Introduction

One story of ancient alchemy is the story of Ceridwen and Taliesin. Alchemy is both concerned with physical and metaphorical change. The alchemists dream is to turn lead into gold. Metaphorically, this can be applied to accepting change in our lives, transforming ourselves and improving from lower to higher elements. Our story starts on a small island in Lake Bala from the viewpoint of Ceridwen.

A Tale of Transformation

I am the magical witch Goddess Ceridwen. I have 2 children by a giant. A beautiful daughter Creirfyw, but a son who brings me shame by his ugliness, Morfran. I am in an absolute rage. For a year and a day the Cauldron of Awen has been brewing.

Three drops were intended for Morfran to give him inspiration and the gift of prophecy, so he would be accepted and honoured.

I have tended the cauldron daily adding magical herbs and ingredients, added with my incantations. Morda, the blind, was to stoke the fire and the ignorant peasant boy Gwion Bach was given the task of stirring the cauldron. But today is the last day, and as Gwion Bach stirred the last remaining drops in the cauldron, he spilled them on his finger, which he licked. He has destroyed my work and efforts and must pay with his life.

But he has fled and Morda is left behind. In my rage I hit him across his withered eye with a piece of wood. I see Gwion run, but I will catch him. He has spotted me closing in on him. But what is this? He has transformed into a hare. He must have new powers, but mine are stronger. A greyhound I become, faster than any hare and will easily outpace him. He is by the river now, there is no escape, but lo, he has become a fish. He is no match for me, I shall become an otter. I can easily catch him now. I see him in the water.

But Gwion again alludes me as he dives into the air, transforming into a wren. But I will outsmart him. A wren is not greater than a hawk. But where is he disappeared to? A single grain of wheat and he is headed towards a vat of wheat. I catch up and swallow the wheat before transforming back.

9 Months Later

9 months have passed, and I have given birth to a child, a male. I was going to destroy him, but he is beautiful. My rage has changed to love, so I have ascended the mountains and placed him in a leather bag on the river. My prophecy shows the child will be cared for and become the greatest Bard in the land. His foster parents will call him Taliesin.