Ceridwen's Hex, Concept to Myth to Verse

In the realm of poetry, inspiration often strikes from the least expected corners of history and mythology. My latest poetic endeavor, "Ceridwen's Hex," is a testament to the unpredictable and collaborative nature of the creative process. This journey, from a spark of inspiration to a structured poem, was shared with an unlikely partner: a digital assistant powered by OpenAI, serving as a historical guide and advisor.

My initial creative impulse began with a small idea: use the word "hex" in a dodecaverse, a poetic form I had previously envisioned, to play with its meaning in witchcraft and its etymological connections. A brief discussion with the ChatGPT AI quickly caused me to rethink my original plan to write about the Gwrach y Rhibyn, leading me to seek a more traditional type of Welsh witch. ChatGPT mentioned the lore of Ceridwen from the Mabinogion and provided the necessary background, though I improvised a bit from the original tale's ending to give Ceridwen's unfortunate son, Afagddu, a happier fate and to present Ceridwen in a more inspirational light.

Crafting the poem within the constraints of the dodecaverse form was a challenge that pushed the boundaries of my poetic abilities. "Ceridwen's Hex" emerged as a formal symmetric dodecaverse, weaving the thematic elements of the Ceridwen myth into a narrative that spanned the journey from idea to verse. The poem tells a reimagined story of Ceridwen's pursuit of Gwion, culminating in a magical transformation that binds Gwion's essence within a golden grain and, eventually, a loaf of bread—my major point of departure from the original myth.

This project highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence as a tool for creative collaboration. By educating me about the nature of my original poetic subject and steering me toward the inspiring tales in the Mabinogion, this partnership amplified the creative possibilities, enabling a deep dive into mythological themes with a nuanced understanding and respect for the source material.

The journey of creating "Ceridwen's Hex" was a reminder of the endless possibilities that emerge when we open ourselves to collaboration, be it with history, mythology, or even the latest advancements in technology. It stands as a testament to the power of combining traditional storytelling with modern poetic forms and the unexpected paths creativity can take when we engage in dialogue with the past.

As this recounting of how "Ceridwen's Hex" was born comes to its close, I'm left with a sense of gratitude for the digital muse that guided me through this process. This collaboration has not only yielded a poem that I'm proud of but also deepened my appreciation for the rich tapestry of Welsh folklore and the transformative power of poetry.

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Ceridwen's Hex

(A two-wave formal symmetric dodecaverse, on the two word pools "Wales, Witch, Ceridwen, Affagddu, Wisdom, Gwion, Three, Chased, Crow, Deadly, Golden, Bread", and "Wales, Mother, Bard, Taliesin, Afagddu, Day, Spent, Soul, Countenance, Golden, Awen, Truth")

Wales'
Good witch,
Ceridwen,
For Afagddu
Stir'd a wisdom brew.
But Gwion stole from thumb
Three drops; knowledge old he gained.
She chased him 'round past hill and wood
As hare and hound, as crow and hawk, the
Witch and boy in deadly hunt. But hid he
Then in field of golden grain. Enchantress grinn'd
And cast 'pon him a hex, "Then grain for bread you be!"
And in his place fell golden seed; thus Bach did
Meet his deadly fate. The mistress ground this
Food for crow, and did a shape invent.
She chased it 'round into a loaf,
A crust—three drops of stolen
Folly—Gwion's soul with
Wisdom wept, fed to
Affagddu, by
Ceridwen
Witch of
Wales,
Mother
Of the bard
Talieson. For
Love of Afagddu,
A year and day of awe
She spent; her time could not be
Hastened. When bread of Wisdom's soul
He took, his countenance grew stronger.
And then, with wisdom's golden light imbued,
His eyes were cleared—the gift of awen given.
He saw its truth; he rose a man, as fair as wise,
His eyes now wells of awen. He wrote with pen
Of golden verse—a poet wise and true.
His countenance to Ceridwen was
Beauty everlasting. His soul
She sang, she never spent a
Day not telling of her
Love of Afagddu,
Of Taliesin,
The bard of
Mother
Wales.

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Departing from the Original Myth: A Poetic Reinterpretation

In my poetic retelling of the Ceridwen and Afagddu myth, I have made a conscious choice to depart from the strict narrative of the original tale. While the core elements of the story remain intact, I have reimagined certain aspects of the myth to explore new themes and possibilities.

One of the most significant departures is my treatment of Afagddu's fate. By having Afagddu consume the wisdom-imbued bread containing Gwion's essence, I have created a new interpretation of Taliesin's genesis. This reading allows for a more nuanced exploration of the relationship between ignorance and wisdom, darkness and light, and strengthens Ceridwen's role as a catalyst for change and growth.

Through this creative reimagining of the myth, I aim to highlight the enduring power of these ancient stories to inspire new interpretations and reveal timeless truths about the human experience. By departing from a strict retelling of the original tale, I have sought to contribute to the ongoing dialogue between the ancient and the modern, the mythical and the personal, and to invite readers to consider the transformative potential of wisdom, love, and the power of the poetic spirit.

Ceridwen's Hex, Concept to Myth to Verse