Merlin and King Arthur’s Round Table

The ancient Celtic world 1600 years ago was the age of Merlin and King Arthur. We know little about the history.  The Romans had conquered the Celts who were matriarchal.  Roman bloodlines were patriarchal.  The Roman Empire had recently (335 CE) become Christian.  When Rome was invaded in 403 the Legions were called home to protect the City of Rome.  The Viking Saxons took advantage of the political vacuum and invaded Britain. The heirs to the Celtic lands, Ambrose and his younger brother Uther Pendragon, escaped to Brittany off the coast of Gaul (modern France).  They left behind their older sister who, many years before, had become pregnant and refused to name the father of her child.  She retired with all her lands into a convent where she gave birth to the “bastard”.  A “batard” was the old French word for saddle blanket, which was rolled into a bed while one was traveling.  This child was most likely later known as Merlin.  No one knows the meaning of the name. It has roots in mer, the sea, and to the hawk which bears this name.  Since the wizard was known for his disguises, it seems appropriate that his identity should be a mystery.  That he was part of the royal family in a matriarchal tradition would explain King Uther’s giving his son to his nephew Merlin, that was the Celtic tradition of fostering children to protect them and build alliances.

Merlin’s gift to Arthur was the novel (for the time) concept of the Round Table.  There was no head of the table, hence it was a successful leveling device.  King Arthur and everyone at the table were equals.  Each had a say and the respect of the other men.   If we apply the concept to the inner world of the psyche, Merlin’s gift is the Round Table, where the inner contents of our psyches can be seated in Council.  Now days we need to invite the feminine to sit in council with us.  If we can get the unconscious, spiritual aspects into relationship with our conscious selves, we can grow into whole people, integrated and loving.