Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
adherents to be derived from Welsh and Pictish religious sources as well as Druidic and witchcraft
magickal practices.[1]
Dynion Mwyn documents claim its priesthood evolved from Welsh Druidism, Pictish witchcraft and
Etruscan culture, including in its ancestry Druids, Bards, Ovates, "Faerie Doctors", "Cunning Men",
"Men in Black", and "Wise Women".[2]
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Gathering of the Tribes
3 Beliefs
3.1 Deities
3.2 Rituals
3.3 Enlightenment
3.4 Spiritual growth
3.5 Reincarnation
3.6 Responsibility and Karma
3.7 Tenets or Virtues
3.8 Four sacraments
3.9 Symbols
3.10 The Wheel
4 References
History[edit]
Dynion Mwyn church history claims the teachings evolved from an oral Faerie Tradition: "The
Children of Dn chose to stay in Wales after the invasion of the Celts, and took refuge under the
hills."[3] The Religious Tradition of Dynion Mwyn was revitalized in the 50s and 60s by Taliesin
einion Vawr a Dynion Mwyn High Priest, in North Wales. He combined elements of Pictish
Witchcraft, Knights Templar philosophy, Druidry teachings, Etruscan religious ritual, NROOGD
magickal ritual and Kibbo Kift ceremony in his workings. The original Mother Organization,
Dynion Mwyn, was said to be created between 1282 and 1525, by descendants of the Bards of
Prince Llewellyn, the last true prince of Wales.[4] In the summer of 1965, William (an American
working in Europe), met his future teacher, Sarah Llewellyn, on the Isle of Majorca, Spain, and an
instant spiritual connection began. Robert Graves, who wrote The White Goddess, spent the last
year of his life about 2 miles from their meeting-place.[5]
In 1966, Rhuddlwm was initiated by Taliesin einion Vawr into the Welsh Tribe of Dynion Mwyn,
"The Gentle Folk", near Betws-y-Coed, in North Wales. He was given the name Rhuddlwm Gawr
by the elders of the Dynion Mwyn tradition, and told that he was to return to the United States and
begin to teach the Craft of Y Tylwyth Teg (the Clan of "The Fairy Folk"). After returning to the
United States, he worked on NASA's Apollo Manned Lunar Project. He began teaching a
Witchcraft class in a small Houston bookstore.[6]
In Spring 1967, the Coven of Y Tylwyth Teg of Dynion Mwyn became "The Church of Y Tylwyth
Teg in America." Many seekers who were Pagan and seeking an Earth-religion-oriented spiritual
philosophy, became interested and joined classes. Lord Rhuddlwm initiated Lady Dana who
become the first American Priestess of Dynion Mwyn and Y Tylwyth Teg. Y Tylwyth Teg presented
the first pagan Gathering of the Tribes ever recorded and its first Midsummer celebration presided
over by Lord Rhuddlwm and Lady Dana. Y Tylwyth Teg established sister covens in Florida, Texas,
California and Georgia. The Celtic Church of Dynion Mwyn through the Church of Y Tylwyth Teg
the Pan Pagan Festival sponsored by the Midwest Pagan Council,began establishing Camelot-ofthe-Wood, an intentional community of members of Dynion Mwyn and Y Tylwyth Teg; received a
US IRS Group Tax Exemption was issued to the Church and The Association of Cymry Wicca. This
was the first Group Tax Exemption issued to a true Witchcraft church by the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service; became legally incorporated by the State of Georgia in Smyrna, Georgia on February 2,
1977; founded Camelot Press and Pagan Grove Press whose purpose is to publish a Newsletter and
books on paganism and Witchcraft; co-sponsored the first Gathering of the Tribes held in the North
Georgia mountains where Wiccan and earth religion leaders attended from all over the United
States; after Dynion Mwyn was contacted by Lady Circe of Toledo, Ohio, Dynion Mwyn helped
one of her neophytes, Sintana, become established in Atlanta and gave her a great deal of study
material to help her found Ravenwood; Lady Rhea of Louisville Kentucky was initiated; Lady
Galadreal of today's Grove of the Unicorn attended her first neophyte class with Lord Rhuddlwm
and Lord Mithrandir; Dynion mwyn staff has presented workshops in California, Tennessee,
Pennsylvania, Alabama, Virginia, New York, Texas, Iowa, Kansas and many other states; published
Paganism's first "Yellow Pages", The Pagan NewAge Occult Directory, containing names and
addresses of groups and individuals from many paths, plus a bibliography and other information
and was published until 1982; published The Quest, the Way and the Word, a trilogy about Welsh
Witchcraft; founded Bangor Institute to provide way for members of the Welsh Witchcraft tradition
and others to work toward entering the priesthood and acquire specialized degrees associated with
the ancient Bardic traditions; and has done much to further Paganism in the U.S. and the World.[18]
Gathering of the Tribes[edit]
Every year, the Celtic Church of Dynion Mwyn holds a national Pagan festival. The first Gathering
of the Tribes festival was held in the forests of Maryland, USA in 1967 and was held there until
1970. Since then the Gathering has been held near Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, Unicoi State Park,
Helen Georgia, Faerie Glen in South Carolina, Pangea in Georgia, and near Waterloo, Iowa.[19]
The Gathering of the Tribes is not affiliated with or associated with any other festival using the
name Gathering of the Tribes, whether held in the U.S. or a foreign country.[20]
Beliefs[edit]
Dynion Mwyn has a statement of beliefs which is only a small portion of their belief system.
Similar beliefs can be found among a number of other pagan religions. Among their beliefs, they
believe that every Witch should welcome sincere cooperation with other traditions of the Craft and
other religions. They accept several basic principles:[21] (With permission.)
They believe all of nature is a Sacred manifestation of the Great Spirit, where all things seek
balance and are interconnected. The Goddess and God are a personification of this Great Spirit and
are incarnate in the soul of each human.
They believe because there are so many spiritual paths, each person must find their own way,
searching for the deity in whatever form it may manifest. We respect all such attempts to find
spiritual enlightenment.
They believe they should respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from
all and to share their learning within the Grove.
They believe their God and Goddess is in all things. The Great Spirit shows itself as the female
principle of ecstasy, fertility and creation: The Lady (or the Goddess) of Nature and the Earth; and
the male principle of procreation: The Lord (or the God) of the Sun and the Hunt (which are only a
few of their aspects).
They believe they should offer love and spiritual dedication to the Divine Earth Goddess and the
Celestial God. The confirm a dynamic balance between female and male deities honored and/or
invoked at every ceremony and encourage a gender balance within the priest/esshood. They
communicate directly with and relate to their God and Goddess and with the Elemental realms on a
personal level.
They believe Magick is a viable tool to bring about change in their lives as well as the things
around them, ever remembering the Law of Threefold Return, that whatever is sent forth, returns
threefold; therefore they believe in a form of Karmic law which reminds them that their actions
affect everything, and retribution comes from the Law of the Gods.
They believe the Soul is eternal and all the children of the Gods Reincarnate, but the form of the
Reincarnation may vary depending upon the spiritual maturity of the individual and whether he or
she wishes to follow his or her soul's pathway.
They believe Nature and Spirit are linked...that without this relationship there is disharmony and
imbalance.
They believe it is necessary to have a respect and love for Nature which is divine in her own right
and to accept themselves and all humans as a part of Nature and not as her "rulers."
They believe they must honor the four sacred elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water...and believe
that no one can own them or use them for their own personal gain.
They believe every living and non-living thing are a part of the Great Spirit; the animals, humans,
forests, mountains, lakes, fields, rocks, and soil. They believe that all living creatures are the
children of the God and the Goddess and have a spiritual as well as a physical existence.
They believe the human body is a beautiful work of nature, therefore, sometimes their rituals and
festivals are conducted in a naked and natural state showing respect for and identity with the Earth
Mother.
They believe when a seeker is initiated, the seeker is joined spiritually, mentally and physically
with the Dynion Mwyn tradition. Prior to initiation the seeker receives a comprehensive knowledge
of Dynion Mwyn heritage, lineage, history, philosophy, and religion.
They believe it is possible for Initiation to give the seeker a true realization of a Oneness with the
God and Goddess, the Lord and Lady. They believe this is Enlightenment and should be the
ultimate goal of Initiation as well as the result of your spiritual evolution.
They believe you should respect Nature, the Gods, the Old Ones, your parents, and your ancestors
in the Religion.
They believe Rituals are a celebration of religion, recognizing the cycles of the Moon and the
turning of the seasons. We thus become attuned to Nature, bringing us closer to the natural rhythm
of life.
They believe intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. They seek to
live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness
within an evolutionary concept. They consider ecological awareness and activism to be sacred
duties.
They believe in a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is
far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural," but they see it as a natural potential
existing within all people.
They believe in a Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity - as masculine
and feminine - and that this same creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the
interaction of the masculine and feminine. They value neither above the other, knowing each to be
supportive of the other. They value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life,
and as one of the sources of energies used in Magickal practice and religious worship.
They believe in both the outer worlds and the inner, or psychological worlds - sometimes known
as the OtherWorld, Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc. - and they see
in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomenon and Magickal
exercises. They neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for their
fulfillment.
They believe that we must honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge
and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
They believe that religion, Magick, and wisdom-in-living are united in the way one views the
world and lives within it - a world view and a philosophy of life, which they identify as Witchcraft
or the Witches Way.
They believe that calling oneself "Witch" does not make one a Witch - but neither does heredity
itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within
him/herself that makes life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in
harmony with Nature.
They believe Dynion Mwyn philosophy is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation
of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and
to our personal role within it.
They believe Christianity, and other religious institutions which have claimed to be "the one true
right and only way", have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious
practices and belief. They reject this idea and accept that there is no one true way; that each
individual must find the way that is right for them.
They believe as Witches, they are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins
of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. They are concerned with
the present, and the future.
They believe there is no "absolute evil," nor do they worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the
Devil" as defined by Christian or other tradition. They do not seek power through the suffering of
others, nor do they accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to
another and They believe Witches must work within Nature for that which is contributory to health
and well-being.
Deities[edit]
Dynion Mwyn sees the God and Goddess in many different forms. They experience the Goddess in
her physical form as the Earth which is the Mother of all. They see the God in his physical form as
the Sun which is the Father of all. There are also beliefs in Spiritual Guardians who guard the
temples and circles of the religion, as well as its members. The Welsh Pantheon of Dynion Mwyn is
listed below with permission:[22]
The Sky Goddess Her name is Arianrhod. She is called the Blue Virgin of the Outer Darkness. She
is the whole Universe, created and un-created, before and after. She is the great infinite one who
divided herself and brought forth light. Her grain is Oats.
The Corn Maiden Nimue, the Spring Queen. She is the spirit of new growth, of both plants and
animals. She is the daughter of the Earth Mother, the spirit of all her children. The Corn Maiden
appears as a young girl, her body shining white, holding a silver bow. Her emblem is a six-day-old
crescent Moon, which She wears upon her brow. Her grain is Barley.
The Great Mother The great mother goddess is Donn (Danu); she is an embodiment of the forces of
the sacred land. This can range from the family to the solar system or a pattern of stars. She is also
called Mari (Mary) and is the spirit of Earth, Sea, and Sky. The world is her body, and through it she
manifests. Her grain is all grains.
The Crone Cerridwen or Kerridwen, Ceridwen, Caridwen, (sometimes spelled with two r's), the
Mother Goddess of corn, inspiration and keeper of the Cauldron of Knowledge; she is the symbol of
the Witch and her name translates as "the Cauldron of Wisdom." She has the power of Magick and
prophecy and she helps the seeker to find their own powers through initiation. Her grain is Wheat.
The God of the Blue Stones Danaglas is also called the Serpent in the Well and the Flower King. He
is the spirit of Spring, youth, and potency. His seed is the life-giving moisture of rain and rising
springs. He also represents the human Divine Spirit, from his quality of pure innocence.
The Harvest Lord Twr (Welsh for tower) is the Corn King. He is the spirit of Summer, a spirit of
Light and Heat in its aspect of nourishing and energizing life. He is the son and lover of the Earth
Mother. The Harvest Lord appears as a stag-headed man. His body is completely golden: skin, hair,
eyes, and horns. His neck is wreathed with a garland of summer flowers and green leaves about the
neck. His emblem is a golden sun.
The Winter King Arddu (Old Welsh, "royal darkness") is the Dark Lord and King of the Dead. He is
the spirit of winter and death. In Witchcraft, Death is called the Great Teacher, and so the Winter
King, as the bringer of death, is the giver of wisdom and knowledge, the Guardian of the Mysteries.
The Horned King Cernunnos, the horned one, the Celtic "Father of Animals" with his companion
Stag and Boar is connected with fertility and wealth. Cernunnos is depicted as the "horned god, "
with the antlers of a stag, most notably on the famous Gundestrup cauldron discovered in Denmark.
Rituals[edit]
Contains excerpts from: Ritual I, a supplemental reading for Lesson two of "A Course in Welsh
Witchcraft" by Taliesin einion Vawr and Rhuddlwm Gawr
Dynion Mwyn Ritual are an important part of religious life of Dynion Mwyn. Ritual connects you
with the Gods, the Force in nature, the spiritual worlds, and the turning seasons. Dynion Mwyn
rituals may take the form of dance and song which is a celebration of life to give thanks to the gods.
This ritual may also take the form of special types of magick which are essential to the celebration
of the mysteries of Dynion Mwyn.
Dynion Mwyn Rituals help them connect with the Great Mysteries of existence, but these Mysteries
exist whether you perform rituals or not. Keep in mind that rituals exist for the members first, just
as a television is a gateway for you to connect with the world --- the world will exist anyway, the
news programs shown in your living room will be there whether you turn on the set or not, but the
television itself helps you to connect. And likewise, your viewing keeps the shows on the air. But,
by yourselves, they do not rely on your individual televisions. So also it is in religion: the gods will
still be there, whether you dance in circle or not. The circle is your way to connect with them.
Dynion Mwyn Rituals come in two flavors: public and private. Private rituals are those you do on
the individual level --- there can be more people around during them, but each person does their
own ritual. Public rituals can involve one person or many. One person may perform a ritual
designed to help the entire community, while the community may actually stand outside the Sacred
Space of the ritual.
The kinds of Dynion Mwyn rituals are just as varied. There are magickal rituals, be they
offensive/defensive or propitiatory in nature. There are also non-magickal rituals, such as
celebrations, beginning or ending rituals (i.e. weddings, funerals and the like), connecting rituals,
and so forth. For every important religious event (even the tiniest) there can be a ritual.[23]
Enlightenment[edit]
Dynion Mwyn enlightenment may be expressed in many different thought forms and life styles.
Every person can experience personal communication and understanding with the Great Spirit.
Spiritual growth[edit]
The Goddess and the God guide members through many lives in ways that may be mysterious to
some who have not been initiated. They appear in many disguises in dreams and visions. They also
affect relationships with surroundings. When they are properly recognized, their influence can
(16) DEVOTION - All true seekers dedicate themselves to the Old Religion - the Old Ways volunteering their time and effort to its cause and beliefs.
(17) PATIENCE - All true seekers have developed the ability to be calm and composed under
conditions of suffering or provocation or while performing a laborious task. They do this without
complaint, haste or impetuosity.
(18) KINDNESS - All true seekers have a sincere desire never to hurt another person or thing, being
considerate of others' feelings, demonstrating helpfulness, gentleness and sympathy
(19) FORBEARANCE - All true seekers show perseverance and determination with a serenity and
control of their mind under provocation.
(20) DISCERNMENT AND DISCRETION - All true seekers have developed the ability to discern
character; seeing beneath the surface intellect to determine truth in the face of disguise. All true
seekers have developed the ability to make responsible and correct decisions. They have the power
to select and distinguish what is true, appropriate and excellent.
(21) EFFICIENCY - All true seekers develop the ability to deal with their environment with a
minimal expenditure of time, energy and Earth's resources. This is done with precision, exactness,
accuracy and definitiveness. Magick works.
(22) COURTEOUS - All true seekers can be identified by their respect for and consideration of
others. They have a generosity of spirit.
(23) WISDOM - All true seekers have the goal of attaining knowledge which has been tested by
experience. They have a mental grasp of the nature, significance, facts, information of things, and
discernment of their true nature. They have developed the power of comprehension, understanding
deeply; exercising sound judgement, and have excellent common sense.
Four sacraments[edit]
In their church documentation they state there are four sacraments: The first sacrament of Initiation
joins them to the clan of Dynion Mwyn and with their members everywhere. It is a symbol of a new
life and a promise of the love of the Great Spirit, the God and Goddess. It is also a demonstration of
their commitment to the church. The second sacrament, The Feast of The Sabbat is a holy meal of
cakes and wine that symbolize the fruits of the God and Goddess in the world. By sharing this meal,
they give thanks to the Great Spirit through the God and Goddess for their lives and the abundance
of Nature. The Feast recalls the unity of all members of Dynion Mwyn with Nature and the Great
Spirit. The third sacrament, Expiation is a true sorrow that is shown for doing those things that are
known to be wrong and with a sincere desire to change behavior. The final sacrament, Ordination, is
a sacrament consecrating a pagan to the service of The Great Spirit. Spiritual power is given to help
them devote their lives to the good of the church, teaching, ministering, sacramental and leading a
church. Members of Dynion Mwyn are guided by Priests and Priestesses, nurtured by church rituals
and the sacraments.[28] Quoted from the Church Constitution with permission by Celtic Church of
Dynion Mwyn, Inc.
Symbols[edit]
Dynion Mwyn holds certain religious symbols to be of primary importance. Each God and Goddess
is represented by a totem animal which symbolizes the power of the deity in daily life. This
relationship between animals and deities, has over the eons, built a complex relationship of religious
rituals, energies of the land, and magickal practices. This same philosophy is applied to trees,
plants, mountains, springs and the weather. Every Land or tribal location has a Sacred Center of
Divine Being. Following is a summary of the major Dynion Mwyn religious symbols and totem
animals:[29]
The Owl of Wisdom is associated with Blodeuwedd, and is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.
The Stag is associated with Cernunnos. This is the aspect of the wild hunt in which the spirits of the
dead are transported to the underworld. The horns of the stag are symbolic of the Lord of the
Animals. Also associated with Merlin.
The Serpent is associated with the God Cernunnos and is found on Torcs, the sacred neck ornament.
Some serpent Torcs also have a ram's head which symbolize the power of nature and animals.
The Horse is associated with the Goddesses Epona and Rhiannon. This represents the power and
fertility of the horse connected to the Kingship of the clan.
The Bear is associated with the Goddesses Artio and Andarta and the Gods Arthgen (Arthur) and
Artogenus. The Bear symbolizes the King's connection to the land as well as the Constellation
Arcturus, The Great Bear.
The Bull is associated with the God Esus, trees, and the three Cranes.
The Boar is associated with the Goddess Ceridwen and the God Math. The Pig is thus closely
associated with shape shifting transformative powers as well as necromancy and flight. Other
important totem animals are:
The Raven is associated with the goddess Morrigna,
Salmon of Knowledge is associated with the Goddess Cerridwen.
The Hare is associated with, and the Goddess Cerridwen.
The Ram is associated with the God Cernunnos.
The Celtic Cross is the equal armed cross in a circle which is the symbol of male and female
energies confined only by the boundaries of the Universe associated with the Goddess Donn.
The Winged Ankh represents eternal life and strength of the soul associated with the Goddess Donn
The Pentacle represents spiritual and earthly power; the point of the pentacle is always pointed up,
meaning good, never down, which symbolizes evil, associated with the God Amaetheon.
Druid Sigil: The origin of this is unknown, however, it is commonly seen as a leaved wreath with
two staves running through it.
Awen: The three rays of light known as, The Awen, form a symbol of the Devine name and
concentrate upon the stone of speech as do the rays of the summer solstice and of the spring and
autumn equinoxes upon the altar stone at Stonehenge. The Awen symbolizes the source of Light in
the cosmos and in man whence come the Druidic virtues of courage, brotherhood, and selfless
service.
Torc: This was often a ceremonial neck piece worn by the Druids and often worn by Celtic
hierarchy.
Triskell: is considered of British origin, finding its way from Scotland, Wales and Cornwall over to
Brittany. The 3 arms are said to represent Earth, Wind, and Fire. It is often said that the triskell
represents the three druidic virtues or the three stages of life to the Celts.
The Wheel[edit]
Dynion Mwyn celebrates the Wheel of the Year, starting with Samhain (Nos Calon Gaeaf) as their
High Holy Day. It is the beginning of the religious year. Imbolg which is Candlemas or Nos Gwyl
Fair, Beltaine which is May Eve or Nos Galon-Mai, and Midsummer which is Gwyl canol Haf,
follow.
Worship is centered around four great festivals which record in chronological order the birth,
growth, and decline of the fruits of the earth. Additionally, they meet for full moons and on special
occasion, the dark of the moon.[30]
These festivals correspond to the cycles of Nature (animal mating, seasons, planting and harvest)
and the cycles of the Sun (Solstices and Equinoxes) . These are:
The Four Major Sabbats are:
Nos Calon Gaeaf (Samhain)
Nos Gwyl Fair (Imbolg or Candlemas)
Nos Galon-Mai (Beltaine or May Eve)
Nos Gwyl Awst (Lammas)
The four lesser Sabbats are
Gwyl Canol Gaeaf (Winter Solstice or Yule)
Gwyl Canol Haf (Summer Solstice)
Gwyl Canol Gwenwynol (Spring Equinox)
Gwyl Canol Hydref (Fall Equinox)
These comprise a total of eight major festivals. There are also 13 Full Moon Lunar Rituals and
several miscellaneous festivals which Dynion Mwyn recognizes.
They believe that if one follows the path of the Gwyddon and offers the sacrifices of love and
spiritual dedication to the Divine Earth Goddess and the Celestial God during these Sabbats and
festivals, he or she will make evident an inner awareness of their true spiritual nature. Like their
earlier Pictish and other Celtic forbearers, Welsh Witches have an affinity for patterns in Ritual,
Song, Words, and Art, and are an intensely proud and passionate people. The rich Sabbat festivals,
customs, artwork and music are indicative of a continuing Celtic heritage, which is best represented
by the Triscele, a Celtic version of the Yin Yang symbol. A Triscele is three spiral lines appearing to
move in the same direction from a central point, enclosed by a circle. This symbol of three is an
important element in the Welsh religious philosophy. Three is the number of the stages of life. The
goddess shows three faces: Maid, Mother and Crone. (By permission of Celtic Church of Dynion
Mwyn, Inc.)[31]
The primary sources for this entry include: "The Quest", "The Way" and "The Word", books written
by Rhuddlwm Gawr; as well as "The Thirteen Mystical Treasures of Welsh Witchcraft", "Mysteries
of Welsh Witchcraft: Universal Laws and the Old Religion" and "The Threefold Cauldron of
Cerridwen: Mythology of Welsh Witchcraft" by Taliesin einion Vawr edited by Rhuddlwm Gawr.