DYDD GŴYL DEWI SANT

 Hello Friends!

The Shrine of David, St Davids Cathedral.  L to R Saints Patrick, David, Andrew

DYDD GŴYL DEWI SANT HAPUS

Happy Saint David's Day

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last blog two days ago concerning the local Saint David's Day Eisteddfod, and now, today is March 1st, the day when Welsh people, and people of Welsh heritage, all over the world celebrate the life of our Patron Saint, Dewi Sant, or Saint David.

Very early example of a Celtic Cross at St Non's Chapel {ruins}

Dewi was born around 500 A.D..  He was the son of a Welsh noble woman and nun, Non.  Much of what we know of his life and hagiography was committed to parchment 500 years after his death, in the 11th century by Bishop Rhygyfarch in the book "Life of David" or "Buchedd Dewi".  The "facts" being handed down through the centuries between by the oral traditions of story telling.  His exact age is unknown, and some sources would have us believe he lived to the age of 147 years, but he did live a long life of service dedicated to God.

Although known by the Anglicised name David , his Welsh name is Dewi.

The following account is how I recall what I learned about the history of Dewi Sant in school and as I grew up.  The accompanying images are all important locations in the life of Dewi and his mother, Non.

He was born on the high cliff tops overlooking Saint Bride's Bay during a raging thunderstorm.  Such was Non's pain, her fingers clawed at a stone which rent asunder in sympathy with her agony, and which is now incorporated in a nearby altar.  A healing well sprung up on the spot, and is there to this day.  Its specific healing properties are to heal complaints of the eyesight.

The rock formation, above, is known as Beddau Non, or Non's Grave {although her actual grave is in Brittany} and below is her icon at the rear of the Shrine at St David's Cathedral.

These are the ruins of a mediaeval church built in the field near to the spot of Dewi's birth

And, this is the well that sprung up during the thunderstorm

This shrine to the honour of the Virgin Mary is situated opposite the well

And, nearby is a 20th century chapel, built in 1934 and dedicated to Our Lady and Saint Non.  It is tiny, seating around a dozen or so, and I do think this is my most favourite altar {below}, along with the altar in Trinity Chapel at St David's Cathedral.

An image of Saint Non contained within the chapel

Dewi was a humble man, an early Celtic Christian, of deep faith, who founded a monastic settlement in the valley just below where I live, Glyn Rhossyn, or Vale of Roses.  He lived a simple, frugal life of abstinence, refraining from eating meat or drinking beer, living only on water, bread, salt, and herbs.  The monks tended the land without the use of animals, and they are known to have kept bees.

He spent many hours, up to his neck, in the cold waters of a nearby river, or in the sea, reciting psalms and praying, as a form of penance. 

It is hardly surprising, therefore, to learn he is often known as "The Waterman".

Many miracles of healing are attributed to Dewi, but his best known miracle was when he stood in the centre of a large crowd at the Synod of Brefi, but as he addressed them, the crowd was so great that many could not see him.  He placed a small cloth on the ground which the ground then rose up to form a small hill from which all could see and hear him speak.

At this moment, a white dove came and settled upon his shoulder, and now Dewi is depicted with this in illustrations.

He also healed the failed eyesight of his teacher, the monk Paulinas, who had become totally blind from old age.  I wonder if this has a connection with the eyesight healing properties associated with the healing well?

On his Feast Day, Welsh people proudly wear a leek on their coat. Legend has it that St David suggested Welsh soldiers wear a leek on their helmets to distinguish them from the invading Saxon soldiers who wore similar uniforms. The leek features in the uniforms of Welsh regiments to this day.

He became a renowned preacher, and founded many churches and monasteries across south and west Wales, and Britany, many of which are still in evidence today.

A little known fact is that Dewi, or David, is the only British saint actually born in the country of which he is Patron Saint. 

Upon his death, March 1st circa 589 A.D. he was buried at his own monastery in the Vale of Roses.  His remains were later moved to the mediaeval shrine, built in his name and honour, in St David's Cathedral, which was recently restored in 2012.  I was honoured to be in the congregation for the service of dedication.

The Shrine, restored, adjacent to the Presbytery.  His shrine was so important that Pope Callistus II declared two pilgrimages to St Davids were equal one to Rome, while three pilgrimages to St Davids equalled one to Jerusalem.  {the tomb to the foreground is that of Edmund Tudor, father and brother of Kings}

Every Friday, at noon, within strict lockdown guidelines, the Cathedral broadcasts weekly Prayers from the Shrine which you can find on both their YouTube channel and live on their Facebook page.  In normal times, the prayers are preceded with a short pilgrim's walk from St Davids to Saint Non's Chapel and Well, before returning to the Shrine by midday.  One day, very soon, I hope the freedom to do this again will be returned to us.  For now, it is a focal point of my week from my living room.

There now stands, as was described recently by a travel magazine, a "whopping mediaeval cathedral" on the site where it is widely believed Dewi's settlement originally stood.  The building of the present cathedral began in 1181, and it has a rich and diverse history, full of prosperity and peril, as does the site in general dating back 1500 years to Dewi's monastic days, until we see the building as it stands before us in it's present form.

The last words he spoke to his followers were

“Be joyful, keep the faith, do the little things you have seen me do”.

which are still associated with him today.

Our usual celebrations, as outlined in the blog I published yesterday, will not be happening this year, but there is every hope they will take place as normal next year, as we gather to celebrate our Patron Saint once more.

Until next time

Stay safe, stay well

Deborah xo

Three Hundred Sixty Five

Hello Friends!

A doll dressed in hand knitted traditional Welsh costume

Tomorrow {depending on when you read this}, February 28th, marks a full year since I last attended a social gathering.  Exactly year ago on that day, the Annual St David's Day Eisteddfod took place in our local City Hall, and later that evening some of us gathered at a friend's house for a pleasant evening of convivial company and cheerful conversation.  How little we knew of what was just around the corner.

For those of you who don't know, an Eisteddfod is a cultural event when the people of Wales gather to take part in a variety of competitions, mostly poetry, song, and folk dance, but in recent times all manner of things, including art and craft of all kinds and, at least in our little city, a variety of baked goods, are also presented for judging.

Our Eisteddfod is held as close to Saint David's Day, on March 1st, as can be managed, as there is an extensive programme of events for St David's Day, beside the Eisteddfod, that happen around our village sized city over four, or even five, days. People now come from far and wide, to take part, or to simply view the stage events of the Eisteddfod, or to see the other celebrations as they occur. The organisers want everyone to have as much opportunity as possible to see and attend as many things as they can. It's a time of celebrating Welsh culture, learning, and fun; as well as the Eisteddfod, there are church services; Gymanfa Ganu; pilgrim walks; markets selling local produce; the serving of traditional Welsh refreshments; a Best Cawl competition; a Best Dressed Window competition; Twmpath; concerts and more.

On a national level, the most important events at any Eisteddfod are the Chairing of the Bard  who has written the best awdl in strict Cynghanedd meter on a predetermined theme, and the Crowning of the Bard who has written the best Pryddest or free verse poem on a similarly predetermined theme, and the award of the Prose Medal.

I have competed in Urdd Youth Eisteddfodau in Welsh learners recitation and Parti Recorder {I still play a recorder}.

In our local Eisteddfod, however, the prizes are slightly different.  For First, Second, and Third place in each competition, a traditional Eisteddfod bag is awarded.  These are made from locally sourced Welsh tapestry and wool flannel by a team of volunteers.  For the highest number of points achieved in the cookery competition, the winner receives a beautifully engraved presentation wooden rolling pin.  A commemorative shield is awarded to the person gaining the highest number of points overall in the art and craft section.  Finally, a small, model chair is awarded to, and kept by, the person who gains the highest number of points across all competitions on the day.

Here are a few snaps from the programme to give you an idea of the diverse range of activities up for prizes.

As you can see, the word is definitely "diverse"!  All stage competitions, except dancing, have a Welsh and English speakers component, so it's no wonder they start early with a short break for a snack lunch, followed by a late finish.

All entrants submit craft three days before and cookery the day before so judging those is done in advance.  All entrants participate under a nom de plume, known only to the Secretary, who is responsible for collecting and holding all entry forms.

This year's competition should have taken place yesterday, February 26, but is now deferred until 2022, when it is hoped it can go ahead as planned.  The theme is "Holidays".  While I don't take part in the stage competitions, I do have lots of ideas for the craft competitions!  Maybe I'll enter a plate of Welsh Cakes, who knows?  I've got time to practice.  Mind, I'd be up against two of my neighbours and very good friends.  Yikes!  Both are previous winners, so quite a challenge!

Welsh Cakes

How long ago it all seems, but later that evening, a few of us gathered at my friend's house for drinks and nibbles.  There were two topics of conversation that prevailed.  The Eisteddfod and who won what, and the You Know What, which was just starting to get more than a little bit frightening.  We had two present who had just returned from a fortnight on Gran Canaria where an outbreak had just been declared.  I suddenly found myself social distancing before it was a thing.  Who would have thought what the coming days and weeks would bring, and how it would run into a year and more.

March 1st is Dydd Gŵyl Dewi, Saint David's Day, so I do hope you will pop back for more on that important day in Wales as I have more to share with you on Welsh tradition.  The tea kettle is on, and there'll be Welsh Cakes, fresh and hot off the griddle, with good, Welsh butter too!

Until next time,

Stay safe and stay well

Deborah xo

The Feast Day of Saint Valentine

 Hello Friends!

Happy Saint Valentine's Day, or as friends might say to friends, Happy Galentine's Day {celebrated yesterday, but who's counting?}

Today, Valentine's Day is synonymous with couples and courtly love, but did you know that Saint Valentine was a 3rd century Roman saint who's martyrdom is marked on February 14th?

According to his hagiography, he was a Christian priest, possibly a bishop, who ministered to persecuted Christians of the Roman Empire.  One of the legends behind his hagiography indicates that the night before his martyrdom, he wrote a letter to the daughter of the judge Asterius, which was signed "from your Valentine" which is, allegedly, the point from which romantic missives sprang.

Another account would have us believe he cut out paper hearts to distribute to persecuted Christians, giving rise to the heart shape now associated with the celebration of this day.

Yet another account has us believe the letter signed "from your Valentine" was sent to the daughter of his gaoler, having healed her from blindness.

However the celebration of the Patron Saint of Love reflects in your life, whether romantically or through friendship, the most important focus is love.  Love that we should show for all our fellow humans; love for all the countless and various forms of life that shares this wonderful planet ; and love for the Earth.

Celebrating for many will be strange this year, and here we are on day four of an endless battering of gale force winds, with rain, snow, and ice, along with freezing cold temperatures, so I celebrate you, my friends, with love, nibbling on a large bar of my favourite white chocolate and strawberry Divine chocolate and sip from a pod of hot, rich, dark hot chocolate. The television provides our entertainment in the form of "Pride and Prejudice", the one with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

Until next time

Stay Safe and Stay Well

Deborah xo

Dydd Santes Dwynwen

Hello Friends

Today I will share with you a little known day of celebration in Wales “Dydd Santes Dwynwen” which is celebrated annually in Wales on January 25th.  Her story, drawn from the mists of time that veil myth and folklore, is often equated to being a Welsh Valentine’s Day.

{pronounced Doo~in~wen, but said so quickly that it sounds more like Dwin~wen}

image found on Pinterest {also available via many other online sources}

Dwynwen was a 5th century Welsh noblewoman, the fairest and most beautiful of all the twenty four daughters of King Brychan Brycheiniog. She fell in love with a prince named Maelon Dafodrill and he with her. They wished to marry, but her father doubted Maelon's integrity and, despite the heartfelt pleadings of both Dwynwen and Maelon, he forbade them to marry. Unable to disobey her father, and distraught by his disapproval, Dwynwen ran away into the forest and prayed to God for divine guidance to help her fall out of love with Maelon. She fell asleep on the forest floor and while asleep she was visited by an angel who gave her a potion to erase all memory of Maelon and to turn him into a block of ice. The angel then granted her three wishes.

For her first wish, Dwynwen asked that Maelon be thawed and life restored to him.

Her second wish was that God meet the hopes and dreams of all true lovers.

Her third wish was that she would never, herself, marry.

The three wishes were fulfilled and thereafter Dwynwen devoted the rest of her life to the service of God.

With her father's blessing, she left the court of Brycheiniog, and taking her elder brother Dyfnan and her sister Cain, crossed the sea in a small boat and eventually landed on a small island just off the coast of Anglesey. Here Dwynwen build a small cell of mud and wood, and over the years that followed many young women joined her and so founded a convent.

On the island is a sacred well {as so often happens in the ancient Welsh folk tales} sometimes depicted as a cauldron, and therein swims a sacred fish with the ability to predict the fortunes of couples. Another tradition says that if the water boils while you are present then good luck in love will follow. 

At the end of a long life of devotion to God, Dwynwen lay on her bed and prayed for one last glimpse of the sea that had carried her to the island. Legend says that a large boulder blocking her view split asunder and she once more looked out on the ocean that had carried her here.

After her death, aged 80, in 465 A.D. the church became a place of pilgrimage. Dwynwen's belongings were placed in a chest known as Cyff Dwynwen and pilgrims would bring a white pebble and place it on the chest in memory of Dwynwen.  Later, money was donated and nearly one thousand years after her death it was used to build a small stone church on the site and was called Llanddwyn, or Church of Dwynwen, the ruins of which can still be seen today. 

Dwynwen became the Welsh patron saint of lovers and, according to some, friendship. The most famous quote attributed to her is “nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness”. Over time she also came to be associated with the healing of sick and distressed animals, a purpose for which she is still invoked today. However, Dwynwen is not actually recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Although gaining in popularity, the story of Dwynwen is not well known, not even in Wales, but of late card giving seems to be establishing itself as a modern tradition.  We do not have the hype and hoopla of Saint Valentines Day on Dydd Santes Dwynwen, just a quiet and personal observance of a little known Welsh woman who became a Saint. However, we do have one other unique tradition to do with love and marriage and that is the Love Spoon.

Book about Dwynwen with a hand carved Love Spoon

The Welsh Love Spoon is the traditional symbol of engagement or betrothal was given by the young man to his future wife.  It is hand carved by the young man from a solid block of wood and is full of symbolism to his commitment.  For example:

A Bell: togetherness in harmony, marriage

A Ball in a Cage {difficult to carve from solid wood}: each ball represents the number of children he hopes to have

A Chain {difficult to carve from solid wood} the number of links relate to the number of children hoped for, or a symbol of togetherness

Cross: Faith in Christ or God

Heart: Love

Diamond: Wealth and Good Fortune

I hope you have enjoyed this tale, and maybe on the morrow, while many of us also celebrate Burn's Night,  you will think for a moment of Dwynwen and her life.

~~~I wish you all Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus ~~~

Until next time 

Stay Safe, Stay Well

Deborah xo

Gelli Printing is Fun and Addictive

Hello Friends!

One thing Lockdown gives many of us is time to try new things.  I have had a Gelli Arts printing plate for a little while, but it has remained unopened for fear of ruining it.  I know how ridiculous that must sound to some of you, but they're not cheap and so I became terrified of it, a bit like White Page Syndrome from which a lot of artists suffer.

The other day I decided to bite the bullet, and having watched several videos on the line, and on the telly, I decided it was time to leap.  After all, they make it look so easy, and this thing cost me money to just sit on my shelves!  I had everything I need to hand, so gathered it all together.  It took a few days longer than expected, though, as I couldn't find my Brayer.  Eventually, after starting a proper Brayer Hunt, and going methodically through boxes, it was found.  Print making could commence!

Here's what I needed to get started.

1. Gelli Plate. Mine is a 6" square

2.  A Brayer {I love this thing}

3. A glass cutting mat, optional but recommended, to protect kitchen counter

4. Selection of paint {I'm using acrylic here} and paper {you can use almost anything from tissue to watercolour paper and everything in between, except gloss surfaced, but I'm using ordinary letter quality today}

5. Some stencils or masks.

Later on, I'll be using all sorts of things, such as bubble wrap, corrugated card, mark making tools, stamps, and too many things to even think about right now.  I just want to get going on my first print!

First I opened the Gelli Plate, my tummy churning with anticipation and excitement.

Then I picked two paint colours, put tiny dots on the plate, and, with excitement mounting, I rolled the Brayer across the plate to spread the paint out evenly, and allowing it to blend.

I love how well it blended!

I wiped the Brayer to clean it on a piece of scrap.  This will build up many layers of colour and pattern over time and will eventually be used in a project.  The great thing is, nothing goes to waste!  Seeing how the colour has blocked tells me that I am using a highly absorbent paper.

Time to pick a stencil!  I choose this one with a skeletal leaf pattern which I like.

So, I carefully placed it on top of the painted Gelli Plate, covered with a piece of paper {you don't need to see that, it's just a sheet of white paper}

and after pressing gently on top of the paper using my fingertips to push the paper into the stencil to pick up the paint, I slowly pulled it back to reveal this lovely crisp mono print!

I removed the stencil from the plate to find the paint had absorbed into the paper where the stencil did not cover, and where it did cover the paint, the paint remained on the Gelli Plate, so

I just put another piece of paper on top of the plate and pressed gently again to lift the left over paint, and the pull revealed this yummy print

There was still a little paint left on the plate, so to clean it up I put a dot of cream paint, which I spread over the plate, pressed in a third sheet and the cream paint lifted all the residual paint leaving the plate clean to be put away until next time, probably tomorrow.

So, that's three 6" square mono prints, and I am out of the starting blocks at last!  It was amazingly good fun, less calories than cake making, {did I really say that?}, and I now have something to play with that yields great results in a short space of time.

Here's all three together for a better idea of how different they are

My mind is already racing with experiments and ideas to try!  I can see this taking over my kitchen!

Until next time

Stay safe and stay well

Deborah xo