Creiddylad is a Brythonic sovereignty Goddess associated with flowers and fertility. She is known from the medieval Welsh story Culhwch ac Olwen. Therein She goes off with Gwythyr ap Greidol (our Brythonic Summer King) but before She can sleep with Him she is taken by Gwyn ap Nudd (our Brythonic Winter King) presumably to Annwn where He rules. This likely takes place around Calan Gaeaf and Creiddylad’s absence (as the green force who brings the flowers) explains the coming of Winter. On Calan Mai Gwyn and Gwythyr battle for Creiddylad and Gwythyr wins, explaining the coming of Summer.
Although, in the traditional tale, Gwythyr wins Creiddylad from Gwyn on Calan Mai, Creiddylad’s presence can be felt within the land here in Britain in early spring with the emergence of the snowdrops, crocuses, primroses (one of the epithets I know Her by is First Rose), celandine, daffodils and other plants. This suggests that She is not Gwyn’s prisoner but His consort as Winter Queen and has free rein to visit the land, with and without Her husband, nurturing the winter flowers and bringing the spring flowers to bloom.
The Flowers of Creiddylad is a new festival we will be celebrating for the first time this year at the Monastery of Annwn. It came into being as a result of a conversation during Gwyn’s Feast on September 29th last year at which Brother Delight posed a question from a friend about whether there is a mirror festival on March the 29th. I replied ‘no’ but mentioned I had been planting bulbs for Creiddylad that very day and the fact they would flower six months later suggested we should create a festival for Her mirroring Gwyn’s Feast. She then made it clear She wanted flowers to be the focus rather than feasting.
You can join us for our celebration on Friday 29th March 6 – 7pm UK time. It will take place on Google Meets email themonasteryofannwn@gmail.com for the link.
Please download the ritual format for the necessary preparations HERE.
The Monastery of Annwn 