Cerridwen Tapestry

The story of Cerridwen and the cauldron is a captivating tale deeply rooted in Welsh mythology. At its core lies Cerridwen, a powerful and wise enchantress renowned for her vast knowledge and magical abilities. Cerridwen had a son named Morfran, whose physical appearance was grotesque and repulsive. To compensate for his looks, she sought to grant him extraordinary wisdom and inspiration. To achieve this, she possessed a magical cauldron with the power to brew a potion capable of bestowing these gifts. However, the potion required a lengthy brewing process that spanned a year and a day. Cerridwen enlisted the help of a young boy named Gwion Bach to assist her in tending to the cauldron. One fateful day, while Gwion was stirring the brew, three scalding drops splashed onto his thumb. Reflexively, he sucked his thumb to soothe the burn caused by the potion. In that instant, Gwion absorbed the wisdom and knowledge contained within the elixir. Realising the incredible potency of the potion, Cerridwen was overcome with rage towards Gwion. She pursued him relentlessly, intending to consume him and reclaim the power of the potion. In a desperate bid to escape, Gwion transformed himself into a series of different animals. Each time he changed form, Cerridwen matched him by assuming the shape of the corresponding creature. Gwion's first transformation was into a hare, darting across the fields with Cerridwen hot on his trail as a greyhound. Next, he became a fish, plunging into the depths of a river, while Cerridwen transformed into an otter, chasing after him in the water. Undeterred, Gwion then transformed into a bird and took flight through the skies. Cerridwen pursued him as a hawk, soaring through the air with unwavering determination. In a final attempt to elude Cerridwen, Gwion transformed into a grain of wheat and concealed himself amongst other grains in a barn. Unfazed by the challenge, Cerridwen transformed into a hen and devoured all the grains, including the one hiding Gwion. Nine months later, she gave birth to a child named Taliesin, who possessed extraordinary wisdom and poetic inspiration. Despite his humble origins, Taliesin was destined for greatness. He became one of the most revered bards and seers in Welsh mythology, renowned for his lyrical poetry and prophetic abilities. Taliesin's talents and exploits elevated him to the status of a legendary figure, his name forever associated with wisdom and poetic expression. The story of Cerridwen and the cauldron symbolises the transformative power of knowledge and the capriciousness of destiny. It illustrates the intricate interplay between power, magic, and the pursuit of wisdom, with Cerridwen, Gwion, and Taliesin serving as central characters in this enthralling Welsh myth.