Celtic myths are symbolic, so we need to interpret them to draw out their wisdom. As a result, it’s probably worth asking if interpretation was ever a part of the Celtic storytelling tradition?
Category Archives: Celtic Studies
Who wrote The Book of Taliesin?
The Book of Taliesin is one of the great treasures of Welsh culture, but who wrote it? In truth, it’s an impossible question to answer, but there are some very interesting theories about who composed some of the most famous poems in the manuscript . . .
Was Taliesin a druid?
Most Celtic scholars would rightly point out that the correct answer to this question is an emphatic no. Yet there is a more nuanced story that can be told:
What is The Book of Taliesin?
The Book of Taliesin is one of the primary medieval sources for the Taliesin myth. But what does it actually contain?
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. You can sign up for all of the courses on this website with the monthly membership. See this page here.
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. If you want to learn more about Taliesin’s myth, I recently published a book, Taliesin Origins. “Few authors are able to discuss the original Taliesin myth in asContinue reading “Celtic Magical Elixirs”
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.