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Dria El
June 9th, 2001, 02:59 AM
Andraste

Little is known of the goddess Andraste, except that she was worshipped by Queen Boadicea, the British warrior-queen who nearly overthrew the conquering Roman legions. We know that Andraste was connected with the moon, for the hare or rabbit was sacred to her. History says that just before Boadicea's last battle with the Romans, the queen loosed a hare and watched its running pattern as a method of divination (divining from the actions of animals was used in a great many cultures besides the Celts). There is no record of what Boadicea thought she saw in the movements of the hare. History records that she led her armies in a massive assault against the trained Roman legions and nearly defeated Roman rule in Britain. When captured, the Queen took poison, thereby defeating Roman plans to march her in a victory parade in Rome.

A possible later version of Andraste may be Eostre, who was also connected with hares and eggs and the Spring Equinox.

Mairwen
June 9th, 2001, 04:11 PM
Thank you for posting about Andraste. This is the Gwyddon Year of Andraste, Year 13 in the Solar Great Year (it takes 19 years to equal 1 Lunar Great Year).

Next year is Bloduewedd's Year. :D

Dria El
June 9th, 2001, 05:50 PM
Cool! Glad you enjoyed it! One question though, if you don't mind. What's the purpose of the Lunar Great Year?

Mairwen
June 9th, 2001, 07:18 PM
"The ancients noted that every 19 years the full wolf moon rose on the first day of the new year (winter solstice), and it was often eclipsed ... In fact, each moon repeated itself in a 19 year cycle and thus became symbolized by Bridget's 19 Priestesses."

The purpose? That's how a Gwyddon tells time. :D