Cerridwen Greek Goddess
The Celtic Goddess, Cerridwen, is the keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and inspiration in the Underworld. In this capacity, she is symbolized by a white sow to represent her fertility and motherly strength. Because of her deep wisdom, she is granted by many the status of the Crone, equating her to the darker aspect of the Triple Goddess. Cerridwen is also honored for her close association with the full moon.
According to Welsh legend, Cerridwen had two children. Her daughter Crearwy was light and fair, her mother knew that she’d be successful in life because of her very pleasing looks. Her son, however, was not so fortunate. Afagddu was quite ugly, perhaps the ugliest man ever to be born.
Like all moms, Cerridwen wants only the best for …show more content…
her children, so she decided to brew a potion in her magical cauldron to bestow great knowledge upon her son. His powerful knowledge will offset his ugly looks and make him the greatest bard that ever lived. The potion is quite complicated and must be stirred for a year and a day. Cerridwen put a young boy named Gwion in charge of guarding and stirring the magical brew. Not long before it’s ready, three very hot drops of the portion splash onto Gwion’s finger. To soothe his burning finger, the boy stuffs it into his mouth and is instantly granted the knowledge meant for Afagduu.
When Cerridwen realized what has happened, she sets of chasing Gwion.
Both change forms as they run, becoming a wide variety of animals and plants and the Goddess gives chase; a hound following a rabbit, an otter chasing a salmon; a hawk after a sparrow. Eventually, Gwion disguises himself as a grain of wheat and falls to the threshing floor of like grains. Cerridwen turns into a hen and swallows him whole. Nine months later, she gives birth to Taliesin, the greatest Walsh bard of all. She’d intended to kill him, but found him to be so beautiful that she was unable to carry out her plan. Instead, she places him in a small boat and sets him out to sea, where is later rescued by a Celtic …show more content…
Prince.
Cerridwen’s legend is replete with images of change, transformation, and rebirth.
She and the boy change shapes many times during their chase, she gives birth and plans to kill her infant but changes her mind and gives the baby to the sea, where he is later rescued. Her ritual pursuit of Gwion signifies the changing of the seasons. It comes as no surprise then, that transformation and rebirth are controlled by this powerful goddess.
This myth finds its way to me at a most appropriate time. My dear son, with whom I have a very close relationship, called to ask my blessing before he proposed to his girlfriend. While I am honored that he’d ask, I find myself struggling to accept what our new relationship will be. Never again will it just be Zak; it will be Zak and Kaley. I love Kaley; she is kind and good, but Zak is my baby, my only son.
Cerridwen’s message is one of transformation. Something I’ve treasured for nearly twenty-four years (my relationship with my son) is changing. That relationship will die in a way, to be reborn as a new and different relationship. I have to let go and allow the transformation to take place. I will ask Cerridwen to help me through this transition and to grant me her wisdom to accept that, in her tradition, I will create a new relationship from that which already exists. There is nothing to fear; I am not losing my son. I am gaining a
daughter.
There are many illustrationss of Cerridwen, but I’ve included one of my favorites here. It’s a picture of a cloaked woman stirring her cauldron, but what’s most striking is what’s above her head. The woman’s face is shown at different angles, representing the phases of the moon. This symbolic representation ties into Cerridwen’s association with the moon, and her darker aspect of the Crone. It’s another reminder that everything is in transition, but there’s nothing to fear.
The symbol I’ve chosen has what I see as a cauldron at the bottom, representative of transformation and potential. Above it are what I interpret as a symbol of the moon and her many phases. I really like the image. It seems to sum up the package that is Cerridwen; transformation, change, and acceptance.
According to Welsh legend, Cerridwen had two children. Her daughter Crearwy was light and fair, her mother knew that she’d be successful in life because of her very pleasing looks. Her son, however, was not so fortunate. Afagddu was quite ugly, perhaps the ugliest man ever to be born.
Like all moms, Cerridwen wants only the best for …show more content…
her children, so she decided to brew a potion in her magical cauldron to bestow great knowledge upon her son. His powerful knowledge will offset his ugly looks and make him the greatest bard that ever lived. The potion is quite complicated and must be stirred for a year and a day. Cerridwen put a young boy named Gwion in charge of guarding and stirring the magical brew. Not long before it’s ready, three very hot drops of the portion splash onto Gwion’s finger. To soothe his burning finger, the boy stuffs it into his mouth and is instantly granted the knowledge meant for Afagduu.
When Cerridwen realized what has happened, she sets of chasing Gwion.
Both change forms as they run, becoming a wide variety of animals and plants and the Goddess gives chase; a hound following a rabbit, an otter chasing a salmon; a hawk after a sparrow. Eventually, Gwion disguises himself as a grain of wheat and falls to the threshing floor of like grains. Cerridwen turns into a hen and swallows him whole. Nine months later, she gives birth to Taliesin, the greatest Walsh bard of all. She’d intended to kill him, but found him to be so beautiful that she was unable to carry out her plan. Instead, she places him in a small boat and sets him out to sea, where is later rescued by a Celtic …show more content…
Prince.
Cerridwen’s legend is replete with images of change, transformation, and rebirth.
She and the boy change shapes many times during their chase, she gives birth and plans to kill her infant but changes her mind and gives the baby to the sea, where he is later rescued. Her ritual pursuit of Gwion signifies the changing of the seasons. It comes as no surprise then, that transformation and rebirth are controlled by this powerful goddess.
This myth finds its way to me at a most appropriate time. My dear son, with whom I have a very close relationship, called to ask my blessing before he proposed to his girlfriend. While I am honored that he’d ask, I find myself struggling to accept what our new relationship will be. Never again will it just be Zak; it will be Zak and Kaley. I love Kaley; she is kind and good, but Zak is my baby, my only son.
Cerridwen’s message is one of transformation. Something I’ve treasured for nearly twenty-four years (my relationship with my son) is changing. That relationship will die in a way, to be reborn as a new and different relationship. I have to let go and allow the transformation to take place. I will ask Cerridwen to help me through this transition and to grant me her wisdom to accept that, in her tradition, I will create a new relationship from that which already exists. There is nothing to fear; I am not losing my son. I am gaining a
daughter.
There are many illustrationss of Cerridwen, but I’ve included one of my favorites here. It’s a picture of a cloaked woman stirring her cauldron, but what’s most striking is what’s above her head. The woman’s face is shown at different angles, representing the phases of the moon. This symbolic representation ties into Cerridwen’s association with the moon, and her darker aspect of the Crone. It’s another reminder that everything is in transition, but there’s nothing to fear.
The symbol I’ve chosen has what I see as a cauldron at the bottom, representative of transformation and potential. Above it are what I interpret as a symbol of the moon and her many phases. I really like the image. It seems to sum up the package that is Cerridwen; transformation, change, and acceptance.