Mabon, Modron, and Maponos
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Maponos and Mabon were very important deities in Gaul and Britain, as were their mothers, Matrona and Modron, yet they don't get that much attention in Celtic Paganism. I aim to change that, if I can! In this class we will focus on the deities Mabon, Modron, and Maponos, and their possible reflexes. At the end of this class, I think you will have a much better understanding of their importance.
Each class will include a short devotional meditation. These will only last 5-10 minutes, and you can opt out if they are not of interest.
I plan to look at the historical evidence for Maponos, Modron, and Mabon as well as the career of Pryderi and Rhiannon in the Mabinogi. We will explore other references in Welsh literature to Pryderi and Gweir (another likely reflex), as well as looking at where Taliesin might fit into this picture. And, of course, we will look at Mabon's role in the story of Culhwch and Olwen.
Each class will include a short devotional meditation. These will only last 5-10 minutes, and you can opt out if they are not of interest.
I plan to look at the historical evidence for Maponos, Modron, and Mabon as well as the career of Pryderi and Rhiannon in the Mabinogi. We will explore other references in Welsh literature to Pryderi and Gweir (another likely reflex), as well as looking at where Taliesin might fit into this picture. And, of course, we will look at Mabon's role in the story of Culhwch and Olwen.
Since the Romans conflated Maponos with Apollo, we will explore that relationship, and see what we can learn from it. The Irish Óengus Mac ind Óc (the young son) is another deity who is widely considered to be related to Mabon or Maponos, so we will look for useful comparisons in His rich body of stories.
There is reading for some of the later weeks of this class. All of it is available online and I'll send out a reading list beforehand.
There is reading for some of the later weeks of this class. All of it is available online and I'll send out a reading list beforehand.
Class outline
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Week 1 - 2/9 – The Mysteries of Mabon
An introduction to Maponos and Mabon ap Modron, exploring evidence from Gaul, northern Britain, and early Welsh poetry. Week 2 - 9/9 – Modron Mabon ap Modron means ‘the divine son of the divine mother’. Who is Modron and her Gaulish counterpart Matrona? We will also look at early British saints related to both Mabon and Modron. Week 3 - 16/9 – Pryderi and Rhiannon What is the relationship between this mother-son pair and Mabon and Modron? We will also look at the mysterious figure of Gwair, who appears to be linked to both. Break - 23/9 |
Week 4 - 30/9 – Mabon in Culhwch and Olwen
Culhwch and Olwen is the only surviving narrative concerning Mabon ap Modron. This is a complex and densely-packed text, but we will mainly be concentrating on Mabon’s part in the story. Week 5 - 7/10 – Mac ind Óc Óengus Mac ind Óc is considered by some scholars to be a reflex of Mabon or Maponos. We will look at the stories about Him and consider that relationship. Week 6 - 14/10 – Apollo, Cunomaglos We will look at the evidence for Cunomaglos and why I believe He is a close reflex of Mabon. We will explore the Roman Apollo and try to understand why the Romans linked Him with Maponos, Cunomaglos, and other Celtic deities. |
Dates: 2nd, 9th, 16th September, [break] 30th September; 7th, 14th October.
Time: Saturdays at 12 noon Pacific/3 pm Eastern/8 pm UK
Time: Saturdays at 12 noon Pacific/3 pm Eastern/8 pm UK
I really prefer it if students attend class in person, however, classes will be recorded and made available, on request.
Important! You should receive an email from me within 24 hours of paying for the class. Please respond to that email. If you don't see it, check your spam folders, etc. and if you can't find it click here to email me! It's important that we are in email contact, so that you can receive the zoom links and class mailings.