Celtic Goddess Branwen: A Path to Empathy by Judith Shaw

From the mists of Welsh mythology Celtic Goddess Branwen provides important wisdom for our modern world. Themes of the destructiveness caused by viewing those different from us with distrust and fear are found in her story. Vengeance is revealed as a downward spiral of pain and suffering. She illustrates the healing role empathy, compassion and forgiveness can play in a world gone mad with war. Her story reveals the importance of restorative justice and the many factors at play preventing its application. 

Branwen was the sister of the giant, King Bran of the Isle of the Mighty. She was loved by her people for her gentleness, compassion and beauty. In the tradition of the Old Tribes of the British Isle — most likely a hold-over from the days before kings, when Goddess was supreme — her son would become king upon the death of King Bran.

Branwen’s name means “White Raven,” a symbol of purity, innocence and divinity. Her story, as told in the Welsh compilation of stories the Mabinogian, began with love.  

The Irish King Matholuch came to call and a new course was set for both the Island of the Mighty and Ireland. He had come seeking marriage with Branwen. Never before had a woman of the old tribes left her people to marry a foreigner. And foreigners were often feared.  

King Bran gave Matholuch permission to land. Branwen was called for. During the subsequent feast the two fell in love. Though Branwen dreaded the thought of leaving her people, she was in the grip of first love. But Matholuch, though also in the heat of first love, never lost sight of the fact that Branwen was the gateway into the world of kings to come. In his mind their son would rule both Ireland and the British Isles, thus extending the power of his own legacy. 

An agreement was reached; the marriage took place. The marriage feast lasted for many days. Night after night Branwen and Matholuch shared the fire of their growing love.

But trouble brewed as one of Branwen’s four brothers, Eynissyen, a hot-headed troublemaker, had been away during this time. He became angry because he did not have a voice in the decision. In his anger he sought a way to harm the Irish and violently maimed their beloved horses.

Evnissyen’s act of terror caused an uproar and threatened war between the two peoples. Bran and his brothers knew that the only true atonement in the eyes of the Irish would be the death of Evnissyen. But this they could not do as it violated the very essence of the way of the Old Tribes — ways that sought resolution to conflict without blood vengeance.

Instead, Bran offered Matholuch a face-price — a monetary reparation of unrivaled size. An agreement was reached. But seeing that Matholuch was still uneasy, Bran offered yet another boone — the cauldron of rebirth. A dead warrior thrown into this cauldron will emerge to fight again. Bran warned Matholuch that a wise king would not use this cauldron as these unearthly beings can do nothing but cause total destruction. Unfortunately Matholuch was not a wise man. 

Branwen sailed to Ireland with her husband where they enjoyed happiness for a few years. The people were dazzled by her beauty and charm. Soon they welcomed the birth of their son, Gwern. Matholuch felt sure that his plan to secure the kingship of both lands through his son was well underway.

Up to this point, news of the maiming of the Irish horses had not reached the Irish people. The High Druid had forbidden the warriors to speak of it. But the High Druid died when Gwern was a baby and men’s tongues loosened with news of the insult. 

The Irish were furious at not getting blood vengeance. Ultimately they demanded that the King put Branwen aside and punish her for her brother’s sin.  He, coward that he was, acquiesced to their demands, sending her to work in the hot kitchen.  

For three years Branwen, alone and without a friend in the world, endured shame and daily beatings. Finally one day she found a wounded baby starling. Approaching the starling with concern, an idea hatched in her mind and hope was reborn. She nursed the starling back to health and slowly taught it how to deliver a message to her brother, King Bran.  

When the starling was ready, Branwen released her friend into the air. It was a long and terrifying journey but finally the starling reached Bran and spoke the words Branwen had taught it.  

Horrified at the news, Bran amassed the men of Wales and set out across the water to free Branwen. 

Upon their arrival Branwen, with no need for revenge, advocated for a peaceful settlement. Her release was negotiated. Peace was achieved with a face-price — Branwen’s son, Gwern would be the Irish High King and a house large enough to house King Bran, a giant among men, would be built. 

But once again Evnissyen, the hot-headed brother, intervened with catastrophic results. After the large house was constructed a celebration of peace was held. Evnissyen, filled with jealousy and hatred, threw Gwern into the fire, killing him before anyone could react.

War broke out between the two peoples that destroyed them both. At the end of that day many lay dead but worse was yet to come. The Irish, hot with blood lust and vengeance, made the fateful decision to use the cauldron of rebirth to obtain demon warriors. Terrible battles raged and it seemed that all was lost. 

Evnissyen finally accepted responsibility for all that had arisen. He sacrificed himself by going into the cauldron alive and breaking it apart from within. Toxic fumes engulfed all and by morning everyone was dead, save those sheltered in the Irish Halls of Tara and the newly constructed House of Bran.. 

Bran sent word to the Irish that they would leave the island on the morrow to what peace and reconstruction could be had. Treachery and vengeance once more reared its ugly head. The remaining Irish warriors ambushed the remaining Welsh, ultimately delivering a death blow to Bran with a poisonous spear.  Bran, not wishing to endure a lingering death, asked his brother to cut off his head and carry it back to Wales.  

Branwen could endure the pain no longer. She died of a broken heart at the disastrous results of her call for rescue. Only seven men returned to the Isle of the Mighty, accompanied by the magical, talking head of Bran.

The story of Branwen, Goddess of Love and Beauty, is truly one of sorrow. But love infuses her story from beginning to end. Through love she seeks to unite the two lands and its peoples. With empathy and compassion, she forgives and continues to seek peace even after her years of suffering and the murder of her son. Yet these qualities do not include excusing the offender — Branwen finally shut Matholuch out of her heart forever.

Branwen is a beacon, lighting the way for us all through dark feelings of hatred and vengeance. She leads us to a bright land with hearts full of empathy, compassion, love and forgiveness. 

Though the places and peoples involved have changed since those long ago days in the British Isles, the same problems persist. The time is well over-due to end the cycles of retribution — a path that could ultimately destroy the whole world. With empathy, compassion and forgiveness we can find a path to peace.

Discover Judith’s Celtic Goddess Oracle Deck  Click Here.
Also available — Animal Wisdom Oracle Deck  Click Here.
Judith’s first illustrated book— Elena and the Reindeer Goddess, a modern fairytale, is now available – Click Here.