The Ghosts and Folklore Podcast is celebrating a monumental milestone – Episode 150 – with a some Christmas spirits and an eerie twist.
For this special festive 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 Christmas 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 Spirits: 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. 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, serves as a chilling reminder that not everything is merry and bright during the holidays.
What exactly is the Tolaeth, and how does it connect to death and Christmas traditions? Could the clanging of church bells really signal impending doom? Listen to the episode to uncover this uncanny mystery!
Festive Folklore: The Ghostly Tolling of the Bells
Unlike loud, screeching death omens like the cyhyraeth, the Tolaeth appears subtly. It manifests as soft knocks, footsteps, or even the sound of a carriage. These sounds are sometimes heard just before someone’s passing.
One particularly eerie story told in this episode revolves around a farmer. He hears strange knocks at his door on Christmas Eve. These supernatural knocks foretell death, acting as a harbinger of loss. Despite the fear, this story remains part of the Christmas folklore passed down through generations.
How does the Tolaeth relate to the church bells that toll mysteriously at midnight? Could these sounds be warnings of death within the family? Tune in to uncover the eerie details and unsettling implications of this folklore.
The Eerie Legend of the Blaenporth Church Bell
A captivating tale in this episode features the Blaenporth Church Bell. This legend describes a bell that tolls to predict death in certain families. The twist? The bell rings without human hands, and the sound echoes at midnight, signalling impending death.
In the story, a farmer helps a spirit return a stolen silver to the church. As a reward, the spirit promises to warn his family of upcoming deaths. Mark explains how this death omen provided a unique benefit. The family received a forewarning, allowing them to prepare for their loss. Could this also symbolise how we process death during the holiday season? Listen to the full legend and decide for yourself.
A Festive Death Omen or Santa’s Visit?
Mark wraps up this episode on a lighter note. He invites listeners to consider a whimsical side to the Tolaeth. What if those strange knocks on Christmas Eve aren’t warnings of death, but a surprise visit from Santa Claus?
Imagine this: You’re lying in bed, hearing footsteps echoing through the house. Is it Santa delivering gifts, or the Tolaeth preparing you for a chilling encounter? Maybe, just maybe, it’s a little bit of both.
Join the Christmas Spirits Celebration!
Mark’s passion for folklore shines through as he celebrates the 150th episode of the Ghosts and Folklore podcast. This journey began in early 2020 during the first Covid lockdown. Now, we eagerly look forward to more eerie stories, chilling legends, and fascinating folk traditions.
If you love ghost stories and want to explore Welsh folklore, haunted legends, and eerie traditions, this special 150th episode is a great starting point. The festive season is the perfect time to dive into these spine-tingling tales.
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?
Listen to the full episode and experience the Ghosts and Folklore Podcast in its entirety, and let us know what you think on social media!