Celtic Gods: The Cymric God, Arawn, He of the Sown Field
Arawn
A Cymric god: He of the Sown Field

This deity is known from various Cymric (Welsh) literary sources, including the poems Câd Goddeu (Battle of the Trees) and Preiddeu Annwfn (The spoils of Annwfn). Originally he was a deity of tilled land, but later became lord of the nether-realms (always fertile in Celtic mythos) and leader of the Wild Hunt.

Synonyms:
Cym: He of the Sown Field

The Cymric god who rules the nether-realm of Annwfn (literally the un-deep). A labyrinthine realm of mysteries, dead souls and great treasures.

Arawn is truly an ancient deity, and as he fought against the Plant Dô in the Câd Goddeu, the battle of the trees, he may be counted amongst the giants of Plant Llŷr.

Arawn is mentioned in the epic poems Câd Goddeu and Preiddeu Annwfn (The spoils of Annwfn) where Arthur attempts to steal a magical cauldron from the nether-realm.

In a similar manner to Gwyn Arawn seen as the leader of the Wild Hunt which emerges into the realm of men at Calan Gaeaf and Calan Mai (All Hallows' Eve and May Eve). Before him there run a pack of spectral hounds with white fur and blood-red ears. The baying of these hounds sounds like the hooting of wild geese and their quarries are the souls of the damned whom they chase back to Annwfn to be lost in its labyrinths for all eternity.

In the first branch of the Mabinogi Pwyll mistakenly sets his hounds on a stag also being hunted by Arawn. In recompense for this misdeed Pwyll changes places with Arawn for a year and a day and defeats Arawn's enemy, Hafgan. As a result of their adventures in this tale the two become firm friends.

The true etymology of Arawn's name is in doubt, but it could be related to the proto-Celtic forms *ar-yo- (to plough) and *aratro- (plough) and *arawen- (grain, cereal) and thus he would seem to be the deity of tilled land. 'He of the Sown Field' might be an apposite name, taking the various etymologies into account.