IN THE PATHS OF MYRDDIN WYLLT
IN THE PATHS OF MYRDDIN WYLLT
The Journey of Merlin the Wild in the Song of Wales
(Arthurian literature)
MYRDDIN WYLLT also known as Lailoken or Merlinus Caledonensis is considered an important sixth century forerunner of the many-faceted image of the Merlin of the middle ages in the medieval legends of King Arthur.
This lyrical tale inspired by ‘Lailoken and Kentigern’ (a fifteenth century manuscript of the sixth century legend of Saint Kentigern and Lailoken) offers another aspect to the Merlin legend and valuable insight into his character by giving us a glimpse through the veil into the life of his predecessor and harbinger Myrddin Wyllt.
Intrigued by Myrddin’s seemingly bizarre ‘three-fold death,’ (which is a theme of the above mentioned manuscript,) the author has woven a fascinating tale lightly around this through her deep spiritual insight; and has laced it together with the silver threads of prophetic truth within mysteries that have fascinated humankind, since time immemorial.
Much study and research has preceded the writing of this story in order to weave historically accurate facts into a spiritually authentic bardic Welsh tale.
The author was born in Wales and resides in the north of New Zealand. There is an extensive bibliography.
IN THE PATHS OF MYRDDIN WYLLT
An Introduction
ALONG THE PATH OF THE WIND
ON A DARK AND STORMY day in March I saw, as it were the figure of a man upon a hill overlooking a cruel battle below. He seemed greatly distressed and I could sense it was a turning point in his life. I felt that he knew in himself he would never be the same again and that as he descended the hill he descended into himself and knew a time of inner horror and remorse. I also sensed that though this period of darkness was traumatic it would eventually bring him his heart’s truest desire and spiritual wealth beyond all imagining. But as a troubled and tormented outcast I saw him flee into a dark forest; where for a long time he lived alone with the wild creatures, who through his suffering he came to understand, and they loved him.
The impression I had in my mind was that this man was Merlin. I had been thinking and writing of the things of King Arthur at the time but the vision I’d had did not seem to fit with what I had read and understood of Merlin.
A while later, and after I had done some research, I discovered that there was such a man as I had seen, named Myrddin Wyllt, who lived in the sixth century in Wales. He was born in Caerfyrddin (Carmarthen,) where he lived for some time; but he also lived far north in Rheged (Cumbria,) where he served as a bard. From there, after a battle, in which his beloved lord Gwenddoleu had been killed, he fled as a wild madman into the depths of the Caledonian forest; living alone there for several years, and even befriending a forest creature, a piglet.
I was amazed, because I had already seen him as he was described but without having had any knowledge of it beforehand. So it seemed to be confirmed in me to write his story, as I was being led . . . . . .
Continued/
To read full Manuscript please contact judithdeverell@protonmail.com