Moon 10
The Moon of Consummation
Moon Ten of the Avalonian Cycle of Revealing is called the Moon of Consummation, and is associated with the herb dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis). The lunar month begins on the first full moon when the sun is in Leo; the full moon is in Aquarius. It is the second of four moons during the Time of Rhiannon. The full moon corresponds with the Station of Resolution in the Avalonian Cycle of Healing, and it is the holy day of Gwyl Awst.
Whether we are entering into a partnership with a lover, a friend, a colleague, or ourselves, it is important that we do so with our eyes wide open, while also being centered in our hearts. This is because the true nature of partnership is that it creates something new. There is a Celtic triad that says: “Three parts to everything: He One, She One, They One in the Third.” Similar to the Lovers card of the tarot, the esoteric meaning of this kind of unity speaks of the transformation of the soul that occurs when consciousness is in clear partnership with the unconscious and when Self is in clear partnership with Source. We become someone different: we have a sense of who we can be when we are complete unto ourselves and are living our lives in alignment with our true will. This is a time of heightened creativity and a celebration of the goals achieved that have grown out of this partnership. Embrace and celebrate the blessings of life … right here, right now.
The Mythic Portion
At the appointed time, Pwyll and his retinue traveled to the court of Rhiannon’s father where a grand wedding feast awaited him. Sitting happily side by side in the place of honor, Rhiannon and Pwyll were approached by richly attired man who asked for a boon. Without hesitation, Pwyll promises to grant him anything in his power to give. Rhiannon was dismayed that he should answer so, especially in front of the noble guests, for the petitioner is Gwawl, Rhiannon’s rejected suitor. Gwawl asked Pwyll for the wedding feast and for Rhiannon’s hand; as the couple had not yet slept together, their marriage was not yet consummated. Rhiannon tells Pwyll to agree to give her to Gwawl lest he be dishonored, so the disheartened Pwyll does as she suggests. Rhiannon informs Gwawl that it is not within Pwyll’s power to grant him the feast because she had already given it to the men of Dyfed but tells him to return in a year’s time when she would have a new feast prepared for him and the two will be married. Satisfied, Gwawl departs.
Giving Pwyll a magic bag with instructions on how to use it, Rhiannon tells Pwyll to return in a year as well, this time disguised as a beggar. Humbled, Pwyll does as Rhiannon directs, and after the year has passed, he returns to the feasting hall, and approaches Gwawl, who is sitting in the place of honor with Rhiannon, to ask for a boon. Gwawl does not recognize him but prudently replies that he is happy to grant any reasonable request. Pwyll asks simply for the bag that he is carrying to be filled with food; Gwawl good-naturedly complies, having servants put a few dishes full of food in the bag, yet it was still not full. Trays of food are emptied into the satchel, but it is still no fuller than before. As more and more of the feast disappears into the bag, Gwawl becomes nervous and asks the disguised Pwyll if his bag will ever be filled. Pwyll replies that when a high-born man puts his two feet in it and proclaims the bag filled, it will be so. With Rhiannon’s encouragement, Gwawl quickly rounds the table to do so, and when both of his feet are in the bag, Pwyll pulls it up over Gwawl’s head and ties it so that he cannot escape.
Pwyll blows a horn and rips off his disguise as his companions descend upon the hall, taking Gwawl’s men prisoner. The men from Dyfed then kick the bag containing Gwawl and make a sport of abusing him until an upset Rhiannon puts a stop to the dishonorable behavior. With Rhiannon’s council, Pwyll and Gwawl make assurances to each other concerning his release, his forfeiture of any claim on Rhiannon, and promises that no vengeance will be sought between them. When all parties are satisfied at last, Gwawl takes his leave, and a new feast is set before Pwyll and Rhiannon; they sleep together that night, and the next day begin the journey back to Dyfed as husband and wife.
The Work of the Moon of Consummation
When the energies of intention become manifest in the physical plane … when the sparks of Awen are kindled to a glowing that illuminates our creative path and permits us to express ourselves … when the circumstances of our lives have come into alignment with our sacred intention … when we are in clear communication with all parts of the Self and can hear the voices of our guides and the goddess from a place of greater clarity and discernment … when we find ourselves in a place of true contentment, having learned how to put down the baggage of the past in order to journey without hindrance into the future … then step back. Breathe into this place of harvest and accomplishment. Take advantage of the expanded perspective that comes with being at the apex of the cycle to celebrate our accomplishments, and to commit to continue to do the hard work; the light half is only halfway over at this juncture, and there’s certainly more to do.
But today? Here? Now?
We must strive to bless and celebrate ourselves … both our shadow and our Sovereignty. We must acknowledge what we have accomplished, respect ourselves for doing what it takes to get here, and take note of where our harvest may yet be a bit thin but to not walk away from this part of ourselves. Instead, we must strive to love ourselves as fully and completely as we can.
Remember too that the path within must be reflected in that which is without. The spiritual journey is not meant to take place on the subtler realms alone—it should find its partner in the physical plane as well. It may be difficult to connect with or understand those who have not had the same experiences, but it is not our duty to judge … it is better to teach by example. We must have patience with ourselves as well; just as we may falter, so too must we forgive ourselves to learn from our mistakes and honor our responsibilities.
Searching Deeper
Medieval Welsh society featured a very formal social structure, especially where nobility was concerned. Cyfraith Hwyel Dda or The Laws of Hwyel the Good—a tenth-century prince who unified Wales and was believed to have codified Welsh law—proscribed a very specific hierarchy of worth for every member of a prince’s court, which included the amount due to them or their families as compensation for their injury or death, their galanas or blood price. Additionally, the law code outlined the responsibilities and obligations of every member of the court and even specified where each was to sit during feasts. Likewise, there was a particular code of ethics in place, and standards of behaviors expected of nobility was clear. The power of one’s word was binding; it was critical to honor oaths and meet obligations in order to uphold one’s responsibilities and remain in good social and political standing.
The magical, Otherworldly origins of Rhiannon—perhaps remnants of her former divinity—might have been enough to have her stand out in the Four Branches, but her actions are themselves remarkable even if she were but a mortal queen of her time. It may well be that her boldness and autonomy are a memory of a former social paradigm where women held more power.
If she herself comes from a metaphorical “Otherworld” of a past or fading culture, the power shift in her personal autonomy where it comes to marriage and childbirth might be symbolic of what happens when women are absorbed into the new order—one of patriarchal constraint and societal limitation for women. Yet, “while Rhiannon is evidently aware of the inequalities of contemporary society, she has not embarked upon a struggle against it so much as within it. This is a crucial distinction since unlike Arianrhod, who refuses to accept social patterns, Rhiannon seeks to improve her lot by working with the system. Thus Rhiannon does not flee from the obligation to marry but simply chooses a type of man to suit her best.” 22
In the First Branch, when Pwyll finally asks Rhiannon to stop because no other horse or rider can overtake her horse, she does so and tells him nature of her business:
“I am Rhiannon, the daughter of Hyfaidd Hen, and they sought to give me to a husband against my will. But no husband would I have, and that because of my love for thee, neither will I yet have one unless thou reject me. And hither have I come to hear thy answer.” 23
At their marriage feast, Pwyll makes a foolish promise in front of all assembled to give Gwawl, Rhiannon’s disguised former suitor, anything he desires. Rhiannon at first takes Pwyll to task for his impulsiveness, saying:
“‘Be silent for as long as you like,’ said Rhiannon. ‘Never has a man been more stupid than you have been.’” 24
Yet Rhiannon guides Pwyll to a solution to this situation that will both keep his honor intact as well as secure Rhiannon as his wife. She deftly navigates the difficulties of Gwawl having asked for her hand as well as the marriage feast by exploiting the loopholes of what Pwyll has unwittingly agreed to—it was she who set out the feast; it was not Pwyll’s to give, although she promises another feast to Gwawl in one year—and with the aid of a magic bag and her cleverness, she was eventually able to win out the day and marry the man she chose.
However, it is the same Rhiannon who, years later, having been falsely accused of a crime she did not commit, cannot convince those who spoke against her to tell the truth. And so, resigned to her fate, Rhiannon chooses to work within the social construct and accept her punishment, proving herself to be a great and noble lady whose perseverance is rewarded when her innocence is at last proven. As a wife and mother, Rhiannon is no longer the autonomous woman of her maidenhood, and now demonstrates by example the behavior expected of the medieval Welsh woman. “The virtues to be fostered are patience, modesty, wisdom, chastity, loyalty—these are the virtues that will ultimately win the day.” 25
Seeking Sovereignty Within:
Journaling Prompts and Self-Reflective Questions
Moon Ten
The Moon of Consummation
The Time of Rhiannon
Mythic Focus: After several challenges overcome by her cleverness and quick wit, Rhiannon marries Pwyll, her choice of husband.
Personal Insights Around This Moon’s Mythic Portion: Meditate upon the portion of Rhiannon’s story associated with this moon, and reflect it within yourself. Her story is your story.
The Focus of the Moon of Consummation by Phase
Seek the lessons of the Moon of Consummation at each moon phase by using the Stations of the monthly Cycle of Healing; be sure to journal all of the insights, symbols, and guidance you receive from each goddess at each moon phase. As you work with the information you receive between each phase, perhaps following the daily process outlined in Chapter 3 of this book, and using tools such as trance postures and doorways as detailed in Avalon Within, be sure to record those insights in your journal as well.
Full Moon: Connect with Rhiannon at the full moon to set up your work for the month and to receive insight on the issue of focus. This is also the Station of Resolution in the cycle of the sun, marked by the holy day of Gwyl Awst, so will acknowledge the harvest revealed in the height of the light half.
Third Quarter: Station of Descent in the cycle of the moon. Bring the issue of focus to Rhiannon to explore through the filters of the Station of Descent and the Moon of Consummation.
Dark Moon: Station of Confrontation in the cycle of the moon. Bring the issue of focus to Ceridwen to explore through the filters of the Station of Confrontation and the Moon of Consummation.
First Quarter: Station of Emergence in the cycle of the moon. Bring the issue of the focus to Blodeuwedd to explore through the filters of the Station of Emergence and the Moon of Consummation.
Night before the Full Moon: Station of Resolution in the cycle of the moon. Bring the issue of focus to Arianrhod to explore through the filters of the Station of Resolution and the Moon of Consummation.
At any point in the month, bring the issue of focus to Branwen to explore through the Station of Integration and the Moon of Consummation. Some women will do this on the night after the dark moon in counterpoint to working with Arianrhod on the night before the full moon.
Herbal Ally for the Moon of Consummation
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis)
Creating the Mother Elixir: On the night of the full moon, create your Dandelion Lunar Elixir using the directions found on page 105 of Chapter 4. Be sure to label and date the bottle you are using to store the Mother Elixir. Journal any of your experiences around the creation of the Dandelion Elixir.
Prepare the Daughter Elixir: After you have made the Mother Elixir, use the directions found on page 107 of Chapter 4 to prepare a dosage bottle for use in the daily experience of this elixir throughout the month. Remember to use a blue or amber dropper bottle for this purpose, and to clearly label your Daughter Elixir.
Daily Work with the Dandelion Elixir: As discussed in Chapter 4, begin your daily exploration of the Dandelion Elixir. Be sure to journal everything you can about how the elixir makes you feel, what you think its energetic actions are, where it sits in your energy body, and any and all impressions, insights, symbols, visions, and memories it presents to you:
Week One of Moon Ten: Immerse yourself in the lunar elixir by taking it every day, reflecting upon how it makes you feel, and journaling all of the insights that come to you when you meditate upon the energies of the elixir.
Week Two of Moon Ten: Continue to take the lunar elixir daily, but this week spend time experiencing and comparing the energetic impact of dandelion as an essence, and dandelion as a magical herb that you burn, as detailed in Chapter 4. Again, reflect upon how each makes you feel, and journal all of the insights that come to you when you meditate upon the energies of the elixir and the energies of the herb itself.
Week Three of Moon Ten: Continue to take the lunar elixir daily, but this week spend time researching the medicinal, folkloric, and magical uses of dandelion, beginning with the information provided in Part Three of this book. Compare your findings this week with your direct experiences, being sure to journal all of the insights and connections you’ve made.
Week Four of Moon Ten: Continue to take the lunar elixir daily, but this week meditate upon the mythic portion of the month and reflect upon the ways in which the energies of dandelion are related to the present portion of Rhiannon’s tale, and how it helps you to build a relationship with Rhiannon herself.
End of Moon Reflections: Under what circumstances could you see yourself using the dandelion elixir in support of your work and personal process? If you had to describe the actions of this lunar elixir using one word, what would it be? What about using one sentence? What about using a whole paragraph? Again, be sure to journal everything.