Aeronwen

Aeronwen, a goddess of fate, determines the outcomes of battles: she decides which side wins and which individuals survive. Aeronwen may be petitioned for safety on the battlefield. Little concrete information survives regarding Aeronwen. She may be the same spirit as the Welsh war goddess Agrona whose name derives from a root word for “carnage.” Aeronwen may or may not also be the same goddess as the Irish Morrigan.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Aeren; Aeron; Aerfen

ORIGIN:

Wales

COLOUR:

Black

NUMBER:

3

BIRD:

Raven

SACRED SITE:

Glyndyfrdwy, Wales, where she had a shrine on the banks of the River Dee. The name of this location may be translated as “Black Water” or “Water of the Goddess.” Allegedly human sacrifices were offered to her: victims were drowned. Complaints by generations of churchmen affirm that the waters of Glyndyfrdwy were considered sacred long after the arrival of Christian ity. In 1400, Welsh patriot Owain Glyndwr (Owen Glendower in English) chose Glyndyfrdwy as the location where he declared himself Prince of Wales, beginning a fourteen-year rebellion against English rule. Aeronwen may also be associated with the Aeron River.

SEE ALSO:

• Branwen
• Henwen
• Morrigan

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes