Tallen Cyenns, The Tale Of The Celtic Shaman Taliesin, The Welsh King Cynan Garwyn And His Namesake

It is found written in the Scrolls of Taloned Claws in which Tallen Cyenns was conversing with his longtime friend John FitzStephen about some stories he had been told when he was younger. One was of a Celtic Shaman named Taliesin and another about Cynan Garwyn a Welsh King. There has been some speculation that perhaps Tallen's namesake was a combination of these two names.

One of these came from a Seanchaí that was telling tales from the ancient Celtic tales from "The Sacred Fire". It is said that the word 'Shaman,' is actually a Tungus (Siberian) word for a spiritual practice that is as old as mankind, and is still practiced by indigenous people, as well as modern practitioners worldwide. Shamanism is not rooted in any organized religious tradition, but is instead a system of controlled visionary journeys into alternate realities (and back,) in order to contact spirit guides and gain their assistance in divination and healing.

When one thinks of traditional shamans and shamanism, its easy to envision a Native (American or perhaps Aboriginal) medicine man performing rituals that are deeply rooted in cultural tribal traditions. It is important to note that the ancient Celts were also believed to have practiced shamanism, and have left many clues to their rituals and spiritual journeys in the stories of Taliesin, Fionn mac Cumhail, and Amergin.

The Celtic Shaman's cosmos, like that of other Shamanic universal views, consists of three 'worlds;' the Lower world, the Upper world, and the Middle world (where we live in ordinary reality.)

What differentiates the Celtic Shaman's universal view from that of other Shamanic traditions, is that these worlds are all connected by the great tree of life. Rooted in the Lower realm, its trunk extends upwards, through the middle world and into the Upper world, where its branches hold the stars, the sun and the moon.

The Celtic Shaman traverses the realms by climbing the tree (also seen as a great ladder or pole) into the Upper world. This is the realm of stars, celestial beings, and is the dwelling place of many gods and spirits of the air, and of the great Mother Goddess herself.

The lower world can be reached by descending the roots of the massive tree into the realm of the spirits of the earth and fire, where sits the stag-headed Lord of the Underworld, the horned one, protector of the animals. Here the Celtic Shaman can meet with helper power animals and spirit guides.

Thus all three worlds are linked by the great tree, and yet the tree itself and all of the universe are believed contained within the shell of a single hazelnut, lying next to the Well of Segais, the source of all wisdom. Some of this harkens back to Tallen's "Tales Of The Salmon Of Knowledge And The Hazel Tree".

Shape-shifting is an integral part of the Celtic Shamanic experience. The great Amergin had to commune and fuse his consciousness with the totality of Ireland in order to help the Milesians to conquer it.

"I am the wind that blows across the sea;

I am a wave of the deep;

I am the roar of the ocean;

I am the stag of seven battles;

I am a hawk on the cliff;

I am a ray of sunlight;

I am the greenest of plants;

I am a wild boar;

I am a salmon in the river;

I am a lake on the plain;

I am the word of knowledge;

I am the point of a spear;

I am the lure beyond the ends of the earth;

I can shift my shape like a god."

- from the Song of Amergin

The ability to be simultaneously a part of many realities and existences is at the heart of the shamanic experience. The Celtic shaman deliberately seeks to take on the shape of another animal or being in order to call upon the power within the entity for healing or instruction. The ability of the shaman to send his or her own consciousness into the consciousness of another being and then return to one's own self is integral to the shaman's journey.

The Welsh bard Taliesin, often said to be the father of Celtic shamanism, also alluded to shape-shifting when he claimed:

"I have been in many shapes:

I have been a narrow blade of a sword;

I have been a drop in the air;

I have been a shining star;

I have been a word in a book;

I have been an eagle;

I have been a boat on the sea;

I have been a string on a harp;

I have been enchanted for a year in the foam of water.

There is nothing in which I have not been."

- Taliesin

Taliesin was also known to have transformed himself into many other forms and guises in his attempt to escape the Goddess Ceridwen after imbibing of the brew of inspiration and wisdom.

The tale of the Welsh King Cynan Garwyn was told by a different Seanchaí. It tells that Cynan was the King of Powys in the north-east and east of Wales, who flourished in the second half of the 6th century. Little reliable information exists which can be used to reconstruct the background and career of the historical figure. Available materials include early Welsh poetry, genealogies and hagiography, which are often late and of uncertain value.

He is thought to have been a son of his predecessor Brochwel Ysgithrog and the father of Selyf Sarffgadau, who may have succeeded him. Later Welsh genealogies trace his lineage to Cadell Ddyrnllug. His epithet Garwyn, possibly Carwyn, has been explained as meaning either "of the White Thigh" or "of the White Chariot". Cynan may be the same person as Aurelius Caninus, one of the Welsh tyrants who are fiercely criticised by the mid-6th century cleric Gildas in his De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae, but there is also a possibility that the latter refers to Cynin ap Millo, a relative of Cynan's.

Cynan is the addressee of a poem ascribed to the poet Taliesin, "Trawsganu Kynan Garwyn Mab Brochfael", which, though first attested in the fourteenth-century Book of Taliesin, might actually date back to the sixth century. Here he is presented as a warlord who led many successful campaigns throughout Wales: on the River Wye, against the men of Gwent, on Anglesey, and in Dyfed (where his opponent in Dyfed may have been Aergul Lawhir ap Tryffin), Brycheiniog and Cornwall. Unlike his son, he is never described as having ever faced the English in battle.

According to Sir Ifor Williams this was the earliest poem in the Book of Taliesin that was written by the historical Taliesin. Cynan Garwyn was king of Powys. Trawsganu, literally 'cross-singing', means a 'satirizing' in modern Welsh but at the time of writing probably simply meant a poem that ended on the same word as it began, equivalent to an Irish dunad.

Trawsganu Kynan Garwyn Mab Brochfael (Satire Of Cynan Garwyn son of Brochwael)

Book of Taliesin XXIII

"Cynan, the exciter of battle,

Bestowed on me treasure,

For not, false the glory

Of the stout hunting dogs of the domain.

Ahundred steeds of equal pace,

Silver their covering.

Ahundred legions in green

Of one front running together.

A hundred urchins in my bosom

And a battalion of cats.

Asword with sheath of stone.

A fist-cell better than any.

A hundred Cynan had,

Hateful not to see,

From the vales of Cadell.

In battle they were not shaken.

To the battle on Wy there resorted

Spears innumerable.

The Gwentians were slain,

With the gore-drenched blade.

A battle in Mona, great, fair,

Hovering over, and praised

Over the Menei, there went

Horses and confident ones.

A battle on the hill of Dyved.

Slaughter stings in motion.

Nor were seen

The kine before the countenance of any one.

Let the son of Brochwael boast,

He will declare his wish.

Let Cornwall greet,

The younger will not praise fate.

The incomprehensible will depress

In the day that is praised by me,

My patron of Cynan.

Battles arose.

A woeful spreading flame,

There raises up a great fire.

A battle in the country of Brachan,

A warring scene of tumult,

Miserable princes.

Were made to tremble before Cynan.

The breastplate being transfixed,

Like a ruler, they cried out,

Cyngen of perfect song

Thou wilt help with thy wide country.

A saying was heard.

Every one in his red place,

Be the circle red, they say ironically,

They will enslave thy Cynan."

Tallen also recalled a tale to John Fitzstephen that was from the Bard of the Valley Oak about "The Tale Of Taliesin".

There are stories that stand the test of time. Passed down from generation to generation. This, is such a story. Even though it has no one specific origin and even though it has been told in many different versions, the core of the story remains the same. By retelling of such a story is reenacting how the ancient celtic bards past on their history; orally and in story and verse. It has been said that throughout time history gives way to legends and legends give way to myth. So even though this story is known only as a myth there is still a possibility that, at its core, it could have originated from events that were in fact very real.

This story takes place shortly after the death of the legendary King Arthur. In a far off land lived a man by the name of Tegid Voel and his wife, a witch by the name of Ceridwen who birthed two children. Their daughter Creirwy, who was the most beautiful and gifted child in all the land. Her very presence would call to the song birds who would sing the most beautiful love songs known to mankind. However their son Morvran was the ugliest most unluckily lad in all the land. Not even his own father could lay eyes upon him. It was said that any maiden that touches the boy would become infertile and never bare children.

Tegid urged his wife Ceridwen to use her great magic to make his only son into a great bard so that even though he could not woo the fair maidens of the land with his looks, he could woo them with verse then perhaps Morvan would pass along his fathers lineage. Ceridwen obliged and searched her many books and documents for the perfect spell. She came upon a magical brew in the books of Fferyllt that would turn her son into the greatest bard in all the land. It was said the first three drops of the brew would make the most powerful awen; inspiration from the gods, but the rest of the brew would be turned into poison and all who drank from it would wither and die. Only the first three drop of the brew would cure poor Morvran. She would need a great cauldron made of the purist iron and collect an assortment of herbs from all across the land. She was then to brew the herbs for a year and a day. No more, no less. She fetched two peasants, a blind man by the name of Morda and a young boy by the name of Gwion Bach to tend to the cauldron and keep the fire stoked for a year and a day. Gwion and Morda would entertain one another day in and day out while they tended to the cauldron. Day after day, Ceridwen would check in on her two peasants tending to her cauldron and warned them never to taste the brew for the first three drops where for her son Morvan.

At the end of the last day Gwion placed the final log upon the fire when all of a sudden the cauldron cracked and three drops of the brew flew up into the air and landed upon Gwions hand. Naturally, without thought, Gwion put his hand to his mouth and sucked upon the wound. At that moment Gwion saw all that has been and all that was to be. He had gained all the knowledge and poetry of the world. With his newfound powers he knew that, if caught, Ceridwen would surly kill him in her rage. Gwion ran from the hut. Ceridwen, hearing the crack of the cauldron rushed to the hut and found her year long work to save her only son was wasted. The cauldron had split in two and spilled out upon the floor. Morda begged for forgiveness but Ceridwen struck him down dead. She then turned and chased after Gwion through the forest and brush. Gwion, having all the knowledge of the earth realized he had the power to shape-shift into any form, turned himself into a hare to try and loose the crazy witch upon his tale. Ceridwen too had the powers to change into what she wished and turned herself into a greyhound bitch. When Ceridwen was just about to catch up with Gwion, he leapt into the flowing river and turned himself into a fish. Ceridwen leapt in after him and turned herself into a great salmon. Swimming through downed loges and around massive rocks, Gwion tried to loose his pursuer but could not shake Ceidwen. Coming upon a waterfall Gwion leaped out of the water and turned himself into a bird, Ceridwen too leaped from the water and pursued her target as a hawk. The chased lasted for miles and a few times he narrowly avoided the mighty Ceridwen. The chase went on until Gwion came upon a vast wheat field. He saw his only chance for escape and landed in a freshly collected pile of wheat and turned himself into a tiny grain. Ceridwen, thinking quickly turned herself into a black hen and pecked up the one grain, upon many, that was Gwion Bach.

Soon after, Ceridwen found herself pregnant though she had lain with no man. She soon realized that the baby was Gwion. She decided to kill it upon birth and so too did Morvran due to the fact that Gwion stole his mother’s gift to make him a great bard. When the day came that the baby was born Morvran fetched a blade to kill the new born child but Ceridwen said no because this baby was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Fearing for the child’s life she wrapped the boy in a leather bag and sent him down river towards the sea.

Far down the river lay the weir of Gwyddno. Gwyddno’s son Elphin was known as the most unlucky man in the land. On May eve when the salmon were plentiful Gwyddno sent his son Elphin down to the weir to retrieve the salmon from the fishing nets. He knew nobody, no matter how unlucky could fail at this task and thought that the errand would turn his son’s luck for the better. Elphin came upon the first net and pulled it from the water. To his surprise it held no fish. Feeling down because he had failed at the one task that his father said would change his luck. He went down to the second net and pulled it to shore. Again, no fish, but instead of fish the net held a leather sac. He took up his fishing knife and cut the bag open. Within the bag he found the baby boy birthed from Ceridwen. He held up the child in amazement of his luck for it had finally changed.

Elphin took the baby boy home to his father. Gwyddno asked if he had brought back any fish from the weir. Elphin replied that he was unable to return with any fish, but what he had pulled from the river was far better. “Behold a radiant brow, Taliesin!”, Elphin said to Gwyddno. His father became disappointed that his son’s luck had yet to change. Taliesin told Gwyddno that Elphin’s luck would not come from the weir but from himself. Gwyddno was astonished that the baby was able to speak. Then Taliesin began to sing:

“I am Taliesin

I sing perfect meter which will last till the world’s end

I know why an echo answers again, why liver is bloody, why breath is black and why silver shines.

I know why a cow has horns and why a woman loves a man, why milk is white and why oceans swell, how many spears make a confrontation, how many drops a shower of rain.

I know why there are scales on fish and black feet on swans.

I have been a blue salmon, a dog, a stag, a roebuck on the mountain, a stock, a spade, an axe in the hand, a buck, a bull, a stallion upon a hill, I was grown as grain reaped and in the oven thrown out of that roasting, I fell to the ground, pecked up and swallowed by the black hen, in her crop nine nights lain, I have been dead, I have been alive.

I am Taliesin!”

As the years went by, Taliesin lived with Elphin and his wife and Taliesin became their foster son. The boy’s wisdom grew ten fold year after year. For by the time he was age thirteen he was the wisest in all the world. The word of Taliesin was heard all throughout the land clear up to the attention of The King himself. King Maegwn was a bitter, and vain King. All knew not to cross him in fear of his vengeful wrath.

One spring day, Elphin was called to King Maelgwn court.

“What is this I hear of a boy who has the knowledge of all the earth?” asked the King.

“His name is Taliesin my lord and he is my son” replied Elphin. “He is the greatest bard in all the land, for some can say he is the chief of bards”.

Laughter broke out in the kings court. “Surely you don’t believe that your, boy is wiser than the bards of my kingdom.” said Maelgwn chuckling.

“Oh but I do my lord, he is the wisest in all the world” boast Elphin.

Angered by his arrogance, the king imprisoned Elphin in his deepest dungeon. “You fool, how dare you make such claims? If this boy be true, than he will seek you out, then, we will see.”

Meanwhile, back at the home of Elphin, Taliesin and his mother sat feasting on their evening supper when the young boy was struck with inspiration from afar. “Elphin is in trouble” Taliesin spoke “and only I can help him”. His mother put back by what her son has spoken.

“A journey will I perform,

And to the gate I will come

The hall I will enter,

And my song, I will sing;

My speech I will pronounce

To silence royal bards.

In presence of their chief,

I will greet to deride,

Upon them I will break

And Elphin I will free.”

Taliesin gathered his horse and rode off to the King’s court.

Into the kingdom of Maelgwn the bard did ride. In the company of the King’s knights Taliesin was escorted to the King‘s royal court, “My lord, I present to you the boy they call Taliesin, son of Elphin.” Taliesin stepped forward.

“I have come to salvage Elphin’s honor and his freedom. Taliesin am I, primary chief bard to Elphin.”

“Primary chief poet

Am I to Elphin.

And my native country

Is the place of the Summer Stars.

John the Divine

Called me Merlin,

But all future kings

Shall call me Taliesin.

I was nine full months

In the womb of Ceridwen.

Before that I was Gwion,

But now I am Taliesin.

I was with my king

In the heavens

When Lucifer fell

Into the deepest hell.

I carried the banner

Before Alexander.

I know the names of the stars

From the North to the South.

I was in Caer Bedion

Tetragrammaton.

I accompanied Heon

To the vale of Hebron.

I was in the canon

When Absalom was slain.

I was in Llys Don

Before the birth of Gwydion.

I was patriarch

To Elijah and Enoch.

I was there at the crucifixion

Of the merciful Mabon.

I was the foreman

At the construction of Nimrod’s Tower.

I was three times

In the prison of Arianrhod.

I was in the ark

With Noah and Alpha

I witnessed the destruction

Of Sodom and Gomorrah.

I was in Africa

Before the building of Rome.

I came here

To the remnant of Troy

I was with the Lord

In the manger of the ass.

I upheld Moses

Through the water of Jordan.

I was at the Cross

With Mary Magdalene.

I received the muse

From Ceridwen’s cauldron.

I was a harping bard

To Deon of Lochlin.

I have gone hungry

For the Righteous One.

I was at the White Mount

in the court of Cynfelyn.

In stocks and in fetters

For a year and a day.

I was in the larder

In the land of the Trinity.

And no-one knows whether my body

Is flesh or fish.

I was instructor

To the whole universe.

I shall be until the judgement

On the face of the Earth.

I have sat in the perilous seat

Above Caer Sidi.

I shall continue to revolve

Between the three elements.

There is a marvel in the world

Which I cannot reveal.”

“Come forward” the king spoke softly. “I hear you, Taliesin, are the wisest bard in all the land”. Chuckling; “Surely you think not, that you are wiser than the bards in my royal court?” Taliesin replied in song.

When the king heard this he knew he never had heard such beautiful verse. He summoned his first and wisest bard to answer Taliesin but the wise bard could only muster up “blerwm” upon his lips; and when the king sent forth his other bards they so too could only muster “blerwm” upon their lips and do no other. Outraged by his bards lack of skill, the king asked Taliesin what was his errand and Taliesin sang for the freedom of Elphan.

With the mighty bard’s song came a mighty storm so strong that the king and his nobles thought it would bring down the castle upon their heads. The king called for Elphin to be brought into his court from his dungeon. And it is said that he then sang a song that made the shackles release from his feet and arms and neck.

Frightened by the powers of Taliesin, the king declared Elphin free. “Elphin, you spoke of the truth. Taliesin is the wisest bard in all the land. Tell us young bard of how you came to be.“ They sat in awe while Taliesin told them all of what was and all of what would ever be. For he is Taliesin, Chief of bards.