Pagan Portals: Y Mabinogi
Exploring the Magic and Wisdom of Welsh Mythology
by Mhara Starling
Explore the magic of Welsh mythology, and discover how to incorporate the wisdom of these enigmatic tales into the very fabric of your magical and spiritual practices. Y Mabinogi is an introductory guide to the enchanting tales found within the four branches of the Mabinogi. Each chapter explores the themes, characters, magic, and wonder of Welsh mythology, and is delivered in an accessible, approachable narrative. It also considers issues such as: Are the characters in the Mabinogi Gods? How can we draw inspiration from these stories for our magical or spiritual practices? And what can the four branches teach us about the world around us, as well as ourselves?
REVIEW
5 out of 5
Although I’m passingly familiar with the Y Mabinogi, I can’t say I’ve had the chance to study it as in-depth as I have the Norse Eddas or some of the Greek myths. For those completely unfamiliar, this book would work as an excellent introduction, and for those wishing to dive deeper, this is an excellent guide to use alongside a translation as you dive deeper. If you aren’t very familiar with Welsh pronunciation, there’s an excellent guide at the end of the book, and a list of the important names, which I found to be a helpful refresher. The book itself is broken down to cover the four branches individually, and I enjoyed reading about Starling’s own experiences with the sagas, as well as diving into her interpretations of the myths themselves. Definitely a book I’ll be keeping close by as I dive deeper, and one I’d recommend for anyone interested in learning more about Welsh mythology.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mhara Starling was born in North Wales, raised on the Isle of Anglesey, and is a native Welsh speaker. She has been practicing witchcraft from a very young age, and her witchcraft videos on TikTok have more than a million views. Mhara is currently based in Chester, Cheshire (England) where she runs classes, gatherings and moots. She has worked as a Tarot reader in the past, and today continues to fascilitate workshops and classes and is a celebrant. Mhara has been featured in various television series’ and documentaries both in Welsh and English. Some of the series’ she has participated in include: BBC’s Young, Welsh and Pretty religious (2019), S4C’s Calan Gaeaf Carys Eleri (2021), S4C’s Am Dro! (2022).