EP150 Wales' Eerie Christmas Death Omen: The Ghostly Tolling of the Tolaeth (Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast with Mark Rees)

EP150 Wales' Eerie Christmas Death Omen: The Ghostly Tolling of the Tolaeth (Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast with Mark Rees)

30 Minuten

Beschreibung

vor 1 Jahr
The Ghosts and Folklore Podcast is celebrating a monumental
milestone – Episode 150 – with a festive, eerie twist. For
this special Christmas edition, host Mark Rees blends the magic of
the holiday season with haunting tales and mysterious folklore.

Get ready for a journey into the strange and supernatural,
featuring festive ghosts, ancient traditions, and a mystery that
will (OK, might!) keep you on edge.


So grab your favourite drink, cosy up by the fire, and let’s dive
into a world where the spirits of Christmas past are very much
alive!
Christmas Ghosts: A Welsh Pub and the Tolaeth

Mark kicks off this festive celebration by taking us to a Welsh
pub during Christmas in the late Victorian era. American
folklorist Wirt Sikes recounts a memorable visit to a
Carmarthenshire inn, where the locals enjoyed good food, drink,
music, and ghostly tales. But the pub wasn’t just a place for
celebration – it was also a hotspot for strange happenings.


In this episode, Mark explores a mysterious death omen from Welsh
folklore – the Tolaeth. This eerie phenomenon, thought to be
linked to the tolling of church bells, is a haunting reminder
that not all is merry and bright during the holidays. But what
exactly is the Tolaeth, and how does it relate to death and
Christmas traditions? Could the clanging of church bells really
be a warning of impending doom? Listen to the episode to uncover
this chilling mystery!
Festive Folklore: The Ghostly Tolling of the Bells

Unlike the loud, screeching death omens like the cyhyraeth, the
Tolaeth manifests as soft knocks, footsteps, or even the sound of
a carriage – sometimes heard just before someone’s passing.


One especially eerie story told in this episode revolves around a
farmer who hears strange knockings at his door on Christmas Eve.
These supernatural knocks were a sign of impending death, a
harbinger of loss, yet a part of the Christmas folklore that has
been passed down through generations.


But how does the Tolaeth connect to the church bells that toll
mysteriously at midnight? And could these sounds be warning of
death within the family? Tune in to uncover the eerie details and
chilling implications of this folklore.
The Eerie Legend of the Blaenporth Church Bell

A captivating tale featured in this episode is that of the
Blaenporth Church Bell. This legend tells of a tolling bell that
foretold death in certain families. But here’s the twist – the
bell would toll unrung by human hands, and the sound could be
heard at midnight, signalling an impending death.


In the story, a farmer helps a spirit return a stolen silver
communion cup to the church, earning the promise of being warned
of his family’s death through the mysterious tolling of the bell.
As Mark recounts, this death omen came with a unique twist: a
forewarning that allowed the family to prepare for their loss.
But could it also be a metaphor for the way we process death
during the holiday season? Listen in to hear the full legend and
decide for yourself.
A Festive Death Omen or Santa’s Visit?

Mark wraps up this episode on a lighter note, inviting listeners
to consider the whimsical side of the Tolaeth. What if the
strange knocks on Christmas Eve aren’t a forewarning of death,
but a surprise visit from Santa Claus?


Picture this: You’re lying in bed, the sounds of footsteps
echoing through the house. Is it Santa delivering gifts, or is it
the Tolaeth preparing you for a deathly encounter? Maybe, just
maybe, it’s a little bit of both.
The 150th Episode: A Journey Through Time and Tales

Mark’s passion for folklore and ghostly tales shines through as
he celebrates reaching the 150th episode of the Ghosts and
Folklore Podcast. Reflecting on the journey so far, which started
in early 2020 during the first Covid lockdown, we look forward to
more eerie stories, chilling legends, and fascinating folk
traditions.
Join the Celebration

If you love a good ghost story and want to learn more about Welsh
folklore, haunted legends, and eerie traditions, this special
Christmas 150th episode of the Ghosts and Folklore Podcast is a
must-listen. The festive season is the perfect time to dive into
these spine-tingling tales of the supernatural.


From festive food and drink to holiday ghosts and mysterious
omens, this episode has it all!
What will you uncover?

What is the Tolaeth, and how does it relate to death omens?

Can the tolling of church bells really predict death in Welsh
folklore?

What strange sounds are heard before a death in Wales?

Could the Tolaeth be the same sound that signals Santa’s
arrival?



 


ORDER PARANORMAL SWANSEA AND GOWER BY MARK REES:


Mark's latest "Ghosts of Wales" book "Paranormal Cardiff". You
can order it online here.


 


BUY MARK REES A COFFEE:


If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast
you can treat Mark to a coffee here: Mark Rees on Ko-Fi -
thank you/ diolch! 


https://ko-fi.com/markrees 


 
WHAT IS THE GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES PODCAST WITH MARK
REES?

The Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast explores the eerie world
of Welsh ghosts, ghost stories, lore, myths, and legends.


Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales,
Paranormal Wales) in early 2020, this weird and wonderful podcast
delves into the country's countless curious subjects, blending
decades of research from books and articles with long-lost tales
from dusty old tomes.


From "real-life" encounters with the uncanny to fantastical
adventures from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded monthly
and feature everything from pesky poltergeists to fire-breathing
dragons, with the odd wicked — and not-so-wicked — witch along
the way.


Alongside the regular stories, you can expect the occasional
special guest, live ghost hunts, and all sorts of quirky
surprises from a Welsh storyteller with original ideas. Seasonal
specials include dark folklore and Gothic Halloween (Nos Calan
Gaeaf) traditions, plus everyone's favourite skull-headed
Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd.


Dare you explore haunted Wales? From the sublime mountains and
cascading waterfalls to bustling cities and remote farms, journey
through the paranormal and unexplained in all corners of Cymru.
Think of it as unlocking the Welsh X-Files with some tenuous
Ghostbusters references and terrible sound effects along the
way! 


Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode.


For more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit
https://markreesonline.com/:


Mark Rees homepage

Mark Rees on social media

Books by Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales, Paranormal Wales etc.)

Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast



Until next time, nos da!

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