Awen and the sun
What is the Awen and is it more than a chant?
The feminine noun, Awen, has been variously translated as 'inspiration', 'muse', 'genius', or
even 'poetic frenzy'. According to a 19th century Welsh dictionary, the word itself is formed
by combining the two words, aw, meaning 'a fluid, a flowing', and en, meaning 'a living
principle, a being, a spirit, essential'. So Awen may be rendered literally as 'a fluid essence',
or flowing spirit.
Awen and the Sun
If you attend or watch a public Druidic ceremony, you will hear those assembled and maybe be asked to join in
Buddhist mantra AUM, this is the Druidic name for the life and inspirational force of generation behind the unive
Druid/esses identify this as the sound that called forth creation. Books will tell you that this is pronounced AAHweighted syllables as a monotone. But, in practice, when you have a lot of people calling Awen in the dusk or ea
that it becomes more like the sound of the sea, of wind rippling through plains of corn or the call of the birds go
called on a rising note.
So practise calling Awens, three, six or nine in monotones. Then as though you were ascending or descending s
woodland in a valley of rocks or an old quarry and let the echoes swell your voice. Sing it as you walk, dance it
and so the sound will become a part of you, like Aum, a creative sound that fills you with power and certainty an
it correctly.
Awen is also a symbol drawn by Druidesses and Druids as a way of invoking and sending blessings (it is popular
easily and legally be downloaded by right-clicking on the image and select "save as" for non commercial purpos
Awen and the Sun
If you attend or watch a public Druidic ceremony, you will hear those assembled and maybe be asked to join
calling nine Awens. Rather like the Buddhist mantra AUM, this is the Druidic name for the life and inspiration
force of generation behind the universe that is linked with the Sun. Some Druid/esses identify this as the sou
that called forth creation. Books will tell you that this is pronounced AAH-oo-en, or AAH-oo Wen, as three eq
weighted syllables as a monotone. But, in practice, when you have a lot of people calling Awen in the dusk o
dawn light, the sounds merge so that it becomes more like the sound of the sea, of wind rippling through pla
corn or the call of the birds going home at night, especially if it is called on a rising note.
So practise calling Awens, three, six or nine in monotones. Then as though you were ascending or descendin
scales, sing in a cave, a tunnel, in dense woodland in a valley of rocks or an old quarry and let the echoes sw
your voice. Sing it as you walk, dance it in your grove, swim it through water and so the sound will become
of you, like Aum, a creative sound that fills you with power and certainty and you no longer worry you are sa
correctly.
Awen is also a symbol drawn by Druidesses and Druids as a way of invoking and sending blessings (it is pop
the end of Druidic e-mails and can easily and legally be downloaded by right-clicking on the image and selec
as" for non commercial purposes).
It consists of the three rays of the Sun. I have seen two completely different explanati
its form. One says that at the time of the midsummer sunrise, the sun casts three spre
rays of light, the Awen, which open the gates of Annwyn, the doorway to the Otherwor
The other view is that they represent the points at which the Sun rises on the equinoxe
solstices, that is due east at the time of the equinoxes, as represented by the central b
the Awen.
A the time of the Summer and Winter Solstices the sun rises in the east-north-east an
east-south-east respectively, these would form the bars on either side.
An Awen turned to face the East shows the direction of the winter and summ
solstice sunrises.
Though the Awen sign is itself not ancient, the formation of the three sunrises was marked by three stones o
a number of stone circles.
The origins of Awen
While the concept of Awen and its solar connections are popularly regarded as Revivali
rather than an ancient Celtic symbol, some Druidessess and Druids do believe that Aw
translated as flowing spirit, may be an ancient concept that was Christianised. They po
such examples as tales of the sixth century bard Taliesin (although these tales were re
centuries later) who claimed to have received three drops of Awen that splashed from
Cauldron of Cerridwen and these three drops are depicted in some symbols of Awen, fa
from the sky.
Of course, if Awen does come from the Cauldron of Cerridwen then this solar power is female-inspired and d
and the solar connection is that it is brewed from herbs and flowers that grow in the sun. It represents a reb
into light, such as the boy Gwion experienced when he was swallowed in the form of a grain by Cerridwen in
shape of a hen and was reborn from her womb as the bard/magician Taliesin nine months later. Gwion, foste
of Cerridwen, was stirring the cauldron at the time and claimed that three drops of inspiration splashed on h
fingers accidentally, an explanation not accepted by the irate Cerridwen who pursued him in animal different
in what has become a classic example of shapeshifting.
This Awen or inspiration was, as I mentioned earlier, endowed by women priestesss/Druidesses at early Dru
initiations, for example at Pentre Ifan in Pembrokeshire. Initiates would remain in total darkness for several
awaiting rebirth.
Here, nine virgin piriestesses/Druidesses would stir and breathe the pure life force on a cauldron in which a s
brew of barley, flowers, herbs and sea foam was created. The would-be Bards each drank three drops to rep
Gwion’s three drops of inspiration that he stole from the cauldron and the rest was poured away to symbolis
the former life of the initiate
This may originally have been a solar goddess ceremony and may predate the Druid tradition and the three
may have represented the triple or three aspected Goddess Brighid, Goddess of the Sun and of Fire.
The rays are sometimes positioned within the centre of a Triple Circle to represent the
Celtic realms, Earth, Sea and Sky or the circles of existence and the passage of the sou
simply enclosed in a circle.
Working with Awen, the inspiration of the Sun
All this is pretty exciting – gateways of light into other realms and absorbing drops of inspiration or liquid lig
distilled from the Sun at its times of power and brewed in the cauldron of Cerridwen.
So before we continue further into the philosophical and inspirational aspects of Awen let us make and use t
symbol to access that doorway and absorb the power of the sun into our lives, winter or summer

Draw your Awen in sand, earth or soil or create one out of seeds, nuts or twigs and surrou
with a circle to focus and concentrate the power.

Alternatively, as I have done, create one out of small stones or shells in your garden and
surround it with an enclosing circle of stones. Work in sunlight when you can so the circle is filled
light and the pebbles gleam (you could of course use glass nuggets) When it snows the sun will m
away the whiteness leaving the symbol intact.

Indoors, you can create a miniature one from clay or on paper or create one with tiny quar
and citrine crystals to catch the sunlight, using Perspex rainbows and sun catchers at the window
necessary amplified by golden candles.

Stand or sit facing South at the point where the three sunbeams converge. Work at the
brightest part of the day, visualising brilliance if the day or season is dark.

Visualise one of the beautiful Celtic Sun or Fire Goddesses haloed around the Sun (remem
Brighid hanging her cloak on the Sun Wheel?). Visualise Cerridwen directly ahead of you, stirring
cauldron of pure gold whose essence radiates as a rich rivulet of liquid gold around your circle. Fe
also the golden soil of the Earth Mothers warming you beneath, heated by the molten volcanic for
the Sun beneath the surface of the world

Breathe in the golden light through your nose, slowly and gently, exhaling darkness until y
create a steady continuous rhythm and are no longer aware of your breathing but only the inflow
light from all around you, above and beneath and around into every pore.

As you continue breathing, visualise the light upwards, from your toes right to the tips of y
fingers, downwards through the crown of your head, inwards like a rushing waterfall of light, in w
up is down, in is out and you are the Light.

Begin your call ‘Awen’, at first low and slowly and then higher and with greater intensity b
maintaining a comfortable pitch so you do not tip over and lose the sense of control and stillness
within the cascading light water.

Continue until you can see light radiating from within you and you are connected with the
source of power and inspiration.

Hold the moment when you feel totally at one with solar power and then allow the Awens
slowly fade and become slower until they are no more than a whisper and at last return to the he
stillness and silence.

Make a sign, perhaps the Awen, in the palm of your hand, knowing that if you are far from
or anxious you can recall your sun circle and become once more connected to the light.

If as you work through this ritual you place beside you or hold a clear quartz crystal or cit
within the circle it will become empowered and you can paint on it in gold after the ritual the Awe
symbol to keep you powerful and protected.

Allow the radiance also to fade slowly knowing it is always with you though unseen, for yo
a daughter or Son of the light.

Thank the Sun Goddess and wise Cerridwen who has watched over you while you work an
may reward you with a few words of inspiration or a creative surge that can be manifest in your l

If your Awen is only a temporary one, one erase it or if permanent bury a small offering su
a crystal or a few herbs close to the sign.
Awen , inspiration and your life
There are numerous ways of obtaining the inspiration of Awen. As you learn more about Druidry, you may fi
your spiritual and psychic awareness spontaneously evolve. As your words become more measured and less
impetuous and situation driven, so they are wiser and in times of quietness, may even assume a prophetic r
This may seem frightening, but it is a natural development.
So, too, may you find creativity in all its forms permeating even seemingly mundane aspects of your life, filli
them with beauty and meaning for yourself and those with whom you come into contact.
To the modern Druidess, especially one whose definition of inspiration may be less tinged with aspirations to
mediaeval bardship (and mercifully less inclined to keep people sitting on a freezing hillside listening to her p
renditions) the flowing life force may assume more practical applications. The trend is spreading throughout
Druidry despite pockets of resistance, that it is a living faith, as much at home in the workplace and the shop
mall as in a grove or stone circle. It is seen as more important to practise than to preach. So the Celtic solar
goddesses Sulis, Aine and Grainne actually walked the fields and hilltops in their summer finery, not only ind
the time of harvest but helping, no doubt to cheer a tired worker or soothe a crying baby. Then in the celebr
of harvest home leading the processions, they bound their spirit into the corn maiden created from the last s
Your Awen inspiration can prompt a period of channelled activity. This may involve problem solving and crea
decision-making, or channelling and developing healing powers to bring peace and reconciliation to colleague
neighbours and even stressed strangers. You may paint rooms and houses as well as pictures to brighten th
of others and yourself. Digging, planting and weeding gardens or window boxes and nurturing new plant life
an act of Druidic faith as can singing fretful children to sleep. Sculpting or putting up shelves, really caring a
providing after school centres for children, preserving areas of wildlife from developers by peaceful but deter
effort, all help to spread praise and positivity in a negative, cynical world.
An Awen ritual, opening the doorway
However, there are times for personal ceremonial when inspiration is needed on the very deepest of levels,
perhaps because an unexpected setback has shaken the roots of your confidence. We know the doorway is t
the Awen and so there may be times when we wish to look through it, though we may not choose to pass.

Begin once more by creating your Awen within a circle. This time draw the three drops of
inspiration falling into it. On the first (from the left) Awen ray put a dish of sun herbs, bay, junipe
rosemary, sagebrush (American or Australian broad –leafed sage), saffron, St John’s Wort.

On the second Awen ray, set a golden candle, beeswax if possible, have it in a broad-base
holder or on a small metal tray for safety.

On the third sun ray place a tiny gold-coloured or clear glass dish of sun water. If you wor
about noon, the ideal time, you could have left your sun water within the Awen circle to gather po
from dawn; on each of the three drops of inspiration set a round crystal quartz.

Sit within the circle in front of the Awen facing South and the three drops of inspiration ar
furthest from you.

Begin by carrying out the earlier ritual to fill yourself with radiance, but this time as you s
your Awens, maintain the vision of the radiance.

Take a few grains of sun herbs and drop them into the candle flame, saying ‘Awen, ever flo
stream, I bring sun to your sun. Grant me, I ask, one drop of your sacred inspiration to flow withi
brewed in the cauldron of the Mother.’

Dipping the index finger of your power hand into the Sun water, drink a single drop and. S
‘Blessings be.’

Repeat for the second and third drops, each time burning a few grains of herb and asking
inspiration, drinking the single drop and giving thanks.

After the third drop, after ‘Blessings be’, add: ‘Thus do I approach the doorway into light.
that I may see within what is right for me to know. I put my faith in the Sun.’

Focus on the three crystals and allow them to merge with the Awen symbol that will gliste
pure gold and expand into a gold and crystalline doorway that will slowly open revealing golden l

Blink and as you open your eyes you will see perhaps a single image framed against the
radiance before it closes.

Now in turn, take each of the crystal drops and cast them into the sun water, asking for ea
area of your life in which you need, creativity, inspiration or fertility. You may hear words in your
or see a sudden image in the water that will make sense in your dreams that night or during quie
reveries. Accept whatever you are given as a blessing.

Sit quietly and when you are ready, blow out the candle, sending love and light to anyone
know who is sick or distressed.

If your Awen is only temporary, as before erase it. But before you do so, bury the three cr
and the remaining herbs near the centre. If it is a permanent garden Awen, pour the rest of the s
water on it to purify it and again bury your offerings.
Over the months you may look for longer into the doorway and you may wish to stand in the entrance. You
not be afraid that you will be carried off psychically into the Otherworld and from the doorway you will see o
light and beauty, in time you may have glimpses of your own unique vision of the Otherworld, what constitu
each individual eternal happiness and peace.
The Celtc Druid/esses and their priestess forebears lived much closer to nature and could move from dimens
dimension as easily as we pass into the next room. Druidesses and Druids today have usually had to choose
earthly path. We have no communities to support us or free access throughout our physical world without da
from other tribes. So until we begin our own special final journey into eternity, we may have to be content w
precious glimpses that fill us with confidence that our souls are immortal and that this is only the first part o
forgetful staging post of our voyage through many lifetimes into the lands of radiance.
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
It consists of the three rays of the Sun. I have seen two completely different explanations
of the midsummer sunrise, the sun casts three spreading rays of light, the Awen, which op
to the Otherworld.
The other view is that they represent the points at which the Sun rises on the equinoxes a
time of the equinoxes, as represented by the central bar of the Awen.
A the time of the Summer and Winter Solstices the sun rises in the east-north-east and th
would form the bars on either side.
An Awen turned to face the East shows the direction of the winter and summer s
Though the Awen sign is itself not ancient, the formation of the three sunrises was marked by three stones outs
The origins of Awen
While the concept of Awen and its solar connections are popularly regarded as Revivalist, r
some Druidessess and Druids do believe that Awen, translated as flowing spirit, may be an
Christianised. They point to such examples as tales of the sixth century bard Taliesin (altho
centuries later) who claimed to have received three drops of Awen that splashed from the
drops are depicted in some symbols of Awen, falling from the sky.
Of course, if Awen does come from the Cauldron of Cerridwen then this solar power is fem
connection is that it is brewed from herbs and flowers that grow in the sun. It represents a rebirth into light, suc
he was swallowed in the form of a grain by Cerridwen in the shape of a hen and was reborn from her womb as t
later. Gwion, foster son of Cerridwen, was stirring the cauldron at the time and claimed that three drops of insp
accidentally, an explanation not accepted by the irate Cerridwen who pursued him in animal different forms in w
shapeshifting.
This Awen or inspiration was, as I mentioned earlier, endowed by women priestesss/Druidesses at early Druid in
Pembrokeshire. Initiates would remain in total darkness for several days awaiting rebirth.
Here, nine virgin piriestesses/Druidesses would stir and breathe the pure life force on a cauldron in which a sun
foam was created. The would-be Bards each drank three drops to represent Gwion’s three drops of inspiration t
rest was poured away to symbolise cast the former life of the initiate
This may originally have been a solar goddess ceremony and may predate the Druid tradition and the three bars
three aspected Goddess Brighid, Goddess of the Sun and of Fire.
The rays are sometimes positioned within the centre of a Triple Circle to represent the Thr
the circles of existence and the passage of the soul or simply enclosed in a circle.
Working with Awen, the inspiration of the Sun
All this is pretty exciting – gateways of light into other realms and absorbing drops of inspiration or liquid light,
power and brewed in the cauldron of Cerridwen.
So before we continue further into the philosophical and inspirational aspects of Awen let us make and use this
absorb the power of the sun into our lives, winter or summer

Draw your Awen in sand, earth or soil or create one out of seeds, nuts or twigs and surround
concentrate the power.

Alternatively, as I have done, create one out of small stones or shells in your garden and surr
stones. Work in sunlight when you can so the circle is filled with light and the pebbles gleam (you co
When it snows the sun will melt away the whiteness leaving the symbol intact.

Indoors, you can create a miniature one from clay or on paper or create one with tiny quartz
sunlight, using Perspex rainbows and sun catchers at the windows if necessary amplified by golden

Stand or sit facing South at the point where the three sunbeams converge. Work at the bright
brilliance if the day or season is dark.

Visualise one of the beautiful Celtic Sun or Fire Goddesses haloed around the Sun (remember
Sun Wheel?). Visualise Cerridwen directly ahead of you, stirring a cauldron of pure gold whose essen
liquid gold around your circle. Feel also the golden soil of the Earth Mothers warming you beneath, h
forces, the Sun beneath the surface of the world

Breathe in the golden light through your nose, slowly and gently, exhaling darkness until you
and are no longer aware of your breathing but only the inflow of light from all around you, above an
pore.

As you continue breathing, visualise the light upwards, from your toes right to the tips of you
crown of your head, inwards like a rushing waterfall of light, in which up is down, in is out and you a

Begin your call ‘Awen’, at first low and slowly and then higher and with greater intensity but
you do not tip over and lose the sense of control and stillness within the cascading light water.

Continue until you can see light radiating from within you and you are connected with the sou

Hold the moment when you feel totally at one with solar power and then allow the Awens to s
until they are no more than a whisper and at last return to the heart of stillness and silence.

Make a sign, perhaps the Awen, in the palm of your hand, knowing that if you are far from ho
sun circle and become once more connected to the light.

If as you work through this ritual you place beside you or hold a clear quartz crystal or citrine
empowered and you can paint on it in gold after the ritual the Awen symbol to keep you powerful an

Allow the radiance also to fade slowly knowing it is always with you though unseen, for you a

Thank the Sun Goddess and wise Cerridwen who has watched over you while you work and sh
words of inspiration or a creative surge that can be manifest in your life

If your Awen is only a temporary one, one erase it or if permanent bury a small offering such
the sign.
Awen , inspiration and your life
There are numerous ways of obtaining the inspiration of Awen. As you learn more about Druidry, you may find t
awareness spontaneously evolve. As your words become more measured and less impetuous and situation drive
quietness, may even assume a prophetic ring. This may seem frightening, but it is a natural development.
So, too, may you find creativity in all its forms permeating even seemingly mundane aspects of your life, filling
yourself and those with whom you come into contact.
To the modern Druidess, especially one whose definition of inspiration may be less tinged with aspirations towar
less inclined to keep people sitting on a freezing hillside listening to her poetic renditions) the flowing life force m
The trend is spreading throughout Druidry despite pockets of resistance, that it is a living faith, as much at hom
mall as in a grove or stone circle. It is seen as more important to practise than to preach. So the Celtic solar god
actually walked the fields and hilltops in their summer finery, not only indicating the time of harvest but helping
soothe a crying baby. Then in the celebrations of harvest home leading the processions, they bound their spirit
last sheaf.
Your Awen inspiration can prompt a period of channelled activity. This may involve problem solving and creative
developing healing powers to bring peace and reconciliation to colleagues, neighbours and even stressed strang
as well as pictures to brighten the lives of others and yourself. Digging, planting and weeding gardens or window
can be an act of Druidic faith as can singing fretful children to sleep. Sculpting or putting up shelves, really carin
for children, preserving areas of wildlife from developers by peaceful but determined effort, all help to spread pr
cynical world.
An Awen ritual, opening the doorway
However, there are times for personal ceremonial when inspiration is needed on the very deepest of levels, perh
has shaken the roots of your confidence. We know the doorway is there in the Awen and so there may be times
though we may not choose to pass.

Begin once more by creating your Awen within a circle. This time draw the three drops of insp
(from the left) Awen ray put a dish of sun herbs, bay, juniper, rosemary, sagebrush (American or Au
saffron, St John’s Wort.

On the second Awen ray, set a golden candle, beeswax if possible, have it in a broad-based ho
safety.

On the third sun ray place a tiny gold-coloured or clear glass dish of sun water. If you work a
could have left your sun water within the Awen circle to gather power from dawn; on each of the thr
crystal quartz.

Sit within the circle in front of the Awen facing South and the three drops of inspiration are fu

Begin by carrying out the earlier ritual to fill yourself with radiance, but this time as you slow
the radiance.

Take a few grains of sun herbs and drop them into the candle flame, saying ‘Awen, ever flowi
Grant me, I ask, one drop of your sacred inspiration to flow within me, brewed in the cauldron of the

Dipping the index finger of your power hand into the Sun water, drink a single drop and. Say

Repeat for the second and third drops, each time burning a few grains of herb and asking for
drop and giving thanks.

After the third drop, after ‘Blessings be’, add: ‘Thus do I approach the doorway into light. I as
right for me to know. I put my faith in the Sun.’

Focus on the three crystals and allow them to merge with the Awen symbol that will glisten p
and crystalline doorway that will slowly open revealing golden light.

Blink and as you open your eyes you will see perhaps a single image framed against the radia

Now in turn, take each of the crystal drops and cast them into the sun water, asking for each
need, creativity, inspiration or fertility. You may hear words in your head or see a sudden image in th
your dreams that night or during quiet reveries. Accept whatever you are given as a blessing.

Sit quietly and when you are ready, blow out the candle, sending love and light to anyone you

If your Awen is only temporary, as before erase it. But before you do so, bury the three crysta
the centre. If it is a permanent garden Awen, pour the rest of the sun water on it to purify it and aga
Over the months you may look for longer into the doorway and you may wish to stand in the entrance. You nee
off psychically into the Otherworld and from the doorway you will see only light and beauty, in time you may ha
of the Otherworld, what constitutes for each individual eternal happiness and peace.
The Celtc Druid/esses and their priestess forebears lived much closer to nature and could move from dimension
the next room. Druidesses and Druids today have usually had to choose the earthly path. We have no communi
throughout our physical world without danger from other tribes. So until we begin our own special final journey
content with precious glimpses that fill us with confidence that our souls are immortal and that this is only the fi
our voyage through many lifetimes into the lands of radiance.
Top of page
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED