Goddess Cerridwen

[Chleo]

Cerridwen is the welsh goddess of nature. She tends to the cauldron of wisdom and divine inspiration. She lives on an island on the middle of lake Tegid. Cerridwen had two children. A daughter and a son, her daughter was beautiful and signified light but her son was ugly and symbolized shadow and fear. Since she loved her son, she brewed a potion of 6 herbs that would give him wisdom. For a year and a day she brewed the potion in the cauldron. A blind man tended the fire and a male child tended to the potion. The first three drops of the potion would be wisdom of light while the remaining would be poison. On the final day the boy was stirring the brew of wisdom when a few drops of the hot potion splashed on his fingers. When he put his fingers into his mouth he received all the great wisdom that was meant for the Cerridwen's son. He knew the rest of the potion would be useless for Cerridwen's son and he fled in fear.As she fled after him Cerridwen forced him, through transformation, into the diverse animals and creatures of our Earth to experience the beauty and wisdom of the light and creation of the Goddess. This can symbolize the many changes our Souls take and the many different forms. Over many lifetimes before we can actually know the reason of our existence. In the end she devoured him and he returned to the mother.
When Cerridwen resumed her human form, she conceived him in her womb, and, nine months later, gave birth to an infant son, whom she, in disgust, threw into the water of a rushing stream. He was rescued by a Prince, and grew into the great Celtic bard, Taliesin.

[Starwitch]

Great post, Chleo, thanks for sharing this with us. We could really use more information about the pagan Gods and Godddesses.

[raynelae]

I really enjoy posts like this. I do have a thing for Celtic gods and goddesses