Ceridwen

Ceridwen is a figure in Welsh mythology, known primarily as a powerful enchantress and goddess associated with wisdom, transformation, and rebirth. She is a prominent character in the tale of Taliesin, which appears in the medieval Welsh manuscripts, particularly the Hanes Taliesin (The Tale of Taliesin).

Ceridwen is often depicted as the mother of a hideously ugly son, Afagddu (also known as Morfran). Seeking to compensate for his lack of physical beauty, she brews a potion in a cauldron, the Pair Dadeni (Cauldron of Rebirth), to grant him wisdom and knowledge. This potion requires constant stirring for a year and a day.

During the brewing process, a young boy named Gwion Bach is tasked with stirring the cauldron. Three drops of the potion accidentally splash onto his finger, burning him. Instinctively, he puts his finger in his mouth, instantly gaining the wisdom and knowledge intended for Afagddu.

Enraged, Ceridwen pursues Gwion Bach through a series of transformations. He transforms into a hare, she becomes a greyhound; he becomes a fish, she becomes an otter; he becomes a bird, she becomes a hawk; and finally, he transforms into a grain of wheat. Ceridwen then transforms into a hen and swallows him.

Impregnated by the grain of wheat, Ceridwen eventually gives birth to a beautiful child, whom she cannot bring herself to kill. Instead, she casts him into the sea in a leather bag. The child is rescued by Elffin, who names him Taliesin, a renowned poet and bard.

Ceridwen's cauldron, Pair Dadeni, is a powerful symbol of transformation and rebirth in Welsh mythology. It represents the potential for knowledge, inspiration, and change. Ceridwen herself embodies the complex nature of motherhood, magic, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge and purpose. She is a multifaceted figure, capable of both nurturing and vengeful acts, making her a compelling and enduring character in Welsh folklore.