Cerridwen and Gwion
In Welsh mythology Cerridwen is an important goddess and the keeper of the cauldron.
In one story a boy called Gwion was tasked with stirring a potion she was brewing in it when he ended up swallowing some, granting him the gift of wisdom. He ran away but Cerridwen pursued him. Gwion used his new gift to transform himself into various animals to try to escape her but Cerridwen always transformed herself into a corresponding predator and continued to chase him. When he became a hare she became a greyhound. When he became a fish she became an otter. When he became a bird she became a hawk. Finally when he became a grain of wheat she became a hen and swallowed him. This led to him being reborn from her and becoming the legendary bard Taliesin.
This story demonstrates Cerridwen's role as a goddess that guides people through necessary if unpleasant transformations and helps lead them to a better version of themselves.
So far in the books we have seen Cerridwen be instrumental in helping Elain adjust to her transformation and I look forward to seeing how she will continue to help guide her into embracing her new abilities in the next books.
(artwork by me)
