[Review] Blodeuwedd by Jhenah Telyndru

Title:  Pagan Portals - Blodeuwedd
Author: Jhenah Telyndru
Publisher: Moon Books
Pages: 136
Publication Date: August 1st, 2021

Like a gathering of flowers from hedge and field, or a cloak made of owl feathers, Blodeuwedd is a figure of great complexity. She is both Flower Maiden and Owl of Wisdom... unfaithful wife and representative of Sovereignty... fallen woman and feminist heroine... medieval cautionary tale and reclaimed divinity. Yet, for all of these seeming inconstancies, the key to understanding Blodeuwedd is being able to see her as a whole. Bringing together strands of Celtic lore, Welsh literature, British folk practice, and modern devotion, Celticist Jhenah Telyndru weaves a solid foundation from which scholars and seekers alike can come into deeper relationship with this oft-misunderstood figure. Ultimately, this journey to reclaim Blodeuwedd's identity - a Sovereignty Goddess who ensured the cycle of the seasons by choosing, in turn, to partner with the Solar Hero of Summer and the Otherworldly Champion of Winter - reveals a transformational mythic pathway that can also guide us in the reclamation of our own sovereignty.

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review! This one was a real treat, as I have been following Jhenah for a few years, and also have honored Blodeuwedd Herself for a few years now. I have been eagerly waiting to dive into this book, and I think that others who are looking for more information on Herself will be very pleased with this shorter book that is packed with mythology and information on this more obscure Goddess. 

We begin with an overview of mythology - and I quite like the way passages are often presented in Welsh and English, so that we have the source material on the page along with the translated material. The mythology is well discussed in an easy to understand manner, making this very accessible for those who may have trouble navigating the source material alone. 

I found the chapter about culture and context to be very helpful at exploring my own internal bias - this will be helpful for those of you who might be triggered at Blodeuwedd's seemingly lack of power, or shame inducing actions in Her myth. Looking at the culture and context of when the stories were to be recorded is extremely helpful as it's vastly different from our modern day take on how a woman should be treated. 

In fact, this has helped with my own personal spirituality and reclamation of personal power and I am curious to see if that happens with other readers of this book as well. 

Sovereignty, and all it's different types and when these apply to Blodeuwedd are clearly outlined, and again is a very helpful chapter. 

I wanted to note that those who have not read the Mabinogion will not find an issue following along with this book. Telyndru does a masterful job of explaining central characters in the mythology so that even complete beginners who have never delved into Welsh mythology will be able to follow along. 

The book, like most Pagan Portals, are short introductory books to larger topics, and Telyndru does a great job of being precise and succinct while still being able to guide a new reader through this somewhat difficult and sometimes contradictory material. 

5/5 Triquetras from me - this one will be for anyone who is looking to learn more about Blodeuwedd, those who have an interest in Welsh mythology, or for those who are looking to expand their Goddess devotional work or those who are interested in feminism within a spiritual/devotional context. 

About the Author

Jhenah Telyndru has always felt called to dance with joy in that liminal space which straddles the realms of history and myth, of individuality and collectivity, of the seen and the unseen. A creative mystic who loves science and values fact, Jhenah embraces the conscious co-creation of the future, while immersing herself in an impassioned study of the past. The path between, she believes, is where the mysteries are revealed and where true magic happens.

Jhenah holds an MA in Celtic Studies from the University of Wales, Trinity St. David, as well as a BA in archaeology. She is the founder of the Sisterhood of Avalon and serves as Academic Dean and lead instructor of the Avalonian Thealogical Seminary. Jhenah teaches four day retreat experiences around North America and the UK, and facilitates pilgrimages to sacred sites in the British Isles and Ireland through Mythic Seeker Tours. She is a frequent presenter and guest speaker at academic conferences, religious symposia, Women’s Spirituality gatherings, and Pagan festivals. A priestess in the Avalonian Tradition, Jhenah has been dedicated to the work of Avalon for over 30 years, and has been active in the Goddess Spirituality movement since 1986.

In addition to her formal studies, Jhenah has delved into hermetic science, qabalistic philosophy, transpersonal astrology, archetypal tarot, and depth psychology in an ongoing quest to further her understanding of the Universe as it manifests within and without. She facilitates rites of passage, builds labyrinths, weaves community, makes music, is in service as a healer, and honors the sacred landscape both around and within us.

For more information about Jhenah’s writings, music, and presentations please visit her website at www.ynysafallon.com.