Arianrhod: a Cymric goddess (Silver Wheel, Silver Orbit)

Synonyms:
Cym: Silver Wheel, Silver Orbit

Arianrhod is the offspring of Beli and Dôn. She is the mother aspect of the triple mother goddess and is represented by the full moon the ‘silvery orb’ to which their name alludes.

She is known most prominently from the fourth branch of the Mabinogi where she was presented as the foot-maiden of Math ap Mathonwy’s when the original maiden, Goewin was raped by Gilfaethwy, for the foot-maiden had to be a virgin. As Gilfaethwy’s sister it fell to Arianrhod to take Goewin’s place. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy are both punished for the harm they had done Goewin by being turned into deer, wild hogs and wolves, each to bear a son by the other.

When this was done Math had Gwydion and Gilfaethwy attend him. 'Men,' he said, 'peace have thou attained, and thou shalt likewise have friendship. Now give counsel unto me; which maiden shall I seek?'

'Arglwydd,' said Gwydion mab Dôn, 'it is easy to counsel thee. Seek Arianrhod ferch Dôn your niece, the daughter of your sister.' She was sought and brought to Math. 'Maiden, art thou a virgin,' He enquired of her.

'I know not but that I am,' Arianrhod responded.

Math took his wand and bending it in the middle he set it on the floor. 'Step over this,' he commanded Arianrhod, 'and if thou art a maiden then I will know it.' Arianrhod took a step over the wand and on that first step there emerged a fine long-limbed, chubby yellow-haired boy. The boy gave a hearty wail and on hearing this Arianrhod quickly made for the door. As she reached the threshold and a small form emerged from her; but before anyone could catch a second glimpse Gwydion took him and covered him with a sheet of velvet before hiding him away. Whereupon he hid the form in the low chest at the foot of his own bed.

This being hidden in Gwydion's chest grew into Lleu upon whom Arianrhod placed a dihenydd a gaeas, or fate: that he would never gain a name unless she gave it to him; that he would never bear weapons unless she gifted them to him; and that he would never gain a human wife.

Triad 35 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein indicates that subsequent to the events related in the Mabinogi Arianrhod married Naf and had the children Gwenwynwyn and Gwnar.

In Cymric mythos Arianrhod's realm is that of Caer Arianrhod, the Hyperborea of the Greeks within the Milky Way. Though Arianrhod's original lover was probably her brother, Gwydion, her husband (as judged by Triad 35 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein) was Naf the son of the sky god Nwyfre, which would be fitting for a deity of the firmament. Caer Arianrhod is where the spirits of the dead souls go to await reincarnation, ferried there by Rhwyfrod, the spectral ship known as ‘oar-wheel’.

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