Cerridwen Initiatrix

Faces of the Dark Goddess Cerridwen

An introduction to the many faces of Cerridwen. There are nine aspects of the Goddess through which she reveals herself to us – the eight directions of the wheel and the centre. The wheel starts in the North West where we welcome Cerridwen Initiatrix.

 

Cerridwen Initiatrix

Please turn with me to the North West where we call and invoke

Cerridwen Initiatrix

Great Mother of the Cauldron of Death and Rebirth

You invite us to look deep within your darken brew

Seek the reflection of the onyx mirror

Show us what we need to see

Heal our wounds and set us free

We are your children of blood and bone

Of shadow and light

You give us peace and serenity in the heart

We breathe your loving energy in

Hail and welcome Cerridwen Initiatrix

 

Each of the ceremonies and rituals that we hold as Priestesses and Priests of Cerridwen begins officially with an invocation of the wheel, starting with the aspect of the wheel that pertains to the season. At Calan Gaeaf (Samhain being the Gaelic word for the season), we start with Cerridwen Initiatrix: She who shows us our shadow and light. She who holds us as we dive deep into the cauldron of Death and Rebirth.

For those of us who follow the Celtic year, Samhain is the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year. The Celtic people started their year and their day at dusk, when darkness falls, they began their day with rest rather than busyness. They started their year with the rest they need before starting a busy year of crafting, creating, growing and making.

The Initiatrix is the beginning, She is with you the whole year, to guide you and show you where the work needs to be done. It is not always a comfortable process, indeed I go as far as to say, it is very rarely something you will relish and enjoy. Yet, like with every healing event in the body and soul, once the injury has been discovered, has been taken care of, the wounds cleaned and dressed, the healing begins.     

In this tradition, which follows the druidic concept of nature-based faith,  we understand that if we do not face our flaws and frailties, if we do not heal our wounds, they will control us, they will control our behaviour and determine the outcomes in our life, our relationships, success in our chosen careers, and our own understanding of self worth.

The Initiatrix activates the potential within us, She sees us as we are, for the greatest good and grace of us personally and within the web of wyrd that connects all beings on this planet. She determines the alchemy and majesty of our inner Self, the spark of the divine within us. She does not ask us to be famous or an influencer, or wealthy and successful, She asks us to be the kindest person we can be. To co-create, cooperate, to care, to be compassionate. She asks us to be a useful part of our own community, to act in unity, in harmony, so that all may participate in the wealth She has provided.

How do you connect with the Initiatrix if you are not trained in our tradition? Spend time in nature and observe all that goes on around you. Be aware of the ebb and flow, the decay and the rebirth, make peace with the thought that all that lives will die. That all nature is going to sleep now, and as humans we would do well to learn from nature. Retreat within, take stock of this cycle that has just passed for you, and rest, sleep, dream.

May the Goddess Cerridwen bless you

May She bring you all the rest and peace you need

May She help you come to terms with all that happened this cycle

 

Bee Helygen

Adoratrix of Cerridwen

Priestess of the Llwyth

Samhain 2022

Avalon

Website: cerridwen.co.uk

Bee is the creatrix and course tutor for the Priestess of Cerridwen training which has been running as part of the Glastonbury Goddess Temple since 2015. She also runs the Death Priestess training and is a celebrant and Avalon Soul Healer. Full bio

Painting of Cerridwen by Alex La Malfa