ALLHALLOW’S EVE (NOS CALAN GAEA.)
The Eve of All Saints is known in Wales as “Nos Calan Gaeaf,” and in former times there were many old customs in connection with it, most of which have now disappeared. I have already given an account of the Love Charms and spells which were performed on this eve, and amongst other strange doings, the uncanny custom of going round the Church in order to see the spirit of a future husband or wife. But there was in some places another weird ceremony of going round the church at midnight, and look in through the keyhole in order to see the spectral forms, or to hear a spirit calling the names of all those who were to die in the neighbourhood during the year; that is during the coming twelve months from that date, which seems to suggest that the new year began at this time once in old times. Many were afraid, especially children, of going out on Allhallow’s Eve as the night among the Welsh was one of the “tair nos ysprydion” (three spirits’ nights) as it was supposed that the spirits were free to roam about, and a demon at large in the form of a “Hwch ddu gwta” (black sow without a tail)
“Nos Calan Gaea’,
Bwbach ar bob camfa.”
(On Allhallow’s Eve,
A bogie on every stile.)
On this eve it was formerly the custom to kindle a bonfire, a practice which continued to a more recent date in the Northern part of the Principality than in the South.
Besides fuel, each person present used to throw into the fire a small stone, with a mark whereby he should know it again. If he succeeded in finding the stone on the morrow, the year would be a lucky one for him, but the contrary if he failed to recover it.
Those who assisted at the making of the bonfire watched until the flames were out, and then somebody would raise the usual cry, when each ran away for his life, lest he should be found last, and be overtaken by the ‘bogie.’—(See “Celtic Folk-Lore,” by Sir J. Rhys, page 225.)