The Mabinogi, a collection of ancient Celtic tales, continues to provide such a wealth of inspiration and guidance to both my spiritual and artistic journey. These stories have always felt magical and enchanted with a childlike wonder. Yet they resonate deeply and have the ability to travel right into the very core of our human existence. Why have these legends continued to inspire so many artists, poets, bards and craft makers for centuries? Just as in any great work that stands the test of time, these myths contain an underlying truth that renders them timeless and can be wonderful metaphors and reflections of our own human experience.
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Starling’s Song was a short prayer that was inspired following my encounter with Branwen, who appears in the second branch of the Mabinogi. A brief telling of her story is that Branwen’s hand was given in marriage to Matholwch, King of Ireland. During the celebration feast held upon her homeland in Wales, Matholwch’s horses were mutilated by Branwen’s revengeful half-brother Efnisien. To maintain the peace, the King of Ireland was offered a magical cauldron which he accepted. When Mathlowch and Branwen returned to Ireland, Branwen held her position as Queen and gave birth to a son. However, later, the people did not believe that the magical cauldron was enough compensation for the mutilation of Matholwch's horses and believed further punishment was in order. So Branwen paid the price for her half-brothers actions and was condemned to work in the kitchen and was cruelly treated. However, she found comfort in a Starling that would come to visit her every day and she would reveal her discontent, telling it of her injustices. She then decided to tie a note to the Starling’s leg and sent it off to return to her homeland to let her brother Bran know of her mistreatment. The Starling flew over the Irish Sea and the note was indeed received by her brother. That is when a terrible war ensued between Wales and Ireland. Everyone in Ireland was killed and Branwen returned home with only a few remaining Welsh survivors. After arriving back to her homeland, Branwen fell to her knees and wept. “Two fair islands have been laid waste because of me!” Her grief was too great to bear and there she died of a broken heart.
I read and entered into her story in search for that treasured message which remained hidden yet longed to be discovered and revealed as a story of hope and light. Then I heard her gently whisper the words......
" Honor, grace, love, beauty, light are more than just mere words. By entering into these qualities, you enter into my body as I enter into yours. There is a nobility of the soul that already exists but often becomes imprisoned within the chains of clouded perception.”
These words felt as if they were coming from a voice that was quietly yearning to be freed from the walls that surrounded it. A voice cast into the darkness and consistently scourged by the reigning power of ignorance. It brought a deeper recognition of the quiet warfare that continually ensues between ignorance and truth.
So what other lessons may be contained within Branwen’s story? Perhaps she is teaching us to maintain a strong inner poise in the face of adversity. To continue to act with integrity, even though painful life experiences may temporarily condemn our joyful spirits into a dark corner, leaving us feeling stripped of our personal power. If we are currently experiencing adversity in our lives, is it the result of our own actions or are we choosing to bear the responsibility for someone else's actions? During these times, do we ask for help? Do we seek, recognize or even embrace that messenger or catalyst that will come to our aid and help release us from that feeling of helplessness or imprisonment? What personal battles and sacrifices are we willing to endure for that freedom? Are we walking a path that has already been cleared for us to follow, or are we creating a new path that one day may guide someone else along their journey? What other lessons or questions arise for you? Do you still hear that voice? Perhaps that is the voice of her Starling's Song?
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Starling’s Song was a short prayer that was inspired following my encounter with Branwen, who appears in the second branch of the Mabinogi. A brief telling of her story is that Branwen’s hand was given in marriage to Matholwch, King of Ireland. During the celebration feast held upon her homeland in Wales, Matholwch’s horses were mutilated by Branwen’s revengeful half-brother Efnisien. To maintain the peace, the King of Ireland was offered a magical cauldron which he accepted. When Mathlowch and Branwen returned to Ireland, Branwen held her position as Queen and gave birth to a son. However, later, the people did not believe that the magical cauldron was enough compensation for the mutilation of Matholwch's horses and believed further punishment was in order. So Branwen paid the price for her half-brothers actions and was condemned to work in the kitchen and was cruelly treated. However, she found comfort in a Starling that would come to visit her every day and she would reveal her discontent, telling it of her injustices. She then decided to tie a note to the Starling’s leg and sent it off to return to her homeland to let her brother Bran know of her mistreatment. The Starling flew over the Irish Sea and the note was indeed received by her brother. That is when a terrible war ensued between Wales and Ireland. Everyone in Ireland was killed and Branwen returned home with only a few remaining Welsh survivors. After arriving back to her homeland, Branwen fell to her knees and wept. “Two fair islands have been laid waste because of me!” Her grief was too great to bear and there she died of a broken heart.
I read and entered into her story in search for that treasured message which remained hidden yet longed to be discovered and revealed as a story of hope and light. Then I heard her gently whisper the words......
" Honor, grace, love, beauty, light are more than just mere words. By entering into these qualities, you enter into my body as I enter into yours. There is a nobility of the soul that already exists but often becomes imprisoned within the chains of clouded perception.”
These words felt as if they were coming from a voice that was quietly yearning to be freed from the walls that surrounded it. A voice cast into the darkness and consistently scourged by the reigning power of ignorance. It brought a deeper recognition of the quiet warfare that continually ensues between ignorance and truth.
So what other lessons may be contained within Branwen’s story? Perhaps she is teaching us to maintain a strong inner poise in the face of adversity. To continue to act with integrity, even though painful life experiences may temporarily condemn our joyful spirits into a dark corner, leaving us feeling stripped of our personal power. If we are currently experiencing adversity in our lives, is it the result of our own actions or are we choosing to bear the responsibility for someone else's actions? During these times, do we ask for help? Do we seek, recognize or even embrace that messenger or catalyst that will come to our aid and help release us from that feeling of helplessness or imprisonment? What personal battles and sacrifices are we willing to endure for that freedom? Are we walking a path that has already been cleared for us to follow, or are we creating a new path that one day may guide someone else along their journey? What other lessons or questions arise for you? Do you still hear that voice? Perhaps that is the voice of her Starling's Song?
Lyrics from Starling's Song
from the "Motherland" CD
“Branwen, Branwen, I hear your Starling’s Song
Branwen, Branwen, I hear your Starling’s Song
A heart filled with honor, a heart filled with grace,
Will see only love and the beauty within your face
Shines like a light, bearing seeds in the mind
Of the fruits that were born from the tears that you left behind.
from the "Motherland" CD
“Branwen, Branwen, I hear your Starling’s Song
Branwen, Branwen, I hear your Starling’s Song
A heart filled with honor, a heart filled with grace,
Will see only love and the beauty within your face
Shines like a light, bearing seeds in the mind
Of the fruits that were born from the tears that you left behind.