St. Dwynwen's Day

 

Today celebrates the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

Similar to Valentine's Day, couples send cards and share meals, but more traditionally, carve lovespoons.

The story of Dwynwen is that of a young maiden who falls in love with Maelon Dafodrill, but she is unable to marry him.  She prays that she will fall out of love and an angel provides her with a potion.  Maelon turns to ice, but God grants her three wishes: that Maelon is released, that God will watch over all lovers, and that she will remain unmarried.  She then retreats to Ynys Llanddwyn to live out her days as a hermit.

There her church sits.

She is also noted to be the saint of sick animals.  While living in solitude, she studied the healing properties of herbs and was able to cure many illnesses of those who sought her out.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus!