really loved this , I live in North Wales, follow the old ways, but unfortunately dont speak Welsh so your interpretation was so helpful. As we know Welsh is one of the oldest languages in the world, and what was seen as "myths" are actually keys to our true selves and past. So happy I found this channel, diolch ! x

[@liamhgd581]

When ut comes to how arianrhod is prouncounced its due to welsh have loads of different dialects. When i was in school we had a teacher who was from a different part of wales. When ue would speak to us it would take him a few mins to put his sentence together as he would use words we have never heard of and that was incredibly difficult to pronounce