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:
Category Archives: Taliesin
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?”
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 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. You can sign up for all of the courses on this website with the monthly membership. SeeContinue reading “Awen, symbol and cauldron”
This Mythic Life
An interview I did in December 2019 with Sharon Blackie, author of If Women Rose Rooted, for her podcast This Mythic Life. We discuss the Welsh Bardic Tradition, how they used myth and how Taliesin is the embodiment of bardic myth making.
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.
Awen and Awenydd in Angar Kyfundawt
Here’s an excerpt from the discussion we had last week on the role of the awenydd and awen, at this point in the conversation from the perspective of The Book of Taliesin poem ‘Angar Kyfundawt’. My translation of the beginning of the poem is below. As I explained in this series of blog posts a few yearsContinue reading “Awen and Awenydd in Angar Kyfundawt”
Preiddiau Annwfn (The Spoils of Annwfn)
Preiddiau Annwfn is one of the better known poems from The Book of Taliesin, and it’s also one of the most mysterious. Nobody really knows what it’s about, but there are a few clues as to what it could mean.