CERRIDWEN

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CERRIDWEN

Cerridwen is the Celtic Keeper of Knowledge.

In the Welsh tradition, Cerridwen is the keeper of the great cauldron, which brews up the potions of life and wisdom. Cerridwen represents "crone" figure of the Triple Goddess (virgin, matron, crone) for she is the old woman who is no longer young and beautiful, but in place of youth she has the wisdom of her long years.

Cerridwen had two children, a beautiful daughter named Crearwy and an ugly son named Afagddu. To compensate for her son's appearance, Cerridwen brewed a potion of wisdom in her cauldron which she stirred for a full year, giving rise to the image of the witch's cauldron. A boy named Gwion tended the fire and when the potion boiled over three drops burned his hand - which he sucked to help the pain and was gifted with great wisdom. Furious, Cerridwen chased Gwion across the land first as a hound chasing a hare, then as a an otter chasing a fish, then finally as a hen picking up Gwion, who had changed into a kernel of corn. This impregnated Cerridwen, who gave birth to a son, Taliesen, whom she cast to the sea. Taliesen was rescued by the Celtic Prince Elffin, who protected the boy until Taliesen became the greatest of all Celtic bardic poets.

Cerridwen's cauldron is a symbol of the Divine Feminine, and represents both the womb and the tomb - life and rebirth. It is also thought to be one of the original symbols which later became the Holy Grail.