Cerridwen

An Authentic Guide to the Welsh Magical Bard Tradition

The witch goddess Cerridwen is the focus of devotion and reverence amongst witches and Pagans around the world. This book traces Cerridwen's roots through layers of history and myth, and it provides hands-on exercises and visionary rites to help you realize her immeasurable power in your own magical practice.

Based on years of intensive research by celebrated Welsh Druid Kristoffer Hughes, this wonderful work shows you how to evoke the magic of ecstatic poetry and song as you join the lineage of magical bards who have explored the secrets of Awen and Cerridwen's cauldron of inspiration. You will also discover first-ever English translations from ancient Welsh manuscripts as well as Kristoffer's powerful approach to contemplative journeying, working with sigils, and creating an altar. With rituals for initiation, affirmation, and clarity, this deeply poetic book explores the transformative energies of the goddess of witches.

“"As a first language Welsh speaker, Hughes's intimacy with this original, Middle Welsh source material has enabled him to speak with authenticity and authority about a Goddess who has been both misunderstood and misrepresented for a millennium."-Liz Riley Jones, author of the Hiraeth Trilogy "A thrilling and deep immersion into the mysteries of Ceridwen and the Bardic tradition that has the power to transform the reader with its inspiration and its scholarship."-Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Druid Mysteries "By offering so much of his personal experience, research and knowledge, Kristoffer opens a doorway to that sacred place where the worlds of humankind and deep mystery meet."-Lisa & Anton Stewart, authors of Simply Wicca "This book will help you to discover a sacred relationship with the keeper of the cauldron, a story as relevant to us today as it was in the past."-Adrienne Piggott, lead singer of Spiral Dance "An extraordinary, breath-taking experience channelling Cerridwen's solicitous energy-a journey for the mind and soul."-Caryl Bryn, award-winning author of Hwn ydy'r Llais, tybad? "Kristoffer brings Cerridwen into the present where she touches not only the world around her, but also those who reach out to her."-Jean (Drum) Pagano, Archdruid ADF "While taking care to present the historical sources, Kristoffer Hughes has also conveyed his own deep insight into this ancient, yet perpetually new, mythology. Read it, learn from it, and enjoy it."-Dr. Gwilym Morus-Baird, Celtic scholar "Kristoffer has given us all the elements we need in order to enter into a meaningful relationship with Cerridwen, inviting the Awen which that relationship brings."-Tiffany Lazic, author of The Great Work "As a first-language Welsh speaker, a native of Anglesey and a practicing druid with over twenty years of involvement with Taliesinic mysteries, Hughes offers a unique perspective and a vision that is simultaneously profound and accessible."-Will Parker, author of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi "Hughes retrieves gems of wisdom to form a well-researched portrait of Cerridwen and one that is rich in mythology, language, and landscape. What is offered here is a sophisticated exploration of Cerridwen that seamlessly bridges the gap between scholarly inquiry and experiential gnosis."-Olivia Church, author of Isis: Great of Magic "This is the book Cerridwen devotees have been waiting for. ... If you want to meet Cerridwen, drink from her cauldron, and be inspired by the Awen, this is the book for you."-John Beckett, author of The Path of Paganism "Kristoffer Hughes dives deep, both into the academic and the mystical aspects of Cerridwen. ... We begin to learn how to traverse the language of the ancient bards in order to explore at a deeper level some of the original heartland of British myth and magical practice."-Cerri Lee, Pagan artist "Magic lies within this book. With every page you will walk in the footsteps of the Bards who knew Her, and know Her still. Then, seated before the great Cauldron, you will meet with Cerridwen Herself-Muse, Goddess, Keeper of the Cauldron, Inspirer of Bards and Mother of Awen."-Damh the Bard, Pagan musician and Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.”

"As a first language Welsh speaker, Hughes's intimacy with this original, Middle Welsh source material has enabled him to speak with authenticity and authority about a Goddess who has been both misunderstood and misrepresented for a millennium."–Liz Riley Jones, author of the Hiraeth Trilogy

"A thrilling and deep immersion into the mysteries of Ceridwen and the Bardic tradition that has the power to transform the reader with its inspiration and its scholarship."–Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Druid Mysteries

"By offering so much of his personal experience, research and knowledge, Kristoffer opens a doorway to that sacred place where the worlds of humankind and deep mystery meet."–Lisa & Anton Stewart, authors of Simply Wicca

"This book will help you to discover a sacred relationship with the keeper of the cauldron, a story as relevant to us today as it was in the past."–Adrienne Piggott, lead singer of Spiral Dance 

"An extraordinary, breath-taking experience channelling Cerridwen's solicitous energy–a journey for the mind and soul."–Caryl Bryn, award-winning author of Hwn ydy’r Llais, tybad?

"Kristoffer brings Cerridwen into the present where she touches not only the world around her, but also those who reach out to her."–Jean (Drum) Pagano, Archdruid ADF

"While taking care to present the historical sources, Kristoffer Hughes has also conveyed his own deep insight into this ancient, yet perpetually new, mythology. Read it, learn from it, and enjoy it."–Dr. Gwilym Morus-Baird, Celtic scholar

"Kristoffer has given us all the elements we need in order to enter into a meaningful relationship with Cerridwen, inviting the Awen which that relationship brings."–Tiffany Lazic, author of The Great Work

"As a first-language Welsh speaker, a native of Anglesey and a practicing druid with over twenty years of involvement with Taliesinic mysteries, Hughes offers a unique perspective and a vision that is simultaneously profound and accessible."–Will Parker, author of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi 

"Hughes retrieves gems of wisdom to form a well-researched portrait of Cerridwen and one that is rich in mythology, language, and landscape. What is offered here is a sophisticated exploration of Cerridwen that seamlessly bridges the gap between scholarly inquiry and experiential gnosis."–Olivia Church, author of Isis: Great of Magic

"If you want to meet Cerridwen, drink from her cauldron, and be inspired by the Awen, this is the book for you."–John Beckett, author of The Path of Paganism

"Kristoffer Hughes dives deep, both into the academic and the mystical aspects of Cerridwen."–Cerri Lee, Pagan artist

"With every page you will walk in the footsteps of the Bards who knew Her, and know Her still. Then, seated before the great Cauldron, you will meet with Cerridwen Herself–Muse, Goddess, Keeper of the Cauldron, Inspirer of Bards and Mother of Awen."–Damh the Bard, Pagan musician and Pendragon of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids

"Kristoffer Hughes breathes new life into the ever evolving story of Cerridwen, bringing her lessons and gifts into the 21st century, and reinstating her as the preeminent deity of Wales and the Isles of the Mighty."–Gwion Raven, author of The Magick of Food

"An incredible and ground-breaking dive into the mythology and practice surrounding the Welsh goddess Cerridwen."–Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Sigil Witchery

"Destined to become a classic among Celtic scholars and spiritual practitioners alike."–Jhenah Telyndru, author of The Mythic Moons of Avalon

Kristoffer Hughes (Wales) is Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, a Mount Haemus Scholar, and a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. He is a teacher, writer, workshop leader, and guest speaker at Pagan conferences, camps, and festivals throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America. Hughes worked professionally for His Majesty's Coroner for over thirty years. He is a Welsh language television presenter and actor. He's the author of From the Cauldron Born, The Book of Celtic Magic, As the Last Leaf Falls (previously titled The Journey into Spirit), and Cerridwen, as well as the creator of both the Celtic Tarot and the Yuletide Tarot. Visit his Facebook page for news and events. You can also visit him at

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