Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Night Owl Meditations

Home
Branwen: Goddess of Domestic Violence Survivors

Branwen: Goddess of Domestic Violence Survivors

Last updated on: October 26, 2018 at 2:13 am by Jessica Jascha

Branwen: Goddess of Domestic Violence Survivors 2018-10-26T02:13:57-06:00 Jessica Jascha

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Branwen, whose name means “white raven,” is a Welsh Goddess mostly known as the goddess of love, gentleness, and beauty. Branwen’s story is a tragedy, however, and she suffered so much violence and loss at the hands of men that she eventually died of heartbreak and became known also as the Goddess who releases women from bondage and protector of the abused.

Branwen married Matholwch after he sailed from Ireland to the shores of Wales to ask for her hand. This represented a treaty between Ireland and Wales, but one of her brothers was not invited to the wedding or in on the decision making process of whether or not Branwen would marry a foreigner, and for that he maimed the horses of Matholwch.

Branwen’s brother Bran, the King of Wales, gave Matholwch the Cauldron of Rebirth and many other gifts as a way to atone for this wrongdoing. Matholwch accepted, but when he and Branwen returned to Ireland, and after she bore him a son, the people heard what happened to the horses and became enraged, and in his cowardice Matholwch punished Branwen by forcing her to live and work in the hot kitchen and suffer daily beatings. Not one person showed her kindness.

One day she found a starling with a broken wing and over time nursed it back to health. When the starling was healed Branwen taught it to speak and sent a message to her brother Bran to let him know of the violence she suffered daily. When news reached Bran he was horrified and set sail with an army to bring her and her son back to Wales.

There are many details to this story, but the focus here is Branwen. When her brothers arrived they worked a peaceful treaty (at Branwen’s request) for her release. She did not want a war. Her son was to be the first natural born heir king of Ireland, and Matholwch was to build a house large enough for Bran (who was a giant) to live in. The same meddling brother who created this situation for Branwen by maiming the horses was not satisfied with this treaty and murdered Branwen’s son by throwing him into a fire.

War then broke out and it decimated both the Irish and the Welsh peoples. Bran was wounded in battle by a poisoned spear, so his brother cut off his head (which was still talking) and carried it back to Wales along with only seven surviving warriors. Branwen, after reaching her home land, then died of a broken heart.

In the abuse she suffered from her husband and the community who encouraged it, who thought her deserving of it, in the loss she suffered at the hands of violent men who think only of themselves, Branwen became the face of the abused, the face of survivors, the face of courage. In her immortality as Goddess, she has become the protector of the abused.

Her lovingkindness and patience never left her, her desire for peace remained, she kept the truth of who she was despite what she endured even unto death. She reminds us that we all keep the truth of who we are, despite what we have endured, even unto death. No one can harm our true essence.

Branwen was married to a cowardly and abusive man, but she was able to leave with the help of her true community. She helps women leave abusive situations and provides protection and healing to those who have suffered abuse. Her story shows the importance of believing women and taking actions to help them leave abusive situations. It also shows the folly of prideful men and the pervasive consequences of their violence.

Anyone who understands or has experienced abuse knows how Branwen felt. She was isolated from her family and friends. Her power was taken from her. She was made to suffer even though she was at fault for nothing (and there’s never a good excuse for abusing anyone). She was lucky that she had the opportunity to reach out, and that when she did, she was believed and that those who loved her took action (even if her story doesn’t have a happy ending). Many stories of abuse victims do not have happy endings. This is something we must face and do all we can to change.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence in its various forms affect everyone. Even if you’ve never been a victim of domestic violence, chances are you know someone who has. We all must do what we can to help those who suffer abuse (all kinds of abuse, and all kinds of people- not just women) leave their situation and find safety and healing and peace.

There are many resources out there for those who are in abusive situations. This website has links and phone numbers for national services:

https://ncadv.org/resources

Local to Rochester, MN:

https://www.womens-shelter.org

https://www.domesticshelters.org/rochester-mn-domestic-violence-help

Protecting the Elderly: https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/sexual-abuse-of-elderly-women/

Those of us in the community must do what we can to provide spaces of safety, without any judgment, to the brave survivors who come to us for help. There is no shame in surviving.

Don’t forget to donate to your local women’s shelter. The link below also provides information on helping someone in an abusive situation:

https://abuseintervention.org/help/friend-family/

Connect With Me

Find me on Facebook

Featured image via pixabay

domestic abuse awareness

goddess branwen

goddess of abuse survivors

psychic

Rochester mn tarot reader

rochester mn tarot readings

Rochester's Resident Witch

Tarot reader Rochester mn

tarot readings Rochester mn

Previous Post

October 23, 2018

Zodiac Readings for the October Full Moon

Next Post

November 1, 2018 How to Petition Saints

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category book reviews consulting Counseling dreams herbalism Magick psychic and astrology Sunday Reflections tarot tarot readings tarotscopes Uncategorized witchcraft

Select a Month June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 May 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz