Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons
By Jhenah Telyndru
Moon Books, April 2018 Find it at Amazon.com.
ISBN 9781785354687
To truly know Rhiannon, we must undertake a journey to pursue that which we most desire. We must excavate the layers of her myth, decode the meaning of her symbols, and seek to restore the significance of her very name.
Although she has a mythology around her, and has many modern-day devotees, nowhere in ancient lore has she been identified as a Goddess. There are no known ancient prayers or rituals in her honor. We have no known cult centers or devotional altars dedicated to Rhiannon.
How then do we approach this revered Lady? How can we best know her as Goddess? We cannot pursue her directly, for the seemingly slow and steady gait of her magnificent white mount ever outpaces even the swiftest of steeds. We need but call to her, and ask for what we need… be it her bag of plenty, the soul-healing song of her birds, or the empowerment of the sovereignty she holds, when you call to Rhiannon, the Divine Queen of the Britons, know that she will stop… and know that she will answer your call.
Advance praise for Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons
Sophisticated and elegant, steeped in scholarship and passionately written, Telyndru’s offering to Rhiannon will take you on a journey deep into the heart of mystery, sovereignty and connection. Within these pages you will discover the tools necessary to develop a lasting and meaningful relationship with Rhiannon. To connect to the Divine Queen we must ask her to stop and notice us, Telyndru offers you a guiding hand to understand this process and move into relationship with the Goddess. What you hold in your hands is priceless, for this is a gift of inspiration.
– Kristoffer Hughes, author of “From the Cauldron Born: Exploring the Magic of Welsh Legend and Lore” and Head of the Anglesey Druid Order.
“Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” is the perfect introduction to a Welsh Goddess who can be elusive and ephemeral as well as profound and present. In this slim introduction Jhenah Telyndru has combined solid academic information, myth, spiritual devotion and practical suggestions that anyone could incorporate into their own lives. The end result is a book that invites the reader to delve deep into the history of Welsh mythology and create a profound connection to this powerful Goddess. A must read for anyone interested in either Rhiannon or Welsh deities more generally.
– Morgan Daimler, best-selling author of “The Morrigan” and “Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk”.
Jhenah Telyndru’s “Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” is a real treasure-trove of lore and wisdom regarding this beloved Welsh goddess. The first half of this book gives us a brilliant scholarly introduction to Her, while the second half offers insights into developing an immediate and first-hand relationship with this Sovereign deity. By combining the academic with the experiential this work really stands out in today’s modern goddess literature. Another superb offering by Jhenah Telyndru.
– Joanna van der Hoeven, best-selling author of ‘The Awen Alone: Walking the Path of the Solitary Druid” and “The Crane Bag: A Druid’s Guide to Ritual Tools and Practices”, Druid Priestess and Director of Druid College UK.
As both literary character and goddess, Rhiannon is hard to get to know. But Jhenah Telyndru’s book brings her to life. Here you find the historical and literary sources studied with logical clarity and precision, as well as a gentle and loving present-day devotional interpretation. This book is not only an informative text: it is also a work of art.
– Brendan Myers, Ph.D., author of “Reclaiming Civilization: A Case for Optimism for the Future of Humanity” and “The Earth, The Gods and The Soul – A History of Pagan Philosophy”.
A new entry in Moon Books’ excellent Pagan Portals series, Jhenah Telyndru’s “Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” presents us with an introduction to this enigmatic Goddess that is both lyrical and academic. Ms. Telyndru is well equipped to take on this challenge. The founder and leader of the Sisterhood of Avalon, with a Master’s in Celtic Studies from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, she is steeped in medieval Celtic literature, ancient archaeology, and Welsh culture – all of which enable her to read early sources with special clarity, and then relate those sources to the modern spiritual and cultural concerns of her readers. At once practical and poetic, mystical and scholarly, Jhenah Telyndru’s “Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” teaches us much about a popular yet ill-understood deity, who we think we know, but don’t really. In consequence, I recommend it highly.
Segomâros Widugeni, formerly Aedh Rua, author of “Celtic Flame”.
With a clear voice for storytelling and a deft hand at complex and multidisciplinary research, Jhenah Telyndru’s love and devotion to her goddess shines through with every page. This book is satisfyingly academic while being deeply moving and practical for anyone looking to build or deepen into a relationship with this goddess. I highly recommend this book for new seekers and experienced practitioners alike.
– River Devora, priest and founder of the Strong Roots and Wide Branches Polytheist Learning Community.
So much more than brilliant, precise scholarship, Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons is an exquisite melding of history, mythology and lore. Jhenah Telyndru entices a depth of historical insight out of rich range of resources to place it at your doorstep in an engaging, evocative manner and she takes dynamic relationship with Rhiannon out of ritual confines to place it actively in the nuances of everyday life. This important work is a linguistic archeological treasure; an invitation to hone awareness of how we know what we know; and an inspired guide for spiritual practice. Jhenah follows the trail of historical breadcrumbs to give us a feast, complete with ancient tales, poetry and song. Every morsel is a delight to savour.
– Tiffany Lazic, author of “The Great Work: Self-Knowledge and Healing Through the Wheel of the Year”
“Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons” is an excellent introduction to Rhiannon and Her world. Jhenah’s warm, engaging style illuminates a mysterious Lady like a medieval manuscript, weaving history and mythology together like the worlds Rhiannon traverses: effortlessly and with grace. A well-researched and powerful aid to those who seek to know Her, at any level of engagement.
Rev. Tamara L. Siuda, Founder of the House of Netjer, author of “The Ancient Egyptian Daybook” and “The Ancient Egyptian Prayerbook”.