Ah, the starry skies of Wales, where every twinkle tells a tale as old as time itself. Our ancient land is steeped in folklore and legend, and the stars above are no exception. So, gather 'round, fellow travellers, as we embark on a journey through the celestial wonders of Welsh star tales.
Hu Gadarn and the Constellation Boötes
In the ancient lore of the Cymry, the constellation known to the Greeks as Boötes is seen not as a mere herdsman but as Hu Gadarn, the legendary founder of farming in Wales.
In the starlit sky, He is forever linked to Taurus, or Yr Ych—the mighty Ox—symbolising his bond with the land and its creatures.
One magical tale speaks of Hu Gadarn taming majestic oxen of immense power, their eyes glowing with the ancient strength of the earth. With these enchanted beasts before his plough, Hu carved the hillsides and valleys of Wales, transforming wild, untamed nature into fertile land. This act didn’t just alter the landscape—it wove the very soul of Cymru into the earth, changing where and how the people lived, their lives forever shaped by the magic of Hu Gadarn’s hand.
The Seven Sisters
Who could forget the Pleiades, the legendary star cluster known as "Y Saith Chwaer,," or "The Seven Sisters"? In ancient lore, these seven brilliant stars are said to be the daughters of the mighty Titan Atlas. With Atlas bound to his eternal task of holding up the sky, his daughters were transformed into stars to escape the relentless pursuit of the fearsome hunter Orion. Even now, they dance gracefully across the heavens, a glowing tribute to sisterly love and unity. Yet, whispers of an ancient tale suggest that one sister fell in love with a mortal and slipped into hiding, which is why we only see only six stars now gleam in the night, leaving the seventh cloaked in mystery.
Notes : While the name 'Seven Sisters' may suggest there are only seven stars, there are actually over 1,000 stars in the cluster, with only six usually visible to most people with the naked eye.
Y Draig Goch: The Legendary Red Dragon of Wales
When in Wales, one must seek out the Dragon—the mighty symbol of the land.
Y Draig Goch, the Red Dragon, embodies universal strength and majesty and is a creature steeped in the myths of cultures across the world.
In Welsh legend, the tale of Y Draig Goch is entwined with the story of a Celtic king named Vortigern.
In his quest to build a mighty castle, Vortigern chose the hillside of Dinas Emrys as the perfect site. Yet, no matter how his men laboured, the castle's foundations mysteriously crumbled to the ground each night.
Desperate for answers, Vortigern sought the wisdom of a young boy, believed to be Merlin, the legendary magician from the tales of King Arthur. Merlin revealed that beneath the chosen site lay an underground lake where two dragons—one red, one white—had been locked in a deep slumber after a titanic battle.
At Merlin’s advice, Vortigern’s men dug into the earth and uncovered the hidden lake. As the waters receded, the two dragons awoke, enraged and ready to fight once more. They clashed in a fierce and fearsome battle, as the fight wore on, the red dragon summoned its final reserves of strength and triumphed over its rival.
The red dragon's victory was seen as a powerful omen, and it was this dragon that would come to represent Wales. To this day, Y Draig Goch adorns the Welsh flag, a symbol of resilience and victory.
By night, the dragon gleams triumphantly among the stars, and each October, it reigns down fiery stars from its mouth in the form of the Draconids—a celestial meteor shower that celebrates its enduring power and majesty.
Constellation of Lyra - Morgan's Magical Harp
In Welsh folklore, there’s a tale about a man named Morgan who was infamous for his dreadful harp-playing. His music was so grating and discordant that it drove his neighbours to the brink of madness. Yet, Morgan remained blissfully unaware of his musical shortcomings, convinced of his own brilliance as he strummed away outside, much to the dismay of everyone around him.
One day, as fate would have it, a professional musician stumbled upon Morgan’s torturous performance and couldn’t help but burst into laughter and mockery.
Unbeknownst to Morgan, three magical beings from the fairy realm of Twlwyth Teg were observing the scene with great interest. That night, the fairies, disguised as weary travellers, visited Morgan’s home. They knocked on his door and, with pleading eyes, explained their hunger and exhaustion. Without hesitation, Morgan invited them in, offering them food and drink and urging them to rest their tired feet.
Morgan’s kindness shone brightly, and in gratitude for his generous hospitality, the fairies presented him with a magical golden harp. With this enchanted gift, Morgan’s music transformed into something truly marvelous. His new talent attracted audiences from near and far, who danced and sang with joy at his concerts.
One day, the mocking musician happened upon Morgan’s awe-inspiring performance and was utterly amazed.
Seizing the chance for a bit of playful revenge, Morgan used the magical harp to make the musician dance uncontrollably and foolishly.
Morgan fell to the floor laughing, holding his sides as the musician danced foolishly around the town.
The fairies, seeing their gift misused for spite, decided to step in. The moment the harp fell from Morgans fingers as he rolled in mirth upon the floor, The twlwyth tea reclaimed the golden harp and placed it high in the sky among the stars, ensuring it would be forever out of reach and used only for its intended enchantment.
So, the next time you find yourself gazing up at the starry skies of Wales, remember that each constellation holds a story waiting to be told.
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