Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon, my Darlings. For today’s post, I have decided to share some tips on how to have a Spring season inspired by the energy of the Celtic Venus in her most Springtime form! The most obvious Celtic Venusian energy that is held in alignment with Spring is, of course, my beloved Flower Bride. That is why, for this post, I will be discussing three Faery Queen Goddesses who possess a deeply-rooted Flower Bride energy! We can be inspired by these Flower Brides to deepen into our own connection to this aspect of the Celtic Venus. Without further ado, let’s look at some Flower Brides!
BLODEUWEDD (or more appropriately BLODEUEDD)
~The most obvious Flower Bride in Welsh lore is Blodeuwedd, originally named Blodeuedd, which means Flower Face with the ‘w’ added to the name at the end of her tale when she is transformed into an Owl! I always use the full version of her name, given that, as her Priestess, I find the version of her name with the ‘w’ to represent Blodeuwedd in her true Great Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty energy (rather than just her in the first half of her story). Blodeuwedd is a very lovely Flower Bride, as she is both the soft and sweet Goddess made from Flowers as well as the fierce Owl, holding fast to her own Sovereignty! She can teach us many lessons about living our lives in Authenticity. The story of Blodeuwedd breaking away from a marriage she was forced into to attempt to be with a man she truly loved is a reminder that we must claim our inner truth, even if it does not align with what society pressures us to be or do!
OLWEN (OLWYN)
~Olwen, sometimes spelled Olwyn, is another amazing example of the Flower Bride, whose story is also found in the same collection of tales as Blodeuwedd, The Mabinogion, but her story is not one of the four branches (or primary stories of the collection). However, the tale of Olwen is one of the earliest written versions of the Arthurian legends! Olwen is the daughter of a giant, who will die if she ever marries, which leads her future husband Culhwch going on a Quest to accomplish nearly impossible tasks to win her hand in marriage. What makes Olwen an obvious Flower Bride is that her name means ‘White Footprint’ or ‘White Step’ because, with each step she takes, White Flowers bloom in her footprints! She is truly a gorgeous and pure Faery Queen energy, reminding us how much power there is in softness and Maidenhood!
GUINEVERE (GWENHWYFAR)
~Of course, I could not do a Flower Bride post without discussing Guinevere, or Gwenhwyfar in the original Welsh spelling! I have written about Guinevere countless times (just like I have Blodeuwedd), understandably, as I am also her Priestess. Guinevere is one of the most obvious examples of a Faery Queen who makes a marriage to a King on behalf of the Land to bless his rulership. It is Guinevere’s marrying Arthur that truly cements his Sovereignty over Camelot since she is the one who bestows Sovereignty! This is what went on to truly cause the Fall of Camelot, not Guinevere having an affair with a Knight of the Round Table (most often Lancelot, but other Knights in earlier legends), but Arthur losing interest in his wife. When Arthur ceased to pay the Faery Queen Sovereignty Goddess proper attention and respect, he lost the blessings of the Land that she offered him! Guinevere is very obviously a Flower Bride, as even in the most Christianized versions of the legends, she is aligned deeply with Beltane, often described as ‘going-a-Maying,’ that is to pick flowers and make flower crowns in celebration of May Day. This floral energy being tied to Guinevere is even seen in most artwork of her for centuries, which has depicted her with flowers in some way! Guinevere is an amazing Flower Bride whose story reminds us that true love and respect are invaluable. If we are in a partnership, we should be given attention, respect, and consideration by our partners (just as we give those things to them). That is possibly Guinevere’s most potent lesson that a relationship must be worked at, not taken for granted, as when Arthur took her for granted, he lost the blessings she gave his reign!
~I hope you have enjoyed this look at three Celtic Venusian Faery Queens who hold Flower Bride energy. What is your connection to the Flower Bride? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is a gorgeous artwork depicting Blodeuwedd! I found the artwork at https://www.deviantart.com/fallenfantasyart/art/Blodeuwedd-819994690.
Note on Enrollment: Enrollment for The Melusine Mysteries is still open, but only for today and tomorrow! Additionally, if you join my Patreon at any of the three paid tiers, you will get access to a coupon code that will give you $25 off the class price!
Link to Join The Melusine Mysteries: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/product/the-melusine-mysteries-a-white-rose-of-avalon-online-faery-queen-immersion-class/
LINK TO AVALONIAN ROSE FAERY MYSTERIES PATREON: patreon.com/AvalonianRoseFaeryMysteries
Further Reading
- The Mabinogion translated by Sioned Davies
- Once and Future Queen by Nicole Evelina