The Book of Taliesin is one of the primary medieval sources for the Taliesin myth. But what does it actually contain?
Category Archives: Celtic Studies
Where did Ceridwen Chase Gwion Bach?
Hope you’re well during these difficult times. If you’re self-isolating, perhaps this video can pass the time a little for you. We can at least imagine the land, even if we can’t necessarily walk on it. The different versions of Taliesin’s folk tale give us clues as to where the animal-transformation chase scene may have takenContinue reading “Where did Ceridwen Chase Gwion Bach?”
The Welsh Bardic Triads
The Welsh Bardic Triads (‘Trioedd Ynys Prydein‘) provide an index to the oral storytelling tradition of medieval Wales. They were used by bards across the centuries not only to help them remember the vast network of traditional myth and lore, but also to present a distinct vision of the ancient past.
The Celtic ‘Otherworld’?
In this video I dive into why ’otherworld’ is probably a misleading term when thinking of the Irish sidh or Welsh Annwfn, and what the subtle difference between the Welsh and Irish concepts could be.
Celtic Magical Elixirs
Outlining the similarities between the Welsh Tale of Taliesin and the Irish story of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, in particular the very ancient concept of a magical elixir.
The Roots of Celtic Myth
A brief discussion on tracing the Celtic myth of water, divine birth and inspiration back to its Indo-European roots.
The Incarnations of Brigid
Connecting the different incarnations of Brigid, from Iron Age goddess to early Christian saint.
The Bardic Power of Myth
A short discussion on Taliesin’s potential to transform his patron through the bardic power of myth!
Awen, symbol and cauldron
In this talk, I take a look at the role of awen in creating symbolic reality and give an outline of some of the symbolic meanings that can be found in the great mythic cauldron of the Celts.
What was the real power of Taliesin?
What power did the historical Taliesin wield? As a sixth century chief bard of the early Welsh his ceremonial role involved more than praising and eulogising the great war chiefs of his time. Taken from a live Q&A where I was responding to answers sent in by students following the Taliesin Origins course.