Welsh Mythology tells us the story of Mabon ap Modron or the "the Great Son of the Great Mother". Mabon was born of Modron at the beginning of time. After 3 nights, he was stolen from his mother.
The story of Mabon's return begins with a man called Culhwch. Culhwch had a curse laid upon him that he should take no bride other than Olwen, daughter of Ysbaddaden, the Giant Chieftain.
No man had ever gone to the giant's fort and escaped alive, for Ysbaddaden knew that he would meet his death upon the day his daughter wed. He set 39 impossible tasks for each would-be suitor, if he was able to survive the initial meeting of Ysbaddaden.
Culhwch accepted each challenge and confidently vowed to complete each quest victoriously. He was accompanied by his cousin, the great King Arthur of Legend, and Arthur's Companions. They set out to find Mabon, for he was the key to their success. They wandered the earth searching for the Oldest Animals, and ask them if they could remember what happened to Mabon
The Blackbird of Cilgwri was the first of the Oldest Animals that Culhwch and his Companions found. He knew not of the Child of Modron and directed them to go to the next of the Oldest Animals, the Stag of
Rhedynfre. The Stag was equally unable to help them on their quest and so directed them to the next Oldest Animal.
The Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd, also did not know of Mabon and told them to seek out the Eagle of
Gwernabwy. Upon finding the Eagle he told them that only once had he ever met such and animal that might know of
Mabon. At Lyn Llyw, he had tried to take a salmon that pulled him deep into a pool, from which the eagle had barely escaped. When the other Eagles came to take their vengence, the salmon sent messengers of peace and himself sent a peace offering.
The Salmon of Lyn Llyw took two of the Companions on his shoulders to the wall of Caer Loyw, where he had heard someone grieving since his earliest days. When the Companions heard the lamenting voice, they asked who it was that grieved so deeply. It was amazingly Mabon Himself, painfully imprisoned with no hope of escape. Culhwch and his Companions battled for the release of Mabon and won his freedom. As a token of his gratitude, Mabon joined Culhwch and helped him to win the hand of the lovely Olwen.
Colors: Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Yellow, Indigo
Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stags, Birds of Prey (especially the Blackbird, Owl and Eagle), Salmon and Goat
Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs, and Cyclops
Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli and Amethyst.
Plants: Vines, Garlands, Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranates, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar and Tobacco
Deities: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei, Harvest Deities, and Aging Deities
Foods: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat, Indian Corn, Horn of Plenty, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops (Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.) Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans and Squash. Click here for awesome Mabon Recipes!
Drinks: Wine, Ale and Cider
Women especially were drawn to
following Dionysian celebrations and the deeper mysteries beyond the wild rites.
There was a lot of the uninhibited riotousness of a modern day rock concert-and
more- to these exuberant and ecstatic gatherings.
According to some ancient writers it was possible for a woman for whom the
pressures of possible life had simply gotten too great to take off for a week,
month, or more and join with the maenads, the "wild women," who did
indeed run completely wild and totally free in the forest, enjoying riotous,
ecstatic dancing, singing, and drinking in the mountain wilderness.
Encountering them was terminally unfortunate for the unlucky wanderer, the
curious rogue, or the wild animal that trespassed on their domains! They were
viewed as sacred madwomen, and by both religious law and popular sentiment; no
harm was ever to come to them, on pain of death. Offerings of food and drink
were left by the devout in places, where the maenads would find them. There was
a risk to performing this duty to Dionysus, however, for anyone caught by the
wild women could quite possibly meet a violent end.
After a woman had "been wild" for long enough and felt that all the
stresses of house and family responsibilities had been worked out of her system,
she could apparently return home to resume her life as. Before, no questions
asked, dignity intact.
Will we ever have a return of the maenads, the Bacchae, the wild women? With
some modifications for this very different era it might still be a very
interesting idea, and a way for getting life's hard pressures out of the soul
and spirit. Perhaps some day
During the time of Greece his
worship was centered in Thrace and Phrygia (though it spread far and wide), and
a thousand or more years previously he seems to have come from ancient Crete. In
the eras before Rome he was called Dionysus, the young and virile god of
vegetation, wine, and ecstasy.
During the time of Rome, he was known as Bacchus, the god of wine. Bacchus was
the protector of those who imbibed a little, a lot, or simply were totally
drunk! He gave a release from stress and a relaxation from hard work, and he was
present when businessmen, politicians, soldiers, friends,' and lovers would come
together.
But there was a much darker and wilder side to Bacchus Dionysus in centuries
before. He was recognized as a god who was both riotous and oddly enough who
would reveal the deepest mysteries of life to those who were willing to take
the, chance!
His cult was wild and dangerous: the unwary risked death and dismemberment in
trespassing on the rites or attempting to spy on the worshippers.
And the deeper mysteries of life, death, and immortality? They're still here for
those who wish to seek them. But for now, celebrate the fruit of the fall
season. Raise a chalice of fine red wine, and give a salutation to Bacchus, to
Dionysus.
The stories of Dionysus' birth vary.
The original legend, from the far more ancient sea-empire of Crete, seems to be
that the Goddess coupled with the primal male-force of the serpent while she was
herself in serpent form to beget the ambitious and daring young goddess who
later was called Persephone.
Some authors say that Persephone was not seized and carried off by Hades to the
underworld, but quite willingly sought him out and went with him. Hades, in
addition to ruling the land of the dead, was and is still the patron of wealth
and power, and possesses the vast wisdom of life, death, and what lies beyond.
Then the primeval serpent mated again, or perhaps it was Hades himself, but
Persephone gave birth to Dionysus. His symbol has become the snake or serpent.
The snake is an arcane symbol of earth and water. It has its own intelligence.
Like a river winding its way above ground or far below, it creeps silently along
its path. It dwells in the earth and comes forth like a fresh spring of water
from the hillside, or a new shoot from its hole.
Above all, the
serpent can penetrate the tomb, and in sloughing off its own skin represents
rebirth and immortality. It can be a dangerous creature, but similarly there is
danger in seeking the deepest of wisdom.
