Celtic Source

In this first talk on the Mabinogion romance of Peredur we see how symbolic colours and martial arts witches give the hero a brief respite from his constant fighting.

In this third talk on the Mabinogion story of Geraint, we delve into the many enchanted mists contained in this old Welsh story, and try to discern what the mists mean . .

In this second talk on Geraint from the Mabinogion, we look at how medieval Welsh storytellers wove repeating patterns and symmetry into their stories. In Geraint, this technique is used to deepen the theme of the hero's journey.

King Arthur takes on many roles in the mythology of medieval Europe, but in the old Welsh tale of Geraint, he becomes the ancient mythological figure of the Magical Huntsman.

The lion is one of the most prominent symbols in the Mabinogion tale of Owain. But what is its meaning and how old is it?

The story of Owain ab Urien travelled far in medieval Europe, mainly through Chretian de Troyes Old French classic Yvain (12th century), which although popular seems to have been stripped of its older more mythic elements. Yet on the story's return to Wales in the 13th century, the Welsh storytellers appear to have reinvested the text with myth, renovating and remaking the story as they claimed it back.

In the 13th century story of Owain we find one of the most ancient mythic figures to be found in European literature, the many-faced Lord of Animals.

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?

Connecting the different incarnations of Brigid, from Iron Age goddess to early Christian saint.

The different versions of Taliesin's folk tale give us clues as to where the animal-transformation chase scene may have taken place. Following some interesting clues in the Welsh landscape, here's one possible location . . .​