Revisiting the Mari Lwyd
When the material world is behaving so badly, I look to the myths and supernatural for a reality check. Looking at western politics that are running wild at the moment, I wonder if it is driven by an unexamined idea of life and death. Eat, drink, consume, repeat - bunker mentality.
Welcome Fiery Horses -2026
Personally I enjoy the traditional Eastern preparations to welcome in this equine spirit. We should wear red, we should not do any housework in case we sweep away the New Year’s Blessing. Lets wear scarlet and enjoy today.
Mayday, M’aidez,
We passed under the lych-gate when I saw something that brought me to a stop. I clutched my husband’s arm. Is that man dead? His form lay motionless by a headstone, as though he had just crawled out from under it. Was our neighbour was correct and the the day of judgement dawning?
Illustration by Sarah Keen
Dragonlines
The Spine of Albion covers many churches local to me. One, though - St John the Baptist Shedfield - was a surprise - as a wild serpent whirls around it. The authors have dowsed the dragon trail from Titchfield to Wickham and on through Shedfield to Bishops Waltham and Winchester. ‘ Were the Victorian architects were aware of the male serpent flowing through here? They ask The bell tower is adorned with dragons.’
When dead horses come calling (to wish you good luck).
Time’s great gates fly open and the dead horses of the Y Fari Lwyd gallop out of their mysterious past and into the present streets of Chepstow, where they collide with a glorious medley of Morris Men and Wassailers.