Goddess of the week:     RHIANNON

SUGGESTED MANTRA: INSPIRATION

Wise and magical goddess of the moon, Rhiannon hears our wishes and guides
us on the path of inspiration - but only if we learn how to ask!

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I ask and therefore I receive
~ I welcome change in my life
~ I see the path intended for me
~ I enjoy my unlimited potential
~ I invite new choices into my life
~ My goals are becoming manifest
~ I deserve to have my dreams realised

Related essences: Goddessence NUIT (crown chakra) blend to help divinate
your true desires, or ATHENA (throat chakra) blend for expressing that special
wish

Related gemstones: cat's-eye, ruby and moonstone

Rhiannon (Great Queen) was the lunar Welsh Goddess of fertility and rebirth,
transformation, wisdom, and magic. Goddess of ethereal beauty, she was born
with the first moonrise, Muse of poets, source of artistic inspiration, she
was worshipped outside amidst the trees at woodland alters and underneath the
Moonlight.

As goddess of fertility, Rhiannon gave birth to a son, Pryderi, at Yule -
the winter solstice being a significant reminder that the ultimate product of
death is rebirth. (Centuries later, in 273 C.E.
(Common Era), Christians adopted this time of Yule as Jesus' birth).

Her son was abducted one night while she slept, and as punishment she was
tied to the town gates and forced to bear visitors on her back as though she
were a horse. Her dignified strength and perseverance during this time serve to
remind us what all women are, and will continue to be.

In her death goddess aspect, she is symbolised by an unearthly white mare
and three birds that sang so sweetly they could raise the dead.
According to bardic folklore, she later become Vivien, the Lady of the Lake
in Arthurian myth, honoured for granting the wishes of those who could ask
for what they wanted, and scorning those who could not, or would not, ask for
what they wanted. This aspect is also a possible source for the Grail Question
of Arthurian legend.

Rhiannon carried the souls of the once-living on her white mare to the
Underworld, which, according to Celtic legend, is where the soul exists in a
similar way to that in our world. They did not see a difference between the
spiritual world and the material world, the natural or the super-natural. After a
"life cycle" in the Underworld, the souls die and are reborn into this world
again, perpetuating the cycle of birth and death, renewal and destruction.

HER MODERN ENERGY
As we relish the phase of rebirth and renewal, we welcome new inspiration
and Rhiannon's energy into our lives. Use her energy to give oomph to new
projects or ideas - simply ask her for what you want! If you don't ask, you don't
get, so go on - get asking!

DO THIS
At the next full moon, honour Rhiannon by lighting four candles (one each of
red, green, gold and silver) and make your wish known to her.
With the joyful energy that renewal brings, have a little fun invoking
Rhiannon with the Anglo-Celtic nursery rhyme:

Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross
to see a fine lady upon a white horse,
With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
she shall have music wherever she goes.
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