Was he just a myth created by the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth or perhaps, a true mystery of history. Because he existed in Welsh folklore long before the publication of these works.
It’s not a case of what you believe but what you would like to believe. So we start withthe proverbial phrase, “it was said”:
Merlin described as a cambion, that is born of a mortal woman, sired by an incubus, a non human spirit who sought out virgins whilst they slept for sexual pleasure.
Merlin is begotten as an intended Antichrist ,the plot is thwarted when the expectant mother informs her confessor of her predicament. They immediately baptise the baby at birth, thus freeing him from the power of Satan. He still inherits his supernatural powers from his demonic legacy which is supplemented by God with prophetic knowledge of the future.
Myrddin Emrys, after whom Caerfyrddin ( Carmarthen) was named is Merlin of Arthurian Legend. The most famous wizard in the world, appears in Welsh folk tales long before Arthurian times.
He became known as Merlin because the latinised form of Myrddin would have been Merdinus. He was also a poet and a prophet, forecasting that one day the Celts would take over the land of Britain and drive the Saxons out. He also forecast the Gunpowder Plot “to conspire to kill the King/ to raise rebellion / to alter religion / to subvert the state / to procure invasion by strangers “.
As a youth , Merlin was linked with Vortigen, King of Britain. A story I told in an earlier post, re. the red and white dragons.
Legend has it that he created Stonehenge as a burial place for Aurelius Ambrosius, conqueror of Vortigen. Also,how his magic enabled Uther
Pendragon to enter Tintagel in the likeness of Gorlais, his sworn enemy and father his son Arthur with his enemy ‘s wife with whom he had become besotted.
Welsh traditions say that he now lies in chains in a cave under Bryn Myrddin, Carmarthen or a cave near Dinefur Castle or buried on Bardsey Island where he took The magical item known as The Thirteen Treasures of Britain.
But my favourite is the legend of the Sacred Tree at Glastonbury, Merlin climbed had a profound revelation and never returned to the mortal world. The legend says that his soul, his life force still lies in this tree awaiting his return.