Please note that the Welsh letters ll, ch, dd, and rh in italics remain in their original form with no phonetic equivalent provided. Refer to the pronunciation guide for guidance. Note that the letter y has various sounds depending on its position within a word. Its phonetic description below is the nearest sound applicable within that word. Many terms in this glossary can be heard on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2cRWP-E8Vs or from http://angleseydruidorder.co.uk, then click on “explore” on the top menu bar, and finally “myths & story.”
Afallach (av-AHLL-ach)—Mythological father of Modron.
Aicme (AYKH-muh)—The divisions of the ogam group into distinct groups of trees.
Ailm (Ae-luhm)—Irish Celtic name for pine.
Alban Arthan (AL-Bann ARTH-ann)—The festival of the winter solstice.
Alban Eilir (AL-Bann AYE-leer)—The festival of the spring equinox.
Alban Elfed (AL-Bann ELL-ved)—The festival of the autumn equinox.
Alban Hefin (AL-Bann HEV-een)—The festival of the summer solstice.
Amaethon (am-AYETH-onn)—Agricultural god.
Angar Kyfundawt (ANG-garr KUV-in-doubt)—A poem from the Book of Taliesin.
Annwn (ANN-oon)—The indigenous Celtic otherworld/underworld.
Anyan (ANN-eeann)—The inherent nature of an object, animal, plant, or human.
Ap (APP)—A designation to mean “son of.”
Aranrhod (arh-ANN-rod)—Sister of Gwydion, the mother of Lleu and Dylan.
Arawn (AR-ow-n)—A king of Annwn.
Awen (AH-when)—The flowing, unifying spirit of Celtica; divine inspiration.
Barddas (BARR-ddas)—Compilation of Druidic theology attributed to Iolo Morganwg.
Beith (Bayh)—Irish Celtic name for birch.
Beli Mawr (BELL-ee MA-oor)—Ancestor deity of the British pantheon; literally means big fire or light.
Bendith y Mamau (BEN-deeth UGH MAM-aye)—A race of otherworldly spirits akin to fairies.
Bleiddwn (BLAY-ddoon)—Wolf cub offspring of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy.
Blodeuedd (blod-AY-edd)—A woman created from flowers in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi by the magicians Math and Gwydion as a bride for Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
Blodeuwedd (blod-AY-Wedd)—As above but in owl form.
Blodyn (BLOD-in)—A flower.
Braint (BRR-aeent)—A locality-specific deity on the Isle of Anglesey who shares a common etymological root with Brig/Briganti.
Brân (BRA-nn)—Son of Llŷr, brother of Branwen and Manawydan.
Branwen (BRAN-wen)—Sister of Brân and Manawydan, demigoddess of birds.
Brenin (BREN-een)—A king.
Cadwallon ap Cadfan (kad-WALL-onn APP KAD-van)—A sixth-century king of Gwynedd in North Wales.
Cadwgan (kad-OO-gann)—One of the reputed physicians of Myddvai.
Caer Fandwy (VAN-doo-ee)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Feddwit (FEDD-wit)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Goludd (GOL-eedd)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Ochren (OCH-wren)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Pedryfan (ped-RUV-ann)—The four-walled enclosure synonymous with the island of Britain. A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Rigor (REE-gor)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Siddi (SIDD-ee)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Caer Wydr (WID-hr)—A fortification in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn.”
Calan Gaeaf (kal-ANN-Gay-av)—The feast of Samhain/Halloween; literally translates as the calends of winter.
Calan Mai (kal-ANN-My)—The feast of Beltane/May Day, literally translates as the calends of May.
Cawlwyd (cow-LOO-id)—A valley presided over by the oldest owl in the world.
Celtica (KELTEE-KA)—The name given to the combined cultures of the six Celtic nations and the unifying spirit of Celticness that unites them.
Cerridwen (kerr-ID-wen)—The witch goddess and primary guardian of the cauldron of inspiration.
Cigfa (KEEG-va)—Wife of Pryderi.
Cilgwri (kill-GOO-ree)—A region presided over by the blackbird of Cilgwri, one of the world’s oldest animals.
Coblynau (kob-LUNN-aye)—A form of pixie.
Coll (Kuhl)—Irish Celtic name for hazel.
Creiddylad (kray-DDUl add)—One of the fairest maidens to have lived. Two male deities fight for her hand in marriage every May Day until the end of time. She appears in the epic tale of how Culhwch won Olwen.
Culhwch (KILL-Hoo-ch)—Tutelary hero of the Mabinogi tale Culhwch ac Olwen.
Cwn Annwn (KOON ANN-oon)—Mythical dogs reputed to belong to Arawn and Gwyn ap Nudd. They are described as white with red-tipped ears.
Derw (DARE-oo)—The oak.
Derwydd (DARE-with)—A Druid.
Dinas (DEAN-ass)—A city.
Dôn (DAWN)—Celtic mother goddess.
Duir (Dehr)—Irish Celtic name for oak.
Dyfed (DUV-ed)—A county in South Wales.
Dylan (DULL-ann)—Zoomorphic demigod of the sea who is birthed by Aranrhod in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi.
Eadad (Eh-duth)—Irish Celtic name for poplar.
Efnysien (ev-NIS-ee-en)—Half brother to the children of Llŷr. Shadow aspect found in the second branch of the Mabinogi.
Einion (AYNN-eeonn)—One of the reputed physicians of Myddvai.
Ellyll (EHll-eell)—A nature spirit akin to fairy.
Englyn (ENG-lyn)—A poetic spell or incantation spoken in rhyming verse.
Englynion (eng-LUN-eeon)—Plural of englyn.
Euroswydd (ay-ROSS-widd)—Father of Efnysien and Nisien whose name means golden enemy.
Fearn (Fyarn)—Irish Celtic name for alder.
Gilfaethwy (gill-VAYTH-wee)—Son of Dôn, brother of Gwydion.
Goewin (GOY-ween)—Virgin foot-holder of Math, the king of Gwynedd.
Gorsedd Arberth (GORR-sedd arr-BERR-th)—A mound in South Wales from which miracles and wonders are seen.
Gort (Gohrd)—Irish Celtic name for ivy.
Govannon (gov-ANN-onn)—Smith demigod, a son of Dôn.
Gronw (GRONN-oo)—Secret lover of Blodeuedd.
Gruddieu (GREEDD-ee-ay)—One of the seven survivors to return from Ireland at the end of the second branch of the Mabinogi.
Gryffydd (GRIFF-eedd)—One of the reputed physicians of Myddvai.
Gwales (GWAL-ess)—An island in the Bristol Channel where the company of Brân rested after the war with Ireland.
Gweir (GWAY-rrh)—Mythical exalted prisoner and an aspect of the divine child.
Gwern (GOO-errn)—Son of Branwen, his name means Alder.
Gwernabwy (goo-errn-ABB-wee)—Region presided over by the eagle of Gwernabwy, one of the oldest animals in the world.
Gwialen (gwee-AL-en)—Wand; also cognate with penis.
Gwion Bach (GWEE-on BA-ch)—The innocent employed to tend Cerridwen’s cauldron.
Gwybodaeth (gwee-BOD-ayth)—Welsh word meaning knowledge.
Gwydd (GOO-eedd)—Welsh word that refers to trees and magic.
Gwyddon (goo-WIDD-onn)—A practitioner of magic.
Gwyddoniaeth (goo-WIDDON-eayth)—Welsh word for science and the language of Gwydd.
Gwyddoniaid (goo-WIDDON-ee-ayd)—Practitioners of magic.
Gwyddor (goo-WIDD-orr)—Welsh word meaning alphabet.
Gwydion (GWEED-eeon)—A magician who appears in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi and is mentioned by name in several of the Taliesin poems; renowned for his skills in magic.
Gwyl Awst (GOO-eel OUST)—The festival of the first harvest, Lammas.
Gwyl Ffraid (GOO-eel F-Ride)—The festival of Imbolc.
Gwyn ap Nudd (GWIN ap NI-dd)—Celtic deity reputedly the king of the fairies, he leads the wild hunt on Samhain eve to gather the spirits of the dead. He fights with Gwythyr every May Day for the hand of Creiddylad.
Gwynedd (GOO-in-edd)—One of the largest counties in the North West of Wales.
Gwythyr ap Greidol (GWEE-thr ap GRAY-dol)—A Celtic deity who fights Gwyn ap Nudd for the hand of Creiddylad.
Hafgan (HAV-gan)—A king of Annwn whose name translates as summer song.
Hafren (HAV-ren)—Old Welsh name for Sabrina, goddess of the river Severn.
Heilyn (HAY-lin)—One of the seven survivors at the end of the second branch of the Mabinogi.
Huath (Hoo-uh)—Irish Celtic name for hawthorn.
Hudlath (HID-lath)—Literally a yard of magic; Welsh word for wand.
Hychdwn (HUH-ch-doon)—Wild boar offspring of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy.
Hyddwn (HUH-dd-oon)—Fawn offspring of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy.
Idad (Ih-duth)—Irish Celtic name for yew.
Imbas (IM-bus)—Irish equivalent to Awen.
Iolo Morganwg (YOLO More-GAN-oog)—Poet genius and recorder of Druidic wisdom and theology, some of which are believed to have been forged.
Kat Godeu (KAT GOD-ay)—Literally means the battle of the trees. A poem from the Book of Taliesin.
Llediaith (LLED-eeayth)—Welsh word meaning half or indistinct speech, attributed to the sea god Llŷr.
Lleu Llaw Gyffes (ll-ay ll-aw GUFF-ess)—Abandoned son of Aranrhod and a central figure in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi. His name literally means light of skilful hand.
Llwyd Cil Coed (LLOO-wid KIL KO-eed)—Character from the first and third branches of the Mabinogi who is responsible for the wasteland curse placed on Dyfed.
Llyn Lliw (LL-in LL-eeoo)—The lake of the oldest salmon in the world.
Llyn Y Fan Fach (LL-in UGH Van VA-ch)—The lake which features in the legend of the physicians of Myddvai.
Llˆyr (LL-ir)—Celtic god of the sea whose offspring play significant roles in the Mabinogi tales. He was one of the three exalted prisoners of the islands of Britain.
Luis (Loo-shuh)—Irish Celtic name for rowan.
Mabinogi (mab-INN-Og-ee)—Small tales, or tales of youth, the collective name given to a series of native Welsh tales, the most famed being the four branches of the Mabinogi.
Mabinogion (mab-inn-OGG-eeon)—Incorrect yet common title attributed to the Mabinogi collection.
Mabon (MABB-onn)—Son of the great goddess Modron; the divine child.
Manawydan (man-ah-WID-ann)—Primary character in the third branch of the Mabinogi.
Maponos (MAPP-on-oss)—Earlier Celtic term from which Mabon is derived.
Mari Lwyd (MAREE LOO-id)—A peculiar folk tradition that involved a horse’s skull, singing, and drinking alcohol. Attributed to the dark half of the year and believed to have psychopompic attributions.
Math (MA-th)—High king of Gwynedd and a powerful Druid magician who features in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi.
Matholwch (math-ALL-oo-ch)—A king of Ireland who marries Branwen, the daughter of Llŷr.
Matrona (MAT-rona)—Earlier Celtic name from which Modron is derived.
Meddwi (MEDD-wee)—Literally to be filled with mead; a euphemism for being intoxicated.
Modron (MOD-ron)—The great mother goddess.
Morfyd (MORR-vid)—Daughter of Modron and King Urien Rheged.
Muin (Mooin)—Irish Celtic name for bramble.
Myddvai (MUDD-vai)—The region reputed to home the legendary physicians of Myddvai.
Neidr (NEIGH-dur)—Welsh word for snake.
Ngetal (Nyay-tuhl)—Irish Celtic name for reed or broom.
Nisien (NIS-ee-en)—Meaning peaceful; the brother of Efnysien.
Nuinn (Noo-hin)—Irish Celtic name for ash.
Olwen (OLL- wen)—Female character from the Mabinogi tale Culhwch ac Olwen.
Onn (On)—Irish Celtic name for gorse.
Owain (OH-wine)—Son of King Urien Rheged and Modron.
Penarddun (pen-ARR-ddin)—Derived from pen, meaning head/chief, and arddun, meaning beautiful. She is the mother of the children of Llŷr and Efnysien and Nisien.
Pheryllt (FAIR-ee-llt)—The unknown caste of magicians that Cerridwen consulted; also synonymous with the magician Virgil.
Pryderi (PRUD-erry)—The kidnapped son of Rhiannon who is the main protagonist in the first, third, and fourth branches of the Mabinogi.
Prydwen (PRUD-wen)—The divine feminine figure in the poem “The Spoils of Annwn,” she is represented as a ship that carries Arthur, Taliesin, and their explorers on a quest in search of the cauldron.
Pwca (POO-ka)—A mischievous Welsh nature spirit.
Pwyll (PWEE-ll)—The main character of the first branch of the Mabinogi who trades places with the king of Annwn. He is Rhiannon’s husband.
Quert (Kooert)—Irish Celtic name for apple.
Rhedynfre (rhed-INN-vre)—Region presided over by one of the oldest stags in the world.
Rhiannon (rhee- ANN-onn)—A goddess, also known as Epona in Celto-Romano culture, and a main character in the first and third branches of the Mabinogi. She was the otherworld wife of Pwyll and the mother of Pryderi.
Rhiwallon (rheeoo-ALL-onn)—Reputed physician and father of the physicians of Myddvai.
Rhys Grug (RH-ees GREEG)—Employer of Rhiwallon.
Rith (REETH)—The assumed shape or form of any object, animate or inanimate.
Ruis (Roosh)—Irish Celtic name for elder.
Saille (Sol-yeh)—Irish Celtic name for willow.
Straif (Strayf)—Irish Celtic name for blackthorn.
Swyngyfaredd (zooeen-GUVAR-edd)—A practitioner of folkloric magic.
Taliesin (tal-YES-inn)—The prophetic spirit, poet, he with the radiant brow; Gwion Bach becomes Taliesin.
Taran (TARR-ann)—Welsh word for thunder.
Tinne (Tinn-yuh)—Irish Celtic name for holly.
Trioedd Ynys Prydein (TREE-OHeedd UN-iss PRUD-aeen)—The Triads of the Islands of Britain, a collection of wisdom written down in the form of triadic verse.
Twrch Trwyth (TOOR-ch TROO-with)—A mythological boar that features in the challenges of Culhwch in the tale Culhwch ac Olwen.
Tylwyth Teg (TUL-with TEG)—The Welsh word commonly ascribed to the fairy race.
Ur (Oor)—Irish Celtic name for heather.
Urien Rheged (OORR-ee-en RHEG-ed)—A king of Britain who mated with Modron.
Ynawg (UN-aoog)—One of the seven survivors at the end of the second branch of the Mabinogi.
Yspaddaden (us-PADDAD-en)—Primary antagonist in the tale Culhwch ac Olwen; in old Welsh it literally means hawthorn.
Ystoria (us-TORR-eeah)—Old Welsh term that means story or histories.