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Painted Samhain 2007
[Click on the image to enlarge]
On the Wheel of Bridget Anna Kerridwin is placed in the
North West at Samhain.
Kerridwin is such a well known Welsh Goddess (sometimes
spelt Cerridwin). Her name is familiar to many people, as
is the story of Her magical cauldron, in which the potion
that she has brewed for her son is accidently splashed on
the boy stirring the pot for a year and a day. The boy instantly
becomes the holder of all wisdom and Cerridwin soon realises
what has happened. She seeks to destroy him, however he
outruns Her. Kerridwin shape shifts from animal to animal
to catch him, but so does he. Finally he changes into a
grain and Cerridwin into a hen, which promptly eats him,
only to give birth to him nine months later.
This is a myth of transformation, for Kerridwin is Queen
of the Underworld, Midwife of Souls, She brings death, transformation
and rebirth. It is She who waits for us as we descend into
the underworld, and sits patiently, as we come face to face
with our shadows. For She is the ancient crone, She knows
that enough time spent with her in Her Underworld Realm,
as She tends Her Cauldron, will transform our feelings for
our shadow selves. We will eventually embrace the dark,
hidden aspects of ourselves and emerge transformed and whole....For
Kerridwin knows and loves us as we truly are.
Here, in this painting, we meet Kerridwin waiting for us
with Her magical Cauldron of Transformation. She sits outside
of West Kennet Long Barrow, here at Samhain She brings ancestors
of our land, our blood and our souls. She is full of transformative
energy, the very air crackles around Her. Her Hawk hovers
over Her head, from Her ragged black cloak crows fly all
around Her and on her thigh rests her shape shifting toad
of fairytales from time out of time. Beside Kerridwin is
Her White Sow, who devours all that no longer serves.
This night Cerridwin weaves Her magic over the land, dancing
with the dead, as the veil thins. It is Her truth that you
can trust.
Kerridwins animals are the white sow, toad, hawk and crow.
Her tree is the yew and Her symbols are the cauldron, sickle
and scissors. Her colour is black.
Hail and welcome Kerridwin Queen of the Underworld, Keeper
of the Cauldron of transformantion. Walk with us through
the shadows, and hold us in your darkness.
