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The Welsh Crone, or Goddess of Dark Prophetic powers, is represented by Cerridwen. Her totem animal is the Sow, representing the fecundity of the Underworld, and the terrible strength of the Mother. Like many Celtic Goddesses, She had two children, representing Dark and Light aspects emerging from one Goddess, Her daughter Crearwy being light and beautiful, and Her son Afagddu being dark and ugly. In Celtic Welsh mythology, Cerridwen is a powerful Underworld Goddess, and the keeper of the cauldron of knowledge, inspiration and rebirth. She rules the realms of death, fertility, regeneration, inspiration, magic, enchantment and knowledge. Cerridwen is a shape-shifting Goddess, able to take on various forms. She is known as being a 'White Witch' or Goddess, and is also associated with herbology and astrology.
Cerridwen had two children, a girl named Creidwy who was beautiful and full of light, and an ugly and malevolent son named Afagddu, or Morfran. They represent the dark and light in the universe.
Most of the knowledge we have on Cerridwen we have gleaned from the Tale of Taliesen. We will delve into the Welsh legend now.
The Legend of Cerridwen and Her Potion
Cerridwen was the mother of a son named Morfran, who was often perceived as unattractive. Concerned about his future and desirous of giving him an advantage in life, Cerridwen decided to use her magical abilities to brew a potion of Awen, which would bestow upon him the gifts of knowledge, inspiration, and wisdom. This potion needed to simmer for a year and a day to achieve its full potency.
The Brewing Process
To create the potion, Cerridwen gathered a variety of rare herbs, adding each one at the precisely calculated astrological moment. She entrusted the task of stirring the potion to her servant, Gwion Bach, ensuring the mixture remained consistent and potent throughout its lengthy preparation.
The Accidental Transformation
On the final day of brewing, an unexpected incident occurred. As Gwion Bach stirred the cauldron, three drops of the potion splashed out onto his thumb. Instinctively, he placed his thumb into his mouth to soothe the burn, inadvertently ingesting the potion's essence. This accident transferred the extraordinary wisdom and insight intended for Morfran to Gwion instead.
The Chase and Transformation
Realizing the mishap, Cerridwen was furious and pursued Gwion Bach. The chase that ensued was a classic tale of shape-shifting and transformation. Gwion Bach used his newfound wisdom to change into various animals and elements to escape Cerridwen's wrath. However, Cerridwen, being a powerful enchantress, matched each transformation with one of her own.
The Birth of Taliesin
Eventually, Gwion Bach transformed into a grain of corn, and Cerridwen became a hen, swallowing him whole. Nine months later, Cerridwen gave birth to a remarkably wise and beautiful child. Despite her initial anger, she could not bring herself to harm the child and instead cast him into the sea in a leather bag. He was later found by a prince and became the legendary bard known as Taliesin.
This legend of Cerridwen and her potion highlights themes of transformation, the pursuit of wisdom, and the unpredictable nature of fate. It remains an enduring tale within Celtic mythology, symbolizing the profound potential for change and enlightenment.
Symbolism: This ritual pursuit of her servant, Gwion Bach, symbolizes the changing of the seasons, nature’s yearly cycle of death and rebirth.
Cerridwen’s Signficance: Cerridwen represents the need for change; that a transformation is at hand. It is time to examine what circumstances in your life no longer serve you. Something must die so that something new and better can be born. You can tap into Her ceaseless energy to plant seeds of change and pursue their growth with your own power.
Cauldron: A symbol closely associated with the Divine Feminine, it is a vessel for transformation which symbolizes rebirth and renewal. Cerridwen’s cauldron represents the womb of the Great Mother Goddess, from which all life is born, and then born again. It’s also a cauldron of wisdom, knowledge and inspiration. The Cauldron of Inspiration is symbolic of Awen. Therefore Cerridwen has a close connection the the symbol Awen, being the Keeper of the Cauldron that creates Awen.
Dark Moon: In modern worship, Cerridwen is sometimes called “Dark Goddess of Transformation” and associated with the dark moon. Her connection with the dark side of Magic and Witchcraft has to do with her role in the poem of Taliesin, where She is not a goddess but rather a sorceress or witch with destructive powers. Also, Cerid- can be translated as “bent” or “crooked”, but it could also mean “poetry” or “song.” Also, the Dark Moon is associated with The Crone energies, as is Cerridwen.
Moon: The moon undergoes different phases and expressions, similar to the Goddess’s shapeshifting and transformation abilities. As a Moon Goddess, Cerridwen may be represented by the lunar cycle (New Moon to Full Moon and back) as a symbol of eternal transformation and renewal.
White sow: Among the Celts, Cerridwen was also known as the sow goddess. The pig was associated with the moon and with fertility and perceived as a gift from the otherworld. Some people believe her name means “White Sow” (although the exact meaning of the name is unknown).
Grain: In Cerridwen’s myth, Gwion shapeshifts into a grain of corn or wheat. As a Goddess of fertility and harvest, different types of grain are associated to Her.
Titles and Epithets of Cerridwen:
• White Lady of Inspiration
• Lady of the Cauldron
• Lady of the Lake
• The Ruler Of Bards
• Sow Mother
Other Mythology
Elsewhere in the legends of the Celtic world, cauldrons of inspiration are highly common, making Cerridwen’s cauldron one of the most archetypal symbols of power. The cauldron is also a symbol of the Underworld, which appears prominently in many Welsh and other Celtic myths. The cauldron’s knowledge-granting powers are also similar to the Salmon of Truth in Irish legend, found in the story of Finn MacCool. The story of Ceridwen and her son Morfran appears adjacent and later as a part of larger Arthurian legend. Morfran comes to serve in the court of King Arthur, and Ceridwen’s cauldron may be an inspiration or manifestation of the Holy Grail.
Cerridwen is similar to a number of witches across the world, namely the witch goddess Circe in Greece and Baba Yaga in Slavic mythology.
How to Worship Cerridwen
As Keeper of the Cauldron, Cerridwen brings inspiration, wisdom and the gifts of prophecy to those that work with Her. The best way to work with Cerridwen or other Celtic goddesses is to read the poems and tales that showcase her skills and abilities.
Cerridwen’s areas of influence
Magic, fertility, wisdom, poetry, creativity, herbalism, and the harvest. There are modern Pagans who consider Her the Queen of Witches. She pursues her prey with unfailing energy. If Cerridwen is calling you, it’s best that you pursue your goals with equal energy.
Cerridwen Inspired Divination Ritual:
Dress a white candle in Cerridwen’s name.
Fill your cauldron with water. You will perform a wax reading divination with the candle.
Ask Cerridwen for guidance and interpret what your cauldron tells you.
You may receive her message in the form of symbols or images in the water.
Keep a dream journal in case she happens to contact you tonight.
Correspondences & Associations of Cerridwen
Associations: Magic, fertility, wisdom, poetry, creativity, herbalism, and the harvest
Role: Cerridwen is the Keeper of the Cauldron, the mother of transformation and change. She brings inspiration, wisdom and the gifts of prophecy to those that work with her. She is seen in Welsh legend as being a crone Goddess, creating a triad with Blodeuwedd and Arianrhod
Colors: Green, gold, yellow
Animals: Crow, hen, white sow, pigs, hare
Genealogy: Wife of Tegid Voel. Mother of Morfran, Creirwy and Afagddu
Cerridwen Offerings: Offerings to Cerridwen (Goddess of poetry and creativity) may include your own original poems, any art or inspired works, prayers, and songs.
Set up an altar for the Goddess using her symbols and correspondences. You can prepare a meal of pork and wheat or corn as an offering to Cerridwen. Alternatively, you may wish to forego pork and wheat for a period of time(Fasting) to show reverence to her sacred symbols. Approach Her with respect and transparency, as any honest seeker would do with any deity.
The best way to connect with Cerridwen is through her mythology. You are encouraged to read her myth and invocation, write poetry or prose for her, or make an offering on an altar with white and green candles dedicated to her.
Offerings to Cerridwen: Grain-based products, wheat, barley, rice, peanuts, acorns, poppy or sunflower seeds, vervain, pork, candles, moonstone.
A Cerridwen Invocation
In a quiet space light a candle and say:
Dark Mother, Light Mother, keeper so wise,
In the cauldron of storms, where the mystery lies.
Steadfast and true, you weave fate’s design,
Creation and dissolution in perfect align.
With a blade that is sharp, yet merciful too,
You part through the shadows, revealing the view.
The sacred drink flows, nourishing all,
Deities, mortals, we heed your call.
One word, one world, a spell we ignite,
In the stillness of night, dreams take flight.
Cerridwen, dear Mother, we humbly implore,Respond to our wishes, our hopes we restore.
(insert your prayer, request, question, or need)
Grateful we stand, as we voice our need,
With praises and thanks, in our hearts they seed.
Next time we summon, with a bell's gentle ring,
Or a song filled with joy, our spirits will sing.
As you reach out to her, your voice carries your hopes and dreams, your fears and questions. You feel the connection, the ancient bond that ties you to the earth and sky, to the cycles of nature and the endless dance of life. Cerridwen, the wise and compassionate mother, hears your plea, and in her presence, you find solace and strength.
When your heart is full, and your message has been conveyed, you offer your gratitude. You promise to honor her in your daily life, to walk with intention and mindfulness, to seek the wisdom in every moment. You tell her how you will call upon her again, with a song that echoes through the woods, with the gentle chime of a bell, or with the music of your heart's deepest desires.
And as you close this sacred space, you feel a sense of peace, knowing that the cycle continues, that each ending is but a new beginning, and that Cerridwen's guidance is always there, waiting in the stillness, ready to illuminate the path ahead.
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