Bran and the Bardic Tradition
	Traditionally Bran is associated with the bardic tradition, perhaps reflecting the necessity for the bard to be able to reach down into the underworld for inspiration, memory and prophesy. The poets of tradition were not just wordsmiths, they were wise, and they were prophets, seeing what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen in the future.	I have been loquacious prior to being gifted with speech - Taliesin
	Bran and Taliesin There is a particular connection between Bran and the famous bard Taliesin, whose story is also included in the Mabinogion. Much of Taliesin's poetry is to do with the hidden roots of the world, reflecting the use of poetry as a form of memory, and inspiration as a way of accessing hidden knowledge. In Taliesin's world poetry was not just for entertainment or aesthetic appeal, but was a way in to the mysteries, both for the poet and for those who listened to the poet.	The story of Taliesin Taliesin with Bran Taliesin as Bran's son
	Bran and the Bards Some scholars have made a case for Bran being considered as the patron of the Bards, and although the evidence is not without problems, it is intriguing.	Ogyrven Inventor of writing
	Memory and Inspiration The relationship between memory and poetic inspiration is symbolised clearly in Greek mythology, where the muses of inspiration are the daughters of memory. Of course, before writing was commonly used, memory was an essential art for the poet. If we observe the processes of memory and inspiration in ourselves, there are noticeable similarities - we have to make an effort, but then we have to wait and see if something comes up. But if what comes up is unfamiliar, is it inspiration, or is it a memory of a time before we were born, in a place we have never been?	"I know the names of the stars from north to south; I have been on the galaxy at the throne of the Distributor" Taliesin
	"It were miserable for a person not to come and obtain All the sciences of the world, collected together in my breast, For I know what has been, what in future will occur." Taliesin In the following poem, Taliesin reproves Heinen's Bards with their lack of knowledge of the beginning of things:
	"What was the first man, Made by the God of heaven; What the fairest flattering speech That was prepared by Ieuav; What meat, what drink, What roof his shelter; What the first impression Of his primary thinking; What became his clothing; Who carried on a disguise, Owing to the wilds of the country, In the beginning? Wherefore should a stone be hard; Why should a thorn be sharp-pointed; Who is hard like a flint; Who is salt like brine; Who sweet like honey; Who rides on the gale? Why ridged should be the nose; Why should a wheel be round; Why should the tongue be gifted with speech, Rather than another member? If thy bards, Heinen, be competent, Let them reply to me, Taliesin."	Can you answer Taliesin?