Coel Coeth

31 October · North Wales

No longer kept

On All Saints’ Eve every family in North Wales lit a large bonfire, called Coel Coeth, in the most prominent spot near the house. When it had burned down, each person threw a marked white stone into the ashes, said their prayers and went to bed. In the morning they searched for the stones, and anyone whose stone was missing was expected to die before the next All Saints’ Eve.

there is a custom upon All Saints Eve of making a great fire called Coel Coeth, when every family about an hour in the night makes a great bonfire in the most conspicuous place near the house

From Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. 1, col. 1413. Read the original

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