Saint Dwynwen's Day

Today, January 25^th, the Welsh celebrate Dydd Dwynwen San – Saint Dwynwen’s Day.  Dwynwen is the matron saint of lovers, comparable to Saint Valentine, and the protector of midwifes and mothers in childbirth.  The day is celebrated in Wales with flowers, poetry, and visits to sacred springs and wells.  Lovers who invoke her on this day will either find true love or be cured of their lovesickness.

Legend says that Dwynwen lived in the fifth century and was the daughter of King Brychan.  She was in love with Prince Maelon, but her father refused this match and promised her to another.  Dwynwen fled to the woods in grief and she begged God – or more likely the gods – to help her forget Maelon.  In a dream or vision a visitor gave her a potion which eased her heartache and cause he to forget him.  Christians would have you believe that the visitor was an angel, but most in Wales know that the caller was of the tylwydd teg, a fae.

Dwynwen lived alone for the rest of her life.  Some say she became a nun.    Her holy well on Ynys Mon – the holy island the English call Anglesey - is a site of pilgrimage and divination for hopeful or forlorn lovers.  Until well into the nineteenth century, a woman seer could be found at the well.

In her isolation she learned to speak with and heal the beasts of forest and moor. Thus Dwynwen is called upon to heal sick animals, a tradition which has survived in parts of Wales to the present time.  

The legend of Dwynwen may have evolved from Welsh tales and mythology since lost.  (Wales has many sacred springs, holy wells, and other sacred sites that are dedicated to female goddesses loosely disguised as saints.)  Like Diana, the Roman goddess, Dwynwen’s symbol is the crescent Moon.  She wore a golden belt similar to Venus. 

But I think more importantly, Dwynwen symbolizes an Earth-centered culture with the goddesses as central figures undergoing submission to a patriarchal faith.  She challenges patriarchy in the form of her father, standing in for the Christian’s patriarchal god.  Thus she maintains her integrity and remained a natural woman.

How do you stand up to the powers that be?  Do you maintain your integrity?

Thanks to Cymdeithas Gymraeg yn Ngholorado and Edie Stone for background on Saint Dwynwen