Taliesin
The Last Celtic Shaman
with additional material by Caitlín Matthews
John Matthews
Inner Traditions, 1991 - 2002
Taliesin, Chief Bard of Britain and Celtic shaman, was a historical figure who lived in Wales during the
latter half of the sixth century. Encoded within his writing are the ancestral beliefs of the Celtic and
pre-Celtic peoples - their methods of divination, and the rites, rituals, and prophecies that were essential
to their spiritual practice. In addition, Taliesin´s verse is a direct precursor to the Arthurian Legends,
and Taliesin himself - shaman and shapeshifter - is said to be a contemporary of Merlin.
Through the bard´s work is steeped in the rich traditions of druidic practice, few have explored the
revelations to be found in the secret poetic language of his writing. Now in this first collection of
Taliesin´s major works, John Matthews, a preeminent Celtic scholar, sheds new light on the poems of
Taliesin and on the vast body of allusion, story, and myth that grew from his shamanic practice.
With the help of fellow Celtic scholar Caitlín Matthews, the author presents completely new
translations of Taliesin´s major poems in their entirety, uncovering for the first time the meanings
behind these great works and the ancient mysteries and cosmological rites of the Druids that were central to
Celtic worship.
John Matthews has spent thirty years studying the traditions of the Celts and is an internationally acknowledged
authority on the Arthurian and Grail legends. His many books include The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom,
The Celtic Shaman, and The Grail: Quest for Eternal Life.
He teaches throughout Europe and America and currently resides in England.
(Bovenstaande tekst komt van de achterkant van het boek)