Merlin is one of the original line of Mystics in ancient British folklore and has become an icon to many people interested in the mystical, in arcane magic and spirituality. The earliest known references to 'Arthur are associated with ancient Celtic mythology and so it is perhaps understandable that the name of 'Merlin' was interwoven into Arthurian legend, and reflected the Celtic mystic beliefs and notable deities.

Merlin was believed to be based upon a northern Welsh personage of legend named 'Myrddin'

In this one of many legends it is believed that he became a prophet after wandering in misery for fifty years with only the company of a wild piglet as a 'rude bedfellow'.

Merlin in many different books and texts is attributed at different times to helping no less than three Kings of England: Aurelius; Uther Pendragon; and later Uther's son Arthur.

He became a bard to Arthur and is believed to have died in AD570. He appears under different names in many texts over the proceeding centuries.

it is found there is very little known of Merlin's family background. it is believed his mother was 'Aldan' and according to different legends Merlin (or the different people that are said to have been Merlin) had a twin sister 'Ganieda' (Gwendydd). It is stated that he had a daughter called 'Inogen'.

Some legends tell that Merlin was perhaps of an Otherworldly father, some say a daemon and an earthly woman.

In some legends he is the son of 'Aldan' (mother) and 'Cadwellon' (father).

Vivienne, a 'Lady of the Lake' is described as the woman that is said Merlin truly loved, but who used him and then trapped him in a thorn bush, some say a Hawthorn tree, by use of the same magical spells/arcane knowledge that Merlin had taught her.

Other legends say that Merlin's death, some say madness, was brought about by Vivienne;

trapped in a 'Tower of Air';
disappeared into thin air only to exist as a shadow;
buried alive under a stone;
sealed in stone vault;
trapped in a glass tower.

These prophets include information on his death by falling, hanging and drowning This combination is found in many version, woven together perhaps to explain the outcome of the descent into madness or his ultimate journey to the faery realm.

What ever happened to Merlin in these stories the only place that is mentioned as a possible location is 'The Forest of Broceliande'

Merlin, the Arche-Mage of Britain, is reputed to have been Arthur's adviser, prophet, shaman, magician and guardian and counsellor to Arthur.

As Merlin is reputed to have been the guardian of Britain, this reference sometimes led to Britain be referred to as 'Clas Meridin' or 'Merlin's Enclosure'.

Merlin is also believed to have been the guardian of the 'Thirteen Treasures of Britain' which he stored in a glass tower on Bardsey Island. .

According to a few of the many legends thought out history,

Merlin turned his back on what were referred to as the evil and dark forces to go with the power of the light and goodness.

Because of this he lost many of the powers he had inherited from his father and was left with only two powers, that of prophecy and making miracles, both of which it is implied he possessed in great power.

Although in books Merlin is only associated with Uther Pendragon (Arthur's father) and is not associated with King Arthur directly.

In the eighteenth-century, writers employed the well-known name under which to make predictions, particularly under the name 'Merlinus Anglicus'.

His prophecies were said to have been contained in a collection of Welsh poems, believed by some to have been written by Merlin and later published in a book (c.AD1200) called 'Llyfr Du Caerfyddin', The Black Book of Carmarthen.

the texts mention a boy called 'Ambrosius' (who prophesied the defeat of the Britons by the Saxons)

This name causes some confusion as other texts indicate Uther Pendragon fought along side his brother who was also named 'Ambrosius

If this is so, does this mean that Merlin was Uther's brother?

It is argued by most that Merlin was known as 'Merlin-Ambrosius' because of his patronage with 'Aurelius Ambrosius' (Uther Pengragon's brother), and not because he was the brother of the High King of Britain.

'Merlin the Magician' we are told assisted Uther Pendragon.

When Uther wished to deceive 'Igerna ( by disguising himself by use of magic as her husband, the deal that Merlin had Uther agree to was that his first born child should be handed to him.

Merlin then, gave him in turn to 'Ector of the Forest Sauvage'

Merlin was said to have been responsible for transporting the stones of 'Stonehenge' from Ireland to England. Although in other legends it is Merlin that tells 'Aurelius, King of Britain' to bring the stones (referred to as the 'Giant's Dance') to England from Ireland for two reasons; firstly, to act as a monument to those that had died during the battles with the Saxons, and secondly because the stones possessed great powers of healing. It should though be pointed out that Stonehenge is believed to have been built 1700-1800BC, later used a ritualistic place of worship by the Druid's who are known to have been around during the legendary time of Merlin and Arthur.

in (AD1485) legends describes Merlin as the adviser and guide to Arthur, who pulled the 'Sword of Branstock' from a stone when he was aged 15 years, as we are told that Merlin had the ability to cast the most powerful spells and enchantments.

The existence of Merlin has always been debatable by various people, but we can be sure that a person of this name and by it's many derivations appears throughout old texts, as either a prophet, bard, prince and/or poet.

Merlin is said to have been a young boy/man before Vortigern (estimated year AD480) but Merlin appears as an old man at the Court of Rydderch Hael, approx. AD570, Another twist to the name then appears, as at this Court Merlin is known as 'Lalockin, the twin' the twin being his sister 'Gwenddydd' who describes her brother as 'my world-famous twin brother'.

Described usually as lean in stature, tall with a long white beard, the symbolic essence of Merlin's role in Arthurian legend today appears in some of the most popular characters of twentieth-century films

He is the archetypal magician/wizard/counsellor, who is from a noble race yet his heritage is unclear, who employs arcane knowledge and the mystical powers of the earth and sky, the two main energies of life, for the victory of good over evil, light over dark, reincarnation over death.

One of the most enduring Arthurian romantic legends reveals Merlin's involvement in the ascent of Arthur to the position of High King of Britain following his being brought-up by Ector de Sauvage. The following is typical of how Merlin was seen to have employed arcane knowledge to unite the land and the people.

Two years after the birth of Arthur his true father, 'Uther', passed away. Under-kings and Lords managed and mismanaged the Island of Britain. Each revealed their desire to be the leader of the Britons. When Arthur reached the age of fifteen, Merlin is said to have summoned all leaders to London, to decide who would ultimately be crowned High King of Britain. Merlin is described as having caused a stone with a sword, earlier referred to as the Sword of Branstock, held in its mass to appear in a courtyard of an ancient chapel. An inscription upon the stone read 'Who so pulleth this sword from this stone is the rightfully born King of all England'. All were said to have tried to pull the sword from the stone but failed. Later they would dispute Arthur's claim at having released the sword but as yet no-one knew of Arthur's heritage or person.

Meanwhile 'Ector', 'Kay' and Arthur arrived in London. The two noblemen argued when Kay revealed that he had forgotten his sword. Arthur is said to have gone to find his sword and on his return passed the same chapel courtyard, which was now quiet and empty. He freed the sword from the stone and gave this to Kay. Ector desired proof of Arthur's explanation of how he had come by the sword, and so they travelled together to the same spot and the sword was replaced into the stone. Having failed, both Ector and Kay watched whilst Arthur drew it from the stone with little effort.

Confusion arises about the name as the ninth-century chronicler Nennius mentions a boy called 'Ambrosius' (aka Merlin Emrys) who prophesied the defeat of the Britons by the Saxons. This boy was said to have also refuted the Druids of Vortigern when they were looking to rebuild Vortigern's Tower which kept falling down. The Druids believed that the foundations would only be strong if they were sealed by the blood of a child with no father, and so enter Merlin, who we are led to understand in the same legends, was of no earthly father, being fathered by a devil or even The Devil himself, a reason given for his arcane knowledge. This Merlin saved his own life by stating that the tower kept falling down because it was built on top of two dragons fighting 'one red, one white' which could be seen as symbolic of the constant fighting between the Saxons and the Britons.

A similar story, based upon the two dragons and a castle, appears in a Welsh legend. In this instance it is a treacherous Welsh King called 'Gwrtheyn' who, running from his own people, is said to have had problems building a castle (each night the building materials disappear). Merlin as a young boy was taken to the castle to spill his blood on the foundation, and again the story tells of two dragons, one red, one white. It is believed by many that this is the very legend that provided Wales with it's emblem. The King moves on to build a new one 'Nant Gwrtheyn', and it is Merlin who builds on the original hill which is named 'Dinas Emrys' (Merlin also being referred to as Emrys). This legend is believed to be connected to 'Nant Gwynant' (Caenarvon, Wales, UK).