Wright, Gregory. “Ceridwen.” Mythopedia, 29 Nov. 2022. https://mythopedia.com/topics/ceridwen. Accessed on 18 Oct. 2023. Ceridwen is a Welsh sorceress, a white witch with the power of Awen. She can brew life-altering potions, to change her form, and to inspire knowledge and beauty in others. In some tellings of her legend, she is a goddess of creation and inspiration, giving her further powers. A New Approach to Witchcraft Based on Welsh TraditionsEnter a world of sacred lakes, healing herbs, spectral hounds, and the mighty red dragon. Written by a Welsh practitioner, this inspiring book shares the magical traditions of Wales–including fairies, folklore, and charms–with dozens of hands-on activities. Mhara Starling shows you how you can incorporate Welsh and Celtic folk magic into your modern witchcraft practice with exercises for celebrating those who came before, protecting against adversity, changing the weather, and more. You’ll also discover methods for honoring the land and ways to connect with Cerridwen, Rhiannon, and other deities. Welsh Witchcraft invites you to explore this country’s rich heritage and use it to empower your spirituality. Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales by Mhara Starling – eBook Details Mabon: honor him particularly on the Autumnal Equinox, when light and dark are at a balance. Apples and fall fruits can be set out as offerings to him. Instead, she resolved to push the child out to sea. Placing the boy into a leather-skin bag, he was eventually found by Prince Elffin ap Gwyddno, who in turn raised the boy as a prince. He named him Taliesin, and he grew to be a wise bard and advisor to kings. Literature

Welsh Witchcraft, by Mhara Starling - Issuu Welsh Witchcraft, by Mhara Starling - Issuu

As I progressed in developing a magical and spiritual practise that was rooted in my land, I began wondering what magical traditions stemmed from my locale. I grew up hearing folk tales about Witches or listening to local lore about healing wells and sacred lakes, and so when I began exploring Witchcraft and learnt about various forms of folk magical practises from across the world my first question was, "What does Welsh folk magic look like?" They continued in this role for one year, upon which the potion was completed. But Ceridwen withheld important information from them: only three drops of the potion held the power to make the imbiber beautiful and wise. The rest was a deadly poison. Upon finishing the final stir, three drops fell onto Gwion’s thumb, which burned him. He put his thumb to his mouth, and at once became beautiful and wise. The term witch has meant many things to many people over the years,” Dr Kathleen Olsen of the University of Wales, Bangor , told the BBC.

Gwen is thought to have left it there because of her association with Jane Conway, of Marle Hall, in Conwy. Witchcraft in early modern Wales was common, and superstitious beliefs and rituals were involved in everyday life. Accusations, trials, and executions were significantly fewer in number than in England, Scotland, and other parts of Europe, with only 37 prosecutions in Wales during this time period. [1] England, during the same time period, is believed to have executed 500 people for witchcraft. [2] In addition, most cases in Wales were dismissed or acquitted, and punishment was often less severe than in many other places where torture was common. According to historian Richard Suggett, contemporary English sources claimed a belief that different types of magic were used in Wales at this time, both harmful and helpful. [1] Although, during early times, witchcraft was not always considered bad, during the later Middle Ages, beliefs associated with the practice of magic and witchcraft changed, as it was seen as being associated with the devil, and any sort of witchcraft was eventually made illegal. [3] Witchcraft laws [ edit ] Bran was a Celtic god believed to have originated in Wales. His name translates to “raven”. Some believe Bran began as a giant, a hero and a king, then deified after his death. Legends also say he was a son of the powerful sea god Lyr. He was a brother to Branwen and Manawydan. After a brutal battle, Bran was killed and told his brothers to cut off his head and return it to his kingdom. His head talked to his brothers until they placed it in a hill that’s now where the Tower of London sits, facing France so as to ward off any future dangers. The ravens that guard the Tower of London are Bran’s, and the story goes, if they were to ever leave the Tower – England would fall. You can read more of Bran’s story in the Mabinogion. Hafgan

Welsh Purveyor of Fine Spirits WILD MOON - Welsh Purveyor of Fine Spirits

Her association with the Conways, added fuel to the fire. The suspect admitted receiving two copies of St John’s Gospel from Jane Conway and to having once spent the night at Gloddaith when Thomas Mostyn was away. Superstitious lore meant that folk believed that the first person to be buried in a churchyard would be fated to stay earthbound evermore to be the “Guardian of the Graves”. You can not claim any involvement by the British,( Norman- Anglo’s English) The Tower of London was built by the English much later on , the white mound was where the 3 rivers of Llundain met, it has always been a holy place for our Brythonic,( Welsh) ancestors By way of sorcery, and perhaps by accident, Ceridwen becomes the mother of a third child, the famed bard Taliesin. Carrying all the gifts of his mother, he is advisor to many rulers of Britain, a powerful druid and bard, and a figure that is often depicted as a precursor or regional variant of Merlin. Family TreeA depiction of a witch being burned in 16th century Amsterdam (Image: Creative Commons) Read More Related Articles