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Meaning & History
Welsh form of Aerten, the name of a Brythonic goddess of fate. Aerten is derived from Proto-Celtic *agro- "carnage, slaughter" (cf. Agrona) and *tan-nu "to broaden, to spread" or *ten-n-d-o- "to break, to cut". She had a shrine at Glyndyfrdwy on the River Dee in North Wales, and according to legend presided over the outcome of wars.
Cymric legend tells of her being invoked during the struggles between the native Cymry (Welsh) and the Anglo-Saxon invaders and, according to local legend, three human sacrifices had to be drowned in the Dee near her shrine to ensure success in any battles to come.
In former times Aerfen has been equated with the classical Fates (as all Celtic deities had to have a Roman counterpart). In truth, however, it's probably more accurate to equate her with the Irish Morrigan, herself a deity of battle fates.
Cymric legend tells of her being invoked during the struggles between the native Cymry (Welsh) and the Anglo-Saxon invaders and, according to local legend, three human sacrifices had to be drowned in the Dee near her shrine to ensure success in any battles to come.
In former times Aerfen has been equated with the classical Fates (as all Celtic deities had to have a Roman counterpart). In truth, however, it's probably more accurate to equate her with the Irish Morrigan, herself a deity of battle fates.