Welsh Folk Custom

The Celtic Summer Solstice Part 1: Customs

Gwilym Morus-Baird

Published on: 12/06/2025

Why is there no known Celtic myth for the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year? Unlike Samhain, Imbolc, and Calan Mai, midsummer seems absent from ancient tales. But perhaps its myth was never lost, just hidden in the gestures and customs passed down through generations. In this first video of a 5 part series, I’m going to explore the rituals and traditions practiced across Celtic regions, from fiery hilltop celebrations in Ireland and Wales, to sacred wells in Scotland, and the golden herbs gathered at the peak of their power.

Welsh Folk CustomCeltic Studies

The Oldest Welsh Fairytale Explained: Elidyr and the Fairy Realm

Gwilym Morus-Baird

Published on: 24/05/2025

The story of Elidyr and the Tylwyth Teg is the oldest Welsh fairy tale on record. It tells of a boy’s journey through ancient liminal spaces, encountering a deep realm of where the fairies have their own high ideals and ethics. But what does this story actually mean? What does it tell us about encounters with the extraordinary, about truth, childhood, and lost wisdom? Get the short guide ‘The 5 Keys of Celtic Myth’ here.

Welsh Folk CustomCeltic Studies

The Physicians of Myddfai: An Interpretation

Gwilym Morus-Baird

Published on: 12/05/2025

How can a simple Welsh folktale about a shepherd who falls in love with a magical lake maiden reveal deep insights about relationships, time, nature, and the delicate balance between different worlds? How did this extraordinary union gave birth to the legendary Physicians of Myddfai? Using the ‘5 Keys of Celtic Myth’ approach, I break down this fascinating story to reveal its practical wisdom about finding balance, respecting boundaries, and connecting with forces beyond our understanding.

Welsh Folk CustomCeltic StudiesCeltic Mythology

The Celtic Equinoxes?

Gwilym Morus-Baird

Published on: 30/10/2024

The Wheel of the Year was a concept invented in the mid-20th century to describe a cycle of 8 seasonal pagan festivals, many of which were taken from Irish culture. More recently, the whole concept of an eight-fold year has been questioned, the assumption being that some festivals have no basis in history. But the situation, in the Celtic cultures at least, is a bit more nuanced.

Welsh Folk CustomCeltic StudiesCeltic Mythology