Everyone knows the name Merlin. The fictional wizard of Arthurian legends has been a popular character for centuries, with no shortage of variations of his tale across pop culture and the entertainment industry. But even though the famed magician is known for mentoring King Arthur, his original incarnation actually had nothing to do with the king of Camelot.
The character of Merlin first appeared in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s 1136 AD work titled Historia Regum Britanniae, or The History of Kings of Britain. The chronicle of battles was meant to pass as a translation of a long-lost ancient text, yet it included chunks of fiction. Geoffrey combined the stories of historical and legendary figures—including a prophet and madman named Myrddin and a Romano-British war leader named Ambrosius Aurelianus—to create Merlin. Geoffrey’s story detailed Merlin as the son of a human woman and a demon, giving him shape shifting and other magical powers.
In Geoffrey’s work, Merlin moves Stonehenge from Ireland to England as a burial location in one story. The wizard’s second story involves giving a potion to a man named Uther Pendragon that transforms him into the husband of the woman he wishes to sleep with, which leads to the conception of Arthur. These stories became popular, particularly in Wales. As adaptations were created over many decades, the character of Merlin evolved into a powerful wizard who tutored and mentored Arthur, guiding him to Camelot’s throne.
If you could have one magical ability, what would it be? Let us know in the comments section below to enter our August giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by August 21, 2017. One winner will be randomly selected on August 22, 2017 to receive a Merlin 1 oz proof AND antiqued silver round from our Celtic Lore series.
Good luck to all entrants!
Frank McCloskey says
To fly of course
Joe sedtal says
I would like to have the ability to fore see precious metals prices
Anthony Sarno says
Time travel. I would go back in time to medieval England with modern weaponry and make myself a king.
Eric says
The magical ability to use everyone else’s abilities that have been posted for the greater good of humanity. There sure are a lot of good ones!
Julian Beard says
I would give myself free silver
Jens says
The ability to give all people equal opportunity to become the best they can be.
Chris says
I want America to be Great Again.
Keith Lammert says
I would give everyone in the world some common sense. Especially politicians.
Anthony Wheeler says
My magical power would be the ability to manilpulate time either fast, slow or reverse. As i get older time gets more precious.
Scott Ricketts says
Easy: Invisibility… Although walking around naked all of the time may take some getting use to.
Clifford Lopez says
I’d give EVERYONE on Earth the experience, for the rest of their life, of what it’s like to feel uncoditionally loved from another human. Yeah i know…sounds sappy, BUT i have never experienced anything greater!
Edward Spencer says
The ability to read the thoughts of all living creatures at will.
kipp k says
The ability to create love and peace throughout the world.
Tom says
I would wish people could fly and go back and forth in time.
Andrew William halpin says
I wish for the magic ability of seeing the future. In this case I would know wether or not im winning that Merlin silver round. That aside I could be prepared for everything.
William J says
Magic is receiving the magic coin.
Scott Briggs says
My one magical power would be the power to shape shift into different forms. Then I could fly like a bird or run like a stallion!
Thank you for the fun contest.
JEffrey Eiland says
If I could have one magical ability it would be he power to dispel fear. All of our pain and suffering stems from our fears. Fear of losing out homes. Fear of how our lives will change. Fear of losing someone we love. We constantly act out of fear. But imagine for just a moment that each time fear crept up on you that it could be instantly dispelled. No longer would you fear rejection when you meet somebody new. No longer would oy fear dying or being hurt when you want to experience something exciting. No longer would you fear those minute, day-to-day instances that so often paralyze you. With the power to dispel fear time would show that all corruption, greed, and wrongdoings would slowly cease as these are all thoughts that stem from the fears we hold within ourselves. Fears that make us hinknwe are less than we are. Fears that paralyze us qhen we need most to be free. Fears that we hold tighter to as we get older. If I had the power to dispel fear I honestly believe, with every ounce of my being, that war and famine could be ended. Greed and lust could be removed from our minds and a great time of peace and prosperity would persist for all.
L.J. Pawlowicz says
I would want the ability to understand God.
Robert Huffman says
To return to the silver and gold standard….doing away with the fiat currency we are plagued with since the 1930’s.
Rocky Truman says
Just to be happy
John Judy says
By eliminating the 7 deadly sins, I think it would solve most all the problems humans have created on this planet……… yup, that would be epic. Peace on Earth.
Jenny W says
I would like the magical talent of making anyone who lies (mainly politicians) nose grow bigger with each lie told.
Jeff Lane says
To be able to travel to the past to learn about my ancestors from them personally.
Edgar Flores says
Healing.. anything and everything
Tina Peetz says
U would love the magical ability to ease others suffering, to help where it is needed, when it is needed.
Orville Humphries says
I would like the ability to finally have complete world peace.
Paul Starnes says
I would like a type of reverse Golden Rule. Any harm one would intend for another would instead befall themselves…
Josh Singleton says
i would cure the world of baldness, banksters, and bad ideas.
Becky Guillory says
I would like to have the magical ability to change the way people think. Erase evil thoughts and actions and change them to nice thoughts and good actions.