Who was merlin ?
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Feb 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| HOLMES |
04 Feb 2003 |
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this question was kind of my mind the last few years,, trying to find the answers in my mind..
1. did i believe he existed.
2. if so was he just a scholar who was killed or exiled or such
3. or did he have real true magic
4. did he go to another dimension like the tales say.
5. what does he mean to the world,
6. as an archtype,
7. how did he look to you
in my mind eye i see a bearded figure in a blue robe (disney robe from sword in the stone) carrying a staff.
he is young and viral. not old and white bearded.
i like to think he did exist in those days as a strategist, advisor, sciencists, philospher,
i like to think he was one hell of a psychic, able to divine, to see spirits and such.
i dont' know nothing about ritual magic or otherwise, let i think to think he fits the archtype of the benvolent magician who uses his knowledge and powers to help the world, yet notice it is alwasy behidn the scenes,
they say he would come in disguised, i think for he couldn't reveal his whereabouts for they would assianate him.
he means much to the world as an archtype, merlin just olds an awe ,
one wonders where he truly came form and such and if he did exist like number one. ?
perhaps he is just a represenstive of the druids at the time ?
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| patter |
05 Feb 2003 |
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Merlin seems to be a figure assembled from a range of sources including actual historical people including the roman Ambrosius. Many of the deed attributed to him are 'borrowed' from earlier stories. So there was probably no single Merlin.
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| Diana |
05 Feb 2003 |
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I agree with patter here. Merlin is a lovely mix of myth, reality, and different persona.
For my Tarot class I am studying him (because I am doing an in-depth study on the Hermit, and I associate Merlin with the Hermit on many levels). One thing I have discovered, is that Walt Disney has really messed things up in people's minds (not the first time - I have always said that Walt Disney is dangerous and his films should not be allowed to be viewed by those under the age of 18).
The first Merlin, the real one (before he got mixed up with all the others) probably lived between the middle of the 5th and the end of the 6th century. At that time, and this will probably disappoint the Disney fans, there were no knights in shining armour, beautiful big castles, there were no dragons nor magic(k)al swords. The first Merlin (according to all the historical stuff I have been pouring through), was witness to events that took place towards the end of the Roman Empire, and the way of life was still very Roman.
In the 12th Century, Geoffroy of Monmouth started writing prophecies that he ascribed to Merlin, and left us with all the wonderful romantic symbolic tales that we carry around with us as part of our cultural heritage. But to take them literally, would, in my opinion, be like taking a Walt Disney movie seriously.
I love Merlin.
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| HOLMES |
05 Feb 2003 |
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*blinks hard twice and swallows*
there must of been a beutifual castle somewhere????
*puts head down and starts to cry*
well not that bad.
1.who was this roman ambrious?
2.couldn't merlin be the heirophant as well as the hermit ? as i alwasy see merlin giving wise counsel to old arhtur
3*walt disney has help me a lot,, ANIMALS CAN TALK I SWEAR**pokes diana in the ribs with a grin*
4. hey not bad, the merlin looks more elf like then an old wise man like. eheh
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| patter |
05 Feb 2003 |
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There are agreat many boring books about historical accounts from various ages that may or may not relate to Merlin... I advise against reading them. As for Ambrosius, see: http://www.britannia.com/history/biographies/ambros.html
I think he is particularly linked to the building of the stone circle and the prophecy of the two dragons?
My merlin is half-elf ... other story have him as a son of satan - he's the focus of a lot of discussion and a fair amount of dry academic drivel.
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| lunalafey |
05 Feb 2003 |
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Merlin is most recognised with the House of Pendragon....the castle Camelot.
Merlin makes an appearance in the Legend deck as the magician....though I do see him as quite the hermit type...I see him more of and earth sign, taurus associates with hermit.
I agree that Merlin has become a mix of those wise and 'magical' through the ages, thus giving the impression of extended life. When there was none to follow this path...Merlin dissapears.
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| Raven |
08 Feb 2003 |
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I find it interesting that this topic came up. I brose the Forum whenever I can reading and learning but don't get here as often as I would like, yet here I am today and this topic certainly caught my eye. I have always felt a connection to Merlin for as long as I can remember, maybe the better word is fascination. I've always wondered why but then thought maybe it's just a desire for a teacher-guide-protector in my life, and to me that's what he seemed to be to Arthur. Funny that the topic came up though, things happen for a reason, and maybe there is something for me to learn.
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| Raven |
08 Feb 2003 |
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As to how he looked in my minds eye, I agree with with Holmes about the blue robes but more than being Disneyesque, my tendencies lean more towards Gandalf, the typical look of a benevelent wizard except a little more on the life-outdoors side more weathered and wild.
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| firemaiden |
17 Feb 2003 |
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HI Holmes: don't cry, we'll find you some castles: how about Tintagel?
Merlin was definitely a druid, I say! Here is a reasonably scholarly site about Celts with cool pictures which traces Merlin's literary lineage, and discusses the importance of Druids in celtic society.
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| truthsayer |
17 Feb 2003 |
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you might be interested in acquiring the merlin tarot by rj stewart. i have the deck but it's pretty different from basic tarot. i haven't learned to read it yet. rj has some pretty original theories/ideas about merlin which have something to do with a certain druidic tradition, faery, and celtic belief systems. there is a story about how nimue froze merlin in time and this is where he remains to this day. i have read accounts of how merlin was encountered in a shamanic style meditation journey in this suspended state. you'd probably find rj's "inner temple" yahoo group pretty interesting. i've been a member a few months. i still don't feel sophisticated enough to join in member discussion but i have learned a whole lot!
you might also be interested in reading "the 21 lessons of merlin: a study in druid magic and lore" by douglas monroe. isbn #0-87542-496-1 you can get a copy at amazon or barnes and noble.
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The Who was merlin ? thread was originally posted on 04 Feb 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.
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