EP94 Summer Solstice Folklore: Druids, Ghosts and Folk Horror Rituals in Wales (Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast)

The history and folklore of Midsummer warns us to expect the
unexpected during that the longest day of the year.

Over the days that span Midsummer's Eve and Day, or the Summer
Solstice, or St John's Eve and Day, or Calan Haf, Welsh folklore
tells us that paranormal activity and strange apparitions might
be encountered.


This episode explores some real-life traditions that range from
the heart-warming to the spine-chilling, from the fire festivals
of the ancient druids of Britain to those which sound like
they're straight out of a folk horror movie like the Wicker Man
or Midsommar, including:


Fire-jumping fertility rituals, a death omen that comes for
supper, predicting the future with divination, haunted wells,
and  even some fox men and women (yes, werewolf foxes!)


To find out more, explore the lore of the Summer Solstice with
author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he investigates the weird
and wonderful on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if
you dare!


 


 
What is the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees
podcast?

The "Ghosts and Folklore of Wales" podcast explores Welsh ghost
stories, lore, myths and legends.


Launched by author and journalist Mark Rees in early 2020, this
weird and wonderful podcast takes a fascinating look at the
country's countless curious subjects by combining decades of
research and insights from many books and articles with long-lost
tales from dusty old tomes.


Ranging from "real life" encounters with the uncanny to
fantastical tales from the Mabinogion, new episodes are uploaded
on Thursdays (weekly most of the time, biweekly when book and
media deadlines are looming) and feature everything from pesky
poltergeists to fire-breathing dragons.


Along with the regular stories you can also expect the odd
special guest, an occasional "live" ghost hunt, and all sorts of
crazy ideas. Seasonal specials include the dark and Gothic
Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) traditions of old, to everyone's
favourite skulled-skulled Christmas visitor, the Mari Lwyd
herself.


Dare you explore haunted Wales? Think of it as opening the Welsh
The X-Files, along with some tenuous Ghostbusters links!


Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a spooky episode, and for
more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:


Mark Rees homepage

Mark Rees on social media

Books by Mark Rees

Ghosts of Wales podcast



It's spooky time!