Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of Inspiration

by Kristoffer Hughes

Overview

An Authentic Guide to the Welsh Magical Bard Tradition

The witch goddess Cerridwen is the focus of devotion and reverence amongst witches and Pagans around the world. This book traces Cerridwen's roots through layers of history and myth, and it provides hands-on exercises and visionary rites to help you realize her immeasurable power in your own magical practice.

Based on years of intensive research by celebrated Welsh Druid Kristoffer Hughes, this wonderful work shows you how to evoke the magic of ecstatic poetry and song as you join the lineage of magical bards who have explored the secrets of Awen and Cerridwen's cauldron of inspiration. You will also discover first-ever English translations from ancient Welsh manuscripts as well as Kristoffer's powerful approach to contemplative journeying, working with sigils, and creating an altar. With rituals for initiation, affirmation, and clarity, this deeply poetic book explores the transformative energies of the goddess of witches.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738763828
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	03/08/2021
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	1,075,592
Product dimensions:	6.03(w) x 9.03(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Kristoffer Hughes (Wales) is Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, a Mount Haemus Scholar, and a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. He is a teacher, writer, workshop leader, and guest speaker at Pagan conferences, camps, and festivals throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America. Hughes worked professionally for His Majesty's Coroner for over thirty years. He is a Welsh language television presenter and actor. He's the author of From the Cauldron Born, The Book of Celtic Magic, As the Last Leaf Falls (previously titled The Journey into Spirit), and Cerridwen, as well as the creator of both the Celtic Tarot and the Yuletide Tarot. Visit his Facebook page for news and events. You can also visit him at www.AngleseyDruidOrder.co.uk.

Table of Contents

Prologue xiii

Introduction xvii

At the Chair of the Bard xxv

1 The Quest for Cerridwen 1

2 Beginning the Chase 9

3 The Power of Mythology 15

4 The Quest for Meaning 23

5 Cerridwen and the Welsh Bardic Tradition 29

6 The Four Eras of the Welsh Bardic Tradition 41

7 Songs of Praise: Cerridwen and the Gogynfeirdd 53

8 The Book of Taliesin 63

9 The Chair of Cerridwen 71

10 Cerridwen: What's in a Name? 81

11 Cerridwen and the Cauldron 95

12 Witch? 107

13 Cerridwen and the Mabinogi 117

14 The Zoomorphic Faces of Cerridwen 127

15 A Pig by Any Other Name 133

16 Initiatory Transformation 147

17 The Children of Cerridwen 153

18 The Deification of Cerridwen 161

19 Cerridwen and the Deep Mysteries 171

20 The Narrative Spirit: Yr Ysbryd Adroddol 183

21 The Prophetic Spirit: Yr Ysbryd Proffwydol 189

22 The Enchanted Spirit: Yr Ysbryd Swynol 199

23 The Awen 207

24 What's in a Word? The Meaning of Awen 217

25 The Awen-Filled Legacy of Iolo Morganwg 225

26 The Song of the Awen 237

27 Cerridwen, Annwfn, and the Andedion 247

28 Cerridwen and the Bardic Mysteries 253

Stirring the Cauldron: Ritual & Practise 259

Appropriate Appropriation 261

Creating a Cerridwen Altar 264

Cerridwen's Three Crafts 266

Becoming Gwion Bach, Part 1 267

Becoming Gwion Bach, Part 2 269

A Swyn to Glean Poetic Inspiration 274

A Swyn for Clarity 276

Daily Awen Affirmation 277

Daily Devotional to Cerridwen 278

The Power of Three 280

The Cauldrons of Land, Sea, and Sky 282

Conclusion 291

A Guide to Welsh Pronunciation 293

Glossary 297

Resources 305

Bibliography 307

Index 315

Editorial Reviews

"As a first language Welsh speaker, Hughes's intimacy with this original, Middle Welsh source material has enabled him to speak with authenticity and authority about a Goddess who has been both misunderstood and misrepresented for a millennium."–Liz Riley Jones, author of the Hiraeth Trilogy

"A thrilling and deep immersion into the mysteries of Ceridwen and the Bardic tradition that has the power to transform the reader with its inspiration and its scholarship."–Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Druid Mysteries

"By offering so much of his personal experience, research and knowledge, Kristoffer opens a doorway to that sacred place where the worlds of humankind and deep mystery meet."–Lisa & Anton Stewart, authors of Simply Wicca

"This book will help you to discover a sacred relationship with the keeper of the cauldron, a story as relevant to us today as it was in the past."–Adrienne Piggott, lead singer of Spiral Dance 

"An extraordinary, breath-taking experience channelling Cerridwen's solicitous energy–a journey for the mind and soul."–Caryl Bryn, award-winning author of Hwn ydy’r Llais, tybad?

"Kristoffer brings Cerridwen into the present where she touches not only the world around her, but also those who reach out to her."–Jean (Drum) Pagano, Archdruid ADF

"While taking care to present the historical sources, Kristoffer Hughes has also conveyed his own deep insight into this ancient, yet perpetually new, mythology. Read it, learn from it, and enjoy it."–Dr. Gwilym Morus-Baird, Celtic scholar

"Kristoffer has given us all the elements we need in order to enter into a meaningful relationship with Cerridwen, inviting the Awen which that relationship brings."–Tiffany Lazic, author of The Great Work

"As a first-language Welsh speaker, a native of Anglesey and a practicing druid with over twenty years of involvement with Taliesinic mysteries, Hughes offers a unique perspective and a vision that is simultaneously profound and accessible."–Will Parker, author of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi 

"Hughes retrieves gems of wisdom to form a well-researched portrait of Cerridwen and one that is rich in mythology, language, and landscape. What is offered here is a sophisticated exploration of Cerridwen that seamlessly bridges the gap between scholarly inquiry and experiential gnosis."–Olivia Church, author of Isis: Great of Magic

"If you want to meet Cerridwen, drink from her cauldron, and be inspired by the Awen, this is the book for you."–John Beckett, author of The Path of Paganism

"Kristoffer Hughes dives deep, both into the academic and the mystical aspects of Cerridwen."–Cerri Lee, Pagan artist

"With every page you will walk in the footsteps of the Bards who knew Her, and know Her still. Then, seated before the great Cauldron, you will meet with Cerridwen Herself–Muse, Goddess, Keeper of the Cauldron, Inspirer of Bards and Mother of Awen."–Damh the Bard, Pagan musician and Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids

"Kristoffer Hughes breathes new life into the ever evolving story of Cerridwen, bringing her lessons and gifts into the 21st century, and reinstating her as the preeminent deity of Wales and the Isles of the Mighty."–Gwion Raven, author of The Magick of Food

"An incredible and ground-breaking dive into the mythology and practice surrounding the Welsh goddess Cerridwen."–Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Sigil Witchery

"Destined to become a classic among Celtic scholars and spiritual practitioners alike."–Jhenah Telyndru, author of The Mythic Moons of Avalon

From the Publisher