Our People
Our Founding Elders
The Lady Queene Astarte Gwyndra received training, initiation and elevation to the sublime and ultimate degree within the Welsh Rite Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (WRTG) by Lord Gwion (founder) from September 1993 through April of 1999, when she was elevated to the High Priestesshood. She had been acting High Priestess of Triple Star Coven (New York City) since January of 1994, and continued as High Priestess until her departure from that Tradition in July 2001. In July 1999 she was acknowledged as Queen of the WRTG with Lord Gwion being acknowledged as King of the Woods.The crowning and kingmaking was officiated by Taliesin at Augusta, Maine and witnessed by Ennwydhen, and Lady Rhiannon and Lord Tuan of Hensiarad Coven of the WRTG. In the summer of 2001, the Lady Queen Gwyndra left Triple Star Coven and formed her own coven, Cauldron of the Woode in New York City. Gwyndra was subsequently trained, initiated and elevated to the High Priestesshood of the New York Welsh Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (NYWTG or "Welsh Tradition") by Lord Taliesin on December 7, 2001.
The Lady Queene Ennwydhen Achren received training, initiation and elevation to the sublime and ultimate degree within the WRTG by Lord Gwion from June 1995 through her elevation to the High Priestesshood in March 2001. She served as Maiden of Triple Star Coven and deputy High Priestess to Lady Gwyndra. Upon being made a High Priestess, Lady Ennwydhen hived to found a WRTG coven in Boston, Massachusetts with Lord Taliesin (then a WRTG neophyte) as her student, working partner, and acting High Priest. Ennwydhen was subsequently initiated and elevated to the High Priestesshood of the Welsh Tradition by Lord Taliesin on December 7, 2001 and co-founded Coron Morwyn Coven of the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (CTG) in Boston, Massachusetts with Lord Taliesin.
The Lord King Taliesin Fflamdwyn received training, initiation and was subsequently elevated to the High Priesthood of the Welsh Tradition by Lady Heather in 1985, founding StarSerpent Coven. He underwent additional training in Triple Star Coven in the late 1990s in order to learn the WRTG system. He received his WRTG first degree initiation from Lady Gwyndra at New York City in July 1999. His subsequent training in the WRTG was received from both Lady Gwyndra, as his initiatrix, and Lady Ennwydhen as his working partner. On December 7, 2001 he was elevated to the WRTG High Priesthood at the hands of both Lady Gwyndra and Lady Ennwydhen, and co-founded Coron Morwyn Coven of the CTG with Lady Ennwydhen. He is currently High Priest of Seren Draig Coven and Outer Court with Lady Cordelia as High Priestess.
Let it be known that on 28 June 2008, at a coronation ceremony presided over by Lady Faolan and Lord Sarff Penglog of Coron Nadroedd Coven, and attended by leaders, Elders and members of four different covens, Lady Gwyndra, Lady Ennwydhen and Lord Taliesin were formally acknowledged not only as founding Elders, but also as Queenes and King of the line. Many of their beloved downlines were in attendance, and much joy and mirth was shared by all. Henceforth they are called the Lady Queene Astarte Gwyndra, the Lady Queene Ennwydhen Achren, and the Lord King Taliesin Fflamdwyn. The Queenes and the King are humbled by this honor which has been bestowed upon them by their family.
Our Group Leaders
Lord Celodryn, High Priest of Cryn Cynhaeaf Coven and Outer Court in Monmouth County, New Jersey received training, initiation and elevation to the sublime and ultimate degree within the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid at the hand of Lady Gwyndra. He graces our tradition not only with the tenacity of his spirit, but also with his marvelous gift of music.Lady Cordelia, High Priestess of Seren Draig Coven and Outer Court, received training, initiation and elevation to the sublime and ultimate degree within the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid at the hand of Lord Taliesin. She brings a long history of practice as a family traditionalist to CTG, something that is clearly reflected in her coven practice, both by her loving nature and her fierce devotion to her family, both mundane and magickal.
Lady Faolan and Lord Sarff, High Priestess and High Priest of Coron Nadroedd Coven and Outer Court in Malden, Massachusetts came to Coron Morwyn almost five years ago. The knowledge and wisdom they brought to Coron Morwyn has truly enriched everyone with whom they have come in contact, and we wish all blessings upon them and their new venture.
Asherah, Adept Priestess and Coven Elder of Cauldron of the Woode Coven in New York City, received her training from Lady Gwyndra since 2001. First as Neophyte and then Maiden of Cauldron of the Woode Coven, she has been Lady Gwyndra’s right hand for many years. Asherah is now starting her own Coven and Outer Court called Songs of the Watery Woode in Bloomingdale, New Jersey. Asherah’s love of nature and the outdoors is evident both in her personal and Craft life.
Barinthus, Adept Priest and Coven Elder of Seren Draig Coven, is the leader of the Grove of the Flaming Door in San Francisco, California. Barinthus was trained in the Outer Court of the NY Welsh Tradition in the mid 1990's in New York City. From here, his path took a turn, and he was subsequently trained and initiated by the highly respected occultist Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki within the Servants of the Light School of Occult Science. He still actively participates in that School, and is the Magus of a Lodge in that tradition. Not one to abandon his Craft roots, upon moving to San Francisco he sought further training in the Craft, and was initiated into the Minoan Brotherhood in 2002, and elevated to Minos in 2004. Later that year, Barinthus found his way home, and was made Priest of the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid at the hand of Lady Ennwydhen. He has since brought the tradition to San Francisco, and leads the Grove of the Flaming Door. Through the various traditions and initiations, Barinthus has found a common thread, and via that thread he seeks to foster within himself and his students inner and outer personal development and an increase in magical knowledge and skills, while guiding dedicated seekers on the Path of Light to the Goddess and God of our ancestors. His ideals are simple - to offer the best he can to those who wish to learn; to reach as far and as high as he can in search of Truth; and, to be true to himself, his teachings and his Gods.
Our Honored Ancestors
Lady Gwen (Gwynne) Thompson (1928-1986) is honored by the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid as foundress and ancestress of several lines of Traditional Witchcraft in America. Indeed, our Tradition was named to honor her, as she referred to herself as a Celtic Traditionalist. Her generous and prolific sharing of her family's material has provided the basis for many branches of non-Gardnerian traditionalism, most notably on the east coast of the United States. Lady Gwen is widely acknowledged as bringing the original version of the Wiccan Rede to the forefront of the Craft movement. As received by her from her grandmother, the Rede has been oft copied, but never replaced. It serves as a guideline for many, including those Traditions which either claim authorship of the Rede, or directly or indirectly trace their lineage to her.
Lord Gwydion (Edmund M. Buczynski) (1947-1989), founder of both The Welsh Tradition and The Minoan Brotherhood, has been the subject of much mythology, particularly surrounding his initiatory lineage. It has been alleged that he was banished by Lady Gwen for a transgression prior to attaining the High Priesthood. The truth is now told in memory of our beloved Lord Gwydion, and for the benefit of his descendants in all lines.
Lord Gwydion was an initiate of Lady Gwen (Gwynne) Thompson, also known as Lady Minerva and Rhiannon. At the hand of Lady Gwen, Lord Gwydion received First Degree at Oimelc 1965; Second Degree at Oimelc 1967; and Third Degree at Midsummer 1968. He was duly prepared and made a High Priest at Lammas 1970, and subsequently founded a coven with Lady Vivienne in October 1972. This is confirmed by the word of the Lady Vivienne, Queen of the New York Welsh Traditionalist Gwyddonaid line.
Lady Vivienne (Lady Goewin) was Lord Gwydion's first High Priestess in the original Brooklyn Heights Welsh Traditionalist Coven. It is by her wisdom and love of the Old Gods that the Welsh Tradition thrived, first with Lord Gwydion, and later with Lord Arawn. As such, she is a Mother to our Tradition, and we are honored to call her confidante, Elder and friend.