Also called Gwion Bach, Taliesin Ben Beirdd, Chief of Bards.
Their story
Taliesin was a real poet of the sixth century who sang for Urien of Rheged, but legend made him far more. In the tale of his birth the boy Gwion Bach tasted three drops from Ceridwen's cauldron of inspiration and fled, and she chased him through many shapes until, as a hen, she swallowed him as a grain of wheat. Reborn from her, he was set adrift in a leather bag and found at a weir by Elffin, who named him Taliesin, radiant brow. He later bested the bards of Maelgwn Gwynedd with his riddling songs.
Best times to give to them
- Calan Mai (when he was found in the weir)
- Calan Gaeaf
- before writing or performing
What they like being given
- a poem, song or story
- mead or a non-alcoholic honey drink
- bread
- time spent reading old poetry
How to honour them
- Write or recite a short poem in his name.
- Read a translation of the poems of the Book of Taliesin.
- Visit Llyn Geirionydd or Borth, places linked with his legend, respectfully.
How they can help you
- poetry and creative writing
- inspiration (awen)
- public speaking
- transformation
Symbols
- the cauldron
- the leather bag in the weir
- the shining brow
- the salmon
The tale of Gwion Bach survives mainly in a sixteenth-century version by Elis Gruffydd.
Sources
- Book of Taliesin
- Hanes Taliesin (Elis Gruffydd)
- MacKillop, Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology
More Celtic beings
- Bres The beautiful, ungenerous king
- Balor Fomorian king of the deadly eye
- The Fomorians The dark powers from under the sea
- Y Ddraig Goch The red dragon of Wales