Discovering the Magic of

The Roots of Inspiration

The Islands in the Mist series draws heavily from the ancient history, myths, and folklore of Wales. For centuries, Welsh (Cymric) history, poems, and stories were preserved through oral traditions. To ensure these tales lived on, individuals within ancient clans dedicated themselves to rigorous study. They spent years memorizing the songs, stories, and poems of their ancestors, passing them down as a precious inheritance to the next generation. Bardic traditions date back to at least the 6th century, and likely even further.

It wasn't until the 13th century that the history and poems of Wales were finally recorded. The earliest sources are manuscripts written by clerics and monks in Middle Welsh during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. These manuscripts are collectively known as the ancient books of Wales: The Black Book of Carmarthen, The Book of Aneirin, The Book of Taliesin, and The Red Book of Hergest. The Red Book has a sister, The White Book of Rhydderch. Many scholars believe the Red and White are copies from the same original manuscript, as they contain much of the same material. Thus, they are often studied together.

Later, the material from these manuscripts was further developed and translated. Notable among these later works are Hanes Taliesin, compiled by Elis Gryffydd in the mid-16th century, and The Mabinogion, an impressive collection of works sourced mainly from the Red and White books. Lady Charlotte Guest translated and compiled this collection into English in the mid-1800s.

The Myth That Sparked a Journey

The myth that inspired me to start the series revolves around a sorceress and a young boy who, through her, becomes the most famous bard in Wales—the renowned Taliesin. Their tale is one of inspiration, initiation, and transformation, echoing through the lakes, mountains, and forests of Wales for over a thousand years.

Following is Lady Charlotte Guest’s translation and interpretation of the ancient myth of Cerridwen and Gwion Bach, excerpted from her masterwork, The Mabinogion. Reading it may grant you a richer experience on your journey through the Islands in the Mist series.

In times past, there lived in Penllyn a man of gentle lineage named Tegid Voel. His dwelling was in the midst of Lake Tegid, and his wife was called Caridwen. They had a son named Morvran ab Tegid and a daughter named Creirwy, the fairest maiden in the world. They also had a brother, Avagddu, the most ill-favoured man in the world. Caridwen, their mother, worried that Avagddu would not be accepted among noble men due to his ugliness. She decided to give him exalted knowledge.

To achieve this, she resolved to boil a cauldron of Inspiration and Science for her son, ensuring his reception would be honorable because of his knowledge of the mysteries of the future state of the world.

She began to boil the cauldron, which needed to boil for a year and a day until three blessed drops of Inspiration were obtained. She put Gwion Bach, the son of Gwreang of Llanfair in Caereinion, to stir the cauldron, and a blind man named Morda to kindle the fire beneath it. She charged them to keep it boiling for the entire year and day. Meanwhile, Caridwen gathered charm-bearing herbs daily.

One day, towards the end of the year, as Caridwen was culling plants and making incantations, three drops of the charmed liquor flew out of the cauldron and fell on Gwion Bach's finger. The heat was so intense that he put his finger to his mouth. Upon tasting the drops, he foresaw everything that was to come. He realized he must guard against Caridwen's wiles, for her skill was vast. Terrified, he fled toward his own land. The cauldron burst, and all but the three drops was poisonous, leading to the poisoning of Gwyddno Garanhir's horses.

Caridwen returned to find her year of toil wasted. In her rage, she struck Morda, causing him great harm. He protested his innocence, declaring it was Gwion Bach who had robbed her. Caridwen pursued Gwion, who transformed into a hare to escape her. She became a greyhound and chased him. He then turned into a fish, and she into an otter, pursuing him under the water. When he transformed into a bird, she became a hawk, relentless in her pursuit. Just as she was about to catch him, he spotted a heap of winnowed wheat and turned into a grain. Caridwen, as a high-crested black hen, scratched through the wheat and swallowed him. After nine months, she could not bring herself to kill him due to his beauty. Instead, she wrapped him in a leathern bag and cast him into the sea on the twenty-ninth of April.

At that time, Gwyddno's weir was on the strand between Dyvi and Aberystwyth, near his castle. Each May eve, the weir yielded a value of one hundred pounds. Gwyddno had a son named Elphin, the most hapless and needy of youths. His father grieved for him, believing he was born at an evil hour. To change his luck, Gwyddno allowed Elphin to draw the weir that year.

The next day, when Elphin checked the weir, he found nothing. As he turned back, he noticed the leathern bag on a pole of the weir. One of the weir-ward said to Elphin, "You were never unlucky until tonight. Now you have destroyed the virtues of the weir." Elphin replied, "There may be something valuable inside." They opened the bag, revealing the forehead of the boy. The weir-ward exclaimed, "Behold a radiant brow!"

"Taliesin shall he be called," said Elphin. He lifted the boy in his arms, lamenting his misfortune, and placed him gently behind him. He made his horse amble softly, as if the boy were sitting in the most comfortable chair in the world.

The inspiration for the entire series has unfurled from this seminal story, pulling in many other Celtic legends and folklore. As I weave my way toward the inevitable gravitas of the Arthurian legends, I find that all roads lead to him and the lore surrounding his reign.

The Journey Continues

As I reflect on this journey, I invite you to explore the rich tapestry of Welsh folklore alongside me. Each tale is a thread, woven together to create a vibrant narrative that speaks to the heart of our shared human experience. The stories of Wales are not just ancient history; they are alive, breathing, and waiting to inspire us.

Embracing the Adventure

In writing Islands in the Mist, I aim to connect with a broad audience, sharing my unique blend of Celtic folklore and adventure. I hope to inspire you to embark on your own creative journey. Whether through my workshops or engaging content, my goal is to ignite your imagination and encourage you to explore the depths of your creativity.

The Call of the Bard

As we delve deeper into these stories, remember that the essence of a bard lies within us all. Each of us has a tale to tell, a song to sing. So, let us embrace the call of the bard, and together, we can keep the spirit of these ancient stories alive for generations to come.

In the end, the magic of Islands in the Mist is not just in the tales themselves but in the connections we forge through them. So I invite you to embark on this adventure together with me, exploring the wonders of Welsh folklore and the boundless possibilities of our imaginations.