Pendragons
Merlin
Merlin & Fairy Queen
Merlin is one of the most fascinating figures in the Welsh literature and the Arthurian legend. Merlin is a man of mystery and magic; contradiction and controversy surrounded his life.
Merlin wore many hats: he was a wizard or sorcerer, a prophet, a bard, an adviser and a tutor. He appeared as a young boy with no father. He appeared as an old, wise man, freely giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was dotting old fool, who couldn't control his lust over beautiful women, who hold him in fear and contempt. He had even appeared as a madman after bloody battle, and had fled into the forest and learned how to talk to the animals, where he became known as the Wild Man of the Woods. Merlin was the last of the druid, the Celtic shaman, priest of nature, and keeper of knowledge, particularly of the arcane secrets.
According to the Welsh historian, Nennius, Merlin appeared as a young boy, but under the name of Emrys or as Ambrosius in Latin, with the British king, Vortigern. In a similar account with Vortigern, it was Geoffrey of Monmouth, who had named this boy – Merlinus Ambrosius (Merlin Emrys in Welsh).
In the work, titled Historia regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain", c. 1137), Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote that he was a son of a nun and grandson of the King of Demetia in southern Wales. As to his father, he was either a devil or an incubus. Merlin is a paradox, he was the son of the devil, yet he was the servant of God.
Merlin had being identified to the Welsh fictional bard named Myrddin of the late 6th century, in the Welsh poem called Afallenau and several other poems, preserved in the manuscript known as the Black Book of Carmarthen, c. 1250. These rather old Welsh poems appeared rather obscure and gibberish.
Geoffrey of Monmouth composed a similar tale of Merlin's madness, written in Latin, known as Vita Merlin or the "Life of Merlin", in 1150. In this version, he was known as Merlin Calidonius. Here, he has a sister and a wife, but there's no mention of his parents. It is the only text that mentioned Merlin having a wife.
Many scholars were puzzled over his birth, his magical power, his prophetic gifts and his mysterious yet often conflicting fate.
First of all, Geoffrey of Monmouth wasn't the first writer who recorded event about Merlin in his Historia regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain", c. 1137). In fact, how Merlin had gain his power in the Historia regum Britanniae was different to Geoffrey's later work called Vita Merlini ("Life of Merlin", c. 1152). These two contradictory works had led many scholars to believe that there are two different people with the same name, Merlin.
It should be understood that the early known work on Merlin has nothing to do with King Arthur or his knights. So before you read about Merlin, the friend and adviser of Arthur, we need to look where he had come from.
Merlin is one of the most fascinating figures in the Welsh literature and the Arthurian legend. Merlin is a man of mystery and magic; contradiction and controversy surrounded his life.
Merlin wore many hats: he was a wizard or sorcerer, a prophet, a bard, an adviser and a tutor. He appeared as a young boy with no father. He appeared as an old, wise man, freely giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was dotting old fool, who couldn't control his lust over beautiful women, who hold him in fear and contempt. He had even appeared as a madman after bloody battle, and had fled into the forest and learned how to talk to the animals, where he became known as the Wild Man of the Woods. Merlin was the last of the druid, the Celtic shaman, priest of nature, and keeper of knowledge, particularly of the arcane secrets.
According to the Welsh historian, Nennius, Merlin appeared as a young boy, but under the name of Emrys or as Ambrosius in Latin, with the British king, Vortigern. In a similar account with Vortigern, it was Geoffrey of Monmouth, who had named this boy – Merlinus Ambrosius (Merlin Emrys in Welsh).
In the work, titled Historia regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain", c. 1137), Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote that he was a son of a nun and grandson of the King of Demetia in southern Wales. As to his father, he was either a devil or an incubus. Merlin is a paradox, he was the son of the devil, yet he was the servant of God.
Merlin had being identified to the Welsh fictional bard named Myrddin of the late 6th century, in the Welsh poem called Afallenau and several other poems, preserved in the manuscript known as the Black Book of Carmarthen, c. 1250. These rather old Welsh poems appeared rather obscure and gibberish.
Geoffrey of Monmouth composed a similar tale of Merlin's madness, written in Latin, known as Vita Merlin or the "Life of Merlin", in 1150. In this version, he was known as Merlin Calidonius. Here, he has a sister and a wife, but there's no mention of his parents. It is the only text that mentioned Merlin having a wife.
Many scholars were puzzled over his birth, his magical power, his prophetic gifts and his mysterious yet often conflicting fate.
First of all, Geoffrey of Monmouth wasn't the first writer who recorded event about Merlin in his Historia regum Britanniae ("History of the Kings of Britain", c. 1137). In fact, how Merlin had gain his power in the Historia regum Britanniae was different to Geoffrey's later work called Vita Merlini ("Life of Merlin", c. 1152). These two contradictory works had led many scholars to believe that there are two different people with the same name, Merlin.
It should be understood that the early known work on Merlin has nothing to do with King Arthur or his knights. So before you read about Merlin, the friend and adviser of Arthur, we need to look where he had come from.
- ARGLWYDDES - "Lady"
The PRIESTESS creates and runs circles and rituals, trains others in the Tribe, and performs handfasting and passing on ceremonies. She is also available to other Tribe members and any questions and concerns they may have. The Lady is the Mother of Memory and the sovereignty of the Tribe. - PEN-DDRAIG - "Pendragon"
The PENDRAGON or Priest works with the Priestess in all aspects of the Tribe and assists in the training and mentorship of its members. He is both seeker and guide and represents the wisdom and strength of the tribe and it's connection to the Gods and the natural world. - AFALEUA - "Gathering Apples"
While TRAINING to be a part of the Tribe PRIESTHOOD, the seeker lends their talents, experience, and spirit to the workings of the group and to the other members of the Tribe. - MACWY - "Squire"
The SQUIRE works closely with the Priesthood of the Circle, asssiting in all aspects of ritual. This includes calling forth deities as well as blessings. - ALLORCADWYR - "ShrineKeeper"
The SHRINEKEEPER, is familiar with all of the festivals and tends to the shrines and altars of the Old Ones. They cleanse and decorate the sacred space, for "Beauty is Truth". - BARDD - "Bard"
The BARD shares the myths and histories of the Celtic peoples as well as the group and its members during ritual. They relate the stories of our ancestors through poetry and song. - BARDDRIN - "Muse"
The MUSE, through dance and interpretive movement, is the inspiration of the people and a source of creative enlightenment and energy within the Tribe. - BARDD YSGRIFENNYDD - "Scribe"
To be the SCRIBE is to be a record-keeper; to map out the path we are walking that we might know our deeds, our thoughts, our oracles. That we might look back and truly see the forest for all the trees. That we might see where we have been so we may know where we are going. - FYNNONCADWYR - "WellKeeper"
The WELLKEEPER is the Oracle of the Tribe. They seek to hear the voice of the Gods in world around us. They gather insight and knowledge through the pattern and design presented in nature. They also work with many forms of meditation and divination. - GWRAIG IACHAOL / GWR IACHAOL - "Healer"
The HEALER cares for the bodies and well-being of those in the Tribe.
They use meditation, energy work, herbs and other methods to facilitate a healthy body and spirit. - GWRAIG WEDD - "Wise Woman"
The WISE WOMAN works the folk Magick of the Earth. She knows the secrets of herbs, stones, colour and all manner of spellwork. She works to bring luck and healing to the Tribe and those in need. She also tends to the energies of the rituals. - GWR CYFRWYSTRA - "Cunning Man"
The CUNNING MAN works the folk Magick of the Earth. He knows the secrets of herbs, stones, colour and all manner of spellwork. He works to bring luck and healing to the Tribe and those in need. He also tends to the energies of the rituals. - LLWYBRCADWYR - "PathKeeper"
The PATHKEEPER is the protector of the Tribe. The position involves keeping members safe in all situations, whether they be dangerous or not. They also help network and organize events and rituals, and aid in the concerns any members of the Tribe may have. - TANCADWYR - "FireKeeper"
The FIREKEEPER brings light and warmth to those gathered in celebration and ritual. Throughout the year, the Firekeeper is called upon to build, bless and maintain the sacred flame; the flame which is a glowing symbol of the strength and honour of the Tribe. - AELOD Y LLWYTH - "Member of the Tribe"
Being a MEMBER OF THE TRIBE is to walk a path of truth, honour and love, forever giving and receiving the blessings of the Gods and the Tribe.
Hopkins is a Welsh name! The original spelling, in Welsh, appears to
have been "Hopcyn," later anglicized with the anglicization of South
Wales to "Hopkins." Vale of
Glamorgan. Hopkyniad
Morgannwg. we are Silures (The Celtic tribe that inhabited
the Vale of Glamorgan at the time of the Roman conquest and source of
the most persistant resistance to Roman conquest. Silure is the Latin
name the Romans gave them; apparently their own name for themselves,
translated into modern Welsh, would be something like "Pen Ddraig," or
anglicized as "Pendragon.").
