Lifecycle - Birth
“Creu Gwir fel Gwydr o Ffwrnais Awen” translated as “Creating truth like glass from inspiration's furnace”.
Awen and the Cauldron plays a key role in Ancient Welsh Druid Teaching and is known as the Cauldron of Birth, Inspiration and Re-birth. These words are engraved into a building in my birthplace Caerdydd/Cardiff, Wales, UK. There are both English and Welsh words, the English are not a translation, they are words that also capture the culture “In these Stones Horizons Sing”. The designer was capturing the core of Welsh Spirit Druids have to learn many things, the most important is ‘know thyself’ and part of that is knowing and understanding your birthplace history and culture. Do you know yours - maybe its a good time to explore?
Awen is from the Ancient story of Taliesin, claimed as the most famous Welsh Bard with Ceridwen known to us as a Goddess the Mother of the Cauldron. Taliesin is birthed from the process of tasting the 3 drops of Awen. And then goes through a series of transformations to be eaten by Ceridwen and then birthed as Taliesin.
New beginnings symbolise a fresh start, an opportunity to leave behind the past and embrace the future with renewed hope and purpose. In the Welsh culture and spiritual tradition, new beginnings are celebrated as moments of possibility and growth, where one can set new intentions, embark on new journeys and cultivate a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
This symbolism is often reflected in rituals, such as cleansing or planting, which emphasise the shedding of old layers to make way for new life.
Whether in the context of personal development, seasonal cycles or life transitions, new beginnings remind us that change is not only inevitable but also a vital part of the human experience, offering a chance to redefine our paths and embrace the unknown with courage and optimism.
When you feel this sense of new beginnings, whether it be a dream, meditation or in your plans for the future, it is important that you Safely Act upon them. Having an idea or a plan is a gift from the Otherworld and it is required to come down into the Physical Realm for it to transpire for You...
Bring it Down to Earth!
Yes, this is the physical place you reside and to Act on your New Beginning you will need to metaphorically plant the seed and nurture it, as if you were gardening and growing food. Take some time with these new beginnings, be approachable, humble and unpretentious, with a clear sense of what is important in life.
Be unafraid to face reality, explore the dreams, plans or ideas in a straightforward manner rather than getting lost in fantasies or complications. It is a balance between ambition and practicality. Create a strong connection to the everyday world, where common sense, kindness and authenticity are your priority over superficiality or extravagance.
In the Welsh Druid culture the Silver Birch symbolises New Beginnings. Try to get to visit one or even meditate on one. The birch is seen as a tree of new life, guiding those who seek to embark on new journeys or phases in their lives. Its flexible branches and resilient nature remind us of the importance of adaptability and growth during times of change. Draw on its energies to find the strength and clarity needed to pursue new paths with a sense of purpose. This tree's essence encourages us to shed the old and embrace the new, fostering personal growth and spiritual transformation.
Dod yn ôl at fy Nghoed - Return to my Trees
This Welsh Proverb in its real meaning and essence is to restore balance and harmony.
When we feel disgruntled, disconnected or just ‘meh’, then we need to visit a place that will restore us. This place is sacred all over the world, it’s a place that holds magic in providing oxygen for us to breathe, roots that hold the earth together and prevent it from washing away in heavy rains, it’s branches span and stretch out capturing the sun to grow leaves, seeds and fruits for continuation of living.
Go to that place, it may be one tree, it can be many, but when you are there, just be, let the trees embrace you, restore your state of mind, and come back to your true self.
