Animals Divine
Title/Number: 1 The Magician - Cerridwen
Picture: http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd443/TrinityQueen/1-TheMagician-Cerridwen.jpg
First Impression: My first impression of Cerridwen was that this card was really beautiful. I liked it a lot because I love Goddess Mythology and the animals pictured here.
Description: Here we see Cerridwen, with a glowing aura, standing by a water source surrounded with curious animals. She holds by her heart a wand and her other hand touches her stomach by a medicine pouch at her side. The tree behind her buds with the first signs of spring.
Feminine/Masculine/Neutral: Feminine
Colors: Mint Green, Lavender, Orange, Cafe Brown, White, Light Blue, Black.
Senses: I feel one of my feet touching the cool water, and the heavy cloth of my robe on my skin. I can hear all the forest sounds and the animals that surround me. I can see clearly my intentions, and taste anticipation for the work I am about to perform. I smell the grass, water, and animals.
Symbols: Cerridwen, Fox, Boar, Deer, Budding Tree, Water, Roots.
Story [Intuitive]: She walks steadily through the forest. Already she knows the work that will be done. She has prepared a long time for this moment. When she reaches the designated spot she stands gathering her focus and grounding herself. Her foot reaches out and touches the cool, clear spring drawing from the waters of life. Her aura begins to radiate power and strength. Curious some of the forest animals draw near. The do not fear her, they know her spirit and it is good. Sighing peacefully she takes the wand from her side and places it at her heart. Here she will state her intentions clearly. The other hand gently touches her stomach at her womb. Here she will birth the magic necessary to create change. The wind stirs gently as the magic begins to flow, she smiles confidently...the time has come.
My Experience as the Magician: This card reminds me of spell work. Being a witch I have often used intention to create change in my life. I have also found without focus a lack of intention or direction can create a lot of chaos.
Astrological Reference: For one year and a day, Cerridwen added herbs at all the correct astrological times to her potion for her son. Story below.
Cultural Reference: The Welsh Goddess Cerridwen is the goddess of wisdom, rebirth, transformation, and inspiration. She is often worshiped in her crone form and pictured with her cauldron of knowledge. She teaches us all the power of feminine knowledge, and how inspiration can lead to beautiful transformation in our lives.
* According to the late medieval Tale of Taliesin, Morfran was hideously ugly, so Ceridwen sought to make him wise. She had a magical cauldron that could make a potion granting the gift of wisdom and poetic inspiration. The mixture had to be boiled for a year and a day. Morda, a blind man, tended the fire beneath the cauldron, while Gwion Bach, stirred the concoction. The first three drops of liquid from this cauldron gave wisdom; the rest was a fatal poison. Three hot drops spilled onto Gwion's thumb as he stirred, burning him. He instinctively put his thumb in his mouth, and instantly gained great wisdom and knowledge. So Ceridwen chased Gwion. He turned himself into a hare. She became a greyhound. He became a fish and jumped into a river. She turned into an otter. He turned into a bird; she became a hawk. Finally, he turned into a single grain of corn. She then became a hen and ate him. When Ceridwen became pregnant, she knew it was Gwion and resolved to kill the child when he was born. However, when he was born, he was so beautiful that she couldn't do it. She threw him in the ocean instead, sewing him inside a leather-skin bag. The child did not die, but was rescued on a Welsh shore. The reborn infant grew to became the legendary bard Taliesin. [story source Wikipedia]
Elemental Reference: I see the waters at her feet and the earth of the budding trees and raised roots.
Numerology Reference: 1 - Leader, Independent, Original, Determined, Self Assured, Creative, Ambitious.
Keywords: Creation, Confidence, Magic, Channel, Intention
Possible Meanings: Making one's dreams a reality, being a pure channel for ideas, having the confidence to create change, knowing one's intentions clearly.
Quote: "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself." ~ Anon
I'm so looking forward to this group! Will post my first day findings very soon. Welcome everyone else to the group!