Rune Oracle

Celtic god

Gwydion

Magician and storyteller of Gwynedd

magicstorytellingtrickerytransformationfosterage

Also called Gwydion fab Dôn.

Their story

Gwydion, son of Dôn, is the great enchanter of the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi. To help his brother Gilfaethwy reach the maiden Goewin, he tricked Pryderi out of his magical pigs and started a war, and their uncle Math punished the brothers by turning them into pairs of deer, pigs and wolves for three years. He then raised his sister Arianrhod's son Lleu, overcoming her curses by trickery, and with Math made Blodeuwedd from flowers as Lleu's wife. When Lleu was struck down, Gwydion followed a sow to find him as a wounded eagle in an oak and sang him back to human shape.

Best times to give to them

  • Calan Mai
  • Calan Gaeaf
  • before telling a story

What they like being given

  • a story told well
  • mead or a non-alcoholic honey drink
  • a sprig of oak or broom
  • bread

How to honour them

  1. Tell a story aloud to someone, in his honour, and tell it with care.
  2. Ask his help when you need a clever way round a problem, then use it honestly.
  3. Reflect on his punishment too: cleverness brings consequences.

How they can help you

  • storytelling and performance
  • problem solving
  • raising and guiding children
  • learning from mistakes

Symbols

  • the wand
  • the oak
  • flowers of oak, broom and meadowsweet
  • the Milky Way (Caer Gwydion)

Sources

  • Math fab Mathonwy (the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi)
  • Cad Goddeu (Book of Taliesin)

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