I am Cerridwyn, daughter of Wales. I live alone on an island in the middle of Llyn Tegid (now Bala Lake). Some call me a hag witch, which I consider a compliment for they are only acknowledging my powers as a holy woman, a fierce healer. I have two children, a daughter, Creidwy, and a son, Morfran, who I would fight to the death to protect from harm’s way. And that is what I do for you, my children, protect and guide you through the dark nights of winter.
For this is a time to be brewing new potions in your cauldron for the coming year. It is time now to sit by the hearth fire and stir the thick soup, letting it simmer over the long dark nights to come. Don’t be afraid to add new ingredients, to play with the recipe. I encourage you to add generous dollops of Courage, magnums of Inspiration, and heaping cupfuls of Trust. Circle the cauldron throughout the winter months, remembering its power, touching the container of life, death and rebirth, the never ending cycle, the beginning and the end.
Seek the light in the pregnant darkness. Gestate. Care for yourself. Renew. Restore. Release. And do it now my children, on December 22, the longest night of the year, when the sun appears to stand still in the sky. It is the time to release all that has been accumulating and weighing you down so that you can make way for the new.
I invite you to follow the lead of my sister, Pixie Campbell, as she guides you in the Mother of All Releasings Ceremony: Winter Solstice, 2012.
Happy Solstice!
Winter Solstice Blessing by Stacy Anne Murphy
Shed away your tired old coats my darlings.
Shed the tears
that tear you from within.
Like a snake
who has outgrown her skin,
writhe and scrape
until the dull old scales
fall away.
Slough off the remnants
of your worn-out self.
Peel away the layers
that no longer suit you,
that constrict you,
so a shiny,
smooth,
lissome you
emerges.
Glide effortlessly
into the new year
adaptable,
flexible,
amenable,
joyful.
Enter your new beginning
with grace,
warm, bright, glistening,
grace.
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on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 at 5:00 am and is filed under Myth, goddess, wheel of the year.
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About The Author
I am in a stage of new beginnings, of starting over on the other side of the continent from California, where I spent 38 years of my life. The first year in North Carolina was a bit of a shock to my system. Not so much culture shock but the shock of transplanting myself and starting over as a therapist, artist, and wild woman. I had to figure how I was going to do it differently than I had been doing it. Because I knew I needed to change the way I worked outwardly to match the way I was feeling and moving inwardly and make it more playful, and at the same time, deep and meaningful.
I knew I wanted to work with women primarily, to help them find their way on the heroine's journey to wholeness. I knew I wanted to bring more creative expression to my work because that was what was working for me--a way to bypass all the analytical thinking, perfectionism, and psychological paradigms largely created by men, and find more more intuitive ways of Being, Creating and Flowing with Life, in keeping with the Divine Feminine.
I like working with the triple goddess: maiden, mother and crone, which describes the three stages of life as well as inner states of being--the innocent/adventurer; the nurturer and active doer; and the wise being who has the advantage of overview and doesn't care as much what others think of her as long as she is being true to herself. The triple goddess is found in most all cultures and traditions and helps us move out of dualistic thinking patterns and find our way to a more integrated and balanced way of life.
As I forge a new path, I want to connect with women all over the world, to help women own their power, and to both explore and offer tools for self-discovery and self-care. Creating my interactive e-book, "In the Lap of the Goddess: Connecting With the Divine Feminine," is my first creative step towards sharing with women the knowledge and wisdom we all hold within us, reflected in the goddess throughout history, across time, and in every corner of the world.
beautiful Stephanie! thank you for this.
Happy 2012 my love. i’m hoping we’ll get to connect again sometime soon.
loves and hugs!!
I love the first image- you’re having fun with computer! And who painted Cerri with the cauldron? Off to stir the pot….
I’m not sure who the artist is. I tried to find out, but no luck. If anyone knows, please let me know and I’ll post the artist’s name.
Beautiful! I’m on a similar journey. Wishing you all the best and shelter under the wings of Shekinah. Happy soulstice!
peace,
Ellen
Stephanie…that’s so beautiful. I have to say that the mother and crone in parallel are particularly challenging these days! I’m always inspired by you and your inner journey and I’m traveling with you. Much love to you………Lynn
I know what you mean, Sister Traveler. And occasionally there’s the maiden that still pops in now and then. Love to you as well!