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

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Witchcraft in early modern Wales was common, and superstitious beliefs and rituals were involved in everyday life. Accusations, trials, and executions were significantly fewer in number than in England, Scotland, and other parts of Europe, with only 37 prosecutions in Wales during this time period. [1] England, during the same time period, is believed to have executed 500 people for witchcraft. [2] In addition, most cases in Wales were dismissed or acquitted, and punishment was often less severe than in many other places where torture was common. According to historian Richard Suggett, contemporary English sources claimed a belief that different types of magic were used in Wales at this time, both harmful and helpful. [1] Although, during early times, witchcraft was not always considered bad, during the later Middle Ages, beliefs associated with the practice of magic and witchcraft changed, as it was seen as being associated with the devil, and any sort of witchcraft was eventually made illegal. [3] Witchcraft laws [ edit ] They are funny things, charms. They can be protective but can be interpreted in other ways,” said Richard.

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

Anon., ‘ Cerdd newydd yn rhoddi hanes am ryfeddol ddamwain a ddigwyddodd i wraig weddw oedd yn cadw Turnpike yn Mitcheldean yn Sir Gaerloyw : sef y modd y gwaredodd yr Arglwydd ei bywyd trwy ei rhybuddio o'i pherygl mewn breuddwyd, Cenir ar Fryniau' Werddon’,(n. d.). Special Collections: Salisbury, WG35.2.264. Arawn: honor him on the longest night of the year – the Winter Solstice. He might also like people who are hunters and those who have dogs in their home.Ceridwen is a name of Welsh origin, originally rendered as Kerdwin or Cyrrdven. Its exact meaning is unknown, due to the fact both parts of her name, Cerd and Wen, could have multiple meanings. Wen most likely means “woman,” but if originally derived from gwen it may be interpreted as “fair”, “blessed”, or “white.” Cerid can be translated as “bent” or “crooked”, but could potentially mean “poetry” or “song.” Jones, Edward, Ffolineb pob swyngyfaredd ac ofergoel: ar y don "Old Derby, gan y diweddar E. Jones, Maes-y-Plwm, (Llanrwst, 18??). Special Collections: Salisbury, WG35.2.3139. Howells, William, Cambrian superstitions: comprising ghosts, omens, witchcraft, traditions, &c.; to which are added a concise view of the manners and customs of the principality and some fugitive pieces, [1831] (Felinfach, Llanerch facsimile, 1991). Salisbury Collection 2 week, Celt GR150.H6.

Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore [PDF] [EPUB] Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore

Branwen: anything to do with love and happy marriage can be used to honor Branwen (i.e. red rose petals, pictures of happy couples, mirrors to represent beauty and emotion, etc.) Growing up in a Welsh schooling system, we studied the Mabinogi from a very young age. We took part in art projects surrounding some of the tales, watched theatrical retellings of them, and even went on school trips to places of significance regarding some of the legends. The legends of the Mabinogi are captivating, and it seems the more you read and study them, the more secrets you notice woven into them. Tales such as Pwyll, the prince of Dyfed's descent into the otherworld, or of Branwen's story filled with abuse and heartache, are seared onto my mind from the numerous times we went over them in school. Yet, despite having studied many of these legends to death, I am still surprised by them whenever I read them again.Vaughan, Thomas, Magia Adamica: or The antiquitie of magic, and the descent thereof from Adam downwards, proved ; whereunto is added, a perfect, and full discoverie of the true coelum terrae, or the magician's heavenly chaos, and first matter of all things, (London, 1650). Special Collections: Salisbury, WG30(1650). Ceridwen appears primarily in the Book of Taliesin, a story sometimes included in the famous Mabinogi. It is her only appearance, but one of the most famous in Celtic mythology. The Mabinogi

Welsh Witchcraft, by Mhara Starling - Issuu Welsh Witchcraft, by Mhara Starling - Issuu

A depiction of a witch being burned in 16th century Amsterdam (Image: Creative Commons) Read More Related Articles Beyond the vast amount of ancient literature and mythology within the Welsh continuum, Wales also has a rather enchanting folkloric landscape. Welsh folklore is filled to the brim with fairies, fantastical creatures, terrifying entities, and cunning magical practitioners. Arianrhod: she is a lunar goddess, so worship or call to her on a Full Moon. Place images of the moon around your home or sacred space to honor her. Jones, J. ‘ Can Newydd Mewn Dull o Ymdiddan Rhwng y Claf a Ffynon Feddygol Trefriw’, (n. d.). Series 27, Number 13.In comparison to mythology, folklore is often overlooked or simply seen as whimsical stories, but the truth is the magical practitioner can gain a wealth of wisdom and inspiration from folklore. The teacher and folklorist W. Jenkyn Thomas recorded numerous Welsh folk tales during his life in the late 19th to the early 20th century, and in these tales recorded various aspects of magical lore. For example, in the book More Welsh Folk Tales, published in 1957, not only does Thomas record various stories about the virtues and magical properties of certain sacred wells in Wales, but also records tales surrounding fairies, conjurers, and even the Welsh version of familiar spirits. In a chapter dedicated to familiar spirits, he describes how some magicians and conjurers employed familiar spirits to work with them, and often kept these spirits in physical objects such as books. Jones, Owen, Cyngor Beelzebub i'w raglawiaid, er difwyno yr adfywiad crefyddol yn Nghymru, (Liverpool, 1860). Special Collections: Salisbury, WG37(1860). Jones, John, Llên gwerin Sir Gaernarfon, (Caernarfon, 1908). Special Collections: Salisbury, Jarman WG39.3.0112. Wright, Gregory. “Ceridwen.” Mythopedia, 29 Nov. 2022. https://mythopedia.com/topics/ceridwen. Accessed on 18 Oct. 2023.

Ceridwen – Mythopedia Ceridwen – Mythopedia

Roberts, Peter, Y cwtta cyfarwydd : "The chronicle written by the famous clarke, Peter Roberts," notary public, for the years 1607-1646, (ed.), D. R Thomas, (London, 1883). Special Collections: Salisbury, WG4.32.R. The first thing I believe one should familiarise oneself with when embarking upon a journey to become acquainted with the magic of Wales is to dive deep into the ancient myths and legends of this landscape. Most of the myths and legends of Wales stem from medieval literature, such as the Mabinogi. Though these legends were compiled in written format in the 12th to the 13th centuries, they derive from older oral traditions of storytelling. The Mabinogi (pronounced Mah-Bee-Nogg-ee) is a collection of various legends separated into four branches. The legends themselves speak of otherworldly kings, giants, wizards and magic. Instead, she resolved to push the child out to sea. Placing the boy into a leather-skin bag, he was eventually found by Prince Elffin ap Gwyddno, who in turn raised the boy as a prince. He named him Taliesin, and he grew to be a wise bard and advisor to kings. Literature

Although witchcraft in Wales was in some ways distinct from the rest of Britain, documents from the time do reveal a glimpse into life hundreds of years ago and reveal a part of Welsh history that still fascinates people today.