PBP. G. Gilfaethwy And Goewin.

PBP. G. Gilfaethwy and Goewin.

I’ve mentioned a few times that I’ve developed my own schedule of ritual and holy days, and that I’ve used the traditional eight sabbats of Neo-Wicca as markers for when to honor the gods of my pantheon.  Beltaine belongs to Gilfaethwy, who is one of the hardest deities for me to understand, while Yule belongs to Goewin.

In the Mabinogion, Gilfaethwy is the brother (sometimes listed as the twin) of Gwydion.  Their exploits kick off all the events of the Fourth Branch; to simplify it, Gilfaethwy lusts after Goewin, an avowed virgin, and Gwydion starts a war so Gilfaethwy has an opportunity to take Goewin for His own.

I’ve seen translations of the myth that state that Gilfaethwy “seduced” Goewin, but the translations that ring more true to me (and this seemed to be corroborated by the small amount of work I’ve done with Them) say that Gilfaethwy raped Goewin, that She had no voice or agency in what happened to Her.  That interpretation of events definitely colors my view both of the Mabinogion and of the gods themselves.  (Disclaimer:  UPG ahoy!)

I consider Gilfaethwy (who, to me, appears as an extremely genderfluid being) as the Primal Force; the id of the gods.  Xhe goes after what Xhe wants, with no thought to consequences or what anyone else thinks or feels about it.  Xir energy is almost destructive in its force; supremely creative but with underpinnings of danger.  It’s the closest to ecstatic creative madness as I’ve ever come.  Xir feast is Beltaine; a time of primal urges and setting aside rational thought to use mindless passion.

Goewin, in contrast, is the Lady of Sorrows.  Of the goddesses in my pantheon, Goewin is the one who understands pain and trials and tears, and She is the one who brings comfort in dark times.  She is the veil that drops down to separate you from the world, and within that veil She gives you the strength to heal your hurts.  She is the lady of Yule; She is the seemingly endless darkness, and She is the spark of light and hope at dawn.