Journey To Caer Arianrhod

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In a lake is a castle, a special castle. It was once the home of a great Celtic goddess. Her name was Arianrhod and she was the mother of the sea spirit, Dylan, and of the warrior magician, Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Humiliated by her uncle, Math and her brother, Gwydion, she retreated to her castle on a rock in the sea. Its name is Caer Arianrhod, and it is home majestic of Arianrhod, Silver Wheel that Descends into the Sea, goddess of the stars, moon, death and reincarnation. There she lived with her handmaidens, in peace under the Corona Borealis, weaving the tapestry of life and of death.

Eventually, the sea washed Caer Arianrhod away, and Arianrhod and her handmaidens drowned in the tumultuous waves. Or so the story goes. That is not what I believe. The world had changed and goddesses were no longer welcome. I believe she chose not to exist in the patriarchy brought by the Roman invaders and returned to the sea and the moon from whence she came. She is still here. Whenever you see the moon reflected on the ocean, there you will see her face.

The rock upon which Caer Arianrhod stood is still visible at low tide, off the coast of northern Gwynedd in Wales. Caer Arianrhod itself was not washed away, merely transported to another time and place. It is here in this lake some time in the future.

One day, I will stand on the side of the lake. Beside me will stand a dark horse. She is Marelux, Queen of All Horses. Her sister is Gullwain, steed of the Great Horse Goddess, Rhiannon. Her daughters are the Night Mares, the dark dreams that reveal our deepest fears and our ultimate freedom. She will bring me to this place and wait patiently for my next moments to unfold.

I will open my mouth and sing a song I have never sung before this time, a song I don’t even know I know. The boat will turn its bow toward shore and glide across the cool waters of the lake. When it arrives, I shall climb in and stand proudly, facing the castle. I shall not sit. Seven birds will take up the song I have been singing - they will sing me to the door of the castle keep. The boat will turn and glide smoothly back across the waters. The wind will caress me and I will be filled with joy. Fish will come to the surface to eye me curiously and I will greet each by name.

I will arrive at the door and climb out of the boat onto the steps. Then I will turn and wave goodbye to Marelux. I will not see her for a very long time. She has brought me from the world of the living to the world of light. That is what she does for those whose have been called by death and have shown no fear, for those who believe death is but a portal.

I will place my foot on the bottom step and climb.