Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales

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In 1655, in Llanasa, Flintshire, Wales, another trial took place. Dorothy Griffith was accused of bewitching a traveling seaman, William Griffith. William claimed to have seen Dorothy in front of him with lights around her, and having led him to an ale house. He claimed to have looked out over the sea and saw that it on fire and became frightened by the experience. He further was believed to have fallen into a trance or lost consciousness but recovered. Dorothy was detained for 7 weeks but was able to gather signatures from other locals, in which they stated they had never had reason to believe there was any relationship between Dorothy and witchcraft. It was rumored that the relationship between the two families was tense and that William had been ill. Although Dorothy appeared at trial, it is believed that the case was eventually dismissed, and she was never sentenced. [3] The case of Dorothy Griffith is one of 32 cases that were acquitted.

Welsh Border Witchcraft: A Rendition of the Occult History of Welsh Border Witchcraft: A Rendition of the Occult History of

The Celtic Empire at its peak stretched from Eastern Europe all the way to England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Many of the regions and tribes within the Celtic Empire had their own pantheon of gods and goddesses, while some of these deities were worshiped widely. This article focuses solely on the Welsh Celtic Goddesses and Gods but is by no means an all-inclusive list. The story goes that an incredibly tall giant lived in the area and when he died the locals had to carry him a long way with the intention of burying him at Lanwenarty Church Yard. The weather unpredictably became wild, and it grew dark, so weary bearers decided to bury him there and then in the center of the field, as he was so heavy and large to continue any further.Gwen was convicted of murder by witchcraft and duly hung. There were many other accusations of witchcraft - but proving them was another matter. Most of the women spent brief periods in prison before being released when the case against them collapsed. The National History Museum at St Fagans has a fascinating collection of witch related artefacts - including a bottle that is filled with pins.

The history of witchcraft in Wales - Wales Online The history of witchcraft in Wales - Wales Online

Here are 10 of the creepiest folklore stories of Ghosts, Witches, Goblins, Phantoms and Fae that have grown as old as the hills themselves and are still told this day in the area by the wise elders that know the worth of paying attention to ancient lore. 1.Pwca Jones, S., Gweledigaethau dirnadwy : sef dehongliad i freuddwydion, o amryw ystyriaethau ... ynghyd a thablau i gael y dydd o'r mis dros byth ; at y rhai yr ychwanegwyd ychydig o reolau perthynol i gariad a phriodas i bobl ieuaingc, [1785], (Caerfyrddin, 1857). Special Collections: Salisbury, WG37(1857). The common idea that witches made a pact with the devil wasn't overtly expressed in Welsh witchcraft, but animal guises did appear. The name of this Welsh god is also the name of a modern pagan holiday celebrating the Autumnal Equinox. He has also been called The Boy, The Young Man and the Son of Modron. To put it simply, Mabon was and is seen as a “Divine Child” and as such his legend is found in the Welsh tale “Culhwch and Olwen”. Mabon was stolen from Modron when he was only three days old but then eventually rescued by King Arthur’s men. He is both one of the youngest and oldest souls, making his life a paradox. This balance is celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox, as the light and dark are at an equal stasis. Mabon was a hunter spirit with a magical horse and hound. He is a god of the forest and protects and frees wild animals. Two things we know for sure – he is an ancient Celtic god and he was the son of Modron (the Great Mother). Manawydan Lewis, W, Crist yn erbyn Anghrist : neu draethawd yn dangos natur ac egwyddorion gwahaniaethol a gwrthwynebol y cyfundraethau uchody frwydr rhyngddynt, a'r gwirionedd yn buddugoliaeth ar bob cyfeiliornad, ac arweiniad i mewn "y mil blynyddau", nodweddau neillduol y tymor hyfryd hwnw, yn nghyda sylwadau ar sefyllfa bresenol pethau yn mysg terynasoedd y byd yn gyffredinol, a gallueodd Ewrop yn neillduol; fel arwyddion nodedig yr amserau hyn, yn dangos fod yn rhaid fod yr adeg ddymunol hono gerllaw, (Caergybi, 1854). Special Collections: Salisbury, Casgliad Amryw Bangor WG59.015, & WG37(1854).Although the idea of witches in modern Wales is now consigned to Halloween costumes or horror films, a few centuries ago it formed a large part of life in Wales. a b c Hopkins, Matthew (October 28, 2020). "The Welsh Witch Trials". Caernarfon Herald . Retrieved February 28, 2021. But for most of the Middle Ages the word really meant the local healer, someone who made poultices and medicines and perhaps had charms or spells for healing cattle and other farm animals.” As I progressed in developing a magical and spiritual practise that was rooted in my land, I began wondering what magical traditions stemmed from my locale. I grew up hearing folk tales about Witches or listening to local lore about healing wells and sacred lakes, and so when I began exploring Witchcraft and learnt about various forms of folk magical practises from across the world my first question was, "What does Welsh folk magic look like?"