Celtic God of the underworld, terror, revenge, and war. Invoke during element of earth. Lord of the Annwyn (the Otherworld). Known to the Celts as God of the Underworld and ruler of Annwn, son of Kynvarch. Legends also associated him as brother to Urien which would make Arawn step-brother to Morgan Le Fay, a very powerful force indeed.
In order to retain his position in the underworld Arawn is known to battle with others during the changing seasons. One such battle which is recorded in the myths is the tale of Hafgan who challenges him to a contest over the course of a year. On meeting Pwyll, who throws insults at first towards the king, Arawn later agrees that Pwyll should take his place and fight Hafgan for kingship of the underworld or Annwn. Needless to say the Prince of Dyfed wins and is duly rewarded by Arawn. Pwyll and Arawn become close allies after first meeting as Arawn pursued a stag with his pack of hunting hounds.
The Ogham poem 'Cad Goddeu' is said to record the battle between Arawn and the sons of Don, Gwydion and Amathaon.
A king in Annwn; appeals to Pwyll for help against Hafgan, and exchanges kingdoms for a year with Pwyll. Annwn corresponds with Abyss or Chaos; the principle of destruction in Cymric cosmogony. The name Arawn is used to translate Auguselus, the brother of Urien, in a Welsh version of Geoffrey. THE TRIADS also makes mention of an Arawn, son of Kynvarch. In Welsh tradition Arawn was the name of the king of Annwfn, but it may also have been the name of Urien's brother in Welsh legend before Geoffrey wrote his HISTORIA. God of the Underworld, Annwn. He appears in PWYLL, PRINCE OF DYFED as a huntsman, pursuing a white stag with a pack of red-eared hounds. He is frequently challenged by other would-be claimants for his title, 'Pen Annwn' or Head of Annwn, two such stories involve Hafgan and Amatheon. He gave pigs - originally underworld animals - to Pwyll in return for having rid him of Hafgan. He seems to cede place, seasonally, to another in order to retain his position and so is closely related to the other South Welsh God of the Underworld, Gwynn ap Nudd, who engages in a similar seasonal contest.
