Samhain/Calan Gaeaf

[Furryanimal]

Samhain, (Celtic: “End of Summer”) also spelled Samain, in ancient Celtic religion, one of the most important and sinister calendar festivals of the year. At Samhain, held on November 1, the world of the gods was believed to be made visible to humankind, and the gods played many tricks on their mortal worshippers; it was a time fraught with danger, charged with fear, and full of supernatural episodes. Sacrifices and propitiations of every kind were thought to be vital, for without them the Celts believed they could not prevail over the perils of the season or counteract the activities of the deities. Samhain was an important precursor to Halloween.

Calan Gaeaf – The Welsh Halloween


Calan Gaeaf is the first day of winter (1st November). The night before (31st October) is known as Noson Calan Gaeaf or Ysbrydnos – when the spirits come out to visit.

Originally this was a Pagan festival where people celebrated the end of the summer and the end of the old year. People believed that the gap between the living and dead was closer on this night, and spirits could cross into the living side.

There are many Celtic traditions surrounding Noson Calan Gaeaf. Here are some of them:

People wore masks on Noson Calan Gaeaf in order to keep the spirits away. This is why people make nasty faces in pumpkins today and put them in the windows or doors of the house.

People didn’t light a fire in their houses on Noson Calan Gaeaf, just in case the spirits would feel at home and want to stay!

Another tradition was to make a bonfire. Each member of the family would mark a White stone and throw it into the bonfire. If one of the stones was missing the next day, it meant that there would be a death during the year.

‘Twco Fale’ – Apple Bobbing was also popular. Girls would try to pull an apple out of a barrel of water using only their teeth. The first girl to pull an apple out would be the next to get married.

There are also many stories in Wales which include Ladi Wen – a ghost of a girl in White, and the Hwch Ddu Gwta – a black sow without a tail.

 

[Furryanimal]

The terrifying Hwch Ddu Gwta​

For centuries the people of Pembrokeshire have feared bumping into this huge black beast with red eyes, that seized souls to carry off to the underworld.
Hwch Ddu Gwta translates as the ‘Tailless Black Sow’ and it’s said that if you run into it there’s no escaping its clutches. It was thought to have haunted the banks of the stream near Narberth, just down the road from Bluestone. It terrified local people to such an extent that after dark no one would cross the bridge that spanned the stream.



One brave local, full of alcohol after an evening session at a tavern, decided to ride his horse full pelt across the bridge in defiance of the story. Just to be certain of not seeing the beast he kept his eyes closed and his head down as he galloped towards the crossing. Unfortunately, the horse missed the bridge completely and fell into the river, throwing him into the icy waters.
When he surfaced, spluttering and gasping, there was the beast on the opposite bank, glaring straight at him. Terrified, he fled on foot back to the safety of the tavern, his screams waking people in every house he passed. It took him many months to recover from the shock and he never again ventured out at night

 

[Alligatorob]

@Furryanimal thanks for your posts on Wales, I find them quite interesting. Did not realize that Wales was Celtic, but not Gaelic. Not that I really know enough to know the difference.

My mother's maiden name was Jones, so I always assumed I was some part Welsh, but have not been able to trace the Joneses back to Wales. The oldest Jones ancestor I can find was born in Virginia in 1719. 23 and me gives my genetics as 70% British & Irish but does not identify any Welsh specifically. Maybe too long ago and too mixed...

Anyway I do like hearing about Wales, hope to visit one day.

 

[Furryanimal]

Ar nosweithiau lleuad llawn, daw i grwydro’r llefydd melltigedig hyn
Rhyw ffurf welw, dan ganu’n drist
Mae hi’n peri braw ar bob trigolyn,
A swyn hefyd, am fod cuddfanau llaith
Ei chastell tywyll yn gwarchod trysor
A phwy bynnag a nesao ato, cyferfydd â’i angau

Gyda machlud yr haul, mae dyn hyderus
Yn croesi’r bont godi ac yn myfyrio ar y caeadle,
Arweinwyd ef gan lafarganeuon swynol, canmlwydd oed,
Oedd yn ymdebygu i achwyn gynt
Ymddyrchaif amlinell frau oddi tan y pared,
Nid yn cerdded, yn llithro ar hyd y llechi
A gwisgo coron gwrel fel talaith am ei phen,
Ac yn gafael yn ei llaw ym mrigyn ieuanc gwern,
Cynigia’r trysor ond dim ond unwaith
Pan ddychwel y dyn, ni fydd hi ddim yno bellach
...........


Y Ladi Wen, or the White Lady, is a type of “boogeyman” that has it’s origins in Celtic Mythology. While there are many variations to the story about her, she usually appears in a terrifying form and at times will ask for help in an attempt to lure people to their doom. Parents use these stories to serve as a warning to their children about the dangers of immoral behavior. As for Ogmore Castle, it has it’s own unique tale concerning the White Lady.

The story goes that a man was visiting Ogmore Castle in an attempt to find it’s hidden treasure, which was widely believed to be guarded by the White Lady. When he found the spirit, he demanded she give him to the treasure. She agreed and took him to it, and the man smiled at the vast treasure that consisted of a large amount of gold guineas. However, she did have one rule for him: he could only take half of the gold but leave the rest. He agreed, but deceit was within his heart. Later on in the evening, he returned to the castle. Going to the spot where the treasure was, he filled his pockets with as much gold as he could hold. When he began to leave the castle, the White Lady appeared and was filled with anger. She accused him of being a thief, a charge he denied. However, she forced him to remove his jacket, and this is when the gold fell to the ground. She was none too pleased and viciously attacked him with her claws, badly injuring him. Though he escaped alive, he became very ill soon after and wasted away until he died. While doctors believed it was an unknown illness that killed him, the locals knew it was “The White Lady’s Revenge!” What is the moral of the story: don’t be a liar, greedy, or a thief.

 

[Furryanimal]

@Furryanimal thanks for your posts on Wales, I find them quite interesting. Did not realize that Wales was Celtic, but not Gaelic. Not that I really know enough to know the difference.

My mother's maiden name was Jones, so I always assumed I was some part Welsh, but have not been able to trace the Joneses back to Wales. The oldest Jones ancestor I can find was born in Virginia in 1719. 23 and me gives my genetics as 70% British & Irish but does not identify any Welsh specifically. Maybe too long ago and too mixed...

Anyway I do like hearing about Wales, hope to visit one day.

Jones......must be some Welsh blood there somewhere.
We are very welcoming......

 

[Alligatorob]

Jones......must be some a Welsh blood there somewhere.
We are very welcoming......

When I visit I will claim lots of Welsh blood, LOL!