Folklore of Wales

25 October

31 October

Folklore from the old calendars

Coel Coeth No longer kept North WalesOn All Saints' Eve every family in North Wales lit a large bonfire, called Coel Coeth, in the most prominent spot near the house.
Cynddilig’s cock against the hooping-cough No longer kept CardiganshireIn the parish of Llanrhystud in Cardiganshire, from midday to midnight on the eve of the first of November, people were allowed to offer a cock to St Cynddilig as a guard against whooping-cough.
Cyniver No longer kept WalesAmong the Hallowe'en customs he gathered, Hone gave a Welsh game from Owen's Welsh Dictionary.
Grass from under the holly on All Hallows’ Eve Lore and belief WalesOn All Hallows' Eve a Welsh girl walked backwards to a holly tree, pulled a handful of grass from under it and carried it to the light, where she would find hairs of her true love among the blades.
Hemp-seed round the church at midnight Lore and belief WalesOn All Hallows Eve in Wales a person would sow hemp-seed while walking round the church a little before midnight.
Iolo ap Hugh’s fiddle on Hallowe’en Lore and belief Denbighshire, ShropshireA cave said to run from Morda to Chirk Castle drew in anyone who went near it, and on Hallowe'en the wandering fiddler Iolo ap Hugh went in with bread, cheese, candles and his fiddle and was never seen again.
Names of the dead at the church door Lore and belief WalesOn All Hallows Eve some in Wales listened at the great door of the church to hear the names of those who would die in the coming year.
Seven times round the church on All Hallows’ Eve Lore and belief MontgomeryshireA Montgomeryshire servant girl walked seven times round the church on All Hallows' Eve to raise the spirit of the man she would marry, and came home asking her mistress why the master had been sent out to frighten her.
The Angelystor of Llangernyw Lore and belief DenbighshireAt Llangernyw it was said that on All Hallows' Eve a spirit called the Angelystor announced from the altar the names of everyone who would die in the parish that year.
The Black Short-tailed Sow No longer kept North WalesThe autumn fire lit in North Wales on the eve of 1 November came with a round of ceremonies, according to an account Hone quoted from Owen.
The death roll at Aberhafesp church Lore and belief MontgomeryshireTwo men sat in the porch of Aberhafesp church on All Hallows' Eve to learn whether anyone in the parish would die in the coming year, and at midnight one heard a voice inside call his sleeping companion's name.
The yarn ladder on Hallowe’en Lore and belief WalesOn Hallowe'en two Welsh girls made a little ladder of yarn without breaking it from the ball and threw it out of the window.

Folklore of Wales

25 October

31 October

31 October, not tied to the day

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