http://www.sacredsource.com/Ceridwen-Statue-7-3_4/productinfo/MCER/#.VDlZ3vnF9AA
(© 2014. All original material in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of the author.)
Hail, our beloved Lady of the Celts,
To You, we give honor and worship,
In the Old ways, when Woman was the Center,
Woman was the Creatress and the World
And Ireland, Gaul, Wales were Your own,
Our hearts in Your hands, our will is Yours
Keep and protect our children as you do all Celts,
Your chosen people, in Your prayers.
So Mote It Be!
http://www.hranajanto.com/GoddessGallery/pgfx/cerridwen-400.jpg
For meat eaters, today is definitely a time to consider having bacon for breakfast, a ham sandwich for lunch or pork roast for dinner to internalize Cerridwen’s positive aspects. Vegetarians? Fill up your piggy bank with odd change you find around your house and apply the funds to something productive to inspire Cerridwen’s blessing.
I give you life
I give you death
it is all one
You travel the spiral path
the eternal path
that is existence
ever becoming
ever growing
ever changing
Nothing dies that is not reborn
nothing is born that does not die
When you come to me
I welcome you home
then I take you into my womb
my cauldron of transformation
where you are stirred and sifted
blended and boiled
melted and mashed
reconstituted and then recycled
You always come back to me
you always go forth renewed
Death and Rebirth are but points of transition
along the eternal path
Copyright Amy Sophia Marashinsky, "The Goddess Oracle". Used with permission of author.
Many witches who follow Cerridwen do so either by choice or by calling. For me it was a calling, one which is the foundation of my belief system.
It is a common theme within the craft to undergo a process in which we karmically cleanse ourselves for the purpose of intensifying ritual. I discovered this by reading such books as Laurie Cabot's "The Witch In Every Woman" or Francesca DeGrandis’ “Be A Goddess”, that although the process may vary, transformation is welcomed and anticipated. This process may be described as a cleansing, a walk in the underworld or a purification but for those of us who walk with the great Mother it symbolizes Death and Rebirth, her cauldron the magical tool.
Since starting to work with energy, I have found the principle understood by the yogis, where one must release the tension in the body to make space for new energy, to be as important in magick. My belief is that the more pure the person is while working with energy in ritual, the clearer of a conduit they are, therefore, being of greater effect. It has been my experience that the more one cleanses oneself of the blocks and barriers of ego and ill intent the greater the power one has to manifest in the mundane world.
In conclusion, I have included a poem and a prayer that accompany me on the visualization I share when I embark upon my journey of transformation.
In your minds eye see yourself in the dark of the night wearing a long ceremonial dress. Make this dress comfortable but luxurious, something that makes you feel beautiful, empowered and elegant. I like to envision a heavy black velvet robe draping over a steel gray satin gown. Imagine yourself in the finest ritual attire you would like to or already have.
Next, see a set of individual steps, white against the black backdrop of the night. See these stairs illuminating as they wind up to the full moon waiting against the night sky.
Move towards the stairs and ascend one by one. Take your time and when you reach the top, face the moon, greet her and allow her to bathe you in her energy for as long as you like.
You are drawn to the left, you see a cauldron and as you approach you are greeted by Cerridwen. You bow before her recognizing your mission, the desire of transformation. You tell her that you have come for her help. She guides you to her cauldron and asks you to take that which is plaguing you and drop it into the cauldron. You recite the following prayer:
"Dear Goddess, this is an offering of self
that you do with me for your will.
Where my will may not see with open eyes and heart,
Please show me.
Guide me in such obvious ways that I do not hold to
that which needs to be cleansed
that which no longer serves me,
that which must return to you
the death that preludes transformation
Guide me in such obvious ways that I allow
what is for me,
direct me to where newness awaits
with fresh eyes, an open heart
with your grace
the recognition of divine love,
of life, of birth
Dearest Mother, help me be a channel for your purpose
and the greater vision you hold for me.
So mote it be".
You step away from the cauldron and watch as Cerridwen stirs the brew taking care, consideration and adding special herbs as she chants with intent. She turns to you and offers you a cup of brew to which you drink from.
You thank Cerridwen and she bids you farewell. You take as much time as you like to say goodbye to the moon before you descend the stairs. When you reach the bottom you breath deep and take a moment to feel the stillness in your body, your womb. As you take another deep breath, you open your eyes and feel a sense of renewal and calm.
Pay attention over the next while for things that may come up, how you may see them in a new light. Maybe you have the knowledge to handle things or you might just feel disengaged from any emotion the situation or person may have had on you. This is the work of Cerridwen!
http://www.northernway.org/school/onw/prayers.html
Patricia Telesco, "365 Goddess: a daily guide to the magic and inspiration of the goddess".
Visualization, original art by Cherdwyn.
