Gwydion: The Master Magician

The Weaver of Fate

Gwydion ap Dôn is one of the most dynamic and morally complex characters in the Mabinogi. He is a master magician, a consummate storyteller, a trickster, and a devoted family man. His actions, driven by loyalty and cunning, cause war and tragedy, but also lead to the birth and survival of the great hero, his nephew and surrogate son, Lleu Llaw Gyffes.

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The War for a Woman

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The Nurturing of a Hero

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The Defeat of Fate

Click on a stage of the story to learn more.

The Archetypal Magician

Gwydion is the quintessential magician and trickster figure of Welsh mythology. His magic is one of illusion and transformation, and he uses it to achieve his goals, whether they are selfish (helping his brother) or noble (protecting his son).

Storyteller and Culture Hero

Gwydion is repeatedly described as the "best storyteller in the world." This is a source of his power. In an oral tradition, the one who controls the story controls reality. He uses his bardic skills to infiltrate enemy courts and to trick his sister Arianrhod.

Gwydion

The Weaver of Fate

The War for a Woman

The Nurturing of a Hero

The Defeat of Fate

The Archetypal Magician

Storyteller and Culture Hero

The Skills of a Magician

Symbols of Magic and Illusion

Further Reading