Pagan Portals - Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons

by Jhenah Telyndru

To truly know Rhiannon, we must excavate the layers of her myth, decode the meaning of her symbols, and seek to restore the significance of her very name. Although she has a mythology around her, and has many modern-day devotees, nowhere in ancient lore has she been identified as a Goddess. We have no known cult centers or devotional altars dedicated to Rhiannon. How then do we approach this revered Lady? How can we best know her as Goddess? We need but call to her, and ask for what we need. Be it her bag of plenty, the soul-healing song of her birds, or the empowerment of the sovereignty she holds, when you call to Rhiannon, the Divine Queen of the Britons, know that she will stop… and know that she will answer your call.

Genres: Paganism, Religion, Mythology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Witchcraft

152 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2018

About the author

Jhenah Telyndru has always felt called to dance with joy in that liminal space which straddles the realms of history and myth, of individuality and collectivity, of the seen and the unseen. A creative mystic who loves science and values fact, Jhenah embraces the conscious co-creation of the future, while immersing herself in an impassioned study of the past. The path between, she believes, is where the mysteries are revealed and where true magic happens.

Jhenah is an author, educator, and priestess who has devoted her life to exploring the spiritual and mythic traditions of Wales and the Iron Age Celtic tribes of Britain and Gaul. A formally trained Celticist, Jhenah holds an MA in Celtic Studies from the University of Wales, as well as a BA in Archaeology from Stony Brook University. She founded the Sisterhood of Avalon  in 1995, and serves as Academic Dean of the Avalonian Thealogical Seminary. Jhenah hosts residential training retreats around North America and the UK, presents internationally at conferences and festivals, teaches online workshops and immersion programs, and facilitates pilgrimages to sacred sites in the British Isles and Ireland through Mythic Seeker Tours.

Her published works include  Avalon Within: A Sacred Journey of Myth, Mystery, and Inner Wisdom (Llewellyn, 2010), The Avalonian Oracle: Spiritual Wisdom from the Holy Isle (Schiffer, 2016), Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons (Moon Books, 2018), The Mythic Moons of Avalon: Lunar and Herbal Wisdom From the Island of Healing (Llewellyn, 2019), Pagan Portals – Blodeuwedd: Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty (Moon Books, 2021), and The Ninefold Way of Avalon: Walking the Path of the Priestess (Llewellyn 2023).

Her writing has been featured in fiction and non-fiction anthologies; has appeared in a variety of magazines, literary journals, and periodicals including PanGaia, SageWoman, The Beltane Papers, Circle Magazine, Watkins Body, Mind, and Spirit, and The Tor Stone; as well as various annuals and datebooks from Llewellyn Worldwide and Ninth Wave Press.

A priestess in the Avalonian Tradition for over 35 years, Jhenah has been following a Pagan path since 1986.She is an Awenydd Druid of the Anglesey Druid Order (ADO), and is a certified Amicus Mortis (Friend of Death) through the Order. As a member of clergy, Jhenah performs rites of passage in her community, has trained in herbalism and a variety of alternative healing modalities, and is in service as a Transpersonal Tarot Counselor and teacher.

To find out more about her and her work, she invites you to visit www.ynysafallon.com.or https://linktr.ee/YnysAfallon.

Reviews

[Danielle Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erudite and well researched, this slender volume is also both enchanting and evocative. Telyndru deftly weaves sturdy academic research with practical yet inspired ways to connect with and build a relationship with the Welsh Goddess Rhiannon. Not only a solid introduction, this is a book to return to again and again as both reference and catalyst for devotional inspiration. It is heartening to find an author as devoted to the priestess path as Telyndru obviously is. She is a genuine wisewoman with equal measures of heart and intellect, and it is evident that she is more than well acquainted with the Mysteries.

Highly recommended for both the serious seeker and the seasoned practitioner.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited when I saw this title on Moon Books' list of forthcoming releases. Non-fiction books about Celtic horse goddesses are rarer than rocking horse droppings. But, to be honest, I was also hoping that I wasn't going to be disappointed. This is part of Moon Books' popular "Pagan Portals" series, which requires authors to keep their books quite short. Some rise to this challenge well, but others produce little more than something like a long blog post. Tantalizing, but not containing information that can't be found in - well - a blog post.

Read the rest of my review here: http://www.godeeper.info/blog/new-boo...

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the honour of knowing Jhenah and have heard her teach and speak many times. Each time I am awed at the depth of her knowledge and her ability to share the wisdom she has gained through study and dedication to the Goddess. This book provides an amazing overview of the literature on the mythic figure to answer the question 'Can Rhiannon be considered a Goddess and a Sovereignty figure?' Jhenah takes us on a scholastic and spiritual exploration of this question and whether you agree or not with her conclusions, you will no doubt learn and be inspired.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and concise view of the Welsh Rhiannon. I liked how it breaks down how she is interpreted in the myths.

[Franki De'Ath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book means so much to me! I have long been looking for information on Rhiannon.. and here it is! In one book, without having to hunt through loads of pages looking in indexes to find her!

I felt a deep connection with the information in this book. The last couple of chapters left a tear in my eye purely because of the connection I feel.

A great resource I will without a doubt reference back to throughout my life!

[Monica des Fées · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non seulement un travail de recherche soigné, mais aussi un livre extrêmement inspirant pour sa pratique personnelle.

[Dodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I would say that the book was divided into three parts. The first part of the book looks at Rhiannon through myth and archaeological sites. Was Rhiannon as a goddess or just a folk motif? The second thing that is covered is looking at Rhiannon as a symbol of sovereignty. This was fascinating. The Y Mabinogion was referred to many times. The book wraps up by giving suggestions and correspondence to connect with Rhiannon. I will definitely read this book again.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Well-Written Introduction to Rhiannon

This is, by far, one of the better Introductions to a Deity that I’ve read. It‘s brief, but what’s here packs a punch. Find within these pages a hearty blend of scholarly research, UPG, and suggestions for connecting with the Goddess.

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource & well written.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erudite and scholarly, this slender volume published by Pagan Portals is enchanting and evocative.
The steady flow of academic praxis, historical research and contemporary paganism creates a beautiful tapestry of knowledge, insights and practical ways to connect with Rhiannon

Highly recommended for pagan seekers and history buffs.