Page "Merlin" Paragraph 25

Merlin's death is recounted differently in other versions of the narrative ; the enchanted prison is variously described as a cave ( in the Lancelot-Grail ), a large rock ( in Le Morte d ' Arthur ), an invisible tower, or a tree.

In his book " The Meaning of Trees: botany, history, healing, lore " Fred Hageneder writes on page 149, " According to Breton legend, the legendary wise man Merlin climbed the Pine of Barenton ( from bel nemeton, " Sacred Grove of Bel "), just as shamans climb the World Tree.

Here, he had a profound revelation and he never returned to the mortal world.

In later versions, Merlins glas tann was mistranslated as a " glass house ".

It is actually a living tree ( from the Cornish glas "( ever ) green ", and tann, " sacred tree "), and from these words the name of Glastonbury, in Somerset, England is sometimes derived.

Hence, according to legend, it is a sacred tree in which the soul of Merlin awaits his return.

" In the Prophetiae Merlini, Niviane confines him in the forest of Brocéliande with walls of air, visible as mist to others but as a beautiful tower to him ( Loomis, 1927 ).

This is unfortunate for Arthur, who has lost his greatest counselor.

Another version has it that Merlin angers Arthur to the point where he beheads, cuts in half, burns, and curses Merlin.