Cerridwen-Welsh Crone Goddess

Since I really do not follow just one path but a combination and mixture of many, I will be the first one to admit that my knowledge of the Goddesses is very limited. Yes, I have read several things about them but my own connection with the Goddesses was very limited as far as my own experiences (I thought!).

If you write or keep a journal, all you have to do is look back to different things you have written during different times of your life. Afterwards, pick up a book on the Goddesses and read the differences about them. Combine your interest, your dislikes, your strengths and you will see which Goddess traits are with you.

I believe working with the Goddess is very similar as working with Animal Spirit Totems. We have many different animal totems come to us during times of need. I have found through my own experiences it has been the same as working with the Goddesses. Learning from Cerridwen has been different for me though; her teachings are never ending.

As most women, there is a room in their home that is very sacred to them. Mine has always been the kitchen, my kitchen is the heart of my home. Brewing my herbal teas, preparing our food, growing our vegetables-these are not regular household duties for me, it is a heart connection. Doing things in the kitchen is a natural part of my life, from the time of being in the kitchen with my grandmother to this day, the kitchen is the one room I feel complete in and stay the most busiest.

Artwork ©WhiteOak-2009

Cerridwen has had many different versions of myths written about her. She had two children, one beautiful girl named Creirwy and one very ugly dark son named Avagdu also called Morfan. Cerridwen worried for her son that his life would be very hard because of the way he looked so she decided to make him a potion filled with magical powers that she possessed.

Cerridwen mixed a potion with six plants for inspiration and knowledge that she called "Greal". This potion was too cook for a year and a day continuously; so she hired a blind man to keep the fire burning under her cauldron and a young man Gwion to stir the contents. A few drops of the potion splashed on Gwion's hand and he automatically put it to mouth to ease the pain ingesting the potion.

There was a great pursue between Gwion and Cerridwen both of them changing many different shapes. During the final change, Gwion had turned himself in a grain and Cerridwen changed herself into a hen, eating the grain. Nine months later, Cerridwen gave birth to a radiant son who became known as the greatest Welsh Poet Bard, Taliesin.

The cauldron is a symbol of transformation and the changes that are learned through the experiences. Cerridwen has been associated with dark magick but she is also known to be the muse who brings up inspiration and creativity for those who do different arts such as writing, poetry, music and artist.

Artwork ©WhiteOak-2009

So let's talk cauldron magick! One of the first questions I am always asked is: does magick always work? My answer to this is: Magick works the way it is suppose to work. Sounds like a cop-out answer doesn't it? It really isn't. We may do a cauldron spell for prosperity and money but that does not mean a Money Tree is going to appear in your yard. What it does mean is your needs will be met in the time it needs to.

Working Magick is very similar to the Law of the Attraction. If you put out to the Divine what your intentions are and you put them out there in direct words, it will manifest. But if you are going to do a spell and expect it work with a snap of your fingers, than you have been watching too many television shows.

There is a cauldron spell I have been using way before I knew Cerridwen was my guide. It is a cauldron spell of prosperity. When I performed this spell either solitary or with a group, the results came within a week. When I wrote out the spell, I did not ask for money to appear out of thin air, but rather asked that work came to me so I could earn more money. Each time, I had new job offers and sometimes became a bit overwhelmed with so many offers.

My Cauldron

One day at a local flea market I was walking each lane and it was almost as if I could hear someone calling me. I walked the whole flea market and nothing was drawing my attention except I still hear my name being called. It was not until I got to the last row and the last vendor on that row, there she sat this very old cauldron that had a piece chipped off of it but I knew she was going to be mine.

When I asked the vendor how much they were selling it for and they told me, I thought I was going to fall backwards. I guess that had to be around twenty four years ago. Needless to say, the cauldron went home with me and stayed with me up until five years ago. However, I know exactly who has her now and where she is. It is like all of our tools and precious items, when it is time for them to go to their new home, we are suppose to release them with a loving heart and an understanding it was meant to be. Oh today, I do have another cauldron or two or three smiles

Remember what I said above, the cauldron represents transformation and change. Working with the energy of the cauldron is like working with concentrated energy. Just like when Cerridwen was brewing the potion for a year and a day for her son or when you cook a sauce down and it thickens becoming very concentrated. The energy of the cauldron brings all of the energy into more focus, concentrating it, making it stronger.

When I do a cauldron spell, I always light a candle inside the cauldron. One trick is to place some sand or kitty litter inside the cauldron so your candle stands secured. Then I will scatter the herbs around inside the cauldron and if I burn my intents or spell, I will light them from the candle. I let the herbs, candle and intents and/or spell burn completely out inside the cauldron. After the ritual is over, I always took the ashes and buried them in the earth giving an offering of cornmeal and tobacco. The one main rule when working with the cauldron and Cerridwen is this: When you write out your spell or intent be specific when you are working with Cerridwen be careful what you wish for! It is your call if you choose to work in an open circle or closed, by working in a closed circle you preserve the energy more you are creating.

**Please Note**

When working with a cauldron always take precautions; never leave the cauldron in another room to burn by itself and it is best to do cauldron spells out doors if at all possible.

Artwork ©WhiteOak-2009

Since I mentioned above that I will be the first one to admit that my knowledge of the Goddesses is not great, I thought I would do a search and found this list of Crone Goddesses in response to Spirituality's question.

The list came from Goddess Guide. I found it interesting and thought it would make a great addition to this lens. Thanks for the question Spirituality!

Ala (Nigerian) : The spirits of the dead find peace in her womb.

Ama No Uzumi (Japanese) : A Shinto ancestral Goddess of longevity, protection and psychic abilities.

Asase Yaa (West African) : She represents the womb of the earth from whom we are all birthed and will return to at our death.

Annis (Celtic) : A frightening old woman, keeper of wisdom and old ways.

Badb: (Irish) A shape shifting warrior Goddess who symbolizes the cycles of life and death, wisdom and inspiration.

Baubo (Greek) : A bawdy Goddess who uses female sexuality and laughter to raise a smile from Demeter,

Baba Yaga (Russian) : In Slavic mythology she is the wild old woman; the witch; and mistress of magic.

Cerridwen (Celtic-Welsh) : The Keeper of the Cauldron.
**Welsh is a Germanic word denoting "foreigner" belongs to a branch of Celtic**

Cailleach Bear (Celtic): The hag and destroyer Goddess who ruled over disease, death, wisdom, seasonal rites and weather magic.

Elli (Nordic) : Goddess of old age, she defeated Thor.

Grandmother Spiderwoman (Native American) : An old wise woman who gave man the sun and fire.

Ereshkigal (Sumerian): Goddess of the Underworld

Estsanatlehi (Native American) : Goddess of life, death and immortality.

Hekate (Greek) : Goddess of the underworld and magic.

Hella (Nordic) : Ruler of Helheim, the land of the dead.

Inari (Japanese) : She guides and protects the spirits of the dead.

Kali (Indian) : Goddess of destruction and rebirth.

Kalma (Finnish) : Underworld Goddess of death and decay.

Lara (Roman): Mother of the dead

Libitina (Roman): Goddess of funerals and pyres.

Lilith (Hebrew) : Adams first wife and guardian of women's mysteries.

Macha (Irish): The wild woman who battles against injustice to woman and children.

Mórrígan (Celtic): Crow Goddess who understands the nature of death.

Mother Holle (German): The Wise Queen of Winter

Nicneven (Celtic): Goddess of Magic and winter.

Nephthys (Egyptian): A funerary Goddess associated with death, magic and reincarnation.

Sedna (Inuit): Mistress of life and death

XochiQuetzal (Mexican): Goddess of the cycles of life celebrated on the Day Of the Dead.

Artwork is ©WhiteOak-2009